Another Close Call

Julia watched as Brody started doing more push-ups. “ It’s hard to believe we were just talking to the real Heracles! ” she said, thinking about all the stories she’d read about the mighty hero. “ I mean, he’s really famous. Everyone has heard of Heracles. ” Brody sat up and glared at her. “ You sound like you’re talking about a rock star or something, Julia, ” he snapped. “ The guy seems nice. But don’t forget, he is the main thing standing between us and a trip home. What did he do anyway that was so great?” “ Heracles did all sorts of interesting things, ” Julia answered. “ Some things were bad, but a lot of them were good. For instance, he saved Prometheus from having an eagle peck out his liver over and over again. ”

“ Prometheus? Who’s that?” Brody asked. “ He was a Titan—that’s a different kind of god, ” Julia explained. “ I’m pretty sure Prometheus is the one who created humans out of clay. He also gave humans fire, which made Zeus mad. So Zeus set up the pecking as punishment. But eventually Heracles came along and set Prometheus free. ” Markos looked confused. “ When did this happen? Does Zeus know that Heracles did that?”

Julia shrugged. “ I guess it hasn’t happened yet, ” she replied. “ It probably happens later, when Heracles is an adult. ” Ares rushed toward them. “ Was that Heracles I saw leaving a little while ago?” he demanded. “ Yes, Ares, ” Markos said with a bow. “ He came to see the gymnasium, but Zeus summoned him before he got to look around. ” The war god’s eyes widened. “ You mean Heracles was here without Zeus?” he thundered. “ I missed my chance to destroy him! ” The war god’s hair burst into flames, and he gnashed his teeth in anger. Julia jumped back to avoid being burned by the sparks flying off Ares’ head.

Meanwhile Apollo wandered over. He smirked at the war god. “ Are you having a tantrum, Ares? ” he asked. “ And in front of mortals—tsk, tsk. ” “ Silence, sun god. ” Ares glared at Apollo. “ You should be upset too. Zeus’ mighty champion was here alone just now, and we all missed him! It was our chance for sabotage! ” “ He wasn’t alone, ” Brody put in. “ His brother was with him. ” He turned to Julia. “ What’s the brother’s name?”

“ Iphicles. ” Julia wished Brody would stop talking to the gods. Ares was another one who made her nervous, with his hot temper and fiery powers. And Apollo wasn’t much better. She knew he was supposed to be Hermes’ friend, but he seemed pretty sneaky. “ Never mind, ” Apollo told Ares. “ We’ll put an end to Zeus’ bragging one way or another. ” With a toss of his head, he suddenly changed into a huge, strange-looking creature. It had the head, wings, and talons of an eagle and the body of a lion. It let out a terrifying scream while pawing the ground.

“ Whoa! ” Brody said. “ That’s a griffin, ” Julia said, trying to hide her fear. “ It’s a legendary creature. ” “ Yes. ” Ares sounded bored. “ It’s one of Apollo’s favorites. I don’t see how turning into one is going to help him get rid of Heracles though. ” Apollo transformed back into his usual shape. “ Perhaps it won’t help, ” he said with another smirk at Ares. “ But sooner or later, I’ll find a way to sabotage Zeus’ mighty hero. Just you watch. ” “ Only if I don’t find a way to sabotage him first, ” Ares said.