Ethan's divine realm shimmered with calm, yet beneath the surface, there was a hum of anticipation. Below the celestial domain, the world of Terra stretched out—a vast expanse of grasslands, mountains, rivers, and forests, all untouched by civilization. This would be the arena where the gods would make their mark.
Ethan's presence was still foreign to Terra, but already, it had begun to shape the land in subtle ways. His divine energy, though not overwhelming, pulsed with a steady rhythm, providing an invisible foundation for the world's first followers. Five souls had been chosen.
Five who would see the divine path clearly.
Lira: The Seeker of Peace
Lira had never considered herself special. She was a woman of the earth, strong from years of working the land, and yet, the sensation of something greater had started to gnaw at her heart. The moment she felt the divine pulse of Ethan, it was like a wave had crashed over her—unexpected, yet undeniable. A voice she couldn't hear with her ears, but felt deeply in her soul.
She stood alone, facing the horizon from the edge of a river, the wind brushing through her hair. The sound of the stream was calming, but there was a quiet intensity in her chest, as if something was waiting to be revealed. She had been led here, to this strange place, though she didn't know why.
It had been days since she arrived, but the valley felt more like home with each passing moment. The rocks, the trees, even the air seemed to vibrate with a quiet, untapped energy.
Her fingers brushed against the earth. She felt its pulse, steady, like the beat of a heart.
Then, she heard it—his voice. A whisper. Almost like a memory from a dream.
"Do you feel it? The truth of this land?"
Lira froze. The voice was not a thought. It was a presence, clear and certain, as if it was speaking directly to her heart. Her breath caught in her throat. "Who… Who are you?"
The world around her shifted ever so slightly, as if the air itself was alive. The trees swayed, the river rushed, and the wind whispered again.
"I am here, and you are here with me. I have chosen you to guide those who come. Together, we will shape the future of this place."
Lira dropped to her knees, her heart beating faster. She didn't understand everything, but she understood enough. The divine call was undeniable. And it was calling her to action.
Tarn: The Quiet Philosopher
Farther down the riverbank, an old man watched the scene from a distance, his hands folded on his cane. Tarn had always been a solitary man, a wanderer by nature. He had lived a long life, filled with countless experiences, yet had never felt truly fulfilled. His days were spent in thought, in philosophy, in asking the great questions of life—questions with no clear answers.
And then, the voice came.
It was gentle, but persistent, like a breeze rustling through the leaves of a tree. "Your questions are heard. Your search for meaning is not in vain."
Tarn's eyes widened. He had felt something in the air, something profound, but this was different. The voice did not ask for his faith—it merely acknowledged him. It did not demand belief; it offered understanding.
"You have sought the truth. It is here, within you and within the world around you."
The old man lowered his head, a faint smile curling on his lips. He had always known that one day, he would find the answers he sought—not through books, not through others, but through direct experience.
He stepped forward, his heart open. "I will follow."
Darin: The Young Dreamer
Darin had never been a believer. He had never seen the gods of old, nor had he cared for their stories. He was just a boy—14 years old, with a head full of dreams and a heart full of curiosity. But now, as he stood near the divine mark in the center of the valley, he felt something stir inside him. It wasn't fear. It was wonder.
He had wandered this place for hours, following an impulse he couldn't explain. There was a warmth in the air, a sense of something ancient, yet fresh. His feet moved almost of their own accord, drawn to the strange symbol carved into the earth, glowing faintly with an inner light.
As he stood there, he felt a sudden surge of energy—like a light flickering in his chest. His eyes widened as the world around him seemed to blur, then refocus.
"Your path is just beginning, Darin."
The voice was soft, but firm. It wasn't like anything he had ever heard before, but it felt right. It felt true.
Darin blinked, his heart racing. "Who's there?"
"It is I. The one who calls you. Your dreams have meaning."
The boy's mind raced. Dreams. He had always dreamed of the unknown, of strange lands, of ancient powers. But now, it seemed his dreams were calling him to something greater.
"I… I'll follow. I'll listen."
Kara: The Reluctant Guardian
Kara was strong-willed, proud, and fiercely protective. She had grown up fighting for everything she had, never accepting help from anyone. She didn't believe in gods—hadn't for years. But when she found herself in this new world, she couldn't ignore the strange pull in her heart.
There were no monsters here, no thieves to protect against. Yet, she felt something wrong. A subtle unease, a stirring in the air, as though something dark was waiting just beyond the horizon.
"You feel it too, don't you?" The voice was calming yet urgent.
Kara stiffened. The voice was not a threat—it was an invitation. Still, she couldn't ignore the doubts gnawing at her. What if this was just another illusion, another lie to trick her?
"You are strong, Kara. But your strength is for something greater. It is needed here."
She clenched her fists. "I've always had to fight alone."
"No more. You are not alone. I am here, and so are those who will stand with you."
A surge of warmth filled her chest. She felt a spark of something deeper than mere duty. Purpose. Something she hadn't had in years.
She sighed, finally allowing the truth to settle in her heart. "I will protect this place."
Veera: The Silent Healer
Veera was the most reluctant of the five. She had always been quiet, withdrawn, preferring the solitude of nature over human company. Healing had been her calling, her way of giving to the world. But even she had felt the pull—the call of the divine energy that had surged through the world, stirring something deep within her soul.
She stood at the edge of the forest, her eyes closed, listening to the whispers of the wind. The feeling was overwhelming, like a vast ocean drawing her in. It wasn't fear—it was a recognition, an understanding that she was needed.
"You are here to heal, Veera. But there is more. You will learn the truth of what needs healing in this world."
The voice was not forceful—it was gentle, like the touch of a hand on her shoulder.
She opened her eyes slowly, a soft smile curling on her lips. For the first time in her life, she didn't feel like she was lost. She was exactly where she needed to be.
"I will help," she whispered.
Lira's Brother: Kairos, The Shadow of Conflict
Lira had always been close to her younger brother, Kairos. While she sought peace, Kairos had been filled with inner conflict. A restless soul, always questioning the fairness of the world, he had long been at odds with the injustices he saw around him. Where Lira embraced calm and healing, Kairos was driven by a deep need for change—something he couldn't quite articulate, but he felt it stirring within him.
He had wandered far from home, never satisfied with what he had known. But even his journeys had not brought him the answers he sought.
Now, as Lira stood at the river's edge, her heart filled with the call of the divine, she could sense his presence in the distance. He was close. She had no doubt that he was drawn here for the same reason.
Lira's mind raced. She reached out with her spirit, calling softly, "Kairos, where are you?"
And then, he was there, standing at the edge of the river. His eyes were filled with both determination and frustration, as if he were struggling against something deep within.
Lira stepped toward him. "Kairos, do you feel it? The call?"
Kairos looked at her, his eyes softening. "I do. I always have. But I don't know what to make of it."
He was unsure, but the divine energy stirred inside him as well. He wasn't ready to accept it yet, but he would walk this path—of that, Lira was certain.
The Gathering of the Five
Each of the five followers had felt the call in their own way, and each had responded with a different spirit. But one thing was clear: they were bound to the same divine truth. Ethan's influence was not a force of control—it was a force of understanding.
Together, they would form the foundation of a new world. Together, they would shape the future of Terra.
And Ethan—though far above them—watched. His presence touched their hearts, guiding them without words. His energy was with them.
For now, they were five.
But this was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 3