Inside a dark and dimly lit room, the source of light is a small candle lamp and the moonlight that pierces the window. Judas is eagerly studying dusty ancient books and scrolls. And through this perusing, he learns many secrets and knowledge about the gods.
Using decryption, he had learned their titles, symbols, and ancient names. Their old honorific names swim in his mind. Each line of their name contains a lost secret and legends. No one thought these ancient records would bring power to anyone. No doubt, in the future that Judas wants to make. These books will be considered national treasures. He was careful in studying these delicate texts.
"It's not this as well. "He" isn't here either... This book is about "His Majesty", Hermes." Judas muttered as he carefully closed the book and stowed it away.
"I didn't expect 'Him' to be this secretive. Wasn't "He" considered the greatest god of ancient times? Surely, he dabbled in extravagance like most of the gods here in Orario." Looking for more books and scrolls to read, suddenly Judas' treasure instinct kicks in with his deduction.
A simple, green, old, and worn-out book piqued his interest. He picked it up and opened it.
"This must be it. Let's see?" Judas opened the book, then was shocked at the first page. An ironic smile emerged afterwards.
"So it's you... Argonaut! Is this what fate is? Haha!" Judas couldn't help but snicker.
Sometimes, the simplest method is the most profound. Turns out, the book he wanted was the most common of all.
"This is a story of a hero
The adventures of a poet
and the greatest Fool."
Judas narrated the intro. The irony of it all made him smile. He eagerly started studying the book. Each word echoed within his heart. Each sentence made him closer to his goal. Each page contains hidden knowledge. When the story was reaching its end. A sense of accomplishment lay on his face with closed eyes.
He closed it and narrated the final words.
"And so the fool's journey comes to an end."
Judas then looked serious and took out a parchment, then drew a hand holding a lightning bolt. He then reclined his head on the chair. He held his drawing upwards and looked at it, then said the honorific name he had decrypted.
"The God Of Skies, Lightning, and Thunder
The Manifestation of Heroes and Trials
The King Of Mon Olympus"
Judas then uttered a name that the world hasn't heard for so long.
"Zef..."
This should be Zeus' true name. Judas' mind was filled with rituals and rites.
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Judas was standing in front of a run-down building. He was both perturbed and shocked. A chilly feeling made his body hair stand on end. He doesn't know whether to be afraid.
"Another coincidence? Is this fate guiding me?"
He uses divination again and again to check if everything is fine. And it all was. Matters of the gods are dangerous, and Judas wasn't willing to take his chances.
"It seems fine... But still, that shocked me. My divination pointed me here. So be it. Too many oddities today, from my fragmenting memories to this? So be it."
Judas used divination to search for a place perfect for rituals, this is the place he had found. The old dusty building was an abandoned church. Judas guessed it right, it was the place that the future Hestia familia and Bell Cranel would call home.
"Better go in then."
Judas hurriedly went inside, looked around.
"This place is indeed a dump. The Hephaestus familia completely abandoned this place..."
Judas found an altar and started preparing for his ritual to summon "Zeus".
First, he took out the offerings.
"A branch burned by lightning, finest of wine, and a lock of a beautiful girl..."
Then he took out the props.
" The scroll containing the symbol of Zeus, the Book of Argonaut. A Throne for his majesty placed on a higher position, Candles with the scent of oak trees..."
Then Judas drew the summoning circle.
"The summoning circle made of his symbols and rites, drawn using the ashes of Oak trees."
Everything was ready and perfect.
With a snap of his fingers, Judas started the ritual. Lighting the candles on fire. Signalling the beginning of the ritual.
Step 1. Judas made his hand ball into a fist while putting it to his chest.
Step 2. Judas stepped forward at the throne prepared for "Him."
Step 3. Judas knelt on the ground and began his prayer.
"The God Of Skies, Lightning, and Thunder
The Manifestation of Heroes and Trials
The King Of Mon Olympus"
Judas felt the air stir with an unknown power. He could feel overwhelming pressure that commanded him to kneel. A sense of strong oppression prevented him from looking up.
"Your devoted admirer prays for your attention.
I pray for your mercy.
I pray you descend and offer me guidance."
Thunder and Lightning erupted around Judas' surroundings, he could feel the air growing colder and colder. Judas was still unable to move and dared not to. The coming of God's descent is near. He could feel the presence of god near and approaching.
Suddenly, the surroundings calmed down.
"Ohohoho. This is certainly new."
Suddenly, a hearty laugh exploded in the room. It was manly and charismatic, just a few words uttered made Judas' heart move.
"I can freely use my powers here without breaking the contract? Amazing... It's been a while since I have felt this great! Let me stretch for a bit. We're in Orario right now? It's been so long since I've been here. I was sleeping with Bell so soundly, to think I get to have this adventure in this day and age."
Judas could hear a loud popping sound. He's terrified. He might not have thought this through properly. Judas accidentally coughed in fear.
"Oh? You're my devotee? Ohohoh!? What in heaven are you? Are you a monster? Did the monster start evolving this far?"
Judas nodded in reply while kneeling. He doesn't dare disrespect this god. Suddenly, he heard another hearty laugh.
"What a polite thing! Very well, I'll allow you to speak! Explain your purpose for summoning me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to speak. My name is Judas. I have heard so much about your greatness, Your Majesty. I'm here to plead for your blessing. I also have longed to meet Your Majesty. I'm also not a monster, your majesty, but a human who uses potions to gain extraordinary powers. My kind are called beyonders..."
"Oh? Beyonders? I've never heard of such things; even times have gotten on me. I can indeed give you a blessing in this form. What kind of blessing do you want? Power, Strength, the ability to use lightning? Do you want to fly? As for meeting me, you've met me now~!"
Judas felt a sign of relief leave his body. As expected, Zeus is one of the better gods around.
"No, Your Majesty, I simply ask for your power to help me hide from one of the Evilus gods. Specifically, the Eye of Death."
"Hmmm? You're being troubled by Thanatos? That bastard still likes to make trouble in Orario? Anyway, I can't help you with that! Too Bad! Ohohoho"
Judas felt his blood drain after hearing his answer.
"Please explain, Your Majesty."
"It's simple, I'm a god of the sky! What kind of god of the skies hides? I don't have such power, go ask someone else. Although I can recommend someone. Ohohoho! Go, get me some paper, I'll write your letter of recommendation."
This old god is looking to trouble someone from his tone. But Judas acquiescence. Since Lord Zeus can't help him, surely his recommendation.
"While I write this letter, why don't you tell me the changes in Orario? It's been so long since I was exiled..."
"Lord Zeus was exiled? Well, lately, beyonders like me have appeared. Currently, a diplomatic embassy is being made for Silent Hill..."
"Stop! Stop! Don't tell me about those boring things, tell me how Freya's familia or that brat Loki's up to. Talk about girls instead."
Judas smiled. If he wants to hear gossip about the female goddesses here in Orario, there's no better person than Judas.
"Well, have you heard that Loki-sama seemed to have fallen in love with a mortal man who was a thief!"
"That Loki? really? How is that possible? Ohohohoho! Even that brat has her spring!"
Judas nonchalantly told him embarrassing stories of gods in Orario, Judas knows gods like gossip. When Zeus finished writing his letter. He suddenly made something out of his power.
"Since you told me a funny story, you can also have this monster boy!"
"This... the Eye of Zeus?" Using his decryption, he managed to identify it.
"You're very knowledgeable, boy, with this, you can see from the skies. Take it, it's my gift to you for telling me interesting stories. Plus, I'd like to experiment for a bit. If it doesn't bother you. Don't worry, I'll just look at you when things interest me. Not like that Thanatos guy."
"Of course, Lord Zeus."
It seems similar to the Eye of Death function of the book. It's like a talisman in function. Maybe I can also use this for other things?
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Chapter End
Thanks For Reading.
AN: Thanks to you all for welcoming me back. Many thanks.