The thought of one’s mortality, like many other diseases, spreads from a corpse. It may be that of an animal or a loved one — the thought is the same:
Some day, I will join them.
Sivrit is not religious. Of course, as every other noble did, she was forced to attend church in her childhood, but now she had more important things to work on. She wondered if that made her a Goddessless woman, a negative expression. Perhaps now was a good time to reconnect with her spiritual side.
The last time she was at a church, the adrenaline and the fear made her suppress the horrible memories for her to function normally. Thinking of it now, it was amazing how she could even attend the mall afterward, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Sivrit thought she was in terms of death. In the forests, you find bones, and in the news, you find numbers. It was a part of her daily life. It was only the news of her friend’s end, that made her ponder her own mortality.
The orange light of the lamp dimly lit the library. She preferred it this way to the white incandescent lighting, like returning to the womb. Originally, she planned to research the past heroes, specifically Reginn, Kyriekaos and Ayn, but the book felt heavier than usual today.
However, she pushes on. It was too early to give up now, and she would do everything in her power to do something about it.
She opens the first page of the Enzyklopadie-Helden Comprehensive
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The first few pages curiously are empty, as if they were being interrupted mid-thought, silenced by some foreign forces, and the encyclopedia begins with the second hero.
2nd - Reginn.
As an ancient hero, not many records of him survive today. Estimated to have been created around 25 AD, he was a child of the Goddess and a World Beast. According to the legends, his powers were unparalleled by none except the demon lord of the era, Zealot. This hero is often associated with war, punishment, blood and serpents. In ancient worship, he was the deity of war as well as knowledge of magic, and it is said that the hero created over a thousand spells in a single night of inspiration.
Not much is known about his demise than the fact that the battle shaped the landscape of the northern and southern continents still present today.
It’s like a myth, a legendary deity of the past transported to the future. Well, he wasn’t exactly how she thought he would be, and it seems that the change in acceptable social standards has shaped the story. Sivrit flutters the pages to Kyriekaos, the 33rd hero.
33rd - Kyriekaos.
A synthetic creature sealed within a casket/cross that was granted the title of the 33rd hero during the Atma-Kaizer Party’s (AKP) short-lived reign. Uniquely, she was one of the best-documented heroes due to the fact that she was a governmental experiment, though they are mostly classified to this day.
During this era around the year 800, coups were common, and the AKP seized power from the previous dictators, the Post-Amstangrad (PA). However, during the time, it was speculated from foreign powers that the AKP would reign with stability, due to their absolute control over the kingdom as well as their economic power. The supreme leader of the time, Alevensteinn Moscovonitch, was a former soldier and a talent holder, however, the true nature of the talent is shrouded in mystery to this day. It is said that Alevensteinn closely overlooked the hero, and was the one in control of it due to its rampaging nature.
As a weapon of mass destruction, all information regarding the personality and relationships of the hero is unknown.
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Kyriekaos’s demise was at the hands of the demon lord Ameri-Krishma, also known as A-K (Ay-Kay). She was one of the most powerful demon lords in recorded history, breaking the trend of latter demon lords being weaker than the former. The battle took place within Satana's walls, as the AKP smuggled the hero into the city as a last-ditch effort to destabilize the nation. However, after their failure, the PA regained their control from the rubble and ashes of Avangarden, though their reign only lasted around 43 years.
It seems Kyriekaos was more of a weapon than a person, but from recent events, it’s clear that she has personal ambitions and desires — why else would she go through so much trouble to possess specifically Attila? She continues to ponder the question a bit, then flips to Ayn’s page.
94th - Ayn Calander.
The 94th hero of Avangarden, and possibly the most well-documented hero. A beloved hero and an icon of Avangarden, he is often compared to the Goddess. An article released in the year 2326 stated that the hero was more famous than the Goddess, and was surprisingly well received. His greatest deeds included: The slaying of the serpentine beast Gabarol the Terrorstrike, the unification of all classes of Avangarden, and creating the friendly relationship between Avangarden and Sonosis, but of course, the most famous aspect of the hero was his divine beauty which surpassed all genders, trends and norms. His supple soft skin healed all flesh that felt its presence, his deep, beautiful eyes brightly shining under both the sun and moon, his fragile and elegant figure, like a glass figure, refracting, dazzling, perfect. It is said that Sir Calander has brought the nation a thousand years, no, a million years into the future, and to this day, mere pictures of him inspire confidence in many, and ensure peace of mind.
Great Sir Calendar, Praise be, Praise be.
The cause of his death is yet unknown, but the demon lord of the time, Rubach was swiftly executed after an international agreement. Rubach was an unremarkable demon lord at the time, and while it was unlikely for him to even be able to scratch Sir Calendar, the mere structural opposition found him guilty, as with the infinite weight of the crime, he was responsible for at least a fraction of it. As with every other hero, his body was never found. However, a ceremonial royal funeral was held a week after, the first and last time in history someone of common standing was held with such honour.
Great Sir Calendar, Praise be, Praise be.
(Be sure to visit the Calendar Memorial Museum for more information).
It was surprising to read the passage, as it seemed strangely… emotional. As if it was an opinion piece from an editorial — and a bit of an unbelievable one at that (a million years? Really?). It seemed that Ayn just had such an effect on people, though, for some reason, Attila, Sivrit or anyone else seemed to react in such a way. Of course, all still found him beautiful — perhaps the pinnacle of beauty, but he may have toned down his aura — perhaps his talent — on purpose. This may require some further inquisition. Maybe she’ll even visit the “Calendar Memorial Museum” someday.
Finally, before leaving the encyclopedia for good, she finally turns back to the page of Jove Caine, a great ancestor of the Caine family.
87th - Jove Caine.
The 87th hero of Avangarden as well as a renowned poet, Caine enjoyed a life of luxury before the great depression of the era — as well as the failure of the previous hero, Pehr, to protect the kingdom. During this age of drunkenness and poverty, Caine felt the need to stand up for the people, to little success. However, a fellow often documented as “Doctor A” quickly grew close to him, eventually assisting in training and providing social connection while in turn, Caine provided financial aid.
According to a famous legend, it is said that while penning his magnum opus “Red Clouds”, he impressed the Goddess enough to grant him the title of hero.
Caine succeeded in ending the great depression through a victorious war against Sonosis and became known as an intellectual hero, leaving behind a myriad of collected works. It is said that he left a semi-autobiography, describing the two friends' lives behind to “Doctor A”, but the identity of the man and the location of such book has never been found. Unlike most heroes, he died due to lung cancer from excessive smoking.
Sivrit had already read this passage over and over and over, to the point she could recite it by heart. However, it always felt great each time — a heroic blood in her veins! Of course, he wasn’t the greatest hero of all time, but Jove was still regarded as a great hero compared to the less favourably considered heroes such as Pehr and Kallen. Perhaps one day, she would finally find the biography one day. Her father often told her of the times when he would investigate for months only to fall for red herrings, but it was almost like a rite of passage for all passionate Caines at this point, even though he himself was not blood related. Reading the passage gave her confidence, and the drive to continue her pursuit to save her friend.
Now with enough dominoes, she could begin building her plan.