Flashback...
A chill crept over my skin as I stepped out of my apartment, the frigid air biting at my bare hands. I regretted not grabbing a thicker jacket as I made my way to campus, hunching my shoulders in an attempt to stay warm.
The only source of warmth was the weak rays of the sun that filtered through the gray clouds. My pace quickened as I approached the edge of campus, my eyes fixed on the ornate iron gates adorned with vibrant red ivy. It was hard to believe that this was my senior year of college and yet here I was, somehow still at the top of my class without even trying.
The wind howled through the campus grounds, drowning out the sound of my footsteps as I walked through the iron gates. It felt as though a heavy weight settled on my chest, making it harder to breathe. I glanced around, but the familiar hustle and bustle of campus life was eerily absent. The usually lively courtyard was desolate, its benches empty and its fountains still.
I quickened my pace, an unsettling feeling gnawing at the pit of my stomach. It was as if the very air was laced with an ominous energy, whispering secrets that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
As I approached the main building, a sudden gust of wind slammed shut the massive oak door behind me. The sound reverberated through the empty halls, echoing like a haunting melody in my ears. My heart raced, each beat louder than the last, as I hesitated before continuing deeper into the building.
The flickering lights above cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the long corridor feel like a labyrinth of darkness. The air grew stagnant and heavy as if it had been trapped within these walls for centuries. Goosebumps prickled along my arms, and a cold sweat formed on the back of my neck.
I marched down the quiet hallway, the rhythmic thuds of my boots echoing off the stark white walls. As I rounded the corner to my first class, a sharp object collided with the back of my skull, causing a loud crack and sending me stumbling to my knees. My vision blurred and I could feel warm liquid seeping from the wound. I turned to see a tall figure towering over me, a twisted smile on his face.
"Phoenix, you b*stard," he sneered, brandishing a wooden baseball bat.
Confusion and fear flooded through me as I struggled to stand up, but before I could, another swing of the bat sent me crashing back to the ground. Darkness threatened to overtake my vision as I pleaded for mercy.
"What are you talking about? Please, stop!" But the assailant's voice was filled with rage and hatred. With each blow from the bat, I felt weaker and more helpless.
"You think you can get away with it? You deserve to die!"
Tears streamed down my face as I lay there, unable to move or defend myself. The blackness closed in around me as the attacker continued his assault, his words ringing in my ears. "Please, don't do this," I choked out, but it was too late. Everything went dark.
Present..
I slowly come to my senses, feeling the wind rush through my hair. I must have fallen asleep while riding on my dragon high in the sky, heading towards the sea. As I rub the back of my head, I notice a throbbing pain and realize that I can't recall much about what happened before.
All I remember is waking up in the hospital with stitches, broken ribs, and a concussion. The memory sends a chill down my spine as I realize that I don't even remember who attacked me or why. The police were unable to find any leads on the attacker's identity. Shaking off the terrifying thought, I focus on the present and look out at the vast expanse before me.
Leaving my castle behind not too long ago, I set off on a journey to discover the significance of this key and whether Poseidon can be trusted. But as I think about his true identity and origin, it dawns on me that all the players in this game come from different parts of the world, making it difficult to trust anyone. Especially with Zeus's current descent into madness fueled by power. So who knows who is on his side?
I approach the sea, the air filled with a saltiness.
The Aegean Sea is bigger than I thought, I don't see anything that calls out to me or anything that seems suspicious. I guide the dragon to get closer to the water when I notice a small dot on the horizon.
We move closer and it looks to be a small island, this would be a good place to land. As the dragon descended towards the island, I noticed that it was anything but ordinary.
As the dragon landed on the lush green island, I dismounted and felt my feet sink into the soft sand. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine, and colorful flowers grew in wild abandon around me. The warm, golden sun cast a peaceful glow over the paradise lost in time.
I strolled along the shoreline, enjoying the calming sensation of the cool sand under my feet. As I ventured further into the heart of the island, I stumbled upon a small clearing where a crystal-clear pool of water sparkled in the fading sunlight. My reflection stared back at me from its still surface, revealing my long black hair, blue-hued skin, and glowing orange and red eyes. Was this what Hades truly looked like? I couldn't help but wonder as I gazed at my godly appearance in disbelief.
As I dipped my fingers into the water, a shiver ran down my spine. The sound of faint singing reached my ears, a hauntingly beautiful melody laced with sadness. I quickly pull my hand away and stand up, scanning my surroundings. The song grew louder, almost as if it was beckoning me. Without hesitation, I follow the sound towards the shore.
As I neared the shore, I couldn't see anyone else but the song was stronger now as if the sea was calling me to it. Against my better judgment, I waded into the water until it reached my waist. The song was almost deafening now, enveloping me in its enchantment. And then, something grabbed my legs and pulled me under.
My heart raced as I opened my eyes to see a woman with long, seaweed hair and piercing blue eyes. She seemed to glow in the darkness of the ocean and for a moment, I thought she was a mermaid. But as she reached out to me with claw-like hands, I realized she was not a creature of myth but a siren - a dangerous and seductive being known for luring sailors to their deaths with their songs. My body froze as I fell into her trap, unable to resist her irresistible pull.