273: Prophecy

“Hold.”

The word was uttered by a voice layered with three, female voices: two young, one old. Everyone looked towards the Moirai, standing by the window. The positioning of the rising moon made it look like a sickle halo hung above her head.

“Fates,” Chronos muttered, using her common name, “you have something to say?”

She didn’t say anything at first. She stood up straighter, her opaque veil rippling slightly.

“I have a Prophecy to share.”

“Oh?” Chronos said, feigning interest. He crossed his arms, forked tongue darting out of his mouth. “Do share.”

The audience of gods, Ever and Zoe waited. After enough time had passed, she spoke:

“He must choose her; she must choose him.”

Everyone in the room stared at the Moirai, who had dipped her head somewhat.

“Is that it?” Zoe whispered to Ever. He looked back at her and shrugged slightly.

“Furthermore, the apprentice reaper has to be the one to bestow the Blessing,” the Moirai added.

The weight of the Primordials’ eyes on Ever just then were heavier than the hundreds of void eyes Chaos had conjured up earlier.

“Me?” Ever said. “How? I can’t control time.”

“Can’t we just ignore the Fates?” Gaia asked, voice strained. “Prophecies don’t decide anything, actions do.”

“The Moirai wouldn’t have shared the Prophecy if it wasn’t for a specific reason,” Nyx countered gently.

“Your daughters very existence is to give ill-timed, inconvenient Prophecies.” Gaia said, cracks appearing in her usually carefree demeanor.

“Be quiet.” Chronos’ voice was barely a murmur, but the room itself seemed to hiss and quaver under his command. “If the Fates say that Ever is to be the one to make the final call, so be it. I can bestow a Blessing to him and he can be the one to activate it. Not what I would have preferred after coming all the way here but hey, I’m not about to go against them.”

“Ever,” Chaos said. He had been quiet until now. “Are you willing to accept Chronos’... Blessing… and use it to help Zoe Ascend?”

“Of course,” Ever replied. “If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”

“Fine. Ever, come here.” Chronos stepped back. Once Ever joined him, he turned to face him. “Put both your hands out.”

Chronos held both his palms above Ever’s hands. A ticking orb pulsing with grey light pulled itself out of Chronos’ hands, landing heavily into Ever’s. Before he could close his hands around it, it slowly sunk in, absorbing and disappearing into his skin. He looked at his palms, bathed in milky moonlight. The new power felt foreign yet potent in his body.

Young soul.

It was Mentor Death; he ignored his voice.

“All you have to do is direct your hands towards Zoe. Imagine prion proteins stopping themselves from folding. The Blessing will do the rest.” Chronos crossed his arms, jaw tight.

Ever nodded. He turned back to Zoe. Her eyes were wide and glittering with hope. It was now or never.

Ever.

Death again, his voice more urgent this time.

*Mentor, can I help Zoe Ascend first?*

No, Death said. You don’t have time.

*What do you mean?*

Everyone in the room was staring at him.

It’s Taylor; she’s in trouble.

END OF WINTER?