'The Seven Higher Gods resided in their respected lands, each gifted by Cytheria to them. However, they were said to stay together in Taetegas, what Taetegas was, however, is not easy to say. There is no doubt that it was located in a hidden realm that Cytheria created for the people to see them together. But in the whispers of the people, the realm was suddenly gone for no reason.
'Wherever it was, the entrance to it was a great gate created from trees and gold kept guard by Mereia's creatures. Within were the Higher Gods' dwellings, where they lived and slept and feasted while listening to the musics of Rydas and his scions. It was an abode of perfect paradise, surrounded by the beauty of life.'
Excerpt of Taetegas of the Higher Gods, written by Scholar Velga
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𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧
𝕴𝖙'𝖘 been three days since they left Naros, heading towards the mountains of Skyrias. Theodoros believes that the Mistress was sleeping in the mountains of Skyrias, but if ever he did not find the cave Theodors claim to house the Mistress, they would go to Boeotika since Hippolyta claimed something was happening to the forest that may be connected to the Mistress.
Itachia was not even in Bastien's option, nothing but sand dunes and heat that he knew he and his friends won't survive the place but Theodors said, if the Mistress wasn't there in Skyrias, she might be in Itachia.
Finding the Mistress was never in his option but he was getting desperate, Theodoros believes finding the Mistress would help Cythera but the question was how. How are they going to convince her to spare Cythera and fix yet another problem they have created themselves.
Now, he sounded like he believes all the myths about the Mistress.
He could not believe he would someday be looking for the Mistress of Cythera.
From what he learned from the book was that Cytheria have birthed a daughter that have gained her affinity from the Goddess herself. If Cytheria breaths life, her daughter controls it. A mixture of Cytheria and Oikos' affinities, the daughter can give life by growing plants, reviving the lands by a flick of her wrist but also can destroy it.
The daughter have grown being loved and favored by the other Gods, until Cytheria have seen what was happening to her creation and have sent her only greatest creation to fix it.
Only for the people to abuse the gift. That the daughter of Cytheria have grown tired trying to fix everyone's problem. The supposed cause of the Mistress of Cythera's sleep was that her body simply gave up. Too much abused on her power that it couldn't contain it anymore and her 'vessel' broke.
And thus, starting the myth of the Mistress of Cythera.
Bastien was still skeptic about it. He was only doing it for the sake of their people.
----
They arrived at the borders of Skyrias, beautiful landscape of lush fields seperated Skyrias to the lands of Elos, a neighboring land that houses a small village between Naros and Boeotika. Skyrias also have villagers, but their town Ilion was bigger than Elos from what Theodoros have said. A woman stood on the edge of the field with a feathered bracers, winged greaves, leather waistband and torso that has a hood over the head of the woman.
"Welcome, Prince Bastien of Naros. I am Panthea, your guide to Skyrias. Theodoros is my friend." The woman bowed, speaking in the universal language, since some regions have their own language.
"Theodoros did not mention a Panthea to me." Bastien said, wondering if his younger brother had time to entertain a woman in his bed when he knew Theodoros would rather pick a tome than a woman. For he finds women complicated.
"Theodoros visited Skyrias last fall to study the mountains, fret not, I guided him well on his journey. He taught me to speak Narosi." Narosi was Naros' language, the universal language. Bastien knew Theodoros can speak some of the languages in Cythera, but he only heard him speak Parosi and Kelloni.
"I thought the mountains are a danger to us." Kiran said, as Bastien saw him crane his neck to observe the high mountains.
"It is but I only took Theodoros to the lowest mountain. His body is not well fit for Skyrias, too payati." She said, the last word sounded strong and pronouncing every syllable.
Bastien didn't understand what she said, "A what?" He asked, curious what the Skyrian thought about his brother.
"Pah-yah-tee. Not warrior, stick body." Panthea struggled to explain but Bastien understood what she was implying. He heard Kiran guffawed then making an oomph sound, Bastien knew Phelan smacked the back of Kiran's head.
Theodoros was lean, he never had the time to hone his body to a warrior's one. Too busy reading books and writing stories to bother holding a sword. Bastien had given up trying to teach Theodoros how to hold a sword.
"You are not payati, but the mountains are still a danger to people who are not used to the rough terrain and strong winds." Panthea said, not a hint of arrogance in her voice.
Panthea walked in front of them while Bastien dropped off on his horse, others following suite to match Panthea's stride. "Has Theodoros explain our purpose of visit?"
"Te. I know what cavern he has spoke about, Andania is a recently found cave and no one dares to venture inside." Panthea looked up and pointed at the area of the cave. A golden eagle flying around and Bastien noticed that the bird was only circling the specific area. As if sensing Bastien's curiosity, she added, "The eagle keeps circling that specific area, as if guarding something. The elders have ordered us not to enter the cave, fearing that something may be inside."
"So is it forbidden to enter Andania?" Bastien hoped for her to say no.
"Te." She nodded, "You must plead your case to the elders, Skyrian warriors are guarding the pathway to the cave."
Somehow, looking at the bird, he knew something was inside the cave. He felt like the bird was watching them with knowing eyes. Waiting. Observing. He knew Theodoros was right. She was here and he hated that Theodoros and his beliefs have
"That bird is seriously creeping me out." Tellias muttered behind Bastien.
"Then shoot it." Kiran said. Another smack from Phelan.
Without skipping a beat on her stride, "We do not allow such cruelty inflicted upon our brethren." Panthea said.
Bastien then remembered what his tutors taught him about Skyrias. They believe the birds are the eyes of the Higher Gods sent to watch Cythera with their sharp eyes, fearing killing one would face the Gods wrath.
"Then why is it your armor made of feathers then?" Kepheos asked not as an insult but with curiosity.
"These are the feathers that fell from the sky as the birds flew. Some were from my pet when he plucks it." Panthea explained.
Bastien looked at Panthea's armor and wondered if it provides enough protection.
It was all leather, whereas Naros was metal, Skyrias had leather armors. Bastien knew Skyrians had good reason why they don't use metal on their armor.
No one would dare lay besiege Skyrias, it was well protected by the mountains, a person with no guide would get lost before finding the main town.
He admired the scenery in front of them, Naros was too overcrowded and messy, compare to Skyrias. The field of flowers sway along with the wind, it was peaceful here, he could imagine himself laying on the fields sleeping, a rest was long overdue to him.
As they reached a wooden post erected from the ground with a rope tied from the wooden tip until it soared above. Bastien knew this was how Skyrians travel fast to the ground.
Skyrians were known for their ability to jump higher and survive any fall but he did not know what limits they have to their fall. He had study all the region magic when he was a child, as he envy the Paxos and Kellonians ability to breath in the water much longer than any regular person. Boeotikans were animal whisperers and have the affinity to the nature, they were more well attuned to it. No Boeotikan could survive living in Naros or any region besides theirs with the exemption of Kepheos's mother. He never did know how she managed to get out of Boeotika without any reprucussions.
Naros had the most dangerous ability, Bastien was happy that only the royal bloodline have it, not out of selfishness but to everyone have it would be a clusterfuck waiting to happen.
The royals had the ability to control one's mind, influence their choices and read their thoughts. Bastien finds it violating and disgusting, for he only uses it rarely unless needed. He do admit to use it to gain the upper hand once in a while.
There were some other type of abilities around Cythera. Everyone in Cythera knew of the Naros Royals' ability. Everyone feared them, feared and admired.
Their father had the same ability but somehow, the king had no reason to use and it was weak, war was over, they had defeated Tesseria years ago so his father claimed. A foreign region far away from them. His father thought his abilities were not needed anymore.
If the Naros had the affinity to influence a mind, Tesseria had the ability to block it but not all Tesserians had it though.
Bastien frowned as he remembered the war too well. It was over years ago, when the Tessarians attempted to invade Cythera. It was the last time Bastien had used his ability to an extent.
He had to stopped himself from rubbing the surging ache in his temples, just thinking of the nightmare.
They had won, that's what matters but at a grave cost.
After the war, the first two years were thriving until the aftermath of the battle began to actually destroy Cythera and his father resort to fucking his way around Cythera.
His father used to be a good king, Bastien just didn't know what made him to that. He knew it wasn't the fact that their mother died, yes, their father mourned her death and have prayed to the Higher Gods when they have found the uncurable sickness within her.
When she died, his father stopped praying and began doing; teaching Bastien how to wield a sword at such a young age, having masters tutoring him on honing his skills. His father was a good father, attentive and caring until the war broke him in a way Bastien didn't know how it happened.
"Your highness?" Bastien heard Panthea calling him.
"Yes?" He asked as he blinked his eyes and focusing on the Skyrian in front of him.
"You zoned out, Bas." Tellias said, looking at him with concern.
He rarely zone out unless Bastien was remembering the past. His way too messy past.
"It was nothing," Bastien replied, trying to sound nonchalant and succeeding.
Bastien knew Panthea was watching him, probably wondering if the Royal curse was real. A curse that people have wondered if it was true due to the myths and written books about their Naros royals may succumb to the darkest temptations in mind.
He didn't want to give anyone reason to think that it was true.
He beckoned Panthea with a nod of his head. The Skyrian huffed and nodded, bracing herself for a jump the Skyrians were known for.
Panthea jumped, almost flying until she reached the cliff above them.
"Holy Gods. That was amazing!" Kiran gasped, admiration was sweeping on his voice.
He watched as Panthea grabbed hold of the rope before making a run for it, leaping into the cliff, gracefully making a flip before landing in a crouch in front of them. Not a hair went touched.
Kiran, an adrenaline lover, was basically jumping in glee beside them.
Bastien looked back at Panthea and blocked all the reactions on his face. He knew she was watching him, looking for a sign of that wretched curse everybody was talking about.
He didn't want to give them any idea.
For he had that curse already.