The golden light of the altar faded, leaving only faint traces of warmth in the crisp morning air. Eira stepped down, her movements impossibly fluid, as though the world itself bent to accommodate her presence. Kain watched her warily, every instinct screaming to stay on edge.
"You speak of balance," Kain said, his voice steady despite the weight of her gaze. "What exactly does that mean? And what does it have to do with me?"
Eira tilted her head, her shimmering form catching the light like a prism. "Balance is the foundation of existence," she said. "The gods play their games to maintain it, to steer the course of fate. Sometimes, mortals like you become... anomalies."
"Anomalies?" Kain echoed.
"You touched a divine artifact," she explained, circling him like a predator appraising its prey. "You altered the natural flow of fate. The gods will see you as both a threat and an opportunity."
"Great," Kain muttered under his breath. "So, what do I do?"
Eira stopped and faced him, her expression unreadable. "The question isn't what you do, mortal. It's what you're willing to sacrifice."
Kain frowned. "Sacrifice?"
Orin stepped forward, his mismatched eyes narrowing. "Enough cryptic riddles, Eira. We don't have time for this. What do you want?"
Eira smiled faintly, folding her hands before her. "You know the price, Orin. It has not changed."
Kain looked between the two of them, his unease growing. "What price? What's she talking about?"
Orin sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "The gods don't do anything for free, Kain. Eira's no different. She'll help, but it's going to cost us."
Kain's stomach twisted. "Cost us what?"
Eira's gaze softened, though it was far from comforting. "You carry the burden of the Luck of Gods," she said. "To control it, to survive the storm it will bring, you must give something of equal value."
"Like what?" Kain asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Eira stepped closer, and for a moment, her shimmering form seemed almost human. "Your past, your future, your very essence. The choice is yours, but the cost will be steep."
Kain felt the weight of her words settle over him like a physical thing. He glanced at Orin, hoping for some kind of reassurance, but the older man's expression was grim.
"Isn't there another way?" Kain asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
"There is always another way," Eira said. "But none are without consequence. You must decide what you value most and what you are willing to lose."
The clearing fell silent, the weight of her ultimatum pressing down on them.
"How do I even know I can trust you?" Kain asked, his voice trembling. "For all I know, you're just another god trying to manipulate me."
Eira's smile was faint but genuine. "Trust is a luxury you cannot afford, mortal. But know this: without my guidance, the gods will find you—and they will break you."
Kain swallowed hard. He didn't want to trust her, but deep down, he knew she was right. He was in over his head, and without help, he wouldn't survive long enough to find another option.
"I'll do it," he said finally.
"Kain, wait—" Orin began, but Eira silenced him with a raised hand.
"The boy has made his choice," she said.
Kain took a step forward, meeting her glowing gaze. "What do I have to do?"
Eira's expression turned somber. "Close your eyes," she said.
Hesitant but determined, Kain obeyed.
The moment his eyes shut, he felt a surge of warmth envelop him, a strange, tingling sensation spreading through his body. Images flashed in his mind—his childhood in the village, his parents' faces, the fields he'd worked day after day.
Then, just as quickly as they appeared, the memories began to blur and fade.
"No!" Kain gasped, his eyes flying open, but it was too late. The warmth was gone, replaced by a hollow ache in his chest.
"What did you do?" he demanded, his voice breaking.
Eira's expression was unreadable. "I took what was necessary. Your past is now mine to hold."
"My past?" Kain whispered, his knees buckling as the weight of her words sank in. He tried to recall his mother's face, the sound of his father's laugh, but the memories slipped through his fingers like sand.
"You will remember enough to survive," Eira said, her tone almost gentle. "But the rest is gone. In return, you now have the power to resist the gods. Use it wisely."
Kain stared at her, disbelief and fury warring in his chest. "You took everything from me."
"I gave you a chance to live," Eira countered. "Do not waste it."
Before Kain could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, and the air grew heavy with the scent of ozone.
"They're coming," Orin said, his hand on his blade.
Eira stepped back toward the altar, her form already beginning to fade. "Our time is up. Survive, mortal. Perhaps we will meet again."
With that, she vanished, leaving only a faint golden glow behind.
Kain staggered to his feet, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. "What now?"
Orin grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the treeline. "Now, we run."
The sound of whispers filled the clearing, growing louder with each passing moment. The gods had found them.
And this time, Kain wasn't sure he was ready to face them.
---
End of Chapter Four.