The Trials

Evening had turned into night as the three rested at the foot of the temple. Their eyes scanned the forest, listening for the crunch of leaves, the breaking of branches that would precede a monster's charge. It seemed though that they preferred not to approach the temple. When they finally stood and prepared to enter the forest the moon had risen high into the sky. The light of the full moon illuminated the valley; beams of silver light filtered through the branches and created a realm of light and shadow. However, the mountains surrounding the valley had become shrouded in dark thunderclouds. A dull rumble echoed periodically. The air had the faint tang of ozone, like that before a lightning strike. The storm flowed around the valley, as if the valley was protected by the same magic that protected camp.

Serenity pulled an arrow from her quiver and held it ready. "So, Hector, which way do we go?"

Diego spoke up, "I think I heard something coming from over there." He pointed towards the north. "It sounded like metal scraping over metal. Another bull?"

Hector shook his head. "I doubt Aunt Luna would risk her valley burning down. Must be something else. Come on!"

The three set off into the forest. The sound Diego described continued to grow louder and louder though the forest remained still. Hector mentally ran through the stories his mother told him. Metal against metal…metal against metal…crap… Falling back to the others he whispered, "We have to find a clearing quickly. Diego can you pull your spear and shield?"

Diego raised an eyebrow but whispered back. "Yes, but I can't use both anymore. The new spear is bigger and I'm not strong enough to hold it one handed."

Hector replied, "I'll hold it. Serenity can shoot."

Serenity interjected, "And just what am I shooting?"

Hector held a finger to his lips, then pointed up at the branches. "Stymphalian birds."

Diego let out a muted curse while Serenity raised an eyebrow. Hector explained, "Think of the meanest bird you can imagine, make them carnivorous, and then add blades to their wings and claws."

Her eyes went wide as they darted back up at the trees. "Clearing. Now!"

They bolted, the rustling growing louder and louder till the birds began to screech. Their screeches echoed through the wounds in a way that Hector imagined sonar would. Mercifully it was then that they broke into an open field, the moonlight illuminating the clearing. Dark shapes emerged from the surrounding tree tops. A yelp of pain was the only warning they had before Diego tumbled. Several feathers had embedded themselves an inch into his back, thankfully missing his spine and lungs. Hector pulled him up while Serenity drew her bow.

The flock amassed together and the birds were about to charge when Diego held his hand up and both Hector and Serenity closed their eyes. A brilliant gold light flashed from his palm before dying away, confusing the birds for a brief moment. Hector quickly barked, "Shield and spear now Diego. Serenity can you hit them?"

To the boys the flock appeared to be a black cloud above the trees but Serenity's eyes were narrowed and focused. "I can see them. Hope you have a plan."

Diego handed the spear over to Hector and extended the shield. He held it with both hands toward the flock while Hector replied, "They hate loud noise. When I start take them down as fast as you can."

Hector held the butt end of the spear with two hands and wound up like a batter before swinging with all his might. Diego let out an "Oof" as the spear hit the shield and Hector grit his teeth as his arms vibrated from the impact. A loud bang erupted from the impact point and the birds became disoriented, the feathers they launched landing all around the trio with only a few scratching them.

Serenity ignored her cuts and began shooting the birds down, her expression a deadly grimace. Hector wound up and swung at the shield. Again, and again he swung, the crashes deafening to the trio's ears but even worse for the birds. Serenity continued to shoot, every arrow bringing swift death. To Hector and Diego's astonishment, not a single one missed. Every arrow hit the bird's heart perfectly. As the birds started to litter the ground Diego began to laugh. "It's dinner time little birdies. Come and get it!"

Even in the midst of combat his words brought a laugh to all three, Serenity wavered for a moment before barking, "Don't make me laugh when I'm trying to shoot!"

The boys responded with more laughter, adding to the general chaos of the conflict. Soon enough, most of the flock lay on the ground dead while the remainder took to the skies and fled out of the valley as fast as the could. The three remained still for a moment before sighing in relief. Serenity made a quick count while Hector began pulling feathers out of Diego. He handed him a square of ambrosia to seal the wounds while Serenity told them, "Let's hope that was the last of them. I've got three arrows left."

Diego rolled his shoulders while Hector told Serenity, "Don't worry. We can take point next trial. I'm pretty sure that was the Trial of Accuracy. Could be Cunning, but I don't think- "

Whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by a loud bellow that echoed in the night. The sound of crashing branches caused Diego to whirl around. His shield was the only thing that saved his life.

As he turned a massive figure sprang from the woods and swung a battleax to chop Diego in half. His shield took the brunt of it, crumpling and folding into a sharp U shape from the impact, sending Diego flying. He crashed against a tree and slid to the ground stunned. Standing in the middle of the clearing was a massive humanoid figure. From the waist down his legs were covered in fur and ended in hooves, but unlike the trio's satyr friends this figure had a bull head with a bull's horns. The minotaur wore a simple tunic but hefted a battleax. Hector groaned, "Didn't Percy kill you already?"

The minotaur answered with another bellow and a charge. It lowered its head in attempt to gore Hector who quickly rolled underneath its arms. It came to a screeching halt and swung the ax around to chop at Serenity who ducked underneath the swing. In front of her eyes she could see a few of her hairs that were lopped off by the razer edge of the ax. Serenity quickly retreated before the Minotaur's onslaught. Hector darted in and sliced at his legs. The Minotaur whirled around, swinging his ax in a spinning sweep. When Hector ducked the Minotaur kicked at him. Hector was hit in the face with the monster's hoof creating a deep gash in his cheek and knocking out a couple of teeth.

The monster made for an overhead swing to finish Hector off when two arrows flew into its armpit causing it to roar in pain. Its ax slipped from its grip as it turned to Serenity giving Hector time to get away. "Hector!"

He turned to see Diego behind him. He had crouched down to the ground and planted the but of his spear into the ground. Even in the dark Hector could see Diego was somewhat dazed but fighting through. "Make it charge!"

Hector nodded and turned to the Minotaur just as it charged Serenity. She dove over it, barely slipping between the horns. He yelled, "Yo, cow-brain!"

He barely heard Diego groan, "That's it?" as the Minotaur turned.

Hector continued, "Yeesh you're still ugly from here. That's a face only Pasiphae could love." The beast's nostrils flared in warning as Hector continued, "Then again she had a rather freaky taste. Think maybe she got reincarnated to a rancher? Knowing her that would be a little patch of heaven."

Serenity gaped at Hector while Diego crowed, "There it is!"

The Minotaur roared at Hector; a mighty scream that echoed through the mountains. Its eyes were locked onto Hector, blazing with hate and fury. It lowered its head and charged at him. Everything slowed down for Hector as the Minotaur approached. His vision tunneled to the two sharp points approaching him. Hector waited until the monster was right on top of him before falling back. As his back hit the ground he brought his legs up. The upper body of the Minotaur passed over him and he kicked up with both legs.

To Hector it felt like he was kicking a brick wall as his feet hit the creature's abdomen. He pushed with all his strength and felt more than saw the creature's hooves leave the ground. Its momentum carried it forward in the air, directly onto Diego's spear. Diego grit his teeth and let the Minotaur fall on the spear. He kept the rear end of the spear planted as the creature descended on it. Its horns were a few inches from Diego when it finally turned to golden dust and time resumed its normal pace.

Hector lay there, looking up at the stars while Diego and Serenity slumped to the ground where they were. All three remained there for a minute, focusing on recovery. When their hearts slowed and they had regained their breath they stood up, brushing off the grass and dirt. They gathered together again and Serenity told the boys, "Can we get back to the temple before something else comes?"

They nodded in agreement and made their way back to the temple. The forest remained quiet and still around them while they nursed their wounds. Diego left his shield behind, as in its current state it was of little help. They were almost back at the temple when Hector heard from behind them a snap! He stopped and groaned, "Here we go again."

Matching groans echoed from his friends as they turned around in the direction of the snap. Hector narrowed his eyes as he scanned the forest. Shadows pooled where the silver moonlight shone through the trees. Occasionally a flash of gold punctuated the silver but…wait, gold?

A low growl echoed and Hector paled, "The Nemean Lion?! Really Aunt Luna!?"

The three immediately split apart as the lion pounced at their group. They immediately moved to flank it from all sides, Serenity fingering her single arrow left. The lion circled constantly, swiping out at them. Diego dodged a swipe and jabbed with his spear, only for it to bounce off the lion's fur. "How do we kill this one?"

Serenity replied, "Didn't Hercules strangle it to death?"

"Yeah, like we can do that!"

Hector responded, "Aunt Luna told me it had another weakness, the mouth. Inside is not so invulnerable. Diego and I will keep it busy; Serenity get a clear shot."

Diego muttered, "Keep it busy he says."

Serenity darted around behind the boys while they tried to keep the Lion at a distance. Soon enough the lion figured out what they were trying to do and kept its mouth shut, pouncing periodically at the boys. When it pounced it opened its mouth for a bite but remained turned away from Serenity. The three played cat and mouse with the lion for a while, Serenity fuming with frustration and worry. For Diego and Hector, they felt time running out. Their weapons were getting heavier and every swing took more energy.

Finally, an opening appeared and Serenity released her arrow. It flew straight into the lion's mouth, who immediately snapped its jaw shut. It roared in pain as it spat out the remains of the arrow, to the terror of Diego and Serenity. Hector saw this and felt a rage like none other well up inside him. He distantly heard his friends telling him to run but he also heard the chill voice of Kronos. It urged him on, to reach deeper, to punish this insolent creature for daring to attack him. His own voice descended into a growl as his eyes locked onto the lion and it prepared to pounce.

Diego and Serenity felt their warnings die on their lips as Hector began to glow. His eyes brightened from their usual amber to solid gold. The air felt charged and overhead thunder boomed as the storm clouds advanced over the valley, closing over it. The lion roared and leapt at Hector. He simply roared back and he felt time around him coil and bunch as his rage combined with his will. He charged at the lion, and as its mouth opened, he stuck his sword point first into it, the blade and then his arm following. He screamed as the lion's razor teeth opened up his shoulder but mercifully the teeth disappeared as the lion turned to dust. To Diego and Serenity, he had been a golden blur. One moment staring down the lion, the next standing victorious over its remains. Hector's legs quivered underneath him as he collapsed to his knees, his blood running from his shoulder down his arm.

His body trembled from shock as Diego caught him and Serenity dug for some of her nectar. Hector was acutely aware of something else however. Before using this power had left him drained and exhausted. The soreness was still there, but now it felt like simple weariness rather than a deep-seated exhaustion. It was like a channel had been forced open, allowing his power to flow more freely. He could still feel it, like it was close at hand and within reach rather than deep within.

Diego and Serenity worked quickly and silently. Diego kept him propped up while Serenity administered the nectar, but both took note of his appearance. Gone were the gentle amber eyes Diego had known for years. Hector's eyes were now a brilliant gold.

With some coaxing from Serenity Hector came back into himself. He blinked and smiled at them. "Hey guys."

Serenity took a deep breath, ready to rant but swallowed it down. Instead she gave him a gentle hug, trying to convey her relief. Diego simply pat him on the back and as Hector stood, he exchanged a relieved glance with Serenity. They both noted that while his eyes remained gold, still there was the kindness and compassion they were familiar with.

Hector stood up shakily and rubbed his shoulder. Serenity caught his hand and admonished him, "We closed the wound, but only time can heal it. Take it easy for now ok?"

Hector nodded. Together the three returned to the temple, bruised and battered but alive. They each placed a trophy on the pedestal: Serenity placed a Bird for the Trial of Accuracy, Diego a horn for the Trial of Cunning, and Hector the pelt for the Trial of Strength. The silver aura disappeared from the doors and a wind blew, bringing the scent of the wild. Hector breathed deep, refreshed but concerned. It felt like Aunt Luna's wind, but he didn't feel the comfort that he once did. Now it chilled him, like a condemnation or a declaration of guilt.

The three entered the temple. The walls within were built of fragrant cedar and the floors of polished masonry. In the very rear of the temple another statue of Artemis stood and at her feet was an altar. Something else occupied the room however. In the exact center was a large stone box, runes carved on all sides. They weren't Greek; the trio could sense these words were far older. Outside the thunderstorm opened up, lightning flashing brilliantly in spiderwebs across the sky and a torrential downpour dropped onto the valley.

As the three approached Hector felt himself drawn to the box. Running his hand along it he examined the runes on its side. He murmured, almost to himself, "Ave consu ia mortum, nei o eath decept. Lockor la hernos si, adre di mortum sol ent." Here bound by blood, weapon of family treachery. Sealed by brothers three, father's blood only key.

Diego and Serenity started in surprise, both at the suddenness of his speech and by the realization they could understand him perfectly. The three had never heard this language before, so how…

Hector's eyes were drawn to the blood on his arm. Feeling as if in a trance, he wiped the blood along the lid. A mighty crack was heard, inside from the seal breaking and outside from the crackle of a lightning blast. Steeling himself, Hector placed both hands upon the box, and opened it.