As I opened my eyes. I met my mom staring down at me with a happy face.
"You're awake! You're finally awake!" She exclaimed happily.
I tried sitting up and it was as though two trucks collided in my head.
"Don't force yourself dear. You're still recovering." My mom said with a concerned look.
"I'm fine." I winced, "how long have I been sleeping?"
"It's been three days now."
I quickly jumped out of the bed and I fell back as the pain shot through my head.
"What's today's date?" I managed to ask my mom who was helping me back into the bed.
"26th of August. Only 5 days left until your birthday."
Five days, huh? I couldn't remember much about how I passed out. I remember there was an explosion and before the explosion, there was a sword.
"Ah! The sword! Where's the sword!?" I blurted out of nowhere and my mom regarded me with a worried expression.
"What sword are you talking about?"
"I was holding a sword before I passed out. Did anyone see or take it by any chance?" I asked, feeling uneasy.
"There was no sword my dear. Try and rest up, so you'll get better."
After making sure I was comfortable. My mom left my room, leaving me with so many questions. I tried to wrap my head around where the sword might be, then I remembered that Daniel was with me when it all happened.
I picked up my phone and dialed his number and he picked up.
"Daniel, what's up? I just woke up now. How are you doing?"
"Well, I wasn't hit at point-blank range, so I'm doing better than you."
"Geez, thanks. Did you pick up the sword?" I asked after the small talk.
"I tried looking for it after the blast, but before I knew it, we were outside the Omphalos and there was no way back in."
"Damn it. I can't believe I lost it after it was entrusted to me." I said feeling frustrated. "Anyways, that's all I wanted to ask. See you later."
I hung up.
Two days later, I was feeling better and went back to school. My classmates all swarmed around me like flies to ask how I was doing. Some even told me I fainted out of nowhere. What exactly did they see?
I told them I was all right and that they should not worry about me. I just wanted to dismiss them so they'd give me some space to breathe.
I looked over at Daniel and he shrugged.
During Sports time, I was at my locker trying to lock my stuff in when my eyes shifted to the end of the hall. I saw a boy with blue hair and sparkling blue eyes staring at me. I couldn't believe my eyes because the boy looked foreign. And even if we had foreign students here, I doubt there would be one with blue hair. I blinked once and he was gone. I shrugged. Maybe I really need to get my meds checked.
We were out on the field doing warm-up exercises. I was paired with a classmate for a little race down to the end of the field. As soon as the signal was given, we took off. As I was reaching the end of the line, I saw the blue Head boy running beside me. He was clearly visible to me. He had a cold demeanor that sent chills down my spine.
"In front of you." He said, but before I could react, it was too late. I ran into another student who was walking across the field.
I sat up and rubbed my head as the other student looked at me with disapproval.
"Sorry…" I managed to say. He shook his head and walked away.
Daniel came running to me and extended his hand.
"Are you okay?" He asked as I took his hand.
"Yeah… I guess." I looked around, but there was no sign of the blue haired boy.
I guess I was getting delusional.
After school, my driver pulled up to pick me and as I was entering the car, I saw the blue haired boy again staring at me from one of the windows upstairs. I just ignored him and got in the car.
When I got home, I just went directly into my room. I couldn't tell anyone about it. My dad always says that an assassin needs a clear mind. I wouldn't want him to think I'm a disappointment.
I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes. I felt a weird sensation around me and I quickly opened my eyes. I couldn't believe what I was seeing because I was standing in front of a temple.
"What the…? How did I get here?" I asked in panic.
"Relax, it's all in your head." A voice said in front of me. I looked to see the blue haired boy, sitting on a giant throne. He looked so insignificant compared to the size of the throne.
"You…!!!" I said, pointing at him "You look ridiculous sitting up there. Why don't you come down here where I can see you?"
"Wow, you are pretty bold." The boy jumped down from the throne and for a second there, I thought he would break his entire bones when he landed but he was fine.
"How did you…?" I began but changed my mind. "Never mind. Who are you? And why have you been following me?"
"Following you?" the boy asked in mock shock, "but you've being the one carrying me around this entire time."
At first, I thought he was talking nonsense until he pointed to my hand and I looked to see the short sword that the Naiad gave me tightly gripped in my hand.
"What…? How…?" I stuttered "I thought I lost it."
"Lost it? Surely you jest. Once the sword has been entrusted to you. You can't lose it, unless you willingly give it away."
"I don't understand… Who are you?"
The boys smirked coldly, "I am Olympus, the one you're gripping tightly in your hand."
"You are…" I looked at the sword I was gripping in my right hand "Olympus…?"
"I know I didn't stutter. So why are you asking me?" He said coldly.
"But how?" I was curious because we weren't going anywhere with this conversation.
"I guess I'll have to explain everything from the top." Olympus clapped his hands and suddenly we were sitting in a cinema with popcorn in our hands.
"Wait… what?" I was bewildered.
"A long time ago, gods granted boons to mortals who they thought were worthy."
"Yes, like Hercules." I cut in.
"Interrupt me again and I will deal with you immensely." Olympus threatened.
"Oh sorry….Geez."
"One thing with the gods is that they hate interfering in the affairs of mortals but yet they use them to do their dirty work. But this time around, the whole world was in danger." His expression changed,
"In danger? From what?" I was now anxious.
"The Titans… Wait, are you even looking at the projection on the screen or are you just going to ask me stupid questions?" Olympus chided me
"Geez, did anyone ever tell you that you are rude?" I turned my attention to the projector. I was annoyed because I had to do as he said.
"Long ago, the gods defeated the Titans and sealed some of them away. But someone unlocked the seal and the titans threatened to destroy everything. The gods knew a boon wouldn't be enough to stop the titans this time. So the twelve Olympians pooled their powers into a single weapon."
"Same thing happened in Shazam." I said and he glared at me.
"Their powers merged together and formed a weapon which is me, but what they didn't anticipate was me having a consciousness of my own."
"Oh…" I was now furiously throwing popcorn into my mouth.
"I was bestowed upon a mortal named Kaisidus, who played an active role in defeating the Titans and bringing peace to the world. Over the centuries, I've been handed down to a lot of mortals, but as the age of the gods neared its end, I lost significance, got lost and was forgotten."
"So why now? Why did you show up? Is there a threat to mankind?" I asked, throwing the last of the popcorn in my mouth.
"No, there's no such thing. You found me by chance."
"Oh…" I felt a bit disappointed.
"Wait, did you think you were special or something? Don't make me laugh. In the old days, you are the last person I would have ended up with. How pathetic!"
"You bastard!!!" I was clearly pissed off now.
What the hell is with this guy and where does he buy his audacity from?
"Anyway…" he continued as though my annoyance was insignificant "Now that I'm in your possession, you now have the power of the twelve Olympians."
The power of Zeus.
The light of Apollo
The wisdom of Athena.
The speed of Hermes.
The precision of Artemis.
The power of green associated with Demeter.
The aqua of Poseidon.
The love of Aphrodite.
The brawn of Ares.
The death of Hades.
Intoxication of Dionysus.
The diligence of Hephaestus.
I think Hera's power was scheming or something like that.
"Whoa! I have all these powers?"
"Hold your horses, Speedy Gonzales. Not yet." he said and my mood dropped.
"Unless you learn to command my power, you've got nothing."
"Ash…" A voice called from far off, and I knew it was my dad.
"How do I…?" Before I could complete the question, I was back in my room. "What the…"
I also realized that I was still holding the sword in my hand when my dad entered my room without even knocking.
"Hmm, everything okay?" he asked looking around the room.
"Yes, everything is fine."
One thing my father taught me is to never be caught off guard and thankfully, he didn't seem to notice the sword or rather he couldn't see it.
"Hmm, your birthday is in two days and on that same day is your assassin trial. Prepare your mind and body. Failure is not an option."
I gulped. "Never nna."
"Good." He said and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
I collapsed into the bed and held up the sword.
"Power of Olympians, huh?"
Finally, it was 31st August, my birthday. Right from the moment I woke up, I was very nervous because I knew what today was. My dad was hardly at home, he was running around making preparations for tonight.
I sometimes caught my mom giving me a worried and pitiful look. Well, you can't blame her. Her only child is about to be sent to assassinate someone. No mother would jump in glee because of that.
I feel very nervous because I've never assassinated anyone before and this is really a big deal for me. The worst part? Evening was fast approaching and before I knew it, it was 5 p.m.
We were all gathered in a secret basement below my house. This was my first time being here or rather I didn't know it existed until today.
I was putting on a white robe and kneeling in the presence of other assassins. The cleaners were there as well. I could see Daniel giving me a look of pity.
"Finally another assassin is about to join our ranks. My son, Ash has finally come of age and will now undergo the Assassin's Trial." My dad announced and the assassins beat their chest really hard. That must hurt
"But before he proceeds with the trial, he must drink the blood of his family before him."
"Eww! What?"
I didn't know when I blurted that out and my dad glared at me.
I was handed a bowl with a red liquid swirling inside and it reeked of iron. You know, that smell you get from blood.
I had desperately wished that my dad was kidding but due to the pressure I took a swig and almost barfed.
"Hmm… This blood is an oath of loyalty to our family. Bring out your hand." he said, holding out a knife.
I brought out my hand and he made a cut on my palm and blood dripped into the bowl I just drank from. I feel sorry for the next person that would drink from it.
"Next, he will be baptized to show he is born anew." I was dipped into a big tub of water and brought out. This happened three times.
After that, I was dried off and given black outfits to put on. When I was done, I looked just like the ninjas I see in movies. What the hell is this embarrassing outfit?
My dad made me come stand in front of the crowd.
"This is my son who will be the next head of the family if he succeeds in this trial. I present him to you." People all around beat their chest and my dad motioned one guy to step forward. He was carrying some documents in his hands.
"Ash, this is one of our informants or Inside Man. We always have one of those. They give us information about whoever we're about to assassinate."
The guy handed me the document and I looked over it and saw my target.
"He and his younger brother are fighting over their late father's company. So his younger brother wants him out of the way. In the document I have given you, you'll find his schedule and details about his movement. Good luck."
I stared at the man in the picture. I had conflicted feelings, but I didn't have a choice. This is what I've been training to do.
"Can you do it?" My father asked, but it wasn't really up for debate.
I hardened my gaze and nodded. "Without fail!"
And So, It Begins.