Daughters of Gods and The Trials of the Poison Belt

Chapter Five: The Awakening

The library welcomed me with its familiar scent of aged books and polished wood as I unlocked its doors early in the morning. The shelves in my designated section held untouched volumes about 'The Fates,' those daughters of Zeus who held the very threads of destiny in their hands. Legends spoke of their power to shape mortal lives and even to administer punishment upon the wicked. The impending Greek mythology game night now held an added allure, thanks to our firsthand knowledge. A quiet chuckle escaped me as I embraced the promises the day held and began my shift.

As I settled into my routine, the melodious chime of the entrance bell reverberated through the library. I hastened to the front desk, poised to assist the visitor who had just arrived. A man stood there, his gaze seemingly focused in my direction despite his eyes appearing blind. His smile, though amiable, sent a shiver trailing down my spine, as if he held a secret I did not.

"How can I assist you?" I inquired, my voice maintaining its steadiness despite my growing unease.

"You look as beautiful as the day we sent you here," he remarked, his words cryptic and unsettling.

"I'm sorry, but I believe we haven't met," I replied, my tone courteous yet cautious.

"Athene?" he questioned, and a glimmer of recognition lit up his eyes. Athene—the name we had encountered in the books, alongside the guys. A potent goddess, rumored to wield might comparable to even Zeus. Yet, she remained more myth than reality.

"I'm Melody. Can I help you find someone?" I attempted to steer the conversation, my curiosity growing.

"Nike hasn't revealed your true self to you, has she?" His query caught me off guard, causing my heart to quicken.

"Nike? I'm not certain I understand," I answered, my brow furrowing in confusion. Then, unexpectedly and disconcertingly, his touch landed on my hand. My instincts kicked in, prompting me to withdraw, my senses on high alert.

"She's concealed your memories from you. Nevertheless, what's crucial is that you're prepared," he continued, his words washing over me like a premonition.

His touch brushed my arm, and in an instant, a surge of power raced through me, akin to electricity igniting my veins. Fear intertwined with awe as the energy coursed through me, a force unlike any I had ever encountered. Panic bubbled within as I cried out, "What have you done to me?"

My outburst captured the attention of my grandmother and sisters as they walked through the door, their worried expressions contrasting with the extraordinary aura enveloping me. The sensation intensified until I seemed to radiate with an otherworldly light, casting an ethereal aura around me. The room seemed to spin, and I teetered on the precipice of consciousness.

"Melody!" My grandmother's voice was infused with concern, the world around me fading.

And then, darkness claimed me.