They were born to start a war. She was born to end one.
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Other children were told harrowing stories of nights in shining armory, beautiful princesses, conniving dragons. Ayla was told stories of bloodthirsty warriors, two sides sworn...
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"They come every millennia. The sons and daughters of Selene herself are sent to bring destruction and rage, to bring the world to its knees. Born warriors, they tear through the Earth in search of something, ravaging everything in their path, leaving a trail of darkness and fear, their very essence seemingly tainting the very dirt they tread upon. They swear to serve Selene alone and are willing to use whatever means necessary to ensure her claim."
Little eyes widened, frightened by the sinister tale, though the small girl had heard it many times in the past. Her pulse raced, not so much gripped by her fear anymore, but out of excitement for the part of the story still to come.
A voice scoffed from the doorway. "Dear, you know that's not how the story goes." The woman looked at her daughter with playful eyes. "Your father likes to get carried away. He makes those people seem like scary, evil meanies. Now, is that true, Ayla?"
The child shook her head enthusiastically and cheered, "No!"
Her mother smiled warmly. "That's right, Ayla. Now, who are the real bad guys?"
She threw an arm into the air and exclaimed, "The Hellos! The Hellos!"
The child's father rolled his eyes and began to object, but words were already spinning from the woman's mouth, entrancing little Ayla.
"They come every millennia. The sons and daughters of Helios himself are sent to bring fire and war, to bring the world to its knees. Born fighters, they burn and pillage everything in their path as the scour the Earth for something, unafraid of the consequences of their afflictions, searing their savageness into all they touch. They are sworn to the service of Helios and are prepared to use all means required to complete his will. "
Did the little girl understand most of what her parents were saying? No. In fact, a vast majority of the words they recited she could scarcely attempt to pronounce, but her attention was captivated every night that she was lucky enough to be subjected to her favorite bedtime story. She had received both tellings on their own multiple times, but she liked when both her parents told it together, their banter adding to the excitement. Ayla didn't have a favorite version quite yet, but secretly indulged both her parents desires, claiming allegience that changed as soon as one left and the other entered the room.
"I think you've been misinformed, Missus, you see, the Helios actually prefer to sear their charm and good looks into the minds of those they come into contact with-- ow!" A small smack was received from the child's mother, interrupting her father's rehearsed words, earning an excited giggle from the child in the bed.
