Deviant: No Longer Human

The Greek tales overflow with such similar stories.

Aurora\'s eyes shimmered like the sky, deep ocean hues interwoven with the dancing northern lights, lending them a mesmerizing, oceanic green.

"It\'s special because it questions the tales we accept without hesitation. Why would a woman, condemned for her alleged vanity, be immortalized with such beauty in the heavens?"

"It challenges the very foundation of how we remember and honor those from our past?" Aurora\'s voice trailed off, her lips subtly curving into an mysterious arc.

Wang Xiao pondered for a moment before replying, "To deter people from emulating her? To make an example of her?"

Shaking her head, Aurora\'s response was a gentle rebuke to his conjecture. "History, as you know, has been rewritten many times, glorified and utilized as per the convenience of your kind. They have altered everything, and the truth got lost in its meaning."

Wang Xiao remained silent, his skepticism momentarily silenced by the conviction in Aurora\'s voice.

How could she speak with such certainty, as if she had borne witness to the events she described?

Aurora\'s voice took on a bittersweet tone, tinged with melancholic satisfaction.

"... Cassiopeia was undeniably beautiful, yet she was far from boastful. She became a victim of her own kindness. Just as evil snuffs out lives, so does kindness. She became entangled in a malicious scheme, whispers of which reached even the depths of the sea."

"When the monstrous Cetus emerged, wreaking havoc without explanation, it seized the opportunity amidst the chaos."

"Cassiopeia was captured, while her daughter Andromeda fled with Perseus, who was, in fact, Cassiopeia\'s lover. He was not a hero but a coward. After their escape, Cassiopeia was subjected to endless torment, raped and discarded in captivity, forsaken even by the sea itself."

"The tale of her sacrificing her daughter was a fabrication, concocted to tarnish her further. When questioned about her daughter, she remained silent, leading the king to believe she had offered her child to the monster in exchange for her own safety."

"The past underwent countless distortions, losing its true essence."

"On the eve of September 23rd, according to the Attic calendar, she succumbed to suicide. Years later, as the truth came to light, the constellation was christened in her honor, alongside her daughter\'s, to pay homage to their lineage."

"Andromeda\'s name lives on in the distant reaches of the galaxy, an evidence to the enduring legacy of their bloodline."

"..."

In the stillness of the moment, Wang Xiao couldn\'t help but wonder if they were competing into some unspoken contest of weaving tales.

"Do you not believe me?" Aurora\'s question broke the silence, her intuition seemingly attuned to Wang Xiao\'s skepticism.

"Only an idiot would take that at face value," Wang Xiao retorted bluntly, his patience for what he perceived as fanciful stories wearing thin.

Aurora, undeterred, posed a seemingly unrelated question. "What is the twenty-third letter in the alphabet?"

"It\'s \'W,\'" he responded, his expression hardening before a flicker of realization crossed his face.

!!

The coincidence of Cassiopeia\'s supposed date of death and the shape of the constellation began to dawn on him.

Aurora elaborated, "In Greek, it\'s \'Ψ,\' which, if you observe closely, bears a resemblance to \'W.\' Look at the pattern the stars form."

Whoosh!

As if on cue, the grass beneath them swirled and stretched, miraculously forming a small \'Ψ\' that mirrored the celestial arrangement above.

Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback, the undeniable similarity between the grassy symbol and the constellation overhead compelling him to reconsider his stance.

Aurora, barely concealing her amusement, teased, "So, you believe it now, does that make your an idiot?"

"I might tear your mouth apart if you insult me again," Wang Xiao shot back, half-joking, half-serious by her glibness.

Yin Yue interjected with a gentle reminder, [Wang Xiao... I thought we were approaching this with caution.]

Aurora, unfazed by the threat and seemingly amused by the exchange, countered with a slice of pragmatism. "If you tear my mouth apart, I\'ll be rendered dumb. Then you\'ll be left in the dark, never knowing the full extent of the truth."

Wang Xiao couldn\'t help but raise an eyebrow at Aurora\'s suggestion, "Then let\'s proceed after you\'ve shared everything with me," he stated.

"That could take a while," Aurora warned, her voice echoing slightly in the tranquil night air.

"I\'m not short on time," Wang Xiao retorted confidently, his gaze steady on Aurora\'s moonlit face.

"Oh, really?" Aurora\'s expression lit up with a hint of smile under the glow of the moon. "I was under the impression you mortals had only a few decades at best."

"I\'ll figure something out. Longevity doesn\'t seem out of reach," Wang Xiao responded, his voice carrying determination.

Aurora\'s smile turned wry, as if she held a secret too amusing to share outright. "Your luck might have already done the heavy lifting for you, accidentally," she revealed, her eyes gleaming with undisclosed knowledge.

Wang Xiao\'s interest was piqued. "What do you mean?" he pressed, eager for clarification on her cryptic hint.

Shaking her head, Aurora murmured, "It\'s nothing. Just wait, and you\'ll find out soon enough. Though, I\'m curious about what you did to earn Mimi\'s trust. Her legacy is powerful enough to incite a global conflict."

Wang Xiao, now thoroughly confused, sought clarification. "Who is Mimi? You\'ve mentioned her twice now."

"Cut your finger and see for yourself," Aurora suggested, a challenge underlying her seemingly casual advice.

Wang Xiao stared at her, disbelief mingling with a dawning sense of curiosity. "Cut my finger?" he echoed, unsure whether Aurora was jesting.

Aurora nodded, unfazed by his hesitation. "You won\'t take my word for it, so why not conduct a little experiment? Try cutting off a finger—or, if you\'re feeling bold, a leg."