Ares

Chapter one: Prayers to whom

Elara

Every morning and every night, I knelt beside my bed, palms pressed together, the cool wood grounding me as I whispered my hopes into the ether. "Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, hear my prayer," I murmured, the words flowing from my lips like a familiar song. My heart pounded in rhythm with my devotion, a steady beat underscoring my yearning. "Please send me my true love."

I often wondered if my prayers echoed in the heavens or if they simply vanished into the void, unanswered. Living in a small town on the outskirts of Athens, I was just another girl with dreams too big for my reality. My long chestnut hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, a stark contrast to the fair skin speckled with freckles that danced across my nose. In the mirror, I saw the light brown eyes that reflected my longing but also my determination.

Each day, I watched the world around me, couples entwined in laughter and love, while I felt an emptiness that lingered like a shadow. My friends would tease me about my obsession with love, but they didn't understand. Love wasn't just an idea; it was a lifeline, a goal, a light in the darkness. I had read enough stories to know that love was the most powerful force in the universe, and I was willing to fight for it.

One afternoon, I sat in my favorite café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the laughter and chatter around me. I found solace in the pages of a book, immersing myself in tales of romance and epic journeys. But my heart would inevitably wander back to my own life, the reality that felt so mundane compared to the grand stories I adored.

"Still praying to the gods for your Prince Charming?" Zoe, my best friend, teased as she slid into the seat across from me, her dark curls bouncing with each movement. "You know they have better things to do than listen to you, right?"

I shot her a playful glare. "Aphrodite is the goddess of love, Zoe. It's literally her job to listen."

She rolled her eyes, amusement dancing in her gaze. "Maybe you need to change your approach. How about a more practical strategy?"

I sighed, setting my book aside. "And what would that be? Just stop believing in love? I can't do that. It's what keeps me going."

Zoe leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "You could always join the dating app everyone's raving about. I heard it's connecting people left and right."

"Right," I scoffed. "Because swiping right is how true love works. No, thank you." My heart was not something I wanted to hand over to a screen.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue through the café's windows, I glanced at my watch. It was time for my evening ritual. "I have to go," I said, gathering my things. "I need to pray before the sun sets."

Zoe watched me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "You know, one day you're going to wish you'd spent all this time focusing on your life instead of the gods."

I smiled softly, knowing she meant well. "Maybe. But for now, I believe."

After I left the café, I walked home with my heart full of hope and anticipation. The air was crisp, and the sun painted the horizon in shades of orange and pink. I entered my small room, lit by the warm glow of the setting sun streaming through the window. My sanctuary, filled with books and trinkets collected over the years, felt safe.

I knelt by my bed, the familiar coolness of the wooden floor grounding me once again. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, focusing on the connection I felt with the divine. "Aphrodite, Goddess of Love," I began, my voice steady. "I pray to you once more. Please guide me to my true love. Show me the path I need to take."

As I finished my prayer, I felt a strange sensation, like a shiver down my spine. It was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but it made the hairs on my arms stand on end. I brushed it off as excitement. Perhaps the gods were finally listening.

Suddenly, a gentle knock echoed through my room. My heart raced as I opened the door to find a tall figure cloaked in shimmering gold fabric, their presence almost ethereal. The messenger of Aphrodite stood before me, a serene smile gracing their lips.

"Greetings, Elara," the messenger said, their voice melodic and soothing. "I come with a message from the goddess."

I blinked, stunned. "A message? From Aphrodite?"

"Yes. Your prayers have not gone unheard," the messenger replied, their amber eyes sparkling with an otherworldly light. "But be careful what you wish for. Love comes in many forms, and not all paths are easy."

I felt a mix of anticipation and dread settle in my stomach. "What do you mean?"

"The goddess is granting your wish, but she is sending you someone unexpected." The messenger paused, a knowing smile crossing their face. "Ares, the God of War, will be your companion on this journey."

"Ares?" I echoed, my mind racing. "But he's... he's not exactly the embodiment of love."

"True," the messenger acknowledged. "But perhaps love requires a bit of conflict to bloom. Your task will be to open your heart and discover the depths of your feelings before time runs out."

Before I could respond, the messenger shimmered and vanished, leaving me alone in my room, the weight of their words lingering in the air like a distant echo.

My heart raced as I processed the revelation. Ares, the God of War, was coming into my life. I had wished for love, but was I prepared for the storm he might bring? I had no idea what lay ahead, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I could never have imagined.

And as I knelt beside my bed once more, I realized that my wish might just lead me down a path filled with chaos and beauty, forcing me to confront not only the gods but also my own heart.