“I know a story and, I’m sure there’s some dirty stuff I could throw into it along the way. But it’s not a happily-ever-after. Do you want to hear it?”
“Yes,” he swallowed. “If you want to tell it, I want to hear it. Although I’m not sure either of us needs a sad story right now.”
“Sometimes it’s good to feel the pain, Brooks. It helps us to remember our vulnerabilities and stay grounded in compassion. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Once upon a time, long before the Earth was filled with life, great immortal beings roamed its lands. They created, destroyed, and wreaked havoc among themselves. They fucked for pleasure and status and, more often than not, produced heirs that would enhance their own power rather than create a great line of succession.”
“Shocker,” he interjected in an attempt to bring lightness with humor.
She laughed, but continued.
“It wasn’t long before the children of the great gods grew tired of cruelty and oppression and rose against them. A great battle raged for ten years before the most powerful of them all mustered a final kernel of great power to bring the Titans down. No one knew how he won the battle, and no one cared. They were free.”
“Of course,” he scoffed. “He gets this last burst of great magic to win it all and no one second guesses where or how he got it. That’s going to come back and bite him in the ass later isn’t it?”
“This story isn’t really about him.”
“Oh? Do continue, Siren.”
“So the children of the great gods won, and they raised new civilizations to worship them while they lived and prospered above. But, it wasn’t long before they began to grow restless.”
“As cocky immortals do.”
“They began to fight amongst each other over territories, rights, and power.”
“Is this where the fucking comes in?”
“Brooks!”
“Sorry,” he giggled. Fucking giggled. Gods help him.
“In an attempt for control, two of the new gods conspired against their mighty leader. Their territories ruled most of Heaven and Earth and they were confident that if they planned it right, they could overthrow the monarchy in a matter of days.”
“Cocky bastards.”
“They met in secret under the cover of night while the great sun god rested. With each meeting, they grew closer both in body and spirit.”
“Ha! They did fuck! I knew it.”
“Are you done?”
“Yes,” he smirked. “Proceed.”
“The two gods became lovers and, as the bond between them grew, they second-guessed their tactics. Originally she was to seduce the leader, lure him to her bed and cut his throat while the seed was still warm between her thighs–”
“That’s fucking gross. Why would you say it like that?”
“–but it soon became clear that their options were limited. She was pregnant, and though they planned the fall of royalty with the heirs they would bear, neither could stomach the thought of a future without their children. War always brings death.”
“Goddammit.”
“He wasn’t willing to risk her or the babe, and she couldn’t fathom the thought of him standing before their leader and demanding war. They got sloppy and it wasn’t long before whispers rode the wind straight to the ear of their leader. The great shape-shifter laid low at many of the lover’s meetings and gathered all of the evidence he would need against them.”
“I don’t like where this is going, Siren.”
“When she was heavy with child, the leader of the gods confronted the pair on an open beach. Not even the crashing waves could cover the sound of her screams as he cast down her lover and ripped the babes from her womb. All three of them.”
