Atum
Life in Eden was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Mother said peace was precious.
Father said peace was worth protecting.
But after millions of years, peace could become...
Boring.
At least, that's what I thought.
Which was why I had dragged Selene out with me to explore the stars beyond Earth.
"Brother, Father said not to wander too far," Selene complained.
"We're not wandering."
"We're exploring."
"That's wandering."
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it's not."
Selene crossed her arms.
"You sound like Uncle Set."
I froze.
"Who?"
"Mother told me stories."
"The loud uncle."
"Oh."
Uncle Set.
Father smiled whenever he spoke about him.
Though there was always sadness in his eyes.
"I wonder what they're like," Selene whispered.
"Uncle Chthon and Uncle Set."
I looked toward the stars.
"Maybe one day we'll meet them."
"Father believes they will return."
Selene smiled.
"Then I believe too."
Suddenly, our conversation stopped.
Something enormous appeared before us.
No.
Someone.
Towering figures.
Armored giants larger than worlds.
Yet...
Unlike Father, Mother, and Aunt Oshtur...
These beings felt young.
Curious.
Inexperienced.
There were five of them.
And they were staring at us.
Selene"They're huge," I whispered.
One of the giants tilted its head.
Its voice echoed across space.
"Life?"
Another stepped forward.
"No."
"Something greater."
The giant knelt.
And to my surprise...
It looked nervous.
"Greetings."
"We are..."
It paused.
"We do not possess names."
Brother Atum blinked.
"You don't have names?"
The giant shook its head.
"No."
"We are newborns."
"Children of the First Host."
I smiled.
"Then you're babies."
Atum coughed.
"Selene!"
"What?"
"They're adorable."
The giant tilted its head again.
"Adorable?"
Another giant spoke.
"What is adorable?"
I giggled.
Brother Atum looked like he wanted to disappear.
AtumI could not believe this.
My sister had just called cosmic giants adorable.
And they seemed...
Happy about it.
One of them crouched lower.
"Small one."
"Why are you not afraid?"
Selene blinked.
"Should I be?"
The giant paused.
"No."
"Father says not everyone big is scary," she explained.
"Besides..."
She smiled innocently.
"You feel lonely."
The giant froze.
And for some reason...
All five giants became silent.
They looked at one another.
Then back at Selene.
"You perceive loneliness?"
"Mm."
"You all feel lonely."
One of the giants looked down.
"We were born."
"And we are alone."
Selene smiled warmly.
"Then we're friends now."
The giant's eyes widened.
"Friends?"
"Yes."
"Friends."
For some reason...
The giant's entire body glowed.
Another spoke.
"Is this..."
"Happiness?"
Honestly...
Father would be proud.
Mother too.
Though Aunt Oshtur would probably laugh.
Then, a familiar presence appeared.
Father.
Mother.
And Aunt Oshtur emerged from a portal of golden light.
Father looked surprised.
Mother blinked.
And Aunt Oshtur almost dropped her staff.
"The Celestials?" she exclaimed.
The five giants immediately stood.
To my shock...
They bowed.
Not to me.
Not to Selene.
But to Father.
"The Primordial One."
"The Father of Earth."
"We greet you."
Father smiled kindly.
"No need for formalities."
"Please, rise."
One of the young Celestials spoke.
"Lord Aetherion."
"Are these your offspring?"
Father glanced at me and Selene.
Pride filled his eyes.
"Yes."
"My son Atum."
"My daughter Selene."
Mother smiled lovingly.
"And they seem to have made new friends."
Selene waved happily.
"They're babies."
Atum, Mother, and Father all laughed.
Even Aunt Oshtur covered her mouth.
And surprisingly...
The Celestials glowed brighter.
As though laughter itself was something they had never experienced before.
SeleneFather sat among the young Celestials.
And just like always...
Everyone gathered around him.
He listened to their questions.
Mother taught them about life.
Aunt Oshtur taught them about magic.
Brother Atum taught them how to fight.
And I taught them...
How to have fun.
Father smiled as he watched us.
But then...
His smile faded.
Just slightly.
His eyes drifted toward the stars.
Toward somewhere far beyond the universes.
And though I didn't understand why...
I heard him whisper softly.
"Chthon."
"Set."
"You would have loved this."
Mother gently held his hand.
And beneath the endless stars...
A new generation was born.
The children of Creation.
And the children of the Cosmos.
Together.
To Be Continued...