Chapter 2: Tales from Hellas

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War is one of the oldest concepts defined by humanity. Dialogue and conciliation haven't always been viable options. Although history has somewhat improved mankind's willingness to prevent the annihilation of its own species, the evolution of this mindset has been so slow that even today, the premise remains that some conflicts have no better solution than violence. In our time, the art of war and survival of the fittest were our daily bread. It was during this period that the birth of a foreign warrioress, who would play a key role in the history of my homeland, ocurred.

In a warlike tribe of Illyrian origin, hailing from the very heart of the Balkans, the birth of the leader's heir was eagerly anticipated. The man had already fathered four daughters, yet the two eldest had not yet reached the age of two. Like many other children, these frail creatures had not been able to withstand the winter of the cold mountains. The leader was disheartened by the absense of a male heir to continue his lineage of glorious warriors; thus, the news of the birth brought him a glimmer of hope to his sorrowful soul. However, on that cursed night, a sentence of doom befell his lineage, for it was a girl whom his wife bore — a strong girl, but still just a girl.

The leader, driven mad because the gods scorned him and his blood, trained his daughters alongside the boys of the tribe, disregarding their nature, with the twisted hope that the gods might take pity on him and transmute their gender. He shaved their heads, as was customary with young apprentices, and taught them the arts of war and swordsmanship. His favoritism towards the eldest over the one who had disappointed him was openly evident. Despite providing the youngest with everything necessary to ensure her survival, he loathed her for his misfortune, as she was evidence of his failure.

As the young women began to show signs of their femininity, the irrational leader abandoned the tribe to embarked on an absurd campaign, costing him three years of his life. Without glory, he returned to his lands and found his tribe decimated by hunger and diseases. The lives of his partner and eldest daughter had been extinguished, and misfortune besieged his tribe, cursed by the lack of a competent leader.

Completely out of his mind, he ordered his remaining daughters to duel to the death. The survivor would choose a husband from among the best warriors and become the absolute and undisputed leader of the tribe. I cannot say for certain if the sisters loved each other, but I know their father had pitted them against each other from the beginning of their upbringing. Perhaps they did not wish for the death of the other, or at least one of them did not, as they were the only family they knew. However, they battled for two days in the cold mountains.

They fought hand to hand, with swords, with spears, and shields. But they were so similar, even in their fighting style, that the battled would have continued indefinitely if it weren't for the youngest sister's unthinkable gift, bestowed upon her by the gods.

On the third night, their strength began to fail them. Hunger and thirst had diminished the chances of victory for both sisters. So overcome by unbearable exhaustion, the eldest decided to end her sister's life more out of weariness than out of hatred. The youngest refrained from using her powers to her advantage because she still harbored some hope in her heart that her sister would agree to reach an deal without shedding the shared blood. Yet, as soon as she realized her mistake, she resolved that the only way to definitively end their strife was through the death of one or both of them.

That night, they found themselves face to face for the first time, allowing her to gaze into her sister's eyes, and she saw what she didn't expected — her intentions to end her life. Furious because of the betrayal, she made the decision to take her sister's soul, and with the same sword her own father had taught her to wield, she pierced her heart, thus killing her.

The leader awaited the return of his eldest daughter eagerly, but it was his youngest who presented herself before him, dirty, wounded, and tired. She threw her bloodied sword on the ground at her father's feet, delivering the unexpected news. Blinded by tears, he ordered the women to feed her and give her water.

“Now you can choose a mate among my men,” her father said, indignant. “Speak, future leader. Whom do you choose?”

Consumed by anger, pain, and resentment, the young woman answered furiously: "Sire, absolute and undisputed ruler of our tribe and the lands it occupies. I have just extinguished the life of the last sister I had. My glorious deed will be recognized. Yes... it will be, but not by you, and not by your people."

Turning her gaze to the members of her tribe, who watched her in astonishment at her audacity; she assured them: "By my sin, I swear that I will never... never take a man for as long as I draw breath!"

Then, she turned back to her father, her eyes ablaze with fury, and declared: "And by your sin, I swear that in this life you shall not see a male heir with your blood... Ever."

The leader, mad with rage, ordered his youngest daughter to be pursued and killed for the dishonor she caused. The girl fled to the Sea Between Lands, where she was found by the one known as the Father King. He welcomed her into his home, provided her with food and shelter, and adopted her into the royal family because, with his wisdom, our King recognized the gifts she has hidden.