Once, a long time ago, Spring had come early to the world. The imbalance in the changing of seasons had angered a great many Gods who demanded answers and justice. Not all were angered by this change, however. Some of us understood why they did what they did, even if others couldn't. That was 12 years ago, and it's happened again. Do you know why?
Sora sniffled as he and his older brother wandered aimlessly into the night. The boys were tired, scared and worn out. It was the dead of winter and they were shivering. It was so cold that either boy could see their breath in the night. Rubbing his eyes, he felt the sting of tears fighting their way out. Why had their parents woken the boys up in the middle of the night? Why were they so frantic? Why couldn't they come with them? "Vanitas..." Sora called his older brother's name.
"It's okay." Vanitas looked at his younger brother and did his best to smile. He didn't know where they were going. More than likely, the boys would keep walking until they met their end. Tired and weary from all of the running their little legs had been doing, the twins more or less were just biding their time. Vanitas didn't want Sora to worry, so he'd honestly lie to his little brother.
"Where are we going?" Sora asked.
"Somewhere." Vanitas avoided the question. Trekking through the snow-covered terrain and finding a clearing for the first time in a long while, he needed to rest. He was tired and Sora looked sleepy. "Let's sit for a little while."
"Okay." Sora nodded and allowed his older brother to take him to a hollowed out tree. The brothers sat side by side and continued to hold hands. Both of them were breathing heavily and trying to steady themselves. Fighting sleep, both boys were losing the battle.
"It's okay, Sora. You can sleep. I'll stay awake." Vanitas was tired, but he knew that Sora needed the rest more.
"What about you?" Sora asked, concerned.
"I'll be fine." Vanitas squeezed his hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll be okay."
"Okay." Sora trusted his big brother. Nodding and sleepily resting his head on Vanitas' shoulder, the redhead shut his eyes and did his best to sleep. "Vanitas. Can you tell me a story?" He asked.
Vanitas honestly couldn't think of anything to tell Sora but was in no position to decline. "One day, two boys went off into the woods." He started the story. "For a walk in the moonlight while their parents were busy. But it wasn't just any forest- it was magic. The trees didn't have fruit, or pine cones or any of the typical things that grow on them... Instead they had lollipops, gummy bears, and chocolate." Saying sweet words to relax Sora and hopefully give him a good visual before he went to sleep, Vanitas didn't know where he was going with this. "They met Chocobo's and all kinds of creatures that ordinary people aren't supposed to see. Both boys had so much fun that they didn't ever think of going home... They enjoyed the moment..." He felt his lip begin to quiver as his eyes watered. Vanitas did his best to steady his voice, but it was getting harder and harder.
Glancing over at Sora, he saw him in a peaceful rest. Tucking his knees into his chest and wrapping his arm around his younger brother, Vanitas didn't know what to do. Vanitas watched over Sora. That was all he could do. He wished he could have honestly done more for him. But what was there to be done? It was the middle of the night. Their parents were gone and the last act of kindness and love showed to them was alerting Vanitas to the danger and keeping Sora in the dark to not freak him out. They knew that he was vulnerable to fear, and Vanitas was better at understanding. But the trouble was, Sora had been having 'nightmares' for the past few weeks. Vanitas had noticed it. Their parents had, too. He said that something bad was going to happen, insisted that they'd get hurt somehow. That... Vanitas' eyes widened. Sora said they'd end up in a forest. Sitting under a tree, under the full moonlight. There was something else that he said, too. What was it?
Hearing the snap of twigs, he was on high alert. Trying to stifle his erratic breathing, Vanitas was having a hard time being quiet. It was getting closer. Getting paralyzed with fear, he could do nothing but try to shield Sora and watch. Almost daring to shut his eyes and let the end come quickly, he was startled by suddenly hearing the loud roar of a bear in the distance which didn't seem at all feasible. It was Winter. There was no way a bear was still active and not hibernating. After what seemed like an eternity, a woman stood in front of them. Red hair, very tall and seemingly a resident of the forest. Vanitas didn't know if she was the person following them or not. Would it be a good or bad thing if she saw them?
Seemingly answering his question, she glanced over at the pair. Artio made eye contact with one of the twins and pressed her index finger to her lips. Someone else was coming into the forest. She made her way over to the pair and seemingly manipulated the plant life. Instantly long, green strands of vines grew over the pair and shielded them from sight. The outside of the tree seemed to also have been manipulated to better protect the boys. The moonlight dimmed slightly as if to hide whatever was to come from Vanitas and Sora.
Artio
There were Gods so ancient, so forgotten that their very names had been stricken from time and memory of man. These Gods preserved the natural order of things and worked behind the scenes. They didn't need worship or the love of mankind, to perform their duty was enough. Artio was one of the Old Ones, the Gods who had existed before the vast majority of the others. Technically above other Gods, as she was a Primordial being. Despite her desire to be out of the spotlight, here she was, ready to fight and kill on behalf of these children. The Goddess had heard their cries with every fiber of her being and awoke from her peaceful rest to answer the prayers in her forest. Spring had come early and the changing of the seasons was not to come lightly. There were consequences for the Goddess' awakening and Artio knew the Gods would not be pleased. But they were not her peers, equals or individuals she had to answer to. There were higher things at stake. For now, the mother bear ran toward the cubs.
Rushing in front of the burrow both boys were hiding inside of, Artio returned to her druid form. Forcing the change of Spring to come early had its perks. She forced vines to grow over the burrow and protect the children while she dealt with the intruders. Staring at the dark creatures, the evil ones manipulated by those who wished to possess the children, Artio narrowed her eyes. They hadn't heeded her warning. Their yellow eyes keenly observed the ancient Goddess, while their shadowy forms shifted in the night. Artio manipulated the sky, clouding over the moon so that the children wouldn't have to witness what was to come. "A mother bear is very protective over cubs, it would be best not to cross me." This was it, their one last chance to turn back. Of course, they didn't turn back and leave. Obey their master or die for their impudence. They were done in either way. With nothing to lose, the largest brute of the bunch rushed for Artio. "Energy is not simply created, it is transferred, and I will take yours! Time to part with your life force!" Artio shifted back to her bear form and rushed at the creature, snarling as she fought and swiftly took down the creature. The others prepared to attack her and Artio switched back to her woman form, daring them to do so.
One by one the creatures fell and their bodies touched the Earth they were so eager to desecrate. Each of them began to decay from Artio's wrath but dared not dissolve into the Earth. Its purity would not be defiled by such filth. No. These creatures would go back to where they came from: the realm of the dead. Banishing them, Artio watched as their bodies dissolved into a thin black mist and disappeared from her sight. With her anger now subsided the Goddess removed the unnatural clouds from the sky.
"You've protected them from danger."
Artio glanced over her shoulder and found herself face to face with Terra, the Earth Goddess. "I answered what was asked of me- of anyone." She glanced at the burrow both children were hiding inside of. They weren't able to eavesdrop on the pair, so, for now, they could speak freely.
"Yes. But now the seasons are out of balance. The Earth will have to catch up on what has been done." Terra found herself preoccupied with a butterfly that now landed on her hand and gracefully fluttered away in the warm breeze. The snow had melted away and she knew the Gods would be angered. Repercussions would now come down the woodworks. Fortunately, Primordials did not have to heed their wrath. They feared individuals like Terra and Artio. If they wanted to war and squabble amongst themselves then so be it.
"Would you have allowed them to die?" Artio asked the Roman/Greek with a raised brow. Surely she of all the Gods knew what would happen. Larger calamity would have befallen the world had these two children perished.
"No," Terra answered truthfully, the Goddess' features softening when she glanced in their direction. "I was preoccupied at the moment... If things didn't change for the better then I would have stepped in."
"Take care of them, won't you?" Artio asked Terra. She had a feeling the Goddess would be in no position to refuse.
"I can't alter their true fates." Terra remained honest with Artio. "They'll be safe. But not with me." She shook her head. Terra had slept since the fall of her children, her pride, her joy, the Titans had fallen from the Earth. Still mournful of what was lost, she couldn't be the caretaker of these children. They deserved a fair chance at life and with her, there would be nothing but suffering.
"Everything will be alright once the pain has gone away." Artio knew of their loss and was sorry for the children, but also meant for her friend Terra to heal in time. Pain couldn't last forever.
"Like the changing of seasons, it will fade in time." Terra couldn't have agreed more.
Artio nodded. "I leave them to you." Shifting to her bear form, Artio ran off into the night. Were it anyone else other than Terra, she would have made them swear an oath. But she knew they were in good hands.
Terra
Terra looked over at the hollowed out tree. She needed to retrieve the children.
After what felt like an eternity, even long enough for Sora to sleepily wake up, and the noises of the trespassers he'd heard go by, the vines receded and the woman appeared before Vanitas' eyes once again. Was this one different? She had the most peculiar hair color. Pigments of blue, black, green, purple and several other colors that seemed to bleed into one another. On her face, she wore a kind smile. Her skin tone also didn't appear to be normal for humans. It reminded him more or less of the... Dirt? Her clothing was also odd. It seemed like it was almost made out of rock somehow. Shimmering with a light violet hue and teal accents, it reminded him almost of plant life and the way that it could glow in the nighttime. What was that term?
"Mom?" Sora asked, still sleepy.
The woman still held her smile as if she understood his confusion. "Hello, young ones." She knelt before them and kept a healthy distance from the pair, just in case they were skittish.
"Pretty..." Sora seemed to now be fully awake and was in awe of the woman. "Vanitas do you see her!?" Sora asked his older brother.
"Yeah." Vanitas nodded. He was less enthusiastic than Sora. There was no telling what she was doing or why she was here. Just because she seemed friendly, or at the very least 'nice' didn't mean that she was. For all, he knew those footsteps could have been their parents.
"I mean you no harm." She said, almost as if guessing his thoughts. Sora seemed to take a liking to her almost immediately, but Vanitas still held that distant gaze. Leaning over, she scooped up a handful of dirt and shut the palm of her hand. Once she opened her hand, the most beautiful, vibrant butterfly escaped and flew over to the twins. Instantly making its way to Sora, the butterfly hovered in front of his face and gently gave him 'kisses'.
"Who are you?" Vanitas asked, surprised by her abilities. Creating a living, breathing being out of dirt? Not something just anyone could do.
"Well, that depends. I have many names. But for now, I come to you as a friend." Offering out her hands to either of the boys, she offered to bring them to safety.
"Our parents? Did they send for you?" Vanitas asked.
She shook her head. Her expression was rather grim and serious. "No."
"Where are they?" Vanitas wanted to know.
Her smile faded and the woman shook her head. "I'm here for you." She wanted them to believe her. "I'm Terra. And you are?" She asked Sora.
"Sora." Sora introduced himself.
Terra nodded. "It's nice to meet you Sora. And you?" She asked Vanitas though Sora had already said his name. It was more of a formality at this point.
"Vanitas." Vanitas introduced himself. Had she not caught his name earlier when Sora had said it?
"It's nice to meet both of you. I only wish it had been under better circumstances." Terra knew that Vanitas had understood her, but Sora likely didn't. "Won't you come with me?" Terra offered her hands out to both boys.
"Vanitas?" Sora asked his older brother. He was so smart and Sora honestly would trust whatever he decided to go with.
Vanitas knew they had no other option. "Let's go." He nodded and accepted her offered hand. Sora accepted the other and both boys were led from the hollowed out tree.
"You're cold," Terra commented on feeling their hands on hers. They needed somewhere warm to stay the night. She'd have to improvise.
"We've been outside for a while..." Sora said, glancing up at the much taller woman.
"I know." Terra nodded. Vanitas sent her a strange look and she could only smile back in response.
"Where are we going?" Sora asked.
"You need to rest. You're tired. We'll find somewhere for you to sleep." Terra promised the boys. Taking them toward a specific direction, they eventually stumbled into a cave. It wasn't very well-lit and she knew there was a possibility it would scare the children. "Hang on." She let go of their hands and walked inside of the cave without any hesitance. Doing her best to craft the items the boys would be needed, the Earth itself shifted to her will and formed a soft bed out of clay for them to sleep on. The wall opened into a make-shift window to allow natural lighting from the moon and she crafted blankets and pillows for the children. Food would also be a necessity at some point. Fresh water too.
Exiting the cave once satisfied, Terra was pleasantly surprised to find both children had stayed exactly where she left them. "Come in." She beckoned them.
"You're not a witch or anything... Are you?" Vanitas asked. He honestly wanted to know if she was trying to eat him and his little brother.
Terra couldn't hold back her laughter from such an odd question. The Primordial actually had to hold her sides from the amusement."No. I'm not a witch."
"But you control plants." Vanitas had gathered that much.
"The green does as I say." Terra nodded.
"That's so cool!" Sora gushed over her while still sleepy.
Terra smiled softly at him. Such a peculiar child. Walking through the cave with the children she brought them to the bed and made sure both were comfortable. It felt so surreal to have to tuck in children after the thousands of years that had past since the demise of her very own. Something about it felt like it filled a void inside of her she didn't know she was missing. Obviously, it was in her nature to nurture others, and to take care of those in need. Though she wasn't perfect, and not everyone had received this side of her loving nature. Terra hadn't gone down without a fight against her grandchildren who wrongfully claimed her land, the Earth and stole it from her children. What she gave in kindness she would take back in revenge. However, once that failed, the Primordial Goddess had slept since time beyond memory. But there was something inside of her that missed this.
It wasn't some petty squabble between Primordial and God, it was simple and easy. Just like her life had started out to be ever since her birth.
Seeing her stare off into space, Vanitas was a little confused. Terra was obviously off in her own little world, but he felt like there were still questions that needed answering. "Are you staying with us? Are we staying here?"
Terra snapped out of her train of thought and stared at the child. "It's not a permanent solution. We'll relocate you in the morning."
"Will you be with us?" Vanitas asked.
"I will deliver you to those who can take care of you," Terra answered. Seeing his mouth open for more questions, the Primordial grew weary. "There will be time for questions later. Hush. Rest." Seeing the boy nod and obey, she was glad. Terra walked over to the wall of the cave and leaned against it. She would watch over the children. Glancing out the makeshift window she'd created, Terra knew the consequences were now beginning for Artio's actions.
Persephone
Persephone devoured the seeds of the pomegranate she'd been working on beside her husband Hades. Bored with their entertainment, the Goddess let out a sigh. The Underworld's usual charms just weren't compelling enough for her right now. Usually, she could endure through it when Adonis was by her side but he was with Aphrodite. The Goddess propped her head up on one arm and sighed while she continued to eat the fruit of the Underworld.
Hades noticed Persephone's restlessness. "Do we need another form of entertainment?"
About to answer her husband, the Goddess felt a jolt going through her. The pomegranate fell to the floor and she stood up. "I need to go."
"Yes. Go and rest." Hades nodded to his queen.
"No." Persephone shook her head. "Back. The Earth is waiting for me."
"It's too soon," Hades argued, confused as to why Persephone was trying to leave him early. Of course, the Goddess wasn't always thrilled about having to return to the Underworld because of her one little mistake of eating the pomegranate, but at least by now, he expected her to accept her fate.
"The seasons have shifted." Persephone could feel it even if Hades couldn't. "Spring calls. My mother will be expecting me. The Earth cannot flourish without me."
Hades felt like this could have been a trick somehow but Persephone seemed to be telling the truth. "Go." He didn't want to let her go but if she was telling the truth, then Demeter would have thrown a fit until her daughter was returned. The world would die and never bypass the season of Fall and the Olympians would all come and annoy the King of the Underworld with their incessant complaints. Their time now cut short, the God of the Underworld felt agitated. The souls of Tartarus were in for divine punishment.
Persephone gave him a fleeting glance and nodded. It was time she took her leave and returned to the world of sky and possibilities. She didn't know why she was being granted this release and for now, didn't much care. Maybe one of the Gods had smiled on her and made her wish come true. Exiting the Underworld through a passage made exclusively for her, Persephone was greeted by the warm embrace of her mother and the Goddess of Spring smiled. "Mother." She affectionately called out to Demeter. What was once a dead forest surrounded by snow and cold was now replaced with the smells of fresh grass, honey, wheat and sunshine as Spring had now returned to the world.
"You've returned." Demeter was relieved and overjoyed at the return of her child.
"Early." Persephone corrected her mother. "Why have I returned?"
Demeter's warm smile faded away. "We need to go to Olympus."
"What's wrong?" Persephone had noticed the sudden shift in her mother's demeanor.
"Come with me." Demeter was insistent.
Persephone nodded and followed her mother back to Olympus. So many questions on her mind, the Goddess followed Demeter into the great hall where all of the main Olympians adjourned.
"It's true then," all of the faces appeared grim in the hall once their eyes landed on Demeter and Persephone.
"What's true?" Persephone was curious about what had happened. Her time in the Underworld left her quite literally in the dark.
"The seasons have been meddled with," Athena spoke up before anyone else could. "What was once the Fall, on the verge of the Winter solstice has now shifted to the Spring."
"Whose doing was this?" Persephone asked.
"Artio," Zeus spoke up, all of the Gods immediately looking to the king of their pantheon. "She has risen early and her awakening demands the Earth fluctuate with her. The skipping of the seasons is just the beginning. The Fates have told me that Gaea herself has risen once more." The mention of Gaea sent a chill down many of the Gods' spines. Like Artio, Gaea more or less had faded into obscurity a long time ago. After the defeat of the Titans, they assumed that was the end of her interference.
"Why would Artio awaken?" Artemis was curious. It didn't seem like she of all people would rise before her rightful time and interfere with the natural order of things.
"The Fates spoke of those breaking the rules. They sent their servants to the Earth to interfere with the fate of mortals and men for personal gain. Artio rose and banished the shades from their world. Terra and she have become the protectors of their victims." Zeus answered his daughter's question swiftly.
"They cannot be just any child- Artio would not do this without reason." The Ancient Goddess wouldn't make herself known to just anyone. Persephone herself knew this as Artio was technically her superior when it came to the natural order. Spring began because of her, and Persephone spread it to the corners of the globe once she had awoken and signified her release from the Underworld. "Gaea herself also would not rise for ordinary children. Why have they chosen to be their protectors?" None of this was adding up. Wouldn't the Earth and the one who controlled the seasons, elements, climate and nature itself have better uses of their time?
"Things have grown rather dire," Zeus answered and evaded his daughter's question. "Artio and Gaea are just the beginning. The fragile alliances we've formed with the other pantheons are now called into question. Once the Fates have identified the culprits, they shall be dealt with immediately. But since they have already acted then that means they're willing to try again. Necessary measures have to be taken."
About to ask more, everyone stopped once they heard footsteps coming through the great hall. After a moment Nemesis stepped into view and made her way to Zeus. The Goddess knelt and bowed her head to the King of her pantheon. "You've sent for me."
"Rise Nemesis." Zeus wouldn't have the daughter of Nyx kneel in front of him. Her mother was a very testy being and he didn't want to incur her wrath for any mistreatment.
Nemesis obediently stood and looked to Zeus for answers. "Who has wronged the Olympians?"
"We do not know." Zeus started to explain. "But I have an assignment for you Nemesis. Artio and Gaea have risen and the world order has now shifted. A Death God has broken the rules and attempted to take the living before their rightful times. I need you to watch over the orphaned children that Gaea herself has deemed fit to guard. If any God attempts them harm you are to exact your judgment on behalf of the Olympians. Judge them as you see fit."
"Who are these children I am to protect?" Nemesis doubted it came lightly if Zeus himself were to ask the favor.
Zeus looked at Athena who nodded. Exposing them to the image of Sora and Vanitas, all of the Gods gasped.
"Would it not be wise to send others with her?" Artemis asked. "I volunteer to help."
"That will not be necessary." Zeus shook his head. "Nemesis and Thanatos will be enough."
Nemesis was surprised at the mention of her brother. "Death is to come?"
"Yes." Zeus nodded. "These are trying times, Nemesis. Necessary actions need to be taken."
Nemesis had no idea why such extreme measures were necessary. She, Justice, Vengeance, Retribution and he, Death to guard children? However, her understanding in such matters wasn't needed. She had her orders and they were to be carried out.
Skadi stood on the mountain peak and stared out into the horizon. The Northern Lights were out and yet Winter had slipped past the world. She could feel the rise in temperature and the fact that her mountain was warming. Scowling, she knew that Persephone had returned and Spring had officially begun. The Jotunn spun on her heels and created a frenzy of a blizzard on the mountain, snow, ice, hail, anything and everything to keep it cold. In the distance, she heard the howl of wolves. Ordinarily, this would have soothed her. Right now, it did absolutely nothing. So lost was she in her own little world that the Jotunn didn't notice a raven staring at her nor its caw in the distance when it flew away.
Trekking through the now thick snow crunching beneath her feet, Skadi would return to Valhalla and let the Gods know of this.
Skadi entered the halls of Valhalla, the Jotunn still scowling. Wearing the same expression as the day she'd come to kill the Gods in retribution for her father they had taken, all of them felt a chill going through their spines. The Gods were confused on her arrival as more or less her time to leave and bring Winter to the world had just come.
"The seasons change," Skadi explained to Odin, Thor, and Ullr who waited for an answer.
"What do you mean the seasons have changed?" Odin waited for a better answer from Skadi.
"Spring has come," Skadi explained. "The Winter has gone."
"How is this possible?" Thor was equally as confused as his father.
"Artio has awoken and Persephone has returned to the world. The Winter has been skipped over." Skadi pursed her lips. She wasn't pleased with the aspect of her calling being overruled by someone else.
"Why?" Odin of all people asked Skadi first. As if she somehow had the explanation.
"I don't know. But that means the end of the Winter." Skadi said simply. There was no ifs ands or buts about it. Persephone most definitely had returned to the world and Skadi had felt it. What should have been a drop in temperature had instead been replaced by an increase. Her mountains were blooming flowers. The fresh, once pleasant scents of Spring had made their way to the Jotunn and she was not pleased. Ice stirred from beneath the Jotunn, each of her steps causing frost to spread across the floor. Her emotions were her bane, especially anger.
Cernunnos felt the sudden and quick return of Artio. The Goddess had awoken before her rightful time and began the shifting of seasons. His forest that had been dead and preparing to start anew once the frost had ceased and Skadi had her rule was now booming with life. Leaves barely had time to fall and now the trees were once more filled with the green. The old leaves had crumbled into nothing and dissolved back into the Earth as if nothing had ever happened. It seemed that Persephone had already filled the world with her influence to make up for the fact that one Goddess was now obsolete in the worlds' rotation.
Had Cernunnos been paying better attention, he would have noticed the caw of a raven if the background. The way that the bird watched him intently and listened. But the God had other things on his mind. He paid no attention to such trivialities.
Never mind how the Gods would take this- what of the humans? Would there be a longer Spring to compensate for the loss of Winter? Summer? Fall? He doubted Persephone would care since it would mean more time away from her husband. But even so.
As if the Gods had somehow smiled upon him, he saw the Goddess. Persephone walked through his very forest and everything she walked by or touched lived once more. Even a flower that had been frozen in time due to Skadi's frost. The Goddess smiled and stooped down, touching the flower in question and picked it for herself. Placing it in her hair, she smiled.
"You've been busy," Cernunnos spoke directly to her.
Persephone turned around and stared back at the Horned God. "The world demands Spring return."
"Artio has awoken-" Cernunnos spoke. "-you already knew this."
"Her awakening has freed me from the Underworld." Persephone nodded to Cernunnos.
"Why has she broken the cycle of life?" Cernunnos asked. He had no genuine idea and chose not to question Artio herself. Not that he could particularly find her as she more or less was found when she wanted to be.
"It's complicated." Persephone dodged the answer. "Artio is not the only one to return from obscurity."
"Who else?" Cernunnos was concerned on the answer.
"Gaea." Persephone figured he would have known that one. He was connected to the Earth and Terra's influence was one that he should have known.
"Those two... They've returned at the same time?" Cernunnos asked.
Persephone nodded. "To protect two children."
"Not just any children." Cernunnos knew that right off the bat. Artio herself and Gaea would not violate natural order just to save two children. There had to be something more than that.
Persephone's smile faded and the Goddess deadpanned. "Don't worry about it. Zeus wagers a warning of these two children to any and all of the Gods out there." And now for her true purpose of coming to Cernunnos's forest. "Interfere with, try to harm or influence the children in any way... And feel the wrath of Olympus."
It seemed 'Spring' hadn't been the only thing to come to his forest. No. Now he was dealing with the Queen of the Underworld. "I have no interest in these children. Just vague curiosity on why Gaea and Artio chose to awaken for them. That's all." Cernunnos certainly didn't appreciate the threat, though Persephone was merely a messenger.
"It is forbidden to speak of by the decree of Zeus," Persephone said sternly.
Cernunnos just nodded in understanding. "They have nothing to fear from me."
"Good." Persephone nodded to the Horned God and disappeared instantly from his sight. Spring had more corners of the world to spread to.
Aine was a little confused when the lush, green Eire of Ireland had begun its usual course for the shifting of Fall to Winter but skipped immediately to Spring. The Goddess enjoyed the fact that it wasn't cold, icy and dreary. But Skadi wasn't happy and the Jotunn herself had come to visit and voice her annoyance to the other Season she could count on. Ironically the two were polar opposites, but Skadi had a little more sensitivity toward her due to the fact that she had married a God of Summer at one point in time.
"The seasons change." Skadi was honestly so frustrated that she could barely find anything else to talk about.
"Yes. They do." Aine nodded while the two walked through a beautiful field. Her side filled with the pleasant smells of the Spring, the bounty that Persephone brought to the world before Aine kicked in and helped the last of crops to grow and any unfinished business to be taken care of before Demeter and Skadi had their turn at the world.
Skadi's side froze over due to the Jotunn's frustrations. Plant life crunched beneath her feet and some of it shattered entirely due to being frozen. Hearing the mating calls of birds, the Jotunn scowled even more. She hated those sounds. Her husband called the howling of wolves 'ugly' as opposed to the 'song' of the swans- but Skadi found no better tune than wolves. "I don't understand why now of all times."
"I imagine there's a good reason." The Irish Goddess smiled softly and tried to perk up Skadi but had limited success in the manner. Loki was probably the only one who could cheer her up right now but they weren't in his company. It was just the seasons. Weaving a crown of the blooming flowers, Aine placed one on her head and hesitantly wondered if she should bother handing one over to Skadi.
"There was," Persephone answered Aine's contemplation and startled both Goddesses.
Skadi turned and scowled at Persephone. After a moment, her face shifted back to its relaxed form. There was no use in being angry at her. Persephone was not the one to blame. The Jotunn refused to speak.
Aine saw Skadi's reaction and understood. "Artio woke up."
Persephone nodded and joined her seasons. Every stride beside the Gods counteracted Skadi's frost and fixed any damages she'd done to the plant life. "Gaea also has risen."
"Why?" Skadi asked before Aine could. "What reason do these two have to interfere?"
"Children were in trouble," Persephone answered.
"What kind of children?" Skadi was now interested.
Persephone shook her head. "By the decree of Zeus, they are not to be spoken about. Their identities are to be hidden and they are to be protected. The King of the Olympians issues an order of protection: Any God(s) who dare go near or try to interfere with these two shall face the wrath of Olympus. The children of Nyx herself are tasked with guarding these two."
"Are such precautions necessary?" Aine asked. It seemed like overkill. "Which children of Nyx?" Uttering the name of the primordial herself sent a shiver down Aine's spine.
"Nemesis. Thanatos. This came from the mouth of Zeus himself on Olympus. I am only doing my part to spread the word. A God from another pantheon, a Death God yet to be revealed by the Fates has attempted to take them. Servants came to this world and killed their parents then went for the children. The Olympians are not happy. My husband is not happy." Persephone could understand their frustrations and hated the fact that she was supposed to be silent about it. Even to her fellow seasons of whom she'd felt such comradery and acceptance.
"Would a Death God not understand the natural order? Breaking the rules and attacking a human child..." Skadi's scowl was once more back. The Jotunn's hand balled into a fist. "How despicable. To kill the parents of innocents and attempt to take the helpless ones away." Her ice spread, even more, freezing more than half the lane this time around. She of all understood the loss of a parent and being orphaned.
Aine shuddered at how cold Skadi was making it. She could literally see her breath.
Persephone didn't feel the bitter sting of cold like Aine. She was used to the Underworld and oddly enough the cold didn't particularly bother her anymore. "It's probably to start a warring of the pantheons. The particular servants used weren't uncommon. Lowly shades that exist in all the Underworld's, unfortunately. Even my husband has access to them. I know that Hades didn't have any part in this. I was there, with him the entire time."
"Why would the Greeks stake so much claim in this?" Aine was curious. Was it because of their fondness for humanity?
"We have our reasons." Persephone couldn't elaborate.
"Any suspects on who it might be?" Skadi asked. "I don't believe Freya, Hel or Odin would have sent them." She just couldn't see the Norse Gods doing such a thing. They had an alliance with the Greeks that at first seemed kind of uneasy, so why would anyone try to upset the balance the pantheons had together?
"Anubis." Persephone had an intuitive feeling on this one. "But I can't say for certain." Accusing the Egyptians was a very serious matter. And if word got back to Neith that the Olympians were prematurely pointing the finger at her and hers, then things would get to be very difficult.
"So many of the Old Ones have been stirring... Do you think Nu Wa herself might step in on this?" Aine was curious. As the mother of mankind, it would stand to reason the Goddess would be outraged. Especially if Terra and Artio had stepped in to protect the children in question whose identity would remain unspoken.
"I don't know," Persephone answered honestly. "It would be bad if Gods started warring once more. I have no doubts that Nu Wa would step in if calamity once more were to befall the world." One thing Persephone knew for certain: if Nu Wa joined the fight then Gods would die. As the Queen of her pantheon, Nu Wa was capable of killing other Gods. Zeus. Ra. Odin. Nu Wa. They could willfully strike down and kill Gods.
"Gods would fall and their callings would die with them," Skadi concluded. "Why would any God wish for this? They wouldn't just be damning themselves but their entire pantheon to oblivion. Primordial beings have roused... And if what you say about Nyx is true, then things are getting dangerous." They all knew the consequences for assaulting a child of Nyx: the Primordial Goddess would punish it with death. No one, not even Zeus himself dared go against the night. There were things that she could do that no other could hope to achieve. Terra. Artio. Nyx. Nu Wa. Who else was going to join the chaos?
"A mystery," Aine concluded, shaking her head.
In the distance, the caw of a raven could be heard by all three. They instantly went silent. Each Goddess split up until eventually only Aine herself was left behind and looked for any sign of the raven. She knew who the bird belonged to, whose dominion it was under and wondered in the back of her mind if she was just being paranoid or if things were truly shaping the way they were because of her. There was a chance it didn't belong to whom she thought of, but Aine knew enough to be careful.
Snickering in the distance, the Morrigan affectionately stroked her raven's feathers. "Well done." She nuzzled the bird and sang praises to the creature. "Finally it gets interesting." She grinned and laughed to herself. The world was going to soon change. Gods would fall. The Morrigan would be there from the beginning to the end of the conflict, she'd watch those fools fight and war with one another until she was the last one standing. There would be no dying breath she didn't collect, no soul of a God slipped through her grasp. All it would take now is patience.