Cosmogenesis

"Another universe..." Kir echoed to his other self. Objectively, he knew he had to be in a different reality. Had known it the first time he saw magic. But part of him had hoped to see Earth one day. To reconcile his fragmentary memories and knowledge with a culture he could resonate with.

"Yep. You're standing in our baby. Me, Luda, and Aiko."

"Luda and Aiko... Wait..."

"I'm guessing they call her Eyko now. Funny how languages work. I know what you're thinking, and I have no idea how she wound up being a god. That has to have been something that happened after Luda and me died."

"You said 'they' wouldn't let Luda die. Who?"

"Our sponsors. Couldn't build a black hole research station without a few trillion from the corporate despots. It became my mission to end Luda's suffering. I'm pretty sure I took them with me."

"How did they die?"