Chapter 463
They would risk war.
The last thing the gods and godlings desired was to set themselves above humanity in a way that bred resentment. To do so would be to plant the seeds of enmity and rebellion, to create a divide that could never be repaired.
And though the godlings were powerful, the reality was undeniable—humans were growing.
Their numbers multiplied at an alarming rate, and with each passing generation, they grew stronger. Their knowledge expanded, their magic evolved, and their faith—unruly though it was—only made them more dangerous.
The godlings emerged once more, not as rulers, not as masters, but as guides. Their purpose was clear: to teach mortals the true doctrine of the gods, to guide them along the proper path of faith.
They would not involve themselves in mortal affairs beyond this. They would not grant blessings on a whim, nor would they interfere in human conflicts. Faith, if it was to be given, must be given in truth—not out of desperation or misunderstanding.
But hope was a fragile thing. The best they could do was teach. Whether mortals would truly hold to the lessons given to them was a matter only time would answer.
Among the ascended gods, Ikem understood the dangers of mortal perception more than most.
He could see why they wished to make him their patron of agriculture, though he was no such thing. The longing for security, for a force that would ensure their lands remained fertile and their harvests plentiful, was understandable.
But their ignorance was dangerous.
Faith shaped the divine. Worship, when misguided, could warp a god’s very essence. If mortals pushed the wrong ideals onto Ikem, they could unknowingly force him into a role he was never meant to hold.