NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: THE NEW AGE
---
Three centuries had passed since the God King relinquished his throne, and the gods had left the world. A new era began, one marked by the absence of the divine beings who had once ruled with absolute authority. In the wake of their departure, the world underwent a seismic shift. It was as if the cosmic chains that had held existence in place were broken, and the world now teemed with untapped potential.
For three hundred years, visions of the birth of gods had intermittently flickered across the world like flashes of lightning. These brief glimpses brought both awe and terror to the hearts of those who witnessed them. Meanwhile, the origin of Khaos—the primeval force of chaos that permeated all existence—expanded, reshaping the very fabric of reality itself.
On the sea, after the Heavenly Father—who had once sat on the highest throne—fell into eternal slumber, the Earth Mother, Gaia, gave birth to five children with her second son, Pontos, the primordial god of the sea. These children embodied different aspects of the ocean:
Nereus, the ancient, wise god of the sea, known for his gentle and peaceful nature. Often referred to as the "Old Man of the Sea," Nereus possessed the ability to shape-shift and was a deity of prophecy.
Thaumas, the god of wonder and awe, often associated with the marvels and beauty of the ocean. His name invoked the radiant, breathtaking aspects of the sea, like the shimmering waters and iridescent sea creatures.
Phorcys, the terrifying and wrathful god of the depths, often depicted with a fierce appearance and the power to summon storms and sea creatures that embodied horror and fear.
Ceto, the goddess of the dangers of the sea, embodying monstrous sea creatures and the darkest aspects of the ocean's depths. She was the mother of many terrifying sea creatures, like the Gorgons.
Eurybia, the goddess of the strength and power of the sea, capable of controlling the tides and winds. She embodied the raw force of nature that the ocean represented.
With the birth of these five deities, Pontos became an even more prominent figure. No longer hidden in the deep recesses of the ocean, Pontos was often seen near the shores, and at times, he even ventured onto land to meet with Gaia. Despite the dilution of his authority, Pontos remained a significant figure in the pantheon, his divine power still hovering at the level of 17 among the gods.
Meanwhile, the sea continued to thrive, and the river gods born of the union of Oceanus, the primordial god of the ocean, and Tethys, his consort, continued to flourish. These children were known as the Potamoi, river gods who governed various bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and underground springs. While most of the Potamoi were not true gods in the strict sense, they were powerful regional deities, each linked to a specific river or waterway. They were often immortal, though their divine powers were considered minor in comparison to those of their parents.
Among the Potamoi, there were true gods, such as the Oceanides, the daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. The most famous of these daughters were:
Styx, the goddess of oaths and binding promises, whose river separated the living from the dead. Styx's power was immense, as she ruled over the sacred oaths that the gods made. Anyone who swore by the river Styx would be bound to their word forever, and breaking such an oath would bring catastrophic consequences.
Clymene, the goddess of fame and renown, often associated with glory and praise, especially for those who sought honor in their lives. Her role in the pantheon was less direct but equally important, as she governed the glory achieved by mortals and gods alike.
With the rise of Styx, the power of oaths became more tangible in the world. The gods now adhered to a strict code, and breaking a vow was considered a betrayal of the highest order. Oaths, once a part of the natural order, now carried a weight that could not be ignored.
While the seas and rivers flourished, the earth remained largely unchanged. The goddess Themis, embodiment of divine law and order, spent her days wandering the mortal realm, seeking to restore balance in a world increasingly consumed by chaos. Themis had long abandoned her throne on Mount Olympos, traveling across the earth in search of a solution to the growing disruptions in the natural laws. She was tireless, unwavering in her quest to bring order to a world in turmoil.
Despite her tireless efforts, Themis was confronted by irregularities in the laws of reality. Certain places on the earth had become unstable, where the natural order was distorted and the laws of physics seemed to defy reason. Water flowed uphill, spaces looped back upon themselves, and the world became a twisted reflection of its former self. These anomalies were not limited to the physical world, but affected time and space itself, creating a destabilized environment that threatened the balance of the universe.
Themis, being the goddess of law, could not stand for such disruptions. These irregularities were a direct challenge to the order she represented. She fought tirelessly to restore stability, correcting each anomaly she encountered. Yet each time she did, the anomalies would return, sometimes in even more destructive forms.
"The source of this chaos lies within the very laws themselves," Themis thought. "I must find a way to re-establish the order of the universe, or else all will be lost."
Determined to restore balance, Themis sought out Gaia, the Earth Mother, hoping that she might possess knowledge that could solve the mystery of the cosmic disruptions. Gaia, in her eternal wisdom, held knowledge passed down from the beginning of time itself. She was the keeper of ancient secrets, the mother of all life.
Gaia, however, revealed that the knowledge Themis sought was no longer hers to give. The three ancient tablets—relics containing the original laws of the universe—had been given to Ryan, the spiritual god of the soul, in an ancient wager. Themis, knowing the importance of these tablets, immediately set off for the underworld in search of Ryan, hoping he might have the answers she so desperately sought.
For six months, Themis searched the dark corners of the underworld, but Ryan was nowhere to be found. Only the dark moon—an eerie celestial body that had appeared in the sky following the fall of the Heavenly Father—lingered in the heavens, its presence a foreboding sign of the chaos that had begun to overtake the world.
One day, Themis stood before the dark moon, her eyes fixed on its ominous glow. She called out into the void, her voice resonating with the divine power of the gods. "Ryan, I seek your wisdom. I come to you as a servant of law and order. Please hear my plea."
In response, a strange ripple in the air disturbed the silence. A figure emerged from the shadows, a young girl clothed in a flowing black robe. Her wings shimmered faintly in the dim light of the moon. She was no mortal, but a being of great power—one whose divine presence was unmistakable.
Themis, though accustomed to the presence of gods, could sense that this being was unlike any she had encountered before. There was no mark of divine birth upon her. Her existence was a riddle, and Themis could feel the weight of it pressing against her.
"Lady Themis," the figure spoke, her voice calm and unwavering. "My lord has requested your presence."
Themis' eyes widened. She had come seeking Ryan, but this strange girl referred to him as her lord. This was highly unusual, for even the former Heavenly Father had not demanded such titles from the other gods. There was something deeply enigmatic about this encounter.
"Please, follow me," the girl continued, her voice beckoning.
Without hesitation, the girl conjured a portal of shimmering light. It was transparent, yet its surface shimmered with an ethereal glow, inviting Themis to step through. Though Themis was cautious, she did not resist. As an immortal goddess, there was little in the world that could trap her. She stepped through the portal, knowing that her destiny lay on the other side.
---