Paramythi III: Prometheus

Merine would never call himself a man of promise. He was a scoundrel and he took pride in that fact. By admitting to the horrible things he did, there was no way he could ever be untrue to himself.

Capitol streets were littered with piles of rock and debris, making it a task to drive through it without earning a scratch or two. The aftermath of crumbled buildings, corpses of entertainment gathered at the pavement and empty cars left abandoned was the highlight of Capitol these days. The only attractions were Leto’s Theatre, a handful of brothels, the Colosseum and the Bazaar Market. Everything else faded into the background of ruin.

Climbing out of his car, Merine began his approach to the Colosseum, unwilling to mess up the paint job of his precious ride. This type of atmosphere suited him better than Leto’s Theatre. The whole point of going to the colosseum was to bet, gamble and watch petty creatures fight to the death. The idea was far more normalised than sitting in the dark, watching creatures dance and pant.

Temptation ran down his spine, willing a great urge to take a seat among the cheering crowds settled in the ring of seats coiled like a spring, raising higher and higher as Allawo and Avolaki were forced out of their cages below and sprang onto their hands and knees, drooling a mess of saliva as their eyes turned white. Merine would pay good money for it.

He need not say a word as he ducked into the main entrance, sharing nods with the men and women on duty. Those who were once Capitol soldiers now acted as bouncers or bodyguards, unable to release their sense of so-called ‘duty’ towards Emvolo and all it stood for.

“Will you be betting with us today?”

Merine dismissed the comment with a flick of his wrist. He followed the back entrance, turning to jog down a flight of stairs and into the cold corridors below. Pristine tiles made up the floors and white walls surrounded him. He had put a lot of money into the investment for Erebus to have this construction built beneath the Colosseum. Merine would always smiled with an ounce of accomplishment when he walked past these walls.

The heavy cheers above signalled the fight was over. Another Allawo or Avolaki had left this world. Merine scoffed with a ‘good riddance,’ and swiped his ID badge across the door at the end of the hallway. He stepped into a large room, dim with only blue glows coming up as a result of the lights scattered around in the water tanks built into the walls.

Behind each pane of glass was a Moon-Graced creature. The whole idea was inspired by underground aquariums. Merine had offered Erebus the suggestion of having the public be allowed down here in order to view the creatures before betting. That suggestion was dismissed on Erebus’ behalf. He had seemed adamant on keeping this side of things to himself, with only a select few to know the happenings he conducted out of sight. He claimed it would spoil the fun, if people got too close.

“What are you doing here, Trezla?” Erebus’ face lite up on the hanging monitor to the right. His single eye glinted. “Getting a preview before the next fight?”

“Not this time.” Merine said, tearing his gaze away from the creatures hooked up to oxygen cylinders and IV bags. “I was hoping I could speak with your son.”

Erebus quirked a brow. “You believe you can get more out of him then I?” His voice vibrated through the room, echoed by a low ringing through the speakers. “Finding Sytry is my biggest aspiration. You think I have not tried all in my capabilities?”

“Perhaps you should put the host’s mother on the betting poll? I’m sure that would get Quincy talking.”

Erebus’s lips tightened. “If I were to get rid of Zyki Kronos, then I would have no leverage over my son, at all. Besides, with the state Kronos is in, there would be no need for worry. I don’t think any of these measly abominations could par with their strength.”

“Except for Sytry.”

“Yes,” Erebus scoffed. “Except for Sytry.”

Riyo sat with their knees up to their chest, eyes half-lidded and lips pulled back into a grim line. They jumped at the sounds of Hecate moving through the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards, collecting bowels and cutlery. Everything sounded louder than it should.

“I don’t wanna be a bad host, kid,” Hecate winced, stopping himself at the unintentional pun. He glanced over his shoulder at Riyo, sighing. “It’s just been a while since you’ve been yourself. Try not to feel like I’m ignoring you, ’kay?”

Riyo swallowed the dry feeling in their throat. “Hadn’t even thought about it.” When they spoke, their voice left in croaks. They rubbed their palms across their face with a collection of grumbles. “Is Selene and Damara up yet?”

Hecate choked back a laugh. “Yeah, they’re up. They’ll be down soon.”

“Nice to know someone’s happy together.” Riyo grumbled, shifting against their chair as Hecate began whisking eggs together. Their stomach growled and they placed a hand against their tummy. “…guess I haven’t been eating much.”

“You’ve kept your figure,” Hecate shrugged, dicing up mushrooms as the eggs sizzled in the frying pan. “Always room for improvement, though.”

“Thanks for being so attentive.” Riyo rolled their eyes and leant back, turning their head to stare out the window. There was so much green out here, so much life. It hurt to know Helios could not see it. “He sounded so calm in his letter.”

“Helios? Calm?” Hecate snorted, cracking pepper and garlic into the pan along with the diced mushrooms. “Unlikely.”

“You know what I mean. Like… calmer than he should be, even after everything.”

Hecate dropped the plate of garlic-mushroomed-omelette down in front of Riyo, serving a loaf of salted olive bread and stuffed peppers seconds after. He took the spot beside them, dragging his chair closer to the table.

Riyo hissed, pulling their golden wing free from beneath Hecate’s chair leg.

“Sorry,” Hecate winced, shuffling away. He cut Riyo a slice of bread to compensate and handed it over. “So, what else does the rascal mention in his letter?”

“He misses you and Selene. Somehow, he’s managed to make friends where he is. He has tattoos now, apparently,” cutting up their omelette, Riyo took the moment to pause. They remembered the last line and felt their heart jump into their throat. I love you. “He’s been busy.”

Hecate’s eyes softened. He began serving food onto his plate and they ate in comfortable silence until Selene pranced into the kitchen.

“Good morning, all.” Voice as sweet as ever with purple hair tied into a braid, flowing against her back, she strode over to her father and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Twirling, she grabbed a piece of olive bread and tapped Riyo’s shoulder. “Shall we?”

“You ain’t leaving the kingdom, right?” Hecate commented through a mouthful of peppers.

“Not at all~!” Selene waved a hand through the air. “We are merely going to have a good catch up in the garden. Damara is already out there tending to the greenhouse.”

Riyo silently followed Selene back through the cottage and into the garden outside. There was a lot of vegetation surrounding Hecate’s cottage; which had been his biggest request when the Chief offered him a place to stay. He promised to make medicines and potions in return, if he was given somewhere like this to live.

The sun bore down across the plant life in the early hours of the morning. The trees wafted, casting shadows across the growing herbs and hanging birdfeeders. The garden was small, just big enough for a flower bed, a patio, a bench and a greenhouse tucked against the low cobbled-stone wall around the premises.

“Now then, remind me all that you said last night,” Selene spoke, bending her knees as she perched upon the bench below the hanging trees. Her mismatched eyes shone whenever the sun broke free from the shadows. “You said Helios has been in contact with you?”

Riyo crossed their arms, rubbing their bicep solemnly. “Yeah, in letter format. I didn’t see him or anything.” They stood awkwardly, catching the shape of Damara working in the greenhouse.

Selene laughed. “You needn’t be bothered with me, Riyo. You and I have been stranded here together for two years now. I believe that we would have settled our differences in blood a long time ago if we truly detested each other, wouldn’t you agree?”

Riyo shrugged. “It feels like two years for you, but it’s more like… a month for me. Maybe two months? I don't know.” Slowly, they perched on the very edge of the bench. Their arms remained crossed. “I’m sorry about your face.”

Selene raised her brows. “What of my face, exactly?”

“Ah, I mean… when we first met, I cut your face, so…” Riyo rolled their shoulder and turned away. “Sorry.”

“The past is the past!” Selene cheered, holding her bread ceremonious-style. She raised it to her lips, turning serious as she chewed. “You really think it’s wise to leave the Minoas' kingdom?”

“I’m willing to try, if it means we can save Helios.”

Enzo tossed his empty rucksack against the grimy walls of his wonderful abode. He had truly decked out the small space in the last two years, filling it with clutter which made him feel far more human. Though it did not get rid of the grime and dirt anytime soon, it was still good enough for Enzo to call home.

He tugged off his clothes until he was left in a pair of leggings and a sleeveless shirt. The embroidery around the hem of his clothes represented the constellations in the sky. He was a sucker for living in the past.

After washing down with the cold bucket in the corner of the room, he redressed and pulled on a pair of hiking boots. No way would he ever walk down here without something covering his feet. Anyone who did was insane, and he vowed to never speak with any of them again. He pulled on his bracelets and braided the singular strands of hair which dangled down the left side of his face. He was moving swiftly, pulling back the door of his room and jogged his way down the tunnel.

“Tovi, I’m coming in.” Approaching the lonesome door at the end of the tunnel, Enzo let himself inside. He had always suspected this room to have been used for storage, considering the number of shelves packed into the sides. “You’re all alone in the dark?”

“Waste of light if I use,” Tovi’s broken English filtered through the room. “You’ve been away?”

Enzo scoffed, clicking his tongue until the trustworthy phoenix nestled amongst the shelves chirped and lit up the room with the glow of its orange hue. It cawed, lifting itself up to flit around the room and perch upon the highest shelf overlooking the men below. Two years ago, it had been the size of dragon but had perished in the chaos of Remiel’s return.

Nine months of cradling a jar of scavenged ash from the wreckage proved to be good therapy for Tovi, after he lost his sight. He woke one morning to the sounds of chirping and the warmth of a fire. The phoenix had been reborn and there was hope once again.

“Fields are quiet these days, it’s kinda boring.” Enzo grunted, perching upon the edge of Tovi’s mattress upon the floor.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t go up. If it’s so boring.” Tovi commented. He laid on his side, arms crossed over his chest as his scarred eyes stared into nothing. His back to Enzo. “…I am uncomfortable.”

“Did you wait until I got back to say that?” Enzo snorted. He climbed further onto the bed and rolled Tovi onto his back. He was gentle, much nicer than he used to be in the company of the man. He was especially kind when moving his legs, doing his best to ensure he was comfortable before scooting back. “How’s that?”

“Adequate.” Tovi quirked a smile, clasping his hands over his stomach. “Did you bring us anything nice?”

“You mean ‘us’ as in the gang, or ‘us’ as in you and the heater up there?” The phoenix above gave a heavy caw and Enzo laughed. “Yeah, you’re a heater. Deal with it.”

Tovi merely shrugged. The glazed look in his eyes were distant; broken. Yet even when he turned his head to the sound of Enzo’s voice, Enzo tensed up. “Whoever you decide.”

Enzo bit the inside of his cheek before replying. “I found some fruit and stuff, couple of ornaments to brighten up the place.”

A silence took over. It was not uncommon. Tovi had always been a quiet soul before he went blind. Enzo was used to the empty air, filled with only the sounds of the phoenix chirping above and the clatter of life outside the doors and through the tunnels.

“I met a merchant camping outside the ruins of Theia not long ago,” Enzo spoke up after a period of empty minutes. “He used to know this woman who lived with phoenix and when all the phoenix disappeared one day, she woke up as a phoenix herself. The Woman Who Caught Fire!”

“Merchants have crazy stories.” Tovi could imagine the way Enzo punched the air. He felt the mattress move beneath him. “How did she manage to become a phoenix?”

Enzo leant back and stifled a yawn. “Dunno,” he wrinkled his nose as the phoenix above them shuffled, discarding feathers from the shelves. “Merchant said she snorted the ashes of a phoenix like it was hardcore drugs or something.”

“That’s wild.”

“Sure is.” Enzo cackled a laugh. He playfully punched Tovi’s shoulder. “Now, let’s get you ready for dinner. Your little bro’s been missing you.”