The gods go to sea

In the forest...

"Good, I never expected that Apollo would really bless you," Hermes said, biting his finger as he stared enviously at the orange glow on Cyd's left wrist.

"It feels pretty amazing," Cyd replied, looking up at the Sun hanging in the sky. He felt a warmth spreading through him, making his body feel more alive.

"It's not just amazing," Hermes said, patting his forehead. "As long as the Sun's rays touch you, Sun God Apollo's protection shelters you. Even if you were poisoned, the Sun's brilliance would cleanse it. The same goes for curses, and it even strengthens your body depending on the strength of the sunlight."

"That is incredible!" Cyd exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Yes, it's quite powerful. It's actually a bit awkward for me now," Hermes scratched the back of his head. "I originally planned to deceive you with a few casual words."

"Next time you annoy Apollo, I suggest you be fed to the Sun," Cyd joked.

"Just kidding, just kidding. You really helped me out this time, and I'm very grateful," Hermes said, noticing Cyd's stiff expression. He patted his shoulder and gave a thumbs-up. "Without your help, I'd probably be tied to that chariot right now."

"I thought you being tied to the chariot would be the best outcome."

"Don't take it the wrong way, I will bless you well," Hermes said, snapping his fingers. "Hopefully, you won't be deceived by anyone."

Cyd looked at his bracer as a dark green crystal silently filled in one of the empty slots.

"Quite casual, aren't we?"

"Hey, I may be a god, but I'm not especially powerful. I'm more of a crafty messenger," Hermes shrugged. "This might not seem much, but at least no one can deceive you now."

"That should be... good," Cyd said, curling his lip.

"The reward for the musical instrument is given, so now for the reward related to that music," Hermes tapped his helmet. "As for now, I can give you something else."

Cyd's eyes slowly widened. There was something he wanted that only Hermes could provide: information about the gods.

"You're a mortal, encountering gods is rare, let alone 13 of them. But as Zeus's messenger, I know where each one is," Hermes explained, pulling out a compass and tossing it to Cyd. "This will help you find them. It points to where you need to go."

Cyd looked at the compass, seeing the needle spinning wildly.

"It means you don't know where to go yet," Hermes said, coughing. "Once you decide, it will..."

The needle stopped, pointing to Hermes's left.

"See? It points to me," Hermes said.

"Got it," Cyd said, pocketing the compass. "Thanks."

"This is the result of your honesty and wisdom," Hermes said, tapping his helmet. "I have work to do. Bye-bye!"

Wings sprouted from Hermes's boots, and he flew into the sky, leaving Cyd envious of his ability to fly.

"Flying would be nice," Cyd muttered, kicking a pebble and walking in the direction the compass pointed. "I wouldn't have to go over hill and dale, and maybe I wouldn't meet..."

"A bandit," Cyd sighed, leaning against a tree. "Doesn't anyone respect a person anymore? Am I that easy to bully?"

The middle-aged man across from Cyd, holding a bow and arrow, extended a hand.

"Yeah, yeah, hand over your valuables. I've heard it all before," Cyd interrupted, breaking the tree he was holding in half.

"The world is really chaotic. I'm just walking, and I've met 67 waves of bandits! Do I look like a bandit magnet?" Cyd lifted the tree with one hand. "I don't kill people, but planting you in the ground would be troublesome!"

"Wait!" the middle-aged man said, swallowing hard. "I'm not a bandit!"

"Huh?" Cyd tilted his head.

"Really! Look, I have a rabbit I just hunted!" To prove his point, the man pulled a dead rabbit from his pack.

"Oh, phew, you're not a bandit," Cyd relaxed, planting the tree back into the ground. "You scared me!"

The middle-aged hunter, legs weak, sat down, missing the next few seconds as he realized he could have died.

"Hey, hunter, do you know where the nearest coast is?" Cyd asked, offering his hand to help the man up. "I need to go to sea."

"To sea?" The hunter took Cyd's hand and stood. "There's a ship setting sail in two days, but they're very strict about who they take. With your strength, though, you should get in."

"Really?" Cyd touched his chin. "Where are they going?"

"Colchis. They've been causing a lot of noise lately. No one wants to sail right now," the hunter said, brushing off leaves.

"Right. Can you show me the way?" Cyd asked, smiling genially.

"Sure, my crop is done for today anyway," the hunter replied, shaking the rabbit.

"Thanks!" Cyd rummaged through his pack and pulled out several wild wolf skins. "Here, take these."

"These are in perfect condition. They'll sell for a good price," the hunter said, hesitating.

"No worries. I'm going to sea anyway. Consider it a reward for your help," Cyd said, forcing the skins into the hunter's hands.

"Fine," the hunter accepted. "But why are you going to sea? Surely not just to go to Colchis."

"No, I just really want to go to sea," Cyd said, smiling mysteriously as he walked away.

If he could fly, he wouldn't need to cross such treacherous paths and maybe he wouldn't have to encounter so many bandits along the way.