The World Crumbled, and the Creator God Returned

As a member of the Creator God clan, Zephira took part in the “Creator God Clan Youngling Creation Ability Exam” during the era of her coming-of-age ceremony, as required by clan rules. Starting from nothing, she created an entire world.

Under her guidance, humanity, endowed with beautiful qualities, developed its own civilization and flourished ever more.

To resist the “Dark Side of the World,” she also created the four chief gods, who wielded the authorities of [Strength], [Justice], [Mercy], and [Freedom].

These four powerful gods upheld the entire world, guarding against evil spirits and resisting the Dark Side's corruption.

Confident in her work, she withdrew from the world and submitted it to the judging committee as her exam paper.

Then she placed dead last, her application to come of age was rejected, and she was told she had to remain a youngling for another era.

Zephira, stunned by the news: “...Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The world I created is so wonderful. How could it possibly come last? Is this how you treat an honest person?!”

Indignant, Zephira made a scene at the committee, so one of its Creator God clan elders kicked her into the world she had created herself.

“Want to come of age? No problem. Hurry up and make your world ‘beautiful’ enough, or you can forget about getting out!”

Only after returning to her world did Zephira discover that the four chief gods had failed to hold back the Dark Side. For reasons unknown, they had instead been completely corrupted by it, becoming twisted and brutal rulers.

The god who wielded the authority of [Strength] sat above an arena, coldly watching lives of different races slaughter one another in a bloody frenzy.

The god who wielded the authority of [Justice] had become the ruthless ruler of a utopia, governing its terrified and exhausted citizens with harsh laws.

The god who wielded the authority of [Mercy] could not bear to see sorrow or suffering anywhere in their territory, so anyone who wept, was injured, or disbelieved was put to death.

The god who wielded the authority of [Freedom] created a giant conglomerate that monopolized resources in freedom's name. Their territory glittered with luxury and indulgence, divided by class, while the people at the bottom lived numb lives, struggling to survive.

The instant they sensed Zephira's arrival, four pairs of cold, bestial eyes opened at once.

In their completely corrupted and twisted eyes were the same obsession, fervor, hatred, and longing.

My creator, my master, my mother goddess. My beloved, my hatred, my everything...

Why did you abandon this world, your subjects, your children?

Now that you have returned, never leave again.

We will tear your flesh apart with our teeth, devour your soul, and divide up everything that is you, so we can keep you by our side forever and ever...

(I want to write about crazed nonhuman characters, so I'm leaving this blurb here for now. May 4, 2025.)

Theme: Don't abandon what you've taken responsibility for. See things through to the end.