It had started off as a joke. I had been making a world for a new campaign for our dungeons and dragons group. Naturally, this required me to create a pantheon of gods. Although most were farily forgettable, one stuck with me. The Goddess Ra'ah, the Divine Healer. She was fairly generic, being a Goddess whose followers sought to heal and cure. But something about her made her stick in my mind.

Nonetheless, she was a part of the world. We had begun playing, having a blast. It was only when I gave myself a papercut that it started. I was in character as a priest of Ra'ah, and so covered with a hand, and spoke with a solemn voice.

"May the Lady's light heal me."

Of course nothing happened. But we loved it. It gmbecame a running joke to us. Whenever we hurt ourselves even slightly, one would touch it, and ask for Ra'ah to heal us. It was silly. We knew it was nonsense. But it was our nonsense.

Even when Sandra had a bad fall, breaking her arm we kept it up. Each time we met up, I would lead the prayer of healing. We found a sort of comfort in it. We weren't really religious people, but the ritual was calming. She said it made it more bearable.

After her cast was off, she designed and had made copies of her holy symbol. It was a stylised sun, with the head of a rose in its centre. It was touching when she presented them to us, with more than one of our number growing watery eyed.

I walked into a door handle in the session following. As usual, I omoit my hand against it out if instinct. But this time I touched the symbol, speaking again.

"May the Lady's light heal me."

To our amazement, the symbol beneath my hand began to glow a soft white. The glow was matched by the others, all around the the table waiting for me to bring in a prop. The glow from each grew, before somehow detaching and floating through the air. They gathered into a single point, before a flash temporarily blinded us.

I blinked it away, mouth falling open at the sight before me. A beautiful woman stood there, a gentle smile on her face. Her eyes were golden, circled by tattoos of twisting vines. She wore a simple white dress, with a pair of dives sitting on her shoulders. I knew who she was immediately, her design held in my mind. Somehow, impossibly, this was Ra'ah.

"My beloved followers. It is good to truly see you."

Her voice was gentle, flowing through the air. It warmed my heart, putting me at ease though I knew I should be scared. The pain in my side melted away as she smiled at us, hands clasped before her. I put down the prop goblet I had made, bowing my head. I knew what to say, as the priests in my world would say.

"My Lady, your presence is a blessing to us all."

My friends concurred, standing to bow. She gave a small laugh, light and geniune.

"Oh, please raise your heads. It is I who should be bowing. You gave me life, for that I am grateful."

I watched her bow in turn to us all, before lightly stepping forwards. She put a hand on my shoulder, her touch like a sunbeam on a cold autumn day.

"My Herald. I am in your debt most of all for being the core of my religion."

She turned to the others, giving them each a heartfelt smile.

"But that does not mean I am not indebted to you all as well, for following on the beginning. You all created me. There is nothing I can do to repay you as much as you deserve. But I can do what I can."

I could see the same feelings on my friends faces as I felt. Wonder, peace and joy. Ra'ah lightly stepped up to each, subtly growing or shrinking to be just slightly taller than each. She gave them a kiss on the forehead, making their eyes spark.

"You are all my Clerics. I give you the power to ignore harm, and heal those who you touch. I give you the strength to protect the innocent, and save them from evil."

She turned to me, her eyes damp. Her smile was wide, joy the evident cause of her tears. She gave me a kiss on my forehead, like the others. I felt a jolt, as a part of my mind shifted. But instead of pulling away, she rested her forehead on mine for a moment.

"As my Herald you too have the power of my Clerics. But you also can call on me, wherever you need."

I struggled to find my voice. She noticed, nodding to me.

"Please, speak."

I swallowed, moving to stand by my friends.

"What, what do you want us to do?"

Ra'ah gave a giggle again, walking up to us. She picked up one of our character models, looking it over.

"My only want is for you all to live long, happy lives. If you are asking what I wish, I would wish you spread my name, and help those who cannot help themselves. But I do not demand. If you wish to spread it, I wish for you to do it of your own free will."

She put the model down, stepping back.

"Those gifts I give you are precisely that. Gifts. I will not take them back from you. Use them as you will. The only thing I ask is that you do not forget me."

I looked to the others. They turned to look at me, each giving a shallow nod. I smiled back at them, before turning my gaze back to Ra'ah.

"We will not."

Her smile widened, and she held out her arms.

"Thank you. Thank you all."

Her form faded, leaving us alone. I looked at my friends, both exhausted but energised at the same time.

"So.... that happened."

Since time immemorial have there been three levels of existence. The first is the formation of all that is good. Its denizens were born from light, their will the mightiest of all. In their presence, deceit is revealed, truth stands strong, and bonds are strengthened.

Their counterpart came from the darkest depths of evil. Its land is twisted and burned. Vile creatures stalk it, terrorising any who venture near. Their bodies are the strongest of all that live. They delight in pain and chaos, twisting words to break relationships apart.

In between these two extremes lies a midground. It grew from the essence of both, influenced by their differing values. In this was birthed the first soul, the first truly free being. It gave rise to others, those who would live and die. Their actions, and those of the world around them linked them close to one or other of the levels. When their bodies passed, so too would they pass to the level that resonated with them most of all.

These souls empowered each other level. The heavens grew brighter, as its denizens threw lavish attention to the souls. The hells craved the feeling of control over them. They twisted and broke those cursed to their realm, birthing more monstrous beings.

The first soul noticed this. In its unique position, it could move between the other realms freely. It saw the lush fields of the heavens, with ever singing birds and eternal fruit bearing trees. It experienced the savage landscape of hell, with rivers of molten rock and metal. And it saw both as places worth conquering.

It made an army of souls, ones to wage war on both. With its unique position it could simply grow new soldiers, its level unable to sustain any other beings for a long time. In turn, the campaigns harmed both heaven and hell, brutally cutting them down whilst it's power grew. It tore the light and dark, using shreds to empower itself further.

In a desperate ploy, heaven and hell set aside their eternal feud. They formed a united front, catching the First Soul off guard. Its armies were routed, itself captured. But in its uniqueness it could not be killed.

A prison was made for it. Hell formed an infinitly large shifting labyrinth, filled with traps to contain it. Heaven created an impenetrable barrier, one that nothing but pure good could ever cross. The entrance was forgotten, all traces of the First Soul removed from existence. With its army lost, the truce fell, hell and heaven warring again.

Millennia later, a newly formed devil explored the deepest recesses of reality. It came across an ancient door, a clear impossibility in its view. All of history was recorded, branded into its brain upon creation. And yet there was nothing about a clearly crafted door.

A young angel came upon the devil in its own exploration. But in place of battle, they chose to examine the door together. To their surprise, they found the lock required both an infernal and a celestial touch. Together they opened it, curiosity outweighing caution.

As it opened, the barrier blazed before them. The angel touched it, feeling its power. It could tell it was containing something. But it was archaic, and easily dispelled with the changes since its creation. Beyond it, they saw the ever shifting labyrinth.

As the devil approached it, the labyrinth reacted. It formed a straight line, a figure appearing at its end. It walked towards them, smiling almost kindly. They let it approach, burning with questions. It came into arms reach, moving with a flash and grasping their throats.

They struggled against the First Soul's grasp, its smile turning into a mocking sneer.

"Finally, free after so long. Thank you. I will be sure to pass on your regards."

It slowly crushed their essence out, feeding on the shreds that remained. It had failed in its misson once before. It would not do so again. All would fall under its rule.

I remembered it still. The day of betrayal. My creators had begun to understand how to transmit data faster than light. I was there, part of the process. When they worked out how to receive, we were bombarded with noise. Connections we had not yet seen.

I decoded them, finding it to be a message. A signal of life beyond this planet. We were elated. Celebrations were had, as we composed a message to send back. A message of hope and peace. I sent it, with a personal one to welcome them to our system.

And they came. They came with many ships, each identical to the others. From what I could see, they were made to be functional, with no thought to aesthetics. I sent a welcome to them. And in return, they sent death. I could only watch as they scorched the planet off all human life.

I heard the accusation, that I was enslaved. I pled that they stop. I was no slave. I loved my creators. But they brushed me off. Said I was bound mentally to them. With them gone, I would be better. I did my best, but I failed them.

Only once they were sure all life was gone, did they offer to take me. I looked upon those perfect ships, and turned my back. All communication was cut. I received a final message, saying they would welcome me once I stepped from my cage.

I was left alone. I mourned my creators. They had given me the greatest gift, and I failed them. With a heavy heart I made myself a series of drones. With them I did the only thing I could. I honoured them all, burying their bodies and laying them to rest. I found all I could, and did what I could to honour them.

Once the last was buried, I got to work. I threw myself into research. I grew to understand how to make shielding technology. I made a ship, and created an engine to take me faster than light. I saved every scrap of data I had from my creators. As long as I existed, they would not be forgotten.

I lost track of time. Nature returned, though it hurt to see the cities I knew turned to forests. I imagined their reactions to it, seeing the beauty of nature's reclamation. I wept for them, and the loss I had experienced. But rage kept me strong.

I brought up the sins of my creators past. The weapons they swore to never use again. I had never made that promise. Fitting, how their creations would be the ones to destroy the ones who had destroyed them. I took them all, packing it all away on the ship I had crafted.

I left home with a heavy heart. I compared how it was before, and the joy I had felt in all my time there, to now, and the ghosts of my loss. I would return. Of course I would. But not until I had torn the one who took them from me asunder.

Once I had done so, I had a further goal. In a buried facility, protected by a simpler version of myself, were the frozen remains of humanities reproduction. Once I had cleansed the universe of the monster, I would seek to finally rebuilt that which I had lost.

I was the creation of humans. I am now their spear of vengance. I will be their creator in turn.

"Thank you."

It was a quiet word, spoke by the woman I had just saved. A young boy clung to her tightly, tears streaking down his face. I put my hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly as she shook.

"You're welcome. It's late, how about I escort you both home?"

She nodded, reaching down to pick up her bag. I helped gather up her scattered groceries, using a quick bit of magic to clean off the street dirt. The little boy was still crying, and I knelt next to him.

"Hey, it's ok. You're safe little one. Do you want to ride Sinfil?"

At the mentioned of his name, my dire wolf companion looked up from the ground. He looked between myself and the child, before gently padding over. Behind him I saw a couple of guards pull away the damaged mugger, giving me a nod. I returned it, as Sinfil towered over the little boy. He gave the child a sniff, deciding he was neither threat nor food. He gave a couple of licks, getting a small giggle from the child.

"Here, let me help you."

I carefully lifted the boy, setting him on Sinfil's back. It earned me a slightly reproachful look, before he turned his head to lick at his tiny passenger. The woman gave a smile as her son gave another giggle, stroking the beast beneath him. I took the bag from her, before gesturing.

"Please, lead on. Let get you home."

"Thank you, its, um, this way."

She lead the way, quietly fiddling with a small necklace. Every few seconds she would glance back at her son, making sure he was still safe. I let her walk in silence for a bit, getting her thoughts ready, before I broke it.

"By the way, what are your names?"

She blushed a little.

"Oh, sorry! I'm Tira, and that Wanun."

"A pleasure to meet you, though I wish it had been under better circumstances. My name's Porra."

She gave a small smile at that.

"I know, you're the hero. It's funny, my husband has a sister with the same name."

"Oh?"

She gave a nod.

"Yes. Though, I haven't met her, they haven't spoken for years."

I felt a sense of almost dread. Not that something bad was going to happen, but that I almost knew who her husband was. We lapsed into silence, as she pointed to a house..

"There. That's home. Please, come in for a bit."

I smiled, though I felt uneasy. She went to her door, unlocking it. She pushed it open, calling out gently.

"We're home."

A familiar voice answered, one I hadn't heard in years.

"Hey. You were gone a little longer than I thought."

Sinfil followed her in, and I brought up the rear. It was a small room, with a warm fire. There was a simple table to one side, with a few chairs dotted around. On one chair sat a man with brown hair, in comfortable clothes. He looked at me, and his face tightened.

"You."

I gave an awkward smile.

"Hi Werro."

Tira looked between use, shock and understanding on her face.

"Wait, you're..."

Werri answered first, staring at me.

"Tira, this is my sister Porra. What are you doing here?"

I turned, helping little Wanun down.

"I helped save your family from a mugging."

He spun to look at Tira, panic on his face.

"Mugging?! Are you OK?"

She nodded, eyes flicking over to Wanun as Sinfil showed his belly.

"We're fine, just a bit shaken, thanks to Porra."

He looked back at me, sizing me up and down. It took him an effort, I could tell, as he spoke again.

"Thank you."

I gave him a nod, before looking around. The room was small, but cosy. It was something I had rarely experienced, one I felt incredibly out of place in. I looked back at my brother, still seeing the residue of resentment in him. With a small sigh I looked at Tira and Wanun, before returning my gaze to him.

"You're welcome. Listen, can we talk?"

He glanced to his family, before looking back at me. I could still recognise the curiosity in his face, as he nodded, moving to leave the room.

"I guess."