it all ends with us: ruins

020

Chapter Twenty:

"My heart beats for you."

"It's a wonderful day out, no?" Gaia looks out the window from the mini café they were sitting in.

"It is mother." The sun shined through the windows leaving a trail of golden beams brightening the room.

The two sat at a table near the windows, distancing themselves from others. The café was quiet and homely. Atlas had ordered a coffee as well as a sandwich while her mother was eating a bowl of porridge with fresh berries with a cup of tea near her. They had both admired the scenery around them, in awe at how pretty the sky looked that morning. The two remained silent most of the time, only speaking briefly about school and friends as well as quidditch.

Although the air was cold, the sun easily warmed the two up. It was a peaceful day since most students were in school and most people at work. The mother daughter duo had visited a couple of the shops beforehand, buying more clothes for the young girl before they had sat down for breakfast. They both ate their meals quietly, caught up in their own thoughts. Until Gaia had cleared her throat.

"I know you have questions Atlas." She states looking at the girl in front of her.

Atlas peers through her lashes and places her mug of coffee down on the table.

"I do," She admits. "But I want you to explain what's happening to me."

"That's fair." She nods. She also places her cup down before holding onto Atlas' hands.

"What I am telling you is very important my dear. The only reason I'm keeping it from you is because I care for you very much." She informs her daughter.

"I understand."

"I hope you will not be angry with me." Gaia tells her daughter.

"I won't mother, what is happening to me?" Atlas repeats her question.

"Well what do you know about the seven deadly sins?" She asks and this confuses Atlas. What did this have to do with her condition?

"They are pride, greed, lust, sloth, gluttony, envy and wrath." She answers.

"Correct. There is an old Folklore about the seven deadly sins. They each had a human embodiment. The seven Castellanos brothers of Greece, some of the world's original wizards." She started and Atlas was drinking up the story that her mother was telling her.

"The eldest of all of them, Achilleas Castellanos. He represented Greed of course. He valued knowledge, power and wealth. As the oldest sibling he was starved with a thirst for knowledge, stopping at nothing to get what he had wanted. The second brother Iasonas. A representation of Pride. He had learned from his brother's mistakes when growing up and did everything he could to rise to the top. He believed he was better." She pauses and takes a sip of her tea.

"The third brother Leonidas represented Lust. The most attractive brother from them all. He had his mother's beauty. Not only did every woman lust for him, he was also known for having many partners throughout his life. The most passionate brother by far. And the fourth was Alexandros who was Gluttony. He took after his oldest brother and had developed an obsession for acquiring money. He quickly rose the ranks of the richest among the brothers." She explained and Atlas remained quiet.

"The fifth brother was Damianos, Envy if you will. The most hateful brother, living up to the title. He wanted what his brother's had and much more. He stopped at nothing to get it. A ruthless brother when it came to duels. The sixth was Oceanus who represented Wrath. The most feared of them all. He had the strength and agility but was weakened by his hate. It made him impulsive. And the last brother, Tadashi who was Sloth. The wilful and mischievous brother. Overlooked by many but the saying the most silent becomes the deadliest very much applied to him." She finishes.