Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Focus on my voice, little Godling. You're going to be okay.”

Everything was new but too much. He had no idea how he's aware it is too much, the concept of sensory overload was not known to him. Yet.

He had a feeling it would soon make more sense, even though he had no idea what a feeling was.

The voice was making the ‘too much’ quiet down when he followed its instructions. Something about it made him feel safe, that everything was gonna be okay.

He felt like he knew that voice, but he knew nothing so how could he know that voice?

He still continued to listen to the reassuring murmurs, as they kept the bad sensations away.

“Very good. Now, can you focus on my hands?”

He didn't know what hands were before but now, he did.

He didn't know he had hands but he could feel them being gently held by someone else.

They were rough and warm, the ‘too much’ went away a bit more.

One of the hands holding his left and before he could mourn its disappearance, he felt his hair being gently petted.

He had hair and the hand going through it was rough and warm.

“You're doing wonderful, little Godling. You can open your eyes now.”

He didn't think before light flooded his vision. He hissed, it wasn't as bad as the first sensations had been but still unpleasant.

He saw the nothingness multiple times in rapid succession, he was blinking he realised, and soon having his eyes open wasn't so bad anymore.

He saw grey. Lots of grey. With some blacks, greens and blues.

The greens and blues were shining but were not the room's source of light.

He had no idea where the main light was from, but the greens and blues were nice to look at.

Some were in the walls in geometric shapes, some were floating around the room as little balls.

He observed as one of the floating lights approached him. Even up close it didn't hurt to look at it directly, he knew it was not common even if he had no experience to base that knowledge on.

“Are you fully there, little Godling?”

The voice was back, and it sounded amused.

He moved his gaze from the bubble of light to the voice.

A humanoid figure was standing next to him, its head tilted to the side in an inquisitive manner.

A white mask that was cracked but still held together rested on the top right of its head, leaving only the top left side and the entire bottom part of its face visible.

There wasn't much to see still; only two white dots on the top left side were the distinctive features on the person's face.

The rest of it was in a black colour that reflected some of the light in the room like glass.

Dark fabric was wrapped around its head, falling into a braid on its shoulder.

It was wearing a coat made of thousands of tubes. It should have been ridiculous but the person who was wearing it managed to look regal and gracious in it.

White and black arms were holding the coat in a relaxed and elegant manner. The same black glass texture seemed to be the main body with white parts helping distinguish the fingers by wrapping around them like rings.

As the figure approached, a bit of a black glass like leg parted the coat. The sounds of the steps matched the glass texture of the limbs, the soft clings echoing in the room. Somehow the sound was familiar and soothing, like the voice was.

“Your eyes searched for movements and sounds, meaning you're aware of your surroundings. Do you feel like talking, little Godling?”

He opened his mouth.

It made sense for him to have a mouth, he felt like he could talk too.

So he did.

“Yes.”

The two white dots on the figure's face curved in crescents.

“Marvelous!”

The person kneeled by where he was lying down.

“Welcome, little Godling. You're currently in the room of Awakening, where newly born gods take physical form after they are created. You did a beautiful job waking up, little Godling, not every god is as mellow as you!”

Despite the very little features on its face, the figure was very expressive. Its arms left their resting spot on the coat to move through the air as it spoke. Its face was flat and slightly rounded but its voice made it easy to know what emotions it was feeling.

It seemed to be joyful, proud even.

“Let me introduce myself. I'm The Second First, you can call me One-One. I'm the god of many things, but I'm mostly known as the God of Arrivals and New Beginnings.”

It did a little bow and continued, “I'm the one welcoming newly born gods, helping them settle in their physical form before they can go to their temples. Of course, I will always be here to help you if you need me.”

It finished by petting his head again. He leaned into the touch, but regretted it when he heard a chuckle.

“My! No wonder you were so calm when you woke up! You're a very sensitive god aren't you?”

He was torn between leaning more into the touch or pulling his head away, so instead he asked,

“A god?”

One-One tilted its head to the side again.

"Exactly. You're a god. Can you tell me what your domains are?”

Its voice was so kind, so patient. And the question gave him its answer.

“I'm Min-Gi. God of Melodies and Possibilities.”

Chapter Text

Among all the concepts Min-Gi was learning as he continued to exist, time was still something he struggled to grasp.

“The further away a concept is from your godly domain, the longer it will take for you to understand it.”

He was not bored as One-One didn't mind answering his questions.

“Why, of course. I help gods as well as humans. You can ask me anything.”

One-One answered his questions but often had to add it's an exception to the rule.

“When a god exists for a long time, they may gain another domain to their name. Time gives you experience, it applies for both gods and humans! I have existed for a while now.”

The subject of domains was a complicated one.

“A god is the only one to know their domains when born, that's why it's important to ask them. I'm sorry, little Godling, but I have no idea what your domain of possibilities means.”

Min-Gi understood he had powers around music but no one could tell him what ‘Possibilities’ meant.

One-One had explained that because it is humans who created gods, only their devotees could answer that question.

“When your temple is finished, you will establish your connection to the mortal realm and you will be able to hear their prayers. It is through their prayers a god understands what their domains are about.”

And there is the temple thing too… Min-Gi was currently staying in the god realm until his temple was finished being built.

He didn't mind it at all, beside One-One there were some other gods who also didn't stay in the mortal realm.

They were ‘gods for gods’ as One-One said. They were here to help gods with their godly duties.

One of them was the God of Collections and Schemes.

She looked similar to One-One, her body was light coloured, but instead of the smooth texture of One-One's skin her body was covered in short soft fur.

She also wore a white mask but on the top half of her face. The mask had cat ears and a cat nose, her mouth and eyes were visible and feline like.

Her hair was the same colour as her body and in a low ponytail, so long it almost touched the ground and swayed with her when she moved.

The first time Min-Gi saw her she wore a grey business suit with a red tie, and she was wearing a different outfit almost every time he saw her.

One-One told him to call her Cat.

Cat had rolled her eyes when she first saw Min-Gi, mumbling loud enough to be heard about never having time for herself.

One-One had patiently waited for her to stomp away and come back with a rectangular item. Despite her disgruntled attitude, she had softly touched Min-Gi's head with the item and welcomed him.

“You're officially registered in the Heavenly Records. Félicitations.”

The two older gods explained that it was part of the first things done to a newborn god, with learning their name and domains.

“It will continue gathering information about you as you exist. Sometimes looking back on your past may help you with your future.”

Cat had seemed to get lost in thoughts when she said that last part but didn't voice any of it and left to store Min-Gi's Record.

One-One had only shaken its head when Min-Gi had looked at the god by his side. 

“I know I said I would answer your questions, but even if I know the answers I'm not the one who can give them.”

It was contradictory of what he had been told, but something in him understood and agreed.

When he had voiced the strange feelings of not knowing but knowing he will know soon enough, the older god chuckled, half from how he had formulated the sensation and half because it was very much a normal thing to go through for newborn gods.

He was to slowly have his mind filled by Nature, Life and the Universe rules.

“You're born from humans, their ideals and wishes are what you're made of. It would be quite a shock for you to receive all of their understanding of Life at once, so it is gently gathering in there.”

One-One had gently tapped Min-Gi's temple, the young god unconsciously leaning into the touch once more.

One-One's eyes had crested with fondness, and it had adjusted its hand to hold the younger one's cheek.

“Depending on why you were born, gods react differently toward humans and their wishes. You're what I call an ‘emotion god’. You look human and enjoy human cravings, and because of that you may end up distressed at how intensely you feel but never run from it, please.”

The hand holding his face somehow had gotten even gentler, the tenderness almost overwhelming. Min-G had wanted to drown into it and jump away from it.

“Embrace these emotions. They're neither good nor bad, they're human and we are born from humans. Feeling so much is a heavy burden but it only makes you closer to those who wished, more than anything, for you to exist.”

One-One, oh so gently, had brought Min-Gi in a hug. In the warm embrace, the young god had felt more than he had ever felt in his very short life but he hadn't moved away.

“You're the closest to human a god can be. This is not a curse but a blessing. Always remember that.”

They had stood there for a moment.

One-One had told him it would answer his questions but Min-Gi didn't know if he could ask the other what the story behind these specific words was.

He felt something heavy settle in his chest when he remembered that interaction.

His reflection moved in tandem with him, a hand now resting on where the weight was.

The words of the elder had sewed themselves in his mind. He tried to embrace the pain, but it just made him want the feeling to leave even more.

The best way he had found to follow the other god's advice without ignoring the pain was just to continue what he was doing before.

and so the pain was still here, but he went back to adjust his clothes.

He had been born completely naked and in between two of One-One introductions to what being a god was about, clothes had appeared over his body.

They were white and grey, and the entire outfit was called a hanbok.

The outfit a newborn god ended with differed depending on what kind of god you were and how your followers imagined you as.

A god of war and battles would wear armor while a god of riches and gold would wear lavish clothes.

His were worn by people of all classes, they were comfortable and he could move easily with them on.

He had been told he didn't have to wear it and could change clothes at will.

He stared at his reflection, turned his body to observe the different angles.

One-One had guided him to a room with a large mirror and shelves full of clothes on three of the four walls.

He had looked through the offered clothes but the mirror was what peaked his interest.

It had been the first time since he was born he saw what he looked like.

One-One had told him he looked human and when he saw his reflection, something in his mind confirmed he indeed looked human despite having never seen one before.

He had been created by humans to help them with their wishes and prayers. He looked like who he would be caring for soon.

Maybe that's why he didn't feel like changing clothes, or that he didn't mind his body.

Or maybe he didn't care how he looked and had no interest in clothing.

His domains were not around fashion or beauty, after all.

He hummed as he squished his face between his hands when a voice made him jump.

“Happy with how you look then?”

One-One was at the room entrance, happy closed dots on his face.

Min-Gi righted himself and his clothes,”I- I think so, yes.”

The older god nodded, its eyes closed to accentuate the thoughtful movement.

“Good. Don't forget you can change your clothes at will.”

Min-Gi absently hummed as he took in the appearance of the other god, One-One looked humanoid but not human at all.

He went by One-One's side and left the room.

"You told me gods were created by humans, but you don't look very human.”

“It's true.” The older god acknowledged,”But I was not made to be relatable or close to humans so there's no need for me to look human.”

Together they walked through corridors, before walking by an indoor garden. There was no open sky in that place, the indoor garden was under a large glass dome, the light filtering through was so bright and blinding Min-Gi wondered if there was a sky above at all.

But the light still made the indoor garden look serene. The plants were white and blue coloured, matching the surroundings, a few bugs and birds were heard despite Min-Gi seeing none.

The two gods stopped to face the indoor garden.

“You know, with time and training, you could change your appearance if you wish.”

“Really?” Min-Gi turned in surprise toward One-One.

“Some gods can shape-shift right after being born but it is part of their domains. For gods without such powers they need to learn how to manipulate their form.”

Min-Gi was taking in the information, One-One continued.

“I can teach you. I know how to use such power even if I never had the urge to change what I look like.”

“Never? You have never changed?”

A hearty laugh came from the older god, it tilted its head back and its entire body shook with mirth.

“Oh I do have changed, little Godling. But not physically.”

Min-Gi waited for an explanation but none came. The wistful air around the other made him unable to ask for one.

Chapter Text

At some point, Min-Gi wondered where he was.

When he had asked what and where that place was One-One had told him it was a space just outside of the mortal realm, where gods were born and buildings had been put around it for the gods being born and the ones who stayed and welcomed said newborn gods.

“Like me!” It had pointed with both hands toward its face, dots curved in the equivalent of a smile.

There was no way to tell time because there was no time in this space, gods didn't need time like mortals.

“Time gods don't enjoy being here at all, they're part of the gods who are quite… a handful when they gain consciousness.”

It was interesting to learn about other gods, even if he had been told he were to meet a lot of them in his existence Min-Gi enjoyed knowing what kind of gods he could meet one day.

“Despite trying to create rooms that would make them at ease, some gods need to feel their domains in the mortal realm.”

One-One had sighed, arms crossed as it remembered past experiences.

Min-Gi hadn't said anything but he had recently started sensing he was missing something.

The gods who stayed permanently or often in this space didn't seem bothered.

He had asked One-One if Cat liked being here and the older god had ‘smiled’ at him and said they needed to ask Cat.

Min-Gi had tried to stop it but the older god had cheerfully walked to Cat and asked her Min-Gi’s question.

Cat had raised a delicate eyebrow behind her mask. “Is this a satisfaction survey? Since when do we do them? Anyway, yes I'm fine doing my work here.”

“I'm very glad to hear! What about when you don't work?”

Cat had still looked unimpressed but she had seemed… happier at that question.

“My room is perfectly adequate. I'm very happy with all my things and can't wait to gather more.”

Min-Gi had no idea what room was hers and what were these things she was talking about but he had the answer to his question.

She had then told them to leave so she could finish her work and ‘go collect my new things’.

One-One had waved goodbye at her and didn't seem to mind when she didn't wave back.

They had returned to where they were previously sitting, by a fountain Min-Gi liked for the mosaic at the bottom that used more colours than the palette used for the rest of the space.

Some rooms were filled with replicas of places from the mortal realm but Min-Gi didn't like staying in them, the feeling of something missing would get more intense the longer he stayed.

So he was back by the fountain, enjoying how the ripples of the water made the colourful mosaic move.

“Your temple is almost done.”

It was sometimes a bit hard to know where One-One was looking, it would be helpful and turn its head to where it was looking so Min-Gi thought it was looking at nothing in particular as it talked.

“You must now be aware of a lot more contexts and subjects than when you first awakened. Your followers have been growing in numbers and are already sending you their prayers.”

Min-Gi tried to see if he could sense any prayers but still felt nothing. He did agree he felt more at ease, more aware of what existed and what he knew.

One-One looked at him and gave him one of his gentle ‘dots smiles’.

“Good. Come, I will explain to you some things you need to know before you leave.”

The older god got up and started walking away, Min-Gi quickly followed.

He knew he was feeling nervous, he was excited and scared at the same time at the idea of leaving this realm.

He tried to embrace his feelings but again, it didn't feel good. So he glanced at One-One.

One-One continued to walk but raised a hand to bring Min-Gi close to it.

“You will be okay. And I will be there anytime you need me, just call my name and I will answer.”

It soothed a bit of the worry in Min-Gi, he pressed himself a bit closer to the older god as they entered a room.

One-One didn't make the younger god leave the side hug, it only turned slightly toward him.

“There's more than gods and humans in the mortal realm. There's also spirits and there's more of them than both gods and humans combined.

Spirits are just as varied in personalities and powers as humans and gods. Some even get strong enough to become lower gods.”

It made a movement with its free hand, holding it up with all its fingers wide open, then folding them so all the tips touch, and pulled his hand toward itself.

A book from the large shelf in front of them came floating and opened.

Pages moved to show different illustrations of beasts and humanoid looking creatures.

The pages gave him some time before flipping to the next, patiently letting Min-Gi absorb as much information as he could.

“These spirits are very often born from humans, like us gods, but unlike us their existence is accidental. They will exist on your territory just like humans, you have power over them just like humans. 

They may ignore you, worship you, antagonize you, your followers and humans who live on your land.”

The pages moved to show spirits next to figures Min-Gi understood were gods from their lack of facial features.

The spirits were depicted doing different actions or just standing next to a god but all of the drawings showed a creature next to a god.

“And some of them will help you in your godly duties. Just like humans have specific people to help you with human related affairs, you will encounter a spirit who will wish to help with spirits related affairs.”

One-One lifted the same hand it has used to summon the book and made a movement Min-Gi missed.

Noises were heard from further away in the room, metallic steps echoed on the polished steel floor and a being appeared from behind a desk Min-Gi hadn't noticed.

Its body was made of multiple cables that looked very similar to the ones making up One-One's coat.

Some of the cable appendages ended in claws and were used for walking, metallic noises were made when the being walked.

Others undulated around like arms ready to reach for anything.

Most of them were stacked together to form the body.

The mask on top of the body was the same One-One wore on one side of its face but that one didn't have cracks on it and the eyes were shining with small blue flames.

The way it moved was almost hypnotic and Min-Gi had a quick thought that being chased by one would be very scary.

It went by One-One free side and tilted its head in Min-Gi direction.

Min-Gi pressed himself closer to the older god and nodded at the being.

“This,” One-One started as it moved the book back to its place “is my familiar. A spirit who helps me with my duties. They're called Steward. Don't be afraid of them, they're very sweet and very curious but don't hesitate to tell them to back off if they start poking at you too much.”

As if One-One explanation was an order, one of their arms extended to approach Min-Gi's face.

The young god let out a muffled yelp and hid even more behind the other god.

It seemed to be a way to tell them to stop because they retracted their arm and bowed their emotionless face.

“They don't talk much but I hope you understand they're sorry.”

Min-Gi moved from behind One-One at its apologetic tone and nodded timidly at Steward.

Steward somehow noticed the movement despite having their face looking down, shuffled back to nod at One-One and leave to the desk they seemingly were previously at.

“One spirit should meet you in the incoming days after arriving in your temple and offer their assistance. All gods have at least one familiar but they sometimes can end up with two or even three, it will depend on how much help you need dealing with spirits.”

The older god turned to face Min-Gi fully, both hands on his shoulders.

“If no spirits offer their aid or none meet your requirements, you can create your own familiar. I will check on you in the following days or you can call for me if you have any questions or updates on the matter.”

Min-Gi acquiesced but his eyes were on the broken mask on One-One's face.

The older god gently touched the broken mask, its dot eyes closing.

“All gods have their own way of exercising power over their land, I can only tell you to do what seems just and fair. We can so easily take a life, human or spirit.”

“...Can a god be killed too?” Min-Gi asked with a small voice.

One-One's eyes opened and stared directly at Min-Gi.

“Everyone dies one day, little Godling - Humans, spirits and gods alike.”

Chapter Text

The temple had been finished during One-One last lesson, Min-Gi was glad to not only leave the room but the god realm as well.

He needed to be away from that place for a bit.

He knew already that all had to come to an end so that Life could continue. Death was tightly linked to Life and nothing could separate them.

Min-Gi had learned that gods of Death were always born hugging a god of Life and vice-versa.

It was one thing to be aware of it and know facts, and another to be told he will one day stop existing.

He didn't want to embrace this emotion. The feeling of being powerless, advancing toward an end he couldn't escape.

It didn't matter that gods existed way longer than humans and even spirits, the prospect was scary.

With these stressful thoughts in mind, he didn't hesitate to step through the door that would send him to the mortal realm.

He felt bad to have shied away from the older god when it gave its goodbyes and well wishes, at the time it helped but now that he was standing in his temple he regretted leaving like that.

The door wasn't there anymore when he turned around. He gulped back the urge to call for One-One and instead, took in where he would now be staying.

The first thing he noticed was not visual, something had settled in his core, finally content.

The discomfort he had been feeling more and more in the god realm had evaporated.

Something was different in the mortal realm. The light made more sense and standing in the sun rays reminded him of One-One’s touch.

Particles floated in front of him, his mind immediately understood it was dust now visible thanks to the sun.

The room he was in had wooden floors. They were warm where the sun beans hit them, Min-Gi marveled.

The natural light made everything feel warm. Even the places that were cold to the touch still looked toasty and comfortable.

The smell was strange, a lot of it was coming from the wooden floor. The polish of the furniture pieces and the fabric from the rug and bed mixed their own scents to the air, and made Min-Gi's head filled with cotton.

The windows of the room opened at once with a loud synchronized slam, making Min-Gi jump.

No one was here beside Min-Gi but the windows had opened as if sensing their owner's discomfort.

Said owner felt a bit tired too, and it took him a few seconds before remembering the temple was now linked to him and his powers meaning he had been the one subconsciously wishing to clear the air.

But even if it was subconscious, he had used his power and so, had drained a bit of his stamina.

The mortal realm was very different from the god realm. He hadn't realised he had barely, if at all, used his powers back in the god realm.

He still wanted to explore his temple but the room he was in was very nice and the tiredness made it even more welcoming.

He could stay there until he recovered a bit.

The bed was a one person floor mattress with one pillow and a blanket.

It looked so soft and Min-Gi confirmed it was indeed soft when he sat on it.

It was like the bed moved to adjust itself to Min-Gi form. It reminded him of One-One’s hugs.

He could hear birds in the trees close to the windows, the rustling of the leaves from the gentle breeze that was clearing the air inside his room.

The right half of the bed was touched by sunbeams, a perfect ratio as one could easily move around if they wished to be warmer or colder.

The young god knew he hadn't been existing for long, but it was still the most at peace he had ever felt.

He closed his eyes and let the sensations wrap themselves around his mind and body.

‘Please, make me brave enough to face everyone and not run away!’

The young god hadn't noticed he had lied down and fell asleep.

The only pillow on his bed was held in his arms.

Something had woken him up. It had been strong, his consciousness had immediately come back.

‘I rehearsed everyday, I can play it in my sleep! Please, make me able to play it in front of the jury!’

Min-Gi held his head as the words rang loudly in his mind. Visions rapidly appear one after another, hours and hours playing the same piece on a beloved transverse flute, followed by memories of a kid about to show her hard work but ending up sobbing and unable to play, frightened by so many people looking at her, judging her.

Someone was praying, praying to Min-Gi and wishing with all their heart for help.

‘I cannot fail. Not again… Please…’

A human, a young woman, a musician. His first request as a god.

Something burned in Min-Gi, he didn't need to breathe but he could feel his mouth drying as he tried to fill his non-existent lungs with air.

It was as if the memories were his, all the emotions were from the human wishing outside but he was feeling them as if he was the one begging for anyone who could hear to help him.

He didn't know what to do.

He wanted to help this human, he needed to help this human.

And so, an instinct took over.

He barely registered rising to his feet to walk to the sliding door separating the inside of the temple to the outside world.

Kneeling with more grace he even thought himself capable, he closed his eyes and let his powers extend to the praying human.

His mind quieted as the human felt a soft warm touch on her shoulders.

It reminded her of her grandma ironing a blanket and draping it on her when she was a kid staying over at her house.

Her grandma who would turn down her earring aid so she could listen to her granddaughter play loudly and clumsily on her recorder.

Her grandma who was the first person to hear her play a song without any wrong note.

Her grandma who told her to be kind and patient with herself, but to not shy away from having to try again even if the memory of failing was still fresh and painful.

The young woman rubbed at her eyes, chasing away tears that had started to dry.

A small hesitant smile bloomed on her darkened cheeks.

“Thank you. I worked hard, I can only try and hope I pass now.”

She sniffed one last time, breathed in deeply and turned around, leaving the premise of the temple.

The god who had heard and answered her, opened his eyes and smiled.

A loud yawn wiped away the smile, but the warm feeling of having helped one of his followers stayed.

He clumsily walked back to his bed, absentmindedly grabbed the pillow and hugged it once more, letting darkness welcome him back into slumber.

Chapter Text

Min-Gi didn't feel like he had done much, he knew that the young human had worked hard enough to succeed and her fear of failure was not something he had power over.

But his powers had naturally reached for memories that had been her strength when she learned music and how to use her instrument.
And it seemed to have helped.

His second nap hadn't been interrupted by another prayer. He had even felt stronger after he had woken up.

One-One had told him his followers would be the main way for his powers to grow.
Training was possible but listening to their followers and using their powers on and for them was the most effective route for a god to get stronger.

It would mean that despite feeling like he didn't do much, it had been enough to give Min-Gi better stamina and a better hold on his abilities.

He had been told that a domain's meaning was vast, and Min-Gi was just starting to grasp how much his domain of Melodies could mean.

It was night time now, he could meditate to pass the time.
Apparently gods would expend their observation powers so they could watch over their land, and meditations was when it was done the most.
And it was another way to train his powers, even if it wasn't as effective as answering followers' prayers.

As he thought of all these lessons he could put into practice, he also remembered the person who taught them.
Maybe he could contact One-One. It had been his first day and despite sleeping during most of it, he had gotten his first follower’s wish.
It was worth a call to the one god watching over every god in existence, right?

The want to show a successful first wish so soon after moving to the mortal realm won over worries of bothering the older god, and so Min-Gi called the name of The Second First, albeit with obvious shyness.

One-One's voice echoed in Min-Gi's mind and throughout the room.
“Min-Gi! It is wonderful to hear from you so soon! Unless it felt longer for you, then it is wonderful to hear from you at last!”

The young god felt like he was about to fall back and sleep again from the dizziness he was experiencing.
He didn't notice the person he had called stepping into his room, and kneeling in front of him.

“I'm terribly sorry, little Godling! I was so surprised by your call that I forgot to use my inner voice!”

Min-Gi heard the words, but the kind hands holding him made him melt into the embrace.
He hummed in affirmation when he was asked if he felt okay.

“When you feel like it, you can tell me why you called for me.”
Min-Gi hadn't noticed he had closed his eyes until he opened them again at One-One's words.

The embarrassment he had felt earlier came back, not only he had called for the older god but it had even left the god realm to join him.
Looking down at the floor, he preferred focusing on the wood grain rather than the figure sitting with him. One-One didn't remove its hands from Min-Gi’s jaw, simply letting him move while the gentle hold stayed.

“I- Ah… I know it will sound silly but… I… I feel very tired. Since I arrived here. Is it normal?”

He couldn't tell the older god what he had really called it for.
It was true that he felt very tired since his arrival. And it would be a better reason to call a busy god and make it leave his work.

Min-Gi didn't see but felt One-One straighten up.
“Uh. Did I forget to tell you about your temple and powers linking with each other?”

One-One made a noise like it was musing out loud, and not actually asking anything but Min-Gi still quickly explained.
“No! No no, you did! I just… didn't expect to feel so tired…”

One-One didn't seem to mind how pathetic that sounded. He had tried a different answer to not look as such, and had failed.

He felt his body being gently tilted and lowered so his head was on One-One's lap.
“So many first times for you, little Godling. It's normal to not know your limits or what is normal and what is not. It will get easier with time.”
Min-Gi tried to make a noise to tell the older god he heard it, but One-One started petting his hair and it immediately made his eyelids droop.

“Remember what I told you about expanding your senses to watch over your land? Why not try now?”
The whispering in Min-Gi's ear was like a light in the comfortable darkness, making sure he doesn't let himself float until morning comes.

It was a strange sensation but a similar one to when he had reached for his follower earlier. Instincts took over, and he was guided to change his senses into arms, long strands of his power that grew and grew outside of his body and his temple.
He could feel the colder air of the night, he could smell the humidity of a river, he heard the buzzing of night bugs and partying humans, he tasted the scent of a fire dying as its humans are asleep and can't take care of it.

And he saw.

He saw the night sky, the river passing through the forest and next to the village, he saw the bugs jumping through the grass and the dancing humans, he saw the fire warming up the sleeping household as the flames changed to embers.

This is the land and its inhabitants he will watch over and help.

Then, he noticed that some of the bugs, animals and humans weren't actually bugs, animals and humans.

A cat stood on two legs, cackling as it stole the meal of a bush with a face made of wood and leaves, his creaking limbs sounded like branches being shaken by a storm as he threw a fit at the thief.

A centipede as large as a dog scuttled around a tree, startling a deer with three pairs of legs and a third antler on its muzzle.

In the village by the forest, three ethereally beautiful women giggled as they observed the bonfire of the party, their eyes reflecting the light in a way human’s eyes couldn't. They hide their sharp teeth behind lifted sleeves.

A child wearing a wide hat made sure to hold on it securely as he danced, so no one would notice the long frog tongue dangling from his smiling mouth.

It was easy to notice the differences between animals, humans and mortals now that he had been able to observe them.
And that's why it was easy to perceive one entity that was not like the others.

Away from the rest, something was standing in the middle of a clearing.
Nothing but the lonely figure in the tall thin grass. The young god couldn't sense even a bug nearby.

The being suddenly turned around, somehow looking in Min-Gi's direction and fled.

Min-Gi narrowly missed headbutting One-One when he sat up with a gasp.

The older god had lifted its hands away at the sudden movement, it kept them away as it stared at the panting and coughing god in front of it.
“Did something happen?”

Gods didn't need to breathe, but they could still experience symptoms similar to breathlessness under certain circumstances.
Like when they use a lot of their powers, or when they go through a stressful or scary situation.

One-One's eyes managed to express its surprise as Min-Gi recounted what happened.
From what it heard, the entity had pushed Min-Gi's consciousness back to his body when it had run away.

One-One closed its eyes in happy crescents and petted the young god's head in a reassuring manner.
“It seems you have spooked one of the land's inhabitants.”

Min-Gi's confused frown had One-One explain further, “I told you about how some spirits can become lower gods, right? They are quite rare, and sometimes even rarer cases can happen such as a human with particularly sharp senses.”

“So… it was a human or… a lower god?”

The older god’s hum made Min-Gi uneasy, but the hand on his head kept him from fidgeting anxiously.

“I didn't see them, neither have I sensed them so I cannot tell you for certain. I would assume they're a strong spirit as they're the most common. It was your first time using your observation abilities too, it is most likely how they managed to push you away.”

One-One instructed Min-Gi to meditate regularly to strengthen his senses as the older god prepared itself to go back to the god realm, the door it had summoned standing beside them.

“You had quite an encounter but I assure you this isn't a common occurrence. Not only are lower gods rare, but they cannot hurt a god like you and me, even a newly created one.”

It turned toward the door but stopped, gazing in the direction of Min-Gi's temple's entrance.
At the younger god's questioning noise, it broke away from its thoughts and eye-smiled at him.
“I must say, your first day in the mortal realm ended up quite surprising. You seem to be a special god, Min-Gi.”

Its younger charge’s face turned a darker shade from its words. Said special god sputtered, quickly switching between thanking One-One and trying to politely disagree with the statement.

The Second One chuckled and with one pat on the other's shoulder, went through the door.

When the door closed and disappeared, it let its frame sag with a sigh.
It stood there for a few seconds before raising its head again, a calm and collected energy surrounding it again, and strolled further in the god realm.

Chapter Text

Days passed and Min-Gi enjoyed being able to see day turning to night turning to dawn again, and so forth.

He used nights to meditate and watch over the land, and sometimes he would be awake to watch the sun rise.

It was something the god realm didn't have, if you wanted a dark place you would go in a room that let you lower the luminosity.

Min-Gi had only been in the mortal realm for a few days, and he couldn't imagine being able to live in the god realm after witnessing the sun, the stars and the sky.

The real ones.

…

The ones from the mortal realm. He didn't know how real these things were in the god realm, maybe they were but didn't satisfy some part of Min-Gi like he felt here.

Speaking of what he was feeling, he felt amazing in general!

Something was just right , and he spent these last days either doing his godly tasks or discovering and enjoying what the human world had to offer.

His godly tasks weren't particularly hard, the most difficult part for him was meeting spirits that would come to welcome him.

Some of them came in groups, families or clans that Min-Gi had no idea existed and did his best to remember.

Most of the spirits, in groups or alone, would bring gifts with them.

Specialities created by themselves or what the spirits assumed were of high quality and standards, what a god deserved to receive.

At least that's what Min-Gi hoped they were…

He didn't want to assume but a bottle of foul smelling mud was what he imagined an insult wrapped as a gift would be.

But the group of fancy dressed toads had looked at him with nothing but sparkling round eyes, brimming with hope and admiration.

He didn't know toad body language, especially not the kind standing on two legs and wearing three layers of carefully crafted clothes, so he only hoped they were genuine and that the… mud was indeed one of the rarest elixirs to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

The young god had set the bottle with the rest of the gifts, in a room connected to where he had received the guests.

At first he had put the offerings in his bedroom, but after a particularly… bloody gift he had opted to keep them away from the most private room of his temple.

One-One had helped with the present that had made the change of room happen, transforming it into a delicious dish and telling Min-Gi that ‘Sometimes, a bit of work is needed for something wonderful to happen.’

Min-Gi had held back from pursing his lips, it hadn't been One-One's most impactful lesson but the skewered meat had been tasty.

While they didn't need to eat to live, offerings were another of the main ways for a god to gain power. Offerings of food would end up filled with people's wishes and prayers and so, a great source of valuable energy for the receiving god.

One-One hadn't been offended at Min-Gi's disgusted grimace when the older one had explained the meat was an offering to be eaten.

‘It would be good for your followers to know what your prefered kinds of offerings are, otherwise they will either continue giving you the same ones or try something different in hope you like it.’

The older god had given examples with its own preferences: No food but texts containing any information, the rarer the text or information the better.

Food wasn't a problem for Min-Gi but raw meat was definitely a no. Cooked meat is fine.

He wasn't sure if he would enjoy texts containing any kinds of information, but he had received a few books and had enjoyed most of them.

One-One had excitedly agreed to lend different genres from its own library and Min-Gi was relieved he could find out what he liked without having to collect books that may or not interest him.

Now, how to spread the word about what he enjoyed.

When Min-Gi had asked One-One about it, the older god had tilted its head upward and its eye dots had narrowed in a way Min-Gi had quickly learned meant the other was thinking on how to formulate what it wanted to say.

One-One was a god with lots of responsibilities but still did its best to be patient and kind, which Min-Gi appreciated a lot as he still had a lot to learn but he had noticed the older god could be rather… gloomy.

And it would affect its words at times, making its answers shocking and depressing.

And Min-Gi had noticed that before some of these particular answers it would take a moment to think, taking this specific pose.

“It is the role of a familiar to tell your followers about your preferences and keep them updated if any changes were to happen. Familiars also would help with receiving guests, and I was quite surprised that it was still you welcoming me in your temple…”

Ouch. One-One hadn't meant it as a jab but Min-Gi still felt the sharp pain of embarrassment in his chest. The younger god was aware that his lack of familiar was puzzling, some of his recent guests had asked about it and it was getting more and more awkward to tell them there was still none as the days passed.

One-One had mumbled about the possibility of creating his familiar, before brightly encouraging Min-Gi to stay alert for any spirits offering their help. One-One seemed to have thought it had been discreet enough with his mumbling or maybe it didn't care if Min-Gi heard.

Both were possible, the older god was an eccentric one at the end of the day.

But it still made Min-Gi think a lot about his lack of familiar.

He had known since he had learned about them that he could end up creating his own, but everyone seemed very surprised at the notion. Even the one person who told him about it had been confused at his familiar-less state.

This made the young god go from embarrassed to annoyed.

One-One was supposed to help him, it had even said to ask it anything but here it was, not helping him.

He was supposed to ask but something in his chest held him back. It wasn't like the previous times where it had been too awkward to ask, it was different and made Min-Gi feel both strong and wronged.

He continued to welcome guests and hear his followers' prayers everyday, now holding that new feeling close to him at all times.

While the spirits' visits had started to dwindle as most of the local clans and singular spirit had greeted him, his followers grew in numbers and with that the amount of humans stopping by his temple.

They were never loud, mindful to not disturb the holy grounds they were on but their presences were obvious to Min-Gi.

Maybe it was because they were right in front of the place he spent all of his time in or maybe it was something related to his godly abilities, in any case Min-Gi was very much aware of the increase in humans passing by his temple.

Some of these humans stayed very close to his temple and would be moving around all day but never leaving.

Those humans would help guide the humans only visiting, and explain Min-Gi's domains to them.

Explain as much as Min-Gi already knew. He had been hopeful when one of those humans had told another human about Min-Gi being the god of Melodies and Possibilities, but this excitement had been quickly squashed when the guiding human had laughed gently and said they didn't know what Possibilities exactly meant.

Min-Gi had been ready to tune them out when the warmth in the human’s voice stopped him from doing so.

‘Isn't it the point of possibilities? It may happen, we don't know but it is likely it will. I may not know what this domain means exactly as of right now, but isn't it nice there's a chance I will know one day?’

The other human had agreed and thanked the guide before leaving. It is then Min-Gi had realised this was one of the humans who were to help him with human matters. Answering their questions, guiding them around, keeping the place clean and devoting most of their time to the temple and the god residing in it.

There was a distinct sparkle in those humans, like a thin but shining string tying them to Min-Gi. They were devoted to his powers and cause, and for that made them slightly different from other humans to Min-Gi's sensing abilities.

The words of this priest stayed in the young god's mind. They hadn't hid that they didn't know what the domain of Possibilities meant, instead they seemed to find joy and peace in not having a clear answer.

‘Isn't it nice there's a chance I will know one day?’

That part perplexed Min-Gi the most. He was supposed to help them, but they were content not getting that help?

He did answer most of the prayers he got, sometimes he couldn't do much or anything at all and it made him feel guilty to be limited in his capacities. He could only hope another god would be able to do something for that human, but it still made him feel awful.

It was all quite puzzling. They seemed happy to be troubled? And even went as far as taking care of the temple grounds on a daily basis?

When One-One couldn't help him or answered vaguely, it didn't make Min-Gi feel happy.

So why were they fine?

All that thinking would end up with the god having to lie down as his mind felt like it started to steam.

Days passed, Min-Gi would listen to his followers’ wishes, learn about the humans living on his temple grounds and welcome the few spirits that visited him.

It was a calm routine that stopped suddenly when Min-Gi faced a wish for help he had no idea how to solve.