I felt something strange, it was as if I was falling down a cliff but I felt nothing else, no wind, cold or heat, just the sensation of falling. I couldn't move my body, speak or even open my eyes but the feeling of falling told me I was conscious. I didn't know what had happened before, my memory was so foggy that I could barely remember what day I was on.
I kept having the same feeling for a long time, so long that it was hard to tell how much had happened, but suddenly it stopped, as if I had reached the bottom of something. I started to hear someone's footsteps but they were irregular, as if he had some problem walking or was injured, the strange thing was that there was a small echo, as if it was some big room or a cavern.
Finally I could open my eyes, I was really in a big cave and there was a guy walking ahead, he was holding on to one of the walls and a golden liquid was coming out of the wounds he had on his body, his clothes were torn by cuts and burned in some parts, whatever had happened to him he was lucky to have come out alive.
I followed the guy as he walked through the cave, clearly he knew where to go as he did not hesitate to take a direction. A short time later I realized that I was not walking, it was as if I was floating in the air as I followed him.
-A dream? Yes, it must be another dream – I thought as I saw my feet floating a few centimeters away.
Suddenly the atmosphere in the cave changed, it was as if the air had become heavier and colder, and a faint brown light was coming from the back of the cave passageway.
The subject continued walking through the passageway, a few seconds later it opened and the cave became large again, but this time, right at the bottom, there was what appeared to be a rock altar. It was eight solid rock beams rising from the ground and reaching almost to the ceiling with several glowing rocks, a wall about 2 meters high connected them, with an entrance right in front of it, a little further I could see a few stairs leading to something like a huge brown crystal that glowed so bright that it illuminated almost the whole cave.
The guy kept walking towards the altar, only this time he was leaning on what appeared to be an old cracked black sword. This had to be the strangest dream he'd had so far, but he wanted to follow the guy and see how it ended.
The subject climbed the stairs with difficulty, I could hear his heavy breathing, as if he was about to fall from exhaustion. As soon as he had arrived in front of the glass he fell to the floor on his knees, he didn't know if he had done it on purpose or if he had finally reached his limit.
-My lady... I'm sorry my lady... I failed with the task... you gave me... – said the guy with a thread of voice, it was as if he could barely make the words come out of his mouth. But somehow his voice was familiar to me, as if I had heard it a short time ago.
A few seconds passed before a silhouette appeared in the glass, apparently the shadow of a better one.
-I don't want your apology – said a woman's voice, it was so chilling that it gave me goose bumps.
-In spite of the resources you gave me... I could not fulfill my task. On top of that... – the guy couldn't finish speaking, he spat out a mouthful of the same golden liquid that gushed from his body.
-Did someone intervene during your task? Did that brat receive help from anyone? – said the voice from the crystal.
-No my lady... although it pains me to admit it... that boy was too strong... even before awakening his power... – said the guy still on his knees and with his hands on the ground.
-So he's awake... now we only have the other option before those ridiculous grandchildren of mine decide to act, you have to go get her – said the voice from the crystal, only this time it sounded irritated.
-My lady... he... woke up the guardian... woke up the one you fear the most... if you can get him on your side... – said the guy but his voice seemed to fade little by little.
A few seconds passed and the voice of the crystal had not spoken, I did not know what was going on and I had no idea what they were talking about.
-Then I will have to send someone else, your duty is to bring that brat here before he manages to convince the guardian, if he manages to use his power there will be nothing we can do. I don't think my grandchildren will stay with their arms crossed this time he awakened his power, they even tried not to involve him in the recent war, so they will try to keep him away from fighting, that will give you time to recover – said the crystal voice.
-As you wish... my lady. But in this state... it will take years to recover... all my power – said the man on the floor.
-It is not necessary for you to recover them completely to bring him here. Just heal your wounds and go hunt him down, you must spare no resources to bring him to me – said the crystal voice.
-Yes, my lady – said the man as he stood up heavily, turned around and started walking. I couldn't see his face clearly because of the light, but he was covered by dirt and had several burns, yet I felt I had seen him somewhere before.
The light from the crystal in the center of the altar began to fade little by little as he walked around the altar, going to another passageway behind it.
Again my vision blurred and the feeling in my body disappeared, though only for a few seconds. I began to feel as if I was completely submerged in water, but I felt neither cold nor hot, there was only the sensation of floating again.
-This again? I think something from dinner is affecting me – I thought a little annoyed.
Again I started to hear voices in the distance but I couldn't understand very well what they were saying, then I heard footsteps approaching, I couldn't be sure how many were there but there were several of them.
When they finally arrived to where I was I could hear them clearly.
-This is a mistake! We can't have him here after what happened! – said a man's voice, sounding annoyed.
-Of course I know that, but we couldn't let him die in there. Besides, it was our duty to protect him and we failed – replied another voice.
-But Hephaestus, having him here is against the rules. What do you think Zeus will say when he finds out? – said the first voice.
-Don't worry about that Apollo, I myself informed him about the situation, that's why he called a meeting to decide what we should do with him – said the second voice, Hephaestus as he had heard it before.
-Why call a meeting? We're just supposed to return him to the other humans and let him get on with his life – said the first voice, I think they had said it was Apollo.
-That would be the right thing to do if everything was safe... but the war is not over yet and this time our children will be no match for what is coming – Hephaestus said, but the way he said it implied that it was a very serious matter.
The two were silent for several seconds, as if they were trying to think of something. Something about their conversation seemed familiar, I was sure I had heard those names before but I couldn't remember where.
-Hey, what are you supposed to do here? His wounds haven't healed yet, let alone what caused that power in his body. He is under my care and I will not let you use him for any of your games – said another voice, it was a woman's voice and she seemed to be angry.
-Calm down Hestia, we were only ordered to take it to the meeting so that the others could see it, it is not necessary for you to get upset like that. Besides, it is necessary for you to be there too, after all, you are the one who cares the most about them – Hephaestus' voice said trying to calm her down.
-It's okay, but it's better that he doesn't wake up or his condition could get worse. I can only try to cure him with the few methods I know, even Apollo tried to cure him but it wasn't enough – said Hestia's voice.
-I know, you don't have to repeat it. For the moment we can only wait and see what happens with him, although I don't understand what you meant when you said that the war was not over – said Apollo's voice.
-You will know at the meeting, that's all I can tell you for the moment – answered Hephaestus.
Again I began to hear footsteps but this time they were beside me, as if they were taking me somewhere. Everything that was happening was so strange that I could never have imagined it.
Suddenly the footsteps stopped but I realized that a few moments before they produced a strange echo, but it was different from that of a cave, this one was clearer. I could hear some murmurs coming from somewhere but I didn't understand them very well.
-Silence. This time we need to discuss something serious, something that could be even worse than the previous war – said the voice of another name, his voice was serious and with a severe tone, as if he was the one who was directing everything.
-I don't know how it could be worse than that, Zeus. She came close to killing all our children and destroying their homes, if it wasn't for our intervention it would have been over – said another man's voice.
-That's the problem my brother... this time, no matter how difficult the situation is, we can't intervene or everything would get worse – said Zeus' voice.
-What the hell are you talking about? We always have the option to attack when the occasion arises! – said the voice I had heard before Zeus'.
Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching again.
-This time you are not facing monsters or gods that you know... this time you are facing someone from the ancient war... from before you existed. Apollyon is not someone that your children can face and if you fight with him he could steal all his power to become more powerful – said another voice while I listened to the steps, it was a familiar voice, it reminded me of Mr. Takeshi.
-How did you get in here? Your work was supposed to be done a long time ago – said the voice of Zeus.
-But someone like him knows all about it and that would be a valuable resource... but to say that our children are not enough to go against him... – said another new voice, he seemed to be a bit annoyed.
-I'm sure that more than one of us was watching what was going on with him while he was fighting Apollyon... whoever did it will know what I'm talking about – said the voice that had just arrived.
-I was watching him and I can assure you that none of the sons of the Big 3 stand a chance against him... and that's without his power being awakened. Although the fact that he ended up like that... – said Hestia a little worried.
A few seconds passed and no one else had spoken, it was as if they had no idea what to say.
-For now we can only wait for him to recover and protect the girl, she will be his next target. Besides, we must leave him in a place where he can continue fighting to control his power and polish everything I taught him – said the voice from before.
-What do you mean "everything I taught him"? Mr. Takeshi was my only teacher – I thought a little confused by her words.
-Maybe you're right, but we can't leave him with our children... they might see a threat in him and cooperation between them in the future would be impossible – said Zeus in a calm tone.
-Are you crazy? All this time we have been protecting others like him from awakening his power and now you want to let him go free! On top of that he awakened the power of that guardian and he can't control it! In the worst case he could wipe out the whole world! – said another voice.
-I understand that Poseidon, but we have no choice. Besides, the war is not over yet... she, from whom all of us are descended, is still alive. The sacrifice of that son of Hephaestus was not enough. Adding all that up, our children will not have enough strength... this time we will have to break our own laws and wait for the blood of the ancient gods to fully awaken, it is our only way to win – said Zeus, it was obvious that saying that was very complicated for him.
-If you allow me... my disciple is more than qualified for this mission. I'm sure she can handle everything – said another woman's voice, she seemed to be calm despite everything they had said.
-I'm sorry Athena, but we can't allow it. Their powers are very similar and Apollyon could take advantage of that... I mean, he can steal her power more easily – said the voice of the one who had just arrived.
-I understand that... but in terms of power she is far above this young man, I'm sure there is no demigod that can stand a fight against her – said the same woman, now insisting a little.
-You said it yourself, there is no demigod... but I am sure he can defeat her if the occasion arose, after all he is so skilled that he has defeated me many times before. Of course I was only using my human body, but even with so much experience he found a way to defeat me – said the voice, now it was even more similar to that of Mr. Takeshi.
-Besides, we can't generate a chance to lose her, her very strength makes her an invaluable resource. We have to be sure what Apollyon really wants to do before we act rashly – said Zeus in a calm voice.
-That's why the best option is to let him take care of Apollyon for the time being, even if it's not easy for him to do so. But if what I think is true, he will become an even more valuable resource, besides if we take into account his relationship with the other girl... the best thing is to leave him in a place close to her, this is the only way to prevent him from falling into her hands – said the voice similar to Mr. Takeshi.
-I understand that, but there is still "that" question, how do we know that he won't lose control in the same way as before? – said the Athena voice
-I know him very well and I know that, even if he loses control, it won't be the same as before. Of course, the wound he has inside him is not something we can heal and he has to find a way to heal himself. That's why it's better to let him deal with Apollyon while he is in her company, maybe that will help him – answered the voice, I could hear that he was really convinced of what he was saying.
-And that's what we will do. This time we will need the power of our ancestors to end this war once and for all, even if it may lead to our children fighting against them – said Zeus.
-I still think it's crazy... but he's right. No matter how many achievements our children have this time they won't be enough... and I don't want to see them die – said Apollo.
-Luckily his family already had everything ready in case a situation like this should happen, I don't think he needs any more help from us for a long time – said the voice similar to Mr. Takeshi's.
-Then it is decided. Once his wounds are completely healed we will send him close to the girl. In the meantime we will increase the security around them until the time comes for them to meet – said Zeus' voice ordering.
-If they allow me, I will take care of their security. I think that's something I can handle – said another woman's voice.
-Okay Hera, but keep in mind that after what happened with him they may send worse things for her – said Zeus' voice, but it sounded farther and farther away.
-I think that's as far as this crazy dream went... – I thought a little tired.
The voices became more and more distant as my mind went blank.