Prologue: The Lost Demi-God 

It was a frightful night; the sky swarmed with dark blue and feather-grey and angry clouds. A storm threatened in the distance, lighting up the jagged, looming mountains that appeared to swallow the towns below. Atop these mountains was an expansive palace, one of shiny white marble, cool to the touch. In the foyer tonight, four divine beings stand amongst each other, all before a mortal. She visibly trembles under their intense gazes, and in her arms held tightly, is Mageus; the first ever Demi-God this world has seen. 

“Well, what have you done now, Centuros?” Illus, the God of Magic and Mischief sighs, leaning her hand on the ornate windowsill. It was lined with expensive gold, a show of how much the gods had to spare all while the mortals suffered below them, raging with hunger and disease. 

Lectric, the God of Weather, and Sumus, the God of Life, both crowd the newborn, who flails his arms around in a confused blur. This was one of his first days here, and he was already being subjected to the judgement of the Four Almighty Gods. Mageus had done more as an infant than most mortals in Solmeris hoped to in their lifetimes. 

Centuros, the God of Time, and the inciter of tonight, steps forward to inspect the child. He seizes him from the mortal, who falls back onto the floor. She lets out pitiful sobs of fear, forcing her tightened palms to her eyes to wipe furiously and wildly at her tears. Centuros showed no signs of remorse to her emotional despair. 

“I apologize my siblings, for I have made a mistake.” Centuros cackles wickedly, holding the child carelessly as if it is not fragile. As if its life is nothing but a slight inconvenience. Narrowing his eyes into thin slits, pupils contracting to resemble those of a tiger, Centuros lifts Mageus by his ankle. The babe screams, face reddening in alarm. “I shall take care of it now.” 

The God unhinges his jaw, and his mouth drops open into a horrifying display of sharp, long teeth. He dangles Mageus above his mouth, snapping his teeth closed for show. The loud sound makes Mageus burst into scared, wild screaming. 

“No! Please don’t hurt him!” The mortal screams for her child’s life, clutching her hair-ends with her fists. She attempts to stand, but she falls, for the presence of the Gods keeps her on the ground.  

Centuros tastes the tears coming from the child as they drip into his mouth still agape. He glances at the mortal; her name was Neia Daerie. She was a feisty thing, or at least she was when he met her over nine moons ago. Now, she looked more like an infant than the babe did. He felt nothing for her, not even now as he threatens her son.  

Mageus would always be her son. Not his. For he would not have borne a child with mortal blood. No god had ever done so, and he would not allow himself to be the first, to let a Demi-God live.  

“Be quiet, mortal. This matter requires you not.” Illus sneers, crossing her arms across her chest. Her eyebrows furrow above her bright sapphire-colored eyes. They swirl with a magic none but herself possessed, a violent tornado of immeasurable power.  

“Please, Almighty Centuros. Let him live. I will do anything! I swear it by my heart and soul.” Neia cries, falling onto her hands and knees. The babe cries just as loud, if not louder than she. He still dangles above the ravenous jaws of Centuros, who has not let up his grip for a second.  

“How... touching. Finish up now, Centuros. It is almost time to dine.” Lectric informs him. “There will be plenty more children to come, ones with no mortal blood.” 

Centuros glances at Neia, and he knows that Lectric is right. There would be plenty more children of his. Gods could have children, however many they so please, but they were created from divine power. This child here, dangling limply above his mouth, was a rot to his bloodline. If he were to live, it would ruin every descendant of his thereafter. It simply could not happen.  

However, there was a joy that Centuros got from mortals. It was their coercive properties, their malleability. A God could ask just about anything from one, and they would get it. This was proven by the babe in his grasp; a thing made from pure desire.  

There was no love in his heart when Mageus was created. There would never be any for him, ever.  

“Have patience, my siblings. This mortal says she will do anything for this babe. I think I shall take from her what I please.” Centuros laughs, his large teeth threatening closer to the infant as he does. Neia gasps, eyes wide at the sight. She lets out another sob, reaching her hands out for the child who screams. It is the only thing she can do.  

“Fine, but do not take long. I do not like to wait.” Sumus speaks, his voice booming over the thundering clouds. He steps away, agitated by the time-waste he considered this to be. He leaves through the giant, gem-crested door that led to the dining room. The door slams behind him, rattling the high walls and shaking the intricate chandelier ten feet over their heads. The diamonds create rainbow reflections about the room. It would be a spectacular sight if not for the circumstances.  

“What are you to do with it, Centuros?” Lectric peers over the God’s broad shoulders. He grimaces at Mageus, as if the sight of the baby alone was an insult to his divinity.  

“Mortal Neia, I allow you to rise.” Centuros fails to answer his brother, who steps off to the side by the grand windows on either side of the gigantic palace entrance. Lighting lights up his solemn expression for a brief moment; he did not like to be ignored. 

Neia stands, finally able. Though it is not without trouble; she stumbles on her feet, grasping at a candle holder on a nearby end table. She knocks this over, burning herself with the melted wax; the pain of this is dull compared to the pain in her chest.  

Centuros clamps his jaw shut, allowing it to return to its normal size. His grip on the child, tight at the ankle and turning purple, does not falter.  

“Will you give your life for this child?” he asks, bearing his hard, soulless eyes into Neia’s. She winces, pained by them and frightened by his erratic grin. 

Weakly and desperate, she nods.  

“Then it is settled. The child lives in exchange for your life.” Centuros howls viciously, a sound heard all throughout Solmeris.