SHORT STORY

GENRE : FANTASY ; GREEK MYTHOLOGY

PROMPT : You invite one god or goddess for dinner. Who do you choose and why?

WARNING  : MATURE, BAD WORDS AND MATURE LANGUAGE

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"Oh, your family is one delusional cult!" my best friend Emily exclaimed. As if I don't know about it, I thought and rolled my eyes. This was not what I planned for my 21st birthday evening, but do I have any other option? Nope. Not at all. Na-daa.

As an undergraduate medicine school student, your life revolves around stress, anxiety, exams, assignments, clinics and oh yeah, more exams. Theory, practical, labs, vivas, clinics, you think about any form of questions and yes, we face them in our exams. Anyways, let me introduce myself.

I am Kore Giovanni, yes a greek originated female who has a huge family that you can announce as a personal town that has formed a cult sort of thing in themselves. My parents, Raphel and Anaya Giovanni have two sons and one daughter. That's me, Kore. It's a tradition in our family that every daughter on her 21st birthday evening will be dressed as a bride and walk down the altar of our ancestral church to serve our gods.

And there is a catch, it is believed that the female has the blessing to choose the god who she wants to serve that evening as her birthday gift. Yikes! So generous of them. It is said that when the girl walks down the altar the chosen god waits for her at the end and takes her to their abode in pretense of a dinner. A lovely lavish dinner, a heart touching dance, and then ; bang-wang thank you mam!

I hope you understand what I meant, the next morning the girl finds herself in her bedroom alone with marks and remnants of the passion shared the night before. That's what my aunt, the only female descendant of our family for nearly three generations before me said, but trust me when I say she is a born slut. And it was no wonder she chose Zeus, a manwhore himself. I don't believe a shit that a god came and shagged her for her 21st birthday, lol!

I can't believe how my parents, especially my mother, are okay with this! And again when I think, she too might be blackmailed by the family like me with something as they threatened me to stop my education if I don't go through this. Their influence is no joke.

"Well your highness, if you would be so gracious to choose the god whom you want to fuck tonight, then that would be great," Emily piqued sarcastically beside me breaking my retrieve. A 5'2" latina woman is sure a gorgeous headache.

"Seriously Emily! Do you think I am even worried about that?" I asked her, irritated.

"Girl, this dial is fun. Either you choose for yourself or I do," she declared excitedly.

The dial she is talking about is a circular antique clock-like thing with the names of all the Greek gods in existence. You have to press the small button at the edge once you set the name of the chosen god in front of the pointer and the god is said to be notified.

"Okay, then let me do you a favor," Emily replied and casually spinned the dial, "Apollo....Ares...Hera....Zeus...., Hey can't you choose a female?" She suddenly asked.

"Dear," I grimace, "I would hate it if they would try to be physical."

Disregarding my statement she continued, "Athena....Aphrodite....-"

"Will you please end this shit!" I all but shouted.

"Hectate...Hermes-" She clicked the dial in surprise, "Oh fuck! Hermes, the postman with the flying tutu it is!" She exclaimed.

"Geez, your standards," now it was her moment to grimace. Well I don't bloody care! As soon as I stood up, my white mermaid cut satin dress flowed down covering my legs.

The lace pattern on my waist and chest above the corset accentuating my body covers restricting my breath. The thin pearl straps on my shoulder with my midnight curls waved softly on my back and shoulders.

"Damn! You yourself look like a fucking goddess," Emily stated surprised. It looked like a wedding dress. And I would have been happy if that was actually true. I sighed and gave her a weak smile.

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Standing in front of the old Chapel, my parents held me from either side. My father looked stoic but my mother leaned towards me and whispered softly, "I don't believe this crap. There is a bottle of good wine and an assortment of food there, apparently for the welcome of the chosen God," she murmured mockingly.

"I managed to slip your iPad under the table cloth," she kissed my forehead, "Sometimes, we girls need some alone time, have fun."

I grinned at her, surprised and relieved. And with a slight nudge of my mother, I walked down the aisle alone with a bouquet of white roses in my hand while the doors closed behind me.

Phew. I threw the bouquet on the table unceremoniously and sat on the chair surrounding the table having a small feast with a thud. I took a donut from the table and had a bite of the warm chocolaty goody.

"Mhhhh," I moan softly in satisfaction.

"Well, well, well, now who do we have here?" Came a deep playful voice making me gasp startled.

I turned around surprised looking at a man climbing down the stairs in front of the altar. His physique is huge and domineering cladded in a sharp navy blue suit with white shirt underneath. The buttons opened till his mid chest giving a sleek view of his toned pectoral muscles. His white shoes clicked down the floor while he descended.

His sleek black hair gelled backwards and electric blue eyes looking deep at me on that chiseled, razor sharp facial features make him look attractive.

He came and casually poured himself a glass of wine, meticulously opening the bottle with grace.

"Father?" I asked doubtfully assuming him as some priest, better to my judgment, he gave a hearty chuckle with a roll of his eyes. A prideful smirk plastered his face.

"No, babygirl," he answered with a voice an octave deep, "But you can call me daddy, tonight."

"Ewwww, mister," I gave my genuine reaction hearing him with my face scrunched up, "I don't even know you!"

He looked surprised with my disgusted reaction, "Whom do you desire tonight, babygirl," he inquired, "A certain god or a goddess in mind?"

"Umm...," I tried to remember jutting my bottom lip out, " Yes...maybe...Hermes," I answered remembering what Emily told me.

"Maybe?" He asked incredulously.

"Oh yeah," I answered, "Not much into the mythical one night stand thing, so I didn't pay much attention," I replied.

I saw realization hitting his face making him relieved with a sigh, "Damn, that flying postcard, you are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined," he stated, " And even more clueless and indifferent."

"That," I asserted," Is none of your business though thank you for the compliment, I would like to put a name on this obnoxious  face."

"Zeus," He replied subdued, "The son of mighty Kronos, the ruler of the skies," the atmospheric intensity changed dangerously with that, but surprisingly it didn't affect me.

"Hello, daddy," I chuckled mockingly, "Nice to meet your MIA ass, I am your daughter, Kore."

As soon as I finished my joke the thunders rubbled above in the sky startling me fiercely, and the electric sparks surrounded the man and his eyes dangerously.

"Do. Not. Joke. About. Certain. Matters," he gritted his teeth looking straight at me, sending shivers down my spine of terror. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair.

Holy Shit! This shit show is real!

I am standing before Zeus, the king of skies! But wait- wasn't it Hermes that I chose? Don't tell me this manwhore is here instead of him! I will kill his sorry ass if that's true. Taking a minute I corrected my composure and stood up from the chair squaring my shoulders.

"Well then, I remember choosing someone else, daddy," my tone was rather more serious than mocking, "And if the security gate check by the king himself is cleared, I would like the postman with a flying tutu at my service." I completed

And the atmosphere changed to the light one immediately, "Well then darling, we have a problem," he said all serious with the hint of mischief, "The certain someone that you actually desired will be unavailable and he is not the postman with the flying tutu that you so graciously put as."

I didn't get what he wanted to convey, so he means to say it wasn't Hermes that Emily chose on the dial accidentally? What the actual hell! And the someone who is chosen by me- by Emily, a male at that, is unavailable?

"So now what is the further procedure Mr. King?" I asked with a mock formal tone, "Do I fill the form for the change somewhere?"

The shitiest birthday that can ever be possible, congratulations! I am living it.

"No darling," he replied, "I am gracious enough to spare you the hardships. I will fill in the position especially for you. A wholesome dinner following a night of passion in skies, among the clouds, stars and galaxies. What could a girl need more?" He asked with a rather cocky smirk.

My self respect you bastard! I thought. I darted my eyes across the room for the easy escape.

"Don't even think of it, my little mouse," he said trying to sound hoarse with a voice an octave low, "There is only a door here, which is locked." He said and sat majestically while putting his one leg on the other.

Ewwww, did he just compare me to a rodent? Disgusting! I have known the chapel at the back of my hand since childhood. The last service a year back which I attended, an honest mistake of mine could be a well deserved escape today.

I rushed up the altar stairs from where he descended to the first floor while he laughed and sat on the chair downstairs unbothered. Well bastard, good for me, as I certainly can't entertain a god in a fight. As soon as I reached the first floor, I pushed the wooden ridge of the chappel window and bam! The glass which was already broken shattered with a loud noise.

That may have alerted the jerk below so I ripped my long trail of the silk dress above my knee and flung myself out of the window. The height is not much but the broken glass and of course the heels that broke just now had given me many cuts and bruises. The sky has turned dark making it convenient for me to blend in so I run towards the forest behind the Chapel praying that my family will find me soon.

The sky turned grim and loud thunder rolled out, I watched back at the window that I jumped just before disappearing in the forest. Oh man, the cold glare he gave me, was anything but friendly. I just need to pass the boundary of the small waterfall creek to take me out of the property straight to the highway. And I ran. Ran like mad to save myself, my dignity, my honor.

The trees became blurred and the skies started roaring. The heavy and harsh downpour was the testament of his anger and my struggle. The white paint marks on trees and stones by me and my brothers helped me to locate the small creek that led to the waterfall.

And I heard the rustling. The heavy footsteps behind me like running to catch me. Knowing where I am going. As soon as I saw the lush greenery surrounding the water lake that was made by the waterfall falling from the heights above the hills above, I entered the waters. My body battered and bruised in heavy rains and strong currents of water surrounding me. I didn't know where to go further.

We could never enter the cave-like thing behind the waterfall due to its strong flow when it hit the ground from the height. I couldn't go further and at the back, I saw him. Zeus stood drenched in his white shirt and white trousers surrounded by electric blue currents, his eyes lighted blue and drenched to the bone, showing his muscles and ridges through his shirt which was now transparent.

Suddenly there was thick fog amidst the heavy rains and water surrounding us. The danger in the atmosphere increased ten folds making me literally shiver and lurch in the strong water currents. The electricity surrounding Zeus diminished and his posture was set rigid. The rain subsidized to a drizzle as if something or someone has sobered his pride drunk ass.

He looked straight past me towards the cave behind the waterfall.

"Hello brother," Zeus's strong voice tinted with a mocking hint rang through the clearing. The dark night sky lit with the shining moon which illuminated the clearing making me see the things around looked beautiful as always if the situation currently would have been a bit different.

I heard a deep sarcastic laugh rang through the clearing making me abruptly turn towards the source. The voice made me feel warmer, safer  even when I was neck deep in freezing cold water supported by the stone at the far end from where Zeus stood. The darkness rolling through the specific point amidst the smoke and the chills made me turn towards the source.

My breath hitched looking at the hooded shadow in the dark. His feet shrouded in fire amidst the strong water currents. No part of his being visible, but just the black robe was enough to terrify me to the bone. My pupils dilated in fear finding myself too close to him. Sensing my fear Zeus smirked.

"Come hither, darling," he said mockingly, "I will be more forgiving and definitely warmer. You've trespassed the wrong land." His voice chided, commanding like a true king. But astonishingly, Zeus's command didn't falter me.

"Leave brother," A simple command, "The land, and the beings that trespass it, all belong to me." The dark figure stated. His aura suppressing Zeus's by a mile. He sure looked more dangerous but my core felt more safe towards him.

"She is a Giovanni," Zeus stated, "She belongs to me tonight."

"Did she desire you?" The hooded one asked. His voice had a deep calmness like he wasn't arguing with the King of Skies.

"No," a loud sarcastic laugh rang out of Zeus's chest, " She desired you, brother."

What! I- I mean Emily picked him? Who is he? A god? But by looking at the darkness surrounding him, he doesn't seem like one! Many thoughts ran through my mind at once. Then if HE was the one that was chosen, then why did Zeus come in his stead?

"Brother, you know the rules," Zeus said," If by any reason, the chosen God or goddess can't claim their  prize, then it will be passed on directly to the King, that's me."

"You couldn't claim the mortal that is living," Zeus smirked," Could you now, brother?"

"But she can," He replied.

"Will she?" Asked Zeus mockingly, "After what you did? And more over the darkness surrounding you, terrifies her. What about your wife?"

Wife? Was that the reason that he didn't come even if he was chosen?

But suddenly my breath hitched when the hooded figure squatted in front of me on his knees. A pale white muscular hand with blue veins running around it and ancient runes marked his skin was extended in front of me. His fingers are adorned with rings with precious gems and skull and snake designs.

"Trust me, my little spring," he whispered, encouraging me to take his hand. At the moment he felt so warm and welcoming.

Zeus scoffed loudly, "I didn't knew you had a kink to fuck the whore infront of your wife brothe-" he was cut-offed with the sharp wisp of black arrows straight at his heart.

I gasped at his crudeness more than the fact that he was now a gasping mess with golden ichor flowing out his body. So it was true that the gods bleed golden.

"I wouldn't hesitate to drain every drop of your worthless ichor again and again till next eternity you useless scum," the venomous voice of the hooded figure uttered so demonically that it made me shiver more.

Zeus looked towards me and gritted, " One step towards him and it will tear your worthless pussy the moment he leaves you tomorrow morning."

The black arrows twisted lodged inside Zeus's body making him groan and gasp in pain. His eyes straight at mine in clear warning. And the moment it happened, my decision was made.

I desperately clasped the extended hand which was surprisingly warm, or was it just me who was drenched. He pulled me towards him and wrapped his black robes around me in a cocoon making me sigh in relief.

"Sleep, my little spring," he murmured as he felt my consciousness leaving, " You're safe with me."

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The warmth surrounding me was so addicting that I didn't want to leave it. I felt soft satin bed sheets beneath me and warm soft furry things cocooning me. I felt soft fingers running through my scalp making me moan out in relaxation. I smiled in my sleep and heard a feminine gasp of delight. I opened my eyes slightly and saw a gorgeous woman with fiery red hair looking at me with a pleasant smile.

The one word to define her would be regal. I jerked myself up with a gasp realizing that I was at some unknown place with a strange woman staring at me.

"I am sorry darling," her words sounded like a sweet melody, "I might have startled you. I am Persephone, goddess of spring and the  queen of the underworld."

I gasped at the realization, "Aren't you angry at me?" I asked afraid, "I- actually not me, but doesn't matter as I chose your husband for tonight?"

"Why would I?" She frowned, "It's your birthday. You deserve the blessings. Actually I should apologize on behalf of my husband, Hades the king of the underworld, the one who brought you here as he is restricted to the land above so couldn't attend."

Is she okay with this damn treachery? I mean I figured the hooded figure being hades quiet after a long time, but this confuses me.

"Are you okay with your husband dining and fucking other women for her so called birthday blessings?" I asked incredulously.

"WHAT!" She exclaimed, "That's what you were told? Oh darling," she pitied.

"Many centuries ago, your ancestors helped Mother Gia, mother of Hades, Poseidon, Zeus and other few goddesses, the wife of the titan king Kronos; so she blessed him that every female borned in his family will receive some mystic powers from one of  her children whom she desires making her special, according to the chosen God's quality on the 21st spring after her birth. And that's what blessing is." She explained in the most gentle tone possible.

Really! THAT FUCKER! He would use the females like whores without giving them any blessings! The change of emotions on my face would have been worth watching as it made the goddess in front of me worried.

"Is there a problem, Vasilissa mou?" A deep baritone voice interrupted my thought process.
(my queen)

I gasped as I saw a breathtaking magnificent man with midnight black hair, pale skin, sharp facial features and pointed nose step towards us. His tight fitted white shirt rolled up to his elbows enhancing his taut muscular upper body and black inked tattoo on his head above the prominent veins. His fitted black trousers with shiny black boots tapped the marble floor of the spacious room.

"Not at all, husband," replied Persephone, " She is just startled."

He approached the bed and I realized I was checking him out when I shyly hid my face in my palms making the couple chuckle.

"It's been a while, my little spring," he commented lightly and patted my head. He felt fatherly.

I was confused, "Have we met before?"

"I was the one whom you would play with in your childhood when you visited the waterfall," he reminisced fondly, "You used to call me patèras, little spring." (Father)

I gasped. How can I forget this!

"Now, I was chosen by my little spring for granting her a hearty dinner and quite some rocking blessings," he said in a promptus accent making me and Persephone giggle.

"Actually, I didn't choose you for this stupid charade," I answered guilty, "I didn't even want to attend it!"

And then I narrated the whole incident to them making them chuckle in mirth at my misery.

"But now, I do invite you, Mr. Hades, the king of the underworld to the 21st birthday dinner of mine with your beloved wife," I announced in a fake British accent to add some mirth.

"To my own house, my own dining room and my own food if you must young lady," he mocked sarcastically, "To why do I owe this pleasure, your highness?"

"Of course because you're my patèras!" I exclaimed excitedly, making them laugh at my silliness. (Father)

That's how I invited the ruler of hell to my birthday dinner in his own house, just because I can!

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