Chapter 15. Disobeying, to do the right thing
It had been almost 2 years since Sylvia moved with her mothers to Mount Olympus and things had been going well for the family. Calliope was keeping her promise to do far better than Ares or her father while Alecto was supporting her in every way while but even though the duty was a bit time consuming, the parents still made time for their daughter. Sylvia was also doing well in her new life. She was at an open place with her best friend Pandora, where the Goddess Athena gave a history lesson to the girls about the Trojan war. Sylvia was used to being home schooled by her mothers during her first 8 years of her life, but with the private lessons from Athena she had known more then her mothers could teach her and was grateful for it. However sometimes it came that the lessons became boring for her, but she at least tried to listen to Athena's lessons.
Her friend Pandora on the other hand, was always eager to learn anything. At times when Sylvia was out training with her mothers, she was helping her father in his working place or at the library of Olympus, wanting to know everything of the outside world. But her favorite subject was always magic and she had a great talent for it. At some lessons, Athena taught the 'creation' of Hephaestus all kinds of magic, but only the ones that she believed were enough for a young girl and not the more advanced ones. But it didn't mean that she wouldn't doubt a moment if Sylvia asked her to train with her, when her mothers, Calliope and Alecto were not around. The little warrior princess was already at the age of 10 near the same level of strength Calliope was her age. The children boys of the servants, who also trained to one day have the honor to become the new guards of Olympus, were no match for Sylvia due to her techniques and experience in fighting monsters and evil humans. But even though Pandora was no near her friend's strength level, she learned a lot from Sylvia to defend herself when the time came. For weapons and tactics, Sylvia was skilled with 2 swords and her superhuman strength, Pandora found she was good with daggers and sneak attacks and she also used her magic when the need called for it.
Sylvia looked at her friend and she was really paying attention. Then she looked the other way and saw some of the servant's children out playing. She remembered well that those kids always wanted to play with Sylvia, but never wanted to be around Pandora. Even when she tried to convince them that Pandora can play along, they still didn't want to. So the young girl made a promise to herself, if the children don't want to play with Pandora, then Sylvia would not play with them. So it had always been just Sylvia and Pandora doing everything together through thick and thin.
Sylvia sighed and turned back to Athena, who wasn't sure that the little warrior princess was paying attention. "Are you listening, Sylvia?" The goddess of wisdom asked before Sylvia nodded. "Then if you are paying attention, tell me at least 5 important figures in the Trojan war."
Sylvia thought for a moment and answered. "You have... king Agamemnon of Mycenae, king Odysseus of Ithaca, prince Hector & prince Paris of Troy and the warrior Achilles."
Athena nodded. "Very good." The goddess said before she sat down, crossing her legs still facing Sylvia. "Now that you've mentioned Achilles, what else do you know of him other then he took part in the Trojan War?"
"Achilles is known by all that he was the greatest of all the Greek warriors throughout history." Sylvia answered while Athena wanted her to go on. "Legend says, that when he was born, his mother dipped the infant Achilles in the river Styx so he would be blessed that nothing could kill him. Except at one of his heels. That's how prince Paris killed him by firing an arrow at it."
"Very good, Sylvia. And why did Paris kill Achilles?"
"Because he killed his brother Hector in a one on one combat fight." Athena smiled, joyful that the young girl knew all of that without her teaching it. "And the reason that Achilles challenged Hector is because the day before, Hector killed Achilles's best friend Patroclus in battle."
"Excellent." Athena said with a smile before she stood up with her hands behind her back. "I thought for a moment you didn't pay attention to my lessons for a second, I guess i was wrong."
Pandora giggled while Sylvia smirked. "Well, I believe that was enough lessons about Troy for now. Enjoy the rest of your day, girls." Athena said while smiling before Sylvia and Pandora left side by side to the little warrior princess' home.
"How did you know so much about Achilles, Sylvia?" Pandora asked her best friend.
"My mommies always told me about Achilles as a bedtime story. It has always been my favorite. In fact, I was born in the ruined city while my mommies were hiding from Ares so my mommy Calliope could have me. And because of that, the city holds a special place in my heart. Sylvia explained while remembering where her mothers told her where she was born."
"Oh, that's a great thing to have in have in your heart, Sylvia. Did your mommies tell the story to you every night as a bedtime story?"
Sylvia gave her a little playful punch. "No, it has always been my favorite."
Pandora gave her a little push back. "Hey, stop it!" both the girls started laughing while they tried to push each other playfully. "Try to catch me!" Pandora said as she run off laughing.
"I'm gonna get you!" Sylvia said as she tried to catch up with Pandora, but she ran faster, surprising the little warrior princess. 'Geez, training Pandora has really worked out for her.' She mentally said to herself while keeping up until she saw Pandora getting in her home and closed the door. "Now I got you, you got nowhere to run!" Sylvia said as she opened the door. As She ran in, Sylvia quickly jumped as several voices yelled. "SURPRISE!" Sylvia was shocked as she saw her mothers, Hephaestus, Fotis and Pandora all surprised her. Now she remembered...that it was her birthday! Calliope and Alecto both came to their daughter and hugged her. "Happy birthday, sweetheart"
Sylvia hugged her mothers back and when they let go, Pandora walked up to her. "Happy birthday, we really surprised you, didn't we? I hope you like all the effort I put to organize this for you. You won't believe how much it took for me to finally get my daddy out of his working place." She said, making Hephaestus smile.
"You put all the effort?" Alecto said teasing her. "Let me remind you, young lady, we did all the decorating and Fotis did all the food."
Pandora blushed knowing Alecto was right. Alecto had slowly become a mother figure for Pandora, since Aphrodite doesn't want to know anything about the girl. Then Sylvia gave her a hug. "Thank you." She said.
"You're my best friend." Pandora said with a smile. "It's the least I could do." When both broke the hug, Pandora asked enthusiastically to the others. "Can I give Sylvia my present first?" Both mothers and Hephaestus didn't seem to mind and nodded before. Pandora took a small box from the table and gave it to Sylvia. "I made it myself."
Sylvia, being curious about it, opened the box and saw a pearl necklace with a shining shell hanging in the middle. Sylvia stared with wide eyes at the necklace. "It's beautiful! You made that... for me?"
Pandora shrugged. "Well, Fotis had to ask a few favors from the other servants to get the pearls. That shell I found when we went together for the first time to the beaches of Sparta."
Sylvia remembered that day, when they just became friends and asked her mothers if Pandora could come with them to the beaches of Sparta. It was also the day that she taught her how to swim. Her mothers had taught Sylvia that, because since they were always travelling with a ship and didn't want her to drown if she fell overboard. The little warrior princess looked at the shell closer and saw written 'Best friends forever'. She nearly teared up in happiness, as she put it right away on her neck. Pandora took a mirror to show her and Sylvia thought it really was beautiful. She hugged her friend another time. "Thank you, I love it."
"Anything for you."
Then Calliope spoke. "I believe you have something for her too, right Fotis?"
Sylvia's personal servant nodded before answering. "Yes indeed." He walked to Sylvia and held something behind his back, before he slowly gave it to the little warrior princess. It was a small statue that looked like Achilles, Sykvia's favorite hero.
"Wow, thank you Fotis." Sylvia said smiling.
"I thought you might like it." He said before bending on one knee and speaking further. "I made it from the same marble rock that you took away when it crushed my leg. It had always held an important thing for me, and now I wanted to give it to you"
Sylvia hugged Fotis. "Thank you, Fotis."
He returned the hug. "You're welcome, milady."
Hephaestus then rubbed his hands before speaking. "And now for the big present!" He then took with his giant hands something from his back and laid it in front of Sylvia, which was covered with a cloth to keep it as a surprise. "This is something from myself and your mothers."
Sylvia, really curious to see what the Big present was, removed the cover and saw a shining armor with an spartan helmet and two swords. "Wow! For me?!" She asked all around before they all nodded.
"And that's not all." Hephaestus said. "Even though the armor is good for your size now, I made special adjustments to it that the armor and swords grow with you as you're getting older."
"Really?!" Sylvia asked with surprise before he nodded.
Alecto took the swords, witch had similar blades to Calliope's and chains that didn't need to attach to her flesh to her daughter. "These swords are the best ones Sparta had to offer."
Calliope joined and said smiling. "And since you have Spartan blood, these will suit a warrior like you." Sylvia was so happy right now. She gave a big hug to her mothers and gave Hephaestus a hug too, despite his big size.
After less then an hour, everyone at the birthday party were enjoying themselves. The mothers even had to stop the two girls when they were playing with Sylvia's new swords. Then there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it" Fotis said as he walked to the door.
When he opened, he saw Aphrodite stand at the door. Fotis immediately bowed. "Lady Aphrodite"
She smiled and said "I hope I don't disturb anything?"
That was when Calliope noticed her standing in front of the door. "Ah, Aphrodite. Come in"
She went in and said "I heard it was somebody's birthday here?"
"Yeah it's mine!" Sylvia said as she tried on her new armor, except the helmet, as she felt it was for weaklings and went to see Aphrodite.
The goddess of love watched the young girl, admiring her new outfit. "My, my, we got ourselves a future new hero of Greece." She said, making Sylvia blush and giggle when Aphrodite said that. Then she took something from her belt and gave it to the little girl. "Happy birthday."
Sylvia took it and saw that It was a golden bracelet with green emeralds. "Thank you, Aphrodite"
"You're welcome, sweet child" She then noticed the pearl necklace that Dori wore "What a beautiful necklace"
"Thank you, Pandora made it for me."
"Aw, how nice of her." Aphrodite said, but she was pretending, because she didn't really like Pandora. She then joined the others in their conversation but ignored her 'husband'. Both feeling awkward being around each other. When they were alone, there was an uncomfortable silence, not looking to 1 another.
"Hi." Hephaestus said.
"Hi." Aphrodite said too.
"So ehh... how are things going?" The Smith God asked.
"Good... and you?"
"Fine... fine..." Deep down they still loved each other, but because of all that has happened in the many centuries, they found it difficult to be around each other. They are now more or less separate from bed and table, even living separately.
Then Aphrodite noticed a mirror on the table that seemed familiar. she took it and knew then it was hers. "Who took my mirror?" she asked around but didn't get an answer. She then looked to Pandora, who was bowing her head in guilt. She walked over at her angrily. "Did you take my stuff again?"
"I... i..."
"Well?!"
Pandora was scared of Aphrodite's reaction. "I... i wanted to give it back. I just needed it for today and..."
"You know damn well never to touch my stuff, you-!"
"Aphrodite!" Hephaestus called. "She said she only needed it today!"
Aphrodite then stormed to the Smith God. "If you paid better attention to that... thing, then maybe it would obey for once!" Pandora was hurt for that she called her a 'thing', everyone was shocked for Aphrodite to say something like that.
"How could you say that!" Hephaestus said angrily. "She has been a great help to all of us to put this all together! As her mot-"
Aphrodite stopped Hephaestus from speaking further. "Just because you created and took care of this... object... doesn't mean I also have to be its mother!" Pandora tried hard to keep in her tears. Never before has she heard Aphrodite say such mean and awful words to her, making Sylvia start to get angry. Then as Aphrodite wanted to leave, she said. "I think I've been here long enough. Calliope. Alecto. Enjoy your party."
Before she went through the door and left, Alecto wanted to go after her and tell a piece of her mind for this outrage, but Calliope stopped her. "Let her go."
"How could she say such awful words at our daughter's own birthday party!"
"Let it go, it's not worth it" Hephaestus said, knowing that it wouldn't be worth it. Alecto then saw Pandora crying from Aphrodite's words as Sylvia tried to comfort her before she went to Pandora and hugged her as the little girl cried on her shoulder.
4 months later
The 2 girls were training on the training grounds. Sylvia was teaching her friend how to disarm an enemy without any magic. It was hard at first but today... Pandora smacked the little warrior princess' wooden sword down and stroke up with her wooden dagger to Sylvia's neck. She smiled as she knew that she finally did it.
Sylvia smirked. "See, I told you you could do it without magic." Before the girls gave a high five.
"Nicely done, Pandora." Calliope said when she walked into the courtyard.
Pandora shrugged. "I just have a good teacher." She said, mentioning her best friend.
Sylvia gave her friend a playful elbow and they both chuckled. The other boys who were training too just growled as Sylvia wasn't teaching them that kind of stuff, because she won't hangout with them as long as they didn't treat Pandora better, but still refused to do so.
Then Calliope gave her daughter her 2 swords that she got for her birthday. Sylvia, confused, looked at her mother, who was smiling. "I think you're more than ready for the next part of training. Killing a real opponent."
Sylvia and Pandora both gasped, as it even got the attention of the servant boys. "Don't worry, I mean fighting a monster."
"Really?" Pandora asked.
The Goddess of War nodded. "You've both made some amazing progress in the time you've been training here. I know you are ready, Sylvia."
The little girl smiled and asked. "When will we begin?"
"Right now." Calliope answered before she looked at the other boys. "I want all the children to clear the courtyard! Take your belongings and make some space!" The boys obeyed the Goddess of War and left. Some wanted to see the thing happen and sat down at the balconies.
"Calliope?" Pandora asked.
"Yes?"
"I want to fight the monster together with Sylvia."
Calliope was surprised, even Sylvia didn't expect that. "Are you sure, Pandora?"
"Yes!" She answered fully determined.
Calliope nodded reluctantly. "Well alright, but if it's too much for you, then just call me, okay?"
Pandora nodded before Calliope gave Pandora a set of real daggers and left the courtyard, leaving the girls now alone in the arena before the other entrances closed. Sylvia was getting nervous, as she was doubting if she was ready for this, not to mention if Pandora was ready for this! When the gate in front of them opened, they heard loud footsteps and saw that it was a cyclops! All of the boys gasped. They had to fight that!?
The cyclops roared and started to attack the girls as they carefully avoided the giant monster. Then Pandora had an idea. "Sylvia, I'll distract him, you get to his eye!" Sylvia nodded before Pandora ran as fast as she could to avoid the monster, as he tried many times to smash her flat, but failed cause she was so fast. Sylvia ran behind him and climbed on top of the cyclops. Being too angry by missing Pandora every time, he didn't notice the little warrior princess climbing on top of him until it was too late, as she stabbed him with one of her swords right in the eye. It roared in pain and tried to grab Sylvia but she slashed the hands away. Pandora saw her chance and she slipped right between the monster's legs and slit its heels, making it fall. The girls quickly stabbed and slashed it in his head and neck, killing it. Not long after the cyclops was dead, the boys cheered, as they never witnessed something this awesome ever in their lives! Calliope looked proud at the young girls as she saw that they both had great potential.
At the end of the training session when everyone else was leaving, both girls wanted to stay a little bit longer, as Sylvia wanted to show her friend a new move she learned. "Watch closely."
Pandora nodded before Sylvia made a run to a wall fast and run a few steps up and made a 720 turn with a somersault while slashing around with her swords. But she realized too late that Pandora was standing too close and slashed near her head!
When Sylvia landed, she gasped, dropped her swords and ran to Pandora. "PANDORA! By the Gods i'm so sorry! I didn't see you." She said before she was holding her hands on her mouth trying not to laugh out loud.
Confused, Pandora looked at her. "Why are you laughing?" Before she then felt the part Sylvia slashed... and realized that her hair was shorter! When Pandora looked down... she saw a large portion of her long hair on the ground, freaking her out. "AAAAAAAAHHH! MY HAIR!"
Sylvia couldn't hold her laugh anymore. "Hahahahahahaha! O.. o my... hahahahahahaha!"
Pandora started to get angry "It's not funny!"
"Bwahahaha! it's.. hahaha... sorry i couldn't...! Hahaha...! one side is short and the other.. hahahahaha!"
Pandora was now furious. "Shut up shut up SHUT UP!" Before she took her dagger, grabbed a large piece of Sylvia's long hair and cut it in a single move.
Sylvia gasped when Pandora cut her black hair. "You did that on purpose!"
"You shouldn't laugh at me like that!" Pandora said while waving with Sylvia's cut hair. Now Sylvia was angry, before she took Pandora's dagger and tried to cut her hair. Pandora tried to hold her and pushed her away before both girls tried to grab each other, trying to cut their hair, but soon it turned into using fists and kicks.
Calliope heard the noise from the courtyard and checked it out, only to find Sylvia and Pandora fighting. "Hey! Both of you stop it!" Before she grabbed both girls, separating them but still trying to grab or kick each other. "Knock it off! Both of you!" Calliope yelled.
Later on
That same evening after dinner, in Sylvia's room. Fotis was cutting her hair. It pained him to see that the young girl once had such beautiful long black hair was now messed up. He had no choice but to cut it all shorter to 3 inches. "Why were you and Lady Pandora fighting all the sudden? I thought you both were such good friends?"
Sylvia, who was still angry a little with her arms crossed said. "Well, she started it all!"
Fotis was doubting if that was true. "Was that what really happened, milady?" He asked as he cut another portion of her hair.
"Well, not exactly." Before she sighed "I wanted to show her my new trick and... accidentally cut a piece of her hair. I didn't want to laugh at her because of how it looked, but it was so funny that i couldn't hold myself. Then she became angry and..."
Fotis was done and gave a mirror to her. "Then by the sound of it, you hurt her feelings in the first place, milady."
Sylvia saw her cut hair in the mirror and hated it. It was first so long and nice but now it was ruined. But then she felt that Fotis was right, she did hurt her best friend's feelings. That is, If she still wanted to be her friend after today. Sylvia became sad. "You're right Fotis... You're right."
Fotis then put the scissors back in a tray and said "I know i'm not supposed to intervene in what you two have. But if i was in your shoes milady, I would go to her and at least try to make it up with her."
Sylvia stood up and gave a smile to her servant. "Thank you, Fotis."
"You're welcome, milady."
Determined, Sylvia walked out of her room. "You know what, I'm going to her house and apologize to her."
Then when she exited her room, she saw Pandora standing in front of the opened front door as Alecto led her in. "Sylvia, Pandora wanted to say something to you."
Pandora's hair was also as short as Sylvia's and felt guilty of what happened. Alecto left the girls alone. Before the little warrior princess broke the silence first. "Hi..."
"Ehh.. hi." Now both felt guilty. "Listen Sylvia, I wanted to say sorry for what-"
"No no Pandora, it's my fault. I should've never laughed at you when I cut your hair."
"No, I never should've cut your hair too, or started the fighting. Then both felt uncomfortable and then Pandora said with a smile. "I suppose i should thank you for it."
"Really?" Sylvia asked.
"Yeah, I actually like this new cut. I'm gonna keep it." she said with a wink. Now Dori smiled and scratched her short cut hair. "It may take a while before mine is grown back."
Pandora giggled. "It does look funny like that."
"Yeah.. it does." Sylvia said before she giggled too. When they stopped they embraced in a hug.
"Are we friends again?" Pandora asked.
"Always" Sylvia said smiling.
Then Pandora got an idea and whispered. "Hey, wanne sneak into the stables and take Pegasus for a night ride?"
"You read my mind!" They laughed and ran out of the house.
Alecto called out to them. "Wait! Don't go for... too long." But it was too late, the girls were out already.
At the same moment, Calliope then came in after a discussion with Athena in her living quarters. "So they made up?" She asked her lover.
"I guess." Alecto answered with a smile.
Fotis then was about to leave to go back to his home. "I will be leaving for tonight. Goodnight miladys."
"Goodnight Fotis." Both women said while waving.
As Fotis left, Alecto and Calliope looked at each other, seemingly having the same idea. They were alone in the house, Sylvia was out and Fotis wasn't there too. Calliope then walked to her lover and held her by her hips with her hands. Alecto biting her lip, touched with her right hand one of Calliope's breasts. "You trained so much." Alecto said in a seducing voice. "Let me wash all that dirt from you... in our bath."
Calliope started to moan. "Sounds... lovely." Before they kissed with passion while they went to their bathroom. As long as nobody else was in the house, they had all the time to make love.
3 months later
It was a warm sunny day and Alecto and Calliope decided to go to the beaches of Sparta with the girls. The two women lied relaxing on the beach while the girls were out swimming in the distance. They came to a small island nearby where an old shipwreck layed. Sylvia and Pandora always liked to play there and other stuff. But while Pandora was curious about the down decks, Sylvia was at the Bow watching the horizon, singing herself a song
Cruel and cold like winds on the sea
Will you ever return to me
Hear my voice, sing with the tide
My love will never die
Over waves and deep in the blue
I will give up my heart for you
Ten long years i'll wait to go by
My love will never die
Come my love be one with the sea
Rule with me for eternity
Drown all dreams so mercilessly
And leave their souls to me
Play the song you sang long ago
And wherever the storm may blow
You will find the key to my heart
We'll never be apart
Wild and strong you can't be contained
Never bound nor ever chained
Wounds you caused wil never mend
And you will never end
Cruel and cold like winds on the sea
Will you ever return to me
Hear my voice, sing with the tide
Our love will never die
Pandora heard Sylvia singing and came upstairs to listen. "That was beautiful."
When Sylvia turned to face her, she blushed. "Thanks."
Pandora came to sit by her side. "Where did you learn to sing like that?"
Sylvia shrugged "I always could, as far as i can remember. When my mommies were still serving the Gods and we were off sailing to another place, I sometimes came to the Bow at night and sang myself whatever comes in my mind. Sometimes I sing till I fall asleep. When my mommies can't find me anywhere, they always found me at the Bow."
Pandora could only imagine how that must be, traveling around the world, seeing all kinds of things. She sighed. "I wish i could go wherever I wanted to."
Sylvia put her hand over her shoulder. "Maybe we can, when we're older."
"Really?" She asked Sylvia.
She nodded. "Us, traveling the world, seeing all kinds of places, helping people..."
Pandora smiled. "That's something I can look forward to."
Then while they were playing again, they saw a bright light racing down to the beach where Sylvia's mothers were. "Is that Hermes?" Sylvia asked.
"I think you're right. Come on, let's see what's going on!" Pandora said curiously. Sylvia nodded and both girls jumped in the water and swam back to the beach.
Calliope called the girls back when they arrived.
"What is it mommy?" Sylvia asked.
"A message from Hermes. It says that the Greek minorities in all of Minor Asia have revolted and liberated their cities from the Persians."
"Oh? Well, that's great right?" Pandora asked, but Calliope shook her head.
"Not really, it also said that a huge Persian army is assembling to take those cities back by force, the Greeks will be slaughtered if I don't do something." The goddess of war explained, making the girls gasp. "I have to return to Olympus and ask Zeus's permission for sending an army to help the Greeks." Calliope said worriedly. When Alecto took their stuff, the girls did so too and in a flash, they returned to Olympus.
Alecto and the girls went to their home, while Calliope went to see Zeus immediately. As the girls chanced from their swimming suits back to their normal clothes, both of them were curious of what was going on and what Zeus would think of Calliope's request to send an army to Minor Asia to battle the Persians. They said to Alecto that they were going to the library to get some more information of Athena's lessons for the coming days, but they really went to their secret entrance to the throne room.
Once they crawled up to the hole on top of the throne room and looked down below, Sylvia's mother, Calliope was trying to convince Zeus to give her permission, while some other Gods, Athena and Hermes listened and gave their opinions.
"We cannot leave these people to their fate, Zeus! If we don't stop this, they will think that the other Greek city states are too weak to do anything and will invade the rest of Greece!"
"I agree with Calliope," Athena said. "The fate of thousands of innocent people are at stake."
Hermes was not so for it. "You want to gather all the armies of all the Greek cities? Won't that make them a little bit enthusiastic that they want to invade the rest of the Persian Empire?"
"That won't happen! Not as long as i'm the Goddess of War!" Calliope ensured. She has a reason to hate the Persians, but invading the rest of their country would result in stretching the Greeks forces too far and making them vulnerable for other invasions.
Zeus thought for a moment and said. "I agree... with Calliope. We cannot allow a slaughter to happen like this." Calliope smiled, as she knew Zeus would see reason. "But i agree with Hermes as well," Hermes smirked out of mock to Calliope, who was frowning to the messenger of the Gods. "I don't want to risk the lives of so many soldiers, that they will invade the rest of Persia. Can you ensure to me that they will only be used to free the Greek cities in Minor Asia, Calliope?"
She nodded to the King of the Gods. "You have my word, the Greek army will only free Minor Asia, nothing more!"
"And... what if some who disagree with you, hmm?" Hermes asked.
Calliope sighed and said. "Then I will make an example of them. That no one will defy my orders!" Calliope didn't want to do that, but knew she had no choice. If some Greek soldiers or even leaders won't listen, then she truly needed to act on it.
Zeus nodded and took her word for it. "Then I give you my permission to gather as many armies as you can, Calliope."
"Thank you, Zeus." Calliope said before she left the throne room to send word out to assemble every soldier in Greece to join the fight.
Then when Hermes looked up to the same hole in the ceiling, he saw Sylvia and Pandora 'Well well well, so those are the little unwanted guests.' He mentally thought to himself. He pretended he didn't see anything, thinking this could work out well for him for a little fun.
Sylvia and Pandora crawled back to another section of the throne room, where Calliope was using her magic to contact all the Greek city states through statues of hers. All of them answered the call for war, but only Sparta didn't. She wanted to know why and it seemed that Sparta had recently a change of ruler that had not recognized Calliope as the new Goddess of War. Calliope knew that without the Spartan army, a victory on the Persians was uncertain.
Sylvia and Pandora looked confused at each other before they left the secret tunnel to the throne room and went out to think about what they witnessed. They entered the Garden of Hera, took a few fruits and sat together in the flower field. "Why did Sparta have a new ruler, I thought the people liked the new king?"
"Yeah, it's strange Pandora." Sylvia said as she took a bite of her fruit. "Very strange."
"How will the Greeks then even stand a chance against the Persians? Something has to be done to change their minds!"
Sylvia agreed, something had to be done... maybe by them? Sylvia then stood up and threw her half eaten fruit away. "If no one does it, then we will!"
Pandora looked surprised. "W..we? But... what can we do?"
"We go to Sparta and try to convince the king to change his mind!"
Pandora thought for a moment about it, but was unsure of it. "I thought you said we should wait until we're older?"
"You're never too old when you look for adventure." The little warrior princess said with a smile. "Trust me, us together? Do you remember how we killed that cyclops together?! We can do this!"
Pandora gave a sigh, her best friend could be right, together they can do this. "Alright, let's do this!" Pandora said, determined.
Happy about their choice, they both hugged. While going out of the garden they started planning. "Okay, from what we know, the Greek army will be sailing out in 2 days and my mommies are going to lead them once they arrive at Minor Asia."
"So how are we going to Sparta once your mothers are gone?" Pandora asked, wondering how they'd get to Sparta once Calliope and Alecto were gone.
Sylvia thought for a moment and answered. "Remember that Athena once promised us that we will learn about nature for a few days out of Olympus?" Pandora nodded while Sylvia went further. "First, we will ask if I can stay at your place until my mommies are back, then we will tell both your dad that Athena made a last minute arrangement for us so we won't be worried when they are away."
Pandora thought about it and that it was brilliant! "Yes! My daddy is always in his working place, so he won't figure out or ask Athena cause he's always busy!"
"Exactly!"
"Wait, how are we going to Sparta?"
"Pegasus."
"Oh, right! We'll sneak out when we tell my daddy that we're leaving and take Pegasus with us." Pandora concluded.
When they neared Sylvia's place, they whispered the last details of the plan. "We will hide our armor and weapons at the end of the secret tunnel that leads to the stables."
"We also need food, in case it takes longer than we anticipate." Pandora suggested
"Okay, while you go home, I will ask my mommies if I can stay with you when they leave." Pandora nodded and both friends gave a hug for a goodnight.
For this was not merely a desire for adventure, they needed to help Alecto and Calliope, for even they couldn't win this fight without the Spartan army.
2 days later
Alecto and Calliope said their goodbyes to Sylvia while she took some stuff to stay with Pandora, like the two girls planned. "You be a good girl while we're gone, okay?" Calliope asked as she gave her daughter a hug and a kiss on her forehead.
"I will mommy" Sylvia said and gave a kiss on Alecto's cheek. "Be careful."
"Don't worry sweetheart, we will." Alecto ensured before the two mothers waved goodbye while they descended and in a flash, were gone.
As planned, Pandora told her father, Hephaestus about the 'trip' that Athena wants to take with her and her friend. Hephaestus was surprised. Normally this would have been told way ahead, but he understood that the situation with Calliope and the rebellion in Minor Asia might have influenced that it wasn't said before. And said it was okay, as long as they were careful,which she and Sylvia promised.
Later That evening, they left Pandora's with some food they gathered for the trip. They sneaked past the guards and came to the secret entrance of the stables. In the tunnel laid their armor as they planned before. Pandora had a light armor that she got from her father on her birthday a month before, since she had been hanging out with Sylvia and busy with fighting more often, Hephaestus thought that an armor for a fast warrior like her would suit and also got a set of daggers. Same as Sylvia's armor, which would grow with her as she got older.
Once changed into their armor, they sneaked into the stables, found Pegasus and put their supplies on the side pockets of his saddle. Pandora opened the gate slowly and peeked to make sure it was clear, and it was. The two girls jumped on Pegasus and flew away, to Sparta.
But they were secretly watched, by the messenger of the Gods, Hermes, who smirked as he watched them fly away. "Oh yes, you two girls are in big trouble now."
With Alecto and Calliope
Hundreds of ships were gathered at the coast of Smyrna, ready to go out and save the besieged city from a massive Persian army. There was fear in the eyes of the soldiers, they were not sure if they were capable of defeating the Persians without the help of Sparta. They all waited to hear of any comforting or incouraging words from the Goddess of War.
Calliope stepped forward, she used her magic so all soldiers on every ship could hear her words from her statues. "We have all come together, from the lowest ranks to the highest position of our societies, to set out to face the most ruthless foe our people had ever known. For not only liberating every Greek citizen that have been oppressed and persecuted by the Persian Empire for centuries, but saving them from annihilation. We fight for all the men, women and children's right to live, to exist. For dozens of generations, we all thought that the Persians were unbeatable and would destroy all those stand against them. But remember the battle of Marathon, how against all odds, the Greek warriors saved our lands from an Persian armada! Remember the Spartan king Leonidas, how he stand for days against an army of thousands of Persians, with just 300 of his own! Now it is you're turn, my brothers, to make history! You all have heard the stories, of our brothers and sisters on those shores have smelled the weakness in the oppressors and set of the fires of freedom and wiped the Persians out of their homes! You all have heard the rumors, that a massive Persian army has assembled to take back what the believe is theirs and won't stop until every Greek is dead! They are all true! Remember our heroes! Remember their sacrifices! So I ask you, my brothers in arms, fight! Fight for your countrymen! Save them, until the Persians will finally see that these never were and never will be their lands! FOR THIS IS OUR LAND! OUR COUNTRY! OUR BELOVED GREECE!"
All the Greek soldiers and warriors cheered for Calliope's words. "Follow me, the Goddess of War! AND I SHALL GIVE YOU... VICTORY!" The soldiers then cheered harder and louder than before. Now they were ready... for death... for glory... and for freedom!
Back Sylvia and Pandora
After hours of flying, they landed in a forest, not far from Sparta itself. They left Pegasus in a safe spot and the girls went out with their weapons and supplies in the direction of the city and made a small camp nearby before both of them decided to scout out ahead, to see the situation in Sparta.
What they saw was terrible. They saw Spartan warriors taking carriages filled with bodies taken out of the city, only to be burned. The smell was awful as Pandora held her hand over her nose. "Gross!"
Sylvia had seen this kind of inhumanity before and was more sickened of the soldiers who just laughed at the burning corpses and yelled. "May the great Ares send you all to the deep pits of Tartarus!" Before he spit wine over the fire. It was still unclear why Sparta would choose an inhuman king that would do all this.
The two girls headed back to their hideout, but when they got there, their stuff was all gone! "What the hell?" Pandora asked as she searched the backs. "It's all gone."
Sylvia looked around. "Some thief might have stolen-"
"Shh! Do you hear that?" Sylvia asked as she still looked around.
"Hear what?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." The little warrior princess said as she drew her swords. "We're being watched!"
Pandora then took one of her daggers. The two were now back to back, readying themselves for anything. It was quiet, as the only thing that the girls were hearing was their breathing. Then Sylvia heard something, she looked and saw a big boulder being thrown at them! "Look out!" She said as she grabbed Pandora out of the way and both fell to the ground. The boulder just hit a inch away from them "Are you okay?" Sylvia asked her friend.
"U-huh." Pandora answered.
They got up quick and saw another boulder coming! This time, Sylvia was ready, she catched the big boulder before impact and threw it back before she heard the boulder being crushed on the thing that threw it.
"AAARGH!" It yelled before the girls heard the beast coming in.
"Run!" Sylvia yelled to her friend and both ran into the forest. They stayed close and ran fast, but heard it coming closer. Sylvia looked back while running and saw a giant man running after them. Sylvia got really scared, not knowing what it was, maybe a giant Spartan soldier or some abomination!
Then the giant thing jumped high and landed right in front of the girls. Sylvia and Pandora tried to turn back but were grabbed tight by the monster! They tried to grab their weapons but the grip was to tight that they had trouble breathing. They faced the monster and saw that It wore a helmet on like the face of a lion and had no armor. It looked at them with fury, but then turned surprised as it spoke. "Two little girls?" He then laughed out load. "Is this the best that Hippocoon can send against me?! HAHAHAHA!"
"Let us go, you...!" Sylvia said while trying to get of of the giants grip.
The man was surprised by Sylvia's strength and even nearly got loose, but held her tightly again. "Well well, you're a tough one aren't you? But remember this little girl, nobody in all of Greece, can outmatch the mighty Hercules in strength!"
The girls both looked to the men with wide eyes. "Hercules? You're the hero Hercules?" Pandora asked.
The man smirked now known as Hercules. "You bet, little girl" before he then staired seriously to them. "Let's see what Tyndareus has to say about you two" He said while taking the girls with him.
Pandora had trouble breathing because of Hercules' strong grip on her. Sylvia saw it and said. "Hercules!"
"What?"
"Please. My friend is not as strong as I am, don't crush her to death!"
Hercules looked surprised but smirked and said. "Why should i show mercy on spies from Hippocoon?"
"Please, don't hurt her!" Sylvia begged, not wanting to lose her best friend.
He looked to Pandora and it looked like she was about to suffocate, Hercules rolled his eyes. "Fine." He said before he loosed the grip and Pandora gasped for air.
She looked to Sylvia. "Thanks."
Sylvia nodded but turned back to Hercules. "Look, we are no spies, we came here to talk to the king of Sparta."
"Talk to Hippocoon? Good luck with that." He said with annoyance.
"No not Hippocoon but... wait, is Hippocoon the 'new' king of Sparta?"
"Quiet! Tyndareus will know how to deal with you." Both Sylvia and Pandora were confused. If Tyndareus was the king of Sparta, then why is Hercules mentioning this Hippocoon being king now?
A few minutes later, they arrived at some secret camp full of Spartan warriors, but under a different banner. Hercules dropped the girls on the floor rude. When they got up they were in front of some man in shining armor "Who are these?" he asked Hercules.
"Some spies I caught in the woods, asking a lot of questions."
"I told you, we are no spies!" Sylvia said angrily.
"Don't make a fool out of me! You're wearing the same armor as those in Sparta and your friend's... I've not seen those before, but that still doesn't convince me that you're not just some little spies."
As Sylvia was getting more angry, Pandora tried to calm her down.
"Wait." Said the man in his shining armor. "That mark on your face." He was staring curiously to Sylvia's face. Then it was all clear to him! "By the Gods, you're... you're the daughter of the Goddess of War, Calliope!"
"I am." She said politely. "My name is Sylvia and this is my friend, Pandora. We're from Olympus."
The Spartan warriors all whispered to each other. Then the man in shining armor bowed on one knee. "It is an honour to have you among us, Lady Sylvia. I am Tyndareus, the rightful ruler of Sparta."
The little warrior princess smiled and both bowed to the king in respect. "A pleasure to meet you, Tyndareus." Said Pandora.
He laughed and said. "I knew the Gods of Olympus didn't forsake me!"
"Now hold on a moment." Said Hercules. "What are you two girls, from Olympus, doing all the way out here?"
Sylvia gave a heavy sigh. "It's about the rebellion in Minor Asia."
Tyndareus nodded "Ay, I received the call as well. But I'm afraid I cannot do anything right now to help." Before he walked away and wanted the girls to follow him. "Come to my tent, we can talk further there."
The girls did, but were pushed out of the way by Hercules who also went to Tyndareus's tent. "How rude." Pandora said.
"I agree." Sylvia answered. "Hercules is nothing like I would have expected of him."
Meanwhile with Alecto and Calliope
By nightfall, the besieged city of Smyrna was saved and the Persians were defeated. Most were killed, only a few escaped. But this campaign was at the cost of hundreds of Greek soldiers. While the soldiers were helping their people in the city, Calliope, Alecto and other kings were making plans for the next step. Calliope holded a map of Minor Asia on the table. "The Persian army is now licking their wounds at Sardis in the east, while we do so, the army of Athens moves north to help the cities of Phocaea and Assos."
"But Lady Calliope." The king of Andros asked. "What about the Persian army in Iasos in the southeast? If we don't attack them now they will!"
Then Alecto said. "If we do so, then our forces will be stretched too far out."
"Nonsense, we have over 100.000 we can take them out!"
"No!" Said Calliope. "From the reports of our scouts, the Persians are gathering a massive army of 300.000 at the Halys river. If we move our troops so far out, we will be annihilated." The other kings and commanders agreed to this. "You all have your orders, dismissed!"
The soldiers all left. But before the Andros king left he said. "You're making a big mistake, milady."
Calliope signed. 'If only we had Sparta on this'. She thought before Alecto kissed her.
Back with Sylvia and Pandora
Tyndareus had explained that a few weeks before, he was overthrown by his brother Hippocoon. His brother was the few in Sparta that refused to believe Ares was dead and Calliope was their new Goddess. When Tyndareus made the final decision to demolish the old statues of Ares, it was for Hippocoon and his supporters the final straw. While Tyndareus was making a diplomatic mission to Thebes, Hippocoon took over the city and declared that there king was dead and he now was the king and anyone who was not with him or said that Ares was dead, was murdered.
"But why can't you just go into the city and let the people see that you're alive?" Pandora asked.
"Hippocoon's warriors have control over the city entrances and patrol the streets day and night. I will be dead before I reach the palace."
Sylvia couldn't stand for this cowardness. "By the Gods, you're a Spartan warrior, and a Spartan never walks away from a battle! Especially not a king!"
"I admire your bravery, Lady Sylvia, but even with myself and the supporters I have left, our success wouldn't have been certain. Even with Hercules, I doubt we will be successful now."
"Then we will help!" Sylvia said, determined. Hercules and Tyndareus looked surprised. "I know we don't look like it, but I have superhuman strength and my friend Pandora is a sorceress."
Pandora nodded. "I know multiple spells that can disarm Hippocoon's warriors and provide us cover when we enter the city."
But Hercules didn't want to put his faith in children, especially little girls. "This is a waste of time, Tyndareus, we cannot put our trust in... children!"
Both the girls looked angry at Hercules with their arms crossed, but Tyndareus answered for them. "Children from Olympus and one of them is the daughter of our Goddess and another is a sorceress! Hercules, I know of your personal vendetta with Hippocoon, but now we need all the help we can get."
Hercules just rolled his eyes. "Fine, but I will not be responsible if anything happens to them!"
"That's why they are going with you."
"What?" Hercules asked.
"You will go into Sparta with them, they are you're only chance for Hippocoon and for me to get back my throne."
Both the girls just smirked to Hercules as he growled. "Fine." Then he turned to the girls. "You can get me and Tyndareus into the city, but remember little girls." He said as he was frowning. "Hippocoon is mine."
The girls just shrugged. When Hercules left, Sylvia then asked Tyndareus. "My lord, about my mother and the rebellion?"
He raised his hand that he understood. "I know what you want me to do, and I will. Get me back on the throne of Sparta and I will send the army to help your mother."
Sylvia smiled. "Thank you. So when will we go into the city?"
"Tomorrow, by dawn" He answered before he left the tent and when he informed the men of the plan, they all cheered as they were ready to free Sparta from Hippocoon's reign of terror.
The next morning with Calliope and Alecto
While the army of Athens was moving north, the rest was preparing for any defense against the mightier foe. Calliope was troubled. What if this whole thing failed and the army will be crushed? Alecto assured her that no matter what happened, she will stay at her side.
On the outskirts of Sparta
Sylvia and Pandora both sneaked to the city walls with Hercules. When they approached the gate they were attacked by the guards, Pandora disarmed them all with her magic and while the soldiers had nothing to fight with, they were overwhelmed by Tyndareus forces and taken prisoner. As Hercules crushed the gate open and ran to the palace, Sylvia and Pandora tried to keep up.
Several Hippocoon warriors threw spears at them, but were stopped by Pandora's protection spell. Hercules knocked all of them out as Sylvia used her strength to throw some boulders to the coming palace guards, killing a few but knocking out most of them.
"Hippocoon!" Hercules yelled as he stormed the palace and reached the throne room. Hippocoon, while enjoying the company of some beautiful ladies was shocked of the sudden entrance of Hercules. "You and i have unfinished business!" Hercules said while trying to get Hippocoon, but he ran quickly out.
"Guards! Guards!" Sylvia, Pandora and Hercules handled the guards quickly and ran after the false king until he was trapped now in a corner before he begged for his life. "Wait Hercules! I'm sure we can work something out... i'll give you anything you want, name your price."
"What a wimp." Sylvia said to Pandora. "Falls to the ground without even being hit. No wonder he's not worthy to be king of Sparta."
"I agree." her friend said.
Then Tyndareus came in. "Hello, brother." He said in an angry tone.
"Tyndareus? How… did you?"
"You dare to take my city by force and kill innocent people for not worshiping a dead God?!"
"Ares is the true God of War, not some whore who's father lost his honour a long time ago!"
Then Sylvia angry stepped to Hippocoon and hit him hard in the face "Nobody talks about my mother like that while i'm around!"
Hippocoon, scared, held his hand on his bleeding nose as Hercules grabbed his face and raised him. Then Tyndareus said. "Hippocoon, for your crimes against the people of Sparta, against me the true king and blasphemy against a Goddess of Olympus, I sentence you... to death!" Before Hercules crushed Hippocoon's skull, blood and pieces of bone and brain splattered everywhere. Pandora almost had to vomit of it, but knew that a tyrant like that deserved it.
That same day, Tyndareus was restored to the throne, the people of Sparta rejoiced and thanked the two girls and Hercules for what they did for them. Not long after, Tyndareus announced that Sparta will go and help the Greek forces in Minor Asia. With more than 150.000 Spartan warriors assembled, they sailed out to Minor Asia at full speed.
Before Tyndareus's ship left, he wanted to personally thank the two girls. "My thanks is great, Lady Sylvia and Pandora. You saved us all and even more so."
Both of the girls blushed. "Oh, we just did what was necessary." Sylvia said.
Pandora gave her a little punch on the shoulder before both of them giggled. They bowed to the king and bid him good luck. When they wanted to go they were stopped by Hercules, who looked at them with crossed arms. "You know, I could have done it all myself."
Sylvia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Right."
"But I do want to say, thanks." He said.
Both looked at each other surprised and then back at Hercules. "You're... welcome?" Pandora said.
Hercules smirked before arrogantly saying. "You both may be little, but you did both a big job here. You have some potential with that strength of yours, Sylvia but it won't be even near mine!"
Sylvia could only smile from that. "Maybe."
"And Pandora, you may want to work more on that magic of yours. It may be some, but it would be bigger if you learn it more in battle."
"Uhh.. thank you."
As they said goodbye to Hercules, he stopped them for a moment. "You know, that food you brought from Olympus was delicious!"
Then Pandora was becoming angrily. "Wait, you were the one who stole our food!?"
"Yes, and it was fantastic. HAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed as he walked away.
The girls then went back to Pegasus and flew back to Olympus. "That Hercules is a reel jerk!" Pandora said
"You bet! Let's just go home" Sylvia said with a smile as they flew back home, unaware that they were about to get caught by Hermes
Meanwhile with Calliope and Alecto
The giant army of Persia from the Halys river and the Persians from the southeast had gathered to attack Smyrna and crush the Greeks in one swift move. Calliope had to call back the army from the north to help the fight, but with now only 175.000 left from the forces of Greece and some 50.000 that was gathered in the freed city, victory was impossible. The battle was hard, as both sides faced heavy losses. Calliope and Alecto tried all they could, but the Persians were with too many. And as all hope seemed lost, a trumpet was heard. A Greek captain looked to the horizon to the sea with wide eyes and happiness before she shouted. "They have come! THE SPARTANS HAVE COME!"
When the Spartens landed quickly, they arrived in the nick of time and saved the Greeks from total destruction. In a matter of hours, the Persians were crushed and the Greeks had won.
Meanwhile with Sylvia and Pandora
Sylvia and Pandora arrived back at Olympus with Pegasus, as it was late in the afternoon and both were tired from all their business in Sparta. They slowly descended on the mountain and landed at the entrance of the stables. Pandora opened it and they put Pegasus safely in his place. They went back through the secret tunnel and changed back into their normal Olympus clothes before they put their armor in a magic bag that Pandora made for them so they could store everything and went out of the tunnel.
But when they were just halfway to their homes, they were stopped by the messenger of the Gods, Hermes! "Well, well, well. Had a nice trip, hmm?"
"Eh... we don't know what you mean, Hermes." Sylvia said while scratching her hair.
Hermes then raced to them in a second and was staring at them. "Don't even think that I'm a fool, daughter of Calliope! But I have to admit.." He said in a different tone. "Knowing what you two have been doing the last few years have been... tricky." Before he then raced to the top of a nearby house and sat on the edge. "Entering Hera's gardens? Don't really care. Making a few night walks together here on Olympus? Not interested." Then he raced down and leaned on a wall in a corner. "But!... Taking Pegasus and leaving Olympus? Getting mixed in battles that you kids are too young for or..." Then raced back to them and stared them in the face "Sneaking into the throne room and spying on the King of the Gods?"
Both girls gasped at that. 'Crap! He knows!' The both thought.
"Now those are the things that do interest me... and what would Zeus say if he heard about this? If I were you, this should probably be your last day on Olympus? Hahahaha." He said, mocking the girls for their little stunt and was amused for the scaring faces.
"But you know." He started. "What's the fun in all of that?" He then stairs in the distance. "It can be most of the time boring around so... why don't we make a deal or some sort, hmm? A challenge... Yes! That would be fun!"
"What kind of challenge?" Sylvia asked, but was not amused by Hermes' bullying.
Hermes turned back to the girls. "A challenge against time!" He answered before he took his coin out of his pocket. "I'm gonna hide this little coin somewhere in Olympus, if you guys can find it before the sun has set down, then I will keep my mouth shut of whatever you guys did today and maybe after that... But if you lose, then you can say goodbye to a promising career and life on Olympus."
Pandora then whispered in Sylvia's ear. "Are you sure this is a good idea? He is the fastest person in the world."
"We don't have a choice, if we refuse he's gonna tell everyone what we've been doing." Sylvia whispered back to her friend.
Pandora then nodded, knowing she was right. "Alright Hermes, we'll do it!" Sylvia said.
"Splendid!" In a second Hermes disappeared and was back in less than a minute! "Okay, the coin has been hidden and to make it a little bit easier for you both, I'll give you a hint. The coin is hidden where no other God nor mortal will ever reach." Both girls looked at each other, knowing not what that meant. But they stood ready while Hermes took an hourglass that would drop until the sun was down. "On your marks, get set... RUN!"
Before Sylvia and Pandora raced to find the key. "I will be waiting right here till you find it... which will not happen! HAHAHAHAHA!"
The girls looked everywhere, under every barrel, every corner even took some secret tunnels to look in places that none of the servants would go to. But still they couldn't find the coin! After hours of searching they stopped to catch their breath. "We're never gonna beat him." Pandora said while breathing hard.
"This is stupid! Us racing around looking for that stupid coin!" Sylvia said as she looked around while crossing her arms, then she spotted Hermes, watching them and holding something shiny in his hands, putting it in his pocket and running to another place. Hermes was cheating! "That bastard!"
"What?" Pandora said as she catching her breath. "Hermes keeps changing the place of the coin! He is cheating!"
"That jerk!" Pandora said before she was thinking of the riddle of Hermes. 'The coin is hidden were no other God nor mortal will ever reach'. Now she knew. "He has the coin still in his pocket!"
"What do you mean, Pandora?"
"Think about it, the coin is were no one can reach! Hermes is the fastest in the world, so nobody can catch him!" Pandora told her friend.
Sylvia stamped one of her feet. "Dammit! How are we ever gonna beat him if he's so fast!"
Then Pandora had an idea. She whispered it into her ear, Sylvia could only smirk what the plan was. "Pandora, you're a genius!"
"Shhhh! Maybe Hermes is hearing what we're saying!" Pandora whispered loudly, making Sylvia get what she was saying.
Less than a minute till sundown
Sylvia was slowly walking out of breath to the place where they started while Hermes was just laughing at her. "HAHAHAHA! Couldn't find it, huh? I told you you couldn't find it!" But he saw that Pandora was not with her. "Wait, where is that... thing that you call your friend?"
"What did you say?!" Sylvia asked, getting angry at Pandora being called a 'thing'
"You heard me." Hermes said while laying on his back. "That thing you call your friend, Pandora?" Then Sylvia was smirking. "Why are you smiling all of the sudden, girl?"
Sylvia shrugged. "I don't know, maybe because I have a feeling my best friend can arrive here any minute with the coin."
Hermes just laughed at that. "Really?! I doubt that. Nobody can ever find it." He said before he looked at the hourglass. "And you have only 10 seconds left." He thought he was gonna make her cry now, but she was just staring at him, smirking with her arms crossed, making Hermes roll his eyes. "You really want to leave Olympus huh? No matter because your time is nearly..."
Then Pandora came from a corner and shouted. "I GOT IT!"
"Wh...what?" Hermes asked with wide eyes.
"We... got... the coin!" Pandora said as she raised her hand with the coin in it. Both girls laughed and cheered that they won.
Hermes then raced to them. "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! NOBODY HAD EVER BEAT ME! You, you cheated somehow!"
Pandora shook her head. "Nope, we solved your little riddle. You told us that the coin was at the place were no God nor Mortel could ever reach, then it got me! No one can ever catch Hermes the messenger of the Gods, so the coin was in your pocket the whole time!"
Hermes became speechless at that. He was beaten...by two little girls. He growled angrily. "AAAARGH! Fine, you win!" Before he grabbed the coin back.
"And the deal?" Sylvia asked while smirking to Hermes.
"Yes, yes, I will not tell anyone about whatever you girls do." He said, making the girls again cheer and they hugged out of victory. "But," Hermes interrupted, making them stop when Hermes said that. "I didn't say that the other Gods will ever find out what you girls have done." He said, smirking "And by the look of it... I think both of your parents already knew what you both did in Sparta."
The girls' eyes went wide at hearing that. "You... you told them!?" Sylvia asked angrily.
"No... I simply waited for you guys to come back, so I could have my fun before you would be exiled. I never guaranteed that your parents or the other Gods would never find out." He said before he raced to the end of the street but stopped and yelled. "Good luck finding a new life 'outside' Olympus, bye!" And just like that, Hermes was gone. And less then a minute later, Calliope and Alecto returned, knowing full well what their daughter and her friend, Pandora did.
They brought them to the entrance of the throne room, where Hephaestus was also, looking disappointed at his daughter. Calliope and Alecto also were disappointed in what Sylvia did, even though it did something good in the end. They let the girls wait while going in first, talking to Zeus, with Ahena also going in.
The girls waited for 2 hours before the door opened. Calliope walked to them and said "Zeus wants to speak to you." Making Sylvia and Pandora gulp. They felt it, they knew they would be sent away as they held each other's hands in support and entered the room alone.
The girls went forward and Zeus was the only one inside, sitting on his throne, as the other Gods were not present. Sylvia and Pandora bowed and raised in front of Zeus as the king of the Gods looked seriously at them. "I have heard many things that you both did the last few days, Sylvia and Pandora." The girls held their hearts from what Zeus was about to tell them. "You have stolen Pegasus, left Olympus without any permission and interfered in business that was none of your concerns. These are things that I thought you both were beyond that and I am very disappointed in you. My first response should be that Ii would tell you to leave Olympus." This was it, they knew that they were gonna be banished, but then Zeus smiled. "But, Athena and Calliope had changed my mind and reminded me that in the end, you have helped to get rid of an evil tyrant, restored the rightful ruler to his throne and saved many people in the process. Also your actions saved far more people in Minor Asia. King Tyndareus spoke highly of your bravery and even Hercules, well... in his own way, respected for what you both did." For what the girls understood, Hercules was more of a jerk to them, so they were surprised that he respected them. Zeus stood up from his throne. "So, there will be no consequences for what you did the past few days. However, because you did brake the rules of Olympus and your parents still want you to be punished, I'll leave that part for them. So let me give you this advice, don't let this 'breaking rules for a good deed' become some kind of a habit for you. For next time I may not be so forgiving next time."
The girls nodded. "We understand." They both said.
"Good, you can leave now." Zeus said with a wave of his hand. Sylvia and Pandora were relieved and surprised at what Zeus said. He was happy that they did the right thing. They had a feeling that they may become heroes of Olympus in no time! However, they still needed to embrace punishment from their parents.
A week later
Sylvia and Pandora were cleaning the living room of Pandora's house. They were forced to do cleaning stuff after their lessons and training. In their homes, or at some other places on Olympus what their parents said they needed to go to. It was hard work but in the end they always were done before dinner. Calliope and Alecto had a serious talk with Sylvia about what she did. On one hand they were angry that their daughter disobeyed and lied to them and brought herself and Pandora like that in danger. But on the other hand they were also glad that they were able to make sure that Sparta joined the battle, saved them and the Greeks. They gave their daughter a fierce hug for helping them, but still was punished nonetheless. Same for Pandora, her father was also the same, angry and happy the same for what she did.
When the girls were done at sundown, they looked proudly at their accomplishment. The whole house was clean and no longer messy. Pandora hugged her friend for recommending to her mothers to clean Pandora's house their last day of a week, cleaning places. "Thank you Sylvia! Maybe daddy will finally leave his working place to enjoy the living room again?" Pandora wondered.
"I hope so, Pandora, I hope so." Sylvia answered before asking her. "You wanna stay with my place for dinner this time?"
"Sure!" She said smiling before they left the place and had a little race to see who would be first to Sylvia's home, which Pandora won most of the time, but now she let her friend win this time.
Zeus and Athena were in discussion in the place where the Flame of Olympus was stationed. "I know that the girls have broken many rules on Olympus, but maybe we should consider that they might be ready for... more than what they did in Sparta." Athena suggested.
But Zeus was hard to convince. "They are still too young, Athena. Sylvia and... Pandora had help for this thing with Hippocoon. But alone, I'm not sure about that yet."
"You may be right Zeus, but Sylvia has shown great improvement when she came to Olympus and even Pandora has showed great talent in magic. My instincts say they are ready."
Zeus gave a sigh. Maybe Athena was right. Maybe they were ready, but inside was unsure and had a bad feeling for if Sylvia might become too powerful. Finally Zeus agreed and gave the girls the next morning their very first assignment, Zeus ordered them to help princess Atalanta of Arcadia and help for her hunt for the two centaurs; Hylaeus and Rhoecus, that have been causing too much trouble. Alecto and Calliope were not sure if Sylvia was ready for an assignment from Olympus at this early age, but accepted it. As for Pandora's father, Hephaestus, he was more than happy that Zeus gave his daughter the honor to have a mission at this young age. The girls were thrilled that they would go without even a second thought. They packed their stuff quickly and said their goodbye to their parents. This time, they were allowed to use Pegasus and flew with him to Arcadia. Calliope and Alecto watched from their window to the leaving girls. They were worried, but also proud. Their daughter was growing so fast and so strong. And they knew that Sylvia and Pandora will definitely be heroes of Olympus someday.
There you go, my friends. The 2nd Sylvia and Pandora chapter is complete. The Ghost of Sparta game is next, followed by the 3rd chapter of Sylvia and Pandora. Rate and review, my friends. See you soon, my friends.