Divine Desires: The Betrayal of Immortality

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the ancient, moss-covered forest. In the heart of this enchanted woodland stood an ancient, crumbling temple, its doors sealed by the passage of time. Inside, two figures huddled together, their breaths mingling in the cold air.

Elarion, a god of the moon, was a creature of beauty and mystery. His silver hair cascaded down his back, and his eyes, like the stars above, held the weight of the cosmos. He was the embodiment of immortality, but it was a curse that he bore with grace.

Beside him stood Darius, a human warrior whose life had been claimed by the gods, granting him eternal life. His skin was tanned by the sun, and his eyes, a piercing blue, reflected the world's chaos. Darius had been Elarion's most trusted companion, and their bond was as unbreakable as the promise of immortality.

"You must leave, Darius," Elarion's voice was a whisper, filled with the weight of a thousand years. "The gods have decreed your fate, and I cannot stop them."

Darius's grip on Elarion's hand tightened. "Why? What have I done to deserve this?"

Elarion sighed, the sound of his breath a shiver against the cold stone walls. "It is not about what you have done, but what you are. You are human, and your heart is bound to the world of the living. Your love for me is a threat to my existence."

Darius's eyes narrowed. "Love is a threat? How can that be?"

Elarion's gaze was heavy. "In the eyes of the gods, love is a weakness. It is the reason why the first immortal was cast into the void. I must sacrifice you, Darius, to maintain my own existence."

Darius's heart was torn asunder. "But what of our love? Is it nothing more than a game to you?"

Elarion's expression softened, but the pain in his eyes was undeniable. "I do not wish this upon you, but it is the only way. The gods will not tolerate my love for a mortal."

The weight of Elarion's words pressed upon Darius like a leaden shroud. He had known the day would come, but hearing it spoken aloud was like a knife to the heart. "Then let me face them together. I will fight for us, Elarion. I will not let you do this alone."

Elarion's eyes filled with tears. "You cannot fight them, Darius. They are too powerful. You must leave now, while there is still time."

Darius's hand tightened around Elarion's. "I will not abandon you. I will stand by your side, no matter the cost."

As the night deepened, the sound of footsteps echoed through the temple. The gods had arrived, their presence a foreboding shadow over the sanctuary. Elarion turned to Darius, his eyes brimming with sorrow. "I am sorry, Darius. I cannot ask you to face this alone."

Darius nodded, his face set in determination. "I will not let you go, Elarion. We face this together."

The gods entered the temple, their eyes cold and unyielding. The leader of the gods, Aion, stepped forward. "Elarion, you have broken the sacred law. You must pay the price."

Elarion bowed his head. "I accept my fate."

Aion's eyes narrowed. "And you, mortal. You have chosen to stand with the god who has forsaken his own kind. Your soul is as much at risk as his."

Darius stepped forward, his sword drawn. "I will not let him sacrifice himself for me. I will fight by his side."

Aion's laugh was chilling. "Foolish mortal. You cannot win against us."

The battle was fierce, the gods' power overwhelming. Elarion fought with all his might, but the weight of his immortality was a burden he could not bear. Darius, though mortal, fought with a ferocity that defied reason, his love for Elarion fueling his every move.

As the battle raged on, Darius saw the truth of Elarion's words. The gods were not just his enemies; they were his fate. He had to make a choice: to fight for Elarion and face the consequences, or to let go and save himself.

In the end, Darius chose love over survival. He turned his back on the gods, his sword raised against them. "I will not let you take him from me," he shouted, his voice echoing through the temple.

The gods were taken aback by Darius's defiance. Aion's eyes blazed with anger. "You are a fool!"

But Darius's heart was made of sterner stuff. "I will not let you take him from me. I will fight until the end."

The gods, seeing Darius's resolve, knew they had to act quickly. Aion raised his hand, casting a spell that enveloped both Elarion and Darius in a blinding light.

When the light faded, the temple was empty. The gods had vanished, leaving behind only the broken remnants of their power. Darius collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. Elarion was gone, his body vanished by the gods' magic.

Darius's heart was shattered. He had lost everything, but in his loss, he had found something more precious than life itself. He had found love.

In the silence of the temple, Darius whispered, "I will never forget you, Elarion. You will always be in my heart."

And as he spoke, he felt a warmth in his chest, as if Elarion's spirit was still with him. The gods had taken his body, but they could not take his love.

Darius looked around the temple, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. He knew that Elarion would always be here, in this place of love and betrayal, where two souls had found each other in the darkest of times.

And so, Darius stayed, a guardian of the temple, a reminder of the love that had once burned so brightly. The gods had won, but love had won, too, in the hearts of those who had loved and lost.