The Unknown God/Goddess

A Treat

August's P.O.V

"Hey, you okay?" I nudge Mine's shoulder, getting her attention. 

She's been spacing out all day since the football game. I was sincerely worried. She's not eating well and she looks horrified whenever she turns to a corner. She was seeing something or maybe she knows something that I don't and that it's dangerous. 

"Uh, yeah, yeah. I'm fine." she nods her head, bobbing to the music that she can only hear. 

She walks away, leaving me speechless. I intend to follow her but I thought that maybe this is my fault. Did I do something wrong?

"Hey?" Rafaela came to my side and asks. 

"It's Mine. She's not herself lately." she looks at the retreating figure of mine. 

This isn't the time to be gawking at Rafaela. I'm really worried that something is happening to Mine. She's staying here because of me so it's natural for me to help her. Plus, were friends and family. I don't want to leave her behind. The human world is fun, and full of temptations. 

"I saw her earlier this morning, she was talking to herself in front of the vending machine." 

"Really?" 

"Yeah. I was about to call out to her and she was immediately gone. Like, poof, nowhere to be seen and I only blinked once." 

Well, that's odd. Mine is the cautious type. She wouldn't use her abilities in broad daylight and in front of people before. That's it. I'm going to ask her when we get home and I'm going to force her to spill it. 

"Oh, right. She usually does that when she doesn't want to be disturbed." 

"Wow. She must be athletic." I chuckle. 

"Why do you think so?" 

"She's fast and silent. She must be one of those light-bodied people. I bet she'll rock the sports world. Anyway, I should get to next class. See you at lunch!" 

She waves goodbye at me and disappears from the crowd. I inhaled and then exhaled slowly. I search for Mine. And guess what? She isn't here. She couldn't have gone far? Or is it because of..? Crap. I excused myself from the teacher and told her that I wasn't feeling well. She was kind enough to not make me hypnotize her to let me go. 

I sigh. 

"I swear if it's you, you're going to pay." 

I went behind the school and transformed into a raven. I fly my way to one of the secret passages towards the Underworld. When Charon saw me, he immediately recognizes me and lets me in on his boat. I am still not so used to seeing souls being tormented in here. 

"What is your task here, Young Prince?" 

"Just visiting my Uncle and see if he has my partner." 

"Ah," was all he said. His ghostly voice, accompanied by the cold atmosphere here in the underworld sends shiver down my spine. 

Here in the underworld, if you're a spirit and being tormented, you'll see fire and you'll feel hot. A soul without a soul is what I heard from my father. But if you're someone that visits the Underworld, you'll feel cold, suffocating cold. You'll feel tiny ants crawling through your body but sees no ants. It irks me but I have no choice but to see for myself. 

"We're here," was all Charon says. 

"Thank you." 

I got off his boat and knocked on Hades' big, brown, old door. It opened by itself and I let myself in. Instantly. Hades and his wife greets me with smiles on their faces. 

"To what do I owe the Prince for this marvelous visit?" Hades asks, his crooked teeth showing. He was holding a wine on one hand and his wife on the waist on the other. 

"Uncle, I know Mine is here. Please set her free." 

"My, my, my. Are you sure you're the one that should be demanding things?" Persephone asks, chuckling and walking to me. 

I sigh. I've been busted.

"What do you want?" Hades laughs. 

"We don't ask for much, uh, what was it, uh, August? Yes, August. Since you don't want to marry our daughter,"

"You're still on about that?" I groaned. 

A lot of the first generation gods and goddesses have been pestering me into marrying their offspring. I mean, yes, they're beautiful and yes, they're sexy and yes,  we've slept together but that's it. There's no romance involved and I don't want that in my marriage. 

"Silly, no, dear. We're here to negotiate but the circumstances has already decided for us, has it not?" Persephone says, whispering to my ear. 

"Alright. What is it?" I ask, fed up. 

"We simply want you to take our daughter with you to the human world." 

My eyes went big. Bigger. Hades' daughter? In the human world? Isn't that like, inviting death? Wait, no. I shouldn't sound so prejudice. I mean, the girl likes me and she wouldn't do anything that will harm everyone, right? She'll listen to me and behave?

"She's totally over you and has grown fond of the human world. She's classified herself as a succubus." Hades says. He must've read my mind or something. 

"Just men. Right?" clarifying is important. What if she sleeps with my baby? 

As much as I hate to admit it, she's way better at flirting that I am. Feel me? 

"Yes, just men. You were a man when you had s*x with her, were you not?" I exhaled 

"Fine, fine. Can we go now?" 

Hades and Persephone smiles at each other before leaving me alone. I shake my head and collapsed on the floor. I shouldn't blame her. The human world is enticing and like I said, tempting. 

Laughter and chuckles came from the hallway. I remember her voice. It was melodic too, just like Rafaela's. Hades' daughter always wear a blindfold. She was always covering her eyes but I could tell that she was beautiful. I could say. She has pale white skin, as white as snow and her hair is half white and half black. On one occasion, she lets me see her black and white wings. It was beautiful. You must think she's innocent, but she isn't. 

She's twisted. She likes to be in the center of attention. She likes to be dominated by three or more men. You must be thinking, when I said we had s*x, you must've thought that we were a lot, huh? You're wrong. I don't want to share so she has to put up with only me. Lucky for her, my skills are above god level when it comes to s*x so there is no need for another to get involved. 

But let's stop there. 

"It's been such a long time, Prince." she smiles at me. 

"Yes, yes it has been." 

The last time we saw each other was when I was so hungry for s*x and I barged in her room and practically begged her to f**k me. She was happy to oblige but that was embarrassing for me. I've never been so hungry for s*x before yet she was the one that satisfied my lust. 

"Is the human world really good?" her tone went up. Obvious that she was excited too. 

"Yes. How long are you going to stay with me?" 

"She'll be staying until you finally decide to go back home." Hades answered me. 

"You're using me as scapegoat, huh?" Hades chuckles at my question. 

"Yes. If someone asks why she's permitted, I'm going to say that you were there as well." 

"Fine. And where' Mine?" 

"She's already at your house, waiting. We let her go before you entered here." 

"Does she have any recollection of any of this?" 

"Yes." Persephone answers. 

"Alright. Off we go then." 

Hades didn't let us go through the long way and decided to teleport us back to the house immediately. 

"Woah." Mine's comb fell to the floor as soon as she sees us in the center of the living room. 

"Hi," Pharsa smiles softly at Mine. 

"Y-yo." Mine looks at me, confused as to why Hades' daughter is with me. 

"In exchange for your freedom." was all I said before entering my room. 

I groaned and got back out again. 

"You'll be staying right.." I flicked my finger and there was instantly another room in the house, "here." 

I went back to my room again and opened the window. I didn't know I spent so much time in the underworld. It's already evening here, and late at that. I missed lunch with Rafaela. Will she be mad at me? Oh, I hope not. 

Someone knocks at my door. 

"Come in," 

I sit on my bed and looked at the door. When it opened, Mine came inside and closed it. 

"Uhm," she started, fidgeting with her fingers. 

"What is it?"

"Sorry." 

"It's okay, really. Did Hades say anything?" she tries to recall.

"No, not really. Shall I magic Pharsa's paperwork to school?" I nod. 

"Yeah, you should. I just hope she's not going to cause any trouble." 

"I don't think she will." 

Mine sits beside me and looks out the window. The moon was out. It's silver light made its way to my room. The stars were twinkling too. There was nothing like this in Olympus. It was only dark and with no moon nor stars. This was what I had been missing my entire life. 

"How do you know that?" 

"You had the same expression when you first stepped foot here." 

"Really? And what's that expression supposed to be?" 

"Uh, like you're in love stupidly with the place." Mine laughs and I laughed too. 

"What's there to not love?" 

"Ugh, this is getting too sweet for me. I'm going to bed. You should practice apologizing right now." 

"Ha-ha, funny." 

Mine stands up and heads to the door. 

"Goodnight, Your Highness." 

"Goodnight, faithful servant." 

The next morning came and I was anxious to see Rafaela. I was searching for her vividly and now that I'm finally seeing her, I ducked and went the other way. Mine followed behind me and Pharsa nowhere to be found. 

"What the heck was that?" she whispers while we run-walk through the crowd of students. 

"I chickened out." there's no point in bluffing. 

"I can see that, but why?" she stops me and drags me to our position earlier. 

"Wait-" 

"Hey! I didn't see you yesterday! Oh, Mine. You good?" Rafaela asks normally. 

Was I guilty for nothing? Did I make a big mess out of it? 

"I'm good, thanks." 

"Yo," Earl winks at me and I wink back then we smile at each other. I still remember our conversation that night. 

"Good morning." Sarah says, still sleepy.

"Morning." I tell Sarah, avoiding Rafaela's gaze. 

"Are you avoiding me?" 

"Whaaat? Pfft, nooo," 

"Excuse us for a second," 

Rafaela grabs my arm and drags me to the entrance where the gate is. I look down, up the sky, to my left and then to my right. 

"You really are!" she exclaims before hitting my arm. 

"I am not."

"Then look at me in the eyes." 

"Why?" 

"What do you mean why?" 

"Uh, nothing." 

"Why won't you look me in the eyes, August?" 

"I didn't get to eat lunch with you?" 

"Seriously?" 

I nod, still guilty. 

"It's no problem, really. The teacher told me that you excused yourself." 

"Really?" 

"Yeah, I was surprised too. She told me herself. I didn't even get to ask." 

"She must know since we've been together for more day a week." 

"Heh. You're right. So, want to make amends and eat with me this lunch?" 

"Heck, yeah!" 

Throughout my whole morning classes, I kept on thinking about Rafaela and how she's such an angel. I was absent-minded always before when in class but this time, I was blatantly spacing out. Mine had to poke me to get my attention because the teacher was calling me four times already. But it didn't matter. 

When lunch came, I dragged Mine with me to the cafeteria and met up with Rafaela, Sarah and Earl. If Earl knew, I bet Sarah does too. I could see Sarah smiling at me whenever she catches me staring at Rafaela too intently. 

After we had met up, we grabbed trays and got us our food. We went to sit on their usual spot because they had a usual spot, it even said 'reserved'. As soon as we sat down, we hear cheers. 

"WOOOH!" 

"DEVOUR HIS LIPS!" 

"GOD, SHE'S SO HOT." 

"We keep getting transferees these days." 

"s*x! s*x! s*x!" 

I turn around and saw students gathering at the other side of the cafeteria. 

"What's that?" Sarah asks. Rafaela shakes her head and rolls her eyes. She was annoyed by the ruckus. 

"It's that new student again." Rafaela answers. 

"You know the new student?" 

"Yeah, because she's in every class of mine." 

Mine and I looked at each other. 

"Wow. She's already causing an uproar." Earl chuckles before digging in on his salad. 

"No meat for today?" Sarah teases Earl but Earl just clicks his tongue and points his fingers at Sarah before imitating a gun. 

"Yeah, pew pew! Come on, eat." 

"Alright." Rafaela runs her right fingers through her silky, blonde hair. 

I took a bite of my pork cutlet and was instantly craving for more. 

"Woaaaah. This is delicious." I exclaimed. 

It was crunchy but when you get a taste of the inside, the flavors just melt in your mouth. So this is pork cutlet. I've never tried this before. Why didn't Olympus know of this? This is such a miss on our part. I can't believe it! Coming to the human world was the right decision. 

"Our cafeteria has the best food in town." Sarah giggles. 

"You got that right." Mine golfs her food down, not slowing down. 

"You're going to get your stomach upset. Slow down." Rafaela tells Mine before giggling. 

We forgot about the background. The cheers disappeared and it was like we have our own little world. Exchanging jokes, teasing each other, and even sharing each other's food. It was total bliss. But then she came. 

Her leg was in between me and Rafaela. She leans to us, surprising us. 

"Ooh, she is indeed beautiful." Pharsa commented. 

"Excuse me, who are you?" Sarah asks, not overwhelmed by Pharsa's presence. 

"Hello. I'm Pharsa, their friend." she points at me and Mine before retracting her leg. 

"You were friends?" Rafaela asks. 

"No? Acquaintances." I answered truthfully. 

"We've never exchanged proper conversations before." Mine explains to the three. 

"Oh, but we live together." I glare at Pharsa but she just smiles at me. 

"Wait, you three live together?" Earl asks. 

I sigh. 

"Yes, out of pure coincidence." 

It wasn't a lie. 

"She needed a place to stay and we needed help in rent." Mine backs me up. 

"Okay? Why didn't you say so?" Rafaela gives me a pat on the back. The touch soothed me but Pharsa had to grab Rafaela's hand and put it on her lap. 

"Please, don't touch her." Rafaela's eyebrows immediately knitted together. 

"Excuse me?" 

Pharsa crosses her arms and Rafaela stands up. I look at Earl and Sarah but Earl was the only one that could see me. He signals for me to stop it but I don't know how. 

"She can't be easily touched." Pharsa says, her voice going up, dominating the situation. 

"I didn't hear her say that." 

"Please stop. This is not what I had in mind." I stand up too, trying to cease the fire inside their eyes. 

"She's of royalty." I choked on my own saliva and drank water immediately. 

"Royalty? Are you right in the head?" Rafaela asks. 

I stomp on Mine's foot and she immediately stands up. 

"Let's go, Pharsa. Come on. I'll be back later." 

No. That wasn't my plan at all, Mine. I wanted you to get Rafaela out of here while I handle Pharsa! Ugh. Now I have to lie again. 

"Don't touch her!" Pharsa says, slightly retaliating Mine's pull. 

Rafaela had a stoic expression on her face. She places her hand slowly on my shoulder, making Pharsa scream while still being pulled away. 

"What just happened?" Earl asks. 

"Does that girl like you? And her name? That name sounds like god-ish to me." Sarah says, making me look at her. 

"Uh, I don't know too." if I try to defend Pharsa's name, it would be adding fuel to the fire. 

"Why the heck did she say not to touch you?" Rafaela crosses her arms on her chest, making them puff out even more. 

Ugh, t**s. I shake my head, controlling my thoughts. I must be really sexually frustrated. 

"She's just crazy," I try to shrug it off to make it more believable. Rafaela's left eyebrow rises in suspicion. 

Crap. Crap. THUNDER! Lightning!

The thunder shook the ground, making the students inside the cafeteria grab solid objects to help secure their balance. I was the only one left standing. 

"WHAT THE f**k WAS THAT?" Earl shouts. 

Ah, s**t. I got too nervous. 

"Is everyone okay?" Rafaela shouts so that everyone in the cafeteria can hear. 

"We're okay!" 

"We're okay too!" 

"All good!" 

"Good afternoon!" someone shouts before another started laughing. I shake my head, smiling too. 

"Let's regroup at the gym." Rafaela shouts again. 

We all followed her. So humans have drills like this when in natural crisis, huh? If I tell her that it was me, I wonder what she'll say. I saw Mine looking at me intently before we were all huddled up and told to squat on the floor. Murmurs can be heard, panic expressions can be seen and some were still eating lunch. They brought it with them. 

"Everyone, calm down. The lightning didn't hit the school, so we're safe. But just to be sure, let's all call it a day and come back the next day! Understood?" the Principal had a megaphone with him. His words echoed throughout the entire gym with static background noises. 

"Yes, Principal!" 

I look at Rafaela and sighed. Well, my plan to spend the rest of the evening with her has failed because of me. 

"Go home!" the students scattered, one by one. 

"You can come at my house if you want. Tomorrow," I turned my head to Rafaela and she was a little flustered. 

"Me? Alone?" 

"Yeah," I had to blink twice and clean the outside of my ear to check if I wasn't dreaming. 

"That damned Pharsa. I can touch you all I want." she murmured under her breath. 

Ah, she was flustered because of Pharsa, not because of me going alone at her house.