A Demigod's Awakening

Jason Wells was a typical college sophomore. Nothing really stood out about him, aside from the fact that he somehow had managed to keep a relationship with head cheerleader Lexi throughout high school and now, despite his average looks..

Jason went to school full-time and worked part-time at the same diner Lexi did. He never met his birth mother, who left after he was born, and his father had died in a car crash when he was 17, leaving him with just his stepmother Eloise and her daughter Selena, who was Jason's age.

After Jason's father died, Eloise and Selena ensured they got as much money from his will as possible, and told Jason in no uncertain terms that he was only living with them because they were 'nice'. But once college started, he was out. Now he lived in a dorm on campus.

As for Selena, well, she was trying to be an influencer. In fact, she was a bit of a ditz who couldn't read or write past an eighth grade level.

One night, while in his dorm, Jason suddenly felt someone watching him. He turned around to see a beautiful woman standing behind him.

"Hello, my son," she said.

"Mom?" Jason asked.

The woman smiled. "Yes, Jason. I am Aphrodite, your mother."

"The Greek goddess of love?" Jason asked. "You guys still exist?"

Aphrodite laughed. "Of course we do. But many of us haven't had any relations with mortals in centuries. I was the exception. Your father, unlike most of the humans we fuck, was a plain, ordinary guy. But that's what made him perfect."

"Perfect for what?"

"why, for passing down my powers," said Aphrodite. "Godly powers are most likely to manifest in people who won't be influential in their lives. But yours haven't awakened yet, have they?"

"I don't think so," said Jason.

"That won't do!" said Aphrodite. "Hold my hand, son."

Jason did. He felt he could trust everything Aphrodite was saying.

He felt a quick jolt of static burst through his palms. "Ah!" he cried, pulling back.

"There," said Aphrodite. "Now, Jason, you can make as many world-altering changes as you wish. Simply speak or think it into existence, and it will be."

"That's it?" Jason asked. "No catch?"

"None," said Aphrodite. "A few thousand years ago, maybe, but not now."

"Wait," said Jason. "Why did you leave?"

Aphrodite got a sad, wistful look on her face. "Because Zeus has forbidden us from seeking mortal companionship. He and Hera are going through one of their millenia-long spats again, so my hands were tied."

"How do I know you really are my mom?"

Aphrodite smiled. "That girl you're seeing, Lexi? Major hottie, by the way. I approve. Haven't you wondered why she's into someone like you?"

"Yeah,"

"It's because you're my son," said Aphrodite. "Some of my powers are embedded in you. You probably dreamed of having her at some point, and that manifested itself into reality."

"So our relationship is fake?" Jason asked.

"No," said Aphrodite. "She had a crush on you before. If you were to start dating her now that your powers are fully awakened, then yes, it would be fake. But what you have with her is genuine."

She kissed his cheek. "I have to go now, Jason. Before Zeus catches on. But if you ever need me..."

A sparkling gold business card appeared in her hands. She handed it to Jason. "Call that number. I'll be here as quick as Hermes can get me here."

"How do I know my powers work?" Jason asked as she began to fade away.

"Test them out," said Aphrodite. "Anything you say or think will happen, if they've awakened. And I mean anything."

And just like that, she was gone. Just as fast as she entered his life, she was gone again. The only sign she was real was the business card in his hand.

"I guess I'm a demigod now?" Jason asked aloud.

He couldn't just accept that, though. He had to take his powers for a test drive.