Calliope's village

-We're almost off the mountain and we haven't found anything useful about where are the missing gods or the box, Changbin complained.

-You've been whining like a baby for the past two hours, Jeongin groaned. Shut up!

Felix was amused of them bickering. It kept the atmosphere alive.

Suddenly a sweet melody filled his ears like honey.

He turned around and followed the voice until he came in sight with a beautiful woman picking up vegetables from under the snow and putting them in her little basket.

Her hair was long, healthy and shiny. Her pink gown was flattering her body shape and on top of her head she had a crown of flowers. She looked like a picture coming to life.

-Felix? Don't part from us without saying something. We are worried! Jeongin scolded him. What are you- his voice stopped in his throat as he glanced at the woman.

-What? What do you see? Felix shook him.

-Apollo's signature.

They both went down to talk to her right before she turned to leave.

-Hello? Jeongin rushed to her. Hi!

She backed off in surprise.

-Good morning! Can I help you?

-Yes! You- What do I see Apollo's signature on you?

-What?

-He meant... Who are your parents? Felix added.

-Why do you must know?

-We are looking for Apollo. He's gone missing and we were sent to find him, Jeongin explained.

-Everyone is looking for Apollo these days.

-Everyone? Felix asked.

-A woman came a few days ago to ask me the same thing.

-Hecate...Jeongin whispered. Therefore you don't know where is he.

-I do not. He may be my father, but- Oops! she gasped when he realised what she revealed.

-Your father? But Apollo was... You're daughter of Calliope! Felix concluded. That's why you sing so beautifully.

-Well thank you! Indeed I am. I am Lia.

-I'm Jeongin, son of Hermes. He's Felix, fully human.

-You climbed the mountain all the way up? she looked at their traces in the snow.

-Yes. From the other side.

-You must be exhausted. I know I am after coming this far, but I need to get food for the villagers.

-There's a village?

-Oh, yes. Close. Join me and rest for a bit.

They all arrived at the village and were pleased with the view of Greeks smiling and enjoying themselves in a hot day of spring.

Nothing unusual. On the right there were kids gathered to listen to old legends sung by a man with a harp.

The grownups were working to offer them food every day. Every one passing by was welcoming them or greeting.

So much happiness in such small corner of the world.

-Something does not feel right, Jeongin frowned. Why are they all smiling?

-Come on, Innie! They are just happy with their simple lives. What's wrong with that? Hyunjin asked.

-I have a bad feeling about this.

They all went to explore while Jeongin was left behind to feed his dark thoughts and poison his mind.

-You see it too, right? a voice from above asked.

Jeongin looked up and found a man in a tree.

-See what?

-These people aren't normal. I've been resting here for the past two days. They creep me out.

He went down and Jeongin finally took a better look at him. At his blond curls, at his dark eyes and his sculpted body under the golden tunic.

-And who you may be? Jeongin questioned.

-I may be Chan, he took Jeongin's hand and kissed it.

-You have it too... Apollo's signature.

-Indeed. He is my grandfather if you are so eager to know.

-Grandfather? That makes you...

-Son of Orpheus and Eurydice. And since you brought up my signature, I imagine you can be none but Son of Hermes.

-Jeongin.Chan's eyes flickered as he stared at the winged boy.

-I have found you, my muse.

-Muse?

-You will be my muse from now on. All the stories I can write just by staring at your beauty...

-You're a writer?

-That book you're carrying with you... It's mine. Have you enjoyed it so far?

-I didn't read it. There are foolish stories. Nothing real.

-That's the point. I promise you will love that one. "Icarus" is my best creation.

-Then you must be disappointing.

Chan laughed before admitting defeat.

-Now what do you mean these people are not normal?

-Have you heard of the "no-land"?

Jeongin looked confused at him.

-Platon imagined a word where everything was perfect. A "no-land" how I like to call it. Why? Because such word has no place among humans. This reminds me of it and I do not like it.

-That's why you decided to stay. To find out what's going on.

-You are smart. Your intellectual almost matches mine.

-Almost? Jeongin raised an eyebrow.

-You have a lot of things left to learn.

They went to the square where the others were listening to Lia singing as the crowd of citizens were cheering for her.

-It looks like a cult to me, Jeongin said.

-Have some fun, won't you? Chan nudged him with his elbow. Let me sing for you! he took his lute and started playing an alert song.

Jeongin rolled his eyes and crossed his arms unimpressed.

Jisung dragged Minho after him and started dancing with him, enjoying the moment as it was.

Hyunjin tried to get Jeongin to dance, but the younger wouldn't budge.

Felix took Changbin's hand and invited him to join him.

The human seemed the more invested in the music.

He was enjoying it, spinning and twirling as his light steps left prints in the sand.

-Hyunjin! Jeongin screamed as he grabbed the latter.

-What? he asked scared.

-Look...

They both turned their heads towards Felix whose hair started glowing in the sun.

His freckles caught a bright shade of dark that slowly turned into blood.

Everyone watched the scene in horror. He stopped and watched the liquid dripping off his face on his clothes.

Jeongin panicked and went to hide the boy under his wings.

-Wha-what's happening with me? Felix cried.

-I...

For the first time Jeongin didn't have an answer.Suddenly he felt himself being pulled away and thrown into the dust.

A girl with black hair and a wicked smirk approached as everyone ran away from her sight.

-I finally found you, she took Felix's chin and brought it up to face her.

-Leave him alone! Changbin threatened her with his fire.

-Price of Underworld, you have no reason to meddle in this.

-You can bet on it that I have. Who are you?

-Hecate...Jeongin groaned in pain. She has her signature.

-If you must know, I am her daughter. Ryujin. Stay out of my way and you will be spared.

-You're hilarious, Changbin scoffed before being hit by a wave of dark magic.

-You think you can stop us? Minho raised an eyebrow at Lia.

-Get them, she whispered.

The citizens rushed towards Minho and Jisung and immobilised them.

-Don't hurt them! They are not in control of their bodies! Jisung told Minho.

Jeongin wanted to get up when he felt a strong pain in his left wing.

He looked up and saw Chan stepping on it.

-You're working for her...

-I did say you have plenty left to learn, he answered with a dull voice.

Hyunjin ran towards Felix when he saw an arrow flying before his face.

-What in the name of Zeus was that?

He turned around and met with the last person he wanted to see.

-Next time I aim for your heart, the archer uttered.

-Why are you here, Minnie? Hyunjin gulped in fear.