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It was Phainon's first day on the job. He's super hyped. This was his first job since moving to Okhema for university from the village of Aedes Elysiae. The income meant that he'd finally have some extra funds after tuition and living expenses, and he no longer had to ask money from his parents whenever a new overpriced textbook was made mandatory.
He started going through a list of items scheduled for delivery today. It was quite literally the first job he could find, but he's not complaining. It's simple enough and the pay is decent--at lease decent enough for a college freshman. Okhema was still a mystery to him, and this would be a great chance to get to know the city.
"Wow, this address.. 317-B Marmoreal street? That's a lot of stuff they are ordering." He admired the pile of package.
"Oh yeah, that house. They definitely have a problem." His coworker nodded, "you wanna take it?"
"Sure, why not." Phainon said. He didn't miss the crooked smile his coworker thought they'd hidden pretty well, but he shrugged it off. So it's an address no one else wanted to deliver to. Big deal. There's difficult customers in every line of work, and Phainon was nothing if not confident in his people skills. If he worked hard to impress a long-time customer like this, he might get to earn some good tips.
It was when he's half on the way that he started regretting his decision. The fall breeze was cool and gentle, but it's doing nothing for how much he was sweating from carrying so many packages on his bike. This was certainly getting into a shabby neighbourhood. The streets were narrow and winding, some cars parked on the side of the street still had graffiti on them, garbage bags piled up on the side of the street waiting to be collected, if they ever get collected. Phainon grimaced at the smell.
When he got to the house, he finally had to admit that his coworkers had a point. It was a three-story house that looked like it's seen better years. He parked his bike in the driveway and took a few trips to load all the boxes to the front door. He quickly ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. He's hoping to make a good impression after all.
He rang the doorbell. No one answered, but there were sounds from inside the house. He exhaled, and rang it again, then--
"MYDEIMOS! Get the damn door, will you?!" A woman's voice exploded from inside.
"I'm in the kitchen!" A man's voice yelled back.
"I'm in the bath!"
"Fine!" The man groaned audibly. Then Phainon heard footsteps coming towards him, with the sound of floor creaking from the movements.
The door opened and Phainon had forgotten to breath altogether. The man was easily the most attractive man he'd ever met. The man had blonde hair that turned towards the tips. His eyes were amber gold. And he's wearing nothing on top but a pink apron, and dark red pajama pants.
Phainon's mouth was wide open. The man crossed his arms, and Phainon had a feeling that he's not looking at him, but something past him, "yes?"
"Um, your deliveries are here, sir." Phainon blinked himself back to reality.
"Thank you, just leave it here." The man--Mydeimos--remained unimpressed, ready to close the door.
"Wait!" Phainon said, "I need your signature. Here and here."
He offered his tablet. Mydeimos grabbed the pen with too much force and signed. It was not a handwriting he expect. It looked archaic, artistic even, definitely not something he'd expected from the looks of the man. He somehow managed to make it look nice even on a digital pad.
"Are we done now?" Mydeimos handed back the pen, then as if he finally saw Phainon, instead of through Phainon, he paused mid-action.
"Sir?" Phainon couldn't decipher his expression.
Mydeimos shook his head, coming back from whatever captured his attention briefly. "It's nothing."
"Can I trouble you for a glass of water?" Phainon asked.
Mydeimos nodded. "Wait here. Do not come in." He warned, and went back into the house.
Phainon had zero intention of coming in, but Mydeimos' tone sparked a level of curiosity he'd never experienced in any of his lectures. Maybe just a little peek, from where he was standing. He strained his eyes, but he couldn't make out much. The room was dimly lit, and had the distinct smell of what one might expect from an old house. He could recognize the shape of a guitar in a corner of the living room. Did that belong to Mydeimos? He clearly did not live alone. Was the woman earlier his partner? There was a large, round white object in the middle of the room that took half of the space. A bean bag couch, perhaps? The decor was unlike anything one would expect in an average home. It was more like walking onto the set of a low-budget history drama.
"Here you go." Mydeimos came back. He seemed to be studying Phainon's every fiber of being now, and Phainon felt his face flush. He already had a hundred questions, but he decided to swallow them down along with the water he was just offered.
"Thanks." He wiped the corner of his mouth. Despite the heat on his face, he met Mydeimos in the eyes. He's not used to being stared like some kind of test subject, and he certainly wasn't going to act like one.
"Will you come back?" Mydeimos blurted out. Then he seemed just surprised at himself as Phainon did.
"Well, if there's work to be done." He gave a bright smile.
"That can be arranged."
Mydeimos' gaze was too hot on his skin.
"You don't need to buy anything just to see me," he winked, "you can ask for my number. I'm Phainon. Mydeimos, is it?"
"...just Mydei." Mydei looked away, embarrassed, "Sorry you had to hear that. I live with my...siblings."
Siblings. Phainon nodded too enthusiastically. Not that he had any idea what it's like to live with siblings. Cyrene's like a sister, but it's not like they grew up in the same house.
"I'll see you around then, deliverer." Mydei closed the door, but Phainon felt a door opening in his heart.
"All of you," Mydei dumped all the packages in the middle of the living room, "stop buying so much shit. We talked about this. Our savings are almost depleted."
"Remind me, why is our little prince in charge of the funds again?" Cipher's still busy typing on her phone, not bother looking up. She made herself comfortable on the floor leaning against Ica, who's sleeping in the middle of the living room.
"Because I'm not the one who lost 500k trying to scam that Stoneheart." Mydei shot back.
"Tch. No one can be that lucky." Cipher muttered some Dolos profanity under her breath.
"You're the one spending half of our budget on groceries though." Aglaea hummed. Her hair was still wet from the bath and she only had a towel loosely wrapped around her. No one bat an eye. After hundreds years of co-habitating, no one had any secrets anymore.
Mydei used to wonder what Aglaea would be like if she wasn't the leader Okhema revered, because Lady Tribios loved telling stories about the innocent and cheerful girl Aglaea used to be. Turns out, she's more playful and less stern, but deep down still strong-willed and stubborn just like him. They no longer had nations to run, which means they're now free to clash without having their personal differences escalating into diplomatic matters. And clash they did.
"So?"
"Mydeimos, we can't die. Food is not a necessity."
"I didn't hear any of you complain at dinner yesterday." He crossed his arms, "and all these clothes are?"
"That's a business expense."
"I'm no expert, but I don't think that's how this 'influencer' thing worked."
Aglaea glared at him. It would be a lot more menacing if she wasn't also squinting to see.
"And the baths. We can't keep the baths running all the time."
"He's right about that one." Cipher interjected.
"You can't take away the baths. It's the one good thing we have now." Aglaea objected.
"Our water bill could feed the entire Amphoreus for a year back in our times." Mydei said.
"Shut up, all of you." Anaxa joined. "I can't focus."
Their eyes followed the voice to a dromas plushie wearing an eyepatch sitting on the desk.
Mydei felt a headache coming, nothing good ever came from bring Anaxa into an argument that Aglaea was already involved in, "you too, professor Anaxa. We can't afford the equipments and materials for every single idea you have."
"And the costs of home repair." Aglaea added.
"That's Anaxagoras to you." The eyepatch spoke again, "and I'm sorry for actively looking for a solution to our predicament. I can stop anytime if you're satisfied with our living arrangements now."
Both Mydei and Aglaea fell silent.
Five hundred years ago, Irontomb was defeated and history turned a new page. The end of the universe was narrowly avoided, with great price paid. It seemed like a happy ending was finally achieved. The celebrations went on for an entire year. The feasts were endless. Songs and prayers followed the heroes wherever they went. All was well.
Except there were some loose ends.
A decade passed, then five. They never even aged the slightest. They still had their powers from when they were demigods. And of course, they cannot die. Mydei tried it. He didn't even need to run back from the underworld. Death would not come. It didn't take Anaxa to diagnose that they were now Titans existing in the human world. No one knew what's truly ahead anymore. For the longest time, they had a clear goal. They gave their all for this world. They defended it, and shaped it, but among all that they forgot what it's like to live in it.
If that was all, they could manage. But they had a bigger problem at hand.
Khaslana never awakened.
Strictly speaking, he did. The first time he did, their entire third floor was blown up in the blink of an eye. He was corrupted during the final battle: his body survived, but his mind was gone. He was not attacking intentionally, he simply wasn't aware, and his body was sensitive to any disturbance and very quick to declare anything hostile. The only silver lining was that he remained in an extremely weakened state, and it never took long before he fell back into deep slumber again. Few outside of the Chrysos Heirs knew what Khaslana gave to save the world. Most of the world had no memories of him. So it fell on the Chrysos Heirs to once again, defend the world, from their once most trusted companion, while also looking for a way to bring back his mind. Everyone stayed without hesitation. They would not abandon Khaslana, not after what he'd done for the world. And they knew they had to prepare for the worst. If Khaslana did go out of control, they would be the last line of defense. It would take all their powers to hopefully hold him back.
Well, what's left of their powers, along with what's left of their sanity, after hundreds of years of exisiting, and coexising. Who would have thought, a sleepwalking nuclear bomb living on your top floor for hundreds of years can really take a toll on you.
Anaxa savored his brief win.
"Easy for you to say. We can't all give up our physical body like you did. " Aglaea said, "someone needs to be able to fight."
"I gave it up for our research." Anaxa said, "and none of you came to my funeral."
"Funerals aren't for those who're still among us."
"I quite enjoyed mine!" Hyacine's voice cheered from within Ica.
"See? Hyacine got one."
"Hyacine unfortunately lost her physical form from that incident." Aglaea said grimly, gesturing upstairs, "you informed us you turned your body into magical dust like you just took out trash."
"I never take out trash." Anaxa said.
"He doesn't know where the bin is." Hyacine said singingly.
Mydei facepalmed. How did this become his life? Each of them used to be state leaders, best in their fields, now they were wasting away in a house way too small, bickering over budgets and chores and everything way too insignificant. Didn't he used to rule a nation too? How long ago was that again? His memories lost color like old photos. Some pieces he could no longer recognize. Such was Lygus' mistake: to destory a hero, one need not manufacture crises. Crises make heros. The gravity of mundanity is what crushes them.
"Enough." Cipher said suddenly, "I hate this. We don't deserve it-- a life like this."
Without waiting for a response, she slipped out of the living room window and disappeared.
"Cipher..." Hyacine said, her voice sad, but Cipher was already gone. Aglaea smoothed the fur on Ica to comfort her.
Silence fell again, and this time everyone took it as a sign of the end of this conversation. Mydei was relieved. He went back to his room and threw himself onto the bed. It creaked under his weight. He's tired and fighting a minor headache all the time now, as if existing took all his energy. He could barely feel a mere fraction of his powers. It's almost like he's an ordinary human. He once thought that's what he wanted, but there's a huge difference between being born as a human and fading into one.
He must hold on. For his companions. For the world he sworn to protect.
His phone buzzed. It was Phainon, sending him a selfie with a salad he seemed very proud of.
"Hi! It's Phainon from earlier today. Just wanna say good night ;)"
Something stirred in his chest when he first met the young man's eyes. A deep yearning he wasn't prepared for. It took root in his heart, aching in a way he couldn't ignore. Cipher's right. A voice deep within him said. His life shouldn't be like this. For the first time in how long he couldn't remember, he found himself want something more, something he couldn't name, than merely existing.
"Good night." He responded along with a thumbs up emoji, and closed his eyes.
Phainon found himself back to that strange residence again, and again. He received some very surprised look from his coworkers, but he paid it no mind. Apparently there was a betting pool going around on how long it would take for him to quit. Ah well, that's funny. Why would he let go of the best excuse to see the man of his dreams as much as possible?
Mydei was a man of mystery, Phainon gathered. The blonde man never liked talking much about himself, and Phainon had to get creative to get information out of him. The effort only fuelled his curiosity more. Besides, he could feel that Mydei wouldn't give him the time of the day if he wasn't interested. He could tell that Mydei wasn't the type to waste any time on things he didn't care about, But he always took time to respond to Phainon's every message.
Through texting, he learned that Mydei worked at the central library, enjoyed rock music, and was very knowledgeable on the subject of history and politics. Phainon guessed Mydei's a student just like him, given that they looked about the same age, but Mydei never confirmed it. But Mydei seemed quite busy and there were always dark circles under his eyes, so his guess couldn't be too far off.
He once complained about the C- he got on his history paper. It's not fair, he said, he put a lot of work into it, and he had no small amount of what he considered credible sources backing up his theory of Nikador's fervent pursuit of Cerces. What he hadn't expected was Mydei responded with pages and pages of texts, refuting him point by point, as if personally offended. Mydei wasn't a fast typer, and he always took time to punctuate properly, Phainon knew this. He couldn't think of anything that could make Mydei this fired up.
"Wow. No wonder you're named Mydeimos. You must be a fan too!"
No response came from that. He could almost see Mydei's frown when he practically wrote an essay by text. Maybe he bit his lips. Maybe he was in bed, lying on his stomach, propping himself up with a pillow. Phainon allowed himself to indulge in his imaginations. Perhaps he should ask Mydei's opinion for appraisals next time. He got scammed last time he was going for an artifact: he spent months of salary on what he was sure was a ceremonial bowl used in Phagousa's banquet, only to find the small text of "microwave safe" printed at its base upon receiving the item. The username "Zagreuscat076" would forever stay in his blacklist.
It was a sunny, warm afternoon and they were sitting at a diner with a large bowl of ice cream in front of each of them. Mydei seemed overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, and Phainon forgot time studying every slight change in his expression as he awkwardly sampled the flavors.
"Never been here before?"
Mydei shook his head, he seemed very focused on his pomegranate scoop. His eyes were half closed. Cute, Phainon found himself smile. The ice cream did well to hide the heat on his face. He still couldn't believe that he managed to ask Mydei to go on a date with him, and Mydei agreed. Although he's not exactly certain Mydei was aware that this was a date.
"You look like you need a break. Come on, I know a good place."
And that's how they ended up here. Phainon hoped he's not looking too nervous.
"How's yours?" Mydei asked.
Phainon almost dropped his spoon. Well, so much for trying to appear calm. The thought of Mydei taking an interest in his opinion shouldn't be this electrifying.
"It's really good!" Damn it, why's he speaking so fast? "Here, you can try--"
He held up his spoon with chocolate ice cream, and then his hand froze in the air. Was that too much? Too soon? But he couldn't take it back now that it's offered. His voice cut off, mouth still open. Mydei eyed him, and he felt that intense gaze upon him again, like on the day they first met. It's the kind of gaze that made him feel small, like he's a subject to be observed.
No, he would not admit defeat here, despite his internal panic. He had to double down.
"Feeling shy?" He challenged.
It worked, he knew instantly, for Mydei muttered something under his breath, something he could not catch. Then Mydei leaned forward, mouth open, but he didn't just take the ice cream. He bit the spoon and yanked it from Phainon's hand. Phainon could see just the tip of his tongue sticking out.
"Hey, that's mine!"
Mydei took the spoon he just won in his hand, his own spoon ignored.
"Come and get it then."
There was a glint in his eyes Phainon caught, and his lips curled up into a smile, but his face is suspiciously red. In that moment Phainon realized many things. One, Mydei's a challenge. He's stubborn in his own ways and won't submit easily. Two, neither of them were as calm as they hoped to be.
Three, that was the first time he'd seen Mydei smile. Well, more like a smirk, but it was the first time he saw Mydei genuinely happy, and the sight sent him to the moon and back. What's more, there was something even more exiliarating to be the direct cause of it.
And that was how he knew he's in love.
The gym was on top of the list of recent human inventions that Mydei greatly appreciated, followed by dish washers, electric guitars, and those half coffee half syrup drinks topped with whipped cream and colorful sprinkles. He always got surprised looks when he gave his very elaborate drink order that took thirty seconds to say, but he paid it no mind. His life's miserable enough as is, he shouldn't have to compromise on his choice of indulgence.
Mydei liked to think that he adjusted well enough to the modern world, despite feeling that he didn't actually belong. He'd learned how to function well and not give away his true identity. He'd worked all kind of jobs over the years, and even enjoyed some of them. He couldn't stay too long in any job, for humans tend to find it strange to see someone who never age. He's also the only one in the family who has a valid driver's license. Sometimes when they really got on his nerves, he would remind them of his power as the only driver available for their errands. Granted, the bar wasn't very high, given that Anaxa and Hyacine no longer had a physical body, Ica couldn't fit in the car, Tribbie's a child, Aglaea's legally blind, and Cipher couldn't drive three blocks without twelve violations. Mydei could understand why Cipher finds driving uninspiring: it's way too much hassle for the laughable speed that cars offer.
He kept up training his body all these years, even though he's feeling tired all the time and much weaker than in his prime. He had a feeling that if he let this go, he will give up for good. It's more about holding on to the last thing that made him feel like his old self. Yes, he's still stronger than mortals, but how far had he fallen, to need to compare himself to mortals to feel better?
Still, Phainon surprised him. Mydei glanced at Phainon lifting weights by his side. His strength was impressive, even by Mydei's standard. What's more, he's always pushing his own limit. Always strive to get better and stronger. It stirred something deep within Mydei, to watch someone so full of life that he could take on the world. It reminded him of the vigor he once had, defying the world's doom with all his might.
Phainon loved to challenge him, with eyes too eager as if having something to prove. Mydei always indulged, whether he was indulging Phainon or himself he didn't know. Mydei had let himself indulge in this--whatever this is with Phainon--much further than he thought he would, but he couldn't remember the last time he felt that he could forget himself and just let go. In fact, he couldn't remember feeling this much towards anyone or anything in decades. Time lost meaning before immortality. Days blur into years, decades, centuries, and Mydei made through life as if fumbling through a fog, directionless and senseless.
"If you keep staring like that," Phainon said, with that grin that made Mydei want to smack him, "I'm going to think you have ulterior motives."
Of course he had ulterior motives. Of course he wanted to touch, to taste, to feel their bodies melting in a pool of desire. But he held back. Above all else, Phainon's a mortal. Mydei had no idea what it meant to get involved with a mortal like this. Maybe there were some encounters over the years, but nothing lasted more than one night. It was a grim reminder for him: just how far could he let Phainon into his life? His fate is a heavy one. A threat loomed over his head, unbeknownst to the world. Letting Phainon into the house could be dangerous. And he would have no way to hide the truth he's not ready to tell.
He disliked lying. To Phainon, especially. But the truth was too heavy for someone like Phainon. Too unfair.
"You're spacing out." Phainon said, "look--I bet I can do ten more sets than you."
Mydei was grateful. He knew Phainon had worked out a way to cheer him up without fail.
"You're on." He said.
Later that evening, Phainon whispered in his ears that all his roommates were miraclously away for the night, and asked if Mydei wanted to come over and 'Netflix and chill'.
"What does that entail?" Mydei asked, "should I bring more clothes?"
Phainon's expression was brilliant. First it was confusion, then realization bloomed, then there was some serious effort trying to not laugh himself to death. Mydei pushed for an explanation, but Phainon seemed way too entertained by Mydei's reaction to provide one. Mydei made a mental note to look it up on the internet later. Well, so much for being well-adjusted to the human world. Humans always had a way of making things harder to understand than it should be, that hadn't changed since he was a human himself. Cipher would know what it meant, but he had a feeling if he asked her, she'd never let him live it down.
Cipher loved going for runs at a park near their house. She's nowhere near as fast as she used to be, but she's still confident that she could easily outrun any mortal. It was late at night, and there were no one here at this hour, which meant this was her favourite time to enjoy going at the top of her speed, as if she could leave everything behind if she ran fast enough.
Aglaea would chide her for wasting her powers like this, but who cares. We must conserve our powers as much as possible, for we'll need everything we have if Khaslana went off the rails, she'd say. Jokes. What's the power of trickery going to do against the strongest titan who's literally lost his mind? There were other things that deserved her powers so much more. For example, she found it cute that everyone still believed that the plumbing of the house was functional. Or that their roof was still intact.
She heard footsteps from far away behind her. They were heavy, and fast approaching. Two men, she concluded. She came to a pause, and held her breath. If these were robbers again, they wouldn't even know what hit them. Maybe he relationship with morality was casual at best, and maybe she sometimes scammed people online out of sheer boredom, but there's a fine line.
Her cat eyes picked up their features from far away. They were about the same height. One of them had white hair, shining silver under the pale moonlight. The other one--
She blinked. Mydei?
Her eyes didn't lie. It really was Mydei, running alongside the white-haired man, or rather, trying his best to outrun him. The white-haired man was clearly doing the same, but it would seem that neither of them could claim victory just yet.
So this is what Mydei had been up to. Cipher stepped aside into the shadows. A mortal. And a handsome one at that. It's quite impressive that he managed to catch Mydei's attention. Cipher couldn't help but feel something familiar. Had there been someone like that who always walked next to Mydei? But her memory had gone hazy from here. Was this yet another piece lost to time?
Well, no point recollecting the past when there's fun to be had right now. She snapped her fingers.
The two men came to an abrupt halt as if tripped by something invisible, and as a result, lost their balances and tumbled over each other. Mydei was on the ground first, the other man was on top of him, their legs tangled together, the fluffy white head on Mydei's chest. Cipher stifled a laugh, and ignored Mydei glaring at her general direction.
"I won!" The other man cheered.
"HKS! In what way was that a win for you? Again!"
But neither of them got up. Instead, something locked them in place, then slowly, the white-haird man leaned in, and soon the figures blended into each other.
Little lion, you owe me one. Cipher hummed an old tune and turned away, feeling more content than that time when she broke Anaxa's dromas figurine and blamed it on Aglaea.
Aglaea adjusted the lighting of her room, logged on her influencer account, and began taking pictures for her followers.
When humans invented the internet, the family was overjoyed, because Aglaea no longer had the divine power to maintain her golden threads, and everyone had gotten very used to the endless scrolling of video shorts on their teleslates--except Anaxa, who deemed such activities only served to dull one's mind. Nevertheless, Anaxa made a point to rub it in Aglaea's face when he found out the entire world's knowledge was at the grasp of his fingertips. Then, after some heated debates with other scholars online, he apologized to Aglaea that he was grateful of how her inferior technology shielded him from the abundance of idiocy of the world. Aglaea responded by changing the wifi password everytime Anaxa needed the internet, which was all the time. The two were locked in a password war for a week before all others had to intervene, and it was the closest the house came to exploding, aside from that one tragic incident involving Khaslana's worst episodes.
The house they all live in had been around for at least two hundred years. It was purchased back in the days when a house in Okhema was affordable with the pocket changes one may find on the ground on an neutral-luck day. This was another reason why they must keep the house intact from the threats within: there's no way they could find another affordable accommodation suitable for their needs in today's housing market. This neighbourhood, the once glorious Marmoreal market district, had become the city's forgotten storage closet, hiding all the dirty secrets the city's too proud to present.
The reason was also the incident. Some unfortunate souls decided to sneak into the house for quick cash, which said something about their possibly very impaired judgment. Khaslana reacted to the intruders before anyone else did. They were blasted into smithereens before they even touched his door handle. His attacks carried on, stronger than he ever, and in a moment of desperation, Hyacine sacrificed her body and cast a rainbow shield over the area. Her consciousness remained by attaching itself to the nearest living being--Little Ica, although it remained debatable whether Ica caught it thinking it was food. Many lives were saved, however, the explosions could be seen from miles away. It was later reported as gas leak in the papers, and Cipher did what she could to smooth things over, but rumors still spread. People who'd seen what they had seen couldn't move away fast enough, and soon people started avoiding the neighbourhood like plague.
Everyone in the family felt guilty and responsible in how things turned out: no one, not even Anaxa, could refrain from giving Ica snacks, and the beast had since at least quadruapled in size. It was a miracle it still fit in their living room. Aglaea knew the pain Hyacine carried: the sorrow that she could no longer help anyone in her current state, but she still did her best to cheer everyone up. Aglaea hated that there was nothing she could do.
Aglaea ran her tailor shop until she couldn't. For two reasons. One: fewer and fewer people come to tailor shops anymore. She tried to adapt, but she was no match with the mass produced tasteless outfits that dominated the market. Two: no one could tell, but she knew herself: her skills were slipping, due to the fact that, unfortunately, she could barely see anymore. She's losing her powers, and she relied on her powers to see. They all were losing their powers, but she never told her now housemates just how bad her situation was. She knew they could tell, but she didn't want to talk about it.
She pulled her blouse down just enough to give something away but also leave something to imagination. She knew the grey area too well now. Pride be damned. Everything was about sex, because sex sells. When she still ran the world wound web, she specifically banned the businesses profiting from pornography. And of course, humans would invent those things again over and over, in different forms. There's nothing new under the sun. They say if you lose your money, you can always make it back, but if you lose your morals, you'd make it back much faster.
There was now a knock on her door.
"Come in." She said.
Mydei entered.
"Great timing, Mydeimos." She pointed her camera at him.
"No. I will not model for you. Again."
"You're no fun."
She fake complained. It's not like she was hopeful, she only meant to tease. That's the human side they missed, was it not?
Mydei closed the door behind him. Aglaea knew him too well now, she could tell he's anxious by the way he fumbled with the doorknob. The visit was unusual enough already: neither of them were the type to chit-chat. Nor was there a need for private conversations. Something must have truly troubled him that he's seeking her aid.
"Well, how can I help?" She cut to the chase. No need to beat around the bush with him.
"I..." he hesitated, "I met someone."
"Is that so?"
Gossip. Her interest was piqued. Not many things could remain entertaining when you live for this long, but the misery of those around you never gets old. The news did surprise her though. They generally avoid getting attached to humans, in case they got the humans into danger, or in case the human got close enough to notice anything unusual about them or find out about the secret they're hiding.
"Ever since I met him, " he continued, "I've been getting this feeling that I'm...missing something. Like I've lost something dear to me, but I can't remember what it is no matter what."
Oh my, he's down bad.
"Mydeimos," she blinked, "don't tell me this is your first time being in love."
"Aglaea, I'm serious." he ignored her teasing, "I think...he may have something to do with the memories I'm missing."
Mydei split his soul into five pieces and exchanged for hundreds of years of peace for humanity. It was evident that when this plan was devised, the reversibility of such an act was the last thing on the minds of every participant. Aglaea wondered if Mydei would have made a different choice, if he knew he had to collect the fragments and put himself back together like puzzle pieces after the war.
Three times Mydei had to do this already, but they never managed to find the last piece of his soul. Each piece contained its own memories, and it's quite possible that the clues to the whereabouts of this piece was within the missing piece itself. At this point Mydei all but gave up. He claimed it's something he could live with.
Until now, it would seem.
"I've been seeing memories from the past, as if there's someone like him beside me, but I can't see his face at all." He said, "do you remember if there was someone like that in our past?"
She tried to recall, but whatever flashed back in the instant was too blurry.
"I don't remember."
"What if he's one of us?" Mydei said, "should I tell him...everything?"
"Mydeimos, you've always been the responsible one of us." She smiled, "follow your heart."
"And if he's not?"
"Then you know what to do."
Mydei nodded. He got up to leave.
"Thanks."
"For what?"
He paused a moment to consider, "for not making fun of me."
"That can wait." she said, "when we meet him."
He laughed dryly. Then the door closed behind him. Aglaea put her phone aside, still digesting what she just learned.
There was a soft cry from the small bed at the corner of her room. Tribbie rubbed her eyes and slowly woke up from her sleep.
"Agy? "
"I'm here, teacher." She brushed her red hair.
"I had a long, long dream." Tribbie said, trembling with fear, "my body became transparent. I could see through myself. And I when I tried to touch anything, my fingers went right through it."
"It's okay. It's just a bad dream." She didn't know what else to say. It was like her throat was stuffed with lead. Tribbie spent most of her time sleeping these days, she barely had the energy to keep herself awake anymore.
"Agy?"
"Yes?"
"Are we dying?"
Aglaea opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Privacy was hard to come by, when Phainon lived in the dorm with three other roommates. If possible, he'd never keep his hands off of Mydei. Yes, they've made out, but there's only so much they could do sneakily, like that time in the park or a couple times in the gym shower room. He wanted to take it a step further, and he could tell Mydei wanted the same.
But Mydei never invited him into his place. Sure, he's there for work all the time, but when they meet up for dates, it's always somewhere else. Mydei would even pick him up from campus in his vintage car that's gotta be as old as the concept of cars itself, always attracting attention from everyone passing by.
The first time Phainon asked if he could meet Mydei's family, Mydei jumped as if he just asked him to kick a baby chimera. Phainon decided to drop the subject then, but his curiosity only grew stronger. Sure, there were some things that came off as a little strange, but then again, weren't all families strange in the eyes of another?
So he decided to surprise Mydei. There was no delivery work to be done today, but he no longer needed an excuse to see him. He's carrying a box of cookies he freshly baked in the morning. He made a huge batch, so there would be enough for the family to share. Mydei always seemed like there's a lot on his mind, and Phainon wanted to help whatever way he could. If he could get along with Mydei's siblings, which he really wanted to, it should ease some of Mydei's worries.
"What are you doing?"
A woman's voice sneaked up behind him. He jumped and turned. She's in dark blue tracksuits. She had grey hair and...cat features?
"Hello! Sorry, I didn't mean to peek!"
"Ohh, looking for Mydei, are you?"
"Yes! You know me?"
She only shrugged. "You better wait inside then."
Phainon's heart could jump out of his chest. That was easy. He was invited in! What's Mydei being so secretive about? His sister--if Phainon guessed correctly--was so nice! He knew they'll get along just fine!
The woman called herself Cipher. She made herself comfortable, and motioned Phainon to do the same. She tilted her head, big eyes studying Phainon curiously.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
"Have we met before? You seem familiar."
Funny, Mydei once said the same thing, that there's a feeling that they've met before. And Phainon teased him for being cheesy until he shut him up with his lips.
"How can I forget if I've ever met you?" He meant it. He thought people with cat features were from the myths only. He's certain he had never met one in his life.
"Quite the smooth talker, aren't you?"
"Not just talk." He offered the cookies.
"Mmm. I like you already." Cipher seemed very pleased.
"That's the plan." He grinned, "cookies, in exchange for Mydei's stories he'd never tell me."
Cipher burst out laughing.
"Mydei's in the bath now." She winked, "but we'd love your company. We've been very curious what kind of guy finally got Mydei head over heels! Right, Agy?"
"Cifera," a voice he found kind of familiar, "what did we say about inviting hu--guests--in?"
Phainon was still reeling about the 'head over heels' part when the most gorgeous woman Phainon had ever met appeared. She had blonde hair at ear length and was wearing a white, silky dress that left little to imagination. He blushed and averted his eyes.
"Relax! It'll be safe as long as he doesn't go on the top floor. You won't, right?" She looked at Phainon for confirmation.
The way she said it indicated that she had a much looser definition of safety compared to average. To most, it was a signal to run and never look back. But self-preservation had never ranked high on Phainon's list of priorities.
"I won't!" Phainon swore. Curiosity could wait. He's here to make a good impression on Mydei's siblings, and now he half feared he'll fail the task because his mind kept conjuring up images of Mydei in the bath. The last thing he wanted now was to cause trouble.
"I'm Aglaea." The gorgeous woman studied Phainon from on top of her glasses.
Aglaea. Cipher. Mydei. Were they all named after heroes in the ancient legends? Were their parents big history nerds? But they look nothing like biological siblings. Interesting. Also, why did all of them stare at him like they're looking for something in him?
"I'm Phainon!"
"You must not tell anyone about anything you see inside of this house." She said, "and never, ever go on the top floor."
"I won't. I swear!"
Aglaea nodded, but her frown did not disappear. Instead, she kept studying Phainon, pacing circles around him and humming her thoughts. Phainon felt his palm sweating under the scrutinizing gaze. He pretended to take interest in a dromas plushie sitting on the desk in the corner.
"What's the problem? If there's anything I can do--"
"Your outfit." She pinched the bridge of his nose as if she's getting a headache.
"What's wrong with it? Is my fly open?" He checked. It was not.
Her look told him that there was nothing right with it.
"Come with me." She said, in a tone that allowed no objection. He turned to Cipher for help, but not only she didn't, she whistled and winked.
When Mydei opened the door to his room, Phainon was sitting on his bed, looking unsure about what to do with himself. He turned to the sound of door opening, and then both of them were too shocked to move. In Phainon's case, it was because Mydei only had a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. Water's still dripping down from his hair, droplets tracing down the perfectly sculpted muscles. Phainon wanted to catch them with his tongue.
"Cipher let you in." Mydei sighed.
"Mhmm." Phainon nodded, "I'm happy to see you too."
They were finally alone. He decided to not give Mydei a chance to react. He already plastered himself onto Mydei's still dripping body.
"I see Aglaea found a new dress-up doll to play with."
"You know, I was hoping you'd come to my rescue, like a prince."
"You wanted to meet them." He said in between kisses, "this is what you get."
"You let her torture me on purpose!"
Mydei chuckled. It was as good as a confession. Phainon's hands were all over him now.
"Phainon." He cupped his cheeks.
"I want you." More kisses.
"Wait." Mydei caught his wandering hands, "There's something I want to tell you, before we do...anything."
"Mmm, do you really expect to have a serious conversation when you're looking like this?" He teased.
"Phainon, listen." Mydei said, and Phainon finally felt the weight in his voice sink in. The way Mydei said his name made his heart twitch.
"What is it? You can tell me, anything." He squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"I'm not...what you think." The words took effort to come out, "I've been thinking about telling you the truth for a while, and now that you're here..." he met his eyes, "I think you should know, and decide if you want to stay."
"What do you mean?" His voice trembled. He couldn't imagine a scenario where he'd want to leave.
"I--, no, we are--"
A loud noise exploded from above them. Followed by another. The entire house shook.
"Earthquake?" Phainon jumped.
"Shit." Mydei cursed, "stay here. Don't come out--"
Too late.
The bedroom door was blasted open. Not just open. It was torn into pieces in the blink of an eye. Phainon tried to move, to do what he had no idea, but he was frozen in place. A figure stood before them, golden hair, golden eyes, golden wings, and a face looking just like his own.
He saw something coming at them. Something black and red. It was quick , but his body moved on his own, to push Mydei out of the way. He heard Mydei shouting something he couldn't make out. Crimson crystals gathered at his hand, and--
A sharp pain exploded in his head. Memories flooded him: memories unlike anything he'd known all his life. Fighting twisted creatures he could only see in his nightmares. His comrades fading away one by one, Aglaea and Cipher among them. Aedes Elysiae in flames.
Then there was him and Mydei, sparring on the roof of a house, sitting side by side in a bathhouse, his sword piercing Mydei through the back, warm golden blood sticky on his hands.
He screamed. No, no, that can't be. Mydei. Mydei--
He saw the floor getting closer and closer, then darkness descended.
He saw Mydei holding his body, crying out his name in pain He saw Aglaea and Cipher running towards them. He tried to put a hand on Mydei's shoulder to tell him he's still here, but his hand went right through him, and no matter how hard he cried, he couldn't make himself heard.
"Time to go." Someone tapped on his shoulder. Phainon turned. There stood a purple-haired young woman dressed in full black bodysuit. She was leaning on her motorcycle, holding the helmet in one hand.
"Help them! Something's attacking them!" He cried. Someone can see him.
"I'm afraid I can't," the young woman said, "we do not have the ability to interfere with the world above."
"The world above--"
"Yes. You're dead. I'm here to take you to the underworld."
Oh right. That made sense. He's dead.
"Well, hop on?" She pat the seat behind her.
Phainon couldn't move. "Mydei--"
"I'm sorry. You must leave everything behind."
"But--"
She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Phainon nodded mechanically and moved himself onto the vehicle.
"You're really something, you know." She said, "most people would beg me to save themselves."
"Are you the grim reaper?"
"That's a common misconception. No, I'm not. I don't take lives. I merely ferry departed souls to the underworld." She said, "my name is Polyxia."
Phainon couldn't see her face, but he felt the warmth of her smiling. It made him slightly more at ease.
"Thank you for taking me then. I'm Phainon."
She nodded, "I know."
"This is... not what I expected from what happens after death." Phainon watched in awe as the motorcycle soared across the living room and straight through the wall. He braced for impact, but he soon realized how pointless was the action. It's not like he can die again, right?
"It comes as a cultural shock to most, but don't worry, you'll adjust." Polyxia reassured.
It was quite something, flying over the city on a motorcycle knowing he no longer belonged to the world below him. It was then that grief hit him like a truck. No, it's not supposed to end here. He thought of his parents back in the village, and his dog Snowy. He was supposed to call Cyrene tonight. Mydei promised to make him dinner after his win at something dumb he couldn't even remember now. All of that was irrelevant now.
"You can cry." Polyxia said, "Don't mind me. I've seen much worse.
He knew she meant well, but he's not about to start crying when he had company.
"Where are we going?" He decided to distract himself, "you said the underworld, but where is it?"
"Januspolis central station."
"Januspolis central station?"
"The underground to the underworld. Fitting, isn't it?" She seemed oddly proud about this, "then you just follow the signs and take the Styxia line to terminal station--oh, not the one you're thinking. Don't worry about getting lost, there're lots of souls. It gets quite crowded, you see."
"I've been passing by the entrance of the underworld without knowing? "
"The livings can't pass through," Pollux shrugged, "the most you might feel is a chill air."
"Oh." Phainon shuddered.
"Shocked?"
"How can I not be?" he laughed bitterly, "it's just like our world." No, it's not my world anymore.
"Well, we do our best to make our new residents feel right at home, "she said, "most souls are very frightened when they first meet me, so I make sure the trip is something they're familiar with."
"I appreciate it." He meant it. Having someone to talk to now really helped.
"My real form is a dragon. " she continued, "I chose this form nowadays because most souls really freak out when they see a dragon coming to collect them."
"I don't think I can be more shocked," Phainon said, "can I see the dragon please?"
"You'll have plenty of chances as our new resident," she laughed, "but I'm impressed that you're adjusting so well already."
The station was in sight. But Polyxia halted as if she just sensed something.
"Change of plans," she declared, "looks like I'm taking you straight to my sister."
"Your sister?"
"Yes." Polyxia made a sharp left turn, and Phainon suspected he'd see the content of his breakfast flying out, if it still could, "Queen Castorice, ruler of the underworld."
The underworld was nothing dark and bleak, neither was it burning with the fire of torture. Rather, it looked like Okhema when its night life had just began. Streets glowed with neon signs and billboards everywhere. There were even souls heading in and out of restaurants and bars. Do souls even get drunk?
"Pretty, isn't it?" Polyxia said, "the design of this neighbourhood received the most votes in last year's survey!"
"What the..." Cultural shock didn't even begin to describe it.
"Wait until you see the 'Penacony' neighbourhood," she blinked, "our most prized design. It's based off the memories of a esteemed guest from beyond the sky."
They turned into a quieter street and stopped in front of the fences of a small house. Its design was simple but sweet and homey. A beautiful garden surrounded it.
"This is where I leave you." Polyxia said, "I gotta go. More souls to fetch."
"Thank you." Phainon said, "for everything."
She looked surprised as if she rarely received such words from her passengers. "You are very welcome." She smiled, and took off again.
The entire journey couldn't have taken more than a few minutes, but it was enough to make Phainon's head spin. He didn't know he could even feel that as a soul. He'd been picking up memories like pebbles since he died. He had no idea what the queen of the underworld could want from him, but if anyone could answer his questions now, it would be her.
"Lord Phainon." A calm voice greeted.
"Lord?"
"I thought I sensed something familiar." Polyxia's sister smiled, but sadly, "I have missed you. but I can't say I wish to see you here."
Her features matched the "Castorice" from the memories that just claimed him.
"I must apologize." Phainon said thoughtfully, "I think we've met before, but I don't really..know you."
"You don't remember?"
"He doesn't." Another soul appeared beside them. A mint-haired man with an eyepatch that looked slightly familiar, "but he will soon."
The voice sounded like someone directly speaking in his head. To his surprise, Castorice looked just as shocked as him.
"...Professor Anaxa?" She said, uncertainly, "is that you?"
"I'm pleased to see you well, Castorice." The soul--Anaxa--said.
"But...how...both of you?" Castorice put a hand over her mouth, she's trembling and on verge of tears now, "it's been so long since I lost connection with the world above. I thought I'd never..."
"I got a ride with him." Anaxa glanced at Phainon.
"You were...in my head?!"
"There's not much worth reading there." Anaxa showed no signs of remorse,"listen well, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae. Everything you love in the world above is in grave danger. Time flows slower here, but you must act quick if you want to put a stop to it all."
"I'm not sure I follow." He barely saw what took his life.
"Too often have I heard you say that." Anaxa let out a sigh. Phainon thought he detected a hint of fondness, and he thought he must be going crazy. "But it's always been my job to answer any questions you may have."
Phainon had more questions than he could put to words.
"Mydei was going to tell me something important right before I...um, died." He chose his words carefully, "and when I was attacked, I saw...memories. I saw Mydei fighting by my side. Aglaea. Cipher. Both of you, too. Were those...my past life?"
"You can say that." Anaxa said, "those memories are quite intriguing. The obvious conclusion is that you have always been one of us."
"One of--"
"We are the titans," Anaxa said, "everything you know about the legends are true. Except that our powers are nearly all gone now."
Then he filled him in on the events from hundreds of years ago, ignoring the shocked look on Phainon's face. Even if he had his suspisions, this was too hard to believe. But then he remembered what he saw before his death. The strike that killed him. The crimson crystals. Mydei's tattoos glowing red.
"That must be what Mydei wanted to tell me." He said slowly, still digesting it all. What's all this had to do with him? How could he be one of the titans? This must be some kind of mistake. He wanted it to be, because what had he done in those fragments of memories he saw?
"What else did you see before you died?"
"Whoever attacked us...he looked just like me." He tried to recall, but it only brought him more headache, "it feels like there's a...connection between us. "
"Correct." Anaxa said, "That was Khaslana. He is a part of you, and you him."
Phainon felt a chill down his spine.
"It was during the final battle against Irontomb five hundred years ago," Anaxa continued, "Khaslana's consciousness was consumed, but he kept a small part of himself safe. He wanted you to survive. To him, you're the light inside that kept him going, for thirty-three million cycles."
"I--survived." He repeated dryly.
"Indeed. You are what we tried to protect. You are the last piece lost to the war." Anaxa said, "and now we have found you."
"But," he said uncertainly, "how did I survive?"
"Lord Mydei gave his soul to save you." Castorice said gently.
"I had a feeling the last piece is here." Anaxa seemed pleased.
"Mydei is here?!"
"Yes. Or rather, a fragment of him is." Castorice nodded.
"Can I go see him?" he said, too eagerly. He thought he'd never get to see Mydei again. And now he had so much to say. Or not. He wasn't sure. But he had to see him. To know that this is all real.
"It is crucial that you do." Anaxa said, "go find Mydeimos, and bring him back to us."
For the first time since he died, he felt a flicker of hope.
"Wait," he said, remembering something, "you said you've all lost your powers. How do we stop...the other me?"
"You believe in Mydeimos, don't you?"
"Of course." He said without hesitation.
"Then it's enough." The corner of his mouth curled up into a faint smile, "Now go."
Mydei found his usual place on the rooftop, watching the souls passing by below.
Time had long lost meaning to him, the same way it did to any soul in the underworld. He didn't remember how long exactly he'd been here. Death was no stranger, even the final one shouldn't hold much significance.
If he wished to sleep for decades, he could. He'd earned a peaceful rest, for he'd given it all for the war. He knew Amphoreus was saved, from how the souls here talked about their living days. At first there was familiarity in how they described the world, then there were more and more words he failed to understand. Unlike him, Castorice did a phenomenal job with this place adapting to the changes above. When he first arrived, it had nothing but a sea of flowers. Since then she'd built towns and cities, so the souls could find comfort in their final resting place. He visited Castorice often, and they would enjoy tea and desserts, or the equivalent of nourishment for souls, over idle chats of the good times they shared.
Life after death had been good. There's nothing to complain about. Except for one thing. Just one regret.
"I had a feeling I'd find you here." A voice he could never mistake.
The world paused around him. The dull ache in his chest pinned him in place. He cursed himself for being a coward: he could not turn around and look.
"...Mydei?" The soul took a step forward, placing a hand on his shoulder tentatively.
And he let the weight of it all crush him. All those time he spent yearning for his love. The bitter-sweetness of their separation: he died so Phainon could live. It was a force he could do nothing against. He grabbed his wrist, not even caring if he'd hurt him, and pulled him close until Phainon's head was settled against his shoulders.
"Mydei." Phainon's voice was hoarse.
"Don't move." He chocked, "just a bit longer."
He clung to him like he's his sole reason for existence. Phainon allowed him to stay like this for as long as he wanted, and if Mydei wasn't overwhelmed by his feelings ached, he'd notice that the other man was equally desparate. Eventually their eyes met, then their lips. A slow, deep kiss that carried the unbearable weight of time and space.
"I know we will meet again." He said when they parted for air.
"I thought I'd never see you again." It was Phainon's turn to not let go now.
"I have always believed."
But Phainon seemed too sorrowful for the reunion they've waited five hundred years for.
"Mydei, I'm sorry." He said, "I fear I may not be who you've been expecting."
"What do you mean?"
Phainon recounted the events from how they first met, to all that led him here.
"I thought I was just a ordinary human until about an hour ago," his voice was strained now, "you gave your life to save me, and I didn't even know until now! And what I saw in those memories...what I did to you..."
Mydei didn't know what to say. He pulled him close again and let him bury his head in the crook of his neck.
"I don't even know if you'd want to see me after all of that. Still, I couldn't resist coming here. I knew I have to see you, when I learned that you are here." Phainon mumbled, "there's something I never got to tell you before I died."
He knew what it was, but that did nothing to quell the storm inside. How he longed to hear those words again.
"I love you." Phainon said, Mydei felt a hint of wetness burning his skin, "I love you so much."
"I know." He pressed their foreheads together, "I love you too, Phainon."
Phainon slowly relaxed into him.
"I love you."
"You said that already." He said fondly.
"There are so many times in the past where I missed my chance to say this." Phainon insisted,"I'm still making sense of all these memories, but this is the only thing I know for certain."
"I love you."
"You said that already."
"Maybe I missed saying it more."
"Is this a competition?"
"Isn't everything?"
He found himself laughing. Then Phainon did too.
"I'm still missing so many pieces." Phainon whispered, "about us."
"That's fine. We are still us."
"But--"
"You found me, didn't you?" Mydei said, "we always find each other."
"We always do?"
"We always do."
"How come you--the other you--never said anything?"
"It's a huge burden to bear."
"But it is mine to bear, isn't it?"
"Look at you." Mydei chuckled, "a Deliverer through and through."
Phainon almost groaned.
"Look, I know this is silly," he scratched his head, "it's just...you're literally a god. The Mydeimos. God of Strife. And I'm--I still feel like a human."
"HKS." Of course he'd get tripped on something like this, "you're one of us. You always have been."
"It just doesn't feel real yet." Phainon said, "I mean, I just found out about all this."
"Well, you got a god to fall for you for millions of times. What does that say about you?"
"Neither of you truly belong in this world." Castorice said. "As sad as I am to say goodbye after such a brief reunion, you must go back to the world of the living. Polyxia will give you a ride."
"Hello again." Polyxia appeared on cue, "sending souls back up, now that's new."
"Ready?" Phainon offered a hand to Mydei.
"Oh, wait." Polyxia said, "Lord Phainon, you go first. Lord Mydei will be right behind you. Keep looking straight ahead. Do not look back no matter what.
"Oh I've heard of this one! Is it true if I looked, Mydei will be bound to the underworld forever?"
"Nope." She gave him a strange look, "I just don't want you two making out on my backseat."
"I do." Castorice said faintly.
"Fair enough." Phainon nodded.
"...I regret this already." Mydei sighed.
"Hey, no takebacks." Phainon winked at him, "fine, I won't look. I know you're right there."
"I'm sure Lord Mydei had never said so much sappy stuff before," Castorice smiled mischievously, "if you look at him now, he might combust."
"You're not helping." Phainon complained, "that makes me want to look more."
"Can we just go?"
"Actually, I have one more request."
"Yes?"
"Can we ride the dragon?"
They bid Castorice farewell, then they were in the air. Polyxia rose through a strong gust, and they were heading up, towards the light above. Mydei's arms were wrapped around him. He closed his eyes and let himself bathe in the scent that was distinctly Mydei.
He found himself calm despite what he's about to face. He'd always believed in Mydei. And he always will. As long as Mydei's by his side, everything will be okay.
Everything's fucked.
There's no way of keeping the disaster contained now. Khaslana was in a frenzied state, like a beast trapped in a maze and its only way out was destroying everything in its path. He's in the air, eyes closed, growling in pain as he launched attacks after attacks. Dark and red expanded expanded around him. His domain was rapidly growing in size, pulling everything it touches within. Their house was gone. So were half of the buildings on the block. People were running. Screaming. Filming while screaming.
Mydei threw another crystal spear at him, but by the time it reached him, it nearly lost all of its momentum, and it was easily blocked. He cursed at himself. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to reach him. His powers wouldn't keep up. Even lifting the spear made him feel like all his muscles are tearing up.
What good is this cursed existence? He growled. Phainon's lifeless body was still lying on the ground, and the sight pierced through him worse than any wound he'd sustained.
No. He can't collapse here. For Phainon. For everything.
"I'll keep distracting him. Get people to safety!" He shouted.
Cipher snatched a crying kid out of the blast zone, narrowly dodging an explosion.
"This isn't gonna work." She said, "what do we do?"
"We can have Ica eat him." Hyacine said. Ica casted a healing dome for the injured.
"No!" Everyone said at once.
"We're not losing you again." Aglaea added, "we can't hold long like this. Where's Anaxa?"
As if right on cue, an unmistakable maniacal laugh came.
"Grand Performer," she seethed, "people are dying. This is hardly the time--"
"I figured it out! Hahahahahahah!"
"What did you do?!"
"Oh don't worry, dear, everything will be fine." more maniacal laugh, "help is on the way."
"Help?"
Mydei ignored the commotion. He saw an opening, and he had to put everything into this strike. All he needed to do was weaken Khaslana enough so he goes back to deep slumber again. Crystals gathered at his hands. He had never been this focused. More. More. Just a little more. Even if this will be his last.
Keep it up. Not enough. Keep it up.
Spears roared with thunder, painting the sky bloody red. He fully expected to pass out from exhausion, but much to his surprise, he's still standing. Only then did he notice that everything around him had gone quiet. Way too quiet for a battlefield. He scanned around. Not only there's a crowd watching in awe, all his companions were staring at him with jaws wide open.
"What?" He frowned.
"How...did you do that?" Hyacine's voice asked weakly.
Mydei then felt it. The familiar power that coursed through his veins. Blood roared like thunder in his eardrums. The fire that burned on countless battlefields for millienia. It was still nowhere near his peak power, but its presence was unmistakable.
What's more, there's a feeling he'd long forgotten. It was as if he looked into a mirror, and saw himself from another time and space looking back. In the moment their eyes connected, all that was lost was reclaimed: the final battle against Irontomb. The underworld. Khaslana. Phainon.
He felt complete.
"Bring it on." He's ready to take on the world.
He turned to Khaslana again. This time, he found the familiar golden eyes looking back at him.
There was nothing in this place besides a scortched battleground. It was easy to find Khaslana in the center, fighting the non-existent battle inside his mind. The air was filled with his pain. It burned Phainon to breath.
"You don't need to fight anymore." He said.
Khaslana froze mid-action. Phainon took the chance and embraced him from behind. Khaslana's body stiffened against his.
"Is that you, Phainon?" He mumbled, "you survived. Tell me it's true."
"It's true." Phainon let him go gently. "You did it. Irontomb is no more. "
"Are you here to end me?"
"Is that what you wish for?"
"No." Khaslana said, "I don't want you to become another me."
"What is your wish then?"
He fell silent.
"I don't deserve this." Khaslana shook his head.
"You are the reason our world still exist."
"You are the reason I exist."
"Then believe it when I say this: you earned it."
"I can't win against you, can I?"
"You know it." Phainon grinned.
"I'm sorry." Khaslana finally said, "I imagine I caused quite some trouble."
"You can still make things right." Phainon extended a hand, "there's something I need your help with."
"Is that...Mydeimos? God of Strife?"
"It's just like in the legends!"
"Really? Because in the stories I've heard, he has six arms."
There were murmurs coming from the crowd. Suddenly, everyone had a story to tell. Everyone's somehow an expert on the matter now.
"Did you see that spear?"
"The golden thread saved me! It must be the Romance Titan!"
"Get under the rainbow dome!"
"They are real!" The crowd cheered, "the Titans are real! They are here to save us!"
Phainon breathed a sigh of relief. His plan was working. People were seeing what they needed to see. As always, his companions rose to the occassion. Come at me. Fight me. The more they do, the more people will believe in them.
Khaslana's memories filled in the blanks of his own. He remembered it all now, but the power he wielded still felt foreign, it was like learning to control an extra limb. But he only had to keep it going a little longer. Aglaea's sword narrowly missed him, then he almost fell into the trap weaved with golden threads.
Ok. Maybe this plan's a little dangerous.
"What the fuck are you thinking?" Mydei's punch was right in front of his face.
Ah, of course Mydei would see through him. They'd sparred countless times, hadn't they? Of course Mydei could easily tell the diffrence from a real attack and a fake one.
"Mydei, I--" he couldn't explain himself. And it's too late to dodge now. He braced for impact.
"Allow me?" Khaslana's voice said from inside his mind.
"Can't sleep? You're back sooner than I thought."
"I remembered," he said, "I do have a wish after all."
And they fought, and fought. To outsiders, it looked like they were going for each other's lives. But only they knew this was how their spars went. It was just like those days on the rooftop, skins glistening in the sunlight, with the sweet promise of honeycakes and baths afterwards.
"Welcome back." Mydei grinned, pinning him on the ground, hot breath beside his ears.
"I'm back." He met the warm smile in those amber eyes, and he knew his own glowed the same.
"You did it!" Hyacine pulled Phainon into a hug, crushing the air out of him, "you saved everyone! You saved us!"
"Ow!" Phainon winced, "how are you this strong?"
"Oh, I'm still getting used to this new body!" She winked.
Mydei watched fondly as Phainon got greeted by everyone with the gratitude he deserved. He spotted Castorice too, who looked very confused why she could be in the mortal world.
"Cas!"
"Wait, Miss Hyacine--"
But Hyacine already pulled her into an embrace.
"Your powers won't work on us anymore." Anaxa said casually.
"Agy?" Tribbie yawned, "what happened? Why is our house gone?"
"We are not dying." Aglaea smoothed her hair, "everything is going to be fine."
"Look! I can fly again!"
"How did you figure it out?" Aglaea turned to Phainon.
"It's all thanks to Professor Anaxa--"
"--Anaxagoras--"
"--he said I just need to believe in Mydei." Phainon explained, "at first I thought, of course I believe in Mydei, I don't need a reminder. But then I realized exactly why I need to believe. "
He paused, "because we are Titans. It is the belief from our people that gives us power."
"Not bad." Anaxa nodded, "when we became Titans, our stories had been written, and the belief from our people became our tie to this world. And when the world forgot us, we lost our powers, our identity, and everything that defined us. Just like an old book with fading ink and falling pages."
"We never asked to be remembered." Aglaea said, "we never did what we did because we want to remembered."
"For too long we believed in a destiny. We believed in prophecy, for there was no defying it, for it was the choice we had to make, with the weight of the world on our shoulders. We have long lost the luxury of making our own choices, to shape our own lives. Then we let the world forget us, and we all resigned to believe this was our new fate." Anaxa said.
"But there's no more prophecy." Phainon said, "and our powers are not the only thing that makes us us. Because Mydei and I found each other, even without our powers, or our memories. Because we are still us."
Mydei suddenly felt very conscious of everyone's eyes on him.
"HKS," he muttered, "don't say things like that in front of everyone."
"Ok. You know what, I'm moving out." Cipher blurted out.
"That goes without saying, since our house is gone." Aglaea said, "I never thought I'd say this, but I kind of miss it."
"I think it's time you all know," Cipher said grimly, "our plumbing hadn't actually been working for the past 57 years."
Everyone involuntarily moved further away from the rubble.
"Yeah. What will you do without me." She shook her head.
"True." Aglaea sighed, "regardless, I think I speak for everyone when I say, I believe we've had quite enough of each other?"
"First thing we agreed on." Anaxa hmphed.
"Don't expect holiday cards." Cipher said, "except you, princess homebody. You're in my good books."
"If any of my belongings mysteriously disappear, I'll know you're thinking of me!" Hyacine winked.
"What about you, Mydeimos?"
Mydei thought of many things. Perhaps he could open a bakery. Perhaps he could work on his music. He's free from his responsibilities now. They all are. There's no more letting the world decide the fate for them. For once, they're allowed to fight for a life they want, just because they wanted it.
But first--
"Well," he looked at Phainon standing by his side, and reached to hold his hands, "I believe we have some catching up to do."
FIN