Short Stories

The God of Pain

For the last thousands of years I've been changing bodies, because that's what my family does: reincarnate in human bodies, as a punishment for breaking laws. To be honest, that's my only fault, because I'm way too curious.

At the beginning, only those who were ancestors' pets could incarnate in human bodies, so they could feel how it is like to live as a human and eventually to perform some duties. My family and I weren't among those who could, so, under my pressures, my witch mother made a spell so we can do that. When the ancestors found out, they killed her and punished our entire family, or what was left from it, to reincarnate in human bodies. My coward brother, a.k.a. Hades, now The Hell Emperor, begged for forgiveness, so they got him back. But I was more like my mother, a rebellious, a boss of my own. So I didn't even think about the possibility to apologise to the big, scary ancestors. I decided to stay here, on Earth. My father disappeared short after Hades was welcomed back and I don't know where he is right now, but I couldn't care less.

What's so wrong about all of this? Well.. it seems like nothing: I am immortal, I can do whatever I want, I can provoke pain just with a glance, oh. I haven't mentioned that. Yeah, that's my superpower, and that's why I'm The God of Pain. 

But there is a problem. 

My long-time boyfriend Ares is captive in The Hell Empire, a place I used to call home once. Hades holds him there against his will and torment him, so he can blackmail me to come home too, but what Hades doesn't know is that I don't care about Ares. Hades could kill him if my lovely brother wouldn't have connected us in some way, with a curse, I guess. Usually I don't feel pain at all, not even a bit, but since that connection was made, whenever Ares feels pain, I do too. So that's kind of a problem. This is the only reason why I'm thinking about going home, but not to stay, just to kill Hades and to destroy that stupid connection. I'm still trying to figure out how to do this, but I'll find a way. I always do. 

Not long ago, about 3000 or 4000 years, Hades decided to come on Earth once a 1000 years to try to convince me that going back is the best thing I could do and that's why I always have to change bodies. Once he founds me, he destroys everything in his path to get me and that's pretty upsetting. I know he won't hurt me, because if he wants this, he'll kill Ares and I'll be dead too. I'm wondering why he doesn't, but as long as I'm alive, I don't care.

Originally I'm a girl. My name is Adeona and I'm more older than I look. I know it's not a cool name, but it's actually an oxymoron. Adeona it's known to be the God of Protection and stuff like that, but I'm the opposite of it, I provoke pain and suffering. I don't know why my parents gave e this name, but I kinda like it.

Back to the present, this is the day when my brother comes on Earth. I have to change this body and it's upsetting me, because I like it. Now I'm Camille, a 19 years old student in Crimology. I don't wanna leave this city and this life, but I have to. I'm not a saint, but I'm also not a sociopath, so I can't allow my brother to destroy this town just because he wants me. 

Our brother-sister connection is so strong, that every time he's here, I can feel that. Like right now. As I'm thinking about my life, the earth starts shaking and the ground literally cracks in two. My brother comes out and looks at me, before he opens his mouth to talk.

" Is this really necessary? " I speak first, talking about everything he brought here to make his entrance more special.

" What do you mean? " He says, looking around.

" Oh, c'mon! " I moan in frustration. " I'm talking about this stupid lions and those torches. You know I'll run no matter what, so why did you even try? "

" Because this time is different. " he answers, looking down to the hole that he's just came out from.

" What do you mean? " I repeat his words.

" I'm not here to convince you to come home. "

" But..? " My voice is insecure and I hate this.

" To let you go. " He says and my heart stops.

" What?.. " I whisper. I'm sure shock is all over my face, but I can't refrain.

" It's been almost 5000 years of fights between us, sistra. I can't do this anymore. I can't find something that can bring you home. " He sobs.

" Oh my God! Are you crying? " I would laugh if he wasn't so serious.

" No. It's just.. I love you, sistra. And I'm tired. I want you to be happy and if you're happy here, that's it. You'll stay here. I won't come to get you. " He looks at me, waiting for my response.

I squint my eyes.

" What game is this, Hades? " My voice is full of despite.

" No game, promise. This is my only aim in life and I don't have time for something else. That's why I want to let you go. Of course, you can come visit if you want, but I won't compel you to stay forever in Hell. "

" What about the connection between me and Ares? " I ask. My hands are shaking, so I hid them in the pockets of my sweater.

" It's over. "

" Are you serious right now? " I'm so confused.

" Yes, Adeona. You're free " he says.

I think my jawline is on the ground, that's how shocked I am. With one last glance at me and a shy smile, he says something and disappear back in the ground, with the lions and torches.

I can't believe this! I start to be paranoid and all I'm thinking about is that he might come back and laugh in my face because of how stupid I am to believe that. But he doesn't. And the truth hits me like a rock.

I'm free.     

*******

Hi! This is the first time I publish something in English and I'm nervous. Sorry for my mistakes, but I'm from Romania, so it's a little odd for me to write in English. Feel free to correct me. I'm actually begging you to do so. I hope you like this. If you want me to write about a specific subject, tell me. :)