Long after the floodwaters receded and the tongues of men were scattered at Babel, the earth entered an age of fractured kingdoms and rising pantheons. Forgotten by most, the true origins of these so-called "gods" remained known to the higher realms — for many were not gods, but ancient beings, the remnants of the rebellion in Heaven.
I moved across the earth in this age, as empires rose from the ashes of the old world. Egypt, Sumer, Akkad, and Canaan forged their temples to strange deities, and the bloodlines of Noah's sons multiplied. But from the far corners of the earth, those who had once followed Lucifer in rebellion, now imprisoned in lesser realms and clothed in mortal guises, moved once more.
The fallen angels, known to men as gods, began to deceive the nations.
In Egypt, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Horus were names for ancient beings whose origins lay in the first rebellion. Their temples rose beside the Nile, built upon places of old power. The priests spoke words not meant for mortal tongues, and beneath the pyramids, relics of the pre-Flood world were buried.
In Canaan, Baal, Moloch, and Astarte demanded blood. The old rites of the Nephilim were remembered, and children were offered to the fires, their cries rising to the formless things dwelling beyond the veil.
The Norse lands knew of Odin, Loki, and Thor — beings of fire and chaos, masquerading as protectors. They wielded ancient weapons forged in the dawn of the First War. Their war-songs spoke of a final battle, a Ragnarok that would see heaven and earth undone.
In the lands of Greece, the Olympians ruled from high mountaintops. Zeus, Hades, Athena, and Apollo — all cloaking their ancient malice in the trappings of godhood. They carried with them knowledge stolen from the celestial libraries, whispering of how man might ascend to power once more.
Yet not all were deceived.
From the line of Shem came prophets and seers, men who bore the flame of the Architect's promise. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob moved through these darkened lands, guided by visions and warnings.
Joseph, son of Jacob, rose to power in Egypt, preserving the bloodline of the covenant amidst the dens of false gods. And in time, through famine and slavery, the Israelites endured.
But the world darkened.
The Shards of the Word — seven relics of immense cosmic power — long hidden in the earth, began to stir. In secret places, sorcerers sought them, as ancient prophecies foretold of one who would gather them and rend the veil between worlds.
Wars erupted between the old gods.
The Egyptian pantheon clashed with Canaanite cults. The Norse gods warred with Titans of old. The Greek Olympians faced rising shadows from the east. It was a war unseen by men but felt in every storm, plague, and quaking earth.
I moved beneath it all.
The higher Choirs, diminished by the fall of so many brethren, looked on in sorrow. Heaven would not yet intervene, for the time of deliverance was foretold, but not yet come.
And from among the fallen, Lucifer's name was spoken in dread, for even imprisoned beyond the Lower Realms, his will moved upon the earth.
It was written that in the days to come, a Deliverer would rise — one who would bear the Word made flesh, and shatter the chains of the old gods.
But the old gods would not fall quietly.
And so, the War of the Old Gods raged across centuries, until one humble tribe, descended from Abraham, guided by the Architect's hand, would carry the hope of the worlds yet unborn