Chapter 5 – A New Battleground! PT. 2
The music could already be heard booming, even through the soundproofed doors of the vehicle. The buzz of the roaring crowds could be heard and felt too. It was constant background noise, impossible to escape or ignore.
A white limousine cruised through the street. The street itself was blocked off by barricades and dozens upon dozens of mortal law enforcement, keeping the hordes of fans at bay.
It was like a parade. There was confetti and flowers and glitter flying through the air, being blasted out of automated machines that were filling the air with decorations and color, both grounded and over the vehicles that were passing through the reserved street, hung up on the decorated arches and banners that adorned the sky over the street.
There were speakers everywhere on every block, on each side of the street, blaring music for the festivities.
The grandest, biggest, and most important sporting event in the entire world. Likely the most important event regardless of its nature, whether related to sports, or music, or anything of that class.
This kind of gathering stood as the single biggest gathering of people ever, no matter where it was held.
No matter the state, city, province, or country, people traveled around the world to follow these deities to wherever they chose to perform.
Come one, come all! Marvel at their stupendous magnificence!
The Games of the Arena, battleground of the Gods.
An exhale escaped a pair of delicate lips. A light shade of rosy lipstick adorned their impeccable softness.
Within the limousine sat Neith, dressed in a revamped version of her standard battle appearance, complete with the white and gold one-piece that decorated her heavenly body, the golden, emerald-green, ruby-red, and sky-diamond colored jewelry that made up her belt, necklaces, and bracers, and a plethora of other decorations.
Tassels hanging between her legs, her feet tucked into heels of pure gold, their elaborated designs running up her shins, a literal golden snake right below her left knee. Around her arms, more golden rings, her dark hair decorated with thin chains and golden ties.
As always, she wore her signature crest over her bangs, right on her forehead. That too was made of pure gold and had a pure green emerald sitting right in the center of it. It shimmered brighter than almost any star if light were to be shined on it.
Everything about her was divine. Just as she was. A symbol of the highest levels of divinity and higher existence.
And yet, she didn't feel as such.
Her deep blue eyes looked out the tinted windows of the limousine, watching the fluttering confetti that was in the air flutter down past the window and fall right off it, like rain dribbling down glass panes.
Seas of people stood less than a few meters away, their hands all up, their distant voices still audible within the vehicle. It was a constant roaring, cheering, yelling… all muffled into one background buzz that Neith couldn't help but smile at.
Over the thumping sound of music shaking the ground and resounding through the air around the car.
Yes, just as her younger companion from the Chinese pantheon, Ne Zha, had commented just the day before…
Today was indeed a big day.
But to a deity, perhaps it was just like any other. Just another day at the office, another day of public appearances, another day of…
Work.
Oh, the duties of a God were many. And this one may very well be one of the easiest. But that's the thing about a duty or responsibility being easy. It becomes… mundane, drenched in mediocrity and monotony, especially after repeating it over and over for millennia. The color, the buzz, the noise, the glamor and adoration…
It grows stale. Just another part of being alive. Of existing.
As a primordial, ancient Goddess.
Neith couldn't believe the thoughts that briefly began to run through her mind. It made her wince, her decorated hand coming up to her eyes to gently rub at them, careful not to smudge the mascara and eyeliner that lined them.
"Phew…" sighed the Weaver.
And then, a voice that brought her true peace entered her ears.
"It'll be okay."
Her eyes opened and her delicate fingers moved away from her face, slowly hovering near her lips instead. Neith turned her head over, and instantly, her face softened.
"Bell…"
The strong, confident, and ever so invigorating Goddess of War sat next to her, clad in her complete battle armor. It too looked newer than it normally did. The steel looked brighter, the red and gold in her outfit more pronounced. Her boots were sturdier, her cape no longer torn, and her face looked…
Brighter, then it had looked in quite some time.
Despite being known for her deep passion for war, violence, and never-ending desire for combat and bloodlust… the Weaver knew a side of her that very few knew existed.
A softer, more caring and supportive side.
"Come here," Bellona said, reaching an arm out.
Like a mother bird extending a wing.
And Neith graciously tucked herself under it. She scooted over and leaned on her lover a little, wishing she could rest her head on her shoulder, but… there was spiked shoulder pauldrons blocking her from doing that. Not exactly super comfortable.
But this was okay for her.
"Are you… alright?" asked Bellona.
"Tired," Neith replied.
"You're always tired."
"I know. I'm old…" giggled the Weaver. "When you get to my age, you'll get it."
"Yeah, I guess being older than all of creation has its drawbacks, doesn't it, your divinity…" the War Goddess grinned, looking down at the Egyptian she held an arm around.
"Be quiet…" Neith moaned, moving her body over and leaning forward a little so that she could press her forehead into Bellona's neck, where her armor wouldn't get in the way.
Her crown's large crest pressed up against the side of Bellona's cheek, but she didn't mind. She just leaned her head away a little and let out a small chuckle.
"But seriously. What's the matter."
Neith moved away and looked down at Bellona's lap. She stared at her thighs. So toned, muscular, firm… they were perfect. Her heart raced a little faster, but soon, she looked up and met her girlfriend's ever so stern dark eyes.
"I'm going to get chosen for these Alpha trials, aren't I?"
Bellona's brows furrowed.
"Probably. Does that annoy you?"
Neith shrugged and looked away again, this time in the other direction, out of the limousine's tinted windows.
"Just means… more work…"
"The duties of a God never end. Or in your case a Goddess. Especially not yours, my queen."
Neith turned her head back over, but not fully. Just enough to side-eye her fellow Goddess with a sly glimmer in her bedazzling eyes.
"Always so old-fashioned with your baby names…"
Bellona smirked, but she knew her lover well. "Don't try to deflect me, Neith…"
The Weaver let out a sigh.
"And always so serious, too..."
She pouted and scooted away a little, bucking her shoulder up slightly to get Bellona's grasp on her to loosen. She crossed one of her legs over the other and neatly set her hands down on her knees, one on top of the other, gently holding the top of her own hand. She faced out the window yet again.
Bellona smirked. "And you, ever so unserious. Or at least you try to act that way. It makes life a little more interesting, I get it. But as playful and… girlish as you act, you're still wise and thoughtful. And after hundreds of years of dating… you still try and pretend to be upset with me for wanting to help you."
Neith's frown worsened. But she said nothing.
So, Bellona leaned forward a little, her arm sliding over the headrests of the car seats, right behind Neith's head.
"Don't worry. I like it too. But we're a little past the point of arguing."
"It can be fun to argue…" Neith whined.
"Maybe. But it's been a long time. It's difficult to."
"I just wish the times weren't getting to me so much…" she sighed.
"Neith…"
Upon hearing her name come out of her lover's lips, she slowly turned her head back over. But she wasn't expecting Bell's face to be so close. The tips of their perfectly carved noses touched, and Neith moved her head back a little, yelping softly.
Bellona smiled, her brows furrowed slightly with determination. Neith felt butterflies build in her stomach. Bellona's smiles always looked so confident, so reassuring, so… unbothered and stalwart. She was always so sure of herself.
Neith envied that. As wise and all-knowing as she was, sometimes, she felt at a loss about what to do, even if the answers were right in front of her if she just bothered to think for a moment. Bellona always told her the very same: that for a Goddess that can see and feel the flow of fate, she worried too much.
But what was life without worry? Neith intentionally chose to not pay attention to what the world weaves told her about fate and destiny. Back in the olden days, it was good to be a step ahead. She was calm and collected and all-knowing. Because those were times of life and death, where she needed to be.
But now, in an age of peace… what was the point in knowing every outcome? It took away the excitement, anticipation, and thrill of being… alive. And after being alive for so long, Neith had decided that it was better to turn a blind eye to her divine senses.
And so…
She hadn't reconnected with the world-weave in a matter of years. Knowing of every birth and death… when something tragic occurred, or when a miracle came true. Instead, she merely paid attention to the few she held close to her.
The War Goddess next to her being one of them.
Neith's expression calmed. And she leaned a little closer.
"Why do you look at me the way you do…" she whispered.
Bellona's eyes darted over her lover's face, hesitating. Before shaking her head lightly. "You really have been tired."
Neith closed her eyes. "Yes. But this feeling will pass. It comes and goes every few hundred years."
"Like a tough night for a mortal."
Neith's blue eyes opened back up. "Mortal or not… our emotions shouldn't be ignored."
Bellona wanted to roll her eyes. But she had heard this lecture many a time before. Despite how things were now, her relationship with the Weaver of Fate wasn't always so seamless. They had passed through many a hurdle.
She backed away and leaned back where she sat, resting the arm that had been up on the headrests back down around her beloved.
"The effect you've had on me over all these centuries…"
Neith smiled warmly as she too leaned back, but kept her head turned toward Bellona. "It's taken such a long time for you to change from the way you used to be. I still remember."
"Hard not to remember…" Bellona grumbled.
"I still think a lot about when we first fought. Rome's rulers were ever so haughty and… avaricious. Constantly meddling with Egypt."
"What the Mortals were doing didn't really matter to me. I just wanted to fight," said Bellona.
"Meanwhile Ra and I were hoping to slow things down…" Neith smirked.
"And I didn't like that…" Bellona smirked back, as if finishing her sentence.
"And it all began from there…" Neith looked away, smiling to herself. "Now look at you. Over two millennia later, you're so much tamer."
"I wouldn't use that word. More like… in control of myself. I was a real angry deity back then."
"As if you still aren't, in some ways…" Neith said smoothly.
"Not compared to the olden days. The centuries Before the Calm."
The Weaver nodded her head in agreement, her smile fading a little. "Yes, I know. I was just teasing, darling…"
"I know…"
Bellona and Neith traded a look. And then both smiled more assuredly.
"Still. I know I can't hide from you. I am feeling just the slightest bit… perturbed."
"Feeling the weight of your work? You said this feeling would pass."
"It will. Like I told you, it comes and goes. But right now, I feel it'd pass quicker if I was given more time to myself."
Bellona gave a nod. "You are a Goddess. Not just any Goddess, but a Creator Goddess. Of the highest tier of divinity—a primordial. You can do whatever you like. And if that includes taking some time away from the Arena… then so it'll be."
"I can't just leave…"
"Why not?"
"I… have a duty to fulfill."
"Yes. To be the Weaver of Fate. Which you did back before our reality existed. You've said it yourself; the World Weave is boundless."
"I know—I'm not talking about that."
"Then what is it…?" asked Bellona, squinting.
"A duty… to the mortals."
Bellona's eyes shut and then she groaned. She shook her head and brought her other hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose.
"We've been over this…"
"I know we have! But—that doesn't mean anything's changed…!" Neith argued.
"Neith—you owe the mortals nothing. You're a Goddess, you're divinity incarnate! They owe you worship!"
"Words like those are what would spark wars back in the olden days," Neith snapped, her brows knitting together over her eyes.
"That… that's not what I meant. N-Not fully, at least…"
Neith shook her head and looked away, sighing heavily. "Every time, it feels like you'd understand. The mortals love you, even more than they love me. Your face is plastered everywhere in the world. They praise you, Bellona. Would you ever leave them? Abandon them during a time where they need you, or want you the most?"
"No. But it's for a different reason, and I've told you that. I love to fight. You clearly don't, not all the time like I do. War, battle, violence… it's who I am. I live for it. I wouldn't quit, because I wouldn't want to give that up. I don't really… care what the mortals think, I do what I do for myself," Bellona explained, pointing at herself with her thumb.
Neith knew Bellona was right. She stayed silent, purposefully avoiding eye contact.
"And you know that my stance on that wouldn't change no matter what the mortals thought of me. They could love me, they could hate me, and nothing would change. I'd still love to fight. I just got lucky, and the world apparently loves everything I am."
"Ever so lucky. Either that, or they think you're attractive," Neith brought up, side-eyeing her beloved.
"Yeah… that too. But thankfully it's not just mortals that think that…" Bellona smirked.
Neith's cheeks burned and her eyes darted away. "So… you really don't care."
"Not really. Why do things for others? Where's the fulfillment in that?"
"Helping others, that doesn't make you feel good? When you give me gifts, or do something nice for me… that doesn't make you happy?"
"Of course it does, but that's because you're my girlfriend. The mortals are just… worshippers. Fans."
"Mortals and Deities need one another. One without the other, it just doesn't work. Without us, their world falls apart. Without them, we have no power."
"Everyone knows that. But I mean that in the sense that they don't mean as much to me as you do."
Neith melted again. "Bell…"
"The mortals, they're important, yes. But they're not more important than what you want for yourself. You owe them nothing, they already love you enough. It doesn't matter if they need or want you, because one: they don't need you because we're not in a time of despair. And two: who cares what they want? You've already given them so much. What else could they ask for?"
"I just don't want to disappoint them. They love me so much; they look forward to seeing me. And now, with this new Battle Arena… I know they'll want me to be there, on the big screen, front and center, as I always have been."
"Yes. As you always have been. And you will be, later down the line. When you're not feeling so tired. Neith, it's alright to take breaks. Their love for you won't dwindle away if you're gone from the Arena for a while. In fact, they'll only love you more once your return! You're you…"
Bellona pulled Neith close and brought her other hand up to grab the Weaver's chin and make her look at her. Neith's eyes widened as she looked up at her lover.
"You can't ever lose with them."
Neith's eyes sparkled, and her face softened. Her worries suddenly washed away, feeling Bellona's stabilizing, strong hand on her chin. She knew what that meant, and she could never fight it. Her cheeks still burned with a hot pink tint.
"You can never just let me be worried about things, can you…"
"Somebody like you isn't supposed to worry about things. You do this to yourself. And I don't think you should."
"But I like having problems like this. It makes me feel a little more… human."
"Why would you ever want something like that…?" Bellona asked, leaning closer.
"Because… it keeps my heart from getting all cold. And… when I have these little dilemmas, the people I love come and help me. And that makes me feel even warmer…" explained the Weaver, her eyes gazing deep into Bellona's.
"You and those emotions…"
"You love them."
"I love you…"
"I lov—"
But Neith didn't get to say it back, her voice cutting off as Bellona closed the gap between their lips. Neith felt as her body flushed, her belly fluttered, and her heart sped up a few beats. Bellona had caught her lips right in the middle of her sentence when they were half-open. So the kiss felt warm and deep already.
She was so skilled at that. But only after many, many centuries of practice. Bellona wasn't always such an amazing kisser. Neith had made her this way, naturally. But that didn't mean that the Goddess of War didn't have her own quirks. Whereas Neith was usually gentler and slower, Bellona liked it rough and aggressive.
She was forward. She was direct. She was without shame, and best of all: passionate. Which Neith could get on-board with when she got all hot. Which luckily wasn't hard to do when it came to being with a Goddess as fiery as Bell.
"Mmph…"
Neith's eyes closed as she felt Bellona lean even closer, turning her body over in her seat to face her more. Bell's hand never left Neith's chin, holding it firmly from below. But as the kiss grew more intense, it shifted slowly, sliding down her neck, her hand opening more, fingers spreading to her lay on her cheeks, thumb tucked under the jaw.
Bellona felt as Neith placed her hands on her too. One on her face, the other on the side of her neck. Her touch was always so calming, so gentle, so comforting. Her hands were the softest things she knew to exist. It didn't take long for her skin to develop goosebumps.
No matter how many times it happened, how used to it they had both become over the centuries… every time they were intimate, both Goddesses felt as if their spark had never once grown weaker. The passion was still there, as if it was their first time.
It just felt amazing for them both. Nothing, or no one, could hope to compare.
"Mm—Bell…!" Neith pulled away, taking in a sharp inhale between kisses for air. "Slow down…"
"Come here…"
And Bellona pressed in again. This time their mouths locked together, and Neith didn't want to pull away. Bell pressed her into the seat cushions, one arm wrapped around her while the other still held her jaw. They both tilted their heads opposite ways to deepen the kiss. Bellona had always been such an open-mouthed kisser, and as much as Neith hated to admit it…
It had rubbed off on her.
It got handsy. And for a few intense, passionate seconds, the two goddesses made out in the privacy of the backseats. Their lips frantically and messily pressed deep kisses into each other, and their tongues filled the rest of the space, licking around and occasionally slipping out from their mouths, leaving behind a wet streak on the chin or face of the other.
Until suddenly, they felt a soft jolt.
The limousine. It had stopped. And a voice came on from the front of the vehicle, the chauffeur.
"Lady Neith. Lady Bellona. We have arrived at the Entrance Walkway."
The two Goddesses came apart with soft gasps, streaks of saliva breaking apart between their mouths. For a few seconds they didn't move and only stared at one another. But Neith was the first to look away, panting lightly as she took her hands off Bellona and held her palm up, a white glow quickly erupting from the center.
Bellona turned her gaze over, watching as the white glow formed into a tiny sphere. Neith's delicate fingers rounded the sphere, then her fingertips grasped it and spun it into a cocoon shape. It glowed brighter, spinning on an axis, before unraveling and revealing…
A mirror.
Bellona sighed.
"You look fine…"
"You ate all my lipstick," Neith quickly replied, snatching the mirror out of midair and handing it to Bellona.
Of course, the Goddess of War held onto it with a bored look on her face.
Neith looked herself in it and fixed her hair up using her hands, before snapping her fingers and summoning another white cocoon that she pulled a stick of lipstick out from. She glared at Bellona as she wiped away leftover moisture from around her mouth with the back of her hand. Then she uncapped the stick of lipstick and promptly reapplied her shade, tinting her lips with a soft rosy-peach color yet again.
"You look better without it," Bellona commented, her other hand coming up to also wipe away Neith's saliva.
"You don't actually care…" Neith snapped, rubbing her lips together, before snapping the mirror and lipstick away with brief white sparks.
"You're right. I think you look perfect regardless."
"It's almost as if you want to miss the opening ceremony just to stay here and make out."
"And if I do?"
"Ha!" Neith laughed and turned away. "And give up a day of battles? Never."
Bellona rolled her eyes. "Depends on my mood. And right now… I want to see if we'll get to fight together."
Neith looked back. "Weren't you just saying that it was okay for me to take a break?"
"It is. But if you don't want to… I'll be right there with you."
"Curse the Goddess of War whose heart loves more than Aphrodite's…" Neith said, leaning in and cupping Bellona's face, planting one last kiss on her tender lips before taking in a breath and sitting upright.
Bellona did so as well, adjusting her armor and running her hand over her bangs to make sure they looked just as beautifully messy as they always did.
Neith slowly drew in a breath.
"We're ready," she then let out.