"Do you want him?"
"No. I'm not interested in anyone."
"Then you can become the seal for the tree."
"What? Why? I can prevent the tragedy."
"But your soul is trembling to awaken. Your abilities are developing."
"But aside from that, I can't love anyone."
The girl stood in front of a lifeless tree. Ceresei could not speak as her eyes were void of expression. She stood still. No one else was around.
"I can save you from the distorted realities."
"Sei-san! Don't do it! I need you!"
"Huh? What the hell, Apollon?"
"Please don't leave! I need you!"
Ceresei's eyes lit up as she responds to Apollon's voice. With a new life given, Ceresei wakes up.
She found herself in her bed. Apollon was sleeping in a chair beside her. Ceresei blinks in confusion as she notices Fu was not present in the room. Ceresei felt warm and sweat. The nightmare was an odd one. It was as if she was being convinced to die. Melissa rubs his so-called "eye" and plops himself onto the pillow. Ceresei rested her head. "He's been here for a while. You were having a nightmare and Fu could not wake you up. So, she asked Apollon since he was the closest person." Melissa whispers. Ceresei slowly sits up and turns to Apollon. She carefully observes his face. The expression he had way peaceful. Ceresei reaches out to touch him but pulls her hand back.
"You don't want anyone."
The reminder silenced her. There is no one that she desired and Ceresei was content. "Sei-san, please be okay. I want to see you…" Apollon mumbles in his sleep. "Really...you stay by my side as I sleep and in the end, you save me," Ceresei spoke softly. Apollon opens his eyes slowly to see Ceresei looking at him. "Sei-san!" Instantly, Apollon hugs her. He hugs her tight. Ceresei became stiff. She was in shock.
"You wouldn't wake up. We were worried about you!" He said. Ceresei yawns as she rests her face against his chest. "You called out to me, didn't you? I heard your voice. I'm fine…" Ceresei spoke. Apollon releases her. "I don't want you to die. I...I…" Apollon stammers trying to convey his feelings. He was not sure if he loved her or if these feelings were just for convenience. Ceresei grumbles in irritation. She was dead tired and Apollon was now nervous. "Say it. Tell me what you are trying to say." Ceresei demands. Her face felt the soft silk of his pajamas.
Ceresei relaxed as she was now drifting back to sleep. Apollon takes a deep breath. He calms himself down. "I love you Sei-san," Apollon confesses, but Ceresei was back to sleep. Apollon places Ceresei on her back and pulls the covers over her body. He then quietly leaves the room. Ceresei did not hear him and it was probably better that way. Apollon headed to see his father. He did not want to see Ceresei suffer anymore.
Hours pass into the afternoon. Tsukito and Freya were sitting in the Student Council room. The quiet couple was working on assignments. Akira was with them. He had been reading a magazine he picked up from the library. Ane and Hades were focused on eating snacks. Ane had brought a strawberry cake with cheesecake frosting. The room was quiet as Apollon, Ceresei, Fu, and Loki were not present.
"So, where's the tempered princess?" Akira asks breaking the silence. "From Fu, I was told Ceresei struggled waking up from a nightmare. Apollon watched over her." Freya explains. Balder, became concerned and jealous that Apollon was alone with Ceresei, "Is she alright?" "Yes. She woke up. Apollon wouldn't say when, but Ceresei is fine. Today she should rest." Freya added. To think Ceresei would struggle with something like this was new. "The tree is trying to lure her. If it keeps up then Ceresei's fate is sealed. She is meant to die." Hades explains.
"This tree...how can we stop it?" Balder asks. Ane looks at him. "You guys graduate. All of you." Balder falls silent. Apollon's limiter was gone. Whose is next? "So we are supposed to host an event soon. How about a fall festival? Or a play?" Freya tried to cheer the atmosphere. "A festival sounds fun. We can have a play too. So, what kind of festival?" Akira agrees. "We can do a Halloween theme for a few booths and fall themes for the rest. It must be colorful and of course, a day-long event. The play should be Cinderella." Ane adds on to planning. "So, who will be participating in this play?" Hades asked.
Ane has a grin on her face. This grin was mischievous. It reminded everyone of Fu. Akira chuckles as he insisted on joining in the fun. To play the role of the student was interesting and now he could participate in the festivities. This became more lively. "Fall colors are warm colors. So we should have each club do a specific element." Tsukito suggests. The idea of each club doing something different seemed like a good idea. The last event went well. "Okay then. Let's get to planning." Ane said as she was handed a notebook, "We all should wear costumes too." Fu, Ceresei, and Apollon enter the room.
"Ceresei, I'm glad you're okay. Do you want to eat something?" Freya says. Ceresei nods weakly and she walks over to a couch. She sits down. Ceresei notices everyone worried about her. "Don't give me that. I just need to eat." She said. Apollon sits down next to her. "So, who shall host it?" Ane questions. "Fu." Ceresei answers. Fu almost chokes as she felt her throat become dry. She coughs and Balder pats her back. "Why me? What the hell?" Fu said. "You can catch people's attention. Besides, I have a feeling that we all will be wearing costumes so you're up. I will handle the Christmas one." Ceresei explains.
Fu grumbles and shrugs her shoulders. She couldn't protest. "The guys are usually coming up with ideas. Now it's our turn to show them how we handle festivities." Ceresei added. "Since it is our responsibility...okay then! Apollon, I'll need you to make an announcement to get the crowd going. Once that is done, then Akira, Thor, Tsukito, and Freya can coordinate the themes for each club. Dionysus, Takeru, Balder, and I will handle the refreshments. Apollon, Ane, Ceresei, and Hades will handle logistics. Loki can pull the "scary" effects." Fu said as she did not need to worry about the event.
Since the decision, a couple days have passed. Everyone was attending class and Ceresei was no longer ill. She had not received any nightmares either. Each girl had been busy with preparations and working on their classwork. Hades and Ane were in the library, they were silently watching Loki and Fu argue. Gladly no one else was around and the doors were shut.
"Why bother me with this farce?"
"It's not a farce and this is an order."
"Eh? Who died and made you the leader?"
"I was forced."
"By WHO?!"
"Your buddy's crush. Now shut up and listen…"
The tense silence fell in the huge room. Loki sat on a bookshelf. Fu stood in front of the specific bookcase. Hades and Ane sat a table. "It seems that we don't have a choice then. Fine, let's get going. Tell me what needs to be done," Loki gives in. He pushes himself off the bookshelf and lands on his feet. He stood in front of Fu. His eyes bore down on hers. "You better make this entertaining." Fu grins. She knew that this was going to be a challenge. Loki was only agreeing to this because he did not want to disappoint Balder.
Ane looks at them in curiosity. "You two are the type to kill each other…" She stated, her eyes narrowed. "What about you, Ane?" Fu says with a devious smirk. "What about me?" Ane repeated. "You and Hades are getting along nicely. What? You two a couple now?" Fu spoke. Hades narrows his eyes in irritation. Before Ane could answer, Hades takes a stand. His hands placed on the table. "I am getting used to you all despite being the God of the Underworld. I usually deal with the souls of the dead. It has been a long time since I've been near a live human. As for Ane, she's not in my way. She has put an effort not having any fear of me. I give her my respect." Hades explained himself.
"Thank you. Now start working you two." Ane said as she waves her hand. "Bah! Fine. Let's go fire boy." Fu said, knowing well Ane would supervise her. Fu immediately leaves and Loki follows her. With the two left in silence, Ane turns to Hades. "Thank you," Ane said. Hades looks at her. His visible eye wide and his cheeks slightly flushed. "I just spoke the truth." He answers. Ane shakes her head and smiles. She was surprised to hear Hades speaking up for her was something new. Usually, Hades was quiet and he did not speak, but only a few words. He often kept to himself.
"It's thoughtful. You are opening up and I'm content." Ane says. She takes a book from the table. Hades hesitates for a moment and grabs Ane's wrist. He could not comprehend what was on his mind, but he knew Ane was not afraid of him. To know that this human had no fear and she is willing to be near him despite his status made him at ease. Hades had a newfound respect for Ane. "What's wrong?" She asks. Hades lowers his eyes to her wrist, "You, are different from the others. I thank you for accepting me." Ane couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter caught the God of the Underworld off guard.
His cheeks heated up more. "As the incarnation, I'm supposed to be, it doesn't change how I see you. And you seem to be fine to me. I never saw you as anything less nor different. So don't be embarrassed." Ane explains. Hades stares at her in silence. Without a second thought, he presses his lips against hers. Ane's eyes blink in shock as she felt a strange warmth coming from him. Ane takes a step back as he released her wrist. She was not sure how to respond. Even if Hades had not been Ane's first kiss, but the sudden feelings were. Ane was used to being affectionate with her boyfriend whenever she was in a relationship, but a God kissing her was not anything to imagine.
The moment ended as Ane immediately exits the library. She felt her chest hurt as an unfamiliar feeling hit her again. Ane leans against the door, her back to the wood. Somehow the same tattoo marks appeared on her skin. The tattoos began to glow. Ane winces in pain as the tattoos glowed brightly. "Shit...this hurts," Ane mutters as her chest felt as if it was tightening. The pain only lasted for a few more minutes and Ane slowly walks down the hallway. She glances down at her chest. She could tell something was different. The girl was in trouble. Ane needed to figure out what was happening to her.
"She's the next one to awaken. She's calling her." Zeus said as he watches Ane from the huge orb floating in the air. He could see what has been happening to the students. He knew that someone would catch feelings. Now it was happening to the girls. However, Ceresei refused to let herself be caught in the situation. She was too focused on helping everyone graduate. SHe was conversing with a few students along with the help of Balder.
The group of students was busy with setting the menu and theme for one club. "My brother falling for a human. No, a reincarnation at that. He may be as foolish as my one son. These humans are meant to halt the tree's existence even at the cost of one's life. Ceresei is willing to accept it. Like her real self, Demeter." Zeus said with a laugh.
Ane's tattoos stopped glowing as she stood alone in the hallway. The gold glimmering markings faded away. She does her best to compose herself. The girl is now relaxed. Her face was still flustered. ANe had to keep herself distant and help Ceresei out. The thought was something. "Hey Ane, I need you to help try on this costume," Freya said as she held a few dresses in her arms. The girl ran around in some excitement, but it was more of getting the others to try on their costumes. The girl was accompanied by Akira and Tsukito. Before Freya could say another word, she sees a faint flush on Ane's face, "Is everything okay…?"
"Uh, um, I'm fine. What do you need?" Ane questions. Freya brushes off the curiosity and nods. "Akira has helped us make the costumes. We need you to try it on." Freya answers. "Sure. Let's get this started. I need to look cool in some way and nothing revealing." Ane assures the younger girl. Akira chuckles and clasps his hands on Ane's shoulders. "My my, you wearing a nice gold mermaid costume. The perfect seashell top and tail will work for your curves," He said. Ane gasps, "What? Why that?!" The look of disbelief displayed on Ane's face as Akira and Freya guided her to the club room. Tsukito stood in silence. He had sensed something different from her.
Ane was politely guided into the bathroom. She held the mermaid costume in her arms. Skira and Freya were busy discussing the various sets of costumes. The other students were choosing fabrics, sewing threads, and sewing the pieces together. The room was pretty busy with everyone working. "I knew you'll look innocent as a fairy, ice princess," Akira said as he points to the fairy wings that were lit in blue and yellow lights. Freya laughs nervously and waves her hands. The idea was amusing. A fairy, a witch, a mermaid, and a genie. Freya was the fairy, ANe was the mermaid, Fu was the witch, and Ceresei was a genie. Each girl was assigned a specific costume to the public's pleasure.
Ceresei did not know what she was getting into. Akira had his own plans for amusement. He wanted to dress the girls in costumes to see how impressive they look. He could guess Ceresei would be the most stubborn about her costume. She and Ane were stuck with the most revealing outfits. Ceresei would be the one to complain vocal-wise.