Alexo

Chapter 18: Race With Hermes

Alexo wandered away from the city of Thebes, which became smaller and smaller in the distance. Disappearing over the horizon as Alexo continued to live as a nomad, just moving from city to city.

He continued to walk across the vast fields and hills, all on his own.

He made his way to a beach, standing on the hot sand while listening to the waves. He looked out across the vast blue sea, thinking to himself in silence.

His eyes closed, his senses fading aside from the sound of waves.

The sound of waves.

All that he heard or felt.

Alexo opened his eyes, standing back at his home in Kythira as young boy. Staring out at the vast ocean, looking past a large ship pulled into the dock. A hundred men or more carrying barrels and crates. More pulling ropes and untying or retying knots.
The young Alexo looked at the ship, staring deep into the dark wood stained by water.

"We don't have much longer men! We need to get going before the sunsets! The seas become rough and monstrous!" The man shouted.

Alexo felt fear, showing it on his face.

One of the men brushed past him to grab a barrel that was the size of Alexo.

"Are there really monsters?" Alexo asked, his voice high and yet was jaded and cold like he had years of experience in his body.

The man just chuckled as he struggled to lift the barrel on his own.

"Monsters sure are real. Whenever it gets dark, they come out. So it's a good idea to stay home when it gets dark. Stay at home with your parents." The man joked.

Another man came over to help with the barrel.

"What kind of monsters?" Alexo asked.

Adult Alexo was suddenly thrown to the ground by a violent force, leaving his feet while sand was flung high into the air. Alexo grunted and felt the sand surrounding his side, burning his skin and turning it a bright red and pink hue.

He quickly got back to his feet, looking up at a young, handsome man. His skin was smooth and radiant, almost blinding to stare at.

"I am so sorry for that, I was in quite the hurry." He said, holding his hand out towards Alexo.

Alexo looked over the man.

He was dressed in a white toga tied very tight to a very athletic frame packed with muscle. On his head was painfully bright blonde hair, his eyes almost just as blindingly blue. Covering his hair was a bowl shaped hat made out of gold. Rope was tied around his waist, small bottles and sacks tied to it seeming to carry multiple items or letters.
In his hand was a long metal wand that had an end resembling a key.

"Who are you?" Alexo asked, refusing to take his hand.

The man kept his arm outstretched, a big but tired smile on his face.

"My name is Hermes, or at least that is the name I have been given." He said.

Alexo swallowed hard, feeling disgust and anger building but forcing it to stay down.

"Hermes? You are the Messenger God correct?" Alexo asked.

Hermes chuckled, giving a subtle shrug and beginning to stand higher with his arm still out.

"I guess so. That is what I tend to do." Hermes said with an innocent sounding chuckle.

Alexo's face looked confused as he finally took the hand, being helped to his feet with ease.