Seventy-six million years have passed in the realm of the gods.
At the summit of Olympus, Zeus, king of the Immortals, speaks with the Great Goddess. The brilliance of their presence lights up the celestial vault, and their words echo through eternity.
Zeus declared, in a deep and sovereign voice:
"It is clear that today, all gods, without exception, reign over humans. To these mortals, they offer gifts and favors, shaping their destiny through the ages."
The Great Goddess nodded, her gaze full of wisdom.
"Indeed... The vastness of the world of existence allows each god to rule over countless dimensions. There are so many that creation will never be without their presence."
Zeus, thoughtful, replied:
"Their multitude defies understanding, my dear."
The Great Goddess, radiant with joy, crossed her arms over her chest.
"I rejoice for our beloved Mü Thanatos, who finally ascends to the rank of ruling goddess."
A smile lit Zeus's face.
"Certainly, she would have been so sooner, had it not been for her youth: seven billion years is but a short time. You, however, have existed since the dawn of time; you come from the very substance of the divine, though originally without consciousness."
The Great Goddess answered, a mischievous gleam in her voice:
"I have always been aware of my existence, just like you, O king of the gods."
Zeus took a solemn air.
"Hm... There is nothing laughable in that."
Suddenly, a divine messenger appeared, interrupting the conversation.
"I greet you, lords. I come to inform you that many faithful humans, in various divine domains, are making requests of you."
Zeus burst into a deep laugh.
"That is the order of things. I am the king of the gods; those who pray to my peers also direct their supplications to me. Great Goddess, I leave you to your devotions: no doubt humans are imploring you at this very moment."
The Great Goddess replied, playfully:
"But it is you I would have wished to keep, O my king."
Zeus turned away, returning to his palace, while the Great Goddess slipped away as well.
On Earth, a man busy chopping wood was watched by a goddess. She was Zara, a quaternary deity, a first-level omnigoddess. Dominating a giant dimension, she had breathed human life into universes within this dimension.
Yet a singular universe had held her attention for years. Her attachment was such that she forgot the other worlds animated by life.
Zara watched the man, alone in his rustic cabin. Her absorbed gaze did not notice Apollo entering her sanctuary.
Apollo, in an imperious tone:
"Zara, what are you doing?"
Surprised, Zara bowed.
"My commander Apollo... What are you doing here, in my sanctuary?"
Apollo frowned, his voice harsh.
"Do not forget to whom you speak. I need no permission to enter wherever I please, especially in the domain of an omnigoddess."
Humbly, Zara lowered her head.
"Forgive me, master. I was simply surprised."
Apollo approached, scrutinizing her face.
"What could so captivate a goddess as to surprise her at my arrival?"
Zara, hesitant:
"I... I was about to visit this universe, observe my subjects, test them..."
Apollo understood the implication and bowed.
"Very well. I must go; other gods await me; I must oversee the order of commands."
He vanished immediately. Zara, relieved, murmured:
"I risk much... But I will go nonetheless."
She fashioned an avatar in her image, sent it down to Earth in the observed universe, dressed simply in a green robe, stripped of all divine attributes.
Approaching the cabin, she knocked three times on the door.
"Is anyone home?"
The door opened to the man, who greeted her politely.
"Hello, madam. Can I help you?"
Zara stared, fascinated, without answering. The man waved his hand before her.
"Madam, are you all right?"
She jumped.
"Yes, why?"
He smiled.
"You seemed elsewhere. How may I assist you, fair lady?"
Zara blushed.
"Do you find me beautiful?"
The man, sincere:
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Admittedly, I go out little, but I know beauty when I see it. May I help you?"
Zara nodded.
"I would like something to drink, Mr. Schiba."
Surprised, he exclaimed:
"What? You know my name?"
Zara smiled mysteriously.
"Of course."
Schiba, puzzled:
"But how?"
Zara, enigmatic:
"I just know. Go fetch me a drink."
Schiba complied, thoughtful.
(He wondered how this stranger knew his name but did not press.)
He returned, handing Zara a glass of water, which she drank gratefully.
"Thank you very much, I needed that. I will now leave."
Schiba hesitated, holding her back.
"Madam... May I know your name in return?"
Zara bowed her head.
"My name is Zara."
Schiba, delighted:
"Nice to meet you, Madam Zara."
Their eyes met, and a solemn silence settled. Zara, troubled, looked away.
"I must go."
Schiba, worried:
"Did I say something I shouldn't?"
Zara shook her head.
"No. Return to your work, Schiba."
She walked away, disappeared from sight, then returned to her sanctuary, from where she watched Schiba again.
"How can I be so fascinated by my own creation?"
Lost in thought, she entered deep meditation.
[Zara, goddess of the first Suargaloka, possessed knowledge transcending worlds. From her sanctuary, she could communicate with the gods of the celestial realm.]
She sent a message to Mü Thanatos's palace, which immediately reached Wamy's mind.
Wamy: (What do you desire, lord Zara?)
Zara: (Wamy, may I speak with the goddess Mü Thanatos? It is urgent.)
Wamy: (She is busy answering her subjects' prayers, but I will intercede.)
The message was transmitted to Mü Thanatos, occupied with Mortuus in their divine duties.
Zara hesitated, then resolved to continue.
Zara: (Mü Thanatos, may I disturb you?)
Mü Thanatos, hearing Zara's voice, answered directly.
Mü Thanatos: (No, but what is the reason for this call?)
Zara: (I need to speak to you about a serious matter and seek your opinion.)
Mü Thanatos entrusted her subjects to Mortuus and teleported to a peaceful place, inviting Zara to join her in a space of shadow and light, created within Zara's very soul.
Zara, amazed:
"Where are we?"
Mü Thanatos:
"In a space I shaped inside you so we can converse."
Face to face, Mü Thanatos asked:
"What do you wish to confide in me, Zara?"
Zara, troubled, rubbed her hands.
"Mü Thanatos, this may seem crazy, but I am attracted to a human."
Mü Thanatos, surprised:
"Attracted? What do you mean?"
Zara, blushing, whispered:
"I think... I am in love with a human."
Mü Thanatos, stunned:
"What? Do you know what you are saying? A god cannot fall for a mortal!"
Zara, pleading:
"I know, but this feeling overwhelms me. I tried to ignore it, in vain. I needed to talk."
Mü Thanatos, calming:
"Why do you come to me?"
Zara:
"Because you are the youngest, different from the others. I thought you might understand me."
Mü Thanatos, serious:
"And what do you want from me?"
Zara:
"That you advise me... or dissuade me, once and for all."