Page 38 of Crown of Olympus
In the meantime, Ididneed a wash. And sleep. Lots of sleep.
My problems weren’t going anywhere overnight.
CHAPTER 11
Nyssa
“Welcome to your third trial,”Artemis announced from the back of the Parthenon’s long hall. “Your task today is to navigate my forest, find, and bond with an animal companion.”
I sighed deeply. My chances of success were waning by the second. Animals notoriously avoided me — with the exception of Cerberus — much to Charon’s eternal amusement. Something about their survival instincts made them steer clear of death gods, like we were cursed. Sometimes, I wondered if we were.
“You will have exactly twelve hours from the moment you set foot in my domain until the trial ends. A bell shall sound at the halfway point, and another when there is but one hour remaining.”
Hermes’ son — Typhoon? Typhoid, maybe? — snorted his derision.
“So, all we have to do is capture an animal and return with them? What are we to do with the remaining eleven hours?” he scoffed, Poseidon’s son snickering alongside him.
Hermes, at least, had the self-awareness to scowl at hisoffspring’s audacity. Questioning the goddess of the hunt was not something one did lightly, and for good reason.
In a blink, Artemis had knocked her bow and loosed an arrow. It sank deep into the marble pillar Typhus leaned against, less than an inch from his left ear. He flinched with his whole body — shock then outrage contorting his haughty features. Wisely, though, the fool refrained from further comment.
“I did not say you mustcapturethe animal, Tychon,” Artemis snapped. “My forest is home to many dangerous creatures, all of whom are vastly more intelligent than yourself — even the worms.” She straightened and released a breath, her face once again composed.
“In my forest, do not let sight be your only guide. It will endeavour to lead you astray, and the beasts even more so. They do not tie their lives to ours on a whim. You must demonstrate your character and your worth to your chosen animal. Onlyifthey deem you worthy, will they gift you with an unbreakable bond.
Any champion who fails to return with a companion by the final tolling of the bell will be eliminated, and therefore out of crown contention.”
Gasps sounded around the room — not just from champions, but from many of the Primals, too. It seemed Artemis had held her cards close to her chest for this trial.
The severity of the situation finally sank in. I had three options: mutilation by wild animal, return empty-handed and lose my shot at the throne, or actually succeed and tether some poor soul to mine for eternity.
Artemis stepped up to the Parthenon gateway and placed her hand against the cold marble pillar. The air shimmered within the arch, and a thick, dark forest appeared on the other side.
“Who dares to go first?” she challenged.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. There was no telling what awaited us on the other side — or who. Several nervous gazes shifted around the room, each silently begging someone else to be the first metaphorical lamb led to the literal slaughter.
I knew what lurked within those trees. I could only pray that one of them would be equally as monstrous as I, and willing to take their chances with death.
Rolling my eyes, I prowled to the gate and inhaled a deep breath.
I did not pause. No fear nor doubt would control me today.
Ignoring them all, especially the goddess of the hunt, I walked through.
The first thingI noticed was how loud silence could be in a place that was not ordinarily silent. The absence of sound was so profound I wondered if I’d somehow lost my hearing in the space between places.
The second thing I noticed was the smell. Crisp, clean air poured into my lungs. It felt like the easiest breath I’d ever taken. I could see why Artemis loved it here, surrounded by thousands of trees, sunlight streaming through their canopies.
As I took in the enormity of the forest, smaller noises began to filter in: the beating of leathery wings; the scurry of tiny creatures; the chirp of a far-off bird. The soft whisper of a stream trickled in from my left. Endless oaks, beeches, and poplars surrounded me in every direction.
The other champions must have started elsewhere — none had followed me through. I was alone again, where I was most comfortable.
I paused to ascertain my bearings, but quickly realised it was useless. Every time I thought I’d pinned down north, the trees seemed to shift, or perhaps I pivoted, and the sun ended up above a different tree entirely. Artemis’ warning had been sound: the forest was actively leading me astray.
I had no idea where I was in this infinite woodland, but decided the best course was to go precisely wherever my feet led me. Maybe that had been her intent all along.
Surely, I’d encounter an animal sooner or later.
