The sun rose over the village, but the light felt dimmer than usual — heavy, almost burdened. Smoke from the fires still curled in the air, a reminder of the chaos that had nearly swallowed them whole.
Dion stood in the middle of the square, silent as the villagers gathered around him. Children peeked from behind their mothers' robes; men kept their distance, eyes full of a mixture of gratitude and fear. Word of what he'd said the night before — that the gods themselves may one day descend — had spread like wildfire.
A few bowed their heads in respect, others whispered behind trembling hands. He could almost hear their thoughts.
"Did he really say war with the gods?"
"Can even Hercules fight them?"
"If Zeus has fallen… then what hope do we have?"
Their fear pressed against his chest like a stone.
Selina stood beside him, her expression soft but uneasy. "You did what you had to," she murmured. "They needed the truth."
"Did they?" Dion's voice cracked slightly. "Look at them, Selina. I think I just took away their peace."
She looked at him, eyes bright with quiet worry. "Or maybe you gave them something better — a reason to fight for themselves."
He wanted to believe her. But every time he met a villager's gaze, he saw the same look — worship and dread. Like they saw him as both savior and omen.
A small boy ran up to him, clutching a wooden toy sword. "Lord Hercules! I'll fight with you when I grow up!" he shouted proudly. His mother hurried forward, bowing low. "Forgive him, my lord, he—"
Dion smiled faintly and knelt. "No need. You're brave, little warrior." He handed the boy a small silver coin — one of the few he kept from his old life, a thief's coin turned token of hope. "Keep this. For luck."
The boy's face lit up. For a moment, Dion felt warmth bloom in his chest — the kind that reminded him why he fought.
Selina watched from a few feet away, smiling. But when Dion caught her gaze, she quickly looked down. She'd been quieter since the battle. Sometimes he caught her staring at him — not with admiration, but something else. Wonder? Doubt? Maybe both.
Lykos appeared from the side, his usual easy grin dimmed. He carried a few scrolls under his arm, the ones he'd been studying. "They're still shaken," he said quietly. "But they'll calm down. People fear what they don't understand."
Dion sighed. "And what if even I don't understand it?"
Lykos looked at him for a moment, searching his face as if trying to read the truth hiding behind his eyes. Then he forced a small smile. "Then we'll figure it out together. Like always."
⸻
By afternoon, the square had cleared. Villagers returned to their homes, murmuring prayers. Selina helped mend broken fences with the children. Dion found himself sitting by the well, staring into the water — at the reflection of a man he wasn't sure he recognized.
They see Hercules, he thought. But all I see is Dion.
The reflection wavered in the ripples. His own eyes looked tired — not from battle, but from the weight of pretending.
"Deep thoughts for a god," came a voice behind him.
Dion turned. Lykos was there, leaning on a post, arms crossed. He wasn't smiling this time.
"Didn't mean to disturb," Lykos said, walking closer. "But you've been sitting here for an hour."
"Just… thinking," Dion muttered.
"About the villagers?"
"About everything." Dion looked up. "If Zeus has fallen, if the gods are at war with themselves… What are we supposed to do? I told these people to be ready for a war they might never survive."
Lykos sat beside him, setting down the scrolls. "They'll follow you," he said simply. "Because you're Hercules."
The name hit Dion like a blow. He clenched his fists. "You keep saying that like it means something."
Lykos tilted his head, studying him carefully. "It does. But not in the way you think."
Silence hung between them for a while — broken only by the distant sound of children laughing. Then, quietly, Lykos said, "You're not him… are you?"
Dion froze. His breath caught.
Lykos's tone wasn't accusing. If anything, it was gentle — almost understanding. "I've seen you hesitate. The real Hercules never hesitated. I've seen you speak to people like one of them — not above them. You bleed like a man, think like a man." He gave a faint, crooked smile. "You're too human to be divine."
Dion looked away, jaw tight. "Lykos…"
The young scholar raised his hand. "Don't bother denying it. I don't know how or why, but I think… you were reborn. Maybe the gods brought you back for a reason. Maybe not."
Dion's heart pounded. The words stung — not because they were false, but because they were true.
"You're not going to tell anyone," Dion said, voice low.
Lykos shook his head. "Of course not." He gave a small laugh. "You think I'd ruin the hope of an entire village? Nah. Your secret's safe with me."
Dion turned toward him, eyes narrowing slightly. "Why?"
"Because I trust you," Lykos said simply. "Whoever you were before, you're not that person now. You saved these people. You saved me. That's all that matters."
For the first time in a long while, Dion felt something inside him ease — not relief, but acceptance.
Lykos stood, brushing off his hands. "Besides," he added with a smirk, "if we're really heading for a war with gods, I'll need someone like you watching my back. Whether you're Hercules or not."
Dion chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're insane."
"Maybe," Lykos said, grinning. "But you're stuck with me."
He started walking back toward the village. Dion watched him go, the faint smile still on his lips.
The villagers were lighting torches now, preparing for nightfall. Their shadows stretched across the ground like fading ghosts.
Dion looked up at the darkening sky. Clouds rolled over the sun, and thunder rumbled faintly in the distance — a sound that felt almost like a warning.
Zeus… or whoever you've become, he thought, clenching his fists, I'll be ready.
Then he turned toward the village lights, whispering to himself,
"Maybe I wasn't born a hero… but I'll die trying to be one."
And as he walked back into the glow of the fires, Lykos's voice echoed faintly behind him — calm, steady, loyal.
"Your secret's safe with me, Dion… Hercules."