Savior

"Only in the Darkness, can you see the stars"

- Martin Luther King jr.

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My mother greeted me outside of our home, she was hanging clothes in the sun to dry, I hugged her then she asked me about my day, I excitedly told her everything including my meeting with Ares, she only chuckles at my quirkiness she thought that it was all just my imagination, but once I got to the part where Ares gave me a name, her demeanor changed in an instant.

"Boy, Forget about everything, do not ever believe in the gods! They are selfish and only crave power" She shouted her voice filled with malice, I flinched at the sound of her voice and when she saw my reaction she stopped and spoke calmly "I'm sorry, I did not mean to shout" she apologized.

"Promise me, you will not go to the forest again." I stayed silent, she grabbed my shoulder firmly and made me look at her, "Promise me" she said again.

If I make a promise I must keep it, that is what my mother thought me ever since I was a child, "But-" I paused hesitating to inform her about my agreement with a god.

Her face changed into a worried expression, "tell me" she said softly, "I-i made a promise to meet Ares tonight" Her eyes went wide, "Do not go" she commanded, I just stood still, it was the first time that my mother acted like this, She has always been kind and gentle.

Why does she hate the gods so much, is it because of the curse? I went inside after our conversation, but I did not gave her an answer, I will go, for I made a promise to him.

I didn't even get a chance to tell my mother the name that was given to me, Someday I'll tell her.

In the evening we ate what my mother prepared, it was a loaf of bread and fish that she caught on the river near the valley, We did not talk much, after we finished eating I went to bed and lay down, watching the ceiling.

My mother bid me goodnight before she turn off the lamp and soon darkness filled the room only the light of the moon was visible.

I waited for my mother to fall in deeper in her sleep before getting up and slowly going out the door, I closed it quietly, then I proceeded to walk down the path through the forest, was I afraid?, yes. There are many dangerous animals lurking in the dark, I was vulnerable, I did not know how to defend myself but I still continue my journey the lake.

As I walked down the dirt path everything looked so foreign, it was the first time I went out here at night, it looks so different than what I see during the day, I escaped the forest and made it to the clearing, where the lake Shone so bright reflecting the moon in the sky, I was mesmerized it was a beautiful sight, it was magical.

The wind whistles making a cold breeze, I sat down on a big rock and waited, I admired the view of the water and the stars above, the moon was so bright it lit up the whole sky I could see the fishes as they swim in the clear water, I heard rustling behind me, I assumed that it was Ares but I was wrong.

It was wolves four of them, I quickly stood up from my position backing away slowly, They growled making my legs tremble, They walked up towards me while I backed away, my feet touched the cold water sending a shiver throughout my body.

The wind suddenly stopped, The wolves ran towards me ready to attack, I dove into the water trying to swim away but I was too slow, one of the wolves got a hold of my feet, it's teeth piercing my skin, I screamed from the pain, I tried to kicked the wolf at it's muzzle, I even thrashed in the water swinging my feet in random direction, but it wouldn't let go, instead it tighten it's grip causing more torment, After a few minutes of struggling My eyes felt heavy and my vision slowly became blurry, I did not want to die. the wolf started to drag my body in the land, I had no more strength to fight back, I reached out towards the sky hoping someone would save me, 'Help me please' I whispered before darkness consumed me.

My mind began to wonder in the abyss, When would Ares come? I asked the darkness receiving no answer, maybe if I listen to my mother I wouldn't have been in this state, If only I listened, but I did not want to break a promise, we had an agreement, he gave me a name, he gave me an identity, in return I shall sing to him and only him, my voice was his and his alone, I waited just like you said, I said to myself.

If I had been strong I could have protected myself, I could have stood my ground and fend off the wolves, If I was capable of defending myself I could have waited for you for as long as you let me.

Somewhere in the void two voice were talking, 'Heal his wound' Ares Commanded and the other chuckles 'I didn't know that my brother is fond of men' The woman spoke her voice was soft and elegant, 'Just do it' Ares spoke annoyed with her teasing tone, She held his hands onto my wound then I felt a rush of heat spreading throughout my body, The wound started to repair itself, closing leaving no scar or trace.

'He's a cute one' She spoke, 'What made you want to save this boy' She received no answer.

She chuckles again 'If you ever get tired of him, I'll gladly take him off your hands' She said before vanishing in the forest, Ares did not listen to her words, as soon as she was gone, he lifted my body and laid me down in the grass, The moon was at its peak and the forest was silent, Ares conjured a flame then he took my wet clothes replacing it with a new one, Where did he get them, I did not know.

I soon woke up the sky was still dark the moon was brighter than it was before, "You're awake" The familiar voice spoke, Ares. "Thank you" was the first word I said, He looked at me his eyes was glowing almost like gold meeting the sunlight for the first time, "Did you know why I chose to name you Astro" He asked curious of my answer, he did not left my gaze it only became deeper every passing second "I do not know" I answered.

"It's because of your eyes, their strange" I felt shy at his sentence. So, I looked away hiding my eyes from his vision, but his hand lifted my chin and made me look up to him "You did not let me finish" His voice was low but I heard him clear as day, "Your eyes reminds me of the stars, it is the first time that I encounter such beauty" my cheeks began to heat up, I wanted to look away, to hide my embarrassment but his hand was preventing me from moving.

"Now Im wondering to myself, Who would curse such a beautiful creature" I was silent, all I did was endure his compliments. after a few more sentence I finally had the courage to stop him.

"Would you like to hear a melody, sir" I asked him and he swiftly nodded, I began to sing and he listened, His eyes did not leave mine and I never left his, He looked pleased at my performance, It made me happy that he liked it, he gave me a smile and I returned with a smile of my own.

"Tomorrow will you wait for me again?" He asked, and I nodded "I will" I answered after that he bid me farewell but before he vanished he sent me a firefly to guide my way home, After returning I laid down on my bed already forgetting about my near death experience, I closed my eyes and I was again consumed by darkness.