The Goddess of Love read a book while lava bubbled and popped beneath her. She would have been in peace, if she weren’t constantly worried about her son and her people. 

“Enjoying the book?” 

She turned her gaze toward the charred, burnt, molten shore to see her husband standing there. She rolled her eyes. “I suppose it was kind of you to deliver it to me. Tell me… how are my people?”

“You would know if you hadn’t broken the rules. I still don’t understand you. You know raising our sons the way we did was for the best. Whenever demigods are raised wih their parents, they become mad. You’re still just mad that my boy won. We need another God of War to solve this eternal conflict with the elves.” The God of Thunder said.

“You’re right. I broke the rules because I wanted to save my boy, but I also broke them because the last God of War was mad.” she grumbled.

“He was only mad because he was raised with his parents. If he had been raised in a paludarium, it would have been fine.” the God of thunder said. “That’s why the God of Light has ordained that demigods be raised in paludariums.”

The Goddess of Love lied on her belly, her cheeks cupped in her hands, and looked upon her husband. His piercing blue eyes bored into her soul, and she couldn’t help but admit that they still had the power to make her blush. “What if it was not being raised with his parents, but rather, being raised by insane people that was the problem?”

“Nonsense. Other demigods have been raised in paludariums before our boys, and they turned out perfectly. When they came out, they were ready to be full gods.” the God of thunder retorted.

“While they lived in the paludariums, they were either completely miserable, psychopathic, or empty creatures. Besides, I’m not sure I like the idea of our boys becoming a full god, if they end up like you.” The Goddess of Love grumbled. 

“Like me? What are you talking about? Am I not a strong, capable, and single-minded god?” he shot back, his voice booming.

The Goddess of Love rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, and yes. You are so single minded that he have forgotten your humanity.”

“Humanity? How dare you speak of humanity. We are far above such low creatures.” he growled. “I can’t stand to talk to you a moment longer! Not until you regain your sense!”

“Love, please… are my people OK?” the Goddess of Love asked.

“Your people are being crushed by the elves. And soon, there may be a civil war between our own peoples. I hope you’re happy.” The God of Thunder disappeared in a flash of light, and the Goddess of Love found her eyes becoming glassy. She looked up at the ceiling of the cage, and clasped her hands together. “If there is a being higher than me out there. Please protect my son and my people. Please wake my husband from his robotic existence.” 

***

Kaz felt like his lifeforce was being sapped while stuck in the iron cage. He could feel his heart thudding slower and slower, and feel his muscles weakening. His throat was sore, he felt dehydrated and fathomlessly hungry–like he hadn’t eaten or drunk anything for weeks.

The air and walls were suffocating. They seemed to be getting closer and closer. Just when he thought he could take no more, the cage opened, and Alleendelle retrieved him. Defensively, he got ready to sneeze at her. Alleendelle shrieked and begged, “Wait! I’m trying to help you!”

Kaz paused. His muscles and mind were telling him to fight everything and everyone, just like he did back in his paludarium. 

Back in his paludarium, when he was hunting bears for their supply of meat, there was no time to second guess his actions. In fact, his body moved on its own at times, his brain completely turned off. 

Now was one of those times. It was only Alleendelle’s soft voice that brought him back to reality. Although his vision was swimming, he still recognized her, and he bit back his sneeze. Then, he collapsed due to feeling weak. When he awoke, he was sleeping in Alleendelle’s straw bed. He heard her voice–muffled at the edge of his hearing. His eyes fluttered open, his breathing was ragged. 

Looking upon Alleendelle, he saw she was reading a book. Her voice was soothing, and he closed his eyes, tuning in for a moment. 

“The young prince left the land of the fairies, and arrived at the land of the humans. He pursued his beloved, but found no trace of her until…” Alleendelle glanced up from the book and saw he was awake. 

Kaz’s forehead was sweaty, and he wiped it away. He heaved a ragged breath. “What happened?”

“The Temple Regent, Shiske, defeated you in battle, but let you go.” Alleendelle said. “I told him you wouldn’t get in his way.”

“Well, you are wrong. I will never stop trying to get at my twin! Not until I am a full god!” Kaz growled. He tried to up and out of the blanket she had tucked him under, but found he didn’t have enough strength to, and slumped back down.

“But Kaz! You could live such a charmed life down here on earth. The Wide Eyes will worship you!” Alleendelle said. “They have a temple of their own, you know. You will be well cared for, and will want for nothing.”

“The only thing I care about is becoming a full god. I was raised, hunting animals in order to survive, in order to fulfill my destiny. Nothing can stop me.” Kaz said.

Alleendelle sighed, leaning forward with her chin in her hands. “You don’t have to stay forever. You could just stay for a day. It seems like you could use some kindness.”

Kaz felt his thudding heart calm while she spoke. In fact, just looking at her seemed to calm him. Suddenly, his instincts were overcome by his higher faculties. He was able to say, “I suppose I should rest. Can I trust these people you want to take me to?”

“Of course. They worship you. They will defend you no matter what. It is probably the safest place for you.” Alleendelle said. 

Kaz yawned. He suddenly felt… relaxed. He had never been able to just sit in bed and sleep in before, because the animals in his paludarium could attack him at any moment. 

“Sounds good. I will defend myself if needed though.” Kaz said.

“Yes, yes, I know. Let me introduce you to my caretaker, too. He can help protect you.” she scooped him up in her hands, and left her room with him in her hands. Outside, James was chopping fish, and he paused and his eyes widened when he saw Kaz.

He sighed heavily after a moment. “Allie, how in the world did you get ahold of a demigod? Put him back where you found him.”

“James, I can’t do that! He’s not a wild animal! Besides, you worship the God of Thunder, right? This is his son.” Alleendelle said excitedly.

James put his knife down, and then walked over to Alleendelle. He knelt, looking at Kaz curiously. He smiled. Kaz crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. I’m not an ornament to be gawked at…

“Well, I’ll be… he certainly does look like our patron god–the blonde hair, the light skin, the wide eyes! But, his eyes arebrown. Who is the mother?” James asked. 

Kaz pursed his lips, not wanting to say, as he didn’t like having the Goddess of Love as a mother. 

Alleendelle giggled. “It seems to be the Goddess of Love.”

James planted his hands on his hips. “I don’t believe it… our two peoples hate each other, yet our patron god and goddess had a child together?”

Alleendelle nodded. “Quite strange, right? What do we make of this?” 

“I don’t know, but I do know we should get him somewhere safe, rather than letting him stay in my little hovel. Let’s take him to the temple. I’ll protect you two.” James said.

Alleendelle tossed Kaz in her bag again, and they left the house. Kaz crossed his arms, disliking being thrown about like chattel. 

He poked his head out of her bag, looking at all the people pass him by. He had an animalistic need to defend himself from all of them. His spine felt itchy. Like he had to fight someone or something soon if he wanted to survive. 

“Are you sure these people will not accost you?” Kaz asked. 

Alleendelle looked down. “I’m sure. They won’t even notice you. Why?”

“Oh, nothing, I suppose. Guess I’m just bored.” Kaz grumbled. 

James chimed in. “What do you do for fun, Little God?” 

Kaz didn’t understand the point of the question. He shrugged his shoulder. “I hunt animals, I guess? What do you mean?”

Alleendelle’s brows furrowed. “You hunt innocent animals? What a brutal hobby. Don’t you read? Draw? Dance?”

Kaz made a face. “To be fair, the animals often came after me first. And no, why would I have such useless hobbies?”