Chapter 28

“You mean…THE Olympics. Like the Winter/Summer Olympics.” Hunter said in disbelief.
                “No, I’m talking about the other Olympics.” Aphrodite said. “The ancient Olympics. Every few years, the Olympian gods send our kids to play some games. Whoever wins the most events gets a gift from their parent.” She said before sliding closer to Hunter. “See, my problem, every year, is that my kids don’t do anything. If it was a competition about fashion, makeup, and hair, then my children would win every year!” She said as she bit her bottom lip and sighed. “It’s not though. And that’s where you come in. You, my handsome man, are one hot commodity.” Hunter blushed and cautiously took a step away.
                “What about uh…What about Artemis? Won’t she be upset?” Hunter said desperately. Aphrodite shook her head.
                “She doesn’t give one lick about the games. She’s too busy being a stick in the mud.” Aphrodite chuckled. “You’re stuck with me, Hunter. Those are my terms. Do you accept them?” She said, raising an eyebrow. Hunter looked at Kyle and Marina and sighed. If this quest was going to succeed, he needed to do it.
                “Yeah, I’ll do it.” Hunter said with a sigh. Aphrodite giggled and stood up.
                “Wonderful! I’m glad you agreed, because I was running out of time.” She said with a grin. Hunter nodded before the words sunk in.
                “Wait. What?” He said quickly before looking up at Aphrodite who smiled and gave him a wink. Suddenly, he was in a giant stadium. He looked around to see other kids around his age, who were stretching or practicing against a dummy. “What in the world…” He glanced around to see stands full of satyrs, naiads, and other beings. At one end, there were 12 thrones. In the middle of them were two which were larger and more imposing. “Zeus, Hera.” Hunter said as he looked at the godly king and queen surveying the stadium. He recognized Apollo, Hephaestus, Athena, Demeter, Ares, and Aphrodite who was giving him a smile from all the way across the arena.
                “Hey, kiddies! Over here!” Hunter looked and saw Hermes standing at a podium on ground level. “There will be 8 events in these games. The child who wins the most gets a gift from their godly parent. Everyone get it? Good. Let the games begin!” Hermes shouted and there was an eruption of applause from the audience. Hunter looked as someone he recognized from camp walked by. He shrugged and followed closely behind. He found himself lined up with the other ‘champions’ on a track. He stood in his lane and prepared as the others did. There was a bang and Hunter took off. He had no idea when he needed to stop and he had no idea if he was even doing it right, but he was near the front of the group. A smile spread across his face as he took the lead. He could see the ending tape and tried to push himself to reach it, but out of the corner of his eye he saw a familiar kid sprinting ahead of him. He crossed the line and slowed to a stop before turning around and grinning.
                “Come on, guys. I even started late.” Hunter recognized him from camp as Jack, a child of Hermes. There were several groans from the other competitors and a few shut up’s. Jack chuckled to himself and turned toward what Hunter assumed was the next event. Hunter caught his breath and followed him. He came across several Pegasi tied to a post, including Ulysses.
                “Ulysses!” Hunter ran over and patted him on the muzzle. “What are you doing here?” He said quietly.
                “It’s the next event.” Hunter turned to see Jack looking at him and leading a pegasus of his own away from the post. “Pegasus race.” Hunter raised an eyebrow and looked at Ulysses.
                “You up for a race, buddy?” He patted the winged horse on the neck and it let out a snort and stamped his feet. “Good. I am too.” Hunter grinned before mounting up. He waited on the ground for the rest of the competitors to catch up and prepare themselves. They all flew up into the air and floated. Hunter could see a flag at their position, one far off in the distance, and another far behind him. They were all gently flapping in the wind and floating in air. Hunter guessed that one had to fly out to a flag, then fly back to the middle flag, then fly out to the other flag and fly back. “This is gonna be simple.” Hunter said with a chuckle. Shing! Hunter looked over to see a brutish looking kid, who must have belonged to Ares, taking a few practice swings with a long sword. “Uh oh.” Was all Hunter could manage before hearing the bang, signaling the start of the race. He kicked Ulysses into action and hoped that he wouldn’t die today.