In the forest, the air was thick with the scent of pine and the chatter of wildlife. Cyd and Hermes stood beneath the towering trees, bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.
"Wow, I never expected Apollo to bless you like that," Hermes remarked, biting his finger in amusement as he stared at the orange glow on Cyd's left wrist.
"It feels pretty amazing," Cyd replied, glancing up at the sun. A warmth spread through him, making his body feel more alive.
"It's not just amazing," Hermes said, patting his forehead. "As long as the sun's rays touch you, Apollo's protection shelters you. Even if you were poisoned, the sun's brilliance would cleanse it. The same goes for curses, and it even strengthens your body depending on the strength of the sunlight."
"That is incredible!" Cyd exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.
"Yes, it's quite powerful. It's actually a bit awkward for me now," Hermes admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I originally planned to deceive you with a few casual words."
"Next time you annoy Apollo, I'll suggest he drag you by the sun," Cyd joked, a slight smirk on his face.
"Wait, I'm just kidding. You really helped me out this time, and I'm very grateful," Hermes said quickly, noticing Cyd's expression. He patted his shoulder and gave a thumbs-up. "Without your help, I'd probably be tied to that chariot right now."
"I thought you being tied to the chariot would be the best outcome."
"Don't take it the wrong way; I will bless you well," Hermes said, snapping his fingers. "With this blessing, no one can deceive you anymore."
Cyd looked at his bracer as a dark green crystal silently filled one of the empty slots.
"Wait, seriously?"
"Hey, I may be a god, but I'm not especially powerful. I'm more of a crafty messenger," Hermes shrugged. "This might not seem like much, but at least no one can deceive you now."
"That should be... good," Cyd said, curling his lip.
"The reward for the musical instrument is given, so now it's time for the reward related to that music," Hermes tapped his helmet. "As for now, I can give you something else."
Cyd's eyes slowly widened. There was something he wanted that only Hermes could provide: information about the gods.
"You're a mortal, and encountering gods is rare, let alone thirteen of them. But as Zeus's messenger, I know where each one is," Hermes explained, pulling out a compass and tossing it to Cyd. "This will help you find them. It points to where you need to go."
Cyd looked at the compass, seeing the needle spinning wildly.
"It means you don't know where to go yet," Hermes said, coughing. "Once you decide, it will point to it."
The needle then stopped, pointing to Hermes.
"See? It points to me," Hermes said with a grin.
"I get it now," Cyd said, pocketing the compass. "Thank you."
"This is the result of your honesty and wisdom," Hermes said, tapping his helmet. "I have work to do. Bye-bye!"
Wings sprouted from Hermes's boots, and he flew into the sky, leaving Cyd envious of his ability to fly.
"Flying would be nice," Cyd muttered, kicking a pebble as he walked. "I wouldn't have to go over mountain trails, but maybe might get lucky and encounter some of the other gods I need a blessing from."
As he for hours walked, his thoughts were interrupted by a man blocking his path. A middle-aged man, holding a bow and arrow, extended a hand threateningly.
"Yeah, yeah, hand over your valuables. I've heard it all before," Cyd interrupted, breaking a nearby tree in half and held it as staff.
"The world is chaotic. I've been walking for a few hours, and I've been through seven waves of bandits! Do I look like an easy target?" Cyd lifted the tree with one hand. "I don't kill people, but knocking you guys out is becoming annoying!"
"Wait!" the middle-aged man said, swallowing hard. "I'm not a bandit!"
"Huh?" Cyd tilted his head this man was telling the truth.
"It's true! Look, I have a rabbit I just hunted!" To prove his point, the man pulled a dead rabbit from his pack.
"Oh, phew, you're not a bandit," Cyd relaxed, planting the tree back into the ground. "sorry about threatening you"
The middle-aged hunter, legs weak, sat down, realizing how close he had come to danger.
"Hey, hunter, do you know where the nearest coast is?" Cyd asked, offering his hand to help the man up. "I need to go to sea."
"To sea?" The hunter took Cyd's hand and stood. "There's a ship setting sail in two days, but they're very strict about who they take. With your strength, though, you should get in."
"Really?" Cyd touched his chin. "Where are they going?"
"Colchis. They've been causing a lot of noise lately. No one wants to sail right now," the hunter said, brushing off leaves.
"Right. Can you show me the way?" Cyd asked, smiling gently.
"Sure, I'm done hunting for today anyway," the hunter replied, still holding up the rabbit.
"Thanks!" Cyd rummaged through his pack and pulled out several wild wolf skins. "Here, take these."
"These are in perfect condition. They'll sell for a good price," the hunter said, hesitating.
"It's fine. I'm going to sea anyway. Consider it a reward for your help," Cyd said, forcing the skins into the hunter's hands.
"Fine," the hunter accepted. "But why are you going to sea? Surely not just to go to Colchis."
"I just really want to go to sea," Cyd said, smiling mysteriously as he walked away.