Athena's words echoed in Jin's mind like a haunting melody: "Lia was never meant to die like that. There is more to her fate than you know. If you want the truth... then you must stand with us."
Silence gripped the grand hall as every Olympian god watched Jin. He could feel their divine presence weighing down on him, their gazes expectant, awaiting his decision.
His heart wavered. He had sworn to never entangle himself in the affairs of gods again. He had suffered enough—lost too much. But this wasn't about Olympus. This wasn't about power or vengeance.
It was about Lia.
"Fine," Jin finally said, his voice firm. "But I don't serve Olympus. I will only fight for myself and Lia."
Zeus nodded approvingly. "Then we shall train you. If you are to face Gaia, you must regain what was lost—and surpass it."
That night, Jin lay in his bed, staring at the ornate ceiling of the temple chamber he had been given. Athena's words gnawed at his thoughts. Lia was never meant to die like that. There is more to her fate than you know... What did she mean? Was her death not a mere tragedy, but something more?
As he drifted into contemplation, Athena's voice whispered in his mind through telepathy: "A fate intertwined, a soul misplaced, seek the past where light has traced. A mirror broken, yet truth remains, in echoes lost beyond the plains."
Jin sat up abruptly, trying to decipher the riddle, but exhaustion eventually overtook him.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the chamber's golden drapes. A soft knock echoed before the door swung open. Demeter, radiant as the morning itself, stepped inside, holding a folded set of garments.
"Wake up, mortal. You have a long day ahead," she said with a smirk, tossing the clothes onto his bed.
Jin picked them up, marveling at their craftsmanship. The garments were woven with divine silk, embroidered with golden threads that shimmered in the light. The cloak bore the insignia of Olympus, a testament to his newfound position among the gods.
As he dressed, he stepped out into the courtyard where Hermes and Apollo awaited him. Hermes grinned mischievously. "Ah, our newest recruit. Looking sharp, mortal."
Apollo chuckled. "I must say, Olympus suits you better than sulking in the mortal realm."
Jin smirked. "I didn't come here for fashion advice. What's this Divine Tournament you mentioned?"
Hermes crossed his arms. "The Divine Tournament is where Olympians clash to test their might. It's a display of respect, status, and, well, sheer brutality."
Demeter added, "A battle of gods, where only the strongest command reverence. And today, you'll witness it firsthand."
Intrigued, Jin followed them to the Colosseum of the Gods. The grand arena stood colossal, its divine marble walls pulsing with ancient power. Thousands of Olympians filled the stands, their auras illuminating the vast expanse. At the center stood Ares, god of war, clad in crimson armor, his eyes burning with battle lust.
Opposing him stood Hermes and Apollo, poised for battle.
A booming voice declared, "Let the battle commence!"
Ares lunged first, his blade slicing through the air with terrifying speed. Hermes dodged effortlessly, his form flickering like a mirage, while Apollo unleashed a barrage of golden arrows infused with divine energy. Ares roared, shattering the arrows midair with a swing of his sword before slamming his shield into Hermes, sending him sprawling.
With a single devastating strike, Ares brought Apollo to his knees, his blade inches from Apollo's throat. The match was over.
As the arena fell silent, another figure stepped forward—Athena.
Jin's breath hitched as he watched her take her stance. The air around her shifted, an unseen force pressing against the spectators. Her pink hair was flowing by her devine presence and her emerald green eyes were the reflection of determination. Ares smirked and charged, his sword raised high, but Athena moved like a shadow. With a single, precise movement, she deflected his strike and countered with a devastating force that sent Ares crashing into the arena wall.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Athena stood victorious, completely unfazed.
Jin clenched his fists. Witnessing their power, he knew—if he was to uncover the truth and stand against Gaia, he had to become stronger than ever before.
And so, his training with the gods would begin.