Maya
"The one who plants the last seed in the last piece of fertile soil will attain godhood."
Long ago, sky-high trees and dense forests covered planet Maya. Animals, big and small, rummaged through every nook and cranny to find the last seed. An old oak named Mukha oversaw the lands, her dry branches creaking against the breeze. A squirrel named Tsikuna hopped on Mukha and began plucking fallen leaves off the old friend.
"Oh, come closer, little squirrel," Mukha whispered. As Tsikuna climbed up, the oak sighed, "They came and searched me, dear friend. The wolves gnawed at my roots and howled in excitement. The bears clawed at my trunk and opened deep wounds. Eagles scoured my branches and pecked at every bud. But they found nothing and left. Because no one could imagine a dying oak birthing one last seed."
Mukha unravelled a curled-up branch, revealing a tiny acorn resting atop the leaves. "My last seed. My last gift."
Weeping Tsikuna hugged the old friend, cradled the acorn and began her journey. She walked, walked and walked, and met a fox named Melakuda.
"Little squirrel, little squirrel, I know where the last soil is. Let us travel together and both become gods," Melakuda grinned with milk-white teeth.
"I trust you, Melakuda. Lead the way!" Tsikuna replied, and the two forged ahead. They walked, walked and walked, and met a wolf named Mgeluka.
"Oh, come closer, little squirrel," Mukha whispered. As Tsikuna climbed up, the oak sighed, "They came and searched me, dear friend. The wolves gnawed at my roots and howled in excitement. The bears clawed at my trunk and opened deep wounds. Eagles scoured my branches and pecked at every bud. But they found nothing and left. Because no one could imagine a dying oak birthing one last seed."
Mukha unravelled a curled-up branch, revealing a tiny acorn resting atop the leaves. "My last seed. My last gift."
Weeping Tsikuna hugged the old friend, cradled the acorn and began her journey. She walked, walked and walked, and met a fox named Melakuda.
"Little squirrel, little squirrel, I know where the last soil is. Let us travel together and both become gods," Melakuda grinned with milk-white teeth.
"I trust you, Melakuda. Lead the way!" Tsikuna replied, and the two forged ahead. They walked, walked and walked, and met a wolf named Mgeluka.
"What did you do?!" yelped Melakuda. "Now we shall never become gods!"
Tsikuna pulled an acorn from her flower-filled tail and smiled. "I gave Mgeluka a fake one carved from Mukha's root. This is the true last seed! I trust you, Melakuda. Lead the way!" They walked, walked and walked, and met a bear named Datucha.
"Little squirrel, little squirrel, give me the last seed. Or I shall stomp you with my paw!" roared Datucha.
"I have no seed, dear Datucha," Tsikuna exclaimed and pointed at Mgeluka. "See! Mgeluka has it."
As Datucha stomped off, Tsikuna said, "I trust you, Melakuda. Lead the way!" They walked, walked and walked, and met an eagle named Chituna.
"Little squirrel, little squirrel, give me the last seed. Or I shall claw your eyes out!" screeched Chituna.
"I have no seed, dear Chituna," Tsikuna exclaimed and pointed at the wolf and the bear. "See! Mgeluka and Datucha have it."
As Chituna flew away, Tsikuna said, "I trust you, Melakuda. Lead the way!" They walked, walked and walked, and saw a flower valley. Melakuda trotted towards a broken tree, dug in-between its roots and revealed the rich black soil.
Tsikuna hopped next to the friend. "Let's bury the last seed together, dear friend."
But Melakuda grinned with milk-white teeth, snatched the last seed and swatted Tsikuna away. The fox buried the acorn, rubbed his paws together and awaited ascension. He waited, waited and waited, but -
Bonk!
Tsikuna hit Melakuda's head with the acorn. "You took a fake one carved from Mukha's root. This is the true last seed!" Tsikuna exclaimed, hopped over the sleeping Melakuda and planted the last seed.
Ascension
Creator of Nature
When different gods formed races on Ayonerra, Maya hopped on the planet to create her own. She planted Mukha's acorn and nurtured it. As the tree grew, Maya collected its seeds and spread them around, growing massive trees and humble shrubs alike. As centuries passed, Mukha's child became known as the Great Tree of Vinwardisi. In the end, varied vegetation covered the whole planet, bringing life to once barren lands.
The Fifth God missed her kin and shaped animals in their image. Yet, Maya couldn't create aquatic life, as she had never visited the seas of her home. So, Maya hopped atop the Seventh God, the water-dwelling Julio, and asked for help. Julio aided her friend and filled the seas with life, bringing joy to Maya.
The Fifth God missed her kin and shaped animals in their image. Yet, Maya couldn't create aquatic life, as she had never visited the seas of her home. So, Maya hopped atop the Seventh God, the water-dwelling Julio, and asked for help. Julio aided her friend and filled the seas with life, bringing joy to Maya.
When the Sun took some warmth and light from the northern continent, Hayanao, Maya couldn’t stay idle. She blessed Hayaan animals with levitation, so they wouldn’t fall off frozen cliffs in the darkness. Maya also granted local plants resistance against the polar chill.
The Fifth God was distraught after witnessing the Rain of Amaars. She felt for the Amaarioni and wished to aid the resilient folk. Following Goddess Apor's footsteps, Maya gathered scattered Hska armour remains, mixed them with the earth and moulded them into the metallic animals called Tupranis. The Fifth God gifted tupranis enhanced resilience, strength and longevity.
The Fifth God was distraught after witnessing the Rain of Amaars. She felt for the Amaarioni and wished to aid the resilient folk. Following Goddess Apor's footsteps, Maya gathered scattered Hska armour remains, mixed them with the earth and moulded them into the metallic animals called Tupranis. The Fifth God gifted tupranis enhanced resilience, strength and longevity.
Relationship with Shemokmedi
Maya was heartbroken to see her planet shatter following her ascension. Yet, she protected Shemokmedi out of fear.Maya overcame her fright after creating life on Ayonerra. As time went on, she learned of many gods holding shared resentment against the Sun. This knowledge gave Maya the courage to protect her new home and oppose the self-centred Sun.
Always Out of Sight
Maya watched with curiosity as different people began living in the Vinwardisi Forest. She was cautious to greet them at first, but grew close to some over the years. The Fifth God shared her story with Vinwardisians she trusted, who in turn, retold it to others. Some say Maya’s creations lack human intelligence owing to Melakuda’s betrayal. As the goddess wished animals to be true to their nature. Foxes are also often associated with treachery and wickedness in Skneli.As Vinwardisi became more populated, Maya talked less frequently, preferring to hop atop trees or play with her creations. Yet, one might catch a glimpse of her smacking predators mistaking her for a tasty snack.
During the Month of Maya, the Fifth God plucks flowers from her tail and puts one above each Vinwardisian’s door. Many weave flower crowns and put the goddess’s gift as a centrepiece. Others cradle the flower and place it atop the Great Tree’s roots.
I love how every one of the twelve gods of Ayonerra makes me say "this one's my favorite" when they're on-screen. A testament to the love, effort, and creativity that's gone into each one's writing and visual design~
Aw thank you so much! It means a lot from you! It's really fun to compare just how different each god and their stories are turning out to be.