Chapter 15 - Heroes' Tears [5/7]

"There you are!" I grab hold of Byrka's elbow from behind.

I pull him aside and start telling him the good news, "I've been looking EVERYWHERE for you! I've finally thought of something quite ingenious if I do say so myself."

I fold my arms and look back at him smugly.

With a dubious expression on his face, my best war buddy scoffs at me like I've said something exceedingly amusing. "Okay? Well don't keep me waiting. Out with it."

My eyes sparkle as I keep him in a bit more suspense before I tell him my idea, "Okay... so for my idea, get this: Piktionary."

Byrka's face remains unmoving for a few seconds or so until he finally gives up and asks, "I thought you were going to say something more than just that? Can you explain to me what the heck this 'Piktionary' is?"

We still need to plan some things so we find a table to sit at and hang out while I explain what this game pertains to.

"Okay, so for Piktionary, to participate, every person needs to belong to a group. We can have an enchanted jar that will collect tears from within a certain radius. It doesn't require too much magical energy, so don't worry about it being too taxing for me to maintain multiple spells all at once."

I suck in a breath and continue with my explanation, "They will appoint a person every three minutes to try and draw whatever that's on their card. The rest of the team, will have to try and correctly guess as many cards as possible. If it looks hopeless, they're allowed to pass on a card once. After that, they'll have to stick to it until they run out of time."

Looking downward, some of my wavy blonde hair slips past before I tuck them in again, "I'm still thinking about what to give them as an incentive, but you guys pretty much have everything here."

Byrka remains silent for a while.

Then he looks up at me with his mischievous indigo eyes and smirks. "... Well, certainly not EVERYTHING. I can already think of one thing that might cause a slight bit of inconvenience on your part, but would make the boys VERY happy."

I don't like that look he's giving me, though, it doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to do. It's still most likely going to be annoying though from what I can tell.

Letting out a small chuckle, I coax him into speaking, "Tell me already, why are you keeping me in suspense, you weirdo?"

"A great number of men... and women, would love to see the great war goddess, Athena, for a... I don't know, visit? So many people are HUGE fans of hers..." Byrka's voice grows a bit soft and he cautiously peers at me. "... Sorry, I know this is kind of awkward for you. I still remember what you told me back in the day..."

Hmm?

What the heck is this idiot talking ab-

... Oh. He means 'that' conversation.

Feeling a slight discomfort with the abrupt change in topic, I face the opposite way of where he's at so I can talk a bit more calmly.

"Eh... I mean, I should be used to it by now... really. Or more like, I SHOULD be used to it, it's not like it's going to change anyway."

... Why do I bother forcing myself? And to Byrka of all people.

I know he doesn't mind and he won't care if I let out my frustrations sometimes.

I've never cared much for recognition, but it is a different thing when you go completely unnoticed.

You see, the reason why most people would not treat me like some kind of celebrity, like most gods and goddesses do... is because I don't exactly 'exist' in the same plane as some of those gods.

... I'm... what everyone has termed, a 'nomadic god'.

I have no 'home' in the mortal realm. No place of 'worship' has ever been built for me.

So... I've no followers, no church, no... 'nothing'.

And the reason for this...?

It's simple: it's because humans do not know of me.

Mm. In other words, they don't know that I exist.

Though, there's a bigger problem other than just being 'unknown'. How can mortals bring me honor, praise and worship; if, not only are they unaware that I'm real, but it's also impossible for them to remember who I am?

The only reason why Byrka recognizes me is because he's a demi-god who I've fought alongside with in more battles than I could count.

When I'm not around for too long though, he'll start to forget about me a bit.

The nice thing, at least, is that all the memories he has of me, will come rushing in as soon as he sees me again.

It's why our meetings are a lot more important than just 'regular' meet-ups between friends.

... That is right. It's so he can keep on remembering me.

I've talked to Athena about this, but she doesn't know why, or how this is even possible. Every single god, goddesses or even minor deities have been mentioned and recorded somewhere in the mortal realm.

And yet, here I am, a complete anomaly.

A goddess that exists... and yet doesn't at the same time.

"Alright, it's been a few millenniums already, so, let's stop with this depressing and negative shit alright? It's not your fault at all, Byrka. Don't feel bad about something you have no control over." With a pained and melancholic smile, I gently cup one of his cheeks with one of my hands.

With a small jolt, his back straightens and he begins blinking his eyes several times before speaking, "... What are you talking about? You've no idea how glad I am that my memory gets a bit hazy sometimes. Remember those days where you tortur— I mean, punished me? Those days were WAY too traumatizing to remember too often. I need a break every once in a while, so thanks!"

This little...

Byrka breaks out into another series of chortles before he wraps me up in a friendly hug. "Hehehe... You know I'm just pulling your leg! So that's why you should visit me, alright?! No more excuses!"

After beaming him a smile, my two front teeth, carefully bite onto my own supple, glossy-pink bottom lip.

The corner of my eyes narrow in affection at one of the few demi-gods who I can truly call, as one of my true friends.

With a flashy glint of excitement on the glassy surface of my golden orbs, I excitedly tell him the finishing touches and details to the Piktionary event I've meticulously planned in my head earlier.

[...]

We aren't able to convince a lot of people to join for now, so I do my best to hide my disappointment.

It might just be one of those things where people will join in as they see just how much fun the others are having. I need to have more faith in this, and let things be.

There's nothing better than letting the onlookers see for themselves. They'll come when they're ready; I just need to be more patient.