I sat on a rock on top of a cliff and gazed upon the dark sky filled with crackling lighting. Not the most beautiful view I have ever seen, but one can appreciate it if you stared at it long enough. I had nobody around me, that's why I wanted to stay here, I wanted to be alone. I looked at my hand as I kept opening and closing it, hoping things were slightly different. I could have pulled her with me, why did I even trust her...How could I not? Maybe, it wasn't my fault, maybe it’s her wish to stay by her mother's side. Still, I could have prevented it.

My clenched hand trembled as I gritted my teeth, the frustration in my heart mix with anger almost seem overwhelming, but the overbearing one was my sadness. Despite my anger toward Adrestia, both of them, her and Helen are family to me. Helen was there to support me and believe in me, I wish things were different, and I would spend more time with her.

With a gloomy slump, I rested my forehead against my closed hand.

“I know that you wanted some time alone, but I couldn't help myself, I wanted to know how you are doing,” Shin said as timidly and politely possible.

“A new power, a new problem, a new threat, it never gets easy, do they? Why can’t just everything be normal?” I sighed then let out a short sigh.

“My father almost died today, and for the first time in my life, I had these stress-inducing feelings, like I am powerless if any harm comes to the only family I have. Then I start to think about what others must have felt when a threat so big loom over the twelve worlds, I mean my whole family are as powerful as the gods, and yet, one of them almost died today. So I wanted to help these people, the powerless people, monster, and human. I thought of sheltering them during this dire time might help, but I don't know, I never felt so uncertain of my decision.” Shin sat right next to me with pouty lips while hugging his legs.

I turned to look at the short candidate, no, a young boy. He’s trying to do something to change his situation and help others in need, just like I used to do. I closed my eyes and saw Aki smiling, then my soul was lifted again and my spirit rose again. Right now is not the time to mourn, but it’s time for action.

“Shin!” I stood up and yelled out.

“W-What?!” Shin stood up straight in shocked.

I turned to face him and placed my hand on my shoulder.

“Do you have faith in me?!” I shouted at his face.

“Yes?” He replied quietly while looking at me like I just went insane.

‘“I can’t hear you!!!”

“Yes, Ma’am!” Shin screamed out at the top of his lung while closing his eyes.

“I am not married yet! But who cares! However, I do want you to set up a meeting with all of the gods and candidates.”

“Uhm, yes. Ok, ok, I know where you can meet all of the gods and the candidates at the same time and place.” Shin said with a bright smile, it seems that my distraction is working smoothly, he is smiling again instead of being gloomy, and here, I thought I was the one being consoled.

****************************************************************************************************

A hot, dusty wind grazed upon my skin after we teleported into a world filled with sand that stretched over as far as the eye can see. My body began to sweat as soon as I felt the heat from the large sun above us. It’s hot and there’s nothing but sand here, except for the spiral tower that touched the sky. iI stood in the middle of the barren land, alone and without any landmark to call its companion.

A tangy headache appeared, and I haven't felt that annoying sensation for a while now. The well of knowledge, I’m surprised to know it is still working even though Adrestia has passed away. I shook my thoughts and focused on the information it’s trying to give me.

This world, it is one of the twelve.

“Welcome to Apollo’s world, Therapévo.”

“Look barren...and way too hot.”

“Well, what do you expect? Apollo is the God of The Sun.”

“You said they all are here, but you never told me why.” We started walking down the white brick path toward the massive door.

"They all are here because Zeus summoned them for a meeting, and what's left of the twelve came here to heal, but—" Shin materialized a black cloak over himself.

"But?" I took a glance at Shin, but his face was hidden under the hood.

"In the state, they are in, I doubt healing could fix their broken will."

“I don’t get it, I thought Adrestia would take over my body, but why am I’m still here? Isn’t my purpose is to guard her replacement body?” I looked up and squinted my eyes.

“The god killer’s attack isn't just an ordinary attack, her sword, her blades are coated with a curse. A curse that destroyed the very essence of God, their soul, entity, or whatever you want to call it. If Zeus had not cut off my father’s hands, the curse would have killed him too.”

“God killer?”

“It’s what they’re calling it.”

“Is it a god? I thought only gods can kill other gods.”

“We don’t know, or to be more precise, I don't know much about it. I only heard whispers and rumors.”

“Adrestia truly is gone, so do Helen…” A tear dripped down my cheek, I raised my chin, trying to hide it before I could wipe it off. Why? I would cry and mourn for Helen, she was like a sister to me, but why am I so in pain when I thought of Adrestia being truly gone? Why does my heart even ache for someone who has been nothing but the cause of my pain?

It’s true then, Adrestia wasn’t just my goddess, she was my family, someone I once admired and wanted her to be happy no matter what. I felt it the crushing weight of sadness, slowly crawling over me and enveloped me. I was about to fall in sorrow, but a voice managed to blow all of it away.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Half and half” I whispered and chuckled.

“Hmm?” Shin looked at me as we walked.

“Nothing, just some random thoughts.”

We kept walking at our own pace until we arrived at the massive decorated door, fitted for a massive giant such as a god to walk through. I stopped when I notice Shin stood a couple of feet behind me. He looks troubled in his thought, something in his mind is bothering him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Andre. I have faith in you, but no matter how I view it, I don’t think we could win this.” Shin looked at me with big doubtful eyes.

“Well, you’re wrong,” I lightly chopped his head, and he let out a squeak.

“How can you be so sure, and where is all of this confidence coming from?”

“To tell you the truth, I’m not really that confidence that we could win this, but it’s better than the other option. Besides, I have to make sure that we succeed, or I will lose so much more than I could imagine.” I rubbed the back of my neck and started walking again.

“How?!”

“How, what?” I stopped and glanced behind me. I could see both of Shin’s closed hands beside him as he looked at me.

“How could you bear such a burden alone?”

“What do you mean I bear the burden alone? I got you, don't I? Half and half, bear the burden with me. If you want too. If not...I’ll probably find someone else, but no pressure though.”

Shin looked at me with widened eyes, surprised by my own words. Afterward, he let out a half-smile, I rolled my eyes with a smile on my face and turned around then started walking again.

“We got no time to dilly-dally, let’s go.”

We arrived at the massive door with an engraving of the sun etched in a symmetrical order. Before I could open the majestic door, it opened itself, in slow and careful motion. I took a step back, surprised by the door's action. With the door wide open, we were introduced to a long glass hallway, pristine and untouched. The floor felt cold as my bare feet pressed against it, I walked further into, and when I glanced behind me, I could see the footprints I left behind.

“Whew, I kinda feel bad dirtying his floor.” I could hear loud angry voices echoing from the end of the hallway, it must have been an intense meeting.

We arrived at the end of the hallway, and Shin opened the door.

“Wait a second. All of this felt familiar…Dirty hallway...Angry-” The door opened wide and revealed a circular room that rivaled the look of a court with balcony seating that decorated the wall. However, none of the seating as extravagant as the one in front of me, designated for the big three, but I could only see two of the three. Poseidon…I remember what happened to him.

Yet, my arrival is not welcome like the beautiful room that greeted my eyes. When all of the candidates jump down from their respective balconies and pointed their weapons and magic at me. It only took a slight move of my hand for them to erect a magic triangle barrier on me.

"Wait!" Shin was pulled back by other candidates before he could come to my aid.

"How dare you taint Apollo’s hall with your presence, corrupted one!" A blue long hair girl with purple skin yelled out to me. Beside her is the same man I saw back at Mount Olympus, short blonde hair, and blue eyes.

That decorated armor showed a lot of skin, and I doubt it offered any protection on her bare belly and other parts of her body that are exposed. On a side note, that trident looks familiar and way too heavy and big for her proportion. I let out a half-smile and tilted my head, I saw it as a playful act to calm her down, but she only saw it as a taunt.

“Not the friendliest welcome I had, but I’ll take it over nothing.”

"Silent Corrupted one!" One of Demeter's half-plant, half-human candidate sprouted thick veins underneath me. Those veins wrapped itself around my body and limb then forced me to kneel.

"She's not corrupted!" Shin yelled out, but his voice was drowned out by the swearing that showered onto me.

"Abomination!"

"Evil!"

"Monster!"

"Disgusting just like the other girl who turned." The blue-haired girl spat her words.

I knew which girl she was referring too, and that pissed me off.

My smile was gone and replaced with a frown, I looked at the gods and goddesses above me, they watched while doing nothing about the horrendous treatment I received. Even though, I'm here to offer my help. I gritted my teeth and felt the burning rage inside me. I pulled and dragged the veins out of the ground, cracking the floor around me. They all took a step back as a darkened malicious arm grown out of my stump and rip apart the vein.

"Magic caster find your front-liner and ready yourself, prepare for an attack!!"

My howl was demonic as it echoed in the hall, even a few of the gods were scared of me. With a single punch, I broke the barrier and covered the area with a cloud of dust. The cloud of dust dispersed when Hermes's candidate blew it away with a strong gust of wind.

I yelled out as I was about to hit Poseidon's candidate in the face, but was stopped by Shin. He had embraced my stomach and held me in place, even though I was in my slightly corrupted form. However, all other attacking candidates were stopped by a small group of familiar candidates that stood around me with their arms extended.

"Shin? Tadao? James? Iris? Ophre? Even you?"

"I vouched for her to be here. I will take responsibility for any harm that she inflicted while she's here," Kadence, Daisie's sister with a slightly bruised face spoke.

“Are you out of your mind, Kadence?” The Poseidon's candidate snapped.

“No, I fought her once and lost. However, I'm certain that somehow she is different than before. She’s changed, she’s not corrupted, but not quite cured of it.” She glanced at me with her hand rested the pommel of her sword.

“You would let this disgusting thing in your home, Iris?”

"Iris, are you sure about this?" A red-haired girl that seems to be related to Iris spoke.

“To answer your question Corona, yes. She is my friend, and this is our home, I have the authority to decide who stays and who leaves, and she stays.” Iris stood firmly beside her trusted companion. Tadao brought his long-bladed staff that he called Naginata at the other candidates that dare try to step closer.

"James?" An Englishman, black short hair and beard stepped forward.

"I'm...I'm really sorry bro, but I shall take my stand here."

"Ophre, you too?" Somehow who bear a resemblance to Artemis's candidate asked in shock.

"Meh, I just follow Iris, for the most part. I don't really care for the corrupted ones."

“I’m disappointed in you Iris, truly disappointed. I am most disappointed in you, Kadence. This thing had killed your sister, and you would tarnish her name by protecting it?”

The blue-haired girl took one step back when she felt the anger seething out of Kadence's calm expression. The Aphrodite's candidate had fully gripped her sword handle and firmly pressed her foot in front of her, ready for battle.

"Twice, you had mentioned my dearly departed sister… the first time I let you, the second time I'm giving you a warning, but mark my word, there won't be a third time, Odesza."

The blue-haired girl, Odesza, took another step back, never had someone threatened her so effectively that caused her to reevaluate her action. However, as stubborn as the gods, she didn't pay heed to the warning.

"Eliminate the corrupted one and detain the other." She ordered the rest of the candidates.

"Oh shit, here we go," I brought up both my fist, ready for a fight. While my companions readied their weapons and magic for a battle.

"Andre, catch," James pulled out a hatchet from the small circular void and tossed it to me.

"Oh yeahhh," I caught it with ease and let out a half-smile.

The air vibrated as thunder roared inside the hall, freezing everyone and stopping us from clashing with each other. We all turned our sight at the God of Thunder as he descended from his throne.

“Zeus…” Odesza muttered, she including everyone except for me, dropped to their knees and lowered their heads as a sign of fear and respect.

The god shrunk to our size as he majestically floated down. After his sandals touched gently onto the floor, he makes his way toward me while maintaining his gaze on me. He showed no other expression except for a calm and confident one. His presence alone was overwhelming that all of the intensity of the room suddenly disappeared the moment he intervened.

“Will you come with me, Andre? You too Iris.” He smiled as he gestured the blindfold girl to stand up. Iris stood up while keeping her chin down.

“Aaahh, sure…” I left the hatchet on the floor and followed the white-bearded god out of the hall without anyone objection.