Once upon a time there was a great battle among the gods that almost destroyed the very world they created. On one side was Aetos, the great golden eagle. On the other was his younger half-brother, Typhon, the winged emerald serpent.

Both loved the world they created, full of varied lands and life. From the giants that lived among the tallest mountains to the denizens of the deepest seas, all were cared for like a gardener cares for his flowers.

But they, Sun-touched Aetos and Jeweled Typhon, they disagreed on what to do when their youngest children emerged from their forested home and began to shape the world around them.

Aetos wished to send the beings called humans back into the forest. The forest was where they were made and the forest was where they belonged.

Typhon, instead of agreeing with his brother, was intrigued by the humans. He wished to see what curious new things they would think of, and maybe even help them a little.

Typhon, without the knowledge of Aetos, gave a tiny drop of his essence to a single human, a leader among the rest. This allowed the human have a glimpse of the fabric of the world, to see it, feel it, maybe even manipulate it.

Thus, the first wizard was created.

Furious Aetos, angered with Inquisitive Typhon, demanded that his brother destroy the wizard.

“Destroy the god-touched!” Aetos roared, leaving deep trenches in the land when Typhon’s refusal pushed him back. “A mortal can never be trusted with the power of a god, however slight it may be.”

“No!” Typhon prepared another blast of power as Aetos charged him again. All creatures trembled at the sight. Their prayers beseeching the two deities to end this feud all went unanswered and they knew the clash would destroy the world.

With one final desperate prayer, the wizard called upon Sleeping Zephyr, sister to both Aetos and Typhon. Only she would be able to stand between the two raging gods. By a great miracle, the wizard’s plea reached her ear.

A strong gust wind suddenly danced across the land and sea, sending all mortal creatures to their knees and knocking Aetos and Typhon from the sky.

Zephyr, the lady of the calming breeze and the mighty wind, had awoken.

She stood before her brothers who watched her every move. She covered another yawn, but was only able to block part of the resulting breeze.

As she gazed between the two, she asked, “How long have I been asleep? It must be close to a thousand years.” Aetos and Typhon silently nodded in agreement.

Then Zephyr noticed the creatures, the life they had created to cherish and love, cowering in fear around them. She demanded her brothers explain the cause and, hanging their heads in shame, they did.

When they finished, she summoned the wizard forward. With a controlled wind, she lifted the wizard up and set the brave human in the palm of her hand. There she studied the wizard while all held their breath awaiting her decision.

Wise Zephyr said, “What will come, will come. They are our creations and so reflect all parts of ourselves. Let them be.”

Her decision final, she gently sent the wizard back to the ground. Such a small creature to cause such a commotion.

As she watched the wizard walk away, she spoke again to her brothers. “No more interference,” she told them, “it is time to rest awhile. Let time take its course and let’s wait and see what other surprises our children will bring.”

And so Aetos the Eagle, Typhon the Serpent, and Zephyr the Wind hid themselves from mortal sight to let what will be, be.