The New Elemental God

He just wanted to be back in his house to be alone and unbothered for a week. He tried to name the feeling but couldn't. It was like being exhausted, however he physically was better than ever, still he did not have the energy to even raise a hand. 

"Can someone actually explain what's going on? What am I supposed to do here?" The newest member of the group knocked on the table with his fists.

Taking pity on the boy's situation, Hikari stopped Calder who was about to make a statement and took the word to herself. 

"Adam, all of us have been where you are." She stood up, revealing to be much taller than expected. "Unfortunately you died to the people on Earth but you were chosen to inherit an Elemental power and get a second life."

Reaching his side she stopped and laid a hand on his shoulder. Adam had his head down and eyes fixed on the rock in front of him.

"If you give us a chance we can show you everything this new world has to offer."

As she finished she squeezed his shoulder in a comforting way. A cozy warmth emanated from the Goddess but the Playboy remained indifferent.

"I can show you all the best places for you to eat, dress and have fun around here." Shu leaned over the table. Their smile was audible even if Adam couldn't see their face. "I can also teach you to fly faster than Cal, huh."

With the last part the boy raised his head a little but not enough. 

"And I can teach you all the rest." Calder was the next one to make an attempt to cheer up the guy. "I was very close to the previous Earth God…" 

The sorrow in his voice made Adam curious, bringing his head up to look at the man speaking. 

"We were great friends for centuries, so I know your powers very well and I can teach you how to use them." 

Adam had been watching the old man closely. Calder kept his eyes glued to the table as he spoke. 

"If you want too…" the Water God added. 

Once their gazes matched, the sincerity of their bond was clear to everyone in the room even if Adam couldn't see it yet.

The Earth God looked around at the characters that were supposed to be his equals. They were so different from each other, it was like they just came out of the circus. Despite that, they all came together to try to comfort him.

Thinking back, that was the first time he felt that confused about anything and it was also the first time he had people, besides family, honestly looking after him. 

"I'll accept the tour." Breaking the suspense, Adam winked at Shu before turning to Cal. 

"Because Grandpa is a terrible guide." 

"No one knows the City of Spirits better than me. I got you." Shu replied and winked back at Adam.

Hikari nodded in agreement with everything that had been said and returned to her seat. Once everyone had settled down, she started. 

"Before you begin your exploration there's a few things you need to know, Adam."

"Just so you know, I'm not going to any "School for Gods" or whatever."

Again the Playboy based his knowledge of that world on things he had watched on Earth. On the other hand, the other Gods had no idea what he was talking about but chose to ignore it. 

"Since you already touched the subject. No, there are no other Gods besides the ones in this room."

The Fire Goddess was very formal, reminding Adam of his principal from high school. He liked to tease the principal when he was called to her office but he wouldn't dare mess with the woman in front of him. 

"That being said, we all have a few rules we live by."

"Aren't we Gods? Rules shouldn't apply to us." The Playboy protested immediately. He was never a fan of restrictions. 

"Gods are nothing but glamorous servants, dear. In our case we serve the Universe." Shu's musical way of speaking slightly attenuated their casual affirmation. 

"Shu is correct. We are not alone in the Universe nor on Earth so we have to respect every soul. And for that we have the Four Rules."

For the following part of her statement, Hikari stood up, making the situation more authoritative. 

"We cannot make anything that doesn't already exist." She paused, giving time for protest or questions.

Seeing the newbie didn't say anything but had an I-don't-get-it look, Calder intervened.

"It means we can't invent stuff that doesn't exist on Earth. Like new kinds of rocks or a new machine, for example." 

"I got it the first time." Adam said with a snobbish brow raise. 

"Moving on." Hikari corrected her tone. "We cannot lie. Neither here nor in the Material World." 

Noticing the young God was ready to interrupt her, the Goddess raised a hand to stop him and continued. 

"Souls come to us for advice and help, therefore we can't deceive them. It also interferes with the next rule, we cannot influence any Soul."

"You guys are no fun." As a spoiled kid, Adam crossed his arms and put up a frown. 

"This is not supposed to be fun." The fiery eyes burned the Playboy's gaze, making him look away but still maintaining his body language. "Next, we cannot have a physical body. Your body died and it can't be recuperated." 

Adam shrugged, which was the sign for Hikari to move on. 

"And at last, we cannot see our own future." 

"Huh?!" 

Once again, the Fire Woman raised a hand to stop Adam from talking. 

"Cal will be in charge of helping you transition, so save your questions for him." She took a couple steps back and stopped. "I'll follow up with you guys in a few days. Until then, don't cause any major disasters." 

With nothing left to be said on her end, a pillar of fire fell from the sky absorbing the Goddess. What remained of her presence, were just fire flakes softly dancing where she used to stand. 

"Who left her in charge? I thought we were all on the same level." The Playboy was upset for being shushed so bluntly.

"No one but she's been through a lot and now feels responsible for us." 

Shu said while sliding their thin body out of their seat to float above the table, like a main course. 

"Did she make up these rules?" Adam leaned back feeling more relaxed to speak his mind. 

"They have existed since the first Gods." Shu kept talking with his body spinning through the air, finally coming to a stop upside down. "We need to celebrate! What do you say, guys?" 

Clearly Shu was a very unusual person. The way they behaved and had the most random ideas was amusing. 

"Finally a good idea." Adam stood up pushing the chair back abruptly which made the Air Deity shout in excitement. 

"Got any places in mind, Cal? Cuz I do." 

Shu flew over to the Water God's side and started to play with his beard. 

"Stumble alley?" The old man sounded way more excited than expected. 

"I don't know what that is but it sounds wild, let's go!" 

Adam was familiar with the concept of partying. No one did it like him, so when the idea came up he felt more like himself again. 

"Cal is a legend there. You're gonna love it!" 

Gracefully the Deity squeezed Calder's cheeks after the complement then headed to the gate waving at them to hurry. Adam smirked at the old man who shrugged playfully before following Shu. 

They all left the Gods Gate flying through the night. 

Gazing at the stars and the dark sky it was hard for the young man to believe that was real. It looked exactly like the one Adam knew but under a completely different perspective. 

A few hours before he was driving his car home and the next thing he knew he was a God. The Playboy needed a drink, something to forget all the questions and just have fun.