The Tides Above - The Eirai Myth Behind Meteor Showers

In the days of oblivion, the Tides Above over the realm of mortals were rich and plentiful. It was a vast ocean - not of water, but of aetherium - the cosmic lifeblood from which all existence began. And within the depths of this ethereal sea swam great schools of fish - shoals that would undertake grand journeys across the tides that would last centuries. And such majestic creatures glimmered like the starlight as they caught the gemstones that drifted in the swell, and carried them to the western and eastern shores - their crossing a testament to the vast infinity of the Tides Above, and a spectacle to behold.

The rulers over these schools were Pisces, the great mother and father of all fish. Their size was as immense as the oceans of the Mortal Realm, their wisdom as profound as the abyssal depths. From a throne of coral, they watched over their children, guiding them in their journey.

But one fateful day, the two mates noticed a disturbance in the Tides Above. Their offspring were vanishing from the aetherium, fading away like whispers in the current, only to appear on the Mortal Realm. Upon that world, they were diminished, a mere shadow of their former, radiant selves.

Pisces turned to the other denizens of the tides for answers, embarking on a daring quest to find and confront the unknown force that threatened their children.

Their gaze first fell upon Aries, as he drank from the aetherium. Though Pisces rarely crossed paths with the enigmatic Aries, the ram, as kind as he was, professed his ignorance on the matter. Pisces was pushed further into the aetherium for answers.

Nearby, Taurus loomed - a rival of Aries but a trusted ally of Pisces. Despite his differences with the ram, the two were often found together sharing from the same source. Turning to the stalwart and dependable Taurus for insight, Pisces hoped to unravel the mysteries shrouding their offspring's disappearances. Once again, Taurus expressed his lack of knowledge regarding the events unfolding within the Tides Above.

Focusing their attention upon Gemini, Pisces identified the twins as their primary suspect. The deep-seated vendetta between them made it certainly plausible that Gemini would have enough reasons to wish harm upon Pisces and their offspring. Despite their vehement protests against their culpability, the twins' energized demeanour betrayed an air of malevolence. They surely relished in the pain it caused Pisces, and they departed with doubt lingering heavily upon them.

Their mood lifted when they encountered Cancer, mighty king of crustaceans, in his peculiar habit of breaking apart the gemstones in the aetherium with his formidable pincers. It held great significance for the routines of Pisces' offspring, as they would collect the fragments left over as they drifted on the tides. Although Cancer couldn't claim to recognise the culprit, he too had noticed the dwindling population in the aetherium. As a gesture of solidarity, Cancer offered to assist Pisces in their quest for answers.

The three stumbled upon Leo as he frolicked in the dancing currents. He would often ponder Pisces' offspring as they weaved through the tides, captivated by their movements and colours. But even Leo, in all his majesty and wisdom, could not understand the puzzle behind their diminishing numbers.

Virgo, known for her cautious nature and practicality, was not especially close with Pisces. Cancer on the other hand shared a more amicable bond with her, so she was happy to indulge him when asked. She politely assured them of her lack of knowledge on the matter.

Libra also had a complex relationship with Pisces and Cancer. While they tolerated Pisces, they harboured strong loathing towards Cancer. As the inspector of the Tides Above, Libra's role was to weigh the aetherium regularly, to be sure nothing disturbed its balance. Concern grew when they lifted their scales to find fewer fish among their catch. Despite their diligence, they remained uncertain of the cause of the disappearances, their own unease deepening as the trio departed.

They carried on ahead to meet with Scorpio, the queen of the arachnids. She was shocked to hear Pisces' plight, eager to join Pisces and Cancer in their search, hoping to find justice for her good friends. Despite their dedication and tireless efforts, the mysterious disappearances continued to elude them, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Pisces' resolve.

Turning to Sagittarius for counsel, they were met with a whirlwind of theories and conjectures. Disheartened when his predictions implicating Taurus and Virgo were confirmed false, Sagittarius retreated to contemplate in solitude, leaving the four to grapple with the looming mystery only further shrouded by speculation.

Capricorn, ever the observant and analytical one, meticulously monitored the movements of the fish along the shores, detecting a disturbing pattern of imbalance. His astute observations raised alarms within the group, signalling a deeper complexity to the enigma. He claimed that Pisces' offspring would pass him by on their way west, though fewer would return and cross to the east. With all other possibilities exhausted, attention turned to the remaining inhabitant of the mystical Tides Above, raising tension and intrigue among the group.

They confronted Aquarius. With a solemn nod, she admitted to imprisoning Pisces' offspring in her ancient jug, sapping them of their celestial powers, before casting them down to the Mortal Realm. Pisces, quivering in disbelief, pleaded for an explanation as to why Aquarius would commit such a heinous act. Aquarius revealed her motivations with a cold detachment. She disclosed that a great calamity had befallen the Mortal Realm, plunging it into famine and despair. Moved by the plight of the starving denizens, she saw the abundance of the Tides Above and made a chilling decision – to offer Pisces' offspring as a source of sustenance for the desperate inhabitants below.

As they gazed upon Aquarius, they felt a heavy burden of both sorrow and understanding settle in their hearts. Quietly, with a sense of resignation, Pisces chose to return home, seeking solace in the depths of their own domain.

While mourning their loss, Pisces was met by Taurus, Cancer, Aries, Capricorn, Leo and Scorpio. In a solemn announcement, they revealed that Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini, and Virgo had collaborated with them to devise a solution to the dilemma at hand. The sturdy bull, the protective crab, the bold ram, and the determined goat pledged to offer their future generations as a sacrifice to serve the Mortal Realm, providing sustenance for its inhabitants.

Furthermore, Leo and Scorpio joined in the pledge, promising that their progeny would also play a role in maintaining balance within the Mortal Realm by aiding in population control. This collective effort aimed to prevent overfishing of Pisces' now mortal offspring, ensuring that no more sacrifices of their siblings would be required from the Tides Above. The unity they displayed shone as a beacon of hope, easing Pisces' distress, and embodying the enduring camaraderie and shared responsibility among the celestial beings.

Pisces was glad to have such kind friends who would give so much for them. And so it was that Aquarius, in a display of magnanimity rarely shown, agreed to spare the remaining offspring of Pisces, allowing them to roam the expanse of the aetherium unhindered. The few shoals she left behind can occasionally be seen crossing the Tides Above. They may not appear in the great concentrations they once knew, and it has become a rare thing to witness, but still they remain even in their scarcity, their infrequency only enhancing their beauty.

And as gestures of profound gratitude to the other zodiacs, the children of Pisces will occasionally release their catch upon the Mortal Realm - bestowing gifts to honour the sacrifices made by their kin.