Storkules walked through the forest. He sighed and pulled the map again. He honestly wished this map was a lot more easier to understand. It was all ancient and outdated. Surely, the land had changed by now and the places of it are no longer in use, let alone occupied anymore.
"Curse this blasted map!" He mutterd in frustration. Though he was sore-stumped and tired, Storkules still continued on. He'd never met this Gus fellow, but his heart told him he was close. Soon, he stumbled upon an abandoned-looking fortress. It was the size of massive and covered in vines. Suddenly, an explosion shakes the fortress and smoke begins to rise from its windows.
Storkules stood in awe. He has never seen such a site before.
"I feel like maybe I should enter in there", he spoke hesitantly. Storkules begins walking over to the old fortress, becoming completely transfixed and he slowly enters inside it. Inside the fortress, strange lights flicker and crackle.
Electrical current seems to flow all around Storkules. He fortunately escapes being caught by some sort of animated vines that tangle together, drawing the thorns across the entrance tightly. His exit blocked, he can only go forward. Storkules proceeds through the bush, past sights wondrous and frightening. Storkules continues walking when suddenly, and an object falls in front of him in a flash. It was covered in soot and coughed as it cursed.
"Confounded machinery! You never know when those things are going to up and blow!" The figure got up and dusted themselves off. The being was medium sized, flitting around usqing their feet, has a white mustach, and wearing orange flight pilot attire. A Gremlin! It all made sense now! Storkules stumbled into some Gremlin's lair!
"Oh! You're still here? Well, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Gus!" Said the the gremlin, named Gus, as he extends his arm to shake Storkules' hand.
"I am Storkules," Storkules extends his arm to shake Gus' hand, but Storkules obliviously misses it anyway.
"I was sent here by Fármako because she said you would aid me on my rite of passages to be in the Olympians' good graces once more", Storkules explained, hoping he has come found the right place and person.
"Well Storkules, you've come to the right place and found the right man to aid you!" Gus spoke with a smile. Storkules hugged the gremlin tight.
"Oh, Storkules is relieved! Not only Storkules will have his godhood restored and rejoin the other Olympians, but also be remembered as a hero again!" The former deity spoke in both joy and relief. Storkules let Gus go. Gus wheezed and coughed once he was released from the former's grip.
"Sorry", Storkules apologized with a sheepish smile.
"Yes, yes. Let's get on with it", said Gus as he recollected himself. They both went towards a trap door that led down into some sort of root cellar.
There, was a wicker basket suspended by strong wires.
"Hop on", Gus motioned Storkules to take a spot next to him. Storkules obeyed and they went down the cellar.
"Now...tell me why you lost your godhood and banished from Olympus, Storkules."
"Well...I was helping my uncle Hades with some tasks to get father's approval. However, Father wasn't happy about that and got me banished".
Storkules looked away with a pained look. Gus touched his shoulder in comfort.
"There, there! You're father will forgive you. Now come along, no time to waste!"
The basket reaches the bottom and they climb out.
Gus leads Storkules towards a round door with light streaming out of it.
Inside, Storkules hits his head against part of a wooden mast.
"Careful! That was part of the mast of the Argo."
Storkules became stunned, "The argo?!!???"
Gus chuckled, "Why of course! Who do think taught Jason how to sail? Certainly not Cleopatra", he joked as he worked on an unfinished gadget.
"I guided all those would-be heroes. Odysseus, Perseus, Theseus, and many others", Gus then sigh as he paused for a moment. He rubbed his temples as if reliving bad memories.
"However, everysingle one of those tragic fools let me down. Flatter than a discus", Gus reaches a plate nearby and spins it. It revealed a picture of Theseus fighting the Minotaur, which as it spins shows the Minotaur beating him up.
"None of them could go the distance. Suddenly, there was Achilles", Gus motions towards an ancient statue of the fallen hero.
"Now there was a fellow who
had it all -- the build, the foot speed. He could jab, he could
take a hit, he could keep on coming. Sadly, that blasphemous heel of his!" He flicks the statue's heel and the statue collapse in crumbles, "One touch and poof! Gone".
"There was a fellow after him, but that mouse decided to quit to pursue a career in acting", Gus said awkwardly. He shook his head and continue to finish up the gadget.
"Oh! Storkules won't fail you nor quit! I can go the distance, promise!" Storkules spoke in determination, with a prideful smile. Gus turned around and faced him with a surprised look.
"Really? You'd do that?" Gus shook his head and slaps himself in the face,"No! Snap out of it! I'm too old to get mixed up in this bloody again!" He turned away.
Storkules dropped on his knees, "Oh please, please, please let Storkules prove himself to you!" The former deity begged with puppy-dog eyes. Gus looked at him for a long moment and sighed.
"I guess I have no choice, but to assist you", he replied, "Oh! That reminds me! Here", he carried the now finished gadget that turns out to be a cybersword mixed with magic. It was very heavy and was glowing.
"A hero can't go without his weaponry", he grunted as he gave it to Storkules. Storkules looked at it in amazement.
"It's so majestic...thank you!" Storkules smiled at the gremlin.
"You're welcome, now...let's get started!" Responded Gus.
Soon, Storkules cleaned up the practice field and trained with Gus for months, learning how to wield swords, archery, fight different opponents, and save damsels in distress. He gotten alot stronger, smarter, faster, and braver with each day, until he was ready to go out and become a true hero again.
"Gus, I'm ready." Storkules insisted, "I've been training for many months and I've handled everything you've thrown at me. Storkules is ready to fight monsters, stop natural disasters, rescue some damsels!"
"I'll be the judge of what you're ready for." Gus retorted with a chuckle, "But if you're so eager to be a hero again, we can go to Thebes."
"Huh? Thebes? Why Thebes?" Storkules asked, dumbfounded.
"Because Thebes is a city where a lot of misfortunate events happen." Gus replied cautiously, "Now enough with the questions and let's get a move on!"
FINALLY! I got around to this chapter. Anyway, gotta little Gus and Storkules update for you all. :-)
