Check out Naomi's Gift, Melione's Curse by MikaRauch on Wattpad to see an awesome Original Story I am writing.
My inspiration dried up for a few days but now it is back and I am happy. We will see a lot more after this... but this is a great chapter all it's own.
Through his divine powers, Apollo watched as the Mortal Priest listened to Ariana, daughter of one of the Tiber's Naiads. She was strong for a mere deminymph, and her control over water was impressive as she demonstrated for the Mortal. Aaron listened with an intensity that reminded Apollo of why he had such a strong attraction to Athena and Minerva over the eons. The boy was passionate in a way that his less than pleasing mortal form seemed to shift into something magnificent. His brown eyes were warm, his smile pure and enticing... Apollo could see himself becoming the boy's lover, if only for a moment.
He almost laughed at that thought and the inspiration they brought him. "Perhaps that is where I am failing, if this mortal boy was my lover he could make me more important to the Romans in a way that fool Octavian has failed to even make possible. He is a Priest already, and a powerful witch... what could I offer him that he lacks? The Gift of healing perhaps, or maybe prophecy? Hmmm... yes, I could see this."
He watched for longer and listened while Ariana spoke to the boy. " Water is fluid, obviously, and to control it fully you have to adapt your magic and the flow of strength. Never try and rule water, for it will always rebel. It seeks freedom and expression, one must always remember that."
Aaron nodded. "Freedom and expression, I can get that." He raised his hand and slowly a glob of water appeared to lift from the Little Tiber, dancing around gleefully, the boy had managed to conjure the essence of water itself "I did it!" He smiled and laughed, a sound that pleased Apollo and sealed the boy's fate.
Decision made, Apollo allowed himself to manifest before the boy in glorious light, one that cascaded over himself.
Ariana bowed, the tendrils of water she was manifesting fell to her feet. "Lord Apollo, to what do we owe this honor?"
The God smiled at her winningly. "I came to offer a proposition to Young Aaron, if he will have me? This is a private matter though, so you must leave." He waved his hands, sending Ariana away so he could have uninterrupted time with the young Witch.
Aaron, to Apollo's shock, recoiled and stepped back. He looked afraid, terrified even, but only for a moment before a cold, but respectful expression crossed his face. " I am honored Lord Apollo, but I have to decline for the time being. My age for one, I not even sixteen yet... and I have far too many tasks to complete in the name of the war effort to even think of Dating anyone. I mean no offense, but that is merely the way it is."
Confusion and rage overtook Apollo, but he calmed himself and smiled in such a way that no being attracted to men could ignore. He leaned in, brushing his knuckles across the boy's cheekbones. Instead of a delicious shudder, Aaron recoiled. Rage overtook confusion in an instant. "You would reject the love of a GOD!" His voice thundered, his aura so bright it should have blinded the boy, but the boy's powerful aura exploded into a silvery light not unlike his sister's aura. "
"I am allowed to choose my lover, being a god does not give you the rights to my body or my soul."
Stepping forward, Apollo went to strike and curse the boy, but before he could so much as touch him, a cold strong hand grasped his forearm, snuffing out the light of his rage. He turned, ready to sneer at the fool who dared touch him, only to freeze at the sight of Pluto, radiating rage on a scale that far surpassed his own. Pluto looked young, not unlike Diana's typical form, almost Aaron's own age...
It would seem the Great God's rage was fueled by far more then just admiration for the boy.
Pluto's honeyed words echoed with hate. "He is beloved of the Underworld, you would dare place your hands on him?" Pluto's rage quelled the rage within Apollo, but he couldn't even speak as the Superior God's power eclipsed his own. " I can see into your heart Apollo, you simply seek to use the boy's position to raise yourself above the Gods of Rome. A fool's errand if ever there was one. Leave this place and know that My power protects this boy from you and your arrogance." With a wave of his hand, The Lord of the Underworld sent a shadow that grappled Apollo and sent him far, far away, back onto Olympus.
""""
Aaron could not stop his shaking, he was able to mask the fear from his face but he was not stupid. He invoked the wrath of Apollo for no reason other than choosing to not be with him... though, if Pluto's words were to be believed, The god had sought to use him for more than just love. It would be dumb to not be afraid in this case it seemed. He hated this feeling, knowing how helpless he was, no matter how much power he had accumulated. Apollo was an extremely powerful god, even among the gods.
If it wasn't for Pluto... he would dead or worse.
Speaking of Pluto, the handsome god turned to him with a soft smile. " Hello, Aaron. I am sorry Apollo would threaten you, but he has long been arrogant... he seeks to be greater than he is, we all have known this for a long time. It was a wise idea to take advantage of your progress and skill here, I admit. A clever ruse... I am glad that I was able to intervene when I did. It was brave of you to turn him down, you have always been one to stick to your principles. I admire that... "
Aaron groaned. "You like me, don't you? That is why you stick to a form like mine?"
The man blushed, turning away. "I would never dream of forcing myself on you... and Proserpina approves, she likes you for the respect you have inspired for the Underworld. She would not act against you, she never has acted against my lovers. If we chose to, we could enjoy a vast and beautiful romance. I would not force sex onto you, I know you are asexual... if you would have me, I would make you very, very happy in either form." He smiled, Aaron's heart ached.
It was true, he respected the God before him deeply... and hell he even liked the man. However was he ready for a relationship? Sighing, he smiled at the god. "I... um... okay."
"What?" Pluto jumped. 'You mean it?"
"Why not? I mean the age gap is odd, but to judge an immortal by the same standards as a mortal is wrong... just... give me your oath you won't hurt me, control me or take advantage of me. Too many gods would try to harm me and you know it."
Pluto's smile softened. "I understand and I swear by your terms, love." The sky rumbled with the force of his oath And with that, the God of the Dead planted a simple, sweet kiss on Aaron's mouth. Aaron didn't recoil from the aura of death that surrounded the God, nor the cold of his skin. He let his own aura sink into the god's and tasted of his emotions, unintentionally, of course, tasting the man's genuine interest before pulling away and smiling.
"I... this is new, what made you decide to... pursue me?"
The man laughed. "It was many things. The respect you showed me, the power of your mind and passion... then it was your willingness to defend me when even Chiron would not. It was your refusal to bend to Jupiter's curse, it was the strength of your humanity... it was the taste of your aura and the wisdom and charity you show the living and the dead. It was your passion and compassion."
To say Aaron was flattered was an understatement. "For once I have no words... hehe... is... is Apollo able to hurt me for choosing you?"
A black Aura surrounded Aaron. "Any god who looks upon you will now know you are under my protection. Not even Jupiter would risk harming you, well not without some reason for it. That I can swear to you."
"Thank you, that is reassuring... so... since my lesson is canceled, do you want to enjoy a day together? I am sure there is a lot we can do together? Have you tried New Rome's brownies? I am not fond of sweets and even I would kill for them."
Pluto's laughter was a delicious sound to Aaron's ears. "I would be glad to try them."
Arm in arm, the two powerful beings marched away, one beyond shocked he was so easily accepted, the other touched and excited to try something so new. Both excited to embrace this new and beautiful expression that may one day become true and genuine love.
''''
Juno's hand, sharply slapping Apollo's face was not what the god expected as he fell into Olympus. " What do you think you are doing? He is our priest, all of ours. He serves Rome and Greece more than any mortal has before. He is a benefit to us all, are you so greedy that you think you can sway him to serve only you?"
Apollo shook, fearing Juno's superior power. "No, I merely-"
"What Apollo? I saw you were about to curse him, he is under my protection, Neptune's and Pluto's you foolish boy! I cannot believe you would be foolish as to attack him for merely denying you! A look at his soul would have told you that you were not his type. He is much better a fit for Pluto and Hades, my brother's Intelligence, Passion and sense of duty is what draws in Aaron. Things you lack."
Rage shook through him, his aura expanding. " I am all of those things, I am-"
"An arrogant child that would risk the world to expand his power. Your father has allowed me to punish you as I see fit, a rarity I know but one you deserve. Know this, my stupid stepson. you are banned from having any mortal children or from interacting with them for the next decade. You will not reach for power, whisper your desires into the ears of mortals be they of your blood or not. That includes Octavian and any augur or priest we have. Aaron will be safe from your reach."
"Why do so much for a mere mortal? You hate mortals!"
Junos' aura magnified to such a degree that Apollo felt weak, mortal even. This was a rarity when Hera and Juno spoke as one. "You foolish boy, you never were able to look past yourself! This boy serves us all, I will always protect my family and those that serve us. This boy does just that and for that reason, he is under my protection! Leave my sight and go sulk in your temple, but know that should you break my punishment you will suffer for it!"
Terrified, the God of the Sun fled his stepmother's wrath, running to his temple before she could do who knew what to him.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a lot of fun to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.