SWNOVELXO Chapter 15: THE FIRST COVENANT OF THE GODS
Chapter 15: The first covenant of gods
"Artifacts and Calendars."
Faced with Soulis' request, Mother Earth did not respond immediately, though she had already consented in her heart. Unlike the oracle, an artifact born of the world, which could be bestowed or surrendered, the Vase of Life—her divine companion—could not be truly parted from her. Allowing the celestial changes of the Moon to guide the growth of plants and the climate, however, was a proposal she could accept. The Earth was her eternal domain, and the God of Weather would undoubtedly aid in fulfilling such a responsibility.
"Cronus," Gaia called silently, seeking the counsel of her courageous son.
"I can agree to his request," Cronus replied, "but what of the three promises you owe me?"
At this time, Mother Earth's womb grew restless. When Soulis mentioned the "undeniable new lord," the Lord of the Ocean and the Sun God could no longer hold their silence. Had they foreseen this outcome, they would have taken the lead themselves. But now, they knew the decision was sealed. Cronus, with power equal to theirs, was the most fitting bearer of the divine blade, unshackled by the oaths that bound them. Mother Earth would choose no other.
"I accept," Cronus declared to Gaia, his voice resonating beyond the bounds of her body. His ascendance was assured, though it stirred animosity among his brothers. Now, his only desire was to secure a definitive prophecy and ascend the throne, rather than quarrel endlessly within his mother's womb.
"I am willing to agree to your three conditions, Lord Soulis," Cronus announced. "As long as they do not jeopardize my divine authority, I shall fulfill them to the best of my ability."
Soulis, unsurprised by Cronus' concession, nodded in satisfaction. To him, achieving the mantle of the Divine Lord was worth any cost. To remain trapped within Gaia's womb, no matter how small the price, was a hollow victory.
"Excellent," Soulis said with a smile, revealing his first request. "First, I desire the Origin of Time and Space."
A moment of stunned silence followed. Neither Mother Earth nor the Titans had anticipated this peculiar demand.
After some time, Cronus spoke again, his tone not of anger but of mild confusion.
"The divine origin can indeed be transferred, Lord Soulis. However, the recipient can never truly own it. If you do not intend to become my servant, then no matter how much of it I grant, it will inevitably return to me with the passage of time."
Cronus spoke truthfully. The authority of the primordial gods could not be relinquished except by the will of the world itself. Otherwise, the divine dominion of the Twelve Titans would have long been usurped by the reigning Divine Lord. True, irrevocable gifts of power required the acceptance of servitude, a fate no prophet would willingly embrace.
"This origin is mine," Cronus continued. "Like the Vase of Life, I require it for now."
Soulis did not argue. Instead, he simply reiterated his request.
"Very well," Cronus relented. "As the God of Time and Space, surrendering the origin will not critically diminish my power. I shall grant you as much as I can spare."
Soulis nodded in approval and began stating his second condition.
"My next request concerns the future of the land beneath our feet," he began. "In an unexpected vision, I foresaw that one day, a new moon would rise in the heavens. Unlike the ephemeral Moon I have created, this celestial body will be tangible, akin to the sun, and more suited to preside over the sky. Therefore, I seek to relocate my creation to a new home."
"So, you chose the Underworld?"
"Indeed," Soulis admitted.
"Here's the revised version, with enhanced solemnity and an atmospheric shift:
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Cronus, future Divine Lord, I beseech you to seal this covenant.
At Soulis' proclamation, the heavens trembled as though holding their breath, and the ground beneath Gaia's womb grew unnaturally still. The light that had danced so freely dimmed, casting long shadows that rippled like whispers across the land. A low hum resonated in the air, reverberating from some primordial depth, as if the very fabric of existence acknowledged the gravity of his words.
"The celestial bodies of the Earth shall be tangible, while those of the Underworld shall remain incorporeal."
As he spoke, a faint glow began to emanate from the sky above, where the intangible forms of the sun and moon hung in delicate balance. Their ethereal light intertwined, painting the heavens in hues of gold and silver, while an unseen force pulled at the soul of all who listened, compelling their undivided attention.
"Thus, the physical sun and moon shall reside in the heavens above, while their ethereal counterparts shall dwell in Hades."
The glow in the sky grew sharper, almost blinding, as though the physical sun and moon were asserting their dominion. Yet, from the depths of the earth, a soft luminescence began to rise, pale and haunting, as if the Underworld itself had awakened to claim its share of the celestial balance. The stark contrast of brilliance and shadow cast a spell of awe over all who bore witness.
"As the sun is a symbol of masculinity, the sun in the sky shall be mightier than its Underworld counterpart; as the moon symbolizes femininity, the moon of Hades shall surpass the one in the heavens."
At these words, a deep rumble coursed through the earth, a sound neither threatening nor violent, but resonant with power. The light of the physical sun flared brighter than ever, its radiance spilling over the land with an almost oppressive weight, while the intangible moon in Hades pulsed with an otherworldly beauty, its soft glow whispering of mysteries unseen.
"The tangible sun was born first; therefore, all concepts of Sun originate from it. The intangible moon preceded its physical form; thus, all concepts of Moon stem from it."
The wind stirred, carrying with it a solemn hymn, a chorus of unseen voices echoing the truth of his words. A sense of inevitability filled the air, as if this covenant was not merely a decision, but a destiny written into the bones of the universe itself.
"In this balance of heaven and earth, let your legacy as Divine Lord be cemented."
With his final declaration, the skies above and the depths below seemed to collide for a fleeting moment, their forces merging in a burst of blinding light and consuming shadow. When the light faded, an eerie calm settled over the world. The heavens and Hades were now intertwined, bound by the covenant etched into existence.
Cronus, though silent, felt the weight of the divine decree press upon him. The future Divine Lord, standing at the precipice of destiny, raised his head. In his eyes burned the resolve of one who had accepted a mantle far greater than himself.
"I agree," Cronus declared. The sun and moon were of little consequence to him, and the agreement served to placate his brothers' growing envy.
"Now, tell me your third request. You are ever so perceptive."
Cronus, though wary, could not help but admire Soulis' shrewdness. Despite his past grievances with the prophet, Soulis' plans—such as those for the Moon—often benefited others, including Hyperion.
"Mother Earth, and all of you who are listening," Soulis began, his smile genuine. "I am grateful to exist in this nascent age, where such potential still lies untapped."
"Have you noticed," he continued, "that scattered across the heavens and earth, among all things, there exist particles—subtle, invisible, and enigmatic? These particles can affect physical matter, shaping darkness and light. They surround us, yet remain disordered and untamed."
"Yes," Mother Earth replied. "Earth, water, wind, fire, light, darkness—they are particles of unique power."
"But in the face of divine might, they are fragile and insignificant. Aside from harmonizing with the gods' authority, I fail to see their purpose."
Soulis smiled knowingly, declining to counter her dismissal. Her perspective was not unfounded; compared to divine power, the elemental forces seemed trivial. But his vision for them extended beyond such comparisons.
"They will find their purpose," Soulis assured her. "At the very least, controlling them will allow me to command waves without the Water Priesthood and summon storms without the Weather Priesthood."
The gods within Gaia's womb laughed, their disdain unhidden behind her protective barrier.
"Weak ambitions," Oceanos sneered. "From the Time Sequence to the Moon, and now to these petty schemes, he seeks only to compensate for his lack of divine strength."
"Indeed," Cleos added. "This 'calendar' he proposes to manipulate the climate is nothing but an absurd toy."
"At least it's an attempt," Hyperion interjected, his irritation slightly mollified by Soulis' plans for the Sun and Moon.
"So, what do you intend to do?" Cronus asked, his tone calm and sincere.
Soulis smiled, fully understanding the subtext of Cronus' inquiry.
"I plan to weave a net," he explained, "to restrain these scattered particles. When the time comes, I will make the strings of this net vibrate in a predetermined structure, granting me control over them."
"Furthermore," Soulis concluded, "should anyone here wish to use this network, they will always be welcome."
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