Limestone

001

Ten Years Later...

The golden temple of Sol was bustling with activity, and Ciro was sure that this decade's trials wouldn't be something to scoff at.

The boy slipped through the city, going into alleyways to avoid crowds that gathered and prepared for the ceremony later that night. He had someone to meet, and pushing through crowds didn't seem like such a good idea. Sand swirled behind him, following the best it could. He hated how it left a trail, knowing that if his priests looked hard enough they'd find him easily.

Sliding to a halt, Ciro came upon a sandy river. He smiled softly at the forest that lay on the other end, looking around to see if anyone was looking at him. When he found nobody was, he squatted and ran his fingers through the grainy yellow sand.

It shot forward, turning into a small sandstone bridge. Ciro retracted his hand, darting over the bridge. After he was on the other side, he shattered the sandstone and watched as it sank to the bottom of the river. Nodding with satisfaction, Ciro darted into the forest.

He ran for a few minutes before he was tackled, a large body laying on him.

"Aye, get off!" Ciro chuckled when a bark sounded, sitting up with difficulty so the body would get off of him. "Mirio, my dear boy!"

A yip sounded, the Alebrije licking Ciro's face. The boy's fox-bat hybrid wasn't allowed in the Sol temple, but that was only when Diosa Luna was around for monthly checkups. Ciro didn't really remember if she'd be there during the Sunbearer ceremony, but Ra said that he could bring Mirio.

"C'mon now, they're gonna wonder where I went!" Standing, Ciro sprinted back from where he came. The albino fox followed suit, trying to nip at his owner's shoulder by flapping his silver wings and launching himself into the air.

Once they'd broke the forest line, Ciro stumbled to a halt.

Boats.

Were they supposed to be here so soon?! Ciro made out the outline of the leading one, realizing it was the early party.

Lumbre and Tierra. Almost opposite forces, both trying to gain favor of the Sol children. So far it was clear who was winning.

"CIRO!" And of course if anyone were to find him, it would be the oldest of Tierra's children. He'd actually been in the trials the first time Ciro's siblings created their trial and had been closest with Ra. "I'LL RACE YOU TO THE TEMPLE!"

Ciro smirked "AYO BET BRO!" He took off running toward their boat, forming a sandstone bridge over their heads as he walked. It crumbled behind him, but followed instead of making a mess. "SEE YOU THERE!"

Retracing his steps, Ciro now ran twice as fast. With the added advantage of the Alebrije who followed him, Ciro was making great time!

He came upon the shining temple, spotting the boats that were easily still five minutes away. Someone had gotten to the temple already, and Ciro was surprised to see Diosa Amor when he launched himself through the doors and into his siblings.

"Ay, we were lookin' for you!" Kyri looked up to her younger brother, frowning. Ra was in a conversation and didn't acknowledge Ciro "You said you'd be a second!"

"I was." Ciro draped himself over his siblings, both easily five inches shorter than him. "See? Brought Mirio with me."

Ra stopped his conversation. "Diosa Amor is wondering why you were running." He relayed the woman's quiet inquiry.

"Oh!" Ciro perked up, smiling "I was racing Izan, son of Tierra."

Ra perked up "Izan's here?"

Ciro opened his mouth to reply, but before he could the semidios himself ran through the doors.

"SHIT!" he shouted once spotting Ciro, sinking to his knees "WHY'RE YOU SO FAST?!"

"As yer mom." Ciro stuck his tongue out at the older, rising to his full height just as the rest of Tierra's family walked in. Lumbre's was next, the younger kids starry eyed at the Sol siblings.

"Ah, you're getting so tall Ciro!" Tierra said, Ciro seeing the crinkle of his eyes through the mask he wore. "How tall were you last time I saw you, huh?"

"Probably five eleven." Ciro replied, happy to see the family his own parent was so fond for. "No 'm six-nine."

"Nice." The youngest of Tierra-borns was seventeen year old female going by the name Niya. Ciro snickered at her comment, causing the female's eyes to widen.

Tierra didn't pay any mind, instead nodding "It seems so." He replied "You truly have Sol's height."

Ciro bowed his head quickly, a habit his siblings were trying to get him out of. As they grew they realized that they were in the highest part of power for a reason, and they couldn't have their little brother always going and boosting another dios' status by bowing to them if even for a moment.

Tierra was never one to correct him though, seeing the younger as almost a son.

"Sol siblings." But Diosa Lumbre grew bitter eventually. Waltzing up to the middle of three different conversations, she forced Diosa Amor and he son Dezi to move over slightly to accommodate them. Now the siblings were really surrounded. "It is good to see you."

Ciro averted his face immediately, rolling his eyes in front of Niya and Tierra as his brother and sister exchanged greetings.

"Ciro." Tierra warned lightly, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"What?" Ciro bit back with a teasing smile, "I'm a model Semidios, everyone knows I wouldn't hurt a soul."

"Tell that to Mirio's bite marks on Lucas." Tierra replied.

"He was being a jack off, you can't expect me to not let Mirio do that!" Ciro replied, picking up his companion "Besides- who wouldn't forgive this cute face?!"

"-and Ciro, I hear you're still single?" Lumbre interrupted Tierra before he could speak, the other Dios just letting her. He knew everything she could bring up, and he didn't want to deal with it in front of his children.

Niya saw a familiar look on Ciro's face, one that her best friend Teo got when he was highly annoyed.

"Yeah, I am." he didn't face Lumbre, one that the duo in front of him considered a good decision. "Why d'ya ask?"

"Can a close family get to know you?" Lumbre asked, Ciro hearing the smile in her voice.

"I wish your children luck in this year's trials." He instead changed the subject "As they always are, you will surely have one compete. Who knows, maybe one of them will win this year."

Kyri's sigh cut through the sudden tension. "Lumbre, let me show you where the party will be thrown." She escorted the family, Ra's shoulders relaxing the moment that door closed.

"They were totally checking you two out." Izan teased, smirking "Who'd blame them though? Ra's lookin' kinda hot."

"Get a room you two." Ciro flicked his wrist, sending a small stream of sand up the older's nose. Izan choked, going into a sneezing fit. "But we should probably get going before the halls get crowded- I already hear some approaching."

Ra chuckled "I'll take Tierra, you get Amor." He stuck out his hand, which Ciro shook.

"Gladly." Ciro smiled at the Diosa and her son "You're both lovely to chat with."

Amor translated for her son, who smiled bashfully. Ciro gestured for them to follow him, walking the same path Kyri did. Mirio jumped from Ciro's shoulder to Amor's, then Dezi's as they walked.

"Oi Mir!" Ciro said "C'mon now bro!"

Amor giggled, while Dezi looked a little bit tense. Ciro noticed, stopping just outside of the main room. Gently scooping Mirio up, he smiled apologetically at Dezi.

"Sorry." he signed "He's a bit social, even with new people."

Dezi's eyes widened, not realizing that Ciro knew sign.

"Anyway, let's go in."