Loss and Gain
Summary
Ahooai's purpose was to watch over the split of the essences. He kept track of them and monitored the world to help his father, Braet. However, his job was made all the more difficult due to the actions of Clohdus, the second god of fate and creator of chaos. It was because of him that there were six elements instead of the single source Padka had created.
All of the gods were related to one another, descended from Padka, the first of them, except Clohdus. Even the oldest god did not know where he had come from or how he had obtained his power. Some had tried to investigate before and found nothing, even Padka themself had been unable to learn about how such a strange god had come into being in their cosmos. Srirah and Coalate, the first children of Padka, claimed that Clohdus had simply appeared one day, walking into the hall of the gods and breaking anything he could find like a wild animal until they and Padka had managed to chain him, but that is a story for another time.
Curious, Ahooai followed the chaos god after one of the gatherings of deities, intent on determining where he went when not in their world and what he did. Following the older god, Ahooai kept himself cloaked and hidden, trailing him through the entire world for two centuries. He saw horror and beauty, but never the god's home, never something that would tell him what Clohdus was or where he had come from.
After two hundred and fifty years of following, Clohdus suddenly attacked him, screaming and clawing at the younger god's eyes. Ahooai fought back, trying to pry himself free, but he was unable to. Their battle tore apart the continent, breaking off pieces that became the island territories. In the end, Clohdus clawed out Ahooai's eyes and ate them before throwing him into the sea.
Ahooai spent a year in torment, swimming, directionless and darkness, unable to find the surface. It was his mother, Raesay who found him just as he pulled himself to shore. In his struggles under the water, he had learned to use his other senses, sharpening them to levels unseen even among the gods.
Raesay demanded that Clohdus be punished for the mutilation of her son, but, fearful of his mother becoming hurt in battle, Ahooai attempted to stop her. In his desperation, he drained her magic, shocking them both. He immediately returned her magic and began experimenting with his new abilities. To hide his mutilation and scars, he tied a silver cloth over where his eyes once were and began his journey.
The loss of his sight had granted his other senses incredible power and he became extremely attuned to the essence magic he had once watched over. Over the next several centuries, he learned to listen to the magic, to see into the future, to uncover layers of the present and past, and was transformed from a mere overseer of magic to the guardian of priests, oracles, and ritual. He still presides over the essences and it is his power and grace that has allowed humanity to wield essence magic for themselves. In his mercy and love, he taught them to use the world as he could, shepherding early peoples toward control over the world around them.
Historical Basis
Early essence magic users must have been taught by someone and the markers that allow people to control the elements must have come from somewhere.
An early teacher of essence magic wore a silver cloth over his eyes and no one ever saw him without it. Some say that he was the first priest of Ahooai and others claim that he was Ahooai himself.
Spread
This story followed the spread of Tekel through the early Yzel Kingdom.
Variations & Mutation
The time that Ahooai spent following Clohdus tends to fluctuate. Some versions state that he followed only for a few days while others claim it was millenia.
One variation states that Clohdus knew from the beginning that Ahooai was following him and simply allowed it to continue until he became bored of the company. Others say that Ahooai's early mastery of the essences was such that he could perfectly conceal his marker and thus his presence.
Curiosity is generally given as the main motive for Ahooai's expedition, but some have claimed other things. A popular variant among those who see Clohdus as the chief god claims that Ahooai was going to murder him and take his power for himself. Those who see Clohdus as a villainous force state that Ahooai was searching for weaknesses in order to tame the older god and bring perfect order back into the world.
Cultural Reception
Ahooai has come to be regarded as the patron of priests, ritual, and duty. He is a symbol of ultimate commitment to the study of essence magic in Tekel. This story of his turning of a vicious attack into a quest for greater purpose and knowledge is used as an example to others. It is highly important in Tekel.
In Literature
The most famous written work depicting this myth was written in 352 by Esha Kemve. Her collection of Tekel mythology is one of the early omnibus compilations and the main source for many later interpretations even though some written works existed earlier.
In Art
Several paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces have been created depicting parts of the myth. The most often recreated portions are the battle between Clohdus and Ahooai and Ahooai's journey after covering his empty eyes.
Date of First Recording
50
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