Jason had always prided himself on being a pragmatic thinker. But when Hecate, the goddess of magic and chance, offered him a way to help his parents reclaim their former thrones, even Jason found himself at a loss for words.
"Are you sure about this?" Jason asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Though he trusted Hecate's power—after all, even Chiron, his wise centaur mentor, spoke highly of her—he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than what she was letting on. After all, Jason hadn't had much personal interaction with her. The gods his parents followed weren't exactly in her domain, and Chiron's mysterious look when mentioning her had only made him more wary.
Still, Jason knew the rules. He couldn't say no to a goddess. At least not without serious consequences. So, swallowing his doubts, he squared his shoulders.
"No problem, Goddess Hecate!" he declared, his voice resolute. "I, Jason, hereby swear to the gods of Olympus that I will unconditionally fulfill whatever task you assign to me!"
Hecate raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised at his quick decision. She hadn't expected such eagerness from a twelve-year-old boy. Yet, something about Jason's confidence struck her as curious—he wasn't the type to rush into things, especially not with someone of her power. She knew better than to believe he was so naive.
"Very well, Jason," Hecate said with a slight smile. "But there's no need to complete your task immediately. When the time comes, I'll seek you out. For now, tell me—what is your wish?"
Jason hesitated. "Could I take some time to think about it?" he asked. "I want to make sure I'm choosing wisely."
Though she preferred quick resolutions, Hecate didn't seem upset. With a flick of her fingers, she handed him a dark feather that shimmered in the moonlight.
"Think carefully," she said, before vanishing into the shadows.
Jason, still pondering her words, tucked the feather into his pocket. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he made his way back to Chiron's cave.
"Why are you back so late?" Chiron asked, his voice laced with concern as he met Jason at the door.
Jason's heart warmed at the sight of Chiron's worry. The centaur had always been patient with him, never forcing him to study if he didn't want to. Instead, Chiron always made sure to correct Jason's mindset, guiding him without pressure.
"I met the Goddess today… Goddess Hecate," Jason explained, his voice a mix of awe and hesitation.
"Hecate?" Chiron's voice rose in surprise. "Jason, what exactly happened?"
The two of them moved into Chiron's wooden house, the setting sun casting long shadows across the room. Jason recounted everything, from his encounter with the goddess to his oath.
When he finished, Chiron sighed in relief. "I understand now."
Jason looked at him curiously. "Do you know what she wants me to do?"
Chiron gave a rueful smile. "I'm not entirely sure, but knowing Hecate, it will likely involve something that tests your character, or perhaps your luck."
Jason frowned. "Luck? You said before that Hecate represents randomness and chance… does that mean she can change fate?"
Chiron nodded gravely. "Yes. She can manipulate the flow of time and destiny itself. Her power is limitless in that regard."
Jason's mind raced. A goddess who could shape fate… That was power he couldn't ignore. If he could gain that kind of influence, perhaps he could change his own future—and the future of his family. He looked at Chiron, determination in his eyes.
"Teacher Chiron, I know what I need to wish for. I want to become her disciple."
Chiron blinked, clearly taken aback. "You want to become Hecate's disciple?"
Jason nodded firmly. "I want to change my destiny. I can't stay in this limbo forever. I need power to protect myself, and the gods... they can't be trusted. I need to carve my own path."
Chiron was silent for a long moment, considering Jason's words. He could see the sincerity in the boy's eyes. Though Jason had often been hesitant, wavering between different desires, this time was different. Jason wasn't asking for power for the sake of glory—he was asking for the strength to shape his own life.
"I see," Chiron finally said. "Very well. If this is your decision, I will support you. But know that the path you're about to walk is not an easy one."
Jason gave a small smile, filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Teacher."
That night, as they stood on the quiet lawn beneath the moonlit sky, Jason held the dark feather tightly in his hand. The moment had come.
He whispered Hecate's name, and soon the feather began to glow with an eerie light, brighter and brighter until Hecate herself materialized before him.
"Have you thought about it so soon?" Her voice was both intrigued and amused. But when her eyes fell on Chiron, standing a short distance away, she paused.
"Good evening, Goddess Hecate," Chiron greeted with a respectful bow.
Hecate, clearly uninterested in formalities, waved him off. "You know I don't care for all this pomp. What is it you want, Jason?"
Taking a deep breath, Jason stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Goddess Hecate, I wish to become your disciple. Please, accept me as your student."
For a moment, Hecate stared at him, her brow furrowed. "You wish to become my apprentice? But you don't have the right bloodline for magic…"
Then, as if struck by inspiration, her eyes gleamed. "You know what? This could be an interesting experiment. Let's see if my magic really is as universal as I think!"
Jason's heart raced. Was she… actually agreeing to this?
"I accept," she said with a smile that was almost too pleasant. "You will become my apprentice."
But Jason couldn't shake the feeling that this was less about a formal apprenticeship and more about being a test subject for Hecate's ever-curious mind.
Chiron, watching this exchange with a knowing smile, nodded in approval. "Jason, you've made a wise choice."
And so, under the watchful eyes of the moon, Jason's fate was sealed. The future he'd once feared was now something he could reshape—one wish at a time. But as he looked at Hecate, the realization hit him: he wasn't just embarking on a journey of power; he was stepping into the unknown. And whatever lay ahead, it was sure to be anything but ordinary.
###
You're still reading? Impressive. But if you want to speed up the process and get exclusive chapters (you know you do), head over to my Patreon (Patreon.com/Dracode). Or keep waiting like a regular reader. Your move, genius. 😜