The cursed island was wrapped in a dry summer heat. The scorching sunlight rarely ever gave the isle pause, but today it was especially devastating. Thankfully the temple ruins provided a minimal amount of shade, perhaps the only reason that the priestess did not go up in flames.

While she kept fanning herself with plum tree leaves, she could only marvel at the resilience of the snake woman who dared to sunbath during the zenith of Helios’ ride across their part of the sky. Medusa was lying on her side and leaning her head on one arm. Her scales had heated up enough to allow one to grill meat on them, but she seemed to find this position comfortable. She had taken a nap until just a moment ago.

“Lady Medusa, are you awake?” Eugenia asked sluggishly.

“Mh.” Her response was just as drowsy.

“Aren’t you hot?”

“Hmph.”

Conversation was bothersome on a day like this, but Eugenia felt her consciousness slipping away. If she focused on words she might have avoided falling to the wiles of Hypnos.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“You already did.” Medusa replied with one eye open and rested her chin on her arms.

“Do you ever lie?”

Medusa pushed aside her lazy dozing snake hair and looked up at the priestess. She wondered if heat stroke had made her ask such an odd question, but the girl seemed to be in control of her mind yet.

“Is this another method to reprimand me? Will you lecture me on the morality of truth?” She asked non-enthused.

“I don’t want to scold you.” She shook her head softly. There was something off today. Medusa could tell that the girl had another of her philosophical episodes. It was never easy to tell whether the priestess just spoke out of boredom or something else. “I just want to know more about you… I think.”

Medusa frowned a little and let her head sink back on her arms. She had subconsciously perked her ears up. So foolish.

“…deception is no prerogative of humans. While it is more common in your heroes, a monster may also deceive. Even the lowliest animal predator will use methods to trick its prey as the fox blends in with the brush in autumn.” She replied dismissively.

“So even you have told lies?” Eugenia kept poking. What exactly was on her mind? It was like she was doubting something.

“Yes.” Medusa admitted without remorse.

“I see.” Eugenia gave her a forlorn smile and then turned silent.

That was offensive to the Gorgon. To be asked such an accusatory question and be satisfied so easily.

“Is it worth wondering about? The gods, too, deceive the people, do they not?”

“I don’t know much about that…” She trailed off.

“What do they teach you in those temples of yours? Deception is the greatest weapon. Your beloved goddess has nearly turned it into a virtue.” She smirked sarcastically.

“The great and wise Athena knows the truth of everything. When she uses untruths it is for the sake of advancing the world. One day we will find the truth ourselves and thank her.” Eugenia said stiffly.

“That woman always demanded a standard of her own. A purity above purity.” The Gorgon snorted and then rolled on her back to let the front side of her scales receive some sun. “Should a priestess not denounce lies?”

“Maybe.” Eugenia agreed weakly.

“Oh? Is that doubt I perceive? Could it be? You too relied on lies before?” Now she was just poking fun at her, but the priestess responded incredibly seriously.

“I lied before.” She wrapped her hands together and lowered her head in the shade. Her long hair was falling over her shoulders and mingled on her chest.

“Right.” Medusa squinted her eyes a little as she looked at the glowing sun.

“Sometimes people come to the temple to ask for advice from Lady Athena. Other times they want to know why something bad happened to them. I could feel the pain in their hearts. The grief in their soul. I realized that people only come to me when they are suffering. But even if I pray to Lady Athena, she will not always give an answer to them. The gods have their own duties and weight to bear. They can’t help everyone.”

“That again.” Medusa muttered quietly. This girl thought that humans should bear their own burdens, even though they were clearly incapable of it.

“When these things happen I don’t know what to do. I was taught that a priestess lives to serve the gods, but also to aid the people who come for help. What aid can someone powerless provide? When I thought about that… I lied. I told them that their family would be fine, that Lady Athena was surely watching, even though I did not know if she was. Sometimes they asked what they should do and I gave them advice. But they truly believed that a priestess only speaks in the name of her goddess. They took my word as gospel.” She clutched her legs and exhaled sadly. “I am a liar.”

“…such gentle lies.” Medusa said in a faint voice. Deception was for one’s own gain. There was someone who won and someone who lost. That was the nature of these things. Yet the priestess was so upset over lies that did no harm.

“Lying is wrong. I understood that. But there are moments when I believe a lie can help people. When someone deceives another to survive it’s not good, but I can’t fault them either.” She finally raised her head again and said what she truly thought. “I only despise one type of lie.”

“Which is?”

“Lying to oneself.”

The Gorgon fell silent and listened to the distant waves at the shore. The girl’s words were splashing against a metaphorical cliff as well.

Who was more true to herself than a monster?

Who could not bear such a comfortable lie?

“Out of the question.”

“You are the only one who can do it!”

“Yet I shan’t. Do you know what you are asking of me there, foolish girl?”

Akacia glared the girl down reproachfully and leaned her arm against the cold temple wall. The words that had been spoken so guileless had made her feel faint. Eugenia stood before her with a desperate expression, but she must have already known that the grand priestess could not be swayed.

“Right now everyone is fighting to prevent a horrible war. If we don’t intervene then-”

“That was their own choice. I never thought Leander to be so rash.” She clicked her tongue. “Have my teachings failed? Have I not managed to carve even the quintessential rules into your mind?”

“No, I understand why this asks a lot of-”

“Quiet already. I am the grand priestess of the temple of Athena. Even if I may not perceive it as such sometimes, I am the absolute authority in this sisterhood. I have to lead with my example. Your blasphemous request would destroy the very foundation of our faith.” Her words were picked with intent and harsh reality. The naiveté of this child had to be smashed to pieces at this very moment or the path ahead would crumble for her.

Eugenia lowered her head and balled her fists weakly. The frustration in her was obviously growing. Perhaps this was the first time Akacia had ever seen her this way. There were only traces of the meek and afraid child left. Now there was only a heavy sense of regret.

Her suggestion was no better than sacrilege against Athena herself. There could be no room for negotiation.

“You have been led astray by a monster that imprisoned you for nearly a year. You have been hurt by the vile machinations of evil men. These false lessons have taught you something that can only lead to disaster.” With somewhat softer eyes Akacia watched her former apprentice in the barely lit small room.

“…I think I have changed, that is true.” Eugenia was still not raising her head. “I can’t stand by anymore. I can’t just hide behind your back and cry.”

For a moment it seemed to Akacia as if she saw the reflection of another in Eugenia’s flickering contours. Such a familiar presence.

“What I experienced outside the temple wasn’t always beautiful. I was scared and hurt and powerless. It wasn’t all bad either. I met someone that I truly care for. I want to hear her voice again, even if just one more time.” Her words were tinged with fondness that she usually did not express. “But I also met other people. Those who only want to live their lives true to themselves and seek the best for their friends and families. If Lord Achaeus triumphs today their efforts will have been in vain. I am not sure what Lady Athena thinks of all this, but the teachings I believed in would not agree with the suffering that was caused already.”

She spoke of the teachings, but what verse in what song was ever this… compassionate? Akacia knew well how the mistress spoke and what her silvery eyes were locked upon. She could not divine the thoughts of a goddess, but she felt that at the very least she had gained a humble insight on what she would sanction and what she would denounce.

The truth was-

“I cannot do it.”

-that Eugenia’s heart had never been aligned.

The young priestess seemed close to tears as she was hit by rejection yet again. Surely a person could not abandon their weakness so easily.

“We have to stay neutral in all earthly affairs. Until our mistress demands that we interfere there can be no judgement. If her voice does not reach us, we are deaf. If she does not appear to us, we are blind. I understand your pain all too well. Please understand mine too.” For once she felt a need to sympathize, if even a little. Before it was too late.

“You knew what was happening, did you not?” Eugenia suddenly cut through the sympathy with such sharp words.

“I knew that Achaeus was planning something grand. The unrest in the Akropolis was obvious even to the lowliest servant.” She admitted.

“You didn’t try to ask Lady Athena for advice?”

“There was no need. Now that the moment has come, she is deaf to our calls. She has been gone for weeks. Your request only came to be due to this misfortune.” She reminded her of the absence that created all this tension inside the temple. “If you wish to summon her so dearly, you should pray to her yourself. After all you are more likely to garner her attention than m-” Her vitriolic remark got stuck in her throat. There was an idea.

“Lady Akacia?” Eugenia had naturally noticed her odd behavior and raised her head questioningly.

There was one path that had not been explored yet. Something so daring that it bordered on blasphemy as well, but she would not care at this point, would she? To encourage her to commit this crime would be nearly the same as doing it herself. They would be playing with fire at the tip of their fingers.

“Nevermind.”

She withdrew.

“You thought of something, didn’t you?” Eugenia had become too keen.

“I have not.” She turned away and folded her hands so tight that it hurt.

There were two people inside the grand priestess. One was the ever faithful servant to the Olympian goddess of wisdom. The other was merely a woman.

A woman who had once had a dear friend.

Her hands were shaking. With some effort she pulled the memento out of her garbs and traced the engraved letters with her thumb. If she closed her eyes she could still see her smile. For her sake, she had sworn to watch over this foolish girl. If she went to distant shores and got caught up in dastardly schemes, Akacia could do little to interfere. That had been her salvation in the face of such tragedy.

But if she threw this girl into the maws of the lion herself, then she truly would have broken her promise to…

“I always wondered why you never asked me about mother.” Eugenia changed her tone and also turned her back to the grand priestess. Now standing back to back, there was a mysterious air about them. “I know that you were friends, because mother talked about you. Of course I don’t remember much, because I was so young. When I came to Athens to study I was so, well, awestruck by you. Your confidence and strength made me want to appeal to you, but my weakness always dragged you down. There were times when I would do something foolish just to gain your attention for a little time.”

Akacia listened to those confessions silently. Her fingers were pressed into the pendant.

“Someone who knew mother and was so perfect, it was like I met someone that I could truly confide in. But I never did. I only listened to your words and nodded my head when asked. I abused your kindness and patience to feel better. That wasn’t a fair love…”

“Tsk.” Akacia clicked her tongue again and put a hand through her hair. She should not subject herself to this, but nothing in her pushed to stop the girl.

“I wondered why you didn’t ask about mother. Why you would never speak of her to me. Did we not love the same person?”

“My love for Kynthia is not something you can defile.” Akacia said coldly. “I never asked, because I did not want to know. The Kynthia I knew is still with me. Your memories of her are not mine and can never change me.”

Why was her chest filled with such sadness now? It made her feel weak. Seeing this child had only ever evoked negative feelings. It only hurt. Why did it always have to hurt?

Kynthia had always put her duty above anything else. She was a colossal rock inside the ocean’s waves, unrelenting and strong. They had just been two young girls studying to become servants of Athena. All this respect and warmth she had felt for Kynthia had driven her to this role she now fulfilled. If it wasn’t for her, Akacia would never have become the grand priestess.

Duty forced them apart, but it also was the thing that had connected them. So why did the woman who had given her such an apologetic smile chosen to run away with a good for nothing fool like him? A mere craftsman could sway that steeled mind where she had never even made a single dent. They went off to some rural village and created their happiness, while Akacia was locked away in the temple to rise the ranks.

And the fruit of that union she could never approve of… was now standing back to back with her.

“You may not want to hear these words, but I want to share them with you all the same.” Eugenia softly spoke into the darkness. “On mother’s deathbed she told me something that I can never defy. I made a promise to her that day.”

“What… did she say?” Akacia could not stop herself anymore. She had to know.

“She told me ‘Never lose sight of yourself and your duties. When you find meaning in something you have to stick to it. Athena is with those that stay true to themselves and her teachings.’” She recited the words that surely had been etched into her very soul.

Akacia bit her lip and allowed a single tear to run down her face. Unseen and unheard, only one drop of weakness in these hallowed grounds.

In the end, Kynthia had always been the same. Whether it was her Kynthia or that man’s. The stubborn delusion she had carried so many years had all been for naught. It was like she had lost her all over again.

“Akacia.” The girl’s voice seemed to overlap with another one from the distant past. “I have found meaning in something. If mother was right, then even with what I am about to do, Lady Athena will be with me. I want to stay true to myself and the teachings I believed in. Even if it is only once.” She was ready to leave. After failing to convince the head priestess she still did not give up. The faith she spoke of was clearly real.

“This is a cruel test. The mistress has never been one to care for a woman’s feelings.” Akacia forced the moistness out of her eyes and the weakness out of her voice. She turned towards her former protégé. “There is a way to fulfill your ‘duty’.”

“Really?” Eugenia seemed shocked at her change of heart.

“But I will not be the one to take that burden from you. If you seek to change the world, it is by your own power.” It was as much a blessing as a curse she was about to bestow. Finally she could give that spite an outlet.

“W-Wait, you don’t mean-?”

“You will take my place in that little plan of yours. All I will do is fulfill my duty to the end, to call upon Athena and follow the ritual to the smallest detail. Whether she responds or not is not up to me and none of my concern.” She said with a sardonic grin.

Eugenia turned pale. It was amusing to see her nonplussed reaction to this little twist of the knife. That was for making her go through all this pain again.

“I-” The blind priestess’ shaking lips parted for her response, but!

“FIRE! Fire has been set to the town hall!” Shouting from outside made them both jerk back.

The door was pushed open and Themistokles entered with an urgent expression.

“Things are getting a bit heated out there.”

“Ugh.”

They ran outside the temple alongside most of the remaining guards and some afraid priestesses. The flames were towering above the celling of the town hall already. The dry materials had fed the fire well. The crackling of the wood and the large stinking smoke clouds made Eugenia shiver. It was too reminiscent of that time she had almost been buried in the Greenhouse…

“This is terrible, the fire will spread in no time.” Zosimos was audibly terrified. So she wasn’t the only one who made bad experiences with fire.

The soldiers who had kept the temple in check were running around like wild chickens and completely lacking command. Probably because their superior had been knocked out by a bow.

“We can’t allow it to spread any further. The water from the well is the quickest option.” Akacia was springing into action, but then noticed something unusual. The wagon outside the temple grounds had been parked in an odd spot and it was filled with many wooden barrels. It hadn’t been here before.

“That traitor Leander set fire to the Akropolis! Is there no evil he would back away from?!” The soldiers kept shouting around them, much to the group’s chagrin.

“Enough already!” The head priestess grabbed one of the cursing soldiers and glared him down. “Get your men to make some lines to the wells. Organize a bucket chain. We still have time while the fire has not consumed the entire building.”

“Y-Yes ma’am!” He scurried away and called his companions to come along.

“Girls, stay at the temple for now. If you see the fire spread, take all the artifacts and belongings and flee into the city.” She gave instructions to the other priestesses who had formed a small crowd behind them.

“Leander wouldn’t set fire to the town hall.” Eugenia muttered.

“I agree. That seems like a desperate move.” Zosimos grabbed the bow tighter and then walked towards the inferno. “Those soldiers won’t be enough to tame a fire like that. We need way more hands.”

“Where could we get more people so quickly?” The priestess perked her ears to listen for any nearby people. To her surprise she could hear something other than all-consuming flames and the distant sound of battle. Footsteps. In the dozens. “Someone is coming!”

“Achaeus’ troops.” Akacia pulled Eugenia back before she could run into the incoming soldiers. Alignment was hard to tell just by sound, but someone whose eyes worked could see their emblems.

“Did Leander lose?” Zosimos was mortified by the sight.

“They carry no weapons!” Eugenia shouted after noticing the absence of the familiar clanking of sword sheathes against armor.

“What?” After the blind girl’s words they looked at the weary men ahead and indeed, they carried no spears or swords. When they arrived at the plaza in front of the town hall they were all taken in by the terrifying force of burning destruction.

“Are you deserters?” Akacia asked the closest soldiers.

“We surrendered.” He admitted despite his pride.

“Then you got your hands free to carry more water. Keep moving to what’s left of the gate. We need to create more bucket chains.” Akacia ordered them with authority, something they could understand. The men nodded and rushed towards the entrance of the Akropolis.

“It’s a long way down to the foot of the hill. Even with these men it won’t be long enough of a chain. It needs to go into both directions so the buckets can circle. And the fire will still spread…” Zosimos was nervous beyond compare and walked back and forth.

“Who would set fire to this place?” Akacia covered her mouth and stared at the flames trying to escape the upper floors.

“Wasn’t it an accident?” Eugenia asked as she wiped her sweat.

“Living in this city has taught me that nothing is ever a coincidence.” She put her sleeve over her mouth and walked closer to the building, but kept enough distance not to be singed by a surprise burst of fire.

“We – hrk – don’t have time to look after this place. If those men deserted we can be almost certain that Lord Leander made it through the enemy’s defenses. The fighting will grow only more intense now!” Zosimos was coughing from the irritating smoke. His focus was still on the plan. “You need to get away from here.” He grabbed Eugenia’s arm and set out to leave.

“W-Wait!” She pulled against his loose grip with all her might and barely managed to stay in place. “Someone is still in there!”

“How do you-?” He stopped himself when he realized who he was talking to. “Can you hear where they are?”

“The main hall, no… He is running towards the entrance.” Eugenia turned her head to the side.

The wooden entrance was deceptively intact, but getting close to the wood revealed an intense heat which had been deeply absorbed into the material. Touching it would probably burn someone. To their shock a rather violent cracking signaled that the door was falling apart. It was not because of the dancing flames, but rather due to the heavy impacts of a large axe from the inside.

The maltreated wood splintered and exploded off and then a heavy tackle undid the construction entirely. Out of the inferno tumbled a large man with another slung over his back. He coughed heavily and then pushed himself onto his knees.

“Epiphanes?!” Zosimos reaction was the loudest, but by far not the strongest.

Akacia looked at the coughing old man with a pale expression.

“Are you alright? Did you get burned?” Eugenia rushed towards him and helped him sit up.

“Huurrgh, pwah.” He spat out something black and then shook his head. “Made it just in time.”

“Why would you risk your life like that?” Eugenia sighed in relief.

“I saw ‘im lay down to let the flames take ‘im...” He coughed again and pointed at the man lying next to him.

“Trifos!” Zosimos had turned the unconscious guard on his back and recognized his face. “He’s still breathing.” He looked him over and shuddered. “Unlucky guy.”

The guard captain was covered in severe burns. His clothes were black and stank like death. Some of the fabric had molten into his skin. He might have been breathing, but he was not for this world much longer.

“You brought that man… here?” While they had been busy examining the two, Akacia had not moved a single muscle. She had just regained her voice it seemed and it was filled to the edge with anger.

Epiphanes averted his old soot smudged face. The pain in his wrinkled expression was deep.

“Lady Akacia, please stay calm.” Eugenia stood in front of the old man to separate them.

“I told you that I never wanted to see you again!” She shouted at Epiphanes. “I banished you from the Akropolis, I told you never to get close to me until the day you are taken by Thanatos!”

“Daughter… I…” He raised his pathetic voice, but she did not give him a chance to reply.

“Is this part of your plan, you vexing girl? To drag this failure riddled with debt to my doorstep so I may change my mind? I knew I recognized that wagon. Those toys of his.” She was fury incarnate.

“No, I didn’t want- It’s not that I wished to push it onto you! B-But your father was worried, so-” She was struggling to put up a defense before her superior.

“Mind your own business! You may never meddle in my affairs.” She slapped Eugenia right across the face.

“You’re going too far, priestess.” Zosimos stepped up, but then was pushed back by the icy cold glare.

“You come to me to beg for my assistance, to commit blasphemy against our mistress and on top of that you defile my personal decrees. Your transgressions have gone too far.” She shoved Eugenia aside, left her on the ground and then turned her back to them.

“I’m sorry…” Epiphanes apologized with deep regret. “I shouldn't've come with you.”

“No, we needed your help. It would not be right to leave you behind to fear for her safety.” Eugenia rubbed her red cheek and then took Zosimos hand to get back up.

“Without the grand priestess your plan is not looking good.” Zosimos rubbed his head and then looked at the approaching soldiers who were bringing buckets filled with clear water. “But if this fire spreads everyone loses.”

“Collapse – HURK – we gotta have it c-collapse.” Epiphanes bend over from the cough fits, but then pointed at the caved in entrance. “Placed my last Kalio in there. Need a bucket t’set it off…”

“You planted more of the magic ore inside?” Zosimos was impressed. “So someone needs to get back inside to make the building collapse.” He didn’t have to say any more. It was clear that this would be a one-way trip.

“You can’t move yet!” Eugenia pushed down the spasming shoulders of the other injured man.

Against all odds the severely burned guard captain had opened his heavy eyes. His dirty face seemed to be going through some feverish nightmares. He had to be held down by all three of them.

“NEED to SEE… seeeee him!” He screamed and flailed as he spoke madly.

“Damn it, what’s gotten into him?! How did he even make it here? We locked him inside the guild house, didn’t we?” The tanned merchant grunted as he put his weight on the delusional man.

“Who do you need to see?” Eugenia asked softly.

“Le…an…DA!” He twitched a few more times and then lost all his energy.

“He is still going on about that?” Zosimos wiped his sweat and then jerked his shoulders up when a loud cracking signaled the collapse of the uppermost floor. Flames were spewing everywhere. Soldiers were screaming. “Can you two hold him on your own?”

“I think so.” Epiphanes nodded.

“Wait, what are you going to do?” Eugenia turned towards her friend.

“Ya know my nickname. I always survive somehow, might as well put that talent to some use, right?” He forced a smile and then ran towards one of the afraid soldiers to grab the bucket out of his hands.

“Stop! Don’t do it, Themistokles!” She shouted after him.

“It’s as I said. If this fire spreads any chance of success is nil. Let’s just call my debt covered by this.”

“I said stop!”

“I hope you’ll be able to see your Lady of the Isle again.” He said with an apologetic expression and then rushed forward.

“YOU COWARD!” Eugenia shouted.

“Huh?” Zosimos was so taken aback that he actually stopped in his tracks.

“You will leave me with the burden of telling Eopia the bad news?” She furrowed her brows. “Am I supposed to tell her that you foolishly died carrying a bucket of water?!”

“N-Now, you don’t have to put it quite that way.”

“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to make up for something that I already forgave you for!” Her words were direct and serious. “You can’t run away like this.” She added with furrowed brows.

“…Artemis’ light, you can be quite persuasive sometimes.” He grabbed the bucket in his arms and looked torn. “Old man, how much water do we need to get that fancy explosion?”

“I’m not certain lad… Th’ heat might be doin’ us a favor.” He said, uncertain.

“I don’t know how much time we have left, but… I will try to preserve this life you absolved so graciously.” Zosimos made an exaggerated pose and then moved towards the entrance. Before Eugenia could object again he grabbed the bow from his back and then dipped the arrows into the bucket. There was not a lot of water on them, even if they soaked for a while. “May my goddess guide my arrows!”

The first arrow hit the door frame.

Zosimos coughed and then called over the other soldiers to help him. Even an experienced archer would have trouble hitting a target through all that smoke however.

“Priestess.” A weak voice called out to her.

“Trifos?”

“It was me… I set the town hall… ablaze.” He muttered and his eyes regained a small bit of light.

“Why did you do it?” She could not understand his actions anymore.

“Achaeus’ legacy…” He put a hand to the crunching ground and pushed his torso up. It was inconceivable that the still had the strength to move and yet he did. “It will be ash.”

Eugenia heard the flames rage and knew that nothing inside the building would survive them. So Trifos intentions were…

“The fire shall give Leander… his opening. Just like in… Lamia.” He wiped away black saliva.

“Lamia?” Her heartbeat increased.

“Same stratagem. Victory was ours. Glorious… day. He’ll not retreat.” He was still delirious, but his voice was steadier.

“But I thought you were working for Achaeus?”

“I was.” He leaned forward. “But Leander’s speech…” He seemed to grab an invisible phantom in front of him and staggered after it. “The fire has returned. The fire cleansed him!” He shouted to the reddening sky. “My hero is reborn in it and I will be cleansed as well!”

Eugenia listened to his unsteady steps and knew he was heading for the town hall. He passed the archers who were still trying their best to set off the ore inside with their aimless arrows.

Zosimos noticed Trifos just in time to lower his bow, but he was surprised to see him pick up the bucket next to them. Before anyone could hold him down the guard captain stormed through the flames and rushed into the blackest smoke!

“He isn’t-?” Zosimos took a step back and then hastily turned around. “RUN!”

They made just enough distance to avoid the flying debris and sharp wooden pieces flying through the air as the town hall collapsed in on itself after the loudest explosion yet. The weakened town hall did indeed collapse, but some of the larger pieces were falling over and taking the fire along. It was not a controlled collapse after all.

“Extinguish the smaller fires!” The bucket chains were in uproar and water was desperately splashed across the dozens of smaller fires. At the very least the biggest danger had been averted for now. Should the wind turn however, the surrounding buildings would surely be set ablaze by the collapsed debris as well.

“He sacrificed himself.” Eugenia whispered in disbelief.

“I thought he’d been stuck and needed savin’, but now I see, he was tryin’ to die inside there all along.” Epiphanes said in a mellow voice.

“Why? Just why would he do this now?”

“Atonement.” The old scholar responded quietly.

They stood there as the chaos around them continued unabated. If the fire could be contained, then they should keep moving, but something seemed to keep them here. With some trouble Eugenia pulled herself away from the crackling sounds of burning wood and faced back towards the temple where the wagon was parked.

“Did you bring everything along?” She asked the scholar weakly.

“Indeed. Everythin’ I could scrounge up. Matter of fact, it’s probably all we have in the city.” He put a hand to his stinging chest and suppressed another cough. “You’ll still go lass?”

“Lady Akacia told me that I should be the one to do it.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I mean, she would never have agreed to do something like this. It was wrong of me to ask this of her.” She admitted.

“We’ll be going right through a battlefield. Maybe we should leave it to Leander after all.” Themistokles joined them as they walked to the wagon.

“But…” The blind priestess was wavering, just a little. Soldiers were completely different from anything she knew. Trifos final act had left an impression on her. Leander was fighting to stop Achaeus at all costs. Was it wrong to put the weight of it all unto his shoulders? There was no way a single person could save so many people. She couldn’t.

That’s why she had to rely on her once more.

“I’ll ride the wagon straight through. They’ll be jumpin’ outta the way for sure if they know what’s good for ‘em.” Epiphanes declared and jumped onto the rider’s seat. The horse seemed to be displeased that its rest was already interrupted.

“This plan is madness.”

“You can stay here and wait for the conclusion, Zosimos.” Eugenia said as she pulled herself on top of the wagon. “Eopia is most likely helping the efforts from the city to put out the fire. You should support her.”

“You can’t do all of this alone.” He replied with spite.

“I am never alone.” She said with a heavy heart. There was the slightest shimmer of silver behind her.

“Bold words coming from a blasphemer. Apparently my teachings are not wholly erased just yet.” The voice cut through the tension like a sharpened sword. From behind Zosimos a woman left the temple and descended the steps.

“Not you again.” The merchant grumbled and turned towards the head priestess. “We already got the message and we will be leaving your sight right away.”

“You won’t escape your debt so easily vandalizer. Eight hundred owls.” She smirked darkly and pushed him aside. “Do not make such a befuddled face, girl. I am furious with you for bringing that human waste of a man along, but I never refused to execute that plan of yours. And Athena shall strike me down if I let a misguided scholar save her city from mindless destruction between two equally foolish men, if a priestess could do a better job of it.”

With those words she clapped and a dozen priestesses came out of the temple carrying all kinds of bells and chimes. They had put on their formal garbs. They surrounded the wagon like a hired mercenary group protecting the cargo.

“No dillydallying. You need to be dressed properly.” Akacia dragged Eugenia off the wagon she had half-climbed and then took her back to the temple. She was just looking like a confused puppy the entire time.

Zosimos and Epiphanes were just sitting in the driver’s seat and waited more or less patiently. After a few minutes they could hear screaming. Eugenia’s voice made entirely unknown tones. They lowered their heads even deeper while ignoring the chuckling among the women around them.

It took more time than expected, but eventually Akacia returned to the entrance with two extra priestesses at each side. They were holding up an incredibly long white cloth, which was connected to an outfit that was beyond ceremonial. There must have been queens who dressed less excessively. Below all those robes and accessories must have been a suffocating Eugenia.

“I always despised this thing.” Akacia said in an unusually good mood. Even she had put on something more impressive, but she still seemed like a mere acolyte compared to her protégé.

Eugenia did not respond, but it was clear that she was stewing inside. The veil in front of her face hid all her reactions of course.

“We will ride up to the palace gates and then walk the rest of the way. Make some space inside that pathetic cart.”

It turned out quite crowded. The horse was neighing in disapproval.

“They have to let us pass. Divine business supersedes all other matters.”

“Is that really going to stop the fighting, though? I don’t think Achaeus is that kind of reasonable man.” Themistokles rebutted from the front.

“That man has been calling for me to come to the palace over and over in the last few days.”

“How come?”

“There is no certainty when it comes to his schemes, but I suspect he wanted to have control over every aspect in the city. I knew of his plans to start a war campaign soon, but we were busy with the issues at the temple.” She crossed her arms and explained the situation with Athena’s absence. “He requested that we call upon Athena for him.”

“He never struck me as a strong believer.” Zosimos muttered.

“In all my years as grand priestess he has not stepped inside the temple once. It must be another scheme. A deception, perhaps.” She trailed off with a distant expression.

“As long as Lady Akacia is with us he will receive the procession.” Eugenia said muted below the veil.

“We will take his attention with our presence.”

“O’ lords of Athens. I have come as the messenger of the great and wise Athena!” Eugenia proclaimed with all her lung capacity. Her heart wanted to burst from her small chest and the ground below her seemed to be spinning.

They had marched onto a battlefield and with the chimes and bells they had quenched the noise of clashing swords and battlecries. How many bodies were unmoving already? She could only hear the heavy breathing and beating hearts of the living. It was her hope that most of them were still well.

“Cease this fighting and receive her message!” A demand, not a request. It was so unlike her usual tone that she felt nearly exhilarated by the act. If only she hadn’t also felt like throwing up.

“Bring unto me the divine words, priestess.” That voice belonged to Achaeus of course. He was standing on a balcony above them. His words were a little ragged with exhaustion. Had he been fighting too?

There was no time to consider the possibilities as Akacia subtly pushed her forward. They had to climb the stairwell all the way to the throne room. On the way they passed dozens of soldiers who made way for them. Blood covered enemies were all equally respectful of the priestesses. No matter what allegiance one had, the gods were above such matters. This was exactly what she had desired, but the weight on her shoulders seemed to increase with each step. Not just because of the heavy gown.

The door to the throne room was levered open and a few corpses were dragged aside. Eugenia shivered when she heard the wet sound of blood.

She realized that the throne room was as crowded as the battlefield outside. There were soldiers, but far more other people. Their breathing was unsteady, afraid. There were several men who seemed to be in serious pain, wounded. But the most imposing presence belonged to the Archon who had started everything. Without hearing him speak, she could tell that he was right in front of her.

“You have come around in the end, Akacia. As I knew you would.” Achaeus said triumphantly.

“I only follow my mistress' will. You wished to speak to her and so we call her name.” The grand priestess was only taking second place behind Eugenia, yet she was the one with the greater presence. Although she kept her calm, there was a noticeable gasp for a moment as she had noticed something.

“You have come at the most opportune time indeed. I have just slain the traitor! Now it is time that all here realize the righteousness of my plans.” He spoke with boundless confidence.

What did he mean by he had slain the traitor? Her heart had stopped when she heard those words. Her ears perked up to the limit and she heard the rustling of clothes as someone moved to the center of the room.

“Leander… he still draws breath.” The man who spoke was all too familiar to her.

“Bion?” She couldn’t help herself. The name just slipped out, but it was overpowered by the loud soldiers who surrounded the slave who was holding up the bleeding body of the other Archon.

“Tenacious to a fault.” Achaeus was not worried at all apparently.

“These wounds are grave. Not sure if I can fix him up.” Bion said as he resisted getting dragged back.

“Brother!” Another man among the crowd of nobles shouted desperately.

It took everything Eugenia had not to rush to Leander’s side right now. She could not move. She was not allowed to show her allegiance with him. Right now, no matter what she felt, she was simply a vessel. If she abandoned the plan right now, Achaeus would have won. All the soldiers out there would keep killing each other until the soil was soaked in red.

“Let him bleed out as I begin my path of destiny. As he teeters on the brink he may well see Athena one last time.” Achaeus waved his right hand and the guards let Bion go. Leander’s wounds must have been too horrible to let him pose even the slightest risk anymore. Only then would someone like Achaeus be this merciful. “Well then grand priestess. Call upon your goddess.”

“But your injuries, milord.” One of his men tried to reason with him, but he didn’t pay him any heed.

“I have strength to spare.” He was so elated that he seemed to have lost his right mind. Akacia didn’t show any particular concern either.

“I will perform the ritual as it is tradition. Yet the one who will be the medium between the divine and you is her.” She pointed at Eugenia.

She could feel his intense gaze on her. One of his eyes was closed as it was soaked in blood and his breathing was uneven, but he still was as imposing as a bear. In fact the entire throne room was focused on her. If Bion was here, then the others might also have been. How had they been caught up in this? If she didn’t succeed they would all be in grave danger.

“What rank does this one hold, that you would step behind her?” The Archon was suspicious of them.

“This one is blessed by Lady Athena herself. She is a chosen one.” Akacia said without hesitation. She only spoke the truth and would continue to do so, as she had sworn.

“Chosen.” He seemed slightly hostile now. If his one-eyed glare could have penetrated the veil, he would have recognized her face. Then it would have all been over.

The other priestesses meanwhile had prepared the ceremony. They had spread candles and small stone cases with fires in a circles around Eugenia and Akacia and put up an offering altar. They then kneeled down in a circle around the chosen priestess and chanted in whispers. With the balcony doors wide open behind them the smoke was carried outside.

“I am Akacia of Athens, grand priestess of the great temple of Athena! I call upon the greatest and wisest goddess of Mount Olympus!”

The fires flickered in a strange supernatural rhythm.

“Hear the voice of your humble servant. Share your wisdom with the people that you govern. Answer the questions of those that seek knowledge and we shall be forever in your debt. We offer you the clearest waters and the purest milk to reflect your perfection. Hear us! Guide us!”

The chanting around them picked up in pace and with each spoken word the air seemed to crackle a little. The audience was becoming uneasy, but also mesmerized.

“Possess the vessel you marked in your eternal wisdom and use her lips to decree your will! Lady Athena!” She raised her hands far above.

Eugenia did the same in complete sync.

Then Akacia went to her knees and slammed her hands onto the long cloth hanging from Eugenia’s garbs, which was spread on the ground. In an instant everything turned silent. Eugenia still stood still in the center with her arms raised to the skies beyond the ceiling. Somewhere in the distance were the peaks of Mount Olympus. From up there, she must have looked infinitely miniscule.

Silence grappled them and suffocated them. Nothing had happened yet.

The call was not answered.

Eugenia could feel no presence inside her or around her. Just as she had predicted, against her hopes, Athena did not listen. The plan had to proceed no matter what her heart told her though.

“Thou hast called upon me in this dire hour, Achaeus of Athens.” She raised her voice as far as she could without breaking it and gave off a booming presence like never before.

The aristocrats all gasped and backed away as if they were not worthy of the divine presence. Therses and Agapetos were staring at her as if she was a different person. They were shaken with goosebumps.

And Achaeus stood before this divine vessel and smiled.

“Thou art the Archon chosen by my city. Speaketh thou of thine desire to me and I shall listen. Judgement will be upon thee to the bitter end.”

“Athena.” He spoke to the larger than life presence without respect and instead like an equal. His arrogance knew no bounds. “The time has come. The day we awaited has arrived and the campaign against the Empire will begin today!”

Eugenia listened to those words with sweat running down her back and arms. To force herself to act as Athena was pushing her to her limits, but on top of that she had to figure out the context of every word as if she was the wise goddess herself. It was impossible not to falter. She had to contain her shallow breaths.

“I called upon you so that you could give us your blessing for the war. So that everyone may see that my quest is righteous by you!”

“What?!” Therses' jaw dropped.

“Unbelievable.” Zosimos who was hiding at the entrance was glaring around the corner.

Eugenia was the most shocked of all.

Achaeus asked for a blessing? He believed wholeheartedly that Athena would support his madness? How could this be? A man who had never shown a shred of faith and who disregarded the honored traditions without flinching had the gall to demand support from the highest authority? It boggled the mind.

“Don’t hesitate.” Akacia subtly rammed her elbow into Eugenia’s back to snap her out of her silence. Her voice was so quiet that only special hearing could perceive it.

The pain was momentary, but it helped her realize that she had no time to think. No time to be confused. She was Athena’s ears and mouthpiece!

“Thou asks for mine blessing?”

The nobles were kneeling. Everything depended on this one decision. No matter how much they opposed Achaeus, there was not a single man or woman in this palace who would oppose the will of the goddess of wisdom herself. If he got what he wanted, the path towards war was clear. The veterans would be absorbed into the army, the nobles would supply the campaign with all their resources and the weakened Ionian Alliance would be powerless to object.

Death was approaching…

“Thou shalt receive nothing!”

The word echoed inside the throne room and vibrated through the bodies of all present. Their meaning hit only a few seconds after their declaration and many could still not fathom them.

Most devastated and confused of all was the arrogant Archon.

“My apologies… I must have misheard.” He said with forced countenance. “My lady… What did you truly mean to say?” Like a merchant clutching his bag of gold coins, he seemed to cling to his delusions.

“Thou hast sullied mine name, Achaeus. Strife has consumed thee and weakness of the mind will be thy downfall. Had thou stepped before me at the beginning of thy schemes, I should have set thee straight. By choice thou hath defined thy own path and abandoned enlightenment. Demands art not thy prerogative.”

Achaeus was dumbfounded, no, close to the brink. It was clear that he could not process this opposition. Not a single spoken word fit his narrative, his design. Something flared up in his eye.

“This has to be a deception.” He declared darkly and pulled up his chipped iron sword. “You are not Athena!”

“Are you mad, Achaeus? How dare you draw your blade in front of a goddess?!” Therses shouted and was barely held back by the guards, who themselves were clearly devastated.

“That crazy fool.” Zosimos and Epiphanes gave each other signs to move in and stop him.

“SILENCE!” Eugenia’s vibrating voice pushed them all back at once. Eugenia was channeling a strength deep within her. She imitated her manifestation of resilience and power. That voice had never left her mind since they were separated. Today she would borrow Medusa's steel like will.

But it was not just her voice.

Colorful flames exploded from the small ritual fires and created incredible shapes. They seemed to create fiery owls and scorching trees. Red, blue, green they cycled through the colors that fires could never own. The red of dawn was putting an unearthly glow upon the entire scene, right behind the vessel’s back. Her gown was steeped in red while the walls shimmered in all other shades and colors. The priestesses were even stunned themselves, but then began their prayers in earnest again.

Now everyone in the throne room went to their knees and dropped their weapons in reverence. This supernatural display was proof that they were dealing with a goddess. And as Achaeus had raised his sword and enraged the all-seeing owl, they abandoned all of theirs to appease her.

Achaeus took a step back in shock, but did not let go of his sword yet. The color changing flames reflected in his one open eye and drove his madness further and further away.

“A mere mortal doth not defy mine will! Naught will be achieved by thine impudence, but the devastation of thy life.” After the rage seemed to subside and the colors faded from the fire she continued. “Judgment awaits thee. Delivered unto thou is the sentence of eternal imprisonment. Never shalt thou control the fates of man again!”

As the last word left the vessel’s lips, it collapsed. Akacia looked at the girl’s hunched back and she sighed. Eugenia had lost all feeling in her legs and collapsed. She had overstepped her capabilities and the stress had finally struck her down. Exhausted and gasping for air she just leaned onto her hands.

“That… that can’t be! Come back Athena! Explain to me-!” He marched forward. “This does not make any sense. I- I have done as you told me!!” He screamed and raised his blade above Eugenia’s head. “Die deceiver!”

“Stop it!” He was violently pulled back by Therses who had not been held down by anyone. The soldiers were too humbled to even move. The fisherman’s son could not hold the raging Archon on his own however and that’s when Themistokles and a few others joined in to hold him down. They took his sword away and pushed him against the ground.

“You foolish sheep! That woman is deceiving you! She is a blasphemer, a charlatan- sh-she has to be!” He struggled like a wild beast and shot accusations all around.

“You are fortunate that the goddess was so merciful. I would have sentenced you to death. Although rotting inside a dark and damp cell for the rest of your numbered days will have to be a fitting substitute.” Therses grinded his teeth and kicked Achaeus against the head to push his face against the dirty floor. Shards of metal were spread all over it from the fight and now dug into the dark-haired man’s skin.

“Judgement has been spoken and we shall obey. This battle ends now.” Akacia declared solemnly and rose to her feet. She put one hand on Eugenia’s shivering back.

There was not a single soul who would defy them right now. Victory was theirs.

“PLEASE!”

Everyone’s attention was pulled back to the pinned down Archon. His begging voice was unexpected. Even Therses on his back loosened his foot in surprise.

“Don’t do this… please.” Achaeus pleaded with desperation.

“Begging for your freedom? You are truly pathetic.” Therses and Zosimos frowned in disgust.

“Please… My destiny can’t be ignored. I beg you deceiver… Do not do this.” He stretched forward his bloody hand and held out for Eugenia’s gown.

“Why do you think I am deceiving you?” Eugenia could not help it. There was something strongly pulling her towards the man. Charisma? No, something deeper. Something connected them.

“You are not the chosen one.” Achaeus said in pain. “It is I!”

“…what?”

“I was chosen by Athena! It was my destiny to destroy the Persians. I am her servant and her blade.”

“He is delirious, don’t listen to him Eugenia.” Themistokles softly pushed her back.

“You are all blind! Unable to see the threat that comes from the east. Only I know the truth!” He spat and shouted and lost all dignity, but he kept resisting with all his might.

“We know that the Persians are powerful, but they are far away. We can repel any invasion long before they make it here.” Kleitos had managed to speak through the pain of his lost hand that Agapetos had treated. The bleeding stopped for now, but the noble’s wet face showed that he was about to collapse.

“The threat does not come from military might.” Achaeus revealed and caught them all off-guard. “I was there… I saw it all…”

“What did you see?” Eugenia whispered. His pain was affecting her too.

“There was a man hundreds of years ago, by the name of Zoroastres. I don’t know whether he is a myth or an abomination… But he founded a cult. They changed his name to Zarathustra and revered him as some sort of prophet. He disappeared into history, but there are people who still remember his teachings. His acolytes have been thriving in the cesspools east of Media and grown stronger in the Empire. Their other false gods are getting eradicated one by one for the twisted believe in this malefic faith.”

They were tied to his lips as he spoke a dark prophecy.

“If we let them roam free much longer the abandoned world will be consumed by their heresy!”

“Why do you care what those false religions claim?” Akacia crossed her arms and averted her face. She knew of many such sects. Faith was a fickle thing. The Persians prayed to a variety of different gods, they had no unified faith.

“I was there… I was there…” His shaking eye was turning dull, as if he was losing his sight to darkness. “At the border of Ionia. My family was chosen as ambassadors to negotiate for new alliances.”

Now several aristocrats and Akacia perked up their ears. That story was well known. They realized that his words were not mere delusion.

“We went to the border village to inspect the creation of wells and roads. But in that night… The entire village was murdered in their sleep.” He grinded his teeth until a piece broke off. “The zealots cut their throats and carved their unholy words into their bodies and then set everything on fire. The village burned to ashes in a single night and the crazed monsters left with their robes soaked in my family’s blood.”

Eugenia felt nauseous just listening to him. The suffering she felt from him was overwhelming.

“They call themselves ‘The Children of Ahriman’. Those who follow the false faith of Zoroastres have decided that the world is in need of balance. Hah! They purge all that is not pure and feed the innocent to their god of darkness, Ahriman! But that thing is no god. It must be an ancient Titan that escaped the Titanomachia…”

“You speak of things that are impossible.”

“Their evil feeds the Titan and their diseased faith spreads across the Persians. They have to be cut out by the very root!”

“You are only lashing out as your vengeance consumes you.” Akacia said with pity.

“No! I was there… I saw it all… I had been locked in the cellar and dug myself out of the rubble. That’s how I survived… and in the rain I saw lightning strike the earth. Lightning again and again struck the plain.” His eye was twisting as he recalled the miracle. “And at the last moment before my consciousness faded I saw an owl… and then the silhouette of my goddess. She pointed towards the east.” He pushed himself up with unexpected strength and threw Therses and Themistokles off. In the next moment he grabbed an abandoned spear and hit the other guards away.

“Stand down! You cannot win!”

“I was chosen by Athena that day! She told me to tear down the Persian Empire and cull the evil that festers inside it. You are all BLIND!” He was mad. His mouth was frothing. A savage beast with the mind of a tortured man. Even with superior numbers they did not dare approach him right away. “I have the map- I-I got the forces of all Ionians. All this power amassed for the decisive strike. This is my birthright.” He pushed his hand into the skewered chest plate and dragged out the parchments he had taken from Therses.

They were soaked in his own blood.

And the map he was clinging to with all his might had a large hole in its center, right where Leander had pierced him.

The sight of this blood-soaked torn map broke him.

“You were not chosen.” With the softest voice, Eugenia stepped in front of the armed men and lowered her veil. Her face was covered in tears. “You were never chosen for a fate this cruel.”

“You… it was you all along?” Achaeus diluted eye barely seemed to perceive her, yet he was still in shock. “I should have ended you while I had the chance.” He lowered his head.

Eugenia’s heart was hurting. In the end, Achaeus had only been another victim. Was this cycle never going to end?

“You shed tears for your enemy, but you have not saved anyone. You only doomed us all.” Achaeus said gravely and walked forward. “The gods may well live beyond this catastrophe, but all of Greece will suffer for it. How could Athena have chosen YOU?!” Suddenly, before any of the armed men could react, he lashed out with his sword and cut Eugenia.

Blood dripped from the small cut across her chest. The white gown was soaking it up quickly. She did not even flinch, only continued to shed tears.

Achaeus had been stopped. His body was held back by another. Like a walking corpse, a man who should already have faded from this world had risen one more time to push the lost Archon back.

“You fool…” Leander muttered with milky eyes. “You were always too weak to carry a burden this great on your own.”

Achaeus sank to his knees. Leander was leaning against him with his arm still holding his enemy back.

“You can rest now.” Leander said with his last breath and then sank to the ground again. Before his head could hit the ground Eugenia had grabbed it and let him take his final rest on her lap.

She just listened to the silence he left behind.

Achaeus was taken in and put into the dungeon. The medicos were hastily taking care of Eugenia’s wound, but the cut had been shallow. The news of Achaeus' defeat and judgement spread fast and his troops laid down their weapons. There had been witnesses from all parties and circles of life to confirm the validity of this story, especially that of the Archon of balance, Topos.

The clash of the Archons ended with a victory to the fallen hero Leander’s side, but there was not much reason to celebrate. Even as the daylight faded and Artemis stalked the skies, the palace seemed ever so quiet.

In the latest hour the conflict ended with a trail of blood and ashes. The priestess had taken the path of least destruction, but at what cost? She could not realize that her trial had not ended just yet.