17 Delphi Temple

Eschios pov:

After a few hours of flying, I and Heracles reached the Delphi temple. When we arrived, the worshippers of Apollo led us into the Temple, as if they expected our arrival.

To think that just a few years ago, they were searching for me to hand over to Apollo... I made sure to stay within some distance from them.

Going deeper into the temple, I couldn't help but marvel at the designs. It was different from the ones at Olympus or at home. And I also found... a hallway full of statues of me...

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I walked through it with an irritated frown. Some of them even had Apollo with me... I felt like throwing up.

I miss Atalanta. I even missed Jason because of the statues.

At least I have Heracles with me.

"Are you feeling good, Eschios?"

Seeing my irritated face, Heracles asked me with a worried look. Why's he worrying about me rather than himself?

"I'm fine... I've been through worse. You worry more about yourself. Do you even know how crappy you look right now? We're here to... 'atone' for 'your' actions. Worry more about yourself."

"...Thanks for worrying."

"I'm not too worried about you, ok? I'm just afraid of the days I wasted fighting you being worthless if you die of stress."

Damn it, I always sound like a tsundere. At least I wasn't annoying. If I was to be a tsundere, I aspired to be like Rin Tohsaka from fate.

But this wasn't anime, it was real life. I couldn't go around saying baka and slapping people.

Nearing the end of that horrific hallway, we reached the place where the oracle gives out prophecies.

The large room had a mysterious and dark vibe to it, unfitting with the Temple of the Sun god.

Sitting on the tall chair-like thing was a woman wearing a dark robe, with the robe hiding every part of her except for her hands. She was on the same level of gloominess as me with my sealing outwear on.

After taking a deep breath, I called out to the woman.

"We're here to see how Heracles can atone for his actions which no goddess took no part in. Any good ideas, woman?"

I hope Hera didn't hear that.

"... I wish to atone for my actions. these hands of mine... it has taken the life of the one whom I loved more than anyone. I wish to atone for it. Please... please guide me."

Now I feel like a jerk. Heracles' request was way too polite than mine.

A few seconds later, the oracle spoke, with a mysterious green fog filling the room. Since I already knew what she'll say, I wasn't too interested in what she was going to be saying but was more focused on the green fog.

"Go to King Eurystheus of Tiryns, and serve under him while acting on the labors he asked you for. That way, you will be forgiven for your deeds of evilness and cleansed of your sins."

Heracles looked a tad bit not too well. Eurystheus' family wasn't on good terms with Heracles' family, and he knew that well. He probably knows all the labors he'll be subjected to.

It feels bad that I won't even be able to help him because that means Eurystheus and Hera will use it as an excuse to create more labor for Heracles.

Since we got the guidance, time to go. I'll at least provide him with good types of equipment. that's the least I can do.

"Alright, let's go Heracle-"

"To solve the goddess' hatred, you shall go with Heracles, and receive the quests lady Hera has ordered through Eurystheus."

Huh? Wait what?

My mind blanked out after hearing that.

"Excuse me? Ma'am? What was that abou-"

"Goodbye. May the gods be merciful to you."

Unable to ask her anything, we were pushed out of the room by the fog. After the door closed with a loud sound, I stressfully sighed in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Eschios. This all happened because of..."

"Rule number one, never say sorry around me. I've heard it too much from you."

Taking out a leather sheet and writing- no, more like carving letters on it, I gave it to Beak, who held it in her claws.

[Sorry. I have to complete a bunch of tasks and hardships given to me by a raging goddess. See you after that.]

"Get this message to Atalanta. You're her ride, so you can track her smell. After that, stay with her."

Screeching, as if saying ok, Beak nuzzled Buck and then flew off into the sunset.

"Heracles, you ride Buck. I'll run to Tiryns. It's faster that way."

"Ok."

Unhappy that he has to carry the heavy Heracles again, Buck turned his head away from me, implying that he was upset.

What is he, a baby? Geez...

Buck remembers where Tiryns is since he flew over there many times with me and Atalanta while hunting for beasts. I shouldn't be that worried about him finding directions.

"See you there, don't be too late."

*Boom*

With a sonic boom, I set off in the direction of Tiryns, enjoying the run using the speed I haven't had for days.

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Eschios pov:

After arriving in Tiryns, I didn't go straight to Kinging Eurystheus, but waited for Heracles. As I waited, I thought of what was going to happen and what my future moves should be.

The main events which were going to happen in the future were the Argonauts, Gigantomachia, Typhon's attack on the gods, and the Trojan War.

The Argonauts end up with a bad ending, with my friend Jason dying. Judging by the ending Jason got in the mythology, the support of the gods towards him must have ended after his uncle, who was disrespectful to the gods, died.

Why was it always Medea and Jason? She killed her brother, which earned the fury of Zeus. She didn't use the king but killed him, causing the gods' support to end. She also didn't leave normally when Jason acted as a cheater to her, but just killed her own children.

Also Jason. I'm sure I don't need to explain his mistakes.

Hmm... No, mostly Aphrodite is at fault for causing the love, with Jason and Medea each taking the blame. The key force is Aphrodite, though.

The first step should be to stop Medea's killing of her brother. That's the first step towards gaining the successful ending of the Argonauts.

And then there's Gigantomachia... the event which some stories say Heracles was born for. The fight between the giants and the gods will end up in the victory of the gods, killing all of the giants.

The killings of the giants will infuriate Gaia, who would order Typhon to attack the gods. The gods will then run away to Egypt, disguised as animals.

..... I don't even know what to do about Typhon. the giants were killed by Heracles, so I'm sure later on I can beat them, but Typhon... Even Zeus lost to him once.

Since Heracles would be killing his children later, should I use him as a distraction and run away...?

Putting those thoughts aside, I thought of the Trojan War. I can't stop it, it's necessary for the creation of Rome, a country that would affect the world greatly. But... Helen, the center of the war, is the little sister of Castor...

Arghhhhh... Why are all of them ones which I can't avoid?

There's Atalanta's race for marriage, too. She wouldn't want to break her vow of virginity. I plan to stop Hippomenes from using the golden apples to marry her.

And the problem with that is Aphrodite. Again. I have to get to her before Hippomenes does. Maybe make a deal to not interfere.

Or... I can stop the race through Artemis. Atalanta is her follower and has made the oath of purity, so Artemis can stop the race.

Come to think of it... Why didn't Artemis stop the race in mythology? Was it because she did not want to interfere in Aphrodite's work? Was it because she was too busy with Orion at that time?

Ugh... the thoughts are making me dizzy.

Taking a sip of wine, I went out to the main street once I heard the screech of a griffin.

Buck and Heracles has arrived.

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Being escorted by the soldiers to the palace, I felt all kinds of gazes coming toward me and Heracles. Most of them were fear, curiosity, and admiration.

...There were too many gazes at me. The thing with being able to sense the emotions of others very well was that sometimes it gets annoying.

Entering the castle, I found it less great than some of the temples I've been to. Still, it was grand.

After walking for some time, we entered the throne room, where King Eurystheus sat on. After taking a look at us, his gaze soon turned to that of fear.

"So, anything Lady Hera ordered me to do?"

Not being able to take the silence, I asked him.

*Hic*

...He's hiccupping.

"Such disrespect to the King!"

Hissed the general of the army.

"Ok, ok. Geez. Makes me annoyed..."

I guess I'll have to act respectful around here to not get into trouble.

"She... *hic!* ordered me to-*hic!* give you your first quest."

"...Someone get him water to drink."

After drinking water and calming down, he told me the first quest Hera had ordered me to complete.

"Defeat the man-eating monster called 'Minotaur' Crete and bring his dead body to the castle. That is the first quest that you will do... She said it, not me. Don't get mad at me..."

"Sure."

The Minotaur... that's right... Theseus' story didn't fully begin yet. The whole war between Athens and Crete, which would result in Athens' loss and resulted in Athens sacrificing citizens to Crete's Minotaur.

The war was caused by the Cretan bull, the beast Heracles had to capture for his future seventh labor. However Heracles released it in Athens, and it ran rampant. It later killed one of King Minos' sons, causing the war between Crete and Athens.

As long as I defeat the Minotaur first, I can save many lives. That's all that matters.

Why did Heracles even release it? Is there anyone that's normal around me? I'm not normal either.

Pulling me out of my thoughts was Eurystheus giving Heracles his first labor.

"You will go and kill the Nemeian Lion of Nemea. Slay the beast, and return for your second labor."

"...As you wish."

Heracles seems a bit angry about working under Eurystheus. Hm.

Stepping outside of the castle, I whistled to the sky, calling for Buck.

After he arrived, I got on him and then said goodbye to Heracles.

"So, you're killing a lion and I'm killing a cow. Good luck. I'm taking Buck, though. You have to walk there."

"Good luck, Eschios. I know you can do it."

"Thanks. Good luck to you as well. Finish it quickly and return."

With a confident smile, I set off to Crete with Buck.

My mind was set on eliminating the beast inside the labyrinth to save people.

I was a hero, therefore I will help the people. That was my thought at that time. There were people being r*ped, killed, and tortured even as I went on my day. I could help them.

However, one thing that I didn't know was that inside the maze…

… There wasn't a monster, but only a child with a deep scar, who've never been shown love.

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A/N: Here begins the twelve hardships of Eschios and the twelve labours of Heracles.

Since some of you are curious, here are the classes that Eschios is qualified for right now: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, and Assassin.

He's also qualified for the Grand Archer class if he does just one more famous thing using archery.

Also, his current parameters are:

Strength: B-

Agility: EX

Endurance: A+

Mana: B-

Luck: D+

Noble Phantasm: None (Will get one soon)

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Heracles' current parameters are:

Strength: A

Agility: B

Endurance: A

Mana: A

Luck: E

Noble Phantasm: None (Will get one soon)

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Atalanta's current parameters are:

Strength: D

Agility: A++ (She raced with Eschios everyday)

Endurance: D

Mana: C+

Luck: B

Noble phantasm: None (Will get one soon)

Atalanta's status increased while fighting Heracles for days with Eschios