The teacher, the cave and the worried mother
At this time in the story the group of twelve powerful Olympians look a bit different. Hermes the messenger for instance has just been admitted to the Olympos, and is still one of the minor gods.
"And these are the Spartans," Eumonia displayed a new picture in the sight pool. It showed tanned, muscled and agile young men practicing with swords in an arena where the hot sun was hammering down and the burning sand on the ground became swept around in clouds as the combatants swiftly leaped around fencing and parrying, relentlessly trying to surpass their adversary in the ring. "Blood thirsty warriors they might appear, but they are also very passionate. Most of them are either following Ares or Artemis, but we Olympians believe that throwing some fervour of the flesh into the game can make them even more brilliant and successful."
"But these men," thoughtfully Aphrodite wound a blond lock around her finger, "wouldn't ardour of that kind – distract them?"
"In the beginning, yes. But soon they'll learn to overcome these imperfections of mind and it will make them even better at what they do."
"War?"
"Yes. The Spartans are a race of warriors," Eumonia told. "Excellent in their trade. They give it all and then some, that's the Spartan way. That's what makes them so efficacious. Never relenting."
Aphrodite thought about that for a while as she regarded the fighting men in the arena. They sure were fine specimens all of them, their attractive bodies distracting her more than she cared to admit. Finally she looked up and met the eyes of her teacher.
"Oh, they might as well need to relax a bit. Not being so wound up and dedicated to one single thing. Especially when that thing is war."
"You do not like war, I know?" Emounia posted the half-question to force her apprentice to think – and to voice her thoughts.
"No, I don't," the younger goddess answered. "It kills and it maims. It destroys when I love to see things being created instead."
"Yes, but sometimes war is necessary."
"I cannot see that. To me war is a horrendous thing."
"Aphrodite, you like to see things being built and created. I can understand that since love is strong in your aura. And so is creation and pro-creation. But sometimes we need a blank slate to be able to create things of worth. Very often war gives us these chances. It cleanses away what is weak and faulty, and only the good and healthy endure. Now, what I want you to do with those Spartans is to select a few young men and women of noble houses and see if you can create some lasting relationships."
"But it's kind of hard. The young men there seem to have very little contact with the young women."
"That is true, Aphrodite. See it as a challenge. Use your imagination!" Eumonia dared her.
*o*o*
"Mother?" With surprised eyes Aphrodite looked up from the relationship chart she was drawing with a stick in the sand box. She had no idea how many times she had drawn those charts and then erased them again with the small rake and once more staring at a pristine sand box, beginning anew. She had tried and tried to make possible ties between those Spartans, it was so unbelievable hard, much more complicated than it had been with the Cretans or the Illyrians.
"Yes, Aphrodite," Dione said while passing through the door opening. "Have you forgotten that I was coming for a visit today?"
The goddess regarded her mother who without being asked to had sat down on the stool opposite of Aphrodite's working table. Her lime green dress with flower patterns around the hem was caressing her body like a wave of the sea and her cheeks were shining healthily in the sun coming in from the large window. Her dark brown hair, so unlike Aphrodite's own fair, was donned up in an intricate crown of braids decorated with pearls and gems. Dione wore very little make-up and her only jewelry was a simple golden chain around her neck and creoles in her ears, golden as well. Still, she was very beautiful in a vigorous way, and her sparkling blue eyes held the wisdom of a life which had lasted for a bit more than 4 centuries. A life which had been lived thoroughly every single day. Now Dione folded her gracious hands in her lap, tilted her head and waited for her daughter's words.
"I remember now," Aphrodite excused herself. "There have been so much to do during the last weeks I don't even know where to begin describing it. My teacher has shown me..."
"Daughter, Aphrodite, are you really certain about what you are doing now?"
"Yes, I'm attending an education of how the mortal societies are built up, how they revolve around young people and how match making can become possible. Later on, when I have showed that I'm mastering this, I will be initiated into the deeper mysteries of love."
"And what is your aim with all this?"
"To become a full fleshed Goddess of Love. To be able to work for the Olympians."
"The Olympians?" Dione's voice was full of doubt.
"Yes, Eumonia told me Zeus is hiring."
"'Zeus is hiring'? Aphrodite, the Olympos is no recruitment central. Are you sure that Eumonia's promises are genuine, that you are not being used for something else?"
"And what should that be?"
"Daughter of mine, I have some experience with Olympos. It is an alluring place, I do admit to that. It is after all the power centre of the divine world, and as such the indirect power centre of our complete realm. It is easy to become tempted by what gods and goddesses from that place may propose. But Olympos is also a place bursting with the kind of people who are zealous to increase their own power and who conspire against each other to be able to reach higher positions. They often use and misuse both mortals and lesser gods in their tries at acquiring where they covet. They do not care who they break in their fight for more influence. So, Aphrodite dearest, be prudent and do not mistake this Eumonia's business with you for some kind of altruism."
"I don't do that at all, mother," Aphrodite protested. "I know well what's in it for her. But this is my chance, and I have to take it. Who knows when it comes back, if ever. I have a handshake-agreement with Eumonia; she has already begun to show me these basic things about the mortal world. It is a win-win situation for both of us, I get the chance to advance in life and she gets the chance to present a Goddess of Love to Lord Zeus. I can take care of myself! I'm not a baby anymore! Don't worry about me so much!"
"You trust Eumonia, you say. Then how about Lord Zeus?"
"I have yet to meet him."
"I bet you do, he does not frequently meet divine candidates. He is a busy man with the world at his feet. If Eumonia has promised you an interview with Zeus, I suggest you make sure that one takes place before you commit to any further involvement on your part!"
"Mother, why are you so distrusting – and discouraging?"
"I only want your best, dear!"
"And you acquire that how? By thwarting me, by criticizing my ambitions?"
"By giving you a bit developed perspective on things. Olympos is a place one should tread cautiously towards. There is no use rushing ahead and believing one is going to obtain a place in the Dodekatheon in a tick and stepping on the feet of powerful people in a venture like that. Gods and goddesses in high positions are not just powerful but often vengeful too, they have fought hard for their positions and are seldom prepared to step aside and give them up. No, they are willing to both give to take blood to keep what they have fought so hard for."
"What's the Dodekaden?"
"The Dodekatheon. It's the highest circle of power at Olympos. Twelve appointed gods and goddesses who together rule more or less the whole world. Lord Zeus is their head and he formed this constellation within a century after the defeat of the Titans."
"Who are these gods? Do you know?"
"Beside Zeus, there is his wife Hera, his sister Hestia and his old sibling in arms Demeter, Poseidon and Hades. Then there are his chancellors Themis and Prometheus and his children Athena, Apollo, Artemis and Ares."
"Isn't Poseidon Zeus's brother as well? Eumonia said something about it."
"I do not know, Aphrodite. Zeus's family status is a bit unclear; I actually believed Hera was his sister of blood until she married him."
"How come it's unclear?"
"Those Olympians are a bit secretive. They hide among the clouds on their mountaintop. I believe they think this mystery adds to their authority and attraction. People tend to be filled with more awe for assemblages they know very little about. Now, can we leave the Olympians for the time being and go for a walk you and I? I have never been to Cyprus before and I would like to see it."
"It's not that different from Kythera really," Aphrodite smiled, but then she stood and offered her mother her arm. After all she had promised her mother this day. One afternoon off from her studies, how bad could that really be?"
*o*o*
"It was my mother, she was a bit worried about me," Aphrodite told Eumonia the next day when they met in the refectory for lunch. The older goddess pulled out a chair and sat down and Aphrodite followed her example, placing her plate and cup of lemonade in front of her and smoothing her purple chiton.
"Dione of Kythera?" Eumonia asked conversionally.
"Yes," Aphrodite replied, not sure how much she wanted to tell. She had shown her mother around all right, but more often than not did Dione return to the subject of Eumonia's recruitment and Olympos, letting Aphrodite know how many traps there might be if she was to ascend that mountaintop, how the whole pantheon seemed to be full of intrigues and machinations.
"I hope you took well care of her then, Aphrodite. Since I didn't know about her visit I had no way of receiving her."
"Oh, do not worry about that," the student breathed out. "My mother is not like that, she only wanted to meet little me, check out that her daughter was fine. She tends to be a bit worried."
"That means she loves you much and cares about you, dear," Eumonia said. "I can see it in your eyes that you resent her for her worries, but Aphrodite, it's only her way to show that she cares."
"But she's so worried about Olympos. She told me all kinds of things about plays for power up there. Things I have no idea about how true they are, because neither she nor I have actually been to Olympos."
"Yes, Dione has been there, didn't she tell you about it?"
"She never said anything about that."
"Probably because it was so long ago and such a brief stay. But let's leave that now, Aphrodite, tell me instead what you have been doing with your Spartans!"
*o*o*
Flames of green, orange, blue and bright red divine fire were burning from the tops of the stone obelisks which were lining up the path to the cave like an alley of trees. This landscape was barren and volcanic, very few real trees grew here, most of the vegetation consisted of sturdy tufts of grass and small bushes, most of it the thorny kind which you didn't want to get caught in, or it might damage your clothes. But some of those thorn bushes carried berries with hallucinatory properties that even worked for gods. It was one of the reasons for selecting this place, this very easternmost point of Cyprus, where the island cut out in the surrounding ocean like a knife's edge.
Ten young deities were gathered in front of the stone alley. Everyone less than a hundred years old, each of them a bit scared and apprehensive of what to come. They all knew that some were not going to make it and each of them feared being the one to fall short.
It was late in the night, the eastern horizon a pale cerise heralding the birth of the coming day, but the stars were still gleaming in the sky together with a small, waxing moon crescent. Aphrodite was shivering in her thin, ankle-long and arm-less gown, rubbing her arms to somewhat warm herself up. For some reason were they forbidden to use their divine powers including shielding against the cold. Eumonia and her assisting deity, a man named Alpheus, had told them to wait while the preparations were finished, but had not said for how long.
"This is ridiculous," Kliethe said. "I mean couldn't they have let us sleep until they were done with whatever they are up to in there."
"They probably want us to be a bit softened up," a god named Neophoros guessed. "A bit anxious and uneasy, so we become easier to 'work with' in there."
"I refused to be played with in that way," Kliethe snarled. "If they don't show up here soon, I'm going to walk right out of here, you hear me. I'm sick of this by now."
"You're welcome to it," another god huffed. His name was Gephion and he was a latecomer in the group - which had not stopped him from letting everyone know what he thought about this and that. "If you are as sick of everything as you keep saying all the time, Kliethe, why haven't you left eons ago? And spared us all your complaints?"
"I'm not here to make things easier for you, Gephion, so shut your big mouth since no one ever asked for your opinion anyway," Kliethe snapped back.
"You're all so utterly boring," Neophoros muttered and yawned. Aphrodite regarded him in the augmenting light of dawn. With his spiky hair and dark skin he was kind of cute, she thought. She wondered what was going on behind those dreamy, brown eyes, what he really thought of this practice. If he had any idea what might wait for them in the cave beyond those obelisks. Aphrodite knew that Neophoros had oracle traits; he was able to envision and interpret possible futures. However she was quite sure he wouldn't dare trying to deploy them now, after Alpheus warning them so decisively against utilize any of their divine powers, asserting that they were to enter the cave as if they were mere mortals.
Aphrodite couldn't help feeling a bit nervous when she thought about what lied ahead of them - or rather how little she knew about what might lie ahead of them. Shivering in the cold she listened to Kliethe answering back to Gephion - oh, she was really annoying that girl. Always so resentive about everything and still without the ability to essentially do something about it. Something real - like quitting. Instead she just kept on whining and complaining. Gephion wasn't exactly an epitome of merriment either. Neophoros on the other hand - he was now silently regarding the cave opening with curious and brooding eyes. As if his mind was wandering again, the way it tended to do when things around him got a bit idle.
In turn Aphrodite was of the kind who always regarded her fellows, wherever they were gods or mortals - trying to take in as much as possible of their personalities, trying to understand them. There was the self-assured Gephion, the timid but intelligent Salika, the passionate and slightly arrogant Eiraton and the wanton and impatient Ishtar. The latter had become Aphrodite's friend and confident over the years - but also her worst competitor. The two of them always sought to outdo the other one, and Ishtar had also hinted at having a chance at Olympos. And Aphrodite knew that there could be only one. Only one Goddess of Love - yet she sure didn't want to lose Ishtar's friendship over an ascension to Olympos.
Finally Alpheus was exiting the cave - and was he a sight to behold! The old god was entirely naked and bodypainted all over his fit and limber body - red, blue and gold. Intricate patterns and swirls and what appeared to be letters, numbers and other figures, too exotic for Aphrodite to recognize.
Alpheus lifted his hands and held them out from his body:
"Young goddesses and gods of Cyprus!" he called out. "Listen to me! The time has come for you to embark on the ultimate journey inside of your bodies. The journey of knowledge. To learn and understand your powers. You have all the powers to heal, to match and to seek and to give passion and desire. You know the Erotic love as well as the Soul-connective love. The Platonic and the Kinship love. The Enduring love and its anti-pole, the Ephemeral love. You have learned to use them and to balance them. Now remember - this is not really a test - this is another lesson. And I assure you twice. First - some of you will leave this place after this journey. Second - none of you will do it involuntarily. Now come with me, goddesses and gods!"
Beckoning them forwards Alpheus convinced them all to comply, a bit hesitantly first and then with a greater confidence, as if they could hardly wait to get started. Strangely and embarrassing enough Aphrodite found herself focusing on Alpheus' manhood. Honestly, he wasn't exactly grand down there - she had seen far better equipped men - yet the sight of his member all painted in gold held her enthralled - so much that she almost forgot where they were going, what they were actually supposed to do. She forced those thoughts away - in time for Eumonia's arrival. The goddess wasn't naked, but she was not far from it, wearing only a very short and skin-tight chiton in light brown suede. She carried with her a terracotta bowl filled with red paint of the kind which covered the whole body of Alpheus, as well as parts of herself, even though she wore more of the golden and blue hues. As each of the apprentices came up in front of her (they had all lined up in a queue, Aphrodite noticed, although she didn't know how that had happened) Eumonia dipped down a finger in the bowl and painted each of them with a symbol upon their forehead - not two of them alike. Aphrodite wondered what those symbols meant and what had been painted in her own face.
After that it became Alpheus's turn. He was holding a cup and gave them all to drink before he gathered them in a circle around himself. They were now assembled in a circular cave-room, lit by torches of divine light, shining with a pale lime hue.
"This is where your journey begins in earnest." Alpheus spoke. "There are twelve doors leading from this room. One which you came through, one which is restricted for the time being and then ten doors opening into the cave system. Each of doors bears a mark on it, a mark which corresponds with what's written upon your forehead. Since you cannot see it, you will have to receive help from your friends to get in. When inside, proceed forward. There will be trials on the way. Trials forcing you to think and to determine your future. Trials which are form fit for each of you to challenge you and to take you further on in life. Do not be afraid, even if some trials may appear fearsome. Think instead of how to overcome your discomfort. How to solve the problems in front of you. How to unknit those riddlesome ribbons. Finally. There will be temptations in there. Some of them are for you to give in to. Some are not. It will be up to you to make up your mind about these. Be prepared to explain your choices too. Now good luck in there sons and daughters. And do well. I know you can!"
*o*o*
Aphrodite had walked for what felt like an eternity. However she couldn't determine if she had walked for hours or if just a few minutes had passed since Neophoros studied the mark on her forehead and pointed her to the right door, just after doing the same to Salika. She wondered about those tests. So far she hadn't encountered a single one. She had merely walked down this tunnel, carrying a flame of divine fire in her hand to light herself with, the only godly magic they were allowed to use. Finally she reached a larger cavity with a small underwater brook in. Crossing that brook was a piece of cake, Aphrodite almost felt insulted at that effortless tread.
After the brook it became a bit trickier because she reached an intersection where the tunnel branched off in two. Now what? This had to be a trial at least. Aphrodite shone her light all around the pair of openings, looking for signs, for any indication that she should be going in any of those directions. But there was nothing, not a single hint; it was all down to good old eenie meenie mo. The goddess huffed, and just for the heck of it she chose the right passageway.
Soon she found herself upon a path leading upwards. Climbing roughly cut out stairs in the ground; she ascended for several minutes, noting that the burrow was getting narrower. It didn't really scare her, but it made her wonder if she hadn't picked the wrong path after all. But just as she was about to turn around and start anew, taking the other way, did the passage open up to a landing in an enormous cave. It was filled with stalactites and stalagmites, a persistent dripping sound was heard and her light didn't reach far. While she stood there in indecision, a familiar voice made her swirl around.
"Aphrodite! What took you so long?"
"Neophoros? I..."
His kiss was hasty and craving and silenced her with its element of surprise. When she tried to protest, to back off she noted that she could not. Neophoros had placed his arms firmly around her slim waist and was holding her in an iron grip as he ravaged her lips and then her inner oral cavity. She tried to voice a protest, to move her head, whereupon the raven haired god gripped her neck instead. For a second he stopped kissing only to huskily whisper:
"You know you want it too, don't deny yourself."
"Neophoros! Please..."
"That is exactly what I will do. I will please you, I will tease you and I will turn you on until you can't wait for more of my hands of my lips and tongue - and of other parts of me."
"I'm not..."
"Oh, yes you are. I know what you are babe. You're as yearning as anybody else - if not more. Aphrodite, don't deny it, you can't get enough of sex and of men."
"I..."
Neophoros stopped her dissent with even more kisses and caresses. Now - oh how exasperating – Aphrodite's body began to respond to the god's skilled handling of it. While tears were burning in the back of her eyes, she felt herself beginning to yearn for more. How did he know? Or was just guessing? Did he just take the chance with her because he had learned that she had been with both Gephion and Eiraton earlier? Well aware of how much of braggarts menfolk could be she hadn't exactly expected those lads to keep their mouths shut about their experiences with her. Still she had been the one to take the initiative, she had seduced those men. Not the other way around. Besides, Neophoros was actually the oldest in the group, past 90 if she remembered correctly. He should have learned by now to handle his desires.
No matter how Aphrodite tried to remain in control, to think of other things, the fervor of the god was getting the better of her. She began to return the kisses, to slip her fingers inside of his chiton and feel his bare, slightly hairy skin against her hands, to trace him all over, run her hands across every part of his body she could possibly reach while she was moaning with pleasure and ardor for more of the same. In response Neophoros didn't hesitate to give her what she was hesitantly asking for. He was opening up the laces that held her gown closed up front, and when he did he touched the most sensitive parts of her breasts, first with skilled fingers and then he bowed down to reach them with his lips and tongue. If she had ever protested, that was all but forgotten now. The only thing she wanted was for him to continue his keen exploration of her body.
When Neophoros slid the gown off Aphrodite's shoulders and let it fall down on the stone floor beneath them she wondered slightly how they would manage to perform the fulfilling act here, where there was only stone to lay down upon or lean against. But Neophoros solved that by sitting down on the stone ground and placing her in his lap, and they made love in that position. Something which worked unexpectedly well. Especially since Neophoros knew how to time her every movement, his thrusting finding her rhythm and then moving with the flow as if there were music somewhere and they were dancing. A dance with him inside of her, a dance towards ecstasy and bliss. Yes, it sure was a dance, the very dance to define and to fulfill all other dances.
The dance towards culmination, faster and faster - and in a splendour they climaxed - Aphrodite's keen scream echoing in the large cavity. When the sound of her own voice came back as an echo to her while she collapsed against the tanned shoulder of Neophoros, it almost scared her; it wasn't a call out of passion anymore, but something horrid, inhuman. She almost felt her partner stiff beneath her upon hearing the same.
The next second other voices were heard.
"Did you hear that?"
"Yes what was it, Eiraton?" Kliethe's voice was shrill with anxiety.
"It sounded almost like - Aphrodite."
"It was terrifying."
"You think she's in - trouble?"
"Might be - come!"
Then there were running feet approaching quickly. During the short seconds the conversation yonder lasted, had Aphrodite pulled away from Neophoros, letting him out of her, and wobbly standing up. Neophoros followed, almost steadying himself against her. He didn't look content, she noted – rather like he was - afraid. Scared and ashamed. Did he think - he had violated her? In that case she had to convince him otherwise, it could as well have been her had forcing herself upon him. Admittingly she'd done that in the past, even if embarrassment made her suppressing these things. Anaxiadis... he had left Cyprus after she'd almost raped him that night more than a year ago. Or at least seduced him very thoroughly.
"Fates!" Eiraton came storming around the corner with Kliethe not far behind. "Neophoros!"
"What have you done with her, you big asshole?" Kliethe's fretful voice echoed in the cave and bounced back, reminding Aphrodite of calling eagles.
Immediately Neophoros took the stance of defense, calling back:
"I did nothing!"
"You're lying! We both heard her," Kliethe pointed accusatory at him and Aphrodite tried to make her voice heard, tried to object that she had been very much positively involved in the act. But she wasn't heard because Eiraton launched himself at the bronze-skinned god and lashed out with one big fist. Neophoros managed to take a step to the side, but that was for naught, because Eiraton's backhand connected with the dream-healer's cheek and he stumbled backwards with a curse.
He repelled, hit back at the fairer god with a fervor of a likeness Aphrodite seldom had seen, with a force like a tromb, his uppercut hitting Eiraton right on the chin. Before the blonde god could react, Neophoros followed up with a slamming dance of fists, throwing Eiraton backwards. Aphrodite tried in vain to reach for Neophoros but it all happened too fast, she didn't get the grip around that upper arm she had aimed for. Instead Eiraton lost his footing upon the even ground and tumbled backwards, connecting with Kliethe who in turn was sent with full force over the edge of the terrace.
With a terrifying scream the fifty-something woman fell down in the abyss.
"Kliethe!" Aphrodite threw herself forward in a vain try at reaching her comrade. But too late, Kliethe's scream disappeared in a terrible echo which reverberated in the chasm until it faded and died out.
"Kliethe! Where..." Aphrodite was laying on her belly, staring down in the darkness, her divine light not managing to light up more than a few meters down.
"She could... levitate up... back again... I guess." Neophoros said behind them, his issue with Eiraton completely forgotten.
"We were not allowed to use god powers!" Eiraton's voice was flat, devoid of emotions like a dessert of ash.
"But this is an emergency," Aphrodite fought back tears. "Shouldn't we..."