Narcissus and The Gods - A Halloween Short

The Gods used to be kind, or so they say.

They would accept the offerings the humans sacrificed and in return the Gods would grant their wishes, cure their ill, fight the battles that the humans could not. The Gods would bless their crops and the humans would keep up their offerings. They would mention the Gods in their prayers and in return the Gods would fulfil their needs and wants. But, the humans soon became too dependant, and even sooner the Gods got too greedy.

Poseidon's seas were no longer safe - monsters of all varieties plagued the human's waters and the sea creatures obeyed their master. No fisherman would have the luxury of catching a fish ever again. The siren's call could be heard from any shore, and soon the beaches became a place that no sane man would venture.

Anubis and Hades ruled the Underworld and created an afterlife that was feared more than death itself. People began trying to make bargains with the Gods before their time was up - all of their pleas were ignored.

Thor would drop his hammer wherever he liked, causing chaos and creating ruins of cities that were once adored. Even his brother, Baldr, withheld joy and the summer sun from the human's lives

It was an age of anarchy and despair - for the humans at least.

For the Gods it was Valhalla and Olympus combined. Heaven on Earth. They ruled as they pleased and left the humans in fear, as the Gods believed they should be.

Dryads took over forests, claiming their land and killing any man that entered.

Khonshu, the moon god, stopped protecting the travellers of the night. Instead, anybody who roamed after the moon had risen was never seen again.

And Loki, the most mischievous of all Gods, used his magic to enslave humans and controlled the Valkyries to ensnare parentless children.

Those who were easy victims were preyed on the most by the Gods, even demigods could not protect themselves from their parents - even Heracles fell to the hand of Zeus.

And, as the Gods power grew stronger, the harder it was to contain their forms. The Gods had existed for millennia, but their identities changed with society. Now, they had destroyed society at its core and the Gods began to fight themselves. Ares against Mars, Thoth against Athena, Venus against Freyja.

They brought destruction upon the Earth, ruining valleys, murdering civilizations, burning the entire world to the ground. And, they brought destruction upon one another. Most of the Gods died, others retreated. Some tried to rebuild the world, remorseful towards the things they had done.

It was a time like no other, or so they say.

Narcissus wouldn't know.

All he knew was that sometimes his reflection would ripple. Sometimes it would go on for days, the shaking of the water. Ruining his perfection. Sometimes he had smelt the burning, heard the screams. But it was okay, because eventually his reflection would become clear again, and nothing else mattered.

-

If you enjoyed this story then make sure to leave this article a little heart or perhaps an insight or comment to show your love! Any tips, subscriptions, or even a pledge would absolutely make my day - but no pressure!

This is a short story from my promptember, all of which are Halloween prompts - this one was "Write about the Gods but make them evil" which I really enjoyed as a big mythology nerd.

If you want to get to know the author behind the article you can find me @leighooper on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for reading, see you soon!