Chapter Text
CLASH
The sound of people’s chatter was loud in the village. People were crowding around this hut, for reasons Xerxes knew quite well. It was filled with priests of the village, along with multiple young women and men in hopes of becoming a steward to one of the Greek Gods. This event happened every 5 decades, and even then, it was entirely up to the Gods on if they wanted to choose someone from this village or if they wanted just some more offerings. It was a very odd event, this thing. Xerxes was about 11 this year in age, and he had no interest in this event. His mother, Mireia, was not going to have it though. She sighed, tugging Xerxes along on the dirt path to the hut, her eyes pleading. “Xerxes, please just listen to me. This only happens once in your life, and it's quite amazing to see!” Xerxes just huffed and rolled his eyes. “Mom..please, It’s just some boring choosing ceremony. It’s not THAT exciting.” Mireia gave him a hard look as they neared the hut, and whispered softly to him. “Just behave, for my sake.” Xerxes noticed the look his mother gave, and nodded. That look meant business, even if he did not like it.
The hut was crowded, men and women squeezed in around each other. Xerxes' eyes widened a bit at the amount of people. He was not quite tall yet, having yet to have his growth spurt. He followed after his mother, squeezing into a corner of the hut and standing around there. Xerxes sighed, watching his mother chat with some old friends of hers. This was stupid, and he should not even be here. There was no point for him to be here. He groaned inwardly as some men were flirting with some young woman in another corner. Xerxes' eyes moved around the hut, people watching, when he caught sight of an old man. He slowly made his way over to the old man, mostly out of curiosity, before helping him grab a goblet of wine. The old man smiled, giving a thankful look. “Thank you, young man.. Such a kind boy..” Xerxes gave a gentle smile, nodding his head. “No problem, sir.” The old man gave him a kind grin, then asked while taking Xerxes’ hand in his. “Tell me, boy. What’s your name?” Xerxes sighed, knowing this question would come up. He enjoyed the elders in the village though, as they always had interesting stories to tell him when he visited. Being the polite man his mom raised him to be, Xerxes spoke back, smiling. “My name is Xerxes, son of Mireia.” The old man nodded, giving him a pat on the back. “It is nice to meet you, Xerxes. Tell me, do you believe in the Gods?” Xerxes gave a puzzled look at the question, before blinking and speaking back. “Well, I suppose so. Everyone does. I guess I do.” He then shook his head, turning to the old man. “Though the idea of being a steward for one seems amazing, and a little bit insane, if I may say.” The old man gave him a friendly grin. “Ha! Sounds like you are jealous, lad.” Xerxes shook his head, smiling back at the old man. “Jealous? Maybe a little. More just amazed at the idea of this village being able to have the offer of a person to serve the Gods. It’s just..amazing.” The old man nodded, noticing someone, then dipped his head in the direction of Xerxes. “Well, I must be going. But I shall see you again sometime, young man.” Xerxes' face turned to a confused one, and he watched the old man disappear into the crowd. Huh.. that was a weird way to say goodbye.. Xerxes shrugged it off, moving back to his spot and sitting down with sigh. Gods above, he wanted this day to be over already, it was so boring!
After an hour or so, a priest came forward to the crowd. It was nearly sunset now, and Xerxes was exhausted and oh so bored. The priest called out to the crowd, his tone loud and announcing. “Folks! Folks! Listen up here.” The crowd quieted, and Xerxes eyes slid sleepily over. He yawned, then perked up a little to focus on what the priest was saying. The priest took a deep breath, then continued. “Lord Apollon has made his choice on his newest steward.” Xerxes blinked, then yawned, sitting up more from where he was sitting on a small chair. The priest then pointed to Xerxes, and spoke in a calm tone. “That boy right there. Xerxes, son of Mireia.” Xerxes' eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. What?? How could this be happening? No, he misheard the priest. His eyes looked to the priest, to the crowd, who were looking at Xerxes now, then back to the priest. Nope, he had not misheard the priest. Xerxes swallowed nervously, standing up with shaky legs. His voice was soft and weak. “Pardon…Me?” The priest nodded, and the old man came up next to the priest. Xerxes' eyes went wide. Oh my gods. It clicked in his mind. He had spoken with THE Lord Apollon himself. He swallowed again, throat drier than sandpaper. He walked over with shaky legs over to the priest and the old man, who was Lord Apollon in disguise. Xerxes glanced at the crowd as he walked, his mind a blur of questions, concerns, and memories. He spoke gently to Lord Apollon, eyes wide. “Are you sure?” It was rude and incredibly disrespectful to ask a God if they were “sure” about something. But Xerxes could not help himself at that moment. Apollo’s golden gaze glimmered at him through the old man’s eyes. His voice was gentle but firm. “I am very sure of my choice, Xerxes.” Lord Apollon’s voice dipped on the last part, almost as if there was something beneath that tone, a secret. Xerxes' eyes flashed with fear, but he swallowed and nodded his head. “O-okay..” He backed away, going to find his mom. He would leave with Lord Apollon that night, but he was allowed to say goodbye to family.
That night, Xerxes’ mother helped him say goodbye. She watched as he packed away some clothes, and cleaned his room. He did not know when he would return back to his home, or if he even DID get to. This could be it for him. Xerxes' eyes slid over to his mom, and she let out a soft sigh. She looked like she needed a hug. Xerxes walked over slowly, before wrapping his arms around her. He was still shorter since his growth spurt had yet to hit. Mieria whispered into his dark hair. “I’m so proud of you, son. Truly. You are going to do great things, I just know it.” She sounded like she was biting back a sob, and when Xerxes' eyes looked up at her, her eyes shone in the firelight with unshed tears. He let out a muffled sound, snuggling into her with a hug. Mireia bent down, and handed him a coin. “Here. For you. That way, whenever you get homesick, you just hold this coin and it will comfort you.”
Xerxes looked at her, then down at the coin in his hand. He nodded slowly, looking back into her shining eyes. His voice was soft, vulnerable. “Thank you, mother.” They walked to the door, where Lord Apollo, still in disguise, was waiting. Xerxes turned to look at his mother one last time. “I..Thank you mom..” His eyes shone for a moment before he bit the tears away. “I love you mom.” Then he turned, facing Lord Apollon, walking to him. Lord Apollon gave a gentle look “Alright, let’s go.” Xerxes nodded, not looking back. They disappeared into the mist of the rain yet to come, thick like clouds. Xerxes was gone.