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  “My faithful instructors, rise,” Zeus commanded. They obeyed. He gazed at the candidates with an intensity that seemed to burn right through them. Jonas knew that first impressions had just been made, and hoped that he didn’t seem weak, even if he was human. “Welcome to the road of honor,” Zeus said, his voice powerful. “Each of you has been selected by a great force, to prove yourself. But how will you compete for my power if you cannot use it? That is why you learn here. The instructors will drag out your potential. Most of you have your own power yet were kind enough to accept the invitation and relieve me of my pain. I am aging, but I cannot turn over this power to just anyone. The person who triumphs all phases of my trial, gracefully defeating his or her competition, shall receive my will and receive one wish.”

  Jonas’s ears nearly burst as the others cheered loudly. He felt a bit skeptical. Wish granting, to him, was nothing more than mere legend. Even the stories described it as impossible. “Lemmings, appear to the sides of your assigned challenger, and take them to their rooms.”

  Grapefruit-sized spheres of light appeared on the shoulders of every candidate except Jonas. The shapes quickly morphed into miniature humanoids of many different clothing and colors. Some lemmings appeared more human-like than others.

  “You did register a lemming?” Sif asked Jonas.

  “I wasn’t told anything,” he replied.

  “I’ll show him to his room.” All heads turned to Athena as she walked toward Jonas.

  “Your Highness, do not let this become your problem,” a servant said, blocking her path.

  “Orline, it’s my fault he wasn’t able to register on time,” Athena said. “And don’t act like you were not given any details.”

  “You mean he’s that boy?” Orline blushed.

  “Now is not the time. Just stand aside.” Orline obeyed her master’s command. Jonas did his best to ignore the angry whispers. He hoped his face didn’t reveal any embarrassment.

  “Are you both acquainted?” Sif asked when Athena stopped next to Jonas.

  “We are,” Athena answered before Jonas opened his mouth.

  “Sort of,” Jonas corrected. The candidate line began to move. The noise of the area flowed from the lemmings, who explained subjects to their candidate. Jonas was surprised their voices were on par with those of humans, despite that they were no more than seven inches tall.

  “I’ll explain things when we get to your room,” Athena said. “After you register, you may not see your lemming until tomorrow. So until then, I want to show around the palace.”

  “Princess, are you sure that’s a good idea? Rumors will start,” Sif said.

  “I don’t care,” Athena said playfully. “Everyone else is so far ahead of him. Most have been to this palace before. Jonas’s situation appears to be . . . special, but my father won’t tell me anything. “

  “I can just tell you what I know later,” Jonas said.

  “Hey, I want to know, too,” Sif said.

  “I don’t think Thor would be too happy about this,” Athena said, nudging her.

  Sif sighed. “I wish he’d act like a prince. His father wouldn’t tolerate discrimination against humans.”

  “Move along,” an instructor said to the three. He gestured for them to move forward. As soon as they entered the large, stone doors, Athena motioned for Jonas to follow. Sif reluctantly obeyed the advice of her flying lemming and parted with the two. Jonas took a mental note to study the strange creatures later. He looked around the lobby as he followed Athena. Enormous. Grand. Too flashy. Glowing spheres similar to the lemmings’ covered the ceiling, illuminating the area. The floors sparkled with the glare of an unknown marble. The walls were made up of whites and golds and were charmed with paintings of possibly famous nobles brilliantly hanging in a perfect row. Sometimes the duo passed by servants that looked strange to Jonas. He could only tell they were servants due to their wardrobe and mannerisms.

  Finally, after three halls of twists and turns, Athena stopped in front of a room labeled 777.

  “Seven hundred seventy-seven. We only have forty candidates,” Jonas said.

  “So?” Athena smirked. “This is a number of good fortune. Besides, I think it suits you.”

  “If its fortune is good, why is it so far in the back?” Jonas said with a sigh.

  Athena laughed. “Come on, it’s not that bad.” She unlocked the door, handed Jonas the key, and pulled him inside, but before she could close it, someone spoke.

  “What are you doing?”

  The duo spun to see Zeus gazing at them with his arms folded.

  “I was showing Jonas to his room,” Athena answered.

  Before Jonas could kneel, Zeus gestured for him to stop.

  “Oh really?” Zeus challenged.

  “Yes,” Athena said, annoyance in her voice.

  Zeus gazed at her for seconds. “Very well.” He turned to Jonas. “Jonas Ariel, I must speak with you later. Come to my chambers before tonight’s welcoming ceremony.” He turned his back. “Let him rest for a while, Athena. He needs not your clinging.”

  “I’m not clinging. It’s called hospitality.”

  “Then let him rest.” Zeus vanished without a trace, right before their eyes.

  Jonas gasped. “He just disappeared! How did he—”

  “It’s called a teleport,” Athena said. “Humans can’t use magic, right?”

  “Magic? I never believed in such a thing,” Jonas said.

  “I’ll show you some later. For now, let’s have a look at your new room.”

  Jonas gazed around his room, enthralled. The walls were of golds and silvers. The bed was double the size of Jonas’s old bed. There were a few objects that he didn’t recognize, but he made a mental note to inspect them later. A large, gold-framed, oval-shaped mirror was perched on top of a hardwood dresser. Jonas looked at himself. His bright green eyes seemed to gleam back at him. Jonas’s tan skin signified how much he worked in his village.

  “Do you like?” Athena asked.

  “This is . . . way more than I deserve,” Jonas said as he sat on the bed.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “It’s a definite yes.” He lay back. Athena closed the door. That’s when Jonas realized his place in the palace: a competitor. If he was caught alone in a closed room with the princess, he’d stir up a great amount of unwanted attention.

  “I’d better go see your father,” Jonas said as he sat up.

  “You heard Father. Rest for a bit. Don’t worry; I won’t bother you.”

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Jonas asked, lying back again. A warming sensation covered his body, forcing his exhaustion to slowly drift him off into sleep.

  “Of course,” Athena assured. As soon as Jonas’s eyes closed, he felt a pleasant sensation on his lips. “My heroic knight.” He didn’t comprehend that as he drifted into unconsciousness.

  Chapter 12

  “Why are you still here?” Abaddon said as he set a mug of wine on a nearby table. He stood up from his throne.

  “Do not act as if you have no joy in my company,” Gabriel said with a laugh as she closed her book. “If you really wanted me gone, you’d be forceful.”

  Abaddon sighed, feeling defeated. The problem lied in his lack of power, and he knew it. Gabriel, however, wasn’t a threat. A distraction. But not a threat.

  “Do you not have somewhere to be?” Abaddon took another gulp of his wine. One of his servants filled it up. “And you,” he said to that servant. “Who ordered you to work on your day off? Get out of my sight.”

  “But sire—”

  “Now. And close the door behind you.”

  When the servant left, Gabriel smirked.

  “Should I even ask why the smirk?” he said after he gulped his wine.

  “You haven’t changed much,” she answered.

  “Once again, you misinterpret my actions. Now leave me; I wish to drink alone.”

  Gabriel stood up, walked over
to Abaddon, and stopped when she was close enough to smell the alcohol on his breath. She reached for his face, but he backed away.

  “You’re not giving me enough credit. That curse may be strong, but it won’t affect me,” Gabriel said. “You know, though you told me nothing, leaving me to hear the vague trashy treason accusations, I still fought for your appeal.” She caressed his face. “Right now, you’re clinging to your pride. Your pride is also not allowing you to admit that you’re happy to see me. Maybe my plea convinced them not to put you to death.”

  Abaddon walked toward the only window in his room, located behind the throne. “It was not you that convinced them. All twelve of them agreed that living in shame was worse than death. I may have lost my power and immortality, but killing the lord of death is still not easy. They think I am replaceable.” Abaddon turned to Gabriel. “It is better that you do not hear of what happened back then. I wish not to think about it. It is true that you and I were once friends, but the past is the past. Taunting me as you are now will not break me.”

  Gabriel frowned. “Do not pretend that you do not notice.” She stormed over and pinned him to the wall. “Do not ignore my feelings.”

  In a swift movement, Abaddon laid Gabriel onto the floor, kissed her lips, her neck, and slowly began pulling up her dress. He wanted to retain his pride, but his drunken instincts replaced his self-control.

  “See. You haven’t changed. You’re still the same man I love.”

  Before the dress was halfway off, someone knocked on the door. Abaddon stopped. The duo stood up.

  “What is it?” he said, annoyed.

  “Sire, I’m here to report, but it sounds like you’re having yourself an afternoon snack. Noth—”

  “Just report, Gia,” Abaddon interrupted and opened the door.

  Gia grinned as he looked at Gabriel. “You know, your loveliness brightens this room, Lady Gabriel.”

  “Thank you, Gia,” Gabriel said, annoyance in her voice, flustered.

  “Let’s hear the report. As an elite, I trust you have some valuable information.”

  “I have an important mission update. Aaron reported that a solo guardsman was killed. After investigating his death, he now has reason to believe that the sword has a carrier and that person is in Olympus. It won’t be long before he tracks his trooper’s scent, kills the carrier, and brings you the sword.”

  “Excellent. Tell him I said keep up the good results.”

  “Yes, sire.” Gia bowed and then left the room, closing the door behind him. Gabriel locked it.

  “What was that about?” Gabriel asked.

  “You’re persistent, aren’t you?” Abaddon said. “You were always like that.”

  “Whatever, I don’t care right now,” Gabriel said as she walked over to Abaddon and kissed him. The sensation caught him off guard, as it had been decades since he was shown or given affection. Gabriel continued her passionate kiss, wrapping her arms around Abaddon, pouring her heart to him. Abaddon matched her kiss as he undressed her. She probably was right: somewhere deep inside him, he bore strong feelings for her, the angel girl who did not fear the lord of death.

  Yet, he still would not abandon his goals, not even for her. He wanted to crush those that cursed him. The bitterness of the fruitless humiliation would not escape his wrath unavenged.

  Chapter 13

  Jonas felt taps on his shoulders. He turned sideways, eyes still closed, and murmured, “Just a little longer.” Taps again. He slowly opened his eyes and froze at the sight of Athena.

  “Have a nice nap?” She smiled. “Sorry to interrupt, but you still must meet with my father before the ceremony.”

  Jonas sat up, feeling more refreshed than usual. He wondered if it was because of the comfortable bed.

  “Come, I will show you the way.”

  Athena led Jonas through several halls, until finally stopping in front of a large, metallic door.

  “What do you think he wants?” Jonas whispered.

  “Not sure, but you’ll be okay. I’ll wait out here so I can show you to the ceremony.”

  “That will not be necessary,” someone said. They turned to see a man dressed in shining silver armor walk toward them. His boots made no noise but appeared to angrily smash at the marble floor. His armor looked as if it reflected the sun itself.

  “Why will it be unnecessary, Ares?” Athena challenged. “I wish to show him around.”

  “That is fine in itself,” Ares said, “but you have to get ready for the ceremony. The servants will not stop bugging me. Besides, I am also a part of this conversation. It is common courtesy to take him back with the others.”

  “Fine,” Athena said. She turned to Jonas. “I will see you later.”

  “Likewise,” Jonas replied as she walked off.

  Ares knocked on the metallic door. “Father, we are coming in,” he said loudly.

  “Enter,” Zeus replied. Ares pushed open the door.

  Zeus closed a book and stood up as they approached him. “Jonas Ariel, I welcome you to my palace. It is an honor to meet the man who selflessly risked his life to save a stranger. I rarely meet humans like you.”

  “Father speaks for the both of us,” Ares said. “In all the tours I took after battle, heroic humans remained a myth we told around campfires.”

  “I just did the right thing, Your Highness,” Jonas said with a bow.

  “Raise your head,” Zeus said. “There’s something I wish to reward you with.” From his pocket, he pulled a silver medallion attached to a necklace and put it on Jonas. “The Medal of Warriors is yours to keep. However, in respect for the person you saved, you must eventually find its hidden privilege. In the meantime, please enjoy the ceremony. I have great expectations of you.”

  Ares nodded to Jonas. “This competition is going to be fun to observe. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Sure,” Jonas replied.

  “Take him to the ceremonial grounds. The candidates will be separated into teams, called classes. This will be the perfect opportunity for a human to get acquainted with many titans for the first time in five hundred centuries.”

  Ares led Jonas back through the halls, past the lobby, through another hall, and outside a back exit. The other competitors were seated in chairs, and before them was a podium. Ten feet behind the podium, a giant torch illuminated what the setting sun could not handle.

  Ares pointed at a chair in the front row. “When your name is called, you will be assigned to a class in the background. Simply go behind the podium, introduce yourself, and take a seat. You only have to hope Athena doesn’t make it more awkward than it should be.”

  Jonas laughed. “I doubt she will.”

  “You shall learn eventually,” Ares said as he walked off. As he disappeared out of sight, Jonas headed to his seat. He did his best to ignore the tables of food. As soon as he sat, Zeus walked out of the door and stood behind the podium.

  “Before the task of inheriting my will begins, I want all of you to enjoy yourselves. We will start with the first name on the list. Prince Loki.”

  A brown-haired boy dressed in red and black robes, with white pants rose from his seat in the front row and took a place behind the podium.

  “Some of you that know me are glaring at me with intensity, like the little ants you are. I’m going to be honest. I will win, but I want some good competition, right, brother?”

  Jonas followed his gaze, which led to the boy who tried to pick a fight with him earlier: Thor. He didn’t respond to Loki’s taunt. As if satisfied, Loki waved at the audience and then walked back to his seat. Jonas felt uneasy vibes radiating from him. This was someone he should avoid as much as possible.

  Jonas fought the urge to sleep as others took the podium and introduced themselves. He thought their introductions were more dignified than Loki’s. Eventually, Zeus called Jonas’s name. As he approached the podium, he glanced at the audience and made eye contact with Athena. She smiled and waved. Jonas felt awkward
but motivated somehow.

  “Go ahead and introduce yourself,” Zeus told Jonas. He faced the crowd, took a deep breath, and exhaled. He thought to himself, if he was going to be a knight, this should be nothing.

  Chapter 14

  “That human won’t last long.”

  “Is he human?”

  “What’s a mortal doing here?”

  “That human’s suicidal.”

  “Is this some kind of joke?”

  The wind’s whispers didn’t stop. Jonas had to show them that he was not afraid. He would triumph against a titan.

  “I know some of you may be confused, wondering why a mere mortal is inhabiting this land. Just like you, I’ve received the invitation.” He smirked. “Whether you want to admit or not, I am on equal terms with you. I wish for a fair fight, and may the best win.”

  The air chilled with silence as he went back to his seat. Jonas felt that they might take his words as a declaration of war.

  Zeus took his place back at the podium. “And now the classes,” he said. “Though you are competitors, you must still must complete my trial in the form of honorable teamwork. You must get to know one another and demonstrate grace and the ability to make peace among your peers. The four classes in which you will be divided into are Neptune, Dragon, Ark, and Fire. Get to know each other while enjoying your dinner. The lemmings will tell you your class soon. Dismissed.”

  The candidates rose from their chairs and dispersed from the seating area. Some gathered in social circles, while others moved toward the eating areas. Jonas felt excited, eager to eat, only to be pulled by Athena.