Paramythi III: Prometheus

Anima trudged through the soppy fields filled with morning dew and baby plants spurting towards the morning sun. Atlas left circular indents against the soil, a third imprint next to Anima’s footprints. She had taken it upon herself to guard the village and had checked the perimeters every day since her arrival.

The only extraordinary thing she had ever found was Sytry. Any ruffian or band of thugs steered clear of Minoas’ high walls, cutting off anyone from the South. The third kingdom, Dioscuri, would never start a brawl with Minoas’ fighters. Unless Remiel decided to reign havoc, Minoas was perhaps the safest kingdom in terms of defence.

Anima would continue her patrols, nonetheless. Her knuckles always white against Atlas’ shaft. Her lips dry beneath her mask as the sun grew higher and she became full of fatigue on her final rounds. The dip from the corn fields led into the village’s entrance and she followed the trail up to the pubs.

The smell of cooking meat and bread filled her nostrils. She would stop outside of Huntress’ Cavern and unload her wares at the closest bench. She never liked to eat inside and preferred the chirping birds and fresh air, the freedom and knowledge she could stand up and leave at any time.

By the time a waitress came out to greet her, Anima was already sitting with her legs crossed and her mask sitting atop her head, shielding her face with shade to avoid contact with the sun. She always ordered the same meal; pancakes with maple syrup and a pint of ginger beer. Her stomach never seemed to tolerate anything else at this time in the morning.

“-you really think it’s wise to leave Minoas’ kingdom?”

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

Anima’s brow quirked. She turned her head from the collection of pocketed gemstones she had been counting. She would always trade in stones rather than coin. The glitter visage of purple, pink and blue always seemed nicer than the overuse of gold and silver.

Behind her sat Hecate Eos’ cottage. Anima understood the man was a well experienced medic and had healed many individuals during his time here. But he had those same yellow eyes as Damara. Anima turned her head away.

“Your pancakes, ma’am.”

“Thank you,” Anima handed over a collection of blue gemstones and took the plate full of food. “Looks better than yesterday.”

“You say that every day.” The waitress laughed, handing over the pint of ginger beer and tucking her chestnut hair back behind her ear. Her smile was sweet, her cheeks were pink. “I’ll give your compliments to the chef.”

“But it was a compliment to you, doll.”

The waitress laughed once again, clutching the tray to her chest as she hurried back inside before her face could turn any redder than the tomatoes on sale nearby. Anima was left to eat in peace, until someone else came strolling over to her table.

“Gov’ann, Anima.”

“Gov’ann,” returning the Minoas phrase for ‘good sun,’ or otherwise ‘good morning,’ Anima lifted her head and gave a stiff nod. “It’s unusual to see you up this early, Chief’s son.”

Styx stood with a hand against his stomach. “I did not sleep well, last night.” A nervous motion towards the table was all it took to make his face turn blue. “…may I join you?”

Anima wished she could refuse. “Go ahead.”

Styx released a heavy sigh and perched upon the seat across from the woman. His hands clasped together atop the table surface and he leant forward, keeping his voice to a low whisper. His face morphed to a light shade of pink, nervous.

“I’m fearful for the Prince. I believe his host has reclaimed their body.”

Anima nearly choked on her drink. “You do understand that the host has every right to reclaim their body? It is theirs, after all.” She grimaced, wiping her mouth with the hem of her sleeve. “No-one should be fearful for that creature. He’s a parasite.”

“How can you say that?!” Styx grit his sharp teeth, skin turning a green colour. “Sytry is our saviour! All he has done for us has been nothing but good-“

“Sytry is not Minoas’ saviour. Nike is your God, Sytry belongs to the North, eight kingdoms away.” Anima paused, sipping from her drink. The tone she used never faltered and she shrugged, half-heartedly. “You need to come to terms with the fact you cannot allow yourself to fall in love with a God, Chief’s son.”

Styx stood. “I am not in love with Sytry.”

“Of course you are. Everyone knows it.”

“That is absurd!”

“Is it?” Anima scoffed, cutting up her pancakes. All attention seemed to be focused on the meal in front of her, hardly bothered by Styx’s tone of skin or the wild look in his big eyes.“I’ve heard rumours spreading through the village. Many of the folk here have seen you follow Sytry back to his hut.”

“To talk.” Styx threw his arms above his head. “I am only ever concerned for him, just as I was last night after you sent him fleeing into the village in search of Hermes and his merry men!”

“You’re making a scene, Chief’s son.” Swaying her fork through the air, Anima motioned to the villagers walking past, eyes wide and mouths even wider. “Besides, I did not send Sytry back into the village. That was his host. Because his host actually cares about people.”

Styx bore his fangs and raised his hand. The initial motive would have been to knock over Anima’s pint of ginger beer or flip up her plate full of pancakes. The whispers and gawking stares around him stopped that motive and he pulled away from the table to storm off, darting back to his abode to hide.

Anima quirked her brows, turning back to Hecate’s cottage to find Sytry’s host and Hecate’s daughter peering over the garden wall. Their eyes were fixed on her as she sat, turning to resume her breakfast in the tension of the air threatening to swallow her whole. She shrugged it off and poured a hefty amount of maple syrup over her plate.

When evening came and the parties began, Riyo and Selene ran for the exit. They had very little luggage with them, save for a handful of bread loaves and cheese. Selene had been quick to pack, not wanting to unleash her thoughts onto Damara or Hecate.

“Do you have an exact plan?” Selene cooed, following Riyo down the steep footpath from the village. The sounds of music and cheering soon fell into the distance of moonlight and wafting grass. “Surely you should disguise yourself before leaving Minoas.”

“It’s not that easy.” Riyo grunted. They tugged at the golden wings dragging along the ground. An audible sigh left their lips. “I’ll have to hack these off to even make process with a disguise of any kind.”

Selene forced her lips into a grim line. “Well, I still think we should have held back a tad longer to at least find you a cape or something to hide yourself with.”

“Please, don’t feel like you have to look out for me.”

“Oh, but I do.” Selene skipped forward, placing her metal hand against Riyo’s shoulder. She squeezed. “Everything which Helios holds precious must be kept safe. I would never hear the end of it, otherwise!”

Riyo swallowed the dry feeling in their throat. They turned away, shrugging the woman’s hand off and picked up their pace. “That’s why you force yourself to get along with me, isn’t it?” Riyo deadpanned. “You feel like you have to like me, because Helios likes me.”

Selene laughed. “Oh, please,” she shoved Riyo; hard. “Helios does not like you, he loves you! Granted, I don’t know why, I mean… when I first met you, all you seemed to do was moan and groan. You set yourself apart from the group when there was no need. It was rather pathetic.”

Riyo felt their cheeks flare. “Yeah, well, did you ever face the end of a scalpel as a kid? Kinda makes everything black and white.”

“I was never foolish enough to get myself trapped.”

“Right, I forgot you were born into the hands of luxury.”

“Did I strike a nerve?” Selene giggled. “Forgive me, I’ve just never met someone who was born in a test tube before.”

Riyo pivoted, jabbing Sytry’s trident through the air. They held the shaft with a ferocity that could snap the staff in two. Their eyes were white, cheeks riddled with black veins.

Selene was no better, with her own set of white eyes and black veins pulsing under her skin to match. A wide smile was plastered on her face before she was threatened and when she raised her hands either side of her head in surrender, her smile only grew.

“My point exactly,” Selene’s voice had moulded, ringing at ten octaves in sync. “How could Helios love someone as dangerous as you?”

“How could he love someone as twisted as you?” Riyo countered. Their own voice flowed in multiple tones, yet it was croaked and raspy in comparison to Selene. “I hate you.”

“I hate you more,” Selene laughed.

After a matter of seconds, filled with the tickle of grass against their ankles and the cold air rearranging their hair, Riyo pulled away.

Selene smiled, lowering her hands. “You won’t go through with it? How kind.”

“It’s not for you,” Riyo mumbled, kneeling to pick up their discarded bag. “Helios’ sacrifice was not for me, it was for all of us that night. I would be shaming his actions if I killed you. In fact, I’d kinda have to be a total dick to hurt you at all after that, so… yeah. I’m a grumpy soul, but I’m not a dick.”

“Grumpy souls have the most potential.” Selene sighed, readjusting the bag strap over her shoulder. She walked up to Riyo, walking alongside them. “I’m sorry for all that.”

“Not your fault,” Riyo replied. “It’s in our nature to hate each other.”

“Nature or not, that should not be an excuse for my words. There’s my apology, you can take it or leave it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Damara had felt the scene change before anything happened. It was the feeling of uncertainty in the air that crept under her skin as she watched the merchants and villagers dance to the sounds of Minoas’ instrumental bands playing in the square.

She checked the weight of her glass and estimated that Hecate would approach her by the time she was nearly finished. He would ask for Selene, she knew this without a doubt. Damara had been looking for the young woman earlier after breakfast, aware she had been speaking with Riyo in the garden.

“They’ve left, haven’t they?”

Much to Damara’s surprise, it was not Hecate who approached her. It was Anima.

“Who are we speaking of?” Damara challenged. She kept the hidden giddiness buried deep inside the pit of her stomach and swirled her drink, refusing to make eye contact with the mask that plagued her long-lost friend’s face. “I need the specifics.”

Anima offered a scoff. “I know you can hear my thoughts, don’t play coy.” She unceremoniously perched herself on the edge of the table Damara sat at, crossing her leg over the other. “I overheard your fair lady speaking with Sytry’s host earlier. They mentioned Helios?”

Damara slunk back against her chair. “No surprise there. Helios is Selene’s cousin and Riyo’s…” She paused, mulling over her words. When nothing came, she turned to her drink and raised it to her lips. “Well, they were very close.”

“What happened?”

“I thought you didn’t like conversing with me, Miss Eros?” Damara cantered her head and crossed an arm across her chest. She turned her gaze up at long last, lips quirked in a playful smile. “You detest people like me.”

“It’s not like that, I don’t detest anyone. I simply find your presence uncomfortable at times since you claim to know so much about me—or rather Psykhe Trezla, whoever the poor soul is.”

“She was my best friend.” Damara turned her gaze back to her drink. “Now, what would you like to know?”

Anima hopped down from the table, arms crossed. “I want to know why Sytry’s host thinks it’s a good idea to walk across the borders while Remiel is reigning Emvolo. Surely this Helios could not be worth the risk.”

Damara laughed. “People do dumb things when they’re in love, Miss Eros.” She downed her drink in one and stood up, dusting her palms across her thighs. “It is a feeling that perhaps even you shall feel one day.”

“A cruel remark shan’t get you anywhere, Feral.” Anima tutted, following Damara through the crowds.

“Apologies, I hadn’t a clue you’d been in love before.” The comment was delivered in a hum. Damara was teasing and Anima knew it.

“I haven’t.”

“Oh?” Stopping at the village’s entrance, a high arch upon a steep hill, Damara turned back to Anima. She was smiling. “Then my remark was not cruel, at all. It was truth.”

Anima’s jaw tightened behind her mask. “Enough of the riddles. What shall we do?”

Damara clasped her hands behind her back. She peered across the open fields of green, watching blades of grass waft along the earth much like waves upon the sea. Streaks of moonlight littered the wide space before them, outlining every ruin or boulder peaking from Minoas’ grounds. The high wall in the distance blended into the background, practically morphing into the sky’s night with glittering stars upon its granite surface.

“I don’t know about you, Miss Eros,” Damara spoke up. “But I am going to ensure my dearest Selene does not cause any trouble and help her bring Helios home.”

“But, why now?” Anima called.

Damara paused in her descent down the steep hill. When she turned, the moonlight lit up the yellow essence of her eyes. Another smile followed by a mere shrug. “Why not? I believe we’ve all waited long enough.”

“Who guards the wall at night?” Riyo spoke up. Their eyes watched the high construction in the distance, growing taller and taller with every step they took. “Or do I have to fly over it?”

“Have you ever flown with those wings?”

The retort made Riyo’s mouth shut. They crossed an arm across their chest, planting the end of Sytry’s trident into the ground. Coming to a stop, they lifted their eyes to the height of the wall and exhaled, analysing their options.

“I think Hermes guards this side of the wall,” Selene came up beside Riyo and tapped her chin. “I heard he does not actually live the village. Something of a loner, perhaps. I think most Feral are.”

“Mm,” the small grunt was a poor response as Riyo stepped closer, running their palm against the wall.

They felt so small, watching the pale of their hand stretch against the ominous surface. They had heard the entire thing was just over one-hundred and three feet tall, stretching across the entire surface of the East and West, only ending at the cliff sides above the ocean.

“Do you think this wall will ever come down?”

Selene pursed glossy lips together and craned her head, watching birds fly over the wall to freedom. “I used to think that maybe it would open up one day, like suddenly split in two and pave the way for an alliance the Rebellion had fought for.” She closed her eyes. “From my window in Theia, all I could see was Capitol one side and Minoas’ wall on the other. I felt so trapped, tucked away in a nameless field while war raged on. But now that Theia’s gone, I’m sad that I will never get to see that view again.”

Riyo retracted their hand. “I never had a goal when I joined the Rebellion,” they turned, leaning against the wall with a sigh. “I just did it. The Rebellion infiltrated the laboratory I was raised in and the Rebellion’s security lead, Nyx… he was the one to pull me out of the ground. I think I was just overwhelmed at the idea one of my own could actually achieve something like that, but I honestly never thought I would be doing something so memorable that I was put down in history books.”

“You ended up being a hero!” Selene laughed. Her eyes opened as she leant against the wall beside Riyo. “You all did.”

The air was quick to shift. They both felt it. Their eyes turned white and they growled against the low sounds of the wind washing along the open fields. Riyo grabbed Sytry’s trident, holding it close against their chest with both hands as they stepped forward, shielding Selene from the foreign presence creeping up on them.

“I’m not here to hurt you, Prince!” Styx’s voice snaked up around them, carried by the wind. “Please, do not be afraid.”

Riyo growled. “Show yourself!”

“Riyo!” Selene’s hands gripped Riyo’s shoulders, pulling them closer. “There, look!”

Whirling to the left, Riyo held the trident out with a hiss. The wind shifted, morphing into a figure. There stood the Chief’s son, Styx. His skin was a yellow-tone, something Riyo nor Selene had ever witnessed before. His eyes were wide, brows furrowed with frustration and he stepped closer, arms extended.

“Please, Prince. Do not leave this kingdom!”

Riyo snapped their jaw, baring sharp teeth. “Turn around and go back to the village, Styx. Sytry isn’t here!”

“Yeah, stop being so creepy!” Selene added, peering over Riyo’s shoulder.

Styx shook his head. “Your host has taken you over, Prince. But I can see the fear in your eyes! You don’t need to be afraid, for I can set you free if you let me! Allow me to rid you of this mortal form!”

Riyo jabbed the trident through the air, stepping back. A low growl filtered their body, their eyes refusing to leave Styx’ face as he dared step closer. They winced when Styx carelessly stepped forth and pushed his shoulder against the sharp end of the trident. Pale blood oozed over the blade, yet he continued stepping closer.

“The hell is wrong with this guy?!” Riyo barked, swatting the trident horizontally, wrenching it from Styx’s shoulder.

“It’s like he’s possessed.” Selene grit her teeth, turning to run. “Come on! Let’s get out of here!”

Riyo did not fight the hand which fastened around their wrist. They let Selene drag them along the border of the wall, panting as they made effective distance from the Chief’s son. Styx’s voice never seemed to fade, no matter how fast they ran.

“There! In the distance!” Selene gasped. “Hermes’ house! Quick!”

Riyo heaved themselves to run faster, taking over Selene. They pulled the Avolaki with a rough grip, practically lifting her off the ground as they sped, fluttering their wings until the air swirled around them. Their feet were soon hovering above the grassy waves below and they flew, golden feathers falling beneath them.

Selene yelped, swatting her free hand up to Riyo’s arm as she dangled helplessly. “Gods above! Gods above! Gods above!” The plea was ironic, considering the situation. It did not stop her from gasping the phrase repeatedly.

“You’re so much heavier than you look!” Riyo wheezed, keeping up the momentum of their wings.

As they came closer to Hermes’ house, they faltered, scraping their wing against the wall. They cried out, heaving Selene through the air as they spun out of control, hitting the ground with a heavy thud and rolled along the grassy fields. The trident had long been flung from the havoc, landing elsewhere.

Selene had managed to make a far more elegant landing; only rolling once before landing on her face. Her purple hair had fallen out of its braid, leaving strands to roll over her eyes as she lifted herself from the ground and crawled to Hermes’ porch.

“Not so fast,” Styx’s voice growled, followed by the weight of his foot against the small of Selene’s back. “You can’t take him from me. Sytry belongs with us!”

“You’re crazy!” Selene growled, pinned to the floor. She blew grass from her mouth and tried to roll, cursing when Styx pushed his weight down. She knew there would be bruises. The thought made her blood boil. “You’re making such a big mistake, Styx!”

“It’s all for Sytry.” Styx tipped his head to the side, raising Sytry’s trident high above his head. “No-one else can have him but me!”

A dull sound entered the fray, echoing against the sound of Styx’s scream. The Chief’s son toppled back, clutching his bleeding hand and Selene rolled free, taking up the discarded trident with a high-pitched snarl. She held the tip of the blade to Styx’s throat.

“An arrow?” Selene hissed, staring at the bolt dug into Styx’s hand. Her head lifted and snarling expression softened, watching as Damara lowered her crossbow and darted towards them. “Oh, Da. My hero!”

Damara’s eyes were hardly amused. “Something’s wrong.”

“I know, I know,” Selene shook her head, keeping Styx pinned to the ground with the trident. She sighed longingly into the air, pouting her glossy lips. “I should have told you I was leaving. I shouldn’t have left you in the dark. It was wrong of me to-”

“Not that! Him!”

Selene turned back down to Styx. She screamed, stumbling back as the Chief’s son’s face morphed into something demonic. His jaw clicked, stretching wider than any creature within Galaxis was capable of. His eyes rolled against his skull and his tongue slacked, rasping a croaked sound in his throat, repeating one name over and over; “Sytry.”

As if on cue, Riyo landed upon Styx, golden feathers bursting upward, circling them. Only, Riyo was gone and Sytry had taken over once again. He smiled longingly at Styx’s tortured face and ran his fingers across the man’s cheek, leaning over him.

Damara turned her head to the side when Sytry’s face morphed. Selene could not make out the images herself. She could only feel the pit of her stomach fall when Styx screamed and Sytry muffled the sound with his lips.

When Sytry stood, a wisp of black smoke was sucked past their lips and they wiped their mouth with their forearm. “Poor thing.”

Damara slunk past the Prince and over to Selene, gently pushing back the woman’s purple hair from her eyes. She cradled her until the shaking stopped and narrowed her eyes towards Sytry, eyeing the way the prince moved off of Styx and reclaimed his trident from the ground.

“What just happened?”

Sytry turned to Damara, rolling a shoulder. “The Chief’s son was possessed by a snippet of Remiel’s leftover curse. Just a friendly little taster of his unhealthy obsession,” he poked Styx’s body with the toe of his shoe. “I simply sucked all the bad out of him. Styx will awake having forgotten the whole event.”

“He’s not dead?” Selene released a shaky breath and stood with the help of Damara’s arm looped around her waist.

“Of course not, I figured I would be frowned upon if I killed your friends.” Spinning to the duo, Sytry’s eyes flickered. He rested a hand upon his stomach and groaned. “This body is definitely not made for exorcisms.”

“Sytry?” Damara took a careful step forward. “Are you alright?”

Sytry held up a hand. “Oh, yes. I’m just… gonna have another nap, I think.”

When Sytry toppled forward and faced the dirt, Damara struggled to hold back a smirk. Selene seemed concerned for Riyo and darted forward to ensure they were physically unharmed when the lights from the house behind them came on, sending shadows spewing across the field, everyone froze.

“Is everyone okay out there?” Hermes appeared, standing on the porch adorned in a pair of slacks and a jumper. He cantered his head, counting the faces standing at the bottom of his porch. “Umm, would you like to come inside?”