The Greatest Sin

The Pantheon’s Peace Decree, signed on the first anniversary of the end of the Great War effectively banned all production of anything which was made for the sole purpose of wounding or maiming. The countries that resisted the PPD were dealt with swiftly by a rejuvenated White Pantheon. Although only the Divines Elassa, Zerus, Fortia, Allasaria and Maisara participated in the enforcement of the PPD but within ten years, it was established in every country of Arda.

- “On Pantheon Peace” – Required reading in most Epan schools.

Maisara angrily marched towards Allasaria’s temple. The so-called Grand Temple of Light! What a joke! Who did that woman think she was? It was one thing to take the initiative, it was another entirely to send her away like some God-damned courier! Who did Allasaria think she was? What was this bitch doing?

“Sister, calm down.” Fortia said from behind Maisara. Allasaria had an army of maids and they all bowed and averted their eyes when they heard the two coming. Their heavy boots sent echoes along corridors filled with statue-like humans. Maisara said nothing, Fortia was only trying to find a resolution without conflict, as always. “Come now, we can treat it like a vacation.”

She said ten or twenty more things along the lines of those before Maisara finally found Allasaria. The Goddess of Light was sitting in her office, scouring some papers as if trying to figure out something important. Maisara hated the place, even Arascus had better taste than this gaudy display of dancing crystals. “What do you want?” Allasaria asked.

“I want a damn explanation.” Maisara growled as Fortia closed the door behind her. From the corner of Maisara’s eye, she could see her sister’s mood seemingly flip. From the begging and gentle face she wore, it was now a cold look. Her eyes carried only the Peace only death held.

“For what?” Allasaria did not stop looking over the papers.

“Don’t you dare act like this to me.” Maisara growled. “What is this being sent off to watch over Tartarus?”

“It is where I need you.” Allasaria responded nonchalantly.

“Send an invention!”

“Take a plane and you’ll be there in a few hours.” In the blink of an eye, Maisara’s great-axe materialized in her hands. Allasaria had no response, she simply sat there unmoving, her eyes still scanning that damn piece of paper. Who did she think she was? Maisara was a damn Goddess. She demanded some respect! In another blink, the axe swung overhead, as if Allasaria’s desk was a neck on the chopping block.

There was no impact, no sound, a thin string of white light caught Maisara’s great axe. Allasaria finally looked up. “What is there to explain? I send you there because I want you there.”

“We won the war.” Maisara said through grit teeth. “Don’t think you suddenly came make decisions like this.” Allasaria’s cheeks flared for a heartbeat, her eyebrows rose the tiniest sliver and her eyes grew gold.

“You won the war?” Maisara opened her mouth but Fortia, of Peace, spoke before her.

“We did.”

“How quaint.” Allasaria smirked, she leaned back, the string of light move and sent Maisara’s axe cascading backwards. “Well tell me then, great Goddesses of Order and Peace, what should we do in this situation?”

“Don’t patronize us Allasaria.” Fortia said in a cold tone.

“I’m still waiting on a suggestion.”

“Send mortals to watch, we need to stay here to monitor the situation.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Allasaria said. “If the Gates are breached, then only Divines can hold them off long enough for reinforcements to arrive.”

“And what if it’s something at Olympiada?” Maisara shouted.

“What could it be at Olympiada? At least my idea has some sort of basis in reality.”

“Kassandora’s Prison.” Maisara said, her voice was still cold, but it lacked strength. Allasaria merely rolled her eyes at the Goddess of Order. There wasn’t even a need to say anything, Kassandora’s power had faded as the world slowly forgot war. Another hundred years and she’ll be gone, permanently.

“If you have any ideas. Give them to me, if not, I expect you to be at the Gate by dusk.” Allasaria raised her hand, her door swung open and a blast of light hit Maisara like a tidal wave. She was washed away and sent crashing into the wall in the corridor. Allasaria raised her eyebrow at Fortia, the woman merely shook her head and left.