A lone black balloon hovers above the gray-painted sky. It was amazing that the tiny five-year-old boy spotted it honestly from where he stood, surrounded by all the lonely children and people.
Where was he again?
As he and his father walked into the vast metropolis, the crowds' loud noises drowned out his attention and thoughts.
"Praised the Gods!"
The faceless people shouted as they gathered throughout the streets, waving flags, holding signs, and stood shoulder to shoulder. Many government officials lived in this vast city and raced past the child and father, giving them strange looks as they went. Both while dressed in second-hand clothing but also it was their best attire, having walked all the way from their hamlet to the city only to attend the parade. Needless to say, the two stuck out like a sore thumb.
However, little Johnny was unfazed by it all. Perhaps it was primarily because the little lad was still at an age when he saw the world through rose-colored glasses.
If only Johnny had known how much his father envied that.
Wishing he could see through such innocence, like his son did. His father stared down at his young child.
Johnny's little golden eyes twinkled, undoubtedly delighted to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the gods on display with his father, who would ordinarily be working in endless hours as a miner that barely put bread on the table.
Since the gods took over and the apocalypse began, humanity had always been viewed as weak or scum. It was no longer about human rights or achieving equality. Many humans were forced to work in the army or in low-wage positions simply because they were weak or perceived as useless, whereas monsters were treated as second-class civilians with office or government employment.
Yet there was hope. Some spoke mere whispers of a popular myth, a small bit of Kronos' scythe, the key weapon of the Titans, was broken right before Zeus and his brothers threw it into the sea. The old titan Prometheus did it as a form of vengeance against Zeus, just before being sent to the underworld. According to the legend, whomever discovers Cronus' scythe would wield enormous power, surpassing that of gods. That was the major reason Johnny's father labored all day and night digging in the caves. With hopes to uncover it and bring a stop to the god's tyranny. Even if it was a myth.
However, today was exceptional.
It was Johnny's birthday, and only one person remembered.
His father affectionately pats his son's fluffy brunette hair. As they watched the parade began with the demi gods and mutant soldiers who worked closely with the gods on the battle field were now walking down the streets of New York. Johnny's father asked him, "When you grow up, will you be the savior of the broken, the beaten, and the damned in this world?" in a sweet yet somber tone.
The tall man then waved a sharp finger toward the front of the parade, just as the three main Gods appeared, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades waving to the people and kids with plastic grins. Johnny's father murmured as tears flowed down his cheeks, "Will you defeat the plans that they have made?"
Johnny is bewildered after hearing such statements from his father. At a loss, the small young boy turns and tries to gaze up at his father, his confusion turns to horror. His father's face was blurry and unidentifiable. Like an oil painting that has been left out in the rain. Johnny tries to scream, but no sound comes from his lips.
His silent cry for help didn't really matter. The gods in the parade walk on ignoring everything.
The sounds of Church bells ringing filled little Johnny's brain as the world around him dissolved and turned pitch black, like a lost memory.
The ringing finally stopped when Johnny forced his eyes to open. He practically gasped for air as his body was closed covered in sweat while his golden eyes gazed up at the infinite light morning sky that stretched from one horizon to the next, covering the enormous sky with a single, pure color that appeared impossible.
The crispy autumn leaves were sparkling dragon flame-red as they plummeted and got stuck in Johnny's untidy dark hair from above. Not only that, but a strong chill ran down his spine as he felt a draft between his legs when a gust of wind passed by.
Johnny then realizes- He not just outside and alive but naked?
The only thing covering his body appeared to be a golden fleece cloak. It was warm, and it seemed to be large enough to protect him from the freezing temperatures of the night's apocalypse.
The last thing Johnny could remember before he had fallen asleep was the smell of rough sex and the lustful blue eyes belonging to none other then Zeus. Is that even true? And that dream, too, it's like a fading memory. It's so random, but he can still remember the words of his father very clearly but the face had faded a long time ago. Johnny's wondering if all of this is connected to each other.
"There's no way," the young man mutters answering no one but himself while rubbing his eyes awake as his breathing finally returned to normal. Johnny's dreams never did line up. Often times to the point it felt like the line between memories and fantasy blurred.
Yet- How did he manage to escape to the outside? This could be the reason for his lack of clothing and the origin of the stunning golden fleece.
Glancing at his watch, he noticed it was 10 A.M. He had missed his usual time for work. Letting out a deep breath, the young man held onto the golden fleece while sitting upright with his legs crossed on top of a heap of vibrant and crispy leaves where he had slept. Anticipating the familiar sensation of anxiety that precedes his daily routine, he prepared himself for the upcoming workday.
However, there is a sense of change in the air, as if the young man now possesses a greater power to impact the world around him.
His skin tingles under the warm rays of the sun, sending shivers down his arms. The atmosphere crackles with an unseen force, vibrating in harmony with Johnny's pulse. Taking a deep breath, he shuts his eyes to make sense of the overwhelming wave of feelings rushing through him.
He experienced a surge of powerful vitality. The young man had never been so alert before. His energy level was beyond exceptional, absolutely flawless! It was as if he was experiencing a new beginning. Johnny could sense a growing excitement within him, as if something remarkable was on the horizon.
an unfamiliar excitement that took him by surprise, feeling and looking unlike his usual self when he glanced at his physical form.
He had a typically frail physique, but it had transformed into a more defined and visible lean muscles over night.
Additionally, another odd addition was a heart-shaped tattoo with a lock in the center of his chest that Johnny insists he had never been there before.
Johnny, trembling, rises to his feet and enfolds himself in what he believes to be a divine cloak of golden fleece. The shivering young man surveys his surroundings in an attempt to orient himself, finding that he is stranded in the heart of the woods. Everything looks different – brighter, sharper, more vivid than ever before in his eyes. The fall Goddess must have really worked over time last night. This meant it might be harder to find the path back to the Village with how much has changed over night.
In his quest to find his way back, he hoped for the guidance of a passing traveler or perhaps a local farmer to show him the way. A raven with silk black wings sat on a wooden tree branch, croaking nearby catches Johnny's attention. Without thinking twice, he focus all of his concentration on it, willing it to fly closer. To the young man's amazement, the bird obeys his silent command, circling lazily above his head before landing gently and obediently on Johnny's outstretched forearm, cawing loudly as it did so.
The raven's lustrous feathers stretched before Johnny's astonished gaze, prompting him to murmur in disbelief. He was beginning to entertain the idea that the bird might be able to comprehend him.
Then again, the young man did see a white bull turned into a Greek god just yesterday. Anything is possible.
With newfound hope, Johnny grinned and peered into the raven's beady eyes, inquiring, "Perhaps you know a quicker route to the village?"
The wise raven simply caws loudly in response before flying away, flapping its magnificent wings. The sound is almost booming in young man's eardrums as the raven heads in a random direction in the forest, leaving Johnny bewildered and abandoned.
"Hey! Wait!" Johnny shouts out as he follows after the raven, hoping to catch up without becoming more further lost.