Akaruimi was suddenly transported to the goddess's side. She felt her body go through the wall of her bedroom like a spirit – a very odd sensation. The girl was practically speechless as she looked up at Selene who stood several inches taller than herself. The goddesses eyes were caring, large and blue like the Mediterranean sea.
"Hello," Selene spoke, her voice subtle and mysterious, "Daughter." A smile danced upon the goddesses cherry blossom shaded lips. Akaruimi struggled to compose herself. As quickly as possible she bowed deep at the waist in utter respect for the goddess. Selene titers under her breath softly, "Rise my blessed child." The woman does as she is told and folds her hands behind her back. Selene tilts her head to the side, black locks shifting around her pale shoulders. "You are called Akaruimi on this Earth correct?"
She nods in answer, "Yes."
Goddess Selene let another smile tug at the corner of her mouth. "You know I named you Eternity before I gave you to your father."
Akaruimi's heart fluttered. "Really?"
"Yes of course. You my dear are special. A demi-god yes, but you are especially strong." Selene cupped her daughter's cheeks, looking her in the eyes, tone serious. "I knew of your power when you were born. It is something that will have an effect on life for an eternity; this is why I gave you this name."
Akaruimi breathed. This was a lot to take in. It was sudden – almost too sudden. It still felt like a dream but the goddesses' velvet like hands around her face was all too real.
"Great Goddess," Akaruimi started, "Why did you choose now to reveal this to me?" She struggled to find the right wording for this question, praying that it wouldn't be offensive. But her curiosity got the best of her.
Selene released her face and brought her hands behind her back. Her brilliant blue eyes lowered almost in sadness. "Mount Olympus is falling into trying times my daughter. I have become quite busy recently due to these events. As you well know I rule over the Moon," Selene gestures towards the white disk in the sky. The stars seem to wink in reply. "I have not been able to reside as much as I should there, and I fear the kingdom will become a chaotic place." Akaruimi listened but was not sure how she was a part of this. Selene looked up, back into her daughters eyes. "I need you," The goddess took Akaruimi's hands into her own, "To become the ruler of the Moon."
Akaruimi's voice stuck in her throat, her heart beating wildly. Thoughts buzzed through her mind like a busy bee hive; a tumultuous one at that. Wait what? How am I supposed to rule the moon? The woman wondered if her mother could feel the rapid pulse through their linked fingers. "Great Goddess – I – I don't know if I – I mean please don't take this the wrong way but," Akaruimi forced words out of her mouth in a stumble. Selene gazed at her with understanding in her facial features, waiting for her continue. Akaruimi took another deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I can't just leave my family, my friends…" She trailed off. She hoped that the goddess would sympathize with her. I can't just leave my father and moth—adopted mother anyways. I can't just leave them behind, it wouldn't be right. Selene may be my birth mother but she didn't raise me. Where was she all of these years? Probably taking care of her other 50 daughters. A realization hit her hard. I have fifty step-sisters. Being an only child all of these years it will be an arduous transition. "What about your other daughters? Can they rule?" Akaruimi blurted out, and then quickly shut her mouth. It would have been a more obvious choice to appoint any of them to become Queen; they have all been raised by Selene after all. They would be more equipped for the job.
Selene sighed and shook her head slowly. "My own daughters – your fifty step sisters – are far to spoiled to ever be a formidable sovereign."
Oh.
"But you Eternity," The goddess smiled once more, "You are pure of heart and virtuous of mind. You are meant to be a leader. Not to mention your power is greater than all of theirs combined!" Akaruimi was about to ask what her power had to do with anything. As if reading her mind Selene spoke, "The reason your power matters is because you must have an ample amount to be able to control the moon and its ways. Not to mention when you become – if you become – the Queen I must give you an item; an item stronger than anything in this world or the gods, it's stronger then Zeus lightning or Poseidon's triton. Only someone with strong powers would be able to wield it correctly."
"I see," She nods in response, "But I still can't just leave my family!"
"Eternity, you do not know the truth of your father," Selene practically whispered, her eyebrows upturning in concern. Akaruimi narrowed her eyes, a look of question passing over her face. The goddess bit her lip. "Eternity, your father, eighteen years ago sought me out and found me bathing in one of the rivers. He proceeded to rape me. I was shocked, and partially scared. I didn't fight back even though I should have. Eternity – you were the result of this. In reprisal for what he did to me, I gave him to you, for him to raise you. It would be his punishment for taking advantage of a goddess."
Akaruimi's eyes widen in shock as she was told this tale of her father. It can't be true, it can't. It just can't be true. Any of it. I rather be dreaming then have this be reality.
Selene saw the disbelief in her daughter's eyes and exhaled. "I know you don't want to believe it, but it is the truth. But don't think for one second I didn't watch over you, I was always there. You just didn't see me."
Akaruimi didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say. She wanted to run, run away from everything and just sit in solitude to think. The girl didn't know if she could ever face her father again knowing this information. It's not like he ever told her of this. But could she really desert him after all of these years to go with a mother that was almost never there? Akaruimi freed her hands from Selene's and rubbed her temples. She felt a migraine ebbing at the edges of her brain.
Am I really going to do this?
A small voice in the back of her mind whispered to her: People are counting on you. You must do this for their sake. You will live a better life. You will be where you belong.
But that's just it, I don't belong, I am a demi-god. Not one or the other. There is no world for me to be in, I shouldn't even exist. I was conceived in rape, I shouldn't be here.
Her thoughts paused.
I'll do it, to show I am not a mistake. I will make a difference.
"Great Goddess – Mother," She began, closing her eyes briefly. Selene stayed silent, patiently waiting for her verdict on the matter. Reopening her eyes she looked up at the white disk in the sky, the moon, her possible new home. She directed her gaze at the chariot waiting, the winged horses watching her with unnaturally colored irises. Her stare moved to the goddess before her. "I will do it." She breathed, "I will take your position as monarch of the Moon."