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“Did you know that the sun used to be a woman once?”
The day had been unbearable. Toiling under the scorching sun, Scott had been harvesting the wheat in his fields with help from one of Chromia’s newest arrivals, Caera. They were an absolute godsend in helping Scott take care of his slowly burgeoning empire. Together, they’d been suffering under the sun’s rays in an effort to collect the wheat necessary for not only all the animals but the citizens as well. But the sun had it out for them today. Even after ridding himself of his jacket and tying up his hair, the sweat still slid down his skin. If he wasn’t tan by the end of this, Scott would be pissed. Still, he continued the chit chat as he swung his sickle down.
“No I didn’t.”
“Do you want me to tell you the story?”
Despite not even looking up, the cyanette could tell Caera was grinning. He couldn’t help the little smirk of faux mirth that slipped onto his face.
“You’re going to tell me anyway even if I say no.”
The brunette shrugged, taking another hack at the grain beneath them.
“Well, we need something to keep the mood up. Otherwise you’re gonna continue to glare up at the lady like she’s personally offended you.”
Knowing it was likely to be the most interesting thing he’d hear all day, Scott gave in.
“... tell me about the sun lady.”
He did not need to see Caera to know their grin was practically covering their face.
“The stories I’ve heard say she used to rule an empire, just like you. Gilded Helianthia, it was supposedly called. There, sunflowers always bloomed. Wheat grew taller there than in any other empire. Gilded Helianthia was bountiful in ways so many others were not. Her subjects were never hungry. Life prospered.”
“She sounds like a good woman.”
“Like none other.”
The brunette paused, straightening with a crack. A small groan worked its way from their lips, filling the silence. Taking the skin from their waist, Caera paused for a drink. Once they were done, they pressed it into Scott’s hands, urging him to take a break. Knowing they’d pester him, he did as he was bid. Satisfied with their bullying of their ruler, Caera continued the task at hand. The swish of their sickle swung in time with the tale. Scott let the water slip down his throat as Caera went on.
“The stories alway say the woman was not just a farmer, but a mighty warrior. Almost none were her equal. It is said that she and the king of Mythland would spar often. And when the demon Xornoth began his reign, she went toe to toe with him. While she lost, she merely laughed it off.”
“Is there anything she couldn’t do?”
Again, there was a pause. Scott felt one wasn’t because Caera was exhausted. The feeling of second hand grief radiated in the air. When the brunette continued, it was with a sigh.
“She couldn't live. For all her strength, she was one of those to fall during the Rapture. The accounts all differ. Some say the king of Mythland killed her himself during an uncharacteristic moment of weakness. But for anyone who knows the stories, that seems unlikely. She and the Mythland king were close and even during his supposed possession by the demon, he was never like that. Many of us believe that was a story started to tarnish her image. Others say she simply died when her empire did, how connected was she to her lands. Yet others say she never died at all, merely ascending to godhood when the Rapture began.”
Scott pressed the skin back into Caera’s hand, smiling in a small effort to take away the lingering grief in the air.
“Are you sure you shouldn't be studying with Pix at the Guild?”
It worked. The brunette scoffed, reattaching the skin to their side. They were smiling again.
“I’m a believer of stories and myths, Scott. Not a scholar.”
“Some would claim that’s the same thing.”
“Those people are dumb. Now let me finish.”
Scott held up his hands in surrender, watching as Caera sent a glance his way before they took another swing.
“So how did this woman become the sun?”
“As I said, there are those that believe that the woman ascended to godhood, be it after her death or when the Rapture happened. Either way you want to believe it, it still holds. It was said that the gods offered her a choice. She could move on to a new world, separate from her friends or she could stay to watch over the world. She could become a god. The woman chose to become a god, as to better watch over her friends. In doing so, she became the sun. Now, she watches over the world, caring for it as she once did Gilded Helianthia. As long as her rays touch this earth, she will watch.”
Sweat still dripping down his skin, Scott dared to look up at the sun. As its warm rays beat down on the earth, on his empire, he felt that then he could believe in the sun woman. She watched over the world long after her friends had gone. Under her care, crops like his flourished and were destroyed just as easily. Just as she had, the sun woman would make them fight to live. Maybe one day, he could do it with a laugh too. Finally dragging himself away, he picked up his sickle, ready to set to work.
“... does the sun lady have a name?”
“I’m sure she does. But the stories I’ve heard never mentioned it. Maybe if you go to the Guild, Pix can help you. For now though, let’s finish this up. I can hear the llamas complaining from here.”