At least once a season, it felt like Helovia was summoned to one spot or another by a god or a creature. He was with Ki’irha and Vesper when the pull came, encouraging them towards the Flats - one of the few places in Helovia not covered by thick smoke keeping them out. As they journeyed, Lucius circled overhead, keeping an eye on Tandavi and their newborn twins. With his heart still in turmoil about his growing family, his steps felt heavy.

If only he knew what he was marching towards.

Kaos the betrayer created a portal, demanding everyone pass through to what. No one seemed eager to be the first to pass through and Mesec felt the hesitation grow within him as well, shifting uncomfortably where he stood.

He did not expect what came next. The Gods of Helovia were powerful, sometimes cruel, but nothing like this. Some begged Kaos for mercy and Mesec watched in stunned horror as they were torn off the ground and then exploded. His voice joined in the wordless shouts of sadness and anger from the crowd of Helovians and he stepped forward slightly, ready to defend Ki’irha and Vesper. Quickly Lyra left their side, scouting through the crowd to find the others Mesec loved, the others he wanted to protect. There were so many. “Vesper, don’t watch.” He whispered softly to his daughter, wishing he could save her from witnessing this - but knowing in his heart that it may already be too late.

He roared in heartache and frustration when Grusha and Tae were pulled apart, followed by Sohalia and Matheo.

Ru. The names of everyone he knew that surged forward scorched his mind as the thought them, his body tense and trembling with the horror of it all. What could he do?

He recognized one of the voices that called out - of course it was about companions - and his head snapped in the direction of Ampere in time to see her swallowed up by the deadly teal light and black smoke. “Not Ampere.” Her name was a whisper, unbelieving that there could possibly be a world where the blue lightning mare didn’t exist. The need to protect his family rooted him where he was, but the shadows of his magic began to swirl around his hooves in anger and despair. Lyra reported back that she found Tandavi and Sacre in time for Mesec to turn his gaze to them and see his brother fall as well. “SACRE!” The name of his brother was ripped from Mesec’s mouth as a scream - his silver eyes wide and horrified as he stared at the spot where his brother once stood. The deaths that followed were a blur - he didn’t even notice Ophelia’s attempt to lead an attack and fail - and he could feel what was left of himself further crumble into pieces.

“This is a nightmare.” His gaze looked back to the two mares with him, though their figures were blurred by the tears in his eyes. Unspoken but obvious was his question - what should they do? Risk whatever was through their portal and have a chance to live? Or die like the others here in Helovia?

When the gods came - darkness falling, and noticeably without the God of the Sun - Mesec actually believed everything would be okay. They could survive this.

Even when their attacks did not defeat Kaos, he still had hope. He began to move forward, called by the blood of the goddess in his veins, knowing he could help the way Aithniel and Isopia were.

But he moved too slowly. He didn’t reach them in time and had an unobstructed view of Kaos taking out the God of the Spark, then Isopia and Aithniel, and then the God of the Earth and… the Moon. “MOTHER NO!!” Mesec didn’t care that he sounded like a petulant child, his voice cracking with the words that he screamed as she exploded before his eyes - nothing but stardust in the end.

Gone.

There wasn’t even time to mourn - barely even time to register what had just happened. That the gods were gone. His mother, the goddess who shone with starlight, no longer existed.  Mesec felt hollow as he felt the effect of the portal - straining against the pull of it to turn to his family. “Stay with me!! We'll be okay, just stay together!” Mesec called out to them, his wild eyes searching for them all - willing Lucius and Lyra to help keep them all together with him as he slid towards the portal, unable to fight the pull. He could barely see through the tears in his eyes, couldn’t tell where they were going, if it was safe but they had no choice now.

mesec

I'll fight to survive through this thunderous life
without you by my side