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On_the_night_before_the_wedding,_I_burned_my_betrayer_groom_to_death
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00:07The Amphium of Eternal Union
00:31So that was the truth. I rested a hand on the cold amphora and smiled at the master smith. I
00:37feel the divine moment upon us. Forget the oracle's fated hour. I'll light the first flame myself. A bride's offering
00:45to an eternal union.
00:47My name was Ethera, a true-born princess of Olympus, daughter of Zeus and Harry. I have a secret. Ever
00:54since my brother Hephidesius blessed me, I could hear the whispers of forged artifacts.
00:58They held joy and sorrow, love and hate. Gold hairpins complained about rancid perfumed oil. Temple braziers brasted about the
01:07sins they had seen.
01:09Even the marble beneath my feet was vain, priding itself on bearing the steps of the first Olympians. To me,
01:15it was no blessing. It was an endless roar.
01:17That changed when I learned to silence the noise and focus on a single voice. Like now, as I went
01:24to hear what my wedding gift had to say.
01:26It was the Amphula of Eternal Union, a gift from my father, crafted over an entire year by the finest
01:31smiths in the realm.
01:32The sacred forge sat on the Leminos volcano. The air rippled with heat, thick with sulfur and the scorched breath
01:38of the forge. The massive forge looked like a sleeping titan, quietly waiting to breathe divine fire.
01:44Kalion, champion of the sacred games and son of a Demhod hero, was my betrothed. He was supposed to be
01:49in his hall, preparing for our wedding.
01:51All of Olympus called us the perfect couple, a match woven by the fates themselves.
01:55Kalion's fame rested as much on his war god blood as on his victories. He was tall and handsome. He
02:01was always gentle with me. My father was highly pleased with him.
02:05Even my mother, Hera, once held my hand, declaring this marriage befitted my birth. Even the artifacts in my hall
02:10sang his praises.
02:11My silver hand mirror told me, his gaze shines like Helios himself when it falls on you, princess.
02:18My ancient lyre from Apollo agreed. His fingers on my strings make even old Apollo jealous.
02:25I could melt for him, and I was naive enough to believe this was true happiness.
02:33Master Smaith De'Emus and his men dropped to one knee. I waved my hand and told them to rise.
02:39I looked past the crowd. My eyes locked onto the great unfired Amphria.
02:43It sat quietly in the clearing right before the forge. Its ash-white earthen body was flawlessly carved with twin
02:47snakes and olive branches.
02:49From the serpent scales to the leaf seeds, every detail seemed wront by Hefidos himself.
02:53It was an Olympian miracle. The ultimate symbol of my future marriage.
02:56I stepped forward. A thrill stirred in my chest. I wanted to hear what it had to say.
02:59Perhaps it was proud to bear the blessing of the gods. I reached out.
03:02My fangsertip skimmed its cold, rough surface. Right then, a terrified voice hissed my skull like a red-hot needle.
03:06Don't touch me! I'm filthy! They made me filthy!
03:09I froze. This was not the voice I had expected. There was no pride in it. No hope. It was
03:15nothing but the panic of the utterly violated.
03:17I frowned and steadied my mind. I pressed my palm flat against the amphora to soothe it, reaching deeper into
03:22its mind.
03:24Your divine grace. Please, leave. It's foul in here.
03:28My heart sank in there. Forged wide for the smiths, its opening allowed a grown man to climb inside.
03:37The amphia cried louder, like a tortured captive driven to madness.
03:42It is the groom, Kaylian. He and a woman.
03:46It struck me like thunder. All my pretty dreams of destiny collapsed at once.
03:54They think it is safe in here, that no one will find them.
03:58The Nyhad is crying, begging, forgive me, princess.
04:01And Kaylian only laughs and tells her to scream louder.
04:05He said you'd never find out. He said you were just like this emperor.
04:10Beautiful, divine, and empty. Nothing but a vessel waiting for him to fill.
04:19Disgusting. How dare he speak of you that way.
04:25The amphia's voice warped with fury as it poured out everything it had left.
04:31Their sweat, their filth, their filth that's dripping down again.
04:36Filthy, revolting.
04:41When will they leave me? Light the fire now, and let them burn to charred bones inside me.
04:48Let's see whether the flames claim me first, or them.
04:52So that was the truth.
04:54My fairy tale romance was nothing but a staged illusion.
04:59His measured gentleness was nothing but a mirage.
05:01He had basked in the honor my name brought him.
05:04And all the while, he was defiling the sacred amphoras meant to bless our marriage with the woman he truly
05:09loved.
05:10I hardly needed to guess who she was.
05:12Who else but Lyaris, his pitiful old flame.
05:15A girl delicate as river mist.
05:17As you wish, princess.
05:18She was the silver spring Nyari who always kept her head down in front of me, murmuring,
05:23What a perfect little as you wish.
05:25A chill crept from my fingertips, up my arm, and straight into my heart.
05:29My blood went cold, and my body stiffened until it no longer felt like my own.
05:33The smith's voices and the howl of the wind seemed to recede all at once.
05:37Only the amphious, furious, shamed cries echoed in my mind.
05:41They are still kissing.
05:43That naig says that after the wedding, she'll throw herself on your mercy and beg to remain at Caelion's side
05:49as his concubine.
05:50Caelion just laughed and agreed.
05:52He said,
05:53You may be the wife in name, but my heart is hers.
05:57My heart is hers.
05:58Then what was I?
06:00Was I only a stepping stone for his ascent to Olympias?
06:03Was I just a splendid ornament for his haul?
06:05I slowly pulled my hand back.
06:08The blood drained from my face.
06:10What remained was a stillness colder than the river stalk.
06:13I looked at the amphrier that now held all my humiliation.
06:17I turned to face the master smitch, who was still bowed behind me.
06:20He noticed my pale face and looked nervous.
06:23Your divine gracious, is there something wrong with the amphriel?
06:26I looked at him and gave him a flawless smile.
06:29Well, no.
06:31It is perfect.
06:32My voice was so steady it even surprised me.
06:35I couldn't be more pleased.
06:37This amphora of eternal union now bears a meaning beyond words.
06:42And my parents are both waiting to see it completed.
06:45Once it is fired, it will become a true divine relic.
06:53I trace the cold amphial as if caressing a lover's cheek.
06:57I feel the divine moment upon us.
07:00We shall not wait for the fated hour foretold by Oracle Tulemus.
07:05Light the fire.
07:06Diomus's smile vanished, his face turning ashen with terror.
07:11Your divine grace, this cannot be.
07:12I beg you to reconsider.
07:15Diomus dropped to his knees, bowing so low his forehead nearly brushed the dusty stone floor.
07:20This fated hour was foretold by High Oracle Tuermius.
07:25It is an alignment blessed by the stars.
07:28He sought the fate's protection to ensure that this amphrius of eternal union would emerge flawless,
07:34bringing a blessed omen to your sacred wedding with Lord Salian.
07:38If we rush this, we might offend the fates and invite divine wrath.
07:44The other smiths behind him dropped to their knees, their faces pale.
07:48To them, every step of the sacred forging was a ritual.
07:52I stared down at them.
07:54The smile remained on my lips, but my eyes grew cold.
07:58Offend the gods?
08:00Invite divine wrath?
08:01I repeated those words with a mocking edge.
08:04Diomus, are you questioning my bloodline?
08:09I would never dare, never, your divine grace.
08:12Diomus buried his head lower, his voice shaking.
08:16Seeing this masterpiece today moved my heart.
08:20Devotion is the truest offering to the gods.
08:23Is my true devotion worth less than a fleeting moment in time?
08:27My voice was quiet but carried absolute authority.
08:31Or do you believe the blood of Zeus and Hera cannot command a mere flame?
08:36The question carried crushing weight.
08:39Cold sweat soaked Damus' back.
08:41Princess, forgive me.
08:44I meant no such thing.
08:46Then do as I say.
08:47It will enter the forge today.
08:49I will cast the first flame myself, a bride's offering, for an eternal union.
08:57I will bear the consequences if anything goes wrong.
09:02If the forging succeeds, everyone in the sacred forge will be rewarded.
09:09Reward and wrath were the twin languages of Olympus.
09:12It was a lesson every divine child learned before they could even walk.
09:17Diomus cowered on his knees, his body trembling.
09:20He knew that defying my order meant certain death.
09:23But ruining the ritual and angering Zeus would also mean death.
09:27Between two deadly choices, the wrath standing in front of him was far more immediate.
09:32He grinned his teeth, his shoulders collapsing in defeat.
09:35As you command your divine grace.
09:39He stood up trembling and shouted at the smiths behind him.
09:46What are you waiting for?
09:49Did you not hear the princess?
09:51Prepare to seal the forge now!
09:54The smiths snapped out of their day.
09:56Fear and confusion still covered their faces, but they dared not raise another objection.
10:01They frantically began the final preparations to seal the forge.
10:06The massive bronze hoist creaked into motion.
10:10Heavy bronze chains locked around the base of the amphora.
10:13They lifted it toward the forge opening like a magnificent sarcophagus.
10:17My heart tightened with every sway of the ampulla.
10:21The ampule's voice echoed in my mind once more.
10:24This time, it was not crying.
10:26I want to hear their flesh sear and burn to ash.
10:29Its vicious thrill was my own.
10:32A sharp voice pierced the heavy noise of the sacred forge.
10:37Stop!
10:38All of you, stop!
10:40Pure panic and fury covered his face.
10:43It was High Oracle Tylemus.
10:44The very man who divined the fated hour for me.
10:47It seemed Daimus had sent someone to tip him off while trying to stall me.
10:51He pointed at the half-sealed forge door and screamed in absolute horror.
10:56Your divine grace, you must not!
10:58This cannot be done!
11:00High Oracle, what brings you here in such a rush?
11:03Princess.
11:04Tylemus caught his breath and bowed.
11:06His tone remained urgent.
11:08I heard you intend to forge the amphora of Eternal Eune ahead of time.
11:12I came to stop this.
11:13This, Ampramora, concerns Olympian fate and your lifelong blessing.
11:17Its fated hour was ordained by the fates themselves,
11:21based on the fate threads of you and Lord Caelian,
11:24as well as the fortune of the divine realm.
11:27The timing must be absolutely precise.
11:31Rushing or delaying it will destroy the cosmic harmony.
11:36At best, the amphorix will be destroyed.
11:39At worst, it will disrupt the destiny of Olympus and all realms.
11:43It will curse your marriage to Lord Caelian.
11:47He spoke with fierce conviction.
11:50He escalated a simple breach of ritual to a threat against the very foundations of the divine realm.
11:55The surrounding smiths were already terrified.
11:58Hearing this threat to all realms, they turned pale as ghosts.
12:02They backed away from the half-built stone wall of the forge.
12:06Diamus pleaded again.
12:08Your divine grace, the High Oracle speaks the truth!
12:13I beg you to reconsider, for the sake of Olympius!
12:17For the sake of Olympius.
12:20What a grand excuse.
12:24On any other day, I might have reconsidered it.
12:27But today, the fire burning in my chest was hotter than the flames of the forge.
12:31I looked at Patelemia's anxious face and smiled.
12:35Tielimus, let me ask you.
12:37Does your so-called fated hour and divine will value the exact timing?
12:42Or the pure will of the gods?
12:44Time is the divine will.
12:46Good.
12:49I nodded, stepping in to whisper.
12:54Then let me ask you another question.
12:56What if this Amtheros hides something so foul it would make the gods reach?
13:04Should we wait for the fated hour to burn it?
13:07Allowing that filth to poison the very threads of destiny?
13:11Or should we act instantly, incinerating it to ashes to restore purity to the realms?
13:15My voice was light, but the icy malice in my words made Tielimus shover.
13:20His cloudy old eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
13:23He shot a glance at the dark, half-sealed mow of the forge.
13:27He was a smart man.
13:29Decades at the center of Olympian power had taught him survival.
13:33The filth I mentioned, paired with my absolute readiness to defy a divine oracle,
13:39made him realize the truth instantly.
13:41Teomius' lips trembled, speechless.
13:44I met his eyes, speaking every word with deliberate weight.
13:48Teomius, as high oracle, you should know this best.
13:52The fates weave justice into every thread.
13:55No one escapes the loom.
13:56To let certain things exist a moment longer is the ultimate insult to the divine order.
14:01Burning this filth today is divine providence.
14:03I act as the gods themselves would.
14:05To stop me is defying the divine will.
14:07Which matters more?
14:08Your full-fated hour, or the purity I restore with my own hands?
14:11All color fled Polemus' face.
14:14He stared at me, as if seeing the true-born princess of Olympus for the very first time.
14:19My gaze was calm, unyielding, yet carried a madness that chilled him to the bone.
14:24He knew he had no choice left.
14:25To pry was death.
14:27To defy me was death.
14:29His only way out was to play the fool.
14:31To know nothing and follow my lead.
14:34He took a deep breath.
14:35The princess speaks truth.
14:36His voice came out dry and raspy.
14:39I was blinded.
14:40Your will and the divine will are one.
14:43He straightened his back.
14:44Turning to the bewildered Acklepins and smiths, he shouted with all his remaining strength.
14:50What are you waiting for?
14:51The word of divine blood is law.
14:54Today is the fated hour.
14:57Seal the forge!
14:58His sudden submission left everyone stunned.
15:00But with the High Orupal's command, no one dared to hesitate.
15:04The smiths sprang back into action.
15:06They layered blessed stone and sacred clay, sealing the forge door.
15:11I watched Tylemis's trembling back.
15:14The crisis was averted.
15:16He was a smart man.
15:17That was why he would survive.
15:19As for those two inside who thought themselves so clever.
15:23I watched coldly as the forge door was sealed shut.
15:27Leaving only the lower stoking hole.
15:30And a few upper smoke vents.
15:34Light the fire.
15:35Daimus handed me a torch.
15:37His hands trembling.
15:38I took it.
15:39The flame danced.
15:40Casting flickering shadows across my face.
15:43I stepped toward the massive forge.
15:45Heat rushed from the staking hole like a titan's breath.
15:49The Amphura's manic cheering echoed in my mind.
15:52Come!
15:53My princess, light me!
15:55Purify me!
15:56I raised my hand to toss the torch into the fire gate.
16:00Athara!
16:01A commanding, urgent voice struck like ice water.
16:05I froze, slowly turning around.
16:07A golden chariot drawn by white pancocks hurtled toward us.
16:11Surrounded by temple guards and attendant nymphs, golden banners snapped in the wind, announcing her identity.
16:16It was my mother.
16:17Hera, queen of Olympus, had arrived.
16:20Before the chariot even stopped, Mother stepped down, supported by her handmaidens.
16:25She wore an ivory peflos, her elaborate braids slightly undone.
16:29She had rushed here with no time for her usual perfection.
16:32She marched up to me, her face livid, and snapped.
16:36This is madness, Athara!
16:38Who gave leave to defy sacred law?
16:40I held the torch, staring at her in silence.
16:43I did not bow.
16:45My defiance made her chest heave with rage.
16:47She pointed at the torch.
16:49Drop it!
16:49What are you doing?
16:51Your sacred wedding approaches.
16:53And you dare forge the Ampracog early?
16:56Do you know what order means?
16:58What divine protocol demands?
17:01If your father hears of this...
17:03Mother, I finally spoke, my voice dead calm.
17:06I know exactly what I'm doing.
17:08You know?
17:09Mother let out a laugh, the kind that precedes thunder.
17:13I see you know nothing.
17:16Have you no regard for Olympian honor?
17:19For my will?
17:21And your father's?
17:24If word gets out, how will the entire realm judge their reckless, spoiled princess?
17:29Everyone in the Sacred Forge, smiths and nymphs alike, cowered on the ground, silent as shadows in the Underworld.
17:36In the massive forge, only the two of us remained standing.
17:40Honor?
17:40I tasted the word, thick with irony.
17:43Do you truly believe honor matters more than your daughter's lifelong happiness?
17:48Mother was stunned.
17:49She had never heard such a tone from Obedienur from her obedient daughter.
17:53She frowned, sensing something was wrong.
17:55Her tone softened.
17:57Aethera, what is the matter?
17:59Did you quarrel with Caelian?
18:01Friction is inevitable in a marriage.
18:03You are about to become a wife.
18:05You must be gracious.
18:07Worthy of your title.
18:08Do not throw such tantrums.
18:10Gracious?
18:11Worthy?
18:12How absurd.
18:13My betrothed was inside the Sacred Amprifs meant for our wedding, entwiled with another woman.
18:18And my mother was demanding I show grace.
18:21Mother's face shifted.
18:22Her eyes swirled with pity, fury, suspicion, and fear.
18:26She had guessed the truth, but chose to know nothing.
18:29A suffocating silence followed.
18:31Mother, you taught me that a princess must always remember honor.
18:36I have always remembered.
18:38But mother, something foul has crawled onto my skin.
18:42Would you have me stand before Olympus wearing filth as a crown?
18:46To pretend I am perfectly happy?
18:50I can't.
18:51I won't.
18:52My tears finally fell.
18:54But these were not tears of weakness.
18:56They were tears of cornered rage and absolute resolve.
19:01Mother recoiled, searching my face in shock.
19:04Filth?
19:05What filth?
19:06Athora, speak clearly!
19:08I cannot say.
19:09To speak it would ruin more than my honor.
19:12It would destroy the dignity of the entire Olympus royal house.
19:16Mother, you value the honor of marriage above all.
19:18If this is known, they will say your blessing means nothing.
19:21They will say even your own blood cannot be kept sacred.
19:23My calculated retreat silenced her.
19:26Indeed, the order of marriage was what she valued above all else.
19:29She was the goddess of marriage.
19:31If such a scandal occurred inside her own daughter's sacred Amprova,
19:34it would shatter her divine authority.
19:37She dared not gamble.
19:38She dared not ask.
19:39Mother's face shifted.
19:40Her eyes swirled with pity, fury, suspicion, and fear.
19:45She had guessed the truth, but chose to know nothing.
19:47A suffocating silence followed.
19:50Finally, she closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.
19:53When she opened them, only exhaustion and absolute result remained.
19:57You have grown beyond my reach.
19:59Do what you must.
20:00Her voice was harsky.
20:02But remember, we are gods.
20:05We do not break.
20:07We do not bend.
20:08And we do not bleed where mortals can see.
20:12She turned away.
20:14Sparing no glance for me or the massive forge,
20:17she marched back to her golden chariot.
20:20I had won.
20:21Through sheer cruelty, I had forced my mother to permit my madness.
20:26I watched her chariot vanish down the volcanic path.
20:28The hot wind had already dried my tears.
20:32My last shred of hesitation vanished with them.
20:35No one could stop me now.
20:37I turned back to the fully sealed forge.
20:41It crouched there like a silent titan,
20:44waiting for my command to execute the most magnificent and brutal immoration.
20:49I raised the torch high.
20:52In my eyes, the dancing flame was purification.
20:56It was vengeance.
20:58It was the fire that would burn my foolish past to ash
21:01and ignite my new future.
21:04I heard the amphibaw's final cry in my mind,
21:06echoing with anticipation and release.
21:08Thank you, my princess.
21:09Set me free.
21:10With a flick of my wrist,
21:11the torch traced an arc through the air,
21:13tumbling into the fire gate.
21:14Foosh!
21:14The prepared surge of wood and volcanic kindling ignited definitely roar.
21:18The first flame was lit by my own hand.
21:20Watching the roaring blames,
21:21I could almost see Kalian and Lyris' terrified, despairing faces.
21:24They never imagined this safe place meant to shelter their affair would instantly become their fiery tum.
21:29Nor could they ever imagine that the woman they deemed hollow inside would personally send them to the underworld.
21:35More fuel!
21:36I commanded the terrified Dimus and his smiths.
21:38Keep feeding the fire.
21:39Burn it with the fiercest flame for seven days and seven nights.
21:44I want it burned to the very core.
21:47The smiths jolted in terror.
21:49They scrambled to haul bundles of olive wood,
21:51feeding them into the fire gate.
21:53The blaze surged wildly.
21:55The entire forge began to hum and vibrate with a thunderous roar.
22:00Searing heat washed over me,
22:02whipping my dress violently in the draft.
22:04I stood perfectly still,
22:06letting the intense heat scorch my cheeks.
22:08I heard no screams.
22:09The thick forge walls muffled everything,
22:12but I could feel it.
22:13I could sense the amphioc's twisted ecstasy,
22:15a violent clash of agony and joy.
22:17It was being forged and purified in the flames.
22:19The filfil trapped inside wailed in absolute despair,
22:22before finally burning to ash,
22:23permanently fused with its clay body.
22:25Eternal Union.
22:26Kalian.
22:26Lyris.
22:27I grant you your wish.
22:29For the next seven days and nights,
22:31I did not return to Olympus.
22:33I stayed beside the sacred forge.
22:37Mother sent no one.
22:39She must have fed father some excuse.
22:41But all of Olympus was in an auror over two sudden disappearances.
22:46Kalian, champion of the sacred games and future divine consort,
22:51and his childhood sweetwart, Lyris,
22:54had vanished on the exact same day.
22:56The house of Therion and the silverpring Nyas were frantic.
23:00They petitioned the Olympian tribunal and exhausted every connection.
23:05They turned the divine realm upside down,
23:08yet found not a single trace.
23:10Rumors spread that they had eloped,
23:12fleeing the suffocating divine laws.
23:15It was the most widely believed theory.
23:18It made perfect sense.
23:20After all, their mortal romance was no secret.
23:23Scandalous tales echoed among the gods,
23:26and mortal taverns were already singing ballads of their forbidden love.
23:32The house of Therion and the silver spring Nyades lost all honor,
23:36becoming the laughingstock of Olympia.
23:39Meanwhile, I, the abandoned trueborn princess,
23:42became an object of universal pity.
23:44They imagined me locked in my temple,
23:47heartbroken and weeping.
23:50They had no idea.
23:52I was far away on a volcanic island,
23:56listening to the wind,
23:58breathing in the scent of sulfur and olive wood ash,
24:02peacefully awaiting the completion of my Ampoica of Eternal Union.
24:06For seven days, I slept soundly.
24:09The maddening whispers in my mind had finally vanished.
24:12My world was perfectly quiet.
24:14It was as if that fire had not only incinerated my betrayers,
24:19but also burned they succumbed in the struful.
24:23Yesweja lake away my unseen chains.
24:26On the morning of the eighth day,
24:28the flames finally died down.
24:30By sacred protocol,
24:31the forge needed to cool for several more days before opening,
24:35but I was done waiting.
24:38Open it, I ordered calmly.
24:40De'emis now obeyed my every word without question.
24:43He immediately ordered the smiths to douse the forge with cold water,
24:47forcing the temperature down.
24:49Hiss, thick white steam blasted into the sky,
24:52accompanied by the sharp crack of cooling stone.
24:54Hours later,
24:55the forge was finally cool enough to approach.
24:58The smiths began dismantling the forge door.
25:00The blessed stones were removed one by one,
25:02revealing the pitch black void within.
25:04Everyone held their breath.
25:05They craned held their necks,
25:07eager to see the Amby of Eternal Union forge so swiftly
25:09under the princess's relentless command.
25:11But De'emis Plymouth and I knew the truth.
25:14What we were waiting for was never the Empress itself.
25:17As the final stone was pulled away,
25:20a strange scent drifted from the forge.
25:23A mix of scorched clay and a heavy, rich grease.
25:27Two of the most experienced smiths
25:29stepped cautiously into the dark.
25:31Moments later, they emerged,
25:34carrying a massive bronze tray step by step.
25:37Resting upon it was my amphora of eternal union.
25:40It was a success.
25:41It had not cracked.
25:42It had not warped.
25:43It had perfectly survived the raging divine fire.
25:46Its body was magnificent crimson,
25:48like candeal de fluen blood.
25:49Of the ponet tick gleamed with such life,
25:52they seemed ready to slither.
25:53It was, without question,
25:55a legendary divine artifact.
25:57Every smith present gasped in genuine awe.
25:59The gods bless Olympias!
26:02The gods bless us all!
26:05I stepped forward slowly.
26:07Looking down at it, I whispered,
26:09Are they still there?
26:11The amphora made no sound,
26:13but a profound sense of satisfaction and peace
26:16drifted into my mind.
26:17It was telling me,
26:19Yes, they were still here,
26:21in a completely new form,
26:23with it,
26:24and with me,
26:25in an eternal union.
26:27I reached out,
26:29wanting to stroke the ampoule like I did that day.
26:31But my fingertips stopped an inch away.
26:34I suddenly felt that two was filthy.
26:37Just then,
26:39members of the House of Theremin
26:40and the Silver Spring Nairies arrived,
26:42escorted by an Olympian arbiter.
26:45Hearing that the princess was overseasing the forge here,
26:47they came clutching a desperate hope
26:49to find their missing children.
26:51Seeing me,
26:52they rushed forward,
26:54ready to weep and plead.
26:55However,
26:56as their eyes fell upon the massive,
26:58breathtaking amphragi in the clearing,
27:00everyone froze.
27:02Lady Nerea had sharp eyes,
27:04suddenly pointing at an inconspicuous bulge
27:07near the base of the amphela.
27:09That is my daughter's moonstone pendant!
27:12Her personal nightie token!
27:15Why is it here?!
27:16The crowd looked over.
27:18At the base,
27:18a faint crestical contour was visible.
27:21The material was clearly not clay.
27:23It had fused with the body during the roaring fire,
27:26yet retained its rough shape.
27:28Meanwhile,
27:28Caelian's father,
27:29Lord Tharion,
27:30stared fixically at the other side of the amphora.
27:32There lay another mark of melted metal.
27:34He recognized it.
27:35It was a corner of the bronze war crest of Eris
27:38he had personally given his son.
27:40Caelian always wore it at his waist.
27:42Now,
27:43it was part of the amphora.
27:44All clamor ceased abruptly.
27:46The air turned dead silent.
27:48Everyone stared at the breathtaking amphora
27:50with expressions of pure horror.
27:52The beautiful crimson,
27:53the magnificent shape.
27:56In their eyes now,
27:58it had all transformed into absolute terror.
28:03A horrifying realization struck them all.
28:07Caelian and Lyris,
28:08they,
28:09they had been burned alive inside the amphora.
28:12Lady Nerea fainted on the spot.
28:15Lord Tharion's legs gave out.
28:17He slumped to the dirt,
28:19pointing a trembling finger at me,
28:21unable to form a single word.
28:23The Olympian Arbiter turned deathly white.
28:25He looked from me to the amphio,
28:27cold sweat pouring down his temples.
28:29Meeting their terrified,
28:30disbelieving stares,
28:32my expression remained perfectly composed.
28:34I even offered the panicked Arbiter a gentle smile.
28:37No need for alarm.
28:42I stepped up to the amphora,
28:44using my sleeve to gently wipe away the ash.
28:47My movements were tender,
28:49as if handling a priceless treasure.
28:52My betrothed and Lyris loved each other so deeply,
28:55so desperately.
28:56They wished to be bound,
28:58forged together in divine fire,
29:00united for eternity.
29:01I grant them their wish.
29:06Consider this my blessing.
29:08My voice was soft,
29:10yet it struck like thunder in the dead silence.
29:14The Arbiter dropped to his knees,
29:16trembling violently.
29:18The horror in the eyes of the gathered members
29:20hardened into a venomous wrath.
29:22I didn't care.
29:24The strong prevail.
29:26The weak burn.
29:28It was that simple.
29:30I won.
29:31The matter eventually reached father.
29:34He summoned me to the storm hall.
29:35There was no thunderous rage,
29:37no fierce reprimand.
29:38Sitting upon the obsidian throne,
29:40he watched me in absolute silence for a long time.
29:43His gaze was impossibly complex,
29:45swirling with disappointment,
29:46shock,
29:47and sorrow.
29:48But above all,
29:48it was a cold scrutiny,
29:50measuring me like a stranger.
29:51Etheria,
29:52do you know what you have done?
29:53Kneeling on the cold marble floor,
29:55I kept my spine perfectly straight.
29:57I do, father.
29:58Tell me where you erred.
29:59My error was that I misjudged character,
30:01nearly bringing shame to Olympus,
30:03and failing to cleanse the corruption sooner,
30:06thus alarming father.
30:07I confessed to every fault,
30:08shave for the crime of murder.
30:10Father looked at me and suddenly laughed,
30:12a desolate, weary sound.
30:14Misjudged character,
30:15cleansed corruption.
30:16You have more thunder in you than all your brothers combined.
30:20He rose,
30:21walked over,
30:22and pulled me to my feet.
30:25This matter ends here.
30:27Kalion and the Niff fled Olympus in disgrace.
30:31That is the truth now.
30:32The house of Theramin and the Silver Spring Nyas
30:35are guilty of moral decay.
30:38They are stripped of divine favor,
30:40barred from Olympian court for eternity.
30:43As for that Amprog,
30:44he paused,
30:45his gaze darkening.
30:47Keep it.
30:48Put it in your great hall.
30:50Look at it every day.
30:52And never forget what you are capable of.
30:56Yes, father.
30:56I bowed my head.
30:58Leave me.
30:59He waved a hand,
31:00as if drained of all strength.
31:02I wish to be alone with my thoughts.
31:04I bowed and took my leave.
31:06As I turned,
31:08I heard him sigh softly behind me.
31:10A sigh that seemed to say,
31:11my daughter is no longer what she was.
31:14He was right.
31:16The moment I lit that fire,
31:19the naive, obedient Aethela
31:21who believed in love,
31:22burned to ash in that forge,
31:24right alongside Kalion and Lyranice.
31:26The one who survived
31:27was someone entirely new.
31:33My sacred wedding was,
31:35of course, cancelled.
31:42The amphora father ordered me to keep
31:44was delivered to my temple.
31:48It stood at the very center
31:50of the great hall.
31:55It remained breathtaking.
31:59A deep crimson-like,
32:01cuneal divine blood,
32:03its surface gleaming like a mirror.
32:08I looked at it every single day.
32:14But it never spoke to me again.
32:21All its love and hatred,
32:24its humiliation and ecstasy,
32:26had permanently fused
32:28within that divine fire.
32:31It had become just like me.
32:34Silent.
32:36Silent,
32:37cold,
32:39and unbreakable.
32:41I could no longer hear
32:42the voices of any artifacts.
32:49My world was left in dead silence.
32:53So be it.
33:01Only in this silence
33:03could I finally hear
33:05the voice within my own heart.
33:12And it told me,
33:15Athara,
33:16from now on,
33:17my fate answers only to me.
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