prologue
"the three did not fear hell"

When the end of their world came, they were not prepared.

And, the universe had them pay for it in rivers of blood, gushing down halls of white marble, staining the gowns of the elite, flushing the joy from every nook and cranny of their once glorious home.

The home now raised to rubble.

The Col family had lost everything they'd ever known and loved. Not only was their home destroyed, their family had been torn apart in the chaos.

The eldest had watched his father die. Impaled as his children fled while he stood as the buffer between them and the evil who had come to play. Calev would never forget the way the light flickered and died in his father's eyes as he slumped to the floor, thick ichor bubbling from his mouth.

If Corinna hadn't dragged him away, he might've remained a statue in time as the invaders fashioned his red smile.

The siblings, along with their cousin whose father had also died in the fight, a brave man with an even braver daughter, fled their blazing city with as many civilians as possible. Those who didn't make it in time would simply be left behind to die. Preservation of the elite bloodline was crucial, after all.

As the escape ship left, the siblings stood side by side and simply watched their home until it disappeared into the darkness of the universe. Concealed by the cloak only they knew was there. How would they ever forget?

No one had responded to their distress calls. No one had come to defend the defenceless. They had been left as the sacrifice to appease the chaotic forces in hopes that they would be satisfied with a second planet.

Melinoe knew this was true, but if they really believed that, then she knew they deserved what was inevitably coming for them too. What would come for them all if it wasn't stopped in its tracks and put to the guillotine.

But they let it happen.

And, for that, she hoped they all perished in the depths of hell.

Their arrival in Asgard had been rather colder than they anticipated. Their presence was not welcomed, but nor was it denied.

Some were intrigued by the new bruised and battered arrivals, others were indifferent, some were even irritated by their presence. Wished they had a home to go back to just so they'd leave and keep their noses out of Asgardian business.

They'd been bad enough when they'd had their own planet, let alone now when this was their new home, their new playground to spin fantasies and jump rope.

Odin allowed them to stay. The Col siblings who'd pleaded for themselves and their people had sighed with relief, shoulders caving from exhaustion, and thanked the Allfather with beaming smiles and golden tears.

The brother pledged himself to the army, promised to defend Asgard until his dying breath. The sister said nothing. A silent, weeping woman, observing all that she could. Watching whose faces were pitiful and whose were frozen solid, icicles tipping their noses.

Who would be her enemy? Plot her demise, take advantage of a hollow girl with little left in the world besides her stoic brother and a cousin who resented her.

Who would be her friend? If anyone here accepted her presence at all, of course. Perhaps she would be solitary where she had once been a social butterfly. Perhaps she would spend her hours alone, watching the clock ticking down to her final breath. What a long and terrible life that would be.

Perhaps someone would take pity and befriend the lost woman who wandered without hope.

Despite her pessimism, in the home of liars, the three of them seem to fit in a little too well for comfort. Not leaving room to wiggle where truths slip through. No, these were not golden girls. He was not the hero riding in on his white horse, dressed head to toe in silver armour, to save the eternal damsel.

These were liars dripping in gold, but would they pay the price to achieve? Maybe. Maybe not. Just maybe the universe will place it before them on a cushion of purple velvet, still steaming, fresh out of the oven. Or maybe gold will be lashed with crimson. Stained to another colour entirely. One only death could wear with honour.

In a game of lovers and liars, who would prevail?

Perhaps no one at all.

Perhaps all were destined to fail as the universe clenched her iron fist and condemn them all for their pretty little sins. Hurl them into hell before they could scramble to safety from her wrath. Leave them to burn.

But the three did not fear hell.

For they were already living it.

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795 words
17.1.19