Masks Of False Immortality

"What many would agree with in his situation…", he looked up at the boys mesmerized by his words and hurriedly continued, "He made friends."

Those four words pierced the weakest hearts and moved the demigods.

"He danced until he was exhausted, creating entities that could be like him... immortal individuals equipped with masks: the first generation of deities."

The storyteller had kept the audience fascinated with his narration until then, so he was convinced to continue with the story. The young demigods, sitting around the fire, listened with shining eyes and beating hearts as he painted the primordial world and the deities who populated it.

"Therefore, the first generation was composed of four divinities: Vion, god of the sky; Vela, goddess of the earth; Galia, god of the ocean", the man glanced quickly behind the demigods but the woman had disappeared, "And Decaros, god of the underground."

"What happened to them?" Some of those present asked.

The storyteller hesitated for a moment: "They..." but, before he could continue with the story, a hand rested on his shoulder.

The female figure, who previously stood out hidden in the darkness of the night, gave him a rather clear warning. The demigod looked up almost paralyzed and met her amber eyes.

It was Aena, goddess of love. One of the twenty-four immortal deities of the latest generation and the owner of the Lilies Park herself. Given the proximity, the boy could notice the golden details of the white mask that covered her face. Everyone present fell silent upon sensing her presence, which exuded an aura of majesty and divine power.

The woman approached the fire, her white mask reflecting the dancing light of the flames. In a melodious voice, she said, "I think that's enough for one night."

The storyteller, respectful of the goddess, nodded. He didn't seem surprised at all, as if he had foreseen this moment. His tale had already captured the imagination of the young demigods, who stood up morosely.

Aena smiled softly before speaking. "Of course," she added, "If you wish to know the full story, you can do so by taking the cosmogony lessons starting in mid-September."

The young demigods nodded, some enthusiastically, others slightly disappointed, gratefully accepting the offer. Despite their desire to know the rest of the story, they were aware that the storyteller's explanation would never be as detailed as that of a teacher.

The goddess of love gave a second smile to the newcomers but her penetrating gaze betrayed her expression. The young people were confused by her aura of mystery and beauty, they were enchanted by it.

A solemn silence fell on the Lilies Park. The demigods, all still gathered around the fire, bowed deeply in respect.

After the gesture, the people headed towards their homes, leaving the storyteller and the goddess alone. 

The man approached the fire, his face marked by a shadow of melancholy. With a fluid gesture, he inhaled the flames until they dissolved completely, thanks to the powers inherited from his father. He silently observed the last glimmer of light that had illuminated the evening.

Aena, noticing the storyteller's taciturn expression, approached with a light step. She stopped next to him and looked at him first affectionately, then harshly.

"What are you thinking about?"

The demigod looked up at the sky, the light of the stars illuminating his face marked by experience and battles. In a soft voice, he replied, "Only old memories."

His gaze fell on the distant stone statue, depicting four young demigods, now long gone.

The work, sculpted with skill, portrayed the four boys ready to fight. They were immortal in their youth, but devoid of life. Only memories, silent witnesses of a troubled past.

"I couldn't allow you to continue. We have made a pact that cannot be dissolved. Are you still aware of it?"

"I know, and I hate myself for accepting", he didn't dare meet the deity's gaze, "But there's no need to worry. I'll make it easier for you by getting out of here."

Aena placed her hand on the storyteller's shoulder again. "There's no need to go that far," she said, but the man pushed her away, he wouldn't let himself be fooled by that farce.

"I preferred to keep my memories and we made that pact years ago, but now I'm fed up," he stood up, "The others have moved on and it's time I did too."

Aena remained silent. The storyteller turned to look at her after gathering all the courage he could: "From now on, solve your problems without involving your children. Being a hero is only useful for dying, either because of the monsters or because of you."

The boy walked away towards his house without even waiting for a response. As he walked, a light breeze made him shiver, a sign that autumn was upon them.

"The heroes of the second mask war. Couldn't I have chosen a shorter name?" He stifled a laugh before silently continuing on his way.

With his exit from the scene, there would no longer be any of them left in the Lilies Park. The story that had seen him as the protagonist had ended and perhaps no one would ever tell it. The sad ending exactly reflected the soul of the demigod.

As the storyteller reached his house, a young girl with blond hair and eyes as blue as the sky stared at him from her bedroom window. That night she just couldn't sleep a wink, something was strange.

At the same time, a boy, with black hair and sparkling purple eyes, emerged from the water and swam to shore. He was soaked, but he didn't even seem to realize it.

Looking up, he was entranced by the multitude of fixed stars in the celestial vault, and whispered, "So this is the night sky..."

A new era had just begun.