I was pleasantly surprised once I saw the city. While a little old fashioned it was really beautiful. It made you feel a sense of peace but I also felt that this was not a place where you could fuck around.
Everyone here seemed really serious. Serious about bettering themselves, learning or helping others.
As we walked over I couldn't help but pray in my mind that Zeus would figure out that this wasn't the place to act like a little kid excited by everything and bursting with bubbly joy. He needs to remember why we're here and limit the lame jokes.
I read Zeus' aura real quick and it definitely worried me. He was full of energy and excited, his face was bright and had a smile on it while he looked around at everything. I decided to read what he was thinking since I couldn't help but be curious.
'I really want to climb to the top of these little buildings and just hop from one to the other. I shouldn't do that... right? I mean, would it really be that bad? It would be super fun but this place seems kinda uptight...'
"ZEUS PLEASE NO! JUST RESIST THE URGES AND I'LL GIVE YOU YOUR FAVORITE COOKIES WHEN WE GET OUT!" I placed in his mind.
I saw him sigh but then he sent me the message, "I wasn't going to do it... I was just thinking."
I raised my eyebrows and he sighed again. He looked like a sad little boy and I couldn't help but reach up and pinch his cheeks a little, giggling at the little smile he couldn't help but show.
He rolled his eyes and huffed but I noticed his cheeks turning a little pink.
Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see fire, his face looking just as hostile as always.
"What's up?" I asked and as if something dawned on him his eyes widened.
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to say something but he was just there, silently, his eyes widening slightly every second this awkward moment continued.
"You okay Fire?"
He nodded his head quickly but otherwise said nothing.
Before I could figure out what the fuck was happening we had arrived at the really tall and large dome made of glass. We walked in and I gasped, looking around in awe.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity while walking in.
"Our leader is in the center of the garden. He doesn't talk much but you might get more out of him if only two of you go. The rest can wait here unless absolutely necessary."
I looked at Jacob. "How did you know about all of this?" I asked.
"Their leader was kept in our jail for a while. I heard a little while after he escaped he took back over this place. He had left it in the hands of one of the ones he was mentoring for a while but no one's as good as him. He is the true leader. He has taught us all so much, he really helped me."
I nodded.
"I think Eclipse and I should go in, if you guys don't mind. We're kind of the leaders of this particular mission." Fire said, tone bland as always.
The rest nodded their heads, agreeing although none but Killian looked okay with it.
I smiled at the others apologetically before looping my arm through Fire's as we headed through the path into the indescribably beautiful gardens.
The trees were tall over us and the dome brought in all the sunlight but surprisingly none of the heat, the temperature was perfect, a little warmer than normal, forcing your body to relax.
I kept looking around in awe and when I spotted an adorable little wood pecker working at the tree we were approaching I looked over at Fire excitedly.
For some reason he was already looking at me and I couldn't but giggle a little excitedly.
I looked like a little child but I couldn't care less.
As we rounded a path and I heard the trickling of a stream we were nearing I got hit with a wave a déjà vu.
I looked over to Fire to see if he noticed anything but his face was Stoney as always, although it looked a little more relaxed than usual and I swear his eyes showed a little bit of joy.
I don't usually like to check on the auras or sneak into the brains of my friends unless necessary, I have a feeling that could get annoying for them.
I tried to figure out what was going through his mind before we rounded the corner and a familiar presence entered my senses.
No... it couldn't be...
What are the chances!!
We rounded the last corner to the stream and I almost laughed in joy when my thoughts were confirmed.
"AIMOTO!" I exclaimed loudly.
Fire flinched a little next to me, looking down at me in confusion.
I saw Aimoto's face crinkle a little. It was very rare for him to show us his emotions so I couldn't help but be a little proud for being able to startle the old man.
He slowly lifted his eyelids, looking out at us from the stone in the middle of the stream and I saw his features full with surprise and happiness.
"It can't be." He whispered.
I smiled and he stood up, walking over to me while I walked towards him, my arms out and ready.
I knew Aimoto wasn't much of a hugger but he was going to have to suck it up this time.
I engulfed him in a hug, laughing lightly and he hugged me back tightly, surprisingly.
"Child, have I taught you nothing? Entering someone's sanctuary and yelling like a juvenile."
He really had not changed much. And I loved it.
I pulled back and he inspected me.
"Eclipse, a goddess. I always knew you were meant for so much more than anyone could've anticipated. I'm so proud of you."
I almost burst out unto tears before pulling him onto another quick hug.
I guess it makes sense that Aimoto was the leader. He was extremely old and one of the most amazing and skilled people I had ever met.
He was locked up because he had such a strong hold and power over the mind. He could've tortured Jacob worse than anyone else which I guess is why Jacob sought him out.
But Aimoto wouldn't torture the innocent. One look in Jacob's mind and he could've seen what had happened.
"I've missed you." He said and I smiled, a small tear flowing down my cheek.
"I missed you so much. I've been using everything you've taught me every day, thank you so much for everything you've done for me." He smiled gently then stepped back a little, observing Fire.
He bowed a little and Fire mimicked his movements.
"Now, I assume you didn't only come here to startle me while I was meditating." I nodded my head and motioned for Fire to follow us as we headed to the stones in the river to discuss our situation.
He immediately joined us as we all settled down, immediately relaxing in the environment Aimoto had created.
Fire and I explained the situation, while Aimoto listener silently.
He always was good at listening. Our last conversation just now was probably the longest one we'd ever had.
"I see why Zeus brought you to me. I'm afraid I know who took over your planet, he used to be a student of mine." He sighed.
I was always very wary of him, I could see that he didn't have what it took. He was too self centred and his intentions were never right. He always wanted me to teach him to properly control his and others minds but I continuously refused."
He sighed and Fire and I looked at each other with a little worry. This didn't sound good.
"He never deserved to have such power. After a while he became angry and impatient. He tried to force me to show him my ways using force but of course, I tortured his mind every time he attempted to control me.
"Eventually he got fed up and left, but not before stealing one of the items we keep here because they are too powerful to be out in the open. He took advantage of one of our newer trainees and managed to get away with.
" Coeus, a titan of the mind had transferred his powers into a golden chain necklace so he could live a normal life for a while with his normal family. Now he has the power to control anyone's minds."
Fire and I blinked, cringing at the situation we found ourselves in. This just got much more complicated.
"I can control minds too, maybe I could fight him off and somehow physically take the chain from him."
Aimoto shook his head. "You aren't strong enough yet. You will one day be strong enough but you are a new god and I can see that you have never taken advantage of your mind control powers and used them."
He was right, I didn't like using it against other people. It just felt wrong.
"You're way too inexperienced, it could take a thousand years for you to even reach the power he holds."
"Fuck." Fire muttered and I couldn't help but agree.
We were so screwed.