"By the light of the sacred flame, I, the humble Saintess, Sapphire, vow to safeguard my heart, body, and soul. Like a rose with thorns, I shall protect myself from the shadows and darkness that seek to claim me. My purity is my shield, my devotion is my sword, and my love is reserved for the divine. May the compassionate goddess, Arachne, watch over me, and may my spirit remain untainted, forever pure and true."
Sapphire vowed with the other 99 Saintesses, in the temple of Goddess Arachne, the goddess of fertility and light.
The burning smell of incense filled the air. The temple was calm, silent, clean, and airy.
Sapphire's voice was soft, like a silky fabric, matching her white ceremonial dress and the veil that covered her long, silver, wavy hair.
It was the day that she had waited for in all her 22 years of living. The most important event of her life. She's trained for years, ever since she turned five, she's lived in the temple enduring harsh training and teachings that shaped her into a Saintess.
This meant that she was now closest to the goddess, she could hear directly from the goddess—carrying out tasks and interpreting prophecies.
Like the people of Utopia would call them; angels of the heavens.
The Saintesses were the kindest and most upright women on the continent.
Her excitement knew no limit as the bells rang loudly.
When the ceremony was over, the girls hugged themselves, congratulating their milestone.
When the chief matron, a woman who was a hundred and ten years old, who had also been a Saintess all her life, gathered the girls.
"Today, you have vowed to keep your promises to our goddess. Your names are marked in the heart of the goddess. As saintesses, you are to reflect purity, kindness, and light. Daughters of Arachne, merry and continue to serve with strong hearts…" Kalina charged the 100 saintesses while they stood in five equal rows, clasping their hands as if they whispered a prayer.
…
When Sapphire's parents and sister came to visit Sapphire in the temple where she lived.
Sapphire hugged her family, sharing the good news with them. But, her father had never been keen about the idea her mother had made for her years and years ago. To Sapphire's mother, she promised to offer her first daughter to serve the goddess once she got pregnant.
"Does that mean you never have children?" Father asked Sapphire. Her lips pursed, and a glint of disappointment engulfed her.
"I would never give my body to a man, Father. I have promised the goddess!" Sapphire charged firmly. Her father's eyes softened, watching his daughter's dreams crucify his wishes.
"You have Thelma to make babies, don't you?" Sapphire teased her sister and they laughed it off.
They bade farewell in tears. It was probably the last time that they would ever see Sapphire. Now, she no longer belonged to mortals, she belonged to a goddess.
Sapphire returned to the temple to burn some incense and clean the feet of the goddess's sculpture. A clean, golden lady covered in a dress, with her arms spread.
Soft footsteps approached Sapphire as Sapphire swerved in the direction.
The oldest matron, Kalina stood before Sapphire as Sapphire instantly fell to her knees to show honor to the woman whom they had followed in her footsteps.
"Mother?!" said Sapphire
"Rise, my child," Kalina said, smiling at the devout girl being the youngest among the saintesses. "I have something to tell you," Kalina said, the covers of her eyes squeezed shut. "After the ceremony, Goddess Arachne showed me a prophecy and her hand pointed at you…"
"What about?" Sapphire's angelic voice dripped with curiosity.
"Your path in this temple does not end in Utopia, my child. Your destiny is entangled with darkness—"
Sapphire's eyes widened instantly, and the cloth in her hand dropped on the floor.
"Darkness?" her voice broke.
"Do not be scared my child, it is harmless. You are not the one breaking your vows. The league of gods has chosen you to free a trapped god—the god of the Underworld. That was… all that she said…" Kalina paused.
Sapphire swallowed hard, unable to process the words of her mentor. What did she mean by 'chosen' by the League of gods? What darkness was she interwoven with? Was she cursed?
Kalina placed a young over Sapphire's shoulder when she noticed her wet gaze.
"I fear that this would… shake your strength as a Saintess but... the words of the goddess cannot be revoked. Prepare yourself for what is ahead and I will always be here to guide you." Kalina assured and left.
Sapphire ran non-stop, until she was in her room, a space she shared with her best friend. How would she bring herself to tell someone that instead of being chosen for the works of light, she had been chosen for darkness to free a trapped god? What had she done to be cursed by the goddess?
The weight sat in her mind, her tears soaked her cheeks. A day meant to excite carried the worst prophecy of a lifetime.
What had light gotten to do with darkness? Sapphire asked herself.
…
On the other hand, the same day that Sapphire was ordained as a Saintess, the league of gods—seven of them—suffered a great chaos that caused division between them.
The god of the Underworld, Alexandros, had broken one of their decrees. That is; a god or goddess is not allowed to interfere in the matrimony between gods and goddesses or mortals.
This day should have been one of the best days for Alexandros. But no, it came with an affliction.
The god of war, Achilles, organized a ceremony to honor their reign like they usually did. It was a moment to be merry like rumbling thunder on a quest. All clad in golden regal attire, tall and huge. The goddesses were pretty, unmatched in their own way.
While the ceremony went on, the gods exchanging bangers, Alexandros left the gathering to look around.
Walking through hallways, he stopped by a room left open. He walked in and found Achilles's sister, brushing her hair.
At that moment, she was beautiful and enticing. Despite knowing how protective Achilles was of his sister and her being mated to someone else, Alexandros lusted after her still, forcing her to be intimate with him.
Everything escalated so fast and Achilles and the other gods soon found out.
It was at that time that Alexandros learned that Achilles's sister was also pregnant.
The seven gods convened, their celestial voices whispering threats.
Alexandros stood accused of a crime that he had committed, storms had grown too wild, tempers too unpredictable. The league of gods cast their verdict: that his lineage would end with him.
A curse that stood firmly like a veil between him and the other gods. No redemption. No solution.
Ever since, Alexandros had been locked away in the Underworld like an outcast.
What would save him?