Centuries before wonders rose in Rome, Greece was the the center of the Mediterranean, with mighty city states ruling under the shadow of Mount Olympus. The people of Greece worshipped the mighty Gods, who ruled down from the summit of Mount Olympus in the north ever since they had defeated their fathers, the Titans. There were also many great heroes who roamed Greece, and one of the mightiest heroes began his journey with a foot race on the Western Island of Ithaca. It was a warm spring afternoon on Ithaca, as half a dozen youths darted down the long dirt path parallel to the Island’s main port. They had been racing for 4 miles, and the finish line was in sight. The competitors, eyes half blinded by sweat, could just see a massive group of townspeople cheering at the finish, 100 m away. The race was still break-neck, with three runners sharing the lead. Their hearts pounded so loudly that the runners next to them could hear the pulsing clearly. The sun beat down on the exhausted youths, only now comforted by the salty wind from the shore. Just as it looked like the competition would end in a tie, the runner in the middle sprinted past his two counterparts to fire through the finish line, winning convincingly. The losers soon followed, winded and soaked with perspiration. The victor, aged 19 and well built, looked as if he hadn’t broken a sweat during the grueling proceedings, sporting a very smug smile. A young boy jumped out from the crowd and roared “Still the Champion of Ithaca: Brennus!” The crowd burst into rambunctious applause for Brennus, who took it all in with a massive smirk. The runner up, still doubled over, came over to Brennus, and praised his talent. “ How have beat me again, Brennus. You must have the gift of the Gods running through you. You are as fast as a son of Hermes, strong as a son of Ares, and swim like a son of Poseidon!” “Of course I have a gift of the Gods, fool!” Brennus replied condescendingly. “But if the holy ones really wanted to gift me, they could put me on the great mainland, and not on this isolated island, where any competition against me is this non-existent.” With that, Brennus turned away and started jogging up the hills inland, leaving his competitors shaking their heads in disgust, wondering why the Gods had punished them with such a hubristic loudmouth. A joyous Brennus soon arrived home, where he was met by his single mother, Maia. Maia called the boy over, in an annoyed manner. “You were supposed to be back a hour ago” she snapped towards Brennus. “I have to take a trip to the mainland for a couple of days, and I need you to start collecting the grain from the field.”
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I am the best fighter and athlete on the pitiful island. No man or beast in all of Greece can stand up to my might, and saving Mount Olympus will finally give me the recognition I sorely deserve!”.
Perseus grimaced, now realizing why the gods had landed him in the presence of this snarky youth. He knew a day like this would come, where Zeus would give him the task of training the next great hero, but why now he chose to do this perplexed Perseus. That was not how his father operated; he realized that it must be an older power at play. “Fine” Perseus said as he stood up in agony. “But we must leave the island quickly. Iapetus has most likely been alerted of my massive crash landing, and is coming to this island at breakneck speed!”
Brennus grabbed the bag and left a short note for his mother on the door, while Perseus hobbled to the barn and took the two best horses he could find. The pair left in a hurry, with Perseus protecting the bag of weapons as they bolted down the mountain road toward the port. But just as the boats came into sight below, a massive warrior landed in front of them, shaking the ground. The giant was 10-15 tall, face scarred and filled with hate, his armor and sword pitch black. “Stand aside boy” he growled at a stone faced Brennus. “This is between me and
I am the best fighter and athlete on the pitiful island. No man or beast in all of Greece can stand up to my might, and saving Mount Olympus will finally give me the recognition I sorely deserve!”.
Perseus grimaced, now realizing why the gods had landed him in the presence of this snarky youth. He knew a day like this would come, where Zeus would give him the task of training the next great hero, but why now he chose to do this perplexed Perseus. That was not how his father operated; he realized that it must be an older power at play. “Fine” Perseus said as he stood up in agony. “But we must leave the island quickly. Iapetus has most likely been alerted of my massive crash landing, and is coming to this island at breakneck speed!”
Brennus grabbed the bag and left a short note for his mother on the door, while Perseus hobbled to the barn and took the two best horses he could find. The pair left in a hurry, with Perseus protecting the bag of weapons as they bolted down the mountain road toward the port. But just as the boats came into sight below, a massive warrior landed in front of them, shaking the ground. The giant was 10-15 tall, face scarred and filled with hate, his armor and sword pitch black. “Stand aside boy” he growled at a stone faced Brennus. “This is between me and