Reunion II

Boy, he can't believe it! He only wished before that he also had some friends here whom he knows, but now, they are really here! And it's Rexis and Sayo! Definitely people he can trust!

'How did they get here?!' This question rang like crazy in his head but he really couldn't complain about this development. At least, he won't be the only modern man anymore in this ancient world. He went down from the podium and shoved everyone else aside as he made his way towards his friends.

He's just so glad to have them around that he didn't care how lame he looked anymore when he was about to tackle them in a hug. But Sayo had other things on her mind. Before he can make contact, she made contact first by kicking him in the shins. It was not a dramatic way to reunite.

"OWWW!!" Julius' face contorted in agony from the pain caused by the unexpected kick of their manager.

"You idiot! How did you get here?! And why are we also here?!" Sayo spat at him.

Somehow, this only made Julius even feel more elated. 'It's really them.' He was so relieved.

"Man, so you're really here, huh? You had us worried back there." Rexis said as he hit his head lightly.

"How did you guys get here?" Julius asked them expectantly.

"This Greek Mythology book." Sayo rummaged the sportsbag that was slung on her shoulders. "We kinda went inside your house and checked in your room. We found this thing and it was weird because it was emitting a faint light. Moreover, it's empty, see?" She waved it in front of his face for him to see. "When Rexis touched it, he was sucked inside. And of course the moron had to grab onto me and drag me along to wherever this place is. We figured out this is Ancient Greece, but where exactly?"

"We are in Olympia." Julius said, breathlessly. The two gave him a perplexed look, so he continued. "I'll explain everything later. It's complicated. First, we find somewhere where we can talk in private. We'll figure out what to do after we agree on the interpretation of the prophecy."

"Julius! Why did you suddenly leave? Who are these –" Tobias followed Julius to the two of them and looked at the figures of Rexis and Sayo with utmost curiosity. They eyed him too in the same way.

"This boy – he will interpret it for us." Julius brought Tobias closer and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Woah – woah, hold it man! Who's that? I never signed up for this! Easy, easy!" Rexis said, holding his hand up.

"Prophecy? What are you –" Before Sayo can finish her sentence, an arrow swished in their direction and Julius was barely able to dodge it.

'Holy crap! Not again!' Julius thought. 'If it wasn't for my enhanced battle reflexes, that would've gotten me!'

"RUN! FOLLOW ME!" He suddenly shouted to his friends, much to their shock. They followed him, nonetheless.

Rexis: "Where are we going?!"

Julius: "No idea! Anywhere will do as long as we can leave this place!"

Just then, a figure of a girl landed gracefully right in front of them. It seems like she jumped to their direction from above. She slowly pulled herself up, and eyed them one by one. 'She's dangerously beautiful.' Julius thought.

Her long, auburn hair was braided in a single pleat. Her eyes were a color similar to Julius'. She was wearing a peplos that was cut just right above the knees, exposing her toned legs and her sandals. What makes her look forbidding however, is the quiver and arrows slung around her shoulders paired with her murderous expression. "You are not getting away from me. You are my prey." Now she placed an arrow in her bow and pointed it at Julius.

Suddenly, a golden arrow swished from behind Tobias – it flew all the way towards the young lady before she even knew what happened. The arrow's mark was the fabric where her peplos was fastened just above her shoulders, and the impact of the hit sent her backwards, where she was pinned to the wall of a certain house. The young lady dropped her weapons to the ground and searched the direction from which the golden arrow came from. Her eyes widened in fear at what she saw.

Meanwhile, the gathering behind the four mortals dispersed and the only one left on the podium was Apollo, who was holding on to his bow. He just released an arrow towards the young lady, with the intent only of stopping her from what she was about to do earlier.

Julius, Rexis, Sayo and Tobias looked around with utter disbelief painted on their faces. Julius, especially, got so amazed at the recent exchange. 'Apollo is showing off!'

Not a second later, Apollo was already beside them and he continued to look at the girl who was now obviously terrified of the presence before her.

"Lord…Apollo?" Julius started. Tobias was speechless. Rexis and and Sayo can't believe what they just heard.

"Tell me, mortal. Who are you and what is your purpose of targeting this young man?" Apollo said in a cold tone.

"F-Forgive me….My Lord….I wasn't aware that t-the boy is your companion." She stuttered on her reply.

"Who are you and what is your purpose of targeting this young man?" The god repeated, this time, stressing that he needs an answer and not an apology.

"M-My Lord, I just thought that t-this boy deserves to be punished… for offending t-the gods two days ago.... when he caused that ruckus near Dorcia's place…. I tried to ch-chase him before to capture him and let the gods decide for his penalty.... now that I saw him again, I just thought it-it was an opportunity to get him….. I swear, My Lord… I didn't mean to offend you…"

Apollo brought down his hands and his weapon disappeared. He now seemed to relax after hearing the girl's explanation. His normal demeanor returned. "Ah, I see. Pardon me if I scared you – ?" He awaited a response.

"Corinna…. My Lord. My name is Corinna." The girl finally looked up to the god of archery.

"Worry not, Corinna. I am a benevolent god, after all." And the arrow that pinned Corinna to the wall disappeared. She landed softly on the ground, where she immediately picked up her fallen weapons.

"Thank you for your understanding, My Lord." She bowed. When she was about to leave, Julius called her.

"Wait!" The girl looked at him with her eyebrows raised.

Julius then said, "How about me? Aren't you gonna apologize to me? You almost killed me! Twice now!"

"I don't regret – "

"Now, now, Julius calm down. Corinna was only doing her duty." Apollo interjected before the girl can finish.

The four mortals only looked dumbfounded at the god. 'What now? One second you were on our side and on the next you're suddenly defending her?' Julius wanted to say.

"Corinna, I can tell from the silver band on your wrist that you are a Maiden Huntress, I suppose?" Apollo looked amused as he asked this question, to which the girl only nodded to.

"Ah, so I guess it's time for you to leave now and pray to your Mistress about your next mission, right?" Again, Corinna nodded. "Then I bid you farewell, Huntress." And off she went.

After a few minutes, Julius asked. "What do you mean by what you just said?"

"The Huntresses always pray to their Mistress for her to give them missions. That sister of mine rarely replies so when something bad happens and a Huntress is there, they interpret it as the mission sent by their Mistress. Speaking of interpretations, I believe you need to discuss IT with your companions now, correct?"

The four of them looked at each other knowingly, eager for a discussion about this entire mystery.

"Now I leave you to your own devices. Good luck on your quest, Julius of Boboston!" With that final remark, the god summoned his chariot and left them with a golden trail to look up in the sky.

Sayo and Rexis stared at Julius, while he shot a look at Tobias. The youngest of the four then said, "All right, I will begin by stating the Prophecy of the Son of Time."