For eons, Vallahaatu wandered the infant cosmos, traveling from world to world, taking in all that his efforts had helped to create. Long ago had he taken on a more suitable form than the shapeless mass of energy he had once been. Now resembling the bipedal creatures that had evolved from Gaia’s seed, he took what he understood to be the best traits of all he had encountered to craft a body that would serve his purpose. He was tall and well muscled, standing over six feet but not much more, so as not to frighten the creatures he visited. His skin was fair, and his eyes glowed a brilliant golden hue, gold like the long smooth hair that he tucked back behind his pointed ears.
Vallahaatu was in awe of everything that he discovered in the universe. Beautiful, lush forests, calm clear ocean waters, millions of different plant and animal species covered the surface of the planet wherever he went. And the people! Vallahaatu encountered thousands of different beings, all in different stages of their evolutionary paths. Newer creatures had barely left their infancy, while others had established complex civilizations, much like the Guindarran people. He was in awe of how different they each were from planet to planet. Yet, with each world he visited, Vallahaatu could not help but feel more aimless. Purposeless. What order could he still bring to an already ordered universe?
After an eternity of wandering, Vallahaatu gave up hope, and settled on a vibrant world, still in its infant, prehistoric phase. There was a bipedal species that showed some promise, but as the ancient creator already knew, that young species could be snuffed out in an instant by any number of calamities. Not wishing to disturb the creatures, Vallahaatu carved out a cave system deep below the surface of the planet, sealing himself away from accidental discovery, and fell into a deep slumber.
As he slept, he dreamed. He saw all his long life laid out before him, like a painting that spread out infinitely. He saw his friends, Alvendarr, Gaia, even the enigmatic Chronoviin. He was finally at peace.
He did not know how long he remained asleep, but when he awoke, he knew immediately that the world he was on was no longer as it had been. He could sense that great changes had occurred. Curious, Vallahaatu made his way to the surface, and as he drew closer to the entrance of his cave, he felt the familiar tingle of mana.
So, Dweomorran has found this planet as well he mused, shaking his head wearily. Time to see what is is I have missed.
As he breached the surface of the cave, he took in the grand sight. The forest had grown thick around his home, and strange new plants and animals now swam across his vision. He walked for hours, admiring the breathtaking beauty that had sprouted up during his great sleep. As he walked, he began to hear voices, accompanied by odd mechanical sounds. These were not the formless voices of the many animals that lived on the planet, no, Vallahaatu could tell that these were definite words. Some complex species was nearby.
Making his body transparent, Vallahaatu flew silently toward the location of the voices, until he found a small group of bipedal creatures. He could tell immediately that these were the same creatures that had existed when he first found this world, yet now they were much farther along in their technological advancement. The mechanical sound was a wooden cart, laden with a variety of goods, and being pulled by a team of four-legged beasts of burden. One of the females of the group even held a small infant in her arms, wrapped warmly in blankets. Fascinated, the invisible Vallahaatu followed the creatures for quite some time as they made their way down a clearly well marked and well traveled path.
As the days gave way to nights, the group of travelers made camp, seemingly unafraid of any danger that Vallahaatu supposed could lurk in the shadows. He noticed that before every meal, as well as before and after sleep, these beings gave great prayers to some unknown mother figure, as he understood their words. Vaerhal’ia was the name that they spoke. They called her mother, yet Vallahaatu was uncertain of how a simple god could have convinced these creatures that she had given birth to their them, when gods required belief and magic, [which required people] in order to be born themselves. But nevertheless, that was their belief, and he had no intentions of revealing himself to them just yet.
For several more daily cycles the group moved onward, until at last, Vallahaatu saw what he knew had to be their destination. A great stone structure, rose up out of the mountainside to tower over all else. Vallahaatu admired the intricate, obsessive attention to detail in every facet of the temple’s construction. Standing tall by the front doors was a statue of the most beautiful being the ancient creator had ever seen. He knew that this had to be the Vaerhal’ia which these people were praying to.
As he watched, the travelers dismantled their cart, and began placing all manner of trinkets and baubles on the altar at the base of the statue. Beautiful jewels, ornate weapons, and even food now lay thoughtfully placed on the altar. Then, much to his surprise, the young woman carrying the infant stepped forward. She placed the child carefully in the centre of the table, only then did Vallahaatu notice the stains of red blood, long dried up. Frowning, he continued to watch, as the now trembling young woman unwrapped the babe. Another, older woman approached, carrying a masterfully crafted jeweled dagger, which she handed to the young mother with a nod. The young woman took hold of the dagger, and chanting in unison with the others, plunged the blade through the heart of the child, whose cries ceased immediately. The young woman stopped trembling.
As the older woman took back the now bloodied dagger, the others of the group comforted and led the young woman away from the altar. Apparently finished with their task, the group gathered up their belongings, leaving the offerings still where they lay, and returned back down the path they had come from. Vallahaatu did not follow this time.
He remained at the temple, his eyes locked on the sacrificial altar dedicated to the mysterious beautiful goddess. As the sun began to set, he vaguely became aware that another presence had joined him. As he began to move his eyes from the grisly sight, a woman’s voice echoed out all around him.
“Ah, I thought my subjects may have picked up an unwanted straggler, but you are indeed a surprise.”
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