Day two in the so-called "Island of Daughters" was… going well, if your definition of "well" involved emotional whiplash, betrayal, and bananas.
Cyd was halfway through chewing a very spotty one—courtesy of Atalanta's early-morning foraging—when the Queen herself made her grand entrance, heels clacking against stone, hair tossing like she was auditioning for a tragic romance drama.
"I slept with your captain," she announced proudly, voice sugary with spite. "I love him. He understands me better than you ever could. He's going to be the lord of this island. Regret that, darling."
With that, she vanished into the crowd of swooning women like a mic drop made of silk.
Cyd blinked. Then turned to Hercules. "Dude… did you just get dumped?"
Hercules frowned. "Wasn't she talking to you?"
"No, I'm pretty sure you got cheated on," Cyd replied confidently, tossing his banana peel. "Honestly, I knew Jason was gonna fold. The guy's got the moral spine of a breadstick."
"But she said he's gonna become king of this island!" Hercules shouted, grabbing Cyd by the shoulders. "What about the Golden Fleece?!"
Cyd shrugged. "Eh. I never wanted it. And Jason was only after it for the throne, right? So why not? He gets a throne. Full of women. Kind of feels like he won."
"But—!"
"Look, we've got more important problems than some lovesick drama queen." Cyd didn't even finish the thought before a fist landed on his chest. Atalanta.
"You. Me. Rematch," she growled, finger jabbing into his sternum like she was declaring war. "I will erase the humiliation you gave me yesterday. With your blood."
"Wait, what? Again?" Cyd winced, rubbing the spot. "Didn't we already settle this?"
"You beat me. Twice. That's not settled—that's war," she snapped, yanking her bow off her back with a righteous fury that made Cyd want to crawl under the Argo and stay there. "Unless you're gonna forfeit?"
Cyd turned to Hercules with big, pleading eyes.
Hercules gave him a thumbs up. "Good luck. I'm going hunting. Don't break the ship."
And with that, he vanished into the woods, leaving Cyd standing there like the universe's favorite punching bag.
"…I didn't even agree yet."
Atalanta cracked her knuckles. "Prepare to be destroyed."
Cyd sighed. "Okay, but can we not race? You do remember what happened yesterday, right?"
"We're racing."
"Why do you want to lose again so badly?"
"That's what you think!" she snapped.
Great. Another round of dramatic running. And today the sun was overhead, meaning he'd be even faster than yesterday. This wasn't going to end well. For her.
Five Minutes Later
Atalanta was kneeling in the dirt again, staring blankly at the horizon, posture identical to yesterday's defeat. It might've been tragic if it weren't also kind of impressive how consistent she was about losing.
Cyd wiped the sweat from his brow. This time, he hadn't held back. He hadn't tiptoed around her pride. Just full throttle from the start—and she still ate his dust.
"…Atalanta?"
Her eyes flicked up, glowing with that manic spark he was beginning to fear.
"Next time," she said, voice trembling with furious resolve. "Next time, I'll beat you. I swear it."
Then she turned on her heel and ran off into the trees like a woman possessed.
"…She's definitely going to kill me one day."
A soft breeze stirred the grass. Then, like a whisper on stone, a new voice spoke behind him.
"You, troubled? Now that's surprising."
Cyd whirled around—then froze.
Sitting on a rock, legs crossed like she owned the place, was a silver-haired girl in a flowing Greek chiton. Her gaze was sharp, curious, and very, very amused.
Cyd blinked. "Okay. I'm dreaming. This is a dream."
She reached over and flicked his forehead. "Nope. Wide awake. Sorry, hero."
"Uh… who are you, exactly?"
She gave a playful bow of the head. "Athena. Goddess of wisdom. War. Strategy. And the one you've unknowingly been looking for."
"…Cool. Uh, while you're here, any chance I could get a divine blessing?" Cyd raised his left arm awkwardly.
Athena's eyes sparkled as she took his wrist in her fingers, examining the white jade bracer coiled there.
"Ohhh, so that's the vessel Hephaestus made. Apollo's touch is obvious. And Hermes gave you one too—he always did have a soft spot for chaos."
"I'm collecting gods like Pokémon," Cyd muttered. "So… do I get yours now?"
She smiled—too sweetly. "You've worshipped me faithfully, I'll admit. But blessings must be earned. Hermes knew that, which is why he gave you protection from deception instead of power. Apollo gave you strength because, well, he likes you. A lot."
"Right. So what's your test?" Cyd asked, already regretting it.
Athena leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You want my blessing? Then get your journey moving again. The Argo is stuck. The quest is stalled. Fix it."
"That's it? Just… push things forward?"
"I didn't say it'd be easy." She stood and stepped down from the rock. "Do that, and I'll give you more than just power—I'll give you knowledge. The kind you'll need, soon."
"Need for what exactly?" Cyd asked.
Athena only grinned. "That's the puzzle, hero. Let's see if you're as clever as I hope."
She reached out and tapped his forehead once—light, warm, electric.
"Don't disappoint me, Cyd~."
And then she was gone. The breeze stopped.
Cyd sat there in silence, rubbing the spot between his brows. "I swear, if one more goddess appears out of nowhere, I'm quitting this quest and moving to Crete."