Prologue

In the beginning, there was only him, a singular, omnipotent consciousness adrift in an endless expanse of emptiness. He existed before time itself, alone in the boundless void, possessing infinite power yet burdened by infinite solitude. Driven by an overwhelming desire for companionship, for existence itself to have meaning beyond his own awareness, he took his first action: Creation.

With a mere thought, universes exploded into existence, scattering brilliant illumination across the black canvas of the cosmos. Galaxies formed from swirling clouds of cosmic dust, giving birth to innumerable worlds. Life flourished rapidly across countless planets, thriving in environments as diverse as his limitless imagination allowed. He sculpted majestic mountains, carved endless oceans, and breathed life into every creature—from the tiniest insects to the mighty celestial beings who roamed the heavens.

Each new life was given the greatest gift he could imagine: freedom. He granted every living being the power of choice, bestowing the profound possibility of ascension and growth. He envisioned a universe where mortals could cultivate themselves, transcending their natural limitations to eventually stand alongside him, sharing the burdens and wonders of divinity. This freedom came with risks, but it was a risk he deemed necessary to give life true meaning.

Millennia passed like fleeting moments, and from the infinite expanse, three beings emerged who caught his attention. Each hailed from different worlds, each bearing distinct traits that drew his admiration. The first was Arcturus, a warrior from a planet ravaged by endless wars. His bravery and valor united his world, bringing peace where there had only been chaos. The second was Selene, an unparalleled sage from a world of scholars, whose profound wisdom resolved conflicts that threatened to tear her civilization apart. Finally, there was Lysander, a compassionate healer from a realm plagued by disease, who tirelessly worked to save countless lives, transforming despair into hope.

Moved by their exceptional qualities, he subtly guided them towards hidden trials, challenges that tested their strength, courage, and wisdom. Unbeknownst to them, he watched, gently encouraging their progress from the shadows. They overcame immense hardships and discovered cultivation techniques he had left behind—powerful secrets that allowed them to ascend beyond mortal limitations, stepping onto a path to divinity.

For millions of years, these three beings grew in strength, wisdom, and influence. They traversed realms, founded mighty sects, and shaped civilizations. Their powers became legendary, and their names resonated across countless worlds as figures of hope and salvation. He watched their ascent with pride, convinced he had finally achieved what he had always yearned for—equals, companions, friends.

Yet, in his infinite wisdom, he had chosen to limit himself. Out of respect for their autonomy and integrity, he refrained from peering into the hearts and minds of those he trusted most. It was a decision born of profound belief in the goodness and sincerity of the friends he had nurtured through epochs.

But in his boundless trust lay the seed of his downfall.

As the trio neared the apex of divine power, a darkness grew within their hearts. The very strength he had imparted became their corruption. Ambition, envy, and paranoia began to take root, twisting their hearts and clouding their judgment. Slowly, their admiration turned to resentment, their gratitude warped into envy. They saw their creator not as a friend and benefactor but as an obstacle—an unmovable being standing in the way of their absolute power.

Together, they devised a plan, harnessing their combined power to challenge their creator. The betrayal was swift and merciless, coming when least expected. Though infinitely powerful, his self-imposed restraint made him vulnerable, blind to the malice concealed within his trusted companions.

The battle between the original god and his betrayers shook the heavens, tearing apart countless realms and fracturing the very fabric of reality. Their clash spanned dimensions, their power reshaping entire galaxies, yet in the end, it was the treachery of those he had loved and trusted most that sealed his fate. He fell, overwhelmed not merely by power but by the weight of betrayal, his essence shattered and dispersed across existence.

But as his consciousness faded, he used his final act to safeguard the universe. He established an inviolable universal system, Gaia, a force of order and balance that none—even his betrayers—could alter or defy. Gaia embodied his final will, a legacy ensuring that no being, no matter how powerful, could distort reality without consequence. Gaia was now the ultimate law, an impartial arbiter to which even gods must bow.

Trillions of years passed, and the tale of the original god became legend, then myth, and finally mere whispers lost to time. Yet, somewhere in a remote corner of a humble world, beneath the tranquil sky and amidst the gentle rustling leaves, a newborn child drew its first breath.

The infant opened his eyes, brilliant and clear, filled with innocence and wonder. This child held no memories of ancient betrayals, divine creation, or universal calamities. Yet deep within, buried beneath layers of mortal forgetfulness, slept a dormant power and fragments of memories waiting to awaken.

In a small village that lay at the edge of a great forest, a young couple gazed lovingly at their newborn child, unaware of the immense destiny that lay ahead of him. To them, he was simply their son, a delicate life entrusted to their care, a new beginning filled with endless possibilities.

And so began the life of this child, whose name was Theos, under the gentle care of loving parents, surrounded by the warmth of community, far removed from cosmic struggles and divine treacheries. Yet, within him burned a spark of divinity—a flame that, once ignited, would change the fate of all existence.

As the baby opened his eyes for the first time, the universe itself seemed to hold its breath, sensing the arrival of a power long forgotten yet deeply familiar. The gentle whisper of the wind carried a promise—a promise that the balance disrupted by betrayal would one day be restored. Thus, under humble beginnings, hidden in the guise of an innocent child, the journey of the reborn god began anew.