"In ancient times, when the gods clashed over power,
The heavens roared and trembled with their cries,
A war of light that throws the world into night,
And mortals feared the end of all their ties.
The earth was burned, rivers flowed with flames,
While the deities fought for dominion,
His anger out of control, without peace or respite to claim,
Until the creatures with a sore heart prayed for sunrise.
Supreme among them arose such a great god,
With vast power to tame the raging storm,
He raised his hand to seal the inborn destiny,
Restored the calm and repaired form of the torn world.
Symbol of hope, his presence brought relief,
From the edge of chaos he pulled life back,
In dark tales we still remember and grieve,
The scars remain though the skies are again blue."
After reading the poem embedded in the smooth stone that rested inside a glass box, the demigods were immersed in silence. Cale was staring the altar of the main temple inside the Academy. Unlike the one he visited secretly, it contained an immeasurable divine splendor.
Some of the rookies looked away, restless with the weight of words. A younger girl nervously wiped her hands off her clothes. Another frowned as if struggling to understand why the poem made his skin shiver.
Cale, however, did not deviate. The words tasted like memory. Something old. As if they were repeated voices in his ear since before he knew what an altar was.
In front of the altar, two instructors turned to face the demigods.
"Do any of you know what these sayings refer to?"
The instructor Eldrin was a scholar who followed Melli, because he wore the uniform that several other instructors and priests of erudition wore. It wasn't the first history class the demigods had, but for some reason he joined with Sigrid and brought them to that huge temple.
A demigod raised her hand.
"This is the Era of Rupture, a historical moment marked by great wars."
Eldrin stared at the demigod and agreed with his head.
"The Era of Rupture was named for the greatest war this world has ever witnessed. The fertile land became scorching lava. The gentle and refreshing breeze became heavy and full of ashes, spreading the smell of blood and echoing the cries of terror. All for the sake of silencing the heretics and sinners who tried against the higher gods."
Cale raised his purple eyes to the stained glass windows around the temple. The space was so grand that it accurately reflected the history of that war. In each stained glass window was a superior deity attacking an enemy.
"It was because of the Age of Rupture that the divine laws were created, in a covenant to which all divine beings should obey. Only in this way will no one dare to incite another war" Sigrid added, pointing to the huge statue behind the altar, showing the mysterious figure sitting on a throne. "The great supreme god, Ereghast, used all his strength to put an end to the war."
"Is that why he was never seen again?" asked another demigod, looking curious. "I say, for centuries no one has commented anything about Ereghast..."
"But if Ereghast was so powerful, why didn't he himself stop the war from the beginning?" murmured someone without raising his hand.
"Perhaps because even the gods learn from their own mistakes" replied another, older . "Or maybe he just waited for the right time, who cares?"
Cale crossed his arms, pondering those questions and answers with no foundation other than guesswork. The words escaped from their lips like murmurs.
"Or maybe he just chose who should survive."
"No one knows. Some conjure that he is dead. Others say that he went on a journey to rebuild the lands destroyed by war. So many others spread that Ereghast never left Keonna, keeping the physical bodies of all the higher gods as prisoners of his watch, to avoid another war. The truth? No one knows, and neither dare we to find out."
Returning to face the huge statue, which only represented a hooded and barefoot man sitting on a throne. It was impossible to see his face, hair color and eyes, but by the strong body and exposed, it was clear to be a male figure. His head was covered by a hood with golden details, which fell gently over his face.
Cale had the feeling of ancestral power, wisdom and a strong connection with that statue. He could feel his strength emanating from that impeccably erected statue.
Nostalgia and longing embraced him.
"Because of the Age of Rupture, one of the higher gods was held to be responsible for the cataclysm. We never mentioned his name, and his existence was erased from the myths to keep humans in eternal obliteration. But you, who carry the divine blood, must never forget, so that you never make the same mistake again."
A shiver passed through Cale's body.
He usually loved the theory classes, because he always learned something new that would enrich his future priesthood. But that particular class... bothered Cale. It was as if the invisible eyes of that hooded figure crossed the marble and rested on it.
Cale tightened the sheath of the cloak. A strange heat spread in the center of the chest, as if something asleep was responding to the presence of that statue.
He knew him. Not from books. Not from classes. From somewhere deeper. A whisper in the dark, a voice that said: "wait".
"Interested in?"
Hearing the voice coming behind him, Cale looked over his shoulder finding Mikhal's colorful eyes and friendly smile. The veteran held a pile of books, it seemed to be giving to demigods to study. Cale took the book and stared at the cover, thinking of an answer.
"It's just a statue, but I can feel the intensity of its symbolism."
It was Mikhal's turn to look up at the statue and then look at Cale.
"Or maybe it's just a reminder that some eyes never close" he finally sighed. "Instructor Eldrin wants a summary of the first four chapters for Friday. Do not forget, if you get too busy playing with a certain... puppy."
Choking on his own saliva, Cale opened his eyes to Mikhal. But he had already given him his back to continue distributing the books.
"Damn... you can't say something like that and walk away as if it didn't make me blush. How cruel."
Holding the book tighter, Cale turned his back on the huge statue and went to the bottom of the temple, sit on one of the wooden benches. The temple was now filled by the endless zum zum zum of the demigods who seemed more interested in other subjects than the class itself.
"And remember: the coming-of-age ceremony is not a party. It's a test. And not everyone returns from the test as they entered" The instructor continued, while passing among the demigods. "It is only a week to come here to perform your test."
Cale stared at book for a second, but his eyes turned back to the statue.
He whispered, not understanding where it came from:
"I'm still hearing you."
.
.
.
The room was quiet. Silent in a way that made your own thoughts echo too loud.
Aries knelt before the altar of black marble. The torches on the walls cast dancing shadows, reflected in the ancient symbols engraved throughout the underground chamber. The inscriptions shone in soft gold, as if the temple itself breathes.
The high priest of Melli, known only as Elheran, stood, wrapped in green robes with silver details. His eyes, worthy of a serpentine monster, were two cracks of pure wisdom, or mistrust. It was the Theiodesmos of Melli, the only one authorized to speak on behalf of the god of scholarship.
"Report" Elheran's voice was low, but sharp. No hurry. As if he knew exactly what had happened.
Aries kept his eyes on the stone floor.
"There were marks unknown to me on the floor of the temple at the border of the village. The priest reported the theft of the altar artifact."
An uncomfortable silence floated. Elheran remained motionless.
"I see you have a fight against whoever committed such a crime."
Aries took a brief look at his bandages and nodded.
"Yes" raising his eyes, they shone brightly. "They... they were definitely sent from Nuria."
The name hovered in the air like a restrained thunder. Elheran moved for the first time.
"Do you understand the weight of what you are saying?"
"I'm saying just to be sure. Although I think it's strange that they were cautious and attacked such a small temple."
Elheran was silent. Long enough for Aries to feel the weight of the air change. The heat of the temple had become suffocating. The walls seemed to pulsate, as if Melli himself was listening.
The Theiodesmos turned his back, walking to the altar where lay a book sealed by silver chains. He did not open it. Just laid his hand on, as one who appeases a sleeping beast.
"Keep it secret. If the other gods know, the balance between the temples will be shaken. And you..." he looked back at Aries. "You were seen. You know what that means."
Aries nodded, the expression hardened.
"I'll be quiet. But may I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Should I keep watching those two? I think you must have noticed the eyes and the resemblance."
Theiodesmos sighed low and crossed his arms as he turned to face Aries.
"He is aware, always has been. That goddess of prophecies also left the traces of her prophetic words as an absolute future. We will continue to watch, these are your orders."
Aries shook slightly.
Yvaine also told her prophecy to Melli.
The nearest torch went out by itself, as if the shadow had liked it.
Aries has risen.
"Then let the war begin in silence."
Elheran did not answer.
But the grimoire under his hand shone — a rune activated, in deep red.