The Seven Ainkelou

The seven daughters of death, and escorts to The Spirit Island.

Summary

Urenath, god of death, became infatuated with the great granddaughter of Poseidon, Antiopa. He appeared to her in her dreams, displaying his immortal physique. The prey of seduction, Antiopa became enthralled with Urenath, and his visits into her subconscious became increasingly frequent. These evening stays evolved from her dreams, to reality. While the god could not perform intimate actions, he could perform magic. He blessed her with child, and then dissipated. He reappeared as she gave birth to septuplets. The physical strain of this action killed her, and when Urenath collected her soul, he made her the goddess of dreams. Melanippe, Antiopa's sister, was the midwife of the birth, and Urenath tasked her with raising the seven girls, also making her the goddess of mourning in preparation for Antiopa's funeral. The seven girls were named by the three deities. Urenath named three: Tyro, Alope, and Amynone. Antiopa named three: Aba, Cleito, and Arethusa. Melanippe named the final daughter Beroe. Each of them were born with mystical abilities, including enhanced speed, strength, and agility, as well as an aptitude for magic. Melanippe raised the girls to become seven of the most capable warriors in Atlantis. Sent on missions by King Mitanan, they were spies, soldiers, and assassins. An enchanter known as Petikan was producing terror across the kingdom, and in response, Mitanan assigned the seven, known as the Ainkelou, to kill him. When they arrived at his fortress, they discovered that Petikan's forces were towering warriors made of stone. Although they fought to their last breaths, the overwhelming mass of enemies brought about their mortal end. When Urenath arrived to collect his daughters, he transformed them into goddesses of death, each specializing in a different cause of death. Reborn as immortals, the Ainkelou swiftly defeated the stone giants, and after entering the fortress of their enemy, Tyro, the newly christened goddess of murder, killed Petikan. After ending their final mission, they ascended to the Spirit Island, and became guides to the afterlife for the departed.

Historical Basis

The Ainkelou, Antiopa, and Melanippe were all members of the Atlantian royal family. The Ainkelou did work as the king's royal guard while alive, and were known military assets. After their deaths at the hands of Petikan, Petikan was found dead and alone. Many have reported to have seeing women when they were near-death. Some soldiers claim to having seen a woman taking something from the bodies of the dead after large battles. It is well conceded that the Ainkelou ascended to goddess-hood after death.

Spread

Many Atlantians are aware of the existence of the Ainkelou and will pray to them to be spared by death.

Variations & Mutation

Many children's authors incorporate the Ainkelou into their stories about Urenath, with some writing that Antiopa was a goddess at the time of her birth of the children, therefore not dying, in order to write Melanippe out of the myth, as to simplify it.

Cultural Reception

The Ainkelou are often used to scare children by Atlantian parents, saying that disobedient children are taken early by the Ainkelou. The Ainkelou only exist in the myths of the Pepon, due to the other races assuming that they are merely an attempt by the Pepons to inflate their own spiritual importance.

In Literature

The Ainkelou are commonly featured in books and plays. Usually, they are presented when a character is near death, and defying them is portrayed as an act of strength of will.

In Art

Many works of art feature the Ainkelou in a similar capacity to works of literature. One sculpture displays Tyro fighting one of Petikan's giants, titled, "Death's Downfall."

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