Aestivus

11. Shadows of the past

SYNTYCHE

In an endless plain of ashes, stood a girl in a flowing dress of blazing flames. "Diadumenianus... you promised. That the arrival of that demon would be the turning point of our fate... of this endless cycle of creation and destruction we were forced to witness."

"Brother... where are you now? We were so, so close to the light when the wax melted off our wings..."

"Is this our fate? To watch over humanity till the end of time, unable to fight back, to change the course of the river of time?"

"I thought we've seen it all. So powerful, yet so powerless."

A teardrop fell, instantly vaporized by the dark ashes. Mortals of great will are rarely granted the ability to change their fate, a power granted by Radzbitn, "The Artist". Why is that none of her kind was granted anything, for thousands of lifetimes?

Or perhaps, their attempt to overthrow the gods was futile from the very beginning.

MIYAKO

"Fly, my children," Mother told them, "to a place where Hemera cannot reach, perhaps beyond the boundaries of this world."

And they flew, to the stars they went. The void was infinite, they thought, seeking for a safe haven to settle down on. They weren't counting on the chasm to open before them, drawing them to the void between worlds. Not knowing what lies before them, they stepped forward together.

They were children of the gods, but the demons in the chasm did not care. It was survival of the fittest in the spatial rift between worlds, and they showed no mercy. They were separated, and she could only watch as the power was stripped off her brother, his cries drowned in the void.

When she awoke adrift in the sea, she prayed to the heavens that it was nothing more than a dream. Hideki was gone, and he's not coming back. But this will not stop her from trying.

She stood alone amongst the gilded temples, flawless as volcanic ashes blew off rooftops in the hot, dry wind. She imagined the place without the ashes, the floor covered in colourful mossaic tiles. Was this what Olympus looks like, as it was told in the books? Perhaps Athens, or even Rome. If only her brother was by her side now. "Syntyche, why didn't you let me take control of the Gates? It's the only portal out of this hellhole..."

There was a soft crunch, as Syntyche walked closer. "You are no demon... you barely survived on your way here, what would happen if you travel back and get trapped?"

"I would do anything to get my brother back... I thought you would understand this." Miyako gave her a soft smile, trying not to let her tears fall. "Was all this I giant joke from the gods? Being trapped in a godless land, nearly powerless..."

Syntyche sighed at the ashen sky. "none of us is supposed to be here... but opening the gates will do more harm than good. There must be another way out... perhaps through the entrance?"

Miyako pondered the idea. Piercing the stars wasn't impossible. As for the power would they need...

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DIADUMENIANUS

A wounded eagle cried as it flew across hilly countryside, a lone wolf in close pursuit.

"No king shall rule forever," the wolf howled. "You will one day fall from the skies, and I will be there."

"Fool," screeched the eagle. "If so, you shall never return to the skies."