Chapter 161: Story of Betrayal
With a soft glow surrounding her and a shadow of sorrow on her face, Solis stepped forward. Her voice was gentle but carried the weight of centuries. As she began to speak, her divine light formed shimmering images in the air—illusions made of pure magic, playing out scenes from a long-forgotten past.
"In the beginning," Solis began, "before the rise of empires and the tales of heroes, there was only one—the Almighty One. From Their will, the realm of Cosmoria was born. A sanctuary of divine power, and the origin of all life."
She explained how the Almighty One then created the gods and goddesses—hundreds of divine beings, as well as legions of angels—to bring order and beauty to existence. Among these deities, ten rose to prominence, each embodying a core element of creation. These were the High Deities, and Solis was one of them.
In those early days, harmony ruled. The gods worked together to shape Aetheria, the mortal world. They poured their magic into its foundations, forming landscapes, climates, and life itself.
Flareth, the God of Flame, forged fire into the world—forming magma, heat, and the heart of volcanoes.
Aqualia, the Goddess of Water, sculpted oceans, snow, and the cycle of rain.
Zarion, the God of Thunder, shaped storms and lightning—sometimes destructive, sometimes a gift of energy.
Zephyra, the Wind Goddess, breathed air into the world, giving oxygen to all life.
Terra, the Goddess of Earth, molded the planet’s core, the soil, and fertile lands.
Gaia, God of Nature, created forests and the intricate web of ecosystems.
Miranda, the Goddess of Protection, built natural barriers, blessings, and spiritual shields to keep Aetheria safe.