Chapter Text
☽
A young kid was running around in the city, laughing with his friend. He was wearing clothes worn out by the time, a few stitches undone here and there. His white hair was like snow on a cold winter morning, pure and untouched - and his eyes were a deep blue, his mother often telling him they reminded her of the ocean. His right hand, covered in cuts and bruises, was grabbing his friend's hand, and he was dragging her around the streets, swiftly moving through the small crowd.
Today was the only day of the week where the market was open outdoors, so people often liked to gather around and buy their fruits and fish on this day. After reaching a corner, the child stopped and looked at his friend.
- See that, Cyrene ? Isn't that amazing ? My mom gave me a pouch of money, and she told me we could use it on whatever we wanted !
- But, Phainon, isn't the only thing they sell here just food ? the young girl asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
- No ! I saw a lady holding a clothing and jewelry stand. I was convinced you'd love them.
Cyrene smiled and nodded.
- Okay then, I trust you. Why don't we go check it out ?
Before she could even hear the answer, her hand was already pulled by Phainon, who was already running back into the street. Then he suddenly stopped, and his eyes locked on that blonde lady, so beautiful she reminded Cyrene of a porcelain doll. Her eyes were bright yet we couldn't see any light go through them, and her shiny hair was bouncing into curls the young girl could only be jealous of.
- Look, it's her ! yelped Phainon, squeezing his friend's hands in excitement.
He sneaked through the crowd and got on the tip of his toes to take a look at the items carefully displayed on the wooden table, which was covered in a beautiful white and gold cloth.
- Well hello, boy, smiled the young lady. Her voice was like a toast covered in butter and honey, so sweet and gentle. What can I do for you ?
- Hi ! I was just looking... answered Phainon, his eyes quickly moving from one item to the other. Cyrene was also looking, and her eyes caught a beautiful necklace with a blue stone on the pendant, which was surrounded by gold. She looked at Phainon and poked his shoulder.
-Hey, Phainon, you see that necklace ? Isn’t it so pretty ?
-You're right, it is ! Say, lady, how much is this necklace ? he asked, his finger pointing at it.
-It’s two gold coins, sweetie.
The two young kids looked at each other and nodded.
-We’ll take it please ! affirmed the young boy, a huge smile on his face. Cyrene smiled too, feeling the thrill of being able to buy something on her own for the first time.
Her parents and Phainon’s were pretty close friends - and, in this part of the city, everyone knew someone who knew everyone. So it was hard not to know someone. And even though she loved her family, Phainon’s parents were so much more open and patient with Phainon. She couldn't bring herself to admit it, but she was a bit envious of him.
-Will that be all, my dear ? asked the young lady, her sultry voice still captivating Cyrene.
-Yes ma’am ! Thank you very much and have a great day ! smiled Phainon before turning his face to his friend. The young girl smiled and grabbed his hands.
-Let’s go, she said.
❂
The palace was hectic today. The preparations for the upcoming ceremony were almost over and Mydei was bored like never before - he couldn't attend the reveal of the prophecy himself.
-Mydeimos, dear, whispered a voice behind him.
He turned around and was met by the face of his beloved mother. She was his safe place whenever he needed her; an anchor in this never ending estate.
-Is everything alright, my child ? You have a worried look on your face.
Gorgo, the well known spouse of King Eurypon. She was a figure of strength and resilience for the Empire, a governor the people knew they could trust. She was also a mother to one boy, Mydeimos. And this boy was not doing well.
-I’m a bit lost. What will they do once the prophecy is announced ? Is Tribios going to be okay ?
The woman smiled and sat next to him, her dress flowing along with her movements.
-Tribios will be okay, don’t you worry. As for the prophecy… no one can really tell. We will just have to wait and see.
The boy furrowed his brows. The knot in his stomach was not a good sign, he knew it.
-Then why do I feel so scared ? he asked, his golden eyes questioning his mother.
She faltered. Not because she did not know, but because she didn’t want him to know.
-You shall be safe, Mydeimos. I promise you this.
The young boy pouted, but nodded.
-Okay. I trust you, mother.
Gorgo couldn't bring herself to tell the truth to her own boy. She was so scared of what could happen if she didn’t obey Eurypon, but she was more scared of her son’s reaction more than anything else. She grabbed his hand. Held in her anger, sorrow, frustration. It wasn’t his burden to bear.
-I love you, Mydeimos. I hope you’ll always know that no matter what, I’ll always be there for you. Okay ?
-I love you too, mother. I’ll make sure not to forget.
He leaned his head on his mother's shoulder. He felt safe around her. Like if a blanket was covering them, protecting them from any exterior menace.
Footsteps were heard. Clanking against the floor, metal - chanting in the echo of the large chamber, the voices of multiple men. One of them, Gorgo noticed, was Eurypon. The king. She got up, and Mydei imitated her.
-Your Highness, she said, bowing her head.
-Gorgo. I’m glad to see you were enjoying your son's presence. May I borrow him, for a moment ?
Gorgo felt her throat tighten.
-Yes. You may, she managed to say.
Eurypon smiled - not the kind of smile you could expect from a father taking his kid out on a nice walk. Her body froze in place. What was she doing ? Would she really let Eurypon take his son like that ?
The door closed. She was left alone in Mydei’s bedchamber. Her knees weakened, and she sat on the bed.
-Mydeimos, my boy… I hope you will forgive me. For I love you like I have never loved before.
❂
Gorgo was running, her feet bare against the grass, her hair tied up into a messy braid. She had a dagger sheathed to the side of her thigh, and a bow and arrows on her back. She wouldn't let Eurypon take her son away from her. She couldn’t. Air filled her lungs, adrenaline flowed in her veins. She had never felt such rage, such fury before.
She was still running, and now she could see the outline of three guards, all in armour, surrounding the small and frail Mydeimos. He was trembling. His voice could be heard from here - terrified. Betrayed. Confused, as Eurypon grabbed his arm tightly. Gorgo could hear him from here.
-Son, have I ever told you how it goes in Castrum Kremnos ? Ah, what a shame. You shall then fulfill your role without even knowing what it was. Such a pitiful fate, really.
She was running so fast she couldn't make out the grass beneath her feet. Her throat opened.
-Eurypon ! You selfish ignorant ! What are you trying to achieve with all this ?
The king looked up. He snarled, his face wrinkling into an annoyed grimace.
-Tch. Gorgo. You knew too, didn’t you. Of course you did. Say, how did you lure Tribios into revealing the prophecy to you ?
-I should ask you the same thing, she breathed, her lungs burning now that she stopped running.
-Hah. Of course, I'm the bad guy. You know how it goes in the kingdom, Gorgo. You know what this child is destined to be. Who would want such a son ?
-I would. Because I love him. He’s the only thing I have left. You can't play with him like he’s just a coin to flip.
The boy was shaking. His joints were white from holding on too tight to his drape.
-Mother ? Am I going to be okay ? he asked, his voice trembling.
Gorgo kneeled down and grabbed his hands.
-Yes. Yes, you will be okay, Mydeimos. You are destined to greatness. To a long, fulfilling life. I promise.
After this, everything happened in the span of a few seconds. Mydei barely had the time to see the sword pierce through her mother’s heart and scream his lungs out before he was thrown down the cliff to the Sea of Souls.
☽
-Here. Put it on ! said Cyrene, her sweet expression back on her face.
The pink hair that framed her face enhanced the colour of her eyes, just as beautiful as the lady they saw earlier.
-Really ? Didn’t we buy it for you ? asked the white-haired kid, a confused grin stretching his lips.
-I want you to have it. It matches your eyes really well.
Phainon smiled, a soft blush colouring his face. He clasped the necklace around his neck.
-Woah… it's so pretty. Thank you, Cyrene. I owe you !
-No, no, don’t worry about it. Spending time with you is enough for me, she smiled widely.
They both looked at each other, and giggled. A knock on a door sufficed for them to turn quiet.
-Yes ? asked the young boy.
-Phainon of Aedes Elysiae ? asked a voice behind the door. A man, whose voice they didn’t recognise.
Phainon looked at Cyrene, who looked back at him. She looked concerned.
-Yes ? he responded.
-Please open the door. I would like to talk to your parents.
-They aren’t here yet, frowned the boy.
-Where are they then ?
-On a walk outside in the market.
-Okay. Great, thank you. Now, could you please open the door ?
The voice was getting insistent. So Phainon opened the door. A guard from the royal family appeared. What was the royal family doing here ?
-I would need you to come with me immediately. The King has requested your presence at the estate.
Phainon looked at Cyrene, his eyes wide open in surprise. She was even more concerned, now - had the oracle she had read earlier… actually come true ? This early ?
-...Okay. Cyrene, can you tell my parents I'll be back soon ?
She hesitated. This was a dangerous game to play. She wasn't sure he would come back at all.
-...Wait for me, just a second. I’ll be right back.
The guard sighed. He probably had a long enough day and dealing with kids wasn’t exactly the easiest task.
When Cyrene came back, she had in her hand an oracle card.
-Take it, she ordered Phainon, pushing the card to his chest. You’ll understand when the right moment comes.
He nodded, hesitant.
-Thank you, Cyrene. I shall remember it.
He brought her in closer for a hug. She melted into it, relishing the presence of her best friend. She took in the sound of his voice, of his breathing, the colour of his eyes, of his hair.
- Go now. Make sure you come back, okay, Deliverer ?
Phainon looked back at her, a confused look on his face - and the door slammed shut.