The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter5: The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter 5: The Call for Help

The sun hung low in the sky as Theo’s sleek black Bugatti pulled up in front of Mrs. Grayson’s modest home. It was a simple, single-story house with a quaint garden that overflowed with roses and daisies. A small picket fence framed the property, its paint chipped and weathered from years of exposure. The house’s white exterior glowed faintly under the warm afternoon light, a stark contrast to the hum of the city they had just left behind.

Theo stepped out of the car, his movements smooth and unhurried. His tailored coat fluttered slightly in the breeze as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He took a moment to scan the house, his sharp eyes noticing every detail—the slightly crooked mailbox, the ivy creeping up one side of the porch, and the wind chime tinkling softly by the door.

“Follow me, Mr. Stavros,” Mrs. Grayson said with a cheerful tone, her hands clutching her bag tightly as she led the way. She turned back briefly to flash him an excited smile, her face glowing with pride.

“Can’t wait to introduce you to my daughter,” she added, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Theo gave a slight nod, his face calm but unreadable. He followed her to the porch, his footsteps deliberate on the creaking wooden planks. Mrs. Grayson raised her hand and knocked on the door with a rhythm that suggested it was a familiar habit.

Before they could settle into the quiet anticipation of waiting, a sudden scream shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

“Help! Somebody help me!”

The voice was muffled but urgent, coming from inside the house. Mrs. Grayson froze, her face paling as panic gripped her.

“Oh my God! That’s my daughter!” she gasped, fumbling with her bag as if looking for a way to unlock the door. “I don’t have my spare key!”

Theo stood still, his piercing eyes fixed on the door. He could sense something was off, though he remained calm. Devon, who had been leaning casually against the car, straightened up instantly.

“Mrs. Grayson,” Devon said gently but firmly, stepping closer. “I’m so sorry for what I’m about to do.”

Before the older woman could react, Devon swiftly pulled out a small vial filled with a translucent liquid. He opened it and waved it under her nose.

“What—” she began, but her words slurred as her eyelids drooped.

Devon caught her just as she fell unconscious, carefully supporting her weight. He shot Theo a look. “We don’t want her seeing this,” he explained.

Theo gave a curt nod. “Stay with her. I’ll handle this.”

Devon placed Mrs. Grayson gently in the passenger seat of the car, then leaned against the door, watching as Theo stepped toward the house. The calmness in Theo’s stride was unnerving, as if the chaos inside was nothing more than a passing inconvenience.

He stopped at the door, pressing his palm lightly against the wood. For a moment, there was silence, and then the air around him seemed to shift. A faint glow emanated from his hand, golden and warm, as if he had summoned the very essence of sunlight.

The power of Krevec, the God of the Sun, stirred within him, ancient and unyielding. It manifested in serpent-like patterns of light that curled along his forearm, their movements hypnotic. The house seemed to hold its breath as Theo unleashed his energy.

The force was not violent but commanding. A golden aura pulsed outward, and the door yielded with a loud, splintering crack, swinging open as if compelled by an unseen hand.

Theo stepped inside without hesitation, his senses sharp as he followed the source of the cries.

“Don’t leave Mrs. Grayson alone, Devon,” he called back, his voice steady.

Inside, the house was eerily quiet except for the faint sound of a muffled scream. Theo moved with purpose, his footsteps echoing against the hardwood floor. The living room was cluttered with scattered toys, books, and a half-finished puzzle on the coffee table. The cries grew louder as he approached a small hallway.

He rounded a corner and stopped abruptly. There, sitting on the floor of a bedroom, was a little girl. She was no older than six, with curly hair that framed her round face. She clutched a doll tightly to her chest, her big eyes wide with fear.

The girl screamed again, but this time it was less a cry for help and more a mimicry of something she had seen. Theo glanced at the television, where a horror movie played, its jump-scare scene paused on the screen.

“A child?” Theo muttered, his expression shifting to one of mild disappointment.

The little girl finally noticed him standing in the doorway. Her scream died in her throat as she stared at him, her mouth hanging open in shock.

Theo crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the doorframe. “Seriously? You almost gave your mother a heart attack,” he said, his tone calm but with an edge of irritation.

The girl didn’t reply, her small body trembling as she hugged her doll even tighter.

“Hey,” Theo said softly, crouching slightly to meet her eye level. “It’s just a movie. You’re not in danger.”

The girl blinked, her fear slowly giving way to embarrassment.

“Are you… a prince?” she finally asked, her voice small and timid.

Theo raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

“You’re… shiny,” she said, pointing to his golden watch, which caught the light from the window.

Theo couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. “I’m not a prince. Just someone who had to break a door because of your theatrics.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed red, and she looked down, fiddling with her doll’s dress.

Theo stood, casting one last glance at her before turning to leave. As he exited the room, he muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable.”

Back outside, Devon was pacing nervously while Mrs. Grayson remained slumped in the car. When he saw Theo emerge, his shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Well?” Devon asked.

“It was a child,” Theo replied, his tone clipped.

“A child?” Devon repeated, incredulous.

“She was screaming at a horror movie,” Theo explained.

Devon ran a hand through his hair, muttering a string of curses under his breath. “We broke a door for that? Mrs. Grayson’s going to kill me.”

Theo ignored him, walking back to the car with his usual calm demeanor. Before getting in, he cast one last glance at the house, his sharp eyes catching the faint movement of the girl peeking through the curtains.

Something about her reminded him of someone—though he couldn’t quite place who. In a blink of an eye, the wrecked door is slowly getting back to normal without getting notice, it's just one of the basic abilities of Theo.

“Devon,” Theo said as he settled into the car.

“Yes, Lord Stavros?”

“Wake Mrs. Grayson gently. We’re leaving.”

As Devon nodded and prepared to wake the older woman, Theo leaned back in his seat, his gaze drifting out the window. The incident had been a distraction, but it left him unsettled in a way he couldn’t explain.

For now, though, there were bigger mysteries to solve—and a book that demanded his attention.