Heathen

The End Of An Era I

Endymion's POV

It was an strange night. The sun, earth and moon aligned in the sky, turning the otherwise bright evening into dark scenery.

I heard Hecate call me, but it was just an obscure whisper. I followed her call as always and found her waiting for me. We were in the field where I "died", thousands of years ago. She was looking ethereal and terrifying at the same time. Her pale skin glowed silver and gold, making her presence even more majestic.

-Endymion, her voice echoed softly in my head, her lips were not moving. –This is the last time I call you. She ran her fingers gently on my face, tracing my jaw line, leaning in to touch my lips with hers. It was brief and sweet. It seemed oddly familiar.

Why it seemed so familiar? 

Why I had this strange feeling, not only that something was wrong, not only that she would leave me , us... but like there was something hidden from me, something I ignored.

-You will never see me again, Endymion. Treasure the gift you have been given. And do not try to challenge the will of the Gods. There is always a price for what you gain, remember this.

After our brief encounter, she disappeared like a spectrum, as soon as the moon became visible again. I stared blankly in front of me, wide eyed, unable once again to grasp the full extent of what just happened.

The next days were filled with inexplicable anguish and sudden memories flooding back, memories I forgot I had. It was like a veil was lifted from before me and I became aware of things that had been hidden in plain sight: my family, Io, my sorrow and the punishment I received for my defiance...

Io...

The moment the binding spell of Hecate dissolved I remembered Io, I remembered everything about her. The crippling grief of losing her and my heartbreak plagued me for days, until I replaced them with rage. Rage against the Goddess, against the Fates. How they stole so many things from me. How I was nothing but a mere pawn. Anger consumed me, rendering me useless for days, until I gave up. It was pointless. Now I felt nothing. I was empty.

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I happened to meet Kynthia again, after a very long time. She seemed tired, her beauty had faded and her expression was sad. I asked her to confide in me. We shared so much after all. She invited me to her humble abode. Walking in, I saw a young woman lying in bed, pale as death.

-Who is she, Kynthia?

-She is a friend... Arsinoe... she said with affection.

Her answer was both vague and specific enough for me to understand. She was someone Kynthia cherished and did not want to lose.

The girl was on the verge of death. Kynthia wanted to give her her blood, before dying and then again after she would come back alive. This would turn her into a creature similar to us. But Arsinoe did not wish to change. Those transformed by Hecate's children were fragile beings. They were in constant need for blood. They did not heal as quickly as we did and could be killed, if someone could get close enough to rip out their heart. Kynthia's friend, despite their close bond, preferred to die as human.

Kynthia tried to change her mind but to no avail. Exhausted herself, she made a very difficult decision. She would follow Arsinoe into the Afterlife. Starving herself of blood, she would grow weaker day by day and eventually wither away, turning to dust.

-I do not wish to live anymore, Endymion. Forgive me, she whispered through tears.  Her friend had just breathed her last in her arms.

-Forgive you for what, Kynthia? You were always my friend, my confidant.

-You know...

I knew. It was about my lost memories.

-It is not your fault. I held her hand. She smiled weakly.

-Will you stay with me?

-Yes.

I stayed until the very end. It was long and torturous for her. I felt her pain. I shared her agony. I watched her fade away, finally turn to dust, one gloomy autumn dusk. Tears were streaming down my face. I lost someone I cherished again. How many more?

How many more?

End Of Book I