RP-T: The River Styx
Anathema, New Goddess of Reflections, had heard of this place. While she had heard stories of Styx's river-man from her fellow New Gods, she had never been. Indeed, that she had been the only of her peers to have not died even once during the war with the Blight was the only reason why she had a life left to return to after that stunt she had pulled. She had, at the time, thought that all four of her lives would have been necessary for the sacrifice to bear fruit. Now, though, she realized her existence was not over.
But as Anna seated herself on a cold, gray, featureless rock, she had to wonder to herself... was that really true?
Anna studied her lost foot. In a way, it was not the only part of her she had cut off now. Reflecting back on her journey up to this point, she realized that she had defined herself heavily by the war. Her mythcraft, her magic, her artifacts, the very nature of her studies all summed up to one thing. Eliminating the blight had been the entire purpose of her existence; the burden was hers to take on. She paid the price, perhaps not happily, but it was the only logical conclusion to her existence. She had openly, willfully defied the pantheon. She had dug up secrets no being of Taeltresin should know. And as she felt the mists recede, she realized that the only lingering source of the Blight left on the tree... was her.
It was Sun-and-Moon all over again, except this time it was no artifact; it was a goddess, a savior. She had been willing to die to end the threat once and for all, all it'd take was dying once more.
It was the rational decision.
Where was that damned ferryman?
Oh, there he is. Anna reached up to dry her eyes and fluttered to her feet, relying on her silvery butterfly wings to balance on her remaining foot. She listened as Charon laid the state of affairs bare for her.
The laugh was mirthless.
"I strive to be unique," Anna states dryly. "Here I was, all ready to accept my demise, my role concluded upon this tree. And then you come, bringing me that most irresistible of bribes... knowledge. Are you sure you're just a ferryman and not a devil?" She cracked a wry grin.
"Color me intrigued, ferryman. I can't say no to an offer like that. What's the worst that can happen... I doom the tree again? Wouldn't that be ironic? Hahaha~!" Anna flutters her way to the ferryman's boat, crossing her legs and looking up at the godrays descending through the tree's branches. Even in monochrome, such optical displays resonate with her.
How could she ever consider not seeing the colors of her prismatic realm once more? She had so many projects left unfinished!
... and with the Blight as her ally this time, maybe she could take revenge on the Pantheon for what they did to her little brother. She and the others should have amaranthed the lot of them when they had the opportunity.
Hehehe... yes... there is still so much to do!