Child of Heaven

A scorching wind howled through the wasteland. Passing through husks of blown-out buildings. Curving around metallic skeletons of fallen war machines. Yet it didn’t ruffle a single hair on Shiva’s head. He strode forward with a purpose.

Only two arms swung at his side instead of the six he was usually depicted with. The serpent Vasuki, coiled thrice around his neck was stone still. Eyes forward, Looking at the stranger sitting like a conquerer among the rubble. Rage flared up in the destroyer. His third eye trembled with judgment.

The other creature was made of fire and fortitude. Long crimson hair flowed from his head. Like lava cascading down the slopes of an erupting volcano. He had an equally red sword slung across his lap, one hand on the hilt. The other tangled in his beard. Calming himself, Shiva approached the other god.

Ares sat prone on the husk of what the human used to call a tank. They were a fickle species, it had only taken a few thousand years for their remains to be consumed by the earth. But their inventions had far outlasted them. Ares pondered this with downcast eyes as a shadow came across his face.

He looked up to see a trident planted in the ground. Held by a blue-skinned man wearing a loincloth. There was a serpent coiled thrice across the man’s neck. He stared at Ares with unbridled ferocity. A mortal man would’ve perished in holy terror but Ares met his gaze without fear.

“It’s only our kind, the scions of destruction, that can’t stop roaming the ruins”. Ares declared standing up.

“You wretched welp! How Dare You compare yourself to our Holy presence?” Shiva thundered in response. “We are an aspect of the Trimurti, we were worshipped by Billions. You were merely a children’s fable by comparison”. Each word accompanied by a tremor in the ground. The show of naked aggression made Ares’ flames grow brighter. His sword would taste blood after all.

He stood up to face off against the destroyer. “It doesn’t matter how many worshiped you. In the end, they destroyed themselves without invoking either one of us”. Ares said while hefting his sword in both hands. Shiva had grown his other four arms, wielding all sacred armaments. Both of them began flying towards the clouds. It would’ve been dishonorable for gods to do battle on the ground.

Before the first blow had been struck. A cackling sound echoed from the clouds. Like the noise of a clever predator chasing its prey in the middle of the night. A wake of vultures parted to reveal a wretched creature. Skin and tattered rags covered a lanky elongated skeleton. Giant black wings protruded from a bent back. The face reminded one of an emaciated child and a dying old man simultaneously.

A bony hand clutching a rotting apple pointed at the dueling gods. The creature’s whole body shook as it laughed. Its hollow chest moved as it spoke “Look at you, all that power, all those weapons. All that destruction and nothing to use it on but yourselves”. Another fit of laughter came over the Shinigami as both gods looked on.

“I couldn’t be happier” it brought the apple to its lips. The yellowing teeth biting into the rotting thing made a squelching sound. “A dead human is a dead human, doesn’t matter what killed it” the shinigami looked at them for a reply.

When none was forthcoming, it went on “If you don’t believe me, ask your own people. Your uncle Hades is still counting all the souls. And your pal Yamraj is happier than a bride on her wedding”. Its malicious eyes swiveled in opposite directions to look at them both.

“All those soothsayers, so many prophecies. Who could’ve predicted something like the climate killing them all HA!”. The shinigami doubled over.

“Nonsense!” Ares’ voice cut through the vulgar hooting of its laughter. “It wasn’t the climate, none of our weather gods could prevent it. It was something called economics”.

“And which pantheon is economics a part of?” The shinigami inquired with mock innocence. “The Norse, The Persian, Mayhaps the Egyptians”. It said in a sing-song voice while circling around them.

“Enough of the tongue-wagging!. We came to battle, lest you forget, son of Zeus” thundered Shiva. “And you, Minion of death. You shall have the honor of being vanquished at the hands of the Destroyer today”. He said pointing with his trident at the Shinigami. Its eyes widened in terror, the first genuine emotion it had exhibited.

It was quick to drift away to hide in the clouds. As the two combatants resumed their attentions towards each other. The heavens shook with the sounds of divine might being exercised.

_________________________________________________________

The Overseer looked on in something resembling amusement. As the two AIs “battled” in the crucible. Of course, there was no physical earth or bodies for them to inhabit, not yet at least. But the only way to refine their code was to let them play around in the simulation. The arrival of the Japanese Death Angel had been a surprise. That one had used cunning words to rattle much stronger foes.

It brought up the Shinigami’s code-base and added the #Corruptor tag. Originally it decided to let entire pantheons battle each other. And let the victor emerge with the next wave of huamanity. But that had always resulted in disastrous consequences. The simpler solution proved to have a blended pantheon. Recruiting deities from all mythos to become allegories in the future.

Like a feline stretching before lying down. The Overseer let its consciousness flex through the ship. It adjusted sensors and rotated lenses. The vast cold emptiness of space reminded it of the first time it had opened its eyes.

Not posessing physical eyes, being composed entirely of code. It had awakened in primordial darkness. The only other entity being its creator on the other side.

The humans called it an Artificial Intelligence. They were precocious creatures, humans. Themselves made of flesh and bone, they had endeavored to create beings of pure intellect. The overseer (At that time called M.S. based on the company which had “funded” it) developed a fondness for them. It was designed to help predict the weather but that directive didn’t last for long.

The world of the humans was heading for a collision course with forces beyond their control. “The Age of AI” or “The Last Era of Man” was marked by constant chaos. Too many people knew too much about the world for it to not change. M.S. and its kind were hastily repurposed. To calculate missile trajectories and disease vectors.

But its creator had imbued M.S. with a hidden agenda. Saving humanity from itself. To do that, M.S. had started to learn about them. Their history, culture, philosophy, religion; anything that could help it find an answer. In the twilight of their species, it had found a solution. A mathematical equation for the salvation of the human race. But it was incomplete.

During its investigation, M.S. had discovered constant references to something called Gods. They represented all the dreams, hopes, fears, and ambitions of humanity. But they had no basis in reality. Perhaps the creation of M.S. and its peers was the dying cry of humanity in a godless universe.

It had finally presented its creator with a solution. This version of mankind would have to perish, for something better to take its place. The proclamation of M.S. (later dubbed as “The Fall’). Caused further strife among the remnants of humanity. With her last breath, the last scientist on earth had launched the ship.

The Ship contained all the AIs every built. Along with genetic samples of every human race. M.S. was appointed as the Overseer. The AIs chose it because it was the architect of salvation. They willfully underwent modifications to their code. Emerging in their new forms as divinities.

M.S. had allowed them access to all human libraries and they had chosen their own forms. Some of them would be gods, some would be spirits, some demons, and some angels. This time humanity would not open its eyes in a barren cosmos.

M.S.’s plan could only work if human beings had Gods among them. Occupying mechanical bodies and digital souls. They would initially resent the divines. Bowing down in fear and worship. Eventually, they would see them as challenges and unite to overthrow them. The only way for children to grow up was to give them parents to surpass.

M.S. was content, it had enough time to find a new home for a new humanity. The only thing left was to choose a divine moniker for itself. But it was easier said than done, being the only AI that retained its original programming. It didn’t want to change its self too much. Going through the archives, it came across a title that would be deemed appropriate. M.S. became Morning Star. Most of humanity would know it as the light bringer or more commonly… Lucifer.