Lord Suijin Everlight Tenzekyen, The Everking

Lord Suijin Everlight Tenzekyen, known universally as the Everking, stands as a figure of monumental reverence and a cornerstone of power within the world of Tilith. He is not merely a ruler but the guiding star for his people, the Tōbu, and a pivotal force in the liberation of the Akimoto. His influence, both direct and subtle, has sculpted societies, sparked revolutions, and established an empire that endures through millennia, a testament to his profound vision and strategic might. The contours of modern civilization, particularly for humans and rodent-folk, trace back to his initial acts of recognition and authority.
  His journey began in an era of profound chaos, following the cataclysm known as the Cleansing, when the very fabric of Earth was reshaped by cosmic energies. As animal origins underwent a dramatic evolution, gaining sentience and forming cohesive societies, Suijin emerged as a singular figure of kindness and influence. He saw beyond the primal struggles, recognizing the potential for sophisticated cultures among the newly evolved Beastkin. This pivotal period, sometimes called the Evolve, marked the true dawn of a complex, interconnected world, where Suijin’s foresight began to lay the foundations for new civilizations.
  It was Suijin who gathered the disparate nomadic Tōbu tribes, forging them into a unified, powerful empire that would span an entire continent. He instilled in them a martial prowess and an unyielding loyalty, ensuring that unlike many other human factions, the Tōbu never experienced the degradation of enslavement. His strategic brilliance culminated in the establishment of the Everkingdom, a formidable realm secured by a potent spirit barrier, a ward of ancient magics so profound that even powerful entities of that age could not breach it. This barrier was more than a defense; it was a luminous symbol of Tōbu defiance and unity.
  Perhaps his most celebrated act, beyond the unification of his own people, was the recognition of the Akimoto. Previously nameless rodent-folk, exploited and deemed as little more than creatures for labor or consumption, they were cast into the shadows by larger Beastkin. Suijin's symbolic gesture bestowed upon them the name "Akimoto," providing a banner around which they could rally and a shared identity that ignited their spirit. His proclamation as the "Everburning Light" resonated deeply, spurring the Akimoto to a massive uprising known as the Swarming, a ferocious fight for their freedom against their Beastkin oppressors that lasted for decades and earned them sovereignty.
  The Akimoto, who now flourish within the Five Petals of Huan Kkonch, hold Suijin in continuous high esteem. Their cultural motto, "To kneel is to chain oneself. Better to bleed on the floor than to yield an inch," echoes the spirit of defiance he kindled within them. Annual celebrations like "The Budding" serve as both a reminder of their hard-won freedom and an ongoing homage to the Everking’s role in their collective awakening. His initial act of respect transformed their destiny, forever weaving his legacy into the vibrant tapestry of Akimoto history.
  Within the Everkingdom, a profound cultural belief surrounds the Everking's children. It is whispered that Suijin can, by an act of his divine will alone, immaculately conceive children with virgin women. This belief elevates the status of virginity within the culture, viewing chaste women with an almost sacred respect, as potential vessels for the Everking's divine lineage. Such a miraculous conception bestows instant prestige upon the mother and her family, who are then integrated into a specific royal bloodline, gaining influence and protection within the Everking's vast domain.
  These innumerable children, thousands of princes and princesses, form a complex and often contentious bureaucratic network. The moment a child is confirmed as sired by the Everking, their family unit is elevated, and they are granted specific territories and responsibilities to lord over. These titles and lands are conferred with bureaucratic swiftness, creating a sprawling, often competitive system where each prince or princess is tasked with local governance. This immediate ascendancy, however, often places them at odds with one another, as ambition and the desire for greater influence can simmer beneath the surface of their inherited duties.
  The Tōbu’s devotion to Suijin Everlight is absolute, bordering on fervent veneration. Their entire society is meticulously structured around his divine persona, with military service deeply ingrained in their culture as an act of loyalty to him and his children. They hold a deeply rooted conviction that their afterlife is predetermined by their service to the Everking, imbuing every action with profound spiritual significance. This unwavering fealty ensures that any slight against Suijin is met not just with legal reprisal, but with a deeply personal, often zealous, animosity that can extend even to the offender’s kin.
  Despite his overarching influence, Suijin Everlight has not been seen in person by the vast majority of his subjects for over nine millennia. His presence is maintained through a potent, passive force, an almost ethereal authority that guides the Everkingdom from an unseen throne. Only the highest-ranked individuals within his court, known as the Phoenix Guard, are granted access to his physical presence. This elite house, which functions as both a prestigious office and a noble family, is rumored to have been founded by and remains connected to Suijin's dearest friend from distant ages, securing their unique position as the Everking's closest confidantes and guardians of his solitude.
  The Everking's complex interspecies relations are a direct consequence of his initial acts and ongoing policies. While he recognized the Akimoto, bringing them into a complex alliance that included subtle Tōbu oversight to prevent full Akimoto unity, his stance on other human origins, like the Hikaru, fostered deep-seated rivalries. The Tōbu often view other origins as "lesser" or "unfocused," a reflection of their own isolationist tendencies and unwavering purpose under Suijin's leadership. These carefully managed relationships allow the Everkingdom to maintain its power while navigating the intricate political landscape of Tilith.
  To speak ill of Suijin Everlight, or to even suggest that he is anything other than human, is an unforgivable offense within the Everkingdom. The Tōbu's fanatical devotion to him means that any such blasphemy is considered a direct assault on their collective identity and the very foundation of their society. As a human origin themselves, the Tōbu's perception of Suijin as a divine figure, yet still of human lineage, is paramount to their self-understanding. To deny his humanity would be to undermine the sacred belief that humanity, through his example, can ascend to divine purpose and reclaim its rightful place in the world.
  Thus, Suijin Everlight remains an enigmatic figure, a silent architect whose vast influence is felt across multiple planes and cultures. He represents a paradox: an unseen ruler who inspires fierce loyalty and passionate defiance, a benevolent liberator who also orchestrates subtle controls, and a divine being who anchors the identity of a human origin. His legacy is one of both immense creation and careful manipulation, shaping the destiny of countless lives with a vision that transcends mortal comprehension, ensuring that the Everkingdom, and those it touches, continue to thrive under his unwavering, if distant, gaze.