Waves in the crowd

[Ascendancy]

Although their topic shifted to the current matter at hand, nostalgia continued to shadow Nikolai's expression. The Atharim was in his past as well; talk of the gods back then was as much a myth to the members as Zeus and Hera or Odin and Frigga were to Nikolai and Marcus. At the time, Nikolai's studies were consumed with real world dangers: the creatures of nightmare. The Atharim had their own prophecies, which were probably as much nonsense as any other religious group. Nik's view of the world was never angled toward religion, or any higher power watching over them from above. In fact, an old bitterness rooted in his gut whenever he contemplated it. Religion was not for him. But the Atharim, well they had their eccentric members. People rumored to do nothing but study ancient lore like the hidden scholars they were. Those people likely believed the tales; people like the current Regus. His predecessor, Wilhelm, never seemed that tyrannical. But perhaps he was.

"Yes that is what they believe. I suppose it makes a sort of sense. If you recall any mythologies, the gods seemingly performed miracles."
Nikolai lofted the water bottle, highlighting how arms of the power carried it to him across the air. Then his lips curled into a chilling smile. "They were seemingly immortal."
He knew how young he looked; that he hadn't aged in thirty-five years or more.

"I don't remember if they claimed those things of story actually happened, and I don't care if they did. If any of them ever actually lived, well, they are long dead now. Beyond even my reach."