The prophet’s words echoed within Rhea’s mind. Here was the prophet, a representative of the gods on earth, speaking of abandoning the very gods they once served.

“So you will throw away the gods, prophet? Just like that?”

“You misunderstand my purpose, princess. I speak with the power of the gods, yet, my loyalties never lied with them alone. I owe my allegiance to the people of Ishgria. The gods do not.”

“Then why do they meddle in mortal affairs?”

“It is all part of the game they play, a power struggle which has proceeded for years uncountable.”

“But the gods do bless mortals frequently, such as ensuring harvests for farmers, and saving sailors from wreckage.”

“That too, is part of their power struggle. The more worshippers a god has, the more exalted they become amongst their peers.”

Rhea's gaze lingered on the scarred battlefield in her view, she too had become disillusioned. The gods, beings she once saw as mostly gracious and beneficial, were now reduced to warring factions that cared nothing for their mortal followers. She couldn't help but wonder if the countless prayers from Ishgrians went unheard and unanswered: falling on uncaring ears.

"Then who do you speak for, prophet?" Rhea asked.

"I speak for myself now. The gods have proven to be too unreliable, more concerned with their games in the heavens than mortal struggles," the prophet replied, their voice laced with bitterness.

"Are you saying that all gods are false?"

"Yes, they are parasites who thrive on the worship of mortals,"

"But what of Vhael?" Rhea brought up.

"The harbinger? He's a failure, a fallen god who couldn't even hold onto his power," the prophet spat.

"But why do you say that?"

"Because you don't know his true story,"

Rhea's eyebrows furrowed. "I know that he was exiled to the underworld for killing several of his kin, was there anything else?"

"The fact that he was exiled to the underworld is but a small fragment of the truth.” The prophet explained, “Do you know why the harbinger killed his kin, princess?"

Rhea shook her head.

"Then close your eyes once more, princess, and let me show you the truth."

When the princess opened her eyes, she was confused. Gone was the battlefield that was before her, now, Rhea seemed to stand in some kind of gilded palace. As the princess’s eyes glanced back and forth, scanning her new surroundings, her gaze eventually fell upon a familiar looking figure: a titanic man, with rune covered arms.

“That is Vhael, before his fall.” The prophet said, their voice echoing in the princess’s mind.

“I see that prophet, but where are we?”

“Observe, princess, and your questions shall be answered.”

Vhael was sitting on a throne in what seemed to be a massive palace, easily larger than any palace constructed on the material realm. It was lined with countless marble pillars, and the floors were gilded in silver and lined with magical runes which sparked a brilliant energy. This was a time when the harbinger of ruin was known as the god of the knowledge, master of arcane and architect of change.

The future deathbringer was walking towards the gardens, his massive form creating deep, resounding booms with every step. Even in his current, more human form, there was an otherworldly aura to him that seemed to make the very air around him tremble. Yet, as he neared his destination, a large mirror suddenly flew in front of him, startling him for a moment. The mirror then began to speak in a reprimanding tone.

"Master Vhael, you can't think of seeing Lady Ixhana looking like that!" it scolded, the rebuke echoing through the air.

“I’m sure Ixhana wouldn’t mind, Erin, now I would appreciate it if you stepped out of the way.”

The mirror shook vigorously from side to side, dissatisfied with Vhael’s answer, “I’m afraid I cannot do that Master Vhael, please, at least see your own reflection.”

Vhael reluctantly complied with the mirror's request, straightening his posture and beckoning it to reflect his image. The figure staring back at him resembled a work of art crafted by a master artisan. With his shoulder-length obsidian locks that occasionally glimmered with ethereal radiance, eyes like glowing amber akin to his future daughter's, and a well-defined yet not overly prominent chin, Vhael exuded raw beauty in its purest form. Yet, Vhael lacked his wings and extra pair of arms, making him appear relatively unremarkable compared to other deities.

"Pray tell, Erin, what appears to be lacking in my attire?" Vhael asked with a tinge of curiosity.

A faint sigh escaped the mirror as if exasperated, "For a god of knowledge, you truly are clueless about appearances."

"I have never been one for superficialities," Vhael replied, somewhat dismissively.

"But you are meeting your beloved shortly. It's only fitting that you present yourself in a manner befitting your status."

"Very well, do as you please."

As Erin's incantations filled the air, the once-blazing cloak enveloping Vhael's form disappeared in a flurry of sparks, replaced by a rich blue doublet that complemented his amber eyes. The sleeves of the tunic were snug, hugging his toned arms and the cuffs were adorned with delicate gold threading. The trousers were a soft gray, tapered at the ankles to accentuate his slender frame, which was finished off with a pair of high leather boots.

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“Are you sure Ixhana will approve of this attire, Erin?” Vhael asked skeptically, eyeing the silk fabric that clung to his form.

“Master Vhael, trust me. Lady Ixhana has been obsessed with mortal fashion lately, this will be the perfect surprise,” Erin reassured, their voice resonating with a hint of excitement.

“If you say so.”

“I’ll take my leave then, Master Vhael.”

Erin nodded in what seemed to be an attempt at a bow, before flying away from Vhael’s sight. Truth be told, Vhael found the mirror to be rather cumbersome at times, but the mirror was a gift to him by his beloved, so he always listened to what Erin had to say.

As Vhael made his way through the winding paths of his garden, he felt a sense of pride in the otherworldly beauty of his creation. The petals of luminescent flowers that seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance, casting an ethereal light upon the path. The dragon sprites, with their fiery blooms, danced in the breeze, casting flickering shadows across the ground. The shadow vines, with their twisting tendrils, seemed to defy the laws of nature as they clung to thin air. It was a paradise beyond mortal comprehension, a symbol of his love for Ixhana.

Tending to the flourishing flora with delicate care was Ixhana herself, the divine serpent of rebirth. Her body was coiled in a graceful serpent-like form, covered with iridescent scales of purest white. From her waist upward, her form took on a humanoid shape, with smooth and unblemished skin. Her hair was a radiant silver, cascading down her back in gentle waves, and her eyes glowed with a soft, pale yellow light, as if infused with the very essence of life itself.

As she worked, Ixhana seemed to radiate an aura of tranquility and vitality, her movements as graceful as the swaying of the flowers she tended. Her slender fingers moved with precision, plucking away any wilted blooms and coaxing new growth to flourish.

Ixhana's eyes glinted mischievously as she greeted her beloved. "Ah, hello love, how are you?" she purred, slithering towards him with feline grace.

Vhael's response was hesitant, "G-good, as usual," he stuttered awkwardly.

Ixhana frowned, sensing his discomfort. "You really need to learn to relax," she chided gently, wrapping her coils around him in a comforting embrace.

"Forgive me, love, I just can't help it when I'm around you.”

"Is that a compliment I hear?" Ixhana asked teasingly.

Vhael's response was playful, but his eyes betrayed a deeper emotion. "Perhaps."

Ixhana sighed wistfully, resting her head on Vhael's shoulder. "Well, at any rate, we've been together for a good few centuries now, I thought you'd be bored of me by now," she said softly.

Vhael's response was immediate and heartfelt. "That is patently impossible."

Ixhana's heart swelled with happiness, and she leaned in to kiss her husband. As their bodies entwined, she felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over her, and for a brief moment, there was only her and Vhael.

“Now that is something I’ll record for the archives.” Vhael said, his face beaming.

“Oh you.” Ixhana replied with a giggle.

Vhael and Ixhana shared a moment of tenderness, their bodies close together as they breathed each other in. But suddenly, Vhael's head snapped back in surprise, as if he had sensed something inexplicable.

“What’s wrong, love?” Ixhana asked.

"I sense... something strange. Almost as if there were two of you. No, two of me?" Vhael muttered, bewildered.

“Whatever could you be talking about.” Ixhana teased, feigning ignorance.

“I’m not sure, the biology of gods is not a topic that’s well studied, so I cannot decipher-.”

With a sly grin Ixhana took her husband’s hand and placed it on her abdomen, saying, "Let me give you a summary, then. I'm pregnant."

Vhael's eyes lit up with surprise and joy. "I... I will be a father?" he stammered, barely able to comprehend the news.

Ixhana was amused at seeing Vhael's stunned reaction. "You may be the god of knowledge, but you can be clueless at times," she chuckled.

“That’s why I never stop learning.” Vhael replied with a soft smile.

“Some things never change.”

Ixhana released Vhael from her coils, her serpent-like body moving gracefully towards the center of the garden. The lush flora seemed to part effortlessly to make way for her. With a gentle gesture, she beckoned Vhael to join her. The god of knowledge followed, his eyes fixed on his wife as they made their way to the heart of the garden.

Ixhana's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Vhael, a radiant smile on her face. "Our child... It's almost too surreal to believe," she said softly, barely able to contain her joy. "Do you think they'll take after me or you?"

Vhael's expression softened as he locked eyes with Ixhana, "I hope they take after you, you're far more suited to this than I am."

Ixhana giggled, reaching out to caress Vhael's cheek. "Oh, come now. You'll be an amazing father."

I just worry... I don't know if I'm ready for this."

Ixhana's coils wrapped tighter around her husband, embracing him with more of her warmth. "I’m sure you will figure it out. No, wait, we'll figure it out together."

“Only if you teach me.” Vhael muttered out, caressing his wife’s cheek.

“Of course.”

Ixhana's thoughts then turned to names for their future child, her mind brimming with possibilities. "If it's a boy: Julius," she suggested.

Vhael chuckled at the human-sounding name. "That's quite a mortal name," he remarked.

Ixhana chuckled back, "Well, mortals do have good names, don't they?" She teased.

Vhael then asked, "What if we have a girl?"

Ixhana's gaze turned thoughtful, and she replied, "What about: Remuria?"

Vhael's surprise was evident on his face. "You're suggesting we name our daughter after your late sister?" he asked, taken aback.

Ixhana's smile softened, her eyes filled with melancholy. "It was her last request to me."

As the two gods held each other tightly in the center of the garden, the world around them began to twist and contort. The once bright and beautiful colors now swirled together in a dizzying dance, the sky collapsed onto the earth, and shapes twisted into grotesque forms. Rhea, still caught up in her vision, turned to the prophet for answers.

“What is happening, prophet?” she demanded, her voice shaking with fear and confusion.

“We have little time left, princess,” the prophet replied gravely. “I must expedite your vision.”

“Until when?” Rhea asked.

“Until the day Vhael became known as the harbinger.”