*Demigods?!*
They became serious. Galen, the youthful one, said, "Hyeon Falken, there are a few big-league gods and goddesses who are aware of you. Our father is one of them. They've been keeping it secret; otherwise, this could cause uneasiness between the other heavens. There are many smaller deities who didn't exist at the time when phoenixes were around, so they don't know the signs. The gods that know are preparing, especially after discovering you could be involved with Fenrir."
"Preparing for what? Why are they so against me being a phoenix?"
"War, probably," Galen casually took another sip of his coffee. "We actually don't know the entire story, either. Although we've asked father, he said it's very classified. But, he and the others have a proposition for you. That's why we're here."
This was becoming too much for Hyeon. WAR?
Galen continued before letting Hyeon speak. "That can all be avoided if you help our father. He needs you to find this which has been lost for millenniums."
A curved knife appeared on the table in front of Hyeon. It was the same one he's been dreaming about since being in the southern lights. Again, he thought how there was nothing special about it; just a normal-looking farm tool. The knife projection disappeared. "Was it you who has been trying to show me this?"
Calais nodded. Hyeon couldn't get used to seeing the old demigod. In Hollywood movies, they're usually young teens. "Yes. This is a sickle," his deep voice reverberated through the room. "It's a family heirloom that means a lot to Father. He would like it back for sentimental value. Someone stole it and it has been missing ever since. He has scoured the planets, heavens, and hells. Father ran out of places to look recently except for one: the afterlife for animal spirits. But, the gods can't enter since they don't possess any animal traits. Since our human mother was a very distant descendant of Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, we have a weak ability to communicate in dreams. Therefore, we were chosen to contact you. If it wasn't for the fact that we can enter dreams, our father would've been ignoring us as usual. Our power isn't strong, so we've only been able to reach you at random times."
Hyeon's mind was about to explode from the amount of information.
"Also, doesn't it seem like a huge coincidence that Áłtsé Hashké is a trickster deity, acts as a middleman between the gods, and can visit Mount Olympus and the southern lights whenever he pleases? Father is so wary of him. The bastard has more privileges than most."
Áłtsé Hashké. Áłtsé Hashké. Isn't that Sani's ceremonial name? Then it clicked at what they were trying to imply. "So you suspect Sani, er, Coyote stole the sickle."
With a full mouth of food, Galen muffled, "Bingo. Not only does Father think he stole it, but hid it in the Southern Lights. We hope you'll aid us since other gods and demigods can't enter that...interesting place. You're already there, so why not?"
*A lot of effort for a knife...Is it really that sentimental?*
Out of nowhere, the floor shook like an earthquake, similar to what happened in the dream at the grocery store. The decor clanged against the walls. Ceramic plates and cups behind the bar fell off the hooks and broke.
The two demigods were annoyed. "It looks like you're waking up."
The patrons in the café screamed. Although they were manifested humans for the dream, their scared yells made Hyeon anxious. A crack began to form in the floor nearby. He gripped onto the table to steady himself from falling.
The other two calmly sipped their coffees. Galen had to yell from the loud noises. "If you help us, the gods won't kill for you being a phoenix…"
*Oh, joy!*
"And they also want to help Fenrir and the servants who work there! But, you can't discuss this with others! If Fenrir finds out, Ragnarok will—" Galen couldn't finish. Everyone fell into the black abyss.
Something was holding him. Hyeon thrashed, trying to break free from whatever held him in place.
"Stop! You're fine!"
Hyeon's eyes flew open. Fenrir hovered over him, grasping his shoulders. "Master?"
Fenrir breathed out and let go. "I'll have to be next to you when you sleep. Though I am close by, the shadow can now reach you."
The corners of Hyeon's eyelids had a few crusties. He wiped them away. "It was here? Again?"
"You fell asleep a few hours ago, but I sensed that your heart had stopped. The dark entity was clinging to your body." He gruffed in irritation, "It's infuriating that I don't know what has entered my castle."
Learning that he stopped breathing alarmed Hyeon. That hasn't happened before. *Didn't I have a dream? I only remember two demigods telling me to try to find a knife. Why can't I remember their faces clearly?*
It didn't matter since Hyeon recalled the most important detail. The mission has to be kept a secret but he woke up before knowing the reason why.
*If I choose to believe them, I can save Fenrir from this Hell?*
Fenrir nudged him awake. "Wake up."
Hyeon groaned. His brain wanted to return to its glorious REM cycle. He didn't like the idea of missing out on this opportunity since he spent most of his life getting a few hours of sleep each night. "Ugh?"
"Don't make me repeat myself," Fenrir said firmly. "I can't delay my work any longer."
Hyeon sat up quickly after remembering where he was. Fenrir slipped out of bed and adjusted his clothes which differed from yesterday's garments. At some point during the night, the god had changed outfits. How long has he been waiting for Hyeon to wake up?
"You know where your clothes are. Do you remember your daily tasks?"
"I do."
"Good. Please tell the kitchen staff that I no longer want meals brought to me. Due to some recent developments, I'll be busier. It's too bothersome to come and go for something unnecessary."
What, really? "So I don't need to bring you food anymore?"
"Correct. Just focus on other responsibilities, but you'll have to retrieve your own meals from now on. Understood?"
"Yes."
Fenrir paused and looked at him. It wasn't exactly the stink eye but still had a hint of annoyance. "Yes, what?"
"Uh," Hyeon doubted. "Yes, Master?"
Speaking of food, Hyeon had a question that he always wanted to ask. Would it be too personal? "Um, I've noticed that you don't eat."
Fenrir's shoulders tensed. "And?"
"Why is that, Master?"
There was a tense silence. After he tied his black Oxford shoes, the wolf finally said, "I don't need human food to survive. I only require soul energy. You're here to provide it. I'm sure Sani relayed to you what would happen if I don't receive energy."
Hyeon should've stopped talking. "Then why did I deliver food every day? It seems wasteful."
Fenrir's eyes briefly sparkled gold before turning amber again, signifying that the question had struck a nerve. "Perhaps I wanted to feel normal in this God-forsaken place." The Norse god left the room and slammed the door after him.
Hyeon jumped at the sound. *Shit. I should've known better…*
He grabbed his pillow and groaned into the fluffy rectangle. He couldn't believe he said it was wasteful! When he crashed the van that killed some of his friends, keyboard warriors and reporters were always overstepping their boundaries by asking too-personal questions. *And I just did the same thing!*
Kicking himself mentally, he walked over to the closet to change into a servant's uniform. It felt a little odd putting it on because so much has happened since his last work shift.
While dressing, Hyeon saw the Viking coat in the corner. It made him remember the necklace from Zoe.
*I completely forgot about it!*
Hyeon reached into the pocket to fish it out. He held up the old coin attached to the scratchy cord. The piece had something about it that felt mysterious. Zoe said it was for protection. Although Hyeon didn't believe in such superstitions, the faint outline of a wolf head in the center reminded him of Fenrir.
*And what sort of person would I be to throw away a gift?*
He carefully wrapped the cord around the coin and placed it in his butler jacket's inner pocket. The material of the old string would give him a rash for sure, so it was best not to put it around his neck for now.
Making sure clothes were tidy and in place, he hesitantly tiptoed out of the bedroom. Fenrir, as well as Nammi, were nowhere to be seen in the dark rooms. He didn't hear them leave at all. They must be around the castle somewhere.
The clock above the desk read 4:37 A.M.
His shift didn't begin until 5:30. *It's way too early. I guess I should eat breakfast first? I can tell the kitchen that the schedule has changed indefinitely. What am I supposed to do with the extra time? I won't be delivering food and waiting on standby anymore.*
Hyeon walked through the hallways and past the tall windows. Outside was still dark. If he listened closely, he could hear the distant sounds of demons howling on the other side of the border walls. The flickering fire on the wall torches made the shadows from the tables and vases dance ominously.
Actually, some of the hallways were not even lit since it was too early to begin the day for most spirits. He hasn't come across one servant yet. Hyeon approached a long corridor leading to the entrance hall. The torches and chandelier above were not on, making it pitch black. It made him nervous to go through there without seeing anything. They were in Hell. Who knows what could be lurking in there? But that was his paranoia talking.
*Wait, isn't fire my thing? Can't I light it myself? Sani told me not to practice without one of them with me, though.*
Hyeon looked around for anyone that could help him. Dead silence.
*Sani isn't here. No one is.*
He focused on the closest unlit torch. At first, he tried snapping his fingers like everyone else does. Nothing happened. *Of course, it won't be that easy. How can I do this?*
Hyeon reminisced the conversation he had with Sani in the greenhouse. It was when his Navajo superior discovered he had used his power for the first time against another servant:
______________
Hyeon couldn't reveal how he almost fought with Imoogi. "I was really angry at someone who was messing with my work. Next thing I knew, there was smoky stuff coming out my upper back and sparks were shooting from my hand."
Anger, huh?" Sani scratched his 5 o'clock shadow. "That's not a healthy trigger. But I guess given your unfortunate history, it's not surprising. It's weird now but controlling your soul power will eventually feel like moving an extra appendage. Here, I can help a little to show you, but it'll be the first and last time I can do this. Can you feel the energy concentrated in your hand?"
"Yes."
"This is what you should feel when you release your power. Now, light it up," Sani directed at his hand. A burst of energy streamed through his palm to respond to the command. Similar to before, tiny yellow and white fireworks like sparklers emitted from the center. Sani took his hand away which caused the sparks to die down.
______________
When the phoenix was in control in the past, his powers flowed through him effortlessly. It was so much harder doing it by himself!
Hyeon thought about when Imoogi and the dingo pack attacked him. What did I feel back then?
He felt one emotion before his sparks ignited.
Rage.
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