The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on the grassy slopes where Eir had fallen asleep the previous night.
She stirred slowly, waking to sunlight hitting her face.
As Eir sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she realized that she was alone. Her heart skipped a beat at the empty space where they had such an intimate session for two whole hours. She stood up, scanning the horizon and the camp, but there was no sign of him.
A quiet disappointment washed over her. "He could've waited," she muttered to herself, but deep down, she was expecting him to leave, as it is even going to be harder for her if he waits to bid her farewell before returning.
Stretching her body, she muttered. "Well, the night was over, and it is time to return to our daily lives. If fate allows it, we'll meet again."
Meanwhile, far away from the words of Vanaheim, Icarus was seen standing before the grand doors of a sacred sanctum, his steps hesitant but determined.
The large, ornate doors loomed before him, intricately carved with symbols of divinity and entwined with vines. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Icarus pushed the doors open.
Inside, the sanctum was bathed in soft, ethereal light.
At the center of the room, seated gracefully on the ground, was Gaia, the Mother Goddess.
She was surrounded by lush, vibrant plants that seemed to sprout and bloom in an instant with each gentle touch of her hands.
She caressed each plant with care and poured water over them with a nurturing affection. The smile on her face is just enough to feel the love she had for the plants and flowers.
Icarus approached her slowly, his footsteps silent on the ground. He knelt before her as he spoke.
"Mother Goddess," he greeted, his voice low and polite.
Gaia looked up at him and smiled. "You're later than usual," she remarked softly, her eyes twinkling with knowing.
Icarus averted his gaze slightly, not meeting her eyes. "There were... complications," he replied, his tone guarded.
Gaia raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp despite her gentle demeanor. "Complications involving an Asgardian goddess, perhaps?" she asked knowingly.
Icarus blinked in surprise, his heart racing for a moment. "You were spying on me, Mother Goddess?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mild displeasure.
Gaia's smile widened slightly. "Need I remind you that I am the personification of the material world?" she said softly. "Nothing escapes my sight, no matter where it happens, Icarus." Taking a brief pause, she added. "In other words, yes, I was a bit curious when you were late and I spied, only to find you copulating with that Asgardian under the starry skies like animals."
Icarus paused, his thoughts spinning for a moment before he spoke again. "Eir... she was beautiful, and she was willing to throw herself at me," he said, a slight flush creeping up his neck as he remembered the events of the night before. "I could resist if there were multiple women, but... It's tough when there's just one."
Gaia's expression remained unchanged, though her words held a touch of amusement. "Ah, Icarus," she said with a small sigh, "You Olympians are all the same. Your lust drives run high, don't they?"
Icarus first blankly stared at her, as if he wanted to say, she of all people had to speak about lust driving him? How many children did she have, and with how many partners… But then, upon remembering that Gaia never had that lust drive. She created those beings for a purpose, not out of lust for s*x, like Zeus and others.
But still, as he needed to answer that accusation, Icarus took a deep breath, with seriousness in his eyes now. "I'm not like them, Mother Goddess," he said, his voice firm. "I've never forced myself on any woman. I've never tried to charm a woman who was already committed or tried to steal someone who belonged to another. I have my own principles, and I don't consider myself above mortals. I may have been born divine, but I still respect the world that I come from."
Gaia regarded him quietly for a moment, her gaze unreadable. Then, with a casual shrug, she responded, "Well, you're not immortal either way, Icarus. So, I guess you don't understand what it was like to have that authority and power." She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "But let's get to the matter at hand. You've done what I asked of you, and you've done it with great success. Your assistance in the Asgardian battle saved many lives. The way you fought... it gave me confidence that you no longer need my protection."
Icarus stood silently, absorbing her words. While he looked all firm on the outside, he couldn't help but feel joy inside, earning praises from Gaia.
Gaia's voice was calm as she continued. "Now, the time has come when I will leave you at a juncture, a crossroads where you must decide your future path. Icarus, my son, you have two choices before you."
Icarus looked at her, waiting for her to explain further.
Gaia's voice grew more serious. "You may choose to remain a mortal and lose your immortality and my protection. Leave my abode and return to the mortal realm, where you will carve your own destiny with your own hands, like any other mortal."
Icarus' eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't help but clench his fists upon hearing those words.
"Or," she continued, "you may choose to become a god, an Olympian like the others, and remain my son. But know this: if you choose the divine path, your memories of the mortal world will be erased. You will be reborn as the God of Music, Knowledge, and Justice, and you will battle for your titles with the other gods who hold them. Once I connect you to Chaos and turn you into an immortal, you will be bound to the ways of the Olympians. So, freedom with no benefits or having all the benefits without freedom to act."
Icarus's mind raced. He had always known there would be a choice like this, but now that it was before him, his heart couldn't help but race.
Gaia smiled gently at him. "Take all the time you need, Icarus. But the next time you come to me, I will need your answer."
Icarus stood before Gaia, his expression calm, even serene, as the weight of her words hung in the air. I
It would have been a moment of shock for anyone else, a crossroads that might have caused hesitation, doubt, and perhaps even fear.
But not for Icarus.
His heart raced not in fear, but in great excitement.
This was, in fact, the moment he had been waiting for years.
Without hesitation, he smiled widely, declaring boldly without any waver. "Mother Goddess, I choose mortality." There was no pondering on the matter, at all.
Gaia's eyes widened in surprise. She was no stranger to the whims of her children, yet Icarus's decision seemed almost too quick. She regarded him closely, her gaze shifting between him and the plants she tended to so lovingly.
"You're not even going to think about it?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of disbelief. "You choose mortality without a second thought?"
Icarus's smile remained, though his eyes darkened slightly with a quiet resolve. "I've already thought about it for the past 11 years. There's no need to think about it."
Gaia's expression softened, a weary sigh escaping her lips. She turned back to the plants before her, the soft hum of life filling the space between them.
"Well then, as you've made your choice, I must now give my judgment. From this moment onwards, you are exiled from my abode. You will no longer have my protection, nor that of the Olympians. Go, Icarus."
Her words were final, and though they carried the weight of authority, there was a tenderness beneath them—one that only a mother could offer, even in the face of such a decision.
Hearing those words, Icarus stood still, his mind flooded with a gush of memories. He thought of the love Gaia had shown him over the years—how she had nurtured him, taught him, cared for him when he was a child, and even when he had stumbled in his adulthood. She had always been there for him, even when he faltered.
And yet, in the same breath, Gaia had been harsh at times, punishing him for his flirtations against her priestesses, his disregard for their celibacy vows, and charming them. She had disciplined him when necessary. Still, it was clear to him that her love had always been unwavering.
Kneeling before her, Icarus lowered his head in respect.
"Goodbye, Mother," he said softly. "And thank you for everything. Whatever I do in the mortal world, I promise you that you won't feel ashamed of this son of yours."
Gaia blinked in surprise, her gaze softening at the unexpected words. It was the first time Icarus had called her "Mother" ever since he stepped into her abode. He was only 11 back and now, returning as an adult. She created many children and nurtured them, but Icarus was special to her. He was the first mortal she had ever created, and she treated him way differently compared to the rest, because he was much more fragile than her other sons.
She wanted to say something, but she didn't and kept mum.
Meanwhile, Icarus stood up slowly, turning his back on her, his steps purposeful. He didn't look back. There was nothing more to say.
As he walked away, Gaia's gaze lingered on his retreating figure, her lips barely moving as she mumbled a quiet farewell. "Good luck, Icarus... on your journey. Though I'm sure you won't miss me. I've already sent you a gift for the path ahead... one that will surprise you when you return."
Icarus made his way to his winged unicorn, standing majestically at the edge of the sanctum. He reached out to caress its silken mane, his smile returning. "Are you ready for our next journey, Nimbus?" he asked, his voice filled with both anticipation and excitement.
*Neigh*
The magical beast let out a soft, melodic neigh in response, rearing. With a graceful leap, Icarus mounted its back, and the unicorn's wings unfurled. "Let's Go."
With a single powerful flap of its wings, Nimbus took to the sky, soaring higher and higher until it was a mere speck against the backdrop of the heavens. The unicorn's horn glowed brightly, unleashing a beam of energy and creating a portal. Icaru grabbed it tightly as Nimbus flew into the portal, like a ray of light.