"Grandma, could you tell us the story of the gods again?" the little girl pleaded, her cousins echoing her request. She turned to her baby brother, who was watching them with wide, curious eyes. "I think my brother wants to hear it, too!"
The old woman chuckled, a warm sound that filled the room, and patted the little girl's head. "All right," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.
From the lips of the old lady, a tale unfurled, spun from the very mists of time. "This isn't just any story," her voice rasped, as if echoing from a cavern of ages past. "This is the saga of three gods who ignited a war without end."
A feline familiar, black as a starless night, dipped a velvet paw into a shimmering pool, sending a frantic shoal of silver-scaled fish into a panicked dance. Unheeding, the old woman continued. "It began with Lucy, the goddess of peace. Her heart, a vessel of youthful yearning, a thrumming desire to see the living world—a world she had never gazed upon."
Once, in a realm of celestial wonders, a curious young goddess strayed from the golden paths. Her wanderlust led her deep into a primeval forest, where she stumbled upon a forbidden secret: a shimmering portal, an iridescent tear in the fabric of their reality. Young gods were forbidden to ever cross its threshold.
The goddess, an ethereal beauty, was adorned in an azure'ampuyou[1],' a wrap-around skirt of liquid sky, and a flowing blouse that mirrored the mists of dawn. Her hair, a cascade of brilliant starlight, fell to her waist, a striking contrast to her skin, as pale and luminous as a moonbeam. While she possessed the stature of a mortal woman, her unearthly grace would give her away to any who looked closely.
As she reached her hand toward the swirling vortex, a presence appeared behind her. A young man, with a gentle demeanor and a smile that held the warmth of a sun, seized her wrist. His skin was the color of a sun-kissed earth, and his eyes, two emeralds swirling with ancient light, seemed to captivates her. Yet, she saw more than just his flawless form; she glimpsed the soul within—a lionheart, brave and true, veiled by a kind and gentle spirit.
"Who are you?" she breathed, her voice a whispered echo of the forest's secrets.
"I am Seofon," he replied, his voice a melodic chord of rich earth and summer rain. "But call me Seven. I am the god of luck. And you?" He extended a hand, his touch a gentle current.
"I am Lucy, the goddess of peace," she answered, her small hand finding his, a flicker of light against his warmth.
He bowed in a brief, reverent gesture. "It is an honor, Lady Lucy. But tell me, what brings you to this perilous place?"
"I have heard whispers of a portal to the land of the living," she said, her eyes shining with unbridled curiosity. "I wish to explore their world, to seek a truth that lies beyond our own."
"So, you seek a deeper truth?" he mused.
"Perhaps." She nodded, "And how about you? What brings you to this place?"
"I was merely seeking a peaceful place," he answered, his eyes nervously scanning their surroundings.
"In that case, I must be going, farewell!" she waved, but his hand shot out, grasping her arm and yanking her behind the immense, gnarled oak.
"Shh! I sense a presence nearby," he whispered, every muscle in his body tensed. He held his breath, and the goddess of peace did the same when she realized the danger they were in. Their heart beats in a frenzied rhythm, waiting for the heavy, thundering footsteps to finally fade away.
"What were they?" Lucy asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"The Keepers of this forest," he replied, a grim note in his voice.
When the last whisper of their presence was gone, Seven rose, helping her to her feet.
"Thank you, by the way," she said, a shy smile gracing her lips.
"You are welcome," he chuckled, his face a canvas of serene amusement.
"Hey, would you like to join me?" she asked, a spark of hope in her eyes.
"Join you?"
"My quest. Join me to fulfill my dream."
"You mean… to cross into the mortal realm?" he asked, a shadow of surprise crossing his face.
"Yes!"
"Do you truly believe it will be so simple to leave?" he challenged, a hint of concern lacing his tone.
"What do you think?"
"It is a forbidden dream, Lucy. It would tarnish our identities if the Elders were to find us."
"Do not worry," she beamed, her hand reaching for his. "I have you. You are the god of luck, am I right?"
"What of it?" he averted his gaze, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.
"It means with you by my side, we will surely escape if they try to find us." She extended her hand once more. "Please, join me."
He stared at her offered hand, the call of adventure whispering to his own soul. With a slow smile, he took her hand in his. "Alright," he said, his voice a promise.
Hand in hand, they stepped through the shimmering portal, emerging into a realm of dazzling light and vibrant life. They stood awestruck in a land called Zeraschia, a place of myth and mortal wonder.
"So this is it..." Lucy whispered in awe, her gaze sweeping over the endless forests and shimmering landscapes.
Her own world was a realm of pure magic, but this... this was a wild, untamed beauty she had never known. The trees rose to kiss the sky, and peculiar creatures, both cute and strange, flitted and scurried about them. The very air felt brighter, more alive.
"Indeed!" Seven's voice was full of wonder. "I never imagined a place so beautiful."
"Then let us explore!" she giggled, tightening her grip on his hand.
The Zeraschians, a kind and open-hearted people, welcomed the two strange beings with open arms. They spent a century in this wondrous land, weaving their lives into the tapestry of the mortal world, their days filled with boundless joy and unforgettable moments. Their bond deepened with each passing year, and Lucy found herself falling deeply in love with the god of luck. She wasn't sure if he returned her feelings, but it didn't matter. Not as long as they were together.
—
Meanwhile, on the horizon of Zeraschia, an unknown, forbidden cave, untouched by mortal feet, lay hidden in the shadow of a whispering forest. The gods, with boundless excitement, ventured toward this uncharted territory, their hearts filled with the thrill of discovery.
"This cave's aura feels... unsettling," Lucy whimpered, a shiver running down her spine. The air grew heavy, thick with a silent dread that settled over her like a cloak of shadows.
"We can always turn back," Seven said, his hand finding her shoulder, his touch a comforting warmth. "We'll return when you're ready."
"No!" she insisted, her voice firm despite her fear. "I want to see all of Zeraschia! I just hope we don't run into any wild beasts in there," she added with a nervous chuckle.
Seven's comforting smile was a beacon in the growing gloom. He took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "You have nothing to fear as long as I am with you."
The shadows of the cave consumed them, the air growing thick and still. Before them, the tunnel forked, two paths into the unknown.
"Let's split up," she suggested, a hint of mischief in her voice.
"I thought you were scared?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye.
"I am not!" she shot back, her voice a little too high, which only made him chuckle.
"Alright then," he said, a warm smile on his face. "Just shout my name, and I'll be there."
With a shared sense of adventure and confidence in their power, Lucy took the right path, following the gentle glow of luminous flowers, while Seven went left. They knew that they were more than a match for any beast that might lurk in the darkness.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called out, her voice echoing into the void. She reached a cliff, but the silence only deepened, a thick, suffocating blanket that pressed in on all sides. She was about to turn back when a faint sound, like a cry carried on the wind, stopped her in her tracks.
"Help..."
"Huh?" Her heart hammered in her chest, a frantic drum against her ribs.
"H—Elp... Please...!" the voice called again, a desperate plea for rescue.
Guided by the faint cries, she found him—a human, a frail, almost skeletal figure huddled on the cold stone. She lifted him easily, her immortal strength a stark contrast to his frailty. She rushed out of the cave, her only thought to reunite with Seven and save this poor mortal.
When they were all together again, Lucy quickly explained her discovery, and together they carried the man to the nearest village. The Zeraschians, a compassionate people, gave him shelter, their kindness a stark contrast to the darkness he had just escaped.
"Thank you... for saving me," he whispered, his gratitude a faint, weary smile.
"Aw, don't mention it," she replied, her heart softening. She smiled gently and patted his head, a gesture of pure, unadulterated kindness.
The months that followed were a sun-drenched dream. The two gods, Lucy and Seven, dedicated themselves to teaching the man how to live a normal life. Lucy, in particular, nurtured him with a maternal devotion, her days filled with a joy she had never known.
"Look, Lucy! I caught a fish!" Samael, the man they had rescued, boasted, a triumphant grin on his face.
"You're a natural! Keep it up!" she laughed, and in that moment, she realized with a jolt that he was their age. As she looked at him, she noticed his eyes, a striking, sapphire red that seemed to hypnotize her, and a face of chiseled perfection.
"Lucy, it's time we head back," Seven said, his voice a quiet command.
As they returned home, Samael's joyful expression faded, replaced by a grim resolve. "Lucy, Seven... I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead, Samael," she encouraged him, a warm smile on her face.
"I'm afraid you'll resent me," he said, turning away.
"Why would I ever hate you?" she wondered, setting the table.
"I am Chaos, the god of destruction," he confessed, the words like a heavy stone. "The Elders of Infortunii imprisoned me in that sacred cave because... I can't tell you why."
Seven's face hardened with anger, but Lucy, ever the goddess of peace, accepted him for who he was. "He is innocent as long as he has harmed no one. Please, accept him, too."
Seven's expression softened. "I will. But if he ever does anything wrong, you must return with me to the heavenly realm."
"I knew this would happen," Chaos sighed, his head bowed. "I'm so sorry."
"You are forgiven. By the way, is that your true appearance? Do you have horns like a devil?" Lucy's voice was filled with a childish curiosity.
"Just like you, I'm still young," he explained, "I don't have the power to transform into a my true form yet."
Chaos's heart ached with a silent love for Lucy. She was a beacon of light in his endless darkness, an angel sent from the heavens. But Lucy knew she couldn't return his feelings, not when her heart belonged to Seven.
Time passed, and the Elders of the heavens realm, having discovered their betrayal, apprehended Lucy and Seven. They were sentenced to a century of confinement in their own domain for their transgression. Chaos, consumed by rage, sought out the Viking Empire, who showed him the way to the heavenly realm. He vowed to save the love of his life, a promise he was willing to break to achieve his goal.
"So I was right, you came," Seven said, his hand on the hilt of a holy sword.
"Of course. I acted in the name of love."
"Don't fool yourself, Chaos... You know this is forbidden. Leave, or perish."
"Lucy taught me to fight for what's right. Now I've come here with a burning desire to succeed. I'll fight for my love, even if it means losing my life."
"But that will only make things worse! You won't be the only one to suffer! Don't you understand? Lucy will suffer, too, if you let love blind you!" Seven exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation.
"Says the one who told me love is a powerful thing that can't be stopped no matter how hard you try!" Chaos cried out, his voice a broken plea. "She is someone I am willing to sacrifice my life for! So give her to me, and we'll live happily and free in the mortal realm!"
"No! I'm doing this to protect her! You're not the only one here fighting for love! I'm doing it... because I love her just as much as you do!"
"Then forgive me... because I have to stop you from interfering with my desires," Chaos said, and with a flash of light, he swung his blade at Seven.
They battled until only one remained.
"W-what did you do...?" Lucy sobbed, her heart shattering as she held Seven's lifeless body in her arms.
Chaos watched her, his expression cold and unfeeling. "I fought for you," he said, pride lacing his voice. His eyes were no longer the vibrant red she remembered, but a cold, soulless black.
"I never thought you'd go this far... please go," she wept, unable to meet his gaze.
"What?" he gasped, his expression one of disbelief.
"I will give you a chance to escape... So leave."
"But, Lucy—"
"I know you did this for me, but... why me? Why did you fall in love with me? Of all the living beings, why me?"
"You are the light that saved me from the darkness," he said, his voice a low, hollow sound.
"Thank you for seeing me as your hope," she said, trying to smile through the tears. "But... just like you... Seven was my sun."
"That should have been me," he blurted out.
"Chaos!"
"I should have killed him a long time ago."
"No, you don't understand, I loved him before I even met you."
"Stop making excuses, Lucy... just admit it, you couldn't return my affection because I am the god of destruction... YOU DON'T TRUST ME, DO YOU?!" he screamed, his voice laced with venom. Lucy stood up, went to him and slapped him hard, the sound a sharp crack that echoed in the silence.
"Chaos! Stop acting like a fool! I understand why you hid the truth from us, but what I can't understand is that you knew loving me was forbidden, yet you let your emotions take over and pursued me despite the consequences, and then you mercilessly killed Seven!" she screamed, her voice a raw, angry sound.
As she screamed, a darkness, a horrifying corruption, spread from her core. Her eyes, once filled with light, turned to a black void, and bloody tears streamed down her cheeks. Her skin turned a sickly pale white, her hair turned silver gray, her nails grew long and sharp, and her teeth became fangs.
"I'm sorry... I really am..." he sobbed, falling to his knees as he watched her change.
"You must pay for what you have done," she hissed, her hand reaching for his head, a terrifying darkness swirling around her.
But before she could land the killing blow, the Almighty, the supreme being of their realm, appeared, his presence a blinding light. He was here to deliver each their punishment.
[1] another name for the tapis, a traditional wrap-around skirt worn in the Philippines