Mythology - Episode 11

Poisoned

*Deep in the bowels of a volcano rang the sound of a hammer pounding against metal. Stooped over a blacksmith's anvil was a giant of a man, his upper body covered in thick muscles. He paused from the rhythm of his swinging to wipe sweat from his shaved bald head and run his fingers through the thick stubble on his chin. As he grasped the red-hot metal in his bare hand and walked toward a tub of cold water, he was revealed to have a left foot made of Celestial Bronze. This was Hephaestus, Greek God of Fire and Craftsmen*

Hephaestus: *plunges the metal into the water where it steams and hisses and pulls out a piece of shining, cool metal* Hmm… A thing o' beauty.

???: Hephaestus!!

Hephaestus: *to himself* Oy… Not again… *calls out* Aye, Ares! I'm right in here! *limps to his workbench* Where ELSE would I be?

*Ares strode into the forge, removing his sword belt and HURLING it onto a pile of the smith god's repair work*

Hephaestus: Something wrong?

Ares: I don't believe this! He is going TOO far this time! Little brother, father is working my LAST nerve!

Hephaestus: *sighs* What is it now?

Ares: He put me on PROBATION, that’s what!! I can't go down to the Mortal Realm until HE says so! There's a beautiful war brewing and I can't be PART of it!

Hephaestus: This is because of you roughing up that little Damon bloke, right?

Ares: Not only that, but then he found out about Eris stirring up trouble with Hecate. As if that's MY fault.

Hephaestus: Well, from what I heard, YOU were the one who sent Eris to steal Hecate's frog in the first place.

Ares: I never told Eris to steal Hecate's precious pet! I told her to stir up some mortal chaos. I always feel better when she does.

Hephaestus: Yer too stressed, Ares. You could DO with some time off, in my opinion. Sleep in. Read. Maybe find a girl for yourself. *swings his hammer around and points it at Ares’ face* Just as long as it’s NOT my WIFE!!

Ares: You are just never gonna let that go, are you?

Hephaestus: Nope!

Ares: Hey, I can't help it if she prefers me over you.

Hephaestus: *looms up, white-hot flames igniting in his hands* I DIDN'T ASK TO BE LIKE THIS, ARES!!! I DIDN'T ASK TO BE THROWN OF OLYMPUS TWICE TO END UP SCARRED AND BROKEN!!!

Ares: Well, some of us are just born lucky, I guess.

Hephaestus: Indeed. I would remind you, DEAR elder brother, just who it is who MAKES you all your nice toys. *raps Ares' breast plate with a knuckle* Every bend, every curve, and every flaw are mine to know.

Ares: You mean like those swords Athena's little champions have in their possession?

Hephaestus: I admit…I MAY have had a hand in their creation.

Ares: *clears his throat* So…what's that you're fiddling with?

Hephaestus: Oh… Just something Artemis asked me about. If I could just get the triggering mechanism right. *presses a small switch on the device he's working with, only for it to explode in his hand* Oh, well. Back to the drawing board.

Ares: I’ll…just leave you to your work then.

Hephaestus: *not caring* Yeah, you do that.

Ares: Alright. See you tomorrow, little brother. *walks out of the forge*

Hephaestus: *sighs* He may be my best customer…but he's still an arrogant git. *looks up at the ceiling* I hope those two boys are taking good care of my swords. And speaking of which… *limps over to a large tarp and pulls it away, revealing a silver medallion* It'll be ready soon, my friends. *picks up his hammer* Just a few more adjustments.

*Down on Earth, Blue's group was striking their camp and preparing to move out for the day. As Blue and Andrea packed their tents, Leon looked over the racks he built over the fire pit where the herbs they collected were tied up to dry*

Leon: Perfect. Now we don't have to worry about them rotting before we reach Mycenae.

Blue: We only have like a day left, right?

Leon: True, but the herbs will last longer this way, so the part we keep for ourselves will be safe.

Blue: Awesome.

Andrea: *yawns deeply and snorts* There's something in the air today. Something…putrid.

Leon: It's probably just from the swamps near here. Blue, remember when the marshes north of Athens would get all warm in summer? Whenever the wind shifted and blew all that stink into town?

Blue: Ugh! Yeah, I remember. Whew, did it ever smell bad!

Rage: *whimpers, covering his nose with his paws*

Blue: *chuckles and rubs the top of Rage's head* You smell it too, huh, boy? Don't worry. The wind will shift against and the stink'll be all gone.

Bel: *chirps and whistles happily* Can't smell a thing.

Blue: That's because you HAVE no sense of smell.

Bel: RAWK! Lucky me. Lucky me. *hops from one foot to the next and flutters to Blue's shoulder*

Leon: I sometimes wonder…is Bel smart or stupid?

Blue: Best not to question it.

Andrea: *tosses her quiver and bow over her shoulder* Well, let's get moving. World's not going to save itself.

Leon: Right. Now...if I'm reading the map right, Mycenae should be just on the other side of the marshlands. If we move fast, we should be on the outskirts by sundown.

Blue: Oh great… More bad smells.

Leon: It's just a little swamp gas. No one ever died from STINK.

Blue: There's always a first time.

Leon: C'mon. I'd like to sleep in an actual BED tonight instead of that lumpy mat. Groans and cracks his back Ahh… Needed that.

Blue: Alright, let's go.

*As the group walked on, the odd smell Andrea spoke of became strong enough for Blue and Leon to notice*

Leon: Ugh… Sheesh. This is like no swamp gas I’ve ever smelled.

Blue: Yeah. Pinches his nose Reminds me of the barn back home… Only much, MUCH worse.

Andrea: I know. Something about this definitely smells alive, like an animal.

Blue: Yeah, the smell’s familiar…yet unfamiliar at the same time.

Rage: *groans and bats at his nose with a paw*

Leon: Poor Rage. If the smell is THIS bad to US, imagine what HE must be going through.

Bel: Rawk!

Blue: We KNOW. You can't smell anything. Don't rub it in.

Leon: Wait...wait...I think...I'm getting something. Here it comes. IDEA!!! *rummages in his pack and pulls out a strip of cloth and some dried herbs* Here we are! *using a mortar and pestle, he crushes the herbs into powder, dumps them on the cloth and ties it around his face* Ahhh… Much better.

Blue: Yeah… For YOU.

Leon: The natural flowery smell should lessen this stink and let us get through the marshes safely. Hold Rage, please.

Blue: *holds Rage by the collar* Got him.

Leon: *slips a small cloth sack over Rage's snout and jaws* This probably feels weird, buddy, but you'll get it off once we get through the swamp. I'm sure you won't need to bite anything for a while.

Rage: *quietly whines*

???: Mmmoooo!!

Blue: What? Was that a cow?

Leon: Sure sounded like one. But what would a cow be doing out near marshlands?

Andrea: Maybe it wandered away from its pasture and got lost.

Blue: Maybe… Let's go see for ourselves.

Bel: Rrrr… Here, bossy-bossy-bossy.

*As the group continued walking, more and more moos could be heard, indicating more than one cow*

Blue: That is DEFINATELY a herd of cattle.

Leon: Maybe we're near a ranch.

Blue: A ranch out near a swamp?

Leon: Yeah, I know it’s not realistic, but you give ME a better reason for a herd of cattle being in a swamp!

Andrea: It would explain the odor… *sniffs the air* But the scent is not like any bovine I know of.

Blue: Yeah, I know what cows smell like, but something about THIS stink just isn't right. It's almost like… *eyes widen* Whoa…

*Out in the middle of the wet grassland ahead of the group was a large herd of huge, bovine animals. Each one was covered in shaggy dark fur and had scaley, armored plates on its back. Their horns were huge and heavy, making the animals' heads hang low as they grazed off the water plants*

Leon: Okay, so they're not cows, they're…oxen.

Blue: Not like any oxen I've ever seen…

Leon: And they're all walkin' around with their eyes closed.

Andrea: I don't believe it… They're Catoblepas!

Blue: Cat-of-what?

Andrea: Catoblepas! Swamp oxen!

Leon: I've never seen anything LIKE them.

Andrea: Because they aren't native to Greece. They come from Ethiopia.

Leon: Ah, that would explain the rhino-like skin on their backs.

Blue: Let's get a closer look at them.

Andrea: Alright. Just…be careful. They could be dangerous.

Leon: Dangerous? What's dangerous about a bunch of cattle?

*Suddenly, a loud CRACK was heard as the group looked to see that two bulls had rammed into each other and were engaging in a shoving contest*

Andrea: Well, THAT comes to mind.

Leon: Oh…

Blue: *eyes widen* T-That sounded like thunder!

Leon: And we have no choice but go through them… Come on…

*Blue and his friends ventured forth towards the stationary herd, trying their best to remain silent while the two males continued to clash, the sound echoing a bit with each step our heroes took. The other Catoblepas however, seemed content in their quiet grazing, though each snort of their nostrils gave out a scent that was not quite pleasant to take in*

Blue: So if these animals were originally from Africa, then how did they get here?

Andrea: My tutors told me how human explorers brought some Catoblepas back here with them. I guess they thrived here.

Leon: *gags a bit* But why did they do it if their breath stunk like this?

Blue: Maybe they thought they’d taste better than they smell.

Andrea: What I don't understand is what the herd is doing all the way out here.

Leon: Yeah, I thought you said these things lived in swamps.

Andrea: They're supposed to, though what they're doing away from the swamp is what confuses me.

Blue: Maybe they wanted a vacation?

Andrea: No… It’s gotta be something else… But what?

*Just then, soft mooing could be heard as a small calf, who had wandered away from the adults, toddled up to the group, sniffing at Andrea and rubbing against her legs*

Blue: Awww… The little guy thinks Andrea's his mommy.

Andrea: Poor thing can’t see anything with his eyes closed. Just pray that he doesn’t decide to open them.

Blue: Why's that?

Andrea: Because, Blue, Catoblepas are poisonous.

Leon: Poisonous?! *grips his sword handle*

Andrea: Calm, Leon, CALM! They're really quite harmless, so long as they're not provoked. But the poison in them is SO strong that if they open their eyes, whatever they LOOK at will succumb to the poison and die!

Blue: Whoa, jeez! Really?

Leon: So what do we do about the calf here?

Andrea: Just hope his mother finds him.

Blue: And if he decides to open his eyes before then?

Andrea: Well…he IS just a baby. Maybe we'd get lucky and we'd just get sick for a couple of days.

Blue: I have an idea. We'll blindfold him and lead him back to his mother.

Leon: Uh…right. *unties the strip of cloth covering his nose and mouth* Ugh! Wow…that is…yeesh…

Blue: Better to endure the smell than to be poisoned.

Leon: Okay. Uh… Someone hold the little guy steady so I can do this.

Blue: I'll do it. I'm good with cows.

Andrea: Just be careful, Blue.

Blue: I'll keep my eyes closed, just in case. *closes his eyes*

Calf: Mmmrooooo…

Blue: *holds on tight to the calf* It's okay, little guy.

Leon: C'mon, baby. Don't squirm. It's just till we find your mama. *begins to tie the cloth around the calf's eyes*

Blue: Be careful, Leon. Don't scare him.

Leon: I'm being as careful as I can.

Calf: Mmrooo… *sneezes softly*

Blue: Bless you.

Leon: Done… *sighs in relief once he managed to get the cloth over the calf's eyes who didn't seem to notice*

Blue: *opens his eyes* Phew, thanks. *looks to the calf* Alright, little guy, we're going to take you back to your mommy.

Calf: Mmroo… Mmroo…

*Grabbing a hold of one of the calf's small horns, Blue began to lead the blindfolded infant through the herd alongside his friends, everyone high on guard for the mother but also for the danger that came with the herd*

Leon: So far, we're safe. None of the other Catoblepas seem to be noticing us.

Andrea: Hopefully we can find the mother fast and get out before any of them open their eyes.

Leon: Maybe Rage can sniff her out.

Rage: *softly whimpers, laying on the ground with paws over his snout*

Leon: I don't think that's gonna happen, Blue.

Blue: Oh… Right.

???: Mooo!

Blue: Hmm? Did you hear that?

Leon: It's probably mommy.

???: Mooo!

Andrea: I think she's this way ahead.

*As the mooing grew louder, the group quickened their pace with calf tailing along though the ground under them did slightly vibrate from the volume of the cries. Soon enough, they came upon a large female Catoblepas with a large udder hanging down between its hind legs. The mother was mooing on and on though this didn't seem to bother the rest of the herd but her baby would soon moo, answering its mother's call*

Calf: *wriggles and shakes his head* MOOOOOO!!!

Blue: Hoo boy, he's getting restless!

Andrea: Just let him go! That cow’s obviously its mother!

Blue: Right, gotchya! *closes his eyes* Hang on a sec, little guy! *quickly gets the blindfold off as he releases the calf from his hold*

*Once it was free, the calf quickly cantered away back to its mother*

Blue: *eyes still closed* Is he gone?

Leon: *turned away* I think so. It's quiet.

Andrea: *covering her eyes* Well, I'M not going to look.

Rage: *curled in a ball, whimpering*

Bel: *head tucked under his wing* Not it! Not it!

Blue: Alright… Here I go.

*Blue looked around. All seemed fine. As he prepared to give an "all-clear" signal, he saw the calf at the edge of the herd with its mother…staring at him with wide, poisonous-green eyes. In an instant, his body began to feel sick all over, his breathing slowing down immediately as he felt so drained, so weak*

Leon: Blue?

*Blue didn’t even say a word as he trembled a bit before suddenly falling hard onto the ground*

Andrea: *eyes widen* BLUE!!!

Leon: What happened?!

Andrea: Oh no, the calf must've looked at him with its eyes open!

Leon: *kneels down to look over Blue* Blue? You…You okay?

*Blue merely groaned, seemingly unable to move off the ground though his body lightly shakes. When Leon turned him over, he and everyone else were shocked to see that Blue was in terrible condition. His eyes were glazed over, his lips were tinted green, and his skin looked more pale than normal*

Leon: *eyes widen* Good, sweet Hera!

Blue: Oooooh…

Leon: I can't believe this! Help!! Someone! ANYONE!!! *stops in realization* Athena… ATHENA!!! ATHENA, WE BESEECH THEE!!

???: *frustrated sigh* It never fails. I settle down with a nice scroll and suddenly someone starts invoking.

*The group wheeled around to see Athena sitting on a large rock nearby, a scroll spread out on her lap. Oddly, her helm, breastplate, shield, and spear were sitting on the ground next to her, leaving her in just her blue tunic*

Athena: Oh, Leon. How’re ya doin’?

Leon: BLUE'S BEEN POISONED!!!

Athena: *in shock* WHAT?!?!

Blue: Oooh…

Athena: Oh no, how did this happen?!

Blue: Cat…Catoble…pas…!

Athena: What? *looks at the herd* Oh my. Certainly are a LOT of them, aren't there? But…if a Catoblebas looked at him, how is he still alive?

Andrea: It was a calf that looked at him. We were only trying to reunite it with its mother.

Athena: Well…that explains things. *walks over to Blue* This is not good. If it had been an adult, he'd just be dead, and that would be it, but a baby that size…he will LINGER.

Blue: I was…only trying…to help! *coughs*

Leon: Please, is there anything you can do to help him?!

Athena: Hmm… *looks at the sun* We might have time. There is one substance on this Earth that can CURE Catoblepas poison… Ambrosia.

Andrea: Ambrosia… Food of the gods.

Athena: Yes. It will save a person even an INCH from Thanatos' icy touch, and I know how to make it.

Leon: Oh, thank Zeus!!

Blue: What's… What's Ambrosia?

Andrea: Ambrosia is the magic food that keeps the gods young and strong and prevents them from becoming sick.

Athena: Exactly. Equitaur has a good head on her shoulders.

Blue: Okay, but…what IS it?

Leon: It's…uh…uh…gee…I don't know. I've never SEEN it depicted.

Athena: Oh, right. I keep forgetting. It's…essentially a pastry we eat. Kind of like honey cakes.

Blue: *slowly smiles* I like honey cakes…

Leon: Are you sure Zeus will be okay with you making a batch for a mortal?

Athena: Blue and your group are NECESSARY if our world is to survive. I'm SURE father will forgive me.

Leon: I hope so.

Rage: *whines as he lays down next to Blue*

Andrea: How soon can you make some?

Athena: Uh…as soon as I gather the last ingredient.

Andrea: Which is…?

Athena: The glowing petals of a night-blooming swamp lily. You're in luck on that front. There should be blooming lilies in the swamp lands not far from here.

Leon: Great! *looks to Blue* Hear that, Blue? You're as good as cured!

Blue: *weakly* Hooray…

Athena: It should be simple…but I fear something NEW is in the swamps. Catoblepas do not abandon their herding lands so easily.

Andrea: Just what I was thinking.

Leon: But what exactly forced the herd out of their swamp?

Athena: That, I do not know. But whatever it was, it forced a herd of creatures this size to flee. Normally, I would be able to face whatever it is with no problem, but…I must stay here and tend to Blue, as well as prepare the rest of the ingredients. I fear…I must ask YOU to gather the petals for me.

Andrea: No problem. We've dealt with harpies, a griffin, a rock giant, AND a dragon! I'm sure we can handle whatever's in that swamp!

Leon: I wouldn't get too cocky if I were you, Andrea.

Andrea: Leon, Blue NEEDS us. Now is not the time to be hesitant.

Leon: I know that, but we DON'T know what could in that swamp! For all we know, it could Damon and Antaeus again! We BARELY survived them last time!

Athena: And you have very little time. *points a finger at Blue, a red spot appears on his chest* This is Blue's heart. *a green mark appears on Blue's head* THIS is the poison. In a day's time, the poison will reach Blue's heart and Thanatos will come to take him to the Underworld.

Bel: *coos and rubs his face against Blue's*

Blue: Don't worry, guys… It'll be okay.

Andrea: Come on, Leon… Blue is in good hands, but he needs our help now. He's always been there when we needed him. Now is our chance to repay that debt.

Leon: *sighs* You're right. *looks to Blue* Blue, you hang in there. We're going to save you. *looks to Athena* Athena, my lady…I'm counting on you to take good care of him. He's my best friend after all.

Athena: I will do all I can.

Blue: Thanks, buddy…

Leon: *looks to Rage* Rage, you make sure the Catoblepas herd stays here and keep their eyes closed. We don't want to risk anyone else getting poisoned.

Rage: *nods and barks, soon shifting to the size of a rhino*

Leon: Good boy.

Andrea: Hopefully with Rage's divine nature, the Catoblepas' stares won't affect him.

Athena: Don't worry, they won't.

Leon: Come on, let's get going.

Andrea: Rage, you know what to do!

*Rage nodded once more before going towards the herd, barking out loud to soon gather the large bovines together*

Athena: Good doggy!

Andrea: Climb on, Leon.

Leon: If you say so… *carefully gets onto Andrea's lower half, looks to Bel* You might wanna come with us, Bel. We could use you.

Bel: Rawk!! *flies up and perches on Leon’s shoulder*

Andrea: *looks to Blue* Don‘t worry, Blue, you'll be feeling better in no time!

Blue: Oooooh…

Leon: To the swamp lands! Hyah! *kicks at Andrea's sides*

Andrea: *annoyed* Hey!

Leon: Just go!

*Andrea, not wanting to argue, simply snorted and galloped ahead, heading straight for the swamplands and whatever unknown dangers awaited them there*

Athena: Good luck, my friends. *lays a hand on Blue's forehead* Be strong, Blue.

*Sometime later, as it drew closer to dusk with the sun beginning to set for night, the stench of swamp soon filled the air as Leon, Andrea and Bel entered a dark wooded area*

Leon: So…this is the swamp the Catoblepas herd calls home?

Andrea: Yup. *points at a trail of trampled and withered plants* Look. You can see where they used their poison to clear a path when they fled.

Leon: Their poison even affects the plants?

Andrea: Catoblepas poison cuts down all in its path. It makes one wonder...what could be so dangerous it would force them off their territory?

Leon: Let's just focus on finding the swamp lily for Blue. That's the important thing right now.

Andrea: Athena said the lily blooms at night. We must wait until nightfall and look for a light in the swamp. That will be where the lilies are growing. Stay close. *walks into the swamp*

Bel: RAWK! WAIT FOR BABY! WAIT FOR BABY! *flies after her*

Leon: Right. *follows Andrea*

*As the three traveled further into the marsh, Andrea kept her bow at the ready, her ears swiveling in every direction and her nostrils flaring periodically. As the day wore on, the shadows lengthened, and Leon kept a tight grip on his sword's hilt*

Andrea: *pulls her longbow and notches an arrow* Something isn't right. Leon…do you hear that?

Leon: Hear what?

Andrea: Exactly. No birds. No insects. It's altogether too quiet.

Leon: *listens around* Yeah, you're right… Not even frogs croaking.

Andrea: Whatever drove out the Catoblepas…has got every animals here so spooked they aren't daring to make a sound, or risk exposing themselves.

Leon: What sort of creature can DO all this?

Andrea: I'm not sure…but let's hope we find the flowers before IT finds US.

Leon: *nods* Agreed.

Bel: *quietly* Rrrr… Ditto.

Andrea: *looks among the shadowed trees* We'll wait here.

Leon: Okay…

*And so, the group waited. Apollo's fiery chariot drew the sun down past the western horizon, and darkness fell across the land*

Andrea: It will probably be faint, this is the best way I know to find a light source in the darkness.

Bel: *squeals* Spooky.

Leon: Yeah… Feels like we're in that forest out near Hecae again…

Andrea: Except without the demon dogs made of mist. *snorts* Wait… I think I have something.

Leon: *looks to Andrea* What is it?

Andrea: A new scent. Something…cutting through the stink. *points* There! Look, there! Through the trees! Do you see it?

*Leon looked to where Andrea was pointing and sure enough, there, through the darkness of the trees, was a faint glimmer of light, driving away the shadows like a beacon of hope*

Leon: The flowers! We've FOUND them!

*Their hope of saving their friend surging, the trio rushed through the marsh as fast as their legs would carry them. Finally, they beheld the sight. Beautiful flowers, shining silver and gold in the moonlight, an entire field of them…growing on a small island…out in the middle of a large, algae covered lake*

Leon: Maybe it's not too deep. We could wade across and pick some flowers.

Andrea: No, it's too dangerous. There might not be frogs, but there could be snakes.

Leon: Alright. *looks to Bel* Okay, Bel. Time to earn your keep. Fly across and carry some of those flowers over here in your beak.

Bel: *squawks* NO WAY! NO WAY!

Leon: What's the matter? It'll only take you, like, ten seconds!

Bel: RAWK! All alone! All alone! Bad lake! Bad lake!! *flies up and perches onto the branch of a tree*

Leon: *looks up at Bel* Jeez, what's the matter with you?

Andrea: Leon, the poor little thing is terrified. It's not fair to ask someone to go out there alone.

Leon: *sighs* Alright... I guess we're just gonna have to risk it and cross the lake ourselves.

Andrea: *picks up a fallen tree branch* We can use this to test the depth of the water.

*Andrea carefully walked forward, gently poking the branch into the muddy lake bed as she went*

Leon: Well?

Andrea: It's not so deep. I think we can make it.

Leon: Okay. Right behind you.

Bel: Rrrr… *ruffles his feathers*

Leon: *looks up at Bel* Well, stay up the trees if you want. We'll get some flowers and be right back.

Bel: Rrrr…

Andrea: Alright, Leon, hop on my back and we’ll--

*But as Andrea kept poking the lake bed with the branch, it was suddenly and violently sucked out from her grasp and disappeared beneath the algae covered surface of the lake, leaving her palm with slight cuts that bled*

Andrea: *grasping her hand in pain* OW!!!

Leon: *eyes widen* What the--?!

Bel: RAWK! GET OUTTA THERE!!!

*The entire surface of the lake began to bubble and froth, roiling and churning as if it was boiling. Out of the murky water erupted a huge form, like the head and neck of a giant eel or snake with a huge black fin running down its neck, covered in bright yellow scales with black stripes, a huge black fin running down the back of its neck, and glaring at them with cruel, blood-red eyes with piercing yellow pupils. And it that weren’t bad enough, two more identical heads emerged beside it, looking around before all three heads locked onto Andrea and Leon*

Andrea: *horrified, quietly* Please don’t tell me that’s a--

Leon: *horrified, quietly* H-H-H-Hydra…!

Andrea: *horrified, quietly* Oh good, sweet Hera!

Leon: *petrified, quietly* Don’t move… Maybe it's vision is based on movement and won’t see us.

*The Hydra growled, extending three serpentine tongues, tasting the air in hopes of finding its next meal*

Andrea: *horrified, quietly* Leon…!

Leon: *horrified, quietly* Shh! I know… Just don't. Move. A muscle…

Bel: *coos fearfully and moves into the shadows*

*The Hydra moved its three heads all around, flicking its tongues and tasting the air. Finally, the head on the right stops in front of Andrea and sent its tongue out. This time, the forked appendage wrapped around Andrea's shoulders for a moment*

Andrea: *disgusted* Ugh…

*The central head of the Hydra lowered down and glared hungrily at the pair, making a deep rumbling noise at the back of its throat*

Leon: Never mind.

Hydra: RRROOOOWWWWEEEEERRRRR!!!

Leon: RUN!!!

Andrea: *quickly turns to gallop, barely managing to dodge a snapping jaw from the beast's heads* WHOA!!!

*The creature soon snarled at its missed kill, slowly rising out to shore with a massive three-digit claw soon touching dry land before the rest of the creature soon came into view - a hulking yellow quadruped form with black stripes and a short flickering tail*

Leon: HURRY, COME ON!!!

Andrea: WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?!!

Bel: RAWK, NOT GOOD!! NOT GOOD!!

*Andrea grabbed Leon by the arm, threw him onto her lower half and continued to run from the snapping jaws of the Hydra which gave chase after the pair. When one of its head drew too close, Andrea reached over and grabbed the handle of Leon‘s sword and unsheathed it*

Andrea: Gimme that!!

Leon: NO! Andrea, STOP!!!

Andrea: *skids to a stop, turns to face the Hydra* YAAAH!!! *swings the blade downward, cleaving the head from the long neck* HA! Gotchya!!

Leon: WHY did you do that?! *snatches his sword back* Don't you know what happens when you cut off a Hydra's HEAD?!

Andrea: What?

*Suddenly, the severed neck stump of the Hydra began to spasm and twitch, before a burst of slime fired off and soon two heads inhabited the same neck, growling and hissing*

Leon: Two MORE grow in its place!!

Andrea: *eyes widen* Uh… *sweat drop* Oops?

Hydra: ROOOOAAAAWWWWRRRR!!!!

*Without a moment’s hesitation, Andrea proceeded to gallop away with Leon hanging onto her back, while he Hydra snarled and renewed its pursuit, spewing forth a green, steaming liquid out from the mouth of one of its heads*

Leon: LOOK OUT!!!

*Leon quickly pulled Andrea's ear, making her veer to the side, dodging the bile as it struck a tree and dissolved the trunk until the whole thing fell over*

Andrea: WHOA!!!

Leon: I knew about Hydras being poisonous, but I didn't expect it to be like that!

Andrea: What do we do?!

Leon: One thing comes to mind… HIDE!!

Andrea: WHERE?!?

Leon: Anywhere but here! Come on, hurry!! *kicks a bit into her sides*

Andrea: Ow! Will you stop doing that?!

Leon: NOT NOW!!

*Soon another lethal spit fired off before the pair, landing this time close to Andrea's hooves, missing them by at least an inch. Andrea yelped as she quickened her speed, dashing away of the monstrosity that lumbered after them.

Leon: Hurry, hurry! *nearly falls off Andrea when a head lunges forth with a SNAP!* Yikes!!

*Fortunately Andrea's increase in speed managed to gain them a lead over the monster and after what felt like forever, the snapping of jaws and the sound of spitting ceased altogether. Andrea's gallop slowed down to a canter, and then eventually stopped, as she and Leon turned back to see no sign of the colossal monster after them anymore though in the distance, its thundering steps could be heard*

Leon: *sighs* Thank Zeus, it gave up!

Andrea: At least we now know what drove the Catoblepas herd out of here, huh?

Leon: Yeah, I wouldn’t blame ‘em.

Andrea: *raises an eyebrow* Wait a minute! *looks around* Where's Bel?

Leon: Bel? *looks around* Bel, where are you?

*The flapping of small feathered wings could be heard as Bel soon darted from a high branch on the left of the pair, soon landing onto Andrea's shoulder before giving a soft squawk*

Bel: Rawk!! Pretty pony safe! Monster gone!

Leon: *slumping down* It's hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. How are we supposed to get those flowers with that multi-headed monster guarding them?

Andrea: If only Athena could help us… But she's too busy attending to Blue!

???: She's not the only goddess, you know.

Andrea: *pause, eyes widen* I know that voice…

Leon: *eyes widen* So do I…

???: Over here, behind you!

*Leon, Andrea, and Bel turned to see a small doe standing behind them. But something about this doe seemed oddly familiar about it. They weren't too sure at first, but then they noticed the crescent moon shaped mark around it's left eye, that's when it hit them*

Andrea & Leon: Artemis!?

Doe: Hi, guys! *smiles*

Andrea: Artemis! Are we happy to see you…such as you are.

Artemis: Yeah, aren't I adorable? *giggles*

Leon: Not something we'd expect you to say, that's for sure.

Bel: Rawk, pretty deer!

Artemis: I sometimes like to turn into an animal and just enjoy nature. And being a deer is my favorite out of all of them! *looks back at her tail, wags it* Especially since I have this cute little tail! *giggles*

Leon: Artemis, you’ve got to help us! Blue’s been--

Artemis: *interrupts* Poisoned, I know. Athena told me.

Andrea: Wow…word gets around FAST with gods.

Artemis: Normally I do not intervene in a natural cycle, especially it comes to a natural predator and its prey. But that Hydra has gotten too big and dangerous to leave alone now… If it even finds a mate, the offspring could be more monstrous.

Leon: Well, what do we do? The only way to beat a hydra is to knock off the heads and cauterize the wound with fire so it can't regenerate, but I don't have anything to use to make torches or oil to toss on the hydra's wounds.

Andrea: *annoyed* Oh, NOW you tell me!!

Leon: It never occurred to me you didn't know. Everyone in Athens knows it.

Andrea: Well, if I had known, then I wouldn't have chopped off one of its heads to begin with, would I?!

Artemis: Guys, guys, PLEASE! There is no time for fighting amongst yourselves. You're fighting for your friend's LIFE!

Leon: *sighs* You're right. Blue's counting on us and we can't fail him.

Artemis: And as it happens, I believe I have a solution to our problem. I commissioned my half-brother, Hephaestus, to make a weapon that should deal with the hydra once and for all.

Andrea: You did?!

Artemis: Yes. And he should be here very soon to deliver it.

Leon: *relieved* Oh, thank Zeus!

*Just then, the sound of wheels crushing foliage could be heard, alerting everyone to it*

Artemis: And here he is now. Right on time, as always. *resumes her human form*

*Soon, a large, bronze chariot, pulled by a pair of large goats, rolled into the clearing. Holding the reigns was none other than Hephaestus himself*

Leon & Andrea: *in awe* WHOA…

Hephaestus: *pulls his goats to a stop and gets down from his chariot, limping over to the group* Artemis…I have it! It took me a WEEK to get it right, but I finished it! *holds out what looks like a long sword hilt with no blade* This'll do the job.

Leon: Wow… Hephaestus…God of Fire and Craftsmen!

Hephaestus: *turns to see the Leon and Andrea* Ah, so you must be Athena's chosen ones, eh? Well, it's nice to finally meet ya! Well… Two of ya, anyway.

Bel: RAWK!!!

Hephaestus: *notices Bel* Oh, sorry. Three.

Andrea: If you don't mind me asking…what IS it?

Hephaestus: What is it? This is the weapon that will render Hydras HARMLESS! *presses a switch on the hilt, and a long, thin blade shoots out of the hilt, ablaze in fire* BEHOLD! MY MASTERPIECE!!!

Leon: *eyes widen* Whoa… Incredible!!

Hephaestus: Thank you.

Artemis: How does it work?

Hephaestus: Quite simple, really. You see, when the blade is stored here in the hilt, it's soaked in a reservoir of lamp oil. When you flip this switch and let the blade out, the friction it makes against the metal hilt creates a spark and ignites the oil, covering the blade in flames and turning the metal red hot.

Leon: Thereby instantly cauterizing anything that is lopped off by the blade! Genius!!

Hephaestus: Of COURSE it is. I AM the God of Craftsmen after all.

Leon: Sir, we would be honored to use such a weapon as this. If only I had thought of it myself.

Hephaestus: Oh, I'm sure you would've. *whispers to Artemis* In a couple of hundred years.

Artemis: *smiles, hold back laughter*

Hephaestus: Now, you take this little beauty back to where those lilies are blooming and give that overgrown swamp snake what for.

Leon & Andrea: *determined* Yes, sir!

Bel: Rawk!!

Hephaestus: *laughs* Good! *hands over the weapon to Leon* Treat it gently now. It's only a prototype.

Leon: You better believe we will.

Hephaestus: That's a good lad. *hauls himself back into his chariot*

Leon: It was a pleasure to meet you, sir!

Hephaestus: You too, lad. Oh, almost forgot. *reaches into his apron pocket and pulls out a silver medallion, similar to Blue's* Something else I made for ya, to go with yer sword. *hands it to Leon*

Leon: What the? It…It looks just like Blue's.

Hephaestus: You'll know how to use it…when you're ready. *turns to his rams* Hammer, Chisel, HYAH!!!

*Hephaestus’ goats bleated and as fast as they could, stampeded away out of the swamp, pulling the chariot behind them*

Artemis: Here, Andrea. This should help you as well. *takes off her bow and quiver and hands them to Andrea* I doubt the set you have will be enough to pierce the Hydra's skin.

Andrea: You want me to use YOUR weapons?

Artemis: Of course. Anything to help a friend. *smiles*

Andrea: *smiles and takes the bow and quiver* Thank you. I promise I'll bring them back. *looks to Leon* Come on, Leon.

Leon: *nods* Right, let's go.

Artemis: Farewell, my friends. I wish you the best of luck. *transforms back into a doe and prances off deep into the forest*

*Back at the grasslands, Athena did all she could to take care of Blue, while Rage kept a watchful eye over the Catoblepas herd, barking fiercely, forcing a group of straying cows back into the group. Blue’s condition was clearly deteriorating. His forehead was burning hot to the touch. His skin was soaked in his sweat, and there was a rasping sound as he breathed*

Athena: *working at a mortar and pestle* Blue, you have to fight!

Blue: *weakly* I'm trying… But I'm…just so…tired!

Athena: You are strong, I know you can do it!

*Just then, the sound of a blade swishing filled the night air, sending a chill down Athena's spine*

Athena: *eyes widen* Thanatos…

*Athena quickly wheeled around, summoning her spear to her hand. Standing in the shade of a nearby tree was a tall, pale man with long white hair tied off behind his head. He is dressed in a black tunic tied at the waist with a golden sash. Out of his back sprout two massive wings, like the wings of a huge black eagle. In his hand, he carried a scythe. Most intimidating of all, though, were his two shining blue eyes. This was Thanatos, the Greek God of Death*

Athena: Thanatos, wait! I know you have orders from Hades, but Bluarathes is too important to the fate of the world for me to simply let you take him.

*Thanatos narrowed his eyes and pointed at the marks Athena made earlier. A long line was coming off the green mark, making its way toward Blue's heart*

Athena: Yes, I know the poison is almost at his heart, but I need more time! I'm making him a batch of Ambrosia and I sent his friends to find the last ingredient for it. Please, I beg you… just give us one more day.

*Thanatos looked at the moon, pointing east, then west, and drew his thumb across his throat*

Athena: *nods understandingly* Thank you…

*In a flash of smoke, Thanatos disappeared from sight, not even making so much as a sound*

Blue: *weakly* What… What was that?

Athena: That was death, Blue… And he only gave us a day to save you.

Blue: *weakly* I'm sure…they'll be back.

Athena: *kneels at Blue's side* Yes, Blue, they will. We must have faith. Faith that the others can find the petals and bring them back in time. Just keep strong.

Blue: *weakly* I’ll try… I’ll…try.

*Back at the Hydra's lair, Andrea was standing at the edge of the water, readying Artemis' bow. Leon held Hephaestus' sword tight in his grip, ready to activate it the moment the monster surfaced*

Andrea: Be ready, Leon. I'll draw the Hydra up and bring the heads to you.

Leon: Alright, just be careful… I don't wanna have to lose BOTH of my friends.

Andrea: Don't worry, Leon. I've got this. *begins to wade into the water, deliberately stamping her hooves*

Bel: *perched on a tree branch* Rrrr…

Andrea: C'mon, you ugly brute… Take the bait… You KNOW you want it.

*With a great geyser of water, the Hydra erupted up from its den under the mud on the lake bed, only to be shot in one of its eyes by an arrow. The great monster roared in pain and lashed its heads in a search for the source of the arrow*

Andrea: OVER HERE, you pathetic excuse for a monster! Come chase me! *rears and retreats, firing a second arrow that pierces one of the Hydra's ear fins*

Hydra: *in pain* AAAARRRRUUUNNNGGG!!!!

Leon: That's it, Andrea!! You got 'im!!

*The Hydra roared in rage and struck out with one of its heads like a huge cobra, its long neck easily reaching out over the lake as it honed in on Andrea*

Andrea: Leon, NOW!

Leon* Right!! *presses the switch, activating the blade* Please let this work…!

*As the hydra's striking head closed in on Andrea, Leon leapt from his hiding place and slashed with the flaming blade, severing the head from the neck. The Hydra bellowed in pain as its neck flopped lifelessly to the ground. The remaining three heads could only stare in wonder at the fact their sibling was not re-growing*

Andrea: Leon, you did it!! It works!!

Bel: RAWK!!! One down, three to go! Rawk!!

*The Hydra snarled and plodded out from the water, actually sawing at the dead neck with its teeth and acidic saliva*

Andrea: What’s it doing?!

Leon: Either trying to get rid of the dead weight…or it could be trying to get rid of our cauterized scar tissue by ripping it away! Keep it distracted so I can finish!

Andrea: On it! *fires a spread of four arrows, striking the Hydra and gaining its attention*

Hydra: *in pain* RAAAOOOWWWRRR!!!

Leon: And here I thought fighting a dragon and a rock giant was hard!!

*In a fit of rage, the Hydra lashed out with a second head, its jaws opened wide to grab Andrea in its teeth. But suddenly, Bel flew off from his branch and up to the hydra's head, screeching and scratching at its eyes with his talons*

Leon: BEL, NO!!!

*The Hydra roared in annoyance and raised all three heads up to try and snag Bel as he flew up and away. Leon, seeing his chance, gave out a loud yell and charged, stabbing the flaming blade into one of the neck of the Hydra. The stabbed head roared in agony and exploded in a mess of flaming meat chunks*

Leon: Cool… I mean, disgusting, obviously, but COOL!

*The two remaining heads, seeing this, narrowed their eyes at the red hot blade. Surprisingly, the Hydra backed away*

Andrea: Hey! We didn't give you our permission to LEAVE! *readies another arrow*

*The Hydra growled. Both heads nodded at each other and stretched out, splitting up to attack both heroes at the same time*

Andrea: Not good! *gallops in retreat*

Leon: WAAAH!!! *jumps out of the way*

Hydra: *snaps its huge jaws, just missing Leon* ROOOAAAWWWRRR!!!!

Leon: *rolls along the ground* I don't like doing this, after all, you're just a dumb animal, but my best friend needs those flowers! *slices the blade along the side of the Hydra's neck*

Hydra: *in pain* AAAARRRRUUUNNNGGG!!!!

Leon: Andrea, FIRE!!!!

*Andrea, hearing Leon, drew the bow taut and fired. The arrow blazed with energy and split into dozens of small needles of light that perforated the Hydra's scales*

Andrea: *eyes widen* Wow! *looks at the bow* That's some bow!

*The Hydra roared in agony and stumbled back, fleeing into the swamp and disappearing from sight*

Leon: And STAY OUT!!!

*Soon, all was silent throughout the swamp and the group had time to catch their breath*

Leon: Well… We showed him.

Bel: *flies down and perches on Andrea’s shoulder* Monster gone! Monster gone! RAWK!!!

Andrea: Oh, you wonderful little bird! *tickles just under Bel's beak*

Bel: Rrrr…

Leon: What're we waiting for? Let's get those flowers and get back to the herd. No telling how much longer Blue has left!

*Andrea nodded as she slowly stepped into the water and swam forth to the tiny isle in the marsh water*

*The next morning, back at the grasslands, Athena was desperately working at a bowl, unable to do anything but watch as Blue slowly wasted away*

Athena: C"mon! C'mon! How hard is it to pick a few FLOWERS?!

Rage: *walks up to Blue, sadly licks his face*

???: ATHENA!!! ATHENA, WE GOT ‘EM!!!

*Athena turned to see Andrea galloping up toward her, with Leon riding on her back and Bel perched on her head. All three of them were ragged, soaked and spattered in mud*

Athena: *eyes widen* Oh my, you three are a mess! What happened?

Leon: Hydra!!

Andrea: These flowers better be worth it. *tosses a sack filled with the glowing blossoms into Athena's hands*

Leon: Did we make it in time?

Bel: Blue gonna live? Rawk!!

*Athena took the flowers out from the sack, ripped the petals free and tossed them into the mixture she was making. The bowl glowed and in a flash of light, the strange mixture had transformed into a pastry*

Athena: There it is.

Leon: *eyes widen* Wow… She didn’t even need to bake the stuff!

Athena: *picks the Ambrosia up* Lift Blue's head.

*Andrea knelt down next to Blue and gently lifted up his head. By now, Blue's condition was worse than ever. He was gasping for breath like a fish and the mark of the poison was almost touching his heart*

Athena: It's going to be okay, Blue. *ears a chunk of the Ambrosia away and holds it to Blue's mouth* You just need to eat this.

*But Blue didn't respond. In fact, he wasn't even awake! He just lay there in Andrea's arms, unconscious and completely silent*

Leon: *annoyed* Aww, no! We are not doing this! *grabs the Ambrosia* You are eating this even if I have to SHOVE it down your throat! *opens Blue's mouth and stuffs the pastry in*

Andrea: Leon, be careful!!

Leon: I didn’t nearly get eaten by a hydra just to let my best friend die!!

*Surprisingly, Blue was able to swallow the Ambrosia and began to cough, small clouds of black mist shooting from his mouth a dissipating in the open air. When the mist had dissipated, Blue’s eyes shot open and he sat up*

Blue: AUGH!!! By all the gods, Leon! What're you trying to do, CHOKE me to death?

Leon: *smiles* IT WORKED!!! *hugs Blue, tears in his eyes* Blue, you're alive! You're alive!!

Blue: *eyes widen in realization* Hey… I am! I'm ALIVE! In fact, I feel GREAT!

Rage: *barks happily and licks Blue’s face*

Athena: That was too close. *rips the rest of the Ambrosia in two* Here, Leon. You and Andrea should take the rest of this. You look like you could use a little magical pick-me-up.

Leon: *takes part of the Ambrosia* Wow… Thanks.

Blue: Hey, what happened to you guys anyway? You look like you got into a pig pen and had yourselves a party.

Andrea: *takes the other half of Ambrosia* LONG story, Blue. LONG story.

Blue: Well, I'm all ears.

Leon: You ever gone to the marketplace and everything that could go wrong DOES?

Andrea: Well…

*Minutes passed as the pair relayed their story to Blue, who was amazed to hear all the details and experiences they went through. The listener was soon silent with wide eyes and resisting the urge to let his jaw drop*

Blue: I can't believe you guys actually fought a hydra and I missed the whole thing!!

Athena: No wonder the Catoblepas fled the swamp.

Andrea: That reminds me. Athena, could you please give these back to Artemis and Hephaestus for us? *passes the bow and quiver and the flame-sword to Athena*

Athena: *nods* Of course. *takes the weapons* I'm ever so grateful my brother and sister could help you. *sighs* I love them so much.

Leon: *eyes widen* Uh-oh… Uh, Athena… Speaking of your relatives… *points behind Athena* Could YOU handle this?

*Athena, raising an eyebrow, turned to see none other than Thanatos, standing by the tree he was at the day before with his arms crossed and his eyebrows narrowed in anger*

Athena: We had a deal, Thanatos. Blue is safe and you can't take his soul to Hades. I’m sorry.

*Thanotos looked to Blue and his friends, then back to Athena. He paused for a moment or two, and then simply nodded his head. Then, like the night before, he disappeared in a flash of smoke*

Leon: He doesn't talk much, does he?

Athena: *shakes her head* Not a word.

*A loud moo was heard as everyone looked to see the entire Catoblepas herd making their way back to the swamplands with the largest bull leading the way*

Andrea: Looks like they're heading back to the swamp.

Athena: With the hydra beaten, it is safe for the herd to return to their home.

Leon: Glad we could help.

*The last one to go was the calf that had poisoned Blue in the first place. Everyone was quick to flinch in fear but instead the calf merely gave a moo with its eyes shut as it seemed to be looking at them, apologizing for its actions maybe*

Calf: Mmrooo! *slowly turns away as it follows after its lumbering mother*

Blue: *smiles* Eh, I know the little guy didn't mean any harm. He can't help being poisonous.

Leon: I think I was holding my breath the whole time… *sighs*

Andrea: So, what do you wanna do now?

Blue: What else? We keep moving…

Leon: Actually, I have a better idea… *falls backwards onto the ground, sighs*

Blue: *blinks in surprise* That's a first for you, Leon.

Andrea: Well, we DID just defeat a hydra, you know.

Athena: As for me, I must return to my station up on Olympus. A goddess' duties are never done. That…and Bubo’s probably worried sick about me, that silly owl doesn't like it when I'm gone too long.

Blue: We understand. *puts a hand on Athena's shoulder* Thanks for taking care of me, Athena. You are one terrific nurse.

Athena: *smiles* It was nothing, you still have a long way to go. Take care, my friends, and know that you have Olympus' favor. Always. *soon vanishes in a bright light before the group*

Leon: *smiles, looking up at the sky as the light dissipates* I love that girl…

Andrea: We know… *yawns and lays down on the ground*

*Blue sighed as he lay upon the ground next to his best friend before slowly smirking to Leon. He noticed the new medallion around his friend's neck and looked at his own*

Blue: Uh… Oh, forget it. I'm too relieved to care.