In that world, the gods ruled as protectors of living beings, being worshiped by them. In the face of such greatness, the gods began to share a bond with powerful beings, who assist them in this divine task.
Theiodesmos.
"Lower your head before the divine you admire. Grant him your honor and glory, that the blade may shine in resonance with the Cosmos. Your life is empty without the divine, and the divine is worldly without your shadow."
"Understand, Cale, even if you choose to live among humans, know that you will not be able to escape your coming-of-age ceremony when you turn twenty", explained the man with a tender smile. "For it will be the precious day when you will meet your life companion. There will be no being who will support him more than his Theiodesmos."
The little boy raised his purple and innocent eyes, shining to his father who told him the story.
"But Mom and Dad will always support Cale, won't they?"
The man laughed, stroking his son's hair.
"Of course, your family will always support you. No matter what happens, we'll be there for you."
That sweet memory resurfaced in his mind. Cale was no longer a child, but he still saw himself believing in many stories that his parents told. After all, if gods really existed, then other mystical beings should also exist.
Just like Theiodesmos.
He knelt before the sacred rock, the clearing bathed in light that filtered through the trees. In reverence, he began to pray.
"Great Ereghast, I beg you that peace continue on this earth. Forgive me for ignoring my divinity, but I feel that my place is to help humans serve you. Therefore, I implore before your good will, and that of the Cosmos, so that he who is connected to me may be someone who can understand me, and help me in this journey so honored."
Their prayers resounded among the trees. He continued kneeling before the huge stone, in that floral clearing where he could hear the wind and the birds. Opening his eyes again, Cale took a deep breath and raised his head to gaze at the heavens.
"Gods of Keonna, hear my request. Forgive my sin of ignoring my divinity... but I will do my best to prosper from your stories among humans."
He prayed in silence. All twelve prayers, that the higher gods would bless the lives of living beings. Cale wanted to keep that peace and tranquility for all eternity. He wanted to be able to live in that gentle rhythm.
"May the warmth of Riteun illuminate my way. May the wisdom of Melli give me clarity in the face of doubt. May Ruen give me compassion before life..."
The twelve prayers were made. For all higher gods to whom Cale had full faith. He prayed silently in that clearing, with the sun and trees as witnesses of such devotion. He wanted to become a priest of a temple of the gods, helping humans to know the greatness of the gods.
Prayed with such devotion, that Cale felt the heat running through his veins.
"Cale."
Hearing a soft voice calling him, the tall boy opened his amethyst eyes and turned back. He found the tender smile of his mother, who approached silently.
"Come to pray again? What a good boy you are."
The caress she gave on his dark hair made a slight blush appear on Cale's face. He again faced the huge stone and touched his hand on it.
"For some reason I feel that here my prayers will be heard by the gods. It's comforting and peaceful, just the way I like it."
"Indeed, it is a sacred place", she smiled sweetly and then touched her son's shoulder. "Your sister will soon come to pick you up, what about getting ready to leave?"
Cale felt a tickle in his chest as he remembered the commitment he would have. Just to imagine that when he returned home in a month, could be accompanied by the person who would be his Theiodesmos, his life companion who would follow him for the rest of their lives... ah how anxious he was.
What kind of person would he be? Your father used to say that a Theiodesm chosen by the cosmos was the person who would bring what his master needed. One complementing the other. Cale expected a wise person to help him on the priesthood path.
The boy took one last look at the huge rock, mentally finishing his prayer to the gods of Keonna.
"For the first time I will see the higher gods. I get nervous just thinking about it. Do you think Ereghast will be there too, mother?"
The woman tilted her head and opened a gentle smile to her son.
"I'm sure he'll be there, my dear. With so many young people preparing to follow the divine path, there is no way he can turn his eyes to such a ceremony."
"Oh, you're right.... I hope to make a good impression on the gods. I've been helped so many times by the gods that it becomes hard not to admire them."
As he walked through the forest and returned home, Cale remembered absolutely every time his prayers were answered by the gods. He knew that he was not able to deal with much, considering his lack of ability to learn fencing or have magical powers like the other demigods.
As the time the river near the village overflowed, Cale prayed and three days later the river returned to normal. Or the time when there was a plague that affected the crops of several farmers. Cale prayed, and dreamed of a deity telling him what to do to combat the plague. By following word for word, he was able to help his neighbors regain their fertility.
Or when he was six years old, and ended up losing his family in the middle of the harvest festival. That day, a dark-haired divine being held his hand and led him to a juice stand where he kindly offered him a glass of grape juice. When the divine being disappeared, his mother found him.
That's why he always resorted to prayers. For Cale, the gods were like great heroes.
Watching his son walking through the forest, the nymph sighed worried and turned to the huge rock where once Cale prayed. She made a bow and whispered:
"I hope you can protect them from where you are... Andhis."
Then she turned to follow her son home.
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"Are you already longing for death, Cale Arkalis?"
He barely had time to complete the memory before the pain pulled him back into reality. The sweat running from his forehead, feeling his whole skin is sticky and dirty. Discomfort and pain woke him cruelly from a sweet memory.
He wanted to move his arms and legs, wanted to be able to find a way to pull those heavy chains and try to get rid of them. But how would he do that, when his legs and arms had been cut off and were lying in front of him?
Ah, what an infernal pain.
"Hahaha, what is it, Arkalis?", Cale raised his lifeless eyes to the subject sitting on the throne, looking at him satisfied with his feat. "Are you already praying for your precious gods? Or for your Theiodesmos come to save you?"
That ominous look, the overwhelming presence... it was as if they made Cale desire death instead of continuing to breathe that heavy air. Time was not his ally, his mind was too clouded to think of a way to escape.
The weariness took him along with the pain in an embrace full of agony. The last prayer made to the sun now seemed a distant echo, a cruel irony.
In the end, only one question resonated in his mind: why did that happen on such a happy day?