Roxas and Sora once more found themselves on Choco's back moving at a pretty impressive speed toward their falling star. Every so often Sora marveled at the beautiful sight before them. Grinning like a fool, he was so mesmerized by their beauty.
"I thought they said after Ragnarok all of the stars would die out... Maybe that's the reason they're falling now?" Roxas also had been catching the show. But he found himself staring at Sora more than the stars themselves. It was definitely a feeling that he wasn't used to before now. It may have seemed annoyingly cliche, but he enjoyed the company of his significant other.
"You think so?" Sora looked over his shoulder at Roxas. It definitely seemed possible.
Roxas nodded. "I figured it meant something along the lines of burning out... not plummeting into the Earth. Not that I'm really complaining as it's giving us something to do." Roxas had to admit he was also curious. It could've been something simple like a fallen rock from the sky but part of him was hoping it was something magical and otherworldly. That hopefully didn't end up to be evil in the end.
"I- I can't explain it..." Sora started to speak but trailed off. His eyebrows knitted together as he began to think of a proper way to convey how he felt about this star. Something was compelling him to follow. "I just feel like we're making the right choice. It's just one of those strange things that I know."
"I know enough to trust you with something like this. I'm also curious, you know. I want to know if it's like the scientists say and it's just a rock. Part of me hopes we find something... hopefully not aliens who want to destroy the world." Roxas knew it was probably silly but there were still stories about aliens back home.
Sora couldn't help the chuckle. "Aliens, huh?"
Roxas shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "Hey, you've got your ideas and I've got mine. Plus you have to admit in a world filled with Gods, magic, demons, etc, that maybe, just maybe, there's other life out there."
"I'm not saying it couldn't be aliens." Sora instinctively knew that Roxas was wrong because when he thought of the possibility it also felt wrong. He would have said something but didn't want to dash his hopes.
"I'm sure the Titans could help us out if it turns out to be hostile." Roxas really got to thinking about the subject. Just in case whatever it was wasn't friendly, he knew they could ask the Gods to step in and help. Maybe the Queen of Sora's specific pantheon would be able to help. "Hey, Sora." Waiting until he got the redhead's attention, Roxas began to ask the plan he'd been formulating in his head. "Do you think your Grandma Hera would be willing to speak to us?"
"Our Grandma," Sora corrected Roxas. Family was really important to Sora and he wanted Roxas to feel like he was part of Sora's and vice versa. "I think she would be up for it. How come? Is something on your mind?"
"Yeah. There's something about three Banshees. I know it's bad to hear one let alone see one. But three are a very bad omen. My grandmother told me stories about the creatures we've encountered and I can't believe I'm totally blanking. I just know that it's bad." Roxas wondered why The Morrigan hadn't said anything about it earlier when they were with her. She probably enjoyed the fact that both boys would have to grovel to her in case things with Hera didn't work out.
Sora nodded to show he was listening to everything Roxas had been saying. Now he felt worried. Concern etched its way onto his face. "Do you think we should go meet her now or that it could wait?"
"I think it can wait just a little longer," Roxas answered truthfully. Sora had his heart set on a star and Roxas didn't want to be the one who told him not to follow his instincts. Plus, he just couldn't say no to Sora. Being the youngest son of Artemis who apparently inherited her knack for attraction, Roxas knew to just give in by now.
Glad he heard the answer he'd been waiting for, Sora told Choco to go even faster and the Chocobo delivered. Their star touched the ground where the moon's rays seemed to be hitting fairly hard. Everything was bathed in its radiant white light and Sora grinned when what they discovered turned out to be more than just a hot rock from the sky. Choco stopped running and came to a halt when a rather tall woman came into view. She didn't glance their way or seem to acknowledge Sora, Roxas, and Choco's presence. Instead, she seemed to be off in her own little world. Surprising both, she spoke up.
"I know you're there. One of you seems to be related to me in a close manner. The other looks like he could easily be a son of Aphrodite." The red-haired green-eyed woman looked over at both individuals. Just like she had foreseen, the resemblance to herself and Leto was uncanny. Sora was definitely one of hers. Roxas was a different specimen. He looked like one of Zeus' possibly another infidelity that would annoy Hera.
"I'm not a son of Aphrodite," Roxas guessed that she had identified him as such and he wanted to set the record straight. "I'm from Aine's lineage."
Sora couldn't help the excited grin on his face. "You're another Grandma of mine,"
"Another?" Phoebe had picked up on that word of the few Sora spoke. "You're Leto's boy, are you not?" Her daughter Leto had been pregnant one of the last times she was on Earth so the Titan was essentially trying to keep up.
Sora shook his head. "I'm Artemis' son Sora. Leto had Artemis and Apollo. Artemis had me and my brother Vanitas."
"Really?" Phoebe was in awe. "That would make you... my... great-grandchild? How long have I been gone this time? Oh, and before I forget to introduce myself, I am the Titan Phoebe."
"Oh gosh, it's hard to think about. When was the last time you were on Earth?" Sora was instantly filled with curiosity. She seemed amazed by even the smallest thing on the Earth.
"I guess that would have to be... Hecate's birth." Phoebe was definitely certain of that fact. "I left to visit the heavens and the stars, to go beyond the sphere of Earth and see what life was out there."
"Hecate's birth!?" Sora and Roxas both looked at each other as they spoke in unison. Phoebe had nodded and got the sense that they were going to explain something to her.
"That would have been thousands of years ago..." Roxas trailed off. While he did know of the Olympians and Greek Gods, he didn't have an encyclopedic knowledge of them as Sora did.
"Thousands of years? Really?" Phoebe watched both boys nod and she merely blinked then let out a carefree smile. "Not nearly long enough to traverse the Universe. It's so vast and filled with many wonders and secrets."
"Phoebe," Sora said her name to gain the Titan's attention. "You usually only come back when there's something significant about to happen to the world. What's going on this time?" Sora thought about Yemoja's skirmish with Poseidon being a key factor.
"You tell me. What has happened that I was drawn back here?" Phoebe was curious. Surely both boys knew something she didn't as they seemed to be well versed in the world she was no longer keen on.
"It all started when I had a dream of The Morrigan..." Sora began to tell the story and Phoebe didn't seem surprised.
"Prophetic dreams? I see my gift for prophecy was not lost on subsequent generations. Continue." Eagerly listening to the tale woven by both boys, she didn't interrupt once and nodded now and again to show that she was listening. Intrigued by their tale up until meeting her, Phoebe looked from Sora to Roxas, making sure she had both boys' attention before she spoke. "You do know how dark an omen it is to see a Banshee, yes?"
Sora and Roxas nodded.
"However," Phoebe cleared her throat and spoke as she looked to the Heavens that just as they had said seemed sundered. "Seeing more than one is more than a dark omen. It means someone holy or of high importance is about to die. A God more than likely. Perhaps a King or Queen or even a Primordial. If the Banshee acted without Morrigan's blessing then it truly means we have fallen on dark times."
"Hang on a second. You said 'prophetic dreams'- you have the gift?" Roxas was surprised to be only just now hearing of this. It all made sense now. Yeah, The Morrigan in his dream told him it was no mistake, but Sora's intuitive gifts all stemmed from Phoebe.
Phoebe nodded to Roxas' question. "There are many Gods and Goddesses of the Moon but as a child of Gaea and Uranus themselves, well, the burden was placed on me. And before you send looks my way- yes, I mean 'burden'. The alluring call of the moon sings to many. It was important to mother and father, and the Olympians, then the mortals... I grew bored of my calling. Divining prophecy one after the other, exhausting my efforts to cover the Earth in the blessing and radiance of the full moon, the quarter moon, blood moon... Endless moons and festivals, solstices." Phoebe could go on forever if she wanted to.
Sora listened intently to every word. He guessed things could get really tedious to a Titan like her. "I don't want you to think I wasn't listening, but. How come you're not gigantic like the other Titans?"
Phoebe laughed and shook her head. "I modified my appearance. Like Gods, we Titans can alter ourselves to our liking. The gigantic form while intimidating doesn't fit in with the modern world. Judging by how different our clothing styles are, I suppose I could say I no longer fit in the modern world." Phoebe got the sense that a toga dress and laurels with open-toed sandals just didn't cut it anymore.
"Well being gone so long it's not entirely unexpected that you don't 'fit in' anymore. I'm sure Aphrodite would gladly help you look a little more modernized if you asked her." Sora got the sense that she would dutifully pick out clothes for Phoebe probably made by the most prestigious of human designers. Shocker that a rich God liked brand names.
"Aphrodite? Ah yes, I almost forgot about her. Always keeping up with the current trends and engaging with the mortals frequently. I wonder if she'd mind an imposing visit." Phoebe guessed like Sora that Aphrodite would welcome such a thing.
"Just don't tell her that," Roxas said with a smile. It had been a joke but he also meant it. Aphrodite was known to have fits over the littlest thing and upsetting her wasn't on his agenda. Ever. Her stories made it clear to never mess with the Goddess of Love. Being Irish and having been raised with his superstitious grandmother, he knew to respect the Gods.
Phoebe smiled and then it faded from her face. Looking serious at both boys but not making eye contact, she seemed to be staring not at them but through them. "Justice will not be denied. Only by preserving balance and the natural order can peace be found. The feud of two shall become the feud of many." Just as it seemed she had finished speaking, Phoebe looked directly into Sora's eyes. "Your journey begins with speaking to an old one. Ancient. Even to a Titan. The lands have shifted, so you can teleport to her temple."
Sora swallowed nervously. He was excited to meet yet another God but also hoped this one was a little more relaxed than the others. "What's the name of this 'old one'?" Phoebe said the God was ancient even to a Titan. Sora wondered what God could be so old. Slightly nervous and excited, Sora waited for Phoebe to say that name.
"Ishtar. Goddess of War, Fertility, Love, Tears, and a few other things here and there." Phoebe looked now at Roxas, continuing to speak her prophecy to the boys. "Your journey takes you to Tartarus. Nyx wishes to have an audience. Be wary, as entering the Underworld is easier than leaving." Snapping out of her trance, the Titan looked surprised at both boys who seemed equally in a state of shock. "Did I say something?"
"A lot," Sora looked to Roxas for support and the blond had nodded. Phoebe spoke a mouthful. "I'm also so glad you're not aliens!"
"Aliens?" Phoebe let out a chuckle. The Titan seemed to have her mother's laugh as she held her sides. "Ah yes, your wager from earlier."
Sora felt his cheeks getting warm from saying something so embarrassing out loud. Shutting his eyes and scratching the back of his head, he grinned and owned it. "Aphrodite!" cupping his hands over his mouth, Sora called out the name of his Aunt. Almost instantaneously the Goddess appeared before the trio with her back turned.
Sighing, Aphrodite spoke before she turned around in an already and not very well masked exasperated tone. "Your invocation is very important to me, now what can I do for you today-" Surprised when it was Sora and Roxas she had a genuine smile plastered across her face. "And here we thought it'd be a while before we saw you two again. I also get the sense this isn't love related which is also nice and refreshing." Lost in her own babble the Goddess of Love had yet to recognize the Titan. Once she honed in on Phoebe, the Goddess of Love grinned. "What took you so long this time?"
"Traveling the stars and Heavens takes its time. The thousands of years I've been gone aren't nearly long enough to see everything." Phoebe thought fondly of her travels among the Heavens, seeding life here and there. But that would remain the secret of the Titan. Glancing at Sora, Phoebe wondered if she should tell him all about it. And of course Roxas. It was surreal to be back and not only have grandchildren but great-grandchildren. "Something significant usually happens every time I come back so I try to stay away. Then I feel guilty for staying away so long... and here I am again. I hear I missed even Ragnarok."
Nodding her head to show that she was listening, the Goddess of Love spoke up. "Only just barely on that last one. And sure you might have missed out on a bunch but there's still lots to experience." Aphrodite hated how serious things turned out so she shifted her gaze to Sora, Roxas, and the Chocobo. Instantly smiling and turning to her bubbly personality, the Goddess of Love held one arm behind her back. Hovering by Choco, his nose seemed to kick in as he instinctively followed a tasty scent. "You two have been feeding him, haven't you?" When both boys looked guilty, Aphrodite shook her head. "He may be the familiar of a God but he still needs to eat! Do you know what he needs to eat?" Still not producing the herb in her hand, she raised a brow.
Sora looked at Roxas who looked at Sora. "Well," Sora spoke up first. "It said in the old books that they liked to eat something called 'gyashl green'. I'm not too sure where we could find that. Especially with Ragnarok making everything shift."
"Not 'everything'. And nice save by the way." Aphrodite praised the boys and fed the eager Chocobo who devoured it in seconds. Producing more, in a seemingly endless supply, both boys were in awe. "One of my tricks! Much more convenient than fetching things yourself."
"Can you teach us such a thing?" Roxas was not only intrigued by her power to conjure things but also wondered if they'd somehow learn her gift at some point.
"Your powers will come in at some point and I'm sure you'll both get your chance at learning... unique abilities from us Gods. I see that Sora learned a thing or two from aunt Persephone." The dark magic he had been casting was scandalous. Aphrodite had heard whispers of such a thing but it was surreal to actually see in real life. Shaking her head and scolding Sora lightly as she was the fun but almost never serious aunt, Aphrodite gently grabbed his forearm and his dark veins retreated to their normal state. "Who lives the richer, fuller life? The hater, or the hated? Love will always be stronger than hatred. Remember that." Doing the same with his other arm, Aphrodite wasn't judging by any means as that would likely give her wrinkles. Heavens forbid such a thing.
"Know that you wield not only a deific weapon with the power of a Primordial but are yourselves young Gods coming into your prime. You'll discover many unique abilities on your journeys. Perhaps even a new form if you're lucky. Some Gods are restricted in their shapeshifting but as you're both Greek Gods, well." Phoebe assumed she wouldn't have to explain that the Greeks were quite proficient in shapeshifting abilities. Animals and even human beings or other Gods in some cases.
"I'm not Greek." Roxas pointed at himself and shook his head while wearing a puzzled expression. He only broke eye contact with Phoebe to glance at Sora who appeared to be pulling a similar look. The redhead shrugged his shoulders and looked to Phoebe.
Phoebe chuckled. Wiping a tear from her eye, the Titan looked to Sora first. "He has my blessing." Shifting her gaze to Roxas, the Titan sighed contently. "I know you're not Greek. Even if you both hadn't already told me, I could've seen that from your eyes and hair. But you both ate Greek ambrosia, correct?" Sora and Roxas nodded to Phoebe's question, not interrupting her speech. "All of the pantheons have some form of immortality giving artifact. You have the powers and abilities of a Greek God as well as that of your Celtic/Irish heritage. I have high hopes for the two of you."
"Can't you just... see the future?" Sora hadn't meant to blurt that out but ended up doing just that.
"Destiny is tricky. Even those who can see several steps ahead can be several steps behind. You both have so much in store for you. I'm glad that you have each other and the Gods." Smiling, Phoebe turned to Aphrodite. "Shall we find something 'modern'?"
"Ah, I can see all the possibilities now!" Aphrodite excitedly locked arms with Phoebe. Any excuse for a makeover.
"One moment!" Phoebe looked to the boys. "You can give me the Chocobo for now. You're both going to be... busy preparing to meet Papa."
"Papa?" Sora looked at Roxas who shrugged and shook his head. Did she mean Zeus?
"Papa Legba," Phoebe said the name of the Loa they were supposed to meet. "For the one, you wish to meet is sleeping and needs to be woken by a powerful force. A God of the Crossroads such as Papa can do such a thing. I believe you already met one of his comrades, Baron Samedi." There was a gentle breeze when she spoke the sacred names of such Gods. Taking Choco, both Goddesses bid their farewells. "And remember: It has to be an altar with black and red. Try to give him good offerings."
Roxas looked at Sora. "Do you know what offerings a Loa likes?" To say he was nervous about all of this would be an understatement. If they somehow managed to offend Papa Legba there would be Hell to pay. Literally.
"Hm. Well, she did say he likes black and red and we need an altar, right?" Sora was thinking aloud and not necessarily talking to Roxas now, the redhead concentrating on what he knew about the Loa. "Black coffee, rum, flowers, pennies, copper, toys... Papa isn't picky. He also enjoys tobacco but I don't think they'd sell that to us."
"We're going to need extra help with this one, right?" Roxas instantly thought to the many Gods they had on their side. Surely some of the Gods of Death knew how to call on a Loa. "Can I also say that I'm super glad you seem to have a database of the Gods in your head?" That wasn't to say Roxas was ignorant of the Gods, he just wasn't as well-versed in certain areas like Sora was. Maybe it was one of the perks he had being a Demi-God actually birthed from a Goddess. Roxas had been watered down through Gods know how many generations. It'd make sense some of those divine gifts had burned out. Maybe they'd resurface in him at some point.
Sora nodded when Roxas asked if they needed help. "Persephone would be able to help us. Her blooms are like no other. And you could stand to mention it more." Sora chuckled.
"Nice choice." Sticking with the help of the Olympians seemed to be a good bet. Roxas also hoped at some point they'd be able to meet his side of the family. Don't get him wrong, he loved all of the Gods he had met thus far but also wondered what Aine was really like. It was so strange to hear stories from his grandmother about him being a 'Fitzgerald boy' and therefore a descendant of Aine turn out to be 100% true. He knew enough not to question his grandmother but some of the stories she told just seemed so... out there.
Sora watched Roxas' face as he zoned out and began to think about whatever was on his mind. The blond was clearly deep in thought and his aura also said he had a bunch on his mind. Waving his hand in front of Roxas' face, Sora was surprised. "Wow. You're really out of it, huh?" Making a series of funny faces and noises to try and snap Roxas out of his thoughts, Sora just about gave up when he remembered the one thing that usually worked. Taking Roxas' free hand in his own, Sora was surprised that actually didn't seem to work. Frowning at his failed attempt, he decided another tactic. Standing on his toes, Sora made a mental note to mention that he was actually a little shorter than Roxas. Stealing a kiss, Sora was ecstatic when that worked. His heart was also racing a mile a minute but it felt good to initiate things.
Roxas smiled and scoffed lightly. He held his smile when Sora placed his forehead on Roxas'. "I just got you. You're needy!" Lightly teasing Sora, he hoped he'd take it the right way.
Sora instantly dropped his jaw. "Am not!"
"Are too. It's okay. I'll give you all my undivided attention. Always." Roxas held hands with Sora and watched in surprise as he gradually shrunk. Chuckling, the blond knew he'd probably get a punch in the arm or something but he still went for it. "You're fun size."
"Okay." Sora decided to roll with the punches and laughed it off. "So you noticed."
"It's cute," Roxas didn't mind the fact that he was the taller one.
Sora smiled before his expression turned serious and he let out a sigh. "Should we invoke yet another deity to start another perilous quest and likely save the world somehow?"
"I think we should." Roxas nodded to Sora and both of them instantly left the spot in which they'd been standing moments prior to finding themselves standing in a familiar town. Eclipse and all.
Cupping his hands over his mouth, Sora called out to their aunt. "Persephone!" Glad for once that they could obscure their divine form from mortals, Sora knew that Persephone would likely do the same as when she'd first arrived in the town.
Almost instantaneously appearing before both boys with her back turned, Persephone spoke in a serious tone. "Who dares summon Persephone so close to the solstice!? Do you know how angry this makes my husban-" Persephone turned around and stopped her speech to chuckle. "Oh. It's you two. Nevermind then." Immediately smiling at the invocation being someone she knew as opposed to some mortal who had delusions of what they thought were her wants and desires. She would not be swayed from Hades' side so easily.
"Hades won't be angry?" Sora didn't want to anger his Great Uncle. He knew how petty Gods of Death let alone Kings of the Underworld could be. At least, if the legends held true which they seemed to be.
Persephone shrugged and grinned. "I'll diffuse him by saying it's a family outing. He'll understand that my nephews needed help of some sort. Why else would they call me to such a sacred space?" She observed that the flowers she had seeded and bloomed months ago were still thriving. The mortals certainly didn't let their divine gifts go to waste.
"We need flowers," Roxas figured they'd have to be a particular kind and Sora would somehow know the right kind.
Persephone raised a brow. "Not any flowers, right?"
"Spider lilies. The red kind if you're able to." Sora instinctively knew the right kind of flower for the job. How he knew, he couldn't say. It must've just been some intuitive gift passed down by Phoebe.
Impressed with such a tall order, she felt the need to enquire more. "And who are these to be offered to? I assume you know the meaning behind the flowers, but just in case you've forgotten, they're the symbol of Hell. We all have our nicknames for what the afterlife of eternal punishment and I'm sure the recipient will be happy to have such a beauty in their hands."
Swallowing nervously, Sora spoke up. "Papa Legba."
Persephone had to do a second take. "Excuse me? As in Loa of the Crossroads, have to invoke him if you want to speak to any Loa and hope that your gifts impress him, Papa Legba?"
Sora and Roxas both nodded.
"Phoebe said I needed to contact Ishtar. We need someone super powerful to pull something like that off. All of his offerings need to be perfect. He enjoys flowers and who better to provide them then the Goddess of Spring?" Sora smiled hoping that his aunt wouldn't mind.
"Of course if you're going to offer something to a Loa it needs to be especially perfect. Clever of you two boys to contact Papa about Ishtar and Nyx." Persephone smiled back at her nephews. Conjuring the blood-red spider lilies in her hands, Persephone offered them to Sora. "Any other type of plants you boys need?"
Growing accustomed to Sora's side of the family simply having gifts making them capable of seeing or diving the future. Sora seemed to have them in dream form which was confirmed and Persephone... well, Roxas wasn't sure if she slept at all. Clearing his throat as he felt rude getting caught in his thoughts, Roxas spoke up. "If it's not too much trouble I need moonflowers."
Persephone was pleasantly surprised. "A fitting tribute to Nyx. I'm sure it's not every day she's given such a unique beauty that blooms under the moon so well." Conjuring the white flowers that bloomed under the moonlight, she handed them to Roxas. Taking on a serious tone, Persephone decided to warn them. "Be careful boys. Invoking Loa is a serious business. But I have my confidence you'll both show the respect needed." Bidding both farewells, the Queen of the Underworld returned to the side of her husband.
"Where do you think we should hold the ceremony?" Roxas asked, hopeful that Sora had a location in mind. There were so many sacred spaces they could go to and limitless possibilities to invoke the Loa Papa Legba. Trying unsuccessfully to suppress a shudder, Roxas felt a breeze and a sudden coldness on the back of his neck. Sora seemed to more or less do the same and Roxas swallowed nervously before he spoke up. "You uh, you felt that too, right?"
Sora nodded and instinctively took Roxas' free hand in his own. "Where better than here?" Thinking of the Callanish stones, he shook his head. The God of the Moon made it clear that his part in things had come to an end.
"I was kinda thinking the same thing. Do you still have your apartment?" Roxas was hopeful that Sora still had it because then they'd have a private place to practice and invoke Papa. Shuddering again, Roxas could probably never get comfortable with the fact that they were going to invoke a Loa. Sure Baron Samedi had come to aid their efforts when Ragnarok was threatening the world but they didn't have to summon him. He came of his own accord.
"I should, yeah." Sora didn't see why not. Sure it had been a while since he'd been in town but his aunts had kept up with the payments. "We just need to stop by some of the stores in town to gather the proper items needed for Papa."
"It's too bad Aphrodite didn't teach us her trick yet." Roxas didn't mind shopping. About to speak up, he was surprised when Sora spoke first and said exactly what had been on his mind.
"We should grab some of that tasty ice-cream again if they have some." Grinning as his stomach churned and made the dying whale noise signifying he needed food of some sort, Sora hoped Roxas was more or less on the same page.
"You're eerie, you know that?" Roxas smiled although in surprise. "It's like you can read my thoughts."
"Nah. I just think we're on the same page like all the time." Sora and Roxas began walking toward his home and through town. Letting themselves be seen, people gossipped about both of them. Some tried to whisper while others spoke in a failed hush to mask their voices from both deities walking among them. Sora looked at Roxas who looked back at him.
"It's them! The ones who saved the world from Ragnarok!"
Sora shrugged his shoulders and worse a sheepish smile. "At least they're saying good things."
"No kidding. I could probably get used to this." For once people weren't spreading nasty rumors or remarking that they, two boys were holding hands in public. Everyone seemed to be glorifying them as heroes and Roxas didn't know how to feel about that. Never having been the center of attention before, Roxas was enjoying it.
Stopping by every single shop to get the particular items they needed such as food, black coffee, black, and red table cloths, black candles, and little knick-knacks that were especially picked out for Papa Legba. As luck would have it, the town had a magic shop that specialized in all sorts of magical needs. The shop also happened to have a voodoo specific section and an altar which gave both boys an idea of how to assemble one for Papa. And the kind shopkeeper had given them tips as to how they could invoke the Loa. "How could I have not known about this place?" Sora glanced over at Roxas. "Did you know about this place?"
"Well, yeah. I've lived here basically my whole life. I guess we didn't mention it or really think about it. When you arrived everything just seemed to go by so fast and then we both went to the Underworld and all the other crazy stuff happened up until now." Roxas didn't realize he'd withheld such a cool place from Sora. It hadn't been intentional.
Sora nodded to the explanation. "Makes sense. So," Sora paused so he could eat some of the tasty ice-cream. "My place now?"
"How forward." Roxas joked and grinned when Sora seemed to finally catch on to what he said.
Sora chuckled, even when he felt the blush creeping its way to his face. "Did I ever tell you about a weird dream I had?"
"You've told me about plenty of 'weird dreams' that turn out to be prophetic in origin, yes. What happened this time?" Roxas felt inclined to ask, as Sora handed him his ice-cream which had been the last stop before Sora's home. Both were obscuring their divine forms after having finished their errands and wanted to walk and talk for a little.
"I dreamt that I was so angry and lost... in the darkness. I can't even really begin to describe it. There was just... a tantrum. And from what fragments I can remember, I was fighting. It was scary. It still kinda is," Sora admitted, stealing glances at Roxas as they walked. He hoped that even if he couldn't read auras, he'd understand that Sora was still upset about things. Sora figured that because Roxas could dream walk maybe he could read minds to a degree(?).
"Don't worry about that. You've got me by your side and all of the Olympians and other pantheons that are working together for a better world. I've only ever seen you get mad because of genuine reasons and because you're a person who cares a lot. You've got a big heart." Roxas had noticed Sora's glances and smiled slightly. Glad no one could see them other than each other and other deities in general, Roxas grabbed Sora's free hand with his own.
"Thank you. I'll try to remember more later on. Maybe we should see a God of dreams?" Sora began to think aloud, barely noticing the fact that he'd reached his old apartment.
"I'm sure there's some very complex way tracing all the way back to... our Grandma Mother Earth or 'Terra' as you casually like to call her." Roxas had emphasized the word 'our' because Sora wanted him to feel like he was family. And Roxas wanted to be counted as family. He hoped when all of this business was behind them, that is, contacting Papa Legba, seeking an audience with an old one who went by the name of Ishtar that maybe they could start seeing people from his side of the family. Maybe Aine would like to meet her latest descendant.
Sora smiled when Roxas called her their grandma. "Okay," Rubbing his hands together, Sora walked to his bedroom and began constructing the altar to Papa Legba. A red table cloth, black accents and from there he moved on to crystals pertaining specifically to the Loa. Onyx to help with their theme. Carefully placing all of the offerings and burning incense, Sora was finally happy with the result. Looking at Roxas who seemed to be in awe of Sora himself, the red-head gestured toward himself, "Do I have something on me?"
"No," Roxas shook his head. "You just have so many powers that it's hard to keep up with. Knowing so much of all the Gods and how to correctly summon them by arranging altars to their liking. I'm sure it's not every day they get to be invoked by someone who cares so much with great attention to detail." Inspecting the altar, Roxas was still impressed. It wasn't because he doubted Sora's ability to construct such a thing as he literally seemed to excel at anything he tried his hand at, more so the dream walker wondered what was going on in that head of his.
Sora chuckled. "Thank you. I'm honestly just following my instincts. I know enough to know that I need to stick to my gut. That, and that I really need you. It's great to have someone by my side who always has my back, no matter what. And I also like the fact that you and I get all these crazy adventures and new friends along the way." Sora smiled and was glad when Roxas reciprocated.
"Okay," Roxas swallowed nervously. "Are you ready?"
Sora nodded. "You're okay with the plan, right?"
Roxas took a second and let out a small sigh. "Run it by me one more time?"
"Okay. I need you to dream walk for me so that we can be together when speaking to the Loa spirit- I just feel like it should be the two of us invoking Papa Legba." Sora understood that Roxas was meant to meet Nyx as per Phoebe's prophecy but something felt right about both of them speaking to Papa.
Roxas nodded. "Alright. I'm with you. Just... lay down beside me and relax as much as you can. Think of this room."
Sora obediently did just as he was told and somewhat modified his instructions. Roxas who had his back against the wall and stretched out his legs on the bed looked comfy. So comfy in fact that Sora lay with his feet against the wall so he could put his head on Roxas' lap. Looking up at Roxas, he smiled, hoping that he wouldn't mind. His aura said that it was okay. Shutting his eyes, Sora did his best to sleep. After what felt like forever and being unable to drift off, he opened them for a moment. "I can't sleep." He said was a huff.
"Then we're going to try a trick that always worked with Ventus. Can you tell me a story? With your eyes shut. Please." Roxas hastily added the please at the end as he didn't want to sound like he was commanding Sora to do so. Gently massaging Sora's temples, Roxas was trying his best to help him sleep. He even tried laying as still as possible.
"Okay," Sora tried to think of a story he thought Roxas would find interesting. "Did you know that in the beginning people were born fused together? Two heads, two arms, and four legs. Everybody was happy even in this state because they were always together and had each other. Until one day, Zeus, the King of the Gods and God of Thunder rained down his thunderbolts. Splitting everyone in two, this left everyone saddened by the loss of their soulmate. And so everyone is out there... searching for their other half. The missing part of their souls..." Sora had meant to continue but felt himself drifting off.
Waking up in a dark room, Sora was surprised to see a flickering light in the distance. That, and the dream mist was back. Shuddering as he felt a pair of eyes on himself, Sora began to walk forward. Speeding up as he heard footsteps, nearly sprinting, Sora tripped and despaired as he was caught. His heart literally sank at that moment and he shut his eyes, not daring to look at the thing that had captured him at the moment. To his surprise, he was pulled into a hug and could hear a very fast heartbeat. Opening his eyes and pulling back from the hug, he was surprised and enthused that the thing following him turned out to be Roxas.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay?" Roxas mentally scolded himself. Sora probably thought he was about to die. He wouldn't know what his own reaction to such sounds would be if he were alone in his dreams. Thinking back, Roxas never really had nightmares. He could control his dreams.
"Yeah. I'm okay." Sora was trying to catch his breath from the heart attack he'd almost had.
"Do you see that light?" Roxas asked, pulling out of the hug and holding Sora's right hand with his left.
"Yep. I was following it when you were following me." Sora walked with Roxas toward the light.
"Again, sorry." Roxas would apologize a thousand times if he had to in order to convey the fact that he was really sorry.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you weren't a demon or something scary." Sora chuckled. He had gotten used to these dreams being only himself and the specific God. It was nice that he and Roxas could do this together. Continuing toward the light, they both saw an altar like the one they had made in Sora's bedroom only this one seemed absolutely perfect to the last detail. Sora didn't want to discredit the work they had done, but this one to Papa Legba was amazing.
Roxas was about to speak but found himself cut off by a French-sounding accent.
He chuckled first, Papa amused by the antics of both boys and surprised that they had made an altar and prayed to himself. "It's not every day I'm in the presence of such unique souls." Grinning, Papa observed and took some of the knick-knacks they'd put out specifically for him. "Praying to a God of the Crossroads was a very bold choice. I'm surprised at the humility of such young Gods."
"We were told I need to see Ishtar and Roxas needs to visit Nyx," Sora began to explain but found himself cut off.
"Ordinarily what you ask for comes with a very steep price. But since you two made such a valiant effort in helping to save the world... I am in your debt. And Papa always pays his dues." Papa Legba studied the Onyx and then grinned at both boys. "Waking up one of the Old Ones is a risky business. Her people are forgotten, worshipers a distant memory and she is no longer of this world. There's a chance that she won't like such an awakening. I'm sure you two put these risks into consideration of what is to come." Rubbing his hands together, Papa Legba looked to the others who would aid him in waking up such an ancient Goddess.
"The world has been thrown out of balance due to Ragnarok's influence. The Fates have decreed we need justice and for there to be made an example of one of our own." Hecate appeared as if out of nowhere, surprising Sora and Roxas.
"As much as I like chaos and trickery... There is an acceptable limit." Chuckling as he joined the group, Hermes grinned like a madman when he finally got to meet his two nephews. "You two are every bit as adorable as they said."
Clearing his throat, Papa Legba spoke. "I hate to break up the fun and the family affairs but we do have something more important right now." The three Gods of the Crossroads linked hands with Sora in the middle while Roxas sat nearby, intrigued by the ritual taking place.