Out Of The Darkness
Chapter 12
A Visit from a God
Harry was very startled when he noticed Acheron was in the room with him. His startle wore off very quickly; Acheron looked as though he had just been told the world would end in five seconds. He must be very different from him, when he Apparated and Dis-apparated he always made a noise. That wasn't what was really on his mind though. Ash really did look sick to his stomach.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry in confusion, if anyone had a right to be sick it was him.
"Is that the second journal?" asked Acheron, his voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil inside him. It didn't help that he was hungry, very much so. He should feed every week, but Artemis as usual was keeping his nourishment from him. He had to feed from her to retain his sanity and compassion without blood he would become something he fears. He'd enter his harbringer form. This isn't acceptable to Acheron, who holds so much compassion for a world that had done him wrong.
Harry looked down at the journal and once more wiped his hand over his face. A sigh left his lips as he nodded once, and then began shaking his head in tiredness. Why did everything always happen to him? Couldn't he just be normal for once? He wanted to run, to get out of here but he knew it wouldn't make a bit of difference. They'd still think he had the journal and come after him anyway. He couldn't endanger anyone else, poor Jared, why hadn't he told him?
"Have you read it?" asked Acheron hiding the urgency he felt.
"No, I only just got it." Harry said a sigh leaving his lips.
"How did you get it?" asked Acheron staring at Harry. His heart rate went back to normal. He didn't know he thanked whatever god that was looking over him at that minute.
"Who is Apollymi the Destroyer?" asked Harry in turn instead of answering Acheron's question.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Acheron immediately.
"You are lying," said Harry standing up he was extremely pissed off at being lied too. Its one thing Harry couldn't stand above all else, other than abuse.
"Is that so?" asked Acheron his face impassive.
"Yes, you stiffened up immediately upon hearing her name, and her signature is on your bag." said Harry pointing towards the black bag Acheron had carried everywhere with him. "Do not speak to me if you are gong to lie." he finished his face filled with revulsion, it wasn't aimed at Acheron per say. Just at the fact he was being lied to, he really did hate it.
"Who mentioned her?" asked Acheron, just who had Harry been speaking to? It couldn't be in the journal, Acheron hadn't known until he was a god who he truly was. So obviously it wasn't in Ryssa's journal.
"The people who stuffed this in my hand, they were extremely enlightening to say the least." said Harry sarcastically waving the journal around almost crazily.
"What did they say?" asked Acheron. What people? And how was Harry able to identify his mother's symbol?
"That they were Apollymachi's, Apollymi's priestesses; the people after me are Atlantikoinonia. People out to destroy all proof of Atlantis and Apollymi." said Harry irritated. "They've been killing innocent people for eleven thousands years!" he hissed his body tense and fury began emanating from every pore in his body.
"What else did they say?" asked Acheron, watching magic leech from the furious wizard. He hated to say it but it made him look ten times hotter, even his hair was ruffling in an invisible wind. His green eyes stood out against the injustice of life. If he wasn't after information, he would have taken the time to appreciate it.
"That I am the chosen one," Harry told Ash with so much disgust and sarcasm in his voice. Ash realized it must have touched a raw nerve there. He wondered why, it was just a simple statement. "The guardian of this bloody book. The book people are trying to kill me for. A book you are saying can bring about the end of the world." once again flapping the book about angrily, before it flopped on the bed. Then he did something incredibly stupid, in his fit of anger he punched the wall with his fist.
"Fuck," snarled Harry both his hands were now thumping with pain.
Acheron went right over to Harry, taking his newly hurt hand into his. Using his powers to heal him, the pain and blood disappeared. Harry stared at Ash in surprise; he shook his head seeing those damn glasses on again. He summoned them off his face, "You shouldn't be ashamed of them you know." he said softly, "They're a part of you; everyone can say they have green, blue or brown eyes…plus they suit you."
Acheron wasn't sure what to make of Harry's statement. How could he like them? Yet everyone else he'd met had hated them, curled their lips in disgust. It was unfathomable to Ash that someone could like him the way he was. He'd never been treated like another regular guy, even after finding out about gods and magic, he still treated him normally. He wasn't intimidated or running for the hills. It made Harry all the more breathtaking in Acheron's eyes. His fondness he felt for this man continued to grow in leaps and bounds.
Their lips were getting closer together; Ash thought he'd finally get a taste of Harry. Unfortunately that particular fantasy was blown when Harry opened his mouth "What are you Ash?" asked Harry quietly, pleading with his green eyes to be told the truth. "And what's in that book? If I finally revealed Atlantis it would mean no more innocent humans could be killed. For a bloody stupid dream and recognition."
"Don't be stubborn let it go," said Ash stunned by Harry's words. "Nobody can ever know about the Atlantis that was destroyed."
"So you agree with the people after me?" asked Harry putting distance between them. He felt as if he'd taken a sucker punch to the stomach.
"No, but Atlantis cannot be found," said Acheron his determination showing in his swirling silver eyes.
"Why? What does the location of Atlantis matter to you?" asked Harry completely bewildered. There was something he didn't know, something big. It had to be something in the journal; it had to be…nothing else was making sense.
Tell him the truth Apostolos Ash was surprised to hear his mother.
You've been remarkably quiet throughout this, Matera. Why didn't you tell me about your priestess?
Why should I? Besides you know I had to have worshippers to maintain my god powers at their current strength. Did you think the Daimon's were the only ones who paid homage to me?
Actually Acheron had and he felt stupid for thinking it.
Show him the journal M'gios
And if he betrays me? Acheron's voice said it all, he feared betrayal above all else.
I will find a way to kill him if he hurts you Apollymi told him.
I can't Matera. I don't want to see him look at me like that too Acheron almost choked at those words.
What if he doesn't? What if he's honest? Your past doesn't matter to me. It doesn't matter to Savitar or Simi. You must learn to trust sometime, Apostolos. Don't you think that maybe he's the one person who won't judge you over something that was done to you against your will? Tell him why, and then maybe he will understand why you don't want Atlantis found.
'You can't live in the darkness all the time kid" Acheron remembering Savitar's words. "Sooner or later, everyone puts their ass in a sling. But you know what, most of the time you're still laughing about it, grateful you had the fun that caused the injury."
"Ash?" asked Harry, worried about the man; he'd just been standing there staring into space for the past five minutes. His stomach began to flutter nervously, he had an ominous feeling he was about to learn something that would change his outlook on life.
Acheron summoned the journal and handed it to Harry, "You can read this?" Harry nodded in confusion, "Know I'm doing this against my better judgement. I'm trusting you with something about me that nobody else has ever known. This is a secret I am willing to kill to protect, do you understand?"
Harry swallowed nervously, "Okay," he said.
"I'm going to shower while you read." he said and he was gone.
Harry sat on the bed for what seemed like hours after he'd gone. He braced himself for the worst; opening the book he let his magic wash over it. Turning it from Greek or Atlantean to English so he could read it.
"You are eleven thousand years old?" asked Harry his mouth agape, and it wasn't just because of his age…Acheron only had a towel around him. He looked sexy as hell, and Harry wanted him very badly. Man he was so drool worthy, but considering what he'd just learned…maybe it wasn't the best idea. He'd wait for Ash to make the first move. It deserves that much at least. His black hair wet and ran down his back and arms, the red gleaming in the light. He was sex on legs, he noticed Acheron hadn't put his glasses on and smiled at him.
"Everything you've read and that's the first question you ask?" asked Acheron his nervousness and shame open for Harry to see. He was also despite himself amused, Harry didn't seem to care. His heart leaped with hope and affection. He was staring at Harry who was sitting up on the bed the book now closed.
"How have you survived so long? Do you have a philosopher stone?" asked Harry.
Acheron closed his eyes as he fought with the amusement and sadness that went all the way down to his soul. Harry knew the worst about him, so why bother keeping the rest from him? "I am the god Apostolos. The Harbinger of Telikos. The Final Fate of all. Beloved son of Apollymi the Great Destroyer. My will makes the will of the universe."
"Fate? FATE? Well buddy boy I've got a big serious bone to pick with you!" said Harry getting up poking him lightly in the chest.
Acheron was baffled; seriously, this had to have been the oddest creature on earth. He'd just told him he was a god, and he could end the world…yet he was jabbering on about fate? He was beginning to think Harry was on something. "What would that be?" he asked incredulity setting in.
"You decide everything, everyone's life?" asked Harry.
"No," said Acheron wryly, "It doesn't work that way."
"Too bad," scowled Harry darkly, "Cus I seriously want to kill someone for screwing up my life."
"You are alive it's more than most can say." sad Acheron dryly.
Harry laughed bitterly, "I should be dead…but I was brought back, they aren't finished playing with their bloody toy." he gnashed his teeth angrily.
"Brought back?" asked Acheron his voice full of sympathy, he knew how that felt.
Harry rubbed at his face tiredly, only then did he realize he'd used both hands. They were both healed, he prodded at the one with the bullet wound…nothing not even tenderness. Well a god had healed him, it made sense he supposed. "Do you know what its life to have your life controlled by a stupid prophecy?" asked Harry sitting on the chair, Acheron was dressed immediately and dry and he sat down too.
"More than you know," said Acheron honestly, it was so weird being so open and honest with someone. Nobody knew the truth about him, yet here was a man who wasn't judging him the slightest. "It was a prophecy that put my life into motion. It was said I'd bring about the end of the Atlantean Pantheon. My father ordered me dead, but my mother refused to allow it. She took me to her realm and removed me from her stomach, and bound my god powers and sent me off to the mortal realm. My life force was then tied to Queen Aara's child Styxx. Then another oracle stepped forward and told them I'd be the death of them all. She took one look at my eyes and king Icarion accused Aara of cheating - neither of them acknowledged me."
"Prophecies are tricky bastards, let me guess you didn't bring about their deaths?" he asked sarcastically, he knew he hadn't. Apollymi had brought about the destruction of the Atlantean Pantheon.
"No, my mother destroyed her entire family and pantheon when I died," replied Acheron.
"So what happened? I mean your mum is still alive right?" asked Harry, at least the people down stairs acted as if she was. They might be human, but they were following her orders. Unless all of them were delusional which Harry doubted.
Acheron's eyes filled with raw un-imaginable sadness, "Yes, she is. Imprisoned in her realm Kolosis."
Harry's eyebrows almost shot of his face, "What?" asked Harry wide eyed.
"My father imprisoned her there, declaring that she'd remain there until she told him where I was or if I died. When she was freed she realized what had happened. She realized I was dead. She destroyed the Atlantis then she went for Apollo and Artemis, I was brought back against my will by Artemis. So they could save their lives, as soon as I reawakened as a god she was pulled back."
"So she's still stuck there?" he asked his voice full of sympathy and pain as if he understood what Acheron was going through.
"Yes, if I step foot down there she would be freed," said Acheron, hurrying on seeing the shocked look on Harry's face. "If I freed her she'd kill Artemis and Apollo and bring about the end of the world."
"Huh?" asked Harry completely baffled, his head was beginning to hurt.
"Apollo and Artemis are the gods of the sun and moon, without them the world would end." explained Acheron.
"Why would she want to kill them then?" asked Harry, he knew more about Apollo and Artemis than he wanted to. He also knew they needed blood to survive and how to kill them. He also knew Acheron was Artemis' lover despite the fact she refused to acknowledge him or protect him the way he did her.
"Because Apollo killed me and Artemis watched it happen," said Acheron his voice thick with sadness even after all those centuries.
"And you didn't fucking kill him?" asked Harry, after he came back as a god he meant.
"No," said Acheron simply.
"You are mad, completely and utterly fucking mad." said Harry shaking his head unable to comprehend Acheron and his actions. "If you killed him and her you'd be able to free your mum."
"Artemis' life force is tied to mine," said Acheron.
"Isn't there a way to stop it? There's always a way." said Harry.
"Did I mention she's also the mother to my daughter?" said Acheron.
"Man I don't envy you," said Harry shaking his head. "You are stuck between two hard places. Wedged with rocks."
Acheron smirked at Harry's understatement if only he knew. He didn't know how many times he'd wanted to kill Apollo and Artemis.
"Why am I the guardian or chosen one of this book? Why wasn't it just destroyed?" asked Harry calmly.
Even Ash couldn't answer that so he just shrugged. He jumped up in shock when fire began burning the book. He took some sense of feral satisfaction watching it burn though. Now nobody could get the book, it was naught but ashes on the burnt table. With a wave of Harry's hand even the ash was gone, leaving nothing but the scorch marks to prove anything had happened. "I am sorry for what happened to you Ash; I'd say I don't understand how you could hold any love for a world that's shown you time and time again it's unworthy. Unfortunately I can't because I understand why you don't, because of the people in the world who are good and pure and don't deserve horrible fates." said Harry. "Although they are seldom and I've never met many of them."
both of them could count on one hand the amount of times in their life they'd met someone who'd genuinely help another without wanting something in return. The gods were no better than them; in fact they were worse because they had power.
"How can you understand when my own mother and Savitar don't?" asked Acheron shaking his head slowly.
"Because I just do." said Harry plopping his elbows on the table, staring at Acheron, unable to believe he was an Atlantean god. Eleven thousand years old, it was almost too much for him to believe - and he'd seen his share of things. "Before I was born, thirty one years ago, a prophecy was heard. It stated 'The one with the power to destroy the dark lord…approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him…born as the seventh month does…he will mark him his equal…he will have the power the dark lord knows not…either must die at the hand of the other…for neither can live while the other survives'.
Acheron was surprised when Harry began talking, he was finally being told Harry's story. He was finally going to understand him, something that should have happened the second he met him he thought petulantly to himself. He hated being blind, but if he hadn't been…he wouldn't have been sitting here. Someone knowing his entire history not judging him. It seemed very surreal to him, but he concentrated on what Harry was saying.
"A follower of the Dark Lord heard it, they were called Death Eaters, and he relayed what he'd heard to him. He became obsessed with finding out who had the power to destroy him. You see he only heard up to the part that said born as the seventh month dies. I was fifteen months old when Voldemort, the Dark Lord decided it was me. My parents went into hiding under a spell that would stop Voldemort finding them. Only one person knew where they were, he was called the Secret Keeper." said Harry, his voice soft and melancholy.
Acheron listened avidly, he wouldn't mind that spell - he'd finally get away from Artemis. He nodded when Harry stopped to show he understood.
"One week later they were betrayed, it was Halloween, my father told my mother to run that he'd hold him off. He didn't have a chance; he didn't even have his wand on him. He went after my mother, telling her to stand aside so he could kill me. She refused to; it resulted in her being killed too. When he turned his wand on me it failed, I survived the attack with nothing more than this to show for it." said Harry uncovering his scar, which his hair hid. "That night I was hailed the boy who lived, everyone in my world knew who I was. A half giant named Hagrid took me from the ruins of my home and took me to Privet Drive."
Ash heard the aguish in Harry's voice, he understood that. It didn't matter how much time passed…you never got over it. He certainly hadn't and he'd lived along time.
"My Aunt and Uncle, weren't magical, my mother was the magical one in a normal family. My Aunt hated my mother's guts, and she hated me even more. As soon as my Aunt found me, I was placed in a cupboard under the stairs. Despite the fact that it was a five bedroom house and two of them were unoccupied. I spent my childhood going chores, cleaning, washing, cooking, and doing the garden and every other thing they could think off. If I didn't get the list done in time I was beaten and starved. It happened more often than not, because tell me what five year old could mow the lawn, get rid of the weeds, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, clean out the bedrooms and do the washing up?" said Harry.
Acheron shuddered just remembering his own Uncle; he'd had to work for every piece of food he got too. More often than not it was never to his Uncle's satisfaction, he too would then be beaten.
"The beatings got worse when I started showing signs of magic; I spent my life being called a freak. I didn't have a friend in the world, I was truly alone in every sense of the word…even at school surrounded by people." sighed Harry. "Then when I was eleven it made sense, I was a wizard, and I attended Hogwarts a magical school for people like me."
"How is it that I have no idea of this world?" asked Acheron completely baffled. "I know everything else."
"Like I said it's hidden, if you don't know about the magical world…there's probably other worlds and communities you know nothing about either." shrugged Harry. "When I got there I realized how my parents died, and what the world thought of me…I was their hero." a grimace followed that simple word. Not so simple to Harry Potter.
"It was fun to begin with, being free of the Dursley's, getting to eat when I wanted…I was shown a whole new life. Unfortunately it wasn't so nice, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, started manipulating me…egging me on to play the hero. Made me think it was up to me to save the world. I faced my parent's killer at the age of eleven, despite the fact he offered to bring them back, I said no. No he couldn't bring them back." said Harry knowing what Acheron was about to ask.
Acheron sighed in relief; it went against everything he knew that this happened. If they had been destined to die then they had to die and remain so. Although he felt for Harry, to have lost his parents so young.
"My Defence against the Dark Arts tutor died as well, he'd hosted Voldemort on his back… possessed him. He tried to touch me, to kill me but he couldn't touch me. My mother's protection turned him to dust before my eyes. Once Hogwarts was finished, asked Dumbledore if I could stay. He said no that my mother's family was the safest place for me. So I was back to being degraded abused and starved. That first summer was the hardest; they'd shown me a better way of life, for me to just end up back to square one."
Acheron nodded, he knew that feeling, and Ryssa had rescued him from his uncle when he was sixteen. For months she'd shown him a better way of life, got him to trust her. Then their father and uncle found them, he was sent right back to Atlantis. Then she'd found him again, he'd turned her away still angry about it. Then he'd ended up back to his home, to be confined to a single room, after being left to die in a dungeon. Only then did they truly realize Acheron's and Styxx's life force were tied together.
"My life was basically the same each year, with Voldemort trying to kill me in one for or another. I killed a sixty foot basilisk with nothing but a sword when I was twelve. I was very small for my age, the malnutrition." explained Harry. "Then I realized I had a godfather, I though he was the one who betrayed my parents. I and the world was wrong, he was innocent of his crimes and wrongfully sent to prison. Instead of letting them kill Pettigrew the real betrayer I told them that my father wouldn't want it. I regret it every day. That act of mercy was the catalyst of Voldemort being brought back from a spirit and into a body. When he was back I was hailed the 'Chosen one'"
Harry continued to tell Acheron his story, the tournament, his friend going against him, feeling useless against what was coming. Cedric Diggory's death, Voldemort's rebirth. Sent back home, the Dursley's being informed and him ridiculed all summer. The attack by the Dementor's (after explaining what they were). Nearly being expelled from school, the world not believing him when he told them he was back. Spending the year being called a liar and an attention seeker, his hand being carved into by his teacher. Getting a vision he was so sure was true, since he'd saved Arthur from the snake. Only to realize he'd walked into a trap, loosing Sirius, trying to go after him. Then sent back to hell again. Explaining about his sixth year and seventh year with great difficulty. Then telling him why he'd left. Them trying to force him into marriage, the missing stuff from his vaults that Dumbledore had taken. Including his mother's wedding ring, which had been on Ginny's hand. Then the newspaper getting wind and him converting his money and running as far as he could.
"Seems like both our lives would have been better off without prophecies and uncles wouldn't you?" asked Harry sarcastically.
"Yes," agreed Acheron right away, Harry had that right.
"They are still going to be coming after that book," said Harry, even if it was destroyed.
"I know they aren't going to stop looking until they find it." said Acheron.
"Which means I can't go home, I'm not putting them in danger." swore Harry angrily.
"Until it blows over you need to stay here." said Acheron adamantly.
what did you think? Hacate will defo be in the next chapter i promise! :D so will ash make his move on him soon? or will it be once Acheron is free of artemis that he makes his move? how will harry find out? will ash tell him? or will harry force it out of him? i was never sure exactly what was in that journal apart from apollo and artemis drinking blood and how to kill them and about ash's past. ash was taken from his home in Didymos to his uncle in Atlantis and trained as a sex slave making his uncle money. he thinks himself as a whore. when his uncle died ash was homeless and become a prostitute to survive (he had to eat somehow). that was what ash had in that journal he was ashamed off. harry as you can see couldnt care less and was more shocked about his age :D :D did you like that? or would you have rrather had harry more sympathetic towards what happened?what do you want to hear more from about the harry potter world? about anyone in particular? R&R PLEASE!