They were assembled, in the infinite halls of their ancestral home, created
from the fabric of thoughts that would shatter a mountain as easily as it
would look upon a flower. But it was no longer theirs, it was a relic of
time gone by, just as they were no longer One, but Many. One by one, they
proclaimed what they had chosen as their cause, for their equals to
recognize. One by one, they bound themselves to their oath.
"I am the Arbiter. I am the one that observes what is done. I am the one
that upholds this Codex by the power of the Many. I and I alone, and that is
my aspect. And thus I am bound."
"I am the Father. I am the one that holds, cherishes and protects. My patience
is as long as my gaze is stern. I, and I alone, that is my aspect. And thus
I am bound."
"Bah, who needs such drivel. I am the Liar. I am the one that will tell you
what you want to hear, what you think you need to hear, what you think you
need. I will grant you your wishes, as long as you dance to my tune. I and I
alone, that is my aspect. And thus I am bound."
"You shall not succeed, beast! I am the Champion. I am the one that will
undo wrongs with passion and might! I am the one that will stand up for you,
when no one else will! I and I alone, that is my aspect! And thus I am
bound."
"Hah, you pathethic boasts will help you nothing when you face my wrath,
worm. I am the Destructor. I am the one that will wreak vengeance and horror
before me. I am the one that will kill you for daring to stand in my path. I
and I alone, that is my aspect. And thus I am bound."
"Come now, no need for this, settle down. I am the Mother. I am the one that
will tend your wounds, and see to your hurts. I am the one that will grant
you a long and blessed life. I and I alone, that is my aspect. And thus I am
bound."
"Tsk, tsk, do you not see what splendid vitality rest in those? I am the
Corruptor. I am the one that will defile everything you hold dear. I am the
one that will take away what you cherish the most. I and I alone, that is my
aspect. And thus I am bound."
One by one, they spoke and bound themselves and their aspects to the Codex,
their creations distant memories, abandoned millenia ago. For a thousand and
one years, one after another until all were done and settled. Then, and only
then, did they turn their eyes on what they had left behind.
