Vythin awoke with a start, the wind shuffling branches outside of his temporary home. It’s not that windy this time of year, he thought, rolling out of his pile of furs and leathers, stretching as he stood, adjusting the rags he wore wrapped around his body. He yawned and went to the entrance of the cave he had called home for several seasons now.

  Extending away from the cave entrance was a harsh scrubland, giving way to pale white trees that stretched North all the way to The Holy Wall - the barrier of the Holy Empire of Drekfen which marked its borders. Vythin closed his eyes and listened intently, hearing the creaking of bones and the pained, baleful moans of the undead who resided in the Dead Woods. The dead that walked once more - quite literally a blight upon the land as the life was slowly drained from their surroundings.

  Oddly enough though, the undead didn't harm the wildlife, and hunting was plentiful as the animals had adapted to eat the dead, rotting carcasses; even the trees had somehow adapted to the decay - no longer growing but beyond death nonetheless. The undead seemed to not need to feed upon or even bother the animals and critters; they were only hostile to living people.

  Ah, damn. I guess they’re on the move again. Vythin ducked inside the cave and pushed a nearby contraption made of wood in front of the entrance. No hunting today. Good thing I still have yesterday’s kill.

  The creatures who walked the woods outside and the Dead Scar further to the East were dangerous in large numbers. Thankfully, they didn't venture towards the lair he called home very frequently. The few times they did, he was able to dispatch them, or he would hide in the back chamber until they left.

  He went to the small spring in one corner of the cavern. Vythin sighed as he thought about his prior roommate that had recently died. Two years. It's already been that long. Vythin drew a bucket of water through the spring and took a large swig. It must be nice being that strong. And having all that treasure…I miss him.

  He recalled first arriving and stumbling upon the inner chamber, being confronted by the terrifying creature and offering his service in exchange for his life. A gift which the creature accepted with humor. They struck a quick friendship; an old soul eager to share stories with a young audience. For the remainder of that magnificent monster's life, Vythin served it - going out and hunting for it in exchange for some gift in the future and many truly fantastic stories. It was not as if he had much of a choice in the matter - he would have never made it out of the Dead Woods to escape to civilization on his own. Even seasoned warriors struggled to survive in that cursed place.

  And so, he remained. Trapped in the cave and surrounding land.

  He set the bucket down and went to the other side of the cavern, grabbing the corpse of a deer, dragging the heavy carcass to a rack he had created to begin butchering the beast. Here, in the Duskfall Range, one could find countless caves just like this one - perfect for smuggling and hideouts. After hanging the meat to begin drying out he headed to the back of the cave. Stumbling a few times in the darkness, stubbing his toe here or there with a brief curse, Vythin entered the inner chamber.

  Shafts of light shone down from above - a large crack in the rock several hundred feet up illuminated a dark shape upon a pile of glittering treasure. There lay his deceased roommate. The scaled black dragon upon an enormous stash of gold, silver, relics, artwork, and various other relics. Vythin’s eyes glazed over, as they always did when seeing this hoard, imagining what he could buy with the money from selling the riches…if he ever escaped back to civilization, past the armies of the walking dead.

  He looked longingly at the pile of treasure before turning around and departing. Better luck in your next life, my friend, he thought as he had thought many times in the past two years. He still talked to the dread creature, because if he had not, he surely would have gone mad from the loneliness. A corpse as a best friend. How screwed up is that?

  Even with the creature quite obviously dead, there were rumors and legends that taking anything from a dragon's hoard would curse the thief with their eventual doom. More importantly, Vythin didn't want to disrespect the only friend he'd ever had: one who did not expect anything from and enjoyed simply being around him.

  He walked back to the main chamber and heard a slight whistling. He scanned the room, carefully looking for the source of the noise. Nothing caught his attention and he walked up behind the trap, looking around outside for whatever made the sound.

  Vythin saw a glint of light, distorting air like waves of heat over a desert. What is-

  He gasped in pain as something slammed into his torso. He crumpled to the ground as darkness took his mind.

  Vythin's eyes snapped open as he bolted upright, breathing heavily. What in The Void just happened? he thought, glancing at the cave entrance. His heartbeat calmed as he saw the trap was still in place and had not sprung. Okay, well, one small blessing.

  He stood up slowly, feeling at his chest where...something had impacted him, finding no mark or sign of being injured. He was parched. How long was I asleep?

  He went over to the spring and leaned down to draw up some water.

  But as he gazed into the water an unfamiliar face stared back. Vythin dropped the bucket and backed away. What was that? He glanced around the chamber, and seeing no-one else, he looked back in the pool. A bestial visage stared back at him. He reached up to his face and shivered in horror as he felt along his mouth...a protruding snout lined with teeth. He pulled his hand away seeing scales and a claw. What is this! He tore off his tattered clothing and stared down at a fully scale-covered arm, deep gold in color with black outlines at the edges. His hand, tipped with wicked claws white as ivory. I must be going mad. Maybe I’m still sleeping? he thought. No... not mad. Just different.

  "What happened to me?" he asked aloud, his voice echoing through the cavern.

  And to his surprise, a voice answered back.

  "Ah, good. Right on schedule," the new voice responded softly. Vythin turned and saw a robed figure. The figure sat at the edge of Vythin’s now-empty fire pit, stave set next to him against the wall.

  A mage. Great, just my luck.

  The figure gestured for him to approach, "Oh come now, don’t be so stand-off-ish. I’m sure you have lots of questions. Sit, let’s talk. I’ll make us dinner."

  Vythin could see his every movement despite the gloom. I can see in the dark?

  The mage clapped his hands and a fire sprung up, red flames tinged with green embers flicking up to the ceiling as he pulled a pot seemingly from nowhere and placed it on the fire.

  Vythin approached slowly, cautiously, and stood on the other side of the fire. "Who are you? And what are you doing in my home?" he asked.

  "I’m Zohkah, to answer the first question. And to answer the second, I’m in your home because you’re my next big event." The mage smiled. As he pulled back his hood Vythin saw a pair of ears on the top of his head - a cat’s ears. One of the beast-men known as an Ayshor; the eclectic and varied race whose traits were blended with the animals of all types.

  "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Vythin asked in a gruff tone, knowing that this individual could obliterate him with a thought if he had a mind to. Damned magi. Always coming around where they don't belong.

  Zohkah smiled, "Consider me an interested party to your...current situation. And I must say, you look...well, different than I expected," he answered with a smug expression, pulling out a large tome.

  Vythin caught sight of the first few words on the cover. He saw ‘History of’ on the front for a brief instant, but then it was set flat on the mage’s lap as he flipped pages. Vythin sat down. "Do you mean the weird face and the scales?" he asked.

  Zohkah nodded, "Well, you look like this now." He waved his hand in the air as an illusory image of an Axan floated beside the fire. A humanoid creature bristling with muscles, an elongated snout, and powerful claws on their hands and feet. "And you are quite a slim version of one at that." Zohkah informed with a flourish of his hand as the illusion faded.

  Vythin frowned, "I know what an Axan looks like." Once more he reached a hand...or claw up to feel his new face. Zohkah waved his hand for Vythin to continue talking as he kept flipping pages. Vythin kept his mouth shut and just stared at him. What could you be planning?

  Zohkah glanced up and chuckled, clearing his throat after a moment; "Not a talker, eh? Well...I’m a historian of sorts. And you’re one of the New Gods."

  Me… a god? Bullshit. He remembered the glint of light moments before being hit by something, but there’s no way that was… No, this mage is trying to pull some type of trick. I’ll bet he’s responsible for my body changing, too.

  Zohkah continued in matter-of-factly fashion, "You’re going to play a significant role in several events as a New God. Remember that vision a day or so ago? You know, shattered throne and all that?"

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  Memories of the gods' announcement a few days prior flooded Vythin’s mind. "So that little light I saw-"

  "Right now, there’s an Aether Shard...riiiight there," the mage said, poking Vythin in the chest with a finger. Vythin recoiled slightly and Zohkah retracted his hand. "You’re a god now. As to what type of god, well, I can help you find out...but you're one of the first new ones." He put the book into a small satchel far too small to hold it normally. "Part of the first wave. One of the first sought out by the Aether Shards from Caelum's shattered throne."

  Vythin stared at this weird man. A mixture of thoughts went through his mind. Should I trust him? He just showed up in my home! Should I run? No, he’d just use some spell to force me back. Maybe if I play along he’ll leave. Don’t trust him. Never trust one again. Magi can't be trusted. But his words make sense! He let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine then. Do what you must," he mumbled.

  Zohkah stood up and extended his hand to his left. An orb appeared; a glass orb holding a gold hourglass filled with silver sand. "You’re going to want to lay down and hold still. This may be disorienting, and if you move too much then the spell will fail. I really don’t want to waste reagents on a recasting today," he said with a hint of pleading in his voice.

  Vythin laid back and put his arms alongside himself, laying as still as he could. Then, Zohkah began to chant. The words began to thrum within the chamber. A language that was unknown to him. Vythin glanced down. A heat radiated above him, like he was standing too close to a bonfire - but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

  Zohkah interrupted his incantation, "It will be a little hot, but I assure you you won’t be burned." He continued with his monotone spellcraft as Vythin lay as still as he possibly could. Zohkah yelled a final syllable and with a loud whirring noise the hourglass inside of the orb spun faster.

  Vythin saw small specks of sand escape the confines of the sphere and float above him, forming writing that spelled out three words.

  Dragon. Wealth. Light.

  The words floated for a moment. What does that mean? Vythin thought as he found himself spitting out sand - the spell fading as the motes fall onto him and into his open mouth.

  He sat up as Zohkah pulled the pot off the fire, producing two bowls from his small side-pouch and scooping up some sweet-smelling broth, handing one bowl to Vythin. He took a sip from the bowl and sighed, leaning back against the rock wall. "Well, now you know," he stated.

  Vythin just stared at him. "Now I know what? Three words? You just showed up here, called me a god, and then did some spell that shows some words in the air. Come on, you’re messing with me, aren’t you?" he asked.

  Zohkah spoke, but his tone was completely different. No trace of the light-heartedness remained in his expression as he continued, his gaze staring off into the distance as if recalling some long-forgotten lesson; or perhaps emulating a teacher from his past. "Each god has ties to elements of creation - the very materials that made up the whole of existence. Some you probably are familiar with - death, life, war. Each is what the clerics and priests call ‘domains’ of the gods. There are hundreds of different concepts in our reality that are contained within these domains. From raw, elemental energy, to feelings and emotions. They are also called 'elements', and don't just encompass elemental forces. Anything is an element of creation - from the broad categories such as fire, all the way to specific elements such as certain emotions like fear." Zohkah then held up his index finger.

  "One, dragon. I thought those creatures were pretty much extinct, so I have no clue why you would gain dominion over that domain. It's strange, but not unheard of, to be given the domain of a powerful, primal creature. Perhaps one of the fell creatures made this cavern his home. It could allow you to control them, or maybe even turn into one. I know- sorry, knew, a god of slimes at once point." He chuckled lightly, but then resumed his serious demeanor.

  Zohkah held up a second finger, "Two, wealth. A versatile domain. Try reaching into your pocket" he instructed, taking another sip from his bowl.

  Vythin reached into his ragged pocket and felt something thin - laminated cloth. A familiar feeling. Pulling it out he held a fistful of dreks - the currency of Heimfold standardized by the Holy Empire and used in every nation. His eyes went wide, looking back at Zohkah mouth agape. "I can make money?" he asked.

  Zohkah grinned like a child with candy, but didn’t drop the stern voice, "Yes. A god of wealth has power in this world, vast power. Make sure you don’t go making mountains of gold and inflate the market causing the economy to crash. That wouldn’t be good. Anything you could buy, you can create. Well, almost anything. Not people, obviously." He cast his eyes down into the fire and muttered, barely perceptible. "Wealth...didn't expect that one."

  He held up a third finger and raised his voice, "Third - light. One of the two most potent elements of creation, tied with shadow. One of the six prime elements; the other four being fire, water, earth, and air. But light and shadow are the top two. The reason why prime elements are so powerful is that anything associated with them falls under that prime element. Light could be interpreted as goodness, warmth, justice…lots of interpretations, and therefore a broad, encompassing domain. A bright enough light can even make fire. But, I wouldn’t go toe-to-toe with Ignis in a battle over flame. Your broad versatility means when emulating encompassed domains, you are less potent." Zohkah finished off his bowl as Vythin realized he hadn’t even touched his yet. "Similarly, you should not go up against a god of hope in a conflict, as you can emulate hope with the encompassing domain of light, if it is one of their domains...well, just as magi are more potent the fewer elements of creation they are capable of spellcasting from, that god of hope would be more potent."

  Vythin took a sip of the slightly sweet and sour liquid before meeting Zohkah's gaze. "So... what do I do now that I’m a god?" Vythin asked across the fire, completely at a loss at what to do with this new revelation. Provided the mage was telling the truth.

  "Well first off, a word of caution. You can only exert your godly powers so much in a day. So don’t go about doing incredible miracles left and right, you’ll find yourself drained and need to rest. As for what you should do - the gods need help holding back The Void, so I’d recommend growing more powerful. How you do that though is up to you. Maybe find some allies," Zohkah advised, picking up the large pot from the fire and putting it into his small satchel, the large cooking device shrinking as it touched the mouth of the bag.

  Vythin glanced at the cave entrance. "So where would I find allies? I’m assuming you mean other gods?" he asked.

  Zohkah nodded, "Yes. I wouldn’t use mortals as allies, they are fragile and can be manipulated against you. As for where to go; I just happened to have met two gods shortly before I came here to meet you. Others in this first wave of New Gods being born...or made." He tossed something at Vythin.

  He plucked the item out of the air and held it up to examine it. A gold coin, inlaid with a silver hourglass. "What good is a coin?" He asked.

  Zohkah smirked. "You can use that once per season to talk to me. Think of it like a letter that instantly reaches me. You squeeze it, think my name, and I’ll know you want to talk." Zohkah stood and stretched, grabbing the bronze staff next to him. "If you go to the Vaysha Rift, south of Twin Rivers, you will find an enormous tree in a clearing - you can't miss it. If you get close, you will sense the presence of another Aether Shard. That should be the first ally you seek. A Gori - hard to miss. The other lies near Highpass within The Siltar Republic - he will be on a caravan heading to Oceanside. An older human who goes by the title of 'Professor'." Zohkah began tracing a circle on the dirt in the cave using the tip of his staff. "You may even find more allies along your journey."

  "But the Vaysha Rift is hundreds of miles away!" Vythin exclaimed, standing up. "I can't get there just with the snap of my fingers. I'm trapped here in the Dead Scar!"

  Zohkah shrugged, "You’re a god of dragons now. Go outside and try flying. I have business to attend to." He stepped into the center of the circle and gave Vythin a nod. With a tap of his staff a brilliant bronze light flared and Vythin had to shut his eyes. When he opened them, Zohkah had vanished.

  Vythin slammed his fist into the wall nearby. Damn mages. Always being vague. He felt a crunch and glanced at the impact, seeing an indent several inches deep. Oh, damn, I’m strong! Should keep that in mind. He paced to the center of the cavern. If this...Zohkah fellow wasn’t lying to me, then maybe I can test this out. Vythin closed his eyes and held out his hand in front of him. Big pile of gold, big pile of gold… Vythin felt a dull heat near his heart, and he gasped briefly as a beam of golden light traced down his outstretched arm and pooled onto the floor of the cavern; and there, where nothing was before, hundreds of bars of gold sat piled atop one another in a neat stack. He wasn’t kidding.

  Vythin strode to the entrance of the cavern and slid the trap to the side with ease compared to the last time he moved it. The heavy contraption weighed no more than a twig. He glanced down at his form, covered in rags, and sighed. I wish I was better dressed. If I’m going to meet allies, I should be presentable. Maybe I can stop in a city or- he felt a duller heat emanate from his torso once more, and his clothes vanished, replaced by perfectly tailored dress garments of the highest quality silk. Vythin smiled, for the first time in a long time, feeling in control of his own fate as he felt the material, reveling in the luxury of his new attire. Okay. So, I thought about it, and it happened. If I think about turning into a dragon…

  Vythin concentrated on that desire, that one goal in his mind, and the heat spread from his chest once more, gathering in his arms and legs as he felt himself grow and change shape. He envisioned his old roommate and what he looked like. Within a near instant, where once a man stood, now stood a dragon - rippling with tightly corded muscles. He looked at himself, his long neck able to crane backwards as he saw the same gold scales tinged with black all along his form. Two large wings spread out behind him, and a tail with a black spike swung back and forth slowly. He laughed, now a deep rumbling sound that caused the surrounding air to vibrate. That settles it. Good! Step one, done. Now to see how this feels.

  Moving this new body was second-nature, and as he thought, his body responded. Testing the movements back and forth a bit, lifting his legs and setting them down, he quickly familiarized himself with the feeling of this larger body. The tail took the most time to get used to, as he experimented with it several times; accidentally swinging it too fast and smashing part of the tree-line. Whoops, he thought as he heard the wailing and moans of undead. Okay, I think I've got the hang of the moving part. He gulped and felt anxiety. A ball of tension in his chest. Time to try flying.

  Vythin braced his four legs against the dirt and pushed off. His new form seemingly took over by instinct as he beat his wings, harder and harder, flying higher and higher, until he was near the clouds.Vythin instinctively let out a roar that rang throughout the mountains. A clarion call heralding the entry of a new powerful entity into the world. Not just a now-extinct creature - but a New God. He thought back to the large black dragon in the caves behind him and laughed, the deep sound vibrating out to shake the surrounding air. Thanks for the stories. Let's see how much you were making up, and what a dragon can really do- no, not just a dragon. A god of dragons.

  He gazed northwards, feeling primal strength flowing through his veins. His new form reacted to his thoughts, as he ascended higher and higher into the sky. The feeling of wings rotating in new sockets was slightly jarring, but within a few seconds he felt the warmth in his chest spread and moving the new limbs become instinctual. He turned northward as he thought of the destination Zohkah had talked of.

  Vaysha Rift, south of Twin Rivers. It will take a while to get there - I think, no clue how fast I fly. I suppose I can use the time to come up with a more impressive name. Ooh! Or maybe a title…yeah, a title definitely would make me sound more impressive. Vythin the dragon? No. too rote. This is a regal form, it deserves a regal name.

  Chapters average 3k words, with a few shorter, and some way longer (like, 8k words).