The Darkness

Thanatos’s phone rang and he held up a finger as if saying that they would continue the conversation later. She nodded and turned back to her computer, looking back through the victims files and closing them out when she saw Thanatos press the end call button and set his phone in his trench coat pocket.

“Is everything alright?”

“Your parents have summoned you to L’Attente and they don’t sound too pleased,” He explained.

“How not pleased did mother sound?” She asked, standing up cautiously. Her mother being the goddess of Death tended to be a little overly ruled by her emotions. When Niana felt things she felt them very strongly and when she felt anger everyone within a five mile distance hid.

“She sounded as pleased as she did with us dating.” Serafina winced and stood up, grabbing her shoes. Niana wasn’t too happy about Serafina dating Thanatos at first simply because she thought he would corrupt her.

They entered the portal that Serafina had kept in the room next to her closet and stood before her parents.

“Lykos tells us that you would wish to ascend, is that true?” Her mother started instantly.

“Yes mother, I have fully mastered my elements and I wish to become the goddess I was meant to be,” Serafina said politely and bowed her head so that she was looking at her feet.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake lift your head.” Serafina did as she was told. “Serafina, being ready to ascend is more than just mastering a few elements.”

“I understand your concern Mother, but I am ready.” She took her mother’s hands in her and pleaded with her, “Please let me ascend.”

“Mother, I have witnessed firsthand what type of person and how powerful she is- there should be no reason as to hold back what we both know will come to pass. What happened last time will not happen again.” Lykos assured Niana.

“What is your opinion on this Thanatos?” Niana asked, looking behind Serafina.

Serafina looked over her shoulder as she waited for his reply. He looked at Serafina for a moment and pondered lying and telling her mother that she wasn’t ready just so he could spare himself the pain of losing his wife again.

Niana raised her eyebrows as if to tell him to hurry up and answer her. He took a deep breath and said, “As her trainer I believe she is ready to ascend. She has shown noteworthy strength not only in magic but as a leader.”

Serafina smiled at him as encouragement because she knew that was hard for him to do. Her mother sighed and the brought Serafina’s attention back to Niana, “Just promise me that I won’t lose my baby girl again?”

Serafina’s smile dimmed as she said, “Of course you won’t.”

Lair. Why would you give her false hope? That nagging little voice said at the back of her head.

Niana pulled her in for a hug and Serafina couldn’t help but feel extremely guilty.

‘Please forgive me mother, I’m so sorry for what I’m about to do’ She thought.

--

After that Serafina’s mother said she would take care of everything and sent her to be fit for her dress and crown. It was customary for the children of the King and Queen gods to wear a crown for their ascension.

Serafina’s ascension would take place in three days’ time and every deity from every religion and mythology was to attend which put a lot of pressure on Serafina.

During one’s ascension ceremony one will have to recite their vow to the gods in the old language and chose their heavenly weapon. In order to choose your heavenly weapon, you have to take an average weapon, spill your blood on it and pass some of your power into it. If someone destroys your weapon you are dead and there is no way for you to be reborn.

She stood still as the seamstress measured her so that her dress would fit. Serafina’s mind couldn’t stop drifting away to an unknown land. She was scared, that much she was willing to accept, but she knew that it had to be done. So... why did she want to turn back? Why did she want to pretend that she was normal and that none of this was real?

“Miss?” The Seamstress called from in front of her, dragging her out of her daydream, “We’re done.”

Serafina shook her head and smiled at the woman, “I’m sorry.” She stepped down and left the woman to finish the dress.

She had already chosen her crown and had nothing else on her list for today. She stopped by her room to change out of her clothes and into a sports bra and sweat pants. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail and put on her kickboxing gloves.

She took all her frustrations and anxieties on the punching bag she had set up in her room. Every last worry, insecurity, and self-deprecating thought she had been released through a hit to the punching bag.

“You okay?” Lykos asked from the doorway.

“Yeah want to hold this for me?” She asked, pausing her mini workout to grab her water bottle. Lykos pushed himself off the door frame and grabbed the bag, holding it place for her.

She set her water bottle back down and went back to punching the smooth leather.

“What’s wrong, Serafina?”

“Nothing.” She said, not bothering to stop her attack on the punching bag.

“I know you, Serafina, you’re lying to me. What’s really going on?”

“I told nothing’s wrong, everything is fine.” She looked up and saw the look Lykos was giving her and stopped hitting the bag, “There’s just...just something I’m going to have to do and I don’t want you guys to hate me for it.”

“What kind of something.” Lykos crossed his arms.

“I can’t tell you that. Just know that what happens was completely my choice, okay?” She detached the Velcro and pulled off the gloves, throwing them on her bed.

He nodded, “I trust you, Serafina. I know you wouldn’t do something if it wasn’t for the greater good.”

She nodded and couldn’t help but wonder if what she was doing was truly for the greater good. What if what she was doing was just going to hurt everyone more.