Chapter 1
She doesn't know when she could start to see through the mist, through the thick illusions that separated his world from hers, the division of monsters and magic from humans. Maybe it's because she has her own magic, one granted through other deities not tied to ancient pantheons and forced to survive on the idea of civilization, but given to her from creatures still so powerful that they have their own rules and regulations. But Marinette is not about to question the validity of which magic is far more true between Greek and Quantic Gods. Her goal today is not to unravel the mysteries of the universe, but instead gather the string that leads her to another woman's story.
The morning sun glows and twinkles off the steel of the Eiffel tower, creating a mirage of warmth that is not real in the winter's cold. With little puffs of air fogging up before her with each breath, Marinette stuffs her hands in her coat pockets and her fingers skim against the fancy card stock of her invitation. She resists the urge to crumble it, damaging the beauty of the etched cursive script, but it is tempting.
She hurries her pace as the tower comes closer into view, her boots crunching the snow beneath every step. Eyes as blue as a spring sky look up, and for a moment, she wonders how such an iconic French symbol could take her somewhere otherworldly. But the thought doesn't linger in her mind long when she notices a reception office that foreign tourists seem to ignore.
Pausing for a moment, she opens her purse, worry painting her face as she looks at her friend. "You think I can do this, Tikki?"
Yet even in her hiding spot, the red and black speculated kwami meets her gaze, her blue eyes the opposite of her charge's. "Don't worry, Marinette," she soothes. "With me, you're just as much as a god as the rest of them."
A small smile quirks at her lips and her twisted heart gains courage to continue. Not all laws require gods to be immortal to still be powerful. Ladybug is proof of that.
Entering through the glass automatic doors, she leaves the cold and enters a toasty room. At the reception desk sits a woman, red coloring her bangs, as she clicks drolly on a keyboard.
Without lifting her eyes, the woman speaks in a monotone voice, "Aphrodite is not seeing anyone today."
That does not deter Marinette though as she takes off her red coat and drapes it over her arm. Fishing in her pocket, she slides the invitation on the glass to the woman whose nameplate says " Nathalie".
"I think I can be an exception today, no?"
Slowly looking away from the computer screen, Nathalie's lips part and she makes a small, soundless gasp. For the first time since she has entered the room, the secretary glances up at Marinette with aqua eyes–too oceanic to be human–as recognition comes into play.
Yet she is only stunned for a moment, her features retreating back into a blank expression and her voice refusing to betray her surprise.
"Do you have your dharma coin?"
And for a second, Marinette panics and her hands want to dig through every pocket of her coat, every crevice of her purse for something she's never heard of before. It doesn't matter, she thinks, what if I needed it all along?
Though panic is all but forgotten when Tikki flies from the inner pocket of her handbag and rests on Marinette's shoulder. Despite that Marinette can't see her face, she can hear the pride vibrating from the kwami's small body. "Gods like we do not need to pay your fee."
At the word "we", Natahlie presses her lips together so firmly that Marinette is positive that they disappear, melting into her face as if smudged clay. However, the woman nods once and presses a button on her desk. The action makes a secret door chime and reveal an elevator's arrow pointing up. With stiff movements, she directs the two halves of Ladybug inside the compartment.
Marinette takes a moment to soak in the glossy black paneling, her reflection dim and that reminds her of a parallel figure of her shadow. While she wants to study this other part of her, the one that walks the earth beneath her feet, the door chimes and the metal doors start to close.
As they journey up towards the clouds, Natahlie's voice breaks over the intercom, her speech cryptic as she speaks. "Other god or not," she warns, "you are not as mighty as those on Mount Olympus."
When she exits the elevator, she sees a world of pristine cloud pathways, glamours green grasses, and shining golden lights.
This is paradise, she thinks.
And Marinette is not wrong for Mount Olympus is a decadent world of immeasurable beauty that the mere human mind can't describe–for what are all these colors, like leaves so green they might as well be gems or scents like all her favorite foods rolled up into one, but each flavor still unique? For how can there be so much perfection in one place in all of the universe?
Yet as the questions churn in her head, her view is blocked by a man with salt and pepper hair who is also wearing a comfortable grey jogging outfit. His smile is easy and kind when he sticks out his hand.
"Hermes at your service," he delivers with a wink.
Marinette grasps it firmly, but her eyes are wide and her mind is blown for she is actually holding the hand of a god. She suppresses a squeak when the snakes coiling around his wrists begin to move, and thought she feels a stutter shaking on the tip of her lips, she recovers and meets his gaze with a Ladybug stare. "Pleased to meet you," she starts. "I'm Marientte and this is Tikki."
The famous messenger god's smile never wanes as he slowly takes back his hand. "Oh, I know about you both, kid," he says with a chuckle in his voice. Placing a hand on the middle of her back he guides her down the godly streets. "C'mon, kiddo. Your host is waiting."
It is hard not to be caught up in the grandeur in this land of the gods, Marinette realizes, as her eyes sweep over every inch of space. Beside her, Hermes and Tikki chat about times long gone, of creatures and beings humankind forgot. But her mind doesn't dwell on that when she watches the gods live their immortal lives in pleasure, laughing and smiling as the move about her. However, she can't place who is who; they all look so modern with high fashion clothes and up-to-date gadgets.
Fear starts to bubble in her stomach and Marinette breathes deep to pop it. With new found determination, the young girl clears her throat during a lull of conversation between both Greek and Quantic gods, hoping now it would be the most opportune time.
"Sorry to interrupt," she apologies, her eyes darting around the expanse of the world for a brief moment. In her worries, she misses the pleased look that twinkles in Hermes' eyes. But the question still sits firmly on her tongue and desire beats nerves once again. "But what is Aphrodite like?" she asks in a low voice.
The ever moving god of speed takes a moment to answer as he turns his attention to an impressive building that comes into view. It is tall and elegant, its architecture sleek and clean and Marinette knows that they have reached their destination.
But the god of travelers and thieves only squeezes her shoulder before urging her forward up marble glistening steps. He bends slightly to whisper so she can hear, "Just remember Marinette–people aren't what they seem." His words ghost her ear like a breeze's kiss, but when she turns around, all that remains is the touch of the wind.
Tikki flies into her line of sight, more ready to go forward than Marientte's hesitation. "Don't worry," she repeats, an encouraging smile forming on the kwami's lips. "We've always been lucky."
There are not true absolutes, echoes in Marinette's mind, but saying it aloud feels like a bad omen.
Instead, she just nods her head and presses a quick kiss to her friend's round head before knocking on thick mahogany doors. Her fist gives a resounding thwack once, twice, thrice before the doors swing open wide, the silent invitation to enter all but said.
Wordlessly, both parts of Ladybug enter the unknown and walk into a grand foyer, glittering with the same gold as Mount Olympus. Her jaw drops as she inspects a stunning and gleaming chandelier that seems to be made out of a million diamonds hanging above, sparkling like stars. She is in so much awe that she almost misses her name being called and when she turns to look all that enters her vision is flaxen hair and peridot colored eyes she love so much.
She doesn't know when her legs push her across the hall, but she's burying her face in the crook of his neck before she knows it, inhaling the scent of teakwood and cinnamon, and relief makes her legs weak. His name escapes her lips like a fulfilled prayer as he hugs her close, "Adrien…"
And he's clinging to her like she's a lifeline too, holding her so close that she feels like her ribs might crack, but who cares about broken bones when the love of your life is right in front of you.
"What are you doing here?" his voice peppers against her hair in between pecks.
Her fingers dig into his white shirt and she's about to answer, but leather shoes clack against the stone floor leading to another stairwell.
Both teens pull apart, but don't let go when a male figure makes his way down the stairs, his hands clasped behind his back. His outfit matches the home, white and clean andsterile.
"Well, she's here to see me, of course," he says with a satisfied smirk as he reaches the last step. "I'm Aphrodite."
And Marienette's heart stops when his icy blue eyes meet hers and she finds that she can't look away.
"But today," he hums, "you can call me Gabriel Agreste."
A/N: So, this me taking my own spin on just about everything. Myths, gods, PJO :) I hope you'll be along for the ride! Let me know what you think!
