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The road to Soluna was in no means smooth, first his boat was almost toppled in a storm then, then almost eaten by wolves, and became bear food. The point was, the road to Soluna was far from smooth
Even with Scott and Mae's help there was still a storm.. 4c sighs, his legs collapsing as soon as his butt hits the bark of the fallen tree. It was abnormally hot “god… I know Soluna is the kingdom of sun and fire and all that, but I didn't think it would be so hot that I'm actually melting.. “ He mumbled to himself, shunning away the sun with his newly sown cloak
It didn't do much against the heat, though at the very least it did shield him from the blinding lights. He feels the air shift before anything else, the sky darkened and his vision blurs into a dark void, he jumps up at the sight of or rather lack of.
“Whose there?! “ His voice echoes through the dense forest around him, a voice speaks with familiar power yet an unfamiliar voice “4cvit, it is just I, do not fret” The slime stills, the voice was unfamiliar but they had the presence of a god the only god he hadn't met was… “Mage goddess? “ He called, the voice let out a breathless chuckle in response
“Clever as you've always been” 4c lets his shoulder relax slightly even within the presence of one's god “Why are you here? I-I'm not mage” he paused before continuing “right..?” The silence has its own reply as it stretches, “No, not a mage unfortunately” the slime lets out a sigh of relief “But, it does not mean you have any less magic” 4C freezes, he looks up at the now muted sun “What do you mean magic..?” the chuckle that followed felt like mockery of his own obliviousness
“Oh my dear 4C, how clueless you are” 4C takes a step back, now it just felt like the goddess was mocking him…his mind screaming at him to run yet his body frozen in the tense air that the goddess carried. The goddess chuckled at the sight of the pitiful slime, "apologies, I should’ve been clearer with my intent. I come bearing news rather to belittle you 4cvit” the blue slime hummed in response unsure of how to reply, and even why or who would send a god to send a message to mere mortals such as he be a slime no less.
“I believe I have the answer you have searched so long for” 4C shifted foot to foot,his slime dripping away with the heat, he swallowed down the nerve, his head lifting high, as if looking up at the god “an answer is what you’re here to deliver..?”
“Indeed, the answer to the question that you have been left with for years” 4c paused, searching for such a question, he opened his mouth “Why Me?” “Why you.” Both their voices overlapping in an odd sync, 4c’s voice echoing out, unlike before his voice boomed across the forest, the sound of the waterfall and animals faded into the background while the sun shone down on him unlike the previously idle light.
“...What was that?” His whispers heard by the goddess above, she answered with soft laughter "Oh clueless slime, you haven’t caught on..have you?” 4c whips his head up at the sky, his hands shook with a slight tremor from the adrenaline rushing through him along with the memory of his suffering by the hand of one of these gods. “What are you talking about..?” he took a step back, the ground shifting under him
The panic solidified into horror as soon as he felt himself falling, then floating. Before he could scream, he felt the ground under him, slowly lifting him up “We mean no harm 4cvit” 4c looked up to be met with 6 eyes”WHAAAAT?!?!?” he stumbles back, his eyes frantic , searching for a way out “4cvit” the gods called out to the slime, “What…WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME ?!”
“4cvit, be not afraid. We just wish to speak to you of divine matters” 4c shoots up his legs woobling to stand, “How does any of this involve me?! “ The loud pounding in his chest rhythmed his breathing “4c, You are one of us” Tear Blurs his vision, the panic rising “WHAAT?! “
“I-I don't, I'm not, I don't. I don't understand??? “ He chest heaving rapidly till he felt his own body relaxing against his own will, the panic in his mind subsiding as his stomach twisted in this uncomfortable way “What the… what did you do to me..? “ He called out to the three gods before him, their glowing eyes pearing at him in pity “We simply calmed you as we needed”
4c wraps his arms around himself, hugging his shoulders in hope of comfort, his mind terrified at the thoughts of the gods being able to just take control of him however they would like “4cvit. you are a demigod, act like one”
The first thing he felt was horror, then realization before it turned into something calmer, Clarity. “And you have powers, one untrained, I will help you in due time but now you need to figure out what these powers are and what you can do, call out to the moon if you wish to face guidance” Spoken the goddess, 4c opens his mouth before he feels the platform below him crumble and leaves him falling
How the hell was he a demigod?, why him? What are these powers the goddess spoke of? Why him? What possible hidden powers does he have? Why him? Can he even control these powers? Why him? The falling doesn't help, it feels as if he was free falling…
Falling in this endless void
Falling to his doom perhaps
Falling to somewhere unknown
Falling into…
The Solunian forest? He didn't know when his back touched the ground, 4C groaned before bouncing up onto his feet
4c looked around at his surroundings, the tree's leaves were dense with the smell of sunlight and lively atmosphere. He's seen these scenery before, they're the background of the photos Apo would usually send with her letters. It feels weird seeing the forest first hand, yet it felt so peaceful despite the chaos he was just sent through
The surroundings reminded him near where Apo usually trains with Cherri if he looked close enough, as if on cue he hears that familiar gust of fire, and the clashes of sword and spear.
4c follows the noise of each swift fire and clash of weapons, he eventually lands atop a tree, peering down gives him the sight of an illuminating fire fading away with a dash of blue and circled the fire, the demigod drops down just out of sight and sneaks around to see the pair sparring
“C'mon ! You don't have to hold back on me” Apo sighed at Cherri's whine “Princess, I'm not holding back you just learn quite faster then I did” Cherri sighed,Apo noticed the way her shoulders shagged, “let's take a break” Cherri opens her mouth to protest before being shut down by her knight “I'm not taking no, we're having a break. Sit down princess”
Cherri sighed, “okay.. “ The princess said reluctantly before collapsing down onto the grass, Apo handed her a drink before sitting down beside her, the silence stretching out into uncomfortable silence while they took sips from their respective drinks.
“Are you okay? “ Apo asked, breaking the silence, Cherri hummed looking up at her “hm? Oh uh yeah, just worried…” Apo places a hand on her shoulder “It's just… I get he might be busy but, 4C hasn't sent back a letter for 2 months Apo.. We send him letters every month!” Apo lets out a sigh her hand squeezing Cherri's shoulder
“I know you're worried, but 4C is strong and he can handle himself, he holds his ground even when he was a rogue. Have some faith in him” Cherri leans her head against Apo's shoulder, the way Apo's face turns slightly a pinker shade doesn't go unnoticed “I know just… “
4c looks around making sure it was just the two of them before he steps into the light, smiles bright and the events of earlier today pushed to the back of his mind “Hey Cherri, Apo is right, have some faith in me! “ He beamed
“4C?! “ Yelled the pair in unison “Surprise! “ He sees the two shoot up to their feet and Cherri tackling him in a hug followed by Apo who hugs him from behind, enveloping him in a hug and the warmth of it. Cherri pulls back her smile wide and eyes shining “Why didn't you just say you were visiting?!” Cherri shook his back and forth as Apo moved to stand behind her with a grin “It was supposed to be a surprise! “
Cherri stopped her shaking and hugged him again, tighter this time “Don't make me worry ever again! “ The slime giggle “Can't promise anything… especially not with what I just learnt.. “ He mumbled the last part, hurrying his face in her hair, the energy draining out of him
Cherri pulls away, feeling something wrong “4C? Are you okay” Apo places a hand on his shoulder “You must be tired, let's get you to the guest room and let you have your rest” 4c smiles at the thought “that sounds nice..” Apo gave him a reassuring smile “Let's go then 4c! “ Cherri said letting him go to hold his hand instead
“Mhm.. Oh uh, Apo does your offer still stand? “ Apo glances at him “My.. Offer? Oh! Of course I'm still willing to help you train” 4c lets out a small ‘yes’ Cherri and Apo both looks at each other and smile a little as they walked in comfortable silence