The divine being, youthful and full of vigor, sat astride his majestic black stallion, its mane and tail flowing gracefully in the wind. High above, his falcon soared through the sky, its wings spread wide with effortless grace. They had journeyed for hours, traversing through unknown lands with unwavering determination. However, the young god decided to pause their travels, not because they were exhausted, but to take a moment to soak in the breathtaking beauty of the vast world around them. The view was truly magnificent, with sprawling landscapes and towering mountains stretching out as far as the eye could see. The deity felt an overwhelming sense of wonder and awe, and he couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer scale and majesty of the world he inhabited.

As the young god dismounted from his magnificent stallion, he made his way towards a large rock that stood nearby. He took a seat and gazed out at the breathtaking vista that lay before him. His falcon soared gracefully in the sky above, circling effortlessly against the azure backdrop. The god took a deep breath, feeling the stillness and serenity of the moment wash over him. This was his chance to connect with his father, Setanta, without any distractions or interruptions from their journey. The peacefulness of the surroundings offered him the perfect setting for a much-needed conversation with his estranged father.

As they settled under the dark, velvety night sky, the stars twinkled above like tiny speckles of light. Hearne had constructed a small campfire, its flames dancing and flickering with a soft crackling sound. The loyal falcon remained by his side, watching the surroundings keenly, while the dark stallion grazed nearby, occasionally lifting its head to watch his master. Finally, with no interruptions, Hearne sat before the campfire, the warmth of the fire enveloping him. Soon, he saw a man with the same fiery red hair as his and the bright blue eyes of his grandfather sitting across from him, his mischievous smile revealing a set of pearly white teeth against his handsome face.

“Now who is this handsome red-haired, green-eyed fellow in front of me?” Setanta asked with a playful smile on his face

“I am Hearne, your son with Lady Aífe.” Hearne hoped to evoke a memory in his father’s mind by bringing up his mother’s name. He wasn’t sure if his father remembered her since it had been so long since he died, but he knew that mentioning her could strengthen his memory and their bond if he even wanted to strengthen their bond.

Setanta stood before the deity, their eyes locked in a steady gaze, and he could just barely notice that the young god grew increasingly uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Just when it seemed like their tension might reach a breaking point, Setanta looked away, ending the tension and giving the god a chance to relax.

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"You do not lie and please forgive me for making you uncomfortable son"

"Do not call me your son, Setanta. After all, you can not speak of something that does not exist"

Setanta paused, unsure of how to continue the conversation. "How is your mother, by the way?" Setanta asked as he tried to grab a nearby stick to stoke the campfire, but his hand simply passed through it as if he was not there.

"She is still alive and hidden away in the safety of Herne's Forest, along with all of Herne's other worshippers, of course." Hearne said as he grabbed the stick that his father had failed to grasp and he stoked the fire instead.

"That's good, but why are you out of the bounds of Herne's Forest? Is there a war to fight or is it simply to keep in touch with the rest of the world?" Setanta asked as memories of wars long since fought and won resurfaced in his mind.

"I left the boundaries of Herne's Forest because I have become a god and I must gain followers to become more powerful.”

Setanta wore a curious smile as he addressed Hearne. "Ah, then my father has entrusted you with my soul," he said, his tone even. "May I ask what your plans are with it?" He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Hearne, waiting for his response.

“It’s rather simple. I will tolerate you until I gather enough power to create my afterlife and send you there.” Hearne said in an icy voice as he looked directly into his father’s blue eyes.

“Well, that’s a rather cold way to speak to your father.” Setanta said with a smile, sensing that his son’s emotions would reach a breaking point.

“I want to make something crystal clear, Setanta. You are not my father and I will never see you as one. You are no more than a stranger I put up with for my mother’s happiness.” Hearne exclaimed angrily, causing all the nearby animals to become frightened by the sudden outburst, and noticing this, the young god swiftly calmed down.

“If that is truly what you desire, then why not condemn my soul to the deepest depths of Hell?”

“Let me be frank - I put up with you for my mother’s sake and if sending you to the deepest depths of hell ensures her happiness, I won’t hesitate to do so, but since it doesn’t, I will bear with you.”

“Really? That simple?”

“It is that simple.”

“Anyway, what are their names?” Setanta asked, pointing at the two animals beside the young god.

Hearne responded to Setanta's question with a deafening silence. It wasn't just because Hearne didn't have an answer to his father's inquiry, but also because he didn't want to waste any more of his precious time on this individual who meant nothing to him.

“Well, I’ll just leave you to it, then. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a name for them eventually… hopefully.” Hearne had grown tired of his father's presence and decided to dismiss him. He dismissively waved his hand, causing his father to retreat to the recesses of his mind. As Hearne looked up at the starry night sky, he started to imagine and think of creative names for his loyal beasts, and he was determined to pick the very best names for them.