Starcaller

Orion and Wukong were greeted by the warmth of the temple as they stepped through the arched stone. Lanterns hummed with a soft orange glow, and the crackle of the fire echoed gently down the corridors.

Heracles was finally awake.

He was seated on the stone bench near the centre of the training hall, bandaged but alert, chewing on a loaf of something that looked half-burnt and inedible.

"Look who's alive!" he grinned, tossing the bread aside as he saw Orion approach. " How'd you do, kid?"

"I killed a gryphon," Orion muttered, still unsure how to process it all. "And almost got eaten by an old woman with claws and no skin on her face."

Heracles laughed heartily. "Your first Night Hag. Lovely creatures. I once had to clean a king's entire stable full of immortal horses for a labour. Trust me, you got the better end of that deal."

Wukong leaned against a pillar, his arms folded, his golden eyes watching with mild amusement.

Heracles looked at Orion with pride. "You did well. You're either special or incredibly lucky. Probably both. Most mortals wouldn't be standing here."

Orion shrugged. "Thanks... I think."

Just as Wukong opened his mouth to launch into the next phase of training, Susanoo entered the hall, quiet but firm. "Before anything else," He said, "we need to talk."

The three turned around. Susanoo's expression was solemn.

"It's fifteen days until the next Gathering," he said.

Orion blinked. "The what?"

"The Gathering of the Accord," Susanoo answered. "Where all the gods and monsters are summoned for a meeting. It was agreed long ago- no matter the grudges, no matter what has happened in the past, we meet every century to discuss fate, balance, and boundaries."

Orion tilted his head, "But aren't you all at war?"

"We were," Susanoo said. " But just before the seal, gods and monsters came to a fragile agreement. The end to needless bloodshed. Monsters would have a seat at the table."

Heracles chimed in, frowning. "We don't know if any of them would still follow that rule. We haven't seen any signs of the pantheons since the seal broke. Some of them might not be interested in speaking anymore."

Wukong yawned, waving a lazy hand. "Doesn't matter. The Gathering isn't optional. If you're a god- or a monster- you get summoned whether you like it or not. Pulled straight to the meeting point by the fates. The universe enforces it."

Susanoo nodded. "We've all been sealed away for a very long time. No one knows what state all the others are in. I'm not convinced it will go smoothly."

Heracles looked at Wukong. "Are you going?"

Wukong's grin faded.

"He hasn't been seen yet," Wukong muttered. "If he shows, I might not have a choice. But knowing him, he'll avoid it. 

"Who is he?" Orion asked, his voice hesitant.

Wukong's eyes gleamed again- but darker this time. "It'll make sense in due time. For now don't worry about ghosts."

Orion opened his mouth to press further, but Wukong interrupted with a sudden, mischievous smile.

"Actually.. I have a better idea than just sparring." I've got a mission for you."

Orion blinked. "A mission?"

Wukong clapped him on his shoulder. " I want you to go and help me find someone. Track her down. Pass her a message."

"Who?"

Nyx," Wukong said simply

Orion froze. "Nyx- as in the Nyx? Primordial goddess of night?"

"Yup," Wukong said cheerfully. "That one."

"You're insane. How am I meant to find her?"

"Give me one day," Wukong said. "I'll make it easier."

He turned to Heracles. You're going with him."

Heracles gave a lazy salute. "Sure, why not. It's been a while since I stretched my legs."

Wukong smirked. "Good. Now, Orion- go get some rest. You've been moving non-stop."

Orion lay on a thin cot in one of the temple rooms. Moonlight fell through a cracked window, casting shadows across the stone walls. Sleep eluded him.

His thoughts swirled. Nyx. A gathering. Fates wars.

The blade felt like it was pulsing faintly next to him, as if it were thinking too.

Was this what his life was now? Killing creatures from bedtime stories?

Part of him wanted to run. But a louder part deep in his chest wanted to know more. To see where this path would lead him.

He rolled in the cot and finally let the exhaustion take him.

In the courtyard, Wukong waited with something clutched in his hand. It glinted bronze in the light.

"Catch!" he shouted

Orion grabbed the object out of the air.

A compass.

Its casting was made out of rough bronze, inscribed with ancient runes. But the interior was unnatural-pitch black like a void, save for one glowing line of brilliant white light that pulsed gently, pointing in a direction beyond sight.

"What is this?" Orion asked.

"Your guide," Wukong said. It'll lead you to Nyx. Follow it. Don't stray."

"But I don't even have the message yet," Orion said, frowning.

Wukong smirked."Shell understand. Trustmee. If not... you'll die anyway, and the problem solves itself."

Heracles chuckled. Wukong's smile faded. "More importantly, time is running out. This world's fast. Human technology means nothing to gods and monsters. They revert things to how they once were: divine law, power through might, forgotten empires. Humanity's on the edge of myth again."

He placed a hand on Orion's shoulder." You need to be careful. Find her before the gathering."

Orion nodded, eyes locked on the compass. The light pulsed again.

Heracles stretched, cracking his knuckles. "You ready, star-boy?"

Orion took one last look at the temple, then back at the infinite forest ahead.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

The two stepped into the trees, shadows swallowing them whole.

The journey had begun.