THE SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGN : RISE OF THE DIVINE

Following the Earth Mother Gaia, Soulis walked towards the sacred mountain at the center of the continent.

The world had changed drastically. With the sun hanging high in the sky, celestial bodies in alignment, and weather patterns finally shifting, Khaos was beginning to resemble a real world. For the first time, it was more than just a vast, chaotic expanse.

Soulis, who had walked upon Gaia's "body" when it was first born, felt no sense of the land's vastness.

Guided by Gaia, he crossed rivers, scaled mountains, and traversed plains in mere moments. Her power allowed him to transcend the world's scale, yet it felt natural, as though this was how things were meant to be.

Though the land was still young, with no rivers that could be called "ten thousand" or mountains worthy of the term "thousands," the earth was no longer barren. Uriah's sons, the mountain god's children, and the ocean god's three thousand sons had yet to be born, and the world still felt unformed.

The journey took less than half a day, and soon enough, the sacred mountain came into view.

"Your Highness Soulis," Gaia said, her voice tinged with concern, as she looked back towards him.

Soulis had agreed to come, but Gaia had worried for the duration of the journey. She had not been entirely sure of his intentions.

When they reached the place where the God-King would one day rule, Gaia spoke again.

"This is where the God-King will reign, the ruler of the world," she said, her eyes fixed on the towering Mount Odiles. It was the birthplace of her third son, Uriah, a mountain where the divine essence of her creation would be solidified.

"The highest peak, the land closest to the sky," Gaia continued, her voice carrying both pride and a certain heaviness. "Here, my King will reign, descending from the heavens to govern all beneath him."

"Quite an impressive feat," Soulis remarked thoughtfully, his voice soft but knowing. "As the first god-king in the world, only a place such as this could reflect the authority of the Heavenly Father."

Gaia's gaze darkened slightly, but she nodded. "Yes," she said, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice. "He will rule over all things... forever."

At this moment, the love between the Heavenly Father and the Earth Mother still held. There was no sign yet of the growing conflict that would later split them.

They continued walking.

"This place is filled with the chaotic divine power of my twelve children," Gaia added after a pause. "Please, stay close. There are forces here that might... be difficult to handle for those unprepared."

Soulis nodded, sensing the subtle shift in Gaia's demeanor, though he did not remark on it. It was clear that she had much on her mind.

As they ascended, Soulis noticed the world around them was gradually shifting from barren to abundant. The sacred mountain, unlike the rocks of the outer world, was home to original vegetation. Strange flowers and fruits grew along their path—new creations born from the [Plant] priesthood, a fresh wonder in the world.

Perhaps, with the help of the Weather God, these plants would spread and flourish, transforming the barren land into a landscape teeming with life.

But for now, the path to the summit remained their focus. After a brief walk, they reached the top of the sacred mountain.

"We've arrived," Gaia said, stopping at the summit.

Soulis glanced around. The peak of Mount Odiles was flat and untouched, a pristine space devoid of man-made structures. It was not as monumental as Mount Olympus, the mythic peak from ancient tales, but it held a certain solitude—a place of power, unmarred by civilization.

Soulis didn't expect grandeur. For the Lord of the Sky, the sky itself was the true palace.

He surveyed the surroundings, noting the thirteen figures gathered at the summit. Gods of various shapes and forms turned their eyes towards him. Their presence was overwhelming, their auras radiating an oppressive weight, though none used their divine powers openly.

"I have come to pay my respects, Your Majesty," Soulis said, his voice calm, respectful as he addressed the figure in the center.

This was not his first meeting with Ouranos, but the figure before him was different. Unlike their previous encounter, where Ouranos had seemed youthful, now he stood as a tall, majestic middle-aged man—fully grown into the role of God-King.

The change was not unexpected; gods, after all, often altered their forms as their power and authority grew.

The twelve Titans stood around him, confused. They could sense the lack of strength in Soulis's aura, yet their father did not seem troubled. They exchanged uncertain glances but awaited their father's lead.

To their surprise, Ouranos extended his hands in greeting, welcoming Soulis without hesitation.

"I am pleased you have come, dear prophet, god of prophecy," Ouranos's voice boomed, rich with authority.

"Until now, I never imagined you would truly glimpse your destiny. Please, forgive my previous misunderstanding."

With a genuine warmth in his voice, Ouranos gestured toward a spot among them. "Please, join us, Your Highness Soulis. We are honored by your presence."

Soulis nodded, offering a respectful bow before making his way to the designated seat.

The gathering was a celebration—the birth of twelve new gods, the first to be crowned by the world. Ouranos sat at the center, flanked by his new children, and Gaia beside him.

The meal was prepared from the fruits Gaia had gathered from the sacred mountain. The first divine banquet. Though the gods were new to their forms, they already understood their place, and the weight of their divine power hung heavy in the air.

As the feast began, Ouranos spoke, sharing his thoughts with the Titans—his children, guiding them on how they should honor him and help him fulfill his role as God-King.

There was a certain reverence in the air as the Titans listened in silence, offering only brief responses to their father's instructions.

Soulis took a moment to savor the strange, delicious fruits that were unlike any he had encountered before. The fruits of the sacred mountain, infused with divine power, were rich in flavor. He felt the potential in them, knowing that such nourishment would aid him in reaching the upper limits of his own priesthood.

The passing days blurred, as time meant little to gods. For them, the cycles of day and night were mere fleeting moments.

After three full cycles had passed, Ouranos finally paused in his lecture, turning his attention back to Soulis. His gaze softened, a curiosity stirring within him.

"Soulis," he began, his deep voice resonating across the mountain. "Before we met, you spoke of the birth of my children."

Soulis remained calm, placing his cup down and taking a moment to enjoy the divine atmosphere.

"Fate is a powerful force," Ouranos sighed. "Only a god as wise as you could perceive its path. I must ask you, prophet... in the future of this world, will I remain the eternal God-King, ruling the sky, the earth, and the sea?"

The atmosphere grew tense as the twelve Titans looked on in anticipation. Gaia's gaze flickered with concern, and the rest of the gods waited for Soulis's answer.

Soulis met their gaze, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. He placed his cup down with deliberate slowness.

"The fate of the world," he said, his tone soft but unwavering, "lies in no one's hands but its own."

He raised his cup, clinking it against Ouranos's from a distance before drinking deeply.

It was not wine, but plant juice, yet its divine influence made it taste of something far more exquisite.

"We cannot foresee all that lies ahead," Soulis continued, his voice carrying a quiet finality. "But remember, the path is never truly fixed."

The twelve Titans, in their silence, seemed lost in thought. Gaia's eyes remained on Soulis, filled with an unspoken worry. What had he meant by that?

The feast continued, but the weight of Soulis's words hung heavily in the air. It was clear that the future—no matter how grand the divine rulers might believe it to be—was far from certain.

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