The sunlight that pierced through the glass panes tickled my nose and irritated my pupils. I sat alone, on one of the many couches decorating the mansion. In a quiet rage I curse under my breath, feeling shunned by the King of Gods. I won't have fault in any of this. Not a single percentage. Our goal is to find Baldr and interrogate him as to why he's a suspect to our demise. Pain is temporary, and I will rise again in an instant. Ears perked in a hearbeat, I turned to the sound of footsteps. It was Apollon, a ray of shine always trailing along.
"Sorry, Anu-Anu. I'm sure Dad didn't mean to say that," He sat beside me and patted my head. I rose a brow in response. "You haven't done anything wrong! I mean if you did, Loki would've done something about it. He's been with you for a while now right?" I gave him a nod.
"Yes. A couple of days."
"Hmm, I hope Hera told us the truth. He's been repeating the same chants? I've never heard him say that before..." Apollon shrouded himself in mystery and confusion. His fathers condition was a prime matter in his mind.
"Apollon, I'd hate to say this, but for your own safety you should leave Zeus and Hera be. If you join us we may be able to find the cure to this," I needed the Sun to shine purely. His solemn expression was unnatural. For his happiness, I'd go to many heights. My mind trailing with ideas I've never thought of, I felt a weight lift off of me. Feeling my heart flutter a familiar sensation, I cursed to myself, having developed feelings for him on a whim. Will I finally be able to find what I'm searching for? Is Apollon the one for me? Light and Dark always created a balance. It would be nice to experience that. But mile long thoughts aside, Apollon stared at me in sudden disbelief.
"Anubis..." Having called by my real name changed the atmosphere of the room. "I don't think I can leave. I don't want to leave Dad with her. Maybe I can join you if we find someone else to take care of him? I'd feel way better off than having him around Hera. We need to find Dee-Dee! He's close by I think. I've called him a while ago." Another lead. Why didn't Apollon tell us before?
"I'll look for him, Apollon. Wait here and give him a call to head towards the train sta-"
"Anu-Anu! Um... I have to ask you something before you go," I gave him my attention, feeling the light around him grow brighter. He must be relieved after all the stress.
"Yes?"
"Loki-Loki... Texted me yesterday before going to bed. He sent me a picture. Of you..." His words contained gaps unimaginable. He became too flustered to even look into my eyes. I instantly wanted to question why Loki would send him a picture of me in the first place. But he isn't Loki, so I paid my respects and waited for him to finish. "Would you like to stay the night? I-I mean, nothing of THAT sort just umm... Ya know... Just being next to me... P-Please?" No matter how adorable it was, I wanted to know what kind of picture Loki had sent him. A picture of my sleeping face. That must have been it.
"Yes, Apollon," I answered promptly with a sweet tone. "I'll stay over."
"T-Thank you Anu-Anu! Now go get Dee-Dee!" A sparkling smile surfaced, and balance was regained. Almost instantly his wounds healed. Eyes glimmering a bright jade, and aura of freedom and bliss. This is exactly who Apollon is. I was too busy gawking at his beauty, I didn't realized he leaned in and kissed my cheek. Like a giddy schoolgirl he ran off in laughter and goofy snorts. What a dork, I thought. I stood from the sofa and commenced the search for Dionysus, exiting the mansion and making my way towards the old train station. Compared to before, the air around me felt way better and lighter. The late afternoon breeze made it all so surreal. This land, this area. It was a Gods Sanctuary. A world so compact yet beautiful. It's a pity I never came here sooner. Maybe then I would've worn my outfit and pranced along the wheat fields. I must have fancied being startled by nearby silhouettes, for I felt the presence of a being beside me. Turning to face the person, I froze in place, examining the man who towered over me. He was a stranger to me, aged and built. A smooth texture surfaced his eyes as wrinkles formed a jolly smile. In all honesty I was afraid, but pleased to see the man far from brittle.
"You must be Anubis Ma'at, if I'm not mistaken," the elder spoke aloud, a thundering voice roaring across the hollow wooden station. "Is Thoth with you by any chance?" My ears instantly perked upward, and I quickly replied.
"No, he's not. Is anything the matter?"
"I have to cooperate with him to produce a solution to this plague. I believe we have a traitor among us, and to my surprise... You, Anubis, are the prime suspect in the tongues of other Gods," he shook his head and released an agonized sigh. "I know you are not to blame! But I need Thoth to convince the other Gods to sway otherwise. I have a theory that may raise a civil war against Gods, but it is the only way to end this ridiculous crime."
Unamused by the constant accusations, I didn't need to react in any way or form. The Gods must have chosen out the quiet and isolated Gods as potential suspects. My name, being the most common? I really have to quit the lone act and socialize with the other deities. "I appreciate your information, but may I have your name?"
"Hermes, the divine messenger. Or at least, former messenger. My voice is muffled due to my decayed and ancient face. My arched back and withering knowledge. Thoth is the only one who can voice my hypothesis. Or... You can explain yourself to the other Gods!" he almost leaped in excitement, held back by a pain on his side. But his enthusiasm gave me a portion of the spirit needed to confront a mob of enraged mythological creatures. Behind him, a familiar God walked in a timely fashion. Dionysus had arrived to our location.
"Hermes! Take a look at you, Old Timer!" he exclaimed, greeting us with a wave of his hand. "Haven't seen you in ages. And aren't you Anubis? Ten years but don't think I forgot about my juice! You so owe me a crate." A bright and peaceful light emitted from his enthusiasm, almost as if he was unaffected by the depression. It was inspiring. Thrilling.
"Hello, Dionysus. Can you care for Zeus while Apollon, Loki, and I leave to find the others? He doesn't trust Hera around him at all. This was the only way to convince him to join me."
"No problem, I know too well about the damage she can deal. Consider it done and I'll keep her a distance away."
"For the fraction of the conversation, you'll be doing Apollon a great favor and I thank you on his behalf." I grinned and felt the weight of the moment lift away like a balloon released by the hands of a gentle child. Hermes was satisfied as well, grinning a wise and blissful crescent. He tagged along with us on our way back to the mansion, and upon arrival a situation had already brewed into a sour blend. Apollon and Hera stood parallel to each other, voices raised and threatening. Loki was not in sight, probably tending Zeus while the rivals argued and bit at each others heels. Fists clenched extremely tight, Apollon held his tongue in a desperate attempt to hold back from yelling out curses. It's the first time I've ever seen him so upset. So stirred in the moment, blood boiling out of the pot. Dionysus took action and intervened, guiding Apollon away from the living room. Hermes chose the other route, and walked towards Hera to greet her.
"Good Afternoon, Hera. It has been some time and you're even younger than I am."Hermes offered to hold her hand, but she paid no mind to his own.
"Hello... It was only a small argument and you both do not need to ask. Family affairs are to be kept to one another, and I have excluded you, Hermes. Now I have a meeting to attend. I heard Dionysus will take care of my husband. If that's so, let it be. Let him watch as my man crumbles and dies under the hands of premature insects. Mark my words, he will regret every passing day from now and on." She quickly turned and escaped through the main entrance, a stench of hate and murderous intent trailed behind. I was only a spectator of the commotion, and I didn't need a part for this. Hermes and I exchanged glances and shrugged our shoulders. It was over for now, so might as well consider it a nonexistent event. We followed one another into the depths of the mansion corridors and met up with Dionysus.
"I have to look after Zeus now, will you join me Hermes?" Hermes nodded in reply and left my side. "Anubis, can you check on Apollon for me, he didn't want to talk about it, hopefully he can vent with you." With that he left with Hermes and disappeared around the corner. The last door to the right of the hallway was slightly opened, in which I assumed Apollon was inside. Light steps voided by the creaking of the wooden tile, I slid inside and saw Apollon standing tall staring out the window. He turned midway to identify me, and completed his rotation.
"Anu-Anu..."
"I'm here. Is anything the matter, Apollon?" I closed the gap between us and rested my hands against his shoulders. He shook miserably, still afflicted by rage. He accepted my aiding gesture and sighed deeply, releasing the tension he held till now.
"It was... Nothing. Everything's okay now, and we can finally search for Uncle Hades and the others. Dad's gonna be fine with Dionysus, and I heard Hermes is here too? He's a fun person to be around."
"Yes, he is. I've learned a few things from him. He wants to look for Thoth to share an idea with him. Apparently Zeus isn't the only one holding me against these happenings. He claims its-"
"Anu-Anu, can we talk about this tomorrow? I understand it's important, but I feel like I'm done with the crazy plague stories for today... I want to lead my mind away from that. And. Umm. I have a request," Curiosity wasn't the only thing nagging at my feet. An intense sense of excitement enveloped me, pursing my lips and cocking my head to the side. Either I knew exactly where this was heading toward, or I was preparing for a great surprise. "Can you help me relax? Can you release this tension inside of me?" Apollon almost whispered the last few words. His face was flushed red in embarrassment.
It's not true love, but did true love ever had a universal definition? Shifting my weight on his back and nibbling his neck was the beginning of knowing Apollon through the inside. He grabbed on to the many strands of my hair, pulling me into an oral kiss, deepening it with every tug. The sub had dimmed into a more secretive being, hiding behind the large star. The shadow I had to brighten through an act of opposites.
A/N: Hey there, and here we are at a good start? Be sure to review on what you think. Next part will decide whether Apollon and Anubis take it further~ Let's find out.
