The prophecy of 7 has met its end. The second Gigantomachy is over, and we were victorious. We may have lost many friends, family, and allies along the way, but we ultimately won the war. The giants are all defeated, and Gaea met her end.
Things are...
I watched Charlie with pride bubbling in my heart and a smile plastered to my face. I knew he was doing this for me, to show me that it wouldn't be as terrifying as I think it will be. I need to calm the butterflies and grip on to the Aphrodite assuredness. I know how to work a crowd and I can easily sway others to my will, but being put directly on the spot still makes me nauseous.
Erebus welcomes "Beck" to the family and asks for the next of us to volunteer.
I take a deep breath and talk myself down, 'this is a second chance. This is where you can be a new person, a better person. One who doesn't bend to others. This is the new me. Starting now.' I take a small step forward and then a larger one, separating myself from the two others still waiting.
I briefly closed my eyes, releasing my breath slowly while opening my eyes again, I knew I would have a lot to say, a lot to defend.
Tilting my head up I began, "I am Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite. I was the head of cabin 10 and girlfriend of Beck. Before the war I was friends with Luke and continuing this friendship, I answered his questions and kept him informed on the activities of the camp. While Luke was trying to raise Kronos I continued to feed him information as he said I would ultimately be saving lives, we both believed it at the time. After Charlie's death I wanted out however, I was blackmailed to continue. Because of my information the Titan army was able to attack when we were least prepared and were able to avoid the main forces and defenses. It was only after my death that their army was blind.
"I died at 16 while impersonating Clarisse and leading the Ares campers in the charge to defeat the drakon Kronos had released. Kronos knew this drakon could only be killed by a child of Ares and knew, because of my information, that the Ares campers were not among the defenders of Olympus. I took this opportunity to redeem myself. I went to get the Ares campers and impersonated Clarisse in order to lead them into battle.
"As we fought the drakon that could only be killed by a child of Ares I knew I was not going to be able to defeat it, but we did not back down. In the end, Clarisse came to my aid and defeated it, but not before I was attacked and covered in poison. But I died knowing that Kronos would no longer have the advantage.
"Many say that love is nothing or that love does not exist. However, I know that it is worth fighting for, worth dying for. I died knowing that the ones I loved would have a fighting chance. Because of this, I have chosen Eros as my sponsor."
I take a deep breath and walk to Eros's throne, smiling up at him.
"You are a determined little one, aren't you?" Eros said as he tilted his head eyeing me as if he was peeling back layers. "I can see that your heart remained pure even with your deceit, you deceived so others would not be harmed. This, among other emotions you portray, shows your true desires. You do not use love as a weapon, even if it is easily a most destructive one. You will be able to channel my powers wisely, which is key. I accept you as my champion.
"Over time you will be able to read individuals as I have done you. You will be able to foresee and manipulate the emotions and the souls of all. You will be able to grant fertility and life. This is far more than the glimpse you have seen with your own powers or that of your mother's. Are you prepared for this?"
"Yes, I am prepared." I nod in definitiveness.
"Very well." Eros raises his hand and a bright purple orb of rotating spindly fibers emerges. He flicks his hand in my direction and the orb collides with my chest, knocking me flat.
I rose after a minute to peer up at the mirror now in front of me. I stare at my reflection as any Aphrodite child loves to do. My long black hair fills out, adding body as it turns a deep auburn. My electric blue eyes are now a deep purple and my once tanned complexion is now pale porcelain. My features define, detailing all of my already good looks. My body grows tall and covered in lean muscle. A sharp stab starts between my shoulder blades. As I gasp out in pain I feel my skin burst open, a pair of golden wings enveloping me.
I stood shocked, staring at my new wings as my fingertips traced the edges.
"The first time is always the most painful," Eros states calmly. "In the future, you will have advanced healing and it will become less and less painful until it is second nature. To return them to their hidden position just will them to disappear."
I concentrated on having the wings fold away and suddenly they were gone, a slight tingle spreading across my back as they withdrew under the skin. A feeling that I would most certainly have to get used to.
I turn to the room, glancing from each of my friends, I gasp to myself as I watch their forms, new and old. A slight wisp is forming from each being. Some of the wisps are billowing in the direction of another and others are completely intertwined with the mist of another. 'I will explain this in private' I hear Eros in my head.
I take a deep breath, "I will no longer be Silena Beauregard, I will now be known as Selene, champion of Eros."
"Welcome, Selene. It will be a pleasure working with you." Eros nodded in my direction and then turned to the two remaining individuals. "I feel a nudge is in order, young one, you will go next."
I turned to look at the tense face of Ethan. He did not look prepared.
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