RE: Deity - The Breath of Creation

"You're still telegraphing your attacks a little," Father said, stroking His chin in thought. Elvira panted, resting her hands on her knees as she stood before Him, sweat matting her brow. Once again, He was showing that He was far above the others – even now, His incarnations continued to individually assess and spar with each of her siblings, matching them in skill if not power. Alexander swam in circles around Father as He spoke to him, while Keilan and Reika took a little break, discussing strategy in low tones while shooting glances at the incarnations Father had assigned to them.

No one was truly trying here, not like they had against the Shadow, but it would be nice to see how they stacked up against Father.

"Only you would be able to see through my attacks," Elvira breathed, straightening up and brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"There's a little delay between when you decide to attack and when you actually do. Your internal energies react before you physically do; to anyone below your power level, it is so slight that it wouldn't make a difference in any meaningful confrontation. But to beings at or above your strength it is something that could be exploited." Father continued, heedless of her complaints. "That said, you have improved on that quite a bit from last time we've trained. Good job." Elvira huffed and shook her head, annoyed that despite her improving quite a bit, she still stood beneath Father in terms of skill and power. At least in a one-on-one, direct confrontation. Maybe if they all ganged up on Him, they'd stand a chance.

With a little sigh she looked around at the space they currently occupied. Gods filled the skies above her Holy Palace, elemental deities and angels alike crowding around to watch. Her eyes met Gilles' and she grinned at the pale-skinned god, who waved back.

"Cute." Father said, and Elvira blushed.

"Are we almost ready to begin the actual fight?" Elvira asked in an attempt to redirect the conversation away from her relationship with Gilles. She was eager to move past this sparring session; they knew she was weaker in a one-on-one. All His children were. He was simply too quick, too powerful, and could see through all of her attacks like they were told to Him beforehand. But if I'm honest, the gap between us isn't as wide as it once was.

"Almost. There's more of a crowd here than I imagined there would be." Father mused, turning to look at the other gods. Aeriel drifted in the skies above, the goddess of wind giggling as she met His eyes.

"You underestimate the draw of this spar. It is a chance to see the peak of power in all the Realms clash against one another in a friendly, competitive environment. The mortals, I believe, even have a few sports like this. Of course the other gods would be intrigued." Elvira explained, meeting Reika's eyes from across the flat training grounds. An entire conversation passed between them in an instant, Qi carrying words so the wind didn't have to as they traded insights into Father's fighting style and His habits.

"I think that's everyone who's coming, so might as well get started. This was really supposed to be something silly and fun, not serious like they're expecting." Father said with a sigh, lifting one hand to snap his fingers. Space warped around her, Father's power pressing against her skin. She felt like she could resist, and experimentally pressed against the power, but in the end willingly let it warp her to a new location in the depths of the Primordial Chaos. The stuff of creation was pushed back even further as Father waved his hand, a protective barrier springing up around the assembled gods, seats and chairs not unlike those of an auditorium popping up all around them.

Elvira shuddered a little at the casual display of power – Father may claim that she and her siblings had the potential to create just as He did, but none of them came close to how He could so easily manipulate the building blocks of creation.

"That's better. This way we won't accidentally make a mess of your palace, Elvira," Father said, His other incarnations fading. Elvira rolled her shoulders a little as the chattering of the other gods grew louder, the anticipation palpable while Father looked on with a smile. "We're just waiting for your other sibling to come out to play."

"Our other sibling?" Alexander rumbled, a shiver running down Elvira's spine as she began to realize Father had not, in fact, been kidding when He mentioned Morgan.

"Father, surely –"

"Yes, I am talking to you, now get out here." Father interrupted Reika, clearly not paying attention as He stared off into space. Silence stretched for a moment. "I don't care. You need to learn to get along, and you didn't even say hello when I got back. Yes, now. No, you cannot. I said – good lord, Morgan, just come on." With that Father reached out into space, the very air itself shattering like broken glass as he punched through the veil and into the Hidden Realm of Morgan, promptly hauling out the scruffy spider-wolf while it spluttered and snarled, spidery limbs thrashing.

"I will not –"

"This is family bonding time. Yes you will. Get out of your room and stop sulking – I've given you plenty of time to settle and hide away, now it's time to socialize. Then you can go back to hiding in your cave." Father chastised, waggling a finger at Morgan. The Shadow's very voice set Elvira on edge, her wings flaring and feathers puffing up as she narrowed her eyes, knuckles cracking as her fists clenched. A quick glance at her other siblings told her they probably felt very much the same way, with Reika glaring, arms crossed, Alexander growling, and Keilan adopting a guarded stance.

The surrounding gods shuffled and murmured, their voices carrying their doubts to Elvira. Her frown deepened as emotions warred with each other inside her, her natural aversion to her so-called sibling, the one who had tried to burn down their home, clashing against her so-called duty. Father put Morgan down, whispering words that were meant for it and Him alone, and she sighed heavily, shoulders drooping.

She'd have to play the bigger person here, wouldn't she?

"Now, Morgan, let's play nice." Father said. "After all, you're going to have to work together if you want to match me." Morgan scowled and stretched out its spidery limbs, then scowled deeper as whatever it tried to do did not work. Reluctantly, it turned toward Elvira and the others, baring its teeth as it slowly approached. Reika sniffed derisively, nose scrunching as she tilted her chin up.

"Do not expect me to –"

"Sister!" Elvira snapped, cutting off whatever Reika was about to say. Her now orange-haired sister jerked in surprise, gaze snapping to Elvira, while Morgan paused mid-step. "Do not start." The small shake of her head had Reika blinking in surprise, withdrawing a little while the two boys watched silently. "Morgan, you are welcome to join us."

"I do not need your permission. The Great One commanded, and so it shall be." Morgan snapped back, resuming its walk but adjusting its course so it stood even with Elvira and the others, yet still slightly away. Elvira mentally sighed. Way to slap the olive branch out of my hand, Morgan.

"Ok, enough dawdling. I'm getting antsy, so let's start!" Father said, clapping his hands together. Elvira flinched a little as a loud pop resounded through the arena, and suddenly Father was standing before her, lifting her into the air with both hands. His grin was playful. His posture was relaxed. His eyes glittered with mischief – the kind of mischief Kei had learned from Him. And as Elvira was tossed through the air, tumbling head over heels, she suddenly realized what this spar really was about.

A little laugh burbled forth from her chest as her wings flared, catching the air while her siblings charged forward. He'd even just said it.

They'd been taking this too seriously, and Father was going to play games with them until they realized it. Elvira's grin grew wider as she shot down toward Father, who yelped in mock fear as he dodged out of the way of Reika's flying tackle, vines ineffectually lashing out from her dress to try to catch him.

White light flared out of Elvira as she hurtled forward, intent on blinding Father – only for him to snag her hands a she attempted to tackle him, rolling backward and planting a gentle foot in her gut to send her hurtling through the air once more. A laugh well and truly escaped her this time as her tails thrashed, righting herself and feeling time slow about her.

Father and her own eyebrows rose as the distance between them shrank, space itself folding like a slip of paper. Yet she was the first to react, clapping her hands and sending out a shockwave of force that blew Father right back into a net of karma Keilan had woven.

"Oh no!" Father cried, his hands swiftly bound together with the strings. "I've been captured! Alexander, save me!" Alexander bellowed as he shot a stream of golden flames at Father – fire that all of those gathered knew would do little more than tickle Him. Father sucked in a deep breath all the same, the fire flowing into His mouth, turning his throat golden from the light, and down into His belly. "Tasty, but not what I wanted!" He cackled, ripping free of the karmic strings and sprinting toward Keilan. Time and distance stretched, Father's footsteps slowing, covering none of the distance He should.

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It gave Reika and Elvira both just enough time to get there, Reika blowing a stream of frost to freeze His legs while Elvira swung at His face with half of her might. Father twisted His head to the side at the last second, avoiding the blow and promptly headbutting her in the stomach. Her breath left her lungs with a whoosh as she was once more sent flying backward, landing on her back none the worse for wear, giggling to herself. Morgan sat beside her, eight eyes narrowed as it watched the conflict.

"Thanks for the help!" she wheezed, sitting up. Morgan grunted and side-eyed her, eight legs twitching rapidly as it manipulated the fabric of space around the fight. Father laughed as he punched through the folded space Morgan created, moving faster than Morgan could slow the surrounding time. "I didn't know you'd gotten so good at that."

"A lot can be achieved when you're not playing house with fools." Morgan scoffed, and Elvira stood, dusting off her robes like she dusted off Morgan's mean comment. Morgan's scowl deepened as Father springboarded off of a small black hole Morgan punched in space, using its suction to swing around Alexander before flicking his fingers and closing the singularity.

"Maybe, but I think you'd benefit from getting in on the action." Elvira said.

"No, and do not to care about what is 'beneficial. I still do not like you, nor do I approve of what you have done with the Great One's creation." Morgan scoffed. Elvira's eyebrows rose as she turned to her sibling, hands on her hips. "I will not –"

"Suit yourself. But you know…when Father gets into a mood like this, He keeps going until He is satisfied. And I don't think He'll be satisfied with just you hanging around the edges; He'll either drag you in, or come bug you another time. And I guarantee it won't be as fun as this." She told it, shrugging as she prepared to dart off back into the fray. Alexander was promptly tossed to the side, his body thrashing as Father danced about the other two, narrowly avoiding their attacks. For once, He actually looked distraught, like He was focusing on dodging rather than just playing around.

Elvira laughed to herself. If it was a game He wanted, it was a game He would get.

***

Inesa had been worried for a moment that the Mistress had changed in Her time away from the Realms. Randus sat beside her as they watched the fight – though to call it a fight was generous. Neither Statera Luotian nor the Big Four were going all-out, and strategy had been thrown to the wayside as they wrestled and played. There was still plenty to be learned from the mock-fight, of course, as the casual manipulation of power being thrown about could be…enlightening, for those who knew to look. Many of the elemental gods had thoughtful looks on their faces as the most powerful beings in the universe went at it, Kei in the very front row, bouncing in her seat like she wanted to join.

Inesa had come into this worrying the Creator wanted to actually fight Her children. What she saw instead was a father play-wrestling with his children. It was nothing short of adorable – even as She tossed Alexander away like a toy, the great dragon writhing as he was sent flying through the air.

"This is not what I expected." Randus noted, pouring a cup of steaming hot tea for herself, himself, and Gilles, who sat on his other side. The shadow deity nodded, taking a sip.

"Nor I, but I am noticing a few curiosities. The Patriarch has gained some insights into the Void – see how easily He cuts through the karmic strings Keilan binds Him with? His regrown arm flashed with power when He does, and it is the power of the Void." Gilles noted, leaning forward with interest.

"I'm just happy they're having fun." Inesa said, a small smile dancing on her lips as she took a sip of her tea. Elvira flashed forward, engaging in swift and brutal close-combat with Statera, who blocked all of her blows with seeming casual ease – but Reika snuck up from behind, and hit Him over the head with a giant bat of wood, the weapon shattering under the blow.

"You got me! Nice!" Statera cried happily, kicking Elvira's legs out from under her and grabbing Reika in the same motion, tossing them away together. What Xing Wu wouldn't give to be here. Inesa mentally lamented, but know her beloved would rather get here of his own power than her bring him. Stubborn and prideful to a fault, he was.

"As am I. It has been a bit since I've seen Elvira this happy. I, unfortunately, am not a good sparring partner for her." Gilles said, leaning back in his seat – a chair made of pure primordial chaos, manipulated to a degree Inesa could not ever possibly imagine attaining. It was hard enough for goddesses like her to even venture into the Chaos, let alone manipulate the building blocks of creation.

"It is concerning that the Shadow has advanced its manipulation of space and time so." Randus said, twirling his moustache. "But it is nothing outside of the Mistress's predictions. She did share them with me prior to leaving; I only hope it is used for the good of the Realms this time, rather than obliteration."

"I agree, though –"

"What are you all waiting for?!" Statera suddenly shouted, panicking as She dodged around the Big Four, Morgan's manipulation of space making it increasingly more difficult. "Help me! I'm being attacked!"

Silence reigned for a brief moment, even the Big Four stilling in their motions. The three baby gods that had been born in Statera's absence shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other in confusion. Even a few of the older ones seemed hesitant, unsure what was happening.

Kei was the first to act, bless her heart. The nine-tailed fox-girl shot forward like an arrow from a bow, staff in hand as she brought it down upon the Creator's head – only for it to be blocked with a staff of primordial chaos, created in that instant. The Creator laughed.

"No, not me, them! Help me!"

"No, get Him!" Elvira shouted back, pointing dramatically. "Gang up on Father!"

And the dam was broken. With a whooping shout the elemental gods surged forward, even Gilles fading into shadows as he launched himself into the fray. A grand melee devolved in the arena, elemental energy being thrown every which way as Statera weaved through the assaulting gods, cackling madly as He was forced to dodge, unable to go on the offensive. Inesa giggled, hiding her face behind her sleeve, eyes shining as she watched.

Yes, this was more like Statera. Something serious sounding, devolving into something incredibly silly.

Bubbles floated through the air, capturing elemental gods and depositing them in the most unfortunate places, butterflies of elemental energy drifting by as enormous amounts of power was thrown about. Inesa just smiled as she watched, Aeriel whipping up a giant maelstrom that had all the gods flung about in the winds, the Creator's power blanketing itself over the arena like a safety net, ensuring it was all in good fun.

Even if He Himself flew in the middle of the storm, cackling madly.

Only two other souls beside herself stayed out of the fight. Randus, who observed everything with his usual calm, and Morgan, the wolf sitting at the edge of the arena scowling. Inesa sobered up a bit, hesitating only briefly before descending the steps to approach the Shadow.

"Have you come to lecture me, too?" the Shadow snarled when she neared, not even deigning to glance her direction.

"No. I simply wished to see if you wanted company."

"I do not." It snapped, and Inesa shrugged helplessly.

"Then I will leave you be. Don't feel pressured to join if you don't want to – not everyone is –"

"Spare me your sympathy. It is wasted." Morgan snarled, the foul sound sending a shiver down Inesa's spine. She lifted her hands and calmly stepped away, a little disappointed but not surprised by the response. This was a being who shied away from the light. Who was she to try and bring a little bit into it's…life? Home? She wasn't sure.

She'd just have to be content with the fact that she tried, even if it had been misplaced.

***

Morgan watched the goddess of light leave with one eye, the rest focusing on analyzing the Great One as They fought and played with the others. As wasteful as this entire thing was, there was at least one good outcome. It was able to analyze the Great One further, so it could better shape itself in forcing Them to overcome Their own self-made limitations.

Yet…it's scowl deepened as it turned its gaze once back to Inesa.

Of all the foolish gods of the Four Realms, it hated her the least. At least she understood it had no desire to play nice.

Morgan turned back to the fight, shaking its head, and recalling the words the Great One had whispered in its ear.

"I am the Heavens. Reach me. Come stand beside me. Prove you are worthy." They had meant to be a challenge, yet Morgan had sensed something...more. A worry, hidden behind the veil of playfulness. It knew the Great One, and from its perspective, even They did not seem to notice the way Their shoulders tensed as They looked out toward the Void. What did you see, out there in the Void? What fate has you so wound up? For it could be nothing but fate. Nothing else wrapped around Statera so tightly, not even karma.

Morgan settled down, content to observe, only occasionally twisting space and time to hamper the gods. Whatever it was, it would be ready for it. And maybe, through it, the Great One would reach Their true potential.