The Unknown God/Goddess

The God of Darkness

Third Person's P.O.V

After the school trip, August and the others went home satisfied. Other than the false imagery of the deities, everything else went perfect for them. They shared smiles and jokes with each other. Learned some secrets that no one voiced out before. August was relieved when she came home with Mine and Pharsa unscathed. Nothing had happened, and it was for the best. 

But after the school trip, August's chest kept on shining, together with the crest of Erebus' symbol. August was too tired to uncover the truth behind the sudden pulsating shine. She slept like a baby that night without knowing what the next few days will uncover. 

"Good morning," Austin yawns, scratching his neck. 

Pharsa, Mine and Layla sat at the dining table, stiff and unable to speak. 

"What?" Austin notices their freeze and asks, already knowing what their stares were all about. 

"I change sometimes in my sleep from August to Austin, you know that." 

Mine decided to break the silence. She brings down her toast and placed it back on her plate, clearing her throat before turning again to the oblivious Austin. 

"Your chest is.." Mine couldn't finish the sentence because Austin had already a shock expression on his face. 

His nightwear was light and it was a little see through. His perky n*****s were in view but the crest on his chest was something more important than his godly body. Like an i***t, he touches the crest through his clothing and it burned him. 

"Ow," he hisses and decided to try again using the other hand, in which light resides. It felt warm and the crest wasn't pulsating with light anymore, instead it became static. 

"It's glowing all the way through now." Pharsa laughed and continued eating her breakfast. 

"Did you perhaps do anything, Austin? That might trigger that?" Mine points the crest with her lips, pursing them together. 

Austin messes up his already messy morning hair and took a seat beside Pharsa. Pharsa did not want to sit beside Layla, as if Layla was some pest that she doesn't want around. Austin grumbles incomprehensible words before playing with his food. He was feeling something; nervousness. 

But what? He asks himself internally. He had hoped for an answer in which his self could answer as well, like an i***t. When there was no answer brought forth by his self, he shakes his head, disappointed at how lacking he was before deciding to finally take a bite of Mine's usual delicious breakfast. 

The much awaited breakfast made Austin forget about his chest. All the while, the light was becoming more and more heavy and concentrated. Austin was busy to even notice. 

"Hey, we're here!" Rafaela announced, not even bothering to knock, along with her best of friends, Sarah and Earl. 

The three were always together but not everything was to be shared, until the one experiencing it is ready. Regarding the problem that Sarah was having at home, she moved to Rafaela's instead in Pharsa's domain, shying away about how Pharsa was doing everything she can while Sarah was dragging her behind. 

Of course, Pharsa deliberately reassured her that it was fine, that Sarah troubling Pharsa made Pharsa feel somewhat needed, but Sarah insisted and promised to pay Pharsa back somehow. 

"Hey. So, what did you bring this time?" Mine asks, licking her lips, already smelling the delicious aroma that Rafaela brought with them. It was in a basket, that is used for picnic.

"You glutton," Pharsa smacks Mine's sides, scolding her in a physical way. 

"Whaaat? It's delicious." 

"We just had breakfast, glutton." Mine pouted. 

"Fine, I'll place it in the dining room for snacks. Hmph," Mine begrudgingly received the basket and regretfully placed it in the dining area. 

"Where's August? Or Austin? I just never know who I'm meeting." Earl giggles at the excitement brought forth by Austin everyday. 

"Austin. And something's wrong with him." Mine stated so coldly, still grudging over the delicious aroma. 

"It was a pie, an apple pie." Sarah giggles as she tells Mine. 

Mine's face lights up at the answer and immediately drooled. Sarah can't help but feel adoration at the cute Mine. Since coming to the human world the second time, Mine has changed drastically. From being reserved to being more open. From being wary to being a glutton. From being doubtful to being more approachable. It was a change that everyone saw except herself. 

Athena always keeps an eye on her daughter and saw how her daughter had changed over time. Athena didn't regret letting her daughter go. It was the right thing to do, she tells herself. She sees the positive change in her daughter and she could not ask for anymore. 

"You're spoiling her too muuuch," Pharsa whines, making Sarah turn to her and giggle again. 

"You two are so adorable." Sarah pats Pharsa's head, ignoring the fact that Pharsa has a little twisted side in herself.

Pharsa was already tamed. She kept her mouth shut and enjoyed the head petting that her loved one is doing to her. Mine mimics an action that of vomiting. Her vision of Pharsa had completely changed. Pharsa was now whiny, an attention-seeker in an annoying way to Mine and wants to be by Sarah's side or skin 24/7. 

Mine wasn't sure if it was a good idea to be so attached to someone but she didn't try to deny the want of it too. Having someone to protect, to lay down after a hard day and a cuddle partner. She's always want one, she just hasn't met the right one yet. 

After August stopped coming to school, the other students seemed to have eased on Mine and talked to her almost always. At first, Mine was having trouble keeping up with the conversations because some of it contains gossip about someone that Mine doesn't even know. It was hard for Mine because in Olympus, there was no gossip involved, just actual battles and sometimes through democratic means as solutions. 

They are growing fond of the human world and the mundane life that they sometimes forget that they are Supreme Beings. 

"What about Austin?" Rafaela asks, worried about her lover. Her heart starts increasing in pace as nervousness and anxiety creeps in her insides. She gripped the hem of her clothes, hoping that she was fine. 

Rafaela has began to feel worried every single day about Austin's whereabouts and his health. Rafaela used to be so carefree who doesn't give a damn about the world, but when Austin came, as cliche as this sounds, Austin became her entire world. She thought of dying if something were ever to happen to Austin. Of course, Austin knows this thus proposed that they see each other everyday; either it be at Rafaela's or Austin's, it didn't matter. 

"Yo, chill," Earl says, intervening the almost broken conversation. 

"You should go see for yourself, Mistress Rafaela." Layla had thought hard on what to call the others. 

Layla didn't care about status unless it were people that she acknowledged. Humans were like insects to Layla, but since meeting the trio, her views on humans have changed, but she is still wary of them and takes precautions every time she meets one. Only until she has conversed with that particular human will she let her guard down. 

The three were important humans to her, thus giving them appropriate titles. The three of them, Sarah, Rafaela and Earl were feeling a bit uncomfortable with the sudden change display of respect but have grown accustomed to it. They still feel bothered when Layla calls them that in public, but if it's just them hearing it, they were fine with it. 

"Okay," 

Rafaela runs in the speed of light to Austin's room. The door opened so loudly and so swiftly that it startled Austin. The pencil that he was holding fell to the floor. His head whipped to the door in a matter of milliseconds. 

"Ra-Rafaela? Is something the matter?" Austin asked in a state of shock. 

The first thing that Rafaela noticed wasn't his words and what he was doing, but the crest shining on his broad chest. Rafaela slowly makes her way to her beloved and with every step, she travels her eyes from Austin's head to his feet, searching for any possible injuries or abnormalities. Perhaps it was her instinct to search for them or it was the e-books that brought her to suspicions. 

Since the day Rafaela has been reading fictions regarding deities, she has accumulated false and fictional knowledge, such as every god knows how to fly and control beauties and how they always get what they want. The gruesome parts aren't sparred either. And those were that stuck the most in Rafaela's mind. How everyone wants the head of a deity for bounty. 

"Are you, are you okay?" she breathlessly asks, before slowly sitting down next to him and putting a hand on his muscular bicep. Rafaela felt how hard it was. 

Since discovering Austin's origin, his body has began to transform as well. It seemed to him that after accepting the truth, his body automatically started its transformation. He looked more rogue yet defined. His aura seemed that of a bad boy but with an angelic face. A graceful yet proud being. 

Austin looks at his chest, stuttering before making an immediate response. If a delay was to occur, Austin knows that Rafaela will be more worried and he doesn't want that. 

"Ah, yes, I'm good. This is nothing. I feel fine. How was your trip?" Austin changed the subject fast, avoiding an interrogation. He does not know the answers himself so he wanted to avoid the questions. If he doesn't provide answers, Rafaela will become more and more depressed. 

"We brought pie," Rafaela answers his question timidly, still bothered by the crest. 

"What kind of pie?" 

When Austin asked the question, the sudden image of Mine drooling came unto his mind and he can't help but giggle slightly. 

"It's an apple pie," Rafaela noticed Austin's giggle and giggled as well, already knowing what it meant. 

"She's all over it again, huh?" 

"Yeah, she was. She kept on drooling. Pharsa scolded her though." 

"That's great." Austin could hear Pharsa arguing and scolding the gluttonous Mine even without actually seeing and hearing it himself. 

"What were you doing?" 

Rafaela grabs the pencil that he dropped earlier and gave it to him. Austin felt shy and sheepish. He didn't want to let Rafaela know before he finished it but circumstances has called for it. He decided that it was better than being interrogated. 

"Oh, I was sketching." 

Rafaela did not know of this hobby and wanted to know more. The fascination in her eyes gleamed like there's no tomorrow. 

"What were you sketching?" the excitement made Rafaela entirely forget about why she was so frantic earlier. 

"Y-you," Austin answered meekly. 

"Whoa. Can I see?" 

"It isn't finished yet?" 

Rafaela grabbed the notepad and saw for herself how talented and blessed Austin was. The details were perfect, and the shadowing sketched was remarkable. Rafaela felt she was staring in a mirror, but the pose was rather not her. It was a pose used to portray the Greek Gods in statue, as that museum that they visited on their school trip. 

It was still halfway done but Rafaela could already see promise in his art. Austin sat stiffly, waiting for any comments. It was his first time doing something like this, something romantic and uncalled for that it made him feel embarrassed and ashamed. He felt like he was being stripped naked and being shown while he stands delicate in a sea of crowd. 

"I'm pathetic." he started the negativity himself, preparing and easing the possible negative comment Rafaela were to give him. 

Rafaela turned to look at August, thinking he was joking, but when she saw his saddened face, she knew he was genuine and it made her feel bad. 

"Why do you think it's hideous?" 

"I just feel it." 

Rafaela kisses the notepad. Austin saw it, Rafaela made sure he saw it. Rafaela gave the notepad back to a touched Austin. Austin unconsciously grabs the notepad. He placed it on his lap and stared at Rafaela. 

"You're good and I'm sure of it. Is this your first time sketching?" Austin nods slowly.

It made Rafaela feel proud of him. 

"I don't care if it's because you're a deity or just talented, I just know that you're good." the positive feedback brought Austin back to life. He looked at his sketch and beamed. 

"Really?" the compliment made his day. His mind was also forgetting the lighted crest on his chest. He stared in awe at his creation. 

"Heck yeah! You should probably make it as a living. Your father gives you allowance?" Austin shakes his head and sets aside the notepad on his lampshade. 

"No. He merely gave me his approval, which was everything I need." 

Rafaela stared at him confused. 

"Where do you get money then?" the memory of Austin buying an expensive phone and clothing that looked so fashionable entered Rafaela's mind. He was screaming filthy rich to the others and Austin did not know of his riches. 

It was always a wonder to Rafaela and decided that perhaps it was because his father is the king of all kinds and have all the riches in the world. She believed that theory but not, she wasn't so sure anymore. The question popped up again, as to how Austin could afford such luxury. 

"Money? Well, I just poof out some, that's all." 

"Poof? That's all? What do you mean?" Austin was speaking alien to Rafaela. 

"Like this," Austin did as he says and like magic, tens of thousands of money appeared on his hand like it was no big deal. 

"Do you, do you perhaps transport the money to your hand?" the building tension was growing inside Rafaela. It was a human desire to have money, and she wasn't exempt from that. 

"No? I merely make some out of air." Austin stated so bluntly that Rafaela short circuited. 

Austin saw the blank expression on Rafaela's face and waved a hand in front of her eyes. After she attempted waves, Rafaela snaps back to reality. 

"You okay?" Austin asks, worried and tossing the money aside. Rafaela's eyes followed the money before looking at Austin. 

"Austin," the seriousness in Rafaela's voice made Austin tense. 

Did I do something wrong? He asked himself for he does not know how great of a power he possesses. 

"Yes?" he asks, confused of the sudden change in mood. He gulps, anticipating a scold. 

"Don't tell this to anyone else unless you fully trust the person, okay?" Rafaela grabs Austin's hardened shoulder and patted it lightly, accentuating her warning. 

"Why?" 

"Well," Rafaela runs a hand through her face, creating marvelous pathways for her hair to part. Her golden hair now in a messy straight and wonderful disarray. 

"Yeah?" 

"People are going to take advantage of you that way. People want money. If you want, you can help the poor and donate to them, and still remain anonymous." 

Before Austin could speak,  the lights went out and a mist came, then a man from the shadows appeared. No, it wasn't a man. It was a mist formed to make belief that it was a man. It had a black cloak with tattered ends. It was an entrance that Austin did not expect himself. Austin couldn't detect its presence before the misty man made it known himself. 

On pure defensive instinct, Austin extends a hand in front of Rafaela, blocking her from possible attacks. Austin was on pure guard. The others sensed the monstrous aura from Austin's room, thinking that Austin went on a rampage, but it was different and the distinction of it made the others know it wasn't Ausin.

Layla, Pharsa and Mine instantly ran to the stairs in the middle of their conversation, surprising Sarah and Earl, who followed them in their urgency. The door opened, revealing the back of a man. Pharsa squints her eyes and realizes it wasn't a man, it was a mist. 

Mine tries to attack it as its back was wide open but Pharsa stops her. Mine looks at her but decided to back away. Layla's heart was trembling. It was such an aura that would make anyone kneel. The others peered over and saw Austin and Rafaela. 

"My child," the chilly voice awakened the crest. 

It burned Austin's chest before the static light disappeared completely. Sarah knows this voice. It was the voice that she heard when Austin got his divinity back. Austin looks at the misty man in front of him, feeling comfortable and not sensing any danger at all. 

"Cre, creator?" gasps were heard when they heard what Austin says.

Layla immediately kneels, acknowledging his essence. Erebus turned around and looked at those behind him before looking back at Austin. 

"I would rather you call me 'father' as well." 

Erebus floated to where Austin was and looked over at Rafaela. It's red eyes searched deep within her soul, trying to find something. Austin notices it and lets Erebus do what he wants to. 

"I see you're of pure heart, daughter of Diana," his mighty voice made Layla cower. 

Pharsa notices the trembling Layla and slaps her in the face. 

"Keep it together!" Pharsa whispers. 

"I-I-I can't," Pharsa grabs Layla's collar and noticed how she was lifting Pharsa so easily off the ground. Cold beads of sweats formed on Layla's forehead, terrified. 

"You're the Vampire Queen for f**k's sake!" Pharsa hisses. 

"And he's the remaining titan, who, what, coincidentally surpasses even Zeus himself?" Pharsa grits her teeth, realizing the gap in prowess. 

"f**k," Pharsa lets go og Layla's collar. 

Layla fell to the ground pathetically. Earl and Sarah helped Layla get up but didn't break their stare from Erebus, the rumored creator of Austin. 

"Why are you here, E-Erebus," 

Just uttering his name is frightening. Austin says himself. 

"I see. Then, I shall stay until you get accustomed to calling me 'father.'"