The gods were a species who could use magic with far more strength than humans. They are immortal, with perpetual youth. They have immense physical strength and also unique magical abilities of their own. However, due to infighting and a rebellion from the humans they oppressed, they were driven to extinction.
Later, about seven centuries later, several children were born with special abilities that would lie dormant until they were physically mature. They were new gods.
They are not the same people as the old gods, but their abilities are the same as the old gods.
I'm not sure how the gods came around again. Any ideas? I was thinking that magical experimentation could be the case, but I'm not sure.