Astea: The Creation Thereof

In the beginning, a dark mist surrounded the small insignificant surface of a lifeless planet. The oceans were almost black, as if an angry writer threw his bottle of leftover ink into the seas. Hurricanes constantly invaded the surface of the water, but not that it mattered. Existence on that body was bleak. Intolerant. Useless.

Neiro, the god of gods, with his sisters, came from the sun in search of a new planet to inhabit. His eyes gazed the galaxy, near and far, but alas, there were no results. There was not one single lonely star on that horizon and they flew on, almost passing the sad little world to their left. A broad smile came to his lips and he pointed it out to his sisters.

When they finally stepped foot on the surface, they looked at their surroundings. Torment and desolation for miles, it seemed. Neiro called the world 'Astea', meaning 'drive and willfulness'. Melfina, the goddess of the flames, glided up to the heavens and seared the clouds, letting the sun embrace the surface of Astea for the first time. She then helped to create the Higher Lands, and Neiro's palace, where he soon resided to observe the creation of his peaceful world.

Shiva, the goddess of the seas, decided it was her turn to fulfill her duty. Placing her hands in the water, she created sea life and filled the oceans with colorful fish and graceful sea turtles. Seaweed sprang up from the depths and she too joined Neiro in his palace. Her duty was done.

The head god then called upon Rhea, the goddess of land and youth, to supply Astea's lands. Rhea had always taken the form of a young girl, and she giggled as she set out on her duty. She fetched an arrow from her quiver and shot it into the water, and a continent came up. Coastal shelves supported the new life and plants abundant with produce appeared. Shrubbery covered the drier areas and their roots dug into the earth. She continued this task until five more masses of land appeared and she took her place in the heavens.

One last goddess, Riiye, was more upset at this new planet. It was... too gentle, too silent. She was the wife of Neiro, and a hundred years his senior. She hated Melfina, and thus, after arguing with her for endless hours, Riiye cast her sister into the oceans below. She  placed a dark shadow over Astea, and created three moons. She eclipsed the sun and made it night. Neiro saw this and became angry and sullen with his wife. She used his sword and sliced her in half, sending her to the Underworld, banishing her there for all eternity. After helping Melfina regain her light, he created the beings he soon called mortals, or humans, out of dirt, water and light. He then gave them clothes and technology to teach them the ways of the land. The Asteians rejoiced and sent praises to him, thanking him for his blessings.

With one last act, he created hope to give to his new believers. He told him that no matter what the cost, they would make Astea thrive.

And they did.