A candidate to Goddess
Chapter four: Trials
Glossary/Notes:
Here's something very interesting about Greek/roman gods, they were portrayed in ancient times very much like humans, they had emotions- they also made mistakes- and took sides when it came to making decisions or helping/punishing certain people. This is very good for me because it's something I will be able to take advantage of for this fiction.
As for the late update, there were many factors this time, one was my part time job, another my net dying and the most important of them all was the fact that I couldn't access fan fiction for unknown reasons.
I'm glad that this fiction is still getting attention and I will keep updating it as much as I can, trapped as well, please bare with me and it's appreciated if you drop a little review (even if it's just to rage about why I'm updating so slowly - just joking-), it really pushes me to write more and keeps me motivated XD
1-Nymph: Is a minor nature female deity, depicted as beautiful young maidens that like to sing and dance.
2-Olympus: the home of all gods. Also known as Mount Olympus.
3-By father, Shizuru means Zeus.
4-Hermes: Messenger of the gods, and also known as the guardian of doors and for his astuteness
5-The Fates: Otherwise known as the Moirae, these timeless old hags weave the threads of destiny that control your life even those of the gods. In this case Shizuru refers to them and Natsuki's destiny.
6- Aphrodite: Goddess of love
7- The old woman was suggesting that Natsuki is having an illicit relationship
Natsuki backed away slowly until her back met a wall, impeding her to retreat anymore.
"My sister… couldn't have been…" the blunette began but as soon as she spoke, images of her past started to flash by—of memories, memories of her and her sister.
The huntress blinked and something within her mind began to churn. She knew her sister was special, gifted. Sometimes she acting un-humanly very much like a nymph (1), swift, ghostly and sometimes playful.
If someone asked her if Simetra was ordinary… Natsuki could not deny that she indeed wasn't. She was so much more, just that Natsuki didn't realize it till now or simply didn't pay these things enough attention.
Her ponderings were interrupted however when she noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching her intently and she gulped.
"Let's say…" she started slowly "Let's say if I believed you… what you would do?"
Shizuru blinked but gave her a small satisfied smile; it seemed the tide was changing to her favor.
"I would tell you about my mission here."
"And… what is this mission?" the huntress asked trying to regain her cool composure as she moved away from the wall gaining strength and confidence once more.
The goddess remained silent for a few tense seconds, as if she were thinking what would be the best way to give the blunette an explanation.
"Are you familiar with the Olympus (2)?" she asked carefully as if afraid to offend or agitate the blunette further
Natsuki scoffed as she crossed her arms "I'm not an ignorant peasant."
"Surely you act like one" Kiyohime added to this statement earning a glare from Natsuki.
Shizuru looked at Kiyohime and shifted the shoulder in which the owl was perched, taking in the hidden message in that action, the owl stretched its wings and took flight, not before giving Natsuki a final disgruntled look. Then the goddess continued their conversation as if nothing had happened "Olympus is where we gods, reside. But a crisis has struck our home." The blunette remained silent listening intently and Shizuru continued not before she wet her lips her eyes showing small glimpses of what seemed nervousness.
"Artemis…" she paused and then added "our sister; has a habit of disappearing without a trace for a certain time every now and then. Last time she disappeared, I assumed it was the time she spent with you here on earth, however we have completely lost track of her this time and it seems she's not with you either."
Natsuki blinked in surprise but didn't say anything as she knew there was more of this story to be told.
"She didn't respond even to our father's (3) call which is unlikely of her and not even Hermes (4) could find her. Therefore we know that something must have happened to her and the Olympus is in uproar-" she stopped talking when she saw Natsuki's face going slightly pale.
"W-what could have happened to her…?" Natsuki asked with difficulty her face covered with concern.
"We don't know." The goddess replied curtly.
The blunette felt her temper rise "You're the goddess of knowledge right? You should know everything!"
Shizuru kept a cool attitude and replied calmly "I know you are upset. But when it is related to divine nature I cannot know everything. Which is why we need you."
Natsuki clenched her teeth and fists and shook them in anger.
"Then explain! Why am I needed! I don't know where she is! I haven't seen her in years!" she stepped forwards defiantly her midnight hair suddenly lifted by an opportune breeze revealing her angry expression spreaded upon her pale face "Looks like the gods are no use after all! They can't even find their own kin! I bet its cause they don't even care!"
Immediately her anger faded upon seeing Shizuru's expression; her crimson eyes seemed to be scorching her very soul, making the blunette back away slowly from her feeling like she had crossed a line that she shouldn't have.
"Of course I care… Which is why I'm here asking you…" she said her tone was quiet but it sounded hurt as well "I am here against anyone's wishes, but I am determined that you shall become the new goddess of hunt."
Natsuki felt the strength of her knees waver slightly causing them to buckle momentarily.
"B-Become…the new… goddess of hunt…?" she repeated not giving credit to her own ears.
"It is the only way to restore Olympus balance" Shizuru continued slowly still regarding the young woman's behavior closely. She paused for a couple of seconds before adding "Of course till we can find Artemis…"
Natsuki's attention fell upon the goddess once more parting ways with her own thoughts.
Shizuru looked at her a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Though many believe that Artemis is dead and is needed to be replaced, I do confess I have some hope that she is still alive."
The huntress processed these words carefully and finally decided to speak "Is there… a chance that; if I do agree to become the next goddess, can I search for her as well…?"
The goddess hesitated once more before giving the huntress a faint but definite nod. "However… it will not be easy…" she began but was interrupted by Natsuki.
"But I will be able to search for her right?" she insisted, in response; another nod.
"Then tell me what to do." The blunette seemed determined, her emerald eyes set upon the goddess before her.
"In order to become a god usually we only have to ask my father to see if you are worthy of such status, but me being here against his wishes makes things harder. Therefore you must gain my father's approval and earn your powers as the goddess of hunt." She explained while pushing one of her honey colored locks behind her ear with her hand.
"And how do I do this" Natsuki asked her resolution unwavering upon hearing the difficulty of her goal her eyes gleaming as she spoke.
A strong will. Good she will need that. Shizuru found herself thinking as she spoke once more "My sister… or should I say… Our sister, since she was already of divine status, earnt her powers with trials that were presented to her. My guess is that to earn your powers you must go through similar trials that will be presented to you by the fates (5)"
"These trials… what are they? What am I meant to prove in them?" Natsuki asked starting to feel like a student attending for the first time to an academy.
"Could be anything… any situation; they can test your strength, your knowledge…" The goddess replied pensively one of her slender fingers running under her chin. And then stopped to look at the huntress who had mumbled something under her breath. "No, I doubt it would be anything to do with a grammar test." She replied smiling slightly as Natsuki's cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
"I didn't think you heard that…" she said in a low tone to the goddess while looking away waiting for her face to return to normal.
"I didn't." Shizuru replied quite amused at Natsuki's previous reaction "But I am the goddess of wisdom after all."
"Please keep your wisdom to yourself then." The blunette was now facing her, her face not having a single trace of having blushed before.
"Natsuki?" a familiar voiced called out and both women turned round to see who had addressed the huntress.
"Ah." Natsuki blinked realizing who had called her and quickly her expression changed from surprised to annoyed. "Curio"
A man handsome man walked over towards them, his blond hair waving behind him, though he was reaching his forties, his baby face which he was famous for remained without a change.
"I thought it was you" he said proudly puffing up his chest in what he thought was an impressive manner "I haven't seen you in a while, my… you have become beautiful Natsuki."
"Why are you here?" The huntress snapped not bothering to hide the annoyance in her tone
"Calm down" he said raising his hands in a surrendering way "I saw you earlier in the market and thought you looked distressed, so I came here searching for you in case you needed any assistance."
I'll give you distressed and assistance Natsuki found herself thinking while clenching her fists.
"Actually I'm glad to see you. I could say that your timing couldn't have been more perfect."
"Perfect… for what?" The huntress asked not understanding Curio's behavior at all.
"You see I was in the market with…" he stopped as his blue eyes fell upon Shizuru noticing her presence just at that moment. "Are my eyes deceiving me?" he asked rhetorically his eyes taking in the sight before him "A goddess is before me!" he exclaimed excited as Natsuki suddenly felt her heart stop. How did he recognize Shizuru?
"Dear, tell me your name, oh sweet incarnation of Aphrodite (6)" he said poetically taking Shizuru's hand without permission and planting a wet kiss upon it.
"Ara, I'm flattered." Shizuru replied playing along with Curio making Natsuki's jaw drop, but she quickly recovered and pushed him away from the goddess. "What do you want? Tell me or I shall tell your wife Angelia that you were flirting again."
"Oh please not that" Curio said while visibly going pale. "I just wanted to offer you something."
"Father!" A young man no older than Natsuki stridded over next to Curio.
"Takeda! Wonderful timing, most excellent indeed" Curio exclaimed clapping his hands together and rubbing them much like a merchant when he was about to get a deal.
"Ah… Kuga…" Takeda's confidence wavered slightly and his tone lowered to barely a murmur, his face displaying an odd color rising upon his cheeks.
"You see, I couldn't help to notice… that there are rumors in the polis." Curio began as everyone paid close attention to him. "Of you being single and all… " at these words the blunette had to interrupt.
"I do not care much for the opinion of people who are much too bored with their lives so they have to stick their noses in other people's." Natsuki said so rapidly it took some time for the others to digest her words.
"Anyways…" Curio continued ignoring the huntress's statement "You do live away from the polis, and security is what a man could give you… for example a man like Takeda" he said proudly tapping his son's shoulder making him look down to his feet.
"Father…" he protested weakly
"Didn't you say Takeda—When you heard that old hag say those things about Natsuki and her mentor(7)- that Natsuki was a fine woman and if you could you would marry her and save her from all these insults?"
Takeda's face turned red as a hot stove and said nothing while staring at his feet even harder.
"I don't need a man in my life to feel good about myself or to look good for others!" Natsuki exclaimed clearly offended by Curio's intentions
But the man seemed to ignore her caught in his own delusions "Imagine Takeda, with your good looks and hers, you will have breath taking children!" That last bit was too much for the huntress who seemed ready to tackle the man. At that moment did Shizuru decide to intervene by holding Natsuki's arm gently to avoid having her lunge at Curio. "Ara, I'm sorry Curio and Takeda-san but may we discuss this later? You have caught us in an awkward moment since we are in a rush."
Curio mesmerized by Shizuru once more, nodded "I agree, I'm sorry for that, I was impatient."
Shizuru tugged on Natsuki's arm to get her to walk away while Curio shouted at them "Natsuki! Expect a visit from me soon!"
"He dares… DARES…" Natsuki repeated for the eleventh time while pacing in her bedroom her movement followed by a pair of crimson eyes.
Shizuru was sitting down on Natsuki's bed her eyes fixed on the blunette with a half amused expression dancing on her face.
In the end the huntress sat next to the goddess "How dare he…" she mumbled while running her hand through her long silky midnight hair.
"Do you not like Takeda?" Shizuru asked watching the young woman close her eyes in resignation
"He is nice" A pause "too nice."
At this the goddess arched one of her slender brows. "Isn't that meant to be a quality?"
"Sure, but he borders stupidity, besides… I don't want to marry."
"Marriage is but another step in the life of a woman. It's not as bad as you consider it." The goddess of wisdom reasoned
"I don't consider marriage a bad thing." Natsuki replied surprising the goddess "But I don't see myself loving anyone as much as I loved my sister"
"I see…" for some reason Shizuru felt uneasy at Natsuki's words and stirred unnoticeably on the bed.
Suddenly Shizuru noticed how the younger woman's body tensed for a second and just as she began wondering what was wrong with the huntress a knock on the door was heard. Could she have heard someone approaching the door?
The blunette got up interrupting the goddess's thoughts to get the door. As it opened it later revealed a man with untidy black hair and strange mystifying blue eyes. He gave Natsuki a faint nod and entered the house. For some reason the house seemed smaller with this man inside, or maybe it was because he was really big and strong looking.
"Miroku; how was everything?" Natsuki asked as she took his coat from his hands.
"It was fine as usua-" he cut off suddenly his blue eyes falling upon the figure of a woman sitting in Natsuki's bedroom. At this the man stridded over towards her and got upon his knees and lowered his head in front of her– leaving the huntress in shock- into what was an unmistakable bow.
"Athena-sama" he said his tone low as well as his gaze which was fixed upon the tiled floor. "I did not expect you so soon"
"Rise, Miroku." She said in a non commanding tone.
Miroku did as he was told however and looked straight into the red eyes of the goddess.
"Yes, well… I could have come sooner if I was given the chance; however I'm glad you have been trying to contact me all this time." She said calmly her eyes fixed upon him.
"Contact!" Natsuki began incredulously "Miroku! Wha-!"
Miroku finally looked at her a stern expression upon his face "Yes… Well I guess you are aware of your situation and that of Simetra-sama" Natsuki nodded "...Artemis-sama... the last time I saw her…" he started now saying Natsuki's sister's proper name "She made me swear that I would be there for you, teach you the ways of the forest and hunt, and also protect you till you could stand up for yourself…"
"Simetra-sama! Why? Where are you going?" Miroku exclaimed to the goddess of hunt who was standing in front of him.
"Not so loud Miroku…" she reprimanded in a calm tone "Natsuki is sleeping."
"Forgive my imprudence but… why?"
"There is something I must do." She said an undecipherable look playing in her grayish eyes as if they were hiding a message that she wished to reveal to her friend.
"Is it… your father?" he asked carefully
Simetra laughed and shook her head "No, not him."
"Then what could it be? I know you love Natsuki too much to leave her like this" then he added slyly"without a single warning or farewell."
Simetra's brow furrowed her beautiful features darkened by the pale moonlight.
"It's alright—the life of humans is ever so short, she will grow quickly and eventually forget my existence, she will fall in love and go through all the pains and fortunes that it is to live as a mortal."
"What about now? She will cry once you are gone." Miroku said trying to hide is intention behind those words.
"I know what you are trying to do Miroku; you of all people should know that will not work on me. Besides, I will not be leaving her alone, you will look after her. Can I trust you with that?"
"Artemis-sama!" he exclaimed not bothering to call the goddess by her 'human name'
"Can I?" She insisted her eyes fixed upon him. "Till she can stand and live on her own."
Miroku gave a faint nod, and shortly after there was a small gust of wind and Artemis was there no more.
"Why haven't you told me this sooner!" Natsuki asked her fists clenched in fury, white teeth bared. "Even when I asked you…!"
"I didn't think that you were ready to hear it." Miroku said calmly his eyes fixed upon her. Just then Shizuru decided to act.
"I am grateful for helping me find her, I admit I was unsure if she was the one I was looking for at first but all that has happened has confirmed my judgment."
Natsuki got up from her feet and then darted her eyes from Shizuru to her mentor and back again.
"I can't take any more of this… I need… air." She said finally heading towards the door and successfully leaving the house.
She inhaled deeply the clean air feeling how it filled her lungs and then exhaled slowly and repeated the process till her heart beat had calmed down and her thoughts were heard more clearly in her head. Ah yes, hello tiny voice of uncertainty living in my head. Please give me a sign that I am still sane.
She found herself chanting in her head then chuckled at the lameness of what she was doing. No all of this was very real. And somehow it ended up depending on her. Why?
A clatter was heard and she saw Shizuru walking gracefully towards her "Natsuki…" she called out softly
"Shizuru…" she replied tiredly
"I hate to impose more things upon you…" the goddess said her eyes shimmering with concern and compassion "But…"
At that moment Miroku stepped out of the house right behind Shizuru and looked upon the huntress with a strange expression displayed upon his face "Natsuki…"
"Miroku? What's wrong?" the huntress asked her emerald eyes scanning her mentor trying to figure out the reason for his strange attitude.
She saw how his eyes darted towards the goddess who gave him a faint nod "Go ahead, you may show her your true form."Miroku seemed reluctant before but at those words, he nodded back and Natsuki watched in horror how his form rapidly deformed and changed into a giant black wolf that was bearing its fangs at her.
Natsuki quickly took a few steps back and looked upon the goddess as if seeking aid -or words of comfort even- from her. But the goddess of wisdom had a complete steeled face, if not cold not giving away any of her emotions. "Natsuki, your first trial is here."
The wolf roared with such force it nearly knocked down the poor blunette.
"I am the impersonation of your souls, the guardian of your person…" the wolf's voice resounded within her head "… to tame me is to tame yourself… Prepare Natsuki as I shall not go easy on you."
As the huntress's eyes fell upon the beast again and away from the goddess, Shizuru unconsciously closed her fists, her heart racing slightly not understanding why she was feeling anxious all of a sudden.
Just then she felt a small rush of air near her cheek. Kiyohime had returned, landing swiftly upon her master's shoulder.
"This should be good… Do you think she will even pass the trial?" the owl hooted with slight sarcasm in its tone.
Meanwhile the goddess wished that the damn bird would shut its beak for once.
Note: Yes well, I'm predicting some rage at me for not updating for so long; and maybe for the chapter not being longer, I'm sorry for that guys, I could try to write one of them 50 pages long chapters but I believe it's really not my style and that would take quite a while to update XD I do intend on writing more extensive chapters in the future in this fic because the story requires it so there you go XD
Well I wanted to thank all for your patience and for not forgetting me:3
I will see you all soon! (reviiiiiiiiewwwwwwwwwwww)
OMAKE:
Asuka: What do you call an insincere hippo?
Natsuki: I don't know… what?
Asuka: A hippo-crite.
Natsuki: …
(Yeah more hippo jokes XD)