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The World Tree was lit up by the countless stars that shined light-years away. The light brought to life a quilt of color along the Tree's near infinite girth. From golden brown to oaken red, the Tree was a sight to behold as its branches and roots stretched to the nine realms of the Nordic Gods. Usually only Ratatoskr, the god of gossip, set foot on the World Tree, but tonight a group of friends are meeting within the solitude of its branches.
It was in the branches above Midgar, our world Earth, that they had set themselves up. On one particular branch was a fire burning bright. Around the small blaze were three boys, none of whom were natives of the Nordic realms.
The oldest was a Japanese youth who appeared to be around eleven. His jet black hair was sleek and tied into a short wolf tail in the back. His storm grey eyes held a fierce gaze which contrasted with his slim eyebrows. He was wearing a blue kimono which was several sizes too big. It was held together at his waist by a makeshift rope belt. Beside his crouching figure was a six foot long katana that shone in the fire light.
The boy to his right was of Mayan blood and looked no more than ten. His tanned brown skin contrasted heavily from his companions. His matted brown hair was unkempt and unclean, with some leaves and twigs caught in it. His eyes were a moonlight silver as he stared lazily into the stars around them. Across his body were painted tattoos that appeared to mimic blocky stripes and spots. Those tattoos combined with his lean body, long crooked fingers, and round face give him the appearance of a cat in a human's body. He was wearing a brown fabric loin cloth and belt, jaguar pelt arm bands, and covering his back and shoulders was a panther skin cape.
The last boy was the youngest, but looked no younger than his Mayan companion. He was a Chinese youth who was tall for his age. His ash black hair was tied into a braided ponytail that went down to his waist. His pupils were a heavenly white surrounded by a solar red and orange. His skin shone with a golden hue amplified by the fire light. His body was quite skinny but by no means stickily. His red and gold hanfu robe was wrapped tightly around his body. Around his neck was a maroon silk scarf that almost covered his mouth. Unlike his companions, he wore bamboo sandals to prevent any possible splinters from the tree branch. He was sitting cross legged while looking almost hypnotically into the fire.
The silence between them was broken by the Mayan boy reaching into a small pouch on his belt. Looking back at his companions he asked them "Guys? Either of you want some chocolate?"
"No thanks Xbalanque," the Japanese boy replied.
"I would like some," the Chinese boy responded, taking his gaze away from the fire and to his friend.
"Here you go Hou Yi," Xbalanque said pulling out an unshaped chunk of chocolate out of his pouch. "Catch," he said as he tossed it to his companion. He couldn't help but smile and laugh at the situation.
While he was chewing his first bite of the chunk Hou Yi looked back at Xbalanque and jokingly remarked "Expected me to miss?"
"You always missed, once upon a time," their Japanese friend retorted.
"Don't be too hard on him Susano," replied Xbalanque, defending his friend.
"Why not? It isn't like he's got a dream that I'll ruin."
In effort to state himself as apart of the conversation Hou Yi interrupted his friends bickering. "On the topic of my own dreams, I do have one."
Susano looked at him with surprise written on his face. "Really? Please enlighten us on what this dream of yours is," he said.
" Well... It's to become the greatest archer that has ever graced the Divine realms," Hou Yi said with some uncharacteristic pride.
"Really? Huh... I assume becoming Hero of Earth has some importance in there as well?"
"W-What makes you say that?"
"It's a title both Susano and I also want," Xbalanque interrupted.
Susano smiled at their friend's defeated look. It was true, ever since Earth and the Divine realms came into contact, humanity has prayed for a hero from their newfound gods. Each realm has since been training young gods and goddesses, also called godlings, to become the heroes that humanity wants and needs.
To hammer in his case in Xbalanque continued, "I would also assume that there is also a girl you want to impress." Hou Yi was starting to get nervous in front of both of them. "Don't worry we can relate. Tell you what, you tell us who charmed you into their spell and we'll reveal ours."
The Chinese god took a deep breath before answering, " Okay...It's Chang'e."
If Susano was a dog his ears would've perked up. "The moon princess?"
"Yeah."
"Well that makes two of us then. Having a moon goddess stealing our hearts," Xbalanque replied.
"Let me guess. It's Awilix," Susano said with no surprise in his voice.
"How'd you know?"
"Your brother told me," Susano replied flatly.
"Of course he would," Xbalanque sighed in defeat.
Returning to eating the piece of chocolate that his Mayan friend gave him, Hou Yi offered a proposition to his companions. "What if we made a deal?"
Both Xbalanque and Susano's heads turned to their Hou Yi with curiosity. "A deal about what?" they asked simultaneously.
"A promise of sorts. That we'll all become the hero of our respective peoples and support each other's success when they do so. Basically, not intruding on the others' victory."
Xbalanque and Susano looked at each other thinking about the proposition. "Sure. Why not," Susano stated. "We each get our fair share of the glory."
"I guess it is decided then," Xbalanque concluded.
"From this day forward we'll completely follow our dreams, to become heroes of humanity," Hou Yi said.
"Down with humanity's nightmares?" Susano proposed offering his friends his hand in agreement.
Both his companions grabbed his hand and agreed to the oath. "Down with humanity's nightmares."
They soon after left to return to their homes, leaving the World tree with their small fire burning where they met. Where the branch they were on met with the rest of the tree there was an engraving. They had carved their names into the World Tree's trunk, Xbalanque's was rough and made up of straight lines, Hou Yi's was branded into the wood, while Susano's was elegantly cut into the bark with his sword. They had all made each other a promise, and one they all intend to keep.
