Chapter 9: The Fates

Chapter 9: The Fates



They were the daughters of Ananke, the Primordial of Destiny, and Chronos, the Primordial of Time.

They were second-generation primordials, embodying the concept of Fate - an aspect of Destiny.

They were given many names and titles by gods and mortals throughout the long river of time: the Erinyes; the Three Witches; the Norns; the Moirai; the Graces; the Eumenides; the Shai; the Anunnaki; the Eumenides; the Parcae; the Charities.Th.ê most uptod/ate novels a/re published on n(0)velbj)n(.)c/o/m

They were ever-present throughout the divine pantheons of gods, taking on different forms and avatars to fulfil their responsibilities in an articulate way.

They were in charge of weaving the fates of all beings, while their mother Ananke oversaw and guided them.

Ultimately, they were the Fates-Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

The Maiden was a young lady with wavy blonde hair and a tight blue gown embroidered with faint golden lines. Her smile was as bright as the sun, and she carried a charm that could illuminate the dark side of the moon.

The Mother was a plump, middle-aged woman with spiky black hair. She wore a long, loose black gown with a belt around her waist. Her sapphire eyes, on the other hand, seemed to hold the warmth and care of every mother in the world.

The Crone was a scruffy old woman dressed in ragged, dusty robes and wielding a long, wooden staff. Her frowning expression was as judgmental as that of an old, conservative Christian.

And they descended upon the lands of Aryana, heeding the summons of the Primordial of Sleep.

Hypnos peered at the three Primordials, who were descending out waterfalls of starlight. The snake in his hand slithered out enthusiastically, mesmerised by their obscure aura.

The brilliant stars of the night lit an ethereal glow on the haunting face of the Maiden. "Hello, my dear cousin," she said sweetly. "It's wonderful to finally meet you."

The Mother looked at Hypnos with tender eyes. "You look thin, love," she inquired, concerned. "Has life been harsh on you?"

The irony of that question struck Hypnos. After all, Mother weaves everyone's lives together, deciding all of the events that occur in their lives.

Hypnos restrained his emotions totally. "The Moiria," he greeted them neutrally.

"He hates us," croaked the Crone, glaring at Hypnos.

"No," said Hypnos, pointedly. "I don't hate you."

"But you do hate," the Maiden said, her voice as sharp as a tack. "what we represent, don't you?"

Hypnos was unnerved by how much they knew about him. It was to be expected, given who they were and who their parents were, but it still didn't calm his chaotic heart. "Perhaps," he managed, unwilling to show vulnerability to them. "Perhaps not," he said quickly, seizing control of the conversation. "I've come as a seeker."

"Seeker?" said the Crone, her old grey eyes brimming with rage. "You want our help after everything you've done?!"

Hypnos was completely bemused by her sudden, raging words. And again, there was the same gut feeling as if everybody around him knew something about him that he himself didn't.

"Calm down, sister-self," soothed the Mother. "Let's hear him." she extended her hand to him. "He did bring us nice stuff."

Pressing his doubts, Hypnos allowed the green snake that had collided with his hand to slide into the palm of the Mother, where it arose and hissed excitedly at her face.

The Mother only opened her mouth. The green snake slithered into her, and she gulped as the last of its tail vanished into her.

"You may ask three questions," smiled the Maiden in satisfaction. "And get one answer from each of us."

Hypnos nodded. "My first question," he said, steeling himself for what was about to be revealed.

"What is my fate?"

A deafening silence filled the land. The air stopped flowing. The stars seized twinkling. The sky halted revolving. Time itself seemed to freeze.

'Your true enemies lies behind the stars, dormant and slumbering.'

The ominous words of the Crone reverberated in his mind indefinitely as he tried to make

sense of it all, but all he was left with were endless questions and mysteries. Hypnos was confident that the old bitch revelaed that information on purpose to take away his happiness and excitement at hearing the answers.

Though the words of Crone may be true or not, he had an eternity to worry about that, but not tonight. He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of revenge.

Hypnos continued to gaze at the stars in silence for a moment, and then he teleported away

from central Asia through dreams before his veil of concealment could break under thousands

of prying gazes.

The Underworld. Hypnos materialised in front of Hecate's abode. The Goddess of Magic was waiting for him, sitting on one of the black, even rocks near the river Lethe. "Have you...?" she asked as soon as

she saw him.

"Yes," Hypnos said softly.

"My duty ends here, Lord Hypnos," Hecate said coolly, seeing his smile.

"Thank you," Hypnos said gratefully.

Hecate nodded and rose from the rock. She then strode towards her home.

Hypnos looked at her receding figure with a slight hesitation. "Hecate," he finally called.

"Lord Hypnos?" Hecate turned.

"I want to," Hypnos said, clearing his throat. "Give you an offer."

A flicker of surprise flashed past her dark eyes as if she didn't expect that at all, like him. He

just made up his mind right then and there.

Hecate walked back to him. "I am all ears."

"Dream and Magic." Hypnos said, "We use them to bend reality to our will. To let our fantasies and desires come true. They are in many ways related to one another."

"So, I offer you the position of my attendant," he continued, his gaze fixed on her. "You could

move into my realm. There, I make the laws and rules. So the limitations and restrictions on you will immensely loosen, and you could delve into the mysteries of magic more freely. And all I ask in return is your undying loyalty."

Hypnos always wanted to build his own force. After receiving the Fates' answers and seeing Hecate's limitless potential, he felt now was the best time to begin than ever.

Hearing his offer, something intense stirred in the dark eyes of Hecate, especially at the word "freely." Her demeanour, on the other hand, was as calm and serene as ever. "I'm not forcing you. You are free to turn down my offer." Hypnos clarified with a light

chuckle. "I won't curse you or do anything like that for rejecting me. I'm not that petty, but I'll still be disappointed."

Hecate finally cracked a smile. "Lord Hypnos—"

Hypnos cut her off. "Take your time and carefully consider my offer before responding," he

said as he passed her a vial of starry sand that would allow her to enter his realm. "Since you are at the most important crossroads of your path, Hecate," Hypnos relished seeing her ever-so-serene face collapse in shock at his final words. It was completely worthwhile. Then he teleported away to Tartarus, leaving her stunned in silence.

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