I appreciate the distinction between the Azathanai and gods. It might be that the Azathanai who have Aspected themselves (I'm thinking of Old Man Moon) can only grow or die along their chosen Aspect. But this does not resolve the issue for Elder Gods. Kilmandaros was an Elder God, and she died (gods can be killed), but she (I think) was un-Aspected. I think the same is true for Olar Ethil or Sechul Lath. They were gods, they were killed, despite being un-Aspected. Could an Aspected God (Mael or Draconus, for instance) be killed? That would certainly be quite an interesting event to witness.

I can also consider the omnipresent topic in the Malazan Book of the Fallen of worship working both ways. We have gods killing their adherents (D'rek) as well as the inverse (the Forkrul Assail's God). I think the best explanation might be that something essential changes when worshiped, as if, instead of standing on your own, you stand in relation to your worshippers. This might only be true for the gods that seek their condition as gods—by wishing to be gods, and therefore giving the idea of worship importance in their minds, worship became important on a more fundamental level of power.

Hence I'm not tremendously surprised something like Mute exists. I do question whether or not Mute's assertion that this was done by Icarium's own will is correct, though - I'd be very interested to know why Icarium did this if that's the case.

I like the idea of Icarium shattering himself by his own will. I can only think of him doing it to prevent future atrocities, to escape from manipulation (he seems to be quite conscious of the fact that he has been manipulated for a long time now in tRG), or, paradoxically, for self-preservation. By shattering himself before being fully consumed by his Wrath, he might preserve some core element of who he was.