There were only people chosen and people left to wander, under the false impression that the higher entities carefully knitted their lives together, unaware they’d only encounter them if they needed new toys to distract them. The two of them had the privilege of knowing which one they were.
Hera had not only chosen Costia, but she raised her in her temples across the land. She was her favorite. Early on, Hera made sure that Costia knew that her body would never be as strong as one of the men, because physical never meant anything to her. Costia had rapidly become the highest priestess to worship Hera, she took pride in Costia. The gods had fought from the beginning for her, she was destined for greatness in a way that no hero had ever achieved.
Intertwined with her soul was Lexa’s, the way mortals hoped possible, the way they needed to believe possible. Hera gave her to Athena, despite their own issues with each other. She was the only one that could prepare Lexa for what was to come.
-
Her existence soon became a myth. The protector of women, never seen, never heard, but the aftermath left in her wake could not be overlooked. She was even sent after other priests and tarnished temples where Hera’s name was mocked. Some swore they heard her dragging her sword on the marble, that they saw a shadow turn into a lion, that her touch could cure the bruises of the women she visited in the night. Only one person actually met her. And earlier than the gods wanted to.
In one of Athena’s sacred spaces, Lexa was training alone. To her knowledge, nobody could enter besides Athena who rarely manifested herself before Lexa. Just like the flash of her arrow leaving the bow, she was there, holding the goddamn arrow looking like she caught a leaf. It was clear she wasn’t just anybody and that she couldn’t react in a way that would trigger conflict. But she didn’t look like she wanted anything, she was smiling. And there was a strange feeling, somehow she knew her.
‘That’s impossible.’
‘I love being underestimated so fast. But technically, yes.’
There’s stories about it, the way your heart stops beating for that split second. When it beats again, you’re different.
‘Are you going to explain any of it?’
‘I wish I could explain my smile and that sparkle in my eyes, but they can only be taken in.’
'You know where you are.’
'Technically somewhere I shouldn’t be. I have this weird tingling in the back of my head.’
'How are you even here?’
'My name is Costia, but I guess Athena isn’t the goddess of manners.’
'Don’t mock her, someone like you should know better what that means.’
'Okay, so that means you know the stories. And you still haven’t told me your name.’
'Alexandria.’
-
Hera became angrier every single time Costia would leave in the middle of the night, every time she’d stray on her way back. But it did not impress Costia. For a girl who grew up knowing her path was created under divine supervision, she felt that this was no different. It just meant it didn’t happen exactly how they would have wanted. Funny thing, they never told her that. They weren’t all mighty and all seeing, the omniscient-omnipresent thing was a masquerade. They needed humans, they needed their faith, their adoration. And as much strength that Hera had gifted her, she had given back to her.
'Lexa, are you awake?’
It was a little over 3 and there was a damning silence. There was something that had shifted and Costia just about knew what.
'It’s time we all have a talk.’
From around the corner, Lexa came accompanied by Athena, an impressive 2 feet over their heads. The only way these gods knew how to appear to humans. Costia only thought of it to be rude, because it gave her a sore neck to stare up.
'We’re not going to stop.’
'I am well aware of that. This is no longer safe. You will go together.’
That shocked them both. Lexa’s figure lit up. It was not what she expected when Athena appeared. Costia eased up, too. Lexa feared her cockiness, saw the way her fingers curled towards the sword, just an inch. She knew her ways.
'It’s time.’
-
When it seems to good to be true, it usually is. But how could they know that? They had purpose, precise. They had love, more than love, they had their soulmate. So what changed? The divine changed. A queen, behind her walls, she had killed the gods. She freed her people, but she didn’t stop there. She wanted to be one of them, proclaimed herself as more than anything they were. She went ahead and started getting rid of the temples surrounding the walls of her empire. This was it. This is why Hera needed her. To maintain her godly status. And so the war started. They had to fight them back into the walls, had to reclaim the ravished temples, the stained marble with blood, the pieces left standing of their statues. And when you live with as much confidence and certainty, don’t you almost consider yourself untouchable? Because they never talked about your end, so you know. The others, they all had a prophecy, they knew at least cryptically that it’d be tragic. But tragedy is for men.
Every day, Costia came soaked of blood, never of her own. She’d wipe her mouth and spread it across her face and the only one not terrified was Lexa. Costia as much as possible made the plans so that Lexa would be on a higher ground, shooting her bow. It all went too good, they were within the walls in a matter of months. Hera was pleased, she was gaining back her ground and name, her on brand merciless tactics. She took great pride in her champion, Costia. This is when she was revealed, a myth no longer. She was always leading her armies, all women. What could Gerana do at this point? Her empire would fall and her claim to divinity along with it.
It was Costia’s right to end her. In the room where she built up her own sacred place, a throne meant for a god. But it also felt like Gerana’s right to end the myth of Costia, the woman almost ripped from Hera, the untouchable one. It was a trap. She came alone, like she always did in the end. Sword dragged on the cold marble, death’s hymn. As Costia moved towards Gerana, who was kneeling on the cold marble, crown on her head, her back to her, one of the last of Gerana’s guards was moving rapidly and quietly towards Costia. It happened just as fast. Your heart stops for a split second and when it beats again, you’re different.
Lexa had seen him, but couldn’t take the shot. She ran inside after him, and in her rush, she didn’t grab her knife from the grass. Before even Costia could turn, Lexa had already been stabbed from
behind because Gerana didn’t leave anything to chance. Two guards. The scream that came from Costia sounded like it might have torn her vocal chords apart. She stormed them, her heart dropping as Lexa did. The only time in her life, there was true anger and anguish in the way she spilled blood. She wanted to rip the world’s fabric. The guards got no chance to a last thought, the way they didn’t allow Lexa. Their bodies got slashed in half as they saw Costia running towards them, as you do when you see a rabid lion. She didn’t even get to hold her one last time, her heart stopped and this time, there was no second beat. Gerana’s death was not quick, it was not merciful, it was not swift.
She threw the swords aside and fell to her knees next to her. After a life of no questioning, of asking for nothing, she called upon her. A mere whisper to be frank, her voice couldn’t carry the effort anymore. She came, 3 feet over her as always. But Costia’s hatred for her in that moment towered over her. There was no 'why,’ no 'explain.’ A mouthed 'Kill me.’ Kneeling next to Lexa, she was holding her hand tightly like if she squeezed hard enough, she could trap her soul there with her and she’d have to come back. No answer. Her body started shaking as it almost broke in half screaming 'Kill me.’ The blood on her face washing off by the stream of tears. And somehow, Hera stood unimpressed. With her other hand, she frantically searched for the sword, not remembering she threw it. When Hera saw, she shouted back to her.
'Silence!’
The waves off the aftermath froze Costia in place. She tried jerking her body, getting it to answer to her, but it wouldn’t.
'You didn’t tell me. I gave you everything. And you didn’t tell me. Everyone else knew, but you betrayed me.’
'I said silence! I didn’t let you speak yet.’
Hera moved towards them, making Costia think she’d give her the one thing she ever asked for. But instead, her hand was removed from Lexa’s body and she stood there unable to move, watching Hera leave with Lexa’s body. Her throat felt closed off, she was screaming but no sound was leaving her. She can’t recall how long she was left there like that.
By the time Hera came back, this time at her height, she was as close to death as she could be. She could barely see anymore, it felt like a hallucination. But then Hera grabbed her face and she felt a shock go through her. She was still refusing her.
'I’ve never asked for anything. Let me go, I need to go. Maybe she’s waiting for me at the Styx. She wouldn’t go without me.’
'You’re not asking for the right things, Anacostia. Go on, get back on your feet.’
Behind Hera, the sunlight was cracking in through the doors, slowly opening. Athena, she recognized the crown. Even with Hera’s commands, she fell back on her knees, crying again. She thought she’d never stop. Then someone crashed into her. Warm, strong. It was Lexa. She was talking, but Costia couldn’t believe her ears. Maybe she was finally dying and this was her last hallucination. She feared that if she opened her eyes, she wouldn’t be there.
'It’s real, Anacostia. I told you, you didn’t ask for the right thing.’
-
'Among all the myths and legends, there’s one that goes like this. That it was only one day when the gods cared, that the devotion of two women was enough to make Olympus answer for their actions. After a war fought in their name, the goddesses went to Hades to bargain for one soul. And they weren’t only reunited, they were finally given their own prophecy. As long as one breathes, they both breathe. Olympus will not be responsible for that type of anguish to exist.’
'Woah, that’s cooler than Achilles and Patroclus.’
'Jason, you know it’s rude to talk during class.’
'Sorry, miss Taiwo. Won’t happen again. But I have a question. Did your parents love mythology, is that why your name is Costia?’
'Oh, yeah. Huge on it. But that’s enough for today, we-’
'Can we talk about it more next time?’
'Sure, Jason. Now get your stuff, we don’t want to be late and beaten again by Miss Woods’ class.’
There’s a theory, that soulmates get created together. And then, for whatever divine reason, they split us apart. We are forced for 7 lives to find each other, it depends on how much the emptiness inside us feels unbearable, abnormal. And then the true cruelty, right before you die, it all flashes before your eyes. All the lives you’ve lived, all the times you’ve failed. But the last one, it’s said that gradually you remember, maybe even get born again with all your memories intact. That’s why I waited, I knew about you. I knew your name, I knew your face, I traced every inch of it before. I knew it like my own.
I feel- something. I believe you, but it’s..
A lot? On my side, it’s even harder. I remember myself die, I remember you die. In my arms. For some reason, the divine really had it out for us.
"I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
AU where Leksa dies during the conclave and her body is brought back to her room. Costia is notified of Leksa's passing and is asked if she would like to see her. Costia, shocked and devestated, walks to her room and enters, to sit by Leksa's side and say her final goodbyes to her first and only love.
“You’ve changed,” Costia mumbled under her breath, not wanting Leksa to hear; but she did.
Leksa’s face went blank, cold; not knowing what to say, but her expression saying it all.
They just stood there in silence, looking at one another. That was until Costia quickly broke her gaze and looked towards the ground; her eyes were full of love, yearning for the girl standing before her. But the girl standing in front of her wasn’t the girl she once loved.
"What have they turned you into?” Costia expressed, breaking the silence.
“I don’t know what you mean, I haven’t turned into anything.” Leksa stressed as Costia became aware of her hostility.
“You’re not the girl who I once knew; the girl I met so many years ago, the girl who made me realize who I am. Where did she go?”
Leksa turned her back and proceeded to walk away as Costia grabbed her arm to bring her in front of her.
“You don’t seem to realize who I am Costia! I am the Commander! We can’t be the way we once were; we can’t go on as we once did! We are no longer those two innocent girls who would explore forests and sneak out to see each other; we are no longer those girls who wore their hearts on their sleeves.” Leksa stated.
“Why aren't we those girls Leksa? We promised each other that nothing would change! To always be by each others' sides, to fight for each other. We are all we hav-”
Leksa cut her off, “No Costia, you’re wrong. You are no longer all I have. You may be the most important person to me..."
Costia smiled hearing these words.
Leksa continued, "...but as I stated I am the Commander; I have to not only look out for you but for all of our people; every decision I make has an impact.”
Costia’s face broke, and Leksa witnessed this. She knew that she just hurt her so deeply; like a knife to the heart. But what she spoke was the truth, and Leksa didn’t know what she could say to fix it.
She placed her hand on Costia’s shoulder for a brief second and withdrew it just as quick as she turned around to leave Costia standing there alone, watching Leksa walk away from her; not knowing what was going to come of them.
