"You made the right choice!" Hermes said once the group gave him their confirmation.
"So, where do we go?" asked Yena.
"Straight to Seokga's lair, obviously. Follow me,"
Hermes stood up and started making his way towards the front door, but before he opened it, he snapped his fingers. Now, when he twisted the handle and pulled, the group saw a different sight to the highway they came from earlier. Yena had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. On the other side of the door was a large Korean style palace.
"Woah..." Yujin muttered as they all stepped through.
"Impressive, isn't it? Korean gods like to keep their places on the mortal plane rather traditional," Hermes said.
"Now, you're to go in there, save Martha and George, and get out. Sound good?"
"Uh, what? Who are Martha and George? Also, you don't have any tips for us that could help?" Chaewon asked, but Hermes was already back on the other side of the door.
"That, my demigods, is up to you to figure out. Good luck!" And with that, the messenger god shut the door.
"Yah! What kind of scam is this?" Wonyoung whined as she ran back up to the door, but when she opened it, the Garden Emporium wasn't there. All she could see was the mountain terrain that covered the view behind them.
"Now what are we supposed to do?" Yuri said. "Walk in through the front door?"
~~~~
Turns out, that was exactly what they did. Yena had tiptoed up the steps and tried to subtly push the door open. No one appeared to be home.
"Are you sure sneaking into a god's palace is a good idea?" Yujin whispered as the group made their way inside.
"Well, we don't exactly have the luxury of time," Yena replied, taking a look around.
The interior of the palace was stunning. Colorful paintings lined the walls and jewel-encrusted vases stood on low stands. Yena had been inside some palaces in Seoul during field trips, but this looked like one that was brand new. Right in the middle of the room was a large, empty throne.
"The caduceus has to be around here..." Minju muttered. "Maybe we should-"
"Nope! I know what you're about to suggest and I don't agree," Wonyoung said, cutting the older girl off. "Haven't you seen a scary movie in your life? Splitting up is always the worst idea."
"And you have a better idea?" Yuri snarkily replied. "This palace is huge, and moving around in a big group will only attract attention."
Wonyoung grumbled something about the pretty ones always dying first, but she ultimately relented and went along with the plan.
~~~~
"This place is giving me the chills. What exactly are we supposed to be looking for?" Yena whispered as she and Yuri walked through one of the many corridors behind the throne room. Every path looked the same, and Yena was starting to wonder if they'd even be able to make their way back.
"The caduceus is Hermes' symbol of power. It's a golden staff with two snakes intertwined around it. It's a very versatile item. Just a touch from its tip could turn you into stone, or it could connect you to a caller from the other side of the world... with a small drachma fee for international coverage, of course." Yuri replied.
"Remind me not to hold on to it when we find it," said Yena before the sound of a door closing at the end of the hall caught the duo's attention.
"Something tells me the answer is on the other side of that," Yuri guessed as they approached. Once they were close, Yena started to make out a sign attached to the door.
YOU ARE READING
IZ*ONE and the Olympians: The Forbidden Ones
Adventure*IZ*ONE Greek Demigod AU" Yena, Chaewon, and Yujin had always thought that their friendship was a product of fate. Ever since the trio met, things just seemed to click. They were the only ones in school who ever understood each other, and there was...
