The Demigod's Reckoning

Chapter 1: The Morning of Immortality ( Contemporary World)

The commotions of New York City crept into Theo’s penthouse like an uninvited guest. Even twenty stories up, the distant beeps of taxis and the rumble of delivery trucks echoed faintly against the glass. Morning light filtered through the gaps in the long white curtains, hinting at a beautiful day outside. Inside, however, the mood was far less serene.

Theo lay extended on his enormous bed, his half-naked form stretched across the silk-gray sheets like some Greek statue brought to life. His sun-kissed skin glowed faintly in the pale light, muscles taut and defined. A scar on his left eye, thin and silvery, cut across his ribs, a relic of a time when swords and shields were more common than smartphones and skyscrapers. His raven black hair was an artful mess, giving him a disheveled yet princely appearance.

The peace didn’t last.

“Good morning, Your Lordship!” Devon Liangster’s voice rang out like a battle horn as he yanked open the curtains with dramatic flair. The golden sunlight struck Theo directly in the face.

Theo groaned, his hand shooting up to shield his eyes. “For the love of Poseidon, Dev…” His voice was gravelly from sleep, more complaint than command.

Devon ignored him, bustling about the room like he owned the place. He tossed the curtains aside with theatrical precision, then started scooping up the stray clothes littering the floor. “Oh no, we’re not doing this today,” he said, gesturing vaguely at Theo’s sprawled form. “You’ve got an important meeting at nine. Investors. Big money. Remember them?”

Theo shifted, pulling the silk sheet over his head. His muffled voice emerged, calm but annoyed. “I’d remember better if you didn’t treat my room like a Broadway stage.”

Devon smirked, unbothered. “Well, someone’s got to bring the drama. Your life’s all brooding and ancient artifacts—boring! Speaking of which…” He paused, picking up an old leather-bound book from the nightstand and holding it up. “Are we still reading this one? Or is it just here to impress your dates?”

Theo sighed and pushed himself upright, the sheet sliding off his torso. The sunlight now illuminated his broad shoulders, the faint veins running down his arms, and the sharp lines of his abdomen. “I read it,” he said, voice still calm. “You’d know that if you actually respected my space.”

Devon laughed, dropping the book back onto the nightstand. “Your space? You mean the one I’ve been cleaning for centuries? That space?”

Theo shot him a look, equal parts amused and exasperated, before swinging his legs off the bed. “Knock next time, Dev.”

“Oh sure, because that’s the real issue here,” Devon quipped, gathering the last of Theo’s discarded ties and tossing them into the wardrobe. “But seriously, Theo, don’t blow this meeting off. I know you’re Mr. Immortal Mission Man or whatever, but these people don’t exactly wait a thousand years for updates.”

Theo rose from the bed, stretching lazily. He didn’t respond, simply walking toward the bathroom with an easy grace that came from centuries of existence.

Devon called after him, his tone light but teasing. “Don’t take too long! You’re not the only one with plans today, you know.”

The sound of running water drowned out Devon’s voice as Theo stepped into the shower. Hot streams poured over his body, tracing the ridges of his muscles like liquid fire. He leaned one hand against the marble wall, letting the heat soak into his skin. Droplets ran down his face, his chest, his abs, pooling at his feet.

For a moment, Theo let himself get lost in the sensation, his thoughts wandering to the one thing he never talked about—his mission. It was always there, a weight he carried even in the quietest moments. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back as the water cascaded over his hair.

“I’m still stuck on this…” he muttered, his voice barely audible over the rush. The words hung in the steamy air as he sighed, brushing his fingers through his hair before straightening. His frustration wasn’t new—it had been his companion for centuries.

By the time he emerged from the bathroom, steam trailing behind him, Theo had transformed. Gone was the tousled figure of half-sleep. In his place stood the CEO: sharp, polished, and utterly commanding. His tailored charcoal suit fit him like a second skin, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. A silver watch glinted on his wrist, and the faint scent of French cologne lingered in the air as he adjusted his tie with practiced precision.

Devon was waiting by the door, leaning casually against the frame and scrolling through his phone. When he looked up, he gave a low whistle. “Damn. If I didn’t know you were immortal, I’d swear you made a deal with the devil for those looks.”

Theo smirked faintly, grabbing his phone and wallet from the nightstand. “And yet, here you are, still unimpressed after all these years.”

“Oh, I’m impressed,” Devon said, pocketing his phone. “Just not enough to forget that you’re terrible at mornings.”

Theo chuckled under his breath, the sound rich and low. “Careful, Dev. I might start thinking you enjoy this.”

Devon opened the door, gesturing grandly. “After you, Your Majesty. Let’s not keep the world waiting.”

Theo stepped out into the hallway, the faint hum of the elevator calling them forward. As they descended toward the bustling streets below, Theo adjusted his cufflinks and glanced at his reflection in the elevator walls.

He had lived a thousand lifetimes, seen empires rise and fall, yet here he was—caught between two worlds. The world of boardrooms and billionaires, and the world of ancient secrets and unsolved riddles.

Devon leaned back, arms crossed. “You know, for someone who’s been alive for, what, a billion years, you’d think mornings wouldn’t be such a struggle.”

Theo’s smirk returned, faint but sharp. “And for someone with a normal lifespan, you’re far too comfortable giving me grief.”

“Guess that’s what happens when you save someone’s life. Eternal gratitude comes with a side of sass.” Devon’s grin was teasing, but his tone held an undercurrent of sincerity.

Theo shook his head, amused. The elevator doors slid open, and the city’s chaotic energy spilled in. Another day in New York. Another step closer to answers he’d been chasing for millennia.

But as he straightened his tie and stepped into the waiting car, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this day might hold something different—something new.

For better or worse, he was ready for it.

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