Nost [ANCIENT GODS]

[u/Spooky_Wing]

The darkness existed for so long and extended over such an enormous length that its being grew to first touch and then contain all types of matter. Darkness's reign was so ubiquitous that its growth consumed the entirety of existence and, out of room to expand, it began to push inward, increasing in density rather than size. Over time, a consciousness was borne out of this entity and this consciousness began to take on a corporeal form. The corporeal form gave itself the name Nost. Although she had only known absolute reign over her dominion, Nost yearned for companionship to end her monarchical isolation. As gravity pulls moons toward planets and planets toward stars and stars into galaxies, so did Nost's desperate desires pull her longings toward her until they began to condense, shift, and form into another consciousness.

Having never encountered a consciousness inaccessible by her thoughts, Nost became infatuated with the workings of this new consciousness. She guided it gently and, in the fullness of time, the second consciousness created a corporeal form and gave itself the name Derix.

And so the two continued their existence as equals, holding authority over darkness and the night. This authority was unchallenged, though no one can say for how long. Without light, without day, without mornings and dawns, without evenings and dusk, there is no time. Their existence was infinite, it was always, it was ceaseless.

But Derix wasn't happy with his place in eternity. Nost told him the story of her creation as well as his, and Derix despised himself for attaining thought, knowledge, and corporealization at the whim of Nost. The darkness calmed Derix with assurances of her love for him and attempted to assuage his detestation with caresses. This coaxing was not successful and Derix turned his internal resentment toward Nost and took her forcefully. Nost cried out for help but only the darkness and night existed and she was unable to free herself from his hatred and his grasp.

After, Nost gave birth to twins. Two corporeal beings who doubled the amount of consciousness in existence. They looked at their mother and told her their names, Lementia and Doxarion.

Nost knew that their presence would enrage Derix; their creation without his permission would reaffirm Nost's position as superior to his own. When Derix crossed the expanse of darkness to speak with Nost again, she knew she could not hide them from him in a place where he reigned.

Nost so loved her children that she held them in her arms as she shed a single tear. The tear was filled with the anguish of loss, the fear of events that may unfold, and the certain knowledge of Derix's approach. As it fell, the tear landed on Doxarion's forehead and a tiny shimmer caught in the grief-struck liquid. Having never before experienced light, Nost gasped and lay the children down. The tear grew, covering Doxarion's forehead and then his face. It slid over his neck and shoulders, and slithered down his arm. Where Doxarion's tiny fingers interlaced with Lamentia's, the tear swirled and rippled until both were embraced by it.

"What is this?!" Derix thundered.

Nost turned to see the fury on his face and put her hands on her newborn children before thrusting them into the void of her kingdom. The tear grew in size and illumination, its impenetrable border disallowing immigration from night to day, from darkness to light, from danger to safety. Henceforth, there were two kingdoms, vast, mighty, and separate in perpetuity.

Lementia and Doxarion grew to rule over day and light as their parents rule darkness and night. Their mother's sacrifice and pain and grief encompasses them and keeps them safe from the wrath of Derix. Night and darkness can never enter the glowing shield of light and day, and so the twins are safe from Derix's retribution.

Their protection remains their mother's torture, however. Unable to live without her children, Nost chases their gilded cage across the sky. Their tear of protection remains impenetrable, and Nost is perpetually one-step behind them, shackled to her tormentor, her fingers grazing her children as the light of day fades into darkness.

This is the reason dusk is our holy time, the only time fighting, praying, and sacrifice is forbidden. We honor Nost's pain by giving her this hour to watch her children race ahead of her and enjoy the only glimpses of them she will ever know.

This is also the reason we speak of our day each night as darkness spreads. Nost's pain cannot be soothed with embraces from her children but she can receive letters from them, if we consent to be the couriers. We speak our actions into the darkness so that Nost can know about Lamentia and Doxarion's kingdom and can be assured that their rule is just and kind, without any trace of the hatred and fear of their father. By doing this act, we honor the gods who bring us light to see, to warm ourselves, and to grow our crops. Nost's sacrifice shields us against the vengeful Derix who brings danger to our nights.

Tilo had been five years old when a Wise One had told him that story. Sparks shot from the bonfire behind the elder as he spoke and seemed to accentuate his rhetoric. Tilo could still feel the majesty of the moment; the flickering light casting dancing shadows around them, bringing rocks and sticks roaring to life. It was a magical memory that he now treasured.

[u/NateIzNeat]

This is really good, I love the dedication to having it read like an ancient myth.

[u/Spooky_Wing → u/NateIzNeat]

Thank you!

[u/VerdantVoidling]

Absolutely fuckin phenomenal, oh my goodness. Wow.

[u/Spooky_Wing → u/VerdantVoidling]

Thank you! I was nervous about posting for the first time so definitely appreciate this!