We got up as soon as the rain stopped and left for an adventure. Delaever had enough food for about two weeks and money in case we took longer. He also gave us some inflatable sleeping bags. As night fell, a white bird surrounded by a bright red glow traversed the skies. Han looked up. "The bird of Apollo has come, it seems to be running from something" he said. As the bird was covered by the trees, he collapsed. His pupils faded and he screamed like a madman. "Pearl come to see the bird of Apollos!" he screamed clawing madly at his head. Delaever and I sprinted to him.
"Han!" I screamed trying to snap him back to reality. Instead he tumbled down into the river. As we pulled him out, the water turned green. He regained himself and sat by the river. A single tear drop fell in and the area became blue again. More followed, each time purifying the water. Soon the river had river had only one green patch. After a bit the green turned into an endless dark spiral. I leaned closer and saw the face of the dead. Some smiled and some cried, some laughed and some bled but all were dead... but one stood out, it seemed familiar, but I didn't want to remember it. I turned back and helped Han back up so that we could continue our journey to the grand elder.
Day came and by twelve, we'd reached a small stop. It was a small village. We walked through the deserted streets until we finally found someone. "Hello, do you know where the capital is?" asked Delaever. She shook her head and walked away. I then noticed something, why was his sister so quiet. Throughout these two days, no throughout the time that I've known them, I hadn't heard her voice. I turned around to look at her but was met with the grand elder's eyes. She stared at me, It was like I was being told to look away and so I did.
After a while, we finally got directions and Delaever got some more food. We left and travelled North. By the end of the day, we'd reached the mountains. The next day, we travelled east. Now we just had to go in a straight line. On the sixth day, we finally reached the capital faster than we expected. It was extremely busy and had tall buildings unlike anything I'd seen before. Han stared off into the tallest building. All the windows were tinted and it was coloured black which made it extremely recognizable, and a bit contradicting. "Where's the grand elder?" I asked looking around. Surely he wouldn't be in that obvious building. "There" he said pointing at the tallest building. I was surprised. "We need to enlist in his defence to get in there but for that we need fake I.D because we're too young, Boy, say you have a growth disorder if they ask".
We explored the city to find a hotel to stay at. But instead we found a house with one rentable room. Me and Han had to sleep on the floor because there was only one bed. "Today I'll allow you to have fun today but tomorrow we're going to get aa fake I.D" said Delaever. I got up and took Han with me. Maybe he could learn some new things. We went around and I found a guitar shop. I took out my money. I stared at the coins, I didn't know them. What was the currency. I calmed down realising that I was in an unfamiliar land. I looked up to choose a guitar. I looked around searching for a guitar that was the same colour as my mom's. I paused. What colour was it again. Red, Blue? How? How the fuck did I forget the colour of my mom's favourite instrument. "Oi, are you gonna choose orna" said the shop keeper (Orna is something said by people of this capital meaning or not). I nodded and chose the plane guitar. I'd buy another one when I remembered.
"Han what do you want" I said turning to him. He kept walking so I just followed him. We arrived at a dog shelter. He walked towards a small dog. It had one green eye and one black eye. "I want this". We went over to the reception and submitted an application. "We'll get back to you within a week" said the receptionist. We left and went back home.
When we came back, Delaiver was gone and only his sister remained asleep on their bed. I left the room and took out my guitar. I practised a tune, another one that I remembered from my mom called, "Song of Zeus". As I neared the halfway point, a man dressed in all black appeared and let off some shots. I was pierced in my liver and thigh. I fell to the ground and the man picked me p and carried me. I passed out and woke up in a dimly lit room. Across me was Delaever, chained up against the wall in the same way as me. I had bandages on my liver but for some reason it didn't hurt at all. Suddenly, the door slid open and the same man walked in holding an iron whip. Delaever woke up and was instantly hit. He fell back to sleep. I closed my eyes and tried to pretend to sleep but was met with the iron whip. I woke up in a different room. This time however, I wasn't in chains. Delaiver was no where to be seen. The room was empty and lit with four green candles. I looked around and searched for my guitar. It wasn't there either. I got up and banged against the steel door. Maybe someone could hear the echo and come to save me. Maybe, maybe. I turned back and sat down. Why was this happening to me.