It was ironic, this situation. Lying asleep in bed next to me was the woman I once tried to have killed.

Except, she wasn’t even harmed. Her parents and mine, however, are dead.

And the world my wife worked so hard on, Atlantis, is at the bottom of the sea, frozen in time and invisible to all but a select few.

While my uncle never punished me truly for the deaths, I still feel guilty and feel the invisible scar on my neck burning every so often.

Interesting how the God of Storms and Tranquility, someone who can create peace with a mere thought, couldn’t even find peace for himself.

Then again, I was only a kid and things were vastly different millenniums ago.

{6 billion years ago}
“Where is that girl?” I mentally shuddered, hearing Mother call out for someone. I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and nearly jumped.

“Please don’t do that, Sabi. I’m panicked enough as it is.” I whispered, looking my twin sister in her eyes. Where her golden eyes showed calm, almost boredom, mine showed absolute fear.

“Elvira, don’t worry about Calci. We practically run her and the twins to death with practice battles. Let her –no, let them- have a couple of days to themselves.” I watched Mother and Annalise –her mother- talk for a few minutes before Father joined the conversation.

“Annalise, Elvira, have either of you seen the twins?” If I wasn’t in a panic before, now I was certain my pounding heart could be heard miles away. Sure enough, Father looked towards where Sabi and I were and I briefly looked back to see how far my sister and I could run before our parents could catch us.

“Those two are missing as well? Figures…” Mother scoffed.

“I say we search over in the trees nearby and go from there.” Father gestured over to the trees and bushes hiding us. Just as I silently prepared myself for whatever was gonna be thrown at us, I heard laughter.

“Sorry I had you guys looking for Calcifer here!” I didn’t exactly like Atlas, but I was grateful for him coming in when he did. He was carrying Calcifer on his shoulders and she jumped off him when she saw Annalise. “The girl loves her books.”

“Glad she was with you, Daddy.” Annalise picked up her daughter. “Hope she wasn’t too much trouble.” Atlas laughed, a rumble momentarily shaking the realm.

“Trouble? Her? That’s a laugh. Even Mali prefers-”

“Mali? Mali?! How dare you call my brother such a ridiculous nickname!” My father was infuriated and I never understood it. Uncle Malachi didn’t mind the nickname; he even said so.

Of course, as far as I knew, only Atlas, Sabi and I called him that.

“Leo, you need to take something for that temper of yours. No wonder your twins are terrified of you especially.” I sensed the storm brewing from Father. It was… another gift of mine, being able to sense the negative emotions of others. Uncle Malachi said that one day, I would be able to take those emotions and make others around me calmer, but so far, I was having my doubts.

“Keep those little terrors out of this!” So many names for Sabi and me. I almost wondered if they had forgotten our names.

“Elvira, Leo, enough with the insults for the twins. I don’t care who you two are, if I have to get Malachi involved to make end the insults for them, that’s what I’ll do!” I should’ve been grateful Annalise was willing to stand up for us.

But I wasn’t. While most were afraid of the Absolute God, my parents understandably weren’t.

“Annalise, you’ve never raised twins! As far as I remembered, this girl is your first-” I saw a pair of razor-sharp gold and silver claws -Annalise’s weapon of choice- aimed at Mother’s face.

“Be gone, Elvira. Or all the realms’ combined forces will not be enough to stop my wrath.” She pointed at Father, silver eyes glowing, “Same for you, coward.”

“Annalise…” Father held up his hands, but seeing Annalise’s unfaltering glare, laid a hand on Mother’s shoulder, “Come on, Elvira. I’d rather not fight her.” With a loud scoff from Mother, our parents walked off. Once they were far away, Annalise looked towards us.

“Ethos, Sabi, it’s safe to come out now. They’re long gone.” Sabi stepped out while I sat there, shaking.

“How did you know?” Sabi asked, tugging on her tearing skirt.

“We really were looking for you two. Malachi’s worried.” Her claws disappearing, she kneeled in front of my sister, smiling gently. “Sabi, shall I help teach you how to sew? Because if I hear Elvira complaining about mending your clothes again, your mother’s not gonna look so pretty anymore.”

“Mommy, why is Elvira so mean to them?” I hated her especially. Calcifer Awane, the future Goddess of Creation and Destruction.

“Probably because she’s jealous of her twins being stronger than she was at their age.” I didn’t even see Atlas coming my way; I only felt his picking me up gently. “And you seem to take the brunt of her hatred. Probably because you take so much after your father.”

“Daddy, should we take them straight to Malachi? That and tell him what Elvira was saying about them?” Annalise asked.

“Mali’s heard so much about how Elvira’s treating them that he’s becoming visibly frustrated by her. I think only because of his younger brother Leo that he hasn’t killed Elvira yet.” Atlas droned on and on, to the point where I started drowning him out. Just as I started to fall asleep, I heard a voice.

“Hey little guy.” It had to be in my head, for I opened my eyes briefly to see it wasn’t anyone around me. Closing my eyes, I heard the voice again, “Are you tired of what your mom and dad are doing to you?” I nodded. “Never wanna see them again?”

“What do you mean, ‘never see them again’?” I asked.

“Just, make ‘em vanish. You know, poof. No more nagging. Or better yet, let’s get rid of the reason why they nag so much.”  Calcifer’s bright face came up in my head. I shook my head frantically. “Ah. Don’t like her, I see. Well, what if I helped you make her disappear?”

“You would do that?”  My eyes widened.

“Yep. She’ll be out of your life for a long, long time. Say the word and I’ll help you.”  I didn’t see the person who was telling me this, but just by his voice, I liked him.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Oh, just a distant relative of yours. No worries. Name’s Tradere.” I smiled, forgetting about Mother and Father.

“I’m Ethos. But, how will you help me?”

“Don’t worry.” I felt a burning sensation on my neck and nearly blacked out from the pain, “I’ll come to your aid when you need it. Well, farewell, Ethos.”

“…Ethos? Annalise, fetch…” I slowly opened my eyes, my hand unknowingly clamped on the spot where I felt the burn. “He’s awake.” As I looked around, Atlas sat me down, his eyes wide with horror.

“Ethos, are you okay? What happened?!” Annalise kneeled in front of me before pulling me into an embrace.

“What’s wrong with your neck?” Sabi asked and Annalise gently pried my hand away.

“I see nothing wrong with it. Daddy, can Calcifer, Ethos and Sabi go to Calci’s new creation?”

“I see nothing wrong with that. Plus, it’ll keep the twins away from their parents, which is best for everyone.” Calcifer smiled and I barely kept myself from hitting her. Mother had made it clear that while she didn’t like children, she thought highly of Calcifer.

Seeing her gone would make life a lot easier on Sabi and me.

“New creation?” Sabi asked and Calcifer nodded.

“Yep. It’s called Atlantis. Wanna come and see it?” Sabi nodded, while I looked away, trying to hide my rising anger.

“Sabi, I think you and Ethos will like it. While Daddy, your uncle Malachi and I helped, Calci here did most of the work.” Sabi gasped, making me briefly look at my sister. To my surprise, she hugged Calcifer, beaming.

“I was right! I was right about Calcifer!” She squealed and it took everything I had not to frown at her. Did she not realize she was hugging the enemy!? Calcifer was the reason Mother loathed us! Instead of screaming, though, I stood there, silently fuming. And just when I thought I had seen enough of the Awane and Usera families, I heard the footsteps of another.

Calcifer’s father.

“Andross, what’s wrong?!” Annalise asked, nervousness in her voice. Andross looked at me, then at Sabi.

“Can one of you distract Elvira and Leo? While I get these three out of here?”

“Why? What’s Elvira up to this time?” Atlas asked.

“She’s becoming increasingly violent, for one. I just heard her tearing down some pictures. Especially ones involving the twins. It’s bad.” I had been holding back my emotions perfectly.

But when Andross said Mother tore down some of our pictures, I felt the beginning of the tears.

“Ethos…” I saw Annalise create a handkerchief for me, heading towards me.

“I don’t want it!” I found myself screaming at her. The shock from her and everyone was evident, even if I wasn’t looking at any of them. I did what only someone like me could do at that moment: run. Eyes burning, I ran deeper into the woods, not caring if my face and arms were getting scratched horribly by thorny branches…

(Atlas)
I could sense the taint from the kid. I wasn’t lying when I said Ethos was like his father. Elvira played them both. She seduced Leo with charms, driving a wedge between him and his older brother Malachi. And if that wasn’t bad enough, now she was seemingly trying the same with her twins. It was failing with Sabi; she was so sweet and doting that it was heartbreaking that she was Elvira’s daughter.

But it was succeeding with Ethos. I constantly sensed hatred and ill-will from him. But why? Why target him so much? It was well-noted by all the gods that Elvira hated children.

Still, though, Elvira was the sister of him. Chaos was just as his name suggested. Everything about him was chaotic. Still, for the most part, he and his two other brothers avoided us.

Could he be planning something? But why the children? I was wondering the logic when Annalise gasped.

“Daddy, enough thinking! Please, where did Ethos go?” Annalise was more concerned about the child than his mother ever would be. It was almost disgusting how Elvira treated them. I closed my eyes to focus on discovering how deep into the woods Ethos had run, but so far, no luck. I made the mistake of telling Annalise that. “Andross, go after him, please!” Andross nodded and pulled out his weapon, a large and long whip that let out an eerie purple glow.

Of course, the God of Destruction needed something that could destroy things easily. Before he left, he turned and kneeled in front of Sabi, his hands light on her shoulders.

“Be strong for all of us, especially your brother. When I find him-” What Sabi said next froze my blood.

“We’ll be in trouble for hiding from Mother. Not even Uncle Malachi can protect us from Mother’s wrath for too long.” Andross and I looked at Annalise and I could easily see her trying to restrain her rising anger towards Elvira. I could barely blame her, as it was taking all my will power to hold back my rage as well.

“She… she… we’ll protect you. If we have to, we’ll make sure your mommy never hurts you again.” Andross said quietly.

“Mother says that name makes her weak.” Calcifer, who was standing there, pulled Sabi into a gentle hug and I saw the tears in both girls’ eyes.

“Your Mother is a stupid lady. What mom wouldn’t want to be called ‘Mommy’? Tell you what, Sabi, the next time you need to cry, promise me you’ll come to me. I’ll let you cry for centuries if I have to.” I smiled at Calci as Andross quietly snuck off.

“R-R-R-R-Really?” Sabi whimpered. Calcifer pulled her back long enough for Sabi to see her beaming face.

“Yep! You’ve got a lot to cry over!” Sabi hesitated before finally sobbing into Calcifer’s shoulder. As the girls stood there, one comforting the other, I looked at Annalise.

“Should we look for Ethos as well?” I asked my daughter as Andross chased after the child.

“It’s either that or rip into both Elvira and Leo for abusing their twins.” Annalise’s claws appeared again, “Literally. I’ll kill that woman for taking my friend away.” I couldn’t help but smile at Annalise as she made a quick swiping gesture at a nearby tree, leaving deep scratches.

“You sound jealous. Almost like you secretly wanted Leo instead of Andross.” I can imagine that under normal circumstances, statements like that would get someone killed. But Annalise merely looked at me and laughed as she made her claws disappear.

“No, Daddy. I love Andy. Leo’s a good guy, but, after Elvira…” She sighed, “She changed him. Funny how the puppeteer doesn’t realize he’s being controlled.”

“Mommy, can Sabi and I go to Atlantis now?” We looked at Calcifer, her silver eyes bright with joy, the opposite of Sabi’s dull golden eyes now red rimmed with tears.

“…Yes. Go ahead, Calci. When your daddy finds Ethos, we’ll bring him as well.” As Calcifer turned to leave the woods, I stopped her.

“Wait! Calcifer!” She stopped and looked at me, confused. “Let your mommy make a portal. If Elvira sees her daughter…” Calcifer frowned.

“Oh yeah.” And I hear her grumble under her breath, “Stupid Elvira, always ruining things for everyone.” As Annalise created and opened a portal to Atlantis for the girls, Sabi looked at me, smiling slightly.

“Thank you, Mr. Atlas.”

“It’s Atlas, sweetie. You don’t call Malachi, ‘Mr. Malachi’, do you?” Sabi shook her head, blinking away tears. “Just treat me like I’m your grandpa, okay?” She nodded slowly, trying to take it in.

“Come on, Sabi. Let’s go somewhere where we won’t be bothered by mean people.” Calcifer tugged Sabi towards the portal. As Sabi slipped through, Calci turned back to wave at us. “Bye Mommy! Bye Grandfather!” She blew us each a kiss and slipped through. I looked towards the woods, through the path Ethos ran through and Andross created in his search.

The kid was tainted. But, if a vision of mine was correct, then he would finally be freed by someone he hated.

(Andross)
I hit every thorny branch I could, anything to make it easier to find Ethos. Poor kid must be bleeding badly, judging by how thick the branches were.

“Ethos! Where are you?” Hearing nothing from him still, I added, “Please! Say something!” I couldn’t get it. When Annalise, Leo and myself were younger, I always heard Leo say that he wanted kids.

Now he had two and let Elvira do whatever she pleased.

Why? Did Leo change his mind not long after their birth? But why? What did Elvira do to him, for that matter? He was still quiet and calm, a testament to his power of tranquility, but now…

“Get her away from me!” That cry threw me out of my thoughts and had me racing towards the sound. If it wasn’t for the fact that Ethos sounded so… terrified I’d wish he would say something else.

Still though, one thing I was quickly realizing about Ethos was how quiet and cold he was. Here, he sounded… terrified, like something was truly scaring him. Gripping my whip tighter, I lashed out at one last thicket of branches, destroying them. Entering a grove, I finally found Ethos, almost curled up into a ball, sobbing. My whip turning into its scorpion tattoo on my neck, I gently lowered an arm under the kid, intending to pick him up. However, as soon as my arm had eased itself underneath his neck, he shrieked and rolled away from me, eventually picking himself up and crawling under a tree, his normally dark skin abnormally pale.

“H-H-H-H-H-H-How did you find me?” He whimpered, shaking. I slowly walked to him, and once I was close enough that I knew he could hear me clearly, sat down in front of him, hands out to let him see that I was unarmed. Maybe he would calm down if he saw I wasn’t going to hurt him.

“I looked for you. Annalise, Atlas, your sister and Calcifer are all worried.” His eyes widened.

“I knew it! I’m in trouble, aren’t I?! I should’ve taken…” His words afterwards were too faint to hear, and as he started rocking, clearly scared of some impending punishment, I took my opportunity and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“No, Ethos. You’re not in trouble. Annalise is more worried than even upset. I promise you she’s not even mad.”

“Really?” He whispered.

“I promise. She’s more concerned with seeing if you’re okay.” I took a second to look over the many cuts and scrapes on him, especially on his face and upper arms. “And it looks like you need to see the nurse.” I felt bad for wanting to take him to Memento Mori. Yes, while Erin didn’t mind fixing up the kids’ injuries, she still had to report them to us parents.

Even Elvira and Leo. Of course, though, if Malachi heard about this and why his nephew ran, I’m not sure how long Leo could protect her from his wrath. Malachi once confided to me that if it was possible, he was gonna become like a father to the twins.

“Since Leo won’t deal with his wife’s abusive behavior, I’ll have to step in. Shame it’ll have to resort to this.” He sighed.

“Why not let Anna and I take care of them instead? Let you have one less problem on your hands.” I had suggested.

“No, but thanks for the offer, Andross. Besides, Ethos and Sabi are my niece and nephew. They’re the best thing that could happen to this family, even if Leo and Elvira refuse to see it that way.” He had sounded so adamant about it.

“Let’s get it over with and see Miss Erin.” I got to my feet and slowly picked up Ethos, noting how he clung to me. Whatever had terrified him was out of his mind and now he had this look that told me that all he wanted to do was sleep. As we left the grove, though, I had the odd feeling we were being watched…

{Present day}
(Ethon)
The next morning brought me a surprise when I gazed into the mirror. I felt a slight burn on my neck and had headed into the bathroom to splash water on my face and neck when I made the mistake of sleepily looking into the mirror.

“Hello, dear cousin.” If I was sleepy before, I was glaringly awake at that second. The burning sensation grew stronger and with it, the temptation. After all these years, he was showing his face again!? I didn’t have the hair band to turn into Calamity’s Master and my sword wasn’t anywhere in sight, so before I succumbed to Chaos’s desires and became his vassal again, I did the first thing that came to mind to protect myself and Kalle…

“Ethon, are you okay!?” I heard Kalle jolt awake and rush to my aid, only to see the broken mirror, my bloodied hand with mirror shards and glass everywhere. Gingerly stepping over the broken pieces of mirror, she wrapped her arms around me. “What happened? Why did you break the mirror?”

Wincing, I replied, “Trust me, Kalle. You don’t wanna know.” She looked at me.

“Him again, correct?” I didn’t let her see my widening eyes, but she kissed me anyway. “I wonder why Chaos has his eyes on you, of all people, but he will never get you. Not as long as I’m around.” I wanted so badly to tell her that Chaos already had me.

That he used me in Atlantis…

{6 billion years ago}
(Calcifer)
Sabi seemed so calm now that she was in Atlantis. We had spent the first half of the day playing volleyball with the locals and eating the food. She even learned how to sew and with the help of some Atlantian women, even sewed a new dress! As she showed off her new vibrant red dress, I couldn’t help but smile at how cute she looked.

“Calcifer, maybe I can sew you a new dress?” I looked down at my yellow dress and slowly shook my head no. I liked my dress!

“I’m fine. Really, I’m-” I gasped as a vision filled my vision. The Atlantians… all dead, some by their own family members. And a mysterious shadowy figure, with golden eyes and a strange-looking sword.

“Calcifer! Please! Snap out of it!” I felt Sabi shaking me, her voice frantic. As I finally blinked away the remnants of the vision, I couldn’t help but see the image of the golden-eyed figure. It was a male; that much I could tell. And he looked like…

No. He was too quiet to do this. But still, what if? As I pondered the thought of Sabi’s brother going after me, I heard the quiet whoosh of a portal being opened. Sabi still clung to me even as Daddy came through, carrying a sleeping Ethos.

“What’s wrong with Ethos?” Sabi asked, nervous as Daddy handed off my friend to one of the women.

“He’s tired. Probably from his run. But, he’s fine otherwise.” Daddy explained. I looked at Ethos and the woman as she carried him off, and decided to speak up.

“Asherah!” I called out to the woman. She looked at me, confused. “When he wakes up, will you allow me to speak to him? In private?”

“I fail to see why you cannot, Lady Calcifer. But again, let him rest.” With that said, she walked off.

“Is something wrong, Calci?” Sabi asked me, worry in her voice. Not that I could blame her any. Ethos really was the only one besides my family and me that cared for her. Losing him would easily be devastating for her.

“I’m just… I’m just worried, that’s all.” I quietly said.

“Calcifer, be good. I’m heading back to Xanadu. Sabi-” Sabi looked at Daddy, curious, “If you need me or Annalise, we’ll always be here.” With that, he calmly stepped back through the portal. Once it vanished, Sabi looked at me, smiling slightly.

“Your dad is amazing. You’re so lucky, Calcifer.” I was, wasn’t I?

Wasn’t I?

(Ethos)
That voice. Tradere’s voice rang in my head.

“Hello, dear cousin. Do you know where you are?” He asked. I shook my head, “You’re in Atlantis. Calcifer created it.”

“Cal… Calcifer created this place? ” The name still made me shudder, but not as badly as before.

“Yes. So tell me, Ethos. Do you still want to make her and your parents disappear?”

“Tradere… I… No. No I don’t. Calcifer’s… Calcifer’s not that bad. She and her family made things a lot easier for Sabi and me.” I said. It was silent for a moment, then I heard a voice that made my skin crawl.

“I was afraid you were gonna tell me that. I was hoping you would willingly work with me. But, since the Awane child and her parents got to you before I could fully…” I didn’t have time to react as I felt a snake coil around my shoulders before it bit hard into my neck. I clutched at it, hoping to pull it free when my vision blurred. “Well, here’s something you should know about your mother and thus me. Elvira? She’s my sister. And the name I told you means ‘to betray’. Which is exactly what I’m about to use your body for. To betray the gods by killing their three youngest ones, especially the one with the powers over creation and destruction. Calcifer. Of course, I’m telling you this because even if you free yourself from the grip of a Dark God, you’re not escaping death. None of you are.” As I heard his laughter slowly fade away, I wondered what he meant about no one escaping death.

I would learn soon enough.

(Malachi)
I heard frantic footsteps and looked up from my book to see who it was.

“Please help us!” I inwardly frowned at Elvira’s voice. I had long since felt that she was deliberately trying to drive a wedge between myself and my younger brother, Leo. While she had succeeded in that, it seemed she wasn’t satisfied in that and was trying the same with two more.

Calcifer and my nephew Ethos. But why a pair of children? There was very little she could gain from seeing those two constantly bickering. As a matter of fact, it would cause her more trouble, as Calcifer did have that weapon…

“Malachi, have you seen the twins?” Atlas and Annalise both warned me to err on the side of caution when talking to Elvira, at the very least. If necessary, to even lie to them about their children. All of us had agreed on that. Even Erin had pushed aside her vow to be truthful and notify parents when children were brought in just because of Elvira alone. I looked at Leo, thinking back.

“Please Malachi. We need to know where they are. We’re very concerned.” If I didn’t know her as well as I did, I would have easily believed she was a worried parent.

Thankfully, I knew better.

“Sorry, Elvira. I have not seen the twins, nor do I know where they are.” While I personally had not seen either Ethos or Sabi, I did know their location. It was a safe place, perfect for the emotionally scarred twins. I thought their parents would turn and leave me to my book, but I saw Elvira’s eyes turn black with yellow sclera.

“You lie!” She grabbed the front of my suit and pulled me almost out of my chair. “Tell me where they are.” She hissed.

“Elvira, enough!” She slowly looked from me to her husband, then let me fall back into the chair, calmly stepping over to Leo, who looked down at the ground.

“Oh, so you actually have some of your mind left. Of course, since you are quite aware of what I have made you do, I guess it’s not that big of a surprise.” I stood, my staff appearing in my hand. Elvira looked back at me, smiling. “Amazing what the Dark Goddess of Love can do to you idiots. Yes, your precious brother is basically my simple puppet. Quite fitting since he’s a puppet master, but that’s not the best part. All it took was a simple kiss. One little kiss and his entire body was corrupted. He’s even aware that he’s forced to watch everyone turn against him because of me.” As I contemplated on pulling out the sword within the staff to slice her apart, she continued, still grinning, “Also, don’t bother telling me where those two nightmares I call children are. If everything has worked in my favor –and believe me it has- than one of them is bound to host at least one of my brothers and when their spirits are unleashed…” She lost it and began laughing. I held up my staff, letting her see the slight glint of the sword. She stopped laughing and looked at me, smiling instead. “As I said, it’s too late. So, do your worst, Mali.” I stepped toward her, the sword out and raised to bring it down on her…

Instead, Leo stood in front of her, taking the lethal blow.

“See how easily I have your brother controlled? Or should I say, had?” I wanted so badly to kill her, but seeing Leo collapse to the floor took my mind off Elvira, allowing her to leave. As I sat there, my brother’s life slowly fading away, I pushed aside the idea of calling for Jesse. It had been a few years since that incident, but if it was still fresh in Atlas, Erin and my mind, it was easily reliving the horrific memory in Jesse’s mind.

“Tell… tell them… I’m… sorry.” I couldn’t ask Jesse to save my brother, as much as I wanted to that moment. For it wouldn’t be saving him.

He’d be back in the hell Elvira put him in. Pulling off my jacket and covering him with it, I stood up.

“Rest easy, Leo.” Then quietly, “Revenge is coming.”

(Calcifer)
Where had it gone so wrong? One minute, Sabi and I were hanging out in the Atlantian market, chatting with the locals and eating and the next…

Hell broke loose. I’d say that it had turned chaotic, but I had read about that monster and admitting it would bring him to life.

“Calci!” Sabi sounded as scared as I felt and I willed myself to look at her. “Where is Ethos? I’m worried for him.” A chuckle made us both turn around. As if summoned, Ethos leaned on the corner of a building, almost oblivious to the carnage and death surrounding us.

“What is it, Sabi? What’s wrong?” His voice… It didn’t sound like him. He was only a few years younger than me, but here he sounded older, more adult-like. I grabbed Sabi’s hand, even as she shrieked at him, terrified.

“What’s wrong?! Look around us!” He barely glanced past us.

“I see nothing wrong. Are you two certain you’re not seeing things?” Now it was my turn to be angry.

“Ethos, listen to yourself! Do you not see the chaos reigning here?!”

“Just like it will soon reign over this world, Calcifer Awane? ” My eyes widened, not only at the sight of blackened eyes and yellow snake-like sclera, but also at the dogs surrounding Ethos. “Spare the child in red. But kindly kill the child in yellow. Nothing personal, Calci. Just saves me a headache in the future if you die now. ” As Ethos walked away, the hounds, looking very much ethereal, almost appearing to be made from the very air around me, snarled and stepped towards on me on all fours. Sabi stood in front of me, eyes narrowed.

“You’re not harming my friend.” I watched, intrigued as blades of all shapes and sizes, appeared around Sabi. “Not without killing me first.” I closed my eyes and imagined a portal to my left. Reaching into it, I felt and grabbed my weapon, pulling it out. A large mallet, clawed on one end and spiked on the other end and adorned with the symbol of Saturn.

“Don’t worry, Sabi.” I said, holding it out with ease, “We’re not dying. Not today.” That’s when they leapt at us. Sabi sent some of her blades at the dogs, slicing clean through them while I smashed at the others, killing all but two. “These… creatures.  Glad they’re not so tough without Ethos around.” I commented.

“Calcifer, please do me a favor. Find my brother. The real Ethos.” Sabi asked. “I’ll hold off any others, just find him for me.”

“Will you be okay?” I asked, listening to her. She didn’t sound like a child. She sounded more like someone who had to grow up far too quickly.

“I’ll be fine. But I’m worried for my brother.” Nodding, I slammed my mallet down on one of the dogs, killing and leaving the other open for Sabi’s blades. Afterwards, I took off for where I saw Ethos heading. The center of the market.

(Chaos)
Never in my life would I ever think I’d hate my sister as much as I did at this moment. The kid I now inhabited was growing weaker. My power was far too much for him and if I didn’t find a new body soon, he’d die.

As if that was infuriating enough, it wasn’t just any kid.

It was my cousin.

Elvira’s son.

What… why would she be that evil? Yes, using someone close would allow me to stay longer; it was the reason I was still in the realms instead of being back in the Void that everything came from.

Still, I had to have a talk with her. As if I summoned her –ha!- I saw her talking with my two other brothers, War and Fear. She waved them off and looked at me, smiling thinly.

“There you are, Elvira.” I said and her smile grew bigger.

“So, it’s you, Chaos. Liking the body?” I frowned and looked around.

“Very funny, Elvie. Fetch me a new body now. And not another kid, especially your own child.” Grabbing some unfortunate Atlantian who had been running from Fear, she threw him at my feet. A snakebite later and I now sat up in a new body, watching the kid collapse, breathing heavily. Malachi and the others called me a Dark God and said I was evil –understandable, considering what I had to do to be freed.

But using a kid, especially one considered my own flesh and blood by relation?

I had standards.

“So, dear Chaos. Did you-” I glared at her.

“Elvira, you care to tell me why you thought bringing a kid –or two, considering I’ve seen he has a sister- into the world just so one could become my vassal was a good idea?!” I screamed, beyond infuriated at this point.

“The same reason I married Malachi’s brother. To create inner turmoil. To the point where death would be his only reprieve.” My anger turned to laughter. “Huh? Chaos, what’s-”

“Elvira, are you stupid or something?! You can’t kill the Absolute God! He and I complete each other. Out of chaos comes order. Killing him means killing me! If I didn’t appreciate all the trouble you went through to bring me, War and Fear back, I’d kill-” A gunshot and Elvira staggered backwards, clutching a bleeding chest wound. I looked back and my grin turned larger, causing me to laugh even harder. “Oh, that’s perfect! I’m glad I left him. Well you did one thing right, Elvie! You gave the kid a damn good reason to want you dead! So, now you’re dying instead of Malachi!” I stepped towards the kid, still clutching his revolver in both hands, and eyes clouded over.

“Is it over?” He whispered. My laughter faded.

“Remember those hounds I had you summon?” He nodded, “Make some more. Use them and get rid of your mom once and for all.” I watched as the wind formed around him and more of the beasts appeared.

“Wind Dogs, I command you.” He pointed at Elvira, eyeing us with concern, “Kill her.” They leapt on top of her, tearing her apart with ease. Hey, for all the bad I did, even I had my good moments. Once the Wind Dogs tore apart Elvira, they vanished and the kid hit the ground, out cold. Mentally smiling that he was merely asleep and not dead because of my power, I stood there, wondering who was next.

It didn’t take long to hear the clattering of metal against bricks. And not just any metal. Reinforced gold and silver.

“Pretty Kitty has pretty claws. And Pretty Kitty leaves pretty marks.”

“Ah, hello there, Annalise. I thought my curse would’ve killed you, like it did those others. But I guess you two are strong and stubborn. Shame.” I summoned my snakes to surround her, but she sliced through them easily.

“Like that’ll work in trapping me, Chaos!”

“Who said it was meant to trap or even harm you?” She was so concerned about the snakes that she didn’t see me summon my rapier. Thus, stabbing her through the chest was a breeze. “No offense, Annalise, but taking you and Calcifer down will save me a huge headache later.” Ripping it out, she fell to her knees, her claws disappearing.

“An…An…” I turned around, remembering the God of Destruction would most likely be nearby, “Andross!” I wasn’t quick enough to kill her myself as her dying cry brought him to me.

“Oh, not the face. Not the face. Anywhere but the face…” As I saw the whip barreling towards me, I prepared to at least lose a limb. I wouldn’t lose my life, but I would lose a piece of me. Then the sickening crunch of bones breaking made me look up.

“Puny god not so tough.” …I hadn’t counted on my younger brother, the boulder I called War, to come to my rescue. He had jumped from one of the nearby buildings onto Andross. I silently hoped the guy had died instantly. If only to avoid becoming War’s playtoy. The whip disappearing told me Andross was no more.

“Chaos, give me runt.” I looked back at the kid, then slowly turned back around, giving my harshest death glare imaginable.

“If that kid is the runt you’re referring, then I’ll destroy you myself. Assuming Malachi doesn’t kill the kid himself for being my vassal, then I’ll ensure the kid doesn’t suffer any more grief by being Elvie’s son!” War backed away, head tilted slightly.

“But, War meant Saturn taking sleeping runt.”

“How did he possibly see me?!” I whirled around, hearing Calcifer’s voice. She was holding the kid.

“Calcifer!” I yelled, taking off after her. She turned and ran, then with a hand, opened a portal to somewhere, slipped through and closed it back. “That brat! No more playing around. I’ll kill her, even if it means making her destroy herself!” I closed my eyes. Time for a nasty wake-up call, Ethos…

(Atlas)
My heart was pounding in my chest at seeing Jesse suddenly appear in Xanadu. Annalise and Andross, hearing that trouble had arisen in Atlantis, had left to help. Especially after hearing that Elvira had discovered the location. I was gonna follow after them, but hearing Malachi lost his brother, I decided to stay and console him.

“My, my, my. I’ll give Ethos some props. Never have I had this much trouble gathering a mass collection of souls. But here I am, having to reap so many all because of him.” Malachi was grieving over his brother, I wanted to tell Jesse. Couldn’t it wait?

“What do you mean, having to reap so many because of Ethos?” I saw this conversation coming. And the reaction afterwards.

“Atlantis is a wreck and the Dark Gods are back in the realms because of Ethos.” Malachi’s face went pale.

“This is bad news. But, for all this, I know you cannot be here just because of the Dark Gods.”

“Because I came to tell Atlas that his daughter and son in-law are among the dead as well.” The ground rumbled beneath our feet, “Um, Atlas? Tell me that is you making Xanadu quake.”

“No, Jesse. I am not.” I quietly said.

“Be gone, Jesse.” Jesse slowly backed away, then vanished. Once he was gone, I was left with an infuriated Malachi to deal with.

“Malachi, be reasonable for a second.”

“You of all people, Atlas. I would think you would be the infuriated one. We agreed to destroy those with his mark.” I watched his staff come out and I held up my hands, the words tumbling out.

“I would be, but I’ve seen what Ethos is capable of if he is allowed to live. Malachi, I beg of you. Stay your hand, if not for my granddaughter who loves him and will be his redemption, but for your niece who will die without her twin.” The quake calmed slightly.

“Redemption?”

“Yes, Calcifer will save him from both Chaos and himself. But I need yours and Jesse’s help for it.” The quake subsided and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fine, then. What do you need from Jesse and myself?”

“Basically, to bring reincarnation to the trio.  Calcifer, Sabi and Ethos need to be constantly reborn into the world.” I didn’t feel the need to tell him that I also saw at one point where they were human. Even I couldn’t see the complete part of that vision.

“I will ask Jesse to do so.” Then, seeing my face, Malachi added, “Atlas, if you need to, take the day to grieve over your loss. I need some time alone as well.”

“At least you have the twins and Eri-” Malachi looked away. “Don’t tell me you and her-”

“After Rosalyn’s death and seeing how badly it affected Jesse, we decided it for the best to go our separate ways.” Another way how her death affected the realms.

“Ah. My apologies, old friend. I did not realize-”

“It was a quiet breakup. No one except Erin and myself knew.” As I headed off to privately grieve over my loss, I couldn’t help but feel dread. Like we were about to lose more…

(Sabi)
We had gone from paradise to a little island in a matter of hours. I wanted to say that I wasn’t surprised, but I was. Especially seeing my friend Calcifer watching over my twin brother intently. From her end, I saw the thread tying them together glowing brightly, but it was dull on his end.

“Calci, will he be okay?”

“I hope so. But I just hope he wakes up soon. I’m worried for hi-ack!” I jumped to my feet as Ethos suddenly woke up and wrapped his hands tightly around Calcifer’s throat.

“I am done being nice and merciful to you, Awane.” I gripped Ethos by the shoulders and slowly pulled him away from Calcifer, allowing her to summon and swing her mallet at Chaos, barely missing him. While Ethos slowly returned to his normal self, Calcifer’s shriek made me summon my blades. A large snake had bit into her neck and she was straining to pull it free. “Of course, destroying you personally might bring more trouble to me than it’s worth, so instead, I’ll let you destroy yourself.”

“No… no…” I sent some at Chaos, who dodged.

“If that’s all you can throw at me, then-” It was meant to be a distraction, so that Calcifer could swing her mallet at him, destroying the snake and damaging him by knocking off his hand. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.” He vanished.

“For now, it is.” I said.

“No, it’s not. We’ve still got War and Fear to deal with.” Ethos breathed, leaning against a palm tree.

“And Atlantis’s people are still possessed by them.” Calcifer said.

“And if they escape…” I pondered.

“Let’s sink it.” Calcifer’s silver eyes went wide at Ethos’s statement.

“Sink it?! Are you mad?!” She screamed.

“Do you want the Dark Gods to escape?” She shook her head slowly, “Well, we have no other choice.”

“Well, help me Ethos.”

“How can I help?”

“I can freeze the place, but it’ll take a lot out of me. Sink it with a storm or something.” He smiled, a rarity.

“Freeze it first, so the people won’t be taken by surprise by my storm.” She nodded, then held out her hands, eyes glowing brightly. She floated upwards, her entire body beginning to glow the same silvery color.

“Sabi, stay back.” I stepped back as far as I could, giving Ethos and Calcifer plenty of room. The area around and inside Atlantis were frozen entirely. As Ethos created a massive storm to sink the island paradise, Calcifer sunk to the ground, before hitting the ground, breathing heavily. Once Atlantis had vanished beneath the waves, Ethos kneeled, gasping for breath that almost didn’t come.

“Ethos. Calcifer.” I whispered, and stepped forward, but Ethos held out a hand.

“I’m… I’m… I’m fine.” Calcifer had passed out from exhaustion, but something else caught my eye. Her yellow, glittery dress had turned white and slightly bellowed out, giving her a more mature look.

“How is Calcifer?” Ethos placed a pair of fingers on her neck.

“She’s fine. She’s just weak from using that much power. Same as me. Sabi, we need to talk about some… changes.” That tone Ethos used. I was worried, to say the least.

“What kind of changes?” I asked.

“Call it intuition, but I don’t think we’ll be allowed back in Xanadu anytime soon. We need to blend in with the other humans somehow.”

“And just how will we do that, Ethos? We barely fit in with the other gods, let alone-” A clap of thunder stopped me and my brother glared –glared! - at me. I thought back to him at Atlantis, and those horrible blackened eyes with the yellow sclera momentarily appeared.

“No more calling me that. I don’t care what name you come up with, just don’t call me Ethos!” I held up my hands.

“Fine. Just call me… Sabrina. Okay?” He blinked and the impending thunderstorm disappeared.

“Okay. When Calcifer wakes up, we’ll tell her about the name change. And… Sabrina?” He looked as though the name was a curse and I frowned.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I’m sorry.” He said. I wanted to ask why, what he was so sorry about, but instead…

“It’ll be fine.”

{Present day}
(Sabrina)
When I headed downstairs, I found Ethon and Kalle at the living room table, Ethon’s arm wrapped in bandages.

“…Feeling okay?” I heard from Kalle as I got closer to them.

“I’m fine. It’ll be okay, really.” Neither had seen me yet.

“You struck a mirror and shattered it. I doubt you’re feeling as well as you say. Oh hey, Sabrina.” Kalle looked at me.

“Hey. So, that’s what I heard in my sleep.” I commented, remembering hearing glass shatter in my dreams.

“Yeah, I was seeing things.” Ethon muttered and I looked at Kalle, concerned. His personality was reverting back to…

Uh oh.

Shaking Ethon’s shoulder, I said, “Come on. Let’s eat.”

“Can I talk to Kalle in peace, please?” He asked.

“You two can talk at the dinner table! Or afterwards.” Kalle eventually got the hint and tried nudging Ethon to the table.

“Enough!” My heart stopped hearing Chaos’s voice coming out of Ethon’s mouth. And as he stood to his feet, I saw the blackened eyes.

“Guys, what’s going on in there?” If Arriya got involved, there was no telling what would happen.

“Remember the Betrayer, everyone. For it was this kid that unleashed the Dark Gods back into the rea-” As Mom headed back into the living room, her spear at the ready, Ethon stood there, his gun in his hands, the only thing holding back Chaos.

“You… You were why…” I expected a lot of emotions from my twin brother. I had seen a lot from him. But seeing the dead look in his eyes after so long gave me pause.

“Kalle, can I… can I… Forgive me.” She opened her arms, a thin smile on her face.

“It was a long time ago. Let it go.” The dead look faded and he fell into his wife’s arms, crying.

(Kalle)
I knew it. The Betrayer, the deaths of our parents, all of it.

I was merely waiting for Ethon to say it. All these centuries, all these lives spent, all of this just for Ethon to find the love he needed and the redemption to free him from the guilt of Atlantis.

It’s still at the bottom of the sea, but its revival is coming soon.

Redemption, not revenge, is coming.