Leon POV

"Since you decided to be all smart, can't I just use this session for some info then?"

"Sure, unlike you, I am very smart." Viper answered.

"Alright, Viper, since you're the expert, so what types of gods exist, the Greeks? Norse...I’ve been thinking about these gods and there are so many myths, different versions of them. What’s the deal with that? Like, which myth is real?"

"First they all exist, and second...Every myth you’ve heard, every version of a god, they’re all real."

"All of them?"

"Yes, all of them. You see, each version of a god you’ve heard about existed at one point, but over time, they merged into a single, more powerful being. All the Zeus versions, for example, became one Zeus, and so on for every other god out there. So, all those stories you’ve heard? They all happened, just in different versions of reality, and now they’re united in their strongest form."

"Interesting. So, these gods are even more powerful now, huh? Makes sense why they’re so hard to deal with. But what about defeating them? Is there any way to take them down?"

"Well, in their current state, regular mortals, of any race, don’t stand a chance. The gods are too powerful, far beyond what they were in the old times. However...there’s one exception."

"And that is?"

"Demigods. They’re the only beings capable of standing up to the gods now. Since they carry divine blood, they have a chance, however slim, to challenge a god. But for regular mortals? Forget it. Those days are long gone."

"If demigods are the only ones who can take on these gods, where do I find them? I mean, are there any demigods around here who are actually willing to fight a god?"

"If you’re looking for demigods, your best bet is Elysium. That’s where most of them end up, the ones who’ve managed to survive this long. But getting there isn’t exactly easy, you’d have to earn a god’s favor or something like that."

"But, if you’re not looking to jump through those kinds of hoops, there’s another option. Some of the prisoners here, the ones categorized as ‘risk’ or ‘danger,’ they’re likely to be demigods too. They’ve usually done something to get on the gods’ bad side, and that’s why they’re considered more dangerous or simply, like you, they rejected the offer to become a hero, which is a stupid thing, why can't you just accept the easiest job in the world?"

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"Because I got family that I can't abandon? And I don't want to risk my life for people of a different world?"

"...Fair...but it's still stupid of you...you could have wished to go back, it would take 5 years at longest to get back home...now, it'll take that minimum just to get out."

"...5 years minimum?"

"The end exists, we know that. So...that should eliminate a hundred years of an escape journey since the only escapee spent at least that much time just to know the end exists, and escaping is possible, what to do to reach the end...that's the mystery, but the escape proved that demigods can beat gods...and that the gods have information, it's just who you have to beat it out of is the question, but you'd want to start with Hermes, the guy knows a lot due to his traveling experience, he'd hear a lot of things, and he's probably one of the best on the subject, so if you can get the methods out of him, that should eliminate decades of time."

"Isn't it suspicious that you know all of this?"

"Oh, an old buddy of mine was obsessed with escaping, and he spent about 50 years just to get that, he tried to ambush Hermes about 200 years ago with a large group of people, but he was easily killed." Viper just shrugged as if ambushing a god was a regular occurrence.

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On my way back, I stopped by the shop and used all the coins I had left on a pillow, a blanket, and an AC. I also bought a book on the stories of Hermes as I tried my best to relax in this hell. I got to my cell, talked with John a bit, and I just laid there, reading the book. Eventually, though, I received a knock on my cell. The guards said that I had a visitor...which was weird. The moment the words left their mouths, the prisoners around me started to panic. I heard frantic whispers, and warnings to run if I sensed any danger.

"There’s no such thing as visitors down here," one of them warned, "If someone’s calling you, it’s probably a god. You’d better be ready to bolt."

"Yeah, run if you can, the last time this happened, a guy came back without an eye." John added, "And that's only after 6 hours of torture...run if you can!"

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The tension in the air was thick as I followed the guards, my nerves growing with every step. I tried to keep a calm facade, but my heart was racing. What kind of visitor will I be having? Finally, we arrived at an interrogation room. The door creaked open, and I stepped inside, only to find myself face-to-face with the goddess who had sent me here in the first place.

"Well well well, am I being released due to your sense of guilt? I knew you would come around."

"On the contrary, I'm trying to get you out of the 'safe' group." she replied as we took our seats.

"What? Why? What the hell did I ever do to you?"

"You were selfish."

"We're seriously not having that stupid argument again, I'm not supposed to be here, heck, I'm pretty sure that at least 20% of the guys in the 'safe' category also deserve to be free, why do we have to suffer for your sake?"

"You better keep your mouth shut or-"

"Or what? Kill me? Torture me?"

"I know what you are, Leonardo."

"Don't call me that, I don't know your name, and you don't deserve permission to call me by my name."

"I'm Lux, I'm a goddess of light, and I'm here to ask you a question."

"A bit arrogant of you to introduce yourself like that, don't ya think?"

"I know what you are."

"I see, me too."

"First, I would want to make a request."

"And that is...?"

"Take off your glasses, I know that you don't need them to see."