“You’re…?” Terena couldn’t finish her thought.
The man—Melanos—cocked his head. “It certainly took you long enough. I’ve been here for centuries.”
Croak found his tongue at last. “You’re Melanos? The demigod?”
Melanos turned those strange eyes to him and scowled. “I’m no demigod, boy.”
Terena made a sound and Melanos whipped his gaze back to her.
“You’re… but all the stories…”
“I don’t know what stories you’ve been told,” he said, his voice rumbling through Rydon’s bones, “but I am no demigod. I am the son of Helios and Clytia.”
“Clytia!” Terena exclaimed.
“Enough of this,” the god said as he drew himself up straighter. Rydon and the others backed up a step.
“You’ve come for Bethana.”
Terena nodded. “Aye. But how?—”
“As I said, I’ve been expecting you.”
“Wait,” Terena said, holding up a hand. “Have I done this already?”
“Not this,” Melanos said.
“I’ve not been here before?”
Melanos looked at her, concern flashing in his grey eyes. “Are you simple?”
“What?”
The god turned to the others, his gaze landing on Rydon as he frowned and pointed at Terena. “Is something wrong with her? She doesn’t seem to understand.”
“I’ll be honest with you, lord,” Rydon chuckled. “We’re all having trouble understanding. It’s been a strange few months.”
Melanos looked over at each of them, then crossed his gigantic arms across his chest and sighed. “This is the first time you’ve been here, child.”
Terena scowled at him. “The oracle said ‘seven circles completed’. Does that mean anything to you?”
Melanos pinched his nose. “You’ve spoken to the oracle and you don’t know? If the oracle told you you’ve completed seven circles and you’re only now coming to me, then,” he clicked his tongue as he regarded Terena, “I am worried about the fate of mankind.”
“How many do I have left?” Terena asked.
“This is the last circle. Whatever happens in this one will determine the fate of the world, regardless if you live or die.”
Rydon balked. He did not know what that meant, but it couldn’t be good. Judging from the look on Terena’s face, he knew he was right.
“Why… why are there eight circles? I don’t understand any of this.”
Melanos quirked an ashen brow. “Every new god is given eight circles. Time loops. You die, it starts a new one. It’s an initiation from the Fates to prove our worthiness. Usually, if a god fails at whatevertask the Fates set for them,” he shrugged, “they fade into obscurity. The Fates have a different plan for you, it seems.”
The god looked at Terena a moment longer before he dropped his head and snapped his fingers. Behind him, a sitting area appeared, with beautifully upholstered plush chairs, a matching couch and a large table filled with fruits and delicacies Rydon couldn’t fully pick out from that distance. Melanos turned and motioned for them to follow.
Rydon looked at the others, who turned their dazed faces to one another before Terena walked off after the god. Croak jogged forward and stayed near Gabriol.
When they sat, Croak leaned forward, his expression of awed eagerness worrying Rydon.
