Truths Revealed > Chapter 1 (original) (raw)

To my unfortunately luck, Clark Kent - my alien best friend and housemate - sat at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal (which was probably his third) and reading the newspaper. Of course when I want him to be busy doing other things and away from me, Clark wouldn't be. Hoping he wouldn't notice me, I continued my way over to the coffee machine. Just please let me get some coffee first.

“Uh, Chloe?”

I mentally winced, knowing full well what Clark was going to ask, but still… couldn’t he just be oblivious at the moment like he usually was? Apparently not. So much for a peaceful breakfast of nice hot cup of coffee.

“Yes, Clark?"

“Not that I dislike it or anything, Chlo’ but why did you dye your hair red?” I glanced over to my best friend and managed not to glare at the alien.

“Because I thought I’ll start the summer with a bang! And well, red, is striking, isn’t it?” I sarcastically stated to him, a little bit bitter about my hair. It wasn't that I didn't look good as a redhead, because I did to my surprise, but I wasn't the one who dyed it this way... No one else did either, which is what is worrying me. At his concerned look, I realized I might have yelled that a little loud. Damn it.

“What’s wrong Chloe? Something has been up with you for the last few weeks… since, well, you know.”

“Look Clark,” I started, voice thick with apology, “I’m sorry for snapping at you… it’s just been a little harder to bounce back to normal after something like that happens. And I am happy to be alive and Lois is too, but it’ll be awhile before I can adjust to this idea still.”

“It’s alright Chloe, if you ever need to talk; you know where you can find me,” Clark said before pulling me into a hug, which felt nice… it felt like it’s been forever since the last time Clark and I actually just hung out that didn’t require research or saving lives. That was the moment I decided to finally tell him the truth that’s been going on with me.

"Weird things have been happening to me since I healed Lois, Clark… My hair is just making up its own mind apparently. You noticed how long it got last week…. Just today I woke up to find my hair like this - I have no idea how the hell it became red. I’m getting worried… what if when I died and I came back, something went wrong?” Clark pulled me into a tighter hug.

“Don’t think like that… maybe its just something that happens after you heal someone. It could be nothing Chloe.”

“But it also could be something Clark… and I hate not knowing.”

“And why exactly am I doing this again, mother?” I asked, running my hand through my hair as I studied my mother… Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, which was everything she was and more. Her red hair seemed to be radiating – which was a good sign for everyone because it meant that she was happy – but her face was scrunched up in frustration. I could practically see that she was close to causing a huge disaster with her stormy blue eyes. Apparently visiting her today of all the days of the year, was a horrible idea on my part.

“You know the rules, son… I can not go there unless she calls me to herself. She grew up as a mortal in modern times - she knows nothing of calling to me when her powers come to her. Eros, please…” It was the first time in years that she ever said “please” to me, and I realized just how strongly my mother felt for my latest sibling. When I was born she was still uncontrollable wild and hated responsibility - not that she hated me then, just the fact that was more selfish at the time like most gods are. “You’re the only one I can trust… You know how the others are.”

That I did know… Deimos and Phobos would indeed torture her before they’d let her call for Aphrodite, thinking it was their “brotherly” duty to gift her with such “blessings”. Of course, Ares would have their hides for hurting her… and they could forget about ever falling in love as well if mother ever found out, so there might be a slight chance she would be unharmed. That of course did not do me anything; I still didn’t want to go back to the mortal plain.

“Why can’t Hermes do it?”

“Zeus and Hades have him busy enough, Eros. I won’t put him through doing this simple task that you can do.”

"Hedone?"

"No Eros."

“And Ares?”

“Zeus knows where he his… probably starting another war somewhere.” Aphrodite stated - bitterness laced her words at the thought of Ares starting another war. War was necessary, and Aphrodite knew that, however it didn’t mean she had to like it… even if the God of War was her husband… or most current lover anyway.

“Harmonia?”

“Eros, I’m asking you do this for me. Not Hermes, not Ares, not Hedone, and not Harmonia.”

Grimacing, I finally relented knowing she would probably neuter me if I didn’t accept. “Fine, I’ll go. Where did you put her again?”

“Thank you Eros… She is currently in Smallville, Kansas.” Aphrodite said, clapping her hands in delight. Sparks flew from them and before me showed an image of a young red head with bright green eyes. She was beautiful, which was no surprise – no daughter of Aphrodite would be ugly. But she wasn’t overly beautiful – she barely had make-up, just enough to gloss the lips and grace her face's features naturally, her newly long red hair was pulled up into a messy bun. Just something about her made me not want to look away.

I disappeared from my mother’s temple before I could finish the thoughts I had – there was no way anything would happen with her. Not, of course, that I wanted it to. No, I learned centuries ago that women betray you and I wanted nothing to do them – except sex.

That’s all I needed anyway.

The look in my son’s eyes shocked me as he stared at the image of my daughter; I hadn’t seen that look since Psyche – which had been thousands of years ago. His stare made my heart flutter in hope that he could finally move on and past this hate and distrust towards women. Of course it’s understandable, what he’s going through, and I’ve my past horrible choices – finding other lovers when Ares wasn’t around being one of them. But I’ve been this way my whole life, and I don’t care so much if Ares takes another woman and he doesn’t usually care who I take to bed. After all, centuries being with the same person gets a little boring… and Eros never learned that. The evil bitch betrayed him before a century even ended.

The only good thing that came from that union was my beautiful granddaughter, Hedone.

“Aphrodite,” Athena’s voice brought me back to reality… as always her voice lacked emotion. I turned and faced her with a smile on my face, despite the unease feeling I felt being in her presence. At times we’ve pitted against each other (like in the Trojan War), although we had warmed up to each other since then, but we if we could help it, we usually kept our distance. What brought her to me today, I have no clue, but it usually means trouble.

“Yes, Athena?”

“I hear Eros will be bringing your daughter here, finally.” Athena stated, her eyes moving to the still floating image of my child. “You will be having a feast, no doubt.”

“Of course, I will.”

“Just be careful… Eris has been too silent lately.” Athena said, before a cold smile graced her lips as she looked at me again. “And I would hate it if something happens to your little daughter.”

My eyes narrowed in distrust, Eris had indeed been silent (a little too silent) and I hadn’t even thought that she would bother my daughter. Still, Athena’s words made me feel very uneasy – like she knew something I didn’t. I know I haven’t done anything to upset her… or at least I thought I didn’t.

“I will, Athena, thank you for your advice.”

Her blue eyes glowed before she was gone from my sight, no doubt going to feed her owls or read another book.

Now to make sure Eris doesn’t do anything to ruin the feast.