The Fates

The Fates are three sisters. They know more than what a regular God will ever know. Their eyes see all and know all. The answers that Gabriel seeks hopefully will be found with the Fates.

He can only hope.

As Gabriel trudges through the thick forest, he feels his heart pounding. He has been searching for the Fates for an eternity, yet he is no closer to finding them than when he first started his journey.

The trees around him were dense, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, threatening to trap him at any moment. The air was thick with the smells of pine and earth, and he could hear the faint trickle of a nearby stream.

Gabriel pauses momentarily to catch his breath, eyes scanning the forest for any sign of the sisters. Suddenly, he saw a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye.

He spins around, his hand reaching for the dagger at his side, but what he sees makes him freeze.

There, standing before him, are the three Fates. They are even more beautiful than he had ever imagined, their long hair cascading down their backs.

In waves of gold, silver, and copper. Their eyes were deep pools of wisdom, holding secrets untold to any mortal being.

Gabriel felt a sudden rush of awe and reverence wash over him. For a moment, he forgot his mission and could only stand there, gazing at the sisters in wonder.

One of them stepped forward, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We have been waiting for you, Gabriel," she said, her voice like music.

Gabriel's heart skipped a beat. "You...you have?" he stammered, unable to believe his luck.

"Yes," she replied. "We sensed your presence in the forest and knew you would seek us out. Come, we have much to discuss."

With that, she turns and leads deeper into the forest, the other two sisters following close behind. Gabriel hesitates for a moment, unsure of what awaits him.

As they walked deeper into the forest, Gabriel noticed that the trees began to thin out, and a clearing emerged. In the center of the clearing was a great stone altar adorned with intricate carvings and runes.

The Fates approach the altar and gesture for Gabriel to come closer. "This altar holds great power," one of the sisters said. "It is said that those who seek the truth will find it here."

Gabriel stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of destiny bearing on him, and he knew that this moment would change his life forever.

As he approached the altar, he noticed a tiny flame flickering in the center of it. Without hesitation, he reached out and touched the light with his finger.

Suddenly, the world around him began spinning, and he felt like he was being pulled into a vortex. The sisters disappeared, and Gabriel was left alone in a void.

But as quickly as it had started, the spinning stopped, and Gabriel found himself standing in a different place. He was in a dark room, with only a faint light coming from a single torch on the wall.

He heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see a figure approaching him.

It was Alessia.

She wore a white silk dress with intricate gold lace around the neck and sleeves. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders like a river of night, framing her delicate face in its depths.

Behind her was Zagreus.

As Zagreus was a god, he dressed like one, wearing an elaborate black robe embroidered with golden thread. His eyes seemed to glow from within, and his long dark hair fell past his shoulders in waves.

The scene quickly changes. They are both standing in front of hundreds, not thousands of soldiers.

Alessia and Zagreus stood at the front of the army, their eyes gleaming with fierce determination. Gabriel could feel the weight of their power, and he knew they were not to be trifled with.

The soldiers behind them were a sea of armor and weapons, and they stood at attention, waiting for their leaders' commands. Gabriel could see the determination in their eyes, and he knew they were ready to fight to the death if needed.

Alessia stepped forward, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "We will fight Cronus and his army," she called out. "We stand before you today, ready to fight for what is right. The enemy may be strong, but we are stronger. We will not let Cronus live to see another day!"

The soldiers let out a thunderous cheer, their weapons clanging together in a resounding chorus. Gabriel felt a surge of adrenaline wash over him.

Before he can admire the scene anymore, the vision changes again.

This time he was in a dark room, with only a flicker of a candle as the only light source.

The door bust opens, and Zagreus rushes into the room, holding a lifeless body.

It is a woman wearing a white lace dress, who Gabriel knows well.

Alessia.

Gabriel felt his heart drop as he gazed upon the sight before him. Alessia's body was limp in Zagreus's arms, and her once vibrant eyes were now lifeless and empty.

Zagreus laid her down on the bed, his hands shaking with grief. "I couldn't save her," he whispered, his voice ragged with emotion. "I couldn't save the woman I love."

Gabriel looks closer at Alessia; her face is pale, but a lightning bolt pierces her heart.

Realization dawned on Gabriel as he noticed the lightning bolt. It was a symbol of Zeus, the king of the gods. But why would Zeus strike down Alessia?

What about Cronus?

As Gabriel pondered this, the room around him began to dissolve, and he found himself back in the forest, standing before the altar. The sisters were once again before him, their faces solemn.

"We have shown you what could be, Gabriel," one said. "But remember, the future is not set in stone. Your choices will determine the path you take."

"As you are human, Gabriel." Another one says with a voice of silk. "Yet, you gain knowledge that defies the barrier placed on the human mind."

"What becomes of Alessia and the power of Mania that she has?" Gabriel ask.

The sisters exchanged a glance before one of them spoke. "The power of Mania is a dangerous one, Gabriel. It can consume even the strongest of souls. Alessia must learn to control it or risk losing herself to its influence."

Gabriel nodded, his mind still reeling from the vision he had just witnessed. "What about Cronus?" he asked. "Will we be able to defeat him?"

The sisters exchanged another glance before the one in the center spoke. "Cronus is a powerful enemy, Gabriel. But he isn't the only enemy."

"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

"There are those who would seek to use the power of Mania for their gain," the sister said. "You must be careful, for the line between good and evil is often blurred when dealing with such powerful magic.

"Thank you," he said to the sisters. "I won't forget the knowledge you've imparted to me."

The sisters nod in approval, and with that, they disappear into the shadows. Gabriel is left alone in the clearing, his mind racing with thoughts and questions.

He had seen a possible future where Alessia and Zagreus led an army against Cronus, only for Alessia to be struck down by Zeus himself. But what did it all mean?

Gabriel knew that he had to find Alessia and Zagreus. His, to warn them of the dangers ahead. He set off through the forest. His mind focused on his mission.

He knew that right now, they were facing Hades. Does that mean that what he knows of Hades is that he isn't an enemy? Rather his brother Zeus?

A memory flashes through his mind as he walks through the trees. He and his younger sister were out one drunken night. Fear suddenly filled him as a dark figure stepped from an alley and vanished into his sister.

Gabriel thought he had too much to drink, but as the days and weeks grew, his sister was no longer his sister.

He posted a request for help. He knew something sinister had taken over his sister. Others thought he was crazy, but the one person who believed him was Alessia.

His little sister had been saved because of Alessia. Gabriel had vowed then that he would do whatever it took to protect her from any danger that may come her way again.

He realized now that Alessia had set him on this path, guiding him to become a hunter to protect those less fortunate than him. Even is Alessia had no idea how much she changed Gabriel's life.

Thanks to Alessia. He is stronger than an average human. Now he can only hope he can repay Alessia.