Blue hair ✸ Apollo ²

III. Secrets beyond locks

Lydia didn't even bother trying to mesmerize the whole manor, she believed Dawn didn't deserve this at all. Especially while her family basically lived in poverty for seven years. Dawn never deserved the marble floors, the clean counters, the diamond ceiling fans, and especially not the rich clothing. It was horrible.

Dawn led Lydia Into a dining room. Waved a hand, and offered her to sit down on the leather chairs. She didn't say a word before sitting down. Glaring at her great grandmother for answers. And Dawn didn't waste no time replying.

The old woman crossed her hands over her own lap, like a fancy person always would. Her blue eyes bore into Lydia's brown ones that turned a shade of lavender at times. "I for one already know I don't have to explain about the prophecy. Which I'm grateful for, yet you wonder why I left my family for it?"

"Yeah, I do. And how are you involved in it?" Lydia said coldly. Not even sparing her own blood.

"Our family is descended from a line of witches, that were favored by the gods. Actually one in particular." Dawn wasted no time, her eyes stared at a painting on the wall. It was of Dionysus.

"The god of wine blessed us for our traditions. Such as femininity, love, feeling care free, and our abilities in natural craft. Our coven was small until Dionysus blessed all of us. Giving us more than we ever wished for. And with that, we started worshipping Lord Dionysus. Creating even more traditional rituals in honor of him. Just feel natural."

Suddenly, wisps of air started curling around the room. Power shone in Dawn's eyes as she summoned vapor to show the story. Lydia wanted to tear her eyes away from this woman's party show. Yet she didn't.

"Our coven lasted for many centuries, but like all faithful souls. Something bad happens to them and the ones they love. In order to restore balance to the world. Because only such good can exist without the bad. Coexisting is the only way for survival. But I'm getting off track" Dawn laughed, as the wisps of smoke started looking like fire. The flames tore down a whole city "The fates sent one of our most loving priestesses a vision. It told of a prophecy, about a daughter of Lord Dionysus who could be greater than even Zeus's children. That child would be built for more tragedies than history has ever known. Yet, nobody knew when this prophecy would come into the light. So our coven's city was destroyed. And everyone prayed to Dionysus, who never arrived."

Lydia moved in her chair "Why did you expect him to save you?"

"As a gift for giving him all that we had, of course." Dawn's smile faded "But you are right. So that was the last time our coven truly depended on Dionysus. We had to rebuild alone, and it took thousands of years to finally get back to where we were. But by that time, Rome had just burned. So our coven decided to build a home so far in the lands. Lands where nobody set foot on yet, in America. But in those times we just called it home. Where nobody bothered us for centuries later."

Lydia didn't remember this part of history, but she was done trying to overthink things like these. The gods have always been a part of history. Even if historians thought thing's ended in Rome, but it never actually ended. They were all still here.

The gods have probably even pretended to be historical figures. Maybe it was a question that Lydia needed to ask Apollo about. But right now, she just hoped he was safe. She couldn't think about him and her stupid family history.

"Anywho, it was all great. But then during the 1800's we had to hold down our borders with magic, only letting people in dangers way inside. So that brings us back to the year you were born. When I heard what your mother had name you, and how your 'father' took off. That's when I knew you were the one. But I was getting too old to help you. So I sacrificed my own life in turn to live longer in another's body. Yet I made it look like my own as you can see."

Yet another paragraph of information that didn't tell her anything. Just about her witch heritage and what happened to her great grandmother, but that wasn't entirely why she was here in the first place. She was here with Apollo to find out more on the prophecy.

Dawn just told her everything that she mostly knew already, and Lydia was wondering if she should've started somewhere else. But she was a bit curious. What did Dawn mean by helping Lydia? How could she even help her? How much more of this nonsense could she take?

Lydia blinked "What do you mean help me? With what?"

Dawn didn't look angry at the question at all, but something dangerous flickered in her eyes. Like they were touching upon topics that were even more serious. But she had brought Lydia into this mess.

"Your abilities of course, and to make everything you've been through worthwhile. I have many plans for you, my great granddaughter." Dawn sighed, getting up from her chair "You just have let me."

Lydia had been hesitant about trusting her great grandmother ever since they saw each other outside of the manor, but even through that it didn't matter. She wasn't going to leave this quest empty handed. And she especially wasn't going to leave without Apollo by her side.

"Fine, but let Apollo go." Lydia got up from her chair too, glaring coldly at Dawn. "Leave him alone."

But Dawn just laughed even more "So very interesting. That you protect a god who can very well help himself? A god that's probably just using you for something he wants. Just like Dionysus did with your mother."

Lydia wasted no time. The whole dining room stared to shake, and the furniture was slowly hovering off the ground. Lydia let her anger come out little by little.

"Oh knock it off, little girl." Dawn rolled her eyes "But I am glad to see we have something in common. We can both put on an amazing show."