Chapter: Atalanta's Dilemma
Atalanta, the renowned Greek heroine and female hunter, was the princess of Arcadia, abandoned by her parents. If not for Artemis, she might have perished. Now, Atalanta stood impatiently before her father, Iasus.
"Atalanta, you're grown now. Listen to your father and find someone to marry," Iasus, the very person responsible for abandoning her, stated without a hint of shame.
Atalanta's life had been filled with discontent, yet she found joy in her adventures and achievements. She held no hatred for her parents, nor gratitude. Her biological father now stood before her only because she had sailed with the Argonauts and hunted the Calydonian Boar. Her vow to Artemis to remain a maiden meant she could never marry. Despite this, she felt compelled to listen to her father's request but set her own conditions.
"I will only marry at high noon, to the man who can outrun me under the witness of the Sun God Apollo. If he fails, he will die."
Setting the race at high noon, ensuring no shadows would obscure the sun, Iasus saw no issue. He believed countless heroes would come, eager to marry her. However, he cared most about one in particular.
"That Hero of Pure White who killed the demon pig—could he be the one?" Iasus asked with anticipation.
This Hero of Pure White, who had obtained the Golden Fleece and was blessed by the gods, was Cyd. He was considered a worthy opponent to Hercules, but unlike Hercules, Cyd had no flaws or common issues of Greek heroes, making him highly admired by the public. Iasus didn't care about public opinion; he only wanted Cyd to join his camp.
Iasus had no doubt about his daughter's charm. Many suitors proposed to her daily, bringing gifts that could sustain the village for half a year. He believed that even the heroic Cyd would be swayed by her beauty.
"He has a name, it's Cyd," Atalanta corrected earnestly. "Anyone who achieves such feats is named Cyd, not just Hero of Pure White."
To Iasus, the name didn't matter. What mattered was that the renowned hero married Atalanta. Seeking confirmation, he pressed further.
"Do you think Cyd will come?"
"I don't know," Atalanta replied, turning away.
Her ambiguous answer left Iasus frustrated. She neither acknowledged nor denied Cyd's potential arrival.
"Do you know why the gods favor him?" Atalanta asked, retreating to sit by the window. "He's different. Wealth, power, glory, and women—they don't sway his soul."
"So he won't come?" Iasus scratched his head.
"That's why I said I don't know. Even I can't fully understand him," Atalanta gazed out the window, conflicted.
Regardless of whether Cyd came, Atalanta would experience mixed emotions—anger if he did, joy if he didn't. She was in a state of extreme contradiction.
Artemis-sama, what should I do? For the first time since birth, Atalanta felt confused as she looked out the window.
Realizing he wouldn't get any valuable information from Atalanta, Iasus left in frustration.
"Cyd, you would come for me wouldn't you..." Atalanta muttered and closed her eyes, questioning her decision to return.
The trials began, attracting many suitors willing to risk death for a chance to marry her. Atalanta, with her unmatched speed, brutally defeated every challenger, throwing their bodies into the auditorium to deter others. Yet, some, like Hippomenes, remained undeterred. Watching her from the crowd, he recognized her speed but believed he could hinder her.
Leaving the auditorium quietly, Hippomenes decided to seek divine assistance.
"Cyd..." Atalanta subconsciously scanned the crowd for the familiar figure, but the conspicuous white was absent, spreading a strange feeling in her chest.
As the news of her race spread across Greece, Cyd remained unseen.
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"Um..." Cyd sighed, looking at Artemis who had appeared before him while he was running on the sea. "What's the matter?"
"I need your help," Artemis said seriously, an unusual expression for her.
"Atalanta is getting married."
"Uh... What?" Cyd's eyes widened in shock.
"This can't happen!" Artemis's face was filled with concern.
"Could you please explain?" Cyd clutched his chest, gasping. "Humans have fragile hearts you can't just say something like that out of nowhere."
"You don't want this to happen," Artemis insisted, stepping closer.
"If Atalanta is willing, I will bless her," Cyd said, unable to meet Artemis's gaze.
"And if she's not?"
"I will help her as a friend," Cyd responded earnestly.
"Then help her," Artemis placed a hand on Cyd's shoulder. "Her pride won't let her seek help, but challengers will seek help from other gods. Atalanta will eventually lose. So..."
"Please defeat her!"