The Promised Of Elaria

The Pause

The temple was quiet the next morning. Ethan woke up feeling heavy and disoriented. His mind was still trying to wrap itself around everything that had happened since his arrival in Elaria. He felt pulled in so many directions by the women, by the Mother, and by his own thoughts.

As he sat up in his bed, the sunlight filtering through the canvas of his tent, Ethan heard footsteps outside. Quiet, almost hesitant. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching. His body ached from the tension of the previous days.

The tent flap moved slightly, and he saw Mira standing there, her eyes lowered as if she didn’t want to intrude.

“Morning,” Ethan said, his voice rough from sleep.

Mira looked up, giving him a small smile. “Good morning, Ethan. I didn’t want to disturb you, but the Mother wanted me to check on you.”

He nodded, rubbing his face with both hands. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… a lot on my mind.”

She stepped inside, her presence soft but curious. “I imagine so. The women are waiting, you know. They’re anxious to see how you’ll respond to them.”

Ethan frowned slightly. “Waiting for what exactly?”

Mira’s smile turned a little mischievous, but there was understanding behind it. “Well, Ethan, many of them are hoping to be… chosen by you.”

He sat back down on the edge of his bed, feeling the weight of her words. “Chosen?” he repeated. “I still don’t really understand what that means here.”

Mira took a step closer, her voice gentle. “In Elaria, the women long for a connection to the Promised One. They believe it is their duty, their destiny, to share in the blessing of the gods through you.”

Ethan looked at her, his eyebrows raised. “So, what? They expect me to get intimate with all of them?” he hesitated, feeling awkward.

Mira’s smile widened. “To father the children of Elaria. Yes, Ethan, that is the expectation.”

Ethan sighed heavily, shaking his head. “That’s a lot to ask of someone. I mean, I just got here. This is all moving too fast.”

“I understand,” Mira said, sitting down on a low stool across from him. “But time is of the essence. The Mother is worried that if you hesitate too long, it could weaken the belief in the gods’ blessing.”

Ethan glanced away, staring at the tent’s entrance. “I’m not trying to disappoint anyone. I just need to get my head straight.”

Mira stood up, brushing her dress softly. “I’ll let the Mother know that you’re still considering everything. But Ethan… don’t take too long. The women’s hopes rest on you.”

She turned and left the tent, leaving Ethan alone again with his thoughts.

Later that day...

Ethan wandered through the temple gardens, trying to clear his mind. The air was fresh, the sky clear and bright. Yet, the beauty of Elaria couldn’t distract him from the pressure building inside.

As he strolled, he noticed several of the women watching him from a distance. They seemed nervous, whispering among themselves. When he glanced their way, they quickly turned their heads or giggled softly. Ethan sighed. He was starting to feel like he was being hunted.

He passed by a group of women sitting near the fountain, their voices hushed but filled with curiosity. One of them, a tall woman with dark curls, leaned over to her friend, whispering, “He’s still not made any move. Do you think something’s wrong?”

Her friend, a shorter woman with red hair, glanced at Ethan briefly. “I don’t know. Maybe we’re not what he expected.”

Ethan stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. He hadn’t meant to overhear their conversation, but now he couldn’t ignore it. Were they really doubting themselves because of him?

Feeling a pang of guilt, Ethan walked over to them, his footsteps causing the women to look up, startled.

“Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I didn’t mean to overhear, but… it’s not like that. I’m just trying to figure everything out here.”

The tall woman looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “So, you’re not displeased with us?”

Ethan shook his head quickly. “No, no, that’s not it. I just this is all new to me. I wasn’t expecting any of this.”

The shorter woman stood up, her hands clasped in front of her. “We didn’t mean to put pressure on you, Ethan. We just… we’ve waited so long.”

“I get that,” Ethan replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I really do. I just need time to adjust, that’s all.”

The tall woman gave him a small smile. “Take all the time you need. We’ll wait.”

Ethan nodded, feeling a little better, though the weight of their expectations still pressed on him. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

As he continued on his walk, he couldn’t help but wonder how long they were willing to wait. And how long he could avoid making a decision.

At the temple...

Meanwhile, back in the temple, the Mother sat with Mira, discussing the situation. The tension was clear in the Mother’s voice.

“He hasn’t chosen anyone,” the Mother said, her brow furrowed. “The women are becoming restless. If this continues, it could cause doubt.”

Mira nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Perhaps he’s just overwhelmed. We mustn’t rush him.”

The Mother sighed deeply. “I’m not rushing him. But the gods have given us this gift, and we must honor it. The longer he hesitates, the more uncertain the women become.”

Mira tilted her head. “Do you think he’s displeased with the women?”

The Mother’s eyes darkened slightly. “Perhaps. But if that’s the case… I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”