PART 1: CREATION

Ivri-roh made the world and made the First People, the Mnyn. And when the Mnyn awoke to find themselves in the waters of the world, they knew themselves to be alive, and they were happy, and loved Ivri-roh.

And though Ivri-roh loved the Mnyn, and would sometimes swim and play with the school of Mnyn in the waters of the world, at other times, Ivri-roh was consumed a frantic and obsessive creative impulse and drew themself away from the Mnyn to feverishly shape and sculpt the Second People. And still other times, Ivri-roh suffered from bouts of hopeless despair, and drew themself away from the Mnyn even further, into the dark places of the ocean, where they brooded and sorrowed alone.

And in time the Mnyn became quite worried, for it is not good that anyone should isolate themself from the school, even if they are a god.

And they held a meeting to decide what was to be done about Ivri-roh.

They talked and talked, and as they talked, they came to realize since they did not know the reason for Ivri-roh's sudden passions and isolations, they could not agree on any course of action to address the problem, for a school that does not know the location of the predator or prey will not know which way to swim.

And one Mnyn, Myn-the-Fantastic, said that they would go to Ivri-roh, and ask the source of their trouble.

Myn first asked Ivri-roh the question when Ivri-roh was happy, and Ivri-roh gave them no answer, which was very foolish, for pretending the shark is not behind you will not make it go away. Myn was patient with Ivri-roh, though, and stayed by their side.

Myn then asked Ivri-roh when Ivri-roh was frantic, and Ivri-roh gave them no answer, and spoke only of the Second People, and their creation. Myn was patient with Ivri-roh, though, and stayed by their side, and helped them in the shaping of the Second People.

When Ivri-roh grew sad again, and withdrew into the dark water, Myn followed, and asked Ivri-roh for the third time to name their sorrow, but Ivri-roh gave them no answer. Myn was patient with Ivri-roh, though, and would not leave Ivri-roh, no matter how they raged and wept.

And at last, when Ivri-roh was calm again, they told Myn their trouble, of their longing for the return of the beautiful shining being who had flashed like a falling star across the skies of Ivri-roh's world, who had touched the waters of it, bringing it to life, before suddenly vanishing again into the dark.

And although Myn could not bring about the return of Ivri-roh's beloved, there was comfort for Ivri-roh, nevertheless, in the telling.

And in this way, for the help and comfort of Ivri-roh, Myn and Ivri-roh were bound together for all time.

When the Bright Ones appeared in the sky of the world, Ivri-roh was overcome with joy. But they were overcome, as well, with shyness and with fear, for they had never spoken to anyone besides the Mnyn.

At last, though, Ivri-roh's longing overpowered their fear, and they took a form like that of the other Bright Ones and ascended to greet them.

Worrying that their powers would weaken as they left their oceans, Ivri-roh refused to risk Myn ascending with them, in spite of all Myn's urging to the contrary. So Myn watched in trepidation as Ivri-roh ascended to the sky.

When they returned, it was in anger, rather than joy, and they brought Alte-re with them. She, too, was angry, but she brought the Second People to life for Ivri-roh. And then Alte-re departed, and Ivri-roh remained hurt and angry.

Ivri-roh had made the M'ega in the image of Alte-re, but in nature the Second People resembled their creator, and suffered the same wild passions and impulses. The Mnyn saw this, and loved the Second People, and worried over them as one worries about young fry.

And in time some of the Mnyn came to love individual M'ega above the rest, as Myn loved Ivri-roh, and these Mnyn wished to care for and comfort their individual M'ega, as Myn cared and comforted Ivri-roh. So these Mnyn bound themselves to their M'ega, as Myn had bound themself to Ivri-roh.

When Alte-re drew the Second People away from the ocean and to the land, these bonded Myn followed them as best they could, into rivers and streams and marshes.

And thus the loss and sorrow of Ivri-roh was doubled.

In their rage and anger they prepared themself to ascend again to the Court of the Sky, and to demand the return of the M'ega.

Again Ivri-roh refused to risk Myn attempting to accompany them, in spite of Myn's entreaties.

And when Ivri-roh returned from the Court of the Sky for the second time, they were filled, more than ever, with wrath. And they brooded, in the dark places of the ocean, on their hurt and loss and anger, and in the dark places of the ocean, they conceived of a plan.

...to be continued.