Cruelty
Chapter 8: Rejection
'Oh gods, he hates me.' I blinked at the night-sky themed ceiling of my temple as I try to gather my thoughts and at the same time, pluck a few stray notes from my lyre. I tried to see him earlier, I tried… but he loathes me, despises me even. He dislikes the idea of his own parents. Imagine? The ungrateful brat!
But he has all the reasons to; I am not to deny my irresponsibility and carelessness. And he is in fact right! I couldn't agree more with the brat. I never wanted him. I never wanted a child with her… but what's done is done.
Apollo announced his arrival when his fiery chariot landed the grassy floor of the camp, creating patches of dried grass and leaves which annoyed the Demeter kids to no end. The god only ignored them and made his way to the Hermes cabin with a grin plastered on his face.
There's already a crowd of nosy demigods outside and in the middle was his half-brother, the god of the thieves, messengers, business and communication, Hermes. The younger god, being the traveler, was able to reach the destination faster than him even if he left him with his mouth hanging open a while ago. Apollo just rolled his eyes and advanced to them. He heard murmurs of comfort from the younger god and a few giggles from a child as he neared them, he saw that HIS child was being hugged and assured by his brother. And that irked him to no end. What kind of charm does Hermes have to make, even the most impassive kid to smile and lighten up around him?
The demigods parted and made way for the god of sun, he arrogantly strode his way to them. Hermes, sensing the presence of his brother, turned to him and nodded in acknowledgement. He stood up from his kneeling position to be in level of the child and gave the child a small push towards his father. He knows that the little one harbors animosity and bitterness towards his parents. Well who wouldn't after he's been through? The child unwillingly walked forward to his awaiting father, and soon enough, he was enveloped into a very warm hug. The warmth provided calming and soothing effect that almost made him want to hug him back and forget all the misfortune that have befell on him because of his parents. The hug gave reassurance of what he once desired the most when he was merely five years of age, the care and protection only a parent can give … but no! 'No, it's nothing but a show! It's nothing! Nothing, nothing, nothing' the raspy voice echoed inside his head. 'At this point, hurt him! Hurt him as he did to you. Push him away. Show him the hatred that build up inside you throughout the years.'
An empty promise…
A hollow reassurance…
It's nothing but a disappointment…
The voice repeated like a mantra inside his head, urging and providing him strength and motivation to do as what it say.
'Do you want to expect for nothing again? Do you want to believe him? Push him away!'
Apollo stumbled a bit when the child in his arms pushed him away and cried. He blindly ran to Hermes who welcomed him in an embrace, the younger god tried to hush the child and whisper words of reassurance as he glance back at his brother who looked at them longingly and desperately. The god of thieves offered an apologetic look to the god of sun who returned a sad and knowing smile. AsApollo turned away to give his son some time, the child's next words uttered to his brother shattered his reverie.
"Can you make me your own?" his voice was barely audible and frightened. Hermes stared at the child in horror, then he turned to Apollo who was also frozen in his spot.
The Hermes councilor, sensing the growing tension inside the room, herded his siblings outside and tried to distract them with his awaiting pranks. The little ones are easier to trick however, the much older ones reluctantly went away as they seemed more intrigued, but Twain shot them a hard look that he reserve when he needs to be serious. Tristan was also reluctant to leave, but before he walked away, he spared his friend another sad glance.
When the demigods went away, Hermes tried to pry the child's grip from him and settle him to sit on the nearby bed. Erebos' face was blotched red and tears continued to stream down his face.
"Hush child, don't cry." Hermes started as he wiped the tears away. He also motioned his hesitant brother to draw closer. "Listen, I know you're a good child and I would love it if you're one of my own but-" he turned to his brother and smiled. "You have your own daddy. And he loves you so much."
"No!" the child's scream startled both adults. "He hates me! He doesn't even want me!" another wave of sobs was heard from the boy as he struggled for his breath. "They may have hid it well from me but I know, and I can sense it perfectly. They don't like me. No one likes me! My Parents…
…My parents never wanted me. So why bother knowing them? Why go with the trouble of finding me!"
Apollo was stricken with grief and guilt. He never expected to have something stir inside him and snap! For the longest time, his chest felt heavy and his eyes became glassy with unshed tears. He's not supposed to feel this way. He's supposed to act like he's just one of their toys, he's not supposed to be attached. But when he looked at him, when he heard him, something became warm and fuzzy inside him. And he felt hurt when he was pushed away. Was he supposed to feel this way? Do parents feel this way when their children dislikes them? He doesn't know. No son or daughter of him felt animosity and loathing towards him… not in a long time. 'I thought I became immune to this? Am I not supposed to harden up since the last time? Am I not supposed to learn from the last one?' he asked his self as his memory trailed back many years ago. Years ago since the last time he heard the words 'I hate you.' from the mouth of an innocent child. "H-h-how did you know? Tell me! Who implanted thoughts of doubts in your head?" he violently shook the child as he too, tried to choke back the sobs of desperation. Hermes took the frightened child from him and calmly quarried. "Who told you those things Erebos? Who gave you wrong thoughts about you parents?" the child only shook his head and refused to speak, tears consistently streamed down his face. He looked tired and older than his years. The gods tried to pry answers from him, but he won't give in willingly. Finally, all of them grew weary with it and Apollo was forced to use his godly ways to pull some answers from the child. He is, after all, the god of honesty, prophecy and truth, and nothing goes unseen by him.
"He speaks to me in sleep." The child answered between sobs. "He whispers words of uncertainty and implants seeds of doubts in myhopes. He says my parents never wanted a child like me. He says they hate me. Sometimes he speaks in my consciousness too! He's winning my mind. I'm losing the battle of sanity! Help me please! I want him to stop! I don't want to believe anymore. Please make him stop. Please!" Erebos anxiously pleaded, the brothers shared the same grim and knowing look. The child has been controlled. And he's back, terrorizing the minds of children once again; poisoning them with thoughts of doubts for them to work for him.
Erebos was too tired to argue so when Apollo came and cradled him in his arms, he protested no more. Soon he was lulled by his enchanting voice and fell into slumber. The sun-god tucked his son and motioned Hermes to follow him.
Once they were outside, they found Tristan waiting patiently at the steps of the cabin. The child glanced at them and asked for his friend. "Please stay with him son. He needs company specially now." Hermes softly told his son and the child agreed then he sped off inside; too happy to even bid a proper farewell. "So what are you going to do now?" the god of travelers faced his brother who is trying to ease his headache by calmly massaging his temples.
"I don't know Hermes. I know it's partly-" the other god raised an eyebrow at him. "Fine! It's all my fault. And to be honest, the child is right. I never wanted him or any child with 'her' in any matter. I don't want anything to do with the child than present him to father and be done with this." The god began to pace back and forth and his brother has no other choice than to watch his brother's restless figure. "As a matter of fact, I hate the child. He's caused a huge rift between me and my sister! It's his fault why she became hostile towards me. I used to be close to her, I used to talk to her. But now, she barely looks at me. She won't even look at me Hermes. I ruined her!" at this point, the edgy god came to a halt and calmed a bit and all anxiousness melted away, leaving a troubled but calm display from the god. "But earlier, when I saw him. When he rejected me, I felt something I have been feeling since nine years. Guilt, Hermes. I feel guilty and hurt. My child pushed me away!
"I know I deserve it, but in the process I feel bad. Hermes I feel ashamed. How was I able to abandon him all these years? How can I hate him now? He's only a victim as much as we are.
"I know he's being controlled but I am also aware that within him lies a real feeling of animosity and hatred towards me… us. And I don't know how to fix that. I'm pathetic!" Hermes just offered a somewhat comforting hug to his apprehensive brother and led him back to his chariot.
"I'm sure we can figure something out soon. But right now, we need to rest. A lot has happened today. Let's sort this out tomorrow alright?" the older god just nodded. "Now, let's go home and recollect our sanity."
So now, he's there thinking all over again … trying to find a way to somehow, free his child from the one who holds his mind. Because if not, they will be able to gain control over him. Because if not, the whole purpose and sacrifice will be useless. Because if not, all will be for nothing … and he won't let anyone use his child. If they can't have him, then no one will.
As usual, I still own nothing ... All credits goes to our beloved author who made 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' possible, and to the Greeks who brilliantly made greek mythology. Characters, settings, etc.
Okay! This chapter hasn't been beta-read so sorry for the errors ... I though I won't be able to update and I apologize if this chapter is a bit rubbish. Lately I'm unable to write properly and I though that a sem-break will allow me to update more often. Unfortunately as soon as the classes were over, I needed to fix and organize something for my friend and with school demands in collecting the cards and enrollment for the second semester. By the way I survived first sem with acceptable grades! Ha! I didn't expect that this past weeks will give me a hectic schedule. Okay you didn't need to know that but I felt the need to explain ... So here we are!
Once again thanks for all the reviews, alerts and favorites ... I won't be able to answer your reviews now because it's getting late here, but I promise next chapter I will. So if you have questions, just leave them here.
So that's all, I hope you'll continue reading my story. Stay tuned for more revelations. Please review. Ideas, thoughts, criticism, suggestions, questions and reviews are gladly welcomed. You can pretty much say anything anyway so please express your thoughts :)
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