After departing Delphi, the cousins took a moment to gather their thoughts in the shadow of Mount Parnassus. The sky was now overcast, a stark contrast to the bright blue that had greeted them upon their arrival. The weight of the Oracle's words hung heavily in the air as they considered their next move.
Freya traced her fingers along the cool metal of the pocket watch that had brought them here. The golden surface seemed to hum under her touch, as if it was eager to whisk them away to their next destination. But this time, their path wasn't as clear.
"We need to split up," Freya said, her voice decisive. "Athens, Sparta, and Crete. We'll cover more ground if we tackle each location separately."
Peyton looked concerned, but she nodded in agreement. "It's dangerous, but we don't have much choice. We don't know how much time we have left."
Tobias grinned, though his bravado seemed forced. "Don't worry. I'll take Sparta. I've always wanted to see if those legendary warriors were as tough as they say."
Oaklynn rolled her eyes. "This isn't a competition, Tobias. We're dealing with gods, not just warriors."
Marley, ever the strategist, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Athens for me. The city of wisdom… and I could use a bit of that right now."
Freya glanced at Oaklynn. "That leaves Crete. Oaklynn and I will take it. If the stories are true, that island's going to be full of surprises."
With their plan set, Freya carefully adjusted the pocket watch, setting the dials for three different destinations. The magical timepiece hummed louder, its face glowing with an otherworldly light. She handed it to Marley, who gave her a reassuring nod before activating the watch. In a swirl of light, they each vanished, whisked away to their respective locations.
Athens
Marley appeared in the heart of Athens, just outside the Parthenon. The city was a marvel, with towering marble columns and grand statues of the gods. The streets were bustling with activity—merchants selling their wares, philosophers debating in the agora, and soldiers marching in formation.
But Marley wasn't here for the sights. He had one goal: the Helm of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.
He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and made his way through the crowded streets, heading toward the temple dedicated to Athena. The temple sat atop the Acropolis, its gleaming pillars visible from nearly every part of Athens.
Marley appeared in the heart of Athens, just outside the Parthenon. The city was a marvel, with towering marble columns and grand statues of the gods. The streets were bustling with activity—merchants selling their wares, philosophers debating in the agora, and soldiers marching in formation.
But Marley wasn't here for the sights. He had one goal: the Helm of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.
He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and made his way through the crowded streets, heading toward the temple dedicated to Athena. The temple sat atop the Acropolis, its gleaming pillars visible from nearly every part of the city. Marley felt a twinge of awe as he climbed the steps, the grandeur of the place overwhelming him.
Inside, the temple was quiet. Golden light filtered through narrow windows, illuminating the massive statue of Athena that stood at the center. Her eyes, carved from precious gemstones, seemed to follow him as he approached.
Marley took a deep breath. He could feel the magic in the air, powerful and ancient. The Helm of Athena had to be here somewhere, but it wouldn't be unguarded. Gods were never that generous.
He approached the statue cautiously, scanning the area for any signs of traps. As he got closer, the ground beneath his feet trembled, and a voice echoed through the temple, deep and commanding.
"Who dares seek the Helm of Athena?"
Marley froze, his heart pounding in his chest. The statue's eyes glowed brighter, and the air around him grew heavy with power. He swallowed hard and forced himself to stand tall.
"I am Marley, a child of magic. I seek the Helm of Athena to protect my world."
The ground trembled again, and Marley braced himself for the worst. But instead of an attack, the voice spoke again, calmer this time.
"Only those who prove their wisdom and courage may claim the Helm. Face the trials, and it shall be yours."
Marley exhaled slowly. "Trials, of course. It wouldn't be that easy."
He looked around, waiting for something to happen. The temple remained still, but Marley knew better than to let his guard down. He stepped closer to the statue, scanning the ground for any clues. As he did, a faint shimmer appeared in the air before him, revealing a series of inscriptions carved into the stone floor.
Riddles.
Marley knelt down to read the first one, his mind racing to decipher its meaning. He could feel the magic pressing down on him, a test of both his intellect and his resolve. The gods were watching, and they would not allow him to pass unless he proved himself worthy.
With each riddle solved, the air around him seemed to grow lighter, the oppressive magic lifting bit by bit. But Marley knew this was only the beginning. The true test would come soon, and he had to be ready.
Sparta
Meanwhile, Tobias found himself in the rough and rugged terrain of Sparta. The land was barren compared to Athens, with rocky hills and sparse vegetation. But the people were just as formidable as the legends had claimed.
Spartan warriors trained in the open fields, their bronze armor gleaming in the midday sun. They moved with precision and discipline, their movements sharp and deadly. Tobias watched from a distance, admiring their strength and skill.
But he wasn't here to watch. He had a mission—the Shield of Ares, hidden somewhere in this warrior's paradise Tobias took a deep breath and approached the training grounds. The Spartans eyed him warily, their hands never straying far from their weapons. Tobias felt a surge of adrenaline as he realized just how dangerous this task would be.
He wasn't exactly blending in. His clothes—dark breeches, a loose tunic, and a cloak—weren't like the simple, functional attire of the Spartans. But he wasn't here to blend in. He was here to find a god's artifact.
"Hey, you!" a gruff voice called out.
Tobias turned to see a Spartan soldier, his broad shoulders and intense gaze making him appear every bit the warrior Tobias had expected.
"What brings you here, stranger? This is no place for those who are not Spartans."
Tobias squared his shoulders, meeting the soldier's gaze head-on. "I seek the Shield of Ares. I'm on a mission to protect my world, and I won't leave without it."
The soldier raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "The Shield of Ares is no trinket for outsiders. Only the strongest may claim it. Are you prepared to face the trials?"
Tobias smirked. "I didn't come all this way to turn back now."
The soldier nodded, his expression stern. "Very well. The trials begin at dawn. If you survive, the Shield will be yours. But if you fail…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but Tobias understood the implication. Failure wasn't an option.
Crete
Far across the Aegean Sea, Freya and Oaklynn landed on the island of Crete. The salty breeze whipped through their hair as they stood on the rocky shore, gazing up at the towering mountains that loomed in the distance.
Crete was a land of mystery and legend, home to the infamous labyrinth of the Minotaur and the ancient palace of Knossos. But Freya and Oaklynn were here for something even more elusive—the Spear of Artemis, hidden deep within the island's wilderness.
The island was wild and untamed, with dense forests and jagged cliffs that seemed to stretch on forever. Freya could feel the magic of the place,
ancient and powerful, pulsing beneath the surface. The island itself felt alive, as if it were watching their every move.
"We need to find the entrance to the cave," Freya said, scanning the horizon. "The Spear is supposed to be hidden somewhere in the mountains, but we'll have to be careful. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, and she won't make this easy for us."
Oaklynn nodded, her eyes sharp as she looked around. "I can feel it too. The magic here… it's different from what we've felt before. It's more primal."
They made their way inland, following a narrow path that wound through the trees. The forest was thick, with twisted roots and overgrown vines that seemed to grab at their feet as they walked. The air was cool and damp, and the scent of pine and earth filled their lungs.
As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the sound of rushing water reached their ears. They followed the sound to a hidden waterfall, its crystal-clear water cascading down into a pool below. Behind the waterfall, half-hidden by moss and stone, was the entrance to a cave.
"This must be it," Freya whispered, her heart pounding with anticipation. "The Spear of Artemis is in there."
Oaklynn glanced at her, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Let's hope the goddess is feeling generous today."
They stepped into the cave, the cool air brushing against their skin as they moved deeper into the darkness. The walls were slick with moisture, and the floor was uneven, forcing them to tread carefully.
As they reached the heart of the cave, a soft glow illuminated the space. There, embedded in the stone, was the Spear of Artemis. The weapon was sleek and elegant, its silver blade gleaming in the dim light. Runes were etched along the shaft, their meaning lost to time.
But before Freya could reach for the spear, the cave trembled, and a deep growl echoed from the shadows.
A massive wolf stepped into the light, its fur as dark as night, and its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. This was no ordinary wolf—this was one of Artemis's sacred creatures, a guardian.