Perhaps the most common element in Zhell mythology was the belief that the universe began when a colossal being called Ma-wa divided its own body to form the various parts of the cosmos. His own dying breath survived and became a power that the Zhells called qa. Those that lived harmoniously with qa would live in a glorious afterlife. There were thousands of gods found in Zhell mythology with different levels of power. Although they were superior to Zhellkind, they were still bound by the rules of qa. It was said that they would often appear to Zhellkind in mortal form and do amazing miracles.