(no subject)
It’s Milo’s Birthday, and here’s the first part of a two-part Milo adventure to celebrate it. Sorry I couldn’t finish the whole thing for today... but you know, the workload...
Anyhow...
Enjoy.
Scorpio Milo and the Coral Crown.
In the time after the Holy Wars there was world peace the like of which had never been seen on Earth before. Athena’s guiding hand led humanity into a new Golden Age under the auspices of the benevolent Graude Foundation, which hand in hand with the United Nations Organisation, brought peace, justice and prosperity to every nation on Earth. Traditional governments had been replaced by worker
syndicates, and while the rich were allowed to keep their riches, they were no longer allowed to exploit those less fortunate than they.
In the long years after the final battle, Sanctuary remained as safe and hidden as ever it had been. It had become a Shangri-La only a privileged few were allowed to visit, and that none could find if it were not the wish of the Lady of the Sanctuary, the Great Saori Kido, also known to millions across the globe as the Goddess Athena.
The New Age movement had broken the block of monotheism, and many cults had begun to appear, adoring ancient gods in these new modern times, and with each growing cult, a god or goddess returned to the world. First and greatest among them was Gaea, the World Mother, and not even she, the Great Titaness, who had created the world, had any desire overstep her great-granddaughter’s authority.
From all cultures they came, each one with a purpose, a mission or a gift. Soon they were too many to count, although Saori knew them all by name. The mountains, the forests, the seas, the arts, commerce, thought, love, the sciences, there were gods for everything humans cared about. No one god ruled over any one thing, rather communities of gods cared for each aspect of human life, and they were not masters of humanity, rather their neighbours.
Scorpio Milo watched the procession of gods that climbed the steps of Sanctuary like pilgrims. Never had he seen anything remotely similar. He marvelled at them, wondering about the story behind each one. They were all unique, no two were the same, though some bore similarities which had on more than one occasion led to violent clashes between gods who claimed to be the original, and accused the other of being an impostor.
He had, fearing for his own life, intervened between two thunder gods, one nordic, one germanic, who had gone to an isolated beach to settle their ancient grudge. After three hours of constant thunder and lightning, Milo had been dispatched to resolve the dispute. He smiled remembering the outcome.
“I have never seen so many.” Aiolos, resplendant in his blue Patriarch’s gown was suddenly at Milo’s side.
“My Lord.” Milo nodded respectfully. “In truth, at this time, gods seem more abundant than mushrooms after rain.”
“What are they all for?” Aiolos stood, hands on his hips, watching as a line of gods made their way up the mountain side, while another made their way down. “They are disciplined though, for the most part.”
“Thank the heavens.” The Scorpio Saint folded his arms, knowing full well that he would have to take action should disorder arise. “I too have wondered as to their reason for being. Even as a child I never believed in the existence of so many gods, just my own.”
Aiolos nodded with a smile. “Who would have thought such a thing? I wonder if it is true that gods created humans or if humans created gods.”
“I’m not asking.” Milo grinned keeping a steady eye on the beautiful ones and the grotesque ones. “Were humans created according to the gods’ designs, or were gods created according to human designs?” He looked sideways at the Patriarch. “What is it, Aiolos? You have something to tell me, spit it out.”
The other smiled in a strange way, an admiring way. “You always know, don’t you?”
“Another mission? What is it this time?” Milo turned away from the crowd, and at Aiolos’ crooking of a finger, he followed the steps of the Patriarch.
“It is a dispute between gods.” Aiolos said confidentially. “An arranged marriage sealed with a cataclysmic curse, should it not be celebrated and consumated a day after the bethrothed be presented to the World Mother, calamity will befall that godly family and their people.”
Milo glanced at the Temple of the Goddess. A powerful energy emanated from the place, more powerful than that of the Goddess herself. “And that has happened?” He glanced at Aiolos, frowning slightly as the other nodded.
“Since the World Mother took up residence on Star Hill, I have been scarcely more than a messenger of Athena.” Aiolos shrugged and sat on a large stone.
“You can’t complain. I used to be the royal assassin, now I’m a major-domo.” He smirked stood before the other. “What are my instructions?”
“There is a clause to the godly wedding. The bride must wear an ancient crown of coral, which was stolen en-route to Sanctuary without her knowledge.” Aiolos looked into the distance, away from Sanctuary.
Milo followed his gaze into the west. “I’ve been chosen to get it back.” He said idly.
“Yes.” The other seemed to focus on a distant point beyond the horizon. “There may be killing, my friend.”
“Good.” Milo responded. “I haven’t killed anything in five years.”
“Then concentrate your cosmic energy on my mark, Scorpio Saint, and find that crown. Millions of lives depend on it.” Aiolos gave him a confident look.
“I will.” Milo smiled and started to walk away, down the countless steps.
“I know you will.” Aiolos watched him descend towards the base of Sanctuary, noting how Milo didn’t even stop at his own temple to pick anything up for the journey. “Good luck though.” He said softly, to himself. “Something tells me you’re going to need it.”
Anyhow...
Enjoy.
Scorpio Milo and the Coral Crown.
In the time after the Holy Wars there was world peace the like of which had never been seen on Earth before. Athena’s guiding hand led humanity into a new Golden Age under the auspices of the benevolent Graude Foundation, which hand in hand with the United Nations Organisation, brought peace, justice and prosperity to every nation on Earth. Traditional governments had been replaced by worker
syndicates, and while the rich were allowed to keep their riches, they were no longer allowed to exploit those less fortunate than they.
In the long years after the final battle, Sanctuary remained as safe and hidden as ever it had been. It had become a Shangri-La only a privileged few were allowed to visit, and that none could find if it were not the wish of the Lady of the Sanctuary, the Great Saori Kido, also known to millions across the globe as the Goddess Athena.
The New Age movement had broken the block of monotheism, and many cults had begun to appear, adoring ancient gods in these new modern times, and with each growing cult, a god or goddess returned to the world. First and greatest among them was Gaea, the World Mother, and not even she, the Great Titaness, who had created the world, had any desire overstep her great-granddaughter’s authority.
From all cultures they came, each one with a purpose, a mission or a gift. Soon they were too many to count, although Saori knew them all by name. The mountains, the forests, the seas, the arts, commerce, thought, love, the sciences, there were gods for everything humans cared about. No one god ruled over any one thing, rather communities of gods cared for each aspect of human life, and they were not masters of humanity, rather their neighbours.
Scorpio Milo watched the procession of gods that climbed the steps of Sanctuary like pilgrims. Never had he seen anything remotely similar. He marvelled at them, wondering about the story behind each one. They were all unique, no two were the same, though some bore similarities which had on more than one occasion led to violent clashes between gods who claimed to be the original, and accused the other of being an impostor.
He had, fearing for his own life, intervened between two thunder gods, one nordic, one germanic, who had gone to an isolated beach to settle their ancient grudge. After three hours of constant thunder and lightning, Milo had been dispatched to resolve the dispute. He smiled remembering the outcome.
“I have never seen so many.” Aiolos, resplendant in his blue Patriarch’s gown was suddenly at Milo’s side.
“My Lord.” Milo nodded respectfully. “In truth, at this time, gods seem more abundant than mushrooms after rain.”
“What are they all for?” Aiolos stood, hands on his hips, watching as a line of gods made their way up the mountain side, while another made their way down. “They are disciplined though, for the most part.”
“Thank the heavens.” The Scorpio Saint folded his arms, knowing full well that he would have to take action should disorder arise. “I too have wondered as to their reason for being. Even as a child I never believed in the existence of so many gods, just my own.”
Aiolos nodded with a smile. “Who would have thought such a thing? I wonder if it is true that gods created humans or if humans created gods.”
“I’m not asking.” Milo grinned keeping a steady eye on the beautiful ones and the grotesque ones. “Were humans created according to the gods’ designs, or were gods created according to human designs?” He looked sideways at the Patriarch. “What is it, Aiolos? You have something to tell me, spit it out.”
The other smiled in a strange way, an admiring way. “You always know, don’t you?”
“Another mission? What is it this time?” Milo turned away from the crowd, and at Aiolos’ crooking of a finger, he followed the steps of the Patriarch.
“It is a dispute between gods.” Aiolos said confidentially. “An arranged marriage sealed with a cataclysmic curse, should it not be celebrated and consumated a day after the bethrothed be presented to the World Mother, calamity will befall that godly family and their people.”
Milo glanced at the Temple of the Goddess. A powerful energy emanated from the place, more powerful than that of the Goddess herself. “And that has happened?” He glanced at Aiolos, frowning slightly as the other nodded.
“Since the World Mother took up residence on Star Hill, I have been scarcely more than a messenger of Athena.” Aiolos shrugged and sat on a large stone.
“You can’t complain. I used to be the royal assassin, now I’m a major-domo.” He smirked stood before the other. “What are my instructions?”
“There is a clause to the godly wedding. The bride must wear an ancient crown of coral, which was stolen en-route to Sanctuary without her knowledge.” Aiolos looked into the distance, away from Sanctuary.
Milo followed his gaze into the west. “I’ve been chosen to get it back.” He said idly.
“Yes.” The other seemed to focus on a distant point beyond the horizon. “There may be killing, my friend.”
“Good.” Milo responded. “I haven’t killed anything in five years.”
“Then concentrate your cosmic energy on my mark, Scorpio Saint, and find that crown. Millions of lives depend on it.” Aiolos gave him a confident look.
“I will.” Milo smiled and started to walk away, down the countless steps.
“I know you will.” Aiolos watched him descend towards the base of Sanctuary, noting how Milo didn’t even stop at his own temple to pick anything up for the journey. “Good luck though.” He said softly, to himself. “Something tells me you’re going to need it.”