Gods & Mortals

Klaus entered a temple-like structure.

"Is this the place?" he questioned XVII as they drew closer step by step.

"Affirmative. However, it appears my journey concludes here. I have been instructed that you are to proceed from this point onward on your own."

Klaus wasn't exactly thrilled about going alone, or even going at all. He was still grappling with the concept of the "Gods Being Real."

Yet, if there was one thing he held a faint desire to uncover, it was the truth about his father. He recalled that his mother had been left on her own and always depicted his father as a weak individual who quivered at the thought of a family.

His mother's evasion tactics had led him to assume that this was indeed the case. But now he was being told that the man he never met, yet always resented, was far from ordinary—an ethereal entity tasked with safeguarding humanity.

He felt lost in a maelstrom of conflicting beliefs.

Stepping into the temple, a blinding brilliance radiated within the room. The entire space was bathed in light, obscuring Klaus' vision to the extent that he could only discern a few feet ahead.

Then, something inexplicable happened.

As he pressed forward, an intense headache gripped his head, causing him to stagger. Struggling to maintain his balance, he collapsed to the ground, succumbing to unconsciousness.

What followed were fragments of memories flooding his mind. He seemed to be reliving moments from his life.

He entered his home to find his mother asleep on the couch. His eyes fell upon his graffiti-stained attire, suggesting he had returned in those clothes. He retrieved a blanket from upstairs and carefully covered his mother, attempting to ease her comfort.

After a shower, he changed into sweatpants and settled onto his bed. Everything felt extraordinarily ordinary, like an unembellished reality. He toyed with a rubber ball next to his bed, bouncing it off the walls and catching it with practiced ease.

Then, suddenly, the same agony from the headache revisited him.

"Maybe, but honestly it's better to tell him. No point stretching it," a voice suddenly echoed, stirring him from sleep.

Familiar surroundings dissolved, replaced by an otherworldly realm, an unsettling detachment from Earth surrounded by bright light and thick white fog. Rising from an unfamiliar state, three colossal figures glanced back at him—all about eight feet tall.

"What the..." he began, a strange recognition seizing his thoughts.

"He's remembering something," one of the strange beings, who appeared closest to him, muttered as they looked to see if he was alright. Their anticipation lingered, awaiting his response.

The close colossal being then called out to him in concern-"Klaus... Klaus... Klaus, are you okay?"

The headache gradually subsided, and Klaus's grasp on his fleeting sanity began to solidify once more.

The man before him extended his hand, offering assistance, and Klaus accepted, allowing himself to be pulled up.

"I'm fine," Klaus assured, his voice tinged with a hint of calmness. "Just a little bit of déjà vu."

Realization washed over Klaus as he comprehended that he stood before three actual Gods.

He managed to keep his composure, though his eyes twitched momentarily before he regained his cool demeanor.

"As long as you're all right. Anyway, we were discussing whether you'd like to guess your father. But I suppose you lack enough information about us, correct?" the foremost God inquired.

"C-correct," Klaus stammered, his response directed at the divine figure before him.

"I told you these little games are rather unnecessary. These mortals do not seem to grasp the situation well enough," another God chimed in from the rear.

Klaus felt compelled to navigate this interaction with tact and respect, unlike his usual demeanor. Standing before celestial beings prompted a certain decorum he couldn't ignore, especially given the possible consequences of missteps.

"I could give it a try... I guess," Klaus offered, the informal tone of his response causing him to instantly regret his choice of words.

The Gods collectively turned toward him, their expressions registering surprise as if his response hadn't been expected.

A chuckle escaped the one nearest to him, breaking the tension. "Well, then, why not give it a shot?" he encouraged.

Klaus's gaze swept over the trio of Gods before him, each distinct in their own right.

The first God stood directly in his line of sight. His long, jet-black hair cascaded to the right, partially obscuring his right eye. An enigmatic smile graced his lips, a contrast to his edgy appearance. This one seemed the calmest, radiating an air of composure that set him apart. Clad in black armor, his entire ensemble exuded a sleek, metallic-black sheen.

Adjacent to him was the second God, his hair also ebony, though not as deep as the first's. His countenance bore curiosity, as his gaze was fixed on Klaus. Unlike the first God's matte-style black armor, his own was a paler hue, almost white, with a subdued shine that hinted at a quieter strength.

Completing the trio was the third God, positioned to Klaus's left and slightly behind the first. This one sported spiky, golden blond hair that swept back dramatically. A stoic expression adorned his features, evoking an air of heroism reminiscent of comic book protagonists. Unlike his counterparts, this God was adorned in a resplendent golden armor ensemble, distinguishing him with an aura of regal power.

Klaus's assessment of each God was swift and thorough, his decision forming in the recesses of his mind. While the three shared similarities, none bore a striking resemblance to him. Relying solely on reason, Klaus made his determination.

His gaze fixed on the figure directly before him, he voiced his choice, "It's you, isn't it?" His finger pointed at the God before him.

Logically, it made sense that his father among them would be the one in closest proximity. The others appeared as if accompanying the central figure, consolidating his options.

The blond God positioned behind, his arms folded across his chest, couldn't resist chiming in. His words struck Klaus like a blow, casting doubt on his earlier assertion.

"You know, for a child portrayed as bright, you do have moments of dullness," the God remarked, his tone a mixture of amusement and light mockery.

Klaus's confidence wavered. Could he have been wrong? The possibility gnawed at him, clouding his certainty.

The God beside the one who had spoken intervened, his voice gentle, "Forgive him, Siege. He's meeting us for the first time."

Approaching Klaus with a shift from neutrality to a welcoming smile, the God continued, "I'm pleased to finally meet you, Klaus. My name is Sol, and I am your biological father."

The revelation caught Klaus off guard. The identity of his father had been a mystery, and he hadn't anticipated that the one with the white armor would hold that position. Yet, considering the interaction between the Gods and his observations, it seemed to align more coherently.

Sol went on, introducing the other figures present, "This is Siege," he indicated the God in gold armor, "and the one in front of you is Abyss."

Klaus pondered for a moment, a pressing question on his mind that he couldn't keep unvoiced.

"If I may ask," he began tentatively, "what titles do each of you hold?"

Sol took a step forward, causing Abyss to retreat slightly. With his attention turning back, Sol explained, "Siege is the God of War, and Abyss is the God of Darkness."

Sol turned back to Klaus, his demeanor sincere, "As for myself, I am the God of Light."

"Light?" Klaus's mind raced, trying to reconcile this information. It seemed utterly incongruous with his abilities, leaving him perplexed.

Caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, Klaus found himself enveloped in a momentary silence as he grappled with the newfound revelations.

Observing Klaus's confusion, Sol took it upon himself to offer further clarification, intending to illuminate the connection between his abilities and his title.

CONVERSATION

Sol: It appears you're somewhat puzzled about how your abilities connect to my divine power.

Klaus took a second before responding.

Klaus: I guess.

Sol: Well, allow me to explain. The reason your abilities don't function during the daytime and particularly at night is precisely due to their inherent connection to light.

Klaus was baffled by this statement.

Klaus: How? I don't understand.

Sol: Think of your power like a lit matchstick. When the sun is shining, its light becomes insignificant compared to the much brighter sunlight. But when the sun sets and darkness prevails, the matchstick's light becomes more prominent and meaningful. That's why your power only manifests at night for now.

Klaus couldn't quite comprehend the intricacies of it, but the explanation resonated with him. It was remarkably straightforward, yet surprisingly elusive to grasp.

Klaus: So, if I understand correctly, my powers function primarily at night because that's when my innate light is at its peak intensity?

Sol: Precisely.

Klaus: But why can't I control or manifest this light energy at will, as I would expect?

Sol: Simple. Because you've never attempted it. Every demigod typically first accesses their power through dreams that become real, preexisting knowledge of their abilities, or in high-pressure situations where they desperately need to use them. In your case, you've never consciously tried to manifest light before.

Klaus grasped the concept Sol was explaining, yet there was one aspect that left him slightly puzzled.

Klaus: But something else doesn't add up. How come my current power has nothing to do with light?

Sol: The current ability you possess is quite unique. Unlike many other demigods, your power extends beyond mere conjuring or summoning. You possess the capability to mimic the properties of light itself, which is the reason behind your remarkable speed—equivalent to the speed of light.

Klaus found himself grappling with the reality of what Sol was explaining. While everything Sol said sounded unbelievable, deep down, Klaus understood that this was the truth he had been seeking.

The influx of information hit him all at once, and he needed a moment to process his racing thoughts. For nearly a full minute, Klaus remained silent, staring at his hands with a mixture of curiosity and astonishment.

"Are you going to waste your first moments with your father by rambling about your abilities and staring at your palm in disbelief?" Siege's voice broke through Klaus' thoughts, and he turned to see Siege's intense gaze, his eyes devoid of pupils, making the sight even more unsettling.

"It's alright, Siege. I'll take it from here," Sol intervened.

Siege relented with a sigh. Without another word, he unfurled his massive white wings and flew away so quickly that Klaus couldn't even discern the direction he'd taken. Following suit, Abyss departed, leaving Klaus and Sol alone for their father-son talk.

Klaus felt a rush of emotions, considering his mother's loneliness and the truth behind his father's departure. He had harbored resentment towards his absent father, but now he understood the gravity of his father's responsibilities.

Klaus struggled to find words to break the silence that lingered between them.

"I'm sorry," Sol's voice cut through the quiet, surprising Klaus.

Klaus was taken aback. He had never expected to hear an apology from his father, let alone consider accepting it.

"I know you were angry about me leaving Natalie, and no explanation can excuse my departure, no matter how vital. All I can offer, Klaus, is my apology."

The weight of those words settled heavily on both Klaus and Sol. Despite Klaus' usual emotional detachment, tears slightly welled up in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away, maintaining his composure.

"I understand your role in the grand scheme of things. You don't need to apologize. I've come to realize its significance."

A sense of mutual understanding washed over them, the tension between father and son finally dissipating. Not inclined towards physical gestures of affection, they opted for a firm handshake, a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.

"I guess It's time for you to return," Sol said after a brief, heartfelt exchange.

"I guess," Klaus replied.

Once their conversation concluded, Sol guided Klaus toward the exit of the temple. There, Klaus was reunited with XVII, and together they returned to the gathering place of the demigods.

XVII pointed Klaus to a building that resembled an apartment building. It would serve as his temporary residence while the Gods continued to meet with the other demigods. Despite the perpetual morning in Higher World, Klaus felt the exhaustion settling in from his eventful day.

Entering the room, Klaus wasted no time in collapsing onto the bed. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts churning. The weight of the day's revelations and interactions weighed on his mind. Despite the constant daylight outside, his body yearned for a deep and restful sleep.

As he lay on the bed, his thoughts swirled around the newfound knowledge of his abilities and his father's role in the celestial scheme. With a thoughtful expression, he stretched out his hand, gazing at it and attempting to see the connection between himself and the power he had yet to fully understand.

"Light, huh," he whispered to himself, contemplating the implications of this revelation as he drifted into a well-deserved slumber.