The War of Wills

This was near the very beginning of the world itself. During the time that elements raged, calmed, and created the very lands and the Dragons roamed the sky and land, the high powered beings were there and lived with them as well. While these beings lived they created things known as mortals, of all shapes and sizes, and these beings were at the center of this war. These mortals worshipped and listened to everything these beings said and did, but some found this kind of behavior troubling. Some believed the mortals should have choice in believing in them rather than their absolute belief without question currently. Others said that giving these mortals this freedom of choice would only lead to more problems and that they as their creators' must keep them under foot. This broke the beings into two factions, one wanting to give the mortals free will and choice, while the other side wanted them to be kept underfoot and limited in what they could do, think, and say.
Many of the higher beings fell during these times, using even the mortals they fought for and against as fodder and soldiers. Unfortunately, this was a time before the concept of death and sleep existed, so as so many fell due to serious injury or grew weary, there was no escape from battle. Higher beings and mortal alike fell during this time, bodies being disposed of, if they were truly beyond fixing, and were honored and put where they could rest, even though in all ways they still lived, just with no way to escape.
This war raged on for time, but what stopped the fighting is still up to debate by scholars. Some say the side for mortal free will won, as the world we live in today, others say some deal was struck with the other side as some of those beings still exist to this today. Many articles and findings are still being discovered and discussed, so the debates rage on.
Some of the things that can be confirmed are that none of these beings exist on our plane of existence anymore and don't appear to be able to physically come here as well. The remnants of their power come through those that still worship them, the champions they select during certain eras and times to fight on their behalf, their avatars, mortals meant to be able to connect and use some of their power, and even their very children, which are referred to as Demi gods.
They also achieved one other thing after all this, the ones who survived, the ones that continued to exist and influence the world to this day, they ascended and on that day they achieved a high honor and became what are today known as Gods.