Nikos

Nikolas smiles as fruit splatters against his clothes. His rounds have been successful with the current village gathering the most hatred for him yet.

“He’s a fool.” Crius said as he and Nikos watched from the entrance of the village.

“May I ask why the titans chose to help him?” Nikos asked.

Crius laughs before responding. “A fantastic question. Nikolas failed every test but the last. It still dumbfounds me that someone like him exists. The last test was one of courage, one in which those alongside him paled in comparison. It made every Titan present acknowledge Nikolas; amongst his peers he was the strongest. Did you bring me here to laugh at him?”

“No, his presence is a surprise to me. It may work in our favor; eyes will divert towards him if luck is on our side.”

From the moment Crius and Nikos entered the village, glares followed them. Nikos for being an Olympian, one this far from Mount Olympus is seen as someone who abandoned the realm below only to return when it benefited them. Crius is assumed to be related to Nikos, garnering hatred for being in the presence of an Olympian.

“I do wonder why he would accept such hate. For some woman? Their relationship will be rejected by both worlds.”

“I agree. But it must be wonderful to have someone you would sacrifice so much for. My love for them is different, but my actions would be the same. Do you have anyone like that?”

“No, I never have. I find it difficult to connect with others.”

“I see, I can help with that. In the meantime, is there anything you would like to do?”

The two are lucky enough to find themselves in a bustling village. It has created a thriving trade road, and allowed the village to grow much larger than most given its location far from Mount Olympus.

The village offers great food, items from around the continent, and even houses a small theater. Yet, Crius can think of little he is interested in.

“I have done everything as the stars watch.”

“I disagree, experiencing it yourself is much different. Let’s try this shop, I think you’ll like it.”

Crius follows Nikos, glancing at the villagers watching him. “Is it a weapons shop? We may need some soon.”

“I know there is animosity here, but none will attack us unprovoked. For better or worse, there is still fear on both sides. It’s the same for Titans I presume, the tales of your strength have never died.”

“Overconfidence was our downfall. Look at what we have become.”

“I would prefer to be thought of as you all are.”

“How are we remembered?”

“Do the stars not tell you of this?”

“Hah, even I cannot catch everything.”

“Then there is much for you to do I believe. To answer your question, Titans brought many gifts to mortals. It is why none of you have ever been forgotten, even with attempts from the old gods.”

Crius stops at the door of the shop Nikos enters. Dark and small with books lined along the walls, the center is a myriad of tables filled with items used for tracking the stars and staring into the sky.

To his left is an open book of recent constellation recordings. Below it the scribblings of a child naming the constellation, “My favorite.”

“I believe that one is named Orion. Your gifts brought along many years of wonder and enlightenment to mortals, to some it is even what makes their lives worthwhile and exciting.” Nikos said.

“You give me too much credit, mortals are curious by nature. If they were as self reliant then they wouldn't find themselves in such dire moments.”

“I can agree with that, but I also believe we Olympians should have helped more given our strength and abilities. I’d like to do all I can to help, regardless of my position as Olympian. Even if I must do so through the stars.”

“The stars have no such ability.”

“I believe you are wrong about that. The stars kept me alive after all, they are capable of giving such help.”

Nikos hands Crius a page with a constellation, Polaris. A popular recording, mortals and Olympians alike give the group of stars the meaning of hope. Used for guidance and always reliable, it has maintained its symbol as hope for centuries.

“Polaris is just one of many constellations that has helped me and many others.” Nikos said. “The stars use you as a conduit to speak with each other, but it must be impossible to digest it all yourself. So, in case you never received my message, I’d like to thank you.”

“There is no need. Stars and constellations, you could think of it all as the whim of a child many years ago.”

“There is beauty to that as well.”

Crius laughs. “That can also be true.”

After exploring more of the city, Niko and Crius leave for a star viewing event that night. Just south of the village a large group of villagers gather to discuss the stars and view a special meteor shower.

Most in attendance are adults, each equipped with an astrolabe and journal. After jotting down their latest observation, they exchange information or talk about the wonders of the sky. Even kids are in attendance, most novices in observing the cosmos but as capable as the most tenured in enjoying them.

“Is this common?” Crius asked.

“It is. I believe you’ve focused too much on seeing through the stars, experiencing such things yourself, even something you are most familiar with can be amazing.” Nikos said.

“You two must be new, are you enjoying the meteor shower?” An older gentleman asked them.

Crius stares at the sky. “It's nothing unusual.”

“Ah, I must disagree. We are fortunate on this night as this meteor shower is rare. Each stream soars across the sky, but what is most captivating is knowing that they were part of something much larger. A comet or asteroid leaving behind a gift for us, and our planet’s ability to protect us from suffering devastating impacts. Is that not beautiful?”

“I…” Crius stares at the trails left behind by the meteor shower. The colors are bright and shimmer; despite staring into the sky, he never once looked into it with his own eyes. For once, he enjoys the stars as others do. “It is a beautiful sight. How surprising.”

Nikos allows Crius to stare into the sky, the titan sporting a large smile as he points out other stars to the group that joins him. Many have tales of each star and planet they can see, Crius enjoys their ideas and laughs with them as they share stories of the adventures the stars have taken them on.

“I’ll need to rest after moving around so much.” Crius said.

Nikos and Crius make way for the camp Atalanta and Theodoros stay at after enjoying the meteor shower. Crius’s body begins to fade, parts of his body becoming specks of light and rising as he stops walking.

“Are you passing?” Nikos asked.

“Heavens no. This is just a temporary vessel after all, I can make another once well rested. It happens whenever I decide to move onto another viewing location, though it seems I will have to revisit many. To think I’ve been ignoring such beautiful sights for this long, I wonder just what wonders I will experience now. This feeling, yes, it’s the same as when I first looked at the stars.” Crius looks to the sky. “I acknowledged them, and they thanked me by blessing me with their vision, but I forgot that I have my own as well. It is together that the wonders of our world are most beautiful, I’d like to share that with you.”

Crius points at Nikos, one speck of light entering the young Olympian’s body. Nikos gasps, the vision of the stars revealing more than he could ever imagine or retain.

“Incredible.”

“Indeed. But do not make my mistakes, it is together with your own vision that such a blessing is beautiful. Good luck, I look forward to the tales the stars will bring of you.”