The Pantheon

Umbra knew immediately the tallest man was Life.

Life was visually impressive, despite his gentle face and slim frame. His head was held high, and he wore an almost condescending smile. He practically radiated power, and his body seemed to glow. He was dressed in an all white outfit of a labcoat and scrubs, which seemed to blend in with the obvious albinoism that altered his appearance.

Most startling of all were his eyes. Unlike Time's pleasant but curious swirling irises, Life's eyes were a sea of blazing scarlet. They were striking, and Umbra couldn't keep his gaze from locking with Life's. It was disturbing, knowing he was staring into the eyes of the most powerful creature that had- and ever would - exist.

Behind him, two young Japanese boys whispered sullenly to each other. They had opposite color schemes: one had white hair and the other had black hair, one had pure white eyes and the other had black eyes, and one wore a white robe and the other wore a black robe. Order and Chaos, Umbra thought to himself. They're twins, just like the legends say.

Which only left Space. Space hung to the back of the group, arms crossed and watching Life, as if he was asking him for permission to react. Space had dark skin and thin, curly hair that barely scrapped his shoulders. His eyes were pupil-less disks of dark blue, dotted with tiny white stars.

"Ey, guys, look!" Time called pointing wildly at A Silver Moon, "These are the friends I was talking about!"

A flicker of disgust passed through Life's face, but he held out his hand regardless.

"Greetings. Umbra Mortis, I assume?" Life murmured. His voice was a deep baritone, practically brimming with power.

Umbra swallowed, hastily meeting Life's hand and shaking it heartily. He felt Victor tug on his shirt, and he spared a glance at his child.

Victor looked almost pained, but Umbra assumed it was due to anxiety over meeting so many new people. Strangely, however, he had his hand clasp over his lower back, and he stared at his father with a pleading expression.

"D-dad," Victor whispered, voice heavy.

Umbra was aware of the Überdragons steely gazes falling on him. "Victor, dear, not now," he whispered back through grit teeth.

"Time has spoken nothing but praises of you," Life murmured, not phrasing it as a compliment or a doubt.

Umbra's team shuffled awkwardly behind him, not sure what action to take. Were they supposed to causually greet the Überdragons, like they did Time? Or was falling down and singing praises the appropriate method of conduct?

Umbra simply chose to nod and say, "Thank you."

"You have an excellent family," Life commented, taking a step towards Victor, "As the patron of the essence of life itself, children are very important to me. How do you fare, child?"

Life extended a hand towards Victor, and Victor's eyes went wide, his lips parting in a silent cry of pain. Victor fell to his knees, vomiting all over Life's perfectly pristine shoes.

"Mortals!" Space groaned in disgust, "Tell me again why we bother dealing with them?"

Time frowned, "I didn't expect us to take this time stream."

The color drained from Umbra's face, staring at Life as his cheeks grew as hot as fire. "I am so sorry, my lord, I had no idea, I-" Umbra had already knelt down, taking Victor by the arm. The child was trembling violently, eyes unfocused.

Life crouched down to his level, shaking his head. "No harm was done. I am more concerned with your child than my own clothing." He snapped his fingers, and a clean pair of shoes appeared on his feet.

"Are you feeling better, child?" Life asked gently, pushing a lock of Victor's hair out of his eyes.

Victor shook his head, tears in his eyes.

"Maybe this will help," Life said, touching his fingers to Victor's stomach. A splash of pigment returned to the boy's cheeks, and his frown grew less tight. "My spell should settle your stomach for a little while."

Victor stared at Life in shock, holding direct eye contact longer than Umbra would have dared to. He nodded, a silent 'thank you.'

Standing up and dusting off his labcoat, Life tossed his long, white ponytail off his shoulder. "These mortals are pleasant," Life observed, Time joining his side.

"I-K-R, right?" Time cried, slapping Life's back.

"Ah, yes. 'I-K-R' indeed," Life said, shaking his head, "It was nice meeting you, but I must be going. I have business to attend to after our meeting."

The five Überdragons disappeared in a bright flash, leaving Umbra and his team alone in the park.

"Time was right," Aunora spat, "Those guys are freaking weird."

Victor, still on his knees, turned to face Umbra guiltily. "Dad, I'm so sorry-"

Umbra twirled Victor's hair around his finger. "Victor, it's fine. Don't be upset. I just didn't realize you were sick."

"I didn't either," Victor whispered, looking haunted, "It was so sudden."

Umbra's eyebrows shot up in confusion, but before he could pry any further, Matthew's phone started to ring, loudly.

Matthew blushed, quickly pulling it up to his ear. "Hello?" he asked, eyes darting back and forth as he waited for a response. "Oh, hey, Infinity!"

Author's Note- the 'mistake' most of you noticed was intentional ;) ive planned this entire book out to a t.

how do you like the überdragons?