Origin

Black obsidian eyes meet blue bright ones, neither set of eyes blinking, just staring at each other.

"Ahem"

A cough interrupted the staring competition. Causing both individuals to blush and move away, seeing as how close they were to each other.

Mort winced slightly as he got up too quick from the sofa, his body still sore from the fight.

"I see you've met my daughter Elara, young Mort"

A 6'7 tall man with brown slicked back hair and imposing muscular frame, his biceps the size of Mort's head threatened to rip out of his black T-shirt, his muscular legs barely concealed by his grey pants.

That was where his attention was mostly drawn, to the biceps not the legs.

Gulping nervously, he rubbed the back of his head and stuttered out a quiet hello.

"No need to be scared, unless you've done something you shouldn't have" he spoke in a calm yet suspicious tone as he approached the object of his suspicion.

Squatting to be eye to eye with the cowering young boy in front of him, he placed his large hands on his shoulder and looked at him with a sad expression.

"I have failed you boy, everything you and your mother went through. I couldn't do anything about it."

The strange gesture confused Mort and made him uneasy. This was the first person outside of his mum to hold him in such, manner. It felt off, maybe because he never had a father figure in his short life.

Seeing his discomfort, the Mayor sighed and got up towering over him. Calmly stretching out his right hand, he spoke.

"Let's start again, my name is Galen Veylin. Mayor of Nexus."

Mort shyly shook his hand, noting how tiny his hands were since his was completely swallowed by the Mayor's.

"Mort... Mort Draven" he spoke quietly.

"As I said" Galen began as he walked over to the dinning table that was dwarfed by his impressive physique.

"This city owes you an apology, for turning a blind eye to your suffering, you must understand that your case is a special one."

He picked up a small bottle containing a light blue liquid. Handing it gently to Mort,

"Drink up, you need it for whatever that has happened to your body"

"My body?"

Taking a closer look at his appearance he noticed he was in a hospital gown that was so comfortable he didn't notice, or maybe his mind was just too occupied with the recent events.

But to his shock, he got a little more muscular.

Originally he was scrawny because he couldn't afford to eat much to his satisfaction due to how his household was.

This affected him in many ways, he wasn't physically strong to excel in the physical part of his school curriculum.

As for the elemental training, none of the professors could help him much. He was the only known person in the world with the two elements of disaster.

Speaking of said elements, that was the first time he ever used them to such an extent.

Back then, he could only make a small bolt of lightning that can barely burn paper. And as for the shadow element, he could only make shadow caricatures on the walls of his home. The only source of entertainment for him and his mother.

"Where's my mother?, Is she aware of..?"

He started to ask only for Galen to smile lightly,

"She's in the guest room asleep. She wouldn't leave your side for the whole of the seven days you were unconscious."

"I was unconscious for seven days?!. How is she?"

He got up anxiously as he tried to look for her. But fell back into the sofa, courtesy of Galen poking him lightly on the chest.

"She is alright, now take this and have a sip while we continue our conversation. Elara please live us be"

Elara, the girl who he was staring at when he woke up, looked indignant, not wanting to go as she was curious about what her dad wanted to talk to Mort about.

"Young lady, do not argue with me on this" he sternly warned. He knew how nosy his daughter was and he needed to break her out of that bad habit.

"It's alright Mr Galen, she can stay if she wants"

Mort spoke up, not wanting to be the cause of a fight between a father and his daughter.

"No need for formalities, just call me Galen. And as for this young missy, she's too spoilt for her own good. Probably because of her mother."

Galen said with a small smile threatening to spill on his face.

'That woman.. sure is something'

"Ok... Galen, let her stay if she wants"

Mort hesitated calling Galen by his first name as his mum told him to be respectful. This was the city's mayor for heavens sake.

Sensing his discomfort he patted Mort on the shoulder gently, with a knowing smile of his face.

"Since that's what you wish for, I will abide by that. Now thank Mort young lady"

Galen instructed Elara who simply rolled her eyes and mumbled a thank you.

"The reason why you were treated like this, was because..."

Galen explained everything to Mort about the beginning of magic, specifically the creation of the world.

The gods origin were unknown with many speculations flying around. But it is believed that the world, Septaris was formed by these seven gods working together.

Gorath, the God of Earth, used his mighty hands to mold the land, creating mountains, valleys, and vast plains.

Next, Aqualis, the Goddess of Water, whose nurturing touch spread rivers, lakes, and oceans across the surface of Septaris. The water brought life and growth, making the world fertile and ready to support all forms of existence.

Ignis, the God of Fire, followed suit. His fierce energy ignited the skies, creating the sun and fueling the world's cycles of life and death. His flames transformed the environment, driving change and renewal, while also offering warmth and light to the nascent world.

Zephos, the God of Wind, breathed life into the world with his gales. The winds swept across the land, shaping the weather and bringing movement to the world, from gentle breezes to violent storms.

Voltari aided Gorath, Aqualis and Zephos in making the earth flourish serving as a major energy component.

Lumia, the Goddess of Light, brought illumination to the world. Her light guided the creatures of Septaris, making the world a place where vision, clarity, and warmth could thrive. She illuminated the night and chased away the darkness, ensuring the survival of life.

Umbros, the God of Shadow, balanced out the light, bringing with him the quiet and mysterious force of shadow. His dark presence provided the contrast needed to define shape, form, and depth in the world. Where light touched, shadow followed, creating balance and secrecy in the world's fabric.

But every good thing comes to an end, one way or another. And that was the first thing the gods learnt the hard way.

In the creation of humans, each god contributed a part of their essence.

Gorath formed the body; the muscles, organs, bones and flesh. And influenced it's ability to grow and heal with the aid of the others.

Aqualis formed blood and every bodily fluid.

Ignis brought about emotions and desire, energy and the ability to release that energy.

Zephos breathed life into the body, allowing it to live, to move. He gave freedom.

Lumia gave the ability of consciousness. The ability to think, illuminating the mind with the capacity to hold empathy, morality and logic.

Umbros allowed man to feel self aware, the urge to confront their fears. He allowed them to feel remorse and regret for their actions. He gave the ability to self reflect.

Voltari bestowed raw energy on mankind. Allowing them to act under pressure and to have the required energy to carry out this act.

Same followed for animals but on a lesser extent.

The creation of humans were not the mistake of the gods, It was making them in their own image that was the issue.

They bestowed upon humans the ability to have dominion over the elements, on a lower scale. No creator in their right mind will make their own creations equal to them?.

The sigils showed those who could wield the elements, there were other's who could not use it, no matter how hard they tried.

In order to prevent a segregation, Umbros and Vortalis blessed such with the ability of creation, technology.

These humans made up for what they lacked in creation with higher intelligence and aptitude for technology.

But it was here that issues arose, for every good person that existed, there were those who wanted more. To have more, to know more and to be more.

And what did these people have in common?, the shadow and lightning sigils, with a couple of those who used tech.

They became known as the umbrothari, a merge of both gods.

In their search for power and more knowledge, they created a chaotic power, the ability of improving control and power of the other elements beyond any other humans in Septaris, even those chosen by the gods to act as teachers and protectors.

The remaining 5 gods spoke with Umbros and Voltari, reprimanding them for their actions.

Voltari known for being careless, told them off, blaming them for not helping those without elements. A valid point but wrongly stated.

Umbros on the other hand said nothing and went about his experiments, seeking more knowledge.

With how these two disregarded order, choosing to make their own choices, the remaining 5 became wary of them.

The final straw that broke the camel's back was when Umbros discovered the ability to manipulate the laws of the universe.

But his deadliest was, uncovering the truth about souls: they were a source of infinite energy.

By harvesting the essence of living beings, he could wield unparalleled power and even trap gods. In essence, he could create other beings without the help of the others.

What happened after that was unknown, a fight among the gods broke out. 5 of them against the 2 unpredictable ones. It was a balanced fight, but when Umbros started using his discovered knowledge, they stood no chance.

Until Lumia took out Voltari, without his damage source Umbros was outnumbered.

It wasn't long until he was badly wounded and about to be vanquished.

Quickly thinking, he escaped with Voltari to wherever unknown.

"You manifested those two elements" Galen finished his short story as he stared Mort in the face.

Mort was shocked, he had two gods sealed in his body, but then...

"Why wasn't I killed back then?, why didn't the other gods act?"

Galen looked up at the ceiling, while Elara continued to listen, patiently waiting for her father to answer the question that was also on her mind.

"The reason for that was, the gods still haven't said anything. The notion of you having two of the rogue gods in you is highly unlikely.

You are probably an umbrothari's kid. Those people found a way to become stronger than the god's champions, having two elements is not that weird. Especially elements of their favorite gods"

Even more confused Mort looked at his hands, seeing how much change his body underwent.

Elara looked over and blushed a bit,

'He looks cute.. wait what the hell am I thinking?'

Galen got up and walked to the door, beckoning Elara to come with him.

"To everyone you're an anomaly, but you have to prove them wrong. Be someone they can look up to, a hero if you must. Come to me if you need anything kid, oh and here"

He put his hand into his pants pocket and took out a shiny silver colored key with a wooden keychain, which he then tossed to Mort.

"The location of your new house is written on the keychain, and your mum no longer needs to work."

He said as he walked out with Elara skipping after him, not giving Mort the chance to complain.

"What just happened?"

Mort kept looking at the key not believing what he heard, maybe it was just a dream. Slowly he lost himself in thought, tears threatening to fall.

He stared at the key admiring the craftsmanship of it.

Slowly a complicated smile formed on his face; he felt happy, sad and relieved at the same time.

The room slowly faded around him, forcing him to get on his guard, taking a stance.

"That's one crappy stance you got there brat."

A voice came from the dark, as two familiar figures approached him.

Looking closely at the tall figure approached, one word only came to his mind.

"Voltari?"