Calydon. When Jason and I landed on the coast near Calydon, we immediately rendezvoused with Nestor just inland.
As we entered Calydon and joined with Nestor, Jason, Nestor, and I received a grand welcome. After all, three more heroes from the [Argo] expedition had arrived after Peleus.
Everyone thought that made four participants in the [Argo] expedition, but thanks to one final arrival, the count rose to five: Atalanta, the one face everyone on the [Argo] expedition recognized.
"Long time no see, Atalanta."
"And you, still the same, Iskios."
Atalanta, the sole woman of the [Argo] expedition and famed Arcadian huntress, was here. I gave her a casual greeting, but the surrounding glances were mostly unfriendly.
Most of the generals and warriors gathered for the boar hunt in Calydon stared at Atalanta with thinly veiled contempt; others, as always, leered and panted. Late-stage Greece in full swing as soon as we left [Iolcos].
Peleus, still tongue-tied around Atalanta, hesitated over his words. Poor fellow. But I guarantee Peleus is never going to end up with Atalanta—and neither will I. Trying to start a family in this end-times Greece is madness.
As Jason, Nestor, and I joined the muster, the center of this force appeared: the prince of Calydon, a man bearing a long spear.
"Heroes who have come to Calydon, welcome. I am Meleagros."
Meleagros, the prince who had taken full charge of the boar hunt. I'd heard rumors: his father's side was the war god Ares… Greece truly lives on NTR. A miserable age.
What's more pitiable is that Meleagros is doomed to die when his final brand of wood burns out—an outright death flag. And he wields a spear… Why do spear-users always seem cursed?
"You must be Meleagros. When does the boar hunt begin?"
"Ah…"
Meleagros stared at Atalanta with the same vacant look as Peleus. I realized immediately: he was smitten.
It's been nearly twenty years since I was born in this end-times Greece, but more than twenty years have passed since my rebirth, and my memory is hazy. I'm certain… ah, forget it.
I remember the tale: Meleagros… Atalanta… the boar hunt… Why won't it come back to me!!? Please, brain!!! Give me something—just a scrap!!!
"What's wrong, Iskios?"
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing."
I answered firmly when Jason shook me. Seeing no cause for alarm, Jason strode straight to Meleagros.
Jason demanded the price for our participation: no honors, just food for the people of [Iolcos]. True to his silver tongue, he persuaded Meleagros, who granted Jason an audience with the king today.
I should ask Jason for leave as soon as this hunt ends. For some reason, I suddenly want time alone.
-I expected a simple boar hunt, but it was nothing like I imagined.-
***
Now the Calydon boar hunt was being watched in secret by the gods who had set it in motion, Artemis among them.
Of those, the two most anxiously gazing down on Calydon were Apollo and Selene. Selene toyed with her dark hair with trembling fingers, while Apollo bit his nails as he watched masked Iskios.
Selene was terrified at the thought that her only son, her beloved child, might be wounded—or, worst case, killed.
Apollo, too, fretted over Iskios's safety. After all, Iskios would face the Divine Spirit Artemis had unleashed.
"Iskios…"
"My Iskios!"
Selene longed to intervene and help, but Artemis was the higher-ranked Moon Goddess. She dared not act—unless Iskios himself begged.
Apollo was in the same bind. Though one of the Twelve Olympians, Artemis was his cherished younger sister. He, too, wouldn't interfere unless Iskios pleaded.
–They both thought: I don't want Iskios to die, and I don't want him hurt.
"Ah, Lord Apollo…"
The timid Selene caught Apollo's gaze from the clouds and tried to hide, but Apollo cleared his throat and approached her.
"Ahem… Selene. I need your counsel."
"Uh…? To me…?"
"Yes! I am worried about Iskios!!!"
This time, Iskios would face a Divine Spirit unleashed by Artemis. Even though he carried the blade Hephaestus forged for him, Apollo was uneasy.
Though their motivations differed—Apollo's love, Selene's maternal instinct—they agreed now. The timid Selene and the proactive Apollo nodded together.
They descended to the forest where Iskios sat alone, eating before the hunt began. The moment they neared, Iskios snapped on his mask and tensed. "Who's there!?" he barked.
At once, Apollo and Selene revealed themselves.
"M-Mother… and… Lord Apollo…"
"Iskios, we must speak with you."
"I-I have something to say… too… Iskios…"
Though masked, Iskios tilted his head at the unexpected pair before him.
One was his gentle mother, a goddess with a terrifying resolve—Selene. The other was Apollo, relentless in both good and awkward zeal.
"W-What is this about?"
"Is this boar hunt really going to happen?"
"Yes. Now that we're here, we must do what we came to do."
Iskios answered firmly. Selene's heart sank further.
Selene knew her son's stubbornness. Once he decided, he never wavered. He had never prayed to the gods for his own safety or success.
Even legendary heroes offered prayers and sacrifices for victory, but Iskios never sought divine aid for himself—only for others.
The gods rely on human faith and prayers to grant power. Those prayers bridge mortals and deities, but Iskios had no bridge.
"Please, Iskios… if you're in danger, at least… call my name—"
"—It's all right, Mother."
He could have prayed to Selene or Apollo and been safeguarded, but he refused. At that unwavering answer, Selene felt faint.
Even when her son joined the [Argo] expedition, dangers loomed; now he would confront a Divine Spirit itself.
When Selene failed, Apollo joined her in pleading. Yet even he could not budge Iskios.
"Why, Iskios? If you prayed to me or Selene, we would help… why—"
"—Lord Apollo, I will resist and overcome any threat by my own strength. No matter how hard it gets, this is the path I choose."
As before with Selene, he spoke with unwavering resolve.
Behind his mask, Apollo could only stand still. In those steadfast eyes, Apollo saw a brilliance that would not waver—and he could say no more.
Yet memories flooded back: the days he chased after Iskios; his touch always falling short as Iskios clung to his own will. Sealing away his beauty, protecting the weak, preserving his resolve to the end.
Apollo had first fallen for Iskios's appearance, but now, seeing his spirit, he found him even more magnificent. Thus Apollo and Selene could do nothing but watch over Iskios.
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