Warmth and Safety

The city of Atlantis was one of the most diverse in the world. The kingdom, widespread and divided by the oceans of the world, was thriving in the modern era. Trade was booming, magic flowing freely. The gods had difficult, but rewarding work.  Ceura looked down at her grandsons, smiling fondly. Her sisters and brothers were busily assigning tasks for each brother to astutely ignore. She widened her smile.  “You gonna help, or?” She looked up to see her sister, Denola, approaching her.  “I’m just watching,” She responded, “Thinking.” Her sister huffed, and glanced into the pool. “Those two are difficult.” “I don’t think so. They just need to be properly balanced.” “You’re going to match their flames soon?” Her sister’s incredulous tone was almost insulting. Considering the amount of time she’d spent putting it off though, she couldn’t blame her. “One of them already has one of his. Things just don’t always turn out as planned.” She sighed, feeling the weight of being a part of fate again, “They have a lot to learn. I’ll likely have to get my daughter involved.” “I thought their mother had…” Her sister trailed off.  It was rare for a god to kill another god. It was even more rare for a god to end themselves, but Deliah had been made to burn out. Her husband was one of Ceura’s least favorite of her brother’s creations. The man was pathetic, and while one of the few direct gods, he was a horrible person. He failed his people for years before Ceura had been asked to help him find a flame.  No matter how she tried though, the flame she had sent him couldn’t pull him off his trajectory. She huffed, angry she had spent so much time on a goddess only for her to be so willfully hurt and neglected.  His boys were nothing like him. Despite the moments of panic they each had when they felt they must be, they were each intrinsically inclined to protect and inspire the people they loved. They had done their best to get distance after her creation had been destroyed by the man.  “Their aunt, Delora, will likely help. She has helped them so far.” She did have hesitations about making the boys’ goddesses though. They were not terrible, but they needed to grow. She hated to admit it, but death helped gods grow. Or sometimes hurt them. Her heart weeped for poor Deaton. It was a gamble, and once that may not be entirely worth it, considering their tasks.  She leaned back. Her sister was watching her closely. She shrugged and moved away from the busy center of fate. Closing her eyes, she started looking for the appropriate targets, no longer undecided.