The Gods at War

Carissa of Clain

Masses of people gathered in the town , waiting patiently for their Queen to begin her perfomance . Their gracious , respectable and civilized queen. The same civilized Queen was gripping the handlebar of her palaces balcony , a sweat breaking out on her forehead. Her eyes darted through the crowd , wondering if people were readying themselves to complain to neighbours about her. If people were already comparing her to her Mother in the hushed whispers of the crowds.

If her Mother was here this would be so much easier. If her Mother was here , she wouldn't be standing out here at all . She may have been lounging in her room , blessed with another day of no responsibilities . The booming sound of a nearby bell sounded , signalling the start of her performance .

She threw her hands up in the air , heart racing beneath her blue lacey dress. Blue , green , purple and all other colours imaginable streamed from her fingers , flying through the air. They swooped down to the people , initiating big oohs and ahs. In midst of the beauty , Carissa saw a little girl reach out for the colours , her small fingertips brushing the blue and green. Her Mother swept her up in her arms , laughing as the child reached for the other colours. The familiar cry from the gaping hole in her heart cried out , begging for attention . Not now , she thought .

She turned her palms towards to the sky , directing the colours upwards. This was the easy part. Carissa took a deep breath and watched as the colours flew across the sky . It was done. She had done it . Carissa let out a big sigh of relief . She wondered if up there somewhere , like the holy books and prophets swore , her Mother was watching her . Would she be proud ?

Walking back in the palace , Carissa smiled , proud of her show and the way the people reacted . Maybe she could be as good a Queen as her mother. All of a sudden , Carissas vision blurred and a shot of pain flew through her chest. She reached a hand out to the wall , struggling to keep her balance as her mind fogged . Pictures flew up in her mind , flashes of memories .

The young girl with her Mother.

Carla , painting the skies as Carissa watched.

Her Mother lying limp on the hospital bed.

The skies she painted just tonight

The pictures vanished and Carissa's room came back into view, leaving her only with a faint headache to know she saw them at all. The curse. The curse that have kept the most powerful Gods on a leash , letting them know if they went too far , they wouldn't come back. When a God uses their powers , it slightly weakens them. Until , eventually , they will pass on to the afterlife.

The signs came in forms of headaches , dizziness , change in appetite ,or in her case , hallucinations apparently . It's okay though , Carissa had always known she would only live to forty . Forty dove , if she was lucky. Her mother had lived till forty one .. Still in what some would consider her youth , her life was ripped away from her . Stolen from her.

When it happened , the city had mourned. Carissa had mourned. She had curled up in bed when night came , listening to the people below in the streets , praying to her Mother. The wind whipping in from her window , she had let the anger flow through in balls of red and black . Her Mother wasn't theirs to mourn . They didn't know her . She wasn't their saint , their saviour. She was her Mother and no one elses.

Looking back on those dark , gloomy nights now, Carissa felt shameful . They went on for months , until Carissa decided she needed an outlet. She went down to the training rooms she had left untouched , and learned to fight . Trainer after trainer , she learnt every skill she possibly could . The curse might take her life , but she was damn sure nothing else would. The pain had eased , almost receded. It had taken a place in her heart . Sometimes , it would cry out , eager to have Carissa back in its cold grasp.

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" It really is a lovely palace , Carissa " Zila said , awkwardly smiling . " Thankyou , Zila" Carissa returned the smile. Zila was right , although right now she wasn't exactly grateful for it. With the warm fire making their faces pink and signs of wealth lining the walls in art and trophies , it was far too formal.The gold lining of the table cloth made her skin itch. Sitting around the table tonight , they weren't just her friends. They were alliances, or enemies. Her countries future and defence against the Dark Army depended on them.

Uncomfortable silence had apparently taken a seat in the room tonight and she watched as Aron squirmed in his chair. A loud , unnaturally high giggle sounded from him. Everyone turned to look,the fine fabric of his cloak contrasted with his childish smile making him look like a child was placed in the satire of a king. Then they all laughed. Booming , hearty and unrestrained laughter . Even Efi placed a pale hand over her mouth , a smile on her face.

Servants entered, plates piled high with Carissa's favourite Clain meals . The friends laughed through the night , the former tension melting away. Carissa drank more than she should , her chest warming with a tingly sensation. It was when she took another sip when Carissa caught sight of Aron . He looked at her , his brown eyes warm and welcoming , creased from laughter. She looked around at her friends , and in that moment she was sure , whatever challenges came, she could do it with them. They aren't alliances or enemies . They are her friends .

The bell sounded , signalling the beginning of the ball. They were late!

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Waiting backstage , Carissa due to go on first, her stomach fluttered nervously . All she had to do was walk out , wave and smile and take her seat at her throne . Her throne was beautiful , blue and white with symbolic patterns of Clain's history carved into the wood. Her personal favourite was the artist Kivac Vlo sculpting himself . The work currently sat in her palace and whenever she passed , she stopped to admire it .

She was contemplating this , when the crowds hushed whispers suddenly stopped . " Hello, people of Clain , may we welcome Queen Carissa of Clain "