Chapter 1

A/N: I wanted to add some characteristics of Herostratus in this story, but could not find any significance except he was a young man. Mark Chapman whom Jared played in "Chapter 27" was mentioned as a modern example of Herostratus, so I borrowed some of his.

To the east of Greece, there was a prophecy people passed on from generation to generation ever since the Temple of Artemis was built at Ephesus. Almost two centuries later, the prophecy became just a story to scare young children who misbehaved. Parents told them that the Temple would burn if they did not behave, and the horrible king with two horns would be born. He would destroy every city in the East killing everyone who stood in his way.

However, the real threat to the East is the man who would be born on the same night when the fire dies, and the statue of Artemis survives. We have to do everything to prevent those two men from being together. The king would perish if he did not have this man by his side, by burning out with his own passion. The man is the water to the king's fire; cooling the blaze just enough to control the passion not to be exhausted.

355 BC October, Pella

It was a calm night in October. The air was cool, yet not crisp enough to form dews. The breeze was gentle, yet subtle enough to make thin fabrics dance around the windows. Queen Olympias was comfortably sleeping in her bedchamber. Her sleeping form tensed, and her face frowned for a moment, but they were soon relaxed.

Father Zeus appeared in her dream, and spoke to her.

"Olympias, princess of Epirote, nine months from tonight in July, the night when the Temple of Artemis burns, you will give a birth to a son, a future king of Macedonia. On the same night, another boy will be born in the city south of Pella at the time when the fire dies. This boy will be the most important to your son. He is the one who calms your son's soul. Your son becomes a great conqueror and rules the world as long as this man stays by his side. Keep this in your mind and protect them both."

On the same night, General Amyntor's wife had a visit from goddess Hera. The goddess pronounced in her dream.

"Nine months from tonight in July, the night when the Temple of Artemis burns and the fire dies, you will give birth to a son, a future companion of the great king. However, you have to conceal your son's birth date. As your son is the biggest threat to the East, they would take him away if they found that he was born on the day of the fire. Flee to a safe place, and do not let your son come back to Macedonia until the time is right."

Amyntor's wife was blessed to find out that she was given a son, but at the same time, she was terrified by the goddess' warnings. She told her husband this premonition the next morning with trembling voice.

"My husband, I know that you have a duty to your king, and I should stay with you here in Pella, but I cannot take the risk of losing our son. Please let me go back to my parents in Athens. They may not come for searching for him that far."

"Yes, of course. I will ask my king if I can retire from the army and come with you."

"But, the army life is your passion."

"Hush, above all, the safety of you and our son is most important. Army life would mean nothing if I lost you."

"Thank you my husband, but what are you going to tell the king?"

"I will tell him that your parents are very ill, and we need to go back to take care of them. I am sure the king will understand. He knows that you are an only child."

It was true that her parents were old, and not doing very well in health. She was so grateful that her husband cared so much for her and the son who had not yet been born.

That afternoon general Amyntor met king Philip, and asked his discharge from the Army. King Philip hesitated at first. General Amyntor was one of his most trusted in the army. However the king granted his request once he found that the general's decision was firm, and nothing could change his mind. Next morning, general Amyntor and his wife left for Athens with a few of their trusted servants.

356 BC July, Ephesus

Nothing was special about Herostratus. He was just an ordinary young man who lived in Ephesus. He was not an excellent black smith to make swords for warriors, but was good enough to make tools for farmers. He could have lived a long normal life, just like the majority of citizens in Ephesus.

Watching the chaos in front of him, a flash of regret crossed Herostratus' mind. He thought that he should have just followed the flow of life, and done nothing. It took such a tremendous courage to do this, to do such an evil thing. But, at the same time, it took more power of will to stop the action.

The problem was that he wanted to be famous, but as an ordinary man there were not many things he could do to capture fame. He craved for fame, and the immortality of his name, even if the name was associated with a horrible act, arson of the holy temple. That was the reason when a solder came looking for information about the offender who had set the temple of Artemis on fire, he did not hesitate to pronounce himself as the source. When Herostratus was asked the reason, he simply answered that it was for the immortal fame, and then he continued.

"The result would be that I would be famous; the result would be that my life would change and I would receive a tremendous amount of attention." (*1)

And his wish was granted in a twisted way. He was executed the next day, and the mention of his name was prohibited. However, his name lived in eternity along with the resurrection of the prophecy. People of Ephesus knew exactly what it meant and shivered when they found the statue of Artemis stained in black smoke, yet still standing among the debris of the aftermath.

*1) Quote from Mark Chapman.

356 BC July, Pella

On the same night in Pella when the fire of the temple flared up particularly high in the air, queen Olympias gave a birth to a son. The baby cried loud as if he was declaring his arrival to the world. The queen smiled at this by taking it as a sign of the arrival of the great king.

King Philip entered the chamber. He took the baby in his hands, lifted him high in the air. The baby stopped crying.

"You seem to like being at the top of the world."

The king chuckled and brought the baby back in his arm, feeling the strong grip on his finger; he smiled at him and pronounced.

"My strong son, I name you Alexander, man's defender and warrior."

Queen Olympias looked at her son lovingly. She was already so proud of him, and promise to herself to do anything for him to become a great king.

356 BC July, Athens

It had been almost nine months since they left Pella, and Amyntor's wife knew the time was close. She asked her husband a question one afternoon after supper.

"What do we name him, my husband?"

"Something related to goddess Hera, since he was blessed by her. How about Hephaistion from the name of the god Hephaestus?

"The only god who is lame?"

"Yes, but he is also the god who creates things from fire. It matches his destiny. Besides, nobody will suspect him from the name to be attractive enough to become the companion of the great king."

"Hephaistion… . It sounds so gentle. I do like it."

That evening Hephaistion was born with a cry to announce his arrival. However, his cry was not like common babies, which urges you to drop everything on the spot and pay full attention, but rather a statement to note his existence. When he opened his eyes a moment later in a gentle cradle of his mother, and under the loving smile of his father, they both gasped. They had never seen such an astonishing color of blue. Those beautiful jewels shone brilliantly with the most pure and deepest colors of the sea.

"He is so beautiful. He will be teased because of his name."

"Do not be a mother who worries about everything. Look, he is strong. He can fight his way."

Smiling proudly, Amyntor showed his wife the strong grip of the baby. They smiled at each other happily.

TBC