Bellica's Strife
War cannot does not save or protect, to think that is an innocent thought. Bellica, Goddess of War & Innocence, is the living embodiment of this idea. But the tale of Bellica's only love, aside from her fellow Gods, is a warning to all that war cannot love either.
During The Harbingers's war in the Old World, Bellica marched through the shattered world in her endless campaign. A day like any other, she came across a human man, a young soldier who raised his sword at her, only to flee when she laughed right back him.
After years of bloodshed, all mortals had learned that their only hope of surviving Bellica's fury was to run. And yet, this foolish man thought that he could have even stand a chance. In a strange moment of mercy, curious by this idiotic soul, she stopped her rampage. Perhaps it was his ignorance, in a manner, so innocent. Not even she knew. But before he knew it, he find himself held in her iron grip, dragged to stand by her side in her chariot. Completely terrified, he did not dare resist or speak.
Bellica is War. She did not stop her violence, but instead, used it to protect what she now called "friend". The confused, horrified man couldn't comprehend what was happening. The God that was tearing apart his home, his people and his world not treated him like his own comrades did. Her fanged grin, which haunted his nightmares and that of every waking creature, now was... Innocent. Genuine. Instead of her roar, he heard her voice. Questions. Curiosity. He did not know how to answer, and his own voice quivered and broke at every word, but that only seem to make the Goddess more fond of him.
Days passed. And she took care of him, protected him at every turn. Her own siblings called for her to return to the battlefield, and she ignored them. The young man could believe he was hearing the feared, the traitor Harbingers bicker and live. But all things come to an end, and they did when he saw her struck down a might beast, a foe... No one truly knows, but whatever he saw her do, it finally broke something within him.
Terrified out of his mind, pure, primal fear clouded his senses, overruling any he could have felt for Bellica herself. He turned, abandoning the chariot, running from Bellica for the first time.
Instinct took over her, and wielding her sword, she turned it against her friend. He could do nothing but scream as the Goddess struck him down in cruel slaughter. She couldn't stop herself. She couldn't understand why, tears filling her eyes, her howls of confusion, grief, and strife resounding all throughout Magicae.
Bellica is Innocence. But ultimately, she will always be War. She cannot save, protect, or love. Not even if she'd want to, for that is her nature. To think that is an innocent thought.
The young man's name has been lost to time, to the Old World and its end. But he lives on as The Orphan of Strife, seen only in rare moons of The Void-Dusk in a merciful glow. A mercy he never had the chance to have.
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