III: GOLD & GUILE 

Introduction

And with that the first story arc of Gravity Boys III begins, this time following our cherished Milo and Amir. As beautiful as their romance is, the world is becoming a stranger and more perilous place for mortals and demigods alike now that so many conflicts with demons on Earth have occurred. After all, Amir appeared in the wake of Kilton Reiss’ brutal torment of Hail Casimir and heard many stories the Moon Demon’s violent rampage following the unfortunate fate of his lover Remy Rocher. Now, however, an older and more worrisome threat has emerged in Cirogaan, the Servant of the Sun, or “The Golden One”. The world has perhaps never seen a creature so cunning and so wicked as Cirogaan. Could anyone really understand the full extent of his motivations or his capabilities? He was a genius, so it was said, yet vile to even some of his own kin for he was known to show no remorse in preying on what he often referred to as “lesser demons”. To him, of course, humans were much easier. Saa’ir Ayad had seen this firsthand and somehow survived Cirogaan’s evil if only within an inch of his life. It was he who first called out to Amir several years prior to what is now “present day”. But something other than Saa’ir stood in Cirogaan’s way for his endeavors on Earth this time: the demigods and their followers…and perhaps their loved ones. 

Cirogaan knew that as long as the barrier between Overneath and the rest of the world stood intact, demonkind would continue its seclusion. He longed to reveal himself and his brothers and sisters to humanity, if not only to prove their supremacy. He, however, faced an unfortunate complication. Despite his own potency, the energy he wielded was only refracted by the barrier. He could not destroy it on his own.

Meeting Milo

The first thing Amir noticed about Milo was his fiery red hair, then he met with a pair of inquisitive aqua-colored eyes looking up at him from behind a pair of round spectacles. They shared a brief moment of gazing that might have lasted a lifetime if time had only allowed. Then again, a lifetime for the demigod Amir might look quite different. Amir looked also upon a tattoo down the young man’s arm, forming a serpent emerging from a bouquet of roses. How curious…Milo had introduced himself, but may have been guilty of staring a little for Amir’s eyes were gleaming and golden like sunlight. For their first moment together, in some sort of daydreaming, Amir felt a peculiar twinge in his heart. It was a calling of sorts, if he only understood what that calling might have been.

When Amir's love for Milo was at its most powerful, he enacted the Soul Bond. In this they were joined and Milo protected from harm whilst they remained close to each other. 

The Golden One's Plans In Motion

Perhaps one of Cirogaan’s most unusual endeavors was to seek out the renowned enchanter Argos Sarantakos. Although Argos was mostly known (as a swindler) for selling minor luck and fortune enchantments all over Greece, the extent of his abilities were known to some as far greater. He did quite well for himself and was exactly the sort of dubious fellow that Cirogaan was looking for, someone…pliant, with a questionable moral line. When Cirogaan appeared to him, Argos was immediately enraptured by the demon’s wit and undeniable charm, though perhaps wary of such a creature that stood so high and wielded such a villainous smile. He was beautiful and fascinating. And terrifying. Even so, Argos was no match for Cirogaan, who took his hands and looked deep into his eyes. Argos was all but overtaken by the Golden One and felt his willpower crumbling. When it was done, the demon simply uttered, “There is work to be done.”

Meanwhile, Cirogaan had been so calculating in his watching over Amir and whom he now knew was his deliciously delicate lover, but he knew that Amir was vigilant and fiercely protective. He has learned of their Soul Bond; Milo would come to no harm while Amir was close. Still Cirogaan stood confident and so unbeknownst to either of them he loomed over their lives in the shadows, waiting patiently for his plan to unfold. How he longed to grasp Milo’s throat in the sight of Amir. They were anything but safe…

Argos too had been enthralled by the Golden One, who had given him a rather peculiar artifact: the Luminous Orb. Cirogaan had shown him that with it, he could manipulate the subconscious states of others. He had been commanded to infiltrate the dreams of Amir Tatakera, but this was a mere distraction. For some reason, Cirogaan's sights were set upon Amir’s young mortal lover Milo who lay next to him. Argos suspected that the intent was to lure Amir away from Milo as to weaken their Soul Bond, leaving Milo vulnerable. With the orb, he conjured the most beautiful images for Amir to revel in while in the shadows Cirogaan crept closer and closer.

Argos' purpose was nearly complete. 

Amir had strayed into a dream that was not entirely his own, and yet still it was all too familiar. About him whirled golden sands and shone in the distance the sun hung strangely dark, foreboding, a looming shadow passing over it. He felt another presence lurking and turned to see Milo standing before him. Milo looked as beautiful as ever and yet wore expressions of both affection and deep concern. He pleaded that Amir follow him into the light. Amir did so with little hesitation even despite being wary of the strange feeling creeping up his spine. Away they went together. Somehow, however, Amir felt Milo getting farther and farther away at the same time. Just where are we going?, he thought. 

Still farther...

There was no hinderance yet to the Golden One’s plan to mold the world for he had quiet and cunning in his scheming. He was at once a bright light and an illusive shadow upon the wall. While Argos’ trick lead Amir ever more astray, Cirogaan was at last free to pluck Milo from their bed with no great semblance of the Soul Bond there to protect him. Away they went to Overneath. Cirogaan grinned to think that Amir would return to find Milo gone, to know that his move had won, to know that the demigod would despair in his loss. Yes, the plot was as yet perfect. How he longed for the next chapter.

There was dissent among some of Cirogaan's kin as to his intentions. In particular, Arturo objected to Milo's abduction and being brought to Overneath. They argued and even locked horns more than once, but Cirogaan wielded a strength that Arturo could not overpower.

Milo had been wandering aimlessly for what must have been days upon days in the Overneath as he had seemingly been turned loose in the wilds, he knew nothing familiar there and remained in hiding where he could. Though it was a fascinating place, Milo missed the comforts of home and most of all the warmth of his dearest Amir. He had never really prayed until now, keeping faith that Amir would find him and carry him back into the light again. Light…there was a great light before him! He called out Amir’s name, but it was not his mighty beloved that appeared. It was Cirogaan the Golden, burning like a star so close in Milo’s eyes. Cirogaan was beautiful, glorious, and altogether terrifying. 

Strangely, the creature smiled at him as he gripped his neck in one hand. In that moment, Milo welled with peril and despair for the feeling in his heart that the enemy had won. Amir’s ancient rival would claim his victory. In the moments following, after a swift flick of the demon’s hand, Milo was deadMilo had been wandering aimlessly for what must have been days upon days in the Overneath as he had seemingly been turned loose in the wilds, he knew nothing familiar there and remained in hiding where he could. Though it was a fascinating place, Milo missed the comforts of home and most of all the warmth of his dearest Amir. He had never really prayed until now, keeping faith that Amir would find him and carry him back into the light again. Light…there was a great light before him! He called out Amir’s name, but it was not his mighty beloved that appeared. It was Cirogaan the Golden, burning like a star so close in Milo’s eyes. Cirogaan was beautiful, glorious, and altogether terrifying. Strangely, the creature smiled at him as he gripped his neck in one hand. In that moment, Milo welled with peril and despair for the feeling in his heart that the enemy had won. Amir’s ancient rival would claim his victory. 

In the moments following, after a swift flick of the demon’s hand, Milo was dead.

The power of Amir’s Soul Bond rushed from Milo’s body and pelted the sky, breaking open the long standing membrane that had hidden the Overneath from humankind for ages. The surge was exactly the kind of force that Cirogaan needed. Knowing his triumph, he again smiled and disappeared into the night...