Aeon of Roses

Act 0-1: Rubedo part 4

A selfish wish
Hopes_and_Dreams_from_those_without_talent
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Whispers and murmurs could be heard in the small amphitheater behind the structure like temple as people of all ages searched for a seat. The area below the sloping seats was adorned with marbles, displaying mesmerizing patterns that caught the eye.

At the center of the square, there was a man dressed in a white robe adorned with silver, his beard looking like ashes. Despite the noise around him, he lifted his hand to hush the people of Argus, indicating he was about to address them.

"Dear citizens of Argus," he said in a low, clear voice for everyone to hear.

"and all that came to celebrate the new moon with us. I, Plato Gauchia, am truly honored that the gods have blessed us with a year of abundance. In my 40 years of service as a priest in this town it felt like it was only yesterday that Argus was simply a small village that survived solely on fish! Isn't that right chief?"

A heavily built man with a braided beard sat at the front and nodded. "When the village chief Dictys was once a young boy" the old priest continued.

"hey would get so tired of always having fish for dinner that he believed he would turn into a fish himself if this keeps on going!"

The audience chuckled at the playful jest, picturing the serious and honorable chief suddenly transformed into a timid child who disliked the odor of fish. The chief himself let out a good-natured laugh and motioned for the priest to continue.

"As I was saying it felt like it was only yesterday. Now Argus has become an important trading center through the hard work of the elders and the Dictys, through the grace of Minstral's Emperor and most importantly through the will of the gods. We arrived where we are today."

The holy man stopped talking for a moment.

"But the journey was not without hardships... We barely survived winter a decade earlier. We lost some of our families, friends, loved ones to the demons roaming around the darkness." a sad expression appeared on his face.

"We even had some conflict with the foreigners outside Argus. There were times where we thought Argus was doomed.... But we still kept on hoping." Plato then turned to the audience with a bright smile on his face.

"Throughout the years we kept on hoping, we kept on believing in a dream that one day through glory and virtues Argus will grow into something worth remembering! And look where we are now! Our hopes and dreams are finally in sight! We elder folk may not reach the end but that's why we held this 100 year old tradition. To prepare the new generation for the future and bless them with the protection of the gods above. Now Come children! Step forth and see if fate is in your favor!"

After completing his sermon, the revered man was greeted with cheers and applause from the crowd as the ceremony began. Subsequently, the children began to leave their seats, descending the stairs and kneeling on one knee with their heads bowed.

Plato observed each of the children who were the future of Argus, knowing that they would be the ones to shape the village. He found comfort in the fact that they were all unique and capable individuals, which reassured him about the future of Argus.

"Now come forth. Jason, son of Aesun-"

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

"What is she doing here!?"

"Wasn't that child not allowed in the temple?"

"How dare she! Does she want to kill us all?"

A disturbance up the amphitheater caused a commotion and murmurs to erupt. Plato's expression turned into a frown as the children also looked towards the disturbance. What in the name of Thelios was going on up there?