Onicent, Dauntice, and Maiguh started out working as a team. There were no monsters or animals yet—only rolling hills and endless forests. Flowers were rare. The only breaks in the forest were the small ponds and rivers. Dauntice enjoyed dangling his feet in them when the afternoon sun warmed their backs. Maiguh, on the other hand, stuck to the shade. Onicent and Dauntice found this amusing and liked to push him out into the sunlight just to watch him retreat.

  "What's wrong, little brother?" Onicent inquired after they pushed him out for the second time.

  "It's so bright!" Maiguh shuddered. "I don't know how you two stand it."

  "Maybe you just need more exposure," Dauntice suggested, with his whole legs submerged in the river.

  "We can help with that," Onicent grinned.

  "No—no t-thank you!" Maiguh raised his hands. "I think I'll go s-see Mother."

  Both Onicent and Dauntice sighed. "Weren’t you in the void last week?"

  "Yeah," Maiguh said quietly. "She misses us."

  Both brothers snickered. But Maiguh ignored them and teleported into the void.

  "Maiguh!" his mother cried. She was stronger than the last time he’d been there. He could see her body now in the faint light—her skin pale purple, and her hair dark and glittering like stars.

  "You're stronger, Mother," Maiguh said, giving her a hug.

  "Have your brothers been taking care of you?" she asked lightly, but he heard the concern beneath her voice.

  "Yes, of course they have. Don’t worry about me." Maiguh lied through his teeth.

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  "That’s good," the old goddess said as she pulled back. "I have a message for you, Maiguh."

  "Okay," Maiguh replied.

  "The world is growing and changing. Soon you will be joined by others."

  "Others? You mean other people like my brothers?"

  "Yes—and others like me. They will need leaders. When you return to the surface world, take your brothers to the deepest cave. There, plant three blocks of dirt. The first to grow will lead the brothers. The second and third will assist the first."

  "Why can’t you just tell us who should be the leader of the three of us?" Maiguh asked. After all, the answer seemed obvious.

  But his mother shook her head. "Tell them now, Maiguh."

  Maiguh left the void and returned to the surface world to find his two brothers. They were not pleased to see him back so soon—until they heard his message. Secretly, both brothers suspected that they were the chosen leader. They began to act arrogantly.

  Together, the three sought out the fated cave. When they found its deepest pit, near bubbling lava, they planted the three blocks. Dauntice was so focused on his block that when he heard the first pop of grass growing, he didn’t register it. His grew in second. His feeling of annoyance was brief but deep-seated—he would never completely forgive the winner.

  He turned, expecting to see Onicent wearing a look of triumph. But instead, Onicent’s face was twisted with bitter hatred—for the first block to grow had been Maiguh’s.

  Maiguh looked happy, until he saw the faces of his brothers. Onicent drew a blade.

  "Mother said to honor the results," Maiguh said in a strained voice.

  "Clearly there’s been a mistake," Onicent replied coldly.

  "No, there hasn’t. Mother intended me to lead."

  Onicent lashed out and slashed his brother. The wound was shallow—Maiguh’s bedrock core protected him—but still, drops of blood spilled into the lava.

  Onicent prepared to strike again, but stopped when Dauntice cried out. The lava was hissing and bubbling now. From the depths, three girls rose. Their eyes glowed orange, and each one’s hair shimmered with embers.

  Onicent and Dauntice jumped back, but Maiguh held his ground.

  The girls regarded him first, then turned to Onicent.

  “We curse you, Onicent, for spilling blood,” said the first.

  “Your brother, the rightful leader, shall brand you,” said the second.

  “Beware,” they chorused.

  Onicent listened to their words, watching as the girls shed their lava and became more like him and his brothers. Neither Dauntice nor Maiguh seemed to hear them—but one thing was certain in Onicent’s mind:

  Maiguh had to go, before he could truly harm him.