Chapter 7: Leaving The World Behind
Millennia passed, and the world flourished under Enkidu's watchful gaze. From him came the first intelligent beings, each unique, each bearing a fragment of his own essence—or perhaps, he thought, something borrowed from the Seven.
He could name things with ease, weave laws from the fabric of nothingness, and even call forth life from the void. His abilities were vast and varied, and so were the creations that emerged from his will.
The first beings he created, he decided to name Spirits. Ethereal and elusive, they acted as a bridge between the abstract and reality, existing in harmony with the unseen forces that shaped the world.
Next came the Vampires. They bore a striking resemblance to him, though their skin was pale, and most had crimson eyes that glimmered like embers in the night. Their power was undeniable, their presence regal yet eerie.
Then came the Elves, creatures deeply entwined with nature. Their connection to the forests, rivers, and skies was unparalleled, and they thrived in harmony with the earth itself.
And so, it continued. Beasts, Dwarves, and others sprang forth, each carving their own domain across the vast expanse of the world. Yet Enkidu noticed something peculiar—they all seemed to inherit a fragment of the power that birthed them. Was it from him, or was it the Constants? He pondered this often, stroking his chin as he walked among his creations. Regardless of its source, this power came to be known as magic, an energy that flowed through every corner of existence.
The first three races—the Spirits, Vampires, and Elves—had staggering reserves of magic, enough to catch the attention of the Constant of Life herself. She admired the balance and beauty of the first world and decided to use it as a blueprint, crafting other worlds in its image.
Yet, despite the thriving races and their growing civilizations, one group in particular troubled Enkidu. He had called them humans, for they looked the most like him. However, humans were... different. They had far less magic than the other races, their lives were painfully short, and they seemed fragile compared to the powerhouses that roamed the earth.
Enkidu often sat in quiet contemplation, watching them from a distance, a frown creasing his brow. "What will become of them?" he murmured to himself.
One day, his worries began to melt away. As he observed the humans, he noticed something extraordinary. Unlike the others, who relied on their inherent magic and power, humans compensated with something entirely unique: innovation.
He marveled as they built the first true civilization. With nothing but their hands and their wits, they constructed homes, tools, and even rudimentary machines. They learned to till the earth, to hunt in groups, to trade and negotiate. They thrived where others might falter.
Enkidu's lips curved into a small smile. "Perhaps I was worried for nothing after all."
The Constant of Life and the Constant of Death stood side by side, a rare moment of truce as they admired Enkidu's growing world.
"You've done quite well for someone so new. I might even say impressive, though you still have a ways to go to match my influence."
Life rolled her eyes, her voice laced with mock sweetness. "Yes, because nothing says 'contribution' like turning everything to ash and dust."
Death smirked. "Balance, dear Life. Without me, all your precious creations would overrun themselves. Think of me as quality control."
"More like a pest," she retorted, though there was no malice in her tone.
Enkidu stood between them, now familiar enough with their dynamic to avoid flinching at every quip. "You two sound more like close friends than rivals," he said cautiously, though he immediately regretted it when both turned to him, expressions unreadable.
Life chuckled, a little too sharply, and flicked him on the forehead. "Don't let that go to your head, child. Just keep doing what you're doing."
Death gave him an approving nod. "For once, I agree. You've done well here."
Their praise warmed Enkidu, and he found himself relaxing. "Thank you. I've been wondering, though... this world seems to be thriving on its own. Maybe it doesn't need me anymore."
Life was about to reply when a sudden, radiant flash of light cut through the air. Both froze mid-sentence, their banter replaced by an immediate tension. In an instant, they dropped to their knees, bowing deeply.
Enkidu blinked, confused. "Uh... what's going on—"
Before he could finish, Life slapped the back of his head, making him wince. "Get on your knees, you idiot!" she hissed, her tone sharper than he'd ever heard. "That's Michael!"
"Michael who?" Enkidu asked, rubbing his head as he reluctantly knelt. "And why—"
"Shut up," Death whispered, his usually smooth tone now formal. "Just... don't talk."
The light dimmed, revealing Michael's newly formed body—a modest reflection of his true self, but still impossibly powerful. He stepped forward, his gaze warm but piercing as he surveyed the three before him.
"Rise," Michael said gently.
Life and Death stood immediately, their usual sass replaced with stiff, overly formal politeness. "It is an honor to be in your presence," Life said, her tone unnaturally prim.
"Yes, truly an honor," Death added, bowing again for good measure.
Michael waved them off with a faint smile. "Relax, both of you. I didn't come to reprimand anyone."
Enkidu, still kneeling, tilted his head. "Who are you supposed to be?"
Life gasped, horrified, and smacked him again. "Show some respect!"
Michael chuckled softly, raising a hand to stop Life before she could hit Enkidu a third time. "It's fine," he said, his voice patient. "Enkidu doesn't know who I am. That's why I've come."
Life and Death exchanged nervous glances, muttering hurried apologies before vanishing in a flash of their own light, leaving Enkidu alone with Michael.
"Why are they so... weird around you?" Enkidu asked, rubbing the back of his head where Life had hit him.
The towering presence that had dominated the atmosphere softened, and Michael ran a hand through his hair with a sigh.
"Well, that was exhausting," he muttered, his tone now casual and distinctly less commanding.
Enkidu blinked, baffled. "What happened to... that?" He gestured vaguely at Michael, his confusion palpable. "You were all... regal a second ago."
Michael winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, uh, that's... kind of their fault. Anu loves putting me on a pedestal, and those two eat it up. Makes me look like some overbearing boss."
Enkidu tilted his head. "Anu? Who's—"
"Never mind that," Michael interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "Point is, I don't usually talk like I'm about to hand down divine decrees."
"You're... different than I expected," Enkidu said slowly, still trying to reconcile the glowing figure from moments ago with the more relaxed presence now before him.
Michael raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly did you expect?"
"Someone taller," Enkidu replied honestly.
Michael burst out laughing, the sound echoing pleasantly. "Fair enough. But let's not get distracted. You've done well here," he said, gesturing to the vibrant, thriving world around them. His eyes softened as he took in the sight. "This place... it's beautiful, Enkidu. A masterpiece. The harmony, the life... you've made something extraordinary."
Enkidu scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond to such high praise. "I just... did what felt right."
"And you did it perfectly.This world will inspire countless others. It already has."
Enkidu glanced at him, still puzzled. "But who are you? Life and Death seemed terrified of you, and now you're just... normal."
Michael chuckled again. "Ah, right. Introductions. I'm Michael. Think of me as... a caretaker. My friends and I watch over the stories of existence, ensuring they unfold the way they should. Sometimes, we step in when needed."
Enkidu squinted at him. "So you're not some overbearing boss?"
Michael groaned. "No! That's just—ugh, it's Anu's fault, I swear. Everyone keeps treating me like I'm about to smite them."
"Smite?" Enkidu asked, unfamiliar with the word.
"It's not important," Michael muttered, rubbing his temples before clearing his throat. "Anyway, I came to invite you somewhere. To the First Story."
"The First Story?" Enkidu echoed, curious.
Michael nodded. "It's where everything begins and ends. A place where you can find others like me and you."
Enkidu hesitated, glancing around at his world. He could see the vibrant forests, the shimmering lakes, and the civilizations his creations were beginning to build. "But what about this? My world doesn't need me, but... I'm still not sure I should leave."
Michael placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine. You've set everything in motion here. They'll grow, thrive, and become something even greater. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let go and watch from a distance."
After a long pause, Enkidu finally nodded. "Alright. I'll come."
Michael smiled and extended his hand. "Good choice."
Enkidu took one last look at his world, a mix of pride and bittersweetness in his gaze, before placing his hand in Michael's. The moment their hands touched, a gentle light enveloped them, and they disappeared, leaving the world behind.
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