BigDamnTable 30 - Death

BigDamnTable 30
Death


Character(s): Sisyphus, Sasha/Athena




Silence lay heavy over the throne room. It weighened down on the girl sitting on the big chair. Yet she couldn’t talk; her thoughts whirled in her like a swarm of bees.
Suddenly, she lifted her head.
„S… Sisyphus?“
Immediately, a shadow materialised from behind the big curtains. The man covered in his golden armor knelt.
„Athena-sama?“
It was still strange to the young goddess, how her Saints treated her with such huge respect and that she, a simple girl grown up in an orphanage, had suddenly power over a great number of incredibly strong men.
Was it really only half a year after she had come to Sanctuary?
„Sisyphus… the Holy War is getting closer, isn’t it?“
„Yes, my goddess.“
„It is inevitable… isn’t it?“
„Yes…“
The girl pondered it. She recalled clearly what Sage had told her about the previous war. How he and his twin brother were the only survivors. Sisyphus words now seemed to prove her worst fears true.
She jumped off the throne and threw herself into Sisyphus‘ arms, tears in her eyes.
„L… Lady Athena…“ The Sagittarius Saint was baffled. „What is it. Wait… are you crying?!“
When Sasha looked up, she saw that he looked utterly shocked. „Oh Sisyphus“, she sniffed, „why does this war have to happen? I… am afraid!“
The Gold Saint hesitated for a moment. Then he asked in his warm, gentle voice: „Why are you afraid, Sasha?“
The gentle voice, and the sound of her old name, calmed her down a bit. „I… it’s… I just don’t want anyone to die! Sisyphus, you and all the other Saints – I have grown so fond of all of you. Besides, you protect me, put your lives on the line for me… I don’t want any of my Saints to die!“
„Mylady. You know that this is what we train and life for?“
„That doesn’t matter!“ Sasha almost screamed those words. „Of course I know that! Everyone has been telling me that plenty of times. But still, it does hurt thinking that people will loose their lives in the fighting!“
The Sagittarius stared at her, stunned. He mused at how this little girl maneged to always surprise him. ,She… she does not seem to be a goddess. She’s so… human. So full of love for us.. Athena… why did you choose to be reborn among us?‘
He smiled and embraced her tenderly. „Athena-sama. Fear not. We know what we take upon us. Rest assured that, should we die, we die happy because we were able to protect you and the Earth. I shall promise you something. I promise, that I protect you until I die. No… even if I should die, death shall be no obstacle to me. My wings shall stretch beyond death and protect you forever.“
The little goddess let those words sink in. Somehow, they managed to take most of her fear. She clung to Sisyphus tighter.
„Thank you, Sisyphus. The thoughts of my Saints dying still hurts. But… not as much as before. Thank you.“
„It was nothing, mylady. Remember… you will never be alone. We all will remain with you, even after death.“