<center>![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/nichebezarius/23tbqC2v9vFc2Lh2k4hQS4xVBoyjSMeYHXNvAcpgzBhjyu9mc4o48xG8YWCSiTNxuXNfS.png)</center>
<a href="(![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/nichebezarius/23tbqC2v9vFc2Lh2k4hQS4xVBoyjSMeYHXNvAcpgzBhjyu9mc4o48xG8YWCSiTNxuXNfS.png))">Source: Unsplash</a>

I was going in and out of consciousness, but I’m pretty sure there were people hovering over me. I could only guess they were my father, my friends or a doctor. I felt so weak and tired, and very powerless. Emphasis on the last one. There was only one time when I felt such a way; it was three years ago, after I was poisoned by a manticore.

Now that was one dreadful experience, but that's another story.

*‘I guess I got poisoned this time too.’* I thought to myself, though I’m pretty sure I was in yet another dream.

I was sitting on a very familiar acacia tree branch. It was big enough to lie down on and just enjoy the cool air in the surroundings. Not that far from where I am was a mansion. It was a modern mansion with about four floors, not including the sub-levels. The mansion was something I recognized from my childhood and the pictures my dad used to send to me once in a while. 

“Nice place.” I heard a voice say just above me. I looked up and saw a familiar pair of dazzling blue eyes and dark brown hair.

“Hermes.” I called.

“Did you get to your destination okay?”

“I guess. I haven’t really checked yet. Thank you for helping us by the way. Also, did you really have to drop us in front of my dad? In the middle of a meeting?”

“Well, it would’ve been more dangerous if I left you at the gates, you know.”

*‘He does have a point.’* I thought after I realized his intentions.

“So, why are you crashing my dream? Or are you the one who brought me here?” I questioned, not even looking at him.

“A bit of both actually. Your dreams always feature the ocean so I thought why not change it into something… familial? Or rather, something on the land.”

“I guess. So… what do you need?”

“What makes you think I need something?”

“Don’t gods contact mortals when they need something?”

“I… I suppose.”

“So?”

I waited for what seemed like hours for Hermes to say something. His eyes were shifty and I could see it on his face that he was debating whether he wanted to say what he wanted to say, or not. 

“Spill it, Hermes.”

“Okay. Look, as you are aware, I am a ladies man-“

“Don’t try to sound like Apollo.”

“Right, but I do have my moments you know?” I shrugged my shoulders at the god who took it as a sign to keep talking. “So, I got like a lot of kids and I probably have more.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, already drawing a conclusion of what he was trying to say.

“So what I’m saying is-“

“You have a demigod child somewhere and you want me, well us, to help him get to the Academy.” I said, cutting him off.

“Well, not mine… technically.”

*‘Huh? Technically? Don’t tell me…’ *

All of a sudden, Hermes’ form flickered. His laid-back aura with and his windswept hair changed into someone who had a more serious and more domineering one. His hair was slicked back, like a certain National Hero, and his casual clothes changed into that of a suit.

“Mercury.” I said out loud.

“Yes… well I had to lead you on so you can think of my Roman counterpart, and so that I can change my form.”

“Smart. So… your child?”

“Yes. A son to be exact.”

“You want us to retrieve him?” I asked.

“No… I want you to save him.” he sounded solemn, very different from his Greek form. “He had been abducted by an organization, their symbol is that of a snake, do not worry, you will know of it soon. My son has been through so much… He watched… his mother was murdered in front of him. And right now, that despicable man wants to mold him into the perfect loyal hunting dog for the snakes.”

“Then smite him. From what I can guess with your words, your son got abducted and is now being trained by a mafia organization. The mafia had always been the guardians of the mystical side of the world.”

“I cannot. The snake has only newly emerged and is therefore not part of the Abyss Faction. At least not yet.”

“They’re with the Surface Faction then. Huh, you definitely cannot interfere with them then.”

“Yes. And they are causing headaches for your father and his ravens”

I couldn’t help but groan in annoyance.

“I shall heal you of your injuries once you wake up. Unfortunately, I cannot get rid of the poison in your system. Somehow my powers cannot interfere with it.”

“A snake’s venom is dangerous and complicated.” I agreed. “Especially when a bigger and more dangerous snake helps it.”

“The rogue god.” I heard him mutter. “Be careful Mira, this god… He is not of the Greek or the Roman, but he is cunning and dangerous. More than I or even my Greek counterpart. Once you figure out who the rogue god is, you will know what to do. The blood of the god slayers that run in your veins shall aid you if things come to worst.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I sighed. “I suppose I should wake up now.”

“Indeed. Good luck Mira, and may Fortuna be with you.”

Everything suddenly got blurry and before I knew it, I woke up with a gasp.


*-To be continued...*