Spectrum Illumis
Bipolarbear
ROCKAlthough he resembled a normal teenage boy, a number of features set him apart. His pale skin took on an Opaline shimmer in dim lighting. One of his eyes was bright blue; the other pale green. His fingers were long and slightly pointed... But the most outstanding features were his curled, antennae, which were coated in in small shimmering hairs like a moths, and the thin, nearly invisible wings folded under him, peaking from around his shoulders.
No one watching this sleeping boy, just 5 ft.3in. tall, would think that those shoulders carried the weight of the world.
His name was Lethe, and he was a member of a unique species of insect-like fairies. Though they naturally appear in a nearly human state, they can assume the shape of any insect or insect hybrid. Bugs of all sorts are drawn to them, and they are said to communicate with insects as well as they can with humans.
A History
Long ago,the valley was easy to enter and easy to leave. Animals wandered in and out without consequence. Back then, his people settled here, dissolving into small clans - there were the Ladybugs, the Spidermoths, the Fireflies, the Flutterbys, and so on - and lived in happiness.
And then The Fates came.
There were no humans at this time. No humans in the Garden, no humans anywhere. They simply had not been invented yet. Sure, there were half-humans, like the centaurs and Insect-Folk, but no true humans.
So from the first step the three crones took into the Garden, all eyes were on them. Besides the initial oddity of their species, The Fates were further set apart by their advanced age. At this time, there was not yet aging.
These were mere passing oddities, however, when compared to their eye. They had just one, to share between all three. Those not in possession of the eye had just an empty socket in their skulls.
The tallest stepped forward and slowly surveyed the growing crowd - though she was eyeless, there was doubt that she saw them all clearly. She called out in a creaking voice, "We have been sent by Zeus, the almighty!"
One trembling ladybug fairy buzzed forward and asked, in a hesitant way, "What has happened to Cronus? It is he that created us; it is him that we answer to."
The Fates laughed. Those that were there still say it is the most unsettling sound they have ever heard. "Cronus is dead."
A few of the weaker folk began to cry. They had known Cronus was struggling to keep his offspring under his rule. They had even known he was harsh and tyrannical with the other gods. But he had always been kind to his creations. He had called them his favorite invention and referred to the place as "Cronus' Garden".
Before they had had time to accept this news, the crone continued speaking, heedless of the dismay of those gathered. "Zeus has sent us. He has begun an experiment near here, in a place called Earth. He has populated this land with beings called "humans", modeled after the gods. He has decided that these animals are not to enjoy the gift of eternal life that his father so foolishly bestowed upon you. He has give us the task of developing a method to measure - and end - their lives.
At this point, another Fate casually removed the eyeball from her speaking sister. There was a sickening plop when she fixed it in her own head.
"That is why we are here", said the newly sighted Fate. "Isis reports of encountering here those that spin the most wondrous, magical silk."
As one the crowd turned to look at the Spidermoth clan. "Yes", continued The Fates, "if you will provide us with enough web to carry out our duties, Zeus will allow you to remain immortal." Those that were there say they cannot remember what was said and done next. In the end, what does it matter? Every few months, a Fate - sometimes, two, sometimes all three - will arrive in the Garden demanding silk.
All of this brings us back to the present, to the hollow in the willows, and the sleeping fay boy. For today there would be a visit from The Fates.
