Sons of Sparta - A Story of the Spartans, Book 3
(inspired by the story 'Spartan' parts 1 through 4)
by argouru
Note: All credit for the creation of the Spartans and Amazons, as well as the Spartan mythos belongs to the author 'CF', to whom I owe special thanks for his allowing me to write about these incredible people.
WARNING: Portions of this installment of the series includes a section regarding mental illness.
John awoke early the next morning and went to check on their son, staring down at Glenn as the baby slept. What right do we have to risk his life? Why is it so important to Henry that we do this? He wondered silently to himself.
Henry came in a few minutes later and smiled down at the boy, then looked to his husband with concern. "You okay?" he whispered so as not to disturb their child's rest.
"I'm trying to be," John answered honestly.
"It's important to me," Henry whispered.
"I... I still need more time to think this over," John admitted.
"Alright... But John, we shouldn't wait too long. The older he is when we do it, the worse it will be for him. It's important to do the Rite while the child is too young to remember the pain."
"-If- we do it," John corrected firmly.
At that, Henry looked at his husband with hurt and a bit of anger, led him out of the room, closing the door behind them softly before leading the way to the living room.
"John, I will not have our son live a lie. If he is to call himself Spartan, then I want him to do so honestly," Henry stated stubbornly.
"We don't need some ceremony to prove our son is Spartan!" John said, unable to believe that Henry was being so bull-headed about this. "If you want to know his species, then let's take him for an examination at the hospital. A simple CAT scan will prove he's like us. We don't need to point a sword at him and endanger his life just to verify his species!"
"That's not the point, John!" Henry said, his voice rising slightly. "This Rite is the single most important part of our religion. I want our son to hold his head up proudly when he calls himself Spartan, knowing beyond any shadow of a doubt that he is true. I want everyone to know, even the gods! It's his right as a future warrior and a member of our species! Our son needs to be Confirmed!"
John rubbed his face with his hand, unable to understand why this was so important. "I need more time... But I won't say no just yet."
"Fair enough," Henry said sadly, his anger fading away as he saw just how difficult this was on his partner and husband.
"You taking Glenn today?" John asked.
Henry nodded. "I'm working in the dispatch office today."
"I want to head to work early today," John said. "I'll get ready now."
Henry watched the man he loved head down the hallway with a heavy heart, wishing his husband could understand why the Confirmation was so important...
John drove to work and was let into the temple by Keith, who was just opening up for the day. "You're in early," the head of security said with surprise.
"I'll use the bathroom here," John replied distractedly.
"What?" Keith asked in confusion.
"You said 'Urine early'," John answered, the pun feeling weak even to him.
Keith groaned at the bad joke, but said nothing more. John walked over to the weapons room next to the altar chamber. "I want a little solo prayer time before I start my shift, okay?" he said to his fellow Spartan.
"Alright," Keith said, wondering what was bothering the transformed man so much, but saying nothing of it to him.
John removed his robe, donned his sword belt and entered the chamber. He saluted the statue of the god, then knelt in the prayer position. "Apollo be with me," he said quietly, then felt the presence of his god before him.
John, My son. Thank you for wanting to speak with Me about this.
"So I really am Your son?" John asked with uncertainty.
Yes John. I took you as My own. You are Apolloson now. I hope that you will allow Me to be a part of your life as much as I can.
"Why?" John asked, voicing the question that had been in his mind ever since the night he had transformed. "Why did You do it? Why take me of all people as a son?" he said, not noticing the doors to the chamber closing quietly.
"Because John," Apollo said, assuming physical form before the shocked mortal, "I see things in you that you, even now, fail to see within yourself. I have seen all that you have done and will do and find you an admirable man. One with the qualities of a warrior and a good heart. You could have become a bitter, spiteful man. But rather than turn your anger on the world, you took it out upon yourself, not wanting others to suffer from your pain, as you have from that of the people you grew up with. You have a kind heart despite the sorrows you have experienced. All you ever wanted in life was to be loved, wanted and treated as an equal to those around you. That makes you the best type of man, John. That is way I love you as My son."
John was touched by that and looked up into his father's eyes to see the love and pride that dwelled there. "Thank you, Father," he said, accepting the god as his parent, the kind he had always wanted, yet never believed he would have. Then his face spasmed. "Wait... You said You've seen all of my life? My past?"
"Yes," Apollo said slowly, wondering where John was going with this.
"Look," John said, hanging his head to hide his face. "I was desperate... I needed the money."
Apollo frowned with bafflement at that, going back over the man's life and finding nothing he had done that would relate to an embarrassing act for money, then caught John's silent laughter and sighed with disgust. "You're lucky that Sam has taught Me patience for dealing with people like the two of you..." the immortal said dryly.
"Sorry... Couldn't resist," John said with amusement.
Apollo shook His head sadly, wondering why His recently adopted sons turned out to be such warped individuals. At least Michael isn't like this, He thought, noting that of all His living adopted sons, Mike Hill was the most well behaved. Maybe it's an American thing...
"But still," John said, sobering, "I don't get it. The Confirmation... Why? Why put everyone through all of that? What's the point of it all?"
Apollo offered John His hand. Surprised, the mortal took it and rose with his father's help. "There's something you need to see," Apollo said.
John winced as a bright light surrounded them, then faded away. He was confused when he suddenly felt the sun beating down upon him from above and a hot summer wind blowing over his bare skin as they stood within the altar chamber. He opened his eyes, blinking away spots as he heard the sounds of birds and insects, as well as the sounds of men grieving and angered. As everything came into focus, a horrible stench, as though of vast amounts of rotting meat, hit him, bringing a wave of nausea.
Then he saw that he was in the remains of an ancient city that had been decimated by war, filled with male soldiers in ancient dress walking among the decaying bodies of women of all ages, children and men both old and young. He saw a soldier sobbing, hugging the bodies of a woman and a baby to him, babbling in Greek. John walked among them, unseen, taking in the devastation around him. He saw that even the babies had been killed. Only the male soldiers were still alive, some enraged beyond reason, some numb and walking as though comatose, others sobbing in grief and despair.
Then some began to chant a single word over and over again, others joining in until they all chanted the word in unison, again and again... "�'κ�`ίκηση!" ('Ekdíkisi!')
John turned to Apollo with confusion. "What are they saying?" he asked.
"Revenge," Apollo replied grimly. "They're calling out for vengeance against the people who did this... Against those who destroyed their nation. These men are the last human Spartans to exist. After this, they prayed to Me for My aid to help them endure as a nation and seek vengeance against those who destroyed their civilization. I took pity upon them and transformed them into what the Spartans are now, that they would have a future as a nation. In time, they got a measure of revenge, but it was never complete. To this day, all Spartans, even those who do not worship Me, acknowledge that their kind exist for vengeance. All Spartans, except you and Mike Apolloson are descended from these men. However," He said, turning to John. "Just because you were born of different blood than these men, never doubt your heritage. You are as much Spartan as any other of your new species, John. The blood of Sparta now flows in your veins. I have changed you in more than just body. You are now of the same blood as these men. You have as much right to claim Spartan heritage as anyone who is like you. You are as much warrior as they and deserve what I have given you. Never forget that." John nodded solemnly. "Now do you understand, John?" Apollo asked him.
"I can see now the importance of our heritage... But why risk a child's life? What purpose does that serve?"
"In part to make certain that no one can ever take the name of Sparta in vain. Those who carry the blood of Sparta have endured much hardship. To claim Spartan lineage falsely is an insult to all that the sons of Sparta have endured over the centuries. Also, it is an insult to Me for the gift I have given to your kind. But there is more... It is as much Hera and Zeus as I who demand that the blood of heretics be spilled. For someone to claim the gift of the gods as their own unjustly is the gravest insult any mortal can make to Our kind. As payment for that insult, the life of the heretic becomes forfeit. And should anyone desecrate the sacred rite by interference or refusal to obey the will of the gods, their life is also forfeit. While I do benefit from the deaths of such things, I am not cruel or heartless. I, personally, would rather no deaths take place in the Rite. But as much as I would rather no such deaths occur, to be insulted is even more offensive to Me. I am a warrior god, John. I am nourished by death and have a great deal of warrior's pride. I will not sacrifice that pride for anyone... Not even for those whom I love."
John was surprised to note that he wasn't shocked or offended by that. In an odd way, he actually understood it. It was then that the mortal realized just how different he was from before. It seemed that his transformation hadn't been merely physical, but emotional as well. He looked at the grieving soldiers and identified with them. If this had been reality, he would have gladly raised his sword against the monsters who had done this. The only reason he did not was because he knew that this was merely a depiction of events from centuries ago and he could do nothing other than observe. Still, his hand tightened upon the hilt of his blade as his warrior's heart cried out for the deaths of those responsible for the atrocity he was bearing witness to.
He thought about Glenn and felt his sense of pride as a Spartan rise in intensity. He had no right to deny the boy his heritage. Glenn had every right to share the pride of his people, acknowledge his heritage and accept his place as an equal among his fellow warriors. To deny this to his son was unthinkable... In that moment, John's objections faded away and the mortal understood the true significance of the Rite of Confirmation. He knew what had to be done and felt his last lingering fears fade away.
Apollo saw this within His son's mind and felt reassured that John had accepted his role as a warrior in mind and heart as well as in body. John turned to his father. "Thank you," he said gently.
The god nodded with satisfaction. "Brace yourself," Apollo warned him kindly and John closed his eyes as the light enveloped them again, then faded away to reveal the altar chamber once more. "Call upon Me any time you have need, John. I'll always be here for you. I'm proud of you."
No one had ever said that to John before and overwhelmed by that, he began to cry. Apollo took His son into His arms and rocked him back and forth slowly, giving the man all the praise, love and support he had always wanted from a parent, yet had never received before...
That night, John got home about a half hour before Henry and Glenn, so he showered and sat down to relax. They were making sandwiches and potato chips for dinner tonight, so he didn't have to make anything early. They arrived home while he laid there, watching TV, Henry looking at John nervously as they entered. He walked over and kissed the top of John's head, who reached up to stroke his cheek, before the birth father went to change and bathe Glenn. John came in as they sat in the tub, Glenn giggling as he splashed the inch of water that covered the base of the tub. John smiled at the happy look on the baby's face as he splashed the water, clearly loving the fact that he could send the water flying by striking it.
John sat in the floor next to the tub and watched the boy play as Henry tried to bathe him. Finally Henry looked up at him with an expression of silent inquiry. The siring father sighed. "I had a long talk with Apollo... Dad... This morning. He showed me a vision of ancient Sparta."
"The one where all of the human Spartans were dead and rotting?" Henry asked.
John stared at him in shock. "You saw it too?"
Henry nodded gravely. "It happened when I was eleven. Lord Apollo showed me that vision when I wanted to take a sword to school because bullies were harassing me and I didn't know the difference between vengeance and getting even."
"I could feel the grief of the soldiers as they looked around at their dead... One holding his wife and baby in his arms as he sobbed."
Henry looked at him with shock. "You saw the soldiers? I only saw an empty city filled with the bodies of the dead."
John shrugged. "I guess He wanted me to see how they grieved their loss. Wanted me to witness the pain they felt with my own eyes. Then He talked to me about the Rite of Confirmation. What all it means and why all of it is necessary..." Henry watched him, clearly wanting to ask, but afraid to speak. "I understand the why now. If you still want to Confirm Glenn, then call Sam and schedule the Rite."
"Really?" Henry asked, looking indescribably happy.
"Yeah," John said with a smile.
Henry's eyes misted up at that. "Thank you," he said, leaning over to John, who leaned over as well so that they could kiss. They kissed for several minutes until Henry pulled away and looked at the baby in horror. "Glenn! Don't do that in here!" he cried, as the baby urinated freely in the tub, coating Henry's leg in piss. "Ah fuck! John, pull the drain plug! Quick!"
Laughing, John complied quickly, laughing as he did so. "Glenn," he said, his voice shaking with laughter, "Just because your dads like watersports with each other doesn't mean you can get in on it too. That's just weird!"
Henry grumbled as he pulled over the shower head and rinsed himself off, fuming silently at his son's behavior and shaking his head at the fact that his husband found his predicament funny...
They confirmed Glenn the following Saturday, all of the family except David bearing witness. Giorgos was there to watch, Steven and Nathan keeping close in case the Grecian tried anything, but he merely stood there, numb with shock as Henry held the blade over their son. The human stood there, staring in disbelief, not budging or making a sound throughout the Rite and not blinking until it was over. He did, however, take great interest in Steven's filaments, seeing his partner's receptive reproductive substance for the first time. After the Rite was over, Sam took Steven and Giorgos aside to talk to the human about what he had witnessed.
After a long talk with Giorgos, the human promised not to say anything to anyone outside the family, save David, who having never witnessed a Confirmation himself, was forbidden from being told. Giorgos said he needed time to adjust to the idea before he would discuss any possible Confirmations for their own sons. Steven knew that it would be at least a year, which gave them plenty of time for the human to become accepting of the idea.
John and Henry couldn't be prouder of their son, for Glenn Henryson had proven himself to be a true Spartan. Many people came forward to offer their congratulations to the couple and their son...
Two months later, Sam and Daniel joined John and Henry at the Santa Rosa courthouse where John changed his name legally, the older couple serving as the required witnesses who had known him at least a year.
"And you testify that there are no illegal reasons for your wishing to change your name?" the judge asked him.
"None, your honor," John answered truthfully.
"So be it," the judge answered. "I hereby grant this request of legal change of name. From this day forward, Barney Randall Williams will hereby be known as Johnathon Apolloson."
Barney?!? Sam thought to himself in shock, staring at his son-in-law with wide eyes, which he then rolled skyward in suffering. Fuck! No wonder he wanted to change his name! I only changed my last one for religious reasons. I can't say that I blame him for wanting to change the whole thing, what with having a name like that! Sam had never heard John's birth name before. Now that he'd heard what it had been, he fully understood why John had never told him.
He and Daniel offered their congratulations. "So," Daniel said, "should we call you Johnathon now?"
John shook his head. "No, John's fine by me."
"Then why change your first name to Johnathon?" Henry asked with a furrowed brow.
"Because when I have babies of my own, I want their last names to be properly Spartan in nature. Humans use the last name Johnson all the time. Johnathonson will stand out better."
"The boys will really hate you every time they have to spell their last name, you know," Sam teased while Henry chuckled.
"Well..." John said in a pained manner, not knowing what else to say.
"Don't worry, John," Daniel said, draping a supportive arm over his son-in-law's shoulders. "It's a fine name to carry."
After that, they went out to a Chinese buffet to celebrate...
Not everything about being Spartan was rosy. John found that he had to meditate every day to keep his new warrior's instincts and aggressiveness under control. He tried skipping his meditations, thinking them a waste of time, only to find himself in a screaming match with Henry a week later when he discovered that the man he loved had eaten the last of the Rocky Road ice cream and half of his last box of Red Vines licorice. "FUCK!" he exclaimed loudly, slamming the cupboard door closed roughly, burning with suppressed rage.
Henry hurried into the kitchen. "What's wrong?" he asked with concern.
"You ate all my snacks, that's what's wrong!" John snapped fiercely.
"Alright," Henry said, taken aback by his husband's sudden viciousness. "So I ate them... I'm sorry. I'll buy you some more. Okay?"
"NO! IT'S NOT 'OKAY', HENRY! YOU DIDN'T EVEN FUCKING ASK FIRST!!!" John screamed, grabbing a mug off the counter and throwing it at the refrigerator, denting the corner of the upper door and shattering the cup in the process.
"Whoa!" Henry exclaimed in shock, shielding his face from flying fragments with his forearms as Glenn, who had been sleeping in his crib in the bedroom, woke up sharply and began to cry in fear from all the shouting. "John! What's wrong with you? Are you crazy?!? You're acting just as psychotic your old human family!"
John stopped dead in his tracks, shocked at the comparison, then realizing the truth of that, as well as hearing his son crying with fear, he wilted rapidly, dropping to his knees and starting to tremble with a mixture of sadness, shame and horror. He began to sob, making Henry drop down and hug him fiercely. "Henry... I'm sorry!" he sobbed thickly, hugging his husband tightly. "I can't believe I just lost it like that!"
"Shh! Shh! It's okay... I forgive you." He held John until the man stopped crying. "John," he asked once his partner showed signs of calming down. "What made you so mad like that? ...Have you been skipping your daily meditations?" he asked with sudden realization.
"Well... Kinda," John hedged.
Henry now recalled that John had been moody for the last few days. "John," he asked again slowly. "How long has it been since you last meditated?"
"...About a week, I guess," John answered meekly.
"A WEEK?!?" Henry exclaimed in shock. "John! You can't go that long without meditating! Just look what happened to you!"
"Why?!?" John asked passionately. "Why am I freaking out over something so stupid?!?"
Henry sighed. "John, it's not just your body that changed! You have the instincts of a warrior now and a pretty aggressive one from the looks of it! Daily meditation is VITAL to you keeping yourself under control! Skipping meditation for that long a period of time is dangerous! I mean look what just happened!" he added sharply, picking up a fragment of the shattered mug and holding it up for emphasis.
Glenn was still crying and the sound of it made John feel even more horrible. "I'm sorry... It won't happen again, I promise... We should go calm Glenn down."
"Alright," Henry said, feeling relieved that John seemed to understand what he meant. "But from now on, we meditate together every morning we can. If one of us goes to work early, I'll call you to make sure you do it, alright?"
"Deal," John said, getting back up to his feet with Henry following him.
Just then, there was a loud knocking at the front door. "Open up!" a man's muffled voice came through the door. "Police!"
"The cops?!?" John blurted in horror. "Was I that loud?!?"
"Kinda..." Henry said with a pained expression. "I'll talk to them."
The police also wanted to talk to John, making the man embarrassed as he timidly related his account of what happened and made a profound apology to the officers. "You got pissed because your 'husband'," one of the officers said, glancing skeptically at Henry, "ate your snacks? Are you on drugs?"
"No!" John answered in outrage. "I'll submit to a drug test right now to prove it, if necessary! I just haven't been meditating lately. I won't let it happen again, I promise."
"But still," the other officer said, glancing at the mug fragments.
"We're Spartan, Sir," Henry replied. "We normally meditate every day to keep our instincts under control, but my husband has been skipping his lately without understanding the downside of not doing so regularly."
"Well don't let it happen again, or we'll take you to the station and you can meditate all you want in a cell," the first policeman said grimly to John, who nodded silently.
"You'd better see to your baby before we get called back out here," the second officer said firmly, looking towards the bedroom with a serious expression.
"Yes Sir," Henry said as the officers left.
John went into the bedroom, picked up the baby and soothed him gently until he stopped crying. "I'm sorry, Glenn," he said softly, hugging his child to him. "I promise I won't let myself lose control like that ever again. I don't want you to be scared of me. You either," he added, looking to Henry with tears in his eyes as the man he loved entered the room slowly.
Henry came over and hugged him gently. "I forgive you," he said. "I'll buy more ice cream and Red Vines tomorrow if it's that important to you," he teased gently, making John chuckle despite his lingering sense of shame. After Glenn was calmed, John went out to clean up the mess he'd made in the kitchen.
The next morning they awoke and meditated together, then John left for his shift at the temple early to pray to Apollo for assistance in making sure he kept his promise to meditate every day, with Apollo readily agreeing to lend His assistance to aid His son in maintaining control of himself...