Dalia, in the meantime, advanced confidently among the demigods, announcing in a confident voice: "Do not be afraid, boys, no matter what happens, I will subjugate you to me!"

With a sly smile, she skipped through the rows.

"I also know how to use another power, it's called 'Instigating Song', want to try?" She said, looking up at them, "It can make any mortal creature lose its mind for a short time. It may seem like a trivial thing to say like that, but I assure you that once subjugated you will no longer understand anything!"

Dalia abandoned herself to a laugh that was not shared by her interlocutors, who were too worried about going crazy after becoming victims of that power.

With her heart beating with conflicting emotions, Marina prepared to instruct the contenders. She felt the determination burning within them and already saw Sidal's son, who had previously challenged Shirei to a duel, fastening his shield to his arm. With her gaze fixed on the horizon, she only hoped that the son of Cragar wasn't exaggerating, she suspected that the son of the war god was overestimating his abilities too much. Her second thought was directed to the strange power mentioned by Dalia, the little girl had never told her about it. She had never heard of a son of Cragar instigating negative emotions through singing. It was far too strange, even for them.

She would probably have to mention it when she went to the Great Mansion for her report.

Shirei reached down and pulled Ien's daughter in with a whisper in her ear, "Are you distracted?"

"I was focused on something else!" Marina replied immediately, in a proud and slightly childish tone.

Dalia laughed, "By other you mean… my brother?"

The problem the blonde had in mind was far more serious than Cragar's daughter's childish thoughts. Aena and Lyceum wanted information, she simply had to get it by any means possible, even if it ruined her friendship. The Lilies Park came first.

Marina finally managed to emerge from her trance period and replied to her friend who, in the meantime, had returned to the two's side.

"No, Dalia. No," she said, annoyed.

Shirei looked down at her and raised his eyebrow but didn't ask about it. He figured he would question her after class was over because she would avoid talking about it in front of everyone. Marina asked herself how she could have so much confidence towards him, after all they had only known each other for five days. The boy was strange, like all demigods, but, every time they had an interaction, Ien's daughter couldn't help but wonder where that strange magnetic force towards him came from.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"So, can you show us this song, little girl?" Asked a son of Corgi from the crowd.

Dalia jumped up on her shiny ballet flats and approached her brother with a swinging gait, "Gladly!"

"Wait," Marina grabbed her arm, "Do you want to use your powers on him?"

Cragar's daughter nodded, signaling for silence.

"I don't think you should do that...!" Lorenzo shouted.

Marina bit her lip slightly, she was curious too, she had always been too curious.

"Want to try?" Dalia whispered to her.

Ien's daughter shook her head, "Are you kidding me? I don't take any responsibility."

"As you prefer," she paused, "All… ready?"

Shirei didn't respond, his gaze was fixed towards an indefinite point in the crowd. Cragar's son had spotted him immediately and had gone into a state of alert. Salix, the son of Tefine, tilted his head downward in a gesture of respect. Marina noticed the boy's distraction, but by then it was too late.

The black-haired girl sang a song that manifested itself in the air in the form of a lilac-colored cloud. Everyone present was astonished, while the melodious chant spread a sweet sound in the air, but similar to a lament. Shirei was entirely enveloped in fog, which changed color to crimson red. After a few moments, the veil lifted and the demigods had a chance to observe the result.

Shirei remained still for a few seconds, the chant didn't seem to have had any effect. A spasm went through the boy's body until he closed his eyelids. Something was happening, exactly what Marina feared. The eyes of the son of Cragar were widened and began to glow, then the aura around him suddenly changed. Marina bit her lip anxiously.

The calm Shirei exuded had been soothing to her up until that moment, but the same feeling quickly became a memory. The pressure itself became so high that the girl struggled to remain standing. Cragar's son was silent, but the deadly chill emanating from his presence made everyone present's skin crawl.

"Shirei?" Marina asked with concern.

He stared at her for a second, before looking in the direction of the Great Mansion.

Ien's daughter was sure he didn't recognize her.

That wasn't Shirei.

"Aena..." the demigod murmured as if in a trance.

Cragar's son summoned his blade from the Interworld. Almost as if he were astonished at himself, he stared at the weapon for a few seconds before walking towards the promontory where the Great Mansione was located. Marina tried to get closer, but some beams of pure shadow erupted from the ground and forced her to stay away.

"What the hell?!" Ien's daughter turned to her best friend, "Dalia, what did you do to him?!"

Cragar's daughter widened her eyes, "This wasn't supposed to happen..."

"Dalia!?" Marina put her hands in her hair, "I told you it wouldn't be a good idea..."

Lorenzo reached them, his voice trembled, "I... please, let's call Lyceum."

Marina ignored him for a moment and tried to reason, she was seriously worried about Shirei. Dalia stood in front of the boy with the intention of facing him and Ien's daughter approached her. Someone had to warn Lyceum and the goddess of love of what was happening. Marina's only fear was that if they got there, perhaps Aena wouldn't be so merciful towards Cragar's son. Lorenzo moved quickly and positioned himself behind them, taking a strange tool out of his pocket. Francesca mediated the general panic and made the other demigods retreat.

Salix was the only one who remained still, his lips curled up into a small smile.

"Now I recognize my old comrade."