Chapter 8: The New Dawn

The Great War has left the battlefield strangely quiet. The sky, once darkened by the wings of dragons and the deafening scream of gods engaged in battle, heralds the dawn of a new planet. Today, the sky is spread in hues of gentle pink and gold. The World Tree, Yggdrasil, gleamed softly in the distance, its once-dead branches twinkling with vitality.

With her heart heaving from the decisions that had led her here, Eira stood at the brink of the cliff, watching the recently repaired pastures. The echoes of loss persisted even after the battle's embers had subsided. All of her friends, the people who had laughed and battled with her, given their lives for her, were still standing, but they had changed.

Alaric, the once-immortal warrior, now doomed to roam the earth, has returned to mortal state. With his armor dented but his spirit unshattered, he remained calmly at her side. It had cost him his immortality, but at last, his atonement had arrived. Though he sometimes looked at Eira, as if unsure of her choice, his eyes were riveted on the distance.

Ever the witty thief, Lysandra wore a melancholy face today. Instead of her typical lighthearted grin, she had the empty expression of someone who had lost more than she would ever confess. Although she had already betrayed them once, the blood she had shed in the decisive fight had gained her atonement. Lysandra stood with her head down, wiping away the tears that trickled down her cheeks.

Tyr, the once-proud and mighty deity of Asgard, has fallen from grace. Not all of his previous strength had returned to him. Even though his exile had cost him dearly, he had ultimately decided to put his companions' devotion ahead of his ambition to go back to the skies. Leaning on his battle-worn sword, he saw the soft wind rustling Yggdrasil's boughs.

The eccentric scholar Xiao Li scrawled wildly in his notebook, recording every minute detail of the conflict. Though his mind had always been a whirlwind of ideas, even he was aware of the seriousness of the situation. He stood for a minute, looking up at the sky that was suddenly lit, as though he were asking the gods who had played so much influence on their outcomes.

Afterwards, there was Eira.

The entire world seems to stop for her. Now, like a candle nearing the end of its flame, the fire that had previously burned fiercely within of her dimmed gently. She was emotionally and physically spent after the last struggle. With all of her strength, she had controlled the flame of Prometheus, rekindling the nine suns and restoring light to the entire planet. The prophecy had come true for her, but at a high cost.

Just then, a brilliant light flickered in front of her, and Prometheus—the Titan who had earlier defied the gods—rose from it. As he walked toward Eira, the weight of his pride and sadness was evident in his eyes—his own eternal suffering that was visible in everything he did.

Prometheus spoke gently, his voice like the crackling of fire, "You've done what I could not." "You've saved mankind, just as I used to try to. However, just like it did for me previously, the decision is now yours."

Eira's heart was pounding. Even though she understood what he meant, hearing it out loud gave it more weight. The gods had extended to her an invitation to become a deity, enlist in their ranks, and take control of the worlds. Alternatively, she may continue to be mortal, spend her remaining years with her friends, and understand that the world would continue without her impact.

The decision's implications raced through her head. She could reshapethe planet as a deity and shield it from the same catastrophe from which it had just barely escaped. However, it would mean bidding farewell to the earthly existence she had known, along with the companionship, love, and humanity that had kept her grounded.

Sensing her distress, Alaric finally said something. "Eira, know that whatever you decide is up to you. Not fate's, nor the gods'. Regards, yours."

She met his gaze and saw the intensity of his emotions. She had come to love him in ways she had never imagined possible because he had battled by her side. Could she, however, forego her fate out of love? Could she give up the authority she had at this point?

Lysandra stepped forward and touched Eira's shoulder. "Eira, you owe the gods nothing. You've provided them with more than enough already. However, we'll be here for you if you remain."

Tyr gave a nod. "There shouldn't be any more gods interfering with human matters. People are needed for it. People find you appealing."

Eira's heart hurt. Though the allure of divinity was great, she was aware of what they were saying. She could make sure that no one else had to go through what they had since she was a deity. She had the power to stop battles, treat the injured, and establish harmony among the worlds. But at what price?

Her voice firm despite the turmoil within her, she turned to face Prometheus. "What occurs if I decide to become a god? Will everything be lost for me?"

Prometheus turned to face her, expressionless. "You'll be able to influence the world, but you will forfeit the life you have created. Friendship, love, and laughter are all just fleeting memories. You'll keep an eye on the world, but you'll never set foot in it again."

As Eira contemplated her choice, silence descended among the gathering.

At last, she inhaled deeply and started talking. "I've lived long enough to see that we don't need any more gods in the world. Someone who understands what it is to be human is needed."

Sadly, Prometheus grinned. "Then you have made your choice."

The residual burden of godhood dimmed along with the brightness around him. Eira sensed her inner flame softening into a reassuring warmth. She was mortal again.

Alaric moved closer and clasped her hand tenderly. "So… what now?"

As Eira grinned, tears of delight and grief streamed down her cheeks. "Now… we live."

The heroes turned their backs on the past and moved ahead, prepared to embrace the life they had fought so hard to save, as the sun rose higher in the sky and warmed the planet in the early hours of a new morning.