Don't own, just so those who actually care don't flip out on me. This will be a multi-chap fic, I'll try and update as soon as I can.
For cernturies, the sky has been a point of fascination by mortals desperate to learn it's secrets. Perhaps this fervor is due to man's need for control, or it's craving to solve every mystery (kindly called curiosity). The heavens have been charted, explained, processed. Man has 'solved' them. Yet, they still hold an air of mystery; they twinkle with what seems like a condescending 'Is that all you have?'. The sky reaches back to the dawn of creation, is the giver of life and direction. It has born silent witness to what has faded in the memories of man. It lays above deity, monster, and mortal alike, a constant in this ever-changing world.
Chiron had lived a long life. He had seen empires rise and fall, heroes that were like children to him charge off to battle and never return, he had seen things that were now considered vague legends unfold before his very eyes.
Some nights, the centaur would go out and give into his memories while watching the star-wrought sky.
Once upon a time, he had brought a young boy out beneath this very sky, and shown him the metaphorical celestial storybook. He remembered his pride, his affection for the boy.
Now all that remained of that child was a myth, swept away by time. So much time had passed...
In fact, Chiron had been reduced to myth himself.
The gods had dealt with the aching pain and sadness of being forgotten by distancing themselves from mortals (In their infinite wisdom, they had given up and become content with grumbling about human ignorance and irreverance).
However, the supposed myth could not bring himself to leave this world behind, despite the fact it had left him behind. He loved the energy and dedication of humans, he loved how they lived such short lives yet did such great things. Mankind never stopped, never slowed (as the gods had. How did the Roman Empire fall, hmm?). Every day had potential and meaning.
It gave Chiron purpose.
Yet... living amongst mortals had given Chiron mortal feelings and compassion. Where the gods saw a pawn, Chiron saw a child who had stepped up to do great things. Each one was a hero.
He knew this life was dangerous. Chiron had seen countless of these children (who had seen little to nothing of the wonders in life, yet were worn and bitter), each heroes in their own right, be cut down without thought. He had seen horrific wars treated as games between gods, tragedy unfold for entertainment. The pain never dulled.
Chiron truely was a machocist.
He couldn't help but hate the gods, who had abandoned these children, their own children, yet expected the children(!) to fight for them. The gods truly never changed, which is what set them apart from mortals. Gods were powerful, yes, but humans were bright, creative, amazing. They were what kept the ever-lofty gods going.
It was when these rebellious thoughts became overwhelming that Chiron would stargaze.
The centuries had wrought changes in the heavens, new stories and new problems.
Much like Chiron himself.
However, the heavens also brought peace with the pain. Chiron could watch and wonder like any other being on the planet, united under the same sky. He could shake off the constant worry of his life. The centaur reminded himself once again that everything didn't rest on his shoulders (that was Atlas).
Chiron could find calm and peace, if only for a night. He knew that when you are immortal, keeping yourself at peace was the only way stay a sane as you could be.
All Chiron needed to do was watch the sky and remind himself of his position in the grand scheme of things.
In the grand scheme of things, Chiron would just be another myth.
In the grand scheme of things, this night and this time was insignificant.
In the grand scheme of things, the only eternal thing was the sky.