Parent Naming

My blood boiled as we approached The Throne Hall. Who was that kid saying it would be 'cool to be deaf'? I wanted to tear off his ears and see how he dealt with it. How he'd deal with not hearing what people said when they realized you couldn't listen to them.

RJ seemed to sense my anger and whispered, "Hey, it's okay. I told you Cola was insensitive. It's part of his charm."

"More of a turn-off, if you ask me," I muttered sourly.

He chuckled. His blue eyes were warm as he looked at me. "If it's any consolation, I think Lili is wonderful the way she is. I'm curious to see who her godly parent is. They have to be beautiful, with her looks. Maybe it's one of the love goddesses."

I scoffed. "Lili doesn't care about any of that. She thinks that she's unattractive because of her deafness." I looked at a deep blue building with a sign that said The Caramel Lily as we passed. "She doesn't know how wrong she is."

RJ hummed. He put an arm on my shoulder. "I'm curious about yours as well. There's something about you that I can't put my finger on." His fingers drummed across my upper arm. "Oh, there it is."

I huffed out a slight laugh. "Funny."

He beamed. "I try." 

I opened my mouth to retort but was distracted as we reached the base of the gigantic spiral tower. I couldn't see the top from where we were. It was even bigger up close. Millions and billions of shining gems gleamed in the sunlight. 

"We will accompany you to the thrones," Adrestus told us. "Once we reach there, your friends will be forced to wait for Endios's verdict. But don't worry, he'll be gentle. It'll only hurt for a second."

"What now?" that Kayla girl demanded. She was pretty, if I had to be honest. Dark hair, dark eyes, combined with that effortlessly smooth skin… Even now, with her eyes and face full of fear, she was pretty. Kinda jealousy-inducing. "What is he going to do to us?"

It was Eli who offered up, "He needs to scent your blood to be able to determine your parentage. He has a needle to prick your finger to draw blood."

I felt like my blood had turned to ice, but I shook it off. It could've been RJ standing next to me. He gave off cold air, which was refreshing in this heat. 

"Do not worry," Adrestus said. "He will heal you as soon as he scents your parentage. Now, are you all ready?"

I bit my lip. I didn't want to do this. With my luck, I would be one of those titan kids like Eli. Then I'd be shunned, just like back home. But looking at how nervous Summer was and the fear in Kayla's eyes, I knew someone had to take the fall. Rather it be me than them. 

I took a deep breath and looked into Adrestus's molten gold eyes. "Alright," I said, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. "Let's get this done with already."

Adrestus grinned, blinding me momentarily. He turned, and he and Atana opened the door.

Inside was just as beautiful. Great braziers, half enclosed by each of the eight limestone columns, lit up the lower levels of the throne hall and bathed it in an orange glow. The tapestries depicting the kingdom hanging from the askew ceiling danced in the flickering light while memorials and stone effigies looked down upon the marble floor of this luxurious hall.

A cobalt rug ran down from the throne and marked the closest spot people could stand when they addressed the gods. Matching banners with emblazoned corners hung on the walls. Between each banner stood several large torches. Most of them were lit and, in turn, illuminated the artistic depictions of heroes and leaders below them. Broad, colored glass windows are neighbored by draperies colored the same cobalt as the banners. The curtains were adorned with burnished corners and gold leaves.

Adrestus and Atana led us to a semicircle of thrones. Each throne sat taller than even Eli. A hearth sat in the middle, heating the hall and making me sweat. Though that could've been the piercing stare of the god in front of me.

Adrestus and Atana grew until they were thirty feet tall and sat in their thrones opposite of each other. A dark-haired, bearded man with glowing green eyes grinned as we approached the hearth.

"Welcome, new godlings!" he boomed with a cheery smile. "Welcome to Glasseia! I am glad that you made it unharmed!" Atana leaned over and whispered something in his ear. "Well, mostly unharmed. I am pleased Adrestus healed your injury, young miss." His eyes landed on me. I flushed under his gaze.

He smirked. "Where are my manners? I am Endios, the God of Authority! Beside me is Praxithea, the Goddess of Prosperity!" She had long brown hair with almost invisible streaks of silvery gray. Her eyes reminded me of a hawk's feathers, which would also explain the dress she was wearing, made from hundreds of hawk feathers glued to a long dress of beige cloth. 

"This is Grigorios, the God of Distribution and Giving!" This guy had dark brown hair and dark gray eyes. "Charis, the Goddess of the Harvest!" She had dirt brown hair and matching eyes. "Spyro, the god of Tricks and Trade!" He had short brown hair and green eyes, and his smile reminded me of Cola.

"Alkividas, the God of Revenge and Madness!" A pudgy little man with purple eyes and light blond hair. He had a baby leopard on his lap and was keeping it entertained with a cat toy. "Aithra, goddess of the Moon and Hunting!" She was the exact opposite of Adrestus. Her hair was silver, her eyes like molten silver, as opposed to Adrestus's molten gold eyes, and she was as pale as a vampire. "Adrestus, the god of the Sun and Healing!" He winked at us. "Rhykos, the God of Military Power and War!" He was tall and well-muscled. His eyes were blood red. This guy's eyes were filled with malicious glee, as if he'd laugh while watching people slaughter each other for no reason. Considering he was the god of war, I guess he would. 

"Sola, goddess of love and beauty!" I instantly didn't like her. She looked like every popular, snobbish cheerleader I've ever met, all rolled into one, with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and bright blue eyes. She wasn't even paying attention; she was too busy looking at herself in a mirror. "Minas, the God of Invention and Recycling!" He had dark brown hair and eyes and was fiddling with one of my crutches. "And Atana, Goddess of Wisdom and Warcraft!" Atana gave us a little wave.

"Of course, we are but twelve out of hundreds of gods!" Endios continued. "Hundreds of gods whom you may be the child of! Come forward, and we will determine who your godly parent is!" He pulled a needle out of thin air. It wasn't big, but the sight of it made me freeze.

A slight cough made me look over, and I saw Summer clenching and unclenching her hands. She took a deep breath before stepping forward.

"Lord Endios," she stated with much more bravery than I had. "Let me go first."

Endios smiled widely. "But of course!" He got off his throne and shrank down until he was slightly taller than Eli. He gently took Summer's arm and turned her hand palm up. His smile was reassuring as he took the needle and pricked one of her fingers. I saw Summer wince but was distracted when Endios took a long sniff.

He met her eyes and beamed at her. "Summer Valentine, you are the daughter of Sylvia, the Goddess of Persuasion!" 

There was some light clapping from the gods and the others. Summer stepped back, holding her hand tightly against her chest. I caught her eye, and she couldn't look more relieved.

"Uh, Lord Endios," Lincoln said. Endios turned to him, and the white-haired boy hesitated. "Uh, how is it that you can, uh, tell who our parent is?" He turned red by the end of his question. I snorted, and he shot me a look.

"Lincoln River," Endios began, strolling over to stand before him. "My mother is Belladonna, the Goddess of Wolves and Canines. It is only natural that I inherit her sense of smell. Hold out your hand, young man, and let us find out who your godly parent is."

Lincoln looked like he didn't want to do it, but he held out his arm like Summer. Endios gripped his wrist and pricked his finger. Like before, he took a long sniff. His expression changed to surprise as he announced, "Lincoln River, you are the son of Alex, the Primordial of the Sea and Sea Creatures."

Lincoln looked like he was going to faint as he stepped back. He held his wrist tightly, and his fingers twitched as if he were trying not to tremble. He had gone as pale as his hair. Poor boy.

Endios was now in front of Kayla. She bravely held out her arm even though her legs wobbled violently. Endios took her arm and pricked her finger. Another long sniff and, "Kayla McLeod, you are the daughter of Lindsay, the Goddess of Concord and Unity!"

Kaya visibly relaxed. She took her hand from Endios, rubbing her finger as she stepped back.

Now Endios stood in front of Lili. I instinctively stepped forward to be next to her. Endios towered over us, and it was all I could do to keep from trembling. I felt like my bones were vibrating inside my body. I felt my heart in my throat, something was throbbing in the back of my head, my stomach churned…

If Endios noticed I was seconds away from collapsing, he didn't let on. He gripped Lili's arm with surprising gentleness and lifted it up. He held the needle in front of her, and she nodded, giving him the go-ahead. She squeezed my hand as he pricked her finger, but then it was done. He sniffed the air and declared, "Lili Anastasia, you are the daughter of Noella, the Titaness of Intelligence, Planning, and Academic Excellence!"

Lili smiled, though she looked like she was about to pass out. I kept a steady hand on her shoulder as Endios moved onto me. He took my arm in his hand, and I was surprised by the softness of his fingers. So different… So different from his. He looked at me and tilted his head to the side. 

I took a deep breath. Another. Then I nodded. My arm shook as he lowered the needle. I nearly shrieked at the sharp pain in my finger as he poked it hard enough to draw blood, but then he withdrew, leaving my finger throbbing with dull pain. My head swam. I thought I was going to lose my balance, but Lili put her arm around my back and kept me upright. 

I was so out of it I barely heard Endios growl. His grip turned iron-tight, and fear gripped my soul. I tried tugging my arm free, but he wouldn't let go. I saw a head of dark hair and a black beard. Dark blue eyes. 

"Please," I gasped, trying to pull my arm away from him. "Please."

"Endios, let go of her!" Adrestus was suddenly at Endios's side. He pried the god's fingers from my arm, and I stumbled back, falling to the floor. I stared at the two gods as Adrestus pushed Endios away.

Lili knelt down next to me, her brows furrowed in concern. RJ appeared on my other side. Together they helped me stand up and led me away from the gods beginning to fight.

*~*

"Are you sure you're okay, Brooklyn?" RJ asked for the tenth time. We were sitting at a small cafe a few blocks from The Throne Hall, far away from the gods. Cola and Zariah had taken Lincoln, Summer, and Kayla to meet other Godlings, leaving Eli and Lili with me and RJ. 

"Yes!" I snapped, slamming my hands on the aluminum table. Our drinks rattled—mine fell over. It was silent as the contents spilled onto the ground.

Eli reached over and sat the glass upright. He said softly, "We're just making sure, Brooklyn. You had a bad reaction in there."

"I don't like being touched!"

Eli and RJ shared a look. "You let Lili touch you," RJ pointed out. 

"That's different!"

"You were fine with me leaning on you earlier."

"I-I wasn't tense! That whole situation stressed me the hell out!" 

"We can tell," Eli muttered. He rubbed his chin as he leaned back in his seat. "Look, Brooklyn, we want to help, but we can't–"

"I don't want help!" I interrupted with a vicious snarl. "I don't need help!" Again, that damn look between them. I groaned in frustration. "Look! Just leave it alone! I'll be fine! I promise."

RJ obviously didn't like it, but Eli said, "Alright. But if you ever need it, we're here."

I growled slightly. "Did Endios ever say who my godly parent was? And what made him get so pissed off?"

"Uh." RJ's tan skin lightened as the blood drained from his face. "You… You didn't hear?"

"Would I be asking if I did?"

"Alright, calm down, will you?" Eli cut in. "Enough with the sass. We don't deserve it."

"Tell me already, damn it! I know Lili's mom is a goddess of being smart or whatever–"

"The Titaness of Academic Excellence," Eli corrected.

"-but I didn't hear mine. All I heard was Endios growl at me. Why?"

"It's because of who your mom is," RJ told me. He reached forward as if grabbing for my hands still on the table but paused. He clenched his fist and put it in his lap. "You're… You're the daughter of Andromeda, Brooklyn. The Primordial of Ice, Celestial Bodies, and Darkness. You're a Primeval Born, Brooklyn."