Divine Sound

The cattle weren't fast and running with them was just to get used to the chariots. To most's surprise, Ask fared the best, the animals seeming to obey his calm commands without a hitch.

None of them fared particularly badly, however there was still a lot to be polished, even more so in a combat situation.

When they finished, they returned to the room in a better mood than when they started. Mac and Ask chatted amiably and even Mel managed to smile occasionally as she exchanged words with Oizys and Angela. Momus was back to making jokes and only Thanatos and Hypnos were quiet.

“Okay kids, I think it's obvious that if it weren't for cheating, my team would have finished first. Now enough about me, the next class is music.”

“Why music class?” Mac asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe because music is one of the oldest arts of our people. Dozens of gods and heroes used it to get what they wanted. Your own father was once persuaded by a beautiful melody.”

Ask turned back looking for Mac.

“You don't like music?”

“I love it, I just can't play anything, much less sing.”

“And here I thought our king's special daughter was good at everything,” teased Momus.

The goddess felt dozens of responses rising in her throat, but she managed to hold back until Geras spoke again.

“You guys talk a lot, you know that? Grab an instrument and let's get started!”

Momus and Oizys already had their instrument-weapons while the rest went looking for others.

Hypnos returned with a triangle and his brother carried a guitar. Angela had an electric bass while Mac carried a simple drum and Mel a beautiful lyre. Finally, Ask with a pan flute.

“Well done children, music is to be used to show your feelings and influence the feelings of others. A beautiful song can make Zeus himself do something crazy.”

“Like that would be hard,” Mac said quietly.

In a circle, they started one at a time. Hypnos and Mac made the least effort, using the instruments as simply as possible.

Angela started playing the bass, she seemed to be having a lot of fun, unlike everyone around her who covered their ears to protect against the aggressive notes.

In Thanatos’ turn, Mac watched very carefully. He combined really well with the guitar in his lap and she, already prepared to hear something beautiful, was surprised with out of tune chords and a voice that wasn't trained to sing. Despite everything, the goddess saw a charm in Thanatos failing so much.

As Mel played the lyre, it was possible to see a smile on her face. It was clear that she was enjoying the moment and, even if her chords weren't the most refined in the world, she had talent.

“You are very good,” commented Oizys admiringly.

“I’m not. I just hang out with some ghosts who taught me a few tricks,” she replied sheepishly. “I bet you can do a lot better.”

The comment made the other girl blush as well and she realized that everyone was looking at her expectantly. Oizys took a deep breath and started playing her flute. There was impossible to not be enchanted by the beautiful and melancholic melody that came from Oizys.

It was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist. Nothing but the flute, with nothing to do to hold back the emotions. Tears started to form in everyone's eyes, trying to resist without much success.

When Oizys stopped concentrating, she noticed her companions and became worried.

“Sorry! Didn't know I was so bad! Can I change weapons?”

Geras walked over, blowing his nose louder than necessary, his face red and tears in his eyes.

“You were fantastic! That's exactly what I wanted in this class, real music that touches the heart. And not just that, that is your Divine Lineage.”

No one was more surprised than Oizys itself.

“I don't have a Divine Bloodline.”

Thanatos approached wiping the tears.

“I agree with Geras, I've seen many gods up there, that's definitely your Divine Lineage. And even if it weren't, the effects of his music are undeniable.”

She didn't know what to say. Oizys was still the focus of the group and she didn't feel comfortable with that, she just went after her brother.

“Okay, okay. I'm here to cheer you all on. You left me with a very difficult audience.”

Momus took his maracas and began to play energetically. It wasn't a pretty instrument to listen to, but the energy coming from it changed the energy of the place. Soon he started doing sing-along jokes and weird dancing, which ended up getting some laughs.

As his performance wore on, more and more laughs came, which surprised him. He didn't even think of himself as funny, he just liked to test the limits of others and, perhaps for the first time, he was generating honest laughter from his teammates.

When it was over, they needed a few minutes to calm down. Thanatos and Geras exchanged suspicious glances.

“This also feels like a Divine Lineage,” Thanatos said.

“Really?” asked Momus trying to hide his excitement.

Momus started to skip happily until Geras tells him to sit down.

“That’s really good, two more Divine Lineages for the team, even if they are not as powerful. Music can trigger dormant powers for some people and there are other types of triggers out there for those who haven't awakened yet.”

The three palace dwellers flinched. They were the closest to the lord of this land and none of them had awakened their bloodlines.

“You four,” Geras said, turning to the three and Ask, “in addition to practicing with your new weapons, you must dedicate effort to awakening your powers. They will be essential to face the other gods.”

“I'm not even a god, I probably don’t have a Divine Lineage,” Ask said at peace with that truth.

“You are the son of the rivers of the underworld! And the definitions of what a god is sometimes can be arbitrary. Your task is to awaken the Divine Lineage by the end of classes!”

Ask tensed up. finding it impossible for him.

“That's it for today kids! See you tomorrow.”