Kyn awoke with a start at 2 p.m., his room cloaked in shadows of the blinds. He found himself dressed in sweatpants, alone in his room. Gaia had already departed to attend to her own personal business, and the absence of her calming presence left Kyn feeling disoriented. His head buzzed with a strange sensation, as if he had glimpsed a world beyond the ordinary.
Just as he was trying to make sense of his situation, a sudden disturbance in the room's ether caught his attention. Bertha, with a furious expression, popped in from the shadows, her link marker lit up. She seemed agitated and determined, and her gaze fell squarely on Kyn.
"Kyn!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with annoyance. "You cost me a game of blackjack back there, $6000 ... demand a refund!"
Kyn blinked in surprise, still groggy from his recent awakening. What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to affect your game. All I remember was Gaia, then boom, blacked out, then some primordial..."
Bertha's frustration was evident as she paced back and forth in his room. Deep down, though, there was a worry that overshadowed her annoyance. She knew that Kyn had inherited significant power, and it concerned her as she held a certain responsibility for him.
She recalled her own journey to the first level of hell and her conversation with Diogenes, where she had learnt about the unique connection between herself and Kyn. It was a bond that came with both advantages and burdens, and she couldn't help but be concerned about how Kyn's newfound abilities might affect their journey. The fella was now talking about primordial beings, and since Nyx and Gaia are one, something new should happen.
Bertha sighed and admitted, "Kyn, it is not just about the game. I am concerned about the power you have inherited and how it might affect us. We need to talk about it, and soon. Leave alone now that we are about to receive an update; I am thinking after delivering Gaia..."
Kyn, still processing everything, nodded in agreement. He knew the journey ahead would be full of challenges and mysteries, and he could not afford to ignore his companions' concerns, especially someone as steadfast as Bertha. Together, they would face the unknown, navigating the complexities of their extraordinary situation.
When Kyn enquired about the status of their journey, Bertha delivered some unexpected news.
"But there's some good news. As I'm your beloved wisp, I sent Chris to find us a plane. It's the 2000s..."
She explained that Chris, in his resourceful and enterprising manner, had made himself quite busy. Given that they were in the 21st century, modern antique conveniences like aeroplanes were readily available. Chris had leveraged his connections to procure a charter flight to Athens, a move that promised to expedite their travels.
Bertha continued to elaborate, "We're set to leave for Athens at 5 p.m. this evening. It seems Chris has been quite productive while you were busy 'resting'".
"You're definitely going to get mad," Kyn thought out loud.
"Judging by your smirk, you two already did it despite my warning. Anyway, it is her right to fuck up my sweet game," Bertha said, defending her strategy. Their journey deviated from the original plan, resulting in additional baggage.
Kyn was impressed and grateful for Chris' proactive approach to their journey. Truth be told, he was actually tired of moving about like an ancient.
"That's fantastic news," he replied with a sense of anticipation. "A flight to Athens will certainly save us a lot of time. We should make the most of this opportunity."
As Kyn considered looking for the blonde counterpart, he wanted to meet with her before they left for Athens. Talking about the devil, he suddenly received a telepathic call from Flora. Her ethereal voice echoed in his mind, a gentle and inviting presence.
"Love", she spoke directly into his thoughts, "I wish to see you before you leave. I'm at the western-most pier that looks out into the sea." She finished sending him a mental image of her surroundings.
Kyn was surprised by the unexpected telepathic communication, but he was aware that Gaia's manifestations frequently defied conventional means.
'That was new,' he thought. Guess I need to find her first, then.
With a sense of curiosity and anticipation, he quickly made his way to the designated pier, eager to connect with her. As much as he wanted to stay, he had to leave.
As Kyn arrived at the pier that overlooked the majestic sea, he couldn't help but be struck by the breathtaking scene before him. The ocean waves crashed upon ancient reefs, creating a soothing symphony of natural beauty. The salty breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the sunlight painted shimmering patterns on the water's surface.
Standing at the edge of the pier was the beautiful blonde Gaia, dressed in a cream summer dress that accentuated her curves and flowed gracefully in the gentle breeze. The dress seemed to be a perfect reflection of the serene surroundings, and it clung to her form in a way that was both elegant and alluring.
Gaia's eyes, a shade of deep and enchanting green, were fixed on the seas' majestic movements. Her smile was a reflection of pure contentment as she watched the timeless dance of the waves.
As she sensed Kyn's approach, her eyes turned playful, and her smile deepened. With a twinkle of mischief, she turned to face him, her blonde hair framing her face like a golden halo in the soft sunlight. The sight of her against the backdrop of the sea's grandeur was a vision of ethereal beauty.
Kyn couldn't help but be captivated by the enchanting presence of Gaia. Her allure was as timeless as the sea itself, and in that moment, the small dragon wanted her. [O_o]