Part one

    In the beginning there was not god. It was instead a power immeasurable by the minds of men, beings of good and pure intentions who wanted beauty to look at and live amongst. For these reasons they created a world. The world as a globe did already exist, created by some cosmic force before even their time, but they strove to create on this ball of rock the beauty and compassion that their very existence represented. It all started with the entrance of one spirit into another realm. It witnessed such beauty and intrigue that it soon took the others to see. After a time, the pain and suffering of that world grew to be too much for them, and downtrodden, they returned to the unadorned world that had been theirs. Some time passed and they all longed for the sight and smells of trees and flowers. The soft rippling laughter of a mother and her child rang empty in their ears.
    A collected decision was made by these spirits. If the single god of that world can create a world of sights and sounds, why couldn't they? Much debate followed. Remembering the evils and pains of the world, some objected vehemently, while the joy they experienced there could be denied by none. Could a world be made without the pain and anger?
    At last they concluded that it could. Would not their knowledge surpass that of one being? Creation began at once. The first life on the world was a solitaire rose bush they could watch from afar. Its blossoms soon faded and fell, lonely for the sun and dirt, and they realized their folly. From then on, the world was created day by day, adding only one small life until they were confidant that peace would reign. This process took five hundred years, a small niche in the lives of those who had already lived for so many more. Then there was Valubel.    
    Men were peace loving and fair, as were the women. The animals, while based on those of the other world, were tame and hospitable. No creatures of destruction were wrought here. Everywhere was there a tree or a flower of unsurpassed beauty. This world was made after only the good they saw, and the good in their hearts.
    Many peaceful years went by, with brother loving brother unconditionally. Death, they found unavoidable, but made it sweeter, less feared if you will. In this way all was made as it should be. Yet the spirits had forgotten one thing. They had left the portal to the other world ajar. It would not be remembered again for many years untold, yet better it would have been for all if it had been closed for good.
    After a time, the mere observation of life was not enough. The spirits wanted to partake of life and love. Thus they gave themselves the forms of men and walked among them as gods. This was a good arrangement for all, for even though they were the people's gods, they treated their creations with love and equality. They even loved and wed the daughters of men. The world was good and a time of rest was upon the spirits. This would never last, for the other world crept closer and closer to the portal every passing day. The gods had follied.