Symbiotic - brigit's_flame
Argos was in ruins. She had no choice, but to abandon her home. Her “sister”, Margawse, instructed her to do so if the city's fate was written in the Book to perish. She had laughed at the thought, but now she wished she hadn’t. She wanted to take it all back, but she could only live with the mistakes she made.
During the battle, Camalus somehow…lost her will to fight. It disappeared from her body, from her spirit. She was supposed to be a goddess of war, but it was like her powers had been sucked from her. So many lives lost…and it was her fault. She couldn’t stay there, that would only torture her, so she moved to Miami to start another life. She was one of the few gods that survived and she didn’t want to be reminded of her city’s flames.
Camalus shook her head to clear away the thought. That wouldn’t get her anywhere. Biting her slightly chapped lips, the goddess grabbed the umbrella next to the door to protect her from the rain on the way to work. The umbrella couldn’t do a good job of protecting her. The rain was falling sideways and drops always managed to pelt her face. She was about to give up and run, but then saw a young woman walking a few yards ahead. Camalus didn’t want to risk running into the young lady. She was currently employed at the Borders a couple blocks away from the apartment. She had decided that she couldn’t fight again in this life, so she had taken an easy job.
She finally made it to the bookstore, sopping wet. She briskly walked to the break room to hang her umbrella in her locker. Camalus was freezing, but she’d warm up soon enough. Her register was calling her so she had to hurry before her boss realized that she wasn’t there. She walked the few yards to the counter and settled in behind it, waiting for the early customers.
Camalus was beginning to feel extremely bored after a few minutes. There were customers, but they were all still browsing. She had seen many people browse for hours…then not buy anything. She sighed heavily and picked at the bottom of her red polo shirt. It gave her something to do and it was a lot better than dying from boredom.
Her luck eventually changed for the better, though. The young woman she had seen earlier was heading for the counter. She was aware that she was blushing. Her hands were sweating and her heart was racing. She had no idea why her body was behaving weird. She wasn’t attracted to women, but this woman was so intoxicating… She drew her in with her deep green eyes and her playful smile.
“Welcome to Borders. My name is Camalus and I’ll be your cashier this morning. Did you find everything okay?” she asked cheerily.
“Yes, I did,” the young woman replied with a bigger smile than before.
Camalus rang up the woman’s books. She was surprised by her choices.
“Are you into mythology?”
“Taking a class on it. It’s really fun, but I’m having a little trouble with it. I don’t really get some of it,” she laughed to herself quietly. Camalus felt like an outsider to the inside joke.
“I-I have an idea. I’m an expert on it. I could help you if you want,” she answered. A bead of sweat rolled down the back of her neck. She felt like a young girl again. A teenager that had just asked someone out for the first time.
“That seems like fun. When do you get off work today?”
“Around seven.”
“I’ll be here. We can hang out somewhere. My dorm will be kinda loud. Any suggestions?”
“We can go to my apartment. It’s a few blocks away,” Camalus suggested.
“Really? Sounds great.” She turned to look behind her at the growing line. “I’ll leave you to your customers. Thanks.” She grabbed her bag and headed toward the door.
“What’s your name?”
The woman turned around and said, “Aedan.” She winked and turned back around to continue her way to the door.
“Aedan,” she muttered to herself. She had enough knowledge to know it was Gaelic… Old-fashioned.
She turned to face her next customer. He was a grumpy old man and she had obviously displeased him by making him wait.
“Sorry about the wait, sir.”
“Just ring it up, will ya?”
She could tell it was going to be a long day.
*****
Camalus was extremely tired. She was obviously wrong about the browsers today. Grabbing her umbrella from her locker, she made her way to the front entrance. She pulled the door open and saw Aedan parked in her Nissan. It was fairly new and had a deep red color. Blood red.
“Hey,” she said when she looked up and saw Camalus walking.
“Hey,” Camalus replied. She climbed in and told her where to go. Aedan sped down the street and they made it to her apartment in less than a minute.
“Here we are.” Camalus waited for the car door to unlock. Then she was free to unlock the front door of the building.
Aedan jogged up to the door, books piled in her arms. “What floor are you on? I don’t think I can carry these books very far,” she said, laughing at another inside joke.
“Good thing I’m on the first floor,” she replied. Camalus then unlocked her own door.
Aedan peered inside and walked in. “Whoa, this is much nicer than my dorm.”
“I would hope so. Make yourself comfortable. The couch is to your left. Do you want anything to drink?”
“I’m good.”
“I’ll be right back.” She walked to her room to change into her slippers. Her umbrella rested on top of her dresser and she walked back to the living room. Aedan had definitely made herself at home. Books were sprawled out, covering the floor and the coffee table. “Ready?”
“Um… There was this city, Argos, that’s destroyed now. I don’t get why. The book says the gods demolished it.”
“The book lies,” Camalus said quietly. “The human race was angry. The gods were living there and the people didn’t enjoy their company. They decided to burn the city to the ground and take down the gods in the process. They succeeded, but they didn’t kill all of the gods. A few escaped… Now, they roam the earth alone.”
“Wow,” Aedan said. “How do you know so much?”
“I… It’s in my history.”
“Well, that clears some things up. What else can you tell me?”
Her chest tightened. She didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Actually, I’m pretty tired. I’m sorry. We’ve barely covered a part of your course.” Camalus sighed heavily as she looked at the piles of books. “We can try again. I have tomorrow off.”
“I guess.” Aedan stood up and walked over to the Camalus. “But… I’d rather stay for the night.”
“What do you mean?”
Aedan held out a hand and Camalus took it, confused. She brought her other arm to wrap around Camalus’ waist. Her smile widened and she leaned in to kiss her mentor. Aedan tasted sweet, like mint, and Camalus felt euphoric with the immediate contact.
“No,” Aedan whispered as she pulled away. “I didn’t want it to be like this. Aren’t you a goddess?!”
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Camalus was stunned.
“Camalus. Goddess of war. I know it’s you. No human knows that side of the story behind Argos’ fall.”
She started to panic. “Who are you? How did you find me?”
“It wasn’t hard to find you. Who else has your name? And, I’m Aedan. The local succubus. I came to find you because I thought I could find someone to be with that I wouldn’t suck the life out of. Why are you mortal?”
“Not fighting drains me. I don’t deserve immortality.”
“Well, now you do. We’re supposed to be together. I saw the oracle. She told me this. I know it’s true. We’re lovers and we fight together.”
“You’re a succubus,” she hissed. “A demon. I’m a goddess. This isn’t right.”
“I know, but I feel that it’s true.”
“I’m a mortal. You’ll kill me like this. I’m not even a lesbian.”
“That’s what you say. I know about your experimentation.”
Camalus sighed and crossed her arms. “What do you suggest then?”
“Fight.”
“That’s it? Fight?”
“I know you “failed” in Argos, but you can succeed here. Help me fight the demons. They’re treading on my territory anyway… Camalus,” she said. “I know you’re attracted to me. It’s more than my charm as a sexual demon. I feel the same for you.” Aedan traced her face with her fingertips. “Please.”
“I’ll try. Only to see if you’re right.”
“Progress. Now, I know you think you’re tired, but that’s the mortal talking. Fight tonight and gain some strength. First, we have to take out some harpies…”
Camalus had zoned out long ago. She was lost in her thoughts and was weighing her options. She was…drawn to Aedan. It felt like someone had tied a string around both of their hearts, connecting them. She smiled to herself and it was pure for the first time in years. She knew it was crazy to get involved with a succubus. Heaven and hell shouldn’t mix like that, but Aedan was so bright. She was happy and Camalus needed that happiness, so she said the only thing she could.
“I’ll go with you, Aedan. Let me get my gear.”