The fourth god, the bold God of War Darlgin, was the only god to have fathered demigod children — twin sons birthed by an ikka mother.

Though they shared the same face, the twins couldn’t have been more different. Dawn was the older brother; smart, strong and a friend to all that knew him. Dusk the younger was cowardly, weak and dull.

As the twins grew older, Dusk tried to match up to his brother. He wanted to be a warrior that his father would be proud of and a champion ikka would worship. But whatever Dusk did, Dawn did better.

Dusk saved a priest in danger, and Dawn saved an entire city. Dusk slew a savage giant, and Dawn slew an ancient leviathan. Dusk kissed the hand of the most beautiful woman in the world, and Dawn married her.

It was as if Dusk was just a lesser version of his perfect demigod hero brother, a cheap homunculus wearing the image of someone greater than himself.

At Dawn’s wedding, Darlgin gifted his older son his own sword – a masterpiece forged from the steel blood of ocean beasts, in which one swing could split the earth. The ikka sang ‘Dawn, Dawn!’ in their adoration.

Dusk’s heart grew dark with jealousy. Why did his brother deserve everything? Didn’t Dusk also try just as hard? Yet he never received praise, he never received a single gift from his father, let alone something so precious! Dusk could stand it no more.

So he killed his own brother, stole the gifted sword and killed his father-god. 

The ikka cried for justice and hunted Dusk down. Hundreds of mortal men died trying to stop the bloodthirsty demigod but the fury in their hearts kept them going until they tore the wretched Dusk apart. Even after killing him, Dusk would not be dead forever. Like the true gods, demigod Dusk will reincarnate.

And so, Dusk swore vengeance upon the gods and their worshippers. Dusk would return one day and slay all the ikka, not sparing even a single child. So the world must take vigilance, to prevent Dusk from gaining power once again.

“It is believed Dusk would reincarnate as a younger twin once again. A long time ago, these younger twins would be killed at birth,” Mahala continued.

Nanny Pond bustled in with a heavy tray. She passed around cups of fruit tea and thick slices of butter cake. 

“That was the old days,” she said. “Nowadays, they’re just given to the temple t’serve the merciful Nothos.”

The satchel child fidgeted in his cot, holding onto his wounded ear.

“Well, at least they’ll be able to tell you two apart now,” Hacksaw said. That earned him another smack in the arm by Nanny Pond. He spilt tea all over himself.

“It also means you’re a child of Dawn,” Nanny Pond said quickly. “You’ll be a great man one day! Just remember t’keep your dusk brother in check.”

“He’s not my brother!” the satchel child spat.

The girl had stayed quiet through the entire story. She slurped her tea and sprayed crumbs everywhere as she wolfed down her butter cake, oblivious to the horrifying elements of the story.

Most children didn’t understand.

In the corner of her eye, she could see Sister Zvie welcome families into the shrine. Mahala recognised each worshipper who came to pray and give offerings. Shoredon presented itself as a small town where everyone knew everyone.

Her heart would always stop when the Cavan family came in. Mr and Mrs Cavan were a well-groomed couple who always brought elaborate bouquets and generous donations. Their daughter as usual clung to Mr Cavan’s sleeve, in a fashionable chiffon dress and matching hair ribbons.

The Cavan girl caught Mahala staring.

“Papa, she’s looking at me funny again,” the Cavan girl said.

“Pay her no mind, sweetheart,” Mr Cavan said dismissively.

“But Papa, it’s creepy!” the girl complained.

Mr Cavan didn’t spare Mahala a glance. “Your Dusk sister can’t hurt you. Let her be.”

Mahala watched as her older Dawn sister skipped towards the statue of Nothos with their parents – a giant cloaked being with his face and body concealed. Little Dawn laid her flowers and prayed for a new pink coat and a puppy.

Mahala scrubbed the floors and prayed to Nothos for everyone to magically forget she was Dusk.