Race between Demigods pt.1

Marina gently brushed her horse.

"And then he disappeared like that, out of nowhere. We are full of strange people here in the park, but he is certainly an exception."

After the short lesson, Marina went to the stable to brush that rust-colored coat. She often took advantage of that opportunity to tell Nebula, her horse, about everything that was troubling her. It was so common that it almost became an everyday action. She often happened to show up there even after the sun went down, because she realized that the view from the roof of the stable was particularly beautiful. She brushed the docile horse's mane twice more before stopping and smiling.

"That's it," she exclaimed with satisfaction.

All of a sudden, the air became heavier, a sign that someone was nearby. The sensation wasn't new, it felt strangely familiar. Demigoddess instincts kicked in, making Marina turn around almost with concern. Shirei was there watching her.

"Hey, hello! Shirei, right?" She noticed her interlocutor's gaze directed at the horse, "It's called Nebula, it's my horse, do you like it?"

The demigod advanced silently until he got closer. Marina did not fail to notice how his steps were devoid of any noise, a sign of extraordinary agility and control. The boy's height was distracting; in fact, anyone would have imagined that he preferred slow combat.

"It's not that I don't like it," he said, tilting his head to the side, "I was expecting something more mythical, if you know what I mean."

"Like?" The girl asked, putting some hay in front of the animal.

"A Pegasus."

Marina let out a laugh before answering. Realizing that Shirei wasn't joking, she quickly stopped: "Sorry, really," she paused briefly to make sure she was back to normal, "Pegasi are extremely rare, you're lucky to see one in your entire life."

"In Greek mythology they are quite common, descendants of the original Pegasus."

"Yes, I studied that story too, the head of Medusa etc," she shook her head slightly, "But those are just myths anyway."

The boy moved his gaze to the side and glanced at her. "Maybe, but all this could also be considered a myth."

"What are you trying to say?" She asked, leaning slightly forward.

The demigod's voice was strangely putting her at ease. Shirei was nothing but a stranger to her, but the calmness that accompanied him was comforting.

"I'm just reflecting on what I see and hear. Myths or not, they could really have happened, don't you think?"

"Are you saying that there could be other pantheons like the Italian one? Look, unlike them, our history in the mortal world has been erased, no one knows anything about us. Zero."

"Precisely. If they are true, why hide ours and spread the others, doesn't it seem strange to you?"

"Well..." the girl was speechless for a moment, she had never stopped on that thought.

"Don't worry, I was just rambling. We might as well close the topic here."

"As you prefer..."

The demigod simply peered at Nebula and Marina smiled thoughtfully. During those hours that had passed, she had gone to ask around about Shirei but hadn't gotten much news. Her best friend was busy, so she hadn't even had a chance to confirm her doubts. The inexorable passage of silent minutes made her slightly uncomfortable.

Shirei seemed to read her mind and sighed, "If you have any questions about me you are free to ask them," he said before bringing one of his hands closer to Nebula and caressing it gently.

"Are you a son of Cragar?" She asked tensely.

Shirei nodded, confirming her doubts.

"So earlier, when I came back, you disappeared because you were in the Interworld?"

"Yes, I used a 'Spectral Travel'. Why did you come back looking for me?"

"Mr. D'Agostini asked me to show you around."

Nebula neighed at Shirei's touch, she seemed to have taken a liking to him.

"You don't have to keep an eye on me."

That seemed to be a veiled innuendo to her, Marina smiled guiltily.

The boy continued, "Why did he ask you specifically... should I know you?"

But Marina's mind was already too busy categorizing the news she had obtained. Another son of Cragar at the Lilies Park, she was amazed that Aena had agreed.

"Are you okay?" The demigod asked, his purple gaze invading her vision making her waver.

"Yes, I was just lost in my thoughts," she stammered after coming to her senses, "I think she did it because not everyone here looks favorably upon the children of Cragar. Why do you think you need to know me?"

"I don't spend much time here and I remain in my room throughout my stay. You're the third person I've talked to since I've been at the park and, if they asked you to keep an eye on me, maybe they think they can... I honestly don't know," Shirei covered his face with a hand and rubbed his eyes, "It's clear that they know my identity, but they still don't want to reveal anything to me. This memory loss thing is killing me."

Marina frowned. From Lyceum's words he was able to deduce that Shirei had arrived at the park a few months ago. It wasn't humanly possible that he had never had a conversation with anyone. She still couldn't figure it out, she was sorry for his memories, but she didn't understand his distrustful nature.

To mask the ever-increasing doubts, she decided to launch the discussion on irony and try to cheer him up: "Regardless, I feel honored to be the third person you've spoken to here," she blurted out with a hearty laugh.

"I am not joking."

"Ah, I see," she replied, disappointed by the failure of her plan, "I know it's none of my business, but what do you usually do?"

Shirei gave the horse a final pat and walked away, "I train, every day."