Getting into the backseat of my car, I looked at my father from the back. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head right now.
"So why did you come to my school?"
"You've been feeling weird chills lately haven't you?"
"Yeah? Wait, how did you know that?" I questioned.
My dad sighed and brought his hand to his forehead.
"Well, I'm gonna have to explain quite a lot for you to understand that" He responded.
"Thats ok, we have plenty of time don't we?"
"The drive back to our apartment isn't that long" I stated.
Apartment? Does that mean we're going home?
"Aren't we going to the hospital? Why are we going home?" I asked, confused yet again.
My father sighed again, it seems like he's been doing that a lot today.
"Ashton, your mother is a goddess" He stated bluntly.
"I get it, she was gorgeous. How else could they pull you?" I responded jokingly.
Dad turned to me and glared.
"Ashton, I'm serious"
Serious? Edward Woods, the joking father I've known my entire life is suddenly refraining from sarcastic responses and jokes?
What has this world come to...?
"Alright, enlighten me, what kind of goddess were they?" I said, playing his little game.
"Are you familiar with Greek mythology?" Edward asked suddenly.
"I don't know the full mythology but I know a good amount, we even had a class on it today"
Upon hearing my words, my father's expression saddened.
"Your mother, is the Greek goddess Eris, she's also known as the goddess of chaos"
Chaos?
My face darkened.
This really isn't a joke is it?
Haha, what kind of crappy plot is this?
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now, If I told you before, then you'd be dragged to that place at too young of an age"
That place?
"I really thought you were joking, but you don't like to joke about my curse nor do you like to talk about mom"
"I wouldn't lie to you about this Ashton"
I sighed, I hadn't completely accepted this information, it would probably sink in later as a shock, but I had other priorities for now.
"So? What does my mom have to do with those shivers I had?"
"Your curse, it was given to you by your mother, it's called the curse of Eris"
Eris? I could've sworn I'd heard that name today...
That's right, It had something to do with that question I answered in school.
"The curse of Eris makes the people around you conflict with others, it must sound kinda familiar to you"
I clenched my fists.
Of course it sounded familiar, this was this curse that made the people around me despise me. This was what stole my life away from me.
"The curse doesn't end there, it also makes it so that Eris can possess you for a short moment, thats what those shivers you had were"
Wait, did this goddess really possess their child just so they could answer a question in their History class? How prideful do these gods have to be?
I couldn't help but giggle a bit at the absurd idea.
"If I'm a descendent of this god, does that mean there are other gods that have children?"
"Every divine figure has had at least one descendant, but you happen to be the only one who's related to Eris"
Wow, I'm pretty special then huh?
"Actually, it's more the fact that you're the only one she could hav-
Before finishing his sentence my father began violently coughing out blood, shocking me. my entire life, I had never seen my father sick, not even once.
"Hey! You okay!?" I asked concerned.
"Ah, so that's off limits too huh? You're truly too cruel Eris" Edward said to himself.
Off limits? What the heck did he mean by that?
"Do you want some water maybe? Should we go to the hospital-"
"Ashton it's fine, we're here anyway"
Sighing, I hopped out of the car and opened the door for my father, I could do at least that much
"I must apologize son, I'm cursed to not reveal too much to you" My father said, getting out of the car.
He's cursed? By who? It couldn't be Eris... could it?
Once we got out of the car, both my Father and I walked up the stairs to our apartment, avoiding the stares we got from our neighbours and eventually ending up outside of unit .
"That still doesn't answer my question from the beginning, how did you know I had those shivers?" I asked, unlocking the door with my key.
"Ha ha, I guess I just have a good intuition!"
Was he trying to cover up the fact that he couldn't answer that by saying a joke?
Actually, know that I think about it, I don't know much about my father's past, nor do I know anything about how he met my mother, I never bothered to ask. But from my memories as a child, he always worked hard to take care of me that I never even took a second to think about my mother, I truly am grateful to him.
Once we entered our unit, I noticed something off about our home, it seemed... emptier? It seemed like we had way less possessions than usual.
"Don't question it" My father said, seemingly reading my mind.
I'll take his word for it.
I took a seat on the coach and closed my eyes for a bit.
"So? Why did we come back to the apartment? Do I get a day off from school or something?" I joked.
"Actually, that was your last day of school, I've talked to the principle and he agreed to let you drop out"
What did he mean by that? Was I finally going to fulfil my destiny of being the ultimate high school dropout?
My father and I exchanged a blank stare.
"For real?"
"For real"
Well, at least I ended my school life by traumatising a bully, I do wish I could've said bye to the lunch lady though, they were one of the few people who didn't dislike me.
I do wish I could've had a more normal high school experience though, not to sound ungrateful, but having your only friend being the lunch lady seems a bit pathetic.
"So? Since I'm related to a god, what does that mean now? Should I try make a tv show about the struggles of my life?"
In the corner of my eye, I noticed my father grab a gold looking sphere, had he been swindled by the neighbours to buy those good luck charms? I thought I already told him that they were scams.
"Ashton, you won't be seeing me for a while, I'm sorry" Edward said, sitting down next to me.
"What? Are you going on a business trip overseas? If that's the case then please bring back some souvenirs~"
In response to my joke, my father laughed... happily? This was a side to my father I'd never seen before. He seemed really happy for a few seconds before switching to a more sad and serious expression.
"Ashton, do you know what this is?" He said pulling out what seemed to be a golden apple, one could only question if it was edible.
Upon examining the apple, it did seem familiar. Actually, It feels like I know what exactly it is, but at the same time I don't?
"I'm assuming this has to do with mom?" I responded.
"So it seems familiar to you right?" Edward sighed.
I nodded in response.'
"Ashton, your gonna be going to someplace for a while alright?"
"Huh?" I responded confused.
Where the heck would I be going?
"Survival may not be guaranteed, but the place your going to will grant you some form of freedom."
Survival? Is he sending me to the jungle?
"No matter who you're up against, even if their stronger than you, just remember that you are superior, don't be scared. You're a smart kid, I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to survive, even if it's not the most righteous method"
"Dad, what the heck are you talking about-
He cut me off by tossing me the golden apple he was holding, startled, I caught it.
"Ashton, please live your life to the fullest" Edward requested with a warm smile
"Hey-"
Before I could say anything I started feeling a bit drowsy, was I having one of those chills again?
I looked down at my hands and noticed the apple I was holding onto had disappeared. I turned upwards towards my father and tried my best to keep my eyes open, he seemed to be saying something.
"Raising you has truly been a blessing kiddo" Was what I could make out.
After my entire body started heating up, I closed my eyes and laid down, drifting off into darkness.
"Welcome to Imitheos, King of Chaos"
"Now..."
"Rise!"