The silence in the aftermath of the battle was deafening. The dust had barely settled from the shattered orb, and Erik's friends stood around him, their faces pale and shaken. The adrenaline still coursed through their veins, but the eerie quiet that followed the disappearance of the watchers felt almost unnatural.
"We won, right?" Carter asked, his voice breaking the stillness.
"We stopped them," Lili corrected, her eyes still scanning the factory's shadowed corners, as if expecting another attack. "But this isn't the end. We still don't know what the watchers were really after or how many more of them are out there."
Erik's heart pounded in his chest as the weight of her words settled over him. She was right. Even though they had destroyed the orb and vanquished the watchers here, he knew this battle had only scratched the surface of the larger conflict at hand.
Sasha knelt beside the remnants of the orb, sifting through the rubble with a mixture of fascination and concern. "This thing... it was like a conduit. They weren't just drawing power from it—they were storing something. Maybe information, energy, or even... memories."
"What kind of memories?" Hugo asked, leaning over to get a better look.
Sasha frowned, her fingers brushing over the strange, glowing fragments of the orb. "I'm not sure. But there's something strange here. I think this is tied directly to the gods."
Erik's eyes narrowed. "You mean the watchers were trying to use this to connect to them?"
Sasha nodded slowly. "I think so. They were collecting information—something about you, Erik. The watchers are trying to figure out how you connect to the gods and why you're the key. But I don't think they know the full answer yet."
Erik's stomach twisted. He didn't fully understand it either. The gods had called him the key, but what did that really mean? He had powers, yes, but there was something more to it—something deeper that he couldn't grasp yet.
"We need to find out more," Zara said, pacing in front of the broken windows. "If the gods are watching, then we need to know what they're planning. We can't just sit around waiting for the next group of watchers to come after us."
"I agree," Erik said, his mind racing. "But where do we start? We're dealing with ancient forces, and we barely know anything about them."
Lili stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. "There's someone who might know. My grandfather—he used to talk about the old gods. He's always been obsessed with ancient mythology and legends. If anyone knows something about this, it's him."
Erik glanced at her, surprised. Lili had never mentioned her grandfather before, but the urgency in her voice told him that this was more than just family stories. She was serious.
"Where is he?" Erik asked.
"He lives on the outskirts of town, in the old district. It's kind of a hike, but I think it's worth it. He might have information about the gods that we won't find anywhere else."
Sasha stood, brushing off her hands. "It's a lead, and we don't have many of those. I say we go."
Erik looked around at his friends, their faces reflecting the same mixture of determination and fear. This was their best shot at getting answers. And if Lili's grandfather had any insight into the connection between Erik and the gods, they couldn't afford to ignore it.
"Alright," Erik said, making the decision. "Let's go see your grandfather."
The journey to Lili's grandfather's house took them through the oldest parts of town, where the streets grew narrower and the buildings more weathered with age. Erik had rarely ventured into this part of the city, and as they walked, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched—though whether by the gods or by something else, he couldn't be sure.
Lili led the way, her pace quick but quiet, and Erik could sense her unease. "You okay?" he asked as they walked side by side.
She gave him a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah. I just... haven't seen him in a while. He's a bit... eccentric."
"Eccentric how?" Hugo asked from behind them, clearly intrigued.
"He's... well, let's just say he has some strong opinions about the gods and the way the world used to be. Some people think he's a little out there, but I think he knows more than he lets on."
As they turned onto a narrow street lined with ancient trees, a small, crumbling house came into view. It was tucked away behind a tangle of overgrown vines, its windows dark and the door slightly ajar. Erik felt a shiver run down his spine. The place looked like it had been forgotten by time.
"This is it," Lili said quietly.
They approached the house cautiously, and Lili knocked on the door. For a moment, there was no response. Then, from inside, a gruff voice called out, "Come in."
Lili pushed the door open, and they stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of old books and incense. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with ancient tomes, strange artifacts, and symbols Erik didn't recognize. In the center of the room, sitting in an old leather chair, was Lili's grandfather.
He was a tall, thin man, his face lined with age and his eyes sharp despite the years. His long, silver hair fell in waves around his shoulders, and he wore a dark robe that seemed almost ceremonial.
"So, you've finally come to visit," the old man said, his voice raspy but filled with a quiet authority. "And you've brought friends."
Lili stepped forward. "Grandfather, we need your help. It's about the gods."
The old man's eyes flicked to Erik, and his expression hardened. "Ah, I see. It's about him, isn't it? The one they call the key."
Erik felt a chill run through him. How did Lili's grandfather know that?
"You know about me?" Erik asked cautiously.
The old man gave a slow nod. "I know more than you think, boy. The gods have been watching you for a long time. They've been waiting."
"For what?" Erik pressed.
The old man leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "For you to make your choice. The gods may call you the key, but it is you who will decide which door to open."
Erik's mind raced. What choice was he supposed to make? What door?
Before he could ask, Lili's grandfather stood, his gaze never leaving Erik. "There's much to discuss, and little time. If the watchers are after you, then the balance between the gods is already shifting. And you must be prepared, or the consequences will be catastrophic."
"Prepared for what?" Lili asked, her voice filled with urgency.
"For the awakening," the old man said quietly. "The awakening of the old gods."