He was never supposed to be born. The demigod, son of the most faithful goddess on Olympus. Yes, the Fates had other plans in mind. Hera met the mortal while going to meet her new niece, Persephone. The man was carrying materials, starting his own kingdom. Accidentally running into her, Hera became furious. But what the man did next surprised her. He set the logs down, and ran to check that she was alright. She soon learned the name of the man, Lymerscrise. Hera was charmed by the man instantly, he was a mortal, yet wise, intelligent, and strong. Slowly, they began to meet in secret, away from the prying eyes of the other Olympians. Eventually, she became pregnant. Sadly, it was at this time that Zeus started making advances. Zeus promised her power, and the title of "Queen of the Gods". Eventually, Zeus got to here, and he proposed. Hera knew she would have to break it off with Lymerscrise, who had become a powerful king, and she went to him with the terrible news.
"Raise our son in secret. Zeus must never find out, or he will go on a hunt for our child. Protect him and never tell him the truth of his mother" She said to him, crying. "He will be wise, strong and intelligent, just like his father," she murmured, with a sad smile.
And with that, Hera and Lymerscrise spent their last night together. Zeus and Hera were married one month later, and soon had their first child, Ares, the god of war. Hera kept an eye on her first son, but Lymerscrise and Hera never saw each other again.
CLANK! CLANK! CLINK!
Tolemeron falls to the floor, his fathers sword at his throat.
"Again" His father commands. "You will become the strongest fighter in our army, but you must master your strength first."
"Father, we have been at this for hours now" Tolemeron complained. "I wish to help our kingdom, but why must I train for hours on end, even after the other soldiers are done?" He questions.
His father sits down on a nearby bench, looking grave. "Tolemeron… I may not have much longer before I am reunited with my family in Asphodel and I need to make sure that you can take over my place."
Tolemeron sits back, shocked. He knows his father was old, but he wasn't ready for him to leave. "But father, I am only 16, barely a man. I am not ready for you to leave!"
"Sometimes, we have no choice. If I dies, then it is at the will of the Fates."
"But what if the Fates make a mistake!" Tolemeron says, shocked.
"They are gods, don't ever say they might make a mistake." Lymerscrise says, cross. "Divine beings are smarter than us, and do not make mistakes."
"But… what I meant father, is what if you aren't ready to die?"
"Then that is the will of the fates. You will soon be leaving for the Oracle of Delphi to learn of your right of manhood. I train you, so that you may be prepared. Now, again!" He shouts, getting up on his feet.
Tolemeron packs a small knapsack to prepare for his journey to the Oracle. As he walks towards the gates of the Kingdom, he sees his friends waving at him. Once he exits the gate, he takes one look behind him, knowing it may be the last time he sees it. With that, he gets on his horse. "Hyaa!" he shouts, and soon, he is nothing but a spec in the distance.
The Trek to the Oracle
Tolemeron begins the day-long journey to Delphi, where he will find the Oracle of Delphi. He is walking on a simple dirt road, one walked by many adventurers, warriors, kings, and most importantly, dangerous monsters. He is only a few hours into his trek, when a throwing axe lands near him. He pulls out his weapons, "Dedication" his sword, and "Honesty" his dagger. He has a curious fighting style, composed of using both the dagger and the sword at the same time. His eyes scan the nearby forest, and he sees a man dashing in between the trees.
"You! Stop!" He shouts.
The man does not listen, but instead throws another axe midstride.
"I said stop!"
Tolemeron runs towards the forest, and towards the man. On the mans tail, he pushes himself to run faster, eventually catching up to the man. He pulls the mans mask off.
"Who are you." He asks forcefully.
"My name is Adrastos of Athens." The man says.
"Why were you trying to kill me?"
"I was told by my king to go to the Oracle of Delphi, and kill anyone who dared to stand in my way."
"Hmph. Well, get up then," Telemeron says, letting Adrastos's shirt go.
"What?"
"You will travel with me to the Oracle, but you will not kill me, or any other people. We will capture them, and tie them if necessary, but no killing," Telemeron says, beginning his trek again. Eventually, Adrastos gets up, and follows after Telemeron.
"Why did you spare me?" Adrastos asks.
"We are all men, we are brothers, not enemies." Telemeron responds simply. With that, the two continued their trek, cutting through any monsters, and there were plenty, ranging from a cyclops, to a few empusa. They also ran into a few bandits, which they took down, and tied to trees. They eventually reached their goal, getting to the top of Mount Parnassus. They looked at each other, preparing themselves for what was going to come next.
The Oracles Quest
They entered the Oracles cave, glancing around, seeing python scales, gold, and other expensive items.
"Who enters my cave?" A lyrical voice says.
"T- Tolemeron of Tolby, and-" Tolemeron starts.
"Adrastos of Athens!" Adrastos says proudly.
"Ahh, Tolemeron and Adrastos. Now, I didn't think you two becoming friends would be what the fates would have in mind." The Oracle says mysteriously. "But, who knows what the fates have in store for all of us… I suppose that you two are here for your right of manhood quests?"
"Yes Oracle." Tolemeron says.
"Alright. Tolemeron and Adrastos, you have to each win 2 laurels in the Olympics. They start in five days, so better get there quickly."
"Goto- Olympia - 5 DAYS!" Adrastos shouts in indignation. "That's impossible!"
"No it is not, in fact, if you start going right now you should have a day to train. I trust that the both of you a very capable of reaching Olympia within that time, as we wouldn't want you to not gain your right of manhood, would we?" She says, grinning.
"Let's go Adrastos, we must get started on our journey." Telemeron says, pulling Adrastos out of the cave.
The Olympics
Tolemeron and Adrastos slowly make their way to Olympia in 4 days. They walk, day after day, night after night, eventually getting on a boat to cross the cross the Gulf of Corinth.
"The waves are very calm today, Poseidon must like you folks." Remarks the sailor.
Finally, a day before the Olympics start, they arrive in Olympia.
"Alright Adrastos, what are your strengths?" Tolemeron asks.
"I feel that I am a fast runner, and can also jump very high," He says, while looking around at Olympia, amazed.
"Hmm, I think I will go for throwing and wrestling."
Both of the men get training for the challenges. They need to be at their top to be able to win. For hours, both men run laps around Olympia, lift boulders larger than themselves, and fight prep themselves for their own challenges. Tolemeron wrestles in a small wrestling ring in the outskirts of Olympia, and Adrastos goes to the Olympic track, and practices running and jumping the entire length. All too soon, the day is over, and they return to their camp to go to sleep.
