Coming From the Shadows Series
The Dying Embers of Hope
The year is 428 B.C. – The Sun beat down upon the dusty road leading away from Athens, baking the earth a parched ochre; Elpis walked with her usual celestial grace, but beneath the surface simmered a turmoil within her; her raven-dark hair, usually a shimmering cascade, hung limp and heavy in the oppressive heat, her violet eyes, once alight with an unwavering hope were now clouded with a growing sense of disillusionment.
She was a celestial being; a being who’s very existence flowed with the very essence of stars and within the universes grand design; her purpose followed the originality of her own people; once they sought to guide, to nurture mortal races – while Elpis seeks to carry this on, her people do not, long since retreating behind the veil of their own domain, separating themselves from the rest of the universe that has shown only violent tendencies, so often have mortal beings shown discrimination and hatred of things different, the following of idols that bare no presence upon their worlds – Elpis though, has often tried to prove her people wrong, that there is still hope left.
But…, as of late, she has found her faith in humanity; a race she had fallen in love with, to be testing patience and love for them as a blacksmith that tests the mettle of steel; their wars, petty cruelties, the relentless pursuit of self-interest, the discrimination of those considered different; it all chipped away at the foundation of Elpis’ beliefs.
Her own kind warned her ‘They are flawed” they would say ‘Their nature is evil; chaotic, they are not worth your love’
The most vocal of her kind; Zor’Githas, often tried to dissuade her, he saw her love of humanity as a source of pain and upset for her.
Yet, she refused to surrender; she clung to the flicker of good she would occasionally witness; random acts of kindness, moments of profound beauty that pierced through an ever darkening world. This was why she walked amongst them; seeking reaffirmation, seeking proof that her faith was not mispleaced.
Her journey this day though had proved uneventful; mirroring the growing emptiness within her, she observed farmers struggling to coax life from parched lands, merchants haggling with ruthless efficiency – then, there was the children, they played games of war with terrifying enthusiasm, each observation was a hammer blow to her waning optimism.
As the sun began to descend; painting the sky in hues of orange and blood red, a band of figures emerged from the scrubland that boarded the road; Bandits, their faces were hardened by the sun and hardships they faced; their eyes glinting with malice “Well, well, well” snarled their leader
He was a hulking brute of a man with a scarred face and missing teeth “A pretty little bird, all alone; what treasures do you carry girl”
Elpis stopped; her eyes shifting to the brute of a man before her, he was much larger than she was; yet, she looked at him as if he was an animal that was far smaller, something insignificant – she felt a familiar wave of anger churning, not at the threat they believed they were, not for her own safety; but because it was still the same cycle.
Cycles of Greed, Violence; it was a plague she growing frustrated with, so many forms of it had been displayed, so much of it chipping her faith away; different places, different cultures; but all the same – the strong prey upon the weak.
When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable weight “I have nothing of value to you; move aside”
The bandit leader laughed; his tone was a harsh and grating sound “Oh, that is were you are wrong; you have beauty” he told her, his companions beside him laughing In amusement “And that beauty is worth a lot of coin” he made his move forwards, the men beside him doing so as well, they surrounded Elpis; the bandit leader reached out, his grimy hand grasping around her arm
That was the breaking point; her eyes narrowed, the ground began to tremble, the air crackled with unseen energy; the tree’s lining the road began to sway violently; their branches thrashing about as if caught within a tempest – her violet eyes were set ablaze, a light that was both terrifying and sublime.
The sudden change caught the bandits by surprise as they looked about; they didn’t realise just what they had gotten themselves into – as Elpis was about o unleash a display of a celestials wrath that would have no doubt scattered them to the winds, reduced her surroundings to ashes – a shout interrupted.
A blur of motion and a sudden clash of steel; Akadios.
Akadios was an Athenian soldier; his bronze armour gleaming within the fading light, he remembered Elpis from their encounter within the Athenian market; a woman with eyes like amethyst and an aura that just drew him in, he had watched her intrigued – and now she was threatened, or so he believed; he had reacted by instinct.
He charged into the fray; his sword a whirlwind of deadly precision; the bandits, surprised by the unexpected intervention, proved no match for his skill, one by one, they fell back; howling in pain, only their leader remained – he looked at Akadios then to Elpis, at the tree’s thrashing about and the very air that seemed to vibrate – fear finally overcame him, he turned and fled.
Akadios stood panting, his sword dripping blood; he turned to Elpis, he face flushed with adrenaline “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice rough with concern
Elpis stared at him; her mood calming; she was so close to proving her own people were right, her eyes filled with a profound disappointment, he had saved her – his intervention had prevented her making a terrible mistake, but in doing so; he had robbed her of the opportunity to choose “I am unharmed” she said, her voice was flat; she offered only a perfunctory nod “Thank you soldier”
Then, without another word; she turned and continued on her way, leaving Akadios standing alone within the gathering darkness, a knot of confusion and unease tightening in his stomach.
Elpis’ steps were heavy as she finally reached a small village nestled within the foothills; the air was thick with smells of woodsmoke and livestock; people milled about, their faces etched with the hardship of difficult lives, Elpis found a quiet corner within the village square a patch bathed in the pale light of the moon.
She sat down, pulling a cloak around her, feeling more alone than she ever had before.
She observed the villagers; their interactions a microcosm of the worlds endless dramas – a husband argued with his wife, a child cried for its mother and an old man sat in silence, staring into the embers of a dying fire.
All of it had beauty and ugliness; the love and the hate seemed a pointless chaotic dance leading nowhere.
Being distracted, she failed to notice movement as someone came to sit beside her; when she finally noticed, she shifted her gaze – a young woman, barely more than a girl with eyes as brown as the earth and hair the colour of wheat had sat beside her in silence. She was Greek, simply dressed, her face bore marks of the sun and wind, she did not speak nor did she offer any gesture of greeting, she simply…, sat there.
Her presence was a quiet, unwavering reassurance.
Elpis looked at her with a flicker of surprise; she did not understand, why would this mortal – this creature of fleeting existence, offer her such a simple companionship; did she sense the sadness that weighed upon her, the storm raging beneath the surface?
She knew Humans were generally social creatures, but she was uncertain as to why this woman decided to approach and sit beside her despite the clear signs of being troubled, but something else struck her – no one usually saw her, not when observing, she shouldn’t have even been noticeable – yet this one not only saw her, she joined her in silence
She shifted her gaze, looking to those around; villagers continued their lives, they were completely oblivious to the two women on the bench; it left her with more questions – the young woman remained silent, but her presence was a small beacon in a dark void.
It was a simple act of kindness she hadn’t expected – but a reminder that there was still some good within them; Elpis turned her gaze upwards towards blinking stars above, the two would remain sat in the silence.
Written By: Westley H.
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