Chapter 63: Open Heart

Few days passed since the events of the crazy flames. The story of Count Cailum braving the flames to save children had gone Viral around the country. He had been on air and the newspapers portrayed him as the perfect Inglesian hero. That said, not everyone saw the matter in that light. Given his notoriety in the world of politics, the Inglesian intelligence services were quick to have a secret meeting with him. This series of events had greatly attracted attention to him, forcing him to leave the city until things dried up. Meanwhile, in a clan hideout in the countryside several kilometers from Lunden, the god of sleep Hypnos had just awakened. The first thing he saw was a dozen men in civilian clothes pointing rifles and submachine guns at him. In front of him was a small man with a kepi on his head. It was Rico, Zell's henchman.

-You. Yes, you. I recognize you. He said, smiling. It was cleverly played. Making you look dead just to have a chance to deal me the decisive blow.

-I knew how to be discreet. Without Lord C's intervention I would be dead by now.

Hypnos noticed that he had chains on his wrists and ankles. They did not hinder his movements but they were fixed to the wall. His injuries had been treated, he also had his body and neck covered in bandages. The divine was shirtless with only his pants and flat feet. He stood up and smiled. Suddenly he tried to remove his chains by force which put the guards on alert and cocked their pistols. The tension he exerted on these chains was incredible. One of the men wanted to open fire as a precaution but Quincy stopped him with a wave of his hand. Despite his superhuman strength, the god of sleep could not remove his chains. Worse still, he could not deploy his divine aura.

-Whaat... What is this witchcraft? He asked.

-It works. Said a reassured guard. Hey guys it works.

-Explain yourself, human.

-Well. I doubt even you can break the chains that have been holding Fenrir.

Hypnos looked surprised.

-The Gleipnir. So that was it. Athenaaa.

In Norse mythology, Gleipnir are chains forged by the dwarves to restrain the giant wolf Fenrir. These chains had been lost during Ragnarok but had surprisingly resurfaced around the year 900 of this world. Athena gave it to Zell to help him contain the Greek god.

-What did she promise you ? That you dare to attack me? Hypnos asked. No, the question would rather be what does she want in exchange for this help she offered you.

-You stole a precious artifact from her during the second titanomachy. Said a voice from afar.

The sound of a man's footsteps coming down the stairs revealed Zell who had just come back. He was wearing a brown fur coat over a black turtleneck sweater. He too was slowly recovering from the fight and his veins on his eyes had returned to the stage before. He hadn't put on his glasses so everyone could see his true face.

-The shield you used against us was Athena's aegis, right? It's not good to steal other people's toys. Zell said.

-I see. She wanted to get her precious shield back. Well, it won't be a big loss. He said, looking away.

Zell took a few steps and arrived in the middle of the room.

-You lie like you breathe. You seem to have already forgotten it, but I can tell if you are telling me the truth.

He approached calmly and stared at him.

-So I'll resume our discussion where I left it. he said in his silent anger. Where is the Lullaby?

The menacing aura emanating from Zell intimidated everyone in the room and even Hypnos couldn't ignore the danger of his situation.

-In that case I have no choice. So I'll give you my answer: I don't know.

Zell frowned.

-You're lying.

-You know very well that I don't. On the other hand, I am ready to tell you everything I know on one condition.

-Which one? Zell asked as calmly as possible.

-I want a hot meal and clean clothes.

Zell, completely surprised by the simplicity of his request, raised an eyebrow.

-HUH?

About 10 minutes after the request Zell was sitting on a chair facing Hypnos who was gulping down a bowl of hot soup. He had been given a sweater to cover his torso. Zell was quite surprised by the sight before him, for a moment he really looked like an ordinary person. To keep some privacy Zell had dismissed all his guards. Except Quincy his right arm and Seth the new leader of the 1st team (the previous one having died facing Agiko).

-Can we start?

Hypnos put the bowl down and let out a sigh of release showing that he was sated.

-Well where to start?

-Where is the Lullaby? Zell asked tired of repeating himself.

-I don't have it anymore. Or at least someone stole it from me.

-How is this possible? Zell asked incredulously.

-Well I have the largest collection of ancient items in this world as well as the largest number of divine artifacts. I am the target of many people, especially the followers of Hermes.

Ndt: Hermes was known as the god of commerce, travel and thieves.

-I don't believe it. How could they have robbed your store with Agiko keeping watch?

-That's the whole question. I think my thief had an artifact that allows him to conceal his existence.

-An artifact that allows one to hide even from the gods? Hades' helmet of terror.... Zell said.

-It was destroyed during the second titanomachy. Hypnos explained. But fragments remain and a person in possession of such a fragment could make themselves completely undetectable even by the gods.

-I understand. He said, thinking out loud. But something is wrong with this story.

Hypnos smile.

-Really ?

-Your speculations earlier weren't speculations, were they?

His gaze then met that of the god of sleep.

-You and Thanatos are the closest lieutenants to the King of underwold. There is no way in this world that you don't have a way to protect yourselves from the helmet's effect.

Hypnos smirked in amusement as he watched Zell try to get information out of him.

-I therefore deduce that you know the thief from near or far.

-Is that really what interests you? Or do you want to know where your precious flute of life is? Hypnos asked, amused by the situation.

-I think I've repeated myself enough. Get to the point.

-Let's forget about the thief for a moment. Let's just say he won't be a nuisance for a long time. Anyway, by the time I got my hands on this guy, the item was no longer in his possession. That said, I know where we could potentially find the item you're looking for.

Zell glared at him with eyes that screamed 'speak'.

-Do you remember I told you about an auction?

-An auction?

He remembered discussing it with him during their altercation in his store.

-The Salon des Merveilles. It is a very UP private club and quite well-known among collectors. World celebrities come there to spend their money or acquire rare items.

Hypnos let out a sigh.

-Alas this band of miscreants has no idea what they are buying. I often participate to acquire the most dangerous items and prevent them from falling into the hands of the uneducated.

-I see. Someone stole the Lullaby from you to auction it off at the "Salon des Merveilles". It is true that such a powerful tool will inevitably be coveted. At least if anyone in the assembly knows what it is for.

-Your are sharp as expect from my favorite human.

-So. Zell said, crossing his legs. How do I participate in this little party?

Hypnos leaned against the walls of his cell and crossed his arms.

-And what do I gain in exchange for this information, young man?

Zell frowned and stared at him coldly. He planted the sword into the ground.

-You are in no position to ask me anything. If you refuse to tell me more I will leave and leave you to rot here.

-Ha if you think that your little schoolboy blackmail will take with...

He saw Zell get up from the chair and take on a relaxed air before heading towards the exit. His two guards followed him under the surprised gaze of the god of sleep.

-He just left?

For the next 24 hours Hypnos did not receive any visits or food from anyone. In fact he had not heard any noise, this suggesting that they had left the place. He was patient Cailum had just challenged him to an endurance test. He took the opportunity to try to remove his chains. But nothing worked, the Gleipnir did not give a single centimeter. The next day at about the same time he was awakened by the sound of a car engine. Zell was back with his men but this time he entered the dungeon alone.

-What is this joke? Hypnos asked.

Zell held a rooster in his hand and stroked it. He wore a small smirk as he looked at the god of sleep.

-His name is Alectryon.

-You dare to make fun of me human.

His eyes lit up but the aura was immediately dissipated.

-Calm down, it's just a joke. I brought you a book. It's about the conquest of the Ursuk region by the Asakura Empire.

-What the... Stop these deadly scythes.

-Well, what? You seem to like Samurai armor, I thought a book about it...

Hypnos looked at him with some anger. Zell was abnormally calm, he seemed to have come with new intentions.

-Already it's not the Asakura empire but the Aizu empire. Explained the god of sleep irritated. The Asakura are the ruling family, the inhabitants of Midgard tend to make the amalgamation.

That day Zell didn't ask him a single question about the flute. Hypnos instead gave him a lesson on the history of the Far Eastern continent. The next day he came back with half a dozen men. They repainted the place to make it more colorful, Hypnos sat in the back of the room watching them while Zell's men renovated the place. Zell for his part discussed more personal things like his sister's studies or his mother's art gallery.

-And then I told her that if she wants to learn she must experience it first hand... Are you listening to me?

-What are they doing? Hypnos asked.

-What's that? They're redoing half the room.

-Half?

-Yeah. This room is too big, I'm going to put a wall there, it'll be easier to hide the dungeon.

-Of... Are you planning on reducing the living space I'm in? Do you think I'm going to crack for so little?

Zell didn't answer him and instead brought the discussion back to his family.

-My mother has this painting that dates back to the age of navigation representing the mountains from Takoma on Ascheritz.

-What, your mother really has this portrait? I knew the painter, a certain Jules de... 

-Jules Duclair?

-Yeah exactly. Ah you wouldn't have liked him he was a convinced pacifist who hates violence.

-Aaah. I suddenly want to burn this painting.

-And attract your mother's wrath?

-Aah.. you're right.

The next day it was the same, he was discussing banality then he started asking questions about the life of the gods.

-It seems that Adonis was so handsome that all women fell under his spell.

-Adonis. Hypnos said wistfully. He didn't just charm women. Men too.

-What are you making fun of me?

-ohno, I assure you. He laughed. Besides, young Heracles knows something about it.

-That... Heracles. Heracles the Heracles?

-Himself.

-With a man?

-Don't be so closed-minded. And without wanting to defend him, he was really handsome.

Zell suddenly thought of a certain person who also had this effect around him. Cousin Lancell had quickly charmed his world with his natural presence.

-Now that you mention it...

-If you don't believe me you can always check. Hypnos said.

-Wait, you're talking nonsense. I'll check...

Zell reached into his pocket and realized there was nothing there. Hypnos had awakened an old reflex buried within him.

-Don't tell me... You wanted to check on the internet?

-No.... No it's not... He answered with melancholy.

-I found it strange for a young person of this generation. You miss your old world, admit it.

Zell looked away and finally confessed.

-I also sometimes regret my old life. Internet, cinema, computers, video games. All that when I think back....

He leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh.

-I've been living in this world for so long that I sometimes forget the sensations of the old one. But sometimes without warning, when I wake up for example I try to turn on the TV or I look for my computer to see the news. It's like this life... No the old life. It's like I dreamed it. Or it was just a nightmare.

Hypnos listened to the young man's confession, which suddenly seemed simpler than it appeared.

-These habits gradually faded away, but sometimes they resurface, like now. I try not to pay attention to them.

He gave a wistful smile as he stared at the god of sleep.

-I'm doing my best to make this one up to par. But I don't think I'll see a satellite launch before the end of my life. He said amused. The modern era is over for me haha.

-If you live that long. Hypnos mocked.

Days passed and the discussions multiplied. Hynpos found himself enjoying the conversations with Zell. He liked to hear him talk about his world, especially about his two only friends with whom he hung out a lot, Seb and Naomi.

-Your friend Seb seemed to be as crazy as you.

-Naomi often took his side, it was infuriating at times.

-You might have and I say maybe should have tried to understand their point of view.

-What are you talking about, they're the ones who didn't understand mine.

Zell had set up the cell so that it looked like an apartment. There was the newspaper, a bathroom, a radio, a table and a bed. He had the chains lengthened so that Hypnos could move around freely. Hypnos remained wary of his attitude. This proximity bothered him and he ended up asking him.

-So what's the plan? You were going to soften me up with your stories and hope I'd cooperate.

Zell stood up and left the room.

-Ohey. I forbid you to turn your back on me human. Do you hear me? He yelled.

Zell came back 5 minutes later and gave him coffee. Coffee like they used to make in his day.

-A... a cappuccino?

-Yes I know inventing a coffee machine is not going to take me to the moon. But it's a start.

Zell motioned to him and he took it. The young man smiled and sat down with him on the couch, his gaze turned towards the ceiling.

-What... what do you want in the end? If you don't know where the Lullaby is, you'll never be able to wake up your fiancée.

-That's right. But if you delay in answering me the SALON DES MERVEILLES will close its doors. And when that happens I will no longer have any use for your presence here.

-So we're at an impasse. Hypnos said. And what's your strategy?

Zell looked at him wistfully and then stared at his coffee.

-There is no strategy. He said simply.

-What?

-There is no plan. No tactics, no tricks. I just wait and watch.

-Huh... But at this rate...

-I didn't tell you but, I like to chat with youHypnos. You're one of the few people who knows my secret and you're the only one with whom I can discuss the oldworld.

Hypnos stared at him a little surprised. He felt like he was tingling along his spine.

-It reminds me of when Sebastien and I met. We hit it off right away. Like... Like we were exchanging thoughts right away, you know?

Hypnos had no idea what he was talking about but he was captivated by Zell's story.

-Here the closest people I have are Decken and Friedrich. But Troy has a code of honor, way too much morality, as for Fried... He's way too scary even for me.

-I see the type.

-Der Linde sees me as a rival to surpass, Quincy is my subordinate and Lancell is too pure for this world. As for Arianne... Arianne...

Zelle lowered his head to hide his cheeks which had turned red at the thought of her.

-Arianne was... With her we share the same spirit. We think exactly the same, we navigate in the same direction. He explained happily. You know, at first we didn't even have this relationship at all. We were more partners, confidants of... Fuck you have no idea how much I miss her.

Hypnos couldn't believe his eyes. As far back as he could remember Zell had always been cold and calculating, but here he was, he was just a young boy desperate to find the woman he loved. Zell regained his composure and wiped his face.

-I'm sorry I showed a very pathetic image of myself. I'll come back tomorrow at the same time.

A week passed like this and Zell's visits became more and more rare. Conversations too. Hypnos was then invaded by a feeling that he did not think he would feel in his entire life. He needed to talk to someone. It was not loneliness, or even the lack of human presence. There was a guard in front of his cell but his intellectual level had not passed high school. Hypnos wanted to talk to Zell. He wanted to talk with him, exchange, get to know him. It was the first time in over 500 years that a specific human had intrigued him so much. Hypnos the god of sleep was a victim of Stockholm syndrome.

-Ohey.... The human. He shouted to the guard. Tell your boss I want to see him.

-Huh... What?

-Are you deaf? I said I wanted to see him.

-But that won't be possible. He's not in Lunden anymore.

-Malaka the Greek god yelled.

Hypnos seemed to be going crazy. He started screaming and tried to remove his chains. He tried so hard that he made his wrists bleed. Alas, the Gleipnir did not let anyone escape him. For his part, Zell was still under investigation and did his best not to attract the attention of the empire MIO. He thus avoided going to see Hypnos for several days. That night he dreamed that he had returned to Elysion at the Klinsen General Hospital. He was alone in Arianne's room, holding tightly the notebook she had left him. Her body was inert, but she had a pulse, she was alive and the doctors were doing everything for her. Zell had invested heavily in medicine to the point of finding himself on the verge of bankruptcy. But his efforts had paid off, the Klinsen hospital center was the most advanced in the world even if behind by Zell's standards. Alas, Arianne's problem was not one that medicine could solve.

-I'm sorry. If only I had... If only...

The door opened letting in an adult man. Graying hair and beard, a slightly round belly and a 3-piece aristocrat suit. It was Gilbert Rhodes, Arianne's father and the Marquis of the region of the same name. Seeing him, Zell stood up immediately. A young girl immediately burst into the room, dressed in an orange uniform dress, her hair was ash blonde. She was the same age as Mell, it was Adrianna, Arianne's little sister. The young count felt ashamed to be in their presence, all he could do was avoid their gaze.

-Big sister. Adrianna said. And big brother Alfar. She said in a low voice.

-I... I'll leave you.

Zell walked out of the room and took a few steps when the old man called out to him.

-I saw your picture in the newspaper. He said. You saved those little children by throwing yourself into the flames, it was heroic of you.

-I... I was just passing by. That's all.

-You have time to save strangers but my daughter is lying here on this hospital bed because of you.

-I...

-Big brother you promised me she would wake up. So why are she still asleep?

-It's not me. It's Athena who...

-Liar. You're just a liar.

Zell remembers that discussion, that's not what happened. He knows it, Gilbert doesn't blame him and Adrianna naively hopes that her sister will wake up thanks to the care of medicine. What he saw there was the expression of his regrets and his doubts.

-You killed my daughter.

-Why doesn't she wake up?

-Why didn't you protect her?

-Why why why...

Zell began to breathe heavily. He was mentally exhausted and finally broke down. He woke up from his bed screaming at the top of his lungs. Quincy suddenly entered the room with two men. They saw Zell, their commander sitting on the bed biting his lip.

-Lord.... how....

-Arianne... Arianne is not dead. He said.

-Lord commander ?

-SHE'S NOT DEAD YOU HEAR ME.

The next day Zell visited Hypnos. The look on his face was that of a man ready for anything and he had brought the tools to make him talk.

-L... Lord C? The militiaman on guard asked in surprise. I wasn't expecting you.

Zell ignored him and made his way to the dungeon. He threw open the door and held out his hand. Quincy handed him the Sword of Diomedes. Using Arsenal at full power takes a toll that is too great even for a Chosen One, but using a tool blessed by the gods is within everyone's reach.

-Come on god of sleep it's time for you to spit it out...

-I'll tell you everything.

-Wha... What? Zell said in shock.

-I will cooperate. I decided that I was going to talk.

-Wh.... Whaaaaat.

End of chapter