Page 53 of Shadows and Vines

Hello, child, she heard in her mind. A smile crossed her face. As a young Goddess, she had always wondered who spoke to her and her sisters here. Hecate told them it was the Primordial Gods, most likely. Could be Chaos itself. Either way, it was someone who cared for them in their own way.

“I’ve brought a new God, just awakened. I ask that you help him find his balance. To find

relief from his powers and guide him into them in the way you did me and mine so long ago.”

The ancients did not respond verbally but sent a pulse of power down the mountain and through her and Devon. The pulse causing the leaves to ruffle and the branches to sway.

Persephone took that as a blessing to proceed.

“I don’t want to interrupt your moment here… but who are you talking to?” Devon asked.

“My ancestors. The ancients. Whoever resides in this mountain. They helped me as a young

Goddess, so I am asking for them to help you. Put your hand to the ground and listen closely.”

Devon stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at her incredulously. He glanced over to the mountain as he let out a chuckle, moving to run his hand over his mouth.

“Okay,” he finally said, shrugging. “I am sure Thanatos is around somewhere getting a good

chuckle.”

“Thanatos does not have a connection to the mountain.”

Devon was on his knees now, his hands on his jean clad thighs as he looked up at her.

“Sure…” he laughed, putting his hands to soil.

She stayed quiet, listening to the wind whisper through the trees. Even if her true place was the Underworld itself, she felt safe here.

Home.

As if she had grown and moved away but came back to the first place she had ever known. An adult returning to their childhood home.

The green light caught her attention. She looked down to where Devon knelt. He illuminated rays of emerald magic over the ground in front of him. He looked up at her, his eyes normal, no Godfire.

Their eyes held a brief moment before he suddenly jumped up and back.

“No!” he yelled, his chest heaving.

“What?” she was in front of him before he moved again.

His eyes were wild, looking around, every direction as if perceiving a threat.

“Devon!” she grabbed him by his shoulders, trying to pull his focus to her. He seemed disconnected right now, as if he had been disengaged from his surroundings by connecting to the powers of the mountain. His eyes finally locked on hers.

“It wants too much control. Whatever this thing is, it’s more than just me. It’s a whole other person!” he yelled, pulling away and his hands going to his hair. “I am not going to willingly give into something possessing me. Hell no.”

“Stop, Devon. Calm yourself,” she whispered, trying to soothe him. “That is part of you. That

is the God inside of you. If you can learn to control your powers, you can find a balance where he

is not the one always in control. He will help you when you need guidance on your powers, but

he is to be at your side, not at the front.”

Devon finally settled at that, looking at her with such hope in his eyes. Hope and wariness. She nodded, hoping he believed what she said was true.

“Then I guess let’s get to work,” he whispered back, his hands still shaking. Giving him a smile of reassurance, she nodded.

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