“This is a new game, now.” Hunter muttered before summoning his massive bow and swinging around on Ulysses’ back. Placing a finger on the bottom of his quiver, he whispered, “Boxing glove.” He notched an arrow and waited for the right moment and fired. The boxing glove zoomed into the chest of the daughter of Athena knocking her off her pegasi and into the group close behind her. Hunter felt a little bad, but he’d taken harder hits. He turned back around and zoomed off toward the far flag. He zoomed around and ducked a spear and two arrows before slowing to a stop at the middle flag. A horn sounded and Hunter looked over to see a scoreboard. Hermes: 1. Aphrodite: 1. He casually flew back down to the ground and slid off Ulysses. “That’s a good boy.” He patted his steed on the nose and tied him back to the post, all the while hearing grumbles from the opponents. He looked back at the scoreboard. Next event: Archery. Hunter grinned and drew his bow again. “This is a gimme.”
“That’s quite the bow.” Hunter turned to see the Ares kid. Hunter shrugged.
“With the work it took to get it, it had better be.” Hunter said with a chuckle. The Ares kid nodded.
“Good luck.” He sneered, taking a last glance at the bow before skulking off. Hunter raised an eyebrow and took his place at the Archery range.
“On my count!” Hunter drew an arrow and notched it. He took aim and waited for the signal from the satyr judge. “3….2…..1….FIRE!” Hunter released and the arrow shot out like a laser. The target exploded in a puff of hay and wood splinters. “Aphrodite. You are disqualified from archery. Please step aside and wait for the next event.” Hunter looked at the judge in disbelief. This was HIS event. He cursed under his breath and dismissed his bow before leaving his spot and sitting on a folding chair off to the side. He sighed and buried his face in his hands. Not only was this boring, but he could tell that he was a better archer than all of them.
“His stance is too stiff. Her bow is too big. He…Well, he just has no idea what he’s doing.” Hunter critiqued. After a few rounds, the son of Apollo was the obvious victor. Hunter stood up with a sigh and followed the group to the next event: Javelin. Hunter was 4th in line and had 3 throws. His longest would be counted. The daughter of Demeter threw. “Not bad.” The son of Hermes threw. “Not great.” The son of Apollo threw. “Hmm…He could be a challenge.” It was Hunter’s turn. After three throws, he was sitting pretty with the longest throw. That’s when he saw who was next.
“Watch this.” The Ares kid said before spitting in his hand and grabbing his javelin. His first throw was right about the same distance as Hunter’s. Hunter raised an eyebrow and smiled. The Ares kid grabbed another javelin and threw it. Hunter’s smile dropped when he saw the javelin zoom over Hunter’s farthest throw. Hunter wasn’t doing well in these games. He needed to win this or this quest was done. As soon as the rest of the competitors had finished throwing a horn sounded. Hunter turned at the scoreboard. Aphrodite: 1. Hermes: 1. Apollo: 1. Ares: 1. Hunter sighed and followed the group to the next event. The next two events were there as a formality.
“Sometimes Apollo doesn’t send in a kid or like this year when Hephaestus doesn’t send in a kid.” Jack explained to Hunter. Hunter rolled his eyes.
“Music and smithing, though? I can sing sort of and make crappy swords. That’s what I’m bringing to the table.” Hunter said with a small chuckle. “Ares is going to win smithing. Apollo is going to win music. This is a fact.” Hunter said with a shrug. Sadly, he was right. The horn blasted after the judging for smithing was done. Hunter sheepishly followed the group to a large climbing wall, not dissimilar from the one back at camp. The same one that he hadn’t touched in several years. He waited for the signal and started to climb, but it was hopeless. Jack had the wall scaled and was looking down with a devious grin by the time Hunter was halfway. Trees? He was great. Walls? Not so much. The horn sounded and Hunter clumsily climbed down and stretched his arms and legs before following the group to a medium-sized shallow pit. It was tiled with stone and was a square shape that reminded Hunter of a wrestling ring. “What is this?” He said before glancing around. The competitors were wrapping their hands in tape. Jack finished his and walked over to Hunter.
“Pankration.” He said, handing him a roll of tape. “Bare-handed wrestling that makes UFC look like a playground slapfight.” Hunter’s eyes widened as he glanced at the Ares kid who had a devious smile on his face. Hunter had to win this event and by the looks of it, his chances were slim.
“Do the math, kids. Demeter. Athena. You can’t win, today. Sorry.” Hermes said from the podium. Hunter sighed. He was glad to have two less people to deal with. He wasn’t so glad when he heard who he was going up against. “Hunter. Duke. You’re after Jake and Martin.” Hunter looked at the Ares kid who was cracking his knuckles and grinning angrily at Hunter.
“This…isn’t good.” Hunter said before reluctantly wrapping his hands in tape.