Chapter 5: How Yeojoon Came To Be

Yeojoon woke up to a start. 

His heart was beating loudly against his chest. First, there was shock. Littering his face with beads of sweat as confusion then settled in his post-sleep haze. 

The room was filled with golden light that streamed through the open window. Oblivious to the fact that the god had a - was it a nightmare? a horrible dream? - birds chirped with glee upon the balcony. Singing like he had not suffered in the realm of unconscious thoughts. Perhaps, they are mocking him. Yeojoon's face contorted, blinking his eyes as it slowly grew accustomed to the light. Ah.. It's silly. So silly of him to think of projecting his foul mood into such tiny, little things.

Of course, birds are small, feeble creatures. 

Frail. Fragile. Unknowing. The wine god that sleeps deep inside him bubbles with envy. How he wished that he, too, would be oblivious. He'd accept a quick death over an eternity suffering. He heaves a sigh, knowing how impossible such thoughts are. Yet.. there was something in his dream that he can't quite put his finger upon. 

An inkling of a memory stirred in Yeojoon's brain as he sat up, running his fingers through his hair. Scrambling to wrack his mind's every shelf for something. Sure, his dream was horrible. His expression turned into a scowl, seeming like he could not grasp what it was about. All he remembers is a face. A face that, he knew, he had never ever seen before. 

Is this a bad omen?

Soft creaks from the bed signified that the god has left its warm comforts. He stretched his toned arms, rolling his head once or twice, then he followed it with the usual path to get towels and prepare for a bath. He is to visit his company after all. The product of his blood, sweat, and tears. His own realm. A haven he can call his own. 

Dressed in his formal suit and tie, it pleased Yeojoon to see Damon had prepared everything. As he took a careful pace of walking down the stairs, the smell of freshly cooked breakfast wafted in his ears. It definitely smelled heavenly. The richness of fried bacon, the slightly burnt toast, and a couple more dishes welcomed his nose. The heavy feeling in his chest bagged down. Yeojoon smiled. Food always makes him feel better.

The kitchen was huge. With its beige floor, white countertops, high shelves and a full set of cooking electronics - yeah. The place is almost as big as his room.

A mop of raven black hair greeted Yeojoon as he entered the place.  When it turned, he was face to face with Wraith, the appointed leader of his female followers - maenads - and the only male to have ever acclaimed such position. 

Wraith was someone he met when the latter was younger, about the age of 16. Barely a man, he had been one of his sister's, Artemis', hunter. Wraith never had a surname. Has never opened himself to the changes of the human world and its technology. My, it seemed like yesterday when he had first welcomed him under his wing. 

A younger Wraith came into his mind. Yeojoon remembers that it has been about three years into the human realm since he had noticed the crying figure just a stone's throw away from the hut where he resides. Yeah. He chuckles. It almost gave him a heart attack when the kid bared his fangs at him, an arrow aiming at his heart, hissing like a cornered wildcat. 

Flashback

Dionysus is pleased. He is pleased that the power he has had provided to he advantageous. With the accumulated help from the creatures around him, his plans to live and thrive on the human realm proved to be fruitful. Rays of orange lights filtered through the cheap curtains of the hut before the skies darkened with rain. 

The wine god heaves a sigh. Truly, he hopes the Vineyard won't be overrun with water at this rate. Has Silenus been dallying with the centaurs again? He will probably come home drunk, for the nth time this week. A scowl etched his face as he made his way towards the window. 

"How are my sweet creations faring in such downpour?," He mused, raising a hand onto his face as he caressed his chin with his thumb. "Father must be angry tonight. I wonder who earned his wrath? My, my." An airy chuckle bubbled in his throat. 

His eyes glanced at the skies once more with a sigh. "Silenus hasn't come home, too. I should just check on my beloved vineyard.." 

Silenus can take care of himself. His plants cannot. Right. He's the minor god of drunkenness after all. Perhaps, he thought whilst staring at the rain make puddles in the soiled ground, he should check upon the vineyard himself. It is but a few stone's throw from the hut after all. 

Inside the glow of the hut provided by a flurry of candles swaying briefly with the wind, the god decided he'll leave now. And so he moved out, the pelting rain gave shivers down his spine and wet his soggy clothes that's now clinging onto his body like sticky glue. The skies grumbled and lightning flashed as the god ventured towards the array of vines, clinging onto makeshift fences, unbothered and well.

Dionysus turned on his back. Now that his worry has been eased, he can now return to the comfort and warmth of the hut. Maybe Silenus or one of the satyrs have come for shelter because of the rainy weather. His body turned cold against the attack of droplets on his skin. Suddenly, an earthy scent filled his nostrils. It was minty. Freshly crushed ones. And-, the god freezed, focusing on the scent, - blood. 

"I smell blood," His eyes widened at the thought. Surely, it is someone nearby. In a split second, he was off running. Lightning illuminates the slippery ground, the shades of trees grew thicker as he trailed the smell like a bloodhound. Tall grass tickles his face as he looks around. His sandals being muddy, covering his entire feet with sticky soil. He looks around once more, squinting, as the iron taste of blood invades his nose even more. 

And, he found Him. Dionysus' breath stops for a moment. He's unable to move.  The cold metal of the arrowhead pressed against back. He corrected himself. He's the one who was found. 

"W-who are you and what are your intentions?" A grave, soulless voice asked. He can feel the arrowhead dig deeper on his back, urging him for an answer. Should he give himself away? That he's the Son of Zeus who stowed away from Olympus? Is this a trap –   

An idea popped in his head. One that's idiotic, perhaps, mad. But he's the god of madness, is he not? Perhaps.. 

"I'm Kim Yeojoon. I do not wish to harm you." He lifted both arms in the air in surrender. His breathing was steady despite the threat. He needs to remain calm and poised even in the jaws of danger. "I am only here to help since I sensed the smell of blood. Forgive me if I have frightened you." 

Summoning his godly weapon, the thyrsus, would not guarantee his safety from the swiftness of a bow and arrow. Serious wounds and injury would do him no good, even if he's a god, for it'll require him ambrosia, the heavenly food of the gods, for him to recover.

The cold tip's pressure against his back disappears. Dionysus felt relief flood his body as he slowly turned to face whoever they are. And he was met with a child - a teenager - with feline eyes, a button nose, and raven-black hair holding a bow and arrow that's taller than their body. A wave of nostalgia ripples through the wine god as he stared at the pale skinned boy. Has he seen him before? 

"I'm afraid I did not catch your name," He cleared his throat. From what he can see in the other's bloody chiton and wounded arm, he must've been attacked by a wild beast or anything of that sort. First things first, what's a child like him doing in the middle of the forest at this time of the night? Also, he wears a chiton. Is he somewhat a deity that he had never met before? His face is familiar.

The younger let his tensed shoulders calm down, now holding the bow and arrow on their side. Their eyes, the color of the new moon, a deep black, gazed back at him before slowly widening in recognition. His weapon drops down on the soiled ground and he kneels one knee down, bowing. 

"Wraith. My name is Wraith, Dionysus, Sire." 

"I... I did not expect you to know me, Wraith." Dionysus, with his jaws hanging open, professes. "How did you know?" 

"I have seen you, Sire. Brother to Huntress Artemis. I am one of her f-former Hunter. You are in the same fields as us when you practice Archery with Chiron." 

"...I see. Do stand up, please." 

"I should not, Sire. Mere folk like me are not allowed to look a god in the eye. I apologize." 

Dionysus chuckled. If he had been any different, he would have agreed. Would've said Yes, I Am A Powerful God. But No. He's not like that anymore.

"But can't you see, Wraith?" His eyes shined with amusement. Lightning strikes at a tree a few meters away. "There is no Dionysus anymore. I told you my name is Kim Yeojoon, have I not? Now. Stand up and look at me."

Wraith did. With nervous, fluttering eyes that halted into a steady gaze as he looked up, standing straight and dignified infront of Dionysus. To the god who claims himself by a human name. He who now stands in front of Kim Yeojoon. 

"Come with me. We both need to be out of this hellish rain before we, too, gets striked like that tree." Dionysus added jokingly, trying to lighten the mood as he reached a hand out to the latter. Warmth settled in his heart. Ironic to the way his body shivers after standing out too long in the weather. 

"As you wish, Sire. I am indebted to you," Wraith expresses as he allowed himself to be guided towards wherever the wine god's residence is. Perhaps, to that far orange light Illuminating from the distance.

"Oh, please. I have done nothing yet. I sense that Silenus has come home. He'll treat that wound for you and give you a set of warm clothes." Dionysus paused. "Wait, how come you're here and not with my sister Artemis? You said you're her hunter, right? Are you lost?" 

Wraith's expressionless face turned gloomy, sunken and weighted down by something Dionysus could not fully grasp. 

"I was cast out of the hunters, Sire. Because I am a boy who has been of age today." Wraith's lips quivered. He blinked and stared up at the house ahead before adding, "And Artemis can only accept me until I turned sixteen. I am an immortal temptation to my fellow hunters, even if I deem them sisters, I had to go." 

Dionysus can't find it in himself to speak about his sister's ways. He had never gotten along with anyone except his older brother, Hephaestus. 

"Well, I think I am in need of a hunter. A headhunter, actually. Would you like to lead my hunts for me?" 

Wraith's mouth hanged open as he nodded frantically, making Dionysus grin in approval. Who needs love when there's friendship, right? 

As the two reached the hut and was welcomed by Silenus, who has sobered up, Dionysus smiled. It felt like the first day that he had come to this hut. Welcomed. Sheltered. Felt at home. Now, he's done that for Wraith, too. If this is how it'll turn out to he, there's no need to rush his return to Olympus. Not when he can be here to live his life without prying eyes. 

End of Flashback

Now, Wraith, in his black pants and fitted grey shirt, biting at a toast as he stares at him. He's still small in stature, about five feet flat, eyes widening as he kneels one knee down on the floor. Yeojoon snorts and waves him off, gesturing him to stand. 

"Good morning, Wraith. It's nice to see you're back. Where's Damon?" 

"Silenus, Sire?" Wraith removed the toast from his lips and held it with his hands as he stood up straight. "I haven't seen them yet." 

"I see. You still call him that, huh? I think he'd prefer it if you call him b-" 

"PLEASANT MORNING, SIRE. HELLO, I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED." Yeojoon's ear rings at the loud voice. Heaving a deep sigh. Of course, that's when Damon appears. 

"Eat with us before we go." The ghost of a smile hints at the god's lips whilst staring at the pink tint in Damon's cheeks. "I'm sure you'll need energy for the drive." 

"..Of course, Sir.

"Bah. Just call me Yeojoon for a change. We're normal in this realm, right?" Yeojoon's bright smile made Wraith and Damon nod and smile in return. That, and the tempting delicious food is hard to resist. "I mean, we're at home. No need for formalities. This ain't Olympus." 

A chorus of, "Alright, Yeojoon ssi/If you say so, Yeojoon ah," made Yeojoon laugh shortly. 

He feels warm and comfortable. A  huge contrast to his dream earlier. Wait - that dream. There's a face in his dreams that he's yet to know. His gut feel tells him that it's someone trivial, important, and possibly dangerous. As he sat down with the two blushing figures, stuffing themselves with food. He can't help but reminisce. 

Rose red plump lips and, were those amber colored eyes? Maybe. Whoever they are, he swears that he has never seen them before. Such striking beauty will never be forgotten by him. Now, there's two questions lingering in his mind. Who is this ethereal being in his fuzzy dreams? 

Are they an angel or a devil? 

He's yet to find out.