Deku: the Hero of Smite Chapter 6
By: jungleboy69
Chapter 6: The City of Joppa
Sunlight woke Izuku as he felt the warm rays of the sun shine down on his face. "Urrgh..." He groaned as he reached for his alarm clock only to touch something furry. *Rrreow!* A cat screeched, causing Izuku to scream and shot up.
He found himself in a large room with strange marble walls, a tiled floor, a window on the wall and cats roaming around mewing. "Th-This isn't my room..." Izuku muttered. Suddenly, he remembered the events that happened yesterday, he wasn't in his room. He was in Greece.
"Ah, you're awake..." A voice called out as Ammon stepped into the room with a kind smile. "I took the liberty of preparing some clothes for you." "Thank you, Ammon." Izuku yawned as he stretched his arms.
"Well, you can't go out dressed like that." Ammon pointed out, gesturing to his clothes. Izuku grew confused. "What's wrong with my clothes?" He asked. "I mean no offense..." Ammon replied. "but no one has ever seen clothes like that before and it will certainly arouse suspicion."
Izuku looked down at his own attire. He had to admit, he looked completely out of place in ancient surroundings. "I guess you're right..." He muttered, embarrassed. "Do you have any clothes?"
"Well, I do have something for you." Ammon replied as he opened his chest and took out some Greek clothes. "These were mostly used as costumes for my plays but since visitors are getting fewer, I figure you can use them."
"Gee...thanks..." Izuku spoke, as he accepted the clothes. "Um...how do I put them on?" Ammon chuckled. "A fish out of water..." He mumbled. "Here, let me help you..."
(A min later...)
Izuku looked at himself in a mirror. His modern day clothes were changed into traditional ancient Greek attire; a white linen chiton tunic with a cloak or himation and Greek sandals for his feet. "Impressive" Ammon pointed out. "You look like a Greek noble."
Izuku blushed. "Thanks..." He replied. "Do you have anything else to cover my top?" He asked, a little embarrassed that part of his torso was exposed. "That's just normal Greek attire." Ammon replied with a smile. "You'll get used it."
"So, where do we go first?" Izuku asked. "Well, let's start with the City of Joppa." Ammon suggested. "The market places are filled with goods of all kinds, performers are in the streets and you can get a full view of the palace."
"I guess..." Izuku replied. "I've been wanting to explore." "Well, let's get right on it!" Ammon added, cheerfully as he took his walking stick. "It's time to show you the wonders of Joppa!" Izuku chuckled as he walked outside with the old playwright.
Outside, the sky was a bright blue and the song of birds could be heard. The courtyard didn't look so frightening now in the daylight. Izuku took a deep breath and smelt the fresh air around him
"Ahh...the fresh air is lovely, isn't it?" Ammon asked. "Yeah..." Izuku replied, looking at the stone seats and marble statues around them. Suddenly, he noticed something perched on one of the statues. "What is that?" He asked.
Ammon looked to see what Izuku was looking out. "That's odd..." He muttered. "What is it?" Izuku asked. "It's an owl..." Ammon replied. "A white owl..." Izuku grew surprised and squinted his eyes. Sure enough, a little white owl was perched on a statue's shoulders.
For some strange reason, Izuku swore he had seen that owl before but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Is something wrong, Izuku?" Ammon asked. "Nothing..." Izuku replied. "Maybe, I'm just seeing things."
As they set off for the town, the owl continued to watch them quietly before it flapped its wings and lifted off the statue. Silently, it flew off after them.
(5 mins later...)
"Woah...!" Izuku gasped as he and Ammon walked through a busy street. There were buildings of marble with red tile roofs and strong columns. It was bustling with people; men, women and children dressed in togas and cloaks.
There were merchants and farmers in stalls selling their wares and produce. Every now and then, Izuku saw performers on the square; jugglers, dancers and illusionists. "Welcome to Joppa!" Ammon replied, with a proud smile.
"It's amazing..." Izuku murmured in amazement. "I never been to Greece before." Ammon chuckled. "Yes, you should have seen Joppa in her golden years." He explained. "It was teeming with life."
"The marketplace would be filled with stalls of fresh wares, scholars would gather at the Great Library, children would run about the streets, making mischief." He sighed, a sad look appeared on his face.
"However, dark times have come." He added. "Reports of monsters destroying, and raiding villages have spread far and wide." "Monsters?" Izuku asked. "Aye...offspring of Typhon." Ammon replied. "Unholy abominations of your worst nightmares"
Izuku gulped nervously. "To top it all off, they have been rumors of a mysterious cult on the rise." Ammon explained. "A cult responsible for kidnapping and sacrificing victims over the past few months."
Izuku grew more afraid. It was bad enough being stuck here with no way home, but in a world where monsters and human sacrifice was common...things were looking worse. "Doesn't anyone do something about this?" Izuku asked.
Ammon sighed. "There have been no leads to the disappearances." He added. "People are growing scared." "They say they strike in the dead of night, dressed in black like shadows." He told Izuku. "And by the time you see them, it's too late..."
Izuku nodded. "Well, the sooner I find a way home, the better." He murmured. As they walked, they noticed a crowd of people gathering around something, talking among themselves. "What's going on?" He asked.
Ammon grew worried. "Oh dear..." He murmured as he approached the crowd. Izuku followed behind. Upon reaching closer, they saw a body lying on the ground, brutally mangled as if something had torn it up from the inside and flies were buzzing around it.
"Wh-What happened...?" Izuku muttered in horror. "That is the work of this mysterious cult." A voice spoke up. Izuku and Ammon turned to see a Greek guard dressed in armor and holding onto his helmet standing by them.
"Thallo!" Ammon exclaimed in surprise. "I would expect to find you here." "Likewise, old poet." The soldier replied with a smirk before noticing Izuku. "And who is your young friend?" "This is Izuku Midoriya." Ammon replied, placing a kind hand on Izuku's shoulder. "He has travelled from far away and is staying with me." "Hello, sir." Izuku greeted
"Izuku..." Thallo murmured. "A strange name in these parts..." "Still, it is good to have one visitor under these...circumstances." He gestured to the body. "W-What happened to him...?" Izuku asked.
"The Cult of Kronos." Thallo replied grimly. "A sinister and dark organization that has been terrorizing us for the past few weeks." "Kronos?" Izuku asked. "Isn't he Zeus's father and a Titan?" Thallo gave a wry smile. "You know your Greek myths well, young one." He pointed out. "And yes...I'm afraid."
"Not much is known about the Cult of Kronos." He added. "They are so secretive and isolated that many believe they don't even exist." "Some say they are a group of fanatics who worship the King of the Titans and want to bring the end of the world." He explained. "Others say they are demons, survivors of the Great War who seek to free their master from his imprisonment."
"There is a big reward to anyone who can find and dismantle the cult." Thallo added with a sigh. "But no one even knows who the members are or where they hold their meetings." "If you are a visitor here, young man," He spoke, turning to Izuku grimly. "I would strongly advise you to watch your back; from what I heard, they mostly target young folk like you."
"Th-Thanks...for the tip..." Izuku muttered, now wishing he was back home more than ever.
