When Lucian regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a soft bed. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and he could hear the faint sound of running water somewhere nearby. He tried to sit up, but his body protested, every muscle aching from the fight.

"Easy now," a familiar voice said. "You've been through quite an ordeal."

Lucian turned his head to see the Whisperer sitting in a chair beside the bed. She held a cup of steaming liquid in her hands, which she offered to him.

"Drink this," she said. "It will help restore your strength."

He hesitated, eyeing the cup. "How do I know it's not poison?"

The Whisperer laughed. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of patching you up. Besides, you're far more valuable to me alive."

Lucian took the cup and took a sip. The liquid was bitter but not unpleasant, and he felt a warmth spreading through his body as he drank.

"Where's Stephanos?" he asked.

"Your friend is fine. He's resting in another room. You'll be able to see him soon."

He took another sip before asking, "And Mira?"

"Also recovering. You did quite a number on her, but she'll live. She's tougher than she looks."

Lucian set the cup aside. "You said you had answers for me."

"I do."

"I want to know everything."

"You did give me the item I asked for. So fair is fair. What is your question?"

"Who are you?"

The Whisperer leaned back, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "First, I need you to understand something. The world you think you know is just the surface. There are depths to reality that most people never glimpse, forces at work that shape the fate of nations and individuals alike."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the truth, Lucian. The truth about who you are, where you come from, and the destiny that awaits you. Are you ready to hear it?"

Lucian hesitated, a part of him wanting to dismiss her words as the ravings of a madwoman. But another part, a deeper part, recognized the ring of truth in her voice.

He nodded and said, "Tell me everything you know."

"Very well. Let’s start with your mother. I guess you already know who she is, the goddess Artemis."

"Yes."

"But what you do want to know is how I know her, correct?"

"Yes. How did you know my mother?"

"She saved my life."

"What? How? When?"

The Whisperer stood and walked to the window. "It was a long time ago. Your mother and I... we were both on a slave ship, traveling to another part of Greece."

"You were a slave?"

She turned back to him. "Before, yes. I was sold from my family when I was just a child."

"Shit," Lucian muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I had no idea. I'm sorry."

"No worries. It was another life. But yes, Ianthe and I were both captives on that ship."

"You didn’t talk to each other that time?"

"What for? It’s not really a place for socializing."

"That’s true. Forget I asked. Then what happened?"

"The ship we were sailing on crashed. Ianthe and I... we tried to survive on the island we washed up on."

"How long were you stuck there?"

"A long time. Longer than you'd believe."

"How’d you guys survive?"

She paused as if the memories were rising up like specters from a forgotten realm. "We hunted, we gathered, and we learned to read the land and the sea."

"Only you two?"

She went back to her seat. "No, there are other survivors with us. A lot. Ianthe was...something extraordinary. Even then, she had this presence, this aura about her that I can’t explain."

"And then what?"

"Mutiny happened, against us slaves and some of the crew that had survived. They thought they could rule, turn the island into their own little kingdom. It was brutal. But we fought back, and your mother hit back hard against them. Without her, I wouldn’t be alive today."

"Hit back? How?"

"Well, she is Artemis in human form. How do you think she hit back? With her bow and arrow of course. And let me tell you, she wielded them like extensions of her own will. Her eyes would find the tiniest gap on an enemy’s armor and would hit it, even in a far distance. It was as if she became the huntress of legend right before our eyes."

"Wow."

"Wow is not enough to describe her. Your mother wasn't just a warrior; she was a leader. She gathered those of us who remained and formed a semblance of order amidst chaos. We built shelters, fortified our position, and planned for rescue."

"What happened to the mutineers?"

"Defeated and fled into the island's interior."

"That’s odd. What I don’t understand is why she still became a slave in Sparta despite having the skill to get herself free."

"She may have told me once that reason."

"What’s the reason?"

"She said that she’s running away from someone dangerous."

"Someone? Who?"

"She didn’t tell me," the Whisperer shook her head. "She just said it’s best to keep it a secret. And in order not to be suspicious, she lived as a slave. No one ever looks at a slave in these lands."

"But why Sparta?"

She shrugged. "Maybe because it’s the most secure place she could think of."

His mother, running from someone dangerous? Was it another god she feared? Or something even more sinister? He pictured her, fierce and powerful, yet choosing to hide in plain sight as a slave. The contrast struck him – a warrior goddess reduced to servitude, all to escape some unknown threat.

His thoughts scattered as a commotion erupted outside the door. His head snapped up, meeting the Whisperer's sudden gaze. The noise grew louder – shouts, the thud of bodies against wood.

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The door flew open with a bang and Stephanos burst in while two guards grappled with him, struggling to hold him back.

"I need to see Lucian!" He bellowed, straining against the guards' grip. "It's important, damn it!"

The Whisperer raised a hand. "It’s ok. Release him," she commanded. "Let him approach."

The guards hesitated before releasing their grip on the Spartan, causing him to stumble forward then getting back again. "Yeah, you back away you jerks," he yelled, pointing a finger at them. "You’re lucky I wasn’t fighting back. I’m talking to you big guy!" He turned to Lucian and his companion. "So, you must be the Whisperer. I must admit I was a bit surprised."

"And why is that?" She asked. "Was it perhaps you’re assuming that I’ll be a man."

"Well, yeah. Everyone in this city thinks you’re a man. They always refer to you as a ‘he’ not a ‘she’."

"It was intentional."

"Yeah, I got that. For safety reasons, right?"

"Correct."

"Smart," Stephanos winked at her. "Lucian, have you asked her about the Persians?"

"Oh, I almost forgot," he went back to the Whisperer. "I was meaning to ask you about the Persians here in Selybria. One of the scouts that Sparta sent was killed."

"And you assume that it was the Persians that did it?"

"I’m not sure. Was it?"

"According to my sources, Persia has nothing to do with it."

"Could it be that your sources are wrong?" Stephanos asked.

The Whisperer's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "My sources are solid."

Lucian felt tension crackling in the air and quickly interjected, "If the Persians didn't do it, then who did?"

Her gaze shifted to Lucian. "I don't know who killed the scout, but I might have an idea who to ask."

"Who?"

"Aristos and Kyra, the twin fishmongers down by the docks. They might know something."

Stephanos scoffed. "For an informant such as yourself. I would have assumed you'd be better informed."

"For a Spartan that got caught by my guards. I expected more."

His mouth opened, then closed again. Stephanos looked away, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Lucian quickly stepped in, hoping to salvage the situation. "Thank you for the information. We appreciate your help."

"You’re welcome. And one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Would you mind if we spoke privately for a moment?"

"Uhm, sure."

Then, both of them looked at Stephanos. The Spartan's eyes widened, and he pointed at himself. "Me?"

Their silent stares continued, making it clear that yes, they meant him.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted." He headed for the door, muttering under his breath. "Just don't forget about me when you're done with your secret chat."

Once the door closed behind him, the Whisperer's demeanor changed. She leaned in. "Do you remember the item you stole from the merchant?"

"Yeah, of course. Why?"

"It's a key."

"A key? To what?"

The Whisperer paused, as if weighing her words carefully. "It's a key to a secret place. A place of immense power and significance."

"What kind of place are we talking about here?"

"It's a key to a door that leads to Olympus."

"Olympus? You're shitting me, right?"

"I'm afraid not. I've been searching for that key for a very long time. And now that it's finally in my possession, I want you to have it."

Lucian's mind reeled. "Hold on, hold on. Let me get this straight. You're telling me that little piece of metal I stole can open a door to the home of the gods? And now you want to give it to me? Why would you do that?"

"Because the key only responds to a god. And that would be you. It's time for you to embrace your true nature. The key is yours now. What you choose to do with it is up to you. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. And great danger."

"Danger? What kind of danger?"

"There are forces at work in this world that would do anything to possess that key. Gods, monsters, mortals with delusions of grandeur. You'll need to be careful."

"Why me? Why not keep it to yourself?"

"Because it's your birthright. And because I believe you're the one who can use it. The gods have been absent from this world for too long. Perhaps it's time for that to change."

"And what if I don't want this responsibility? What if I just want to live a normal life?"

"I'm afraid that was never an option for you."

"Why?"

The Whisperer stood up, her gaze drawn to the carvings that adorned the walls of the room. Lucian followed her eyes, taking in the detailed depictions of gods and mythical creatures etched into the stone.

"These carvings," she began, her fingers tracing the outline of a figure that looked suspiciously like Zeus, "they remind us of the power that exists beyond our mortal realm. But they also serve as a warning of the dangers that come with such power."

Lucian shifted on the bed. "What are you getting at?"

She turned back to face him. "The key you stole, the one I asked you to retrieve... I didn't just want it for myself. I was trying to keep it out of the hands of someone very dangerous here in Selybria."

"Dangerous? Who are we talking about here?"

She shook her head. "That's the problem. I don't know their identity. But I believe it's the same person your mother has been evading all these years."

"So, you're telling me there's some mystery person in Selybria who's after this key and has been chasing my mother? And you don't know who they are?"

"That's correct. And that's where you come in, Lucian. I need your help to find this person."

"What the hell am I supposed to do? I'm not exactly an investigator, that’s Stephanos."

"You have something far more valuable than that. You have the power to sense them."

"Sense them?"

"Only gods can sense the presence of other gods nearby. And you, whether you've realized it or not, have that ability."

"Hold up. Are you saying the person my mother's been running from is a god?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

Lucian ran a hand through his hair. "This is insane. There's another god running around Selybria, trying to get their hands on this key?"

"Haven't you ever felt something... different? A presence you couldn't explain? A sense of power that seemed to come from nowhere?"

He remembered the moments when Linus was by his side, and how he would experience sudden flashbacks and headaches. It’s as if he could sense his uncle’s presence every time he approached.

"Okay, let's say I believe you," Lucian said. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"I want you to help me find this god. We need to know who they are and what they're planning. With the key in play, the stakes are higher than ever."

"This is crazy. I'm not equipped for this kind of thing. I'm a slave, not a soldier."

"You're more than just a slave. You're the son of Artemis. This is your heritage, your destiny."

"Destiny?" he scoffed. "I didn't ask for any of this. I just wanted to serve Sparta, maybe find out more about my mother. I didn't sign up for a damn divine treasure hunt."

"None of us chose our destinies. But we can choose how we face them. This isn't just about you anymore. If this god gets their hands on that key, who knows what chaos they could unleash?"

Lucian fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. He thought of his mother, of the life she'd lived in hiding. He thought of his sister, his friends and the other Spartans, of the people of Selybria going about their lives, unaware of the divine drama unfolding in their midst.

"How did you know it was a god that’s trying to chase my mother?"

"Lucian, you don’t really have to think too far for the answer to that question. It’s pretty obvious."

"What is?"

"If there’s only one thing gods fear, it's another god. And this god, whoever it is, must be a terrifying one, because it got Artemis escaping Olympus and into the human world. She even went to becoming a slave."

She’s right. What caused Artemis to escape Olympus? What was so terrifying that a goddess would forsake her immortality to live among mortals? Who is this god? Was it Hades? Was it Poseidon? Zeus? Who? What happened to Olympus that his mother had to escape?

"I’ve been tracking this person for a while," she continued. "Trying to find out more about them. So far, my methods have failed."

"How do you even know they're looking for my mother?"

"It's simple. They asked around about her."

"Asked around like ‘Hey, have you seen Artemis? You know, that woman who’s really good at shooting stuff?’ Like that?"

She chuckled. "Something like that, yes. They’ve been cautious but persistent, asking just enough questions to raise concern without arousing suspicion. A farmer here, a merchant there. Always looking for pieces of a puzzle only they can see."

"I see. Let me ask you this," he pressed on. "What’s in it for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you get out of this? Do you get more drachmas or something? Power? More land?"

"That’s a good question. Would you believe me if I said that I’m doing this to save mankind?"

"No. Not really. There has to be an angle on your part."

"There is."

"What’s that?"

"There is no point in ruling a kingdom without any subjects. In short, if a war of the gods started, mankind will cease to exist, that includes my kingdom. That’s unacceptable to me."

Lucian nodded. "Ok. Fine," he said at last. "I'll help you. But I'm not making any promises. And I want to know everything you know about this. No secrets."

"Of course. We're in this together now. And Lucian?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. I know this isn't easy, but you're doing the right thing."

He let out a long breath. "I hope you're right. Because if you're wrong, we might be unleashing something we can't control."

"That's a risk we'll have to take," she said. "Now, let's get started. We have a god to find."