The palace of the gods was, unsurprisingly, on the peak of a sacred mountain. It was a massive complex, almost a small city, that was created out of seamless shimmering white stone. Solomonic columns were used everywhere, the tight twisting patterns coaxing the eye skyward. The place was very magical, mystical and uplifting. It was no wonder the mortal servants of the gods were overawed when their patrons brought them to this holy place.

LAW and a number of other individuals were sitting around a picnic table in the middle of an olive grove, quaffing wine, telling bad jokes and laughing. It wasn’t often that LAW let his hair down, but when he did they all thought he was a lot of fun. As the Overgod of Koral, he had many concerns and tasks that took up much of his time and attention. Also, he was generally seen as an old curmudgeon by many of the more youthful deities.

“I needed this. I have been forced to spread myself thin, teaching these new Travelers how the world works. If I had my way I would not let them enter this world. Look at how they fucked it up last time! Alas, the Creators were quite clear that this invasion was their will. I only administer their Creation…” LAW sighed as he took another sip of the red wine, a bit of it spilling in to his long white beard. The gods cast a look between them, tacitly agreeing no one would say anything about that.

“And the stuff they get up to! One of them tried to steal one of my holy healing gems from my temple at Dar’shon! Of course, I blasted her to smithereens but that lightning bolt blackened the floor. The acolytes have been trying to scrub the floors clean for two days!” Menerva stamped her sandaled foot on the dirt, trying to look fierce and angry. Unfortunately for her, the look on her face was adorable.

“Yes, they have no sense of place. That makes them great nuisances… or amazing tools. Several have already approached my temples seeking to become Battleborn. They seem eager to take on the mantle of the Wargod. They are far more flippant with their lives, even as they die like any other of our children. I quite like them. They have balls!” Ares tossed back a whole goblet of the rich, red wine and let out a joyous shout they normally only heard him express in battle.

LAW held up a withered old hand, the sleeve of his saffron robe falling back to reveal a forearm more bone than flesh, and the gods fell silent. “Yes, yes. They are not one and all villains, or heroes, but they are forces of chaos simply because they seem to live by their own set of rules. I do encourage you to recruit any you can, for we all know the dangers that hide in the darkness of this world. Better to lose a few Travelers along the way than multitudes of our children, I think we can all agree. And I remind you all of the Creators’ edict; no one may reveal to our mortal followers which people are Travelers.”

A grumble sounded from the crowd of gods, but it was not too serious. No matter how annoying Travelers were, they were merely mortal. Maybe exceptional mortals, compared to most of the residents of Koral, but mortal all the same.

“That said, you can have your servants, local and Traveler, seek to keep Order in your name. Those that transgress, that cross the lines of behavior we impose, those you may aim your followers against. And yes, I know this means your servants will be fighting amongst themselves sometimes, as well all know that none of you really agree on what is appropriate behavior.”

The majority of the deities ended up taking long looks at some of the deities known for killing, thieving and lechery.

“This is definitely the beginning of a new era, but we knew it was coming. I just want us to work together to keep it Orderly. The squabbles of the mortals are something to entertain ourselves with, as long as they are kept within bounds.”

The collected immortals all nodded their heads at this.

“Now, let us discuss the first war of this new era. I think that…”

There was an ominous sound that reverberated through the grove. Whatever the sound of terror in your own soul is, that is what each deity experienced. The aura of conviviality was shattered, the sense of peace on the mountain top was toppled. An aura of uneasiness now pervaded this spot, making everyone uncomfortable in their own skin.

World Notification: The forces of Chaos have breached the gods protection of Koral! Abyssal creatures will soon once more roam the world!

“What the actual fuck!” LAW screeched. Suddenly giant bolts of fire rained from the heavens, denuding the holy mountain of all vegetation. The gods fled. They had not seen LAW like this since the Travelers arrival 48 years before. One by one the deities forms flicker, disappeared, sped away or dispersed.

The VOID had returned to Koral. Shit just got real.