It was a dark winter day. I had an appointment to speak in front of the seasons, something I'd been waiting for for years. You see, children, back then there were only three seasons. Spring, a mean-spirited elf who had the ability to manipulate anyone into liking her. Fall, an okay-guy-turned-horrible because he only had the other seasons to spend his life with. And then there was the leader of the trio, the Almighty Winter. An already horrible woman driven mad with power, she had given us mortals two options: bow down to her and suffer, or doom your village to the horrors that are winter. Keep in mind children, we had just come out of the longest winter spell in thousands of years. The Underlings hadn't even left our island yet.
I walked up to the three, all high up on their giant thrones. "Good evening, your highnesses. I am Rolquin, a mortal from the Northern Sector of Airibithia. I have a proposition for a new season." Spring and Fall glared at me as Winter laughed shrilly. "And, praytell, what is this new season of yours?" Winter mocked. "Well, your highness, I call it 'Summer.' It is an additional warm season that comes in between spring and fall. I've-"
"You mean to tell me that you wish to separate me from my love?" Fall interrupted. "No, your highness, I would never intentionally split you two, that placement would just make the most sense, seeing as Summer would be the hottest of the seasons. You see-" I'm interrupted by Fall once more. "But then wouldn't it make the most sense to have an additional spring after your 'summer' so that the Earth has a chance to cool down for Winter and me? Your plan is flawed, mortal."
"Well, Your highness, if you'd just let me finish, then I could-"
"Absolutely not, mortal. You have been given your chance to impress us. You have failed. Now leave us. We must discuss what to do with this year's harvest, seeing as your kind decided to ruin the supply of food." Spring declared condescendingly. "Spring! I distinctly remember telling you that I am the only one who can dismiss mortals. Don't make me throw you into the ice pit again." Spring bows her head submissively. "Sorry Winter." Winter patted Spring's head. "It's alright, pet. Just don't do it again."
Winter then realised that I was still standing there. "What are you still doing here, mortal? You were dismissed." She said, shooing me with her hand. "Thank you for your time, your highnesses." I bowed my head and scurried away.
Infuriated by how I was treated, I came up with a plan. I knew that Honua, Irozi, and Asmara, the earth, sky, and sea deities, frequently visited a village in the Eastern Sector that wasn't too far from my own. If I managed to trick one of them into creating my summer, then I would be able to get back at the seasons.
A few weeks later, I told my wife, Amira, my plan. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Rolquin. What if the god takes revenge? I don't want to lose you." Just then, my daughter, Tayla, rushed into the room. "Daddy! Daddy! You're home! Come tell me a bedtime story!" Tayla started pulling my hand towards her room with enthusiasm. "I'll be there in just a second, sweetheart. Go get settled in." She dropped my hand and rushed off. "Amira, I have to do this. I want a happier future for Tayla, even if I'm not in it." I turned and walked away, but she followed. "Rolquin, the happiest future she could have has you in it!" I didn't turn back around.I didn't even acknowledge what she said. I just closed the door.
