Hands still up.
Armpits still sweating.
Julia's eyes still locked on me like I was a prize at a fair—or prey.
Her bodyguards stood at her sides, like two wolves waiting for the order to pounce.
Me?
I was two seconds away from passing out.
"What's the protocol here? Compliment her shoes? Run? Cry?"
"You can lower your hands," she said, lips curling into a smug smile.
"Oh, thank God," I muttered, slowly bringing them down. "Wasn't sure if they were gonna shoot lasers out their eyes or something."
She laughed. Actually laughed.
"Relax. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."
…Super comforting. Thanks for that.
Now that I was closer, I could finally take her in.
Same girl from this morning. Crimson eyes. Blood-red hair. Cute, petite. But now there was this aura around her—like static electricity mixed with divine judgment.
She really wasn't normal. Not even close.
"So," she said, crossing her arms, "why were you eavesdropping?"
"I wasn't," I lied. Horribly.
"Right," she said flatly.
"I was just… walking. Y'know, thinking. Deep thoughts. Existential dread. Romance. The usual."
She blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
"Wow, you're a terrible liar."
I shrugged. "I prefer 'creative.'"
Her smile faded slightly, and for a moment, her eyes softened.
"You're not supposed to be able to see me."
"…What?"
"I used a cloaking field when I arrived on Earth. Normal humans shouldn't be able to notice me unless I want them to."
I blinked. "So… what? You're an alien?"
She smirked. "Worse. I'm Olympian."
Like… Greek god-level Olympian?
This is a fever dream.
"You're joking," I said.
"I don't joke."
She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
In an instant, her body ignited—not in fire, but in pure, radiant divine energy. Her hair floated like it was underwater. Her eyes glowed. Her skin shimmered.
Oh. She wasn't joking.
I just ran into a Greek goddess on a random Tuesday.
The aura faded as quickly as it appeared.
"So yeah," she said casually, "my name's Julia. Daughter of Hera. Granddaughter of Zeus. And apparently, I'm needed back in Olympus."
Her face twisted into a pout.
"But I don't want to go. Earth is way more fun."
I stared at her.
Then at the two bodyguards—who were now pretending they weren't terrified of her.
"Okay," I said finally. "Quick question."
"Shoot."
"…Why the hell am I here?"
She tilted her head. "Because I want you to be."
What does that even mean?!
Is this a goddess-level crush or a setup for my funeral?!
I took a cautious step back. "Listen, Julia… I appreciate the compliment and all, but I was actually on my way to meet someone, and if I don't show up—"
"You mean Anna?" she asked.
I froze.
"…How do you know her name?"
Julia smiled.
One of her bodyguards finally spoke up. "My lady. We really must return. The council—"
"I said not yet."
"But if the Grim Reaper finds out you're—"
"He won't. He's busy managing the Gates."
GRIM REAPER?!?
I choked. "Wait, hold up—what do you have to do with the Grim Reaper?"
"Ugh," she groaned. "You ask too many questions."
"And you're a walking supernatural power bomb!"
She giggled. "You're kinda funny."
"Yeah, well, trauma builds character."
Okay. New reality: Gods are real. I'm somehow entangled in their drama. And apparently, Julia isn't just watching me—she wants me involved.
…This is gonna get complicated.
Suddenly, Julia's expression shifted.
Her smile dropped.
She turned toward the sky, eyes narrowing.
"Damn it… They found me."
Without warning, her aura flared again—her divine energy exploding outward in a shockwave that shook the alley walls.
"Go home, Trey," she said, voice low and firm. "Now."
"What? Wait, what's happening?!"
"Next time we talk, I'll tell you everything. Just remember—you're already part of this."
She reached out and touched my forehead with two fingers.
A jolt of energy surged through me.
My vision blurred. Light bent around me.
And then—
I was standing outside the arcade.
Alone.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Anna: "I'm here."