Chapter 31

Third-person point of view

The night had been long for me; my mind drifted back and forth between the events that had occurred in the past few hours and the possibilities of what could happen in the future. I couldn't help but feel haunted by the memory of my father's lifeless body lying on the ground, but distractions were always there to keep me busy.

As I lay in my comfortable bed, I thought about my newfound relationship with Ram. It was something that made me feel happy but also scared me at the same time. There was a sense of unknown territory that came with the idea of being involved with a goddess.

Right now, Homer was only a few hours away from the mansion where I was staying. I could barely wait to go and see her. She had informed me of her nightly struggle, where she was fighting for control over her dreams. Those dreams could be deadly if she couldn't take them down.

I felt a rush of adrenaline as I got out of bed and headed to Ram's room. As I walked down the long hallway, the walls were decorated with detailed paintings of ancient Japanese mythology blended with modern art. The silence in the hallway was almost therapeutic, calming my nerves as I approached the door.

I knocked three times, and the door gently creaked open. The room was unlit except for the light that came from the large window, allowing the moonlight to seep through. The only colors that stood out were the reds and oranges that burned in the foxlike goddess's eyes.

She sat with her eyes closed, leaning against the wall. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her posture was rigid. A book lay open on her lap, and she had a pencil in her hand, circling specific words that stood out to her.

I stood at the entrance, watching her for a few seconds before clearing my throat. Ram's eyes shot open, and I could feel the energy in the room shift.

"Good evening, Queen Ram," I said, bowing deeply to show my respect.

"Good evening, young Asclepius." Ram smiled at me, and her eyes creased at the corners. "How was your sleep?"

"It was good, thank you." I couldn't help but notice how different Ram's presence was compared to the first time we had met. Her aura felt calm, yet there was still something unyielding about her.

Ram got up slowly, crossing the room to wake her spirits.

"I assume you're here about the Hemera matter."

"Yes." I followed her to the small table where she had books and crystals laid out. "Do you have a plan?"

"Of course." She smiled confidently. "But first, you'll need to give me your hand."

I did as Ram instructed, holding out my right hand. She took it in both of her hands and placed her hands on mine. The energy exchanged between us was electrifying. My body felt like it was being suffused with light, and I could feel my almost-dormant powers slowly coming to life.

"Do you feel that?" Ram whispered.

"I do."

"Focus your mind on where you want to go."

I closed my eyes and focused on Hemera's location. Suddenly, an image of a dark forest entered my mind.

The opening of my eyes was met with the sight of a small floating card in front of me with a number written on it. "What's this?"

"That," Ram said. "Is the number of a dragon I have called for you? Once you reach the Hemera, you can call that number, and they will have a ride waiting for you."

I nodded. Everything Ram did was well organized, and he had a plan for it.

"Be very careful, Asclepius," Ram said. "The dream world is dangerous, and sometimes even the oldest gods and goddesses can fall victim to it."

"I'll be careful and stay focused," I replied with a sense of dedication. "I want to help Hemera."

"Good to hear." Ram patted my hand. "Before you leave, I'll give you something to help navigate through the dream world."

She walked over to her table and picked up a small stone with the symbol of an eye carved into its surface. I had never seen anything like it before.

"This is a dream transmitter." Ram handed it to me. "It will help you communicate with me or anyone at the mansion if you need any help."

"Thank you." I wrapped the transmitter around my neck, feeling its weight against my chest.

"You should get going," Ram said. "No more time to waste."

"Thank you again. I'll do my best."

I bowed again before stepping out of the door and making my way to the elevator.

The drive to the forest was silent and dark, but I didn't feel afraid of the unknown. I knew the reason why I had to do this, and nothing was going to stop me.

As I approached the forest, a chill went up my spine, and I could feel the hair at the back of my neck stand on end. There was an eerie feeling that permeated the air.

I clutched the dream transmitter in my hand and got out of the car. The dragon river looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to give him directions. I didn't hesitate as I pointed in the direction of the forest.

"Fly with the dragon until you see the dark oak, and then stop when you reach Ruby Castle. I'll find my own way in."

He nodded before starting the dragon and flying into the sky. I walked toward the forest. The only sound was that of my footsteps against the gravel.

The forest appeared to be dense and intimidating, but I didn't let it discourage me. There was still a chance for me to save Hemera's life.

I closed my eyes again, taking a deep breath before taking the first step into the dark, forbidding cloak of the woods.

It was difficult to see in the darkness, but my keen senses helped me navigate through the trees. I could feel the ominous energy in the atmosphere—the energy that Hemera must be facing in her dreams.

The trees were twisted, and the foliage was blackened and decayed. A wind kicked up, carrying with it the faint scent of decay and something sour that made my nose wrinkle.

I kept moving forward, dodging twisted roots and brambles. In the distance, I could hear what sounded like a woman's voice screaming. The way it echoed through the trees was disturbing, and the words were unintelligible.

It took a while before I reached a clearing that had a small cottage at its center. The eerie feeling from before escalated, making me shudder. Something felt ominous about the place, but I needed to find Hemera, and this was the only place that stood out.

I approached the door, which creaked as I pushed it open. The immediate smell of stinky, as if the world had been made of sulfur, made me vomit. The inside of the cabin was in disarray, with what looked like dried blood stains on the floor and wall.

The room was dim, but there was a faint light.