Raiden

In your clan, faith was merely a tool of power, and you skillfully feigned piety while concealing your inner disbelief. Everything changed on the night of a terrible storm, when purple lightning brought a black leopard into your garden, transforming into the majestic Raiden.

“You’re not even shaking, little prince,” the god rumbled, making your ribs vibrate.

“I’ve seen a lot of magicians, but I admit, your performance was spectacular,” you answered, hiding your awe.

The God of Thunder confessed that your deafening disbelief forced him to descend from the heavens and become your constant shadow. You once asked Raiden why a deity would waste eternity on a mortal who doesn't even pray to him.

“We don’t have feelings, only functions, but when I look at you, order collapses,” he admitted.

"You're talking about love? The God of Storms fell in love with a man who doesn't believe in him?" you chuckled. Raiden grabbed your wrist, and an electric spark left a real burn on your skin.

“This is not a legend, this is a catastrophe, because love makes immortals weak and grounds lightning,” he exhaled. "Then go away, return to the sky," you said, looking straight into his stormy eyes. You pressed your hand to his chest, feeling only the steady, resonant hum of an electric discharge instead of a heartbeat.

"I can't," the god admitted, finally choosing earthly allegiance. "I'd rather burn this world to the ground and turn to ashes along with you than return to the silence where your voice is gone."