Lost Gods - Power behind Symbols

Belenus

His sapphire-blue eyes are more beautiful than all the finest gems from the Immortal Realm. By the light of the One, I swear those magnificent irises glow when he flashes his adorable grin. This tiny, precious little half human, more fragile than glass in my hands, has completely enchanted the heart of one of the most powerful immortals to walk this planet, and he hasn't even the slightest inclination.

I have forgotten myself, surrounded by dozens of eyes that are all trained on us now, all of whom share the same precious sapphire irises as the baby's I carry. I'm grateful he got them from his mother. My golden-yellow would definitely draw the wrong kind of attention, and he's already being forced to lead an impossible life.

My thoughts grow dark as I, once again, feel the overwhelming guilt of the burden I'm placing upon this child crush my conscience. I'm beginning to regret all of this. What if it's too much? Can I really leave them and go through with what needs to be done? I never imagined actually having this baby would change things, would change me, beyond comprehension.

I... I want to stay.

No. Out of the question. It's bigger than our small family. If I don't play my part, everyone in this realm dies, including these ridiculously fragile, blue-eyed mortals that have somehow become everything to me.

Rosaleen, mother of the child currently beaming in my arms, notices my internal strife. My blonde beauty, as perceptive as ever, strokes my cheek. Her voice is filled with heartbreak as she says, "Do not waiver now, m'aingeal. Whisper the words, and hold fast to your convictions. Before they notice your absence."

Her words are like lightning that jolt me out of my deluded fantasies. She's right. If I delay any longer, all of our sacrifices and planning will be for nothing, and that witch will have time to stop what we've started.

I bow my head and press my lips to my son's forehead. His precious skin is soft, smooth, and warm. After pulling away, I whisper the spell that will imbue those who carry my genes with a portion of my power. Invisibly tracing the holy symbol that will be infused with their very thoughts and haunt their every dream.

"At the age of maturity, may those with the blood of Belenus, God of Light, hear the call of Beltane as their immortal genes manifest within them," and the words cause my heart to grow heavier than ever before. This is no spell. I just placed a curse on my child.

The burden I'm placing on whichever descendant who is unfortunate enough to hear the call, is almost too much to ask of anyone. Damn that witch! I hate her for forcing me to go to such extremes. Looking at the sapphire-eyed family in front of me, I almost breakdown to tears.

Damn that witch!

Rosaleen grabs my face. She wears the fierce look that once forced this immortal, one who's lived countless lifetimes, to pause his entire reality and look her way. She says, "Do not weep for us, m'angeal, we protect our own."

She grabs Kayden out of my arms, and Rosaleen's father wraps his arm around his daughter's shoulders protectively and flashes a warm smile my way. "She's right, we protect our own and consider you both apart of this family," he states, nodding for me to carry on with what we all know is unavoidable.

My gaze catches Kayden's. Those irises light up when those lips curl into a huge grin. "I am so sorry," are the only words I can choke out. Now, I can only hope that the other immortals we recruited honor the promises made.

Closing my eyes, I swallow myself into the light within. This state allows my atoms to vibrate at speeds that exceed the human eye's capability of seeing. Every fiber of my being strengthens to the necessary levels and gives me the power I require to launch myself the thousands of miles I aim to travel. I catch my son's eyes trail me when I launch myself through the air, until we both vanish from each other's view.