The start of something unfathomable

(3rd Person POV)

"I am often called Nataraja, the Lord of Dance and for good reason. My dance, known as the "Tandava," is a significant concept in our Hindu Pantheon and represents the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. 

The two most common forms of my dance are the Lasya, which is the gentle form of my dance, associated with the creation of the world, and the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss, the vigorous form of dance, associated with the destruction of weary worldviews - weary perspectives and lifestyles and the Universe as a whole. In essence, the Lasya and the Tandava are just two aspects of my nature; for I destroy in order to create, tearing down to build again. A concept I know you are familiar with. 

If I teach you my dance, I know you will be able to learn it very fast. Probably the first time you've seen it. I am also certain that you could learn it without me ever showing it. You have something that allows you to learn anything and improve yourself. I don't know what it is, but I know that no one simply develops new powers on the fly like you do. I don't care about that.

What I do care about, is that you came to me instead of just learning the Tandava. I understand you and you understand me it would seem. This surprises me, which is rare and seemingly impossible, for I have seen it all already. I shall teach it to you. The flow of destruction and creation will come naturally to you. 

But there is something I would like from you.", Shiva says. 

"And what?"

"I would like to know what you meditated on and learn your technique. This way we can exchange techniques and make it an equal exchange."

"I agree to this. What I just meditated on is what I call: The Great Way of Poseidon. The name needs work, but it's all I have right now. You can also call it Mahayana, for I took it from Buddha and adapted it to myself.", Poseidon says. 

"Buddha? Truly? Interesting. I can imagine how he must have reacted when you made it more powerful than him. He probably didn't care and was happy too."

"Indeed. He only smiled when I did that. He's an enjoyable man to be around.", Poseidon says. 

"Very well. Shall we start?"

"Yes please."

.

What followed was Shiva teaching Poseidon how to do the Tandava. He taught him both forms. Ananda Tandava: The dance of bliss, depicting joy and creation and Rudra Tandava: The dance of destruction, associated with Shiva's more wrathful aspects. Poseidon who was the god of waves and 'flow' naturally picked it up easily. He didn't use a pool of inspiration as they spent the time together. He immersed himself in the experience and dance. Picking up new things was a hobby of his since he was born and learning something like this, was enjoyable for him. 

Shiva was a chill dude if you will. Rage and joy interwoven into one god and given form. Destruction and creation are connected like to ends of a rope that touch. Poseidon closed his eyes and let things happen. He danced on top of Mount Kailash together with Shiva. The worries of the world are forgotten right now, neither of them stopped doing what they were doing. The more Poseidon danced, the more he understood it. He only had to do something once, to master it, but he was not stopping at mastery ... he took it beyond that. 

After an unknown amount of time, Shiva opened his eyes and observed Poseidon's dance. What he saw shocked him. 

That's right, Poseidon, an infant in Shiva's eyes shocked him to the core. It was his dance, he had created it and it represented him. But what he saw was Poseidon, not moving at all. He saw Poseidon's spirit or his 'soul' leave his body, while the physical body was meditating on the ground. The spirit did the Tandava, while the physical body meditated. He had gone beyond what was thought possible and took the Tandava to another level. He was using the flow and manipulating it, to suit his needs and wishes. He was like a surfer who used the waves but also manipulated the water to create the waves he wanted. 

He had created a Perpetuum mobile in the spiritual sense. The more he followed the flow, the more he understood it and the better he got with the Tandava. His understanding deepened, his control rose and the power he exuded shot through the roof into the unknown. 

.

Shiva stood there, taking it in and smiling. After a while, Poseidon stopped because he felt reality starting to crumble slightly. His mere dance, without any power involved, was destroying space-time around him. The rigid parts of reality that were set in 'stone' were destroyed as Poseidon performed his dance. 

He opened his eyes and looked into the distance. No one knows what he saw at that moment, only Shiva might have an idea. Then his eyes focused again and he looked at Shiva. One of the three most powerful gods smiled at him gently. 

"That was beautiful. I will try to reach that stage soon. To think that you learned about it and then reached a transcendent stage before me ... I am impressed Poseidon. The world will belong to the Solar Tide Pantheon, that is certain."

"Nonesense. The Hindu Pantheon is powerful and will survive the tides of time. I have seen it."

"Did you? I did too. But time means nothing and neither does fate to those who can either manipulate it or destroy it with a breath."

"True."

...

"So how about that 'Great way of Poseidon'? Can I learn it now?", Shiva asked. 

"Sure, let's do it.

The Great Way of the Buddha also known as the "Forbidden Heavenly Tome", is a forbidden Divine Profound Art. It comes from Buddha and describes his way to reach enlightenment. It could help a human reach the legendary "Body of Saints". Basically placing him on the level of gods and becoming one while not simultaneously. But that isn't really important. Normal humans cannot cultivate The Great Way of the Buddha without exploding since it puts a heavy strain on their bodies; only people who have inherited some bloodline or have some power inherently can cultivate this art. 

The Great Way of the Buddha affects your blood, blood vessels, muscles, skin, and hair and actually has not even the slightest of relationships with divine energy or divine power since it relies on the strength of the soul and nature instead. Its cultivation is absolutely not from battle, but from comprehension instead. That is what makes the Great Way of Poseidon an arduous art to cultivate due to its extremely harsh requirements on the person's comprehension abilities.", Poseidon started to explain. 

He had truly met with Buddha and learned his teachings but he chose the 'Great Way of the Buddha' from the novel 'Against the Gods'.

"The 'Great Way of the Buddha' has twelve stages. The 'Great Way of Poseidon' on the other hand has no true limit since it can increase the power of the body and develop anything about yourself if you understand it. But the initial phase also consists of twelve stages.

The purpose of the first stage of The Great Way of the Buddha is to absorb the vitality of the world; and to allow the world's vitality to fill, refine, and transform your body. Including the flesh, hair, blood, bones, organs, and marrow. Allowing the body to be born anew. Every following elevation of the realms in each stage will also result in a new reformation of the body.

If a mortal were to use this technique, every new reformation of the body signified a slight separation from the mortal realm. Their lifespan would also increase exponentially.

The Great Way of the Buddha is a bit different from the one I created.

First Stage - Provides strength of 2'000 Kg.

Second Stage - Increase arm strength by 4'000 Kg.

Third Stage - Increase strength by 10'000 Kg, a body that is as strong as pure steel, and a healing capability that no ordinary person could possibly understand 

Fourth Stage - Bestow a bodily strength of 50'000 Kg. 

Fifth Stage - 100'000 Kg- You can absorb the energy of Heaven's Way.

Sixth Stage - 200'000 Kg - Peak mortal physique of Saint Body.

Seventh Stage - 400'000 Kg - Here you are able to restore important bodily necessities such as vision. 

________________

Mine is different though. What good does 400'000 Kg do to anyone? The Great Way of Poseidon is harder to understand but also grants much bigger rewards. You see after you enter the first stage, your strength doubles. 

From the first to the second stage, the buff is not 2 but 4 times. From the second stage to the third, the increase is 8 times and so on."

...

Shiva looked at Poseidon like he had two heads. Although that wasn't anything special for a Hindu god so ... Yeah.

"You are a strange man, Poseidon. But I am more than interested in seeing this 'cultivation' you speak of. So tell me how do I start with this?", Shiva asks. 

"Well, it goes like this..."

.

The two powerful gods spend a lot of time talking, meditating and exchanging stories as they spend their time together. It looked strange for two such powerful gods to act like old friends who met after a long time and had a drink together. They were talking and a surprising bond formed between them. 

As they were talking another presence made itself known. Both Shiva and Poseidon looked at a spot where space-time shimmered and another man appeared. Shiva knew the person well and Poseidon knew him as well, but only from afar. The man had a blue complexion, symbolizing his infinite nature and cosmic dimensions as well as four arms. And in those arms, the man held a Chakra (discus): Which represents the mind and the weapon to destroy evil. A Shankha (conch shell): This symbolizes the divine sound and life force. A Gada (mace): Representing strength and protection. And a Padma (lotus flower): Symbolizes purity and spiritual power.

"What are you doing here, Vishnu?", Shiva asks. 

Vishnu is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, widely revered as the preserver and protector of the universe. He is part of the Trimurti, which includes Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Vishnu is known for his role in maintaining the order and harmony of the cosmos and is depicted as a benevolent, deity. He is also the ruler of the Hindu Pantheon in this Multiverse. 

Vishnu opened his eyes and looked at Shiva and Poseidon. 

"Shiva, I have come for your new friend here.", Vishnu says. 

"I thought as much."

"What can I do for you, Lord Vishnu?", Poseidon asks. 

"I have come to inform you, young Poseidon about the disturbance happening right now. The balance of the world is uncertain and threatens to shift. The threads and plans have been laid out and are ready to be used. I am sure you are aware of what is happening, but are you truly ready?", Vishnu asks. 

"Are you talking about Gaia's plan to get revenge on me? If so, then yes. The All-Father and his band of misfits as well as those he called for help will break their jaws trying to bite more than they can chew. We are prepared.", Poseidon says. 

"I see great pride in you and understand that you have not let your power cloud your judgement. But time is fickle when so many gods and different Pantheons are involved."

"..."

"What do you want to tell me, Lord Vishnu?", Poseidon asks. 

"I would like to declare our independence in the war to come. You need not fear for involvement of the Trimurti.", Vishnu tells Poseidon.

"I thank you for that information. You also needn't worry about any form of attack coming from the Solar Tide Pantheon.", Poseidon says and makes both Shiva and Vishnu smile. Not out of amusement, as funny as that might seem considering their power. They both know Poseidon's potential is limitless and boundless beyond compare. He will rise higher and there is nothing they can do about it, save for destroying the entire universe and not even that might work anymore.

Poseidon shook both Shiva's and Vishnu's hands and then left. It was time for a war.

_______________________

I have plans about the war to come and try to 'surprise' you with it. I can't have Odin a god of Wisdom create a bad plan now, can I?

So no chapters tomorrow and probably on Monday again.