Ares and Aphrodite waltzed in to the house without a care. Their gazes looked beyond the living room to the room beyond.
Madam Moon stepped forward immediately, planting herself between them and the room beyond. The air thickened and vibrated as her power flared, her eyes began to glow white. "You Olympians will not trespass in my home," Moon said coldly. "Or do you want war?"
Ares smirked, unbothered. He raised his hands slightly, palms open. "Hold it, Lady. We're not here to fight today." His eyes flicked past her. " Like I said we are here to see our child. I especially want to see what all the big fuss is about."
But Aphrodite didn't wait. She strutted past Moon as if the warning meant nothing, her want to see the infant was present and did not wait. Her gaze settled on Samira, who stiffened instinctively from embarrassment.
"Samira. Look at you, honey. You're glowing. Childbirth did wonders for you."" Aphrodite said warmly, her voice smooth as silk."
Samira blushed deeply, unable to keep eye contact with the goddess. Intimate memories, began overwhelming her mind from their past encounter. "M-my lady," Samira managed softly. "It's been a while."
Aphrodite winked. "No need to be shy. Now…" Her eyes dropped to the baby in Samira's arms. "Let me see the child."
Samira hesitated, then looked to her mother and Ares. Moon's eyes flicked to Ares. But he said nothing, he just stood there watching. After considering the situation, Samira gently turned the baby toward Aphrodite.
Aphrodite's face lit up instantly. "Oh my." she breathed. "He's tiny and adorable."
Aphrodite pulled out an old portable camera from her tiny purse and began snapped pictures of Samira holding the baby. "Smile honey!" she said. Samira began to smile nervously.
Moon narrowed her eyes and turned to Ares. "Were you two followed?"
Ares chuckled. "No. I made sure no one would bother us." Then his tone shifted...harder. "I needed to see if the child is worth all this commotion."
He then stepped closer. Moon did not stop him this time. "Hey, Samira," Ares said casually. "Still looking good."
Samira flushed harder. "A-Ares… I didn't think I'd ever see you or Aphrodite again."
Her heart and mind raced. She was still weak and exhausted. If things went wrong…
I can buy time, she thought. Mama can take the baby run. I'll die holding them off if I have to.
Ares had sensed it.
"Relax," he said. "We're not here to hurt him. But I admire your burning devotion to the baby. I swear on the river Styx's that I will not spill the blood of you and your child on this night." Ares said casually.
Samira and Moon looked at each other. Moon nodded at Samira, and Samira exhaled shakily. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Would… would you like two like to hold him... your son?" She hesitated in saying.
Aphrodite beamed. "I would love to."
Ares shrugged. "Sure. Why not."
He took the baby carefully almost awkwardly, in his massive hands.
At first, he felt nothing special. "Just looks like any old baby." Then...The baby's tiny fingers closed around Ares' pinky.
Ares' eyes widened. A low chuckle escaped him. "Hah. Well I'll be damned." Aphrodite then leaned in, cooing softly, making ridiculous baby noises. "Does he have a name?" she asked.
Moon entered the room carrying tea. "Not yet."
Samira shook her head weakly. "I… I couldn't think of one."
Aphrodite glanced at Ares knowingly. Then she turned to Samira, smiling.
"Well then… shall we name our child?"
Samira opened her mouth to protest—then closed it. Slowly, she nodded.
"Go ahead… my lady..."
"Ah-ah," Aphrodite said gently. "No titles. Call me sis. We've become so close… and had a baby together."
Moon froze. "What does that even mean?" She asked confused.
Samira's face turned crimson. "I will tell you later mama"
Ares lifted the baby slightly, studying him."My son, on this day I Are's God of war , in witness of the Goddess of Love here by name you. Kainos," he said suddenly.
The room went quiet. "Kainos?" Moon and Samira repeated softly.
Aphrodite only smiled. "Such as strong sounding name." Ares smirked. "I gave him the name, so of course."
Then his expression hardened. "Since I'm here… I'll give you a another birthday gift, Kainos. Don't say I never did anything for you"
The baby only slept peacefully unaware of anything around him. Ares waved his hand over him. "You will face more adversity than most," he said. "But should you conquer these trials, then you will grow even stronger from them."
Moon's eyes snapped to him. "You blessed your son with more adversity?"
She scoffed. "Some father you are."
Ares straightened handing the baby over to Aphrodite. He then walked over to Moon until he stood towering over her. Ares 6'3 to Moon's 5'7. "This boy will already suffer regardless. My blessing ensures that if he's worthy of my blood, he'll rise above it."
Ares eyes began burned as fire ignited in them. Moon's sea gray eyes began to glow white.
Aphrodite hurried over, laying beside Samira, gently cradling the baby.
"Now, now," she said lightly. "Let's not do this tonight."
Ares snorted. "Yeah, babe."
He looked back at Moon. " Remember Witch, he has your blood. His mother's blood. Mine. His grandfather's." His voice dropped. " Almost every seer in the worldd have a vision about him. He is not weak, but if you coddle him then all he will ever be is weak. And I refuse to have that."
Moon said nothing as her eyes narrowed on Ares.
Aphrodite then kissed Kainos' forehead. " Little baby Kainos. I the lovely Goddess of love and beauty bless you with handsome looks, a interesting love life, and charisma to charm even the god's." The pink lipstick mark appeared then vanished.
"Now that, that's settled I will be staying with you ladies for a while," Aphrodite added casually. " Let's say about three months."
Samira and Moon blinked. " Wait...Why?"
Aphrodite smiled and cupped her supple chest unapologetically. "To feed him silly's. My milk is special and he will need it to grow up big and strong. Not saying yours isn't Samira." Aphrodite said with a small smile.
Samira's eyes widened. Not knowing how to take the comment. Did this bitch just insult me or offered to be a wetnurse? "Y-you'd really....?"
"Of course," Aphrodite said gently. "We also need a plan for his future education..."
Moon crossed her arms. "I will handle his education. He will be home schooled and taught our ways."
Ares then leaned over to whisper in Moon's ear. "We need to talk. Outside!"
Outside, under the dark sky as thunder and lightning crackled in the air rapidly. "Father sure is pissed," Ares said smirking.
He then turned to Moon. "You homeschooling the boy is a good idea, but he will need to attend the camp at some point." Ares said. "Give him the best education your people can, and make sure he doesn't skip out his physical training, my blood can only do so much. "
Moon scoffed. "God or not you don't get to tell me how to raise my grandchild. If you want a say how about you actually stay around , and practice what you preach."
Ares gaze was serious. " I really like that spirit of yours. You should really be careful and watch your tongue Witch. I swore not to spill the blood of your daughter and grandson, but yours is still up for grabs."
Moon rolled her eyes. "Remember where you are boy. This is my home and my lands, my power and in all of it. I may not be able to kill you, but I swear on my grandchild's life. You will have a scar on you that will make sure you never forget me." She said staring dagger's at the God.
Ares only laughed. "hahahahaha. I definitely see where Samira get's that spark from. I understand Witch. Know this, I will send what I can but I cannot be here or my father and the others will notice the boys presence. Regardless of the wards and protection you give him."
Ares then rubbed his thumb. "He will probably be my strongest child sired."
"Why?" Moon asked sharply. "That grip," Ares said. "I felt it. Like something from stories of old."
Moon waved it off. "Plenty of demigods showed signs like that early."
Ares stared at her. "Yeah only ones of the big three. His baseline abilities are on their level if not slightly higher."
"What do you want?" Moon demanded. " All of this, names, blessings. Do you want more war?"
"War will come regardless, It is the nature of all beings mortal, divine and demonic." Ares said. "This boy's life will bring greater wars than the Titanomachy and Gigantomachy."
"I take it your father came to visit you?" Ares said. "I smelled Thanatos," Ares added, holding up a black feather. "I hope my old friend is well"
Moon stiffened. "Whose side are you on?" Moon asked.
Ares walked and mounted his bike. " The only side that ever mattered. Mine." The engine then roared. "Raise him right. I'll keep Olympus busy." He then drove off.
Hours later....
As Samira laid cuddled into Aphrodite's chest, as the two slept in bliss. Shadows shifted in the nursery, until a abyss like darkness formed in them.
Ancient eyes like quasars opened in the darkness on the roof of the nursery overlooking baby Kainos.
"So," a voice whispered. " This is my grandchild. I shall bless you my child." Then a drop of black ichor fell onto Kainos' forehead and vanished. "I shall be watching you from the shadow's little one." The dark shadow's and eyes then disappeared.
Moon stirred a cauldron in another room, chanting. As the liquid in the cauldron began to glow a eerie green, and green mist followed.
"O deyès majik... tande siplikasyon mwen. M ap chèche yon zòrèy, ansanm ak konsèy ou." (Oh goddess of magic… hear my plea. I seek a ear, as well as your council). Moon then threw gemstones into the cauldron. The green liquid glowed brighter.
One voice then answered.
"You seek the ear of Hecate, daughter of death?" As a the liquid shifted in the cauldron to form a solid figure. A pale skin, dark hair woman a with high-ponytail, glowing green eyes, in a deep black robe.