The moonlit temple was filled with the whir of a spinning beyblade. A small child was lying on his stomach, propped up on his elbows beside the beydish, closely watching the streak of brilliant purple that zipped around it.

The child's tuft of light hair and white robes contrasted sharply with his dark skin. His blue eyes followed the beyblade as it sped up, racing up one side of the bowl and into the air. There was a brief moment when the little boy could see a bearded, cloaked man wielding a crackling lightning bolt and suspended in a cloud of faint purple light.

Then that instant was gone as the beyblade landed in the waiting hand of its owner. The blader tucked his beyblade away as the child leapt up and ran over. The man's long hair and beard tumbled over his white robes as he looked down at the small boy.

"Were you watching carefully, Dunamis? Did you see Jupiter?" The man asked, blue eyes regarding the child seriously. "Yes Father", Dunamis answered, nodding earnestly.

The father turned to sit down on the stone chair that was placed in front of the beydish. The child followed, settling on the floor in front of his father.

"Do you want to hear the story again? Of your ancestor and the god of destruction?" the father questioned. His son nodded, shivering slightly in the winter chill. Though it often became cold up on the mist-enshrouded mountain, the wind on this particular night seemed more cutting than usual. The man's heart twisted at the sight of his child, sitting alone on the hard stone ground, with a forlorn frown on his face as he rubbed his arms.

"Dunamis, come here", he patted his knee invitingly. The boy looked up, surprised. His father had always maintained a certain distance between them, never touching him unless necessary. Hesitantly, he stood before making his way over to the waiting man. Sitting down in his father's lap, Dunamis was instantly surrounded by warmth. He snuggled closer against the man's side, half afraid he would be pushed away.

Instead, his father smiled fondly, one hand lifting to stroke Dunamis's hair. His other arm wrapped loosely around his child, holding him in a secure embrace.

Dunamis closed his eyes, savouring both his father's closeness and the comforting fingers combing through his hair.

...you are...the one who will be devoured...

Eyes snapping open, Dunamis gasped, staring in bewilderment at his father. The faint whisper had been hoarse and malicious, echoing strangely in his head.

"What's wrong?" His father sounded concerned.

...the curse will devour you...chosen one of the heavens...the god of destruction will drown you and this world...in darkness...

Dunamis couldn't hear his father's shouts anymore, and he barely registered the hands shaking his shoulders. His trembling fingers gripped his head tightly as his glazed eyes stared, unseeing. The whispers continued, growing louder.

...you will help revive the Nemesis...descendent of the cursed...and you shall be destroyed in both body and soul...by the Curse of Hades!

"No! Stop it please!" The child screamed, jerking and thrashing in his father's hold. "Please! Leave me alone! Stop it n-"

He slumped forward, unconscious. The man hurriedly gathered the limp body in his arms, one hand supporting his son's lolling head. He ran inside the temple, entering main chamber. Torches burned brightly along the walls, illuminating the painted figures and beyblades carved into the stone. Runes and constellations were etched into the floor. Three dark doors stood forbiddingly, their smooth surfaces gleaming in the flickering firelight

The father rushed through the middle door and into a smaller room. There were two beds, one on either side of the chamber. The man laid his son on the closest bed, pulling the blankets over his shivering form.

"No...please! Father!" Dunamis cried out, tossing beneath his covers, caught in the throes of a nightmare. The man grasped the child's hand in one hand, the other wiping the tears from the boy's face. Worry evident in his expression, he laid his thumb over Dunamis's thin wrist. His pulse was thumping fast and hard.

"Shhhh. I'm here now, Dunamis. Sleep", he murmured, feeling his son calm and his heartbeat slow.

"Father...the curse..." Dunamis's voice was barely audible, but his words sent a bolt of fear up the man's spine.

It's too soon! The curse, is it already calling for him? That could only mean...
Gripping the necklace that was concealed beneath his robes, he turned away from the bed. He returned outside, needing to think.

My son...are you the one destined to receive a star fragment? Will you be able to fight the curse and destroy Nemesis?

His hand clenched tighter around the necklace's red jewel. The father tilted his head upwards, seeking reassurance from the all-knowing stars.

Soon...I will...

...~*~...~*~...~*~...

A/N: I was debating whether or not to post this story. Then I decided to go ahead and upload it, since I had spent the last few days working on this instead of Fading Moonlight. Also, my close friend, Cherri-chan, threatened to eat all the egg tarts without me unless I posted it. Hope you enjoyed! Reviews are very welcome!