Sin

“Her heart was strong, but her will was not.”

— Theophanes, reflecting upon the parable of the First Mortal

Verily, when the gods were yet in their youth, they converged to bring forth a being unlike any other. In their likeness, they did fashion every part of their new creation with utmost care, scrupulous in their design. Thus, Prometheia was born, fair and kind, and utterly pure. In their might and generosity, the gods granted unto her dominion over the earth, sea, and sky, gifting her an entire world and the free will to explore it. Yet, one commandment they did impart unto her: no matter what may happen, never open the Black Door.

But Ahriman, an old and wicked spirit, saw the innocence of this new divine creation, and became determined to instill her with disobedience. He whispered into her ear, enticing her with tales of all the wondrous things that may lie beyond that forbidden threshold, imploring her to defy the will of her creators. Thrice she refused, but with each refusal, Ahriman’s voice grew more insistent, his promises more alluring. Finally giving in to her curiosity, Prometheia placed her palm upon the door and pushed, even as she felt it in her heart to be wrong. Spilling forth from the Black Door came a darkness from beyond the stars, one that left only madness and ruin in its wake.

As punishment for his part in the temptation, Ahriman was cast out from this world, forced to wander the wastes of Abaddon for all eternity. But for Prometheia, the price was far greater. She was sentenced, not to death, but to life: one that would be short and full of hardship. Thus, she became the first of many mortals, cursed to live and fated to die, along with every one of her descendants yet to come. And the perfect world that had once been her playground had become a cage of her own making, touched by darkness and sin.