The Unknown God/Goddess

Continuation

Austin's P.O.V

Erebus stayed the night and then another night. And another night. It has been a week since he appeared. He made sure he wasn't seen but still felt. He was so noticeable that it's making the environment awkward. Layla was going crazy and she would sometimes find excuses to stay away. Erebus' presence bothered her so much. 

Mine was being cautious too. One time, Erebus joked about eating breakfast with us. He didn't sound like he was joking so Mine hurriedly made him breakfast. She was cooking so quickly and she panicked. Pharsa was tense the entirety of that happening. When Erebus said bluntly that it was a joke and that he doesn't eat food, Mine almost dropped the plate. 

"Can't you just call him 'father' as well?" 

Sarah, Rafaela and Earl still kept on visiting but they would sometimes keep to themselves. Whenever Erebus, in his godly form would pass by, we would feel the chill in our bones. Yes, he has that much presence. It's hard to ignore him. His power is oozing out of him like a leakage. 

"What? Try calling another god your father." I say in defense to Pharsa's question. 

"He isn't just another god." Mine says. 

"I know, but it's weird." I quiver and tremble. It just feels like he's a foreign alien to me. 

"This is weirder! The god of darkness! Here! In our apartment! Lurking everywhere!" Pharsa turned crazy. 

Sarah pats Pharsa on the back and calmed her down. I felt bad about putting this frustration about everyone. Not only that, but Rafaela seems to take Erebus head on. She doesn't show fear or anything. She doesn't bow down to anyone, I know, but it's still scary you know. 

One time, I found Rafaela talking to Erebus with ease and with a smile. Has she been mind controlled? No, her smile was genuine and her eyes were full of life. If it's not that, then she's truly a remarkable human. She was the only one who did not understand our feelings. 

"Erebus is a nice god," she nonchalantly tells us, making Pharsa stare at her wide eyed, ready to come out of its sockets. 

"Don't give her that look," Mine tells her.

"I'm not!" Pharsa screams. She realizes she screamed and inhaled deeply. 

"I know he's not going to do anything to us." Rafaela looked at us one by one. 

"And how do you know that?" Earl asks. Curiosity also strikes me.

How did she know? 

"Remember when he first came here? He looked me in the eye and said something?"

Now that she says it, I do remember. About her having a pure soul or something. Earl nods and Rafaela smiles. 

"When he peeked inside my soul, he let me peeked in his." I find it hard to believe that Erebus would let her do that. 

But then again, if he really is sincere about all this, I guess having one on your side is a sure ball. I sigh, acknowledging his determination in achieving his goal. 

"I'll do something," I tell the others so that they can relax. 

"Want me to come with?" Rafaela asks but I shake my head no. Not because I don't want her next to me, just that this is going to be awkward. 

"Alright," she smirks as she senses my embarrassment. I huff in response before heading out the room. 

This is it. I'm ready to try and make this work. 

"E-Erebus," I call out since I don't know where he really is. As said earlier, he lurks just about everywhere. 

The room instantly turned dark, and mist scattered all over the floor. Erebus came and made his presence known from the shadows. His red eyes stared into mine, quite horrifyingly but I stood my ground. I trust Rafaela's words. Plus, if he wanted to kill any of us here, he would've done it already, and so easily at that. After all, he surpasses father in many attributes. 

"What is it, child?" 

And he still calls me 'child'. What a let down. I had hoped that he would see me as a young man, or a developing teen god, or even a masterful hybrid, but he just basically called me a brat. I shake off the thought of him possibly underestimating me and faced him head on. 

"Do you really want to be acknowledged as my father?" 

"I am desperate. If you were to wed, I would like to be there." 

Ah, okay. Noted. 

"You're going to have to have a humanoid appearance then." he hums, and as he does so, smoke came out of both edges of his, I presume, his mouth. 

I had already stated that he wears a coat, or a robe, like a grim reaper does. He doesn't have a scythe but he still looks like one. His face is completely covered and the dark surroundings around him makes it harder to take a peak. The only thing that I know about his face is his red eyes. I have not seen the actual face of this god and I think I don't ever plan on knowing. 

"Alright," 

Wait, what? I really thought he was going to decline, saying that he despise humans, or maybe he doesn't like how weak humans look. But he agreed that easily! How is that possible! I mean, does he really? You know, is he really this desperate for me to acknowledge him as a parent? 

"O-okay," 

The room was engulfed in pure darkness and I can't see anything. I wait, until the darkness started to lit up. Seconds passes by and my anticipation for his looks grew. The room clears out and the lights came back. The man standing in front of me had raven black hair, red eyes, a muscular figure and a handsome face. He looked nothing like me!

"Woah," I couldn't say anything else. His features were exquisite. His every detail looked like he customized them himself. 

He was perfect in every angle. Every woman who likes older men would surely go after him. To be a sugar daddy of some sort. People might wonder how we're related when we look so different from each other. 

"Is this good?" he asks and summons a mirror from out of nowhere.

Heeeh, so that's where I got that ability from. 

"That's... let's ask the others." 

First, we need to look a little alike because I think that would make it easier for me to accept him as my father. Zeus and I are similar when I change to August, so I want to at least look a little similar to Erebus when I turn to Austin. I don't know why but I feel comfortable when I'm Austin around Erebus. 

It brings out the best in me, I guess. I don't know. I don't know! I don't know why I'm playing house when a war is coming! I should be preparing, training and polishing my skills. Will Erebus fight with me? No. I don't want him to. This is my fight. His fight ended long ago. If he were to fight alongside me, then that would mean digging up the past of the holy war before. 

This is outrageous! How did he find me- Father! I cursed out loud, hoping that it reached father. I sigh because that's all I can do. The pent up frustration plus the nervousness was making me feel funny inside. Like I'm being tickled but painfully. Get it? 

We walked down the stairs and met with everyone. They were engaging in a light conversation when they sensed our presence. They all turned to us in slow motion and examined Erebus' new face. 

"... Who?" Mine asks. 

Rafaela approached Erebus. 

"It's nice to meet you in your human form, Sir Erebus." 

Sir? And how did she know it was him? Mine and Pharsa didn't even notice the celestial presence of Erebus in this distance! My face must have said a lot because Rafaela turned to me and gave me a smile. Sometimes, I feel like Rafaela has changed subtly. I just can't point it out what and I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing. 

"E-Erebus!?" Pharsa exclaims and stands up from the shock. She examines Erebus' human body and face before backing away. 

"No way. So handsome." Sarah says making Pharsa already despise Erebus' face.

"So? Why the human body?" Earl asks. 

"Ah, I wanted to ask if we look alike or something." 

Mine and Earl exchanged looks and shook their heads at the same time. They thought so too, huh?

"What shall I do now, child?" his deep voice was deeper than when he talked to me. Is he perhaps appealing to the others? 

"I think we need to look alike a little. That would be easier for me to accept the idea?" I tell Erebus sheepishly, hoping that he would understand. 

He looks at me, not moving a muscle. Was he reading me? Like he did Rafaela? I wanted to ask but my mouth wouldn't form any words. I felt like I was stuck.

"Alright. What feature would you want us to look alike with?" 

His suggestion made things easier. I gleamed with a smile. 

"The eyes!" I liked his red eyes and the form of his eyes. Maybe I said it too fast? I sound like an exited child. 

"I'll change my eyes for you then," that wasn't my intention. 

"I mean!" he stops and the others looked at me. Now I'm the center of attention. 

"What is it, child?" 

"Uh," I feel their gazes dig deep in me. Am I being stripped naked? Because it certainly feels that way. 

"I would like to change the form of my eyes and copy yours." 

"Oh?" he turns his body towards me. 

"Yeah," 

His eyes looked beautiful and mature. It's size wasn't too big nor too small. It was the most perfect sculpted eyes other than Rafaela's. It had drawn me to them. Of course I wouldn't change my eye color, not that I tried, but its shape and form astounded me to the extent that I remined speechless. 

"It's your call, child. As long as you're ready to accept the idea." I nod in assurance. 

I started to change my eyes and as I do, I looked into his and copying the exact same shape. I closed my eyes, finally putting in the finishing touches. I turned around before they could see my final face that I know I will be proud of someday. 

"A-are you ready to see me?" I asked them, feeling shy. 

"I swear if you get any more handsome, I'll kill you myself." Pharsa threatened me, making me feel a little bit at ease. I chuckled, taking her threat as my signal. 

I turned around and showed them my new set of eyes. My eyelashes were thicker and my brows were more refined and in shape. The eyelids were prominent with its tuck ins. The shape itself is animated that I feel like I'm being hilarious. When they finally saw my eyes, Pharsa, without a second to spare, sent violet orbs my way. 

"WHAT?" I asked while running for my life as the orbs followed me around like their master. 

"ARE YOU f*****g KIDDING ME?" she screams. 

"It's like a cheat to be that handsome, I guess." Mine laughs sheepishly as the others laugh behind her. 

"That's Austin for you." Earl says, but I was too busy running for my life to say anything until the orbs finally caught me and fried me. 

"AAACKKK," I felt like I was being zapped but still being barbecued at the same time. 

It felt painful but it reminded me that I was alive and I can still make things work. I don't know what will happen in the future but I know one thing is for sure. I will regret not giving this a go. If I hadn't been made, I wouldn't have met Rafaela. And if I wouldn't have met Rafaela, then some psycho will go after her. 

I can't have that. It's disgusting. A being touching my precious Rafaela and hurting my friends. Would the world be a different place if I hadn't been made? Who would be with Mine? Who did Pharsa gave her first time to? Will the trio even know the existence of superior beings if it weren't for us? 

Just thinking about it hurts. That's why I've decided. I'm not going to run away anymore. 

I stood up and shook the barbecue smell away. 

"That's Austin for you. Your power is nothing to him." Mine teased Pharsa. 

"Why, you little-" 

"Pharsa," Sarah calls out to her, stopping her just in the nick of time as she was about t strangle Mine. 

"Fine," Pharsa clicks her tongue before looking away. 

It's obvious that Sarah already knows Pharsa's feelings. It isn't that hard to notice since Pharsa only listens to Sarah and how she's always clinging to Sarah. I don't know what Sarah is waiting for but I'm sure it's for their own good. Sarah must be timing everything out. She's liking the power that she has over Pharsa, and that's enjoyable too. What with Pharsa being repulsive and all. 

"Erebus," I call out to him in the midst of their little friendly quarrel. 

"Yes, child?" 

"Can I call you 'Papa' instead of 'Father'?" 

"Hmm?" 

"It's just Zeus is already 'Father' and he hold royal treatment. But I feel free towards you, titles are unshackled." he gives me a light smirk and pats my back. 

"Of course you can, but I'm guessing you still want me to do something for you?" I could feel my face lighting up and my soul full of happiness. 

"Yeah! I want to show you the human world!" 

In the next few days, Papa and I traveled the human world not as gods but as humans. We shared public transportation with the other humans beings. Dined in all restaurants and cafes that I've been to and we're still planning on eating at somewhere that we haven't been before. I've shown him forests and trees that the human world cherishes so much so as to give them the low of protection. 

I see Papa being in awe whenever something new comes up and I tell him directly. I taught him how to use a phone and how to pay for checks and how to speak like a human. His usual sulking self was no more and irretraceable. He looked like a brand new man. 

"What is this?" he exclaims as he watches the very dessert  in front of him. 

"This is called an ice cream!" 

"MARVELOUS!" he exclaims, making the other customers look our way. 

When they did, they were all looking at Papa. With my white hair and purple eyes, I was bound to attract attention. But Papa was different. They were the same in terms of attracting attention with his raven black hair and his red eyes but his presence makes those who are watching say out their true feelings. 

"My, what a handsome man." 

"Honey, I'm right here." 

"I could've marry that guy over there instead of this hooligan here." 

"What?" 

"I want a divorce and marry that man." 

"What are you saying?" 

"Does he have a big d**k? What do you think?" 

"I think he's fitting for a sugar daddy." 

I facepalmed myself. This was the only let down in out expedition. But other than that flaw, everything was getting okay on our end. The others, excluding Layla, was also easing in on Papa's new form. He was approachable and his manner of speaking wasn't terrifying anymore. He gave them a break when he decided to conceal his entire power inside him. 

To me, he looked like he was finally being a responsible being. 

We went home after having ice cream for dinner. Fortunately, he didn't seem to mind it being winter and we were eating ice cream. 

"It's Christmas soon, right?" Sarah asks. 

"Yeah, and we'll have our break soon!" Earl stretches his arms in the air and relaxes more on the sofa, leaning his entire weight on the backrest. 

"What's Christmas? I've heard of it but I've never seen it myself." Papa says. 

"Me too," 

"That goes for every deity here." Mine shrugs. 

"Well," Rafaela runs a hand through her hair. 

Since I've been too busy spending time with Papa, I haven't been able to be with Rafaela for more than two hours. It sucks, I know but I need to do this if I don't want to have any regrets in the future. Just hang in there, love. 

"It's Jesus Christ's birth day. Jesus Christ is believed to be our One True God. We humans believed that He granted us salvation by sacrificing Himself on the cross. Dying for our eternal sins." Earl explains to us. 

"Ah, okay? How did the people before know that He was the One True God?" Mine asks. 

"Well, he could tame lions, tigers, and he speaks of calamities in the future and them happening." Sarah answers Mine's question. 

"That sounds like Orpheus to me." I said without much thinking. 

"Orpheus? But isn't he not a god?" Rafaela asks and I shake my head. 

"You're right. He isn't a god, but he's an ancient Greek legendary hero bestowed with super human strength." I explained further. 

"So, is Jesus Christ not real?" Sarah asks. 

I look at Papa, expectant of an answer. I can't possibly know the answer to that. This may look like I'm giving the burden to Papa to crush their beliefs but I want to know too. I wasn't alive for that long to witness something or to even hear of that happening. I had always thought that it was just someone's special birthday and the world recognizes it. Turns out it was the One True God's birthday. 

"I haven't heard of Him." Papa says and shrugs. 

"Then that means he isn't real?" 

The human trio looked at each other and sighs. 

"The moment we knew you were a god and the others as well, we already knew that He isn't the One True God."