A fire crackled in the backdrop from the nearby fireplace as a lone woman named Eurycleia, dressed in a turquoise silk dress hooded robe with a symbol of the Lifeblood Tree on the chest of the outfit sat at a wooden table at the inn with a blank journal opened in front of her. She quietly tapped her black feather quill while lost in thought how to start her latest journal entry. “I can talk about anything really. Why don’t we write the history of the Twin Goddesses, the creation of the Kaeyama and their cores, and the Goddesses High Priestesses, Lanike and myself?” The High Priestess of Aletha and Nephele with long ombre hair figured out. A smile came to her as she put her quill to the paper.
“According to the twin Goddesses, Aletha and Nephele, our galaxy was nothing more than vast inky darkness. Completely devoid of stars, planets, suns, and moons. This dark void called Corrus was the one to created the Kaeyama, but never breathed life into our planet. The twins said he created them to do as they pleased with this unfamiliar landscape.” As Eurycleia sat there and worked on her entries, snow fell. The High Priestess leaned back in her chair to gather her thoughts on how to continue with the entry and what her Ladies explained to her and the second priestess on what came next. “Ah, ha!” The brown olive skin woman gasped while getting back to work.
“Aletha and Nephele jointly created a small ‘garden’. It was literally the Nundorth forest where the Lifeblood Tree and Faenkadi stands now here in Efira. I’m sure the name of this continent will change - over time. Ah, I’m getting sidetracked again. The reason for Ladies Aletha and Nephele combining their magic is because their powers were new and weak.” She stopped while pondering her wording. “Or would they consider that floating? You’re doing it again, Eurycleia. Focus. You don’t want to get in trouble with Lady Aletha or High Priestess Myriani again.” Eurycleia scolded herself for her wandering mind and breaking an important rule - if they task you with something of importance by the twin Goddesses, do the task straight away.
The night winds outside picked up as guests of the old inn walked by while quietly chatting among themselves as she continued. “Tovldir and Dinir, where brothers and Oelia was Tovldir’s wife became the latest deities. Tovldir became known as the God of Night and Planets, Dinir became known as the Light God. and Oelia became known as the Day Goddess. The Light God created a race called Zeniron, an elemental Light race that were later to become known for their advanced healing abilities, and medical knowledge. As time went on and the twin Goddesses abilities grew, more beings such as the Odine, a humanoid feline race, of Namaru appeared along with humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, the kitsunes of Huisong, and several others inhabited the planet. As more inhabitants appeared so did more deities. Some I know as they became known and worshiped here, and I’ve heard of at least one from the neighboring country of Ocraria. The name is Krolenta, I believe." Eurycleia paused while thinking out loud. "I should ask Siorli, my Drow friend, the next time I see her in town since they, the Vernmer, and Moon Elves worship her.”
Eurycleia let out a thoughtful sigh. “I shouldn’t linger on this and get back to the temple post haste.” She mumbled as her mind kept on telling her what else to write. “Speaking of the Gods and Goddesses, excluding Dinir, Ophine the Goddess of Fertility, Mothers, and Childbirth, and the twin Goddesses, Aletha and Nephele, they haven’t created too many rules and laws for us mortals to follow. This doesn’t exempt us High Priestesses as we have special rules and laws we to obey.”
Eurycleia stopped writing for a moment while shaking her head. The sounds of Qhine, a multi tailed and eyes of the foxes called out to one another. “I shouldn’t question my ladies in such a manner as they treat Myriani and myself well.” She mumbled before continuing. “Speaking of Myriani and I, we’re Aletha and Nephele’s High Priestesses. We’re the ones that are issued orders to watch our Goddesses and give orders to their armies if such an issue arises where we need to keep our people safe. We’re also the ones that hold ceremonies in their honor, lay down laws and rules if need be and we’re the only two that can speak to them directly. There are rules we, the Priestesses, need to obey. Also, the two of us where chosen by the twin Goddesses due to us having a strong essence or aura abilities if you may. What I am saying is we're more in tuned to emotions, spiritual energy to those around us.” A frown came to her as she knew where this section was going. As she herself was breaking a few of these rules.
“High Priestess Rules. Rule 1: The high priestesses must listen to their twin Goddesses and obey their words. Their word is law and shall be spoken to the rest of the people. Rule 2: A high priestess is allowed to have friendships, but they aren’t allowed to be involved with someone romantically and bear children. Lest one wants to lose their divine blessings from the Goddesses. Rule 3: Anyone who breaks the rules and laws put in place by Aletha and Nephele will be punished by death. Rule 4: Be fair and kind to anyone you meet. If one needs help, be there for them in their time of need. And lastly, Rule 5: The priestesses and the general public must worship both deities equally.” Eurycleia let out a sigh as set the quill down and leaned back in the chair while absorbing what she had written.
The rules, especially 2 and 5 jumped out, and burned in her mind. ‘Don’t get involved with someone romantically and worship both deities equally…’ Eurycleia reflected as thoughts about her polyamorous relationship between Myriani, Lady Aletha, and herself. Being romantically involved with the women wasn’t her issue; what the problem was she had failed in her task on worshiping both goddesses as equals. The priestess slammed the book shut, put it in her bag, and rose to her feel to return to the temple. As she headed towards the entrance of the inn, there were concerned murmurs, and bystanders at the door. “Um, is all well?” She questioned as two men turned to her with ghastly white faces and concerned mixed with fear gazes. “No. The temple is under attack…” One person announced as she let out a gasp. Before they could finish the rest of their statement, she quickly ran out the door, and headed straight towards the temple as the snow fell harder.
Upon arrival at the temple, it was eerily quiet as she ran in further. As her footsteps echoed throughout the chamber, she noticed the guards’ blood splattered across the marble walls, and floors. The young priestess let out a gasp when seeing vital fluid which caused her to move quicker. “Why… are you doing this, sister…?” Aletha managed to say through pain and gritted teeth. “Payment… For the lack of worship for the both of us…” Nephele growled as Eurycleia entered the worship room to find Myriani, a black woman, on the floor near the altar dead and Aletha backed in a corner as Nephele stared her down with rage and anger.
“I know of the relationship between you three! I don’t care if you were involved romantically, but what I care about is the lack of equal worship for us both - as we both decreed on our high priestesses. Or have you forgotten about that rule?” The dark toned eldest twin hissed while raising her War Scythe and took aim at her sister, but before a blow could be struck Eurycleia jumped in the away. The priestess cried out in pain as the mighty weapon tore through her. Nephele let out a mocking laugh as she looked at the death of high priestesses. “I hope you enjoy what has occurred here and it makes you think a bit more on what you do with these pathetic morals.” She said as the goddess spat on both the dead bodies before leaving a devastated Aletha to stew in her anger and sadness as her heart became black as night.
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