By the divine decree, we lived. By the divine decree, we died. Such was the way of life under the all-seeing, omnipotent Kingdom of Gods. Humanity was powerless; only pawns to them. Our fates were predetermined by whatever the gods desired. All lived in fear and worship. Cathedrals, shrines, and the like were the center of our societies. To devote your life to worship and prayer, was to live a life of security and happiness.

No doubt about it, people before me had questioned this way of life. But, there was no use in questioning the status quo. I would silently pray, every day, in hopes I could live a safe and secure life with my family.

Our family, the Orithyia family, worked in trade and commerce regulations. Aside from worship to the gods above, humans also created things necessary for survival – that was the other pillar of our world. Farmers, fishers, craftspeople, and the like would come together often to trade goods. My older brother Orion and my older sister Lilina would often work to oversee trade in our area. As for me and my twin brother, Adonis, we would work as their extra pairs of hands.

One night, after a long day of work, I was walking across the seaside by myself. I often liked to look out upon the ocean at night, just as a moment of peace and calm for myself. It was very late, and not many people were awake at this time. So, naturally, upon seeing a strange person sitting at the edge of the dock, I became rather confused. I walked closer to speak to this individual.

“Pardon me,” I asked. “I have never seen your face before. From where might you hail from?”

“Ah, Cerio Orithyia. I knew you’d be up this late.”

As he stood up and turned around to face me, his long hair and white dress swayed elegantly. A calm smile painted his face.

In a moment after, I realized something. I panicked and instinctively knelt down upon my right knee.

“O god of the heavens, forgive my disrespect. I am eternally blessed to be in your presence, Your Holy Grace.”

A tongue click, and then a light sigh. “Stand up, Cerio. Seriously, this is why I so despise Sandalphon’s pointless decree.”

I looked up, and sheepishly met his gaze.

“I am Luxana, and I simply descended to make a little proposal.”

Luxana, the god of love. Not only was a divine visit from a god so rare, but usually it would occur within holy grounds and establishments. Descensions could mean ill omens, or good tidings. But this? This was totally unprecedented; completely unpredictable. I was at a complete loss for words.

“Cerio Orithyia, will you take my hand and create a new world with me? A world where humans and gods may live together.”

I could not believe what I was hearing. I was entranced by his beautiful appearance, and his promising words.

“…But is that truly possible, O Holy One?”

“First off, cut the formalities.” His gaze sharpened. “And second off? Yes.”

A promise of a new world – a world where we could no longer live in fear – was an enticing notion indeed.

I extended my hand to meet his, and light surged forth from his hands.

“Tell all the people of this land that we shall depart for the new world.” His hands left mine, and left a shimmering object – no doubt about it, a divine artifact. With this in my hands, people would heed my words.

The night had gone on for so long, that dawn began to peek over the horizon.

“Now, go forth. I will come back when it is time.”

Luxana disappeared into light, and I looked down upon the artifact in my hands. The early morning came, and I rushed back home with it.

“Adonis, you are not going to believe what just happened.”

“Wh… Cerio?! What in the name of the EARTH happened on the beach?!”

Adonis looked upon the artifact, mesmerized, as I recounted the unexpected encounter to him.

“Man, you two are all grown up and you still can’t keep it down in the morning?” I heard Lilina’s voice projected from the other room. “What’s a lady gotta do around here to get some–”

She had walked in and beheld the sight of the artifact herself. Her eyes widened, and then she ran back, yelling for Orion.

After explaining to Lilina and Orion, they promised they’d do the best they could to rally people around my voice.

It was a truly eventful day – with this artifact in my hands, people gathered around me as I preached of Luxana’s decree for a new world. Excitement bustled around, and dreams no one even dared to dream were coming to fruition, just around the horizon.

The onset of sunset came as we rallied as many people as we could together. We all gathered on the beach, and on the dock, five figures descended. I knew one was Luxana, but the other four I did not recognize – they were likely gods, too. Luxana stepped forward to hold my hands.

“Cerio, I knew you could do it. Now, let’s open the gate – to a new planet!”

Before our eyes, the sunset sky and golden sea were torn apart. A meadow rushed beneath our feet and the sky turned into night – filled with stars as far as the eye can see.

The crowd behind us chattered loudly in amazement, and I, too, was overtaken by wonder. Adonis tugged at my arm – like he always does – and pointed towards the moon – a beautiful, clear white; a perfect glow.

Before me, I could see Luxana smiling with excitement.

“Welcome to our new planet – Chrysathelia. Here, we establish a new order, where humans and gods live together!”

Cheers of excitement filled the air, and that was the start of a new world we would all work together to create.