bioluminescence

the essence of war

(A/N - It's a long one oh my god. 5000+ words and completely out of my comfort zone, I hope you don't hate it lol)

It was a stormy night, harsh and unkind. But Asena had been taught that it was on nights like these, that history was written. Nights like these were kindling for stories of greatness. Stories of heroes and villains and Gods and Goddesses. Stories of magic and madness. Of power and of destruction.

Asena was going to write her story tonight. Her family's story.

Her heart thundered as her little, beloved boat approached the sacred island's rocky shores. The rain was deafeningly loud but she could still hear her heartbeat loud and clear. She'd made this very trip a hundred times in her life but today was different. Today was the day that would change her life forever.

A phrase her grandmother had told her echoed in her mind, always driving her. No guts, no glory, no legend, no story. It was a popular saying these days, printed casually on cards and framed on walls but it went a long way back in Asena's family.

As she rowed her boat against the malefic, black-as-ink tides she decided to go through her mental checklist once again. She knew she had everything she could possibly need but it was something to keep her brain employed.

Coins? Check.

Food offering? Asena glanced at the huge pile of the most sumptuous foods she had been able to find and cook up, packaged in a water resilient sack. Check.

Incense? Already at the cave. Along with the candles and matches. Taken on a dry afternoon.

Potions and oils? Check.

Chalk? Check.

Her Athame? Strapped into her belt.

Moon Water? Replenished last night from Artemis' Pool.

Crystals? Check.

Book of Spells? She hugged it tighter to her chest under her cloak. Check.

Determination? There was a nagging voice in the back of her head, reminding her that she was about to start a war. It seemed to think this may not be the best idea. But she shook it off, as usual. Check.

Asena marvelled at how much witchcraft she had learnt for this one ceremony. It had to be done, it wasn't feasible to include and trust any other person. But Asena was no witch. She was a warrior. She was named after the she-wolf and had trained herself to be nothing less. And it was a good thing too because no witch, with their stick-like arms, could row against such vindictive waves.

Finally, she reached the sacred island, said to be a place where Ares' the god of war had rested and tended to his injuries in ancient times. Where Asena's ancestors, ordinary but kind humans, had helped him regain his strength and nursed his wounds. It was said that Ares had promised their bloodline a favour in return for their service. The gods never said they owed anyone anything. They would offer boons instead and expect us, mortals, to be grateful. "And if you value your life, you will be." Asena's grandmother had told her when she was too young to question anyone, let alone the gods.

Her heart was a mix of nervousness and pride as she tied her boat and gathered the supplies to take to the cavern. She'd have to make two trips.

Asena was the only one in her bloodline entrusted with this task. It filled her with gratitude but also a sense of superiority that she knew would not serve her well. However, she was not thick enough to not be fearful of failure. She had been thorough in her studies but this was it. And she either did it or she did not. The prospect of failing her family loomed over her as death loomed over a Healing Home during a plague.