Weave

"The hope project." Hecate inquired, her fingers trailing across his bare chest. "Can you tell me everything about it now?"

Apollo hummed. "A cosmic force powered and represented by hope. I made a vow to Hope, remember? I intend to uphold it in my own way."

"Cosmic force…" Hecate murmured. She then looked him in the eyes. "Do you mean to include aliens as well?"

"Yes." Apollo nodded. "As long as a being is capable of bringing great hope, they will be able to join my force."

"I won't choose them myself; I'll set up an automatic criteria and selection process..."

"Apollo." Hecate cupped her hands solemnly on his cheeks, capturing his attention. "Are you fully aware of the implications of doing this?"

"I am." Apollo laughed and gently walloped his head against hers. "Look at yourself now, you're so cute and beautiful with the solemnity."

"Apollo." Hecate ignored his words and continued to press.

Apollo sighed, "Fine." Then he went on. "I am fully aware that my project has the potential to destabilise the entire universe, as it is unconventional and unprecedented in its dark history; however, this is a long project, and I will take it slowly."

"That's good," Hecate finally said, truly content, "I believe in you."

Apollo drew a chair and sat with Hecate facing the parchment-filled table.

"How about you?" He inquired, his brow furrowed at the magical parchments, which Hecate was not so deliberately nipping at his side.

"Completed." Hecate handed him the parchments as if she couldn't wait to show them to him.

Apollo took it all and gave everything a thorough study. It included a detailed account of creation of wizards and future plans for them; the names of all the humans who received her blessings; their conditions, reactions, and adaptations to magic itself; the various categories of magic planned; the response that magic had received from mortals and gods; the plans to further spread magic beyond the western world; and so on and so forth.

Everything that could be thought of was thought of. It was her follow-up, all-encompassing wizard plan. The most important information in the parchments, however, went beyond that.

Apollo's gaze was drawn to a striking parchment among them all.

'Weave,' it was called.

The weave. He had suggested it to Hecate, getting inspiration from the board game from his previous life.

It was Dungeons and Dragons. It had a Goddess of Magic, Mystra, who personified the weave of magic that wove through all of reality. She was the true source of magic; she was the origin of all mystery in that multiverse.

And Apollo prospered the weave for Hecate, as it could truly allow her to break the limit placed on divinity, enabling her to open her path to omnipotence.

"It's just as wonderful as everything you do, my love." Apollo praised her, returning the parchments.

Hecate brilliantly smiled with a proud look, retrieving the parchments and placing them carefully on the table.

With his blessing, she can finally continue on her path, unhindered by limits or shackles.

For the past 20 years, she has been creating wizards. She hand-picked humans and bestowed upon them her magic, which was a watered-down version of her divine magic since humans are too frail to bear it.

She travelled the western world, meeting the patron gods and goddesses of city-states and kingdoms. She asked for permission to spread her magic among talented humans, and they all agreed without hesitation.

Hecate knew this was because of her love, Apollo, not because they saw potential in her magic. And she didn't feel much about this, as many might assume. Apollo was her love, so she obviously relished the benefits that came, with him.

Coming back, her magic had reached many parts of the western world. Her will and divinity resided within each of them, uniting them all.

She was slowly becoming the source itself….

"But…" Apollo drawled, prompting Hecate to suppress her smile and her thoughts.

"What?" She squinted at him.

"As I've said many times, you should stop actively involving yourself with humans so much." Apollo brought it up slowly, knowing how sensitive this was between them.

"Well…" Hecate pointed out. "You also do the same."

"No..." Apollo shook his head after a moment of silence. "I am different from you on this."

"How?" Hecate asked, her lips pursed.

"I know…" Apollo said. "I know when and where to draw the line between myself and humanity. But you don't."

Hecate exasperated. "I don't know how many times I've also told you this, but I will emphasise it again."

"Wizards are my creations. So I obviously want to be there for them and look after them."

"No," Apollo demanded. "I don't want you to be."

"Too bad," Hecate shot back, "I want to."

They glared at each other, their resplendent eyes dazzling with light and magic.

The heavy silence between them was broken by his sigh. "I'm just concerned about you."

"Humans, the species I created, have boundless potential. I granted them a tinder of primordial fire, a spark of creation itself."

"Everything has two sides, and humanity is no exception to that. They are capable in both ways. They can be ignorant, greedy, vain, and arrogant as it comes to be."

Apollo held her hands. "You may have created the wizards, given them everything, and personally guided them. However, some of them will not hesitate to betray you."

Hecate was silent for a moment, and then she nodded. "I get it, Apollo. I am aware of the darkness that exists within humans, and I will exercise caution. But I will not change my ways."

"This was my dream."

"Fine." Apollo sighed, ruffling his hair. "Do whatever you want."

Hecate frowned. "Why are you so insistent on this? Do you see something in fate?"

"No." Apollo shook his head. "You see, my point is, I am just warning you. The path of magic is treacherous and dangerous. You are not the only one with authority over it."

"I don't want to ever see you suffer."

He gently kissed her soft, pale fingers. "Well, you decided on it, and I respect your choice, but I always keep an eye on your back, even if you don't want me to..."

"You are wrong; I want to." Hecate breathed out in a low tone, her heart overwhelmed with emotions. "I really want you to..."

Apollo smiled and nodded with utmost firmness. Then he chuckled, his gaze trailing her body "Now, you can make that sound so..…so wrong."

With his words, the heaviness in the air dissipated. And Hecate rolled her eyes. "Well, it's true that I want..."

Apollo sealed her lips in passionate and scorching love.

Hecate placed her hands around his shoulders and pulled him from his chair to her lap, returning the kiss under the shimmer of the stars.

Apollo snapped his fingers, and their dresses disintegrated into light particles. Then his hands moved to her plump breasts, gently grasping and kneading them.

"Have I told you that I fucking love your boobs?" Apollo whispered. His fingers pinched her nipples, sending a surge of pleasure through her entire being.

Hecate moaned heavily, but she managed to gather her strength and respond amorously in between her grunts. "So many times, as you sucked them in like a parched man quenching his thirst..…"

Apollo smirked, his golden eyes darkening in lust. He immediately rose from her lap, picked her up, and placed her on the table. He didn't forget to set her parchments of magic safely aside in the other corner of the room.

Hecate recovered quickly, noticing her parchments flying across the room. She muttered. "No… I still want to give it another check…ah…"

However, she moaned as Apollo masterfully twisted her soft pink nipples, jolting her back into an ocean of bliss.

"It is as fine as it can be." He whispered into her ear, biting it. In defeat, Hecate buried her head in the crevice of his neck. But she also bit his neck, making him grunt.

"There is punishment for that." Apollo grinned. His hands left her nipples, giving her a brief respite, but she soon noticed him lowering his head to her breast.

And he sucked her nipple heavily.

Hecate's face completely reddened. "Nggh! Apollo!..."

Apollo's grin broadened, continuing his treat with her sweet and soft nipples....

The light erupted, consuming and concealing them in brilliance.

_________________

A week later. Delphi.

The shimmering rays of the sun cascaded into the wrecked room, illuminating Apollo and Hecate, who were lying on the ground, breathless.

"We should stop this…" Hecate spoke, taking deep breaths and resting her head on his chest.

"Stop what?" Apollo asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Stop just throwing everything aside and having sex for days in turns..." Hecate exhaled. "We have duties."

Apollo kissed her hair. "I took care of that like always; don't worry too much. They will make sure everything remains fine in our absence."

"Your angels…" Hecate looked at the ceiling. "I should probably start recruiting my own subordinates and stop always relying on you..."

"You totally could, though." Apollo replied immediately.

Hecate just snorted at him, standing up from the ground and holding out her hand. "Get up."

"Aww.." Apollo looked hurt, placing his hands over his chest dramatically.

"Enough with the act, my significant annoyance." Hecate rolled her eyes.

Apollo caught her hands, grinning like an idiot. Then he jumped to his feet and landed on her, his hands catching around her hips.

Hecate, seeing his actions, said. "I have decided to ascend to become the source today."

The grin on his lips faded almost abruptly, and solemnity took over his eyes as Apollo asked her. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," Hecate said firmly.

"Then come on," Apollo said. "Let's take a bath and have something to eat before we begin."

"Apollo." Hecate stopped him. "We'll just be bathing."

"Yes," Apollo replied innocently. "What else do you imagine we'll do?"

Hecate rolled her eyes at his façade, but then, seeing his sincere eyes, she just sighed and dragged him into the bathroom.

___________

After about two hours. Apollo and Hecate sat inside a lavish mortal tavern near Delphi, waiting for their breakfast. It was bustling with people, but no one seemed to notice or recognise their identities or differences.

Hecate was shuffling through her parchments, giving them a final check, in dim sunlight. Apollo looked around the tavern inquisitively.

"I think…" Apollo said suddenly. "I should learn to cook."

"You really should." Hecate nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on the parchment. "They are truly too plain, whether it is mortal or divine food. Perhaps you can invent something new in it."

"Then I will." Apollo nodded, his mind racing as he tried to recall all of his culinary knowledge, which was little to none.

Their food was soon served by a little thin boy, who greeted them politely. It was simple: bread, wine, olive oil, and fried fish.

"What is your name?" Apollo asked gently.

"Andreas," the boy replied, averting his gaze and sloshing his robes.

Apollo smiled and said, "Your service was great." He plucked a gold coin from the air and tossed it to him. "Here's my tip."

"Tip?" Andreas caught the golden coin in a daze.

"It's yours; keep it." Apollo said.

"No. No." Andreas immediately looked around in panic, checking. However, no one was looking at him or them. Then, with a mixture of reluctance and relief, he pushed the coin back to Apollo.

"I can't take this, mister. I will be mistaken for a thief if my master finds out, and he will lash me."

"You master won't find it as long as you are prudent, little guy." Apollo said. "Trust me and take it."

Andreas finally accepted it, though with palpable hesitation and reluctance. Then he bowed to him. "Thank you."

Apollo watched the little guy rush for the kitchen in a hurry, safely placing the golden coin in his robes.

"You are generous." Hecate raised her brows, taking a bite of bread. "You actually blessed the boy."

"Well." Apollo drawled. "His service was actually good compared to other times we have been here."

Hecate smiled, looking at him. Then, in comfortable silence, they began to dig into their food.

"Are you truly ready?" In between bites, Apollo inquired.

"Yes." Hecate nodded. "Completely." She locked her gaze on him. "This time, I am certain. I gave it all through check. There are absolutely no problems."

Then she hesitated.

"What?" Apollo inquired, setting his bread down.

"I received a message..." Hecate drawled, his eyes dogging. "from my mother. She will be joining us for my ascension. She really wants to meet you. But.."

"But…" Apollo pressed.

Hecate spoke quickly. "But, you see, she is not coming alone…"

"Hello." An ethereal voice interrupted them just in time.

Apollo turned immediately, and his spear materialized in his hands.

A divine woman in a dark, layered gown stood in front of them, exuding a serene and tranquil aura.

"Aunt Nyx…" Hecate called.