CRAP!! THE MYTHS CAME TO LIFE!!!!!

Many people believe that I am destined to hunt the most lethal creatures of the World. Others believe that is no job for a girl. I know better. There is a prophecy that was told millions of years ago that I believe was about me. It said that a 16 year old girl will embark on a journey that no other girl or woman has ever embarked on before. It also said that she was raised like a boy by her father and she would be the greatest huntsmen the world has ever seen. I was raised exactly as the prophecy said, my mother died giving birth to me so that left my dad to take care of me. I am a very good tracker and I hardly ever come home from hunting without some game. I outride all the boys, well, men in my village and I have won a lot of archery contests. Some of the villagers saw my talent and said that I could enter if I want to. I am the only girl that has ever been allowed to enter contests against men.
I am from Athens, Greece. I know that sounds cool and all but it really stinks. All the men get to go on fun quests, participate in the Olympics, and have all the respect. All we women get to do is cook, clean, wait for the return of the men, and pop out a bunch of kids. We also have to wear these stupid, long togas that are impossible to run, ride, or hunt in. To be honest, Papa lets me wear short togas so I can do all those things. I swear, some of the fashions in Greece are really weird right now but they’ll go back out of style in a couple years, hopefully.
* * *
That was three years ago that I was in silly contests, thinking I was an great archer but I was only 13. Now I am 16 and alone in the world. Completely alone except my two best friends, Ian, who might as well as be my brother and Tornado, my horse. Ian and I grew up together and I lived with he and his parents when papa died. I never got to see papa before he died because he went to town and never came back. People say they saw him being dragged into the shadows by two men but by the time anyone looked, they were gone. I was only 14! I know, most girls are supposed to be married at age 14 but that never interested me. Now, I am almost fully grown and am on an adventure with Ian and Tornado. We aren’t quite sure where we are going but I let Ian lead the way. He seems to know where we are going but he won’t tell me anything.
Up until two nights ago, I complete forgot about that silly prophecy that I had trusted so much when I was young and immature. All I wanted was something to make me believe I had a purpose. Anyway, two nights ago, we had been gone for something like five days and we had set up camp. I had a dream that I would wake Ian in the middle of the night because we had to leave, so we saddled up Tornado and his horse Mafisto and we took off into the night. I woke up screaming but I couldn’t figure out why. The dream wasn’t scary but it had given me the creeps. It feels like there was a part of the dream I can’t remember, like there was something bad or frightening that my conscience doesn’t want me to remember. I wish I could figure out why that dream reminded me of that stupid old prophecy.
I still hadn’t figured out where we were going. We’d been away from home for almost two weeks. I thought we were lost but Ian seemed to know where we were going but he still wouldn’t tell me. We camped when it was dark and rode when it was light. Sometimes, we’d stop and swim at a creek but other than that, we rode all day. It felt like we just left home and I have a bad feeling that something bad was about to happen. I kept having these really weird, out of place dreams that always gave me an odd feeling. I had déjà vu a lot so I think that is what made me feel weird. I still thought of that prophecy and if it really was about me. Then came the day we met our first monster.
* * *
We were riding and we heard trees smashing and the screaming of women and children. Ian and I looked at each other, jumped off our horses, grabbed our swords, and ran towards the source at the same time.
When we had gotten through the trees, an awful sight met our eyes. There were stone people everywhere! A child sat crying because her parents were stone. That gave me one conclusion. Medusa had come back.
Apparently, Perseus hadn’t killed her enough because there she sat, real as you and I, waiting for someone else to look at her. I knew from the stories to not look directly at her so I watched her in a mirror while Ian went and checked on the horses.
Apparently, this was my first test to see if that prophecy really was about me. I waited until she turned her back and I went up and caught her on fire. I covered my ears because of the awful screeching that was coming from the satanic creature. I remember my Grandpa Hercules telling me that the only sure fire way to kill a gorgon was to catch it on fire, or so Perseus said. He learned that after he killed Medusa. Convenient, huh? Perseus and Grandpa were best friends until they both were killed by an angry Hephaestus. Apparently, they killed one of his favorite Cyclops.
Ian came running from the trees and saw me standing there with a torch and what looked like a burning body.
“Are you okay, Ath?” He asked in awe.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I don’t know how I killed her! I guess that prophecy really was about me.” I responded.
“I knew it all along! It had to be about you! I mean, your Hercules’s grand daughter! How could it not be about you?” He asked excitedly. Well, Now I figured out where and why we’re here and why I keep having weird dreams. It was Grandpa trying to warn me from Mount Olympus about the dangers ahead.
* * *
As we headed North, I pondered how that prophecy could possibly be about me. I’m just a farm girl that happened to lose her mother and was raised like a boy. That prophecy could have been about any other girl but it had to be about me. I’m both excited and full of dread. I have no idea of what this entails. I guess I will just have to wait and see.
Ian, who was riding in front, came to a halt.
“What’s the matter, Ian?” I asked.
“Nothing, I just wanted to watch the falls for a minute or two,” he said.
“What falls?” I asked, truly curious.
“The falls I took you by on purpose.”
“Why?” I asked, completely confused.
“I brought you here because I know you have had it rough growing up, with your mom and dad both dieing and now finding out that there was a prophecy that was told about you. I just thought you would want to see the beauty that I see every time I look into those deep blue eyes of yours.”
Wow, that caught me off guard. Definitely what I wasn’t expecting. Sure I’ve had it rough but I don’t need that kind of sympathy. A relationship definitely isn’t on the priority list right now, especially because of this stupid prophecy being true.
“Ian, I can’t do this right now. I really appreciate the beauty of the sunset and the falls but I really don’t need or want a relationship right now. I’ve got a lot on my plate and I don’t want to get close in case anything bad happens to one or the other. Can’t we just settle for being best friends?”
“Of course we can, you dork! I didn’t mean anything like that! I just meant that I think you’re pretty. Not anything bad or gross or relationship-y. I’m allowed to think my ‘sister’ is pretty.”
“Ian, that is such a relief to hear you say that! I thought you wanted to get married or something! I was gonna say, ’no way José! I’m way to young for that!’”
“Why would I do anything to mess up our friendship?”
“That’s exactly what I was wondering.”
Thank goodness! He just thinks I’m pretty. Whew, I thought that was about to get ugly. Thank the gods that it didn’t. I’m glad Aphrodite didn’t step in on that one.
“Well, I think I’m gonna turn in for the night, I’m bushed.” I said.
“Okay, sleep well.”
* * *
I woke up an watched the sun rise over the falls this morning with Ian, Mafisto, and Tornado. I wonder what will happen today. I’m also wondering if we’ll meet an new mythical creatures today. We probably will since I killed the last one so easily. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
We were at a village tavern, eating lunch since all we had been eating was animals I had caught and killed. There was a strange hooded figure that was sitting in the corner watching me. I kept telling Ian but every time he looked over there, the person looked down a split second before Ian’s eyes reached him. It was kinda creepy.
I talked Ian into leaving so I could get away from that weird boy or man, I wasn’t able to get a good look at his face. We were riding away when I got a feeling that I knew him from somewhere. I couldn’t place where I knew him from, I just knew that I knew him.
“Ian, did you ever hear the real story about what happened to Papa?” I asked.
“All I know is that two men dragged him off and he hasn’t been seen since. Why, do you think you saw him somewhere?”
“Yeah, that guy in the corner looked a lot like him but everyone thinks he died. Do you think he could still be alive?”
“Ath, don’t get your hopes up. It will crush you if it really wasn’t him. I highly doubt it was anyway.”
“Your right, I’m probably losing my mind.”
“That’s not what I meant. Maybe you just want to believe that it was your father so you can have him back.” I know I should believe Ian but, I could’ve been imagining it, he looked kind of uncomfortable.
“Are you hiding something from me, Ian?”
“No” There was that uncomfortable look again and he wouldn’t look me in the eye.
I know inside that something is up but I don’t feel like confronting it now. I wont deal with it until I absolutely have to. Until then, I’m gonna forget about it.
* * *
Today, I have a really bad feeling that something bad is going to happen. I wonder if that prophecy ever said anything about having magical powers because last night, I was going to light a fire. I just thought really hard about and the fire appeared almost as though I didn’t see it before. Ian didn’t even look surprised. I think he is definitely hiding something from me but what could it be? I’m going to try to force it out of him.
“Ian, what are you hiding?” I asked, trying not to be rude.
“Nothing,” he mumbled and he wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Are the voices in your head telling you not to tell me?” Whoa, where did that come from? I just said it. Maybe I can read his mind.
“How do you know about the voices?” He asked hoarsely.
“I’m not sure.” I said shakily, “I just know that I heard a glimpse of your mind. Why didn’t you look surprised when I started the fire last night when I didn’t even mean to?”
“My grandfather was your grandfather’s, I didn’t know how to put it, sidekick? I don’t know but you know what I mean. Anyway, it skips two generations so you got the magic and the prophecy written about you and I get to be your helper.
“I know about everything that is happening to you, the weird dreams, silly precognitions, everything. I wasn’t supposed to say anything. My grandfather told me everything that happened the Hercules and said that it will probably happen to you, too. We can read each other’s thoughts but I can’t believe that you were able to see into my mind so early. Maybe it is because we have known each other for so long.
“I know all this is weird but it’s happening and I must teach you to track the creatures that are hunting you.”
“Hold on, creatures that are hunting me? I thought I was the one doing the hunting.” I said confused.
“The hunter becomes the hunted.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, still confused.
“It means that they have been hunting you since you were born. That is why your father trained you in horse back riding, sword fighting, running, and archery. He did it so you would be ready when the time came, which is now.”
“Ian, I’m no where near ready. I can’t do this! I’m just a girl!”
“Yes but you’re a girl that got chosen to protect your people from the creatures people take as myths when people all over the world are dying because there is no one there to protect them from these monsters.”
“What about my dad?”
“Huh?”
“I know that you know where papa is and I want to see him now.”
“You can’t see him just yet. You aren’t supposed to even know about this yet. But you obviously developed faster than Hercules did.”
“When will I get to see papa?”
“I can’t answer that just yet, now let’s ride towards our destination.”
I’m freaked out. My dad has been missing for three years, I am being hunted by the most dangerous creatures ever imagined, and I am going to a destination that I don’t even know about. What a way to start the day.
* * *
“Ian, please tell me where we’re going. You know how much I hate surprises.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” I asked with a frown.
“Because it will ruin the surprise!”
“Ugh! I hate it when you do this. Shut up and tell me where we’re going.”
“Nope.”
“Fine, I’ll turn around and ride back home,” I answered. But it’s just a bluff we have been riding for almost three months. I’m not about to turn around when I’m so close to seeing papa.
Ian didn’t answer me. Wonderful, not only am I completely weirded out but I also have no clue as to where we’re going. What an adventure this is. We also haven’t met anymore creatures. I think it’s weird but when I voice this, Ian just looks at me uncomfortably.
“Ian, do you want me to turn around and go home?” I asked in a hurt voice.
“Of course not, I love you, in a sisterly way of course.”
“Are you taking me to see papa?”
“I can’t tell you.”
The way he said that reminded me of a child holding on to a secret that they’ll tell you in five minutes.
“Why can’t you tell me?” I’m getting aggravated now.
“Because. Have you ever had a secret that if you tell anyone, it won’t effect only you?”
“No, but I understand what you mean. If you tell me what all is going on, you will get in trouble. That’s completely understandable.” It’s not fair!!! I wanna know everything that’s going on! Why can’t Ian tell me.
“I told you Ath, I don’t wanna get in trouble.” said a voice in my head.
Oh right, Ian hears my thoughts now, I completely forgot.
“Sorry Ian, this is just really frustrating that I’m not allowed to know anything,” I said out loud.
“It’s fine. I would be mad too if it were me.”
“I’m still trying to get used to this whole thing. Stop thinking that!!!”
“What am I thinking?” he asked playfully.
“You’re thinking about how I’m overreacting. I am not overreacting! I remember when we were little, you avoided me for like three days because I said I liked your tunic. Remember?”
“Okay, so you got me there but still. You’re taking things way too seriously.” He said, trying to hide a smile.
“Okay, if we’re coming out and speaking our minds, where is my father?”
“I really do wish you would stop bringing that up. You’re. Not. Allowed. To. Know.” he said with unusual emphasis.
“Oh, but I thought we were getting everything off our chests.”
“I never said that Athena. You automatically assumed that. I want to tell you so much that it is almost overpowering my willpower. You have no idea of the restraint that I am putting into keeping you alive.”
“You keeping me alive?! Hah, I beg to differ. Who killed Medusa? You most certainly didn’t. You ran away.” I’m starting to get angry now.
“I went and made sure your stupid horse, Tornado, didn’t run half way to Germany! I was told to not watch when you do what you destined to do.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked in confusion, “I’m confused. ‘what I’m destined to do’ what does that mean? I’m destined to kill Medusa?”
“Not exactly. Do you realize you used very powerful magic when you killed Medusa? Every great hero in the ‘myths’ have had this magic. If I would have gone up to Medusa and put that torch on her tail, she would’ve turned around and ate me. Perseus, Hercules, Achilles, Theseus, even Atlanta, all of them had these powers. The weird thing is you have already learned to control them. It took Hercules at least a month. Grandpa told me that he kept killing all the bunnies and deer when he walked or rode by,” Ian said with a giggle, “I’m glad we didn’t have to go through that!”
“Me, too,” I agreed, “Let’s stop and let the horses have a break.”
“Okay, let’s stop by the next stream-”
“No, we need to stop NOW!” I emphasized.
“Why now?” He asked, then he caught sight of the look I was giving him,” Oh, I’ll make sure Tornado doesn’t go anywhere.”
“Thanks, I’ll be back in a minute, hopefully,” I said nervously as I hopped off Tornado and reached to get my sword off my belt.
“Wait!” Ian called after me, “In case you don’t come back,” he said quickly, catching me in a kiss. Time seemed to stop. I never realized I wanted nothing more than to kiss Ian. Then, he let me go and whispered, “Go save the World.”
* * *
I grabbed my sword and bow and ran towards where I sensed the beast. I had no idea what awaited me. I rounded a corner and what sat there scared me enough to make me scream. The Chimera monster was sitting, waiting for me. I racked my brain, trying to remember how it was killed. Suddenly it came to me. The last time, a spear got shoved down it’s throat. Crap, I only have a sword, oh well, it’ll have to work.
I dodged a column of fire and made a lunge. I stabbed it in it’s nose. I knew I should have practiced less with my bow and more with my sword but it‘s a little too late to worry about that now. The Chimera howled in pain and shot more fire at me. I quickly rolled out of the way and lunged again. My sword bounced off it’s iron shoulder. More fire came my way. This time I took my mark, rolled and lunged with all my might. My aim was true. My sword went straight down the animal’s throat. With one last howl, it disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Ian came running around the corner, gasping. Then he flinched but tried to smile. Suddenly, I felt a burning sensation in my side. I looked down and saw that my right side of my waist had been badly burned. I felt faint. Ian came and helped me sit down.
“Ath, I am so, so sorry,” he apologized.
“Why are you apologizing?” I asked, “You didn’t send the Chimera after me. There wasn’t anything you could have done anyway.”
“I know but I still feel responsible.”
“Ian, you didn’t decide this fate for me. If anything, you have given me comfort and safety. I can’t ask for more than that,” I said, trying not to pass out from the pain.
“We had better get you back to the horses so I can doctor you back up,” he said, attempting some humor, “I love you,” he added, giving me a kiss as light as a butterfly‘s wings. Then I passed out.
* * *
I woke up in a tent and I could hear the music of a little stream bubbling. I tried to sit up but a hand pushed me back down.
“Easy, you got burned pretty badly,” came Ian’s voice. I sat up anyway. “You are so stubborn,” he added.
“Isn’t that what makes me so irresistible,” I joked.
“Well, that’s part of what makes you so irresistible,” Ian responded.
“What’s the other part?”
“A mixture of things. You’re really pretty, you’re so strong but yet so gentle, your love for adventure, and your love for animals.”
“Of course you forgot to mention the fact that I am a better archer and swordsman than you,” I added with a smile.
“Are you so sure? I mean, how do you know I wasn’t taking it easy on you,” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah right, I could so kick your butt in an archery contest, just like I did last time.”
“We could have a contest right now. Since I think you deserve a break,” he said, looking a little worried.
“Okay, what’s the prize?”
“Well, if I win, I get you. If you win, you can have whatever you want,” Ian stipulated.
“Ooo, that’s a pretty resistible offer. How ‘bout this, if you win you can have one night with me, doing whatever you choose. If I win, I get the same.”
“I like that idea even more but why is it only one night? I love you and you love me so either way, we’re both gonna win so it basically comes down to bragging rights,” he decided.
“Well then, I guess we had better get started,” I challenged.
* * *
We set a distance and we made a target out of a tree. I went first. I took aim, shot and made a bull’s eye.
“Oh yeah! What’cha think of me now?!?!?!” I celebrated.
“Watch this.” Ian said. He took aim and shot two arrows at the same time. One split my arrow down the middle and the other did the same to the fresh arrow. My jaw hit the ground.
“Where did you learn to do that?” I asked, still stunned.
“Let’s just say, I had to water down my skills so I wouldn’t draw attention to myself.” he said with a shrug, “Now, what was our bet, again? Oh yeah, I get you tonight and I get bragging rights.”
“But I wanted bragging rights,” I complained.
“You want bragging rights, you have to earn ‘um, babe.”
“Fine,” I qualified, stepping closer. “Keep in mind that you never told me how I had to earn them,” I flirted, stretching up on my tippy toes and kissing Ian but making it last so he was breathless.
“I-I-I guess you can have bragging rights but you have to make another bull’s eye and keep kissing me,” he said.
“Do I have to? I’ve already kissed you enough today.”
“I guess you don’t want bragging rights that bad.”
“You’re mean and obsessed with me.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“Fine, I’ll make another bull’s eye but if I do, I get you tonight instead of the other way around,” I said, raising my right eyebrow.
Ian sighed, “I guess since you never make two in a row.”
“Well, maybe I’ve been practicing.” I took aim and shot. “Hah! That’s two in a row and that means I get control over what we do. Oh and I get bragging rights.”
“I learned at an early age to never argue with a woman because you’ll lose every time even if you really are right,” Ian mumbled under his breath.
“I heard that,” I called as I walked away.
* * *
The sun had finally set behind the mountains and it was time to decide what we were going to do that night. I though we’d go swimming in the lake that was a ten minute ride on horse back. Then, we’d come back and sleep in our separate tents. I was glad I had won earlier because I knew what Ian had been planning but I wasn’t ready for that yet. I heard footsteps approaching my tent so I sat up a little straighter and waited for Ian to approach.
The flap of the tent rose but it was not Ian that stepped through but a man I didn’t recognize.
“Who are you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
“My name is Polymaean. I am here to get you and Ian to your next check point,” he replied.
“If I yell for Ian and find out you lying, you’re making a big mistake.”
“I promise I’m telling the truth.”
“IAN!!!!!!! I need your help!!” I yelled. I heard him pulling his sword as he came running.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt her!” He shouted as he busted into my tent and saw me sitting down, in perfect health, “Oh, I mean, what’s wrong, baby?”
“This ‘kind gentleman’ was just telling me that he needs to take us to the next checkpoint. What checkpoint and why is he here. Oh, and why am I not allowed to know anything?!?”
“You remember how I said we were going somewhere and how you needed to trust me? Well, Polymaean is here to take us across the river because it’s too big to swim and we don’t have a boat. He’s on our side so chill out.”
“How do you know he’s here to help? He could be a spy!!!”
“Ath, I’ve known Polymaean since I was born. He was there when I was born. You seriously need to quit freaking out, babe.”
“ We need to leave now if we’re going to because me and my crew have somewhere else we need to be,” Polymaean said.
“We’ll pack up and meet you by the ship, and thank you.” Ian said as Polymaean walked out of the tent.
“I’m sorry Ian. I just am so scared that one of us going to get killed.”
“I understand. Just relax. We knew what we were getting ourselves into when we left. We need to get packed up, okay?”
“Okay, “I said as he leaned over and gave me a gentle kiss. Then, Ian got up and walked out of my tent.