The Pantheon (1)
Baal and Thetis didn't return until the next evening. Even for gods, venturing into the deep ocean wasn't easy—Baal's face was darker than the hair of Nyx, who was sitting quietly on my lap.
"There, I've passed your test. I've even been to the depths of the sea, so now there's no place this small, young god can't go."
"Hmm. You don't look so good. Should we postpone the next test a bit?"
At my words, Baal flinched, then slowly shook his head.
"I'm fine.... There's only one left...."
"Right. The last one's Sagarmatha."
The taciturn Sagarmatha stared at Baal without a word. He was a child I'd raised like my own, but... sometimes it was hard to read what he was thinking. What kind of test would he give?
"Yeah. I've decided."
Sagarmatha slowly opened his mouth.
"You pass."
"Hmm?"
Suddenly? What was that supposed to mean? From him?
"I had another test prepared.... But I don't think it's necessary anymore. Consider it passed."
Hmm.... I had no idea what had changed his mind, but did this mean Baal could become the king of the gods? I should be happy—I could finally dump the work on him.... But I couldn't figure out why Sagarmatha had let him pass.
"So, what was the test you were going to give?"
"Yeah. Retrieve a treasure."
"A treasure? What kind?"
"Without using divine power, in a human body, retrieve the treasures Mom made and blessed."
Treasures I'd made and blessed...? Hmm.... There were a few, but most were in the hands of those in power. Retrieving them without divine power? That wouldn't be easy. And it could lead to clashes with humans or other races. Good thing we'd skipped it.
I set Nyx down from my lap and stood up.
"The last test feels a bit anticlimactic, but dragging it out isn't great either, so maybe this is just right.... Now you've got everyone's approval."
Seven of us, including me—the strongest seven gods in this world. The god of the heavens, approved by us all, would become king of the gods and rule over countless others. He'd need a temple, a throne, and symbols to elevate his authority.
"Then we'll prepare the site for your coronation as king of the gods and the world where the gods will dwell. It'll take a few days, so rest up until then. Especially you, Baal."
His face still hadn't improved after Thetis's ordeal, so I spoke with genuine concern.
"Ah, yeah.... I'll rest for a while...."
"Good. You all rest up."
With that, I warped away, leaving Baal and the kids behind.
Alright, time to create the world where the gods will gather.
"But Sagarmatha, are you really okay just passing him?"
"Yeah? What."
Sylphid said to the expressionless Sagarmatha.
"You were all fired up about not letting him pass easily. And now you just... let him go without doing anything...."
"Yeah. It's fine."
After Thetis's test, Baal had rested a bit once they returned, and his complexion had improved slightly—but he still didn't look great. Gazing at him coldly, Sagarmatha said,
"Looks like Thetis's story worked well enough."
"Thetis? What story did she tell?"
"Don't know exactly. And Sylphid doesn't need to know."
Sagarmatha cut her off coldly, as if she had no business knowing. Sylphid pouted, looking a bit miffed.
"Hmph! Whatever! The tests are done anyway, so I'm outta here! I knew wandering free was best for me!"
"Then I'll head back too. The desert should be quiet now. I can rest easy for a while."
"Time to disband? Me too! I'm worried about how the elf kids are doing with their veggies."
And so, the gathered gods returned one by one to their rightful places—all except the silent Sagarmatha and the weary Baal.
"Hmm. Everyone's gone."
Once the others had left, Sagarmatha quietly stood and approached Baal.
"...?"
Baal tilted his head, puzzled. The tests were over—surely there was no more business with him.
That thought vanished with Sagarmatha's final words.
"One last thing."
"Touch Mom, and you're dead."
The words held no emotion. They were delivered as if it were simply a fact.
Leaving that cold warning behind, Sagarmatha quietly departed.
In the end, only the exhausted Baal remained in the temporary space created for his trials.
I warped lightly into the vast sky. Perfect. Time to build the gods' world.
I had some experience creating other realms while making paradise, so I'd draw on that to craft a home for the gods.
The reason for a separate space from the existing world? To isolate gods—whose power exceeded humans'—lest they disrupt things. It'd also make managing a bunch of them easier. And if gods had squabbles, better they didn't spill over to the human world. Isolation was key.
Hmm. First, a name. A space for countless gods.... Temple.... A place where temples of myriad gods gather.... Pantheon. Yeah, let's call it the Pantheon. Fitting for the innumerable gods.
It had to be grand, flashy, magnificent.
"Um, excuse me...."
"Hmm?"
I'd warped to an empty sky, yet a voice came from behind.
"Wh-where is this...?"
A faint voice, as if it might fade away. I turned to look.
"I... followed on impulse...."
Nyx was clinging to my back.
"Since when?"
"Right after you set me down.... It just felt... comfortable like this...."
Ah, right—she was the goddess of shadows. Even lost in thought, I hadn't noticed her on my back.... Fitting for a shadow goddess.
"I see. Well, I've got work to do, so could you let go?"
"Ah, um, well.... If it's okay, can I stay like this?"
Stay like this? On my back?
"Doesn't matter to me.... But isn't it dangerous?"
"N-no! If I don't let go, I can stay attached! I'll be good."
Hmm.... As long as she doesn't get in the way.... Fine.
"Alright, then stay put while I work."
"Yeees!"
And so, with Nyx on my back, I began creating the gods' world.
Unlike the paradise for humans who pass judgment in the underworld, this was for gods. Maybe an entrance high in the sky?
Gods' world. Hmm.... Olympus, Asgard, heavenly realm vibes. It had to feel distinctly separate from the human world below.
Cloud world? Rainbow bridges? Or a mountain piercing the heavens... but that's Sagarmatha. No.
Cloud world it is. Like sky islands from some shonen manga. Solid clouds you can walk on.
Entrance not too easy—open briefly at set times. Twice a day. At dawn and dusk, when day meets night. Invisible gates linking god and human realms.
Sounds good. Place them high in the sky. No human's flying up there. Dragons maybe, but they listen to me. Manageable.
Speaking of, new gods vs. dragons—which is stronger? Individual dragons edge out, but.... Eh, no wars between them anyway.
With such idle thoughts, the sky world took shape. At its center, a massive marble temple.
Architecture: Greek-inspired. Pure white marble. Giant pillars first, then walls inside. Snowy white, gleaming in the sky's light.
Triangular roof completes it. Modeled after the Parthenon.
No sculptures or friezes outside, but it looks pretty cool already.
Inside: Audience chamber facing the throne right at the entrance. Rest? A few rooms.... High ceilings—two stories? Nah. Leave the rest empty for Baal to decide. Just the throne.
Thus, the first Pantheon temple—audience chamber only, no other rooms—was complete. Sky temple done.
Baal can handle the rest his way! Leave it blank!
Oh, right—should I build one for myself? Hmm.... Sounds annoying.... But no harm. Smaller than Baal's. Not living there, so basic. Expand later if needed. Small for now.