The decision had been made by both Star and Abyssto create new gods to watch over the world during their absence. Yet, agreeing to do so was only the first step. Now came the difficult part: deciding the nitty-gritty details like how many gods, which races they should represent, and what sort of authority they would hold.
Inside the dimly lit inn room, Star leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed in thought. Abyss sat on the bed, hands clasped together, his usual relaxed demeanor weighed down by the burden of what they were planning. The air between them felt heavy, like even the lanterns burned more slowly.
Star finally broke the silence. "Now that's settled, we need to discuss how many gods we're going to create—and what type."
Abyss tilted his head, considering. "That is something to think about… but before that, I've got one question."
Star glanced at him. "Go on."
"Are we actually creating gods from nothing… or choosing people and making them gods?"
Star didn't hesitate. "We're going to choose people. And I already know what you're about to say—that it's risky, that they won't be loyal to us and all of that. But think, Abyss. If we create gods from nothing, their power becomes their life essence. If we take it away, they'll die. At least with chosen people, we can take their power and they'll simply go back to being normal."
Abyss drew in a deep breath, shoulders slumping. "At this point, whatever excuse I make not to go, you'll have ten more ready to drag me along anyway. So fine… from now on, I'll just go with whatever you say. That good with you?"
A faint smirk tugged at Star's lips. "That's good with me."
He then leaned forward, his tone sharpening. "So—how many gods do you want?"
Unlike other gods, who could only grant power to one or two mortals, Star and Abyss together could empower more than twenty at once. Even the other Original Six had only ever been able to give power to three or four, and that was pushing their limits. The difference was simple: Star and Abyss had never given away their strength before. Their reserves were untouched—except for Star's gift to Rose, which had been minor compared to true godhood.
Abyss rubbed his chin. "Let's just make two gods to replace us. That should be enough."
Abyss's suggestion wasn't a bad but for Star two just didn't feel right.
Star shook his head."Two might not be enough. They won't be like us. They won't have our strength, our… endurance. They might hold for decades, but centuries? No.
"Then how many should we create?" Abyss asked.
"Six," Star replied firmly.
Abyss blinked, confused. "Six? Why six?"
"Because there are six races—excluding angels and demons," Star explained. "One god for each race. They can guide their own people, and together they'll maintain balance. It's a good idea, since the creation of the world there has been no leader other than us, which the people don't even know about . Just think about it a human god for humans, an elven god for elves, and so on. They'll rule, but more importantly, they'll protect there people."
Abyss frowned, still unconvinced. "And what of angels and demons?"
Star's gaze hardened. "They're bound to our will, and no one in the world even knows of their existence. So, we don't need to worry about them."
Abyss sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Six it is. But I still want an answer to one thing—how exactly are you going to make it so that when we return, these gods go back to being normal?"
Star chuckled under his breath. "That… you'll just have to wait and see."
Abyss rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Keep your secrets. But I'll tell you this again—if anything happens to the world because of this, I'll never forgive you."
Star met his gaze, steady and unyielding. "Nothing will happen. I promise."
That promise hung between them like a fragile thread. Abyss finally sighed, tension easing only slightly. "Alright then."
Star smiled. "Good. Now, about choosing who these gods will be."
Abyss leaned forward. "We should only give this power to people we know will protect the world. And won't harm it in any way."
"That was my thought as well," Star agreed. "So, let's divide the task. You choose three, I'll choose three. You take the Skyfolk, Beastfolk, and Humans. I'll take Elves, Dwarves, and the Marine Landers. Sound fair?"
Abyss nodded. "Fine by me."
But then his lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Oh, let me guess. You picked Elves for yourself just so you could ask Rose, didn't you?"
Star immediately turned his head away, cheeks heating. "I… don't know what you're talking about."
Abyss's grin widened. "Mhm. Then you wouldn't mind if I picked someone from the Elves instead?"
Star's head snapped back. "Nooo!"
Their argument was cut short by a thunderous slam as the door burst open, nearly tearing from its hinges. Raina stood there, gasping for breath, her face pale with panic.
"Someone—someone took Lio!" she choked out, clutching her chest as if she'd just run a marathon. "I saw him from the tavern—he was talking to a man, and then suddenly that man grabbed him and ran. I panicked—I came straight to you! Please, help him!"
For a split second, the room fell into stunned silence. Star blinked, his mind reeling. Lio? Taken? His mind still processing what happened.
But Abyss didn't hesitate. The moment the words left Raina's lips, he sprang to his feet and launched himself through the window. He moved with the swiftness of a storm unleashed, vanishing into the night before Star could even breathe.
"Wha—Abyss!"Star shouted, but it was useless.
Raina and Star rushed to the window. Outside, beneath the pale glow of the moon, Abyss was already sprinting across the open ground, a streak of black against silver. At first it seemed aimless, but Star's chest tightened as he realized—Abyss had already locked onto Lio's location with his power. He was chasing with deadly precision.
Star bolted from the room, down the stairs two at a time, bursting into the tavern and out into the cool night. He could see Abyss's trail and ran hard, his cloak snapping behind him.
Up ahead, Abyss caught sight of the kidnapper—a figure cloaked in dark clothes, a mask covering his face. He darted through the shadows, carrying Lio like a bundle under his arm. But with Abyss gaining ground, his pace grew frantic.
Too late.
Abyss thrust his hand forward, and in an instant the ground erupted in crystalline frost. Shards of ice snaked upward, coiling around the abductor's legs and locking them in place. The man stumbled, cursing, struggling against the frost that glimmered like glass under the moonlight.
Now unable to run, the kidnapper just stood still as Abyss came closer and closer to him.