These events of Santrakian mythology will be referred to in the next chapter. It was long planned to continue the mythology section anyway, so we will have a short interlude. To know who the myth is talking about, I advise to read this page first. And now, enter the door to the land of myths... In a time long gone, before mankind took its very first breath, all that existed was a divine realm. It hosted an immortal people whose kinsmen were gifted with unearthly powers and breathtaking beauty. One tribe and one family, those supernal beings were led by the mightiest of them all: the Great Goddess herself. Her wisdom and reign provided stability and security in a relentless world. A world that was inhabited by the most nightmarish creatures. Many stood by her side, on hand with help and advice. And though each was a deity themselves and endowed with outstanding talents, there were five the Goddess had chosen by name. First of them was Andros, warrior prince and finest of men. He was selected to be the Goddess’ lover and trusted consort. But higher even than him, she regarded her four daughters. Ruling alongside their mother, they had risen from the Goddess’ will alone with no man as their father. Each of them embodied one part of their people and their life. The oldest was Justice and equally followed Virtue, Loyalty and Freedom. On their mother’s command, those sisters set out to fight for her cause. Together, they brought peace to the land. Until one day, Andros, the Goddess' lover, left her palace on his own. Thus, he had betrayed her most severe order toward him. When she was informed about his breach of trust, she was enraged and condemned him to live outside of the protecting palace walls forever. Filled with the desire for revenge and seeking to weaken the Goddess' stand, Andros returned. In secret, he seduced Freedom, the youngest of the divine princesses, and sired a child with her – a boy named Epigonos, “the one who was born after”. But the treason was revealed too soon. Nothing was left for Andros but to flee the royal palace and seek refuge in the unsafe forests beyond. Disgraced, fallen for the charming wretch and chased by her once-so-dear sisters, Freedom decided to flee along with him. As soon as the Goddess had learnt of their deed, sacred fury overcame her. She assembled her three remaining daughters for a gruesome council. All of them agreed that they would willingly give their lives to restore their mother’s honor. And, moreover, to demand punishment for the loss of their most important good: freedom itself. So the Goddess sent a messenger to the wise seer Omphale, asking if there was a way to take away Andros and Freedoms' immortality. And indeed, Omphale saw a way. With the help of her subjects, the Great Goddess split the universe into three parts: one, the realm of the gods. One, the underworld, ruled by its fierce keeper, Dymio. And one, Earth, as a prison to hold the two evildoers. And the gods put a curse on two of the realms, stripping them from the divine nature that was closely woven into their very existence. Henceforth, no realm but the divine one would still endow its inhabitants with immortal lives. In their stead, Earth would provide them with pain of the soul and ailment for the body. And the underworld as home for the wrongdoers who had died would hold in store agony upon agony. Thus, the Goddess and her people threw Andros, Freedom and their infant son onto the new world. There, they were doomed to slowly wither and die while wandering without aim. To prevent further harm and uprising, the three remaining princesses, too, left immortality behind. They descended upon the new-born land along with their own consorts. And they swore never to return to their mother until they had brought down the rebels. But even in all their power, they could not defeat the joint force of Andros and Freedom. Children were born onto Earth to strengthen this side or that. Meanwhile, the fallen gods all grew to be rulers in their own right and ancestors to many. In the south, Justice became mother to the Lionesses of Agadja, warriors in Sima Migdhall and the hot-blooded Nerusians. The west and north were under control of Virtue’s high queens of Wahine and other tribes of warlike women. And in the east, Loyalty raised the high culture of Suzu and bloodthirsty Santrakians. It was her who nourished Theranor’s golden fields and Chan as nomads in the cold steppe. Yet- Andros and Freedoms’ children soon populated the world as well, fighting for each foot-width of land. They did – and still do to the day – call themselves “Tìreach”, “countrymen”. And though being remarkable horsemen and archers, builders and artisans, the Amazons and self-proclaimed cultured people would only speak lowly of those “Western savages”. But born on Earth, they and the princesses’ descendants lost their supernatural strength, powers and skills as well as their long life. Within several millennia, they became mere humans, outlived by their progenitrices until their own long-lasting breath would have perished. Until their death, the divine daughters were worshiped as great heroines. After they had passed away, the war between men and women still waged on, never to be ended. During those first days of Earth, the people who walked it had still retained godlike abilities. Then, the war was so bitter that Santrakian myths still describe it as the greatest misery humankind has ever seen. “And the Goddess waged a millennia-long war on the seceded man and his lover. Earth reared up in suffering. The deserted lands brought forth bleak mountains to keep the slaughter at distance. And while the young creation wept bitter tears over her numerously fallen children, the brooks and rivers turned red with blood.” Big shoutout to candy whose spear poses I could finally use! However, she doesn't only make amazing poses, she also writes amazing stories! If you haven't checked them out yet, let me just say this is one of the few stories with modern setting that has managed to get me hooked!
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For this chapter, it is advisable to read the story of the Great Betrayal from Santrakian mythology first. It will not be necessary to understand what is going on, but it will be helpful 😉 - ₪ ₪₪ 66th sun after the plague. 26th sun after Penthesilea’s arrival. ₪₪ ₪ - Penthesilea is 45, Protego 48, Serkon 49 Lyta is 23, Phyllis 16, Faidra 29, Cass 20, Deia 7, Eos 6 and Thersandros 28 Phyllis’ clear voice echoed through the retreat of the royal family of Dekanos. The young royal couple of Borathion, scholar Amaunet and seer Adahy had claimed the room offside the jolly feast. Serkon had bid to celebrate the end of wine harvest. It was a strange circle that had found themselves, seeking out stories rather than people that day. The listeners’ eyes were glued to the princess’ lips. “...so in the last, decisive battle, Virtue left her sisters to challenge Andros and Freedom in head-to-head fight. The duel lasted for days.” “Finally, the traitors were overpowered and killed. Yet, blinded with elation, Virtue became careless. Forgetting her own mortality, the godly heroine mocked the defeated couple. In his last moments, Andros raised his weapon and dealt her a serious wound.” “Trying to retrieve her helpless sister from the enemy, Justice fell victim to a flurry of arrows. Epigonos had sent them, the son of the traitors Freedom and Andros. Against merciless death, even the Goddess’s powers fade.” “So, in deep grief, Loyalty healed Virtue while Epigonos and his treacherous followers escaped. With the last remains of their divine spark, the two daughters of the Goddess scattered their children and children’s children all over the world.” “Never again should their bloodlines be reunited with that of the traitor, Freedom. For then, the four joint bloodlines would awaken the godlike powers again. Then, their union would create the most magnificent warrioress of all time. A warrioress that would either save the Amazon way of life or destroy it.” Phyllis took a deep breath and looked around one eagerly. Adahy stood still, eyes fixed on the princess. The seer's face was blank of expression, the mouth hang open a little. Amaunet moved around, trying to slip off the spell. “Phyllis. Why did they fight?” Aoide looked at the princess earnestly. “They- I mean, they had to, right? Andros and Freedom wanted to kill all allies of the Goddess.” Aoide shook her head. “Andros could have told the Goddess that he felt exploited and neglected. He wouldn’t have needed to betray her. And the divine daughters, battling their own sister? What a nightmare.” She turned to Herchion. “I have never understood why humans lead wars. What would ever outweigh the price of a human life?” Phyllis’ eyes began to moisten. “Oh, it’s alright,” Amaunet rushed to reassure her. “It was a lovely story.” “Indeed, a grand tale. And remarkably narrated.” Adahy nodded apprehensively. Phyllis beamed at the seer. “Thank you! But I’m afraid that some day soon, I’ll run out of stories.” “Running out of stories?” Amaunet smiled amiably. “It would be a pleasure to tell you some of mine, my princess.” “It’s my lady, and- Oh, that would be great! Your stories are a-ma-zing! But I wouldn’t ever be able to recount them as well as you.” “That’s the fate of storytellers. We need our stories to resonate with us, otherwise we will not be able to awaken them. In order to find the stories that speak to you, you might need to work through many more.” The Al Simharan threw Aoide an asking look. “My lady, do you think that king Alexander will allow the princess to use the Arythion library?” “There are many reports from ancient times. They might prove useful to piece a great tale together.” The queen of Borathion pondered about it for a moment. “I’m sure Alexander would not object to me having a research assistant, would he?” She exchanged a glance with her husband. “I would learn your- our tribes’ culture faster if I had someone to outline their history for me.” “I will ask him politely if my wife may bring a helping hand. We don’t have to tell him right away who that hand is.” “Thank you.” Aoide smiled at him. Phyllis clapped her hands. “Ooooooh, I’m going to see the Arythion library! Lyta goes there to read dusty old scriptures about tactics and- and- well, they’re boring. I didn’t know they had other texts there, too!” All of a sudden, her elation was blown away. “But- how will I learn about all the stories written there? I can’t read.” Aoide put a finger on her lips. “Well, for now… Amaunet could read them out for you. She did that for me but one of my slaves is literate, too. I assume we won’t have to ask for him to accompany me. He should not count. And,” she turned to Amaunet, “that way, you could pursue your own studies more profoundly. Phyllis’ field of interest seems to match yours better than mine.” Amaunet smiled at her. “Thank you, my lady. I enjoyed assisting to you. However, since you wish it, I will gladly teach princess Phyllis the art of reading.” “Yesssss, I’m so stoked! We’ll have lots and lots of fun together in the library! But-,” she looked around. “What about Adahy? Can’t she come with us? Can you ask Alexander for permission for her to accompany us, too?” “It’s alright,” the seer assured. “Since my queen is king Alexander’s vassal, I am free to go to the library. I rely on their records of divine signs and the stars’ movements.” A mischievous grin stole onto Aoide’s face. “Well, then it’s all settled. Let’s sneak a princess into Alexander’s library.”
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