Chapter 12
Minerva
This world is filled with things that are not human, like us, the Ostilis. The human world has nothing else like us, even trees aren’t immortal, rivers change, cutting a new path through rocky banks. We don’t change, we don’t die. I see humanity as something that needs to be taught how to appreciate this world that they took from my creator. I know that I am not the oldest of his children; in fact I am the youngest. Being only a couple hundred years old has its advantages though. Although I don’t have the power I have the protection of my creator and the others that were created by him.
Let me begin. He named us all after our transformations, changed our names just as he changed our bodies. I was named after a Roman goddess; my siblings were named for various things, usually mythological figures. The eldest of us were named for things in his past, for people he knew. He confuses me though; he names us for the past yet he will not tell us anything about it. No matter how many times I ask, his answer is always the same, ‘That is none of your concern. What’s done is done.’ Oh, well, I suppose if he wants to tell me he will. Lately I have been thinking about leaving, finding my niche in life. I don’t know what he’ll do but I have to ask.
“What is it Minerva?” He asked as I walked quietly into the room.
He was sitting facing the door. Long jet-black hair waved slightly past his shoulders, stormy gray eyes never leaving the open book on his lap. The long fingers of his left hand drummed against the arm of the chair, creating the ancient rhythm that always seemed to be running through his head.
“I was wondering if,” I paused, unsure of what to say next. He closed his book and patiently waited for me to continue. I took a deep breath, “if I could go out into the world and explore.”
He chuckled, “Of course.” He smiled, “I shall give you the money you need. Go get whatever you desire and I shall take you to the airport.”
I smiled, “Think you.” I said before running off to pack.
I was ecstatic, happy that he was allowing me to leave. I packed quickly and hurried downstairs. The ride to the airport was in silence. He didn’t say a single word to me. When we arrived he gave me a credit card and a wallet full of fresh green bills.
“Good-bye Minerva, I know that you will return upon your three hundredth year.” He said as I got out of the car.
“How do you know I will return next year?” I asked, pulling my suitcase out of the backseat.
He smiled, “I just do. Good luck Minerva, take care of yourself and watch out for others of our kind. You never know what their intentions are.” With that he drove away.
Sighing I decided that I would start on the west coast. I bought my ticket and boarded the plane. Sinking into the first class seat I took the time to look around. The seats were slowly filling, filling with life, except for one. A young man sat next to me and he was definitely not human. He smiled at me.
“Hello.” He said softly, “I am Mischa.”
“Minerva.” I replied, “Where are you headed?”
He chuckled, “To see my creator. What is your destination?”
“My ultimate destination is unknown but for now I am headed for Oregon.”
“Who created you?” He asked so that only I could hear.
“Asher.” I said simply.
He scowled, “I have never heard of him, how old is he?”
“Older than you, far older. He would never tell me exactly how old.”
He looked confused, “Will you come with me to see my creator, Aurelia?”
“Why?”
“So that I can see if she knows him.”
I bit my lip, “Alright, I suppose so.”
“Thank you.” He said softly as a young woman sat across the aisle from us.
“Hey Mischa, might I ask who you’re talking to?” She asked with a smile.
“Seraphina, this is Minerva.”
“She’s one of your kind I see.” Seraphina said icily, she obviously held us in contempt.
“Yes I am. You’re human but you hold the blood of an ancient.” I said with a smile, “I’m sorry that you do not like us, there is always so much to be learned from those that are different from yourself. Hopefully you will get over your hatred.” I said softly.
She raised an eyebrow, “Why do my views of you people keep changing with every one of you that I talk to?” She asked softly.
“Because we’re people too.” Mischa said sweetly.
She sighed and plugged the headphones supplied by the plane into the armrest. I closed my eyes as the plane took off. This was my least favorite part of flying, landing followed a close second. I didn’t talk for the rest of the flight. While Mischa and Seraphina were at ease I was tense and nervous. I hated planes. After we had gotten our luggage Seraphina led us to a large house. I could feel the presence of an old one, only a year or two younger than my creator. As Seraphina was about to knock on the door it opened.
“Aurelia.” Mischa said softly.
She smiled as she embraced him, “Welcome home my son.” She said softly, “And who, might I ask, is this?” She asked as she saw me.
“Aurelia, this is Minerva. I brought her with me to see if you knew her creator.”
“Come inside and we can talk, morning is coming and I’m sure Minerva cannot be in it.”
I nodded as she took us inside. Once inside something caught my eye. A piece of parchment with the same writing Asher had taught me was in an open book.
“The mave came. Their blood was sweet upon our tongues. They destroyed us all, only I survived. Now I am alone. Perhaps I can create more Ostilis.” I read aloud then noticed that Seraphina and the others were looking at me with eyes wide, “Is something wrong?” I asked softly.
“My creator taught me.” I said quickly.
“Who is your creator?”
“Asher.” I said simply.
Her eyes grew wide and she fell to her knees, “He’s dead though, the mave killed him.”
I shook my head, “No, he’s still alive. Now if you’ll show me to someplace I can sleep, I’m growing tired.” I said softly.
“Of course.” She said, regaining her composure, “Come with me.”
We followed after her, down into the basement, to a room with a set of bunk beds. I wondered why these were sitting in the basement but I was so tired I didn’t care.
“Mischa, Minerva, you may sleep here.” She said quickly, “Seraphina, it’s time for you to drink.”
Seraphina shook her head, “No, I will not.”
“You have no choice.” She said as I climbed into the top bunk, “Mischa, before you go to bed will you hold her still?”
He nodded and held Seraphina still. She struggled as Aurelia held a bleeding wound to her mouth. I shook my head as I closed my eyes, falling into wonderful sleep. I awoke the next night to the sound of crying. Rubbing my eyes I looked around, Seraphina was curled up in the corner crying in her sleep. Carefully I got up so as not to disturb Mischa, who lay sleeping below me.
“Seraphina.” I whispered, “What’s wrong?” I asked softly.
She let out a soft whimper and opened her eyes; “She’s going to kill me tonight.” She sobbed.
“Why?”
“Because she wants to.”
I sighed, there was nothing I could do. Had it been Asher I could have talked him out of it but it wasn’t, it was someone I didn’t know, that I had just met. Slowly I got to my feet.
“I’m sorry Seraphina but there is nothing I can do. I doubt I can talk her out of it. The ancient Ostilis do as they please and unless they created you it is unlikely that they will listen. Perhaps Mischa can do something about it.” I said with a sigh, “I think I’m going to go home, this is just too much for me. The world has changed so much over the years. At least home never changes.”
Picking up my suitcase I turned to leave. I knew that Seraphina was watching me as I left but I didn’t care. I didn’t see Aurelia as I left the house and I was happy that I didn’t. I went to the airport and bought a ticket home. Shaking my head I thought about my mistake. I should never have left. While I was waiting for my flight I called Asher.
Two rings and the phone was answered, “Hello.” My brother, Ares, said over the line.
“Ares, put Asher on the phone.” I said softly.
“Hold on.” He said.
Silence followed for a few minutes than was replaced by Asher’s voice, “What’s wrong Minerva?” He asked quickly.
“I’m coming home. I can’t stand these people. Ostilis turning unwilling people, well at least telling the unwilling that they’re going to. I just can’t stand it. I’m coming home and not leaving.” I said as tears began to well up in my eyes, “I should never have left.”
He sighed, “I shall be waiting for you. Ares or Loki will pick you up and I shall speak with you when you get here.”
“Thank you.” I whispered, “I have to go catch my flight now.”
“Good-bye Minerva, pleasant flight and I shall see you when you get home.” He said before hanging up.
Hanging up the receiver I walked towards the flight attendant who was taking the tickets. One last look back as I handed her the ticket before boarding the plane.