Chapter 32 – A Perfectly Normal Day as a Teenager
The next day, sunlight poured through Dante's bedroom window, warming the wooden floorboards. He stood in front of the mirror adjusting a black leather jacket, running a hand through his blue hair, trying to look casual but still impressive. He was getting ready to go out with Alice.
At that exact moment, Sera appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, expression serious.
"Son, my father warned me: the situation is about to explode into war at any moment."
Dante sighed heavily, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling.
"Why can't they go kill each other on Jupiter or Neptune, or on any other lifeless planet? Why do they have to cause problems right on our planet?"
Sera leaned against the doorframe.
"they never left to fight in an unknown place."
Dante snorted.
"Yeah, after all they're afraid of dying, especially Zeus, who swallowed his first wife, Metis, because a prophecy said she would give birth to a son who would overthrow him, just like he overthrew his father, Cronos. So you shouldn't have any positive expectations about that god."
Sera sighed, hearing her son say that, but what could she do? The Greek gods are that kind of being who, for any small mistake, curse an entire family.
She looked at Dante and said:
"It seems they're going to act against Percy by tomorrow. So he told you to leave for the quest tomorrow."
Dante shrugged, grabbing his keys home
"Well, there's no escaping it. So I'm going on a date with my little vampire, and after the date I'll go to Camp Half-Blood to meet Percy and deal with this problem."
Sera stepped closer, worry in her eyes.
"My son, I ask you to be careful using your power. But if you need to use it, then use it and show them that your life isn't an interesting toy for them."
Dante smiled, meeting his mother's gaze.
"Well, I understand. I'm not crazy enough to want to cause death and destruction, but I'm also not a coward who'll let them step on my head."
Sera placed her hand gently on her son's face and said:
"Well, I know you'll make the right choice. Your father and I raised you well. Despite your flaws, you still care about other people. I know you won't abuse it and will only act if necessary."
Dante replied softly:
"Well, I really can't disappoint that trust."
Sera smiled warmly.
"We'll never be disappointed in you, son. Your father and I trust your decisions and believe in you."
Dante hugged her quickly, said goodbye, and left the house to pick up Alice for the date.
But the second he stepped onto the porch, he froze.
He didn't have a car.
He couldn't exactly open a portal in the middle of the street.
Dante pulled out his phone and texted Alice:
"Honey, I'm going to be a little late. I have a problem to solve, but I'll get there as fast as possible."
He started walking fast toward the nearest dealership, boots hitting the pavement hard.
When he got to the store, the smell of new tires and polish hit him. Dante spotted a salesman and said:
"Good afternoon, friend. I'd like to buy a vehicle."
The salesman looked Dante up and down and said:
"We have several car models. Are you looking for something specific?"
Dante answered:
"Can you show me the models?"
The salesman started showing the cars—sleek sedans, shiny SUVs—but Dante looked at them without finding any interesting.
Then his eyes landed on one corner of the showroom.
There she was.
A Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special (VRSCDX). Matte black, aggressive lines, pure power.
Dante walked over like he was in a trance, ran his fingers over the cold metal, and said to the salesman:
"I've decided. It's going to be this beauty right here."
The salesman thought: So that's how bikers are born. Interesting.
Dante turned to him.
"So, my friend, how much is she going to cost?"
The salesman replied:
"The Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) will cost US$16,795."
Dante said:
"Well, I don't mind closing the deal with you if you can help me."
The salesman asked:
"Help? Helping our customers is what we do. So what do you need, sir?"
Dante explained:
"Look, I'm buying this bike to take my girlfriend on a date. So I need to leave here riding it. Is there any way you can speed up the process so that can happen?"
The salesman smiled.
"Sir, I can even do that. If you're willing to pay a small fee, I can speed this process up as fast as possible."
Dante said instantly:
"Fine. Do it."
Dante made the payment and sat on a bench while waiting, thinking:
Well, I never thought that provisional license would come in handy someday. Later I can learn to drive cars with the old man. After all, it seems impossible not to learn how to drive even with this power.
After an hour, the salesman returned with all the paperwork and the key. He handed them to Dante and said:
"Here's everything you need, sir. With this you can already ride out of here to pick up your girlfriend."
Dante took the documents and key and said:
"Thanks, friend. You helped me a lot."
He got on the bike and started it. The engine roared like a beast waking up. Dante smiled wide and thought:
I spent so much time using my powers that I almost forgot the fun of the little things in life.
He twisted the throttle and shot toward Alice's house while thinking:
Well, I'm going to meet her parents today. I'd bring wine or something if they could eat, but bringing food to waste when there are so many hungry people doesn't seem like a very good idea.
So Dante pulled over at a flower shop, bought two bouquets—one for Alice, one for her mother-in-law—while thinking:
Well, this gift makes a lot more sense now.
Getting close to the house, Dante saw a modern mansion almost entirely made of glass reflecting the afternoon sun and thought:
Vampires in a glass house? That's weird.
He then accelerated toward the house, the Harley growling beneath him, heart racing with anticipation.