The Ancient Prophecy

54 : Change of routine - Sot / Petros

        Sot

    The Resistence's strategising was getting to an end , as every strategic meeting with Athena was ending faster each day . They have figured out the main strategy , the main army formation and even prepared the soldiers for any rising circumstances in battle . All they had to do was to prepare their resources for battle , sharpen their blades and hope  for the best .
     Some demigods would go around the city to say their last goodbyes to their mortal parents . Sot is one of those demigods .
    Sot's mother lives in a small house in the main part of the city . Sot did not visit much since he joined the Resistence , being busy sneaking around and going to parties . He felt guilty for not visiting his mother for so long . There are other demigods whom do not even have who to visit..
     He sneaked to the back of the house , making sure to not be seen by anybody . Sot still remembered there was a door at the back of the house . He knocked at the door and silently waited for a response . Then he heard some steps getting closer to the door .
     A middle-aged woman opened the door , a look of question on her face . She had olive skin , warm brown eyes and wavy auburn hair , grey streaks tracing it . When she saw Sot , her eyes seemed to lit up with recognition .
"Is it really you , Sotirios ?" the woman spoke , her voice wavering slightly .
"Yes , mother . It is me ." Sot smiled .
      Sot's mother pulled him into a tight embrace , tears flowing in her eyes . Sot found himself crying too .

                                                     ***

"I have not seen you in years ! Why did you not come to visit me until now ?" Sot's mother said as she poured some juice in a glass .
     Sot stood on a chair in the sitting room of the house . It looked exactly the same as he remembered . He remembered all the time he spent in that room playing or training with some wooden daggers on imaginary training dummies , dreaming of fighting among the Resistence .
"Training in an army does not leave you much time to spare .." Sot spoke with a smile . That may be true sometimes so I did not entirely lie .
"How have you been since I last saw you ? You grew up to be so handsome ! I could not even recognize you ." Sot's mother passed him the glass of juice .
     Sot chuckled "And you still look quite young , mother ." he took a sip of the juice . Fresh grape juice .
"I heard that Athena has been awakened ." his mother changed the subject .
"You heard right ! Is it not great ?" Sot's smile dropped . He started fidgeting with his fingers  "Actually .. the reason I came to see you...was to say my goodbyes.. We will lead our final battle tommorow evening.. and just in the case I do not return from battle .." Sot looked down at the floor .
     Sot's mother approached him and kissed the top of his head gently "I pray to the Gods that will not happen . I wish you all the best , Sotirios . You already are a talented fighter , I am sure you will succeed ."
      Sot got up and hugged his mother again , tears forming in his eyes again "I thank you for all you had done for me , mother . And I am sorry I did not visit more .."
      Sot's mother hugged him without saying a word .

                                                       ***

     The son of Hermes stepped back into the Resistence's base . Inside was suspiciously quiet . Most are probably visiting their mortal parents too around the city .
     It was only afternoon . Sot walked to the dining hall , knowing that it was the usual time everyone  would come to dine .
     There were still some demigods around the hall but not as many as usual .
     Sot put some food on a plate and looked around the hall , trying to decide for a place to sit at . With a quick look around the big room he observes a familiar face eating alone at a table at the back of the hall . Petros ?  Without much thinking , Sot started strolling to Petros' table .  
     Ever since the day he went to Petros' dorm Sot wanted to find out more about Petros . His past , what he likes and what he dislikes besides human beings . For Sot , Petros was a mystery he wanted to solve . Usually Sot would make out the exact emotion someone was feeling just by simply taking a look at them , reading them like a book . But with Petros that was almost impossible . And that always made Sot wonder what the son of Hecate was thinking or feeling at any given moment .
     But that was not the only reason he wanted to spend time with Petros . He was actually a great company . He was smart and straight-foward , saying what he wants to say , not hidding anything .
     Sot quickly sat at the table , in front of Petros . The boy quickly rose his head from his plate and when he saw Sot he stopped for a moment , looking almost surprised .
"Did you visit your mother ?" Petros asked , probably noticing Sot's puffy eyes .
"Yes . I told her my last goodbyes before tommorow's battle ." Sot spoke as he cut a piece of meat with the side of a fork "What about you ? Did you went to visit your mortal parent ?"
"I have no memories of my father . He left me when I was very little at the Resistence's base and disappeared without a trace right after . Or at least that was what I was told by the High Priest ." Petros explained as if it was no big thing .
"Oh.. I am sorry .." Sot said with a hint of worry in his tone .
     Petros raised both his brows "No , do not be . What he did was for the best anyways . This base is the safest place for a demigod . And I can not be mad at somebody I never knew ." he took a few seconds of silence "How did the visit go with your mother ? I suppose it involved lots of crying .."
     Sot nodded "I did not see her in years , ever since I joined the Resistence . I feel guilty for not visiting her for so long.."
"At least you visited her now , before the final battle . At least she knows that you are alright ." Petros said , leaning his head into his fist .
"I suppose you are right ." Sot leaned back in his seat . He took another quick look around the hall "Have you seen Charis or Phedora around ? Because I did not see any of them today and wondered what they are doing . I suppose Charis must be visiting her mother , but what about Phedora ?"
      Petros shrugged "Phedora must be around in her room , outlining the last details about the strategy . There is quite much work into leading an army ."
"I just hope she is not overworking herself . That could be bad for her health and for the upcoming battle ."
     Petros nodded in agreement .
"Have you got any plans for the rest of the day ?" Sot suddenly asked , an idea appearing in his head . I suppose I do need something to make me forget the possible chance of dying .. and this could be an opportunity for me to learn something new about him..
     The son of Hecate looked at Sot in question "Making some last spells and potions , sharpening my sword and packing those said potions into a belt . Why are you asking ?"
     Sot just shrugged "I was just wondering . You seem to have a sort of repetitive schedule every day . Is it not boring for you ?"
"Not at all ." Petros shook his head "It is repetitive but efficient . And I like it that way ." 
     Sot raised an eyebrow "Do you not want to do something else even on the day before the final battle ? Nothing stops you from doing all those things that you planned tommorow starting morning ."
     Petros snorted with a smirk curling at corners of his mouth "Sot , what are you implying ?"
"I am implying you should take a walk outside the base this evening with me . Just to get out of this routine for a little while , relax before the battle . Because I know that you do not like being around many people so I will not suggest a party . I know this one spot where we can go to .." Wait , does it not almost sound like I am inviting him to .. Sot goes a little bit red in the face "B-but if just the two us sounds odd then I can always invite some more people to go with us.." he quickly blurted out .
"No , just the two of us is fine ." Petros spoke . Sot saw that the boy's face was slightly red too but he kept the same blank expression "I will go on this evening walk ."
     Sot put on a reasured smile , maybe to hide how fast his nervous heart was beating "Great .. meet me at the back of the base in three hours ."
    Petros nodded slowly "Alright ."
Why am I even this nervous ? I will just take a walk with a friend , nothing more...

     Petros

Now this is going to be an interesting evening.. Gods , I can not belive what I am doing... Even if there is a possible chance I will die tommorow.. What a great life I have ..
    Petros was walking back from the dinner hall , heading towards his dorm room . His face had a red tint to it and a small smile tuged at his mouth . If anyone saw me like this they would think I drank too much wine . And the truth is that I do feel drunk .. or maybe this is just my first time feeling so happy about something.. Perhaps am I drunk on happiness ? Can you be drunk on happiness ?