Interlude: The Lover. (Part 3)

…

"Look at them, my pet. Look at how they fight and fight to fix the mistake you made." The unspeaking, drooling being at my feet lifted his head. Slowly and without jostling my limbs. I approved and chose not to use my crop. I took a sip of the tincture of the last of Soma's liquor upon this plane. It tasted sweeter than it ever had before. "You best hope that they manage it, my pet. Lest I use the lash instead of the glove tonight."

His skin shivered against mine. Was it because of excitement or fear? I checked. Excitement. How inappropriate. The lash it was. Using the wrist, not the arm. To him this was still a game. He had lost and I had taken him. For him, just like his Familia, this was simply another diversion from the trivialities of Heaven. I was bored of him, of his base desires, but he was a gift and not a lover. I was merely his leash until another became worthy to hold me in a mailed fist.

A flush of heat caressed my skin as another bolt of lightning arced through the sky.

"I had worried that he would be too weak. I had fretted that he would be unable to topple me. Did you know that, my pet?" I felt a drop of the tincture flow down from the corner of my lip to the base of my neck. I brought it to my sight upon the back of a single finger. I considered the orb of divine liquor which had left a trace of red across my skin and gathered the rewards of my exertions. Reaching down, I lowered my hand and my pet's head stiffened as he held himself still. Good. Very good. I allowed him to dirty my finger with his tongue for his reward. He became sated at my taste. I basked in the conflict before me as he quivered and shook. "I thought he wouldn't be able to topple me, yet in less than three months he establishes an empire, reveals power which make legends seem to be infants, and now wages a war against his own allies."

Nine Hell was there. The impudent woman who had brazenly danced with him in full view of all. A Queen who thought him her equal. It was a laughable notion. Perhaps as a pet? Yes. An empress who would've changed the world and overturned nations with but a speech on her knees with a gleeful smile. The rest who lusted for him could follow.

"He is magnificent. A true warrior with ideals stauncher than even divine steel. Only the truth and what is right are enough for him." Light crashed against flame and ice. Stray shards and flames were intercepted by light. Innocents were spared by him even in his mad state. There he stood against his own friends, whom he couldn't fight against fully and completely, yet he fought on anyway. He could not win, but he will fight to the bitter end. "He's my hero, my pet. Him and that boy who had approached him. He is the mailed glove while the other is composed of velvet."

Hmmm, perhaps a comely and earnest girl for him to love truly? What of a woman who he undoubtedly and irrevocably loved above all others? All others, no matter their power, legend, or divinity, given mere scraps in comparison to the only one whom he treats sweetly. Yes. That was good. He needed someone earnest and pure. The Thousand Elf, perhaps? The one who had her eyes only on him while they danced and was lost to fantasy? She would do. She was there as well, trying to bring back his mind from his madness due to his loss.

"Hachiman would take this world by the throat and drag it kicking and screaming to the paradise he wishes. Bell will be the kind hero who has the sheep flock and adore him." They were mortals with only fractions of divinity etched into their souls. They were not immortal. They were free and unchained. So they were able to change, live, and thrive. Their vices and virtues changed and evolved. Gods were merely gods. Nothing more than power and purpose. Mortals had will and drive. Meager in their own eyes, but truly beyond precious. "Yet here they are fighting against one another due to your carelessness, my pet. The grand dream which I had been reaching for has been wrenched away because of your foolish actions."

There was a silver lining to the madness which overtook Hachiman. Bell had grown leaps and bounds. The bright, pure stone which had nearly been tarnished now shone more brightly than the sun. He rejected the path Hachiman walked upon, yet accepted Hachiman nonetheless. They varnished one another, ground themselves into deeper purity and darker ebony. They collided and imparted themselves upon one another, just as they would be, and became greater, grander, and more brilliant when they clashed just as when they stood at one another's side.

I caught my breath as my pet strained due to my joy.

"I forgive you for your foolishness, my pet. You didn't know what you were doing and there they are getting stronger and stronger instead of breaking." I graced my pet with my hand until he was insensate. A moment passed until I had a replacement, proper footrest beneath my leg and the pet was placed in his rightful place at my chair's side. Ottar has arrived just as I expected him to. I gave him a smile as I watched the conflagrations continue. "Tell me, Ottar, is there any possibility of this failing to break him from his stupor?"

"If it does not then we are prepared to do so." Ah, the finest answer from my finest child. Never did I regret the day when I chose to raise him as my own. I stood to take to the balcony. I was immediately covered in fine silk and a sash to hold the robe together at my waist. I adored the new merchandise he brought into the city. "Should they fail, we will be able bring Hikigaya back from the brink of his madness."

"Calling it madness may be presumptuous, my child." The sun was setting in the horizon, but the night was held at bay by the pillars of light which came upon Orario. I sat myself upon the balcony railing. Ottar came close to ensure I would not fall. Such a careful child. Ganesha and Loki were already moving. Were they going to aid one another or stand against one another? My "rivals" were sorely lacking these days. Only Loki's newest batch, trained by Hachiman, were of any interest. Mere rocks polished into gems. They weren't brilliant, but they were beautiful in their own way. "What sort of madness changes the world for the better?"

"The sort which would cast aside love, Freya-sama." Ottar's answer brought a smile to my face which I deigned to share with him. Such a good child. Many called him cold, stoic, and focused. However, that was merely a single side of my child. His love was powerful and nigh-unrestrainable. One day he would find someone far more earnest to love. It was merely a matter of time. "Someone who casts aside the heart entirely for the mind can only be called mad."

"Ah, but what of the opposite then, my dear?" I laughed lightly as Ottar went silent. He knew me well and didn't wish to answer. There was no doubt in my mind what answer Hachiman would've given. Whether one lost themselves entirely to their heart or their mind, the result could only be called madness. Loki's and Ganesha's Familias gathered and looked upon the spectacle. Loki would be excited to see something new. Ganesha would fret over the status of the people. They would stand back to watch until they could sweep in to claim what they wished. That is what they did. Nothing of them was new or brilliant in the slightest. "What of us gods who act with our hearts as our sole compass?"

Ottar stayed quiet. I knew him well enough to know he would not answer.

"Don't fret, my dear. I know who I am." I reached up and touched his cheek. Ottar hated any insult to me even if it was the truth. Hachiman would've died at his hands if Ottar didn't know what I wished. Perhaps, one day, my child will be able to see me as I truly am instead of the mother he so earnestly loves. I am despicable, wretched, and most certainly not worth his unconditional love and zeal. He ought to be with someone kind, gentle, and in good standing. Nothing but the best for my beloved child. "For me to change, for me to be better, I have need of Hachiman and Bell. Those two together shall be my paradise whether in Heaven or here."

"As you say, Freya-sama." Ottar bowed his head in acceptance and I turned back to the battle. The magic was flickering and fading. The pillars of light were wavering and growing weaker. That day when I had returned him from his madness required only a single slap to the cheek and a demand for love. There was no disgust or hatred for him to us to pull himself back. He must grasp at the earnest, true affections which was before him. The bonds which he denied himself, the love he should give so he could truly hate, was what he needed to pull himself back. I knew that he could. That it was only a matter of time. Still, the sight brought anxiety and excitement into my heart. "The battle will be concluding soon. I must reconvene with your eyes and ears."

"You need not ask, Ottar. I trust you." I swung myself off the balcony. Ottar nodded at my safety before he caught himself. I was unworthy of his care, but I basked in it nonetheless. The battle was growing still. I wondered what became of Nine Hell, Gale, and the Thousand Elf. Their kind who worshipped me so earnestly so long ago. Were they lost to their hearts? The Amazon most assuredly would be. Did he reach out for them or solely for his students to return himself to the world? I would know once Ottar returned. I could hardly wait. I had to watch in hopes of discerning anything to alleviate my frustrations. "Ottar, I require a chair. Wake my pet."

Apollo came forth with joy and glee. He offered his back as he was on his hands and knees. There was no greater joy for him than this. He could be at his domain in Heaven, where all he wished for would be before him, yet here he chose to be this. Perhaps the thought to leave crossed his mind, to have pride rather than pleasure, yet here he was eager and ready to be used as mere furnishing. Yet, he was truly happy and content. A life of simple punishment and rewards instead of only happiness and joy. After millennia he has found his happiness while I still waited for mine.

I envied him.

...