Fires of Fate

Chapter 2

While tending his flock one afternoon, Caledon noticed a sheep straying from the herd, its small form disappearing into the shadows of a nearby cave nestled in the foothills of Mount Idris. With a sigh, he left the flock behind and made his way towards the cave, calling out for the lost sheep. As he ventured deeper into the cave, something beyond belief met his eyes.

Before him stood three women of unearthly beauty, their forms shimmering with a radiance that could only belong to divine beings. The air around them felt heavy with power, and in that instant, Caledon knew they were goddesses.

Unbeknownst to him, earlier that day, the sea nymph Lysara had been wed to the mortal hero Therion in a grand ceremony that was attended by all the gods and goddesses of the heavens. The celebration was magnificent, a banquet of unparalleled joy and laughter. The gods feasted and drank, their merriment echoing through the realms.

But one goddess had not been invited—Morrath, the goddess of discord. Furious at the slight, Morrath sought revenge. She would not allow such an insult to go unpunished. With a sly smile, she devised a plan that would set the divine world into turmoil.

During the banquet, as the goddesses Isara, the queen of the gods; Valtara, the goddess of wisdom; and Elysia, the goddess of love, were deep in conversation, Morrath flew silently overhead, her eyes gleaming with malice. With a flick of her wrist, she dropped a glittering golden sphere onto the table, its surface glowing with a mysterious allure. Inscribed upon the sphere were the words: "To the most beautiful goddess."

Immediately, the three goddesses laid eyes on the sphere, each believing the prize was meant for her. A heated argument ensued, for all three considered themselves to be the most beautiful, and none would concede the title to the others.

Seeing the chaos, Zephyros, king of the gods, commanded them to cease their bickering. “Such vanity is beneath deities of your stature,” he scolded. However, he knew the issue would not be so easily resolved. In his wisdom, Zephyros decided that an impartial judge should be chosen to settle the dispute.

The task of selecting the judge was entrusted to Theris, the swift-footed messenger of the gods. Theris would lead the goddesses to the mortal who would serve as the judge. Of all the men in the world, Theris chose Caledon

Caledon stood frozen as Theris approached him, the god's voice echoing through the cave as he explained the task before him. Caledon, though dazed by the enormity of the situation, accepted his role, for there was no denying the will of the gods.

One by one, the goddesses stepped forward, each determined to win Caledon’s favor.

First came Isara, her presence regal and commanding. “I am Isara, wife of Zephyros and queen of the gods,” she declared, her voice rich with authority. “Choose me, and I will make you the richest king in all the land. Your kingdom will be vast, and your palace will rival the heavens themselves. Wealth and power shall be yours.”

Next, Valtara stepped forward, her gaze sharp and calculating. “I am Valtara, goddess of wisdom and war,” she said. “Choose me, and I will make you the greatest general the world has ever known. No longer will you tend to sheep. You will lead armies, conquer nations, and your name will be whispered in awe across every land.”

Finally, Elysia approached, her beauty radiant, and her voice soft yet alluring. “I am Elysia, goddess of love and beauty,” she said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “My title alone proves that I am the fairest of all. Choose me, and I will give you the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.”

With a wave of her hand, Elysia conjured an image before Caledon—a vision of Elira, princess of Serynos. Her beauty was breathtaking, more than mortal, and her smile shone like the sun itself. Caledon’s heart raced as he beheld her, and in that moment, all thoughts of wealth or power faded away. He wanted her, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Without hesitation, Caledon handed the golden sphere to Elysia, declaring her the fairest of the goddesses. Elysia smiled, her victory sweet, while Isara and Valtara seethed in silence, their pride wounded and their wrath kindled.

As Elysia celebrated her triumph, she leaned in close to Caledon and whispered, “Your prize awaits you, my shepherd. The beautiful Elira shall be yours.”

But as the goddess of love departed, resentment lingered in the air. Isara and Valtara, scorned by Caledon’s choice, vowed to take their revenge. The prince of Aranth had unknowingly sealed the fate of his homeland. For his decision, the people of Aranth would pay a great price, and the gods’ vengeance would soon be upon them