The Guardian gods-Chapter 223

Ikenga’s gaze shifted to Nana. "Do you have an opinion to share, mother?"

Nana smiled, shaking her head. "This is a major part of your existence, and while I birthed you, I have no opinion on this. Whatever decision you all make is what it has to be, and I stand by it."

Mahu looked at everyone before asking, "So we all agree on taking the offer?"

In response to her words, the other gods nodded. Then she asked another important question. "Which of us is going to the abyss? Knowing Murmur’s plan, it’s best if some of us stay behind to safeguard the planet."

Ikenga nodded at Mahu’s words as he spoke. "I volunteer myself. I am curious to see the world outside and how much it has to offer to me—I mean us and our world."

The gods rolled their eyes at Ikenga before Crepuscular spoke up. "Normally, I would jump at the opportunity to leave, but the current situation on the western continent demands my attention. This situation is at a critical moment; me leaving now isn’t a wise decision."

Ikenga nodded at Crepuscular’s words and looked at the other gods. Jaws took the moment to speak. "My situation is similar to Crepuscular’s. My son and daughter think they have dealt with the demon on their side, not knowing there’s still one lurking in the deep. My mind won’t be at peace if I leave them to the unknown."

Now, only Keles and Mahu were left. Mahu looked at Ikenga before sighing. She wanted to speak, but Nana’s form shimmered, causing her and the other gods to stop and look at Nana in confusion.

Nana wanted to say something, but she knew she couldn’t. She pointed at her lips and then tried to point at Mahu, but a force held her down. All she could communicate to the gods was, "I can’t speak."

Ikenga’s eyes flashed as he looked at Nana and Mahu. Obviously, Nana didn’t want Mahu to join him. "Why though?" Ikenga thought to himself in confusion.

"Absence?" Ikenga said uncertainly, looking at Nana, who smiled at his words. This confirmed Ikenga’s thoughts.

"Mahu can’t leave because of the effect her absence will cause in our world," Ikenga said out loud to his confused siblings.

Lightning flashed across Jaws’ eyes as he looked at Mahu before nodding. "Her divinity of motherhood is prevalent for our world, maybe even the most important."

"We don’t yet know how much her absence could affect our world, but it is certain that the population would drop without her," Crepuscular added, now fully understanding. "Mahu’s presence ensures the cycles of life and birth. If she leaves, the natural balance could be disrupted. Fertility rates could decline, and the birth of new life may slow to a trickle. The essence of growth and renewal of different lifeform hinges on her."

Jaws nodded in agreement. "Without Mahu, the nurturing energies that sustain families and communities will weaken. Her influence extends beyond mere birth; she fosters the bonds that keep our society cohesive. Her absence could lead to a decline not just in numbers but in the quality of life and harmony among the people."

Keles spoke thoughtfully. "If Mahu’s absence can cause such profound effects, we must consider the impact of anyone else leaving. Ikenga, your role as the god of nature and curses is vital as well. What will happen if you are absent?"

Ikenga pondered for a moment. "My absence could disrupt the equilibrium of nature. The forests, rivers, and creatures might not thrive as they do with me here. Furthermore, the curses I manage could become unstable, potentially causing chaos."

Thinking of something, Ikenga said, "It might not reach that level yet, as my two treants are about to become spirits. They can manage any issues that may arise due to my absence."

"As for the curses," Ikenga continued as his tattoos and eyes glowed purple, "there will be a change soon that will lead to the awakening of Osisi and Boros, so they can both manage the curses once I am gone."

Keles spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "If Mahu must stay, then I will accompany Ikenga to the abyss. I have nothing much holding me back. My children still need a few more years before their creations become impactful, and like Ikenga, I have Wardenwild, who will handle things in my absence."

Crepuscular nodded thoughtfully. "Having the Treants and Wardenwild as spirits to manage the natural world, and Osisi and Boros to handle the curses, will indeed mitigate some of the impact. However, we don’t know how long Ikenga and Keles will be gone before their absence becomes noticeable."

Jaws nodded in agreement. "While the spirits can be helpful, there is only so much they can do before the weight becomes too much for them, which in turn will leave us to bear the burden."

Looking at Ikenga, Jaws said, "Remember your words about weight. We three can share it, but how long before it forces us to sleep like it did when you bore all our weight?"

Ikenga frowned upon hearing that, "It did slip his mind of the weight they bore as gods. Normally, it’s unknown and even hard to notice, but when one or two become absent, the weight we each bear will be reminded to us immediately."

Keles shook her head. "It seems we have to be quick on our journey and make sure to be back before any severe consequences arise."

Nana looked around at her children, pride evident in her eyes. "You all have grown into remarkable beings. Your dedication to preserving our world is inspiring. After you leave, remember to think of home often; it will connect us more."

"Coming back to our world will be a struggle. You need to fulfill some conditions while you are away. Once the conditions are fulfilled, all you need to do is think of home, and I can bring you back," Nana said, smiling at both Ikenga and Keles.

The gods nodded before leaving the space. Mahu extended a hand to Ikenga, who took it before they both disappeared together.

Once they appeared back in Mahu’s realm, she threw herself into Ikenga’s arms, and he didn’t hesitate to hold her firmly. Mahu’s teeth managed to reach his ear as she bit it before whispering, "Leave me with something that reminds me of you once you are gone."

Her palms intertwined with Ikenga’s as she clenched them, looking up at him. Ikenga smiled as his lips made contact with hers, and Mahu melted into his arms.

Carrying Mahu as he walked up the stairs, Ikenga said, "I did a good job with Ikem and Maul, but I could have done better. A beginning to me doing better is not leaving you with a child and being absent as a father."

Mahu wrapped her arms around Ikenga’s neck as he kicked open a door. "Then stay with me until your day of departure."

Ikenga, already committed, answered, "I have no problem with that."

Down on the Northern continent, Yuki could be seen in the sky; alongside her was Finn in his werebeast form. Their expansion of the Church of Björn was going great.

They expected a bit more hindrance from the godling race, yet they got none, which was a disappointment for Yuki and her plan. If the werewolves had made a move to stop her, she had planned to use it to her advantage, but she got no reaction.

Today, her target was the most important port for the humans on the northern continent. Humans had started their great voyage over the sea in the past five years.

Yuki’s target was the port that managed to stand out among the others. Yuki knew the reason this port was exceptional was because of the hidden hands pushing it—the demigods.

They used the port to gather riches from the humans eager to get their hands on the products of the godlings. Yuki’s aim today was to push the hands of the demigods and force them to take action against her so she could justify her actions.

The port was also her gateway to spread the teachings of Björn’s religion to other continents apart from theirs. The bustling port lay sprawled along the northern coast, its docks teeming with activity. Sturdy wooden ships, bearing the banners of different human kingdoms, rocked gently in their moorings as dockworkers hustled to and fro, unloading crates filled with exotic goods and loading others bound for distant shores. The salty air buzzed with the cacophony of commerce: the shouts of traders haggling over prices, the clink of coins exchanging hands, and the creaking of wooden beams under the weight of precious cargo.

Among the throng, a merchant from the Kingdom of Eldoria waved his hands animatedly, trying to sell a batch of finely woven silks to a discerning buyer from the coastal city of Velora.

"Look at this quality!" the Eldorian exclaimed, holding up a shimmering bolt of fabric. "You won’t find craftsmanship like this anywhere else. Your patrons will pay double, no, triple for such elegance!"