After Zeus's pressure faded, the chaotic world regained a brief peace. However, I couldn't calm down - I had just arrived and was noticed by the main gods of Olympus, which meant that my every move might be monitored by the gods.
But now, most importantly - where do I go from here?
I lowered my head and looked at my palms. The pale golden divine power lingered at my fingertips, bringing a feeling that was both strange and familiar. I could feel its fluctuations. It didn't seem to be as violent as thunder, nor as deep as the ocean, but... it had some kind of flowing quality.
Journey, choice, guidance for the lost, and judgment for the wandering.
I suddenly realized that my power was not just a simple guide, it was more like a push - pushing those who stood at the intersection of fate to make a choice. If they were hesitant, if they stayed, I could even use my power to cut off their hesitation and force them to move forward.
A judge who walks at the intersection of fate.
The voice of Hypnos sounded in his ears: "Arcadeos, although your godhood is third-class, your ministry is extremely special."
I raised my head and looked into his eyes that seemed to be able to see into dreams and the future.
"You are the variable of the gods, a wanderer of fate." Hypnos said slowly, "Your power does not belong to Olympus, nor to the underworld. It is outside the system of the gods. Therefore, you need to open up your own path more than anyone else."
"Will the gods allow the existence of a 'variable'?" I narrowed my eyes.
"They will observe rather than act immediately." Hypnos smiled slightly. "Although the gods are arrogant, they also understand that fate cannot be defied. The authority you hold did not appear out of thin air, but was arranged by fate."
destiny...
I was silent for a moment, and finally nodded.
"So, where should my first step be?"
Hypnos slowly stretched out his hand, and a drop of faint blue light fell from his fingertips. It spun in the air and turned into a blurry map - a vast land appeared before my eyes, with mountains, rivers, city-states, and even seas faintly emerging.
"This place is called Arcadia. It is one of the oldest regions in mainland Greece and the territory of the shepherd god Pan." Hypnos' voice was meaningful. "As 'Arcadeos', your name comes from this land. This may be the first guidance given to you by fate."
Arcadia...
"There, you will witness the first person who will need your guidance."
"who?"
Hypnos looked at me and gave me a meaningful smile.
"A prince destined to be exiled."
My heart moved slightly, and I was about to ask for more details, but the chaotic space began to collapse, the world distorted in front of my eyes, and Hypnos's figure gradually disappeared.
"Go, Arcadius, judge of fate, and witness your first journey."
———
The feeling of falling suddenly came!
The wind whistled in my ears, and my body seemed to be thrown into a rushing air current, falling from the void into reality. I could feel that some huge world was approaching rapidly, the sky, the earth, the air, the light, everything took shape at an astonishing speed, and my consciousness was also pulled into it.
The next moment, the feeling of impact spread throughout the body!
I hit the ground heavily, dust flew everywhere, and the soil beneath me seemed to be dented.
"Hiss——" I took a breath and slowly got up from the ground.
I was surrounded by dense forests, with ancient towering oak trees extending upwards. Sunlight shone through the gaps between branches and leaves, and mottled shadows danced on the ground. I looked around, the air was filled with the fragrance of soil and grass, and the sound of a stream gurgling could be vaguely heard in the distance.
I have arrived in Arcadia.
However, before I could fully adapt, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the forest!
"Hurry! He can't get far!"
With heavy breathing, a dishevelled figure stumbled out from the depths of the woods. His clothes were tattered, his face was covered with dirt and blood, and his eyes were full of fear. Judging from his attire, he should be a noble or a prince, but now he looked like a lost dog.
Behind him, several fully armed warriors were chasing him, holding spears and daggers, with murderous intent in their eyes.
"Found him! Kill him!"
I narrowed my eyes and raised my hand. The golden divine power in my palm flickered slightly, and I felt the surge of fate.
Is this my first lead?
———
The prince had been cornered. Behind him was a turbulent river, the water roaring and crashing against the rocks, making it impossible to escape by wading. In front of him, soldiers with murderous intent were approaching step by step.
"Prince Leon, your escape ends here," one of the soldiers said coldly, "The king has ordered that you must die."
The prince gritted his teeth and tightly grasped the dagger in his hand. Even though his physical strength had reached its limit, his eyes were still not completely desperate.
He was hesitating, wandering, trying to make a choice - but he couldn't make a choice.
The moment when our destinies intersect has arrived.
I slowly walked out of the woods.
The sound of footsteps made everyone turn their heads instantly, and their eyes fell on me.
"Who are you?" a soldier frowned.
Prince Leon also looked at me in surprise, obviously not expecting someone to suddenly break in at this time.
I looked at him quietly, the divine power in my body flowing gently.
"Arcadeos," I said calmly, "a witness to journeys and choices, a guide for the lost, and a judge for the lost."
At this moment, my journey truly began.