CHAPTER 11
The little mosquito diligently wove in and out of the male dorm rooms, looking for the exact type Mistress Gaia had asked for. Dawn was nearing, and the bug didn't have much time left to complete it's mission. The Earth Goddess wanted it to be done while the prospect was sleeping so not to alert Zeus. It had found a couple of candidates, but the insect wanted to make sure that the biggest and strongest was located before going into action.
In the second to last room, the perfect specimen was found. He was tall and burly, with a physique that would suit a weight lifter. The mosquito flew down to where the boy's head laid upon a pillow and landed near his neck. When the insect bit the human spirit, it transferred blood instead of taking blood out. Once it's commission was complete, the flying minion fell dead on the pillow and instantly disintegrated, leaving no trace it was ever there.
Back at Hera's personal domain, Gaia opened the prophecy box and smiled. Everything was going according to plan. The mosquito's bite now gave her control over the human spirit. For the time being, she would step back and allow things to go on normally so not to rouse Zeus' suspicions. The goddess needed absolute cunning to outwit the Supreme Ruler of the Gods.
But when she decided to spring her 'coup d'etat', not even Zeus was going to see it coming until it was too late.
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Kusanagi put on her robe and left her bedroom, eager to wake the Goddess of Wisdom, and tell her all she dreamt about. When she walked out into the main living area, she found the female deity already up and dressed.
Athena was smartly attired in a uniform exactly like Yui's, but with a knee-length, pleated navy skirt, which matched the color of her high heels. Her luxurious black hair was pulled into a French braid, and the remaining loose hair was draped over her right shoulder.
"Yui!" The goddess greeted her roommate with a beaming smile, and lifted up a steaming mug of coffee. "Morning greetings! Would you like to join me in a cup of java? I learned about this drink when I followed around the various troops during World War 1."
The Japanese teen's mouth fell opened in surprise. "You participated in recent wars too?"
Athena winked. "Of course! We've never disappeared. While it's true that the human race doesn't worship us as they used to, it doesn't stop us from fulfilling our godly duties." She lifted her cup. "Interested in joining me? This liquid can wake the dead if you make it strong enough!"
Giving a nervous chuckle, Yui shook her head. "Thank you, but I prefer green tea myself."
"Done!" The Warrior Goddess closed her eyes in concentration and seconds later a tray with condiments and a hot cup of tea was sitting on the kitchen table.
Surprised the goddess could do all that with just her mind, the girl reached out and grabbed her cup. "Thank you, Athena-san," she said as she sweetened her drink. Kusanagi lowered her gaze, inwardly struggling with what to do next. Should she finish getting ready for class and then discuss the dream, or tell the goddess now?
Noticing the girl's hesitation, Athena spoke first. "Is there something wrong, Yui?"
Before the teenager could speak, the boisterous voice of Melissa boomed out from his ceramic house. "Kutanagi! Kutanagi!" The rag doll lifted the lid and looked around for his human charge.
"Melissa-san!" Kusanagi smiled at her helper, relieved he was okay. She felt a pang of guilt that she had forgotten about him with all the upheaval going on. "How do you feel?"
Flexing his flimsy cloth arms, the doll bragged, "Ready to take on another year!"
"What in the world of chaos is that?!" Athena asked, picking up the doll by the fabric gathered at the top of his head.
Indignant at the treatment, Melissa said irritably, "I am your upperclassman, created by Zeus himself!"
The goddess dropped the mouthy doll and frowned. "I can't believe Father would fail this badly."
"Hey now!" Melissa was going to give this rude newcomer a stern talking to, but when he got a good look at her, his words were left behind as he stared at the vision of beauty in front of him.
"Melissa-san, this is our new professor, Athena Aegis," Yui explained. "She is staying with us for now."
"Uh huh," Melissa mumbled, still staring at the goddess as a bit of drool came spilling out the corner of his mouth. Kusanagi could almost envision red hearts floating around the doll.
"Maybe Father allowed him to stay this way to make you feel comfortable," Athena reasoned. She turned her attention back to the human girl. "Is there something troubling you? Was it about what we discussed last night?"
Nodding, Kusanagi took a quick sip of her green tea. "I had another dream from the past..."
"Don't all humans dream?" Melissa asked, coming out of his daze. "What were you talking about last night? I didn't hear any of it."
Placing her hands on her hips, Athena gave the nosey doll an annoyed look. "This is a discussion amongst women. All identifiable males must leave the room."
The cloth doll looked around himself. "I don't see any..."
"Why don't you get ready for class, while I have a talk with Mr. Upperclassman," the warrior goddess suggested. "We can discuss your dream after that."
"Uhm, okay," Kusanagi agreed, taking her cup of tea along with her to the bedroom.
When the teenager had left the small kitchen, Athena crossed her arms over her chest and stared hard at Melissa. "Listen up. A conversation between females is sacred, and shouldn't be trifled with. I do realize Father created you to help Yui, but I'm also going to guess you're his official snitch. If there is anything he needs to know, I will inform him myself."
"Huh? Zeus is your father?"
"That's right." Athena placed her index finger on the doll's forehead, and instantly Melissa went slack. She would awaken the cloth helper when they left the dorm. The look on Kusanagi's face bothered the goddess. Did this one involve Apollon too?
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As Thoth Caduceus walked down the long hallway towards Zeus' office, he pondered over what Anubis had told him last night about the beautiful lady who came and talked with him. The God of Wisdom had to admit he had never seen his fellow Egyptian react that way to another, whether it be god or goddess. The fact that this new teacher could speak in the ancient dialect of his homeland surprised him. Except for the ten year battle against the Titans, the various realms of the gods didn't interact with each other. Of course being the Supreme ruler of the Gods, Zeus knew them all, but his fellow Olympians never expressed any interest or desire to be around anyone not associated with their Parthenon.
Maybe his worry over this new 'teacher' was unfounded. Zeus wouldn't saddle him with a crazy, unreasonable female goddess. It would defeat the whole purpose of the school. As he pushed open the doors to the Greek god's office, Thoth prepared himself for the changes to come today.
"Thank you for meeting me so early," Zeus said from his throne at the top of the expansive staircase. "I will not keep you long."
Thoth nodded his head in acknowledgment. "This concerns your daughter?"
"Yes. She asked for her identity to be kept quiet until she reveals herself personally."
A dark brow rose in question. "Why is that so important? Wouldn't it be more prudent to alert the class before they meet her?"
The Supreme God shrugged his shoulders. "She wants to surprise her brothers. If they knew before hand, you might have a harder time keeping their attention. Apollon especially."
The Egyptian god harumphed. "Dionysus has never paid attention in class...when he's awake. Apollon is easily distracted, so I can understand that reasoning with him."
Zeus gave a long suffering sigh. "Apollon is interested in 'everything' so his attention span can easily move to something else. It's not done in disrespect, because he truly does want to learn." The god gave his left hand a flip. "Dionysus on the other hand, doesn't care. But I didn't ask him here for learning about humans."
"A support system for Apollon," Thoth recalled. " Hades as well, though I suspect that there was more to his being invited here than just being a 'god-sitter'."
The Greek god smirked. "I'm sure you've realized by now that there is more than one reason behind what I do."
Closing his eyes, the God of Knowledge allowed a tiny upturn in the corner of his mouth. "Indeed".
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Hera laid in the massive bed she and Zeus shared, her mind fuming. She was losing patience with the Earth Goddess' vague hints at a plan. Either she had one or she didn't! If Gaia wanted her help, then more information had to be forthcoming. And if the lack of explanation was maddening enough, the ancient goddess had the nerve to demand to stay in her private room!
What if she went nosing around? The Queen of the Heavens gave a derisive snort. What didn't Gaia know already? That stupid box showed her everything! Settling down further under the cloud-like blanket, Hera gritted her teeth.
It was all Apollon's fault! The imbecile had to chose to make that box, forcing her to counter his with a copy. Now all her darkest secrets were in the hands of a vengeful goddess who was under the sway of the dark aura.
Before closing her eyes, Hera swore that she wasn't going to quit until Zeus' precious 'golden boy' was utterly wiped out of existence!
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An irritated groan was followed with the opening of a green eye as Dionysus found himself momentarily blinded by a ray of sunshine shining directly into his face. "Dammit Apollon!" the red head growled, pulling his blanket over his head.
A hearty laugh broke through the room, announcing the presence of the Sun God. He pulled back the floor length curtains of the balcony door in a flourish. "We've been calling for you to wake up for over a half hour, so I have to take drastic steps so you don't miss class," the blond prodded as he then tore off his older brother's blanket in one movement.
A blast of ice cold water hit Dionysus squarely in the face. "Time to rise and shine!" Apollon announced happily, holding a squirt gun in his right hand.
"You're gonna be 'shining' out your ass when I get a hold of you!" The God of Fertility threatened as he leapt from his bed.
Hades had just settled down on the love seat with a steaming cup of hazelnut coffee when he heard a high pitched yelp, followed by the sound of running feet. Seconds later, the yellow and black clad form of his youngest nephew came into view. Apollon jumped upon the staircase banister and slid down it backwards, laughing like a madman.
"Apollon!" The God of the Underworld chastised. "What are you...?"
"See you at the cafeteria, Uncle Hades!" the Sun God called over his shoulder as he dashed to the front door. In his haste to escape, the blond left the door completely open behind him.
"Get back here, you sunny bastard!" Dionysus yelled out, racing down the stairs to catch up to his little brother.
Hades mouth fell open in shock, almost dropping his cup in the process. Seeing the red head running to the door, he called out, "No! Dionysus! Don't go after him!" His nephew paid no heed and flew out the opened door. The older god covered his face with his free hand, and shook his head in helplessness. Looks like his misfortune has struck again!
Flying down the main hallway of the dorm's first floor, Apollon ran with the speed a gazelle would be envious of. The Sun God smiled to himself. Well, he did have lots of experience racing with Artemis' white stag, and being a Light God, he was also faster than the speed of light. His human form couldn't reach those speeds, but he was still quicker than the average mortal.
Dionysus tried his hardest to keep up with his fleeing brother, but his human body failed him, forcing him to stop and gasp for air. As he stood in the hallway to catch his breath, his annoyance turned to amusement. The little brat got him good! Not too long ago he would've been jumping for joy, even if Apollon had dumped a whole bucket of ice water on him. If that would bring his little brother back to his happy-go-lucky self again, he'd welcome it with open and...wet arms.
"W-What the hell?!" a familiar voice bellowed angrily.
The Greek turned his head to find the two Totsuka brothers standing in the hallway. Takeru's eyes were nearly bugging out of his head in a mixture of horror and fury as his left eye twitched. Even the stoic Tsukito's eyebrows had shot up in surprise. A startled gasp, followed by a snicker, alerted Dionysus of the Norse gods' presence. Why were they all staring at him like that? He looked down at himself.
Well shit...
He ran his right hand smoothly through his spiked hair, a confident smirk on his mouth as his left hand gestured with an open palm towards his fully exposed crown jewels. "Jealous much?" he asked coyly. "Hate to make you all feel inferior, but I am the God of Fertility for a reason." With that said, he turned back in direction of his dorm room, and strolled by his startled classmates with an unfazed air.
Takeru fisted his hands and shook where he stood. "I-I'm scarred for the rest of eternity!" he exclaimed. "Don't those Greek brothers have any boundaries?!"
The older Totsuka brother only shrugged, and commented blandly, "Dionysus Thyrsos is correct in the fact that to be that well endowed would only benefit a god of fertility."
"That was an over share!" Loki said with a low whistle. He glanced beside him at his best friend. Balder's face was red as a tomato, while his sky blue eyes stared down at the marble floor.
"I could have lived blissfully unaware," Thor said dryly, with a roll of his eyes.
Apollon peeked down the hallway from behind a wall, expecting to see his brother hot in pursuit. Instead he only saw his other classmates standing around. Stealthily he hurried towards his friends, his green eyes scanning for any sign of trouble.
As he neared the group of gods, he whispered, "Have you seen Dee-Dee?"
"Seen him?" Takeru halfway snapped. "We saw more of him than we needed to!"
Apollon looked at the Sea God in confusion. "What do you mean, Take-Take?"
"We came across your brother standing in the hallway...nude," Tsukito answered.
The blond Greek began to giggle. "You all saw Dee-Dee nakey nakey?!" His amusement died quickly as his friends stared at him, not partaking in his view of the situation. He glanced between them in worry. "Oh no! He didn't say anything mean to you, did he?"
Rolling his long braid around his index finger, Loki offered, "He was bragging that he's bigger than any of us because he's the God of Fertility."
Waving his hands in a criss-crossing motion in front of him, Apollon gave a cheerful grin. "No worries! He's not the only one! Besides me, there are a couple of others at Mount Olympus who are just as impressive as he is!" The Sun God gestured for his friends to follow him. "I've worked up a good appetite from running, and my first period gym class hasn't even started yet. Let's all eat breakfast together before starting the school day!"
The other gods stood stupefied, their mouths falling open in unison as Apollon walked on to the cafeteria oblivious.
