Chapter Text
They claim, in the great dunes of shifting sand miles off from the core of this world, lies the temple of Change. It sits as a safe haven to all those who feel their call.
Open air, with towering walls of glass, Change opens their arms to anyone brave enough to embrace them. The green coloring of the temple sticks out harshly against the yellow-red sand. Designed to look like the cactus Change is so fond of.
The children of Change (a devout sect of followers under Family, an epithet of Change) claim Family themself lives in the heart of the desert.
———
Kent was molded of sand and stone by the hands of Soul themself.
“Go forth, you shall be the shifting sands running through your skin. The cry of a rebellion and the warm embrace of a home.” Soul whispered to them.
“How can I be the safety of the home when I myself am alone?” They asked, Soul thought for a moment before pulling hand fulls of redstone and iron and paper from the earth.
“You will never be alone in this world, I have made you an equil. Rorion, god of Knowledge and Innovation.”
And thus Change and Knowledge were released into the world.
———
It's a lovely day as Family walks barefoot through their home. Smooth sandstone tiles cool under their feet as they walk along the pool of water in the center of their oasis.
They’re dressed in green, shifting layers of cloth and jewelry making it impossible to make any sense of their body of sand.
“No Rorion listen to me, I have things to be doing!”
The projection of Change’s sibling wavers on the surface of the water. “Like What?”
“…”
“Exactly. Look, just come down and let me rubber duck at you.”
Family lets out a sigh, they might as well make a day of it.
“Ok fine, I’ll be there in a bit, hold tight.”
They swipe a hand through the water and end the connection. It leaves a streak of silt in the water that gently settles to the bottom.
Change groans and drags a hand down their face. They walk out of the oasis, between one step and the next they’re transformed into something less shifting.
A human shaped person with green hair and greener skin rather than red sand. Twin scars running horizontally on a bare chest. Layers of drape shift to lose yellow pants embroidered with gold.
“Kent, please come help me. I'm the god of invention, literally made from redstone, but can’t figure out a door” they mutter in a bad mimic of Rorions voice. Still barefoot they trot across the sand and into the lush woods surrounding the desert.
By most standards Rorions house is much too far for a brisk walk. But Change isn’t bound by what a mortal can and can't do.
In moments Family steps foot in the forest behind Knowledges home. Change sighs fondly and begins picking their way through the mess of parts scattered through the woods.
Family winds down a footpath, at the end of the path a sparkling golden net comes into view. Inside it, something begins thrashing at the sound of their approach.
A scared voice cries out, “Hey! Help me!”
Oh no.
“Are you deaf? I said I'm stuck!”
This is bad.
“Let me out! You gods forsaken fuck!”
How in the name of the creator gods did this mortal make it all the way to divine lands?
“Well this is bad.” They blurt out.
The mortal laughs, they sound tired “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“I- ok let me get you down. Hold still.”
The nets rigging isn’t really all that complicated, it's a trap meant for large game and not people. It's only a matter of moments before Kent has the mortal free. They come crashing to the ground with a thud and a cry of pain. Landing in a heap of limbs and net.
“Ow” the mortal hisses through clenched teeth.
“Oh my, sorry about that.” Change reaches out and helps pull the shimmering net off.
Now Kent isn’t usually one for romancing mortals, they have more important things to do. But this mortal leaves them speechless. Wild brown hair frames a scarred face. Slashes leave one eye grey and lifeless but the other seems to glow amethyst.
“Hello? Earth to” the mortal mutters under their breath, “whoever you are.”
Oh, they’re starring, that’s embarrassing.
“A-apologies. Are you alright?”
The mortal blinks once (Kent unconsciously copies with half a dozen eyes) then speaks, “Nothings bruised more than my pride.”
“Well that's good, can you stand?”
The mortal glances at their ankle, “... I may have lied about just being bruised.”
Kent facepalms, “Ok my sibling lives near here, they can help.”
“How far is it?”
“Not far, just over this hill.”
The mortal thinks for a moment, pushing themself off the ground despite how the blood drains from there face “I can make it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Who are you?” The mortal asks in lieu of an answer.
“I am Change and Family, sometimes I go by Kent. They and them.”
The mortal pauses, looking Kent up and down. Their gaze is unfocused with pain but it still causes chlorophyll blush to rush to their skin.
“I am Sun, all.”
“Well Sun.Its nice to meet you. Are you sure you can make it?”
“Yes. This is fine.” Sun grunts out as she puts weight on his bad ankle. If possible they go even paler.
“Are you sure? You don’t look great.”
Sun mutters something that sounds like “Rude.” before her eyes roll back and he faints.