We walked through the forest just me and my immortal mother. I was now more nervous because we were away from witnesses, my duster felt uncomfortably tight all of a sudden, that may have just been my nerves because I didn't know whether or not my mother was going to hurt me.
Apparently she can read minds "Have no fear Samuel, I will not hurt you at all. I just want to talk." she said with a warm smile. Boy, I did not think that the goddess of freaking conflict would be so kind. We stopped right by Zeus's Fist, I could see the remnants of the battle, craters, patches of monster dust, a few broken weapons, and even some dried blood in the grass. Eris knelt down and picked up something, it was a bullet shell "I'm sorry that you had to suffer as you did. I understand where your anger comes from Samuel. You were angry with me, with all the gods and that Luke boy used that to his advantage." she said softly.
I nodded, I could feel a little anger rising in me but I figured that must have just been my mother. Just being near her radiated feelings of anger and disagreement. She flipped the bullet shell in her fingers before she continued "Please do not be angry with the gods Samuel we have never been the best parents. We try, dear gods how we try but even our best isn't good enough. I know I have never been there for you but conflict is eternal and it leaves me very busy, that is no excuse for your childhood though. You were always so angry with everyone, yes I watched you from time to time just to check up on you. I have very few demigod children that I am proud of. You Samuel are one of the exceptions to my many regrets. Many people see you and think 'Oh his mother is Eris so he must be a jerk' they never stop to talk to you and for that I am truly sorry." she took a breath and stopped in front of me.
She smiled and wiped a tear off my scarred cheek, I had no idea that I was crying. She stared at the carnage all around us, I figured it would take a long time for anyone to come back from a battle like that. She turned back to me "Never give up on family and friends Samuel. They are your most powerful weapons." she finished as the Sun slowly began to set in the distance. The forest seemed to be holding its breath it was so silent.
"How," my voice cracked and I looked at the ground "How did you and dad fall in love?" I found myself asking. I didn't look up and I heard my mother sigh, she put her hands in her coat pocket as she paced the large rock formation.
"Your father was a fighter. He was a lawyer but he was different, he didn't do it for money or for reputation. He did it for people, he fought against criminals simply because he couldn't stand seeing families torn apart. I fell in love with him because he was passionate about what he fought for. You remind me of him, you are so alike." she mused and I frowned.
"We look nothing alike." I said in confusion.
"No but your heart is in the right place Samuel. It just took a while for you to realize that. Your father was the same way, once he realized who he was fighting against he would stop at nothing to make sure they lost." she explained. Now at this point I came to the realization, this was the goddess of freaking conflict! I mean I had heard stories on how all of the gods were pretty rude from all of the campers that had met their parents before. Why was my mother so nice when her role literally said otherwise?
"Family is important I'm sure my brother Geras drove that into the ground. You remember him yes?" she asked and I nodded. It had taken me a few days after I had gotten to camp but I knew who those three people were now. Geras god of old age, Hypnos god of sleep, and Eleos goddess of mercy and compassion. Seemed like a strange combination of gods to meet but the thought of Eleos made me smile again. My mother chuckled "Yes my sister is very loving, I see you still have the jacket she gave you. I suggest you hold on to it, it may come in handy very soon. The same goes with that hat Circe gave you which also brings me to this." she said and waved her hand.
A small red explosion ignited at my feet and I jumped back. When the smoke cleared I was looking at a pair of dark black...why am I not surprised?! Black cowboy boots! I huffed in annoyance "Mother what is with everyone making me look like a cowboy?!" I asked irritated. My mother stifled a laugh as I picked the boots up, they even had steel spurs on the heel.
"Samuel I may not have been there for you but even I know that you had and actually still have a deep love for cowboys." okay yeah you caught me. I didn't want to admit it but the reason I was so annoyed with the whole cowboy thing was because I actually loved it. I've always loved cowboy movies which is probably why I took such a liking to my guns...well, gun.
Again my mother showed a knack for reading minds "I'm sorry about your gun Samuel. I wish their was something I could do but unfortunately I have given you all I am permitted. I will take my leave but I want you to know something Samuel" she put her hand on my shoulder "Some of my children have joined Kronos, demigod and god alike. I pray you will not have to fight any of them, and like I said before you are my favorite and being the favorite comes with a few perks. Farewell Samuel, I'm proud of you and keep your friends close." and with that my mother vanished in a puff of red smoke.
I stood there for a good hour or so, the Sun was gone and I could hear the horn blow signaling it was dinner time. I made my way back to camp.
Feeling loved.
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