I opened my eyes and saw nothing but a blue sky. I jolted upright, startled, because I was sure I was in the hospital. But when I looked around, I saw a wide, green flatland, with vines, creepers, roots, and grass moving with the wind. There were also flowers: sunflowers, poppies, daffodils, and lots of wheat. They were beautiful, but a shiver ran through my body — or my soul. I couldn't explain it.
Slowly turning my head, I saw a woman working the soil. She was tall, with lightly bronzed skin. Her hair looked like burnt gold and was tied back. She wore a simple green dress. Looking at that scene, I thought, Holy shit. I quickly covered my mouth.
She stopped working the soil, but didn't turn around. The air began to grow colder, and the vegetation grew around us.
"Interesting." Her voice was low, almost emotionless.
I tried to say something, but no sound came out. My vision began to darken.
"Stubborn."
It was the last thing I heard before blacking out. But it didn't last long, because I woke up coughing, almost choking. My breathing was heavy. I started to notice the place: it was simple, filled with the sound of machines.
I sat up in the bed. From my neck down to my waist, everything was wrapped in bandages. There was also an IV in my arm.
System, show my status.
[STATUS PANEL]
[NAME]: Caleb Thorne
[AGE]: 11 years old
[HP]: 100/100 (medical care, full recovery)
[STAMINA]: 45/50 (Ringer's solution / glucose)
[PARENT DIVINITY]: Demeter (Undetermined)
[CURRENT RANK]: F
Great. Going to the hospital was a good idea, but what do I do now? I only escaped because she was "playing" with me, since the system didn't warn that the mission was complete. She must be watching me.
While I was thinking about that, I heard a voice:
"My God, how are you still awake?"
Startled, I looked to the side. A nurse with black hair and black eyes, wearing a surprised expression, was standing there.
"Uh… I'm better. Do you know how long I've been here?"
"One day. You were badly injured. Dr. Smith said you would wake up in at least three days. It's a miracle you're alive and well."
"I see… the police officer, is he still here?"
"No. He talked about finding whoever was responsible and left. But your cousin is waiting for you. Do you want me to call him?"
I looked at her and said, "Yes, you can call him for me."
It shouldn't be a monster. He's waiting, and the hospital is full of people.
"I'll call him, wait here. Don't get up yet."
I stayed there, watching, my expression calm but my heart pounding fast. A few minutes later, the door opened. A slightly older boy walked in, wearing an old cap. He had on a gray shirt, loose beige pants, and big black sneakers. He was limping, but his face showed relief when he saw me.
He stopped, watching the nurse as she removed the IV. She checked my bandages, saw everything was fine, and smiled.
"Well, I'll leave you two alone."
"Thank you for everything."
She smiled and left. I looked at the boy who claimed to be my cousin.
"So… who are you? I don't remember having a cousin."
He stepped closer.
"I know you're scared. I am too, but listen first, okay? We need to leave. I know you must be confused right now, but there's no time to explain everything. I just want you to be okay."
I looked at him. Well, I didn't have much of a choice. "Alright."
He started helping me up.
"I know a place where people like you are safe, and where those monsters you see can't enter. But I need you to trust me."
Hmm… must be the camp. Is he a demigod or a satyr? He's not that old.
"Okay, do you know where my backpack is?"
"Yes, I grabbed it. It's on a chair outside. Let's go."
I picked up my backpack. My body still hurt, but I was fine. We walked through a crowded hallway, and unbelievably, no one noticed us. Apparently, monsters can't attack where there are a lot of people. Good to know.
He walked ahead, sniffing the air. We passed through a door with dancing letters and reached the parking lot.
"Come on. We need to move fast."
He walked ahead, a bit crooked, hopping occasionally. We reached the street.
"Let's take that bus."
Up ahead, there was a bus packed with people. He looked at the driver, a fat man with dark circles under his eyes, pulled out some bills, paid the fare, and got on. The smell inside the bus was bad, and we had to stand.
As the bus moved, I looked at him. Lennon was sniffing the air like a junkie.
"So… you know, we haven't even introduced ourselves. I'm Caleb. And you?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just taking precautions. I'll explain when we're safer. You can call me Lennon."
I nodded. Too much to process: my strange dream, which probably involved my mother, and the question of how gods work here. If it's anything like God of War, I'm fucked. Zeus was petty. I need to get stronger.
As minutes passed, the bus drove around the city, stopping at every stop. Some people got off, freeing up seats.
I sat by the window, but Lennon stayed standing, sniffing the air. He wouldn't stop tapping his foot. I grabbed my backpack, opened it, took out a bottle of water, and drank. The system beeped immediately. My stamina was now full.
A few hours passed, and I noticed that no one was getting on anymore — only getting off. That couldn't be normal.
The bus started leaving the city. I looked at Lennon. He was serious, staring forward, but I could see his body trembling.
"Is this right?"
I stood up and looked back. I could see the city fading away, but I also noticed a red silhouette, and that sent a chill through my body.
"Lennon, fuck, I think this bus is a trap."
"Our best chance is when the bus stops. Run to the right. Don't look back. No matter what you hear."
I looked at him. Lennon sniffed the air and pulled something out of his pocket. It looked like a flute, but not a normal one. It had several hollow tubes of different sizes, made of bamboo.
Looking at the forest far from the city gave me a bad feeling. As the minutes passed, the air grew colder, and the smell of sulfur returned. Looking ahead, I could already see the orange sky. The bus stopped, but the door didn't open.
"Lennon, what now?"
My voice came out as a whisper.
He didn't answer. I only saw him taking a stance, as if preparing to play the flute.
I started looking around, but froze when I heard heavy footsteps at the back of the bus. In the same moment, Lennon pulled me, and we switched places. He stood in front of me.
The driver slammed his head against the steering wheel. By reflex, I looked. He seemed to have passed out.
The footsteps grew heavier outside. She appeared in front of the door — same appearance, bronze legs and fiery hair. Her red eyes were fixed on me. Then, with her bronze leg, she kicked the door, destroying it, and entered with elegance.
"Awww, how cute. Being protected by a goat."
She started smiling with those teeth. In the same second, Lennon began to play the flute. I didn't look back. I lunged forward and jumped over the turnstile. I didn't waste time — I looked at the bus dashboard. On the right side of the steering wheel, there was a lever. I pulled it, and immediately the door started opening.
Looking back, Lennon was already running toward me with the flute in hand. He wasn't wearing pants. His legs looked like a goat's.
The empousa was already freeing herself from the root wrapped around her leg. The bitch pulled her bronze leg free with ease and started looking at us.
Lennon jumped over the turnstile without difficulty, and together we got off the bus. I didn't hesitate — I turned right and started running.
I began to hear Lennon's flute again. It felt like something was holding him. Should I help? No. He told me to run. I'm doing that.
My thoughts were cut off when something slammed into my back. I fell and rolled.
[WARNING: -05 HP]
When I got up, Lennon was kneeling in front of me, coughing up blood. I quickly stood in front of him.
"Hey, man, if you wanna stay alive, come on, get up."
"Don't worry about me… just ru—"
He didn't finish. He started coughing up more blood.
The monster stood there, staring at the flute on the ground, and with a smile, she crushed it. Then she started walking toward me.
Looking at that forest, I had a chance. Fuck it. I'm Demeter's son. This is my natural habitat.
"Ah, why fight me? Come on. Let's have some fun together."
My head started pounding, but I stayed focused on her, feeling the same energy. I needed something that could pierce her.
I didn't even blink. She was already beside me, her claw aiming for my neck. I managed to dodge, but in the same second she aimed a kick at my stomach. I jumped back, but still felt pain. It grazed me.
[WARNING: -10 HP]
I heard the system beep, but didn't pay attention.
"Lennon, the place is far."
No answer. That sent a chill down my spine. My expression looked calm, but I was truly afraid.
She started laughing.
"Do you know how surprised I was when you ran with those injuries? Broken ribs… and still survived after losing so much blood?"
She licked her lips and looked behind me with an even bigger smile.
"Your goat friend is already dying. His ribs are broken, his lung is punctured. He doesn't have the air to speak anymore. I don't know what you did to survive, but he'll die easily. You're a very rare prey. My charm doesn't work on you. Even the Dark Lady would be interested."
I wanted to run. I really did. But Lennon still had a chance to survive.
I already died once like an idiot. I won't die again like a coward.
I'd rather use everything I have to take this bitch down with me. I can use my power to land a decisive blow on her. I mimicked a boxing stance. I didn't know if it was right, but that's how it was online.
She seemed to be enjoying my choice — and ran straight at me.
I focused on my ADHD instincts. I just wanted to dodge until I found an opening to use my power. She attacked, aiming for my face. I dodged by crouching. In the same second, she opened her mouth downward and a jet of fire burst out.
I rolled to the side, dropped to my knees, and pressed my hand to the ground. I used my power. I expected a root or a spike to pierce her, but nothing happened.
"What did I do wrong?"
In that moment of distraction, she lunged forward and kicked me square in the head. I started rolling backward. My vision turned red. I couldn't breathe. I only heard a very annoying ringing in my ear. I didn't know if it was the system or if I'd gone deaf.
I heard her footsteps, slow. I felt a hand on my face. She wiped the blood from it.
"I want you to look at me while I rip off your arms and legs, and then start eating your entrails."
She slowly raised her arm, as if on purpose. Then she brought it down hard, hitting my stomach.
I opened my mouth to scream, but only blood came out. The pain was the worst thing I had ever felt. I could feel tears running down my face.
Her claws were tearing into my stomach, and worst of all… was that damn smile.