The rain plummeted from the heavens, mercilessly pounding the uneven earth beneath it, filling the air with a relentless chorus of pitter-patter. Amidst a modest clearing in the densely wooded forest stood a solitary figure, dressed in tattered rags that clung to his form. His eyes, devoid of life, were comparable to those of a dead fish. The atmosphere surrounding him was palpably thick, a stifling silence interrupted only by the rhythmic drumming of the raindrops.

That person was me. I stood, paralyzed, as I stared at the sight before me. I tried to avert my gaze, but I couldn't peel my eyes away from the large ditch before me. I clenched my fists, tears trickling down my hollow cheeks, only to be washed away by the heavy rain.

I opened my mouth in a vain attempt to speak, but nothing came out. I choked on my words, unable to form any as tears started streaming down my face with renewed vigor. As I lost the strength in my legs, I was brought down to my knees. The disgusting smell of rot filled my nostrils, yet it barely registered.

My eyes locked onto the three mangled corpses lying atop each other within the pit. Their clothes had been completely ripped off, their bodies completely ravaged, and their had become distorted beyond recognition. But I knew. I knew they were my parents, my sister, the family I had cherished.

My brain feverishly endeavored to reject the sight before me, screaming at me to look away, but I couldn't. And yet, my eyes remained magnetically drawn to the younger corpse—the vacant eyes of my sister, hauntingly hollow as if accusing me of my failure to protect her.

"Blegh"

A guttural sound escaped my lips as I wretched, spewing the pitiful contents of my stomach into the very grave that held my family. Bile mingled with the pooling rainwater, creating an unholy amalgamation that began to lap against the corpses.

Behind me, the crunching of leaves resonated—a soft snap at first, followed by more, until the quiet forest filled with a cacophonous symphony of impending dread. I couldn't tear my eyes from the grotesque mound before me, my impending demise drawing ever closer. I knew my fate was sealed, destined to join my family in this sinister grave.

The sounds ceased abruptly, and a burly man advanced toward me. He wielded a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, its sinister design exuding an aura of impending doom. Strapped to his waist, a sleek, black pistol lay in waiting. His disapproving gaze met mine for but a moment.

The man raised his bat, preparing a smack that would surely send me to my untimely death. "W-" I choked on my words, my mind barely able to form a coherent thought. The man stopped momentarily as if allowing me to speak. "W-why" I managed to squeeze out of my throat.

A sadistic smile appeared on the man's face, as he let out a snicker. "Ask yer maker, brat." In one fluid motion, the bat collided with my skull, sending me sprawling onto the pile of lifeless flesh. "Life is too… unfair," I murmured, my consciousness already slipping into the abyss.

As my world dimmed, the man brandished his pistol for the coup de grâce.

*bang*

I blacked out.

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Darkness. A never-ending void enveloped me, holding me in an icy grip that neither life nor death could pry away.

——————-

Then, a flicker—an elusive glimmer of consciousness—that seemed to pull me away from the abyss.

I blinked my eyes in rapid succession, momentarily blinded by the sudden burst of luminous light that seared through my pupils. It was as though I'd been ensconced in darkness for countless years and had suddenly been thrust into the full brilliance of the sun. Muffled murmurs wafted through the air, sounding both paradoxically distant and startlingly close.

My thoughts were a nebulous fog, clouding my mind and leaving me unable to remember just about anything. I tried moving my hands, though they seemed to be adamant about staying limp. I only now looked down and realized I was sitting on an odd chair, its legs curving outwards on each leg, it glowed slightly with a golden hue, as though divine.

My eyes still squinted from the glaring light, was only able to make out a tiny bit of my surroundings. The most notable was the open building I was in, lacking anything similar to walls and instead had 12 pure-white pillars encompassing the building to form a circle. Above me, the sky stretched endlessly, an uninterrupted canvas of deep blue, marred only by the brilliant, glaring sun.

As my eyes adjusted to the intense brightness, I was able to make out twelve figures seated before each pillar. They were engaged in muted conversations, though a few occasionally shot me furtive, almost calculating glances. My ears, now slowly regaining their function, caught snippets of their talk.

"Another failure," a woman's voice dripped with disdain. "Yes, Minerva, but we can't do any…" A masculine voice interjected, tinged with unmistakable frustration. Their words became a blur as a violent headache engulfed me, nearly overwhelming my senses and pushing me toward unconsciousness.

Well, let's greet our guests, shall we? Can't keep him waiting!" A voice, powerful and resonant like a thunderclap, broke the awkward silence, causing every head to turn its way.

"This is not the time for your antics, Zeus," another voice retorted, its owner's sea-green hair shimmering like ocean waves.

"Oh, lighten up, Poseidon," Zeus answered with a dismissive wave. "You're always such a buzzkill."

Poseidon's forehead bulged with an angry vein, his mouth opening to release a torrent of words when he was interrupted. "Can both of you act your age?" Minerva chimed in, her purple hair contrasting with her furrowed brows, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose.

Her gaze then shifted. "So, what shall we do with this… ant?" Minerva's eyes flickered momentarily to me, then locked onto Zeus'.

"I say we just whisk him down to the mortal realm." The same man beside Minerva said, his tone laid back and lazy.

"I agree with Hermes," Minerva said right after.

"Me too." "I agree." "Sure"… The other people also voiced their opinions

Zeus couldn't help but feel disappointed as more and more of the Gods agreed with Hermes' decision. This was a rare opportunity where they were able to summon a person, albeit a little disappointing since it wasn't what they were looking for, but it was still entertaining nonetheless, no way was he letting it just like that.

"Let's ask our tiny friend for his opinion, eh?" Zeus boomed his usual jovial tone still present. There were muffled objections, but none dared oppose Zeus outright

"Seems like everyone has the same idea!" Zeus said shamelessly. He turned to me, and a confused expression was etched onto my face. "You, my little friend, is there anything you want?" A bright smile tugged at his lips as he eagerly waited for my response.

"Wha-" I tried to ask

"Take your time, little friend, take your time!" Zeus didn't give me the chance to ask.

As I stared at the unusually jubilant face of what I assumed was a Greek God. Suddenly, tears started trickling down my cheeks as my memories returned, slamming me with the harsh truth like a truck. I spoke without hesitation, "My family, give them back."

Zeus blinked his eyes in shock, before the glow in his eyes dulled, his expression taking a dark turn.

"Boring…" Zeus muttered, his expectations were let down by the disappointing request of the ant before him. He was expecting something extravagant, maybe the power to destroy worlds or maybe any woman it may want. But an answer like "Family"? How boring.

But he needed to uphold his side of his promise, after all, he was a God and had his dignity to maintain. To vent his frustrations, however, he decided to pull a cruel prank on this lowly ant."Ant, huh…" A sly grin crept up his face as a brilliant idea popped up in his mind.

"Very well, I shall grant your wish." Zeus' expression was completely unreadable, not a hint of its former joy was present.

A glimmer of hope shone in my eyes, this was my chance, I would get my family back. Zeus waved his hand dismissively, and a weird sensation raided my body, causing me massive discomfort. It was like thousands of needles were pricking me incessantly. In moments, I was launched away from the large gathering of Gods and was plummeting downwards towards the ground.

The clouds parted way as I crashed downwards towards the barren mountainous landscape before me. Suddenly, I seemed to phase out of existence, my body slowly becoming incorporeal. Just as I started to panic, however, I was already on the ground, and an unfamiliar sensation enveloped me.

I glanced around, eager to see the results of my wish. but what met my eyes was a small, enclosed space of dirt and a congregation of ants, bowing in what looked like reverence.

Ants? Where was I? And more importantly, where was my family?