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Orangemoon had brought with it fierce storms. Without the regulative presence of the Moon Goddess, a new equilibrium was trying to form, but the fluctuations as the world and the Gods struggled to find it, were obvious. Even in the Basin, sheltered by their mountains, storms raged. Dark skies, clouded by thunderheads concealed another moonless night, but not all was hidden by the darkness. In the glow of a few bursts of sheet lightning, a figure moved. A prisoner. The prisoner, draped in golden and heartache, sought to find escape. It had to be obvious to the prisoner, that the Basin now marched towards his home. His family. They had tried to detain him here, to prevent him from defending his home, but he would not be deterred.
Nothing would keep the prisoner from returning to those he loved. Nothing.
But he had waited. Had been patient and observant. His wings would not necessarily aid him as they normally would, for the rocky cliffs that overshadowed the Basin were so steep and so severe, that he would likely die should he try to escape by going directly up. He would need to use their lands in a way that would benefit him. As a particularly nasty storm brewed over head, the prisoner knew it was time.
The images of those he fought for, those who kept his heart beating flashed before his eyes as lightning flashed through the sky. It had not yet started to rain, but a vicious wind tore through, rattling structures and displacing the earth. Spreading his wings, the prisoner sought to escape. He would use the wind, the lightning, and his aerial advantage to elude his guards. Taking to the air, the prisoner was sure that he would make it. The great sentinels were in sight, and despite the trail of guards who were valiantly trying to knock him out of the air, he was there. The sentinels already knew him, as he had been learned when he had come in with Hotaru. They would not shoot him down. He just needed to make it just a little farther.
Just a little ...
Lightning illuminated the skies as the thunder rolled. The deafening sound hid any cries that might have come from the prisoner, as lightning struck and immobilized his body. Broken, his body crumbled and dropped towards the ground.
Midas had fallen.
Burn marks pocked his black and white coat, and the metal that he wore blistered into his skin due to the current that had pulsed through them. Bones were broken, nerves scrambled, and blood lost. Irreparable damage had been done. Immortality had its limits.
The Earth God would not see another son of his endure such pain. He had not let Hototo the day darkness had come for him on the Island, and he would not now let Midas writhe in this way. A warm light fell from the heavens, illuminating Midas' body. Not just for show, the light was a force-field of the God's power, and would prevent any who had been pursing Midas from entering.
"Midas..." The Gods voice was all around him, enveloping him in warmth and love. He had told Midas once that he had raised him to the highest level possible for a mortal, ascension. Now it was time to raise him just that bit higher..."To me, Midas. You have done well. It is time to rest."
The God's words stripped Midas of all pain, confusion, and trouble. Worry spilled away, lightning his mind until it burst from his body in a golden spiral. In time, the items on Midas' body would be returned to his family, for now however, they merely disappeared from his withering flesh. From his broken body the God retrieved a number of feathers - from Neve and Fina's bodies as well. Although the phoenix's had not been struck by the lightning, their bond made them just as susceptible to its effects. Just as with Midas, the God quieted their pains, allowing their souls to rest and depart.
Midas had endured so much in his time, that perhaps immortality was more of a burden than a gift. But now that journey was over, his quest fulfilled. The God smiled as Midas soul, golden and dancing, twirled higher and higher into the sky. He would rise above them all, and take a watchful place. There he would rest for all eternity.
There he would be remembered.
The Gallant.
The Ascended.
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