Rumors about Atalanta and Iskios spread rapidly across Greece.
As his mother, Selene, drove Atalanta into madness and transformed her into a beast, Iskios resolved to restore her humanity and set out with her for Selene's temple.
Now the tale had reached both mortals and immortals alike, and even the gods of Olympus heard it.
***
At the temple of Olympus, where the gods feasted, the story was mentioned alongside talk of how, after completing his Twelve Labors, Heracles took vengeance on the kings who had denied him his reward.
Greek Divine Spirits generally paid little heed to humanity. They did not obsess over mortals unless something extraordinary drew their attention. Yet certain individuals—like Heracles, held in high expectation by Zeus, and Selene's son Iskios, who had defied Apollo with an unexpected solution while safeguarding his own body—became objects of divine interest.
"I heard Heracles has crossed over to Troy?"
"That's what they say. And what about Iskios?"
"They say he's taking that human-turned-lioness, Atalanta, with him."
"Is Selene not involved?"
"Rumor has it she's holed up in her temple…"
Contrary to the whispers, three of the Twelve Olympians took particular interest in Iskios's journey: Hera, Apollo, and Athena.
Among them, none fretted more than Apollo.
"Are you alright, brother?"
"Ah… Artemis."
Artemis, his sister and goddess of the new moon and the hunt, approached Apollo, who trembled with anxiety. She greeted him with a smile that carried a hidden barb.
Artemis was irritated by Apollo's obsession with a mere mortal. His fixation went beyond his old infatuation with Daphne, and watching him now, she seethed inwardly.
Long ago, Apollo had used her to lure Orion, the man he loved, to his death with Apollo's own arrows. Artemis still bore resentment for that betrayal, and now Apollo's smitten devotion to Iskios was unbearable. She had lost Orion because of her brother—why could he so casually pursue new love?
"Why are you so on edge?"
"I'm simply concerned for Iskios…"
"Hmm… I see."
In a cold, distant tone, Artemis replied before turning away. As she departed, Hestia quietly approached the despondent Apollo.
"Are you alright, Apollo?"
"Ah… Hestia."
Though his greeting was weak, Apollo acknowledged Hestia—once one of the Twelve Olympians, who had relinquished her seat to Dionysus.
No deity dared treat Hestia lightly. Not even Zeus, notorious for seducing beauties, nor Poseidon, fond of ample bosoms, would lay a hand on her.
"Is something troubling you? If you're willing, you can tell me…"
"Ugh… I… I was rejected…!"
Earlier that morning, Apollo himself had offered to escort Iskios swiftly to Selene's temple—minus Atalanta—but Iskios had refused.
He insisted it meant nothing unless he journeyed there on his own feet.
Being turned down wounded Apollo deeply. He had been gloomier today than usual, drawing Hestia's concern.
"He… he refused me…!"
"But… isn't that Iskios's principle? I heard from Hera that he never depends on the gods…"
Hestia kept informed through her fellow deities and had heard Hera speak eagerly of Iskios—a mortal worthy of divine notice.
She had also observed how Iskios handled the golden apple at Peleus and Thetis's wedding. Half-divine though he might be, he was undeniably a man of interest.
"I think we should let him face this trial on his own. We should quietly watch over him."
"Watch… watch him?"
"Yes. He has vowed to do this alone—it is his own trial."
Hestia comforted the weeping Apollo with a gentle smile, urging him to trust in Iskios. Though she had met him only once at Thetis's wedding, she saw through to his true nature.
He lived unnoticed, desired peace and well-being, yet could not stand by when the weak suffered. That impulse—to step in—might be his true face, though his reluctance to be conspicuous seemed shaped by his surroundings.
He was a hero who fought for the powerless. He may undervalue himself, but he was a hero nevertheless.
"But… something tells me that soon, something will happen…"
Glancing at Artemis as she stepped outside the temple of Olympus, Hestia saw in her sister's eyes a gaze far from ordinary—one poised for action.
Hestia watched Artemis depart, silent yet ready to erupt, and prayed that Iskios's future would hold no further misfortune.
-The arduous journey is treacherous precisely because of its trials.-
***
Several days had passed since Atalanta and I left Iolcos and set out for my mother's temple.
After departing Iolcos, we traveled north, only to be blocked by Mohican-haired and bald bandits—some mere human thieves, others centaurs. I encountered the human robbers first, but they fell to Atalanta's paws, so I didn't need to intervene.
Thanks to the necklace Medea made, Atalanta's ferocity was subdued, but I couldn't let my guard down. As night fell, we entered the nearest forest, where I prepared dinner and made ready to spend the night outdoors.
"Huh? What's that… did you bring food?"
While tending the fire, I saw Atalanta return. Though still a black lion due to the curse, she carried a rabbit in her jaws.
Blood and small scraps of flesh clung to her muzzle. She must have eaten first before fetching food for me.
"You ate already… Still, thank you, Atalanta."
In both my past life and this one, I had only seen living lions at the zoo. I'd heard they were felines, but I'd never been this close. Though I'd never owned a pet, I'd heard cats preferred to be petted under the chin rather than on the head. I stroked Atalanta's chin in gratitude, and a low growl rumbled from her throat.
She seemed pleased, closing her eyes as she accepted my touch. Watching her now, as a wild beast with the demeanor of a housecat, I was reminded of a friend's cat—aloof yet capable of surprising affection.
"…More centaurs…?"
As I caressed Atalanta, I felt dozens of predatory gazes upon us. I leapt to my feet. One… two… three… twenty pairs of eyes locked onto us.
I'd grown accustomed to facing centaurs after earlier skirmishes, yet I hated being exposed like this. Irritated, I told Atalanta to stay put and sprinted toward the source of the stares.
As soon as I burst into the clearing, the centaurs hiding in the woods emerged one by one. They carried only spears gripped in both hands, with nothing else to their name. And as before, all sported Mohican or shaved heads. Do all centaurs have that hairstyle?
"─!?"
Thunk.
I threw a rock at the centaur who charged me with his spear, striking dead center on his head. The stone pierced his skull, and the centaur collapsed, brain matter splattering.
The instant one fell, the rest halted and formed a circle to contain me. I had to admit their coordination impressed me.
The centaurs I'd known before were nothing more than unruly brutes with Mohican hair, but these had real team tactics. They attacked in concert, covering each other's weaknesses.
─But they picked the wrong opponent.
"What now? You're hoping to commit suicide? I won't warn you again—get lost."
"Hehehehe! You think you're safe sitting there so calm?"
"What did you say…?"
Just then, a beast's scream echoed from the forest. As the clownish centaur chuckled and boasted, the scream made me realize their true intent.
These brutes were mere bait, a diversionary force. Their main objective lay beyond─
"No way…!? Ah, damn it!"
"It's too late!!! That beast is going to die soon! Hihihihi─eek!?"
Using the mocking centaur's face as a stepping stone, I sprinted toward Atalanta's cries at full speed.
This was undoubtedly my fault. Apart from Teacher Chiron, I was a fool to underestimate the centaurs. These creatures, driven by desire, were perfectly capable of such tactics—and willing to risk their lives…
But now was not the time for self-reproach. I had to move—fast. When I returned to the fire, I found Atalanta bound with ropes. The centaurs, grinning as I approached, raised their spears to stab her.
─I'm too late. No matter how quickly I move, grabbing the spear now would mean its blade has already pierced Atalanta's throat and chest. My slow pace was my own doing, shackled by their stares.
"Grrr…!?"
"Atalanta─!!!"
I had no choice. Yet if I only struck at the shadows, it would still be too late. I needed a way to draw the brutes' attention away, to make them let their guard down.
To do that… I forced myself to make a resolve I hated. My hands reached for my cloak and mask, and I clenched them tight.
─Though I despised this act, I revealed my face of my own accord—to free my body from its constraints and to seize the beasts' gaze…
"─Look this way, you beasts!!!"
─I bellowed at the top of my lungs, hoping to lure them away.