CHAPTER 500: MOTHER AND SON

"So you actually want to enroll in this class!" Evanthe said in unhidden elation as I asked about how to sign up for classes. "Yes, of course we, I, do." I corrected as Orchid shook her head. That made sense, she was a warrior bug after all. She needed to be close, not at a distance to eviscerate her prey.

"Hehehe!" Evanthe became giggly as she pulled out a document from underneath her desk with all the first year classes on it. The Psionics firearms class was already filled in with a blue ’X’ causing her to state.

"Classes and lectures that get a first sign up get a bonus stipend from the college. The most funded class is Psionic basics, that’s what I signed up for last year as well, it’s obvious, so when our smaller classes and gatherings get a sign up, it’s a big deal. This basically means we can custom order some more guns, so thank you so much!"

It is a good feeling when doing something mundane has such an impact on another. With my spirit lifted beyond my already good mood, I said. "Well, I look forward to being your classmate Evanthe. Have a good day."

After they walked away, Evanthe put the gun away and picked up her cartoon book again. She went to start where she left off before she found herself being pulled to the presence of that small group.

She couldn’t help but to smile. She can’t remember the last time she spoke that much without needing to. Her cheek muscles hurt from smiling. She rubbed one of her cheeks with her hand to ease the pain as she thought to herself. ’I wonder if he meant it about being friends. He seemed really nice... And pretty.’ Evanthe’s pale skin turned a normal fleshy colour for a second before shoving the thought from her mind. She couldn’t fantasise about boys today, she had to be prepared for any more people that came over.

...

"So, where to next?" I asked the group. "I think we should avoid the more popular classes for now, you know? Have a look at all the side stuff first." I continued. There was a slight pause as Janine and Orchid looked content with whatever I wanted, eventually as we were just aimlessly walking, Nerissa spoke up.

"There are a few surprises I think you will want to see near the expeditions booth. I recommend we go there." Nerissa needn’t say more after that and we rerouted towards the other end of this large field.

...

She was looking around with purpose. She could feel him. She knew he was close, her instincts were screaming at her that he was here. The very air was whispering his name like it was soothing her. Apollo.

Her son. Even now, Gabrielle wasn’t sure how to play this. She couldn’t just run up to him and blurt ’I am your mommy!’ He wouldn’t believe her and would probably just run away. No she would-

Through the crowds of people, she spotted something. Golden armour, very familiar. She spoke with Nerissa a few hours ago and she knew the only reason she would be walking around now instead of waiting was...

"!!!"

Gabrielle was brought into stupor. There he was... A young, tall and handsome man with purple hair. ’He is so perfect.’ She couldn’t help but think as she began to shake. His eyes, they looked kind, unburdened, his nose... Goodness was she glad he didn’t have his fathers nose. In fact, she was glad he didn’t look like either of them, all except the hair colour was different. And that smile he had. Oh how her heart almost lurched from her chest not being able to see that smile as he grew up.

’I love him.’

She could feel it in her chest, but she always did. Always had done. The love used to cause her great suffering, burn within her chest, a cancer that she deserved to live with, a reminder of the atrocity of what she did.

But now... It still hurts, but from overwhelming delight. Her baby was alive... In front of her. Approaching her... Wait, approaching her?!? He was! He was walking directly towards her. ’Did Nerissa tell him?’

She received her clarification as Apollo looked directly at her, his face radiating with love as he mouthed the word. ’Mom?’ Gabrielle felt her mouth dry up, she couldn’t speak. She just simply nodded her head at which point her son smiled so lovingly and started walking towards her.

Gabrielle became paralysed. She couldn’t move. She was overcome with too many emotions to speak. She just wanted to hear his voice. ’Come here my baby. Come here.’ Is all she could think.

Eventually he made it right in front of her and looked directly down towards her. She looked up at him and attempted to vocalise something, anything, but Apollo spoke first. "Excuse me, can you just let me pass, ah thank you."

Gabrielle was perplexed as the man walked past, only for him to shout. "Valerica!" And in a moment, all the blood drained from her face. ’No...’ She then felt a gauntleted hand press against her shoulder, but didn’t bother looking, she was currently doing her best to not let her emotions run riot and cause a dampening aura. It would be catastrophic here.

...

"Valerica!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, having gotten close enough. In a moment, Valerica, who was talking to someone, immediately turned around with a large grin on her face. "Apollo!" She ran over and tackled me, causing me to pick her hug and hug her tightly.

"What. Why? I thought I wasn’t going to see you again for a long time... Do you know how upset I got when you didn’t send me off with Kat? I literally had a big sulk." I proceeded to squeeze Valerica tightly, I didn’t want her disappearing again.

Valerica began laughing before rubbing my back in a comforting motion. "Oh I am sorry baby, I wanted to create a nice surprise for you when you got here, in my excitement I didn’t think you would be upset about me not being there to see you off, it totally slipped my mind. I am sorry."

I placed her down and kissed her forehead hearing that. I suppose it didn’t matter now, she was here and that was an amazing surprise. "So, what is it you are doing here?" I couldn’t help but ask, causing Valerica to smile smugly.

"Well, my handsome boy, two weeks ago I received a communication from the college that they were short on guardians for the field explorations and wanted to know if I wanted the job. Turns out my sweet teacher pulled some strings to get me first on the list, so it’s her you should thank for me being here." Valerica then turned to her side to show a woman slightly floating off the ground looking at me with a smile.

"Oh, it’s you. Hello again, Hecate correct?" Hecate looked at me with a serene expression upon her face. "Apollo. It is good to see you again on a better occasion than the last. Are you well?"

I nodded my head. "Oh, I was great, now I feel elated. I don’t think this day could possibly get any better now." I said as I looked at my mother and smiled warmly. Hecate nodded at this. "That makes sense, the way Valerica boasts about you, it is not a surprise you have developed such a close bond in such a short time. Love truly is an incredible power."

I looked at Valerica, and then at Orchid and Janine after Hecate said that. " I couldn’t agree more." Just as I was about to dive deep into whatever Valerica and Hecate were talking about, I suddenly heard my name called.

Turning to the owner of the voice, Nerissa approached with a purple haired woman, causing me to look curiously, but I held my tongue. "Apollo, this is a good friend of mine, Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is Apollo, my-"

"-I remember you! You were the one snooping around the club asking questions about Apollo!" Janine blurted out, standoffish, before returning to her current role. That piece of information, causing me to look at the woman confused. "You were asking questions about me?"

Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Valerica spoke up. "Oh it was nothing nefarious Apollo, Gabrielle here works for Hailey’s family. With you being her friend and all, they were just doing a quick background check on you. Hailey is actually quite influential outside of the military."

’She is? Well, I guess that explains why she was at that party. I should ask her about it the next chance I get to see her.’ I thought before looking at the woman. "Hi, I hope I passed whatever questions you had for my friends and family. It is a pleasure to meet you." I said and extended my hand.

Gabrielle gazed at the hand extended to her for a moment before snapping to. "Oh a pleasure to meet you as well Archon. I have heard so many amazing things about you."

She then extended her hand and the moment our hands connected, I felt this indescribable shock run down my body, my soul, before pulling back like nothing happened. The woman was smiling up at me after the handshake with this heart-warming expression which I replied in kind while thinking to myself.

’What was that?’