The Promised Of Elaria

The Sacred Duty

Ethan sat on the edge of the stone balcony, his eyes scanning the vast landscape of Elaria. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the valley, and a gentle breeze cooled his skin. He could hear the faint sounds of life in the distance women talking, laughing, working. It had only been days since the ceremony with Amara, but already, the weight of his duties pressed heavily on him.

He was no longer just Ethan; he was the promised one, chosen by the gods to father the next generation of Elaria. He had known what was expected of him, but living it was something else entirely.

Since that first night with Amara, there had been more women, each eager to fulfill their own part in the prophecy. They came to him in the sacred chambers, their faces filled with hope and determination, each of them seeking the same thing: his seed, the future of Elaria. The process had been ritualistic, as the mother  had instructed, and Ethan had performed his duties with care and respect.

But now, as he stood alone in the quiet, he felt a growing sense of unease. Each encounter was sacred, yes, but it left him feeling... disconnected. He understood the importance of his role, but there was little time for emotion, little time for anything beyond the physical acts required of him.

As he pondered this, he heard footsteps behind himsoft, deliberate, the sound of someone who moved with purpose. Ethan didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

'The Mother.'

She approached him with her usual grace, her robes flowing behind her as she joined him on the balcony. For a moment, she said nothing, simply standing beside him, looking out over the valley.

"You’ve been fulfilling your duties well," the mother  said, her voice quiet but commanding. "The women are pleased, and the gods are watching over us."

Ethan nodded, his jaw tight. He wasn’t sure how to express the complicated feelings swirling within him. He had followed through on everything expected of him, but he couldn’t shake the growing void.

Sensing his silence, the mother  glanced at him, her eyes sharper than before. She had always been able to read him, ever since the day he arrived in Elaria.

"You seem troubled," she said, stepping closer, her eyes searching his face. "Tell me, Ethan. How are you truly feeling?"

Ethan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He had been holding back for days, unsure of whether it was even right to share his thoughts. But now, standing before the mother , he couldn’t hide anymore.

“I understand the prophecy, and I know what’s expected of me,” he began, his voice low. “But it’s... different. Being with themit’s a duty. It feels... mechanical, detached.”

the mother  studied him carefully, her expression thoughtful. “You are performing a sacred task, Ethan. The future of Elaria depends on you.”

“I know,” he replied quickly, guilt flickering across his face. “And I don’t regret it. But it feels... like I’m losing myself. Every time I’m with another woman, I feel like I’m drifting further away from who I was.”

the mother  remained silent for a long moment, her gaze never leaving his. She had seen men falter beforethough not in Elaria, not like Ethan. His role was unprecedented, but she had always known this day would come. She had always known that the burden of fathering an entire generation would weigh heavily on him.

“You are not losing yourself,” she finally said, her voice softer now. “You are becoming something moresomething the gods have willed.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. “But what if I don’t want to be that? What if I’m not meant to be just... this?”

the mother  stepped closer, her hand resting on his arm. There was a kindness in her touch, but also a deep understanding of the path he was on.

“This realm has not known a man for centuries. You are the first, Ethan, and with that comes great responsibility. But I have watched you. You do not take your duties lightly, and that is why you were chosen.”

Ethan swallowed, his chest tightening. “I feel... detached. Like I’m fulfilling the prophecy, but I’m not *living* it. Every woman I’ve been withit’s like I’m just going through the motions. But with Amara...”

the mother  raised an eyebrow. “Amara is special to you.”

He nodded, hesitating before he spoke again. “Yes. It wasn’t just about the prophecy with her. There was something real, something beyond duty.”

the mother  looked at him thoughtfully, her fingers tapping lightly against the stone ledge. “And you believe that the other women deserve less from you because of your feelings for her?”

Ethan’s eyes widened. “No, that’s not what I mean. It’s just... how can I give them all the same thing, the same care, when my heart is elsewhere?”

the mother  let out a soft sigh, her eyes softening. “This is not about love, Ethan. This is about survival. Elaria has waited for centuries for this moment. The gods have chosen you, and with that choice comes a duty greater than yourself. But that does not mean you must be without feeling.”

Ethan looked away, his heart heavy. He understood what she was saying, but it didn’t make it easier. He had been raised with a different understanding of life, of love. And now, he was expected to set all that aside for the sake of the prophecy.

“You are not a prisoner here,” the mother  continued. “You are free to choose how you fulfill your destiny. But remember, Ethan, the weight of Elaria’s future rests on your shoulders. You are more than a man ,you are the vessel for the gods’ will.”

Ethan nodded slowly, though the conflict in his heart remained unresolved. He wasn’t sure if he could ever fully accept his role, but he knew there was no turning back.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

the mother  gave him one last look, her eyes filled with both wisdom and compassion. “You are stronger than you think, Ethan. Trust in yourself, and trust in the gods.”

With that, she turned and left him standing alone on the balcony, the weight of her words sinking in.

Ethan stood there for a long time, staring out at the horizon, wondering if he would ever truly find peace with the path laid out before him.