"The Lake of Aphrodite"

According to "Greek Mythology", it is said that a 5,000 year old lake in Greece has been cursed. At one time, it was considered to be called "Η Λίμνη της Αφροδίτης", which translates to "The Lake of Aphrodite".

You see, Aphrodite, "Goddess of Beauty", carved this lake for her and her alone. She made the lake so she would be able to wash her flaws away and rise up to match Zeus's power. She thought of a lie and told everyone that ever passed by the lake, "This is my lake, for my name is on it. Anyone who dares swim in the lake shall have any, and every, emotion or quality that defines them washed off of them and it shall stay in the lake." The citizens and immortals didn't know what had gotten into the goddess, but she knew; She wanted power. She may have been a beautiful goddess, but she didn't want her beauty to cover her power.

Everyone took Aphrodite VERY seriously and never bothered to go towards the lake. She was happy with this and stopped trying to tell people to not swim in the lake. She felt as if she had won, like she had her own part of Greece that was hers.

Apollo, the "Titan Sun God" and Poseidon, "God of the Sea" didn't like the sudden stinginess the goddess was giving off and felt it was in their power to change it and make her regret what she had built.

One day, Apollo made Greece so hot, no mere mortal being or immortal god or goddess could stand it for more than 4 hours. He was positive that the increase would work and it did.

Before long, Aphrodite became bitter. People had come from miles, and begging and pleading for her to let them into her lake, but she turned them all down. Realizing that Apollo's powers weren't going to stop her, Poseidon made it so Aphrodite's lie was actually the truth by changing the lake water so any, and every, quality or emotion that defines the people would wash off. That day, though, Aphrodite decided to bring her tricky, yet obedient son, Eros, "God of Love", with her.

Like his mother, Eros, was unaware of what Poseidon had done to the water. While Aphrodite was turning down the Greek citizens, Eros was curious as to what Aphrodite had said about the waters. While she wasn't looking, Eros walked into the lake and started swimming and washing himself. Aphrodite saw this, but let it slide for now, seeing as he would get a punishment later.

Just then, Eros rose out of the water, feathers falling from his back, and he looked pained, almost like he wasn't loved. His immortality; washed away like a speck of dirt. His curly, golden hair was now straight, shaggy, and unorganized. His striking blue eyes, now bright green: a reminder to him from the Gods and Goddesses that he may show emotion, but really, he deeply envies all those who are stronger than he was. All the man did was cry, for all that remained of him was a broken man. He had stopped believing in the Ancient Greek religion or in any religion actually. He was atheistic of all things that others believed in. Since Eros didn't believe in any god or goddess, he couldn't see his mother. The "God of Love" felt abandoned, like no one loved him any more than a worm loves people. He was only left with spite and seriousness. It was almost as if his love, silliness, and tricks were washed off of him completely.

The Greek goddess realized this as her son walked past her, not even taking a second to look in her eyes as she called for him. Once Eros was gone, all of the beauty and sincerity washed away from the goddess. Her long, blonde hair fell out until it was a pale blonde and it grew passed her shoulders. She was left with bitterness and selfishness. Her eyes shown no soul and her heart was beaten in two by her son leaving her, yet she yearns for someone to love her as much as Eros did before he left. Her eyes changed from the stunning blue to a faded purple; a reminder from the Gods and Goddesses that she will always be uncomfortable with people near her or the one she loved. The "Goddess of Beauty" had no beauty leftover to cover the horrid face of selfishness that she had been hiding. Her immortality is still a mystery to Greek citizens, though. No one knows if she became fully mortal or if she still has it.

Since Eros's tricks washed off while he was under water, the lake will often try to mimic him by playing tricks such as the having the surface be crystal clear, but no one can see what's swimming under it and giving the lake a calm look to them. Since Aphrodite's beauty was washed off, the lake wants to show off what it has under the surface by showing the beautiful stones and animal life that live it. They say that since the lake has qualities like Eros and Aphrodite, so you'd have to be careful when you swim in there.

This is the story that I was talking about....maybe a week ago. 

So, with that being said.....

Boop (^u^)/