"When i am silent, I have thunder hidden inside me"
- Rumi
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I was woken up by the sound of birds chirping near my window, I got out my makeshift cot and went outside to greet my mother, She was collecting our clothes with the basket that she weave out of leaves and vines, The memories from last night came flooding back, I suddenly remember the unpleasant feeling of the wolf's fangs, I wonder what happened to the wolves I didn't see them even after Ares healed me, 'Did he kill them?' My thoughts were interrupted by my mother's voice.
"You went to the forest did you not?" Her voice was low, I try to muster up a lie but found out I could not, I nodded and told her the truth, She listened I didn't include the wolf part of the story because I didn't want to make her worry, She sighed after I finish speaking, "I'm worried for you" she paused and looked at me "god's and people don't always have a happy ending together, I don't want you to experience the suffering Odysseus felt after he angered the gods" Her voice was calm but her eyes were sad, I recall that time when she told me the story of my father and how he steal treasures of the gods.
I want to reassure her, I don't want her to suffer and worry, I want to lift some of her burden "Mother, I am no Odysseus nor Achilles. I am no king, I am no warrior, as you have told me since I was a child, My fate is to be forgotten by the world. But i don't want to sit and wait for the prophecy to come true, I will change the fate that the gods have given me, and I will make my own prophecy" I spoke each word with confidence, the air was cold and sky was pale, The gods were listening, So was Ares, but I do not know it.
As if they accepted my challenge a thunder strike in the clouds causing a loud roar, I flinched. me and my mother looked up and then rain started to fall heavily, the wind was now calm despite the heavy downpour, My mother grabbed my hand and pulled me inside, She was silent and quivering her face was white as If she had seen a ghost.
The day passed so quickly and the storm stopped leaving only puddles and mud, My mother did not speak to me after our last conversation, she made stew for dinner and was silent while we eat, I was still unaware that the gods heard me, maybe she knows but did not want to tell me.
After we ate my mother immediately went to bed, her expression never changed I was worried but I don't know if she will answer if I asked her 'what's wrong', Like I promised I went to the forest again, this time I was not alone, The firefly from last night guided me to the lake, It was cold tonight because of the recent storm, I walked through the wet dirt until we passed the tree line where the lake resides, I did not sat down because the rocks were wet, I just stayed up waiting for Ares' Arrival.
The firefly went back to the forest and i was now alone with my thoughts, the sky was dark there was no moon or stars, the lake was not glowing unlike yesterday, it only reflected the dark sky.
"Seems like my son is quite fond of you" A deep voice rumble behind me, I looked back to see who was the owner of the voice,and found a regal, mature man with a sturdy figure and dark beard.
He was wearing nothing but a white robe, it clung onto his golden skin tightly, the pressure around him was unbearable, I was having difficulty to breathe, the air was thicker, I could not ask who he was because I could not muster enough courage.
I heard of this man from the church, The King of gods, The god of the sky, weather, law and order, destiny and fate, and kingship, Zues.
The revelation struck me and I immediately kneeled down to show respect, He chuckles but it did not ease my worry, "What is your name, boy" He asked and I froze my anxiety immediately rose up.
'What should do?, What should I say?' My thoughts became wild thinking of a way to answer his question, to a normal person it was an easy answer but for me I did not have one, Should I tell him the name that Ares gave me?, I was afraid of answering but I fear more on what he'll do when I do not answer.
"Astro, that is the name that Ares gave me" My voice was so close to breaking but I was thankful that I was able to answer him, He spoke again "I'm quite curious, Why would Ares name you" His eyes were making their judgment, "What makes you special from the rest, that even my stubborn Son find you interesting".
"I was not given a name at my birth because the gods curse me"
"You did not answer my question, boy" I flinched at the sound of his voice, like lightning followed by a loud thunder.
"I do not know the reason on why he named me, but in first day that we met he complimented me for my voice, although I don't think it's anything special", He didn't seem satisfied with my answer.
He hummed "I would like to hear it" My answer would most definitely anger him but in this situation, I did not care whether he gets angry or not.
"I sincerely apologize, I cannot sing for you" Zues became livid he did not try and hide it, his eyes were piercing mine like a knife cutting through my flesh, I could almost feel the pain, "You dare refuse me" His voice was loud and deafening, It started to rain but the raindrops did not touch Zues' Skin, Only I, was getting soaked.
"It is not my intention to refuse you, but Ares and I made an agreement, In exchange for the name that he gave me, My voice will be his, alone." I stood up and finally meeting him eye to eye.
"What brought you here Father?" 'He's here' I whisper to myself, a feeling of relief flooded inside me, like a wave washing away my built in anxiety, Ares was walking towards us, Like Zues The rain never touched his skin "I just got curious when Aphrodite said that you're meeting up with a mortal" Zues answered looking away from me to meet Ares' gaze.
Zues' Aura changed into a more gentle expression, Ares on the other hand was looking at him suspiciously "This is the first time you speak or even interact with humans" Zues Spoke intrigued to hear an answer, but Ares just shrugged his sentence making Zues furrow his brows in displeasure.
Any other god wouldn't have been able to ignore Zues but Ares is an exception, since at a young age his power is almost equal to Zues himself and now that he has grown it has surpassed his father's power, I don't have any indication of how powerful he is, No person or god knew this because Ares kept it hidden.
Zues cleared his throat and he followed with another sentence "Before I take my leave, care to enlightenment me on my question" He paused for a moment then he continue "Why him? Why did you pick a dirt poor boy who doesn't even know or worship you?" His sentence struck me, dirt poor. the word kept repeating itself in my head, Never have I been jealous, never have I envy others on what they have, I didn't care if I am poor, but hearing it from a god, It makes me feel like I'm at fault.
Ares answered his Father "Do I need a reason?" He said, it was a blunt answer, Zues didn't seems satisfied at his answer but he did acknowledged it, Zues nodded at him, then he was gone.
The rain stopped, despite being drenched I didn't feel cold the wind has become senile, I look up to face Ares and saw him holding out a hand I took it. It was warm his skin was soft he didn't have any callouses unlike mine, He led us deeper inside the forest to find shelter for the night.
As if I was bewitched, I felt myself being drawn to him.