Chapter 2: Truth and Fury

The sun shone brightly as Metropolis and its citizens went on business like they always do. On the side walk of a street that leads directly toward the city cemetery, a couple walked with haste toward their destination. By now the sun is at its zenith, its heat slowly baking the cement forest of skyscrapers that is the core of the city. Traffic on the side walks has already lessened as people went indoors or under the shades to avoid the heat and enjoy a cool drink. The couple however, is walking with all the speed they can manage, and they are none other than the star reporters of the Daily Planet, Lois Lane and Clark Kent.

Lois walked next to her partner as he literally force marched into the city cemetery, after their short exchange in the elevator, Clark had been silent and unresponsive. She looked on worriedly and can not help but to notice the young man's hands are tightened into fists, another rare thing to see from this mind manner man. Struggling to keep up with Clark, Lois walked, or rather jogged as fast as she can to keep up with the wide strides made by the man. Gentle summer breeze blow pass the duo, but Clark took no notice of it, his mind focused on reaching Mayson's grave. The wind blew as his long coat flapped like a long grey cape behind him. From Lois' perspective, Clark looked as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulder as he walks toward the grave. Involuntarily, Lois shivered as she felt something cold rising inside her body that is almost paralyzing. The view of Clark's back, with his long grey coat flapping reminded her of an old war photo she had seen as a child. It captures a lonely soldier marching to war, his eyes shown steely resolve and unsurpassed fury, much like what she had seen in her partner's eyes. As they approached the grave site, both can see that the perimeters are sealed off at a good distance with police yellow tapes and roughly a dozen officers either uniformed or civilian dressed are investigating and securing evidences.

Meanwhile, Mayson looked at Gaia who sits languidly in front of her on the bed, and looking back with a faint smile on her face. Cleared her throat, Mayson began to speak, "Gaia, I want you to tell me exactly who you really are," sparing a stern look toward the younger woman, she continued to press her point, "I don't believe for a second that you are who you claim to be. Tell me, who are you working for, and don't try to lie to me, I want to know the truth. I know your little schemes very well, first smuggling criminals out of prison, and then you managed to have me, an assistant DA, but why? Why do you need me so badly that you orchestrated all these!" Gaia stared at the older woman, shaking her head and laughed as if Mayson was telling her one of those jokes that you usually get in a girly sleepover session with a lot of tickling, which is quite the opposite to what Mayson thought she would have reacted. Looking at the young lady in front of her, Mayson felt almost drained of any energy. This is going no where she said to herself, it's like walking in a circle, on and on and on.

Frustrated, she groaned, "I don't see what I have said that could be so funny, Gaia," and did her best to throw the young woman a stern look. However, Mayson found herself involuntarily staring at the rise and fall of Gaia's chest where her ample bosom, hidden behind the robe she wear made her waist look even slimmer and made her want to touch and caress those luscious curves. For those few delicate moments, Mayson forgot her questions and fears, and focused on the rhythmic rise and fall of Gaia's breasts, until the young woman's answer shook her out of her thoughts. Raising her hands in a gesture of surrender, but not before giving the older woman a few more earfuls of her heartfelt laughter, Gaia finally replied, "I work for no one, dearest. None in this world or the next may command me, for I am Gaia, mother goddess of Earth."

Mayson rolled her eyes, feeling disgusted, angry, and frustrated. For a brief moment, she wanted to reach out with her hands, take Gaia or whatever her real name is' neck and slowly choke the truth out of her. But that was quickly replaced by a wave of desire to embrace the young lass and wrap her arms around that youthful body and nuzzling her neck. Shaking her head as if to vanquish her own lusty thoughts, Mayson regained her composure and was more determined than ever to find out the truth. Moreover, she is not in the habit of letting others control her fate while she stood idly aside and allow them full rein of her life. Taking a deep breath, Mayson finally spoke again, "If you are truly who you say you are, then prove it. Prove to me that you are this Mother Goddess of Earth. And, stop calling me your dearest!"

Gaia looked at the older woman, sighed as if giving in to Mayson's demands. "Very well dearest," she said, and Mayson was almost giddy with her success in making Gaia tell the truth that she entirely missed the underlying amusement that was laced in the undercurrent of the young woman's voice. Gaia clapped her hands twice like a queen summoning her servants with Mayson's watchful eyes observing her every move. Almost immediately, the two Minotaur like giants reappeared to stand in the far side of the room next to the sofa that appeared tiny under their shadows. In the brilliant light cast down by the sun at mid day, the two are wearing leather kilts studded with light green bronze rings, black armor extend from their elbow down to wrists with small spikes studded along its surface and greaves made with similar material protected their legs. Each piece of the armor is carefully woven with blood red patterns, completely random, these patterns made the armor seen almost like human flesh and gave a dizzying sense that they are pulsating with every move the giants make. Their black ominous eyes searched the room, paying little heed to Mayson as the duo bowed reverently to Gaia, their hands at their sides and palms opened in a gesture of subservience. Shocked nearly out of her wits, Mayson pulled the sheets tighter around her body, biting her lips as she did her best to remain calm as her eyes darted left and right frantically for a way out of this shocking "Truth".

Standing inside the circle, looking at the altar raised in the place where Mayson's coffin should be, Clark tightened his fists as his fury boiled almost out of control. All his life, he had been taught and raised to be a descent man, yet what he sees here today ventured far beyond in depravity than any other he had the misfortune to be witness of. After a brief talk with the lead investigator who called him at the office, Clark moved to the center of the scene where he stood now. From the corner of his superior visual abilities, he knows that Lois is standing a step behind him, and he can hear her scribing notes down with a pen on a small notebook that she always seen to carry around in her hand bag. He can even smell the ink used in the pen, but that was not where his focus is. Opening all of his senses to the surroundings, Clark begins to hunt for clues. First he examined the altar itself, scrutinizing every minute detail but found no trace of machine work or explosives used. However, he did found what appear to be shreds of the coffin itself, each no bigger in size than a woman's small finger, easily dismissed as regular debris.

Curious, Clark picked a few up and looked at them at closer range. The shreds felt smooth and did not give the rough feeling of wood chopped, sawed or splintered apart. Deciding to save these few shreds for himself as clues, Clark discretely pocketed them when no one is looking at his direction. The officers around the scene seen agitated to him, their hands are always near the holster, ready at a moment's notice. He frowned, but could not find anything wrong or suspicious about this. After all, grave robbing is a crime unheard of, at least in Metropolis, particularly when the grave belongs to one who serves the law in the city.

Turning his attention toward the altar again, Clark felt his hand tremble, a sensation that he is utterly unfamiliar of except when in contact with green Kryptonite the crystalline asteroid piece whose radiation is utterly lethal to his unique physiology. Taking a deep breath and steadied his hand, Clark touched the altar itself, his palm made contact with moist earth, fresh and unpolluted. The earthly scent reminded him of home and his parents and brought a wave of warmth to his heart. However, he reminded himself that the ones who had done this are still at large and they shall experience his full fury when they are found.

Caressing the altar, Clark could not but to think back on the times he had spent with Mayson Drake, and the more he dwells on those memories, the angrier he became inside. He felt guilty, utterly guilty for treating her the way he did when she was alive and allowed this to happen to her when she is dead and laid to rest. Love was what she had felt for him yet all he could give to her was rejection and at times deception. His left hand tightened into a fist as his fury build on itself, clouding his mind, he wants to roar and scream, and more over to strike out with his super strength to pacify his fury, but he did not, and he could not. Not here. Not now.

While Clark did the superpower supported forensic work, Lois busied herself by talking with the inspector and the officers around to find out as much as she can about this. Through them, she learned that the grave was discovered as it is at half pass eight in the morning when the groundskeeper drove his little golf car on passing by this area to get to the tools shed. At the time, the middle aged man didn't see anyone suspicious around. Therefore, the police are placing the time of the crime at either early morning or late last night. Though not having strong reactions like Clark, she was no less appalled by the audacity of the deed. Looking around, Lois found the altar and the circle in the ground to intriguing. She quickly drew a sketch of what she sees around the site and write down whatever thoughts she has regarding this crime. Though not having super vision like Clark, Lois' logic and quick mind is no less inferior. Looking closer at the circle itself, Lois touched the dark soil with her hand and found it to be moist despite under the baking summer heat. Turning her head around to see the altar, Lois wished that she had taken time to study the religious practices of various cultures, but she can tell at least that it was used for a ceremony of some kind.

Frowning in dismay, Gaia waves to the two Minotaur like giants, instruct them to step back and wait until called for. Obediently, the two nodded and somehow managed to sit down on the carpeted floor quietly in the far corner of the room. Now turning her attention back to her dearest, Gaia sighed, gently move off the bed and slowly walk the short distance to where Mayson is huddled in a corner of the bed, wrapping sheets around her body, eyes wide with fear, rocking back and forth showing signs of shock. Sitting down next to the older woman, Gaia managed to get Mayson to rest her head on her right shoulder with her arms around her in a comforting and protective posture. Whispering softly, "Shh…dearest, there is no need to be afraid, these two are Arkadios and Zopyros, they were known as Minotaur to your people. They serve me, and there is no need for you to be afraid."

The goddess' hands caressing Mayson's body, lightly massaging her to make the older woman relax and bring her out of the initial shock. Mayson's body shook in fear. She wants to run away, to wake up from this surreal nightmare she finds herself in right now. She hated uncertainties, but what she had just witnessed shook everything she had believed to its foundation and shatters it. Mayson felt utterly lost and scared, she felt she had lost her anchor and can not be sure of anything anymore. Tears welled in her eyes as Mayson prayed perhaps the most fervently in her life that all this is just a very bad dream and she can simply, wake up and walk away. Slowly, her brilliant eyes dulled as she retreated back into the confines of her mind, hoping to find a sense of safety in the deep well of her subconscious mind.

Sensing her child's distress and fear, Gaia tightened her arms and pressed her forehead against her girl child's head. She can feel her child's stress overwhelm the fragile mortal mind, and putting her into a coma like state. Gently calling out to Mayson in her mind, she allowed her power to reach into the mortal mind and called her child home. Her essence shone brilliantly in Mayson's mind as she gently pick up her girl's astral body with her hands and let her rest on her palms as she guide her child back to the conscious world. Light slowly shone again in Mayson's eyes as the blonde woman finds herself back in the conscious world with the raven haired goddess held her tightly in her arms. The close proximity of Gaia felt good to Mayson. She feels safer than when she first saw the two Minotaur, now that the initial shock had passed.

Deciding to let Mayson digest what had happened, Gaia remains quiet as she let her comforting presence surround her dearest. Being so close to each other, with every breath she took, Mayson could smell Gaia's scent. Unlike any perfume she had known, Gaia smelled like nature, comforting and nurturing at the same time, which reminded her of home and motherly touches. Feeling gentle touches caressing her body, Mayson almost purred in delight as she snuggled closer against Gaia.

Smiling as she pulls Mayson gently to rest on her laps, Gaia continues to caress her dearest, singing in an old tongue, her soft voice filled the room. The far side the room where the two Minotaur sat, they can hear the song as well, and their bull like faces shone with delight as they close their ominous eyes and let the goddess' voice gently pass through them like the gentlest summer wind. Beyond the half closed door, in the living room where a vase rest on the side table, the flowers inside begin to grow roots that had been cut off as if to answer mother nature's call and received her nurturing embrace.

The singing reminded Mayson of her childhood when she laid her head either on her mother's shoulder or laps, and enjoyed the motherly embraces. It had been very long since she had felt this way, and she wished that all these is real and not just some mind game, and even if it is, let it last a bit longer so she can enjoy tender loving moments like these. Life in Metropolis is lonely, and can be even lonelier if you were the assistant DA who prosecutes criminals and mob bosses for a living. But at this moment, in the company of this strange young woman who calls herself Gaia, Mayson felt a sense of family and love. With one hand cradling her dearest, Gaia used her other hand to press against the headboard of the bed, and then slowly pull away. As her hand pulls away from the wooden board, a wooden comb appeared. It has a basic shape of a circle, with the bottom one third cut off and then each tooth of the comb was carved out of the wooden disk. To complete its beauty, the top fifth is also cut off to offer a better hand grip with carvings depicting forests on one side and lake on the other.

With the comb in hand, Gaia caressed Mayson's face lovingly and occasionally plant a kiss on her forehead while she combs and brushes Mayson's curly blonde hair that had not been properly taken care of since her resurrection. Now singing in a low voice, Gaia deftly combed Mayson's hair to a shine, and worked out all the curly tangles before she take the older woman's hand in hers and handed her the wooden hair comb. Blinking her eyes as if to reassure herself, Mayson held the comb tightly as she turned so she can look at Gaia face to face while her head rest on the young woman's laps. "So…you are really a goddess?" Mayson hesitantly asked, "The, mother goddess of earth?" Smiling and gave the older woman a nod in affirmation, Gaia let the older woman see her emerald colored eyes, to see that there are no deceptions nor lies hidden beyond the twin pools. "I have been called many names, dearest. For example, the ones known to you as Egyptians worshipped me as Hathor, goddess of the world," Gaia whispered to Mayson's ears, "But my name is Gaia."

Looking up from her position, Mayson found herself lost in the deep emerald pool of Gaia's eyes. The gentle touches administered made her relax and felt at ease, and made her wish that this moment could be frozen in time. She wondered if this is usual, after all, she had never felt any romantic or sexual attraction to other women. Now feeling much more at ease, Mayson slowly though with no small amount of regret straightened to sit on the bed next to Gaia. Snuggle closely against the goddess' soft body; Mayson gathered enough courage to turn her head toward the wall where the two giant Minotaur sat quietly. Much to her surprise, she could not remember hearing any sound coming from the two. Reaching under the sheets and gently taking her girl's hand in her own, Gaia whispered to Mayson, "Have no fear, they are quite gentle actually. They serve me, and in a sense, they now serve you as well dearest." Puzzled and surprised, Mayson turned to Gaia for answers.

After brushing a few strand of loose hair away, Gaia linked her hands together and held Mayson from behind in an intimate embrace, her palms pressed against the blonde's lower abdomen, skin touching skin, "They are my servants, both Arkadios and Zopyros are Minotaur who swore to serve me from times beyond count. In a human sense, they are almost like household servants, and since you are family, their oath applies to you as well." Nodding her head, Mayson chose to accept these Gaia's words as they are.

Belatedly, she felt her back pressed tightly against Gaia's chest in this position, with only the thin robe between her naked back and the goddess' upper body. Her naked skin picks up on the most surprising sensations and shapes as the other woman, or the goddess as she reminded herself, pressed her breasts against Mayson's back. She felt her body warms to such intimate touches from Gaia. Placing her palms on top of Gaia's over her lower tummy, Mayson moaned as she leaned her head back to rest on the raven haired goddess' shoulder. She felt her arousal accumulate like lava build up in the volcanoes before they explode. With her lips slightly parted, and eyes half closed, Mayson felt loved, wanted and most of all safe. But at the back of her head, she still remembers Clark though. She still has much feeling for him, and a part of her was screaming to her to seize this second chance and try to build a relationship with Clark, or rather, superman disguised as Clark Kent. The goddess smiled affectionately as she pulled her dearest closer to her.

Settling into this intimate and almost sexual embrace, Mayson felt very comfortable and protected. Now accepting Gaia as who she claims to be, she felt much more at ease as if great weights had been lifted from her shoulders. And secretly, she was glad that she was attracted to a goddess instead of the perpetrator of a cruel joke or scheme as she initially had imagined. Yet one question still troubled her, "Gaia…if you are so powerful, why have you permitted terrible things to happen in the history? Why did you not use your powers to change the world, eliminate crimes, famine, drought, flood and all other kinds of ills in the world which we live today?" Mayson asked hesitantly, not wishing to offend, yet she could not help but to think that if Gaia is so powerful to raise her from death, why could she not have stopped the murder from happening in the first place.

Arms tightened around the blonde's waist, Gaia nuzzled Mayson's neck affectionately, whispering her reply, "Dearest, it is true that I have power enough to do what you asked, but there is one question your kind must answer. For exchange of my power exerted into every fabric of your lives, are you willing to be so dependent on me? Can you as a person, willing to give up so much control over your life in exchange for my powers to intervene?" Mayson stiffened, for it is true that she had never been willing to be dependent on anyone, but she also remembers the horrible crimes and wars fought in the history of humankind, what little price it will be to have stopped all those she thought to herself. Sensing the blonde's unease, Gaia hugged Mayson tighter in her arms, "It is true that the ills you spoke of pains me to witness. However, in nature all around you, when their young become old enough, the animals let them loose to determine their own fate. You are all my children, and I must let you fly and determine your own fate…For better or for worse, the choice had always been yours to shape the world you live by the power of your collective wills. You sowed the seeds, and you reap the whirlwind."

After spending an hour or so in the cemetery with the police, Lois and Clark left the scene with some answers and even more questions. Clark had gone deathly quiet, his face a carefully kept mask that almost seen blank and devoid of any emotion. Feeling worried, Lois finally decided to confront Clark head on. "Clark, talk to me," she said, "tell me what's wrong. I know what happened is bad, and believe me it hits me hard too to see her grave desecrated like that, but there is no use, absolutely no use at all for you to beat yourself all over for something you have no control of!" Turning his gaze toward the brunette, Clark barely took notice of his partner and continued on walking back toward the Daily Planet head office. Throwing her hands up in frustration, Lois picked up her pace and followed, thinking that maybe the editor in chief, Perry White, a man who both she and Clark respects a great deal can talk some sense into him. But she was herself filled with fury deep down. She was absolutely furious that Clark could ignore the ones who live and care about him, and focus his attention on the dead, that Mayson Drake for particular.

The duo walked silently side by side, awkward silence filled the air between them all the way back to the office. It was Jimmy Olsen who greeted them when they stepped out of the elevator, "Hey Lois, welcome back," he managed to smiled to the older woman before he turns to Clark, "C.K, I am sorry that this happened, you ok there?" Giving the friendly young man barely a nod, Clark took off his long coat and hang it at the usual place before he went back to his desk and try to piece whatever information he has together. But the more he thinks about the situation, the angrier and more frustrated he became. Lois looked on, worried as she knocked on Perry's door and asked if she can come in. "Come on in," the editor replied from his office. Lois opened the door, step in and closed it quietly behind her, taking her customary seat in front of the older man. Perry looked at her, "Lois…" but he was cut off by Clark coming into his office and said in a semi – demanding and semi – pleading tone, "Chief, I need the rest of the day off."

Eyes narrowed as if to evaluate the young man, Perry nodded his consent, "Very well, Clark, take the rest of the day off." The young man nodded and left the room before closed the door behind him. Lois sat in the chair, shocked by Perry's answer as she began to speak. But she was cut off by a wave from Perry, "Lois, I know what you were going to say. And yes, before you ask, I think it's a good idea for Clark to take some time off. The incident with Mayson hit him hard, don't worry, he's a good kid, he just need to cool his head. Time heals all wounds. If things get serious, I will have a talk with him, ok?" The older man's voice was firm and left no room for Lois to object. Knowing when to take the cue, Lois nodded, "Thank you…Perry" and left the room herself.

Flying with all possible speed, Clark wasted no time since he left the Daily Planet building, he just couldn't sit in Metropolis anymore, not with the thoughts of Mayson in his mind. He needs his parents' advice and support badly. Landing expertly at the front door of the Kent house, Clark take a deep breath of the fresh country air before knocking on the doors. Moments later, Martha Kent opened the door and could not hide her surprise of seeing her son home so suddenly. Quickly open the door and welcome Clark in, she called out to her husband, who is sitting on his favorite in the living room and reading the newspaper, "Jonathan! Clark is here." Looking up, surprise as much as his wife does, Jonathan Kent put the papers aside and stand up just in time for Martha and Clark to come into the living room. Observing his son from where he stood, Jonathan could tell that Clark is deeply troubled. "Son, have a seat, I think we need to talk," speaking to Clark in a firm voice, the older Kent sat back down himself and asked his wife to bring some tea or coffee for all three.

Clark sat down on the sofa, burying his face between his hands after taking off the glasses he wear as a disguise as he organized his thoughts while his mother brings coffee and tea for the trio. Clark smiled at his mother as she hands him a mug of coffee, uttering a thank you. Martha Kent looked at his son worriedly, she may not be a psychiatrist, but she can tell that her boy is in great turmoil, for why else would he flown all the way back home unannounced and sporting that gaunt angry look on his face. Taking a sip of his coffee, Jonathan Kent cleared his throat before he place his cup back on the coffee table, "Clark, what's wrong, son? Has something happened?" he looked at his son sternly, demanding a father's right to know what troubled his son so. Martha nodded in agreement, "Clark, tell us what's wrong, I have never seen you so troubled and sad like this. Has something bad happened in Metropolis?" Clark turned to look at his parents, sighed and said, "Mom, dad, do you remember Mayson Drake, the assistant DA you met when I was blind?"

Thinking and nodding in unison, the older Kents replied yes to their son's question. Martha spoke, "Of course Clark, we remember her. I still remember you telling us what she felt about you and superman, and her feelings for you," then Jonathan pitched in, "She seems like an independent and strong young woman. What's this got to do with her?" Slowly and painfully, Clark related the terrible news of how he had failed to save Mayson's life in the car bombing and that in her dying breaths, Mayson found out the truth about superman. "Oh dear lord," Martha Kent made a sign of the cross and said a silent prayer for the young woman she had met for a weekend not very long ago. Burying his face in his hands again, Clark related in a guilt ridden voice to his parents about what he has been feeling since her death. He described how he felt guilty for not getting there fast enough and the occasions where he used Mayson's feeling for him to get information yet rejected her romantic feeling towards him time and again. Listening closely to his son's tale, Jonathan Kent closed his eyes and considered, weighted all the things he had heard. Then leaning forward, Jonathan looked at his son sternly, "Tell me Clark, have you done all you can to save her? Have you done all that you can both as superman and Clark Kent to help Miss Drake?" Turning to look at his father eye to eye, Clark fell silent and then nodded, though grudgingly, "Yes. I…got to Mayson as fast as I can, but still…it was not fast enough."

Jonathan nodded, and then said, "Clark, son, all that matters is that you did your best. As fast and as strong as you are, you are not a god and you can't save every life, or stop every tragedy from happening. I think Miss Drake understood that, there is no point in beating yourself over for something you had no way to prevent from happening." Seeing her son in such turmoil, Martha went over to her son and placed her hand on his shoulders, feeling the powerful muscles ripped as Clark trembled where he sat. "Oh Clark, honey, you did all you could, listen to your father, don't scrutinize yourself so harshly." Hearing his parents' words, Clark only groaned and felt his anger subsided slightly only to come back and wash over him like a tsunami to overwhelm his senses. Abruptly standing up, surprising both of his parents, he cried out in a heart wrenching voice, "No, No, No. You don't understand. I had failed Mayson!" Tears flow down his cheeks as he yelled, letting free of all his anger and frustration, "I couldn't save her when she was alive, and yet I FAILED, to protect her when she is dead!" Venting all of his anger, Clark roared like a beast and the entire Kent resident shake as if to humble itself before its young master. His ultra strength coupled with his grief and anger made him again want to strike out and lay waste to all around him, yet his sense remained and he managed to calm down just enough to sank to his knees and crying on the floor.

Surprised and shocked, the Kents stand up and hastily walk over to where their son sank onto the floor, weeping as he told him how Mayson's grave was destroyed and her body stolen mere days after the funeral. He told them how he had tried to do something but find there is nothing he can do either as superman or Clark Kent. Kneeling down to hug her son, Martha held her son tightly and let him know that she is there for him. Finally it was Jonathan who broke the silence, "Son, I think you need to sit down, and organize your thoughts. You need to have someone to talk to, stay here tonight or a few days, let me and your mom see if there is anything we can do to help." Nodding in agreement and feeling utterly spent after the outburst, Clark let his mother help him up and slowly walk back to his room to lie down on the bed and get the rest he needed. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillows, and did not notice his mother quietly close the door on her way out.

Looking at the closed door of her son's room, Martha stand next to his husband and said worriedly, "Oh Jonathan, I have never seen Clark so upset…" His arms around his wife, Jonathan answered in his strong voice, "We will help him Martha, we will help him, or his guilt and anger will destroy himself…"

Tbc