Thiera and Arah knew that if there were to be any peace between the races, there had to be conflict and that a balance of the 2 was the best thing for the world. However, that was easier said than done.
“No matter how much we think about this, we can’t seem to find a solution. It might’ve helped if there were more than 2 minds dealing with this, but the others are just impossible.” (Thiera)
A moment ago, the two god and goddess went to ask their brothers and sister for advice, but they also did not a clear answer to their problems.
The first to speak was a woman flexing her muscles.
“Have it so everyone fights in a battle of strength. The ones who rule should be the strong,” said a well-toned woman.
The one who spoke was the Goddess of War and Combat, Asaya. Although people would think that she would be all for violence, she only likes fights where both sides have a chance at winning. She hated one-sided battles.
A lady with her chest puffed out added on: “But battles of strength only apply to certain people. How about we also include magical combat within those fights?”
The goddess who made this comment was Sefiria, the Goddess of Magic. Her hobbies include dressing up, using cosmetics, and do yoga.
A man with glasses held a book retorted. “How do strength and magical abilities have anything to do with running a kingdom? Don’t listen to that musclehead or that overly padded girl, the position of a ruler should belong to those with superior intellect.”
Next to speak was the God of Wisdom, Libra. If the other gods and goddesses were to use one word to describe him, that word would almost always be 'bookworm'. Every day, he just reads books and scrolls within his own space. However, he was the smartest God in the group.
“Who’re you calling musclehead/overly padded!” (Asaya/Sefiria)
“Bwahahaha.” The laughter of a certain belly-bulging, bearded man intruded the conversation. “How about making it so that whoever can drink the most, wins.”
As many would have guessed, this was the God of Alcohol, Bellius. The only thing he does every day is drink and chat with the other gods. One thing to note: NEVER take away his drink or else the world may be doomed.
“How does that solve anything? I sorry you two, you came to us for advice, but it looks like you will not be getting much from these four,” the person in green robes apologized.
“It alright Enra,” replied Thiera. Except for Libra, we had no expectations that they could come up with a good plan.”
Enra was the Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility and was widely considered as the big sister to the other gods.
Asaya and Sefiria both looked sad and Bellius just drank some wine, while Libra was snickering.
“But who would have thought that even he was clueless on what to do.”
Immediately Libra felt depressed and said dejectedly: “It not my fault. I can give information based on things that have already happened. This is the very first sort of problem that the world has ever encountered.”
Hearing that everyone sighed.
“Can’t we just let those with who are good and just lead?”
The persona who said that was Judicius and he was the God of Justice and Order. His job was to grant positive karma to those who were good and negative karma to those who were bad.
“We already tried that. Most of the people I gave my powers of light to were the most upright and kindest individuals, but when they received my power, became corrupt and were influenced by wealth or became conceited because of their new power.”
Arah sighed. “The boundary between good and bad is very thin. Anybody else got any good ideas?”
“No” (Goddess of Smithy)
“Nope” (Goddess of Nature)
“Nah” (God of Rest and Recovery)
““Not really”” (God and Goddess of the Arts)
.
.
.
And so, the many of gods and goddesses all said similar answers, each one not knowing any solution to the current predicament. Then the two let the rest go back to do their own tasks.
Thiera complained. “By the goddesses, what a pain our mothers left for us to deal with by ourselves.”
“I know right? I mean the others got a head start because they gave them some guidance, but when we were born they just told us what to do and released us. Talk about being unfair,” replied Arah
“You can’t blame them. They already spent a great deal of their power creating humanity and the other gods. Plus, the others would always drop everything and give us advice when we need some help.”
“I know. I know. I’m just venting.” Arah pauses for a second. “So what do we do?”
“What else? We continue thinking,” she says unenthusiastically.
As the time the two spent thinking went by, days and weeks went by with no progress being made, till eventually, 3 months had passed. Arah was lying on the floor and Thiera was hunchbacked on the chair in a room filled with markings.
“Ahhhhh… I can’t believe we have not made any progress and are nowhere near a solution to prevent another war. Everything we can do, could either lead to another demonic war or something else worse than that.”
“Don’t give up. I mean we really can’t give up since if we do the people will eventually kill each other. That’s just how they are. We don’t know why they are like that.”
At that very moment, a light turned on within Arah’s mind and he yelled. “THAT’S IT!”
Surprised, Thiera fell off of her chair.
Rubbing her head, “Ouch. What is it?”
“Since we don’t know how they think, why don’t we just go down there and learn from them personally.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean that we should create vessels, place our souls within them, and travel through the land and interact with the people. If this doesn’t answer our problem, it’ll at least help us make some progress.”
After Thiera thought for a bit, “I guess that could work. But what about the possibility of a war and how would we return here when we are done down there?”
“The world is still rebuilding right now, so there isn’t gonna be a war for at least maybe 15 years,” he guessed. “As for the return, I don’t know. We’ll probably have to ask the others to help us with that or we could wait until our mothers wake up.”
“Do you know how long that could take!?”
“That doesn’t really matter, we are gods after all.” Arah extended his hand to Thiera on the ground. “So, what do you say?”
Reluctantly agreeing, she took his hand and then they started to plan out their trip.
When they told the others about their plan they were at first shocked. After some time they eventually agree with their decision and offered to help out wherever they needed it.
The plan was that both Arah and Thiera would transfer their souls into two juvenile bodies of their own creation. Both of their new bodies would be of an extremely rare race, the branded. The branded were called that due to the tattoos they were given at birth and they contained the blood from more than one race and was the target of discrimination by everyone. The two higher beings believed that they needed to experience what it would be like to grow up as the races’ enemy.
Arah’s body would have the blood from humans, dragon beastmen, and dwarfs, while Thiera’s would have the blood from humans, white-winged beastmen, and high elves. As for their powers and abilities, they would still have it, but both quality and quantity would have to start off weak for their new young bodies to endure.
After spending the rest of the year working out the kinks and preparing for their journey, it was finally time.
When they were preparing to leave, all of the other gods were there to say their goodbyes and best wishes.
Goddess of the Hunt: “Stay safe out there and let us know if there is anything you need. You can always contact us at a church.”
God of the Arts: “I know that you have a reason for going down there, but you do need some rest every once in a while.” (God of the Arts)
Goddess of the Arts: “Yea, so go have some fun from time to time and make it a trip to remember.”
Sephiria: “Me and Libra we’ll find a way and make sure you to come back, so don’t worry and take your time.”
“Oh! And also bring back some souvenirs.” (God of the Kitchen)
“Now, now Tetsu. You can’t expect them to bring back ingredients for you to cook,” laughed Enra. Looking over at Thiera and Arah, “Take care young ones and know that we will always be watching over you two.”
“Thanks.” Smiled Thiera
“And don’t worry we’ll be back before you know it.” Then Arah looked at Thiera. “You ready?”
“Yea. Let’s go.”
Arah and Thiera then turned into rays of black and white lights and headed down towards the surface.
