The Rise of Nix
Chapter one

The pool emitted a soft glow as the liquid slowly twirled in the dark basin. The texture looked like water, but if one touched it, your fingers would glide through air. Three hooded figures peered over the side, intently watching scenes flash in and out.

The room remained darkened, for they loved the atmosphere it created. It reminded them of the beginning when there was nothing, just them. Another cloaked figure stepped forward from the shadows; eyes strained on the group before him as he watched them work. Deep down, he craved to be them, to be able to field such great power: a power that could create life and take it just as fast. Coldness clung to the air, dragged into his lungs as he took a deep breath. Their human form was weak, but the senses felt terrific. Goosebumps littered his arms as a coldness crept up underneath the cloak, and he shivered for a second, lavishing in the experience. The man has yet to encounter the real world, but from what he has seen, it looks incredible.

"These creatures are horrendous. Just look at what they do to each other." a deep voice spoke from one of the cloaked figures.

The man peered up to focus on the three Gods again, his daydreaming vanishing as he anchored his attention to their intention. The other Gods had devised this plan, with him in the center. The others had been too scared to face the mighty three, but he was not. They might be powerful, but he knew, in the end, they were all the same. It also helped that they could not be killed either, so if the three had dismissed his request, their anger at his demand would not have been destructive. Painful, yes, but with immortality came a sense of freedom, and a couple of thousand years of their wrath was nothing compared to the bigger picture.

"Might we be to blame for their actions?" the figure on the right spoke, defending the creatures they had made.

"No." the original speaker defended. "Their decisions are their own. We only gave them the option."

"What did you expect would happen?" the third and final cloaked figure joined the conversation.

The man moved closer to the group and the pool, itching to see what they were observing. From the rare glimpses he'd seen, humans were terrible to each other, but he had also spotted the good in them, which is why he led the request. If one of the humans can display kindness to others, why can't the rest?

"To be honest, not much." the first figure admitted as he leaned in closer to watch the scenes before them.

"Maybe your little stunt from before forced them to behave like they do now."

A chuckle escaped the figure as he looked up at the one who spoke. "I will not take the blame for them. My creations are perfect. The reaction to them is up to the humans. Maybe if you did not make them weak and scared, all of this could have been avoided."

Lightning flashed from the black opening of the hood as the figure turned to look at him. The bolts lit up the room, revealing more detail for the man in the back. For years now, none of the Gods have layn eyes on the mighty three, and if they were spotted, the black cloaks covered their features, an endless void to replace their faces.

"Do you dare insult my power?" a lightning bolt shot from the hood, barely missing the first figure as it narrowly flew past his head, crashing into the wall behind him. Sparks shot in all directions as it collided. The man in the back ducked to miss the flying embers before straightening up. Quickly turning back to the group, he waited to see the reaction Bellon would have to Jupiter's attack, but he was saddened to see the God of Darkness only letting out a more resounding laugh.

"Now, now, brother. I was only pointing out a fact, not degrading your amazing power." Bellon stated.

The bright flashes slowly vanished from beneath the hood, leaving the same dark void as the others in its place.

"If your little outburst is over, might we return to our mission." Neptune chirped in.

The two hooded figures nodded their heads before facing the basin. Images flickered on the surface for a few seconds before JUpiter flicked his hand and a new set of scenes appeared. "This is useless. What we seek might not be here. Maybe if we lower our expectations."

The beginning of anger grabbed the man in the back with Jupiter's words. They genuinely do not believe that a single human can be good. If they choose wrong, this whole plan can go wrong, leading to a bigger war than the first and the end of all creatures as they know it.

"If I might object." the man interrupted. All three hoods spun to him as if they only noticed him for the first time.

"And what could you, a less powerful BEING, know about this?" Bellon spat, emphasizing the word being as he refused to acknowledge those below him as Gods.

Swallowing back his anger at Bellon's words, the man took a small step forward, glaring directly into the darkness of his hood. "I have been watching these humans for a while and believe they are bad. But I have also seen kindness in them, especially one who I think would be perfect."

"And who is this human?" Neptune asked.

With courage appearing from nowhere, the man risked eternal torture as he walked closer to the group, choosing to stand near Neptune, away from Bellon. Sparing a few inches from the stone basin, the man asked, "May I?" With a confirming nod from Neptune, he reached out a finger, trailing it over the warm top. The old image shifted into one he desired, of the woman he had been watching for a while.

The three Gods leaned closer, curious to see what he had to show. A small village appeared with huts forming a circle as great trees provided cover. People could be seen around as some tended to a fire in the middle while others attended to daily chores: small kids chasing each other around and one particular individual. The man focused on her, with the pool following as it moved in on her. Long blond hair cascaded down her back with a smile brightening her face. The woman was speaking to someone unseen, but it was clear she was kind, for her smile broadened, pulling her hazelnut eyes taught.

"And this is?" Jupiter looked up from the image to question the man.

Forcing his eyes away from her, he stared into the blackness. "Her name is Nix, and I believe she is the one we have been searching for. I have watched her for a while now."

"By the looks of her, I can understand why." Bellon chuckled.

The man fisted his hand by his side, forcing himself to control the words he wanted to spew at the arrogant God. "Yes, she is beautiful, I won't deny it, but there is more to her than her beauty."

"Which is?" Bellon teased the man, hoping he would falter under pressure. But to his dismay, the man spoke up, explaining his decision.

"She is kind and helpful. From what I have seen, she hates violence, and whenever there is an argument, she steps up and makes them talk it out. When another village was attacked, she gladly opened her house to them, even when her own leader refused."

"That means nothing," Bellon interjected.

"Let's not dismiss her so soon, brother." defended JUpiter. "What do you think, Neptune?"

Glancing back at the human, Neptune watched her silently for a few seconds more before answering his brother. "We will observe her for the next few days, and if she is who you believe her to be, then we shall begin."

The man released the breath he held onto as he awaited their response. He believed in his choice, and if she succeeded, he might even be able to climb the ranks, one step closer to gaining the power he sought.

"Then it is decided. Nix shall be our champion. The first of her kind," Jupiter announced, looking the man dead in the eyes, "And you will train her."

Shock dropped the man's mouth in a big 'O' with Jupiter's words. "You... You want me to train her." he stammered.

Stepping back from the basin, Jupiter's dark cloaked figure moved past Bellon to stop next to the man. The dark void bore into him as he looked up at the God towering over him. Instinct begged him to step away from the powerful entity, but he bit down and held his spot as an arm extended, dropping on his shoulder.

"You, Deimos, will be the teacher to the first witch, Nix."