The Myth of the Ladies of Demise

Summary

The myth is centered around special looking women. People who reportedly see these women are later struck by some sort of disaster. Forest fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, plague, among others. These women are often depicted having some strangely colored hair (blue, red, green, etc.) as well as some traditional Arian/Inarian clothes, or so it would seem based on the Kimono-esque clothing they wear. At times they are said to carry weapons, but have never been seen using them. A lot of people report seeing horns on their heads. Shortly after being spotted, they usually vanish in some form, usually after looking at whoever spotted them. The tales of people who have sighted them depict their eyes as terrifying, almost paralyzing.

Historical Basis

While there has been no official recordings or proofs that they exist, the sightings have matched really well with past disasters, to the point where villages and towns can be evacuated or prepared before the disaster. Naturally, some people have lied about it, or pranked townsfolk by dressing up as one of these women, but whenever it's a serious claim, calamity always has followed.

Spread

Reports of this myth has been spread throughout the entirety of Aerith, and it has turned into a sort of bed time story for misbehaving kids. "You better go to sleep, or one of the Ladies of Demise will come get you." This further has added to its credibility as fact over myth, but skeptics still decide to not believe in it.

Variations & Mutation

The original myths only depicted pretty women followed by some sort of natural disaster, but as time went on, more and more details have been added. Some say they can take the form of animals, or have power over the elements. Later on horns, and sometimes even wings were added to this myth. Nobody knows for sure what the original story was anymore.

Cultural Reception

Most cultures have learned to heed the warnings imposed by these ladies. Usually that comes in the shape of evacuating, in the case of Arians, Inarians and Zaragozans. Sivans almost always just power through whatever the warning brought, only preparing with the time they are given. Torrans usually try and outsmart it, as perceptive as they are, most of the time they can tell which of the ladies it was, and prepare for the coming disaster accordingly. But one thing is agreed on. Nobody, not even Sivans, have the courage to confront them directly. And thus the scary story is used everywhere.

Telling / Prose

A Fisherman's Encounter with Demise