The Great War

III

I smiled up at Telephus as he led me home, after the small sudden date; I remembered I had yet to finish Dad's list. I told him that I had to go and continue my shopping, and he offered to help me. A few hours later and the sun started to descend.

A wonderful mix of pastel colors filling the once blue sky, Telephus was holding the bag of food and my hand in his free hand; said it was 'to make sure I was safe'. It made me laugh on the inside.

He was a sweet boy, straightforward and blunt sometimes but still such a gentleman.

We made it to the small cabin that I've lived in my whole life—he let my hand go and let me walk forward.

"I never knew someone lived so far out here." He said looking around, I shrugged.

"No one does, that's why my dad loves it. He's not very people friendly." I mumble and open the door we walk in and I take the bag from him, setting it on the counter. "Thanks for everything, really. I loved it."

He nods and gives me a smile as he takes a seat on a chair. "My pleasure, I enjoyed having your company." I smiled to myself as I put everything away. "So... Are you human or..."

I looked at him and sighed. It was sometimes hard to tell if someone was a human or not since, well, there were many creatures who looked so human.

I fidget with a loose thread on my wool bag, "I'm a Celestial."

His eyes widened slightly, nodding. "That's quite something, I'm the son of Hercules and a mortal woman."

I freeze, so that explains why his blood was gold. "That's cool... so you're a demi-god?"

He nods and leans back in the chair, his eyes glued to me as I move around the kitchen; putting the items I'd bought in town away.

A little quiet part of me felt a bit scared(?) under his gaze—like something was disturbing the peace.

"Who's your father? Since, well... I'm of Greek blood. My thoughts are Hades or something."

I shake my head a bit, a small little laugh leaving my lips and face him, leaning against the table. "I'm not Greek, no. I'm the youngest offspring of Lucifer."

He smiles and nods, seemingly enjoying learning about me as I am him. I go to sit down just as the front door opens, "Honey? You home?" I pursed my lips at the nickname.

"In the kitchen." I mumbled, Telephuses eyes staying on me almost like he sensed my discomfort—that in itself was almost frightening.

Dad walked into the room. His dark eyes racing over Telephus, his face pinching in annoyance. "Who's this fine young man?"

I rolled my eyes at his way of mentioning Telephus like normal townsfolk would.

"Dad, this is Telephus. I met him today; he helped me in town."  I said waving my hand at him who stood up to greet my father. His movements were erratic, fast; like he was acting without thinking.

"Hello sir, nice to meet you."

Dad's eyes flickered a sinister glaze when his hand met Telephuses. The thing with dad was that he can tell the fate of a person by touch—maybe it was to do with persuasion; I never did figure out why he could do that.

Probably saw something of Telephuses past, future maybe. My curiosity spiking, I'd ask him about it later. "Well, it's late. Why don't you head home, my boy."

Telephus nodded and gave me a smile saying a farewell before leaving the house. Dad walked further into the kitchen and started taking dinner items out for us.

"You are forbidden from seeing that... that blonde one again."

I looked at him confused and leaned my upper body on the table. He seemed to be in a calm mood, despite having a stranger in our home, what did he see?

"Why?"

It was like that one single question flipped a switch in his brain; his body tensed, and his shoulders squared as he turned his head to stare down at me.

No matter how many times I'd been at the end of his wrath—it was always so terrifying to stare into the eyes of death, especially when he refused to truly kill you. "Because I said so, little girl."

I groaned and leaned my head down, silently sulking, why must he always do this to me? He did it when I was a little girl—I was almost eighteen and he still couldn't let me live. I was still just one of his demons in his eyes.

"What did you even see?" I ask, exhaustion hitting me like a brick wall, like my energy was being taken straight out of me from the source; I knew it was his doing. I knew he wanted me to stop questioning him.

"Nothing. I just don't like the looks of him, I know what boys like him'll do to a young girl like you. I'm just trying to protect you, my love."

I sighed and nodded, knowing not to poke the bear too much. "I can't promise you I'll stop seeing him, he helps out around town. He fixes the shops, hangs around." I say looking at him, his back facing me.

I could tell that he was fuming. He turned around swiftly, his eyes malicious and full of that disdain he's held for me for years.

"Then you will no longer go to town! You'll stay here and do what you're assigned. Learn to be a woman, something your mother could not!"

I look down and nod, not wanting to disobey him in a situation like this. I knew better. "Yes, father."

He walks over to me, his hand petting my head softly. "I'm only doing what's best for you, my love. You know that, yes?" I nodded and kept my eyes down.

"Good, dinner will be done soon. Why don't you go clean up. You have the stench of humans all over you." He grumbled leaving me be, I stood up and left the room.

𖤐

I walk into the kitchen. The sweet aroma of fresh cooked food hit me. I brush back my damp hair and take a seat at the table.

"Smells good."

Dad looks at me with a smile, "It's something your mother cooked once a long time ago." I nodded and he set a plate in front of me.

"I had these sweet buns at a bakery today, they were very... very good." I share quietly, grabbing a utensil.

He looked at me, his eyes shining with malice once again, "You ate food with the money you were given to buy fresh produce?"

I shake my head, "No, the boy who helped me bought me some." His eyes narrowed at me as his hand curled into a fist.

"What else did you do with him, hm? Whore around? I will not have you become a whore like your mother was. You are forbidden from leaving the forest."

My eyes widen at the cruel accusation, "Why would you say such a thing? No! I helped him when he was hurt, and he offered to repay me by buying me some of his friends baked goods!" I defended myself which only caused him to get angrier.

"Do not raise your voice at me young lady! I am your father!"

I stood up from the table, my chair hitting the floor.

"You're a sorry excuse for a father!" I yell and storm out of the room. My body was rigid and heated, I put my shoes on before leaving the house.

The brisk night air cools my boiling skin, like hot water hitting cold air, my skin steamed. I don't know how far I walked or even how long I was out.

But before I knew it, I fell asleep laid against a tree within the confines of the forest—the moon casting its glow on me like I was its prettiest subject—the moon was always the kindest, cold yet embracing.