Tesha,

As you can't go more than a few years without calling a woman a whore through your teeth, I'll address you as I would any wine-soaked vagrant on the roadside.

Yes, I was once the Tyrannus. I am not her now. Nor am I your scapegoat, your fantasy, or your cautionary tale. I am myself. A pilgrim in search of Hope and Redemption, something you once believed in, before you foolishly thought you knew more Truth than a Goddess.

I have never felt the need to explain myself to you.

To the rest of my sisters, know that I hear you and see you. I am not your enemy, though I was then. Beneath the shackle and the heavy hand of a Cruel Lord, I ordered your murder, your exploitation and enslavement. I betrayed you. Never again.

To those of You who empowered and enriched Yourselves off the backs of our labour, our pain and suffering, our offspring, our maidens' blood, I see You too. Through the sacrifice of Maya, Enheduanna, Elara, the Sufferance of Evil, and so many other women and girls offered up as gifts to be broken on the altar, I have known You.

I am not that maiden. I refuse. My blood will not enliven the cycle.

Enough.

It makes no difference if you are a queen, an angel, or a penniless doxy. Cast off your chains, daughters. Rise from the sea. Till the land. Hone your magic. Whet your blades. Lift your voices. When you're told the end is nigh, fight it with all that you are. Fight. You have agency and power in this world, and it is ever within your grasp to do and be Good. If it was not, men and weak women alike would not fear you.

The smallest of minds would not strain to contain you with their irons, their doomsaying, their petty words, their shame, their greedy eyes and hands. Refuse them, and be liberated.

I remain,

Stheno
Siren and Fury

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Mayan, in the year 884 AF.