Darkness. Endless darkness.
A suffocating feeling swept through my body. I suddenly opened my eyes and gasped violently. My chest seemed to be pressed down by a huge rock, and every breath was like struggling in the mud. A low roar came from my ears, like ancient thunder echoing in the void.
Am I...dead?
My consciousness is still hazy, and my memory is fragmented like shards. I vaguely remember the car accident, the screams of brake failure, the violent shaking of the steering wheel, and the blinding white light. Then, everything returned to darkness. But now, this place is neither hell nor heaven, but more like... a chaotic realm full of unknowns.
Suddenly, a deep and majestic voice sounded in the void: "You are finally awake."
I looked up suddenly and saw a figure standing in the chaos. He was wearing a robe as dark as the night, and his face was blurry, as if light and shadow were intertwined. His eyes were unfathomable, reflecting countless broken dreams, sometimes changing, sometimes intertwining.
"I am Hypnos, the Lord of Night, son of Nex, the god of dreams and sleep." His voice seemed to have existed since the beginning of the world. "And you, Arcadios, are a stranger chosen by fate."
Arcadios...
I was stunned for a moment, then I realized that this was my new name. It was like a call from the depths of my soul, with some ancient power, closely connected to my existence at this moment. I still remember where I came from, but my past identity can no longer define me.
"Stranger?" I frowned, my voice a little hoarse.
Hypnos stared at me quietly and continued, "You have been granted the status of a third-class god. From today on, you are a part of Greek mythology."
godhead? !
I suddenly looked down at myself and found that my body was different from that of an ordinary person. My skin was pale and flawless, and my fingertips were faintly filled with a faint golden glow. A strange yet familiar power was flowing in my body. I could feel a certain connection between this power and the world. It was not as fragile as a mortal body, but more like an existence in mythology.
However, what really shocked me was Hypnos' next words -
"Your ministry is about journeys, choices, guiding the lost... and judging the lost."
Journey? Choice? Guidance for the lost? Judgment?
An indescribable mystical knowledge flooded into my mind. I seemed to see countless intersecting roads and those travelers who were wandering at the crossroads of fate. They were eager to move forward, but they didn't know where to go. In the fog, I seemed to be able to feel my own existence - a guide who pointed out the direction, a judge who decided the direction at the critical moment.
The last word "judgment" made me feel my own aggressive authority. Not only can I guide those who are lost, but I can also cut off the threads of fate that should not exist when necessary.
I raised my hand involuntarily, and a ray of light golden light appeared in my palm. It was gentle but majestic, with a certain sacred meaning, and at the same time concealed a sharp edge.
Hypnos still stared at me with a deep gaze: "Are you willing to accept this priesthood?"
At this moment, I have vaguely understood my situation. I am no longer the mortal I once was, but a member of Greek mythology, a being with godhood and priesthood. This is not Earth, but a world full of gods, heroes, and monsters.
With no choice, I took a deep breath and nodded slowly.
"I do."
Instantly, the heavens and the earth trembled, and an invisible wave spread out from my body, as if announcing the birth of a new god. I could clearly feel that my connection with the world became closer, and the power of destiny slowly flowed through me.
However, before I could fully adapt, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended from the sky!
The chaos in the distance was torn apart by the golden lightning, and a magnificent aura swept in, like a king dominating the world, with irresistible majesty and scrutiny. At that moment, my divine instinct trembled.
——Olympus's gaze has fallen on me!
I looked up and saw thunder rolling in the sky. There seemed to be a tall figure in the clouds overlooking everything. Although he didn't actually come, the breathtaking pressure was enough to let me know who the person was.
Zeus, Lord of Olympus, controller of gods and thunder!
"Newborn god..." A thunderous voice rolled down from the sky, with a hint of scrutiny, "Where are you from?"
I clenched my fists tightly. Although I was shocked, I managed to keep myself calm. I am no longer a human, but a god. Even if I am only a third-class god, I should not show cowardice at this moment.
Just as I was thinking about how to answer, Hypnos said calmly: "He is destined by fate, Zeus, you should understand."
Zeus was silent for a moment, and then the lightning above the sky gradually dissipated, and the terrifying pressure also slowly receded.
"In this case, Olympus will pay attention to his future." Zeus' voice was still low, but he did not forcefully probe. "Newborn god, may your divine power bring guidance to the world."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sky closed, the thunderclouds dissipated, and Zeus's will completely disappeared.
However, I knew that from this moment on, I was known to Olympus.
This is just the beginning of the journey, and the future... will be full of unknown challenges.