GODS OF OLYMPUS:

An Interactive Adventure

Written by Eva Pohler

Published by Green Press

Copyright 2019 Eva Pohler

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Eva Pohler is a  USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five novels for teens and adults.

For free ebooks from Eva Pohler in both young adult fantasy and adult mystery/suspense, including  The Gatekeeper's Sons ,  Vampire Addiction ,  The Purgatorium ,  Secrets of the Greek Revival , and  The Mystery Box , please visit:  http://www.evapohler.com.

You can also find a Greek pronunciation guide, map of the Underworld, free Greek Mythology Bingo and flash cards, and frequent giveaways on Eva's website at  http://www.evapohler.com .

Directions for Reading this Interactive Ebook

Throughout this interactive ebook, you will have opportunities to make choices that will change the course of the story. Some of your choices may result in the death of your character or some other undesirable outcome. But, don't worry, you can click back to your most recent choice and pick another path.

The pronoun "you" is used to represent "you" the main character, and no other pronouns are used to describe "you." I wrote the story in this way to include all types of readers, regardless of gender, sexual-orientation, religion, race, or ethnicity.

You will have the opportunity to choose your love interest at the end of Part One. The narrative is written so that "you" can interact with a love interest of the same or different gender. The choices for your love interest will depend on which god you choose to interact with at the opening of the novel. If you don't see the god or goddess you want as your love interest, you can go back and interact with a different god at the opening of the story.

A total of fifteen gods may be chosen as a love interest. Each of these love interests will engage you in a different version of the overall narrative—which invites you to complete three challenges to prove you're worthy to become a god. Some of the versions will have only subtle differences, whereas other versions will feel like completely different storylines. Although your love interest may engage with you in mature ways, all such scenes fade to black to keep the novel appropriate for readers ages thirteen and older.

To get the most out of this book, I suggest that you read it all the way through, one love interest at a time. If you do it that way, you will essentially read over fifty different variations of the story. I hope you enjoy your adventures interacting with the gods, goddesses, and creatures of the ancient Greek pantheon!

If you do enjoy the adventures, then you should visit my website to learn where to play the game edition of this interactive adventure. The text-based game will have even more variations that you won't find in the ebook. You can learn more at  https://www.evapohler.com .

And for those of you who are already fans of  The Gatekeeper's Saga : this adventure story shares that world and occurs before the first book,  The Gatekeeper's Sons ; however, this adventure story can be read before or after the books in  The Gatekeeper's Saga and its spin-off series.

* * *

Table of Contents

Part One: Enchantment

Part Two: Zeus and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hera and the First Challenge

Part Two: Ares and the First Challenge

Part Two: Artemis and the First Challenge

Part Two: Apollo and the First Challenge

Part Two: Poseidon and the First Challenge

Part Two: Amphitrite and the First Challenge

Part Two: Aphrodite and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hermes and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hephaestus and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hades and the First Challenge

Part Two: Persephone and the First Challenge

Part Two: Thanatos and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hecate and the First Challenge

Part Two: Hypnos and the First Challenge

Part Three: Zeus and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hera and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Ares and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Artemis and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Apollo and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Poseidon and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Amphitrite and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Aphrodite and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hermes and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hephaestus and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hades and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Persephone and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hecate and the Second Challenge

Part Three: Hypnos and the Second Challenge

Part Four: Zeus and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Ares and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hera and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Apollo and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Poseidon and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Amphitrite and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Aphrodite and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hermes and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hephaestus and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hades and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hecate and the Third Challenge

Part Four: Hypnos and the Third Challenge

Part Five

* * *

Part One: Enchantment

You lie down in a field of flowers beside a babbling brook on a clear autumn day—a welcome respite from the monotony that has become your life. You haven't come for a nap, but, as your breathing becomes slower and deeper, and you are comforted by the warmth of the sun on your skin, you find yourself giving in to sleep.

The sound of nearby footsteps in the grass awakens you. You blink rapidly as your eyes adjust to the sunlight and you become aware of a formidable figure standing over you. He is wearing golden armor—a breast plate and knee guards, along with a sword sheathed at his hip. Beside the figure is a golden chariot and horses that seem plucked right out of a fairy tale. You blink again, but the formidable figure and his exotic chariot remain.

"Hello," the figure says. "My name is [choose one]

Zeus ."

Poseidon ."

Hades ."

* * *

You sit up, astonished by the realization that this is  the Zeus, king of the Olympians and god of the sky. His brown hair and beard shine in shades of gold beneath the sun. His blue eyes, trained upon you, are exquisitely bright.

The god laughs. "I see the cat has got your tongue. No need to be afraid. You made a lovely picture here in the flowers. I wonder if you might like a ride in my chariot."

You  [choose one]

graciously accept.

fearfully decline .

* * *

You sit up, astonished by the realization that this is  the Poseidon, god of the sea. His sun-bleached hair nearly reaches his shoulders, and his turquoise eyes, trained on you, remind you of an ocean.

The god folds his arms across his chest. "You do realize who I am? Or do you think this is a dream? I assure you, it isn't."

You climb to your feet. "My apologies. I've never met a god before. I don't know how to behave."

Delighted by your awkwardness, Poseidon laughs. "Then come with me. I'll show you things few mortal eyes have seen."

You [choose one]

graciously accept.

fearfully decline .

* * *

You sit up, astonished by the realization that this is  the Hades, god of the Underworld. His black wavy hair accentuates the deep black of his eyes, which are trained on you with amusement.

You ask, "Am I dead?"

"I'm afraid you have me confused with Thanatos," the god replies. "A common mistake among your kind—so common, in fact, that I grow weary of it."

You fumble to your knees, not wanting to anger the god. "Please, accept my apologies, Lord Hades. I think I'm in shock. I've never seen a god before."

The god folds his arms across his chest and picks at his black, curly beard. "But you have heard of me?"

"Of course," you say. "Hasn't everyone?"

"And what have you heard?" he asks. "That I am cruel? That I care only for enlarging my kingdom with more souls? Because, you see, souls have no power. Increasing their number does nothing more than increase my responsibilities. And there's nothing I despise more than murder."

You scramble to think of something you have heard about him that isn't insulting, and then you remember an internet meme. "I've heard that you love your three-headed dog, and that his name, Cerberus, means 'Spot.'"

Hades lifts his chin and roars with laughter. "How would you like to meet him? I'll take you in my chariot."

You [choose one]

graciously accept .

fearfully decline .

* * *

Zeus waves an open palm toward the golden chariot, indicating that you should climb aboard, so you do. You sit on a bench and study the horses for the first time. You see three black stallions, as dark as night, with manes that resemble flames.

Climbing in beside you, Zeus takes the reins, and, before you can blink, the chariot lifts into the air, and the horses now look like fire shooting across the sky.

With one hand, you clutch the side of the chariot, more frightened than you've felt on any rollercoaster. Your stomach seems to drop with each turn the chariot makes.

Zeus nods his head in the direction of the sun. "Don't look at him directly, but that's Helios, the sun god, in his golden cup. Give him a wave."

You lift the hand that's  not  clutching the chariot's side but can't avoid looking at the sun. You blink from its brightness and continue to see the bright orb behind your lids.

"Your acknowledgment might amuse him," Zeus says. "Though he doesn't have much of a sense of humor, and I don't care if he heard me say so."

You suck in your lips. Not wanting to make an enemy of the sun god, you say nothing.

"We're nearly there," Zeus adds.

"Is it true?" you ask. "What they say about Mount Olympus? That the sun always shines there?"

"It is," Zeus says. "But it's not the sun god that make it so. He can't be expected to remain above Greece all day. It's an ethereal light I created for my temple eons ago."

You dare to look over the edge of the chariot to see nothing but ocean below.

"Hold on," Zeus warns as the chariot flies even higher, shooting up into clouds that weren't visible from the ground.

Your ears pop from the pressure as you cling to the chariot with both hands and resist the urge to scream.

Abruptly, Zeus pulls on the reins and brings the chariot to a halt before a giant wall of clouds at the top of a great mountain.

You wonder if you have landed on Mount Olympus, but before you can ask, Zeus says, "Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall, open the gates of Mount Olympus so I, Zeus, may enter with my guest."

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you, startling you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Zeus draws the chariot forward. The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. To the right and left of the palace are separate buildings, as tall, but not as wide or deep. Zeus guides the chariot to the right of the fountain to one of these separate buildings. The golden doors open.

A beautiful young god with long thick eyelashes and golden curls steps forward to unbridle the horses. He gives you what seems to be a mischievous grin.

"Thank you, Cupid," Zeus says before he exits the chariot, and you, on shaky legs, follow.

Zeus leads you across the gold-paved courtyard to another building—a barn and stable. Standing in one corner of the barn is a magnificent white horse with feathery wings.

"Pegasus?" you ask.

The horse looks at you and whinnies.

"Would you like to go for a ride?" Zeus offers.

Your face cracks in half as you smile with glee. "Seriously? I'd love to."

Zeus helps you mount the bare back of the beautiful creature, and before you can figure out how to hold on, Pegasus whirls from the building and into the clouds.

You would have fallen right off the back of him if he hadn't caught you with his wing and righted you again. You hug his flanks with your legs and grab fistfuls of his silky mane to keep your balance. The wind lifts your hair and caresses your face as you emerge from the clouds above to find the great blue sea and the Grecian coastline below. The sunlight makes everything glitter like jewels, and the air smells fresh like the sea, rejuvenating you. As Pegasus glides gracefully through the air, you feel like the luckiest person alive.

Too soon, Pegasus returns to the wall of clouds on the mountaintop and whinnies. The clouds part with a roar as the gates of Mount Olympus open, and you are returned to the barn, where Zeus is waiting.

You dismount onto shaky legs and turn to the lord of the sky.

"That was one of the best things I've ever experienced," you say. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Zeus says. "Now, follow me."

You tremble with excitement as you follow Zeus through the golden-paved courtyard to seven steps, each a different color of the rainbow, starting with red and ending with violet. Two giant columns flank the entryway, and, just inside, you enter a magnificent foyer with Grecian scenes in relief along the ceiling. Then you step into a large rectangular assembly hall open to the clear blue sky, from which nearly solid beams of sunshine shoot down to form a bright canopy above. Zeus continues across this great hall, so you follow, not failing to notice the other gods present and sitting on thrones around the perimeter of the room.

As you count the thrones, which aren't all occupied, you deduce that they belong to the twelve major Olympians and that you are standing at the center of their court.

"Allow me to introduce the others to you," Zeus says to you. Then, to the others, he says, "I've brought a guest, whom I found sleeping beside a babbling brook." He points across the room to a double throne where a beautiful goddess with vibrant red hair and sharp blue eyes looks down at you with suspicion. Her frown troubles you as Zeus says, "That's Hera, my wife, and goddess of marriage and family."

You wonder if you should kneel, but, instead, you bow, because Zeus has moved on to point out another.

"And that," Zeus says, "is Ares, our son, and the god of war."

He looks just like his mother, with the same red hair and blue eyes but with the robust build of his father. Again, you bow just as Zeus points his finger to your right.

Zeus says, "This is Apollo, another of my sons and the god of music, healing, truth, and prophecy."

You see why others have said he's the most beautiful of the gods, because the proportions of his forehead to his nose, to his chin and cheeks mark perfection. His hair is the same color brown as his father's, but his eyes are the deep green of the forest. As you bow, Zeus turns to the left side of the room.

"And that," he says, pointing to the only other god present, "Is Apollo's twin sister, Artemis, the goddess of the wild animals and of the hunt."

Artemis shares her brother's hair and eye color, though her hair tumbles in a ponytail across one shoulder, nearly reaching her waist, and her eyes, unlike those of the others, hint at concern—alarm even.

"Father," Artemis begins. "Why..."

Before she can ask her question, the others in the room, except for Zeus, gasp. You look around but notice nothing until a sharp pain fills your chest—only for a moment.

Zeus looks down at you. "It breaks my heart that this has happened to you, dear mortal."

You gaze up at him, bewildered, wondering what he means but unable to ask.

"Whether he was called by the Fates or by his own whims, Cupid has directed one of his arrows into your heart, to make you love one of us. It's unfortunate, for this means you will never love a mortal as much as the immortal object of your desire."

"The mortal will never find happiness if we don't intervene," Apollo says.

"You can remedy that, Father," Artemis points out.

"We can't risk using an arrow of hate," Zeus says. "It's bad enough when people don't believe in us; when they hate us, we lose even more of our power."

Hera climbs to her feet. "And we can't afford to turn just any mortal into one of us."

"I couldn't agree more," Ares says.

Suddenly, another goddess appears among the others, to Hera's right. She has long dark hair and stunning gray eyes and wears a full set of armor, even more elaborate than the breast plate and knee guards on Zeus.

"Athena!" Zeus cries. "Welcome back! I was just introducing everyone to our guest when..."

"I saw what happened," Athena says with a frown. "And I propose that we design a set of challenges to determine whether the mortal is worthy to become one of us."

"Hear, hear!" Artemis shouts.

"What do you have in mind?" Zeus asks the gray-eyed goddess.

"Three tasks," Athena says. "I will even loan the mortal my sword and shield."

Athena unbuckles her weapon and straps it to your waist. Then she unstraps her shield from her back and secures it onto yours.

You blink. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she says. "Let's wait and see if you survive."

A lump rises to your throat.

"I'm beginning to like this idea," Ares says.

"Let's begin with one challenge," Athena continues. "If we see it successfully completed, we can then declare the next challenge, and so on."

"And what should this first challenge be?" Zeus asks.

Athena's gray eyes sparkle as she says, "I propose this: the mortal must retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty from the Underworld, where it was left in Persephone's rooms, and return it here, with the beauty still inside."

Your eyes widen with fear, wondering how you could possibly be expected to carry out such a task, when Zeus looks down at you and says, "The god or goddess to whom your heart has been bound will take you to the outskirts of the gates of the Underworld and wait for you there but you must enter alone. Do you understand?"

Because you can't imagine living without the object of your desire, and because you've never felt such a deep love before, you nod eagerly, despite your fear.

"Then tell us, mortal," Zeus says. "Which among us has Cupid compelled you to love?"

You look around the room until your eyes fall on the one you feel you could never live without. Then you say [choose one],

" You, Zeus ."

" Hera ."

" Ares ."

" Artemis ."

" Apollo ."

* * *

Poseidon lifts a finger and curls it toward himself, beckoning you over.

As you enter the chariot you study the horses for the first time. They're the color of sea foam, and they sparkle with an iridescent sheen.

Noticing the admiration of his beloved horses, Poseidon, as he slides onto the bench beside you, says, "Aren't they beautiful? Allow me to present Seaquake, Crest, and Riptide, the loveliest mares that have ever been."

All three of them whinny, as if they understood their master and are offering their thanks.

"They're incredible," you say. "All of this..." you look around at the chariot until your gaze returns to the god of the sea, "is incredible."

"Shall I show you my castle at the bottom of the sea?' he asks.

You hope you won't offend the god when you ask, "Will I be able to breathe?"

Poseidon picks up the reins and grins. "Leave the details to me."

Suddenly, the chariot lifts high into the sky, like a rocket launching into outer space. You close your eyes against the wind rushing into your face. Your ears pop from the change in pressure as your hands search for something to hold onto. One hand grasps Poseidon's arm, and your other finds the side of the chariot. You hear Poseidon roaring with laughter as the chariot spins one-hundred-and-eighty degrees before it plunges down again.

You want to ask, "What's happening?" but you're unable to breathe much less speak.

Your ears pop a second time as the chariot continues to plunge. In another instant, water splashes your face and hair. You open your eyes to see the chariot slowing on the surface of an ocean that, though turbulent, begins to settle until it is as smooth as glass.

Poseidon's trident appears in his hand. "Before we go below, I have a special treat for you."

A pod of dolphins springs from the water and surrounds the chariot, their eyes on you, as they click their greetings.

"Hello," you say. Then to Poseidon, you say, "What a wonderful treat. Thank you for giving me the chance to see the dolphins up close." You wish you could touch one, but you don't want to ask and appear ungrateful.

Poseidon throws back his head and laughs. "I appreciate your gratitude and humility, but my gift is better still. Would you care to ride on a dolphin's back across the Aegean Sea?"

"Would I!" you shout with glee. "Yes! Thank you very much! What? Do I dive in?"

Poseidon laughs again, and you're struck by his beauty. "Yes, dear mortal. Dive into the water."

You dive into the cold water among the dolphins, more excited than you've been in ages. As you tread water, your teeth chattering from the cold, you ask, "Is th-there a p-p-articular d-d-dolphin I sh-should r-ride?"

"Arion there will take you. He's named for one of my sons."

The dolphin dips his head to you in greeting.

Excited, thrilled, and overjoyed, you place your hands on the dolphin's back. His skin is slick and rubbery and hard to grasp.

"Hold onto his dorsal fin," Poseidon says, moving closer. "I'll wrap a golden net around you and Arion's body. The net will keep you attached so you won't slip. It'll also allow you to stay underwater for long periods of time and protect you from the cold." He raises his trident, and a net, like a fisherman's net but golden, encircles you and Arion.

The warmth instantly soothes you, and a low moan escapes your lips. The relief from the chilling cold allows your muscles to relax, and you can take in larger breaths and enjoy the feeling of sitting on the dolphin's back. You embrace him, circling your legs around him, and kissing his wet rubbery skin, as you say to Arion, "Thank you in advance. This is one of the most amazing moments of my life."

Several other dolphins swim up to you and rub their bodies affectionately against your legs. You extend your fingers through the openings in the net and stroke them. They click sounds of affection, and in reply, you say, "This is heaven."

"Are you ready?" Poseidon asks.

You're scared and excited all at once. The golden net is surprisingly light and flexible as you lift your head from the dolphin's back to face Poseidon. "Yes, sir."

He raises his trident. "To my palace!"

With that, Arion and the company of dolphins spring into the air and dive down into the water with Poseidon in the lead. You see him swimming like a dolphin in front of you, his hair and beard flowing from his head and his green sarong flowing from his waist. His leather sandals extend from his feet like flippers.

Beside him, the three mares, Seaquake, Crest, and Riptide, seem to be racing against him as they pull the chariot just below the surface of the water.

Below you, the ocean world comes into view. Your eyesight, it seems, is improved by the golden net. Fingers of purple, blue, and gold wave to you from the bottom of the sea, and fish of many shapes, colors, and sizes dart this way and that, some in large schools, and others, like the huge groupers suspended near the bottom, alone. Occasionally, you see a barracuda or a shark, but most of the sea life is nonthreatening. Sea anemones and coral decorate the ocean floor where the sunbeams barely reach. You can just make out a cluster of starfish. Then you see jellyfish! And there, a manatee! The most curious are the tiny sea horses and their curly tails.

As Arion swims closer to the ocean floor, you see other forms of marine life burrowing in the sand and rocks. Sting rays there! Hermit crabs! A lobster! And over there, eels!

Arion dodges a rock formation full of shadows and glides over another city of coral. Then he turns sideways as you pass through a rocky tunnel in a matter of seconds. Past the tunnel is a deep drop in the ocean floor—so deep that you can see nothing beyond the darkness.

Into the darkness you plunge.

Although the golden net keeps you warm, you can feel a change in temperature as Arion swims deeper and deeper into the darkness. You cling to his dorsal fin, wondering for the first time if Poseidon plans to ever bring you back to land and the light of day. What if he plans to keep you, like a pet, forever?

A shudder works its way down your spine, and you press your cheek against Arion's back.

Then, as Arion slows, along with Poseidon, the chariot, and the rest of the dolphin pod, a new vision presents itself to you. Bright golden lights rise from the bottom of the ocean, illuminating an amazing transparent structure, reminding you of an aquarium. Its walls seem to be formed from clear crystals. This must be Poseidon's castle, you realize. As Arion takes you closer to it, you can see many figures inside—merfolk with tails and other, more human-like, people sitting among the furniture, eating at tables on golden chairs, and lounging on beds clustered in curtains of seaweed growing up from the ocean floor. At the back of the palace, the walls are no longer transparent, as they are made of something like shell—perhaps mother-of-pearl, you think.

You reach the castle as the doors open, and a trio of merfolk greet your party and unbridle the horses. They also help you from Arion's back, keeping the net safely around you. You thank Arion just before he and his pod swim away.

One of the merfolk gives you a boulder the size of a watermelon to carry, so you don't float away. Then Poseidon curls his finger toward himself, beckoning you to follow him.

Half walking, half kicking, you make your way along the ocean floor through a series of corridors until you reach what appears to be a throne room. You are surprised to see other gods present.

Poseidon takes you by your arm—because you move at mere human speed and are rather slow with the boulder—and leads you to a double throne where a goddess is already seated.

The goddess wears a crown of shells that sets off the deep sea-green of her eyes. She smiles at you as Poseidon says, "This is my wife, Amphitrite."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Amphitrite says, and before you can reply (which you aren't sure you are capable of doing underwater), she waves her hand to the three other gods sitting nearby, with boulders in their laps, and says, "Please say hello to my friends, Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty; Hephaestus, the god of the forge; and Hermes, the god of..." she turns to Hermes. "What are you the god of, besides serving as your father's messenger? I can never recall."

Hermes laughs and shakes his head, as his dark brown curls sweep in the water around his face. "I serve as my father's messenger because I'm the fastest god alive." Then Hermes adds, "But I'm the god of communication, travel, commerce, theft, and trickery. It's because I do so many things, my dear Amphitrite, that you forget, I do believe."

"Yes, of course," Amphitrite says.

At that moment, everyone gasps, and as you look around to find the source of their surprise, you feel a pain deep in your chest—for only a moment.

Then Poseidon looks down at you and says, "Oh, dear. That blasted Cupid!"

"He's only doing his job," Aphrodite insists. "The Fates control these things."

"And he has no discretion whatsoever?" Poseidon asks. "Is that what you're insinuating?"

"He has some," she admits.

"I can't imagine why the Fates would destine a mortal to fall in love with one of us," Amphitrite says.

"It's a shame," Hermes adds, "to pine away for one you cannot have."

"Unless we help the mortal," Hephaestus suggests. "Perhaps an arrow of hate would neutralize..."

"It's too risky," Aphrodite says. "It's bad enough when people don't believe in us; their hate would weaken us exponentially."

"Then perhaps there's another way," Hephaestus says.

Poseidon lifts his brows with surprise as he turns to the god of the forge. "You can't mean apotheosis."

Hermes laughs. "We can't expect my father to change just any ol' mortal into a deity."

"Only those mortals we condemn to misery otherwise," Hephaestus argues.

Aphrodite smiles at the god of the forge. "He makes a good point."

Suddenly, another goddess appears among the others. She has long dark hair and stunning gray eyes and wears a full set of armor, even more elaborate than the breast plate and knee guards on Poseidon.

"Athena!" Poseidon cries. "What are you doing here, in my palace, uninvited. If you've been spying for Zeus..."

"I saw what happened," Athena says with a frown. "And I propose that we design a set of challenges to determine whether the mortal is worthy to become one of us."

"Hear, hear!" Aphrodite shouts.

"What do you have in mind?" Amphitrite asks the gray-eyed goddess.

"Now, hold on..." Poseidon says but his objections are ignored.

"Three tasks," Athena says. "I will even loan the mortal my sword and shield."

Athena unbuckles her weapon and straps it to your waist. Then she unstraps her shield from her back and secures it onto yours.

You blink. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she says. "Let's wait and see if you survive."

Your throat tightens.

"I'm beginning to like this idea," Poseidon says.

"Let's begin with one challenge," Athena continues. "If we see it successfully completed, we can then declare the next challenge, and so on."

"And what should this first challenge be?" Hephaestus asks.

Even underwater, you can see Athena's gray eyes sparkle as she says, "I propose this: the mortal must retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty from the Underworld, where it was left in Persephone's rooms, and return it to Mount Olympus, with the beauty still inside."

Your eyes widen with fear, wondering how you could possibly be expected to carry out such a task, when Poseidon looks down at you and says, "The god or goddess to whom your heart has been bound will transport you to the Underworld and back to Mount Olympus, but you must carry the box. Do you understand?"

Because you can't imagine living without the object of your desire, and because you've never felt such a deep love before, you nod eagerly, despite your fear.

"Then tell us, mortal," Aphrodite says. "Which among us has Cupid compelled you to love?"

You look around the room until your eyes fall on the one you feel you could never live without. Then you say [choose one],

" Poseidon ."

" Amphitrite ."

" You, Aphrodite ."

" Hephaestus ."

" Hermes ."

* * *

Hades smiles as he picks at his beard. You're surprised by the twinkle in his eyes.

"Hop in," the lord of the Underworld says, and, before he can change his mind, you quickly slide into the seat behind the horses.

For the first time, you study the two black animals, which are patiently waiting for their master to take the reins.

As soon as Hades takes them into his hands, the chariot springs forward and up, at what seems to you like something you've seen on  Star Wars , when Han Solo shifts the  Falcon Millennium into hyper-speed. It's so fast, in fact, that you feel yourself lift off the seat and into the air.

You shriek with both fear and delight.

Hades grabs you by the arm and pulls you down onto the seat. "Hold on!"

You lean forward and grip the front of the chariot with both hands. Now that you have your wits about you and can look around at the earth below, you realize that you aren't nearly as high in the air as you expected. The terrain below is rocky and uneven, and, at times, you fear the chariot will strike the earth and fling you into the air, like a stone from a slingshot.

As though he can read your mind, the god beside you shouts (so that you can hear him over the sound of the air as you pass through it), "Don't worry. Swift and Sure know exactly what they're doing. They've been doing it for centuries."

"Swift and Sure?" you ask.

"My fine black stallions."

In that moment, the chariot seems to turn on a dime with a hard right that throws you against the lord of the Underworld.

"Steady!" the god shouts as he helps to right you again.

"I'm sorry," you say.

Hades laughs. "You better hold on more tightly. It's about to get worse."

You white-knuckle the front lip of the chariot just as it plunges toward a crevice between large boulders, the size of diesel trucks. The crevice itself seems impossibly small. You remind yourself that Swift and Sure can turn on a dime, and, certainly, as they approach the crevice, the stallions will draw you up again.

But no.

Into the crevice you plunge.

It's dark. You can't even see your hands fiercely gripping the chariot. The experience reminds you of the Space Mountain rollercoaster at Magic Kingdom, only this is much worse, because you cannot tell how close you are to the rocky sides of the chasm, nor can you trust this god beside you to care whether you live or die. Perhaps he lied when he said he there was nothing he despised more than murder. Perhaps this would be your death.

Regretting your decision to climb into the chariot, you pray to any god who will listen to please get you out of this. You've barely begun the prayer in your mind when another figure appears beside you, glowing as bright as the North Star and illuminating the cavern through which you are sailing at what seems like lightspeed.

The ability to see your surroundings has mixed consequences. On the one hand, you feel relief each time the chariot does not crash against the rocky sides of the cavern. On the other hand, the fear building inside of you just before the chariot swings safely away from each protruding rock makes you more anxious than you can ever recall feeling before.

Blonde hair brushes across your face as the person beside you takes your hand. "You have nothing to fear."

Her voice is gentle and her brown eyes comforting when she smiles over at you. She's wearing a simple white dress and a silver tiara trimmed with rubies. Earrings dangle from her lobes—more rubies.

"We're nearly there," she says.

"I had this under control, darling," Hades says to her.

"Did you not hear this mortal's desperate prayers?" she asked. "You'd make a fine Fury with the level of torture you seem to be administering to this pour soul."

Hades turns to study you, but you wish he'd keep his eyes on the road—er, cavern—ahead.

"I thought we were having fun," he says to you. "Are you not enjoying yourself?"

Not wishing to offend the god you smile and nod. "Loads."

Hades tugs on the reins, and the chariot comes to a sudden stop, which causes you to fly forward. If the goddess beside you hadn't been holding your hand, you would have landed on one of the stallions. But, tethered to the comforting goddess, you find your seat beside her, with only minor pain from your legs bumping against the chariot.

"Thanks," you say to her.

She gives you a nod and vanishes.

You turn to Hades. "Who was that?"

"My wife. The Queen of the Underworld."

"Persephone, right?"

" Lady Persephone to you."

Your heart skips a beat, and you apologize.

Hades laughs and shakes his head, but you aren't sure why.

Then you notice that a thick fog has surrounded the chariot and, though the horses are no longer flying or walking, the vessel is moving through a black river toward a huge black iron gate at the entrance to a cavern, and beside the gate is an enormous black dog with three heads.

"Cerberus," you mutter.

"Indeed. I'll introduce you."

The dog is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a sweeping dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and plenty of loose skin and wrinkles around the three necks. The eyes on the heads look red and unfriendly. As the chariot approaches him, you feel a lump in your throat, making it difficult to swallow.

You watch the god of the Underworld steer Swift and Sure to the bank, where the dog looms over you. Hades conjures a burlap sack from out of thin air and reaches inside, pulling out a square lump of cake.

"Are you hungry, boy?" Hades asks.

The long dragon tail swooshes back and forth, stirring the air and your hair along with it. Three tongues hang from three heads. They drip with saliva, some of which falls on your arm.

You're delighted when Hades throws the cake in the air and it's caught by the center head. Hades then reaches into the bag and pulls out a stick, the size of a baseball bat, before tossing it into the black river.

"Go get it, boy!" Hades shouts.

Cerberus leaps over the chariot and into the water, making waves that nearly topple you over the edge. When you regain your balance, you see the giant dog emerge with the stick held by the teeth of the center head. Cerberus returns to his post and drops the stick on the bank at his feet while his dragon tail wags, creating a wind tunnel that knocks you back against your seat.

"Well, done, boy," Hades says. "You've earned yourself another treat."

Hades reaches inside the bag and tosses three apples up into the air, and each is aptly caught by a different head. Then Hades does something you do not expect. He steps from the chariot, carefully approaches the beast, and wraps his arms around the center neck.

"You're a good boy," Hades says. "Can you say hello to our guest?"

Cerberus turns all three of his heads toward you and trains all six of his eyes on you. Although they no longer look unfriendly, you're still shaking with trepidation when the beast leans toward you and sniffs you with all three snouts.

"Hello, Cerberus," you manage to say through a tight throat.

Cerberus whines.

"Yes," Hades says. "This is a living mortal. Don't act like you've never seen one before. We're going in, so stand down. The mortal's with me, okay?"

Cerberus whimpers as he returns to an upright position at his post, and Hades climbs back into the chariot beside you.

"Ready to see my kingdom?" he asks you.

"Yes, sir," you say.

The enormous gate groans as it opens wide enough for Hades to drive his chariot through. Then it closes abruptly behind you, sending a wave of water over the back of the chariot and drenching you. When you turn to Hades, you see that the water soon evaporates from his body, leaving him dry. You, however, remain soaked.

Hades says, "To the right is the River Styx. It leads to Tartarus, where we punish evildoers. To the left is the Lethe, and it leads to the Elysian Fields, where the good souls dwell. And that room up ahead is called the House of Judgment."

A river of flames illuminates the interior of the House of Judgment, where three figures in white robes float above the water. They do not greet Hades, nor does Hades greet them.

The horses drag the chariot from the water and onto the bank, alongside the river of fire, until they enter a kind of barn filled with hay. A goddess appears—not Persephone—to unbridle the stallions. Her hair, falling past her shoulders, is black with streaks of white. Her dark eyes seem friendly and her face as beautiful as any you've seen.

"Thank you, Hecate," Hades says.

"My pleasure, my lord," the goddess replies.

Hades turns to you. "Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and the crossroads. My kingdom would not be nearly as efficient or fortified without her."

"Thank you, my lord," Hecate says.

Hades climbs from the chariot and turns to you again. "If you want the full tour, it's best to go by raft—or skiff, rather. My kingdom is vast, and Charon's skiff can maneuver us through it quickly. Follow me."

You climb from the chariot and wave goodbye to the goddess and the stallions before following Hades back toward the House of Judgment along the river of flames to where it meets another river.

No sooner do you arrive than an old man in a tattered red robe appears on a small boat. In his wrinkled old hands, he holds a long slender pole. From where he stands at the stern of the vessel, he glares at you.

"I want to give this mortal a tour, Charon," Hades says. "And I want you to help me."

Charon gives a slight bow and says nothing as Hades beckons you to follow him on board.

With no place to sit, you stand, wondering how you'll maintain your balance as the boat quickly moves forward. Noticing your dilemma, Hades grabs you by the shoulder and steadies you. Better than a safety harness, the god's grip on you keeps you in place as the skiff turns this way and that before slowing near the edge of a deep canyon.

"Erebus," Hades says. "Victims of terrible crimes are sent here to lie in the waters of the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness—to forget the heinous crimes that tortured them in life. Mostly abused children and women, victims of suicide, and prisoners of war, once healed, they proceed to the Elysian Fields."

The skiff shoots forward, and you emit a soft cry of surprise. Almost instantly, the boat stops again.

"The Fields of Elysium," Hades says, pointing to your left.

The fields are vast and amazing, covered in beautiful flowers of white, pink, and purple. Trees and something like sunshine, but more of a purplish-pink veil of light, adds beauty to all it touches. The Lethe River meets its banks, and spreads in small streams marbling through the fields.

You see hundreds of souls all doing different things. Some read or slumber under trees, others dance or swam or dine at huge tables covered with massive amounts of food. Others play sports like golf and tennis. A few children fly kites.

"What you see are illusions for the dead," Hades says. "They now live in eternal comfort and ignorant bliss, having forgotten everything about their former life."

"Everything?" you ask.

"Indeed." Hades points to your right. "We've passed my palace, but that building is where Thanatos lives. His brother, Hypnos, lives further down."

The skiff plunges forward again, this time sailing at what seems close to lightning speed before stopping near an old wooden door.

"The Fates," Hades says. "It's best to never disturb them."

Before you can ask why, the skiff makes a few quick turns before you're surrounded by beautiful flowers. You yawn, feeling as though you could use a good nap.

"The Fields of Asphodel," Hades says. "This is the entrance to the Dream World, and those are the gates of ivory and the gates of horn."

The skiff plunges forward again, sailing left and right, before slowing once more along the river of flames.

"The Titan Pit," Hades says. "The prison of our enemies. And up ahead, to your left, you will see Tartarus, in all its glory."

The skiff sails forward and slows in time for you to hear the wails and moans of many unseen people. But you do see someone—though he's not a solid form at all, and you can see right through him. He's pushing a huge rock up a hill. Past that hill, you see tables with other transparent people strapped to them and crying out. Atop one of these is a woman with blood dripping from her eyes and golden snakes on her head. A falcon perches on her shoulder, and, just as you pass, you flinch when her falcon plucks the eye from the form strapped to the table.

"The evildoers are receiving their just desserts," Hades explains as the skiff continues forward. "Oh, and we just passed the home of the Furies, my three beautiful daughters, who administer the just desserts I just mentioned."

You shiver as the boat plunges forward.

"We'll get off here, Charon," Hades says just before the skiff comes to a stop.

You try to make eye contact with Charon, to give him a smile of thanks, but he does not return your gaze as you follow Hades from the boat. You've barely stepped off before it darts away, out of sight.

"Behind you is the Seers' Pit," Hades says. "It's the only place in my kingdom where the Phlegethon—the river of fire—doesn't flow." He continues forward along the rocky embankment before stopping in front of a majestic castle. "And this is my palace. Won't you come in?"

He leads you through the thick door into what appears to be a throne room, where you see Persephone already seated. Across from her are three other gods—one you recognize as the goddess who unbridled the horses.

"Shall I leave?" one of the gods—young-looking, dark-haired, with striking blue eyes, asks Hades.

"In a moment, Thanatos," Hades replies. "I want to introduce you to the mortal first."

Your mouth drops open as you realize you are looking at the god of death.

"You've met Persephone and Hecate," Hades says to you. "This is Thanatos, the god of death, and his brother Hypnos, the god of sleep."

You stifle a yawn, and your knees almost buckle beneath you.

"Steady," Hades says.

At that moment, the other gods gasp. You look around, puzzled. Then you feel a sharp pain in your chest—only for a moment.

Then Hades says, "This is unfortunate."

"Why would you do such a thing, Cupid?" Hecate asks, as a golden-haired god appears from around a corner.

Without comment, the young god vanishes.

"We can't allow our guest to suffer a lifetime of pining away for one of us," Persephone says. "Can we ask Eris to come with her arrows of hate? Wouldn't that neutralize..."

"We'd risk making the mortal hate one of us," Hecate says. "When a mortal hates a god, that god's power is weakened. It's slight, but if that mortal rallies others to feel the same..."

"Yes," Hades says. "We can't take a chance on Eris's arrows."

"We should grant immortality to the poor soul," Persephone says. "At least then the mortal could remain close by and take some pleasure in daily interactions."

"I doubt Zeus would be happy with an arbitrary mortal becoming one of us," Hades says.

Now your knees do buckle, and you fall to the ground, gasping for air.

"I'll go," Thanatos says. He vanishes.

You yawn widely, uncontrollably.

"So will I," Hypnos says. Then he disappears, too.

Another appears just as quickly in his place—a beautiful dark-haired goddess with stunning gray eyes. She wears a full set of armor, unlike Hades who wears only a breast plate and knee guards.

"Athena?" Hades asks. "What brings you here?"

"I was coming for another purpose," she says, "but then I overheard what happened, and I'd like to propose a plan."

"What is it?" Persephone asks, prompting the other goddess to continue.

"I propose that we design a set of challenges to determine whether the mortal is worthy to become one of us."

"Good idea," Hecate says. "I second her motion."

"What do you have in mind?" Hades asks the gray-eyed goddess.

"Three tasks," Athena says. "I will even loan the mortal my sword and shield."

Athena unbuckles her weapon and straps it to your waist. Then she unstraps her shield from her back and secures it onto yours.

You blink. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," she says. "Let's wait and see if you survive."

Your heart seems to skip a beat.

"I'm not sure I like this idea," Persephone says.

"Let's begin with one challenge," Athena continues. "If we see it successfully completed, we can then declare the next challenge, and so on."

"And what should this first challenge consist of?" Hecate asks.

"I propose this," Athena says. "The mortal must return Aphrodite's black box of beauty, which has been in Persephone's care, to Mount Olympus, with the beauty safely inside."

Persephone nods. "I see. We will test the mortal's willpower and vanity."

"I like it," Hades says.

You wonder how you could possibly get to Mount Olympus when Hades adds, "The god or goddess to whom your heart has been bound can take you to Mount Olympus but cannot interfere if you decide to open the black box. Do you understand?"

You nod, feeling confident. How hard could it be to deliver a box from one goddess to another?

"Tell us, mortal," Persephone says. "To whom has Cupid bound your heart?"

You say [choose one],

" You, Lady Persephone ."

" Hades ."

" Hecate ."

" Hypnos ."

" Thanatos ."

* * *

The smile on the god's face vanishes, and you quickly regret not accepting his invitation.

Before you can give a different answer, Zeus narrows his eyes at you. "How dare you?"

His face becomes red, and the veins in his neck protrude as he lifts his hand in the air. A streak of lightning flashes from his hand, and in the next instant, you writhe in pain for only a second before you fall to the ground, dead. (THE END)

[ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Poseidon's face turns as white as the horses that are standing beside him. He lifts his hand in the air, and you realize you've offended him.

"I'm sorry!" you cry just as he raises his trident and points it at you.

"I don't have time for idiots!" he shouts.

Rays of light shoot from the three prongs of the trident and sting your chest. You fall to the ground, paralyzed and unable to breathe. You gasp and gasp, but no air comes.

Poseidon climbs into his chariot and rides away as you continue to gape, like a fish out of water. Then someone else is at your side—a dark-haired goddess with stunning gray eyes. She wears a full set of armor, and the light glints from it and into your face.

She scoops you into her arms just as you lose consciousness.

Later, you know not how long after, you awaken in a hospital. The doctor beside you smiles down at you and explains that you've suffered a stroke. You've lost the use of your left side, but, in time, with physical therapy, you may fully recover.

You lie there wondering if the stroke came before or after you saw the god. Had it all been a dream, the consequence of a traumatic physiological event?

You suppose you will never know. (The End)

[ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The lord of the Underworld raises his brows. "I suppose you're afraid—no doubt poisoned by lies about me, handed down from one generation to another over the centuries. Well, perhaps you'd prefer to accompany one whose reputation is less repulsive to you."

Before you can say a word in reply, Hades lifts out of thin air an object resembling the ancient headpiece of an armored knight, and, beneath it appears another god.

Without smiling, Hades says, "Allow me to introduce my prisoner,  [you choose]

Demeter ."

Dionysus ."

* * *

Demeter smiles at you in a way that is worrisome, as though she means to use you for some end.

Hades grins. "I hereby release you, dear Mother-in-law. Do what you will with the mortal."

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Demeter hisses. "I'm no mother to you."

"And I never grow tired of your endless charm," Hades says as he jumps into his chariot. " Au revoir !"

He and his chariot vanish, leaving you alone with the sullen goddess.

Her hair, braided and wrapped on her head like a crown, reminds you of the color of corn. Her eyes are as brown as soil, and her cheeks have the reddish hue of turnips.

"I know exactly what to do with you," she says—though, if she intends to reassure you, she fails. "Come with me." She takes ahold of your hand.

You close your eyes against the blinding light that comes from out of nowhere. You can barely breathe as something seems to wrap itself around you—an invisible pressure from all directions. It stops as suddenly as it started, leaving you panting beside the goddess, and when you open your eyes, you're in a completely different location from where you were seconds ago.

Tall evergreens draped with snow surround you on a steep hillside, where the snow has melted to reveal mud and rock beneath your feet. The air is crisp and cool, but not too cold, and yet you find it difficult to breathe.

"You'll soon adjust to the higher altitude," Demeter says as she heads uphill on foot. "Come along. I want to show you my winter cabin."

Since you don't know what else to do, you follow.

Once you pass through the copse of trees, you come upon a clearing, and at its center is a quaint log cabin with smoke billowing from the chimney.

"Come inside," Demeter says. "I have a proposition for you."

You follow her into a cozy but sparsely decorated room. You expected something more elaborate in the home of a goddess, yet the simplicity is welcoming.

"Have a seat." Demeter points to a wooden rocking chair near the hearth.

Without a word, you do as you're asked.

The goddess sits on a stool across from you. "Tell me, mortal, have you heard of me?"

You nod.

"Do you know why I keep a winter cabin here n ear the base of Mount Kronos?"

"Mount Kronos?" you ask. "Are we in Greece?"

"Yes. Now answer my question before you ask more of your own. Do you know why I keep a winter cabin here?"

You shake your head, because although you have a vague idea, you can't recall the details. Plus, you're still reeling with the knowledge of how far you've traveled from where you began.

"For six months out of the year, I live with my daughter and the rest of my family on Mount Olympus, where the sun always shines. It's the most beautiful place on earth."

You wait for the goddess to continue, wondering where she's going with her story and what it has to do with you.

"For the rest of the year, I live here, all alone, battling the utter loneliness in my heart while my beloved daughter, Persephone, lives with her foul husband in the dark and lonely depths of the most repugnant place on Earth."

You're not sure what to say to that, so you say nothing.

"Not long after my daughter married my brother Hades, I asked my dear friend Hecate if she would accompany Persephone during her time in the Underworld—I would go myself, but Hades and I, we can't tolerate one another's company. And Hecate agreed. So, you see, I'm not only without my beloved daughter, but I'm also without the person I most cherish after her."

"I'm so sorry," you say.

"Thank you," Demeter leans forward and studies your face before adding, "I like the look of you, and I don't think it was chance that brought us together. How you would feel about becoming my new companion?"

You're flabbergasted. Why would a goddess wish to keep company with you, of all people?

"Thank you," you say. "I'm honored. But I wonder what that would mean. Would I live here with you? Would I get to see my friends and family?"

"For six months out of the year, while I'm on Mount Olympus, you can do as you please," she says. "But for the other six months, you must devote yourself to me and live here with me in my cabin."

"But how can I earn a living if I have to quit my job every six months?" you wonder out loud.

Demeter laughs. "If you agree to be my companion, you'll never want for anything as long as you live. You won't need to earn a living. I'll lavish you with riches beyond your imaginings."

Although you like the sound of that, you wonder what will be expected of you in return. "And when I'm here with you, what would you have me do? How do you envision our time together?"

Demeter stands up from her stool and paces between you and the fireplace as she says, "Just the presence of another person is comforting to me. My depression keeps me indoors; however, perhaps, in time, with your help, that would change. I suppose, until that happens, we could spend our time reading, lounging around the fireplace. We could play cards. Do you like cards?"

You nod, though you aren't sure that you like the same kind of card games as the goddess.

Perhaps sensing your hesitance, she adds, "While you're here with me, you would feast on any food you desire, any beverage you prefer. I would give you other gifts, as well—whatever you wish."

"New clothes?" you wonder. "A car, maybe?"

"All of that and much more," she assures you. "But during your time with me, you mustn't leave, for any reason."

"What if one of my friends or family members gets really sick?" you say. "What if someone dies while I'm here?"

Demeter frowns. "You must be devoted to me above all else, while you're here. Those are my terms."

You understand that you will be a kind of prisoner for six months out of every year, and you wonder if all the riches in the world are worth the freedom you will sacrifice for half your lifetime. The months away from the goddess might be worth the sacrifice. You could share your gifts with others and live a life of luxury. You could drive the car of your dreams, live in a magnificent house, and travel the world. You might even own multiple cars and multiple houses!

But what kind of relationships could you have at home if you must leave every six months? What kind of spouse and parent would you be?

Demeter returns to her stool across from you and leans forward. "I also imagine that the two of us might grow more and more fond of one another as the years go by." She gently smooths a strand of your hair from your eyes. "A chemistry already exists between us. Can you feel it?"

You aren't sure what you feel, but you know what you must do.

You [choose]

eagerly accept .

fearfully decline .

* * *

Demeter gives you a bright smile. She's so pleased, in fact, that she opens a bottle of champagne and pours you each a glass.

Lifting her glass in the air, she says, "A toast! To our newfound companionship! May we both find happiness and joy together for as long as you live!"

Although you remain nervous and skeptical during that first fall and winter, during which you wonder if you can tolerate the loss of your liberty, over the years you come to be pleased with your choice. Demeter makes it possible for you to give your relatives and friends lives of wealth, luxury, and adventure. You become famous for your generosity and lavish lifestyle. And Demeter becomes an agreeable partner over time. She enjoys pleasing you and is willing to take any form you desire. Sometimes she will transform you both into your favorite characters, and you have a blast acting out scenes from your favorite books and movies. Later, she agrees to leave the cabin on Mount Kronos for short periods and travel with you  incognito . You even convince her to interact while in disguise with your friends and family, especially at times when you need to be with them. You grow old in comfort and style and are happy all the days of your life. When you die, it is without regret. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Demeter frowns. Your heart begins to hammer in your chest as you realize you may have just made a fatal mistake. When you attempt to back-track, she lifts her palm to silence you.

It is too late.

Not a second goes by when you find yourself outside, bound to a table, in the clearing beside Demeter's winter cabin. You pull with your arms and kick with your legs, but you cannot escape the ropes that bind you.

"What are you going to do to me?" you ask.

"You will soon know my pain," she says without kindness. "Then, perhaps, you will become more compassionate toward others."

"What do you mean?" you cry. "What pain?"

She holds a vial in one hand and pours a thick substance from it into her other. She smears it on your face. It smells sweet, like honey.

"What are you doing?" you ask again, but she ignores you as she continues to rub the sticky sweet substance all over your skin, including the areas beneath your clothes.

You begin to fear that she will unleash a mound of ants on you. Or maybe she plans to leave you there for the bears to maul.

"Please!" you cry. "I've changed my mind. I want to stay with you forever!"

She laughs a cruel, wicked laugh and continues to anoint you.

"What is that? Is it honey?" you ask.

"Ambrosia," she says. "The food of the gods."

Your throat closes and you can barely breathe. Will the goddess eat you herself?

Once you are covered from head to toe with ambrosia, the goddess makes the vial disappear from her hand and, in its place, appears a torch. The flames lick at the air and throw heat onto your body. As you stare at the torch with wide eyes, you realize what Demeter intends to do.

She's going to set you on fire.

You wonder how long it will take for you to pass out once your flesh begins to burn. You hope and pray you'll go quickly. Even though a part of you know it's futile, you beg Demeter to have mercy. You say you'll do anything she wants. Anything!

She holds the torch near your feet. You feel nothing at first, and then the pain stings your skin. Your legs kick and pull, but they cannot escape the torturous stinging and burning as the flames creep up your legs.

You scream. You scream again and again as the flames consume you. You remain alive until they reach your face, when, finally, you lose consciousness.

You are shocked and confused when, moments later, you open your eyes. The ropes have burned away, along with your flesh, but you remain alive. You sit up, feeling better than you've ever felt. Bewildered you look around for Demeter. She's there with her cruel smile. You look down at your body to find it glowing. When you climb from the table, you don't fall immediately to the ground. You linger in the air and land gently.

"What's happened to me?" you ask the goddess.

"I've made you immortal, like me," she says. "You will never die. But along with this gift, I curse you." She hurls spittle at your face, and although you attempt to duck from its path, it lands on your forehead. "I curse you to an eternal life of loneliness. May all you attempt to befriend shun you as you have shunned me."

Before you can respond, Demeter vanishes.

You eventually find your way back to your family and friends, but, in spite of your godly beauty, they are frightened of you and avoid you at all costs. The gods see you as a strange anomaly and refuse to acknowledge you. You can find no one on earth or among the gods who will befriend you. Even now, you are miserable and alone. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Dionysus looks at you with a twinkle in his eyes, which both delights and worries you.

Hades leaps into his chariot. "I hereby release you, Dionysus. Consider your debt to me paid. As a sign of goodwill, I give you this mortal to do with as you please."

"But..."

Your objection barely passes through your lips when Hades and his chariot vanish.

You stare blankly at the remaining god, who wears nothing more than a loin cloth, his chiseled body glowing in the autumn sunshine. His golden hair is parted in the middle and fashioned, in the French style, into two thick braids at the back of his head.

He takes a few long strides and closes the distance between you. Inches away, he gazes down at you with amusement.

"Do you know who I am?" he asks.

"Dionysus," you say, repeating what you heard the lord of the Underworld say moments ago.

"That's my name," he says. "But who  am I."

You learned about the gods and goddesses in school, but there were so many, and you're not sure if you remember correctly. The last thing you want to do is anger this god.

You are about to make your guess when the god clamps a hand on your shoulder. "Let's make this interesting. If you can correctly say who I am, I will invite you to my party tonight."

"And if I'm wrong?" you ask.

"Then you won't get an invitation," he says simply.

Although you're somewhat relieved that the consequences of your failure won't be worse, a part of you suspects that there's more he's not telling you.

"So, mortal," he sneers. "Who am I?"

You say [choose one],

" The god of wine ."

" The god of thieves and tricksters ."

* * *

Dionysus claps you on the back and laughs. "Welcome to the party, my friend."

You sigh with relief but then close your eyes to the blinding light that shines down on you. The feeling of being wrapped in plastic, like a pressure on you from all directions, makes you gasp and falter, but it lasts for only a second.

"Follow me," the god beside you says before removing his hand from your shoulder.

You open your eyes to find yourself on a steep hillside surrounded by tall evergreens draped with snow. The snow on the ground melts beneath the setting sun, revealing mud and rock.

"Where are we?" you call out from behind as you scramble to catch up with the god.

"Mount Kithairon," Dionysus replies.

"Wait, huh?" you wonder out loud. "Are we in Greece?"

"That we are, my friend."

Your mouth drops open at the realization that you've traveled thousands of miles with the god in a matter of seconds.

As you struggle to keep up with Dionysus, you find it difficult to breathe. It must be the altitude, you think to yourself, just as you hear music drifting through the trees.

"What's that?" you ask the god. "Do I hear music?"

"Right again, my friend. The party has already begun without us. Better pick up the pace."

Dusk begins to fall when you reach a clearing full of at least a dozen dancing figures. Flutes are being played by three satyrs skipping around a bonfire. The other members of the group are women scantily clothed in animal skins. Some of them dance with their breasts exposed. Others have only a thin strap between their buttocks Their hair is long and matted, as though they never brush it. Their skin glistens with sweat, even though you feel chilly in the evening air. And their eyes are wild. A few of them notice you and seem to ravage you with their eyes.

"Welcome to my life," the god beside you says, "where the party never dies."

"You do this all the time?" you ask, supposing that, if you were a god, you'd do other things with your power.

"My step-mother doesn't want me on Mount Olympus with the rest of my family," he says. "If a god can't rule alongside the other gods, what else is there?"

Along with the sound of flutes, a drumbeat now echoes over the mountainside. A golden goblet appears in the hand of your host.

After taking a drink, he hands the goblet to you.

You look at the red liquid with caution, hoping you aren't expected to drink blood. "What is it?"

Dionysus rolls his eyes. "Must you ask?"

You sniff it. It's wine.  Of course , it's wine. You put the goblet to your lips and drink.

No sooner does the wine travel down your throat than you feel overtaken by euphoria. A smile cracks your face in half as you lift your brows with surprise. Dionysus is clearly amused as he throws back his head and roars with laughter.

"Come along, my new friend!" he says. "Let's dance!"

You follow him into the throng of wild bodies shaking and turning and twisting. You close your eyes and allow yourself to be bumped, caressed, kissed, licked. The next thing you know,  you are kissing, caressing, pinching, and licking, just like the others in the crowd.

When you hear cracking bones and ripping flesh, you open your eyes. One of the women has broken the neck of a jackrabbit and another has pulled off a leg to eat it raw. You know you should be abhorred, but the look of the raw flesh and the smell of the blood are surprisingly appetizing, and you suddenly feel hungrier than you've ever felt in your life.

Along with the wild throng, you grab for your bit of fresh meat, but the others are stronger, and you come up emptyhanded. Dionysus is there beside you with a hunk of meat that looks as though it came from a deer. You take it eagerly and bite into the warm flesh, not minding the bits of fur that brush your lips. It's the most delicious meat you've ever tasted, especially when you wash it down with a goblet of wine offered to you by your new favorite host.

The dancing and the caressing, the pinching and the ripping, the eating and the drinking continue throughout the night. It's dawn before you begin to grow weary, and, when you do, you lie on the ground along with the others, your flesh against their flesh, and fall soundly to sleep.

When you awake, you find yourself flanked by a satyr on your left and a woman on your right. You sit up and look around at the others, sleeping wherever they fell. The god, Dionysus, is nowhere to be seen, and, for the first time since you tasted his wine, you are afraid.

Your head aches, and there's a repugnant taste in your mouth. You'd give anything for another drink of wine. As you stand and look around the mountainside, you are surprised to find that dusk is already falling. You have slept through the day.

As you walk around, trying to piece together your actions of the night before, others begin to stir. A satyr picks up his flute and begins to play a tune, and, soon, another follows. More of the sleepers awaken and begin piling new wood on top of the ashes from the previous night's bonfire. Soon the drummers drum along with the flutes, and the fire leaps over the pile of wood. Dionysus appears with his goblet of wine and passes it to the members of the crowd. You can hardly wait for your turn. You can't wait for the extasy of the night before to consume you once again.

Not long after you've finally had your drink, you are dancing in the throng, swinging your hips, waving your arms, shaking your head to the drums. Soon someone kisses you. With your eyes closed, you return the kiss and pull your lips away only to drink more wine.

Sometime later, you awake again among the others, just as dusk begins to fall. Your only thought is of the wine you cannot wait to drink and of the raw flesh you cannot wait to eat. Just thinking of it stirs you to your feet, and you begin searching for wood to pile upon the ashes of the previous night's bonfire. (The End) [ Click here to start again .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Dionysus clicks his tongue with disappointment.

"That would be Hermes," he says as he claps a hand on your shoulder.

A blinding light shoots down on you, forcing your eyes closed. Then a pressure from all directions presses upon you, almost as though you're being wrapped in a sheet of plastic. It lasts only a moment, and, when it's over, you open your eyes to find yourself on a hillside surrounded by evergreens draped in snow.

It's cold, but not freezing as the setting sun melts the snow at your feet.

"Where are we?" you ask.

Dionysus removes his hand from your shoulder. "Mount Kithairon. The most wonderful place on earth. I'm taking you to my party."

"But I thought you said that I wouldn't get an invitation if I was wrong about who you are," you say.

He points a finger at you. "Right you are, my friend. You aren't attending as a guest."

Just then, you feel something crawl from the ground and wrap tightly around your ankles. You look down to see vines climbing up your body. You grunt and claw at them, but they climb higher still, twisting around your hips, your torso, and your shoulders, creating a cocoon of stems and leaves from your neck to your feet.

"What's happening to me?" you ask the god smiling at you with amusement.

He looks up into the darkening sky. "We're late. Let's go."

The vines tug at your legs until you drop to the ground.

"Hey!" you cry. "Let me out of here!"

The god ignores you as the wild vines drag you up the hill. Your head nods uncontrollably, sometimes hitting the rocky ground, but your screams and shouts do nothing to stop the terrifying ascent.

As you clear the copse of trees and reach a clearing, you hear music and the crackling of a fire. You squirm around on the ground in your vine prison, trying to get a better look at the scene around you. At least a dozen figures are there dancing.

Three satyrs play flutes as they skip around a bonfire. Women scantily clad in animal skins dance frenetically about. Their hair is long and matted, as if it has never been brushed. Their skin glistens with sweat, even though you are quite cold. In fact, as much as the women are exposed—some are bare-breasted, and others wear nothing but a thin strap of leather between their buttocks—you wonder why they aren't warming themselves near the fire.

A golden goblet appears in the hand of Dionysus just as a drumbeat begins to accompany the flutes. He takes a drink and then passes it around the crowd. You watch on with dismay as they become wild with lust, kissing and groping one another in a frenzied orgy. Then you see one of the women run in from the edge of the woods holding a jackrabbit by the ears. The rabbit writhes with terror as hands reach out and rip its limbs away from its body. You gasp as the women eat the raw flesh, dripping with blood. Once the rabbit is consumed the women look around the edge of the woods, skipping and swaying their arms to the music, their eyes wild with hunger and expectation. One of them notices you at the feet of Dionysus and scrambles toward you, falling to her knees. She rips at the vines, and you become hopeful that you will be saved. Another joins her, and another, and they tug and pull the leaves and stems away.

But an unearthly horror seizes you when they do not stop with the vines. They grab at your fingers, ripping them from your hands. You scream and struggle against them as another woman rips off your toe. Soon a satyr is there helping the women to ravage you, and he pulls off one of your arms. You see him take a bite of your flesh, and your own blood drips from his lips onto your face.

You open your mouth wide and emit one last throat-burning scream before your mind finally yields to the darkness. (The End) [ Click here to start again .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Part Two: Zeus and the First Challenge

Zeus leans close. "I'm sorry, darling one." He glances up at Hera. "My heart belongs to another."

Hera is beside you in an instant. She glares at you and says, "Although it's not your fault that Cupid has bound your heart to my husband, don't believe for one second that I'll allow you to get away with anything."

Speechless, you nod, as fear shoots down your spine.

"Now, now, dear," Zeus says to his wife.

"Don't patronize me, Zeus," Hera says, as her face turns red. "I swear on the River Styx that I will kill this mortal if you try anything, do you understand?" She turns to you. "And don't think I won't be watching you every step of the way."

You swallow hard, unable to moisten your dry, tight throat as you dumbly nod again.

Zeus squeezes your shoulder. "Ready?"

You  aren't  ready, but Zeus doesn't wait for your reply.

Everything around you fades away, as a blinding light shoots out of nowhere, forcing you to close your eyes. You feel a stifling pressure enclose upon you from all directions. For a moment, you can't breathe, and then it is over. You open your eyes to find yourself in a veil of fog.

You feel Zeus's hand on your shoulder. A desire deep in your heart makes you want to throw your arms around his neck and press your lips to his, but Hera's warning keeps you in your place. You are quite surprised when Zeus caresses your cheek and gazes at you tenderly, causing you to sigh with happiness.

"Sit beside me on the riverbank for a moment, won't you, darling one?" he asks.

He finds a boulder with enough room for the two of you to sit comfortably, side by side.

"I'm not sure how much you know about my story, but I'd like to explain something to you," he says. "My father, Cronus, was a tyrant who, when he heard his son would one day overthrow him, he swallowed his children to avoid the prophecy."

You remember hearing something about it in school.

"After five of my siblings had been swallowed, my mother finally got up the nerve to trick him and, in so doing, she saved me. I was raised by a couple of nymphs in a cave near the peak of Mount Ida. I grew up knowing no love from my father and, except for saving my life, no love from my mother. The nymphs weren't very pleasant, and I felt alone."

"I'm sorry," you say.

"I love nothing more than to be loved, darling one," he says. "It's my greatest fault, you see. It drives my wife insane with jealousy, but I can't seem to help myself. I go after others, whether they love me or not, and try and make them love me."

"You don't have to make  me love you," you say with desire in your heart. "I already do."

"Cupid has made me giddy, I dare say. If he should ask me for anything, I would grant it." Then he lowers his voice. "I'm rooting for you to succeed and look forward to a day when we can be together."

"Really?" you ask, feeling hopeful.

"You have a look about you that pleases me," he whispers at your ear, sending chills of pleasure down your neck and back. "I'm the king of the Olympians. I always get what I want."

You resist the urge to kiss him and are comforted when he presses his lips to your forehead.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Zeus says. "If you wait over there at the edge of the riverbank, you can catch a ride with Charon. Don't ask permission. Just step on board his boat with the other souls. Do you understand, darling one?"

It sounds terrifying. "What if he won't let me?"

Zeus pulls two packages from out of thin air. "These are cakes—one to help you in and one to help you out. If Charon won't board you, your next move should be to toss one of these cakes to Cerberus. While he's distracted, slip through the gates. Follow the river of flames past the three judges to the palace. You'll find the black box of beauty in Persephone's rooms, but I don't know where. I  do  know that her room is through the throne room and to the right. If you ask her for it, she might give it to you, or she might kill you."

Your knees knock against one another as you take the cakes and tuck them into each of your trouser pockets.

"You may need to use Athena's sword to protect yourself," Zeus says. "If anyone tries to kill you, swing for the neck."

"I thought gods couldn't die," you say.

"We  can die," Zeus explains. "But we return to life once our bodies repair themselves. It will give you enough time to escape, I hope."

As you process that information, Zeus adds, "Once you find the black box of beauty, whatever you do, don't open it."

"What if I drop it and the lid flies open?"

"Then you'll remain a mortal, darling one, and quite beautiful at that. In any case, I'll be waiting for you here."

Your task seems impossible. Even if you find the box, which you highly doubt you can do, how will you make your way back to Zeus?

Zeus seems to read your mind. "You can try to catch a ride with Charon back out or use the second cake to distract Cerberus. If you must make a swim for it, avoid the Lethe River at all costs. The other rivers are black—except for the river of fire, and the Styx is the blackest. But the Lethe is a shimmery blue-green, like the sea. Don't let its waters touch you, or you will lose all your memories. You won't even recall who you are. Do you understand?"

You bite your lip so hard that you taste blood. As much as you want to follow your heart so that you can spend eternity with the one you love, you have no idea how you can be expected to succeed, much less survive.

"I wish I could help you, but it's against the rules," Zeus says.

On wobbly legs you leave Zeus's side for the riverbank. The fog is thick, and, from where you stand, Zeus is no longer visible. But you  can see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

The longer you wait on the riverbank for Charon, the shakier your legs become. You fear that if the ferryman of the dead doesn't arrive soon, you'll no longer be able to walk. You also fear that Cerberus will spot you at any moment and take you by surprise.

Overcome with anxiety, you [choose one]

bite your tongue and wait .

reach into your pocket and toss one of the cakes to Cerberus .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

By your estimation, at least another fifteen minutes pass when you discover you are no longer alone. An ethereal woman, white and transparent, stands beside you on the riverbank accompanied by a dark-haired boy with bright blue eyes and a somber frown. As he looks at you suspiciously, you find it difficult to breathe.

Within seconds of the arrival of your companions, a boat emerges from the fog, driven by a thin old man pulling a long, slender pole. Charon's red robe is tattered, and his bowed head is bald. He glares at you but says nothing as you step aboard, followed by your companions.

You are astonished when the enormous gate opens and you pass through unscathed, though you still find it difficult to breathe. You soon believe you will pass out, fall overboard, and drown if you don't get to land soon. Thankfully, the river beneath you is black.

Charon stops the boat near a cave illuminated by the river of fire where three figures wearing clean white robes float. You take this opportunity to leap from the boat to the opposite side of the river. Without looking back, you run, and the further you go, the easier it is to breathe again.

The river of fire leads you to a magnificent castle. Believing this to be the palace of Hades and Persephone,  you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

As soon as the cake leaves your hand, Cerberus smells it with his three large snouts. He dives into the air after it, and you waste no time making a run for the gate. Cerberus lands in the black river with a splash. Some of the cold water hits you, but you keep running. You're about to reach the gate when Cerberus snaps at your heels. Screaming frantically, you slip inside and pull the gate closed just in time to avoid losing your head.

You don't wait to catch your breath but turn and run along the riverbank. Soon it becomes apparent to you that you cannot get to the river of fire and to the palace beyond it without swimming across the river at your feet. As it's only about three meters wide, you feel confident you can make it to the other side.

You look closely at the river, making sure it is black. You wonder if it's possible that, with better light, this river could be blue-green. Cerberus continues to snarl at you from the gate so, deciding that it's too late to turn back now, you walk out into the river, and, when you can no longer reach the bottom, you swim for the other side.

When you climb onto the other bank and can still recall who you are, you heave a huge sigh of relief. Drenched from head to toe, you follow the river of fire past the cave with the three floating figures to a magnificent castle.  Then you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Athena's sword is heavier than you imagined, but you manage to raise it in the air as you run toward Cerberus. The three-headed dog snarls at you, baring his teeth. His red eyes glare down at you, and suddenly he grows from six feet in height to at least twenty.

Terrified, you stop in your tracks, as though your feet have turned to lead, and you've stepped in fast-drying concrete.

Through chattering teeth, you say, "Hi there, Cerberus. D-d-do you w-w-want some cake?"

Before you can reach into your pocket, the center head opens its gigantic mouth and rushes down on you, snapping its teeth around your neck. Instantly, you die, and, although you finally make it through the gates of the Underworld, it's as one of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with black eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her black serpentine curls become snakes that hiss.

"Who are you?" she growls.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she demands. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Tisiphone, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will take pleasure in slowly killing you."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Zeus's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Zeus to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you tuck the black box of beauty beneath one arm and swim as best as you can with the other to the other side. You climb from the river and, as you catch your breath, you scan through the iron bars of the enormous gate. Cerberus stands at his post. There's no sign of Charon.

Drenched and shivering, you creep along the riverbank clutching the black box. Your foot slips on the rocky bank, and as you swing your arms to regain your balance, the black box flies from your grasp into the air above you. You back up in time to catch it before it falls. After appreciating the enormity of what you nearly lost, you continue to tread carefully toward the gate.

You stop when you reach the gate, where you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

reach into your trouser pocket for the cake, push your hand through the bars, and toss the cake into the air .

* * *

You enter a circular room that seems carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light. Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling are higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

You recall Zeus's instructions. Persephone's room is through the throne room and to the right. You hasten through the room, but as you enter a cavernous corridor, a white ghastly figure with white ghastly snakes slithering from her scalp fixes her stone-black eyes on you.

Your mouth drops open as your skin begins to harden and you realize you have gazed upon the face of Medusa. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

When Charon appears on his skiff, he doesn't acknowledge you.

Afraid of drawing the attention of Cerberus, you refrain from crying out to the ferryman. Instead, you leap into the river with the black box tucked beneath your arms, and you grab ahold of the boat just as it passes through the groaning gate.

Keeping the boat between you and Cerberus, you manage to go undetected until Charon docks at the bank where you started and the beautiful dark-haired boy with the bright blue eyes glares at you as he helps the transparent old woman beside him board. You glance back and watch the gate closing behind you.

Instantly, you can barely breathe, and it's at this moment that you realize that the boy is Death. You release your grip on the ferry and swim away, until Cerberus snarls and snaps at you. All three heads bare down at you as you climb onto the bank, gasping and clutching the black box. Just as the warm breath of the center head presses into your face, Zeus snatches you out of the way and back to safety.

You've barely had time to recover when you find yourself flying in Zeus's arms outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Zeus sets you on your feet and gazes into your eyes.

With your one free hand, you cup Zeus's cheek, and your eyes lock. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Zeus's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Zeus is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Zeus would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

While Cerberus leaps into the air for the cake, you slip through the iron gate, but Cerberus won't be fooled twice. He shoots up alike an alligator with his tail from the river and lunges at you, all three heads snapping. You do the only thing you can: you dive into the black waters to try to make a swim for it.

When you hit the water, the black box of beauty is knocked loose from your grasp. You open your eyes, searching in all directions in the murky water, but you can barely see your own hands.

In the distance, something bright shines from the bottom. It seems to be moving toward you. You grab another breath at the surface and then submerge once more, flailing around in the water, feeling for the box. Although you can't find it, you can now see the source of the light. It's a mermaid. As she nears you, you recognize the black box of beauty in her hands. Is she bringing it back to you?

Her eyes meet yours. They are filled with wonder and delight. You hold out your hand for the box, but instead of handing it over to you, she holds it near her waist and opens it.

You shriek as something flies from the box and creates a whirlpool around the mermaid. As quickly as it started, the whirlpool ceases, and the mermaid, who was already beautiful, now is the most beautiful creature you've ever seen. If your heart weren't bound to Zeus, you would most definitely kiss her.

Laughing with glee, the beautiful mermaid swims away as you reach the surface for a gulp of air. Full of disappointment, you swim to the bank where Zeus is waiting for you. You glance back at the enormous gates, wishing you could start again.

Before you can explain what happened, Zeus whisks you away from the Underworld. The god lays you near the stream in the field of flowers, where you started. The Zeus lies with you for one glorious hour before leaving you forever. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Zeus cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's a killer bee!"

Zeus catches you as you fall. The clouds spin around you. Before you can say goodbye, you die. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. A bee buzzes near you and flies away.

"No!" Zeus cries before returning to your side. "Darling one, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Zeus whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The god lies with you for one glorious hour and then kisses you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Zeus does. Although you ache for the god for most of your life, the moments you spend with Zeus make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Zeus is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Zeus leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to continue to Part Three.]

* * *

Part Two: Hera and the First Challenge

Hera's brows raise as a blush comes to her cheeks. "Me?"

Zeus moves to her side and puts an arm around her shoulders. "That sadistic Cupid."

"It could have been the Fates driving him, dear," Hera says. "The poor mortal."

Hera crosses the room and takes your hands. "I promise to give you as much affection as I can without crossing the line. But that will have to be enough." She glances back at Zeus and then squeezes your hands. "Ready?"

You aren't ready, but Hera doesn't wait for your reply.

Everything around you fades away, as a blinding light shoots out of nowhere, forcing you to close your eyes. You feel a stifling pressure enclose upon you from all directions. For a moment, you can't breathe, and then it is over. You open your eyes to find yourself in a veil of fog.

You are grateful that Hera is there holding your hands. A desire deep in your heart makes you want to lean in and press your lips to hers. You are quite surprised when Hera caresses your cheek and gazes at you tenderly, causing you to sigh with happiness.

"Will you sit with me for a moment on the bank?" she asks.

"I'll do anything you ask of me," you say, your heart pounding with desire for her.

She motions for you to sit on a boulder, and she takes her seat beside you.

"I want you to understand something about me," she says. "You may think me a powerful goddess, but the gods hold the greater power of the sexes. It's unfair, but there it is."

"I'm sorry," you say, not sure what else you  can  say.

"I don't tell you this for your pity," she says as she affectionately squeezes your hand. "I tell you this, so you'll understand why my husband's infidelity is so worrisome to me. While it's true that I do love him, my jealousy and hatred of those he beds is driven by my fear of losing power, the power that is afforded to me by the virtue of my being his wife."

You aren't sure why she is confessing this to you, but you are grateful for the chance to sit near her. You want nothing more than to kiss her as she continues.

"I'm rooting for you to succeed and look forward to a day when we can be together."

"Really?" you ask, feeling hopeful.

"I'm half in love with you already," she whispers at your ear, sending chills of pleasure down your neck and back. "I've never cheated on my husband, but he has cheated on me more times than I can count. I'm due a love affair, don't you think? Even at the risk of losing some of my power?"

You resist the urge to kiss her and are comforted when she presses her lips to your forehead.

"We're near the gates to the realm of the dead," Hera says. "Wait over there at the edge of the riverbank and catch a ride with Charon. Don't ask permission. Just step on board his boat with the dead. Do you understand, dear one?"

It sounds terrifying. "What if he won't let me on board?"

Hera pulls a lump of cake from her pocket. "This cake is laced with a sleeping potion. If Charon won't board you, your next move should be to toss this to Cerberus. While he's asleep, slip through the gates. Follow the river of flames past the three floating judges to the palace. You'll find the black box of beauty in Persephone's chamber. You'll find it through the throne room and to the right. You can do this, dear one. Don't be afraid."

Your knees knock against one another as you take the cake and tuck it into your trouser pocket.

Hera adds, "Once you find the black box of beauty, whatever you do, don't open it."

"What happens if I do?"

"You'll remain a mortal, dear one, and quite beautiful at that. In any case, I'll be waiting for you here. If you use the cake, be sure to hurry back. I don't know how long it will keep Cerberus down."

Your task seems impossible. Even if you find the box, which you highly doubt you can do, how will you make your way back to Hera?

On wobbly legs you leave Hera's side for the riverbank. The fog is thick, and, from where you stand, Hera is no longer visible. But you can see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

The longer you wait on the riverbank for Charon, the shakier your legs become. You fear that if the ferryman of the dead doesn't arrive soon, you'll no longer be able to walk. You also fear that Cerberus will spot you at any moment and take you by surprise.

Overcome with  anxiety, you [choose one]

bite your tongue and wait .

reach into your pocket and toss the cake to Cerberus .

* * *

At least a half hour has passed when you discover you are no longer alone. An ethereal child, white and transparent, stands beside you on the riverbank accompanied by a dark-haired boy with bright blue eyes and a somber frown. As he looks at you suspiciously, you find it difficult to breathe.

Within seconds of the arrival of your companions, a boat emerges from the fog, driven by a thin old man pulling a long, slender pole. Charon's red robe is tattered, and his bowed head is bald. When you follow your companions on board, he shakes a finger at you.

"I've been sent by Athena," you say, showing him her sword and shield.

He grumbles and pushes off from the bank.

You are astonished when the enormous gate opens and you pass through unscathed, though you still find it difficult to breathe. You soon believe you will pass out, fall overboard, and drown if you don't get to land soon. Thankfully, the river beneath you is black.

Charon stops the boat near a cave illuminated by the river of fire where three figures wearing clean white robes float. You take this opportunity to leap from the boat to the opposite side of the river. Without looking back, you run, and the further you go, the easier it is to breathe again.

The river of fire leads you to a magnificent castle. Believing this to be the palace of Hades and  Persephone, you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

As soon as the cake leaves your hand, Cerberus smells it with his three large snouts. He dives into the air after it, and you waste no time making a run for the gate. Cerberus lands in the black river with a splash. The water from the splash drenches you, and you slip on the rock and scrape your chin.

You clamber forward, struggling to get to your feet, when you feel the hot breath of the three-headed dog on the back of your neck.

You wonder why the sleeping potion didn't work as you close your eyes, resigned to die, when you here a loud clatter behind you. Glancing back, you see the three-headed dog collapsed on the bank behind you, snoring.

"Run," Hera says as you slip through the gates.

You don't hesitate to slip through the opening and run along the riverbank. Soon it becomes apparent to you that you cannot get to the river of fire and to the palace beyond it without swimming across the river at your feet. As it's only about three meters wide, you feel confident you can make it to the other side.

When you climb onto the other bank, you heave a sigh of relief. Drenched from head to toe, you follow the river of fire past the cave with the three floating figures to a magnificent castle. Then you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with black eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her red spiked hair become snakes that hiss.

"Who are you?" she growls.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she demands. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Alecto, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will torment you in Tartarus."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Hera's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Hera to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. You follow the river of fire past the House of Judgment, where you see Charon on his skiff docked at the bank. Without asking, you board.

Charon glares at you as he pushes off with his slender pole.

As the gate groans open, Cerberus awakens. You close your eyes and hopes he doesn't notice you.

Just as you pass the gates, you hear the three heads snapping toward you. Before you can react, you're swept away in Hera's arms.

You've barely had time to process your good fortune when you find yourself flying in Hera's arms outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Hera sets you on your feet and gazes into your eyes.

With your one free hand, you cup Hera's cheek, and your eyes lock. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Hera's arms.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Hera is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You think how much more Hera would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

You enter a circular room that seems carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light. Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceilings are higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

Two figures are seated there. Not wanting to alarm them any more than you already have, you fall to your knees.

The goddess has long blonde hair, the color of corn, and golden-brown eyes. Beside her, the god sits picking his black curly beard and smiling at you with amusement.

"Welcome," he says. "What brings you to my kingdom?"

You realize you have been addressed by Hades, lord of the Underworld. The goddess beside him, you deduce, must be Persephone, his wife.

Remaining on your knees, you say, "Athena sent me, as a test."

"A test?" Hades repeats.

"Cupid made me fall in love with Hera," you explain. "I guess the other gods felt sorry for me and wanted to give me a chance to prove that I'm worthy to become an immortal, so I can be around my one true love."

"So, they sent you to me?" he asks.

"To her, actually," you say. "I'm to retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty and return it to Mount Olympus."

Persephone and Hades exchange a glance before turning back to you.

"I'll make a deal with you," Hades says. "The box for Athena's shield."

Although you fear the consequences of giving away Athena's shield, you doubt you have a choice. You climb to your feet, unstrap the shield from your back, and take it to the lord of darkness.

Hades holds the shield in his hands, admiring it. "It holds the face of Medusa. Did you know that? It won't turn its onlooker to stone, but it lends the shield a certain power."

You didn't know, but you only care about the box. Just as you fear the god won't hold up his end of the deal, Persephone holds out a black wooden box the size of a Rubik's cube.

"I wouldn't open it," she says as you take it.

"Thank you," you say.

"How do you plan to escape my realm?" Hades asks ominously. "When mortals come in, they don't usually go out."

Your eyes widen. "Will you help me, Lord Hades?"

"I suppose if you give me Athena's sword, I could see you safely out."

You take a deep breath and hold it. If you relinquish the weapon, how will you defend yourself? After thinking on it for another moment,  you [choose one]

unbuckle the weapon from your waist and hand it over .

say, "I'm sorry, Lord Hades. I guess I'll have to take my chances with Cerberus ."

* * *

As soon as the weapon leaves your hand, a blinding light, along with a pressure, wrap around you, and you close your eyes. When you open them again, you are standing in the thick fog with the black box of beauty beside Hera.

You've barely had time to process your good fortune when Athena appears.

"Where are my sword and shield?" she asks angrily.

You explain the deals you made with Hades.

"How dare you bargain away my weapons!" Athena shrieks. "They weren't  gifts , mortal!"

"Athena, please," Hera says on your behalf.

"The tests have ended," Athena declares. "I will not allow my father to transform such a mortal into one of us."

"We'll see about that!" Hera chides.

Hera carries you back to Mount Olympus and pleads her case to Zeus, but Zeus, jealous of his wife's obvious feelings for you, refuses.

Full of tears, Hera returns you to the babbling brook and the field of flowers, where it all began. You cling to her and beg her not to go. She lies with you for one glorious hour before kissing you and leaving you forever. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

" Good luck," Hades says.

"Thank you for the box," you say to Hades and Persephone as you turn to leave.

You follow the river of fire past the House of Judgment, where you see Charon on his skiff docked at the bank. Without asking, you board.

Charon glares at you as he pushes off with his slender pole.

As the gate groans open, Cerberus awakens. You close your eyes and hopes he doesn't notice you.

Just as you pass the gates, you hear the three heads snapping toward you. Before you can react, you're swept away in Hera's arms.

You've barely had time to process your good fortune when you find yourself flying in Hera's arms outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Hera sets you on your feet and gazes into your eyes.

With your one free hand, you cup Hera's cheek, and your eyes lock. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Hera's arms.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Hera is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You think how much more Hera would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Hera cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's a killer bee!"

Hera catches you as you fall. The clouds spin around you. Before you can say goodbye, you die. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. A bee buzzes near you and flies away.

"No!" Hera cries before returning to your side. "Dear one, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Hera whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The goddess lies with you for one glorious hour before kissing you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Hera does. And although you ache for the goddess for most of your life, the moments you spend with her make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Hera is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Hera leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into the great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"Where's my shield," she asks.

You explain the deal you had to make with Hades.

Athena's face turns red. "I'll deal with my uncle later. For now, are you ready for your second test?" [ Click here to continue to Part Three.]

* * *

Hera leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into the great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"Well done, mortal," she says. "Are you ready for your second challenge?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: The First Challenge with Ares

Ares saunters across the hall to stand before you. He cups your cheek and gazes down at you.

"Yes, I can see it in your eyes," he says. "You're lovesick."

You don't know what to say, so you stare dumbly back. You're drawn to his mouth.

In front of the others, he kisses you. The others gasp, but you don't care. It's a long, lingering, hot, moist, luscious kiss that leaves you reeling.

"Not bad," he whispers.

Through hooded eyes, you gaze up at him, wanting nothing more than another kiss from this hot, virile, strong god.

His hand moves to your shoulder. "Ready?"

Still dazed from his kiss, you murmur, "Ready for what?"

He chuckles as a bright light descends on you and seems to wrap you like a hot blanket. You can barely breathe for a moment, and then you feel your feet land on solid ground. You open your eyes to find yourself beside Ares surrounded by fog.

Ares strolls along the bank, and you follow. He stops and sits on a boulder, beckoning you to do the same.

Once you are seated beside him, he says, "I want you to understand something about me, baby doll—especially since you've decided to go through all this trouble with the hope of being with me."

You look up at him expectantly, wanting nothing more than to kiss him again.

"A very long time ago, Zeus promised that I would marry Aphrodite," he says, and jealousy instantly stings your heart. "But when Hera was tricked into a trap by Hephaestus, Zeus gave Aphrodite to him instead."

"I wish I could say I was sorry," you say.

He grins. "I want you to understand why I'm so restless. I sleep around—you need to know that."

You suck in your lips, realizing that you would take him under any terms.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," he says. "If you wait over there at the edge of the riverbank, you can catch a ride with Charon. Okay, baby doll?"

It sounds terrifying, but you nod.

"Follow the river of flames past the three floating judges to the palace. You'll find the black box of beauty in Persephone's rooms, which are through the throne room and to the right. If you ask her for it, she might give it to you, or she might kill you. If she or anyone tries to kill you, swing for the neck."

"I thought gods couldn't die," you say.

"We  can die," Ares explains. "But we return to life after our bodies repair themselves."

As you process that information, Ares adds, "Once you find the black box of beauty, whatever you do, don't open it."

"What if I drop it and the lid flies open?"

"Then you'll remain a mortal, baby doll, and quite beautiful. In any case, I'll be waiting for you here."

Your task seems impossible. Even if you find the box, which you highly doubt you can do, how will you make your way back to Ares?

Ares seems to read your mind. "Catch a ride with Charon back, if you can. If you must make a swim for it, avoid the Lethe River at all costs. The other rivers are black—except for the river of fire, and the Styx is the blackest. But the Lethe is a shimmery blue-green, like the sea. Don't let its waters touch you, or you will lose all your memories. You won't even recall who you are. Do you understand?"

You bite your lip so hard that you taste blood. As much as you want to follow your heart so that you can spend eternity with the one you love, you have no idea how you can be expected to succeed, much less survive.

"You can do this, baby doll," Ares says, before he kisses you again.

You melt in his arms and wish you could fast-forward to the future, where you can be with him forever.

But, knowing that you can't, you leave Ares's side for the riverbank. The fog is thick, and, from where you stand, Ares is no longer visible. But you can see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

The longer you wait on the riverbank for Charon, the shakier your legs become. You fear that if the ferryman of the dead doesn't arrive soon, you'll no longer be able to walk. You also fear that Cerberus will spot you at any moment and take you by surprise.

Overcome with anxiety,  you [choose one]

bite your tongue and wait .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

It feels like another fifteen minutes pass when you discover you are no longer alone. An ethereal old man, white and transparent, stands beside you on the riverbank accompanied by a dark-haired boy with bright blue eyes and a somber frown. As he looks at you suspiciously, you find it difficult to breathe.

Within seconds of the arrival of your companions, a boat emerges from the fog, driven by a thin old man pulling a long, slender pole. Charon's red robe is tattered, and his bowed head is bald. He glares at you but says nothing as you step aboard, followed by your companions.

You are astonished when the enormous gate opens and you pass through unscathed, though you still find it difficult to breathe. You soon believe you will pass out, fall overboard, and drown if you don't get to land soon. Thankfully, the river beneath you is black and not blue-green.

Charon stops the boat near a cave illuminated by the river of fire where three figures wearing clean white robes float. The judges point to their right, and the boat springs to your left.

You gasp when the river becomes blue-green, for you realize you are travelling along the Lethe—the river that makes you forget. To make matters worse, you are travelling away from the palace of Hades and Persephone.

So, you [choose one]

leap toward the opposite bank, toward the river of flames .

ride along, hoping Charon will soon dock the boat .

* * *

You've misjudged the speed at which the skiff is moving when you attempt to leap the three feet between you and the bank, and you land in the blue-green water.

You stop struggling against the current and allow it to carry you where it will. You float on your back and watch the reflection of the river of flames sparkling on the cavern walls above you. You don't believe you've ever seen anything more beautiful, though you can't recall.

The current carries you to the edge of a deep cavern, but you don't resist as you tumble down into the pool below. You lie in the shallow water among others. You're aren't alarmed. You feel indifferent as you close your eyes and go to sleep. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

The longer you remain on the skiff beside the beautiful boy and his ethereal companion, the more difficult you find it to breathe. Just as you fear you might pass out and fall into the river of forgetfulness, the boat stops, and the boy escorts the transparent old man ashore to fields of flowers where others, like the old man, are dancing, playing, reading, and lounging around. It occurs to you that you are viewing heaven, and you scan the bank, looking for your beloved departed ones.

Realizing you can breathe normally again, you turn to Charon. "Would you mind dropping me off at the Palace of Hades and Persephone?" Then, because you aren't sure how to address a god, you add, "Your highness?"

Your final words get Charon's attention. He meets your gaze for the first time. Using his slender pole, he pushes away from the fields of flowers and frolicking souls to the opposite bank, near the river of fire.

As he holds the skiff steady, you step off, saying, "Thank you, your highness."

Charon gives a slight bow and pushes off to continue down the river.

You follow the river of flames back in the direction you came, until you reach the three judges. Then you turn with the flames toward the palace beyond.

Standing before what you believe is the main entrance,  you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Athena's sword is heavier than you imagined, but you manage to raise it in the air as you run toward Cerberus. The three-headed dog snarls at you, baring his teeth. His red eyes glare down at you, and, before your eyes, he grows from six feet in height to at least twenty.

Ares is soon beside you. "That's the spirit, baby doll! Keep your elbow in and, as he bears down on you, drive the sword through his throat."

Though you are trembling, you feel more confident with Ares cheering you on. You pull the shield from your back and cover your head as Cerberus lunges at you. He knocks you on your back. Before you can scramble to your feet, he lunges at you again, snapping his jaws.

You thrust Athena's sword upward with all your strength. Although you miss his neck, the sword drives through the lower jaw of the center head.

Not wanting to lose Athena's sword, you hold onto it with both hands as Cerberus wails and throws back his heads, lifting you into the air.

The sword slides from the jaw, and you, along with it, are thrown like a stone from a slingshot over the gate and into the black river.

Treading water, you sheathe the sword and swim as fast as you can to the opposite bank, where you scramble from the river, drenched and trembling, toward the river of fire.

Past the House of Judgment, you see the magnificent castle—the palace of Hades and Persephone. When you reach the threshold, you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with black eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her black serpentine curls become snakes that hiss. Standing beside her is a beautiful white wolf with his teeth bared.

"Who are you?" she growls.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she demands. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Tisiphone, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will take pleasure in slowly killing you."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Ares's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Ares to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Then you [choose one]

tuck the black box beneath your arm .

open it .

* * *

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you tuck the black box of beauty beneath one arm and swim as best as you can with the other to the other side. You climb from the river and, as you catch your breath, you scan through the iron bars of the enormous gate. Cerberus stands at his post. There's no sign of Charon.

Drenched and shivering, you creep along the riverbank clutching the black box. Your foot slips on the rocky bank, and as you swing your arms to regain your balance, the black box flies from your grasp into the air above you. You back up in time to catch it before it falls. After appreciating the enormity of what you nearly lost, you continue to tread carefully toward the gate.

You stop when you reach the gate,  where you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

You are surrounded by a wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Just as suddenly as it starts, it stops, and standing beside you is Ares.

"You look incredible," he says.

"I failed the test," you say.

"I don't care." He presses his mouth to yours and kisses you hungrily, passionately.

When he releases you to gaze tenderly down at you, you realize you are back at the babbling brook in the field of flowers, where everything began.

"Stay with me," you beg him.

"For a little while," he says.

He lies with you for one glorious hour before kissing you goodbye.

"I'll be back," he reassures you.

Although you become the most famous mortal on earth because of your godlike beauty, no one possesses your heart like Ares, who returns to you on each full moon and delights you for the rest of your life. When you die of old age, he comes once more to escort you to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

You enter a circular room that seems carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light. Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceilings are higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

A black Doberman enters from the opposite side of the room, sniffing the air. You unsheathe the sword, expecting the dog to attack, but instead, she cocks her head to the side as a polecat strolls in behind her.

A woman's voice from carries into the room, calling, "Cubie? Galen? Leave the mortal be. She was sent here by Athena and means us no harm."

Wondering who the voice belongs to, you call out, "Hello?"

A beautiful goddess with black and white hair and dark eyes enters carrying a black box the size of a Rubik's cube.

"I believe this is what you seek," she says, offering it to you.

"Thank you," you say with a bow. "Thank you so much."

Full of relief, you take the box and leave the palace, following the river of fire back to the House of Judgment. From there, you swim across the black river to the opposite bank near the enormous gate. Then you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

When Charon appears on his skiff, he shakes a finger at you, "Don't you dare board this vessel, living mortal."

Your mouth drops open, and as he steers toward the gates, you leap into the river with the black box tucked beneath your arms, and you grab ahold of the boat just as it passes through the groaning gate.

Keeping the boat between you and Cerberus, you manage to go undetected until Charon docks at the bank where you started and the beautiful dark-haired boy with the bright blue eyes glares at you as he helps the transparent old woman beside him board. You glance back and watch the gate closing behind you.

Instantly, you can barely breathe, and it's at this moment that you realize that the boy is Death. You release your grip on the ferry and swim away, until Cerberus snarls and snaps at you. All three heads bare down at you as you climb onto the bank, gasping and clutching the black box. Just as the warm breath of the center head presses into your face, Ares snatches you out of the way and back to safety.

You've barely had time to recover when you find yourself flying in Ares's arms outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Ares sets you on your feet and gazes into your eyes.

With your one free hand, you cup Ares's cheek, and your eyes lock. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Ares's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Ares is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Ares would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

With Athena's sword raised, you slip through the iron gate, but Cerberus won't be fooled twice. He lunges at you, all three heads snapping. You do the only thing you can: you dive into the black waters.

When you hit the water, the black box of beauty is knocked loose from your grasp. You open your eyes, searching in all directions in the murky water, but you can barely see your own hands.

In the distance, something bright shines from the bottom. It seems to be moving toward you. You grab another breath at the surface and then submerge once more, flailing around in the water, feeling for the box. Although you can't find it, you can now see the source of the light. At first, you think the beautiful creature swimming toward you is a mermaid, but as she draws nearer you see in place of a fish's tail is that of a serpent. As she nears you, you recognize the black box of beauty in her hands. Is she bringing it back to you?

Her eyes meet yours. They are filled with wonder and delight. You hold out your hand for the box, but instead of handing it over to you, she coils her serpent's tail around you and crushes you to death. (The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny flies out and whirls about your head.

Ares returns to your side. "Thank the gods you shut it before all of the beauty escaped."

"All?" you ask, puzzled. "Was that some of the beauty that flew out just now?"

He smiles down at you. "Indeed, baby doll. Let's return to the court and see if the others consider this a victory or a defeat. I'll do my best to speak on your behalf."

You reach your lips to his and then thank him before he leads you through the gates.

After you admit what happened to the other gods, Athena steps forward.

"I propose that we allow this mortal to move on to the second challenge," Athena says.

All but Aphrodite agree.

"It's settled then," Athena declares. Then she turns to you and asks, "Are you ready?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. A bee buzzes near you and flies away.

"No!" Ares cries before returning to your side. "Baby doll, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Ares whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The god lies with you and shares an hour of tenderness with you before he kisses you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Ares does. Although you ache for the god for most of your life, the moments you spend with Ares make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Ares is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Ares leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Artemis and the First Challenge

Artemis sighs and flies to your side. "Look at your sweet cheeks. How can I deny you my company when you look at me with such adoration?"

You gaze back at her, transfixed. In your mind, you beg, "Kiss me."

She pinches your chin and studies you. For a moment, you think she  will kiss you and you close your eyes.

Instead, she whispers, "Ready, sweet cheeks?"

You aren't ready, but Artemis doesn't wait for your reply.

Through your closed eyelids, you sense a bright light. Then a stifling pressure encloses upon you from all directions. For a moment, you can't breathe, and then it is over. You open your eyes to find yourself in a veil of fog.

You feel Artemis's hand on your shoulder. A desire deep in your heart makes you want to throw your arms around her neck and press your lips to hers. You are quite surprised when Artemis caresses your cheek and gazes at you tenderly, causing you to sigh with happiness.

"Sit with me for a moment," she says as she waves toward a boulder a few feet away.

You take a seat, and she sits beside you.

"I need you to understand something about me, sweet cheeks," she says. "My heart belongs to a nymph named Callista. For reasons I won't go into, my father, Zeus, transformed her into the North Star."

"I can't say that I'm sorry," you admit.

Artemis nods. "I want you to understand why I will never be able to give you my heart, though I can give you everything else."

"I'll take you however I can," you say hoping to have the chance to change her mind one day.

You resist the urge to kiss her and are comforted when she presses her lips to your forehead.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Artemis says. "If you wait over there at the edge of the riverbank, you can catch a ride with Charon. Don't ask permission. Just step on board his boat with the other souls. Do you understand, sweet cheeks?"

It sounds terrifying. "What if he won't let me?"

"Plan B: I'll shoot Cerberus and distract him long enough for you to slip through the gates. Follow the river of flames past the three judges to the palace. You'll find the black box of beauty in Persephone's rooms, which are through the throne room and to the right. If you ask her for it, she might give it to you, or she might kill you. Be prepared to use Athena's sword to sever her head."

"But a goddess can't die, right?"

"Just until her body repairs itself," Artemis explains. "A decapitation usually takes a few days to recover from."

You shiver, not sure that you are capable of such violence.

Artemis adds, "Once you find the black box of beauty, whatever you do, don't open it."

"What if I drop it and the lid flies open?"

"Then you'll remain a mortal, sweet cheeks, and quite beautiful at that. In any case, I'll be waiting for you here."

Your task seems impossible. Even if you find the box, which you highly doubt you can do, how will you make your way back to Artemis?

Artemis seems to read your mind. "I'll be here waiting for you. If you can't catch a ride out with Charon, I'll distract Cerberus again for you as you make your escape. Ready?"

You bite your lip so hard that you taste blood. As much as you want to follow your heart so that you can spend eternity with the one you love, you have no idea how you can be expected to succeed, much less survive.

On wobbly legs you leave Artemis's side for the riverbank. The fog is thick, and, from where you stand, Artemis is no longer visible. But you can see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

The longer you wait on the riverbank for Charon, the shakier your legs become. You fear that if the ferryman of the dead doesn't arrive soon, you'll no longer be able to walk. You also fear that Cerberus will spot you at any moment and take you by surprise.

Overcome with anxiety,  you [choose one]

bite your tongue and wait .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

By your estimation, at least another fifteen minutes pass when you discover you are no longer alone. An ethereal old woman, white and transparent, stands beside you on the riverbank accompanied by a dark-haired boy with bright blue eyes and a somber frown. As he looks at you suspiciously, you find it difficult to breathe.

Within seconds of the arrival of your companions, a boat emerges from the fog, driven by a thin old man pulling a long, slender pole. Charon's red robe is tattered, and his bowed head is bald.

When you attempt to follow your companions aboard, Charon holds up a bony hand, refusing you.

The beautiful boy beside the ethereal old woman says, "The mortal was sent by Athena. You might not want to interfere."

Charon arches a brow and then lowers his hand.

As you climb aboard, you turn to the beautiful boy and say, "Thank you."

You are astonished when the enormous gate opens and you pass through unscathed, though you still find it difficult to breathe. You soon believe you will pass out, fall overboard, and drown if you don't get to land soon. Thankfully, the river beneath you is black.

Charon stops the boat near a cave illuminated by the river of fire where three figures wearing clean white robes float. You take this opportunity to leap from the boat to the opposite side of the river. Without looking back, you run, and the further you go, the easier it is to breathe again.

The river of fire leads you to a magnificent castle. Believing this to be the palace of Hades and Persephone,  you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Athena's sword is heavier than you imagined, but you manage to raise it in the air as you run toward Cerberus. The three-headed dog snarls at you, baring his teeth. His red eyes glare down at you, and suddenly he grows from six feet in height to at least twenty.

Terrified, you stop in your tracks, as though your feet have turned to lead, and you've stepped in fast-drying concrete.

"Run!" Artemis shouts as her arrows fly.

You glance back to see Cerberus wailing with pain. You cringe as you slip through the gates and run along the riverbank. You see the three floating judges in what you assume is the House of Judgment on the opposite bank a few meters away. Without hesitating, you sheathe the sword and dive in.

You climb from the river, drenched and trembling, and follow the river of fire to a magnificent castle. At the threshold, you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with blue eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her blonde serpentine curls become snakes that hiss. A falcon perches on her shoulder and squawks at you.

"Who are you?" the snake-haired creature asks.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she demands. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

"How rude!" Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Megaera, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will ask my falcon to pluck out your eyes."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Artemis's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Artemis to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you tuck the black box of beauty beneath one arm and swim as best as you can with the other to the other side. You climb from the river and, as you catch your breath, you scan through the iron bars of the enormous gate. Cerberus stands at his post. There's no sign of Charon.

Drenched and shivering, you creep along the riverbank clutching the black box. Your foot slips on the rocky bank, and as you swing your arms to regain your balance, the black box flies from your grasp into the air above you. You back up in time to catch it before it falls. After appreciating the enormity of what you nearly lost, you continue to tread carefully toward the gate.

You stop when you reach the gate,  where you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

You enter a circular room that seems carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light. Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling is higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

Sitting there, side by side, is a god and goddess. The god picks at his curly black beard and looks upon you with amusement. The goddess arches a brow beneath her blonde bangs, her brown eyes full of suspicion.

"I'm so sorrow to barge in on you," you say as you fall to your knees, realizing that before you sit Hades and Persephone, king and queen of the Underworld.

"Stand up," Hades says, "and tell me why you're here."

You climb to your feet and tell the gods all that has happened since Zeus found you near the babbling brook.

"You need the black box of beauty?" Persephone asks. "And then you will leave?"

"Yes, your majesty," you say.

The box appears in her hands.

Before I give this to you," she says, "I want you to understand that immortality isn't always a blessing. If I were you, I'd take this box to Artemis and ask her to take you home.

"But I love her," you blurt out. "I don't think I can live without her."

"And how will you live eternally when she grows weary of you?" Persephone asks. "Unlike you, she has not been shot by Cupid."

You mull over the goddess's words before saying, "I guess it's a chance worth taking."

Persephone hands you the box. You give her a bow and thank both gods before you leave.

You follow the river of fire, pondering Persephone's advice. Even as you swim across the black water, you wonder if you should do as she suggested.

After you clamber onto the riverbank near the gates, you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

When Charon appears on his skiff, he doesn't acknowledge you.

Afraid of drawing the attention of Cerberus, you refrain from crying out to the ferryman. Instead, you leap into the river with the black box tucked beneath your arms, and you grab ahold of the boat just as it passes through the groaning gate.

Keeping the boat between you and Cerberus, you manage to go undetected until Charon docks at the bank where you started and the beautiful dark-haired boy with the bright blue eyes nods at you as he helps the transparent old woman beside him board. You glance back and watch the gate closing behind you.

Instantly, you can barely breathe, and it's at this moment that you realize that the boy is Death. You release your grip on the ferry and swim away, until Cerberus snarls and snaps at you. All three heads bare down at you as you climb onto the bank, gasping and clutching the black box. Just as the warm breath of the center head presses into your face, Artemis snatches you out of the way and back to safety.

You've barely had time to recover when you find yourself flying in Artemis's arms outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Artemis sets you on your feet and gazes into your eyes.

With your one free hand, you cup Artemis's cheek, and your eyes lock. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Artemis's arms.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Artemis is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Artemis would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

While Artemis distracts Cerberus with her arrows, you slip through the iron gate, but Cerberus is onto you again. He darts up like an alligator with his tail from the river and lunges at you, all three heads snapping. You do the only thing you can: you dive into the black waters to try to make a swim for it.

When you hit the water, the black box of beauty is knocked loose from your grasp. You open your eyes, searching in all directions in the murky water, but you can barely see your own hands.

In the distance, something bright shines from the bottom. It seems to be moving toward you. You grab another breath at the surface and then submerge once more, flailing around in the water, feeling for the box. Although you can't find it, you can now see the source of the light. It's a beautiful goddess swimming toward you. As she nears you, you recognize the black box of beauty in her hands. Is she bringing it back to you?

Her eyes meet yours. You hold out your hand for the box, and, through the murky water, say. "Thank you."

As she passes the box to you, the lid flies open. You emit an uncontrollable scream as something flies from the box and creates a whirlpool around you. As quickly as it started, the whirlpool ceases. The goddess has disappeared. You swim with the open box to the riverbank, where Artemis is waiting.

Full of tears and bitter disappointment, you try to explain to Artemis, as water drips down your skin, what has happened, how close you had come to succeeding.

The goddess takes you in her arms and whisks you away from the Underworld. She lays you near the babbling brook in the field of flowers, where you started. Artemis holds you and comforts you, assuring you that she will visit you at every full moon.

For years, she keeps her promise, but when your beauty fades and you become an old woman, her visits to you become few and far between, before stopping altogether. You die alone and brokenhearted.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Artemis cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's a killer bee!"

Artemis catches you as you fall. The clouds spin around you. Before you can say goodbye, you die. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. A bee buzzes near you and flies away.

"No!" Artemis cries before returning to your side. "Sweet cheeks, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Artemis whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The goddess lies with you and is passionate with you before she kisses you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Artemis does. Although you ache for the goddess for most of your life, the moments you spend with Artemis make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Artemis is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Artemis leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three.]

* * *

Part Two: Apollo and the First Challenge

Apollo is suddenly beside you with his muscular arm draped around your shoulders. You enjoy the smell of him, the warmth of him, the feel of his body so close to yours.

"I had a vision of you," he says gently. "I've been waiting for you."

You gaze up at his evergreen eyes. His curly light-brown locks are thick and shiny, and you want nothing more than to run your fingers through his hair and pull his mouth to yours.

He caresses your arm. "Ready?"

Feeling safe against his chest, you whisper, "Yes," though you don't know for what. If he means are you ready to kiss him, then yes, yes, yes.

He tenderly tucks a strand of your hair behind your ear as a bright light descends on you and seems to press upon you, like a heavy rain. You close your eyes against the light and can barely breathe for a moment. Then you feel your feet land on solid ground. You open your eyes to find yourself beside Apollo surrounded by fog.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Apollo says. "If you wait over there at the edge of the riverbank, you can catch a ride with Charon. Do you understand, my love?"

It sounds terrifying. "What if he won't let me?"

Apollo pulls an arrow from his quiver. "I'll distract him with my arrows. While he's distracted, slip through the gates. Follow the river of flames past the three floating judges to the palace. According to my visions, if you knock, the box will be given to you. If you slip inside and go to the throne room and bow before the king and queen of the Underworld, the box will also be given to you.

"Which is better?" you ask. "What should I do?

"That's up to you." He hands you the arrow. "Hide this in your sleeve. If anyone tries to kill you on your way there or on your way back, pierce then with the arrow. It's laced with a sleeping potion. It won't buy you much time, but it will buy you some."

"Thank you," you say as you take the arrow and slip it up your left sleeve.

Apollo adds, "Once you find the black box of beauty, whatever you do, don't open it."

"What if I drop it and the lid flies open?"

"Then you'll remain a mortal, my love, and quite beautiful at that. In any case, I'll be waiting for you here."

Your task seems impossible. Even if you find the box, which you highly doubt you can do, how will you make your way back to Apollo?

Apollo seems to read your mind. "You can try to catch a ride out with Charon or charge the gates while I distract Cerberus again. If you must make a swim for it, avoid the Lethe River at all costs."

"Where is it? How do I avoid it? And what will happen if I don't?"

"The other rivers are black—except for the river of fire, and the Styx is the blackest. But the Lethe is a shimmery blue-green, like the sea. Don't let its waters touch you, or you will lose all your memories. You won't even recall who you are. Do you understand?"

You bite your lip so hard that you taste blood. As much as you want to follow your heart so that you can spend eternity with the one you love, you have no idea how you can be expected to succeed, much less survive.

Apollo pulls you to him and plants his mouth against yours, leaving you breathless.

"I'll be here waiting to help you back out, my love," he assures you.

On wobbly legs you leave Apollo's side for the riverbank. The fog is thick, and, from where you stand, Apollo is no longer visible. But you can see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

The longer you wait on the riverbank for Charon, the shakier your legs become. You fear that if the ferryman of the dead doesn't arrive soon, you'll no longer be able to walk. You also fear that Cerberus will spot you at any moment and take you by surprise.

Overcome with anxiety,  you [choose one]

bite your tongue and wait .

unsheathe Athena's sword and charge the gates .

* * *

Another fifteen minutes pass when you discover you are no longer alone. An ethereal little girl, white and transparent, stands beside you on the riverbank accompanied by a dark-haired teenager with bright blue eyes and a somber frown.

"Who are you?" the teenager asks.

"Who are you?" you counter.

"Thanatos, the god of death."

Your eyes widen, and you fall to your knees. "I-I didn't know."

"Why are you here?" he asks you.

You tell him about all that has happened since Zeus found you near the babbling brook. You find it difficult to breathe and fear you may lose consciousness.

As you finish your story, a boat emerges from the fog, driven by a thin old man pulling a long, slender pole. Charon's red robe is tattered, and his bowed head is bald. He glares at you but says nothing as you follow Thanatos aboard.

You are astonished when the enormous gate opens and you pass through unscathed, though you continue to find it difficult to breathe. You soon believe you will pass out, fall overboard, and drown if you don't get to land soon. Thankfully, the river beneath you is black.

Charon stops the boat near a cave illuminated by the river of fire where three figures wearing clean white robes float. You take this opportunity to leap from the boat to the opposite side of the river. Without looking back, you run, and the further you go, the easier it is to breathe again.

The river of fire leads you to a magnificent castle. Believing this to be the palace of Hades and Persephone,  you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Athena's sword is heavier than you imagined, but you manage to raise it in the air as you run toward Cerberus. The three-headed dog snarls at you, baring his teeth. His red eyes glare down at you, and suddenly he grows from six feet in height to at least twenty.

But soon, Apollo is there shooting arrows all around the beast—everywhere but at him.

Cerberus shrieks with frustration.

"Run!" Apollo shouts.

Gathering your wits, you run for the gate. You manage to pull it open just enough to pass through it.

As you run at your top speed along the riverbank, you realize you will have to swim to the opposite bank to reach the palace on the other side, about three meters away. You sheathe Athena's sword and dive into the black cold water.

When you reach the rocky embankment, you clamber from the river and follow the river of flames past the three judges to the magnificent castle beyond it. At what seems to be the main entrance, you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The beautiful goddess who opens the door stares at you in surprise, her brows disappearing beneath her white and black bangs.

"Who are you?" she asks

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty?" she asks. "Come inside and wait here."

You enter a circular room with gemstones embedded in the rock walls. They shimmer and shine with the reflection of the river of flames. A sparkling fountain in the center of the vestibule adds to the light dancing throughout the space.

The goddess returns with a wooden black box, the size of a Rubik's cube.

"Thank you," you say with a bow.

"Don't open it, hon'," the goddess warns. "My name is Hecate, the goddess of witches and the crossroads, and I'm warning you that if you open this box, it will not make you beautiful. It will release Pestilence upon you, and you will die a slow and agonizing death."

"Thank you," you say again, hoping to the gods that you don't drop the box or accidentally let the lid fly open.

You leave the castle and follow the river of fire to the House of Judgment, where you carefully hold the box tightly closed with one hand while you swim on your side with the other. After climbing onto the bank,  you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

throw Apollo's laced arrow like a spear toward Cerberus's heart .

* * *

You enter a circular room that seems carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light. Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling are higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

A goddess with long hair the color of corn sits on the throne.

"Who are you?" she asks

You fall to your knees, and through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty?" she asks.

The goddess holds out her palm where a wooden black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears. She hands it over to you.

"Thank you," you say with a bow.

"Let me give you some advice," she says.

You smile and nod. "Please do."

"Think things through before you act, when at all possible. Be sure you know what it is you want and that the actions you take will get you there."

She hands over the box and leaves you there in the shimmering room alone.

You stare down at the box recalling Apollo's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Apollo to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you tuck the black box of beauty beneath one arm and swim as best as you can with the other to the other side. You climb from the river and, as you catch your breath, you scan through the iron bars of the enormous gate. Cerberus stands at his post. There's no sign of Charon.

Drenched and shivering, you creep along the riverbank clutching the black box. Your foot slips on the rocky bank, and as you swing your arms to regain your balance, the black box flies from your grasp into the air above you. You back up in time to catch it before it falls. After appreciating the enormity of what you nearly lost, you continue to tread carefully toward the gate.

You stop when you reach the gate, where you [choose one]

wait for Charon to return with his boat .

throw Apollo's laced arrow like a spear toward Cerberus's heart .

* * *

The arrow misses. Your mouth falls open as the enormous beast lunges for you. You feel its hot breath moving through your hair, its teeth closing in on your skull, when, suddenly, you are whisked away in the nick of time by the beautiful Apollo.

But in your moment of terror, you dropped the black box of beauty.

When you realize you no longer have it, you say, "We have to turn back."

"No," Apollo says. "It's better this way."

He flies with you in his arms from the Underworld through the dark and narrow chasm and out into the light of day. You squint against the sunshine as he whisks through the air at super speeds. Not a minute passes when you see the babbling brook and field of flowers, where your adventures first began.

"What are you doing?" you ask.

"I promise to be with you every night and as many days as I can spare, for as long as you live," he says as he lies beside you in the grass. "Trust me, my love, this arrangement will be better for the both of us. If you'd continued with Athena's challenges, you would have more likely died than succeeded."

"Do you really think so?" you ask.

"Not because of a fault in you, but because Athena never intended for you to succeed."

"How do you know?"

"I've known her for a very long time."

"And if I had succeeded?" you ask.

"You would have been tormented when my interest in you waned. Eternity is a long time. I've never been able to love someone through all the ages. But I can devote myself to you for the span of a mortal's life."

You smile up at him. "Does this mean you're all mine?"

"Yes, my love," he says before he shows you with a passionate kiss. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

When Charon appears on his skiff, he doesn't acknowledge you.

Afraid of drawing the attention of Cerberus, you refrain from crying out to the ferryman. Instead, you leap into the river with the black box tucked beneath your arms, and you grab ahold of the boat just as it passes through the groaning gate.

Keeping the boat between you and Cerberus, you manage to go undetected until Charon docks at the bank where Apollo is waiting. You glance back and watch the gate closing behind you.

Then Apollo sweeps you up in his strong arms and flies from the Underworld into the light of day. He takes you up into the bright blue sky, and you laugh with delight until he sets you on your feet outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Apollo leans in and kisses you.

Clinging to the black box of beauty with one hand, you run your fingers through his golden-brown curls with the other, grabbing fistfuls as you press your lips hard against his. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. You feel that this is where you were born to be: in Apollo's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in and leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Cerberus wails and lunges at you. As you try to avoid his snapping jaws, you fall into the river.

When you hit the water, the black box of beauty is knocked loose from your grasp. You open your eyes, searching in all directions in the murky water, but you can barely see your own hands.

In the distance, something bright shines from the bottom. It seems to be moving toward you. You grab another breath at the surface and then submerge once more, flailing around in the water, feeling for the box. Although you can't find it, you can now see the source of the light. It's a group of water nymphs, you think. They rush toward you and lift you from the river and then set you on the riverbank a safe distance from Cerberus, where you try to catch your breath.

"Where's the black box of beauty?" you ask when you can.

The water nymphs glance at one other with confusion.

"We saw no box," one of them says.

You're about to dive back into the river to search for it when Apollo appears at your side in the fog.

"Hand it over," he commands the nymphs.

The beautiful beings frown as one of them presents the box to Apollo before they disappear beneath the water.

Apollo turns to you with a smile. You look at the box in his hand with amazement.

"You did it," he says, handing you the box.

You carefully take it, relieved it remained closed, and give him your thanks with a kiss.

He sweeps you up in his strong arms and flies from the Underworld into the light of day. He takes you up into the bright blue sky, and you laugh with delight until he sets you on your feet outside of the cloudy gates of Mount Olympus. Your heart fills with desire as Apollo leans in and kisses you again.

Clinging to the black box of beauty with one hand, you run your fingers through his golden-brown curls with the other, grabbing fistfuls as you press your lips hard against his. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. You feel that this is where you were born to be: in Apollo's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in and  leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Poseidon and the First Challenge

Poseidon beams across the room at his wife. "Well, dear. What do you think of that?"

Amphitrite lifts her brows. "You already know, without asking."

Poseidon gives his wife a wink before turning to you. "Shall I take you to the Underworld by chariot, dear mortal?"

You smile up at him through the golden net and nod.

"Yes, I can see it in your eyes," he says. "You're absolutely batty for me."

You don't know what to say, so you stare dumbly back. You're drawn to his mouth.

"Come on, then," he says as he takes the boulder from your arms and whisks you away to the stables where Seaquake, Crest, and Riptide are already bridled and waiting.

As he scoots onto the bench beside you, he says, "My wife and I have an open marriage. Though we like to keep up appearances, you won't have to worry about interference from her, should you succeed."

You smile up at him, ecstatic to hear that he's interested in pursuing a relationship with you. "I will do whatever it takes to be with you."

He cups the back of your head and gently strokes your lips with his with the golden net between you. You're mesmerized and left wanting more when he picks up the reins and drives the chariot from the castle.

Although the net, draped around you like a blanket, keeps you securely fastened to your seat, you cling to Poseidon's bulky bicep as the horses draw the chariot through the sea.

In a flash, the chariot bursts from the sea and is sailing through the clouds. You squint against the brightness of the sun, but not for long, because soon you plunge though a great chasm into darkness.

Frightened, you cling to Poseidon and close your eyes. You don't open them again until the chariot slows, and you find yourself surrounded by fog.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Poseidon says as he gently removes the golden net. "Are you sure this is what you want, dear mortal? To become like me?"

"Yes," you say. "If it's the only way I can be with you."

"It isn't," he says. "I can visit you many times throughout your mortal life."

You imagine how hard it would be to see him only on occasion and not every day of your life. "But I don't want to spend a single day away from you."

He strokes your cheek, and, unable to stand it a moment longer, you press your lips hard against his as you encircle his neck with your arms. He crushes you against him, sending chills of pleasure throughout your body. Tears spring to your eyes. You wish this moment could last forever.

Poseidon sighs as he pulls away and looks down at you. "I'm not meant to intervene with your challenge, but it seems to me that the test is not whether you can breach the gates to the dead, but whether you can deliver Aphrodite's black box of beauty to Mount Olympus without opening it."

You nod in agreement. "So, what should I do?"

"I'll summon my brother, Hades, and ask him to fetch the box."

"Are you sure this will be acceptable to the others?" you ask. "It sounds too easy."

Poseidon frowns. "It may sound that way to you now, but you'll feel differently when you're holding the box in your hands."

"Why?" you ask.

"Because if you were to open it, you would possess Aphrodite's beauty, making you the most beautiful mortal on earth."

You bite your bottom lip.

"Tell me what you're thinking, dear mortal."

Reluctantly, you ask, "Am I attractive enough to satisfy you?"

Poseidon strokes your cheek. "It's unfortunate that you love me without knowing me better, because if you did know me, you wouldn't need to ask such a question. I enjoy lovers of all shapes and sizes. You are pleasing to my eyes, just as you are."

"There are others?"

"There will always be others, dear mortal. Eternity is a long time. Please think hard about this decision to accept Athena's challenge. I cannot promise to be true to you. Can you accept that?"

Feeling as though you have no choice, you say, "I want you however I can have you."

Suddenly, a figure emerges through the fog.

"You called?" the figure asks as he hovers in the air a few feet away.

"Ah, Hades," Poseidon says. "Thank you for coming. I have a favor to ask, and I hope you will grant it. I'll be beholden to you, should you ever need something in return."

"I believe you're already beholden to me, brother," Hades replies as he scratches his curly black beard.

Poseidon's brows lift and his mouth drops open. "What? What for?"

"You don't recall that nasty entanglement with Thoosa and her father, Phorcys?" Hades asks.

"Yes, quite right, quite right," Poseidon says frowning. "I suppose I'll owe you double."

"What is it this time?" Hades asks as he glances at you, and not for the first time.

"This mortal has been challenged by Athena to accomplish three tasks, the first of which is to retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty from Persephone and to deliver it to Mount Olympus, unopened. If successful in all three, the mortal will undergo apotheosis."

"Interesting," Hades says as he gives you a once over.

"Rather than encouraging the mortal to breach your gates, I respectfully request that you, or your wife, deliver the box to us, and we'll be on our way."

Hades clicks his tongue.

"If there's something you want, say it," Poseidon says, losing his patience.

"I've already told you. I want Polyphemus to work for me."

"You know my hands are tied. He works for Zeus, and that's that. There's got to be something else."

Hades picks at his beard. "I want to borrow your trident."

Poseidon jumps into the air and bellows, "Absolutely not!"

"Tsk, tsk," Hades says calmly. "Then I suppose I'll take my leave."

You say, "Please, Lord Hades! Is there something I can do to change your mind?"

He turns and studies you with a gleam in his eye. "As a matter of fact, there is."

Poseidon returns to your side and puts a protective arm around your shoulders.

"If you succeed," Hades begins, "and you manage to become one of us, I want you to swear that you'll find a way to serve in my kingdom."

You turn to Poseidon. "But I want to be with you. How can I be with you if I'm serving him?"

"I'm sure I can arrange for visitations," Hades says.

Poseidon cups your face. "It's your decision, dear mortal, but it might be our only chance."

You [choose one]

agree to Hades's terms .

refuse .

* * *

The black box of beauty appears in Hades's hand. He holds it out to you.

"Swear on the River Styx that, should you successfully complete your tasks and become immortal, you shall find a way to serve in my kingdom," Hades says to you.

"I swear," you say.

Hades gives you the box. "Good luck. You'll need it."

"Thank you," you say just before the lord of darkness disappears.

Suddenly, the chariot lifts from the ground and makes a sharp turn. You cling to Poseidon and close your eyes, until you feel the warmth of the setting sun on your skin. Down below, you see the ocean, and up above, white clouds streaked with pink and purple. In the next moment, the chariot stops outside the gates of Mount Olympus.

With your one free hand, you stroke Poseidon's cheek. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body. And you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Poseidon's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Poseidon is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You consider how much more Poseidon would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

refrain from opening the box as the chariot enters the gates of Mount Olympus.

* * *

Hades vanishes.

You turn to Poseidon. "I'm sorry, but I was afraid he'd find a way to keep us apart."

Poseidon kisses your forehead. "A valid fear, dear mortal."

He then drapes the golden net around you again.

"What's this for?" you ask. "Are we going back to your castle?"

"The gates to the Underworld reach the bottom of the river," Poseidon says. "We'll swim there together, but I need to warn you about a few things first."

Trembling, you nod your head. "I'm listening."

"The gate will be guarded by Asteria, a Titaness and the mother to Hecate. The good news is that, unlike Cerberus, she can be reasoned with. The bad news is that if she doesn't let you pass, you won't—not unless we return to land and we find another way."

"Like what?"

"You could try boarding Charon's raft with the dead and see if you can get in that way."

You shiver. "Let's ask Asteria first."

"Three more things, dear mortal," Poseidon says. "Whatever you do, swim only the black rivers. You should avoid the Phlegethon—the river of fire—for obvious reasons. And you should avoid the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness, lest you lose all your memories and forget who you are."

Your eyes widen in fear. "How do I avoid the Lethe?"

"Its waters are blue-green. Just keep to the black waters."

"What else?" you ask, through chattering lips.

"I can't go with you through the gates," he says. "Hades has placed protective wards throughout his kingdom, requiring me to ask permission for entrance. You'll need to swim to the opposite bank, near the House of Judgement, and then follow, on foot, the river of fire to the palace of Hades and Persephone."

"And where will I find the black box?"

Poseidon sighs. "Now that Hades knows you want it, he's likely hidden it. And he will likely be waiting for you."

"You think I should have taken his deal," you say.

"If you want to be an immortal, you need to learn to think like one. You need leverage. One god rarely grants something to another without it."

You shake your head. "It's sad that he can't just do this for you because you're his brother."

"There's too much history between us, I'm afraid." Poseidon squeezes your shoulders. "Who knows? Maybe you can think of a way to convince him to give you the box."

You take a deep breath. "What about Asteria? I don't have anything to offer her. Why should she let me in? Can you threaten her with your trident?"

"If there ever was an immortal willing to help another for the sake of kindness, it's Asteria, along with her daughter, Hecate."

"And what was the third thing?" you ask.

"If we can convince Asteria to let you pass, you'll need to leave the net with me. I fear any hope that Hades might cooperate with you will be lost if he knows I've helped you."

"I understand," you say, though you're terrified.

Without another word, Poseidon takes your hand and pulls you down into the dark depths of the black river. With the help of the golden net, you can see the gate and Asteria sitting on the river floor, braiding her long, white hair. She's so bright, in contrast to the black water around her, that she looks like a fallen star.

She notices you before you notice her but continues to braid her long hair until you and Poseidon are treading water only a few feet away.

"What's this?" she asks Poseidon.

The god of the sea explains why you are there, including the part about being pierced by Cupid's arrow.

"I swore an oath to Hades," she says. "I can't let you pass. However, I won't be here tomorrow, because I have urgent business elsewhere."

You [choose one]

thank Asteria for the information and return with Poseidon to his chariot .

threaten Asteria by saying that Poseidon will use his trident if she doesn't cooperate .

* * *

Once Poseidon has safely maneuvered his chariot through the chasm leading from the Underworld, you reach an evening sky where the sun is setting, and the first stars are appearing overhead.

You ask, "Will you take me back to your castle until tomorrow?"

"I have a better idea," he says as he brings his chariot to a halt, where it hovers over what appears to be Greece below. "If we return to the castle, I can't do this."

He removes the golden net, ever so gently. Then he holds your head in his warm hands and gazes down at you with a lusty smile before he brings your lips his. You sigh against his mouth, and he groans against yours.

"This chariot won't do for what I have in mind," he says as he taps the reins against the backs of Seaquake, Crest, and Riptide. "To land we go."

You couldn't be more pleased.

After he parks his chariot in Athens at the famous Parthenon, where tourists are heading back to their busses,  you [choose one]

follow him into the temple ruins .

ask him to take you to his temple at Cape Sounio instead .

* * *

Poseidon takes your hand and leads you into the temple ruins, where he holds you in his arms and kisses you so passionately that you feel you could burst with desire.

But you aren't there long when Athena arrives with a look of disgust on her face.

"Did you not learn your lesson centuries ago?" Athena says through gritted teeth to Poseidon.

"Athena?" he cries, taken by surprise. "I wasn't thinking! Don't make the dear mortal suffer for my transgression!"

Without a reply, Athena points her spear at you, and you feel a burning sensation rush through your veins, and your head feels heavy and strangely off balance. Then she unstraps her weapon and reclaims her shield as you stare at her with your mouth open.

"What are you doing?" you ask her.

As an answer, she holds her shield up to you. In it, you see your reflection—except that you aren't you. Your body has taken on a greenish hue. Your eyes are red like two small cherries. And your hair dances on your head in the form of hissing snakes. As it dawns on you that she has transformed you into a monster, your skin begins to harden into stone until you lose consciousness altogether. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

" Excellent idea," Poseidon says as he taps the reins on the backs of his mares.

The chariot spurts forward, and, in less than a minute, you arrive on a hilltop at Poseidon's temple overlooking three seas.

The god whisks you in his arms and flies from the chariot into the ruin, which, as he enters, magically restores itself to its original glory. A golden alter appears near the center covered with quilted cotton and lace. He lies you upon the alter, all the while kissing you hungrily. You ache for him. You hae never ached for anyone or anything so much.

You pass the next twenty-three hours lying beside him on the altar talking about your life and his. You relish his stories, and he seems to relish yours. You enjoy his smiles and his admiration. You wish every day could be like this.

When it's time, he takes you back to his chariot, where the mares have been waiting patiently, eating the soft grass on the hilltop and enjoying the gorgeous views.

You hold on to Poseidon as the chariot ploughs into the sky only to dive through the chasm of darkness to the Underworld.

Poseidon arranges the golden net around you, and together you plunge into the black water of the river where the gates are left unattended, just as Asteria had implied. Poseidon removes the golden net and then opens the gates far enough for you to enter. He wishes you luck as you slip through.

You can still feel his lips on your lips and his warm skin on yours as you swim across a black river to the opposite bank, where you see three white-robed figures floating over the river of flames. Taking this to be the House of Judgment, you climb from the river and follow the river of fire to the magnificent palace of Hades and Persephone,  where you [choose one]

knock at the door .

steal inside .

* * *

Asteria laughs at you.

You turn to Poseidon, who now wears a scowl on his face.

"How dare you speak for me, mortal?" he bellows at you.

Your mouth drops open, and you are taken aback, unable to believe that your lover would speak to you this way.

He conjures his trident, and, for one hopeful moment, you believe he might point it at Asteria; however, to your horror, he turns it on you. You are wrapped in a blinding light as a sharp pain courses down your spine.

When you awaken, you're in a hospital, where the doctor tells you that you've had a stroke.

"With physical therapy," she says, "you may fully recover the use of your right side."

(The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with black eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her black serpentine curls become snakes that hiss. A white wolf stands at her side ready to attack.

"Who are you?" the person demands.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she asks angrily. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Tisiphone, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will take pleasure in slowly killing you."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Poseidon's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Poseidon to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the gates below, where Poseidon is waiting for you. He helps you through and back to his chariot, where he kisses you once more before he returns you to Mount Olympus.

Your heart fills with desire as Poseidon carries you to the cloudy gates, where he kisses you and kisses you and kisses you, until you feel you might explode with happiness.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Poseidon is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Poseidon would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

You enter a circular room carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light.

Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling is higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

Seated on the throne are Hades and a goddess you presume to be his queen, Persephone.

Frightened, you fall to your knees.

"I'm surprised you made it this far," Hades says. "Kudos."

"Thank you," you say through trembling lips. You can't imagine what he has in store for you. "May I have the black box of beauty?"

Persephone stands, holding the box. It's the size of a Rubik's cube. To your surprise, she delivers it to you.

"Thank you, your highness," you say.

"Good luck to you," the goddess says.

Astonished by how easily they handed over the box, you climb to your feet, bow once more, and leave the palace.

You stare down at the box recalling Poseidon's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd probably be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Poseidon to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the gates below, where Poseidon is waiting for you. He helps you through and back to his chariot, where he kisses you before commanding the horses to fly to Mount Olympus.

Your heart fills with desire as Poseidon carries you to the cloudy gates, where he kisses you and kisses you and kisses you, until you feel you might explode with happiness.

The god pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Poseidon is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Poseidon would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and a rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Poseidon cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's a killer bee!"

Poseidon catches you as you fall. The clouds spin around you. Before you can say goodbye, you die. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. A bee buzzes near you and flies away.

"No!" Poseidon cries before returning to your side. "Dear mortal, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Poseidon whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The god lies with you and gives you hours of pleasure before he kisses you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Poseidon does. Although you ache for the god for most of your life, the moments you spend with Poseidon make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Poseidon is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Poseidon leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Amphitrite and the First Challenge

Amphitrite smiles across the room at Poseidon. "Well, dear. What do you think of that?"

Poseidon frowns. "You already know, without asking."

Amphitrite gives her husband a wink before turning to you. "Shall I take you to the Underworld by chariot, dearie? Or would you rather swim on my back?"

You smile up at her through the golden net. "I'd rather swim."

"Come on, then," she says as she takes the boulder from your arms. "Hook your legs around my waist."

You do as she says, though it's not easy with the golden net.

"And now hook your arms beneath my armpits. That's it. Hold onto my shoulders. Is that comfortable?"

"Very," you say, which is true, though the feel of her slender waist between your legs distracts you from your mission.

As you leave the castle together, she says, "My husband and I have an open marriage. Though we like to keep up appearances, you won't have to worry about interference from him, should you succeed. But I should warn you that, despite our arrangement, he  is a jealous god and prefers the motto, 'out of sight, out of mind.'"

You smile, ecstatic to hear that she's interested in pursuing a relationship with you. "I will do whatever it takes to be with you."

Although the net, draped around you like a blanket, keeps you securely fastened to her, you cling to Amphitrite's waist and shoulders as she hastens through the sea. You delight in the marine life as you pass it and are especially delighted when a pod of dolphins joins you.

Soon, the bright colors of the sea disappear as you enter a dark and narrow chasm. The dolphins do not follow. Amphitrite zigs and zags through the narrow tunnel and eventually surfaces in a thick veil of fog, where she helps you to a rocky embankment.

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Amphitrite says as she gently removes the golden net. "Are you sure this is what you want, dearie? To become like me?"

"Yes," you say. "If it's the only way I can be with you."

"It isn't," she says. "I can visit you many times throughout your mortal life."

You imagine how hard it would be to see her only on occasion and not every day of your life. "But I don't want to spend a single day away from you."

She strokes your cheek, and, unable to stand it a moment longer, you press your lips hard against hers as you encircle her waist with your arms. She presses her body against you, sending chills of pleasure throughout your body. Tears spring to your eyes. You wish this moment could last forever.

Amphitrite sighs as she pulls away. "I'm not meant to intervene with your challenge, but it seems to me that the test is not whether you can breach the gates to the dead, but whether you can deliver Aphrodite's black box of beauty to Mount Olympus without opening it."

You nod in agreement. "So, what should I do?"

"I'll summon Hades and ask him to fetch the box."

"Are you sure this will be acceptable to the others?" you ask. "It sounds too easy."

Amphitrite frowns. "It may sound that way to you now, but you'll feel differently when you're holding the box in your hands."

"Why?" you ask.

"Because if you were to open it, you would possess Aphrodite's beauty, making you the most beautiful mortal on earth."

You bite your bottom lip.

"Tell me what you're thinking, dearie."

Reluctantly, you ask, "Am I attractive enough to satisfy you?"

Amphitrite strokes your cheek. "You are pleasing to my eyes, just as you are."

Suddenly, a figure emerges through the fog.

"I heard my name," the figure says, as he hovers in the air a few feet away.

"Ah, Hades," Amphitrite says. "Thank you for coming. I have a favor to ask, and I hope you will grant it. I'll be beholden to you, should you ever need something in return."

"What favor?" Hades asks as he glances at you, and not for the first time.

"This mortal has been challenged by Athena to accomplish three tasks, the first of which is to retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty from Persephone and to deliver it to Mount Olympus, unopened. If successful in all three, the mortal will undergo apotheosis."

"Interesting," Hades says as he gives you a once over.

"Rather than encouraging the mortal to breach your gates, I respectfully request that you, or your wife, deliver the box to us, and we'll be on our way."

Hades clicks his tongue.

"If there's something you want in return?" she asks.

"I need the eye of Polyphemus," he says.

Amphitrite frowns. "I can't do that to my husband's son. Is there something else?"

"I'm afraid not," Hades says calmly. "I suppose I'll take my leave."

You say, "Please, Lord Hades! Is there something  I can do to change your mind?"

He turns and studies you with a gleam in his eye. "As a matter of fact, there is."

Amphitrite puts a protective arm around your waist.

"If you succeed," Hades says to you, "and if you manage to become one of us, I want you to swear that you'll find a way to serve in my kingdom."

You turn to Amphitrite. "But I want to be with you. How can I be with you if I'm serving him?"

"I'm sure I can arrange for visitations," Hades says.

Amphitrite cups your face. "It's your decision, dearie, but it might be our only chance."

You [choose one]

agree to Hades's terms .

refuse .

* * *

The black box of beauty appears in Hades's hand. He holds it out to you.

"Swear on the River Styx that, should you successfully complete your tasks and become immortal, you shall find a way to serve in my kingdom," Hades says to you.

"I swear," you say.

Hades gives you the box. "Good luck. You'll need it."

"Thank you," you say just before the lord of darkness disappears.

You give Amphitrite a triumphant kiss.

She gently covers you with the golden net. "Ready, dearie?"

You cling to Amphitrite with your legs and arms, with the black box of beauty in one hand, gripping tightly. You zig-zag through the dark chasm until the colors of the sea come into view and the pod of dolphins surrounds you, swimming gleefully beside you.

Then Amphitrite gracefully shoots up from the depths of the sea into the sky. Down below, you see the ocean, and up above, white clouds streaked with pink and purple.

In the next moment, Amphitrite stops outside the gates of Mount Olympus.

With your one free hand, you stroke Amphitrite's cheek. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body, and you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Amphitrite's arms.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates to let you in, and in that moment while Amphitrite is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You consider how much more Amphitrite would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

refrain from opening the box as the chariot enters the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

Hades vanishes.

You turn to Amphitrite. "I'm sorry, but I was afraid he'd find a way to keep us apart."

Amphitrite kisses your cheek. "A valid fear, dearie."

She then drapes the golden net around you again.

"What's this for?" you ask. "Are we going back to your castle?"

"The gates to the Underworld reach the bottom of the river," Amphitrite says. "We'll swim there together, but I need to warn you about a few things first."

Trembling, you nod your head. "I'm listening."

"The gate will be guarded by the Hydra. The good news is that Hydra is more easily overcome than Cerberus, because she only has one head."

This information doesn't jive with what you've learned. "I thought Hydra has nine heads, and that, when one is sliced off, two grow in its place."

"Only one of her heads was immortal," Amphitrite explains. "She has eight necks that dangle at her sides and only one head, since her confrontation with Hercules. And, while it's true that, should you cut her one immortal head, two will grow in its place, Cerberus has three heads, you see."

You grip the hilt of Athena's sword with sweaty palms. You don't unsheathe it, but you grip the hilt wishing you could avoid slicing  any heads today—whether serpent or dog.

"But Cerberus's heads don't grow back," you point out. "Right?"

"Right," Amphitrite says. "So, it's your choice. Do you want to face Cerberus or Hydra?"

You say, [choose one]

" Cerberus ."

" Hydra ."

* * *

Amphitrite nods. "As you wish. I'm happy to help you. But, before we go up against Cerberus, there are three more things you should know."

You shiver. "I'm listening."

"Whatever you do, swim only the black rivers," Amphitrite says. "You should avoid the Phlegethon—the river of fire—for obvious reasons. And you should avoid the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness, lest you lose all your memories and forget who you are."

Your eyes widen in fear. "How do I avoid the Lethe?"

"Its waters are blue-green. Just keep to the black waters, to your right. The Lethe veers to the left."

"And what was the second thing?" you ask, through chattering lips.

"I can't go with you through the gates," she says. "Hades has placed protective wards throughout his kingdom, requiring me to ask permission for entrance. You'll need to swim to the opposite bank, near the House of Judgement, and then follow, on foot, the river of fire to the palace of Hades and Persephone."

"And where will I find the black box?"

Amphitrite sighs. "Now that Hades knows you want it, he's likely hidden it. And he will likely be waiting for you."

"You think I should have taken his deal," you say.

"If you want to be an immortal, you need to learn to think like one. You need leverage. One god rarely grants something to another without it."

You shake your head. "It's sad that he can't just do this for you to be nice."

Amphitrite squeezes your shoulders. "Who knows? Maybe you can think of a way to convince him to give you the box."

You nod, trying to be hopeful. "Wasn't there a third thing?"

"Oh, yes," she says. "Once we get to the gates, you'll need to leave the golden net behind. I'm afraid Hades won't cooperate with you if he knows I helped."

"I understand," you say. "I guess I'm ready, then."

"Love before war," Amphitrite says, revealing a lump of cake.

You give her a quizzical look.

"Before you draw your sword on Cerberus," she explains, "I'll toss him this cake. If he's distracted long enough, I can help you through the gates without a confrontation."

"That would be awesome," you say.

"But be ready to use the sword, just in case," she says. "As I said, Hades will be less likely to cooperate with you if I'm the one to defeat Cerberus. If you do it, he'll be more likely to feel that you deserve the box."

"I understand," you say again, though you are terrified.

With your hand in hers, Amphitrite sails through the fog. You soon see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

As Amphitrite closes the distance between you and the beast, she tosses the cake into the air. Cerberus sniffs with his three large snouts and dives into the air after it. At that same moment, Amphitrite flies you to the gates and pulls them apart wide enough for you to squeeze through.

"Hurry!" she cries as she sets you down on the riverbank and removes the golden net.

You don't wait to catch your breath but enter the gates and run along the riverbank. Soon it becomes apparent to you that you cannot get to the river of fire and to the palace beyond it without swimming across the river at your feet. As it's only about three meters wide, you feel confident you can make it to the other side.

You look closely at the river, making sure it is black. You wonder if it's possible that, with better light, this river could be blue-green. Cerberus continues to snarl at you from the gate so, deciding that it's too late to turn back now, you walk out into the river, and, when you can no longer reach the bottom, you swim for the other side.

When you climb onto the other bank and can still recall who you are, you heave a sigh of relief. Drenched from head to toe, you follow the river of fire past the cave with the three floating figures—which you assume are the judges in the House of Judgment—to a magnificent castle. Then you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Amphitrite nods. "As you wish. I'm happy to help you. But, before we go up against Hydra, there are three more things you should know."

You shiver. "I'm listening."

"Whatever you do, swim only the black rivers," Amphitrite says. "You should avoid the Phlegethon—the river of fire—for obvious reasons. And you should avoid the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness, lest you lose all your memories and forget who you are."

Your eyes widen in fear. "How do I avoid the Lethe?"

"Its waters are blue-green. Just keep to the black waters to your right. The Lethe veers to the left."

"And what was the second thing?" you ask, through chattering lips.

"I can't go with you through the gates," she says. "Hades has placed protective wards throughout his kingdom, requiring me to ask permission for entrance. You'll need to swim to the opposite bank, near the House of Judgement, and then follow, on foot, the river of fire to the palace of Hades and Persephone."

"And where will I find the black box?"

Amphitrite sighs. "Now that Hades knows you want it, he's likely hidden it. And he will likely be waiting for you."

"You think I should have taken his deal," you say.

"If you want to be an immortal, you need to learn to think like one. You need leverage. One god rarely grants something to another without it."

You shake your head. "It's sad that he can't just do this for you to be nice."

Amphitrite squeezes your shoulders. "Who knows? Maybe you can think of a way to convince him to give you the box."

You nod, trying to be hopeful. "Wasn't there a third thing?"

"Oh, yes," she says. "Once we get to the gates, you'll need to leave the golden net behind. I'm afraid Hades won't cooperate with you if he knows I helped."

"I understand," you say. "I guess I'm ready, then."

"Love before war," Amphitrite says as she holds a stringer dangling with a half-dozen trout.

You give her a quizzical look.

"Before you draw your sword on Hydra," she explains, "I'll toss him this stringer of fish. If she's distracted long enough, I can help you through the gates without a confrontation."

"That would be awesome," you say.

"But be ready to use the sword, just in case," she says. "As I said, Hades will be less likely to cooperate with you if I'm the one to defeat Hydra. If you do it, he'll be more likely to feel that you deserve the box."

"I understand," you say again, though you are terrified.

Without another word, Amphitrite takes your hand and pulls you down into the dark depths of the black river. With the help of the golden net, you can see the gate and Hydra sitting on the river floor, looking bored.

The Hydra notices you before you notice her but continues to sit still, even when you and Amphitrite pause only a few feet away.

Then the monster shrieks, and the sound carries through the water, burning your ears.

Amphitrite tosses the stringer of fish to the beast. As the Hydra leaps for the trout, Amphitrite whisks you to the gates, but before she can pull them apart and help you through, the Hydra bears on you from behind.

You draw Athena's sword.

As the one enormous head of the Hydra lunges toward you,  you [choose one]

slice it off with Athena's sharp and well-balanced sword .

drive Athena's sword into Hydra's heart .

* * *

The Hydra's head separates from her neck, and blood seeps into the black water of the river. But then, before you can blink, two enormous heads sprout from the wound and lunge at you. You swing Athena's sword and manage to slice off another head, but two more grow in its place. One of them snaps at you, and you feel the bones in your back crack as you are chewed and swallowed by the beast. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The Hydra wails and writhes for nearly a full minute—long enough for Amphitrite to open the gates, remove the net, and kiss you once more before you enter the realm of the dead.

Swimming through the black water without the net is more difficult that you imagined, for the water is cold and murky, and you can barely see your own hands. Nevertheless, you swim to your right to avoid the river of forgetfulness.

When you are far enough away from the gates, you surface and see no sign of the House of Judgment. Wails from the tortured souls in the bad part of the Underworld carry through the cavernous realm. You swim toward the nearest bank and come upon a structure housing a golden chariot and two black stallions with fierce red eyes.

Having no idea where you are, you follow the river of fire until you see a magnificent castle, which you hope is the palace of Hades and Persephone. At the threshold you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you with blue eyes, from which blood begins to drip. Her blonde serpentine curls become snakes that hiss. A falcon perches on her shoulder, ready to attack.

"Who are you?" the person demands.

You close your eyes, afraid that you have just looked upon Medusa and will turn to stone.

"Why are you here?" she asks angrily. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

You open your eyes, shocked that you can breathe and move. "Why didn't I turn to stone?"

"What?" she scoffs at you. "Why should you?"

"Aren't you Medusa?"

"How rude!" Her snake hair hisses at you as she narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Megaera, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will allow my falcon to pluck out your eyes."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about napping by the babbling brook, about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Amphitrite's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Amphitrite to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the opposite bank, and then follow the bank to the gates, where you submerge to find Amphitrite waiting for you. She helps you through and back into the golden net before the two of you swim far enough away from Cerberus before surfacing.

Your heart fills with desire as Amphitrite carries you through the narrow chasm, across the bright sea, up into the sky, and to the clouds before she sets you down on a mountaintop, where she gently removes the golden net. Then she kisses you and kisses you and kisses you, until you feel you might explode with happiness.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Amphitrite is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Amphitrite would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

You enter a circular room carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light.

Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling is higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

Seated on the throne are Hades and a goddess you presume to be his queen, Persephone.

Frightened, you fall to your knees.

"I'm surprised you made it this far," Hades says. "Kudos."

"Thank you," you say through trembling lips. You can't imagine what he has in store for you. "May I have the black box of beauty?"

Persephone stands, holding the box. It's the size of a Rubik's cube. To your surprise, she delivers it to you.

"Thank you, your highness," you say.

"Good luck to you," the goddess says.

Astonished by how easily they handed over the box, you climb to your feet, bow once more, and leave the palace.

You stare down at the box recalling Amphitrite's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Amphitrite to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the opposite bank, and then follow the bank to the gates, where you submerge to find Amphitrite waiting for you. She helps you through and back into the golden net before the two of you swim far enough away from Cerberus before surfacing.

Your heart fills with desire as Amphitrite carries you through the narrow chasm, across the bright sea, up into the sky, and to the clouds, where she sets you on a mountaintop before gently removes the golden net. Then she kisses you and kisses you and kisses you, until you feel you might explode with happiness.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Amphitrite is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Amphitrite would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and a rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Amphitrite cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's Pestilence!"

Amphitrite catches you as you fall Your skin burns as boils and sores creep across it. You feel dizzy, feverish, and faint.

"What's happening?" you ask the goddess.

"Aphrodite's box contained Pestilence, and she bit you before she flew away."

Through a burning throat you ask, "What does that mean?"

"You will slowly die of the plague," Amphitrite says sorrowfully. "But if you'll allow me, I'll give you a quick and painless death."

Although you're afraid, you trust the goddess. With tears in your eyes, you nod.

She gives you one last kiss before you see only darkness.

Moments later, a beautiful boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes leads you to a boat in a veil of fog. After boarding, an old man pulls a long, slender pole through familiar black waters. You see an enormous black gate guarded by a three-headed dog. You recognize that you are entering the Underworld as one of the dead.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. Something buzzes near your ear and flies away.

"No!" Amphitrite cries before returning to your side. "Dearie, what have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Amphitrite whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The goddess lies with you and gives you hours of pleasure before she kisses you goodbye.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Amphitrite does. And although you ache for the goddess for most of your life, the moments you spend with Amphitrite make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Amphitrite is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Amphitrite leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Aphrodite and the First Challenge

Aphrodite claps her hands. "Oh, goodie!"

You avoid making eye contact with Hephaestus, because you see him as an adversary.

"Come on, then," Aphrodite says as she takes the boulder from your arms. Then she removes the golden net and takes your hand, but you can no longer breathe.

You panic in the freezing water, which now burns your throat, as you are surrounded by a bright light and pressure from all directions. You close your eyes.

The feeling of pressure vanishes, and, before you open your eyes, you cough up the water you inhaled.

Aphrodite pats your back. "There, there, my lovely. Are you all right?"

You open your eyes and look into her beautiful eyes. You are about to lean in for a kiss when you realize you are in a giant cave surrounded by fog. "Where are we?"

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Aphrodite says as she uses her fingers to comb your wet hair. "Are you sure this is what you want, my lovely? To become like me?"

"Yes," you say. "If it's the only way I can be with you."

"It isn't," she says. "I can visit you many times throughout your mortal life."

You imagine how hard it would be to see her only on occasion and not every day of your life. "But I don't want to spend a single day away from you."

She strokes your cheek, and, unable to stand it a moment longer, you press your lips hard against hers as you encircle her waist with your arms. She presses her body against you, sending chills of pleasure throughout your body. Tears spring to your eyes. You wish this moment could last forever.

Aphrodite sighs as she pulls away. "I'm not meant to intervene with your challenge, but it seems to me that the test is not whether you can breach the gates to the dead, but whether you can deliver my black box of beauty to Mount Olympus without opening it."

You nod in agreement. "So, what should I do?"

"I'll summon Persephone and ask her to return the box to me."

"Are you sure this will be acceptable to the others?" you ask. "It sounds too easy."

Aphrodite frowns. "It may sound that way to you now, but you'll feel differently when you're holding the box in your hands."

"Why?" you ask.

"Because if you were to open it, you would possess my infinite beauty, making you the most beautiful mortal on earth."

You bite your bottom lip.

"Tell me what you're thinking, my lovely."

Reluctantly, you ask, "Am I attractive enough to satisfy you?"

Aphrodite strokes your cheek. "You are pleasing to my eyes, just as you are."

Suddenly, a figure emerges through the fog. It's a goddess with long bright hair, the color of corn, and dark brown eyes lined with silky black lashes. As beautiful as she is, you only have eyes for Aphrodite.

"I heard my name," the goddess says, as she hovers in the air a few feet away.

"Ah, Persephone," Aphrodite says. "Thank you for coming. I need my black box of beauty. Could you give it back to me, please?"

"Of course," Persephone says.

The black box of beauty, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears in Aphrodite's hand. She holds it out to you.

"Thank you," you say just before Persephone disappears.

You give Aphrodite a grateful kiss.

"Ready to god travel to Mount Olympus, my lovely?"

"God travel?" you repeat. "Is that the thing with the light and the pressure and the instant change of location?"

Aphrodite kisses your nose and laughs. "I've never heard it described in quite that way, my lovely, but yes."

"Then I'm ready."

You hold the black box of beauty in one hand and Aphrodite's hand in the other. The bright light envelops you, along with the pressure from all directions. When you open your eyes, you're beside Aphrodite surrounded by clouds.

With your one free hand, you stroke Aphrodite's cheek. Then, without a word, your lips meet. Ecstasy flows through every vein in your body, and you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Aphrodite's arms.

The goddess pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Aphrodite is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You consider how much more Aphrodite would love you if you possessed her infinite beauty. As the clouds part and a rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions,  you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

refrain from opening the box as the chariot enters the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Aphrodite cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "You thief!"

Your skin burns as boils and sores creep across it. You feel dizzy, feverish, and faint.

"What's happening?" you ask the goddess, whose face is no longer full of love and longing for you.

"My box contained Pestilence, to punish thieves," Aphrodite says angrily, "and she bit you before she flew away."

Through a burning throat you ask, "What does that mean?"

"You will slowly die of the plague," Aphrodite says. "A just punishment from a mortal who dares to steal from me."

A bright light envelops you, along with the pressure from all directions, and you find yourself alone, lying in a field of flowers beside a babbling brook. If it weren't for the sores and boils covering your skin, your burning throat, and your dizzy and feverish head, you might think you dreamt your adventures with the gods. But the pain and misery assure you otherwise.

You lie there in the flowers for three days before you lose consciousness. Then sometime after, a beautiful boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes leads you to a boat in a veil of fog. After boarding, an old man pulls a long, slender pole through black waters. You see an enormous black gate guarded by a three-headed dog. You realize that you are entering the Underworld as one of the dead.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. Something buzzes near your ear and flies away.

"No!" Aphrodite cries. "You thief!"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

"But you were already pleasing to me! You shouldn't have taken what wasn't yours! If you wanted it so badly, you should have asked! I might have given it to you!"

You swallow hard. "I'm so sorry, my love."

"Don't ever call me that again!" Aphrodite shrieks. "I hate the sight of you!"

A bright light encircles you, along with pressure from all directions. You close your eyes, and when you open them, you find yourself lying next to the babbling brook where all of this first began. If it weren't for the beautiful reflection gazing back at you in a still pool of water, you might suspect your adventures with the gods to have been a dream. But your beauty assures you that the adventures were real.

Over the years, you become famous for your beauty, and you star in major motion pictures, making millions of dollars. Although your friends and family thank you for your generosity, you are never able to find a partner to share your life with, because your heart belongs to the goddess who despises you.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Aphrodite leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Hermes and the First Challenge

Hermes grins. "Thank you, Cupid!"

You chuckle at your true love's pleasure in having been chosen. It fills you with joy.

He swiftly crosses the room to your side. "We can travel to the Underworld by chariot, flight, or god travel. Which would you prefer, beautiful?"

"Which do you recommend?" you ask, beaming at him with adoration.

"Well, a chariot is always the safest," he says, "and god travel, though the fastest, is the most dangerous. If it weren't for my superior speed, I'd recommend travel by chariot."

"But?" you ask.

"But since I'm so fast, and since we're not at war with any of the other gods, I'd choose flight," Hermes says.

"Sounds good to me," you say, still smiling.

"Let's get rid of the net and boulder," the god says.

"But how will I breathe?" you ask.

"We'll reach the surface before you'll need to," he assures you.

As soon as the net and boulder are removed, you hold your breath, but the freezing water causes you to shiver uncontrollably. Then a rushing current of water knocks the air from your lungs and forces your eyelids closed. This lasts for one or two minutes before the water is replaced by wind. You blink, glance down, and flail your arms and legs as you become dizzy and nauseous, but before you can complain, you find yourself whooshing through darkness. Then everything is still, and you're in Hermes's arms, leaning against his strong chest, surrounded by a veil of fog.

You catch your breath for a moment.

"Are you okay, beautiful?" Hermes asks.

Panting, you nod. Then you ask, "Where are we?"

"We're near the gates to the Underworld," Hermes says as he uses his fingers to comb your wet hair. "Are you sure this is what you want? To become like me?"

"Yes," you say. "If it's the only way I can be with you."

"It isn't," he says. "I can visit you throughout your mortal life."

You imagine how hard it would be to see him only on occasion and not every day of your life. "But I don't want to spend a single day away from you."

"Even if you succeed and become like me, I can't be with you every day," he says gently. "I'm the busiest of all the gods, mainly because I'm the fastest, you see. My father, Zeus, has me delivering messages night and day, on top of my other duties."

"What are your other duties?" you ask, wanting to know everything about him.

"I help travelers," he says. "I oversee trade and commerce. I inspire developments in communication technology. I also guide comedians, tricksters, and, believe it or not, thieves."

"Thieves?" you repeat.

"Even thieves need someone on their side, you know," he says. "Most of them are desperate. Just want to feed themselves and their families."

You stroke his cheek. "They're lucky to have you."

Hermes sighs. "It's been a long time since someone's looked at me the way you're looking at me now."

"I wish we'd do more than look," you say, gazing at his mouth.

"Let's get the black box of beauty first," he says. "Then we can do whatever you want."

"Promise?" you ask.

"Promise."

"Then where do I begin?"

"I'm not meant to intervene with your challenge, but it seems to me that the test is not whether you can breach the gates to the dead, but whether you can deliver Aphrodite's black box of beauty to Mount Olympus without opening it."

You nod in agreement. "So, what should I do?"

"I'll summon Hades and ask him to fetch the box."

"Are you sure this will be acceptable to the others?" you ask. "It sounds too easy."

Hermes frowns. "It may sound that way to you now, but you'll feel differently when you're holding the box in your hands."

"Why?" you ask.

"Because if you were to open it, you would possess Aphrodite's infinite beauty, making you the most beautiful mortal on earth."

You bite your bottom lip.

"Tell me what you're thinking, beautiful."

Reluctantly, you ask, "Am I attractive enough to satisfy you?"

Hermes strokes your cheek. "You are pleasing to my eyes, just as you are."

Suddenly, a figure emerges through the fog.

"I heard my name," the figure says, as he hovers in the air a few feet away.

"Hades," Hermes says. "I have a favor to ask. If you do something for me, I'll do something for you in return."

"What favor?" Hades asks as he glances at you, and not for the first time.

"This mortal has been challenged by Athena to accomplish three tasks, the first of which is to retrieve Aphrodite's black box of beauty from Persephone and to deliver it to Mount Olympus, unopened. If successful in all three, the mortal will undergo apotheosis."

"Interesting," Hades says as he gives you a once over.

"If you bring me the box," Hermes says, "I'll bring you the thing you've been wanting to get your hands on."

"The eye of Polyphemus?" Hades asks.

"Exactly."

"Bring me the eye first," Hades says. "The eye for the box. An even exchange."

Hermes cups your face. "It's your decision, beautiful, but it might be our only chance. We could go get the eye and bring it back, or you could try to get the box on your own."

"Which will be more dangerous?" you ask. "Getting the eye, or getting the box?"

Hades moves closer and says to you, "If you want to get the box on your own, you'll have to get by Cerberus. And then, you'll need to navigate the dangerous rivers until you find my palace. If you make it to my throne room, I'll hand over the box."

You raise your brows and turn to Hermes. "That doesn't sound too bad."

"Like I said," Hermes says, "It's up to you. I can do all the work for you and get the eye—though I may need your help—or you can go get the box from Hades without me."

You say [choose one],

" Let's go get the eye of Polyphemus ."

" I'll get the box on my own ."

* * *

Hermes takes you into his arms, and before you've closed your eyes and leaned into his chest, you whoosh through the darkness into the light of day and, within seconds, land beside him on a sandy beach.

Blinking against the setting sun, which, though not bright, still takes some getting used to, you ask, "Where are we?"

"Cyclopes Island, in the middle of the Aegean Sea."

You furrow your brows. "I don't understand. Why are we here?"

"This is where Polyphemus lives," Hermes explains as he leads you along the coastline away from the sun. "Polyphemus is a Cyclops, and his eye has special powers—not because he's a Cyclops, but because he's the son of Poseidon."

"Oh, I  see ," you say, trying to be funny.

Hermes laughs, and you feel grateful.

Then you cock your head to the side. "I have a feeling the son of Poseidon isn't just going to hand over his one eye to us because we ask him for it."

"Beautiful  and smart," Hermes says.

You blush. "So, what's our plan?"

"Every morning, Polyphemus leaves his cave and comes to this beach to wash his eye."

"Why the beach?" you ask. "Isn't there someplace safer or more convenient?"

Hermes stops and turns to admire the sun setting over the Aegean Sea. "There's a pool in his cave, but it leads to the ocean floor, and he's afraid of dropping his eye. He can't swim, you know. None of the Cyclopes can. That's why Zeus trapped them here on this island."

"Wait, the son of Poseidon can't swim?"

"You gotta love irony. He comes here to the beach because the water is shallow, and, if he drops his eye, the waves will carry it back to the shore."

You nod your understanding. "Are we waiting here until morning, then?"

"It's a beautiful sunset, yes?"

"Yes."

"I thought we could spend the night here on the beach, so we know the moment Polyphemus comes over that hill with his sheep."

The thought of sleeping beside your one true love sends chills of pleasure throughout your body.

Hermes spreads a white cotton blanket across the soft sand and invites you to lie down beside him. Once you are resting your head on his bicep and your hand on his chest, he strokes your hand and says, "I hope you don't mind if I use you for bait."

"I'll do whatever you want me to do." You make a point of meeting his eyes so you can emphasize the double entendre.

His wide grin tells you he understood you loud and clear. He squeezes your hand and says, "When we hear the sheep come over the hill, we'll need to hide. Then after we see Polyphemus take out his eye, you'll distract him, okay? Maybe create a little friction among his sheep?"

"Create a little friction?' you repeat, again with that look.

Hermes's smile splits his face in half, and he throws back his head to guffaw.

You giggle with pleasure.

Hermes strokes your arm. "You're driving me crazy."

"Good," you say. "It's about time you kissed me."

"Does this mean we aren't waiting until after you get the black box?"

"Why? Is that a rule?"

He laughs again. "Not a rule. An incentive. A prize at the end of the challenge."

"Fine," you say, not wanting to appear too eager. "We'll wait."

He holds you in the fading light. The feel of his strong body against yours frustrates you, but you keep it together while he strokes your now dry hair. Eventually, you fall asleep, and, sometime later, the braying of sheep startle you awake.

At least a dozen sheep cover the hillside chomping on grass.

"Good morning, beautiful," Hermes says as he helps you to your feet. "Ready to hide."

You give him a sleep nod before he whisks you away to a nearby boulder where you take cover.

Not many minutes pass when you see a giant wearing nothing more than a loin cloth come ambling down the hillside carrying a club in one hand.

"That's Polyphemus," Hermes whispers near your ear.

"Alright, yer dirty mops!" Polyphemus shouts in a booming voice. "It's time to get moving!"

"He doesn't sound very nice," you whisper.

"He's not very bright, either, which makes him an easy target for trickery."

"Come on yer muts!" Polyphemus bellows when he notices the sheep clumping close to the hilltop and what you now realize is the mouth of a cave. "Come on out. I'll be right back."

Polyphemus turns his fat body toward the shore and shuffles clumsily across the sand.

"We have to wait for him to remove the eye," Hermes whispers. "Once he holds it in his hand, I'll snatch it before he knows what hit him. Then I'll come back for you. If I fail, we'll try plan B, where you're the bait."

The plan sounds simple enough to you.

As the giant approaches the shoreline, he plucks his eye from its socket, causing you to gag. There's no blood or goo, but it's still unnerving to see a creature holding its own eyeball.

You don't even feel Hermes leave, but once you notice he's gone, you suddenly become aware of another presence behind you.

Before you turn around, you're swept off your feet and taken to the sea a few yards out from the beach. Your captor is a beautiful mermaid with turquoise eyes and raven hair.

"Why has Hermes taken my son's eye?" she asks you.

You stare back at her for a moment in shock before you say, "He's helping me."

"Then I suppose Hermes would no longer need the eye if you were to drown?"

"Huh?"

The mermaid drags you under water before you've had a chance to bite a gulp of air. You struggle against her powerful grasp for over a minute before you're lifted from the sea into the fresh morning air again. Hermes has rescued you.

"Did you get the eye?" you ask.

He shows it to you. You wince and close your eyes.

"That's too creepy," you say. "But thank God."

"You're welcome." Hermes chuckles as he sweeps across the sky and into the narrow chasm to the bank enveloped in fog.

"Lord Hades?" Hermes says, once you've landed on your feet.

The god of the Underworld appears before you, not a full meter away.

Hermes shows him the eye. "The eye for the box."

The black box of beauty, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears in Hades's hand. He holds it out to you as he takes the eye of Polyphemus with his other hand.

You take the box and stare at it with wonder.

Hades turns to you. "Good luck. You'll need it."

"Thank you," you say just before the lord of darkness disappears.

You grip the box tightly in one hand and smile up at Hermes.

He grins back. "Ready for that kiss?"

"Do you have to ask?"

When he finally presses his lips to yours, you moan with delight.

"That was definitely worth the wait," you murmur against his mouth.

Hermes throws his head back and laughs.

"Shall we fly to Mount Olympus?" he asks as he holds you in his arms.

"I'm ready when you are."

Then Hermes gracefully shoots up from the depths of the Underworld into the sky. Down below, you see the ocean, and up above, white clouds streaked with pink and purple.

In the next moment, Hermes stops beside a wall of clouds on a mountaintop.

With your one free hand, you stroke Hermes's cheek. Then, without a word, your lips meet once again as ecstasy flows through every vein in your body, and you feel that this is where you were born to be: in Hermes's arms.

The god pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Hermes is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. You consider how much more Hermes would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and a rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions , you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

refrain from opening the box as the chariot enters the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

Hades vanishes.

You turn to Hermes. "I hope I made the right decision. It just seems that, well, we're already here. I may as well just go for the box. I don't want to delay my transformation any longer than I have to."

Hermes kisses your forehead. "As you wish."

"Any advice?"

"The gates to the Underworld reach the bottom of the river," Hermes says. "Where Hydra stands guard. The good news is that Hydra is more easily overcome than Cerberus, because she only has one head."

This information doesn't jive with what you've learned. "I thought Hydra has nine heads, and that, when one is sliced off, two grow in its place."

"Only one of her heads was immortal," Hermes explains. "She has eight necks that dangle at her sides and only one head, since her confrontation with Hercules. And, while it's true that, should you cut her one immortal head, two will grow in its place, Cerberus has three heads, you see."

You grip the hilt of Athena's sword with sweaty palms. You don't unsheathe it, but you grip the hilt wishing you could avoid slicing any heads today—whether serpent or dog.

"But Cerberus's heads don't grow back," you point out. "Right?"

"Right," Hermes says. "So, it's your choice. Do you want to face Cerberus or Hydra?"

You say, [choose one]

" Cerberus ."

" Hydra ."

* * *

Hermes nods. "As you wish. I'm happy to help you. But, before we go up against Cerberus, there are two more things you should know."

You shiver. "I'm listening."

"Whatever you do, swim only the black rivers," Hermes says. "Avoid the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness, or you'll lose all your memories and forget who you are."

Your eyes widen in fear. "How do I avoid the Lethe?"

"Its waters are blue-green. Just keep to the black waters, to your right. The Lethe veers to the left."

"And what was the second thing?" you ask, through chattering lips.

"I can't go with you through the gates," he says. "Hades made it clear that, if you want the box, you have to go get it alone."

"Right."

"You'll need to swim across the River Styx to the House of Judgement—you'll know it by the three floating figures—and then follow, on foot, the river of fire to the palace of Hades and Persephone. Hades should be waiting for you there."

You nod, trying to be hopeful. "I understand. I guess I'm ready, then."

"Love before war," Hermes says, revealing a lump of cake.

You give him a quizzical look.

"Before you draw your sword on Cerberus," he explains, "I'll toss him this cake. If he's distracted long enough, I can help you through the gates without a confrontation."

"That would be awesome," you say.

"But be ready to use the sword, just in case," he says. "If I fight Cerberus for you, I doubt Hades will give you the box."

"I understand," you say again, though you are terrified.

With your hand in his, Hermes sails through the fog. You soon see the enormous black iron gate not twenty feet away and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

Cerberus is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a long dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and folds of loose skin around the three necks. His six eyes appear red and unfriendly.

As Hermes closes the distance between you and the beast, he tosses the cake into the air. Cerberus sniffs with his three large snouts and dives into the air after it. At that same moment, Hermes flies you to the gates and pulls them apart wide enough for you to squeeze through.

"Run!" he says just as Cerberus snaps his jaws against the iron bars of the gate.

You run along the riverbank until you see three white-robed men floating in what you assume if the House of Judgment on the opposite bank. As the River Styx is only about three meters wide, you feel confident you can make it to the other side.

You look closely at the river, making sure it is black. You wonder if it's possible that, with better light, this river could be blue-green. Cerberus continues to snarl at you from the gate so, deciding that it's too late to turn back now, you walk out into the river, and, when you can no longer reach the bottom, you swim for the other side.

When you climb onto the other bank and can still recall who you are, you heave a huge sigh of relief. Drenched from head to toe, you follow the river of fire past the cave with the three floating figures to a magnificent castle.  Then you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

Hermes nods. "As you wish. I'm happy to help you. But, before we go up against Hydra, there are two more things you should know."

You shiver. "I'm listening."

"Whatever you do, swim only the black rivers," Hermes says. "Avoid the Lethe—the river of forgetfulness, lest you lose all your memories and forget who you are."

Your eyes widen in fear. "How do I avoid the Lethe?"

"Its waters are blue-green. Just keep to the black waters to your right. The Lethe veers to the left."

"And what was the second thing?" you ask, through chattering lips.

"I can't go with you through the gates," he says. "Hades made it clear that you have to do this on your own if you want the box."

"Right."

"You'll need to swim across the River Styx to the House of Judgement—you'll know it by the three floating figures—and then follow, on foot, the river of fire to the palace of Hades and Persephone. Hades should be waiting for you there."

You nod, trying to be hopeful. "I understand. I guess I'm ready, then."

"Love before war," Hermes says as he holds a stringer dangling with a half-dozen trout.

You give him a quizzical look.

"Before you draw your sword on Hydra," he explains, "I'll toss him this stringer of fish. If she's distracted long enough, I can help you through the gates without a confrontation."

"That would be awesome," you say.

"But be ready to use the sword, just in case," he says. "As I said, Hades will be less likely to cooperate with you if I'm the one to defeat Hydra. If you do it, he'll be more likely to feel that you deserve the box."

"I understand," you say again, though you are terrified.

Without another word, Hermes takes your hand and pulls you down into the dark depths of the black river. You can barely see five feet in front of you.

The Hydra notices you before you notice her but continues to sit still, even when you and Hermes pause only a few feet away.

Then the monster shrieks, and the sound carries through the water, burning your ears.

Hermes tosses the stringer of fish to the beast. As the Hydra leaps for the trout, Hermes whisks you to the gates, but before he can pull them apart and help you through, the Hydra bears on you from behind.

You draw Athena's sword.

As the one enormous head of the Hydra lunges toward you,  you [choose one]

slice it off with Athena's sharp and well-balanced sword .

drive Athena's sword into Hydra's heart .

* * *

The Hydra's head separates from her neck, and blood seeps into the black water of the river. But then, before you can blink, two enormous heads sprout from the wound and lunge at you. You swing Athena's sword and manage to slice off another head, but two more grow in its place. One of them snaps at you, and you feel the bones in your back crack as you are chewed and swallowed by the beast. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The Hydra wails and writhes for nearly a full minute—long enough for Hermes to open the gates, so you can squeeze through.

Swimming in the black water without the net is more difficult that you imagined, for the water is cold and murky, and you can barely see your own hands. Nevertheless, you swim to your right to avoid the river of forgetfulness.

When you are far enough away from the gates, you surface and see no sign of three floating figures. Wails from the tortured souls in the bad part of the Underworld carry through the cavernous realm. You swim toward the nearest bank and come upon a structure housing a golden chariot and two black stallions with fierce red eyes.

Having no idea where you are, you follow the river of fire until you see a magnificent castle, which you hope is the palace of Hades and Persephone. At the threshold you [choose one]

knock on the door .

slip inside .

* * *

The person who opens the door glares at you. Her fire-red hair stands up in a Mohawk and contrasts with her deep black, beautiful eyes. A choker of black stones adorns her neck and similar stones served as buttons in her leather jacket and tight leather pants and high-heeled boots.

In addition to the choker of stones, a snake coils around her neck, and it is hissing at you.

"Who are you?" the person demands—and her spiky red hair briefly turns into a tangle of snakes.

You blink, wondering if you only imagined the snakes, for the red mohawk has returned.

"Why are you here?" she asks angrily. "And how did a living mortal breach the gates?"

"Are you Persephone?" you ask. "I've come for Aphrodite's black box of beauty."

The snake around her neck hisses again at you as the woman narrows her eyes. "I am the Fury Alecto, and if you don't tell me who you are and why you're here, I will allow my snake to strangle you until blood pours from your sockets."

Through chattering teeth, you tell her about napping by the babbling brook, about the chariot ride, about meeting the other gods, and about Cupid's arrow. You explain Athena's proposition, and you show her Athena's sword and shield.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty, eh?" she asks. "Wait here."

She closes the door in your face but seconds later opens it again and thrusts a square black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, into your hands. Then she slams the door in your face without another word.

You stare down at the box recalling Hermes's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Hermes to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the opposite bank, and then follow the bank to the gates, where you find Hermes waiting on the outside.

"Jump onto Charon's boat!" he cries.

You turn to see an old man pulling a long slender pole through the river. As his boat nears you, you leap aboard.

The old man scowls at you, but only seconds pass before the gates open and Hermes whisks you up into the air.

Your heart fills with desire as Hermes carries you through the narrow chasm, across the bright sea, up into the sky, and to the top of the highest mountain.

The god pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Hermes is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Hermes would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and a rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

You enter a circular room carved out of rock. With the light from the river of fire flowing inside, you see sparkling gems embedded in the walls. Between the glint of the light from the stones and the reflection in the golden fountain, the room dances with light.

Beyond this circular foyer is a larger room. Unlike the entry, it's square, and the ceiling is higher, with three chandeliers full of candlelight illuminating the room. Bricks of gold tile the floor, and in the center of the room is a double throne.

Seated on the throne are Hades and a goddess you presume to be his queen, Persephone. She has long hair the color of corn and round brown eyes.

Frightened, you fall to your knees.

"I'm surprised you made it this far," Hades says. "Kudos."

"Thank you," you say through trembling lips. "May I have the black box of beauty?"

Persephone stands, holding the box. It's the size of a Rubik's cube. To your surprise, she delivers it to you.

"Thank you, your highness," you say.

"Good luck to you," the goddess says.

Astonished by how easily they handed over the box, you climb to your feet, bow once more, and leave the palace.

You stare down at the box recalling Hermes's words. If you opened the box, you would remain a mortal, but you would be beautiful. With Aphrodite's beauty, you'd be the most beautiful mortal in the world. Even without immortality, it would be difficult for Hermes to resist you. Although you're aware that these desires come from Cupid's arrow, they are nonetheless real. You touch the lid of the box.

Resisting temptation, you turn from the castle door and follow the river of fire back the way you came. When you reach the black river, you climb in and swim to the opposite bank, and then follow the bank to the gates, where you find Hermes waiting on the outside.

"Jump onto Charon's boat!" he cries.

You turn to see an old man pulling a long slender pole through the river. As his boat nears you, you leap aboard.

The old man scowls at you, but only seconds pass before the gates open and Hermes whisks you up into the air.

Your heart fills with desire as Hermes carries you through the narrow chasm, across the bright sea, up into the sky, and to the highest mountaintop.

The god pulls away and commands the gates of Mount Olympus to let you in, and in that moment while Hermes is distracted, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands. Again, you think how much more Hermes would love you if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud appears, and the winds blow from all directions, you [choose one]

open the box a tiny crack before snapping it closed again .

open the box .

turn and enter the gates of Mount Olympus .

* * *

As you snap the lid shut, something tiny and fast flies out. It buzzes in a frenzy around your face before stinging you on the nose.

Hermes cries, "No!" as pain surges through you. "It's Pestilence!"

Hermes catches you as you fall. Your skin burns as boils and sores creep across it. You feel dizzy, feverish, and faint.

"What's happening?" you ask.

"Aphrodite's box contained Pestilence, and she bit you before she flew away."

Through a burning throat you ask, "What does that mean?"

"You will slowly die of the plague," Hermes says sorrowfully. "But if you'll allow me, I'll give you a quick and painless death."

With tears in your eyes, you nod.

He gives you one last kiss before you see only darkness.

Moments later, a beautiful boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes leads you to a boat in a veil of fog. You recognize the boat. After boarding, the old man, who doesn't scowl at you this time, pulls his long, slender pole through familiar black waters. You see an enormous black gate guarded by the three-headed dog. You recognize that you are entering the Underworld as one of the dead.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Suddenly you find yourself at the center of a powerful wind tunnel that blows your hair in all directions. Then it stops as quickly as it started. Something buzzes near your ear and flies away.

"No!" Hermes cries before returning to your side. "What have you done?"

"I wanted to be beautiful for you," you say.

With eyes filled with sadness, Hermes whisks you away to the babbling brook where all of this first began. The god cuddles with you and consoles you, and, eventually, brings you joy and pleasure, like you've never known.

Over the years, your one true love returns to you throughout your mortal life. Although you become known as the most beautiful person alive, no one can possess your heart as Hermes does. And although you ache for the god for most of your life, the moments you spend with Hermes make all the longing worthwhile to you. You eventually die of old age, and Hermes is there to escort your soul to the realm of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Choose here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Hermes leads you through the gold-paved courtyard, past a whale fountain, and up the rainbow-colored steps into a great hall. The other gods are waiting, seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the room.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, approaches you and takes the black box of beauty.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Hephaestus and the First Challenge

Hephaestus's jaw tightens, giving you the impression that he isn't pleased. This devastates you, until he approaches you and says, "Come with me to my forge on Mount Olympus, where we can discuss your options."

He holds out his elbow, and you take pleasure in placing your hand on the underside of his broad arm.

To Poseidon, Hephaestus says, "I'll return your net as soon as we breach the surface."

"Good luck to you both," Poseidon says with a wave.

A nymph swims over and takes your boulder, and, with the golden net still draped over you like a blanket, you swim with Hephaestus to his chariot.

His chariot is unlike Poseidon's in that its wheels are much larger and there are four instead of two. The body of the chariot is also much smaller than Poseidon's with beautifully detailed wings of bronze on each side and an equally beautiful feathered tail on the back—resembling the tail of an airplane. It also has a crane's graceful neck, head, and beak emerging from the center front, where a horse might be. That was the greatest difference between the two chariots: Hephaestus's was not pulled by horses.

You climb in beside him, admiring his rugged appearance. Although he's not beautiful, like the other gods, having a slight hunch in his back and a limp when he walks, he's attractive to you, nonetheless. He's bulk and hard lines are appealing, even if his skin isn't flawless or as youthful as that of the other immortals.

"Hang on," he says with a grin.

He waits for you to clutch the edges of the vehicle before pulling a lever that send the chariot flying from Poseidon's castle.

In a few short moments, the chariot leaps from the sea and into the air, and the golden net disappears from your body. The air is cooler without the net, but not too cold, as you sail up into the clouds before stopping on a mountaintop.

Before a giant wall of clouds, Hephaestus says, "Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall, open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I and my guest may enter."

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you, startling you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Hephaestus draws the chariot forward. The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. To the right and left of the palace are separate buildings, as tall, but not as wide or deep. Hephaestus drives the horseless chariot to the right of the fountain to one of these separate buildings. The golden doors open.

"Take my hand," the god says, and you do.

In the next moment, you are climbing rainbow steps and entering a beautiful temple.

"This way, love," he says, leading you through the first door on your right.

You enter a room full of machinery, tools, and weapons. Billows that seem to operate on their own keep a central fire going. Hephaestus leads you through the room to a table and chairs and asks you to have a seat.

"I brought you here for three reasons," the god says. "First, I need you to know that I'm faithful to my wife. Knowing that, do you wish to accept Athena's challenge?"

"But I thought Aphrodite..."

"She's not my wife."

Your jaw drops open.

"Long ago, we had a secret divorce, so she could be with Ares," he explains. "I married one of her Charities, Algaea, and we're faithful to one another."

"Oh," you say as your eyes fill up with tears. A feeling of hopelessness overcomes you.

"There, there, love," the god says kindly. "If it would be enough to be in my company, I would try to comfort you as best I could, and perhaps we might find a solution—a cure, one day."

"I don't want a cure," you say. "And I want to be near you however I can. I want to accept Athena's challenge."

Hephaestus nods. "Then the least I can do is build you a suit of armor, to protect you."

Your eyes widen. "Really? You'd do that for me?"

"It's what I do. Making things brings me pleasure. And I want to do all I can without breaking my marriage vows to make you happy."

Your heart fills with joy.

"Let me take down your measurements," he says.

A thrill moves through you as Hephaestus wraps a tape measure around your various body parts. You long for him to take you in his arms, but you love him enough to respect his choices.

"This won't take me long," he says. "Would you like to explore the grounds while you wait?"

"Is it okay if I stay and watch?" you ask, not wanting to leave his side.

"Put this on." He hands you a helmet with a built-in eye guard.

You watch with interest as the god gets to work, heating and shaping sheets of iron and bronze. A half hour later, he fits you into a beautiful set of armor. You are amazed by both its comfortable fit and its intricate design—which includes an engraving of a crane on the breast plate and the same design on the sides of the helmet.

Hephaestus helps you to strap on Athena's sword and shield.

"You're ready," he says.

"I don't know how to thank you," you say, though you have ideas.

Hephaestus chuckles. "You need one more thing to succeed in this first challenge."

"What?" you ask.

He unlocks a thick wooden chest that is covered in symbols. Then he lifts out a large black iron helmet and hands it to you.

"But I already have a helmet," you say.

"This isn't for you to wear," he says. "It's for you to trade."

"I don't understand."

"It's an exact replica of the helm of invisibility, Hades's greatest asset. I think he would like to have this to use as a decoy, to better protect the real helm. You can offer it to him in exchange for the black box of beauty."

You are overcome by the kindness of the god, and you wish, not for the first time, that he wasn't already married.

"Thank you so much," you say. "But you don't think the other gods will object? This sounds too easy."

"You'll feel differently while holding the box."

"Why?" you ask.

"Because no one is immune from the temptation to become one of the most beautiful creatures alive, and most who are tested give in."

"You mean they open the box?" you ask.

"Yes. They want Aphrodite's infinite beauty. Who wouldn't?"

You ponder that for a moment.

"Shall we go to the Underworld, love?" he asks.

"Let's go."

Hephaestus escorts you to his chariot, and, together, you leave Mount Olympus. The armor feels surprisingly light and comfortable, even while sitting beside the god of the forge in his chariot sailing over the sea.

You aren't in the sky long when the chariot turns nearly one hundred and eighty degrees and plunges toward the ground.

You grab onto Hephaestus's arm as the chariot turns on its side in order to clear the rocky walls of a narrow chasm. Unable to see, it takes all your strength not to shriek in terror as the chariot jolts you this way and that in the darkness. You sigh with relief when the chariot comes to a stop in an enormous cavern filled with fog and dim firelight.

Hephaestus slowly drives his chariot over a rocky riverbank until you see a towering black iron gate and, beside it, the three-headed dog called Cerberus.

The dog is much different from what you imagined. He's about six feet tall, black as night, with a sweeping dragon tail, and three ferocious heads resembling those of a French bulldog: tall batlike ears, pug upturned noses, large frowning mouths with slight under-bites exposing white sharp teeth, and plenty of loose skin around the three necks. The eyes on the heads look red and intimidating.

You cling to Hephaestus's arm and whisper, "Is Cerberus friendly?"

"Not usually," he says. "But no need to worry. I'll ask Hades to meet us out here."

You gasp when a figure appears a few feet in front of the chariot. He seems to be a well-built man in his mid-thirties with wavy black hair, a curly beard, and penetrating eyes of coal.

"I heard my name," he says.

"Hello, Lord Hades," Hephaestus says. "This mortal and I have come to parley with you."

Hades picks at his beard. "Oh? And what is it you want from me?"

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty," Hephaestus says.

"Interesting." Hades glances at you, narrowing his eyes. "And what do you offer in return?"

Hephaestus gives you a nod.

You've forgotten all about the replica of the helm. You also seem to have forgotten your tongue, but Hephaestus nudges you and says, "Go on, love."

You pick up the replica from the floor of the chariot and stand up with your hands outstretched and trembling.

"Hephaestus made a replica of your helm of invisibility," you manage to say through a tight throat. "To use as a decoy."

Hades is suddenly inches from you, and he's snatched the helm from your hands.

"I'm impressed, Hephaestus," Hades says admiring the object in his hands. "Its likeness to my helm is incredible. This could have fooled even me, I dare say."

"Thank you," Hephaestus says. "Do we have an accord, then?"

"Indeed, we do."

Hades snaps his fingers, and a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears in his hand. He gives it to you.

Before you can thank him, the chariot spins, and you fall back in your seat, grabbing onto Hephaestus's arm. Together, you fly through the dark and narrow chasm into the light of day, and up, up, up into the highest clouds. There, you land on a mountaintop surrounded by a wall of clouds. You recognize the gates of Mount Olympus.

As Hephaestus commands the gates to open, you stare at the box in your hands. You wonder if Hephaestus would consider leaving his wife if you possessed Aphrodite's infinite beauty. As the clouds part and the rain cloud briefly empties it contents,  you [choose one]

open the box .

resolve not to open it .

* * *

As Hephaestus drives the chariot through the gates of Mount Olympus, you stare, baffled, at the bottom of an empty box.

Hephaestus notices what you have done and frowns. "It's not easy to resist, is it, love?"

You shake your head as you whip off Athena's shield to study your reflection in it. You look the same.

Bewildered, you ask, "Why am I not more beautiful?"

As Hephaestus parks his chariot, he replies, "I suppose it was a trick. But maybe it's better this way. I have an idea that may help you."

He leads you to his forge and beckons you to sit at his table. As you continue to gaze into the empty black box, feeling devastated that you lost the challenge and have nothing to show for it, Hephaestus gets to work. But you notice, after several minutes, that what he's building is not a machine. It's a man in his likeness.

"Hephaestus?" you call out to him from where you stand at the table. "What are you doing?"

"I'm nearly finished with another gift for you, love," he says. "I've created a man who looks and behaves as I do, so you might find some happiness in spite of the affliction Cupid has imposed on you."

Although you are doubtful that Hephaestus's plan can work, you are amazed by his handiwork when the job is complete. Hephaestus blows life into his creation, and the man sits up from the table where Hephaestus has been working and gazes at you from across the room.

"Hello, love," he says to you.

Still somewhat skeptical, you cross the room to stand beside the man. "Is he really flesh and blood?"

"As much as you are," the two Hephaestuses say simultaneously.

The god of the forge leads you from the temple to his chariot with his replica following. As you continue to study the man, you realize you must wear an expression on your face that is similar to the one Hades wore as he studied the replica of his helm.

The three of you ride from Mount Olympus across the sky to the babbling brook where your adventures first began. You and the man are left behind when the god takes his leave.

"Shall we go for a walk, love?" Hephaestus the man asks as he offers you his hand.

In spite of your doubts, you take it, and, together, you walk along the brook as the sun sets to the east. You ask him questions, and his memories seem to be those belonging to Hephaestus. It's almost as if the god placed his own soul into the replica.

The man also asks you questions, and, as you walk hand in hand, the two of you begin to fall in love.

When nighttime descends, he says, "Perhaps we should head home."

Once you arrive at your place, he takes you into his arms for a kiss. You feel swept away, convinced that this is not a replica, but  the Hephaestus kissing you. You thank the god with your silent prayer, again and again over the years, never quite sure if it's the Hephaestus on Mount Olympus or the one sharing your lifetime of happiness that receives it. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Hephaestus parks his chariot and escorts you up the rainbow steps and into the temple on Mount Olympus. All the gods are seated on their thrones along the perimeter of the great hall. You present the unopened black box of beauty to Athena.

The gray-eyed goddess takes the black box of beauty and smiles down at you.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Hades and the First Challenge

Hades frowns, which alarms you. Why shouldn't he be happy that you're in love with him?

You notice him glance across the room at Persephone, and you realize the problem: he's devoted to his wife.

Persephone holds out her palm where a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears. "Aphrodite's black box of beauty," she says.

You glance around and, realizing you're meant to take it from her, you do. Bowing, you say, "Thank you, Lady Persephone."

"If you open it," she says, "you will receive Aphrodite's infinite beauty. To succeed this challenge, you must show great restraint."

"I will," you assure her.

The goddess smiles. "I'm sorry this has happened to you, poor mortal. But you must know that, should you succeed, I cannot share my husband with you."

A lump rises in your throat.

Hades cross the room to stand beside his wife.

"You should consider opening the box," he says to you.

"What?" Athena cries, outraged. "You encourage the mortal to fail?"

"But how can I be happy without you?" you ask the lord of the Underworld.

"With Aphrodite's beauty, you would be the most beautiful mortal alive," Persephone explains.

"Fame and fortune will likely follow," Hades adds. "And though you might not ever feel the love that Cupid has caused you to feel for me, you can still find a degree of happiness."

"I'd rather be immortal with unrequited love than live a mortal life in which I never see you, Lord Hades," you say.

"Eternity is a long time," Persephone says gently. "Think before you choose."

You stand before the king and queen of the Underworld and ponder what you want for your future. You also consider the possibility that, in accepting Athena's challenge, you could die an early death. You wonder if you would be better off accepting the gift of Aphrodite's beauty. But you also wonder if life would be worth living if you could never be with your heart's true love.

You  [choose one]

open the box .

say, "I accept Athena's challenge ."

* * *

Your hair is blown in all directions as you are surrounded by a wind tunnel. It lasts for five seconds and then stops. The box appears empty. You look around, wondering what this means, but the looks on the faces of the four gods tells you that you have changed.

"You're stunning," Hecate says.

"What a disappointment!" Athena cries before she disappears.

Hades comes to your side. "Allow me to return you to the place where I found you."

Tears fill your eyes. You wish you could at least have one kiss from your heart's true love.

"I have an idea," Hecate says. "Hephaestus can make a mortal replica of you, Lord Hades, and then you can breathe a likeness to your personality into the man."

Your eyes widen with surprise and hope. "Is that really possible?"

"I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise," Hecate says.

Hades takes your hand—and the feel of his touch sends chills of pleasure up your arm.

"To my chariot," he says, before a bright light descends upon you, along with a sharp pressure from all directions.

You blink and find yourself in his chariot where Swift and Sure are waiting.

Hades takes the reins and drives the chariot through the dark chasm and out into the light of day. Moments later, he pulls the stallions to a stop near the babbling brook where your adventures began.

"Wait here," Hades says. "I'll return in half an hour with Hephaestus's creation.

Although you still aren't sure that the replica of Hades will be enough to fulfill your heart, you thank the god as you leave his chariot and sit in the grass beside the brook.

You feel yourself dozing off, so you stretch out in the flowers as the sun begins to set. You are startled awake by the sound of footsteps in the grass. Hades looks down at you with a smile and says, "Hello, there."

You wonder if this is déjà vu. Then you recall Hades's promise.

"Was Hephaestus able to come through for you?" you ask him.

"Indeed," he says. "How do I look?"

You realize at that moment that this is not the god but the replica. You gasp, astonished by how similar he is to the god of the Underworld.

"What should I call you?" you ask.

"Hades," he says as he takes you into his arms. "I've been longing to do this since the moment I first breathed air."

He presses his lips to your, and you melt in his arms, realizing that, yes, this will do just fine.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Hades sighs. "Then I'll drive you to Mount Olympus in my chariot."

You smile, pleased to have more time alone in his company.

"I should warn you," Athena says. "You will be challenged on the journey. Keep your hand on the hilt of my sword and be prepared to fight."

"Fight?" you ask.

"What kind of test would this be if all it required was a trip in a chariot?" Athena asks.

"I thought the challenge was whether the mortal could resist opening the box," Hades says in your defense.

"That's part of it," Athena says before she disappears.

Hades offers you his elbow. You cup your hand around the underside of his arm, relishing the feel of his broad muscles. Then a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure from all directions, and, when you blink, you find yourself in Hades's chariot.

He takes the reins and commands his stallions, Swift and Sure, to drive to Mount Olympus. The chariot takes off with a jolt. You clutch the edge of the vehicle and hold on for dear life as you enter the narrow chasm and are thrust this way and that before reaching the light of day.

You squint against the brightness of Helios, from where he's beginning to set in the west. As Hades drives you higher into the sky, your ears pop.

"We're almost there," he says reassuringly.

From out of the pink and purple sky, a swarm of creatures descends upon the chariot and circles it, causing a wind tunnel. The creatures are women from the waist up and, from the waist down, birds. They have gnarly claws and fierce eyes and ear-splitting shrieks.

"Harpies," Hades says, unsheathing his sword.

You follow suit, swinging madly in the air at the creatures as they claw at you and continue to shriek.

In the midst of your battle, you lose your grip on the black box of beauty. It falls from your grasp and plunges toward the earth below.

"No!" you cry.

The Harpies laugh at you and fly away.

"I dropped the box!" you say to Hades. "What if it breaks when it hits land? Or the lid pops open? Will we know? Have I failed already?" You cover your eyes and weep with frustration.

Hades directs the chariot downward and scans the landscape. "I don't see it, but I know someone who can help us. She's a seer of lost objects."

Hades spins the chariot around, causing you to fall against him. You enjoy the moment of your two bodies crashed against one another, until the chariot straightens, and you topple over the side in the opposite direction. Hades reaches over and grabs your hand before you fall.

"Thanks!" you say as you catch your breath and calm your nerves.

He pulls you close beside him "Hold on tight."

You aren't sure if he means to hold onto the chariot or to him, but you take the opportunity to wrap your arms around his magnificent form. You notice him smile with amusement as he steers the chariot down to what you realize is the tip of Greece. As you approach land, you recognize Athens and the Parthenon, where tourists are walking down the hill toward the train, buses, and cars.

"Won't they see us?" you ask of the tourists.

"We're invisible to mortal eyes," he says.

"Even  me ?" you ask.

"Only because I willed it so," Hades explains.

He brings the chariot to a stop at the base of the acropolis, amid a crowd of tourists. Then he takes your hand and leads you to the mouth of a cave beneath the Parthenon.

The cool chill of evening in Athens lingers in the air and wraps its long fingers around you, as though wanting to deter you from entering the cave, but you follow Hades inside, where it smells acrid and dank.

"Does the seer live here?" you ask.

Hades nods as he steals silently over the rocky cavern floor. A thin ribbon of water, stagnant and foul, divides the ground in half. Hades steps over the water, and you follow.

The first chamber opens into a second, larger one, the size of an auditorium. Hades unsheathes his sword as he glances around the cliff edges above him. You do the same. Then a billow of fire shoots across the top of the cavern, and the residue of smoke lingering behind spells, "I see you, Hades."

"Amphisbaena? I just want to talk," Hades says into the darkness.

Another flash of fire illuminates the cavern ceiling, and this time the smoke remaining spells out, "Drop your sword."

Hades laughs. "Can I trust you?"

The fire shoots in a blaze above him, and the smoke reads, "One says yes. Two says no."

"What is that supposed to mean?" you whisper.

"The two heads don't always agree," he whispers back as he lays down his sword.

Fire blows across the ceiling, and the smoke remaining says, "The mortal, too."

"Lay down your sword," Hades whispers to you.

Trembling now, you do as he says.

"Amphisbaena," he says. "We've lost Aphrodite's black box of beauty. Can you tell us where it is?"

Another flame spills across the ceiling of the cavern, and the smoke left behind spells, "One says yes. Two says yes."

"That's great news," Hades says. "Please, tell us where it is."

You feel something slither across your back, and before you can turn around, the slimy serpent's body, made of bright blue scales and lined with red spikes, has coiled around you, pinning your arms to your side.

"Amphisbaena!" Hades scolds. "Let the mortal go, or I will unleash the Furies to torment you in Tartarus in ways you can't imagine!"

The serpent's body goes slack and slithers back into the darkness.

"Are you okay?" Hades asks.

Still in shock, you dumbly nod.

"Now tell us, Amphisbaena," Hades commands. "Where is Aphrodite's black box of beauty?"

Fire shoots across the top of the cave, and, when the smoke clears, the remaining letters floating in the air spell, "One says Lefkes. Two says Klima."

Hades retrieves his sword from the ground and sheathes it, and you follow suit.

"Thank you," Hades says to the serpent in the darkness before he whisks you away in his arms.

Spinning with delight, you wish you could remain in your true love's arms forever, but less than a minute later, you are seated beside him in the chariot and taking off into the sky. Dusk has fallen, and the air is cold. You cling to Hades for warmth and security as the chariot plunges toward an island in the Aegean Sea.

"What a cute village," you say of the small fishing village, with its houses carved into the side of the island.

"Look there, on that rooftop," Hades says pointing.

It's too far away for you to make out anything. "Do you see the box?"

The chariot swoops low toward the houses. Afraid the chariot won't clear the rooftops, you close your eyes. When you open them again, you see Hades holding the box.

You are overjoyed to see that it isn't opened or, worse, broken. As Hades hands it over to you, you exchange grins.

"Thank you," you say.

As soon as the box is in your hands, the Harpies descend on the chariot from out of nowhere.

You and Hades again draw your swords and swing at the nasty creatures.

One of them grabs you by the leg and lifts you from the chariot. Clutching the box tightly, lest you lose it again,  you [choose one]

slice the Harpy's claw with Athena's sword .

cry out to Hades for help .

* * *

Blood spills from the leg of the Harpy as she shrieks and flies away, leaving you to free fall toward the sea below. You clutch the black box of beauty in one hand and Athena's sword in the other, and you flail your arms and legs wildly.

It isn't until your throat burns that you even realize you are screaming.

You are about to drop into the tumultuous sea below when Hades flies up beside you and holds you in his arms, breaking your fall. Before you can thank him, he lifts you back up into the air, where the other Harpies have scattered. You no longer see the chariot, but you don't mind, because you feel safe with Hades's arms encircling your waist. Your cheek presses against his chest, and you wish you could remain like that forever.

But in the next moment, Hades sets you on your feet on a high mountaintop surrounded by a wall of clouds.

"Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall!" Hades cries. "Open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I, Hades, and my guest may enter!"

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you, startling you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Hades leads you forward. The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. Rainbow steps lead to the grand entrance. Hades takes your hand and leads you up the steps and into the temple.

After passing through a beautiful marble foyer decorated with plaster reliefs of famous Greek scenes, you enter an oval-shaped hall open to a beautiful blue sky above. The gods are seated on thrones around the perimeter of the room. Hades leads you to the center, where you both sheathe your swords. You cling to the box, afraid of dropping it.

Athena steps forward, and you, not knowing what to do, bow awkwardly before presenting her with the box.

The gray-eyed goddess takes the black box of beauty and smiles down at you.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

As you flail your arms and legs, with the black box of beauty in one hand and Athena's sword in the other, the Harpy carries you through the sky. You're dizzy, and you want to vomit. Again, you cry out to Hades for help.

The Harpy swings you from her claw and hurls you through the air, like a shooting comet. You notice Hades in his chariot racing toward you, but, before he reaches you, another Harpy clutches you by the leg and lifts you in the opposite direction.

Dizzy and spinning and weak with fear, you close your eyes and grit your teeth, determined to survive. When you open your eyes again, the Harpy is flying along the surface of the sea, about to lower your head into the water.

You bite at the air and get nothing but saltwater stinging your throat and lungs as your head is dragged through the sea. You choke and gag and flail, on the verge of panic. Then something enormous leaps from the sea and swallows you whole.

You attempt to use Athena's sword to cut your way out, but you only make your situation worse by filling the creature's stomach with blood and soon you are drowning in it.

You close your eyes and give into the darkness but are suddenly pulled from the sea monster by a beautiful boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes. You recognize him.

"Thanatos?"

He gives you a solemn nod.

As he carries you through the air, you notice your body is transparent, and it is in that moment that you realize you have become one of the dead.

By the time you reach the Underworld, you have nearly forgotten who you are, but you recognize Hades when he meets you on Charon's raft.

"Rest easy," Hades says to you. "You put up a hell of a fight."

You hand him Aphrodite's black box of beauty, which is somehow still clutched in your hands. You aren't sure what has happened to Athena's sword and shield. You imagine they are with your body in the belly of the sea monster.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Part Two: Persephone and the First Challenge

Hades sneers at you.

"Don't blame the poor mortal," Persephone says as she moves to your side. Then she says to you, "Maybe we can find a way to cure you."

"I don't want to be cured," you say as your stomach drops.

"Then you'll have nothing but pain and misery for the rest of your life," she says, "because I'm devoted to my husband."

You fight off tears, devastated that your one true love won't even consider a future when the two of you might be together.

"What can I do?" you ask, trying to hide the desperation in your voice. "This is so unfair."

"Life isn't fair," Hades says. "But Death is."

"Are you saying I should kill myself?" you ask.

"Certainly not," Hades says. "I only meant that, unlike life, which tends to be controlled by the Fates and the other gods,  my kingdom is a place of justice."

"Then let me serve you," you say. "I understand that I can never be with Lady Persephone in the way my heart desires, but if I can spend my days in her presence, serving you, Lord Hades, that might be enough."

"It would be better than nothing," Hecate points out.

"Serve me how?" Hades asks.

"What do you need?" you ask. "I could groom your horses and clean the stables. I could polish your chariot. Whatever you want."

Athena shakes her head. "That's not how it works. If you're successful in completing my challenges, you'll need to find your unique purpose in the pantheon. You'll need to find a way to serve humanity or the world—in a way that's not already being served by another deity."

You bite your lip, wondering what you could possibly become the god of that hasn't already been taken.

Persephone holds out her palm and a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears. She turns to you. "I suggest you open Aphrodite's black box of beauty and take the beauty for yourself."

"What?" Athena cries. "You would encourage the mortal to fail?"

"Happiness is impossible when you can't have what the heart wants," Persephone says, "but with Aphrodite's beauty, you would be revered by the entire world. This would lead to fame and fortune and a semblance of happiness."

You consider Persephone's words.

"Take the box," the goddess says, and you do.

You hold the box in your hands and ponder the choices before you. As a mortal, you would live like a celebrity but never see your heart's true love. As an immortal, you would have opportunities to be in Persephone's presence, even if you could never act on your love.

Perhaps one day, many years from now, Persephone might change her mind about Hades and love you instead. At least, as an immortal, you would have hope.

Then, as if she can read your mind, Persephone says, "Eternity is a long time, especially when one is miserable."

You know what you must do. You take a deep breath and  you [choose one]

open the box .

say, "I accept Athena's challenge ."

* * *

At first, nothing happens, but as you peer at the bottom of the box, an old woman, wearing a pink velvet pantsuit, leaps from it as the box drops to the floor. Then a second old woman, wearing a blue shawl over a blue velvet dress, pops out beside the first. And, as your mouth drops open and you back up, bewildered, a third appears wearing a lavender jacket and a denim skirt.

"I'm Clotho, the spinner," the first says in a raspy voice.

"Lachesis, the measurer," the second says in an equally raspy voice.

The third screws her eyes up at you. "And I'm Atropos, the cutter."

"The Fates?" Athena says with a hand to her mouth. "How did Aphrodite..."

The three old women laugh.

"We weren't actually  inside the box, dear," Clotho says as her long gray hair sweeps across her back.

"Of course not," Lachesis, the plump one, adds.

Atropos puts her wrinkled old hands on her scrawny hips. "We created a portal that would be activated whenever the box was opened."

"Clever," Hades says. "But do tell us the meaning of your arrival."

"As you know," Clotho explains, "we knew this would happen."

"Of course, we did," Lachesis says.

You notice Hecate sigh with impatience just before Persephone chuckles.

Atropos folds her bony arms across her flat chest. "The mortal chose well and is to be rewarded."

Just when you think your mouth cannot possibly open any wider, it does. Then you clamp it closed.

"Rewarded?" Persephone asks. "How?"

Clotho turns to Hades. "You are right when you say life isn't fair, but sometimes it can be."

"In choosing not to threaten the marriage of the king and queen of the Underworld," Lachesis says, "this mortal will be spared the affects of Cupid's arrow while being rewarded with the infinite beauty of Aphrodite."

The three old women vanish. When they do, something in your chest lightens, as if a burden has been lifted from you.

"You're stunning," Hecate says to you from across the room.

"You were already pleasing to the eyes," Persephone adds, "but when combined with Aphrodite's beauty, well, you're sure to take the breath away of anyone who looks at you."

Persephone's words would have elated you moments before, but now you find that the previous desire you held for her has vanished.

"Thank you," you say.

"You won't be needing these," Athena says as she unstraps her sword and shield from you.

Then she holds her shield up to you, so you can see your reflection in it. You can hardly believe your eyes. Your features have been accentuated in ways that make their sum more attractive than you could have ever imagined they would be.

"That's incredible," you say. You glance around at the gods. "Thank you, all of you, for your kindness. This has been a day I will never forget."

"You've been liberated from the arrow?" Hades asks.

You smile at Persephone. "It seems I have."

Persephone surprises you with a kiss on your cheek. "Take care of yourself mortal."

In the next moment, a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure from all directions. You blink against the light, and, when you open your eyes, you find yourself beside the babbling brook where your adventures began. If it weren't for your altered appearance, you might have believed the experiences of the day to have been a dream or a hallucination, but Aphrodite's beauty reminds you for the rest of your life of this one day you shared with the gods of Olympus.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Persephone sighs and cups your cheek. The feel of her warm skin on your face sends chills of pleasure throughout your body.

"Poor mortal," she says.

You wish she felt something more for you than pity, but you'll take whatever you can get.

"Be sure to keep a grip on the hilt of my sword," Athena warns you.

Persephone drops her hand from your cheek and turns to Athena. "Why would you advise such a thing?"

"Because the mortal is to be tested during your trip to Mount Olympus," Athena explains.

"Tested?" Hecate repeats. "I thought the test was resisting the temptation to open the box."

"That's part of it," Athena says. Then she says to you, "Good luck!" before she disappears.

"Better take the chariot," Hades says to Persephone.

Your one true love gazes up at her husband. "Perhaps you should come with us."

Your heart sinks in your chest.

Hades shakes his head. "Let's give the mortal the gift of your presence without mine."

You nearly blurt out, "Thank you!" but you hold your tongue, not wanting to anger the lord of the Underworld with your eagerness to be alone with his wife.

Then Hades claps you on the shoulder. "I fear your death is imminent. Enjoy the time you have left."

Your stomach does a flip-flop, but, as you follow Persephone to the chariot, gripping the black box of beauty with one hand and the hilt of Athena's sword with the other, you resolve to win the challenge, so you can be near Persephone forever.

Once the two of you are seated side by side, and Persephone holds the reins in her hands, you ask, "Is there really no hope for me, Lady Persephone?"

"Never give up hope," she says, reassuringly, but you guess she mistook your meaning.

"I mean for  us ," you clarify.

"I can't fathom ever loving anyone but Hades," she says, "but eternity is a long time. I suppose one never knows what the future holds."

"That's good enough for me," you say, even more resolved than before to succeed.

Persephone drives the chariot through the enormous gates, past Cerberus, and through the dark, narrow chasm. Your stomach drops when the chariot launches into the light of day toward the highest clouds.

"Does this ever get old?" you ask the goddess with a smile.

"Never," she says with a gleam in her lovely brown eyes.

The sun is beginning to set in the west, and the clouds are streaked with pink, lavender, and gray. Below, the sea sparkles, and the distant hills make a striking silhouette on the horizon. But no matter how magnificent your surroundings, nothing is more beautiful than the goddess beside you.

Suddenly, the stallions bray with fear, and the chariot tips back. Persephone grabs your arm to prevent you from falling to your death.

A scream echoes across the water, and, as Persephone veers the chariot to the right, you see a monster leaping out of the sea below. It has six long necks with six grisly heads, only four of which have eyes. The heads of six yelping dogs seem to grow from its waist. It propels itself into the air with twelve tentacle-like legs and two enormous pincers.

"Hold on," Persephone warns. "Scylla is deadly."

You gladly cling to Persephone's waist with one hand as you hold the black box of beauty with the other.

The creature below propels itself up into the air once again, and this time, it grabs hold of the chariot. The black stallions pull with all their strength against the might of the beast, but they are no match for Scylla. As the chariot falls into the sea, Persephone sweeps you into the sky and out of the monster's reach.

"The horses!" you cry.

"They'll be okay," Persephone says. "Let's get you to Mount Olympus."

A tentacle coils itself around your ankle and pulls you toward the sea. Persephone wraps her arms around you and struggles against the beast. You let go of the goddess's waist to unsheathe Athena's sword. Then you slice the tentacle with the elegant weapon.

The beast below shrieks and withdraws into the sea as you and the goddess sail toward the clouds. Soon you see the stallions, Swift and Sure, emerge from the waters unscathed, still bridled to the golden chariot. As it nears you, Persephone helps you aboard, where you sheathe Athena's weapon. In the next instant, the horses stop on a mountain peak surrounded by a wall of clouds.

"Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall," Persephone cries. "Open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I, Persephone, and my guest may enter."

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Persephone drives the chariot forward. The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. Rainbow steps lead to the grand entrance. Persephone takes your hand and leads you up the steps and into the temple.

After passing through a beautiful marble foyer decorated with plaster reliefs of famous Greek scenes, you enter an oval-shaped hall open to a beautiful blue sky above. The gods are seated on thrones around the perimeter of the room. Persephone leads you to the center. You cling to the box, afraid of dropping it.

Athena steps forward, and you, not knowing what to do, bow awkwardly before presenting her with the box.

The gray-eyed goddess takes the black box of beauty and smiles down at you.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Hecate and the First Challenge

Hecate crosses the room to your side and meets your gaze. Her long hair is striking with its white and black streaks. Her dark eyes are mesmerizing. "It's my image you love, hon'—not me. You don't even know me."

"I can't help myself," you say.

"I know you can't. But I may have another option for you."

Athena frowns. "What's this, Hecate?"

"I can give the mortal a potion that will transform the person who drinks it into my likeness," Hecate explains.

Persephone stands from her throne. "That would indeed be a better solution for the poor mortal. Well, done, Hecate."

Your heart seems to break in two. Trying to hide the desperation in your voice, you ask Hecate, "Do you see no possible future in which you might one day love me?"

The goddess takes your hand with both of hers and squeezes it. The warmth of her touch sends chills of pleasure across your skin. You want nothing more than to take her into your arms.

Still holding your hand, she says, "I've sworn my heart to another."

You fight tears. "Forever? Forever is a long time."

"Indeed, it is," Hecate says. "Another reason you should consider my offer."

"But the choice is yours," Athena says. "Accept my challenge to prove you're worthy of immortality or accept Hecate's alternative and live a mortal life with someone in her likeness."

"I can't imagine loving another as I do you," you say to Hecate.

"She'll be me in all ways that will matter to you," the goddess assures you.

Hades clears his throat. "You should also consider the likelihood that Athena's challenges will result in your early death, mortal."

You suck in your lips, considering your options. To Hecate, you say, "Aren't you the goddess of the crossroads? I'm at one now. What should I do?"

She squeezes your hand once more. "You know deep in your heart what you should do. Trust yourself and do it."

"So, what will it be, mortal?" Athena asks.

You take a deep breath and  you [choose one]

accept Hecate's offer .

accept Athena's challenge .

* * *

Hecate smiles and releases your hand. "Well, done."

"How disappointing," Athena says before she vanishes.

"Do you think I made the right choice?" you ask Hecate.

"I do."

Hades struts over to his throne and takes a seat. "Athena loves contests. Don't mind her."

Persephone sits beside her husband. "You'll be much happier this way."

"We'll take our leave, then," Hecate says to the king and queen. "I'll return as soon as I can."

"Where are we going?" you ask as Hecate leads you from the room and down a narrow passageway alight with the flames of the river of fire.

"To my chambers. I need to create the potion."

Hecate leads you along the winding path and then stops before a thick wooden door.

"Come in," she says, holding the door ajar for you.

You step inside and look around the chamber. Its dome ceiling is at least ten feet high and covered with dancing shadows, cast by the light of the river of fire, which flows along one side of the room. A stream of water runs on the opposite side from an upper crevice down a series of rocks and pools into a six-foot-wide basin before thinning and disappearing behind another smooth boulder.

"That's where I wash," Hecate explains. "The spring is fresh and good enough to drink."

Beside the basin and curled on a pillow is a small animal—a cute brown fur ball.

"Who's this?" you ask,

"Galin, my polecat. This is the time when she likes to sleep."

"I won't disturb her, then."

"My dog is awake and around here somewhere." Hecate glances about the room. "Cubie? Where are you?"

A black Doberman pinscher with tall ears and a long tail crawls out from beneath the one big bed.

"There she is." Hecate reaches over and pats the dog on the head. "Were you spying on us?"

"Absolutely," the dog answers.

You are taken aback by the animal's ability to speak.

Hecate laughs. "Cubie, this mortal has been struck by Cupid and made to love me. I'm going to make a potion that will transform another mortal into my likeness. That's why we're here."

"I see," the dog says.

Again, you stare in amazement at the dog's perfect English.

"Don't be deceived by appearances," Hecate says to you. "Cubie was once the Queen of Troy."

"It's a long story," Cubie says in response to your quizzical look.

Hecate crosses the room and beckons you. "This way, to my lab."

You follow her past the bed through another door filled with shelves and two tables made of petrified wood. The shelves contain numerous small jars filled with liquids and herbs of various colors.

"Wow," you say as you look around.

"I used to have many more ingredients for my spells and potions," she says, "but I traded most of them to Circe years ago to save another god from her trap."

"Circe?" you ask.

"The daughter of the sun god," Hecate explains. "Ignored by her family, she exiled herself on an island, where she practices black magic."

"Is that what you practice?" you ask. "Black magic?"

"Oh, no, no, no," Hecate says as she pulls an empty bowl from a shelf and begins to combine ingredients from different bottles and jars. "Black magic always comes with a price. It requires a sacrifice of life, which I can't abide. Besides, when you sacrifice the life of another living being, you compromise your own sanity."

"Does that mean Circe is crazy?" you ask.

Hecate vigorously mixes the contents in her bowl. "Very."

You watch on in silence as Hecate pours the mixture from the bowl into a glass jar. Then she sets the jar down only to pick it up again using a pair of tongs.

"I just need to heat this up and say the words," she says.

She snaps her fingers, and a small fire appears in the empty bowl, which she previously used to mix the ingredients. Then she holds the jar over the flames.

"I wonder why you don't use the river of fire," you murmur, half to yourself.

"The river produces light but little heat," she says. "Now, I need to say the words for this to work."

"Sorry," you say.

Hecate lifts her chin and says, "Not in essence but in likeness shall the consumer of this potion become Hecate. The thoughts, memories, and personality of the consumer shall be preserved while the physical characteristics shall be transformed into mine. What was one shall be two, in likeness only, and the second shall be pleased."

With a wave of her hand, the fire in the bowl disappears. She carefully sets the jar on the table and puts away the tongs.

"Now what?" you ask.

"Once the jar has cooled, I'll take you home."

You study her beautiful features, wondering if it's possible for you to feel as you do for her for another, even with her likeness. Your heart aches at the thought of leaving her. And you worry about drastically altering another person's features for your own selfish needs.

"What if I can't go through with it?" you ask her.

"There's no need to rush into this decision," she says. "Give it time. A clear answer will come to you, and you'll know what to do."

Hecate packs the jar into a burlap sack, ties it shut, and hands it to you. "Ready?"

"Not really," you say sadly.

Hecate takes your hand once more. You're enveloped by light, as a pressure squeezes you. You blink and find yourself beside the babbling brooks where your adventures began.

"Before you go," you say, "can I have one kiss? Please?"

Hecate smiles. Then she places her hands on your shoulders and leans her face toward yours.

The feel of her lips against your is exquisite. Your entire body shudders with pleasure, and you groan against her mouth.

Then she vanishes from your life forever.

Although you spend the next few months longing for Hecate and praying for her to visit you, an idea comes to you while you're researching something on the Internet. You read that, in a nearby hospital, a woman in her mid-twenties recovers from severe burns. She is the only survivor of a house fire that killed her family and the authorities can not locate any other living relatives. To make matters worse for the victim but better for you, she suffers from amnesia.

Over the course of three months, you visit the young woman in the hospital nearly every day of the week, getting to know her personality. Though she has no memories to share, you can tell during your visits that she's kind, intelligent, and thoughtful. She has severe burns all over her body and is depressed about her appearance. One day, you tell her about a secret cure. She doesn't believe you, but over the course of another few months, she decides to take it, because she feels she has nothing to lose.

The result is incredible. Within seconds of consuming Hecate's potion, the young woman looks exactly like the goddess. Your heart fills with desire. When you hold up a mirror to the woman, she gawks at her reflection.

"It's a miracle," she says.

The two of you move in together shortly after and spend the rest of your lives together happy and in love. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Hecate's mouth forms a straight line.

Your heart aches with the knowledge that she isn't pleased with your decision.

Persephone extends her palm, where a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty," the goddess says to you.

You cross the room and take it. "Thank you."

"Well done, mortal," Athena says. "If I were you, I'd hold tightly to that box with one hand and the hilt of my sword with the other."

Hecate frowns. "Why would you offer such advice?"

"You can't expect a mortal to prove anything by merely delivering a box from one location to another," the gray-eyed goddess replies.

"I thought the challenge was in the mortal's ability to resist opening the box," Hades says as he crosses the room to sit beside his wife.

"That's what I thought, too," Persephone says.

"Best of luck," Athena says before she disappears.

Hades sighs. "You better take the chariot."

"Yes, my lord." Hecate takes your elbow and leads you from the room.

Her proximity to you delights you, but you sense her anxiety.

"You believe I made the wrong choice," you say.

"You followed you heart," she says. "That's never wrong."

"But you're troubled. I can sense it."

"I fear for your life. I wish I knew what Athena has planned for you."

You follow the river of fire in silence until you reach the room with the chariot. You help Hecate bridle the stallions, stroking their necks for comfort. Then you climb in beside your heart's true love as she takes the reins and commands the horses forward.

Together you fly through the enormous black gate, past Cerberus, and through the dark narrow chasm. You cling to Hecate as the vehicle turns abruptly in one direction only to turn as quickly in another. Then you squint against the setting sun when the chariot plunges into the sky.

Although you're frightened of what's to come, you can't help but smile in the moment. Here you are beside a beautiful goddess sailing through a sky of pink and lavender with a sparkling sea below. Everything around you is breathtaking, especially the goddess. You feel euphoric.

Suddenly the horses bray and rear back, causing you to topple off the back of the chariot. You cling to the black box of beauty, more afraid of dropping it than you are of falling into the sea below.

Then you see the cause of the stallions' consternation: a beast with three heads—one lion, one goat, and another serpent—leaps from the tumultuous waters and blows fire at you.

"It's Chimera!" Hecate cries. Then she shouts, "Iris! Help us!"

Just as the flames are about to reach you, you're swooped form their path and whisked higher into the sky. Hecate holds you in your arms, but you see no sign of the chariot.

"The horses?" you ask.

"Here they come."

You turn to see the chariot bearing toward you.

"Iris!" Hecate cries again. "Iris, we need you!"

Before you can ask who Iris is and how she can help, something slimy coils around your ankle and tugs you free of Hecate's arms.

"Ahhh!" you cry as you plummet toward the tumultuous sea.

Still clinging to the black box of beauty, you use your other hand to unsheathe Athena's sword and slice the elegant weapon across the serpent's neck. Blood spurts in your face as the beast screeches and writhes with pain and you continue to fall, along with the monster, through the air.

With twenty feet left between you and the ocean, the lion's head of the screeching monster turns to you, takes a deep breath, and spits fire directly at you.

If, in that moment, the clouds hadn't parted and the rain hadn't fallen, you would have been burned to a crisp. Someone above you grabs ahold of your arm—your hand still holds the black box of beauty—and drags you up into the sky. You look up, blinking against the pelting raindrops, to see Hecate towing you toward the chariot, which glistens beneath a vibrant rainbow. You glance down below just as the beast is swallowed by the sea.

Safe once again in the chariot, seated beside Hecate, you catch your breath as you sheathe Athena's bloody sword.

"That was close," you say, when you can.

Hecate laughs and then waves at a figure perched on the rainbow. Squinting, you see a small woman with beautiful wings waving back at you.

"Iris?" you ask.

"You owe her your life," Hecate says.

You wave to the winged goddess as the chariot lifts you into the highest clouds before stopping on the peak of a mountain.

"Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall!" Hecate shouts to a wall of clouds. "Open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I, Hecate, and my mortal guest may enter."

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Hecate drives the chariot forward. The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. Rainbow steps lead to the grand entrance. Persephone takes your hand and leads you up the steps and into the temple.

After passing through a beautiful marble foyer decorated with plaster reliefs of famous Greek scenes, you enter an oval-shaped hall open to a beautiful blue sky above. The gods are seated on thrones around the perimeter of the room. Hecate leads you to the center. You cling to the box, afraid of dropping it.

Athena steps forward, and you, not knowing what to do, bow awkwardly before presenting her with the box.

The gray-eyed goddess takes the black box of beauty and smiles down at you.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Hypnos and the First Challenge

The god of sleep appears less than a foot away from you, wearing a cheeky smile. "Hello, gorgeous."

You beam up at him, taking in his features. He doesn't look a day older than nineteen. His wavy hair is golden brown, and his eyes are a stunning blue. As you try to greet him back, you stifle a yawn.

Hypnos turns to Hades with his arms raised in frustration. "This isn't going to work."

"I'll take over his duties," Hecate offers, "until the mortal's test is finished."

Hades nods.

"Thank you," Hypnos says to Hecate as they fist bump.

Then Hecate flies away.

Hypnos smiles down at you again. "Where were we, gorgeous?"

You notice Athena roll her eyes and murmur, "Such a playboy."

Your stomach tightens at the thought of him flirting with others as he's flirting with you.

Persephone holds her palm out, and a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears. "Aphrodite's black box of beauty."

"Thank you," you say as you take it from her.

"If you open it, even a little, you fail," Athena warns.

"What happens if I drop it, and the lid flies open?" you ask.

"You fail," the gray-eyed goddess says.

You blanch. This might be harder than you thought.

"Ready?" Hypnos asks, extending his hand to you.

"If I were you," Athena says to you, "I'd grip the box with one hand and the hilt of my sword with the other."

"Is there something you're not telling us?" Hades asks Athena warily.

"What kind of test would this be if all that we required of the mortal was to carry the box from one location to another?" Athena says.

Persephone frowns. "But I thought the test was the mortal's ability to resist opening the box."

"That's what you said, Athena," Hypnos says, in your defense.

"You must admit that I wasn't at all clear about how this challenge would go down. Good luck to you, mortal. You're going to need it," Athena says before she vanishes.

Hades sighs as he sits on his throne. "You better take the chariot, Hip."

"Hip?" you ask him.

He winks. "My nickname. But you can call me Babe, or Stud."

You laugh with glee as he offers you his arm and you take it.

"There's something I want to show you before we leave for Mount Olympus," he says.

"I'll go anywhere with you," you say.

"The sooner the better," Hades complains. "I'd rather be tormented in Tartarus than listen to another minute of cheesy dialogue."

"Oh, darling," Persephone scolds her husband.

Hip laughs as he guides you from the room. You close your eyes when you're enveloped by a blinding light and a squeezing sensation. The pressure stops, and the light fades, so you open your eyes to find yourself standing beside the god of sleep in a field of white and iridescent flowers.

"Where are we?" you ask.

"The Fields of Asphodel."

You nod, recalling that you saw them during your tour with Hades. "Does that mean we're in the Dreamworld?"

"Not yet," he says. "You have to be asleep to enter my realm."

"It's beautiful," you say, as you yawn widely.

"I brought you here to offer you an alternative to accepting Athena's challenge."

All you want to do is to wrap your arms around his neck and to press your body against his, but you smile up at him and say, "Okay. I'm listening."

To your absolute joy, he encircles your waist with one hand and smooths your hair from your face with the other. "If you accept Athena's challenge, there's a good chance you'll fail. A really good chance."

You frown.

He pinches your chin and lifts it so that your eyes meet his once again. "You could also die, gorgeous. You need to think about that."

"What would you have me do?" you ask. "I'd rather die than live without you."

"I understand," he says gently. "I know how Cupid's arrow works."

"It's so overwhelming," you admit. "This desire to kiss you, to hold you, to be with you forever."

Hypnos makes you the happiest person in the world when he lowers his lips to yours and gently caresses your mouth with his.

You groan with pleasure.

"There's an easier way," he says. "I could visit you every night in your dreams."

You furrow your brows. "My dreams? But that wouldn't be real."

"Who says the Dreamworld is any less real?" he says.

You shake your head. "But I want to feel you, to smell you, to hold you."

"Why don't you try it with me, just for a little while, and see what you think?" he suggests. "We'll lie down together, here in the fields, and go to sleep. I'll find you in the Dreamworld and show you just how nice it can be."

"Okay," you say with a sigh. "I'll give it a try."

He helps you to lie down in the flowers beside him. He holds you in his arms as you close your eyes and breathe deeply. You love the warmth of his skin against yours, the feel of his hard chest beneath your cheek, and the sound of his heartbeat lulling you to sleep.

After a while, you get up and look around. You're standing near the babbling brook, where your adventures first began. Just as you're wondering if you dreamt the whole thing, Hypnos appears before you.

"I thought I'd find you here," he says.

"How did you know?" you ask.

"Because this is your happy place, where you always go to find peace, whether in your dreams or out there."

"Out there, where?"

"The so-called 'real' world."

You lift your brows with surprise. "This is a  dream ?"

Hypnos laughs. It's such a delightful sound.

"But it feels so real."

"Come here, gorgeous," he says. "Let me show you just how real."

As he takes you in his arms and pulls you close to him, you feel you could die with ecstasy. His lips caress your neck before he whispers in your ear, "How does this feel?"

"Incredible," you murmur.

He sucks on your earlobe and asks, "And this?"

"Amazing," you say breathlessly.

He touches his lips to each of your eyelids before covering your mouth with his. After sending ripples of pleasure throughout your body, he whispers against your lips, "And this?"

"Don't stop," you say.

He chuckles before he lies you down in the field of flowers and brings every part of your body to life.

Sometime later, when you feel happier than you've ever felt, you open your eyes to look at your heart's true love lying beside you, only to see that you're no longer near the babbling brook. You've somehow been transported back to the Underworld, to the Fields of Asphodel.

"Well, hello, gorgeous," Hip says with a smile. "Sleep well?"

For a moment, you're confused. "Sleep?" Then it dawns on you that what just took place between you and your heart's true love happened in your dream.

"I guess I did," you say. "How incredible. I've never had such a vivid dream. It felt so real."

"It  was real. And we can share that together every night for as long as you live."

You run your fingers through his wavy hair, to compare the feeling to what you recall from the dream.

"I don't know," you say.

Then suddenly, you remember the black box of beauty, and you sit up. "Where's the box?"

You see it lying in the flowers beside you, and you sigh with relief.

"So, what will it be, gorgeous?" Hypnos asks. "Will you accept Athena's challenge and deliver the box to Mount Olympus? Or will you let me take you home with a promise to visit you every night in your dreams?"

You hold the black box in your hands and consider your options. Then you take a deep breath and  say [choose one]

" Take me home ."

" Take me to Mount Olympus ."

* * *

Hypnos takes you in his arms as the bright light envelops you, and the pressure comes down on you from all directions. Then you feel a change and open your eyes. You're standing beside the god of sleep in your very own bedroom.

"I'll come to you tonight," he says before he kisses you again.

"Promise?" you ask.

"Promise."

"I think I might sleep my life away," you say gleefully. "I wish I could sleep and never wake up."

"I can arrange for that, but it's dangerous," Hip says.

"What do you mean?"

"I can put you in the deep boon of sleep, something mortals call a coma, but then your physical body will be at the mercy of others."

You shake your head. "Better not risk it."

"Better not." He kisses you once more. "I'll see you in your dreams."

"Must you go so soon?" you ask, glancing at your bed.

He grins. "I suppose I can stay for a little while."

You spend a lovely night together in your room before the god of sleep returns to his duties with promises to visit you every night in your dreams. You spend your days working productively, making good progress in your career, so that you live quite comfortably. Occasionally, you receive extravagant gifts from your love, such as an apple red Lamborghini that appears in your garage one day. You live a long and happy life, though you love your nights far better than your days. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice. ]

* * *

Hypnos lifts you in his arms and flies though the Underworld, swerving this way and that, exhilarating you, until he stops just inside the building containing the chariot.

As he bridles the stallions, he says, "Be prepared for the worst. Athena loves a good battle."

"I thought Ares was the god of war," you say.

"He is." Hip climbs into the chariot and takes the reins. "But she loves battle, too, when it's for a good cause. Coming?"

You scoot in beside him.

"Better hang on," he says as he lifts the reins and commands the horses to go.

With your free hand, you grip his bicep as you sail together through the enormous gates, past Cerberus, and through the veil of fog. The chariot turns this way and that as you fly through the narrow chasm into the light of day, where the sun is just beginning to set. You blink against the light as the god beside you drives the chariot across the sea and up into the highest clouds.

"Does this ever get old?" you ask him with a gleeful smile.

"Never," he says with a grin.

The chariot suddenly jerks hard to the right, as though it's been struck by a powerful force. You topple out, clinging to the black box of beauty as you fall toward the sea. You look up just as Hypnos stabilizes the chariot and then abandons it to rescue you. He catches you in his arms with less than thirty feet between you and the tumultuous ocean below. You sigh into his chest.

"Thank you."

Something slimy coils around your legs, pinning them together.

"Hypnos?" you ask as you look up at him with wide, frightened eyes.

"Echidna, no!" Hypnos shouts just as you are jerked from his arms.

Hanging helplessly from the end of a serpent's tail, you are flung through the air by a creature who is a woman from the waist up and a snake from the waist down.

Trying with all your might not to drop the black box, you draw Athena's sword and slice the elegant weapon through the serpent's tale.

The monster screeches and flails as the ocean swallows her. You close your eyes as you are about to hit water when, to your surprise and delight, Hypnos sweeps you up into the air in the nick of time.

"That was close," you say in between heavy panting.

"You're telling me."

"What about the stallions? Are they okay?"

"Fine. I sent them home."

Hip carries you up into the clouds, to the highest mountaintop, where he sets you on your feet. You sheathe Athena's sword and try to collect yourself.

"You did good." Hypnos smooths a stray hair from your eyes. "Are you ready to go inside?"

"Can I have another kiss first?" you ask.

"Absolutely."

You reel with pleasure as the god of sleep touches his lips to yours.

He smiles down at you and then turns to the clouds. "Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I, Hypnos, and my mortal guest may enter."

As the clouds part, and the winds blow from every direction, you look at the black box of beauty in your hands, wondering if the chances of Hypnos loving you for the rest of your life would improve if you possessed Aphrodite's beauty. Even though he calls you "gorgeous" and showers you with affection, how long will that last? What if he grows tired of you, whether you're a mortal or a deity? The thought of living forever as your true love's castoff makes you nauseated.

"Coming?" Hypnos asks once the gates are open.

You smile back at him  and [choose one]

open the box .

follow him inside .

* * *

Winds pour from the black box, along with a winged creature, which bites you on the nose.

You flinch.

"No!" Hypnos shouts when he sees what you've done.

"What happened?" you ask, alarmed by his reaction. "I thought I would take Aphrodite's beauty and love you in my mortal dreams for the rest of my life. Can't we still do that?"

He looks at you with horror and then sadness. He caresses your hair. "It was a trick, it seems. The box didn't contain Aphrodite's beauty."

Your mouth drops open as your throat begins to burn. You lift your hand to your mouth and feel a boil on your lips. "What did it contain?"

"Pestilence," he says sadly.

You gasp and drop the box at your feet. You notice more soars and boils are popping up on your arms and face. You cough up blood. "But, but, what does this mean?"

"You'll die a slow and agonizing death, unless you let me help you."

"Please! Help me!"

"I can put you into the deep boon of sleep, where we can love one another until my brother comes for you."

"Your brother?" Suddenly you realize that he means Death.

Hypnos closes his eyes and opens them again. You look up at him with hooded, sleepy eyes.

"Rest now, gorgeous," he says as you fall into his arms.

You are lying beside him once again near the babbling brook, where your story first began. Your sores and boils have disappeared. Your throat no longer burns. And Hypnos strokes your hair and gazes at you fondly as the sun sets in the west.

"I love you," you say.

He kisses you and kisses you and kisses you until darkness envelops you, and you find yourself standing on a riverbank in a veil of fog. Thanatos is there.

"Ready?" he asks.

You aren't, but you nod and follow him onto Charon's raft. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You take Hypnos's offered hand and look around with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. Rainbow steps lead to the grand entrance. Hypnos leads you up the steps and into the temple.

After passing through a beautiful marble foyer decorated with plaster reliefs of famous Greek scenes, you enter an oval-shaped hall open to a beautiful blue sky above. The gods are seated on thrones around the perimeter of the room. Hypnos leads you to the center, where the gods look down at you expectantly.

Athena steps forward, and you, not knowing what to do, bow awkwardly before presenting her with the box.

The gray-eyed goddess takes the black box of beauty and smiles down at you.

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "Congratulations. Are you ready for your second test?"

[ Click here to proceed to Part Three .]

* * *

Part Two: Thanatos and the First Challenge

The dark-haired boy with the stunning blue eyes appears on the other side of the room from you, near where Persephone sits on the double throne. He doesn't look older than nineteen. He wears a solemn expression on his face, and it breaks your heart that he seems saddened by the news that you love him.

"How can  I  help" he says, "when my presence threatens the mortal's life?"

Hades crosses the room to sit on the throne beside his wife. "Perhaps Hermes would be willing to cover your duties until the test is finished."

Hecate shakes her head. "He loathes to do it, Lord Hades. Allow me to, instead."

Persephone smiles at her friend. "Thank you, Hecate. How very kind of you."

"Then it's settled," Athena says, turning to Thanatos. "You'll accompany the mortal to Mount Olympus."

Your heart flares with excitement over the thought of sitting beside the stunning god.  I want to kiss you so badly, Thanatos,  you think to yourself.

The god of death gives you a startled look, as if he can read your mind. Suddenly you fear he can.

Persephone holds out her palm, where a black box, the size of a Rubik's cube, appears. "Aphrodite's black box of beauty."

The goddess extends it toward you. You cross the room and take it from her, and then give her an awkward bow. "Thank you, Lady Persephone."

"If you open it, even a crack, you fail," Athena warns you.

"What if I drop it by accident," you ask, "and the lid comes open?"

"You fail," Athena says.

A lump rises to your throat.

"One more thing," the gray-eyed goddess says. "If I were you, I'd grip that box tightly with one hand and the hilt of my sword with the other."

"Why would you advise such a thing?" Thanatos asks. "Is there something more to this challenge than resisting the temptation to open the box?"

"Of course," the goddess says before she vanishes.

Hades looks at you and frowns. "I'd reconsider your desire to become like us. It might mean an early death."

Your fingers begin to tremble as you look with fear across the room at Thanatos.

"I have an idea," the god of death says as he flies to your side. "Come with me."

When he takes your hand, a ripple of pleasure dances up your arm. You follow him from the throne room into a winding corridor dimly lit by the river of flames.

"Where are we going?" you ask.

"To the Seers' Pit. Tiresias may be able to help you."

He leads you from the palace out into a winding path, where you leap over the river of fire toward a rusty gate. You can hear the wails of the tortured crying out as Thanatos releases your hand and pulls the gate open.

"This way," he says, as he enters a dark tunnel that spirals deeper into the ground.

"I can't see," you say, when the dim light of the Phlegethon no longer reaches you.

"Oh, I forgot," Thanatos says. "Does this help?"

His body emits a glow, like a candle in a diffuser. The glow adds to the god's beauty while allowing you to see several feet in front of you.

"Yes," you say. "Thank you."

You follow him down, down, down, in a spiral descent toward a deep pit.

"Tiresias?" Thanatos calls out.

"I am here," a voice comes from a crack in the stone.

"He's on the other side of this wall," The god says. "Come on."

He leads you through a narrow opening into a large hall where a dim orange light glimmers over the asphodel cascading down the walls. Many souls wander or sit idly on rocks. You can no longer hear the wails of the tortured.

"It's quiet," you whisper.

You take a shaky breath as Tiresias approaches. His soul looks old and weary. He wears a white sarong at his waist and no shirt, exposing the transparent appearance of withered flesh, sagging breasts, and hunched shoulders. With a staff in one hand, he walks without opening his phantom eyes.

"Be forewarned," the old soothsayer declares. "I have rarely been believed by those who have sought my knowledge."

"Why?" you blurt out.

"The truth hurts," the old man replies. "And I don't like to tell it."

"We need your help," Thanatos says. "This mortal has been struck by Cupid while gazing at me. Was it the Fates or Cupid's mischief that sent the arrow?"

"I'm thirsty," Tiresias says.

"Right." Thanatos conjures a dagger and makes a cut along the palm of his hand. "Drink."

Tiresias presses his lips to Thanatos's palm and laps up the blood.

"What do you see?" Thanatos asks.

"The Fates are behind this," Tiresias says.

"Why?" you ask.

"Every century or so, they test the gods and mortals, to remind them of their commitment to one another," the old prophet says.

"This is a test for the gods, too?" Thanatos asks.

"Even more so for the gods," Tiresias says.

"What should I do?" you ask.

"With answers to that question comes the end of the test," the prophet says enigmatically.

"I don't understand," you say.

Tiresias's head begins to bob. "Cling to the hand that carries you forward but release the one that carries you back. Use the sword against beast but not against god. Water is your friend; fire is not."

You wrinkle your nose, resisting the urge to say, "What the hell?"

"One more thing," Tiresias adds, his head still bobbing. "It's better to spend a lifetime chasing a dream than to hide from one. To hide is to cease to live."

The prophet's head stills as he turns and shuffles toward the rock from which he came.

"Thank you!" you shout, though you aren't sure if he's helped you. To Thanatos, you say, "It sounds like I should go for it."

"For you dream," Thanatos clarifies. "Have you had any dreams lately?"

You rack your brain for the remnants of past dreams, but your desire for Thanatos obliterates all your other thoughts. "The only dream I have is to be with you."

The god of death sighs. "There must be a reason the Fates bound you to me. It's part of the test. No one has ever loved Death. It's not possible."

"But I  do love you," you say, heartbroken by his incredulity. "I can't help myself."

"That's the problem," he says. "You know nothing about  me . How can you truly love  me ? The real  me ?"

"Why do you have to think so hard about it? Why can't you just open your mind up to the possibility of loving me?"

"You forget that  I wasn't struck by Cupid. And I know nothing about you."

"Then get to know me," you say, trying to keep the desperation from your voice.

"Do you still want to deliver the box to Mount Olympus?" he asks.

"Yes," you say.

Thanatos takes your hand. You close your eyes against the bright light enveloping you, along with pressure from all directions. When the pressure stops, you open your eyes to find yourself sitting beside Thanatos in the chariot you previously rode with Hades. Swift and Sure have already been bridled. Thanatos holds the reins in his hands.

"To Mount Olympus!" he says.

The chariot flies from the garage, through the black iron gates, past Cerberus, and into the narrow chasm, where you're jolted this way and that. As you cling to the black box of beauty, you wrap your arms around Thanatos's waist to keep from falling, hoping he won't object. You're relieved when he doesn't.

Then, at last, you sail into the light of day, where the sun is beginning to set in the west. The sea sparkles, where you barely skim its surface, and the clouds above are streaked with pink, lavender, and gray. The air is cool and crisp, and you feel both terrified and exuberant.

As Thanatos commands the stallions to ascend, something bursts from the water and shrieks, causing the horses to rear back and the chariot to stall.

Thanatos hands you the reins. "I can't disintegrate, to take charge of the chariot while I fight off Scylla."

You take the reins with your one free hand, hoping the horses know what to do.

"Turn around!" you cry out just as six necks and six grisly heads lunge toward you. Only four of the heads have eyes—one each. At the waist of the beast are six yapping dog heads. Two enormous pincers snap at you, and you barely escape the beast's grasp.

But as the chariot flees the flailing Scylla, something as dangerous emerges ahead. It looks like a whirlpool. The waters are rising toward you.

"Up!" you shout.

But as the horses ascend, you see the giant heads of Scylla spitting fire toward you. No matter which way you drive the chariot, you'll head directly into danger.

Suddenly you recall Tiresias's words: "Water is your friend; fire is not."

"Down, down!" you say as the chariot gets dangerously close to Scylla's line of fire. "To the water!"

"Wait!" Thanatos shouts from the air, where he's battling the monster. "That's Charybdis! You're stuck between Scylla and Charybdis!"

The horses pull the chariot toward the whirlpool. Should you turn them around again and face Scylla? Or should you continue to charge the beast below, the one called Charybdis?

You let go of the reins, draw Athena's sword, and  shout [choose one],

" To Scylla !"

" To Charybdis !"

* * *

The chariot turns on a dime and plunges upward, where the six long necks and six grisly heads of the crab-like beast flail wildly from the sea. Twelve tentacle-like legs keep the beast afloat as her pincers strike the air in defense of Thanatos and his sword.

"I'm coming!" you shout to your heart's true love.

You'd rather die by his side than go it alone.

As the chariot reaches the flailing beast, it's struck hard and thrown sideways. You topple out. With Athena's sword in one hand and the black box of beauty in the other, you scream as you fall toward the tumultuous sea. Then something slimy wraps around your neck and whips you through the air, this way and that.

It takes you a moment to get over the shock, and, when you do, you realize that Scylla has wrapped one of her slimy necks around yours. You press the edge of Athena's sword to the rubbery skin, but before you can slice through it, Scylla launches you up into the air above her and spits fire at you.

At first you don't feel the burning of your own flesh as you plummet toward the sea. Then the stinging overwhelms you, and you scream a throat-burning scream.

The sword and box are jostled from your grip when you hit the cold water. You are aware of this for only a moment before everything goes dark.

Sometime later, you open your eyes to find yourself standing in a veil of fog with Thanatos at your side. You smile at him. He gives you a sad smile in return. Then he helps you onto Charon's raft. It's at that moment that you realize you are re-entering the Underworld as one of the dead. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The two black stallions dive into the center of the whirlpool, with you in the chariot following. When you hit the water, the black box of beauty is jostled from your grip. You make a mad attempt to recover it, but each time you swipe at it, it floats further away. And the deeper you sink into the whirlpool, the faster you spin.

With Athena's sword, you blindly strike at the water. It seems to do nothing for you, until you feel the blade cut through something thick. A shriek follows, and you are forced by a strong current to the surface of the water. Still clinging to the sword, you wash up onto a sandy beach. Dusk has fallen, and the moon is visible overhead.

You shiver in the autumn breeze and cry, "Thanatos! Thanatos, help me!"

A bright beam shoots down from the sky until a round orb with a beautiful face looks down upon you. It's a woman with long silver hair and iridescent skin.

"Hello, mortal," she says—and it feels like a whisper on a breeze. "I'm Selene, the moon goddess. I've seen your struggles." A long arm launches from the side of her head and plunges into the sea. Within seconds, the arm reverses its movement and disappears in the orb of light. You feel something fall at your feet.

"Aphrodite's black box of beauty!" you cry, seeing the box unopened. You sheathe your sword and pick it up. "Thank you, Selene!"

"Come with me to my chariot," the goddess says. "I'll deliver you safely to Mount Olympus."

"Wait!" the voice of a man carries from a hilltop.

You turn to see a glowing, beautiful god, muscled and tan and naked, except for a loin cloth. His golden-brown hair is braided in two braids down the back of his head. "Enough, mortal. Your attempts to please the Olympians is futile. I should know."

Suddenly, like magic, he's standing before you. He looks even hotter close up. You suddenly realize that something has happened to Cupid's arrow. You no longer yearn for Thanatos.

"I'm Dionysus, a son of Zeus. Give up this delusion of yours. You've been set up to fail. Come with me. I'll take you home."

The god from the hilltop extends his hand to you. The goddess of the luminous orb extends hers to you as well. Although your desire to be with Thanatos has left you, you wonder if you're meant to prove something to the gods.

Tiresias said that it was better to spend a lifetime chasing a dream than to hide from it, but what  is  your dream?

You know what you must do.  You [choose one]

take the hand of Dionysus .

take the hand of Selene .

* * *

As you follow Dionysus up the mountainside, you realize that all you've ever wanted was to escape the mundanity of your life. In the past, you visited the babbling brook and the field of flowers to dream. You don't want to go home. You crave an adventure.

To Dionysus, you say, "I don't want to go home."

"I'm glad to hear it," he says to you with a smile.

"You aren't taking me home, then?"

"No. I lied. I'm taking you to my party."

You hear music drifting through the trees.

"What's that?" you ask the god. "Do I hear music?"

"You do, my friend. The party has already begun without us. Better pick up the pace."

Night begins to fall when you reach a clearing full of at least a dozen dancing figures around a bonfire, led by three satyrs playing flutes. The other members of the group are women scantily clothed in animal skins. Some of them dance with their breasts exposed. Others have only a thin strap between their buttocks Their hair is long and matted, as though they never brush it. Their skin glistens with sweat, even though you feel chilly in the evening air. And their eyes are wild. A few of them notice you and seem to ravage you with their eyes.

"Welcome to my life," the god beside you says, "where the party never dies."

"You do this all the time?" you ask, supposing that, if you were a god, you'd do other things with your time and powers.

"Hera doesn't want me on Mount Olympus with the rest of my family," he says. "If a god can't rule alongside the other gods, what else is there?"

Along with the sound of flutes, a drumbeat now echoes over the mountainside. A golden goblet appears in the hand of your host.

After taking a drink, he hands the goblet to you.

You sniff it. It's wine. You put the goblet to your lips and drink.

No sooner does the wine travel down your throat than you feel overtaken by euphoria. A smile cracks your face in half as you lift your brows with surprise. Dionysus is clearly amused as he throws back his head and roars with laughter.

"Come along, my new friend!" he says. "Let's dance!"

You drop the black box of beauty, wondering why it ever mattered to you, as you follow him into the throng of wild bodies shaking and turning and twisting. You close your eyes and allow yourself to be bumped, caressed, kissed, licked. The next thing you know, you are kissing, caressing, pinching, and licking, just like the others in the crowd.

When you hear cracking bones and ripping flesh, you open your eyes. One of the women has broken the neck of a jackrabbit, and another has pulled off a leg to eat it raw. You know you should be abhorred, but the look of the raw flesh and the smell of the blood are surprisingly appetizing, and you suddenly feel hungrier than you've ever felt in your life.

Along with the wild throng, you grab for your bit of fresh meat, but the others are stronger, and you come up emptyhanded. Dionysus is there beside you with a hunk of meat that looks as though it came from a deer. You take it eagerly and bite into the warm flesh, not minding the bits of fur that brush your lips. It's the most delicious meat you've ever tasted, especially when you wash it down with a goblet of wine offered to you by your new favorite host.

The dancing and the caressing, the pinching and the ripping, the eating and the drinking continue throughout the night. It's dawn before you begin to grow weary, and, when you do, you lie on the ground along with the others, your flesh against their flesh, and fall soundly to sleep.

When you awake, you find yourself flanked by a satyr on your left and a woman on your right. You sit up and look around at the others, sleeping wherever they fell. The god, Dionysus, is nowhere to be seen, and, for the first time since you tasted his wine, you are afraid.

Your head aches, and there's a repugnant taste in your mouth. You'd give anything for another drink of wine. As you stand and look around the mountainside, you are surprised to find that dusk is already falling. You have slept through the day.

As you walk around, trying to piece together your actions of the night before, others begin to stir. A satyr picks up his flute and begins to play a tune, and, soon, another follows. More of the sleepers awaken and begin piling new wood on top of the ashes from the previous night's bonfire. Soon the drummers drum along with the flutes, and the fire leaps over the pile of wood. Dionysus appears with his goblet of wine and passes it to the members of the crowd. You can hardly wait for your turn. You can't wait for the extasy of the night before to consume you once again.

Not long after you've finally had your drink, you are dancing in the throng, swinging your hips, waving your arms, shaking your head to the drums. Soon someone kisses you. With your eyes closed, you return the kiss and pull your lips away only to drink more wine.

Sometime later, you awake again among the others, just as dusk begins to fall. Your only thought is of the wine you cannot wait to drink and of the raw flesh you cannot wait to eat. Just thinking of it stirs you to your feet, and you begin searching for wood to pile upon the ashes of the previous night's bonfire.

As you search the woods, Thanatos appears.

"There you are," he says. "I've been searching everywhere for you."

"There's no need to worry about me anymore," you say. "It seems the whirlpool knocked Cupid's arrow loose. I don't love you anymore."

"I felt it," he says. "Why don't you let me take you home? It's dangerous here."

"I like it," you say as you pick up a fallen log and carry it to the pile, already being built on the previous night's ashes.

"If you stay, I'll be coming for you soon," Thanatos says. "For your soul, that is."

"Bring it," you say, since you no longer care about anything.

Thanatos sighs and then disappears. Then you look for another log for the fire.

The End [ Click here to start again .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Selene carries you through the dark sky to a silver chariot. Her long, silver hair fans out behind her, as does her long, white, luminous robe. Her robe forms a crescent at the collar, tied at her throat. Her chariot is pulled by two silver horses with manes as long and iridescent as hers.

The moon goddess sets you in the seat beside her and takes up her bright reins.

"Thank you," you say again.

"I've felt you gazing up at me with longing on many nights," she says. "You are burdened by life and wish to escape it."

"Yes," you say, as you glance down at the black box of beauty in your hands.

"However, sometimes the dream isn't an escape at all, you see," she says. "Sometimes it requires you to stand in your life and change what you can while accepting what you can't. Little changes, not just big ones, can make a dream a reality."

"What do you think I should do?" you ask, wondering what she's driving at.

"What do you want out of life?" she asks.

"I don't know," you say. "Adventure? Excitement? As little pain and boredom as possible, I suppose?"

"A famous world philosopher once said that the two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom," Selene says. "I would say that's true of the gods, as well."

You let that soak in for a moment before saying, "I don't know what to do."

"Return to your life and make little changes," she suggests. "Step out of your comfort zone to try new things. You don't need to accept the challenges of the gods to have an adventure. Challenge yourself to live each day to the fullest. Make your life what you want it to be, given your limitations."

As you glance once more at the black box in your hands, Selene brings her chariot to a halt near the peak of one of the highest mountains.

"That's Mount Olympus down there," she says. "Are you ready to deliver the box to Athena?"

You say [choose],

" Will you take me home instead ?"

" Yes ."

* * *

" I'm pleased by your answer," she says. "Sit back and enjoy the ride. We should reach your home in another six hours."

For the first hour, you watch the lights from the cities below and the stars above with amazement and delight, but at some point, you yawn and lay your head against the shoulder of the moon goddess. When you wake up, you find yourself lying in the field of flowers near the babbling brook, where your adventures began. You blink and sit up, wondering if it had all been a dream.

You decide that it wasn't—couldn't have been—because you're resolved to make small changes in your life that will move you toward fulfilling your dream.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Selene takes you in her arms and jumps from her chariot. She lands on a mountaintop, where she sets you on your feet beside a wall of clouds. You still have the black box of beauty gripped in one hand.

The moon goddess turns to the clouds and says, "Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall, open the gates of Mount Olympus so that I, Selene, may enter with my guest."

A loud roar carries through the air, and a tunnel of cold wind lifts in front of you. At its center is a single rain cloud. As the wind settles and the rain cloud empties its contents right before your eyes and then dissipates, the giant wall of clouds opens, and Selene waves her hand, indicating that you should enter. As you do, she waves goodbye and flies up to her chariot above you.

The wall of clouds closes behind you, and, in front of you, at the center of a golden-paved courtyard, is a round fountain spraying water into the blue sky from the spout of a golden whale. At the top of this fountain, where the water arches and falls into a pool bordered by golden bricks, is a rainbow. You look on with amazement.

Behind this fountain is a giant palace of white stone and ornate columns. Seven rainbow steps lead to the main entrance. You suppose this is the temple of the gods, so you cross the gold pavers and enter.

Inside, you find a magnificent foyer with Grecian scenes in relief along the ceiling. Then you step into a large rectangular assembly hall open to the clear blue sky, from which nearly solid beams of sunshine shoot down to form a bright canopy above. As you walk across the marble floor, you notice the gods staring at you from where they are seated on thrones around the perimeter of the room.

You count the thrones, which aren't all occupied, and deduce that they belong to the twelve major Olympians and that you are standing at the center of their court.

The gray-eyed goddess, Athena, stands and approaches you.

"Well done, mortal," she says. "Where is Thanatos?"

"I think Cupid's arrow was loosened from my heart while I was struggling against Charybdis," you say. "Then I got lost and was found by Selene. She brought me here."

"You no longer desire the god of death?" one of the other gods, whom you have not yet met, asks.

"No, sir," you say a little awkwardly.

"Then I see no reason why this challenge should continue," the god says.

"But, Father," Athena objects. "Look what the mortal was able to accomplish. Shouldn't we continue because of it?"

"I don't want to continue," you say, and all eyes turn on you. "I don't need to become immortal to make my dreams come true."

Athena's eyes become brighter as she smiles at you and says, "You can be an inspiration to other mortals! Return to your life and build your dreams and inspire others to do the same."

You hand her Aphrodite's black box of beauty. "I will do it, goddess. Thank you."

Hades approaches you and offers you his arm. Together, you fly to his chariot, where Cupid bridles Swift and Sure. Then Hades takes the reins and commands the horse, and you fly from Mount Olympus across the night sky.

You awaken in the morning beside the babbling brook in the field of flowers, where your adventures began. At first, you wonder if it was all just a dream, but then you see the Aphrodite's black box of beauty lying in the grass beside it. You open it, and a wind tunnel envelops you. It lasts for mere seconds. Then you climb to your feet and bend over a section of the brook that doesn't flow as quickly, where the water pools into a basin, to gaze at your reflection.

It's definitely you looking back from the water, but something is different. There's a look of determination, of confidence, and of hope that adds to your features and makes them more beautiful. You smile up at the heavens. Then you carry the black box home, where you will begin your next adventure.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

Part Three: Zeus and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Zeus leaves your side and takes his seat beside Hera. "Before we proceed, there are some among us who have yet to meet this mortal."

You glance around to see that, since the time you first entered with Zeus, all twelve thrones have become occupied. Feeling somewhat intimidated, you cross the room to stand beside Zeus, on the opposite side of Hera.

"You've met my lovely wife," he says.

Although this fills you with jealousy, you give Hera a reverent bow.

"And Athena," Zeus says as he waves his arm toward the gray-eyed goddess to his right.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with our daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"Artemis you've met," Zeus continues.

Artemis nods, as do you.

"To her right is my daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"Next, we have my brother, Hades, lord of the Underworld," Zeus says.

You bow more deeply.

"Beside him is my son Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god isn't as beautiful as the others, until he smiles at you. You bow in return.

"You've met my son Apollo," Zeus continues. "Beside him is my brother Poseidon, lord of the Sea."

Your brows lift, for you've always had an interest in Poseidon. He smiles down at you as you bow.

"To his right is my son Hermes, the god of many things, including travel, commerce, theft, and tricksters."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And you remember my son Ares, of course."

"Of course," you say with a bow.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"The mortal must pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Artemis's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Ares says.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

Hera smiles widely. "Indeed, it does."

A chill of terror crawls down your spine as you realize how much Hera hates you and how disposable you are to these gods.

Zeus stands from his throne. "It's settled then. The mortal and I shall return shortly, with or without the golden apple."

"Or, more likely," Hades says, " you'll return with or without the  mortal ."

Ares and Hera laugh as Demeter and Persephone shoot looks of disapproval at Hades.

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Zeus turns to you. "Shall we take our leave?"

You follow him from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, Zeus offers you his elbow. You cup your hand to the underside of his arm, and he lifts you off your feet. You fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where his chariot is waiting.

Zeus takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot from the garage, through the gates, and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and as blue as Zeus's eyes.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky, with you, my love."

Zeus chuckles. "Unfortunately, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd  want to serve," you say. "But what could  I  do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself, darling one," Zeus says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"Not for nothing," Zeus says. "Are we not having fun together, in this moment?"

You smile at him and dare to kiss his cheek. He laughs merrily as he leads the chariot toward land.

"Where  is  this garden, anyway?" you ask. "And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"It's called that because it's protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides."

"They protect Hera's apples?" you ask.

"Yes, along with Ladon."

"Who's that?"

"He's a one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to Hera."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"Only around Hera," Zeus says. "He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

You shudder. "Are we getting close? Please say no."

"Sorry, darling one. We're nearly there."

"And where is  there, exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

Zeus winks. "Don't worry. I've got your back."

Zeus pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

To Zeus, you whisper, "What if someone sees us?"

"We're invisible to other mortals," he assures you. "Besides, these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

"This way, darling one." He takes your hand before kissing your palm and helps you from the chariot.

If you weren't so frightened, you'd relish the kiss and ask for another, but the news that the apples are protected by a one-hundred-headed serpent has left you thinking of little else.

Zeus leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you follow Zeus along the path, you smell citrus in the air, but, when you look around, you see only pines and palms.

Again, you wonder how you can possibly succeed in this challenge if the tree and its apples and those protecting them are invisible to you. Your limbs begin to tremble, and you cling to Zeus with one hand as you grip the hilt of Athena's sword with the other.

You wonder if Zeus plans to get the apple for you but worry the other gods are watching and wouldn't allow it.

"We're close," he says.

"How will I see it?" you ask again.

"By the light of my lightning bolt."

"I don't understand."

"Trust me, darling one," he says as he comes to a stop and takes you into his arms. "The garden will become visible to you, and all mortals, in fact, when I hold my lightning bolt over the tree."

"All mortals?"

"Fortunately, there are no others around. The groundkeepers are holding a meeting a mile from here."

"So, what's the plan? You light up the garden, and I run in swinging?"

Zeus's smile cracks his face in half. "That's sure to get you killed."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Two things," he says. "First, sing a lively tune for the daughters of Atlas. They're bored to tears but easily distracted. Second, while you're singing, toss this lump of cake into the tree. It's sure to be eaten by one of Ladon's heads."

Zeus hands you the cake.

"Will the cake make him friendly?" you ask.

"Sleepy. But act quickly. The potion will soon wear off."

You nod, psyching yourself up for the task. You feel better now that you know the plan.

Zeus kisses your forehead. "Ready?"

You take a deep breath and nod.

The king of the Olympians flies into the air and lifts his fist, where a blinding light appears in his hand. For a moment, you can see nothing as you blink against the light. Within seconds, however, the scene around you changes.

A large, thick tree appears in the center of a clearing, surrounded by orange trees. The tree in the middle also looks like an orange tree to you at first, but when you squint and look more carefully, you see golden apples.

You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

Alarmed by the flashing light of Zeus's lightning bolt, the three daughters sit up and blink at you.

The serpent, who has also been sleeping and who is barely visible from where he drapes in the branches, opens his two hundred eyes and lifts his one hundred heads.

The first plan of action is to distract the Hesperides with a lively tune, so you sing the only song you can think of,  which is [choose one]

" Sucker," by the Jonas Brothers .

" Me," by Taylor Swift and Dave Meyers .

* * *

The daughters of Atlas exchange looks of bewilderment and jump to their feet. Feeling encouraged by the fact that they have not attacked you, you begin to dance around. They watch you with curiosity. You wave your arms at them, inviting them to join you in your dance.

The three nymphs laugh and skip in front of the tree to your song. You point to them with a smile as you sing, "I'm a..."

They throw their heads back with glee and join in, "sucker for you!"

Everything seems to be going as planned, until the part in the song where there are thirty-two counts of whistling. You aren't a very good whistler, and the daughters of Atlas aren't pleased. You try to skip to the next lyrics, but unless you whistle the remaining measures, you won't be able to recall the next words.

In a desperate move, you toss the cake toward the tree as the Hesperides charge you.

"The sword!" Zeus shouts from above the tree, but it's too late. The nymphs have pinned you to the ground.

One of the daughters of Atlas pinches your nose and covers your mouth. You flail against them, to no avail. Another of them pulls at your hair. A scream rises to your throat and is muted by the hand covering your mouth. Then just as a third nymph wraps her hands around your neck and begins choking the life out of you, you're pulled from their grasp and lifted into the air, where you can breathe again.

Zeus has thrown down his lightning bolt and now holds you in his arms.

"Thank you," you say. "Let's go back."

"I'm sorry, darling one," he says before he kisses your forehead. "It's over."

"No. I can do it. Please. Take me back."

"They're on their guard now. It will be impossible. You lost your chance, I'm afraid."

"But you just threw your lightning at them. Aren't they weakened?"

"I didn't throw it at them. Hera would never let me hear the end of it. I threw it out to sea."

Tears fill your eyes. Zeus pulls you close as you fly through the air toward his chariot. Once you are seated beside him, he takes you into his arms again and kisses you.

"I'll take you home," he says. "There's no need to face the others."

"How will I live without you?" you ask.

He takes the reins and commands the horses, and then he gives you a tender smile. "You won't. I'll come visit you as often as I can."

Your face lights up. "Really?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'm pleased that you admire me."

Although this wasn't the outcome you hoped for, you feel happy, nonetheless. Zeus returns you to the babbling brook, where your adventures first began. He lies with you in the tall flowers and gives you a memorable farewell—for now. (The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

The daughters of Atlas exchange looks of bewilderment and jump to their feet. Feeling encouraged by the fact that they have not attacked you, you begin to dance around. They watch you with curiosity. You wave your arms at them, inviting them to join you in your dance.

"Me-hee-hee!" you sing.

The three nymphs laugh and skip in front of the tree to your song. You point to them with a smile as you sing, "And you're the only one of you..."

The nymphs, who have picked up on the lyrics by now, join in and finish the line, shaking their arms and hips as the hop around gleefully.

A nod from Zeus reminds you of the cake in your hand. You integrate the tossing of it with your dance, so it goes unnoticed by all but Ladon, who catches the cake with one of his hundred mouths.

"Me-hee-hee!" you sing again as you twirl toward the tree.

When Ladon doesn't respond, you know the sleep potion is working. As you sing, "Ooh, hoo, hoo!",  you [choose one]

snatch the closest golden apple from the tree .

draw Athena's sword and kill the sleeping giant .

* * *

Athena's elegant weapon easily slices through the sleeping beast. What looks to be a third to a half of Ladon's body falls with a loud thud to the ground, startling the daughters of Atlas. Blood drips from the branches and down the trunk of the tree. You cringe at the sight of the serpent's two halves writhing in silence as the Hesperides squeal in horror.

To your dismay, six golden apples also drop to the ground. Hoping to find one that isn't bruised, you rush to collect them, only to be bested by the Hesperides, who are eager to have apples of their own. They grab one in each hand, leaving you with none.

Before you can reach up and pluck another from the branches above you, the part of Ladon remaining in the tree awakens and fifty or more of his eyes are trained on you.

"Zeus!" you cry.

"I'm sorry, darling one!" he shouts back. "Hera will never let me hear the end of it if you survive, after what you've done."

Before you can reply, one of the serpent's heads opens its wide mouth and swallows you whole.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

As soon as the golden apple is safely in your grasp, Zeus sweeps you from the garden and carries you above the palms and pine treetops to his golden chariot.

"You did it!" he shouts with happiness, once you are seated side-by-side.

"I did it!" you repeat with joy.

He takes you in his arms and presses hard against your mouth. Your heart flares with desire as every inch of you wants to touch every inch of him. The pull of Cupid's arrow is overwhelming.

But Zeus takes the reins and commands the horses to return to Mount Olympus. You're too overjoyed at your success to be disappointed that the kiss didn't become more. You remind yourself that you and Zeus will have more opportunities after you succeed in the final challenge.

"We're in the homestretch!" Zeus shouts gaily, as if he's read your mind.

You cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Hermes asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Hera and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hera leaves your side and takes her seat beside Zeus.

Zeus pats her hand and stands before the court. "Before we proceed, there are some among us who have yet to meet this mortal."

You glance around to see that, since the time you first entered with Hera, all twelve thrones have become occupied. Feeling somewhat intimidated, you cross the room to stand beside your true love, on the opposite side of Zeus.

"You've met my lovely wife," he says with heavy sarcasm.

You keep the jealousy and resentment from your expression as you smile at your sweet Hera.

"And Athena," Zeus says as he waves his arm toward the gray-eyed goddess to his right.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with our daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"Artemis you've met," Zeus continues.

Artemis nods, as do you.

"To her right is my daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"Next, we have my older brother, Hades, lord of the Underworld" Zeus says.

You bow more deeply.

"Beside him is my son Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god isn't as beautiful as the others, until he smiles at you. You bow in return.

"You've met my son Apollo," Zeus continues. "Beside him is my brother Poseidon, lord of the Sea."

Your brows lift, for you've always had an interest in Poseidon. He smiles down at you as you bow.

"To his right is my son Hermes, the god of many things, including travel, commerce, theft, and tricksters."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And you remember my son Ares, of course."

"Of course," you say with a bow.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"The mortal must pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"I wouldn't wish to do anything that angers the queen," you say.

You and Hera exchange smiles of endearment.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Ares says.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I don't like this at all," she says, "though I'm confident that the mortal will do nothing to displease me."

Zeus stands from his throne. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hephaestus shouts.

"Yes!" Aphrodite adds. "Good luck, dear mortal!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Hera turns to you. "Shall we take our leave?"

You follow her from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, Hera offers you her hand, then you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting.

Hera takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot from the garage, through the gates, and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and as blue as Hera's eyes.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky, with you, my love."

Hera laughs. "As nice as that sounds, dear one, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd want to serve," you say. "But what could  I do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself," she says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"Not for nothing, dear one." Hera strokes your cheek. "I'd rather have a short time with you than none at all. Don't you feel the same?"

You smile at her and dare to kiss her cheek. She laughs merrily as she leads the chariot toward land.

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask. "And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"It's called that because it's protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides."

"They protect your apples?" you ask.

"Yes, along with Ladon."

"Who's that?"

"He's a one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to me."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"To  me ," she says. "He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

"Will he attack  me ?" you ask.

"I can usually control him," she says. "It's the daughters of Atlas you should be worried about. I have no control over them."

You shudder. "Are we getting close? Please say no."

"Sorry, dear one. We're nearly there."

"And where is  there , exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

Hera winks. "Don't worry. I have a plan."

She pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

"What if someone sees us?" you ask.

"We're invisible to other mortals. Besides, these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

"This way, dear one." She takes your hand before kissing your palm and helps you from the chariot.

If you weren't so frightened, you'd relish the kiss and ask for another, but the news that Hera has no influence over the Hesperides has you thinking of little else.

She leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you follow her along the path, you smell citrus in the air, but, when you look around, you see only pines and palms.

Again, you wonder how you can possibly succeed in this challenge if the tree and its apples and those protecting them are invisible to you. Your limbs begin to tremble, and you cling to Hera with one hand as you grip the hilt of Athena's sword with the other.

You wonder if Hera plans to get the apple for you but worry the other gods are watching and wouldn't allow it.

"We're close," she says.

"How will I see it?" you ask again.

She stops and snaps her fingers, and a fan made of peacock feathers appears in her hand. She hands it to you.

"I don't understand," you say, as you inspect it carefully.

"Line up the eyes of the feathers to your own and tell me what you see."

Like a pair of binoculars, you hold the fan up to your face until two of the eyes on the feathers line up with yours. Then the landscape changes. You blink, move the fan, and see the row of pine trees. But when you put the fan up to your eyes once more, everything changes again.

A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

"Wow," you whisper. "But I don't see Ladon."

"He blends in with the leaves," she says, "but if you look carefully, you can see his body draped among the tallest branches."

The serpent must have heard his mistress, because suddenly two hundred red eyes are peering directly at you from the leaves of the tree.

"He's awake," you whisper.

"I'll handle him. You think of a way to distract the nymphs."

"Distract them? How?"

"This is  your  challenge, dear one. Not  mine ."

Hera flies up into the tree to console Ladon. It seems to be working, but the daughters of Atlas are stretching and opening their eyes. When they notice you, they jump to their feet and glare at you.

"Um, knock, knock," you say.

One of the daughter's narrows her eyes. "Who are you?"

You  say [choose one],

" Banana ."

" Al ."

* * *

"Banana?" one of them repeats.

"What?" another asks, scratching her head.

"You're supposed to say  who ," you say, still holding the peacock feathers to your face. "Banana  who ."

"Banana what?" the third one asks, also confused.

The first one steps closer and glares at you. "Who are you?"

"Banana," you say.

The three daughters exchange looks of confusion.

"Banana?" another repeats.

"Orange," you say.

"Huh?" another asks.

"Orange you glad I didn't say 'banana,'" you say with a smile.

One of the Hesperides cocks her head to the side, while another scratches her head again.

The third charges you with a wild look in her eyes. Then the others follow suit.

You run to dodge their advances, but they are faster than you.

"Hera!" you shout just as all three nymphs tackle you to the ground. You drop the fan and can no longer see them, or the tree, or Hera.

"That was lame," Hera says. "I really don't think you deserve to become one of us."

"Help me!" you plead as one of the nymphs pulls your hair and another bites your arm.

You hear Hera say, "Are you hungry?"

"Huh?" you ask.

Your feel the nymphs scatter and hear their shrill screams. You reach over for the peacock fan and line it up to your face just in time to see the great serpent leap from the tree. He opens one of his hundred heads and swallows you whole.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

"Al?" one of them repeats with her head cocked to the side.

"Who's Al?" another asks her sister.

"You're supposed to say, 'Al  who ,'" you say, still holding the peacock fan to your face.

"What?" the first asks.

"Who," you repeat.

"Huh?" the third scratches her head.

"Al," you say again.

"Al what?" the first demands.

"It's  who , but never mind," you say, trying to keep your cool. "Al give you a kiss if you let me take an apple."

You're surprised to see the nymphs' eyes light up. One of them combs her black curly hair with her fingers while another pinches her cheeks to make them pink. They're already beautiful, and you're flattered by their efforts to improve their appearance for you.

One of them sidles up to you with a smile. "If you're a good kisser, we'll let you try your luck with Ladon."

"And if I'm not?" you ask, worried their expectations of a good kiss might be different from yours.

A second one giggles. "Then we'll keep you here with us and make you one."

All three laugh as they walk nearer to you.

"Why do you look at us through that silly fan?" another asks.

"It's the only way I can see you."

The tallest puts her hands on your shoulders and whispers, you aren't going to kiss me with those feathers between us, are you?"

You gulp and remove the fan. Although you can no longer see the daughter of Atlas, you can feel her hands on your shoulders and her breath on your face. You lean forward. Her lips reach yours, and you're sure to be gentle as you caress her mouth with yours, teasing her for more. She groans with pleasure and steps away.

You return the fan to your eyes and see the tallest among them smiling.

"We'll need to vote," she says. "Better kiss my sisters, too."

Another of Atlas's daughters puts her hands on your shoulders. You remove the fan and repeat your process. You do it again for the third. They are all equally pleased.

Relieved, you use the fan to see your way to the tree, where Hera is sitting in the branches stroking the shiny green scales of the serpent. The beast seems to be sleeping again. You step nearer to the tree, beneath a golden apple within your reach. You lift your hand, and before you touch the apple, Hera shouts, "Cheater!"

You jump back, alarmed, your eyes wide, as you gaze at Hera through her fan. "But..."

"Kill the cheater!" Hera screeches.

The giant serpent leaps from the tree. You hear the nymphs scream and scatter. Then, to your horror, one of the hundred heads of the beast opens its mouth wide and swallows you whole. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Part Three: Ares and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Ares leaves your side to sit on his throne between Hera and a god you've not yet met.

As Athena is about to speak, Zeus stands and interrupts. "Before we proceed, there are some among us who have yet to meet this mortal."

You glance around to see that, since the time you first entered with Ares, all twelve thrones have become occupied. Feeling somewhat intimidated, you cross the room to stand beside your true love.

"You've met my lovely wife, Hera," Zeus says.

You graciously bow to your lover's mother.

"And Athena," Zeus says as he waves his arm toward the gray-eyed goddess to his right.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with our daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"Artemis you've met," Zeus continues.

Artemis nods, as do you.

"To her right is my daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"Next, we have my brother Hades, lord of the Underworld," Zeus says.

You bow more deeply.

"Beside him is my son Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god isn't as beautiful as the others, until he smiles at you. You bow in return.

"You've met my son Apollo," Zeus continues. "Beside him is my brother Poseidon, lord of the Sea."

Your brows lift, for you've always had an interest in Poseidon. He smiles down at you as you bow.

"And between Poseidon and Ares sits son Hermes, the god of many things, including travel, commerce, theft, and tricksters."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And you, of course, know Ares."

You give the god of war a dreamy smile.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"The mortal must pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"I wouldn't wish to do anything that angers the queen," you say, wanting to stay on the good side of your lover's mother.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Athena says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Ares turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without Ares. "Yes."

Ares smiles with pleasure, which delights you.

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hephaestus shouts.

"Yes!" Aphrodite adds. "Good luck, dear mortal!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Ares offers you his arm. "Ready to go?"

You cup your hand around the underside of his arm, enjoying the feel of his muscles, and follow him from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's arm.

Ares takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot from the garage, through the gates, and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and as blue as Ares's eyes.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky, with you, my love."

Ares laughs. "As nice as that sounds, baby doll, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd  want to serve," you say. "But what could  I do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself," he says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"Not for nothing, baby doll." Ares gives you a sexy wink. "We've had fun together, haven't we?"

You smile at him and dare to kiss his cheek. He laughs merrily as he leads the chariot toward land.

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask. "And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"It's called that because it's protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides."

"They protect the whole garden, or just Hera's apples?"

"Hera's apples. And Ladon helps."

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to my mother."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"Only to Hera. He's aggressive toward everyone else. He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

"Will he attack  me ?" you ask.

"Yes, but I'm going to teach you how to fight back."

"Ares, what chance could I possibly have against a one-hundred-headed monster?"

"He only has one heart. I'll show you how to get to it. Besides, it's the daughters of Atlas you should be worried about."

"Why do you say that?"

"They can be pretty vicious. It's best to distract them with a song and a dance."

You aren't sure which sounds harder: slaying a beast or singing and dancing for three vicious nymphs.

You shudder. "Are we getting close? Please say no."

"Sorry, baby doll. We're nearly there."

"And where is  there , exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

Ares winks. "Don't worry. I have a plan."

He pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

"What if someone sees us?" you ask.

"We're invisible to other mortals. Besides, these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

"This way, baby doll." He takes your hand before kissing your palm and helps you from the chariot.

He leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you walk along the path, hand in hand, you smell citrus in the air.

"Shouldn't we take advantage of what might be our last moments together?" you ask. "Love before battle?"

"You need to think more positively, if you have any hope of winning."

"Still," you say, a bit sullenly.

He stops in the middle of the path and cups your face. "You're beginning to sound like Aphrodite."

Although you resent the comparison, you say, "Is that a good thing?"

He smiles down at you. "I suppose we have some time."

You giggle with pleasure as his lips reach yours. Soon, you are lying together in the path with leaves in your hair and sun on your skin, feeling happier than you've felt in a long while.

"If I die today," you say, "it'll have been worth it."

Ares kisses each of your cheeks and then the tip of your nose. "I'm happy to hear you say that, baby doll, but now it's time to train."

You sigh and allow him to help you to your feet.

"Put back on your weapon and shield," he says, so you do.

"When you face Ladon, have your sword drawn," Ares says, drawing his own. "Don't draw it on the Hesperides, because you'll only offend them, and the three of them will come at you from all directions. Sing your song and do your dance, and once they're engaged, make your way to the base of the apple tree but draw your sword before you get there. If you wait, you'll be at a disadvantage, and Ladon will strike and likely kill you. But if you have it drawn, you just might succeed in piercing his heart before he can strike."

You draw your sword. "Like this?"

"Spread your feet. Wider. You'll lose your balance otherwise. Keep them spread as you walk."

"That doesn't feel natural."

"Bend your knees and lean forward, like this."

You copy his stance, trying not to be distracted by his physique.

"Hold the sword closer to your body. If you hold it too far out like this, you make yourself vulnerable to attack."

"Like this?"

"Keep your elbows in," he says. "Remember, you want to use the sword, not your arms. If your arm goes out like this, it's easy to get bit. Repeat to yourself, elbows in. By instinct, you'll want to keep your body as far away as possible from Ladon, forcing you to reach out with your arm, but don't. It's better to get closer, elbows in, so the sword can protect you on your sword side while your shield protects you overhead. Now, take the shield."

You unstrap Athena's shield form your back.

Ares transforms into a giant snake with shiny green scales and one hundred heads.

"Ares?" you ask, just to be sure.

"It's me," he reassures you.

"I like you better the other way," you tease.

"Concentrate, baby doll," he says. "Ladon's heart is here."

He uses one of the hundred heads to point to the juncture from which the hundred necks extend.

"I have no chance in hell of hitting that mark with all those heads guarding it," you say, feeling hopeless.

"What most people don't know is that this part of Ladon is vulnerable," Ares says. "It lies at the top of the tree trunk, where the three thickest branches divide. Most heroes who have faced Ladon have gone for the heads. That's where they go wrong. Don't even look at the heads. As soon as you get to the base of the tree, cover yourself with your shield like this, and thrust your sword into Ladon's heart here."

"Don't look at the heads?" You have a feeling that's easier said than done.

"You only get one shot," Ares says. "If you miss, it's all over."

A thick and gnarly tree appears before you, and Ares, in Ladon's form, drapes from the branches.

"Practice," he says.

"I don't want to hurt you," you say.

"You won't. That's not my heart, it's my thigh. And I'll quickly heal."

"Your thigh?" you ask. "Isn't that awfully close to...you know?"

A thunderous laugh echoes through the garden. Then he says, "You're hilarious, baby doll. I'm truly rooting for you."

"You still haven't told me how I'll be able to see things that are invisible to mortals," you remind him.

"I'll be hovering over the tree with my shield, reflecting the light from Helios, the sun god. As long as the reflection from my shield illuminates the garden, you'll be able to see it."

"Okay."

"But here's the tricky part, baby doll."

You frown at one of the hundred heads. "There's  a  tricky part? Isn't this whole scenario tricky?"

"I can direct the rays of Helios into the eyes of Ladon to temporarily blind him," Ares says. "I'll wait until you're at the base of the trunk and going for the heart. But as soon as you plunge your sword into Ladon, I'm going to turn my shield on him, to blind him, so he can't see to retaliate against you while he's dying."

"Oh, hell," you say. "I won't be able to see him."

"Just stab and run," he says. "The Hesperides will scatter when they hear Ladon wailing in pain and anger. You need to, too. Run back toward my chariot, and, when the coast is clear and Ladon is dead, I'll bring you back for the apple. Got it?"

"Damn," you say. "That's a lot to remember."

"You can do this, baby doll. Now practice. Start over there. Do a little song and dance, and as you make your way to the base of this tree, be sure to draw the sword and shield."

You move a few meters away, where you sheathe the sword and strap on the shield. Then you hum a little tune and skip around, until you get to the base of the tree.

"You should have already drawn," Ares says. "If you do that, you'll be dead in an instant. And you need a song with words."

"Damn," you say again. "Okay. I promise to sing a song with words, but, for now, can I just practice my moves?"

All one hundred heads nod. "Begin again."

You practice your moves for another twenty minutes before Ares says you're ready.

You don't feel ready.

Ares returns to his godly form. Then he takes your hand and leads you another half-mile or so down the path before he stops and whispers, "We're close. Wait here, until you can see the garden."

You want to ask for a good-luck kiss, but Ares has already vanished.

Less than a minute passes when the landscape changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

You squint at the branches for signs of Ladon. His green body is well camouflaged, but, since you know what he looks like, you spot him.

When one of the daughters of Atlas sits up and glares at you, you start  singing [choose one]

" Bitch," by Meredith Brooks .

" Girls Just Want to Have Fun," by Cyndi Lauper .

* * *

The other two daughters of Atlas also sit up and stare at you with wonder.

You poor yourself into the chorus, "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover..." moving around to the beat in a desperate, wild frenzy. "I'm a sinner, I'm a saint."

The nymphs jump to their feet and begin to mirror your moves with smiles of pleasure on their faces. This gives you hope, and you put even more energy into your wild moves as you dance toward the tree.

However, you soon realize that you can only remember the chorus, and you have already sung it three times. As your confidence wanes, one of the nymphs looks over at you and notices that you are nearing the tree. She races toward you.

In a moment of panic, you draw Athena's sword, and the nymph impales herself on it.

The leaves in the tree hiss as Ares shouts, "Now!"

You struggle to remove your sword from the nymph's chest, and before you can turn to use it on Ladon, one of his hundred heads reaches down and swallows you whole. (The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

You shake your shoulders to the opening lines, "I come home in the morning light..." and skip and hop and act out the motions of a mother shaking her hand at you. Then you sing the chorus, "Girls just want to have fun..."

By the time you begin the second verse, acting out the father shaking a fist at you, the nymphs are on their feet, holding their bellies, and laughing with delight. This time, when you sing the chorus, you boldly take the hands of two of the daughters of Atlas and encourage all three to skip around in a circle with you. "They just wanna, they just wanna..."

Then you break off to act out boys hiding beautiful girls—which the nymphs seem to relate to. They watch with interest, hopping around you, their eyes on you like a hawk. You realize this gives you no chance to slip over by the tree.

So, when you break into chorus for the third time, you run around with your arms out like and airplane, darting this way and that, zig-zagging. The three Hesperides copy you, and while their backs are turned, you draw your sword and shield and thrust your sword into the heart of the beast.

The garden disappears from your sight, just as Ares said it would. As the beast wails and shrieks, you pull back the sword and run at your top speed down the path between the pines toward the chariot.

You just reach the chariot, where you are catching your breath, when Ares arrives and says, "Excellent work, baby doll, but there's not a second to lose. Rush back and grab your apple before Ladon's body repairs itself."

You don't even bother to sheathe the sword. You run with it, as fast as you can, where Ares has already illuminated the scene for you. The serpent's great body hangs, lifeless, from the branches, and his blood spills down the trunk of the tree. You run to the lowest hanging fruit and pluck it. As soon as it's in your hand, a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure, and you are instantly transported back to the chariot in Ares's arms.

He gives you a long and lingering victory kiss before he takes up the reins and shouts, "To Mount Olympus!"

The chariot takes off into the morning sky. You cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Hermes asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Apollo points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Artemis and the Second Challenge

" I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Artemis leaves your side to sit on her throne.

As Athena is about to speak, Zeus stands and interrupts. "Before we proceed, there are some among us who have yet to meet this mortal."

You glance around to see that, since the time you and Artemis first entered, all twelve thrones have become occupied. Feeling somewhat intimidated, you cross the room to stand beside your true love.

"You've met my lovely wife, Hera," Zeus says.

You bow to Hera, and she nods in reply.

"And Athena," Zeus says as he waves his arm toward the gray-eyed goddess to his right.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with our daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"Artemis you, know, of course," Zeus continues.

Artemis smiles at you, and you can't help but smile back at her.

"To her right is my daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"Next, we have my brother Hades, lord of the Underworld," Zeus says.

You bow more deeply.

"Beside him is my son Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god isn't as beautiful as the others, until he smiles at you. You bow in return.

"You've met my son Apollo," Zeus continues. "Beside him is my brother Poseidon, lord of the Sea."

Your brows lift, for you've always had an interest in Poseidon. He smiles down at you as you bow.

"And between Poseidon and Ares sits my son Hermes, the god of many things, including travel, commerce, theft, and tricksters."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And you, of course, you've met Ares."

"Of course," you say as you bow to the god of war.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Athena says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Artemis. She gives you a reassuring nod.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without Artemis. "Yes."

Artemis smiles with pleasure, which delights you.

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hephaestus shouts.

"Yes!" Aphrodite adds. "Good luck, dear mortal!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Artemis is soon at your side. "Ready to go?"

You aren't ready for the challenge, but you are ready to be alone with Artemis. The skepticism in the expressions of the other gods does not go unnoticed by you as you follow Artemis from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's hand.

Artemis takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot from the garage, through the gates, and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and blue. The treetops on the horizon are as green as Artemis's eyes.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky, with you, my love."

Artemis grins. "As nice as that sounds, sweet cheeks, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd  want  to serve," you say. "But what could  I do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself," she says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"Not for nothing." Artemis licks her lips. "I've enjoyed your company. Haven't you enjoyed mine?"

"Yes, but I'd love more of it."

"Perhaps there's time before your next challenge."

"I think there is," you say with a mischievous grin. She laughs merrily as she leads the chariot toward land.

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask. "And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"It's called that because it's protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides."

"They protect the whole garden, or just Hera's apples?"

"Hera's apples. Ladon protects them, too."

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to Hera."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"Only to Hera. He's aggressive toward everyone else. He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

"Will he attack  me ?" you ask.

"Not if you shoot him first."

"Artemis, what chance could I possibly have against a one-hundred-headed monster?"

"He only has one heart. I'll teach you how to aim and shoot with a bow and arrow. Besides, it's the daughters of Atlas you should be worried about."

"Why do you say that?"

"They can be pretty vicious. You'll need to time this just right—to shoot Ladon before the Hesperides notice you."

You shudder. "Are we getting close? Please say no."

"Sorry, sweet cheeks. We're nearly there."

"And where is  there , exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

Artemis winks. "Don't worry. I have something to help you."

She pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

"What if someone sees us?" you ask.

"We're invisible to other mortals. Besides, these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

"This way, sweet cheeks." She takes your hand before kissing your palm and helps you from the chariot.

The feel of her lips on your skin makes you eager for more.

She leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you walk along the path, hand in hand, you smell citrus in the air.

Artemis stops in the middle of the path and cups your face. "This might be our last chance to be together."

"Please don't say that," you say. "I'm terrified enough already.

"I'm sorry. Come with me into these trees, where Callisto can't see us."

She pulls you into the pines and lies down on a bed of leaves, motioning for you to join her.

You decide to love her like it's the last time, because, although you're determined to succeed, this could be the end for you, and you want her to remember you.

You're pleased by her moans of delight and find it very easy to love her. She seems to have no problem loving you back, even if her heart belongs to another.

Soon, you are walking together in the path with leaves in your hair and sun on your skin, feeling happier than you've felt in a long while.

"If I die today," you say, "it'll have been worth it."

Artemis kisses each of your cheeks. "I'm happy to hear you say that, sweet cheeks, but now it's time to train."

A bow and quiver of arrows appear in her hands. She helps you strap on the quiver and shows you how to hold the bow.

"When you face Ladon, have your arrow fitted and your bow drawn," she says, drawing her own as an example. "In fact, I want you to have it drawn before we arrive, so you can aim and shoot before the daughters of Atlas know what's coming."

"What if I miss?" you ask.

She moves closer to you, as if she's going to kiss you, and whispers, "I won't let that happen."

Your eyes widen at this news. On the one hand, you're more likely to succeed. But, on the other hand, if Athena and the others realize Artemis guided your arrow, your chances of becoming an immortal seem very poor, indeed.

Maybe you could argue that it was Artemis, and not you, that cheated, in the event that anyone raises the question.

Artemis spends the next several minutes asking you to aim and shoot at some of the pine trees. You suppose that, even if she is going to guide your arrow, you need to look convincing when you shoot at Ladon. You miss nearly every one of your targets, but you improve over time. When you finally hit your mark, you jump up with glee.

"Good job!" Artemis says.

She pulls a crown out of thin air and adds, "This is my crown of invisibility. It makes its wearer invisible to mortals—which you already are, by my grace. However, the crown also makes visible those things that aren't meant for mortal eyes. Once you put this on your head, you'll be able to see Hera's garden and everything in it.

You take a deep breath. "Got it."

"I'll put it on you after we've gotten within range of your arrow," she says. "As soon as I place it on your head, find Ladon at the base of the branches, where they all come together. That's your target, okay?'

"Okay."

You walk in the morning light for a few more meters, until Artemis stops you and without making a sound, indicates to you to draw your weapon.

It's difficult for you to control your trembling as you fit the arrow and pull the bow back. When Artemis lays the crown on your head, the landscape suddenly changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

You squint at the tree for signs of Ladon. His green body is well camouflaged, but you follow the branches to where they meet near the top of the trunk and take aim.

One of the daughters of Atlas sits up from where she's been sleeping and cries, "Sisters!"

You [choose one]

send the arrow in Ladon's direction .

lower your bow .

* * *

The arrow flies and hits its mark, which is still a surprise to you, even though you suspected Artemis would guide the arrow. However, instead of waiting for you to get past the Hesperides so you can pluck an apple from the tree, Artemis grabs one herself and says, "Sorry, sweet cheeks. I desperately need this."

Before you can recover from the shock of her betrayal, the Hesperides converge upon you, but not before you notice Hera appear with Zeus's lightning bolt. As you fight for your life against the three powerful nymphs, you overhear Hera demand the apple be returned from Artemis or suffer the consequences.

Artemis vanishes, and Hera follows.

You cry out to any god who might hear, "Help me! Please, help me!"

The Hesperides tear at your hair and bite at your flesh.

Just when you're about to give up hope, the golden-haired Cupid appears. He shoots the three daughters, who quickly look upon you with love and desire. They smooth your hair and wipe the blood with their gowns from your skin. One of them kisses you passionately, while another lies on the ground beside you and grinds her body against yours.

Because you're broken hearted over Artemis's betrayal, this feels like another kinds of torture, until Cupid plucks you from the nymphs and flies with you into the sky. Artemis's crown falls off your head, but you don't care.

"You should have left me to die," you say, not wanting to live without Artemis.

"Not like that," Cupid says.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you home."

You sigh. "Why did you do this to me?"

"I'm truly sorry. The Fates decreed it."

"Why?"

"I think they wished to test the gods."

"It's not fair."

"I know," he says. "But don't lose hope. Hera got her apple back from Artemis, which means she won't be able to save Callisto. I have a very strong feeling that the goddess of the hunt will get lonely enough to visit you."

You wish you could forget about Artemis, but the arrow compels you to want her under any circumstances. Your heart fills with renewed hope at Cupid's words.

"I hope she visits me soon," you say.

Soon, Cupid sets you in the field of flowers beside the babbling brook, where your adventures first began. After he leaves, you lie down, exhausted, and fall asleep. You awaken hours later to find Artemis standing over you.

"I'm sorry I betrayed you," she says. "Will you forgive me?"

You nod, because you have no other choice.

Artemis lies beside you and makes it up to you in a way that leaves you breathless. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

" Shoot!" Artemis cries.

But you know that, even if you get your arrow off before the nymphs attack you, they will knock you to the ground soon after.

You quickly get the idea to confuse them with a joke.

"Wait!" you shout. "What do you call a cow without feet?"

The nymphs stop running and furrow their brows at you.

"A riddle?" one of them asks.

"I love riddles," another says.

"That's great!" you say. "Do you know the answer then?"

The daughters seem to think it over.

"A cow without feet could be a rug," one says.

"An am-moo-tee!," another says.

"A moo-tation!" another guesses.

"Those are good answers," you say. "But the true answer is ground beef."

The nymphs hug their sides and guffaw.

You notice Artemis draw her weapon and shoot Ladon in the heart. Your mouth drops open, fearing the other gods won't accept a victory from you with that degree of help. When the one-hundred headed beast begins to wail and shriek with pain, the three nymphs scatter.

You're shocked when Artemis snatches an apple from the tree and says, "Sorry, sweet cheeks, but I really need this."

Before you can ask her how she could betray you like this, Hera appears and tosses Zeus's lightning bolt at the other goddess. Artemis falls to the ground, paralyzed, and the golden apple is released from her clutch and rolls across the ground to your feet.

You look up at Hera in horror.

"You have a choice," Hera says to you. "Pick up the apple and give it to me and return with me to Mount Olympus, victorious; or, stay here with your heart's desire and attempt to protect her from the attacks of the Hesperides when they soon return.

The logical side of you knows you should leave with Hera, but the arrow in your heart wants you to stay with Artemis.

"I need an answer," Hera demands.

You [choose one]

pick up the apple and present it to Hera, saying, "Please take me to Mount Olympus ."

pick up the apple and present it to Hera, saying, "I can't leave her side ."

* * *

Hera smiles down at you. "Good choice, dear one."

She takes your hand and flies with you to the chariot, still parked where Artemis left it. You feel sad about leaving Artemis lying there, but you know she's immortal and will survive, whereas the nymphs would have killed you, had you stayed.

Hera takes the reins and says, "To Mount Olympus!"

As the chariot lifts into the clear, blue sky, Hera says, "Because you supported me, I will support you."

"What do you mean?" you ask.

"If you want to continue with the third challenge, I will do my best to help you," she says. "However, I have another suggestion you might want to consider."

"Oh?" you ask.

"I think we should go to see the Fates and ask them to help you, dear one. You are an innocent victim and shouldn't be made to endure a lifetime of heartbreak. As you saw today, Artemis's heart is loyal to only one person. She used you to try to get my apple."

You hang your head with disappointment, considering your options. Your love for Artemis makes Hera's suggestion the last thing you would want, but the logical part of you brain forces you to imagine a life in which you no longer feel desire for the goddess.

"Think about it," Hera says as she pulls in front of the wall of clouds on the peak of Mount Olympus. "You don't have to decide this instant, but you will need to do it soon."

Hera commands the gates to open before she parks the chariot and flies with you into the great hall, where the other gods are waiting.

"Where's Artemis?" Apollo asks.

Hera answers for you. "Your sister betrayed this mortal and  me . She was going to steal the apple for herself. I've left her, paralyzed, in the garden."

"Oh, dear," Aphrodite says.

Apollo disappears, presumably to help his sister.

"So that's why you needed my lightning bolt," Zeus says, a bit annoyed.

Hera continues, "I've offered to take Artemis's place and take the mortal to the location of the next challenge."

"Should we continue?" Athena asks. "If Artemis betrayed the mortal's love, then..."

"I offered another alternative," Hera says, "I want to take the mortal to the Fates and convince them to end this nonsense."

"I doubt that'll do any good," Hades says with a smirk.

"One never knows, when the Fates are concerned," Hestia points out.

"I suppose it's up to the mortal to decide," Hephaestus says.

"I'd like to hear what the third and final challenge would consist of," you ask. "Then I'll make my decision."

"I've thought of one," Athena says. "The mortal must navigate through the Minotaur's labyrinth and return here with my dagger. Ariadne, the Minotaur's sister, borrowed it from me and refuses to give it back. Steal it back for me."

You've heard about the Minotaur—an immortal with the body of a man and the head of a bull, who eats anyone who enters his maddening maze. This final challenge sounds more difficult than the first two.

"What say you, mortal?" Zeus asks.

You say [choose one],

" I accept the challenge ." [ Proceed to Part Four.]

" I'd like to visit the Fates ."

* * *

Hera takes the apple and smiles down at you. "Thank you for giving me the apple instead of keeping it for Artemis."

"It belongs to you," you say. "It's only right."

Plus, you aren't too keen on Artemis helping Callisto, just so the goddess can dump you.

"Since you've helped me," she says, "I'd like to help you."

"How?" you ask.

"I'll transport you and Artemis to a safer location, where you won't be killed by the daughters of Atlas."

"Thank you!" you say.

Hera carries Artemis's body back to the chariot while you follow. Once you're inside the temple of the gods, Hera takes Artemis to her brother Apollo.

"What happened?" he asks.

"Your sister betrayed the mortal and  me by trying to steal off with one of my apples," Hera says. "Take her."

"That's why you wanted my lightning bolt?" Zeus asks, annoyed.

The other gods and goddesses gasp as you follow Apollo through a door behind his throne.

The god of light and truth, of healing and music, lays his sister on a couch.

"I'm sorry she betrayed you," he says. "Her heart belongs to another, and she's desperate."

"You don't have to defend her," you say. "Arrow," you point to your heart. "Remember?"

"Right," he says with an apologetic grin. The he adds, "She won't likely be able to move for many days."

"Can I stay with her?' you ask.

Apollo concedes, offering you one of his rooms. You stay on Mount Olympus for two weeks, taking care of your true love. She apologizes to you nearly every day. When she finally returns to herself again, she returns you to the babbling brook, where your adventures first began. She lies beside you in the field of flowers and tries to make up for hurting you. Then, before she leaves, she promises to visit you every week. You are pleased when she makes good on her promise.

(The End) [ Click here to start again .] [ Return to your last choice .]

* * *

The chamber belonging to the Fates resembles a Las Vegas casino. It is alight with blinking colors from slot machines crammed together with archaic pinball machines. The machines are situated along the river of fire, which also illuminates the room as it flows in a circle around the perimeter of the cave through a haze of thick cigarette smoke. Two tables occupy the middle of the room. The bigger and more central is a roulette wheel that emanates a barely audible Circus tune. To the right of the wheel is a much smaller table with three chairs and stacks of playing cards. Sitting in each chair is a petite wrinkled old lady holding a cigarette. They don't look up from their cards when you and Hera enter.

"Is it already time for their visit?" one asks in a raspy, throaty voice as she picks up a card. Half of her gray hair is twisted in a bun on the crown of her head, and the other half lays in straight lines along her back, across her pink velvet pantsuit. "Hit me one more time."

"Are you sure?" The sister dealing is plumper than the others but as small in stature and throaty in voice. Her gray hair is short and curly, and she wears a bright blue shawl over a blue velvet dress.

"Of course, not but hit me anyway." She looks at the card. "Damn. I'm busted." She tosses the card on the table and takes a drag from her cigarette.

The third, who wears her white hair in a bob with bangs that curl under, looks at you through her black-rimmed spectacles.

"You won't like the answer to your question," she says.

"I think I'll hit the slots for a while," the one in the pink velvet pantsuit says.

"But what about our guests, Clotho?" the one wearing spectacles asks.

"You deal with them," Clotho replies. "I need to be amazed."

Clotho sits down before one of the blinking machines, her back to you and Hera.

The dealer turns to her sister. "What do you think about that, Atropos?"

"We knew it would happen, Lachesis. I don't know why you're complaining."

"If you know why I'm here," Hera says, "spare us the drama and say whether or not you can liberate this poor mortal from Cupid's arrow."

"We can," Lachesis says.

Your brows fly up. "Then why did your sister say I wouldn't like the answer?"

Atropos shakes a finger at you. "Because you won't when you hear the terms."

"For heaven's sake," Hera says. "What are they?"

Atropos rolls her eyes. "And I thought Clotho had no patience."

Lachesis, the dealer, says, "If we pull the arrow out—and we're the only beings capable of doing so—your heart will be scarred for the rest of your mortal life, and you will never be able to love another."

Your mouth drops open. "That's horrible!"

"See?" Atropos says. "I told you that you wouldn't like it."

"It's your choice, dear mortal," Hera says to you kindly. "Would you rather live pining away for a goddess whose heart belongs to another? Or would you rather live the rest of your life without feeling love and desire for another?"

You cross your arms and shake your head at this impossible decision forced upon you. Then you say [choose one],

" Pull out the arrow ."

" Leave the arrow ."

* * *

" This is going to hurt," Lachesis says.

You glance over at Hera.

"You barely feel it going in," Atropos adds, "but coming out's a killer." Then she adds, "Metaphorically speaking, of course."

"You better do it on the roulette table," Clotho calls out from her machine. "The other table isn't large enough."

"We've all seen this, Clotho," Lachesis complains to her sister. To you, she whispers, "Clotho is the spinner. She thinks, since she's the one that laid this all out for you, that she's done her part."

"I can hear you, Lachesis."

"I know that," Lachesis says.

"The measurer," Lachesis says.

"I'm the cutter," Atropos says as she draws a line across her neck.

"If you knew what I'd choose," you ask, "why did you ask?"

"You still have free will," Clotho calls from her slot machine. "We just know ahead of time what you'll choose."

"Not absolute free will," Lachesis whispers. "Otherwise, Clotho wouldn't have a job. She sets up parameters."

"Like me getting stuck with this arrow," you say.

"Well, maybe that's not a good example," Lachesis admits. "We all had a hand in that, on account of us needing to test the gods. We knew Hera would pass with flying colors."

"And that Artemis would fail," Clotho shouts from across the room.

Hera smiles proudly.

"Though, I'd speculate that had you chosen not to give Hera her apple, she'd have failed, too," Lachesis adds.

Hera's smile vanishes. "Speculation means nothing."

"I wouldn't say 'nothing,'" Clotho shouts.

"Let's get on with it," Atropos says to her sister. "Lie down there, mortal."

They point to the roulette wheel. It doesn't look like a very comfortable place to lie down, but you do as you're told."

The two sisters grip something invisible to your eyes.

"Can you see that?" you ask Hera.

The queen shakes her head. "Only the Fates can."

"And Eros," Clotho shouts from her machine. "Along with any of his descendants."

You whisper, "Gods, that's annoying."

Clotho hops from her chair and points down at you. "And  that's  exactly why I chose you to receive the arrow in the first place."

You furrow your brows, confused. Your entire understanding of causation flies out the window.

"Ready?" Lachesis asks.

You nod.

Suddenly a burning, stinging sensation takes over your chest. It's as if you can literally feel the tip of the arrow ripping through your heart muscle and then your flesh as the two sisters pull. You scream in agony and flail your arms before everything goes dark.

Sometime later, you awaken in the field of flowers near the babbling brook, where you always go to escape the monotony of your life. You sit up and look around, wondering if all that you can recall about the gods was nothing more than a dream. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

" I'd rather live a life loving someone I cannot have than one in which I never feel love and desire again," you say.

"You will still have love for family and friends," Lachesis clarifies. "Just not for a lover."

You nod. "And I can't imagine not having those feelings."

"But isn't it painful?" Hera asks you. "This unrequited love?"

You recall your moment with Artemis in the pine trees near the garden of Hesperides. "Not too much."

"Artemis will visit this mortal many more times," Atropos says.

"And she'll bring the mortal the most amazing gifts!" Lachesis adds.

"Not a bad life, if you ask me, which you won't," Clotho calls from across the room.

"Thank you," you say.

Clotho hops up from her chair and points to you. "And  that's exactly why I chose you. I knew you'd be grateful."

Your furrow your brows in confusion, suddenly unsure about the relationship between causes and their effects. Did  you cause  Clotho to compel Cupid to shoot you? Or did  she cause  you to be grateful? Which came first?

Hera returns you to the field of flowers near the babbling brook, where your adventures with the gods began. You lie there for a moment, after the goddess leaves you, full of excitement and anticipation of the wondrous life you are about to lead. (The End) [ Click here to start over.] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

Part Three: Apollo and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Apollo leaves your side to sit on his throne.

As Athena is about to speak, Zeus stands and interrupts. "Before we proceed, there are some among us who have yet to meet this mortal."

You glance around to see that, since the time you and Apollo first entered, all twelve thrones have become occupied. Feeling somewhat intimidated, you cross the room to stand beside your true love.

"You've met my lovely wife, Hera," Zeus says.

You bow to Hera, and she nods in reply.

"And Athena," Zeus says as he waves his arm toward the gray-eyed goddess to his right.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with our daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"Artemis, you've met," Zeus continues.

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a light bow.

"To her right is my daughter Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"Next, we have my brother Hades," Zeus says.

You bow more deeply.

"Beside him is my son Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god isn't as beautiful as the others, until he smiles at you. You bow in return.

"You know Apollo, of course," Zeus continues.

You and Apollo smile warmly at one another.

"Beside him is my brother Poseidon, lord of the Sea," Zeus says.

Your brows lift, for you've always had an interest in Poseidon. He smiles down at you as you bow.

"And between Poseidon and Ares sits my son Hermes, the god of many things, including travel, commerce, theft, and tricksters."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And you've met Ares."

"Of course," you say as you bow to the god of war.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Athena says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Apollo. He gives you a reassuring nod.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hephaestus shouts.

"Yes!" Aphrodite adds. "Good luck, dear mortal!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Apollo is soon at your side. "Ready to go?"

You aren't ready for the challenge, but you are ready to be alone with your love. The skepticism in the expressions of the other gods does not go unnoticed by you as you follow Apollo from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's hand.

Apollo takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot through the gates and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and blue. The treetops on the horizon are as green as Apollo's eyes.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky, with you, my love."

Apollo grins. "As nice as that sounds, my love, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd  want to serve," you say. "But what could  I do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself," he says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"Perhaps I can make it worth your while before you attempt this next challenge."

You perk up. "Really?"

"I'll find us a private place in the garden, if you wish." Apollo gives you a smile full of innuendo.

"I definitely wish," you say, returning his smile.

Apollo laughs merrily.

You sigh with happiness, anxious to be in your lover's arms. After a few moments, you ask, "Where is this garden, anyway? And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"It's called that because it's protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides."

"They protect the whole garden, or just Hera's apples?"

"Hera's apples. Ladon protects them, too."

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to Hera."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"Only to Hera. He's aggressive toward everyone else. He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

"Will he attack  me ?" you ask.

"Not if you shoot him first."

"Apollo, what chance could I possibly have against a one-hundred-headed monster?"

"He only has  one heart. I'll teach you how to aim and shoot with a bow and arrow."

"Won't the daughters of Atlas try to stop me?"

"Yes, but I have a gift for you to give them, to buy their cooperation."

"Oh?" Hope swells in your chest.

"I had a vision that they would one day be freed by their father," he says. "You can offer to tell them this prophecy in exchange for three chances to shoot the serpent."

"They would agree to that?"

"They have no love for Ladon. He leaves them alone, if they don't touch the apples."

"Why would they need to be freed?" you ask. "Are they prisoners?"

"Their father fought against us in the Titan war. He's condemned to hold the sky up on his shoulders, to keep Uranus from mating with Gaia, the earth. We don't want any new Titans threatening the Olympians."

"I see. Did his daughters fight in the war against you, too?"

"No. Their servitude is a punishment for Atlas."

"That hardly seems fair."

"Very little in life is fair. But, truthfully, the nymphs have an easy life. They sleep most of the day away and sing songs at night. They can eat anything there save Hera's golden apples."

"And where is  there , exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

Apollo winks. "Don't worry. I have something to help you."

He pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

"What if someone sees us?" you ask.

"We're invisible to other mortals. Besides, these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

"This way, my love." He takes your hand before kissing your palm and helps you from the chariot.

The feel of his lips on your skin makes you eager for more.

H leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you walk along the path, hand in hand, you smell citrus in the air.

Apollo stops in the middle of the path and cups your face. "I'm very taken by you, mortal. There's something special about you."

You stare at his beautiful face and his luscious mouth. "I'm happy to hear that you feel that way."

He guides you into the pines and lies down on a bed of leaves, motioning for you to join him.

You decide to love him like it's the last time, because, although you're determined to succeed, this could be the end for you, and you want him to remember you.

You're pleased by his moans of delight and find it very easy to love him. You run your fingers through his thick, golden-brown hair and caress his muscled shoulders and back. He makes you feel things you've never felt before. You wish this moment could last forever.

Soon, you are walking together in the path with leaves in your hair and sun on your skin, feeling happier than you've felt in a long while.

"If I die today," you say, "it'll have been worth it."

Apollo kisses your hand. "You aren't going to die today, my love."

"Is that a prophecy, or encouragement?" you ask.

"A feeling," he says. "Come over here. This is where we'll practice."

He stops in the path lined with pines. A bow and quiver of arrows appear in his hands.

"I will use one of my arrows to shatter the magic preventing mortals from seeing the garden," he says.

"You can do that?"

"Only because I'm the god of truth," he explains.

"But won't other mortals see it, too? Is that a good idea?"

"The effects of my arrow won't last more than an hour," he says. "And, as I mentioned, these gardens are closed for another two."

You nod, feeling better about the challenge already. At least you'll be able to see your target. That significantly increases your odds of hitting it.

"Once I break through the magic barrier," he says, "you should approach the Hesperides. The best way to get on their good side is by singing a song. They love to sing and have remarkable voices."

You are so sure that your voice will please them, but you're willing to try. "What should I sing?"

"That's up to you. They catch on quickly and will soon join you."

You nod again, trying to think of the songs you know the words to.

"Once your song is finished, tell them you have a gift for them from the god Apollo in exchange for three chances to hit the tree with your arrow."

"The tree? I shouldn't admit I'm aiming for the serpent?"

"You don't want to alert Ladon by making it about him. He will be disturbed enough by the fact that you want to shoot his bed. But he won't leave the tree, which is why it's better to attack him with arrows than with Athena's sword. You'll want to keep your distance."

"Okay. So, after I sing, I tell the Hesperides about your prophecy, and then I shoot. What if I miss all three times?"

"That could happen, my love, but we're going to spend some time practicing. I'll show you some tricks to help you hit your mark. First, I need to determine which is your dominant eye."

He has you hold up your arms out in front of you and make a triangle by lining up your thumbs and forefingers.

"Look at me through the triangle with both eyes," he says.

You do.

"Ah. You're left-eye dominant. You'll want to hold your bow this way: right arm out holding the bow, left arm drawing on the string."

He demonstrates with your bow before handing it to you.

Apollo shows you how to fit an arrow to your bow and how to hold it between your fingers before drawing the bow back. He has you hold the position, so he can correct the placement of your elbow. He tells you how to take aim by looking down the line of the arrow.

"When you release," he adds, "be sure not to move. Some people jerk their bodies back. Allow your drawing hand to rest here once you release."

Apollo has you aim for a specific pine tree. He reminds you to keep your elbow back and to aim down the line of the arrow. Before you release, he reminds you not to move. You release the arrow and are surprised and delighted when you hit the tree within inches of where you were aiming.

"Very good!" Apollo says. "If you do it exactly like that, you're bound to hit the serpent. His body is wider than the trunk of that pine. But the trick will be hitting his heart, because if you don't get his heart, you won't get access to the fruit."

"How will I know where his heart is?" you ask.

"It's located at the place where his hundred heads branch off. So first, find one of his heads in the branches and follow it down to where the neck joins the other necks. Aim at that juncture."

You practice with Apollo for another half hour in the early morning sunshine. You become more and more confident, so that by the time Apollo asks if you're ready, you say, "Yes."

"Then put away your weapon, so as not to alarm the nymphs. Wear your bow like this."

You do as he says and then follow him another hundred meters down the path. Then he shoots one of his own arrows through the magic barrier, exposing the hidden garden. As soon as the arrow hits the air, the landscape suddenly changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

He encourages you to step forward, so you do. The you begin singing [choose one]

" The Sound of Silence," by Simon and Garfunkel .

" I Do It for You," by Bryan Adams .

* * *

" Hello, Darkness, my old friend," you sing, and you're amazed by how beautiful your voice sounds. As you continue to sing the words, you realize that Apollo, the god of music, is somehow enriching your performance.

The three nymphs sit up and stretch, their eyes on you. Gradually, they climb to their feet and inch a little closer to you. At this point, you are belting out, "the flash of a neon light..."

You are further amazed when all three nymphs begin to harmonize with you. The four of you sound breathtaking.

When you've finished the song with the last, "sound of silence," the four of you smile at one another.

So far, so good, you think.

Then you say, "Hello. Apollo has sent me with a gift—a prophecy about you. I'd like to give it to you in exchange for three chances to shoot the tree with my arrows."

The nymphs confer with one another before the one in the middle says, "We accept. What is the prophecy?"

"Apollo has seen you father free you from this garden."

The three nymphs embrace one another with joy. You even notice tears of happiness in their eyes. Then they stand back from the tree, out of your way.

Ladon's green body is difficult to see among the green leaves, but when he opens his two hundred eyes, you finally notice him. As instructed by Apollo, you follow the lines of his necks to where they connect. The, with trembling hands, you fit the arrow to the bow, hold the end of it between your fingers, and pull your left elbow back. You take a deep breath, trying to steady your arms as you aim down the length of the arrow. You begin humming "The Sound of Silence," hoping it will steady your hands. To your surprise, the nymphs hum in harmony with you. Their voices fill you with confidence, and you release the arrow.

Shockingly, you hit your mark, and Ladon begins to writhe with pain and agony in the tree. The nymphs scatter, hiding in the nearby orange trees. You fit another arrow and shoot again, hoping to speed up his death and put an end to his suffering, but you miss him altogether, probably because you are nervous and trembling even worse than before.

After nearly three full minutes, the beast stops moving. At this time, you run toward the lowest hanging fruit and pluck it from the branch.

You've barely grasped the apple when you're enveloped by light and pressure. You blink against the light and find yourself back in the chariot by Apollo's side.

"Nicely done," he says, as he takes the reins. To the horses, he says, "To Mount Olympus."

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

" Look into my eyes," you sing, and you are shocked by how beautiful your voice sounds. As you continue to sing the words, you realize that Apollo, the god of music, is helping you.

The three nymphs sit up and stretch, their eyes on you. Gradually, they climb to their feet and inch a little closer to you. At this point, you are belting out, "Don't tell me it's not worth trying for..."

You are further amazed when all three nymphs begin to harmonize with you. The four of you sound breathtaking.

When you've finished the song, the four of you smile at one another.

So far, so good, you think.

Then you say, "Hello. Apollo has sent me with a gift—a prophecy about you. I'd like to give it to you in exchange for three chances to shoot the tree with my arrows."

The nymphs confer with one another before the one in the middle says, "We accept. What is the prophecy?"

"Apollo has seen you father free you from this garden."

The three nymphs embrace one another with joy. You even notice tears of happiness in their eyes. Then they stand back from the tree, out of your way.

Ladon's green body is difficult to see among the green leaves, but when he opens his two hundred eyes, you finally notice him. As instructed by Apollo, you follow the lines of his necks to where they connect. The, with trembling hands, you fit the arrow to the bow, hold the end of it between your fingers, and pull your left elbow back. You take a deep breath, trying to steady your arms as you aim down the length of the arrow. You begin humming "I Do It for You," hoping it will steady your hands. To your surprise, the nymphs hum in harmony with you. Their voices fill you with confidence, and you release the arrow.

Shockingly, you hit your mark, and Ladon begins to writhe with pain and agony in the tree. The nymphs scatter, hiding in the nearby orange trees. You fit another arrow and shoot again, hoping to speed up his death and put an end to his suffering, but you miss him altogether, probably because you are nervous and trembling even worse than before.

After nearly three full minutes, the beast stops moving. At this time, you run toward the lowest hanging fruit and pluck it from the branch.

You've barely grasped the apple when you're enveloped by light and pressure. You blink against the light and find yourself back in the chariot by Apollo's side.

"Nicely done," he says, as he takes the reins. To the horses, he says, "To Mount Olympus."

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four. ]

* * *

Part Three: Poseidon and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Poseidon leaves your side to stand on the dais before his throne. "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Please continue."

"Allow me to first present you to Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage. They are the king and queen of the Olympians," Poseidon says.

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Poseidon says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, whom you've met."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"You recall my older brother Hades," Poseidon says.

You bow more deeply.

"You've also met Hephaestus."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you, and you bow in return.

"Beside him and to my left is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Poseidon continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To my right is Hermes, whom you've met."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And last, but certainly not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Athena says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Poseidon, who only shrugs.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Poseidon is soon at your side. "Ready to go?"

You aren't ready for the challenge, but you are ready to be alone with your love. The skepticism in the expressions of the other gods does not go unnoticed by you as you follow Poseidon from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's hand.

"So, where is this garden, anyway?" you ask once you're flying in the early dawn sky.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Never fear. I've got you covered, dear mortal."

Although this reassures you somewhat, you still feel the details of this challenge are vague. "Why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"That's how the three daughters of Atlas are referred to, because they sleep all day and sing in the evening. In Greek, 'evening' is ' hespero .'"

"And the three daughters of Atlas live in the garden?"

"Exactly. They, along with Ladon, a one-hundred-headed serpent, guard the tee for Hera."

You throw your head back and laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"No, dear mortal. Unfortunately, I'm not."

He directs the chariot toward land and brings it to a stop in the middle of palm trees. There's a beautiful fountain, benches, and a pea gravel path.

"You're right. I  can  see the garden," you say.

"All mortals can. It's the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh. Hera's garden is nearby."

"Poseidon, how in the world do I have any hope of getting past a one-hundred-headed serpent?" you ask, feeling like this is probably the end of the line for you.

"I have a plan," he says. "But before I tell you about it, how would you like to sneak off into those pine trees for a little alone time?"

Nothing sounds better to you. You beam up at him. He takes your hand and flies with you just below the treetops down a path lined with pine trees. Then he lays you down on a bed of leaves and makes you feel things you've never felt before.

Later, while walking hand-in-hand with leaves in your hair and the morning sun warming your face, you say, "You sure know how to rock a person's world."

"They don't call me Earth-shaker for nothing," he says with a laugh.

You remember learning about that in school. "That's right. You're the god of earthquakes."

"And that leads me to the plan for this second challenge."

"You're going to cause an earthquake?" you ask, confused.

"It'll disorientate the daughters of Atlas and cause at least a few of the apples to fall from the tree," he explains. "All you'll have to do is grab one of the fallen apples before Ladon or one of the nymphs stops you."

"You think I can do it?"

"I know you can. And as soon as you have the fruit in your hand, I'll god-travel you out of there."

You nod, feeling a little more confident. "And how will you help me to see the garden?"

"I'm about to show you, dear mortal." Poseidon says. "We're only about twenty meters away from it now. As soon as I lift my trident and blast the magic shroud, the garden will be visible to mortal eyes for nearly an hour."

" All mortal eyes?"

"Well, yes, but this garden won't be open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh, okay."

Poseidon squeezes your hand. "Are you ready?"

You suppose you are as ready as you will ever be. "Yes."

Poseidon conjures his trident and sends a blast through the air. Suddenly, the landscape ahead of you changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

Before you've had a chance to fully take in the scene, the ground beneath you trembles, and you nearly lose your balance. The three nymphs sit up and grab ahold of the trunk of the tree.

"What's happening?" you hear one of them cry.

"Poseidon must be angry!" another cries.

You glance back at Poseidon, who winks at you.

You notice three of the apples have fallen to the ground, so you waste no time running toward the closest one—though it's difficult to run in a straight line while the earth is quaking. You reach out to grab the fruit, but one of Ladon's one hundred heads beats you to it. Guarding the apple, he hisses at you. So,  you [choose one]

draw Athena's sword .

say, " I swear on the River Styx that if you let me have this apple, I'll take it directly to Hera ."

* * *

Athena's elegant weapon easily slices through the neck of the beast, and the horrible head falls to the side. Just as you grab the fruit, a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure, and you close your eyes. When you open them again, you're seated beside Poseidon in the chariot.

'That was a close call!" he says. "You did good with the sword."

Although you're still shaking from the ordeal, you smile up at Poseidon and thank him. He leans over and kisses you before commanding the horses to return to Mount Olympus.

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Poseidon asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Now, instead of one pair of red eyes, a dozen glare at you from only a few feet away.

"I'm trying to prove to Hera and to the other gods that I'm worthy to become immortal," you say through quivering lips. "I swear I won't harm or eat the apple. I'll deliver it to Hera on Mount Olympus."

The eyes continue to stare at you as a dozen more heads fling down from the branches above and surround you on all sides. You close your eyes, expecting to die, when you hear a raspy voice say, "Then take it."

When you open your eyes, you see Ladon staring at you, almost as if he's daring you to touch the apple. You suspect that, when you do, he'll eat you. Nevertheless, you reach your trembling hand through the many heads and grab the apple.

You close your eyes again, ready to die. Instead, a bright light, along with a pressure from all directions, comes over you, and, when you open your eyes, you find yourself seated in the chariot beside Poseidon.

"Well played," he says. "Sometimes asking is better than taking."

Although you continue to tremble from the ordeal, you smile back and thank him. He leans over and gives you a luscious kiss before commanding the horses to fly to Mount Olympus.

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my  apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Amphitrite and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Amphitrite leaves your side to stand beside her husband's throne. "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Poseidon? You brought this mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the lord of the sea replies. Then he turns to you. "Allow me to first present you to Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage. They are the king and queen of the Olympians."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Poseidon says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits and is flanked by the other two, who remain standing.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, whom you've met."

You bow, and the goddess smiles down at you.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"You recall my older brother Hades," Poseidon says.

You bow more deeply.

"You've also met Hephaestus."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you, and you bow in return.

"Beside him and to my left is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Poseidon continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To my right is Hermes, whom you've met."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And last, but certainly not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Zeus nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at Zeus's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Athena says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Poseidon, who only shrugs.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Amphitrite is soon at your side. "Ready to go?"

You aren't ready for the challenge, but you are ready to be alone with your love. The skepticism in the expressions of the other gods does not go unnoticed by you as you follow Amphitrite from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's hand.

"So, where is this garden, anyway?" you ask once you're flying in the early dawn sky.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"I'll show it to you with my magic pearl, dearie. Don't worry."

Although this reassures you somewhat, you still feel the details of this challenge are vague. "Why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"That's how the three daughters of Atlas are referred to, because they sleep all day and sing in the evening. In Greek, 'evening' is 'hespero.'"

"And the three daughters of Atlas live in the garden?"

"Exactly. They, along with Ladon, a one-hundred-headed serpent, guard the tree for Hera."

You throw your head back and laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"Unfortunately, I'm not."

She directs the chariot toward land and brings it to a stop below a cluster of palm trees. There's a beautiful fountain, benches, and a pea gravel path.

"You're right. I can see the garden," you say.

"All mortals can. It's the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh. Hera's garden is nearby."

"Amphitrite, how in the world do I have any hope of getting past a one-hundred-headed serpent?" you ask, feeling like this is probably the end of the line for you.

"I have a couple of ideas," she says. "But before I tell you about them, how would you like to sneak off into those pine trees for a little alone time?"

Nothing sounds better to you. You smile widely as she takes your hand and flies with you just below the treetops down a path lined with pine trees. Then she lays you down on a bed of leaves and makes you feel things you've never felt before.

Later, while walking hand-in-hand with leaves in your hair and the morning sun warming your face, you say, "I've never been happier, Amphitrite. Thank you for spending time with me. I hope this isn't the end for us."

She squeezes your hand. "I have an idea that should ensure your success. Would you like to hear it?"

"Please."

She holds out her hand, where a shell, the size of a golf ball, appears.

"I could shrink you down to the size of a hermit crab," she explains. "Then, hiding inside this shell, you could sneak past the nymphs, climb up the tree, and cut down an apple with Athena's sword without being noticed."

"How could I climb the tree if I'm so small?"

"It's because you're small that you could climb it. The bark is very ragged, full of footholds for a tiny creature."

"Wouldn't it take me a long time to reach the top?"

"Yes. But more often than not, slow wins the race."

"And how would I carry the apple, if it's bigger than me?"

"Once you cut it down, I'll transform you back. Then you jump from the branch, and, as soon as you have the apple, I'll transport you out of there."

As you think over the goddess's plan, you see a lot of places where things could go very wrong; however, you like the possibility of completing the challenge without having to face beings that are more powerful than you.

Then she adds, "If, at any time, someone notices you and tries to attack, I'll transport you out of there, and we'll come up with a different plan."

That seals the deal for you. "Okay. Let's do it."

"Once I fly over the tree and use my magic pearl to reflect the light of Helios onto the garden, it will become visible to mortal eyes."

"What if someone else sees it?"

"The garden doesn't open to the public for another two hours but do try to hurry."

You nod. "I'm ready."

Suddenly, you feel dizzy as the world around you seems to spin. You close your eyes and fall to the ground. When you sit up, you find that the leaves beside you are gigantic and you are staring at the goddess's big toe, visible through its sandal. You are barely bigger than it.

Amphitrite scoops you up in her hand, and, again, the world around you spins and you fall in her hand. The dizziness makes you feel slightly nauseated.

"Where this shell like a helmet," she says as she fits it over you," That way, you'll have use of all your limbs."

You adjust the shell so that it rests on your head. Although it smells like fish inside, you're surprised by how light it feels. The sun penetrates though the walls, which makes it warm and cozy but also bright. You can see why creatures enjoy living in shells.

"I'll take you as close to the nymphs as I dare, so you don't have as far to go before reaching the tree. Are you okay in there?"

"Fine," you say.

"Okay, no more talking from here on out. Here we go."

The goddess lifts into the air and then sets you down in the tall blades of grass and gigantic leaves. You wait there while she returns to the sky with her pearl. The light around you shifts and the landscape changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a huge clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. Its roots are gnarly and twisted and at least a foot or two above the ground in places. This, to you, seems like the size of a house. Nestled in between these roots are the giant nymphs. Their colorful gown billow in the wind like parachutes.

You waste no more time as you run, at your top speed, through the tall blades of grass toward the trunk of the tree. The sounds you make as you push through crunchy dead leaves seems loud to you, but, so far, the nymphs have not awakened. Their snores sound like a distant train.

When you reach the trunk, you begin to climb. The bark juts out, making it easy to grab with your hands and to push with your feet. Sometimes the shell slips over your face, but you eventually stop repositioning it, because you find that you do not need to see to climb. The feel of the bark guides you.

Some pieces of bark are sturdier than others, so you learn to tug and push on each piece before giving it your full weight. You feel like you are making good time, having developed an easy system, but when you next move the shell from your eyes to check on your progress, you see that you've only climbed a few feet and have at least ten more to go.

You keep at it, determined to succeed, until your hand reaches for bark and, instead, you feel a slimy scale. You freeze, realizing you have just touched the body of the one-hundred-headed serpent.

You hold still for a long time, listening. You continue to hear snores, even from above. You did not awaken the beast. You sigh with relief as you adjust the shell on your head, so you can see, and you avoid the serpent's body as you climb.

You are overjoyed when you finally spot a golden apple hanging from the lowest branch. You gradually make your way up to the branch, and then it's easy to walk across it like you would a wide bridge. However, you soon notice one of Ladon's heads lying on the branch between you and the apple.

You turn around and search for another branch and a different apple. You see one up a little higher, so you climb to that branch. However, you don't get far when you see the same problem as before: one of Ladon's head lies between you and the apple.

You begin to realize that a beast with a hundred heads probably has multiple heads on every branch, and it will likely be impossible to find a path to an apple that won't be blocked by one of them. You could search every branch, which would take a long time and would risk the garden being discovered by other mortals; or, you could try to very quietly climb over one of Ladon's heads.

After thinking about your options for another minute, you [choose one]

attempt to climb over one of Ladon's sleeping heads .

continue to search for a clear path to an apple .

* * *

Ladon's head is huge. Unlike regular snakes, this dragon-like serpent has eyelids that cover his enormous eyes. As you creep closer, you notice that the lids are somewhat transparent, and you can see the eyeball underneath. This makes you shudder as you continue to creep toward the snoring head.

As gingerly as you can, you climb up the side of the beast's head—slowly, stealthily, imagining yourself a skilled ninja. You sigh with relief when you make it past the eye and are on the back side. You make a run for it along the neck seeing the branch and the dangling apple just on the other side. But before you reach the branch, something slaps at you and tugs you back.

The shell comes off, exposing you. As something slaps toward you again, you realize it's Ladon's tongue. It wraps around you and delivers you to the giant mouth. When you can, you draw Athena's sword and slice through the slippery tongue. As the serpent wails in pain, you rush from its mouth but are then thrown by his writing head from the branch.

You are relieved when you land on another branch, where an apple is dangling just below your feet. Quickly, you cut the apple free with Athena's sword and it falls to the ground below, a few feet away from where the nymphs are just now waking up, due to Ladon's shrieks.

You are grateful when you see the nymphs scatter from the tree, apparently afraid of Ladon. In the next instant, you are back to your normal size. You jump toward the round, but Ladon uses one of his mouths to grab you by the foot, and now you're dangling like and apple from the tree.

Your hand, however, can reach the apple on the ground, and once you grab it, a bright light, along with a pressure, envelops you, and, when you open your eyes, you find yourself sitting beside Amphitrite in the chariots. Your ankle is bleeding, but Amphitrite heals you in seconds.

"That was close," she says. "I'm so glad you made it."

You can barely breathe, much less speak, so you simply nod and smile.

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

You climb further up the tree and try another branch. You feel optimistic, seeing no sign of one of the beast's heads, until you do. As you near it, you notice that the lid of his eye is thin and somewhat transparent, and you can see his humongous eye rolling around beneath it.

You turn around and climb further up. Estimating that at least a half-hour has passed since Amphitrite set you in the blades of grass, you try to move quickly. However, every new branch you try is blocked by one of the heads of the sleeping giant.

You climb up further—so high, that you can now see Amphitrite floating above you, holding her magic pearl in the sunlight. She sees you, too, but has an anxious look on her face. You turn around to see one of Ladon's heads staring up at you from a lower branch.

You freeze, hoping the beast doesn't like to eat hermit crabs. Your hopes are quickly dashed when his tongue slaps at your shell, sticking to it, and pulls it free of you. Now you are exposed.

When he sees you, Ladon hisses. You draw Athena's sword, but, compared to the giant before you, it may as well be a toothpick. Just as Ladon opens his wide mouth and lunges toward you, a bright light, along with a pressure, envelops you, and, when you open your eyes, you are seated in the chariot beside Amphitrite.

"I'm sorry, dearie," she says gently. "You were so brave to try."

"Can we come up with a new plan?" you ask.

"Ladon will be on his guard for quite some time," she says. "I think the best plan now is to take you home."

"But..." your eyes fill with tears and your throat chokes up.

"Don't be sad," she says as she squeezes your hand. "I promise to visit you every chance I get."

She commands the horses into the air. You look around at the clear blue sky and the sparkling sea below, wondering if this will be your final chariot ride. Maybe, if the goddess visits you, she will take you for rides and allow you to visit her underwater castle.

You arrive to the field of flowers and babbling brook, where your adventures with the gods first began. Amphitrite sits near the water and invites you to sit beside her. She spends another hour with you, showing you the beauty of the deeper parts of the river that feeds into the little brook. Then she gives you a sweet and passionate goodbye that leaves you feeling content for the moment. You hope she'll keep her promise to visit you again soon. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

Part Three: Aphrodite and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Aphrodite says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Poseidon? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the sea replies.

Aphrodite squeezes your hand before taking her seat on her throne. You follow to stand by her side.

"Allow me to first present you to Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage," Poseidon says to you. "They are the king and queen of the Olympians."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Poseidon says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three, wondering how Persephone beat you here.

"To their right and Aphrodite's left is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"Of course, you already know Aphrodite."

The two of you exchange smiles.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared.

"This is my older brother Hades," Poseidon says. "The lord of the Underworld."

You bow more deeply.

"You've also met Hephaestus."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you, and you bow in return.

"Beside him and to my left is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Poseidon continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To my right is Hermes, whom you've met."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And last, but certainly not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Aphrodite, who only shrugs.

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Aphrodite turns to you. "Ready to go?"

You aren't ready for the challenge, but you are ready to be alone with your love. The skepticism in the expressions of the other gods does not go unnoticed by you as you follow Aphrodite from the temple.

Once you are in the gold-paved courtyard, you fly together past the fountain and into the garage, where the chariot is waiting. You climb inside, keeping ahold of your true love's hand.

"So, where is this garden, anyway?" you ask once you're flying in the early dawn sky.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Never fear, my lovely. I've already thought of a way to help you. You'll see."

You laugh at her unintended pun, and, although this reassures you somewhat, you still feel the details of this challenge are vague. "Why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"The three daughters of Atlas are called the Hesperides, because they sleep all day and sing in the evening. In Greek, 'evening' is 'hespero.'"

"And the three daughters of Atlas  live in the garden?"

"Exactly. They, along with Ladon, a one-hundred-headed serpent, guard the tee for Hera."

You throw your head back and laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"No, my lovely. I'm not."

She directs the chariot toward land and brings it to a stop beneath a cluster of palm trees, near a beautiful fountain, some benches, and a pea gravel path.

"You're right. I  can see the garden," you say.

"All mortals can. It's the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh. Hera's garden is nearby."

"How in the world do I have any hope of getting past a one-hundred-headed serpent?" you ask, feeling like this is probably the end of the line for you.

"I have a plan," she says. "But before I tell you about it, how would you like to sneak off into those pine trees for a little alone time?"

Nothing sounds better to you. You smile with joy and anticipation as she takes your hand and flies with you just below the treetops down a path lined with pine trees. Then she lays down with you on a bed of leaves and makes you feel things you've never felt before.

Later, while walking hand-in-hand with leaves in your hair and the morning sun warming your face, you say, "Thank you for spending time with me. I don't remember ever feeling this happy."

She squeezes your hand. "It's been my pleasure, my lovely. I'm so glad you were looking at  me when my son shot you with his arrow."

"Me, too," you say. "But what if I fail this challenge—or worse, die trying? These might be our last moments together."

"I'll do what I can to protect your life," she says. "And if you don't succeed, I promise to visit you as often as I can."

This comforts you. "So, what's your plan? How will I get past three nymphs and a one-hundred-headed beast?"

She stops and holds out her arms, where a silver robe appears. "This is a traveling robe. It allows the mortal who wears it to travel like a god."

"Are you talking about the instant travel from one place to another, with the pressure and the bright light?"

"Yes, exactly."

She helps you into it. It's as light as a feather.

"How does it work?" you ask.

"Don't try what I'm about to tell you until I've explained everything," she says. "This can be very dangerous if not done properly."

You don't like the sound of that. "Dangerous? How?"

"If you lose your focus, you could end up traveling inside a massive rock, or some other solid object, where you'd be instantly crushed and killed."

"Oh." Your hands twitch nervously. "Tell me how to avoid that."

"First, you need to imagine the very spot you are trying to go to. So, you see, it's only possible for a god to travel this way when the destination is familiar. Otherwise, we fly or use chariots."

"Why use chariots if you can fly?" you ask.

"For safety purposes. A god is less vulnerable to attack by another deity while in a chariot."

"I see."

"Once you can see your destination with your mind's eye, and once your mind is clear of all other thoughts, then close your eyes, and the robe will take over from there," she says.

"Okay," you say. "But how will I see my destination, if it's invisible to mortal eyes?"

Aphrodite holds out her hand, where a pair of opera glasses appear. "These glasses will help you to see through the magical shroud that surrounds Hera's garden.

You can already see a problem. If you're holding the opera glasses to your eyes with one hand, that will leave only one to grab an apple or draw a sword. You won't be able to do both.

"Let's practice god travel several times," she says, "so you can be well-practiced before you attempt it in Hera's garden."

"Okay," you say.

"Start by going someplace close, like that bench we passed, and hold my hand and take me with you."

You look back down the path, in the direction you came. You see the wooden bench, not far from the chariot. You grip Aphrodite's hand and close your eyes.

A bright light envelops you, along with a pressure. You feel your feet leave the ground and return to it. When you open your eyes, you and Aphrodite are standing next to the bench.

Your mouth drops open. "I did it! I didn't think it would be that easy!"

"Wonderful job, my lovely, but let's keep practicing. Take me back to the chariot."

You look past the fountain at the chariot parked beneath the palms. Then you close your eyes. As the bright light and the now-familiar pressure envelops you, you remember the first time you ever rode a horse. Your feet leave the ground and return to it. When you open your eyes, you expect to be standing in the chariot, but, instead, you are at the place where you first rode a horse. It's dusk there, on the other side of the world.

Aphrodite arches a brow at you. "Not so easy after all, huh?"

"I was thinking about the first time I ever rode a horse."

"You must clear your mind of all thoughts for this to work," she says. "Now, focus on the chariot in the garden, and only that. Got it?"

But then you recall the first time a teacher scolded you for getting an answer wrong.

"Wait," you say. "My mind's not clear."

"It's good that you caught it this time. Take a moment to concentrate."

You focus on the chariot. You picture the size and shape and texture of it. You see it in its current surroundings. Feeling ready, you close your eyes. The light and the pressure smother you as your feet leave the ground. Then you land on hard ground and open your eyes.

"It worked!" you cry, relieved, when you and Aphrodite are standing in the chariot.

You practice several more times in the garden before Aphrodite believes you are ready.

"This is what you should do," she begins. "After I get you close enough to see the Hesperides and the apple tree, I want you to look for the lowest hanging apple. Then, once you've cleared your mind, god-travel directly beneath it and pluck it from the tree. As soon as you have it in your hand, travel back to the chariot. Okay? Do you think you can do that?"

You nod.

"Then come with me."

She takes your hand and flies with you down the path lined with pines. Once you're back on your feet, you hold the opera glasses up to your eyes, and the landscape changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

From the base of the trunk, you scan up to the branches, where you see many golden apples. But where is Ladon? You look more carefully, and eventually you see his green scaly skin draping on the branches between the leaves. He is much larger that you imagined. Your knees begin to feel weak, and your fingers tremble as you continue to hold the opera glasses to your eyes.

Now you search for the lowest hanging fruit, and you see it hanging near the trunk of the tree to the right of where the nymphs are sleeping. You focus on the ground beneath the apple and clear your mind of other thoughts. You wish you could hold Aphrodite's hand and take her with you, but you know you must do this part alone. These thoughts make you realize that you aren't focused. You take several deep breaths and slowly release them, trying to clear your mind. Then you close your eyes, and the light and the pressure fold over you. Your feet lift from the ground and land again. When you open your eyes, you are right beneath the apple.

You hold your breath, terrified of waking the sleeping figures lying a few meters from you, or, worse, the sleeping giant hanging on the branches above you. But, when you reach up for the fruit, you find it is about two feet out of reach, even if you stand on your toes.

Without moving or breathing, you glance around the back of the tree, hoping to see a lower hanging fruit, but you don't. This one is your best shot. So, you, [choose one]

unsheathe Athena's sword and cut the apple from the branch .

jump for it .

* * *

You barely touch Athena's sword to the stem of the apple, and the apple falls to your feet. But as you sheathe the sword, you hear the great beast above you move. Without looking up, you grab the apple just as one of Ladon's heads lunges at you.

You feel a sharp pain on your hand, but you don't let go of the apple as a bright light, along with a pressure, wraps around you. When you open your eyes, you find yourself beside Aphrodite in the chariot.

"But how did I..."

"I may have helped you out of there," she says. "But you got the apple. You did it, my lovely! Let's go!"

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

When you miss the apple, you jump again and again. On your fourth try, you reach it and pluck it down. But, by that time, the giant beast has awakened and at least of dozen of his two-hundred eyes are glaring down at you.

You close your eyes and imagine the chariot parked beneath the cluster of palms. The bright light envelops you, along with the pressure, and, when you open your eyes, you find yourself in the chariot.

Aphrodite immediately appears beside you. She wraps her arms around your neck and says, "Wonderfully done, my lovely! I'm so happy for you."

You kiss her ear and whisper your thanks.

As the chariot takes off into the morning sky, you cling to the apple with one hand and to your heart's true love with the other, full of hope and confidence.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Hephaestus and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hephaestus says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Poseidon? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the sea replies.

Hephaestus squeezes your hand before taking his seat on his throne. You follow to stand by his side.

"Allow me to first present you to Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage," Poseidon says to you. "They are the king and queen of the Olympians."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Poseidon says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits between the other two, who remain standing.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"You've already met Aphrodite."

The two of you exchange bows.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"You recall my older brother Hades," Poseidon says.

You bow more deeply.

"And you know Hephaestus, of course."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you, and you beam back at him.

"Beside him and to my left is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Poseidon continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To my right is Hermes, whom you've met."

He gives you a friendly nod, and you bow in return.

"And last, but certainly not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Hephaestus, who says, "It's your choice."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Hephaestus turns to you. "Before we go, there's something I need to do in my forge. Will you join me?"

"Absolutely," you say.

You follow him from the main hall through the door behind his throne and into the workshop, where he made you your set of armor.

"I'm going to make a special bench," he says. "It will be a trick chair, like one I made centuries ago."

"What's a trick chair?" you ask.

"Well, first I should explain that, right after I was born, my mother, Hera, tossed me down from Mount Olympus."

You gasp. "Why would she do such a thing?"

"She claims that she thought I wasn't her son—that someone had tricked her. She didn't think I was beautiful enough to be a real god."

"How cruel," you say.

"I think it was this slight hunch," he says, pointing to his neck. "The fall broke my leg, and although I've healed from many worse injuries since, for some unknown reason, my leg remained weakened, and I walk with a limp."

"It's not very noticeable."

He smiles at you. "Thanks, love. So, anyway, when I grew up and learned what my mother had done, I built her a golden chair and asked my half-brother, Dionysus, to deliver it to her for me. She was pleased. I had even engraved her favorite birds into the sides and back."

"It sounds beautiful. Does she still have it?"

"I don't know where it is. She eventually tossed it from Mount Olympus, just as she had me."

"But, why?"

"Because, when she sat in it, she couldn't get up. That's why it's a trick chair. It imprisons whoever sits on it. The only way to get her free was with the key, which I'd kept for myself."

"Clever," you say. "So how did she ever get out of it?"

"Dionysus returned to tell me that our father, Zeus, had grown desperate to get Hera released and had offered Aphrodite as a bride to any god who could free her."

"That's why you married Aphrodite?" you ask.

"It was a mistake. A loveless marriage makes everyone miserable. But, yes. And now, I'm going to replicate that chair as a bench for the Hesperides."

"Who are they?" you ask as he gets to work.

"The daughters of Atlas. They're called the Hesperides because they sleep all day and sing in the evening. Evening is pronounced "hespero' in Greek."

"And we need to trick them into sitting on this bench because..."

"They guard Hera's apple tree."

"Brilliant!" you say, clapping your hands. "You're making this challenge easy for me."

"Not exactly," he says, as he continues his work. "You see, there's someone else guarding the tree. In fact, he lives in the branches. His name is Ladon, and he's a one-hundred-headed serpent."

You lift your chin and laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"No, love."

"Are you going to make a trick chair for him, too? Because, otherwise, how on earth will I get an apple from the tree?"

"That's where this spear will come in," he says, as he continues to work.

"A spear?"

"I'll teach you how to throw it. The trick will be hitting Ladon's one heart. If you pierce him anywhere else, it won't kill him. He won't stay dead, of course, because he's immortal, but he'll be incapacitated long enough for you to grab an apple and go."

As you realize that the success of this challenge rides on your ability to pierce the heart of a one-hundred-headed beast, you begin to feel terrified.

"What if I miss?" you ask.

"Then I'll sweep you away from the garden and return you home safely," he says.

You frown. You'd rather die than live without ever seeing Hephaestus again.

The god of the forge works in silence for another twenty minutes before revealing the trick bench and spear to you.

"They're so beautiful!" you say.

"Thank you, love," he says with a smile. "Ready to go, then?"

"Yes," you say, even though you aren't.

You follow him to his horseless chariot. He loads the trick chair and spear into the back and straps them down before climbing into the seat beside you.

"So, where is this garden, anyway?" you ask once you're flying in the early dawn sky.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Never fear, love. I've already thought of a way to help you."

He directs the chariot toward land and brings it to a stop beneath a cluster of palm trees, near a beautiful fountain, some benches, and a pea gravel path.

"You're right. I  can  see the garden," you say.

"All mortals can. It's the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh. Hera's garden is nearby."

"Oh," you say.

"This way," he says, as he helps you from the chariot.

As you follow him down the pea gravel path, you ask, "What about the chair and spear?"

"I'll conjure them once we're closer."

"Right," you say.

The pea gravel ends, and soon you are following the god down a path covered in leaves and lined by tall pines. As he walks, he holds out his hand, where the spear appears.

"I want to show you how to throw this and how to increase your chances of hitting Ladon's heart."

"Great," you say, your lack of confidence showing.

"Don't be intimidated by all his heads," Hephaestus says.

"That may be easier said than done," you say.

"They are attached to long, winding necks, but those necks all meet at one juncture, and that juncture is where you'll find his heart."

That makes you feel a little better. It shouldn't be too hard to find the place where one hundred necks come together.

"First, you need to know how to hold the spear, okay?" he asks.

You nod.

"You want to hold it at the balance point. Lookie here." Hephaestus holds the spear on one finger along various places to show you the point where the spear remains balanced. "I created the balance point a little further back, to help you throw it further with less force. As you see, it's just up from the center of the spear. With most spears, you have to hold them close to the head. Then you can't throw them as far. Are you following me?"

"Yes," you say. "I need to hold the spear there."

"Good," he says. "Next, you'll want to hold it like you would an oversized fountain pen. Like this. See?"

He hands it to you, and you do as he says.

He adjusts it. "But let it lie flat in your hand."

"Like this?" you ask.

"Very good," he says. "Then you'll put the foot opposite to your throwing hand forward."

You do as he says.

"Point your non-throwing arm out in front of you and aim it at your target. Aim for that pine tree there."

"Like this?"

"Good," he says. "Now when you bring your throwing hand back, bend your elbow as you bring your arm back. Your hand should go right by your ear."

You pull back the arm holding the spear.

"Good," Hephaestus says. "Once the spear is parallel to the ground, shift your wait back and then thrust forward, like this."

Hephaestus models the example without holding a spear.

"And when you release the spear," he adds, "make sure your thumb and index finger are the last points of contact with the shaft of the spear. That will give you more control and better accuracy."

You perform a practice movement without releasing the spear.

"Shift your weight onto your front foot," he says.

You perform the movement again.

"That's it. Now throw the spear at the tree."

You start again with finding the balance point. Then you hold the spear like a pen but flat in your hand. You put the opposite arms and foot forward, aimed at the tree, which is about ten meters away. You bring back your throwing arm, with your elbow down, shifting your weight to the back foot. Then thrust forward, giving a final push with your index finger and thumb as you shift your weight to your front foot.

You are shocked when the spear hits the tree.

"Perfect!" Hephaestus says. "You're a natural."

He retrieves the spear for you. When he hands ot over to you, he says, "I want you to throw the spear exactly like that ten times, to commit the movement to memory. Then, when you're frightened out of your wits, you won't have to think so hard. Just trust your muscles to remember what to do. Got it?"

"Thank you so much," you say, "feeling much more confident."

You practice throwing the spear ten more times. You miss on the tenth try and feel worried again.

"Your throwing arm needs a break," Hephaestus says. "That's all it is, love. You threw straight, just not hard enough. Rest a bit before you face Ladon."

You take a deep breath and rub your throwing arm.

Hephaestus holds out his hand, where a pair of goggles appear.

"These goggles are made with a special lens that allows light to penetrate through the magical shroud hiding the garden from mortal eyes. They will enable you to see it perfectly."

He hands you the goggles.

"Should I put them on now?" you ask.

"Go ahead. We still have another hundred meters to walk before we reach it, but this way, you'll see the garden as we're approaching it."

You put them on. Everything looks the same, and you worry they don't work on you. Maybe there's something wrong with your eyes.

After you've walked what feels like the length of a football field, Hephaestus stops and conjures the trick bench before continuing forward. He carried the heavy bench as though it's a house cat.

"I'm going to put the spear back on the chariot," he says, "so we don't alarm the nymphs. I'll conjure it for you after the Hesperides are trapped."

The spear disappears from your hand.

You are about to tell Hephaestus that you don't think the goggles are working when suddenly the garden comes into view. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

From the base of the trunk, you scan up to the branches, where you see many golden apples. But where is Ladon? You look more carefully, and eventually you see his green scaly skin draping on the branches between the leaves. He is much larger that you imagined. Your knees begin to feel weak as you desperately look for the place where the hundred necks come together. You begin to panic.

As if he's read your mind, Hephaestus whispers, "The serpent's necks meet at the top of the trunk, where the branches also meet. That's where you'll find his heart."

Hephaestus stops when you are about ten meters from the tree.

"I'll hide behind those orange trees," he whispers. "Be sure they all sit down at the same time, otherwise, the ones not sitting will learn it's a trick."

Hephaestus disappears. You are scared to death but determined to succeed.

"Daughters of Atlas!" you shout. "I have a gift for you! I heard that you are stuck guarding this tree night and day and thought you might like a bench to sit on. Hephaestus made it. It's quite beautiful."

As you're talking, the nymphs sit up with sleepy looks of bewilderment on their faces. The one in the center jumps to her feet, as her sisters yawn.

"A gift? Why would  you give us a gift?" she asks suspiciously. "You don't even know us, mortal? We know not you."

You flounder and stutter before a good idea finally comes. "It's actually from Hera. She sent me here on her behalf to give this to you for your years of good service."

"Oh! How wonderful!" one of the other sisters cries as she runs toward the bench.

You realize she's about to try it out, so you step in front of it and say, "Hold on. It's not fair that one of you should get to try it out before anyone else."

"Good point," the sister farthest from you says. "We should draw lots."

Your heart nearly skips a beat. "Or," you say, trying to come up with a better idea. "Or, you could save time and sit down on it all at once."

"That's a good idea," the middle sister says. Then to the one furthest away, she cries, "Come on, Aigle! Hurry up!"

You sigh with relief when all three sisters sit down at the same time.

"It's very comfortable," the one called Aigle says.

You step away from them, so they can't reach out and grab you when they discover the truth. At that moment, the spear appears on the ground at your feet. You find the balance point again as the nymphs are still taking pleasure in the craftmanship of the bench. When you get in position and pull back the spear, they notice what you are up to and cry out. You launch the spear just as all one hundred heads lunge toward you from the tree.

You're amazed when the spear hits the exact spot where the necks of the beast merge. Blood spills from the spot, and the snake wails and shrieks. The Hesperides scream when they realize they are trapped. You rush toward the tree and pluck an apple from the lowest branch.

Just then, a blinding light, along with a pressure, envelops you, and in another moment, you open your eyes to find yourself in the horseless chariot beside Hephaestus.

"You did it!" he cries. "Well done!"

You can barely speak, because you're still trembling from the ordeal, so you smile at him as tears flood your eyes. After you pull yourself together and can finally breathe again, you say, "Thank you."

Hephaestus laughs a hearty laugh as he pushes a lever and lifts the chariot into the sky toward Mount Olympus.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Hermes and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hermes says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Poseidon? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the sea replies.

Hermes squeezes your hand before taking his seat on his throne. You follow to stand by his side.

"Allow me to first present you to Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage," Poseidon says to you. "They are the king and queen of the Olympians."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Poseidon says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with her daughter Persephone and their companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits between the other two, who remain standing.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"You've already met Aphrodite."

The two of you exchange bows.

Near the main entrance, another throne has appeared, and on it sits the god of the Underworld.

"You recall my older brother Hades," Poseidon says.

You bow more deeply.

"And you've met my brother Hephaestus."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you as you bow to him.

"Beside him and to my left is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Poseidon continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To my right is Hermes, whom you know well, I gather."

You and Hermes chuckle.

"And last, but certainly not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says coldly.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Hermes, who winks. "You can do it."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

"This wasn't my idea. Remember that," Hades says before he and his throne disappear.

Hermes turns to you. "Ready to go?"

You follow him from temple but not without noticing the looks of doubt on the faces of the other gods.

Outside of the temple, Hermes takes your hand and, together, you fly over the gold-paved courtyard, past the fountain, to the chariot.

When he takes the reins, Hermes says to you, "We need to make a pit stop before we go to the garden."

"Okay," you say, glad for more time with your love. "The longer we can put off the challenge, the better, as far as I'm concerned."

Hermes lifts his chin and laugh heartily, which makes him all the more breathtaking to you.

"To Circe's Island," he says to the horses.

"Are you going to tell me what it is you need from Circe's Island? We're not going there for an eye, I hope."

Hermes guffaws. "No, beautiful. Not an eye. A brew and a plant."

"Those sound much easier to obtain than an eye, especially an eye still being used by a Cyclops."

Hermes laughs again. "You're a fun one, aren't you? I'm really enjoying your company."

"Well, I'd say the same, but you already know it."

"Indeed," he says, still smiling. "And that adds to my enjoyment. I would think most people take pleasure in being around those who love and admire them."

You cock your head to the side. "Unless that person is creepy and stalkerish.  I'm not those things, am I?"

"Not at all." He gives you a once-over that sends little goosebumps of delight up and down your skin.

You make a mental note to be sure not to become creepy and stalkerish, as the chariot begins its descent toward an island in the middle of the Ionian Sea.

You realize for the first time that dawn has arrived, and you're surprised by how difficult it is to gauge the passing of time in the company of immortals.

Once the chariot lands, Hermes turns to you and says, "The plant won't be too difficult to steal, but the brew is a different story."

"Okay," you say, waiting to hear more.

"I'd have you wait here, but, since this challenge is supposed to be testing you and not me, I think you better come with me, so we don't get any complaints."

"That sounds fair," you say.

"Follow me." He climbs from the chariot, and you do the same.

You head toward the center of the island, where you are soon consumed by a thick forest.

Hermes leads you up a steep hill protruding from the woods with a bald peak. From this point, you can see the entire island. At its center is a modern-shaped house made of shimmering stone and sparkling glass with a triangular chimney, from which transparent smoke ascends in puffs, like the steam from an engine.

"That's strange," you say. "I've never seen clear smoke before."

"Circe's potions and herbs," Hermes explains. "Wretched stuff. Try not to breathe it in."

You pull the neck of your shirt over your mouth but doubt you have much control over the air you breathe.

"The plant should be somewhere on this hilltop," Hermes says. "It will serve as the antidote for the brew."

"And we need this because..."

"Hera's golden apple tree is guarded by the three daughters of Atlas and a one-hundred-headed serpent named Ladon."

You lift your brows in surprise.

"The plan is to trick them into drinking Circe's brew—the one she uses to turn men into pigs."

"Huh?"

"Trust me. It's a gory story."

"I'm listening," you say, not dissuaded by gore.

"Circe is lonely and uses black magic to lure unsuspecting sailors to this island. If she likes them, and they like her, she sleeps with them, until one grows tired of the other—in which case, she does what she does when she doesn't like them."

"Which is to turn them into pigs?"

He nods. "And worse, she eats them."

You make a face, showing how repulsed you feel.

Hermes continues, "I want to steal her brew, so you can trick the nymphs and the serpent into drinking it. Once they become pigs, you can offer them the antidote in exchange for an apple."

"Brilliant!" you say, feeling more hopeful. You're excited by the idea that you might succeed in this challenge after all.

"What does this plant look like?" you ask.

"Ah, here it is." Hermes plucks a white flower from the ground. "Moly."

From its black roots, clumps of dirt cling.

"It's a powerful herb and doesn't come up easily," Hermes adds. "Only gods can pluck it. See how the dirt refuses to release it?"

"Fascinating," you say.

Hermes uses his fingers to carefully clean the dirt from the root. Then you follow him down the hill toward the center of the island and the poisonous puffs of smoke.

Soon you reach a clearing not far from Circe's house. Surrounding the house are six wolves and six mountain lions. Three of them sleep, but the rest pace nervously, like caged animals, though no fence pens them in.

"Don't worry," Hermes whispers. "The animals are friendly."

"They're wolves and mountain lions. I didn't think those could be domesticated."

"The witch has used her magic to turn them into pets."

"I guess that solves  one problem," you say. "But how are we going to steal the brew?"

Hermes frowns. "This is where things get tricky. Even if I change the way I look, she'll know I'm a god. But  you..."

Your heartrate increases by several beats per second. "What about me?"

"I'll transform you into a burly sailor-type—just the kind she likes."

"Huh?"

"She'll invite you in and try to seduce you."

"Wait a minute..."

"Hear me out, beautiful."

You take a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I'm listening."

"When you refuse her advances, she'll offer you some of her brew."

"But..."

" Don't  eat it. Thank her and make like you're going to eat it. Then I, who am the fastest god alive, will sweep in and grab you and the brew and take you back to the chariot before she can so much as blink."

You rub your mouth, trying to process what seems like a crazy and dangerous plan. However, you suppose it's less dangerous than facing a one-hundred-headed beast.

"Okay," you say. "Let's do it."

Hermes smiles gayly and pecks you on the cheek. "This will be fun."

"Somehow, I doubt that," you murmur, which makes Hermes chuckle. "She sounds so creepy. I mean, why would a goddess choose to live like this?"

"Her father, Helios the sun god, dropped her on this island when she was very young and left her here to fend for herself. Her mother didn't want her, either. So, this is what she came up with."

You feel sorry for her.

"Ready to become a big, burly sailor?" Hermes asks with a gleam in his eyes.

"You almost sound as though you prefer them, too," you tease.

Hermes throws back his head and belts out his loudest laugh yet. You fear he's alerted the witch.

He's about to transform you when you ask, "Wouldn't it be better just to ask her for the brew?"

"And if she doesn't agree to give it to you?"

"Come up with another plan?" you say.

"You're talking to the god of tricksters," Hermes reminds you. "But this is  your challenge, so you decide."

You suck in your lips and consider your options. Then you say [choose one],

" I'd rather just ask for the brew ."

" Let's stick with your plan, Hermes ."

* * *

You continue toward the house, alone, feeling apprehensive but determined to succeed. When the wolves and mountain lions notice you, they climb to their feet and run toward you. You freeze, afraid that Hermes's was wrong about them being pets. Not sure whether you should fight, flee, or continue in your frozen state, you wait until it's too late to decide. However, relief sweeps over you when the animals lick your hands with affection. The cats curl around you, like common house cats. The wolves wag their tails with their tongues hanging from their mouths.

"Hello," you say as you pet each one. "It's nice to meet you. Can you take me to your house?"

The animals follow you in a pack as you continue to the front door of the house.

Circe opens the door before you knock. You are stunned by her bright golden hair, which falls in tight ropes down her shoulders and arms. Her golden eyes are the same color gold as her hair, and they emit a soft light, like a bedside lamp. Her ruby lips, by contrast, are dark, like the color of blood.

"Who are you?" she asks.

"Poseidon found me sleeping by a brook and brought me to meet some of the gods. Then Cupid struck my heart while I was gazing at Hermes. I'm hopelessly in love with him."

"So? What is this to me?"

"Athena offered me the chance to become immortal, so I could be with Hermes. She asked me to prove myself. I have to get one of Hera's golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides and deliver it to Mount Olympus."

"You still haven't explained what this has to do with me."

"I've come to ask if I could borrow your special brew that turns men into pigs," you say. "Please, your highness. I would be forever grateful."

"Why are you calling me your highness? I'm not a queen."

"You're a goddess. I'm not sure what to call a goddess."

She gives you a once over. "I'll give you some of my brew under two conditions."

You take a deep breath, fearing you won't be able to meet them. "I'm listening."

"First, you must never tell another living person about the brew. It vexes me that Hermes shared my secret with you in the first place."

"You have my word," you say.

"Second, if you succeed and become an immortal, you must agree to visit me from time to time, to bring me news from Mount Olympus."

You smile and give a little hop. "I promise! I swear on the River Styx."

"Fine. Wait here." She leaves you at the door with the animals and returns a few seconds later with a bowl of what looks and smells like delicious soup. As she hands it to you, she says, "A word of advice: Don't be too eager to throw that oath around, mortal. It's eternally binding."

She slams the door in your face before you can ask her if she wants you to return the bowl.

Then a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure. When you open your eyes, you're sitting beside Hermes in the chariot.

"Nicely done," he says to you before he sniffs the brew. "Now, let's hope she's given you the right stuff."

Your stomach does a flipflop. "You think she's deceiving me?"

"I don't know," he says. "She gave it up a little too easily. Makes me suspect she's got something else up her sleeve."

"What if the daughters of Atlas and Ladon don't turn into pigs?" you ask.

"Well, we could test it out on you, first."

Your mouth drops open. "Seriously? Are you sure that plant will turn me back?"

"Pretty sure," Hermes says. "About eighty percent sure."

You laugh. "Are serious? There's a twenty percent chance I could remain a pig?"

"I'd get you back to yourself, one way or another...eventually."

The two of you laugh a hard and deep belly laugh. It's so scary that it's funny.

Once you regain your composure, you say, "Do you really think we should test it on me?"

"Nah. I was just teasing you, beautiful. For all we know, it could do worse than turn you into a pig. It could kill you."

You hadn't thought of that.

"No, there's only one way to find out if it's the right brew," Hermes says, as he takes the reins. "Ready?"

You nod.

"To the garden of the Hesperides!" Hermes commands the horses.

The chariot plunges into the bright morning sky and sails over the sea.

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Never fear, beautiful. I've already thought of a way to help you. You'll see—pun intended!"

He busts out laughing, and you giggle, despite how nervous you feel.

Moments later, the chariot lands beneath a cluster of palms near a fountain and a pea gravel path.

"So, what's the plan?" you ask. "How will you help me to see this invisible garden?"

Hermes pulls something round out of thin air. "Behold: the eye of Polyphemus."

"What? How did you get that?"

"It's a long story, beautiful. You only need to know that, when I direct the rays of Helios, the sun god, with this eye onto the garden, it will become visible to mortal eyes."

"What if other mortals see it?"

"This garden doesn't open to the public for at least another hour. No worries."

You follow him from the chariot, carrying the bowl of the witch's brew. The pea gravel path turns into one of dead leaves, and it's bordered on each side by tall pines.

"What should I do if the brew doesn't work?" you ask Hermes.

"If it kills them, grab an apple and run. If it does nothing, ask them if they like it. If they say yes, then see if they'll trade you an apple for the rest of it."

You nod. "Okay. I doubt they would, but I guess it's worth a try."

"At that point, you could try attacking with Athena's sword, but I don't recommend it, since you'll be outnumbered."

You want to tell him that you'd rather die trying than live without him, but you fear it will sound creepy and stalkerish.

"Are you ready to give this thing a try?" he asks.

"Are we there?"

"Nearly. I can speed things up and fly us the rest of the way."

"Okay."

He takes you in his arms, holding you like a baby, so you can hold the brew in your lap to prevent it from spilling. A moment later, he sets you down on the leaves, puts a finger to his lips, and vanishes.

Suddenly the landscape changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

From the base of the trunk, you scan up to the branches, where you see many golden apples. But where is Ladon? You look more carefully, and eventually you see his green scaly skin draping on the branches between the leaves. He is much larger that you imagined. Your knees begin to feel weak as you step forward with your bowl of brew.

Not sure whether you should wake them, you gaze up at Hermes, hovering over the apple tree. He gives you a wink and a nod, so you move a little closer, clear your throat, and say, "Excuse me."

One of the daughters of Atlas sits up and glares at you. The other two stretch and yawn.

"Is it evening yet?" one of them asks sleepily.

"We have company," the one glaring at you says. Then to you, she says, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"I've brought you some delicious soup," you say.

"Why?" the nymph demands. "You don't know us, and we don't know you. Is it poisoned?"

You can feel your face turn red. "No. Of course, not. It's, um, a gift from Hera, to thank you for guarding her tree."

"I doubt that," one of the other nymphs says. "I'd like to see you try it first."

You glance up at Hermes, who shakes his head vigorously, but you are desperate to succeed, so you say, "Okay."

You put your lips to the bowl, and then, quickly, in case you're about to become a pig, you carry the bowl forward and say, "Your turn. Try it. It's delicious."

The nymphs eagerly drink the brew, making sounds of delight.

"We never eat anything but fruits, seeds, and berries," one of them says.

"Unless you count the occasional traveler," another adds.

As disgusted as you are by that comment, you say, "Let's save some for Ladon. Hera wanted him to have some, too."

At that moment, several of the serpent's heads lift from the branches and gaze down at you. You try not to tremble as you hold the bowl over your head. "Would you like some?"

You close your eyes, fearing that it's you he will eat rather than the brew, but when you hear lapping sounds, relief sweeps over you.

"It sounds like you like it," you say.

But in the next moment, your surroundings seem to spin, as if you're on a carnival ride. You drop to the ground, and Circe's empty bowl lands beside you. When you try to get up, you can't. And then you seed your hands have become hooves. You have become a pig!

You squeal and run around, and four other pigs run with you. Then you remember the Moly plant you had in your pocket. Did it disappear with your clothes? You look around on the ground by the empty bowl. When you see the white petals, you eat one.

"You have to eat the root," Hermes shouts from above.

You gnaw off a little piece. Unlike the flower, the root tastes horrible, reminding you of the smell of tar. You try to keep it down, wondering how long it will take to work—if it works at all. You pray to the gods it will.

Meanwhile, the four other pigs, who have heard Hermes, have crowded around you, trying to get at the root, you run with it in your mouth until the world spins, and you're back in your human form.

"Grab an apple!" Hermes shouts.

You find the lowest hanging fruit and pluck it from the tree. Then you turn to the four little pigs and say, "I'm so sorry that I had to trick you, but this root is the antidote. Please share it."

You toss the root to the ground as a bright light, along with a pressure, envelops you. When you open your eyes, you are sitting beside Hermes in the chariot.

"Way to go!" he says, just before he kisses you.

The he quickly pulls away. "Ugh! That Moly has left a terrible taste in your mouth."

You bust out laughing, and so does he.

Then he takes the reins and shouts, "To Mount Olympus!"

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Hermes raises his hands. You feel the world around you spinning as a tingling sensation crawls over every inch of your skin. When both sensations stop, you look at your arms and feel your face.

"You're a huge, strapping young lad," Hermes says. "Now go down there and win the witch's heart."

"Can I have a kiss for good luck?" you ask in a much deeper voice than you're used to having.

Hermes laughs. "Sorry, but you aren't my type. Let's save it for the moment you've returned with the brew."

You giggle and are unnerved by the sound of it. "Deal."

You hope you appear more confident than you feel as you stroll toward the house in the distance. The animals soon notice you and take off toward you, like a stampede. Fearing Hermes was wrong about them, you freeze but are soon relieved when they lick your hands affectionately. The mountain lions curl themselves around your legs, and the wolves wag their tails.

The follow you the rest of the way to the house.

Circe opens the door before you knock. You are stunned by her bright golden hair, which falls in tight ropes down her shoulders and arms. Her golden eyes are the same color gold as her hair, and they emit a soft light, like a bedside lamp. Her ruby lips, by contrast, are dark, like the color of blood.

"Who are you?" she asks.

"I'm sorry to bother you, ma'am," you say. "My boat wrecked, and my buddies drowned. I saw the smoke coming from your chimney and was hoping I could have a drink of water."

She cocks her head to the side. "I see you. What do you really want?"

A feeling of horror overcomes you as you realize she can see through your disguise.

So, you tell her the truth. You tell her about Poseidon's invitation to ride, about Cupid's arrow, about Athena's challenge, and Hermes's plan to steal her brew in order to trick the Hesperides and one-hundred-headed serpent.

"I'm sorry," you finally say. "I should have been honest with you from the beginning."

"You should have. Even if I hadn't seen right through this façade, Hermes would not have been able to rescue you. He must not think very highly of me to think I can be so easily deceived or that he can so easily come inside my house. I have wards of protection that would prevent even Zeus from barging in on me."

"I'm sorry to have offended you," you say, fearing for your life. You take a step back, out of her reach, hoping Hermes will grab you before it's too late.

"Well, truth be told, I've been known to play a trick or two myself."

"Does that mean you'll forgive me?"

"What you really want to know is will I give you some of my brew, isn't it?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Why did you call me your highness?"

"Because you're a goddess. Isn't that what a mortal is supposed to say to a goddess?"

She laughs at you. "Go home mortal. This world is not for you."

Then she shuts the door in your face.

But you haven't gone to so much trouble only to be shot down so quickly. You knock at the door. "Circe! Please! Is there something I can do for you in return?"

The door opens. "Now you're speaking my language. Indeed, there is, mortal."

"I'm listening," you say.

"If you succeed in getting to Hera's apples, I want you to pluck two from the tree—one to take to Hera and another for me."

You fear Hera will be watching and will be angered by this move, but, at this moment, you fear this witch's wrath even more.

"I'll do it," you say. "I swear on the River Styx."

"Wait here."

She slams the door in your face only to return moments later with a bowl of what looks and smells like soup.

"It takes a few minutes to work," she says as she hands the bowl over to you. "But it only takes a sip."

"Thank you," you say. "Thank you very much."

"I'll be waiting for my apple," she says as you walk away.

You haven't gone far when a blinding light, along with a pressure, wraps around you, and, when you open your eyes, you're seated in the chariot beside Hermes. You notice your own arms holding the bowl.

"Things didn't go as planned," you say to him.

"No, but you responded well. I think that alone proves that you're worthy to become immortal." He smiles down at you. "And, I must say, I prefer you this way."

He reaches down and gives you the kiss you've been waiting for.

As Hermes picks up the reins, you ask, "Do you think Hera will kill me when she finds out I've promised an apple to Circe?"

"Let's try our best to keep that to ourselves."

"What if she's watching us?" you ask.

"I think I'd sense her, but I suppose that's a possibility. Ready to roll the dice and see what happens?"

"Let's go."

"To the garden of the Hesperides!" Hermes commands the horses.

The chariot plunges into the bright morning sky and sails over the sea.

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask.

"On the northern tip of Africa. Ever hear of Morocco?"

"Yes, but I've never heard of the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Never fear, beautiful. I've already thought of a way to help you. You'll see—pun intended!"

He busts out laughing, and you giggle, despite how nervous you feel.

Moments later, the chariot lands beneath a cluster of palms near a fountain and a pea gravel path.

"So, what's the plan?" you ask. "How will you help me to see this invisible garden?"

Hermes pulls something round out of thin air. "Behold: the eye of Polyphemus."

"What? How did you get that?"

"It's a long story, beautiful. You only need to know that, when I direct the rays of the sun god with this eye onto the garden, the garden will become visible to mortal eyes."

"What if other mortals see it?"

"It doesn't open to the public for at least another hour. No worries."

You follow him from the chariot, carrying the bowl of the witch's brew. The pea gravel path turns into one of dead leaves, and it's bordered on each side by tall pines.

"Are you ready to give this thing a try?" he asks.

"Are we there?"

"Nearly. I can speed things up and fly us the rest of the way."

"Okay."

He takes you in his arms, holding you like a baby, so you can hold the brew in your lap to prevent it from spilling. A moment later, he sets you down on the leaves, puts a finger to his lips, and vanishes.

Suddenly the landscape changes. A large, thick tree stands in the center of a clearing, surrounded by smaller orange trees. You almost don't notice the three daughters of Atlas sleeping in the huge gnarly roots at the base of the trunk, for their beautiful figures are the same color as the dark gray bark. They at first appear to be nothing but gowns billowing in the breeze.

From the base of the trunk, you scan up to the branches, where you see many golden apples. But where is Ladon? You look more carefully, and eventually you see his green scaly skin draping on the branches between the leaves. He is much larger that you imagined. Your knees begin to feel weak as you step forward with your bowl of brew.

Not sure whether you should wake them, you gaze up at Hermes, hovering over the apple tree. He gives you a wink and a nod, so you move a little closer, clear your throat, and say, "Excuse me."

One of the daughters of Atlas sits up and glares at you. The other two stretch and yawn.

"Is it evening yet?" one of them asks sleepily.

"We have company," the one glaring at you says. Then to you, she says, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"I've brought you some delicious soup," you say.

"Why?" the nymph demands. "You don't know us, and we don't know you. Is it poisoned?"

You can feel your face turn red. "No. Of course, not. It's, um, a gift from Hera, to thank you for guarding her tree."

"I doubt that," one of the other nymphs says. "I'd like to see you try it first."

You glance up at Hermes, who shakes his head vigorously, but you are desperate to succeed, so you, knowing you have the Moly in your pocket, say, "Okay."

You put your lips to the bowl, and then, quickly, you carry the bowl forward and say, "Your turn. Try it. It's delicious."

The nymphs eagerly drink the brew, making sounds of delight.

"We never eat anything but fruits, seeds, and berries," one of them says.

"Unless you count the occasional traveler," another adds.

As disgusted as you are by that comment, you say, "Let's save some for Ladon. Hera wanted him to have some, too."

At that moment, several of the serpent's heads lift from the branches and gaze down at you. You try not to tremble as you hold the bowl over your head. "Would you like some?"

You close your eyes, fearing that it's you he will eat rather than the brew, but when you hear lapping sounds, relief sweeps over you.

"It sounds like you like it," you say.

But in the next moment, your surroundings seem to spin, as if you're on a carnival ride. You drop to the ground, and Circe's empty bowl lands beside you. When you try to get up, you can't. And then you seed your hands have become hooves. You have become a pig!

You squeal and run around, and four other pigs run with you. Then you remember the Moly plant you had in your pocket. Did it disappear with your clothes? You look around on the ground by the empty bowl. When you see the white petals, you eat one.

"You have to eat the root," Hermes shouts from above.

You gnaw off a little piece. Unlike the flower, the root tastes horrible, reminding you of the smell of tar. You try to keep it down, wondering how long it will take to work—if it works at all. You pray to the gods it will.

Meanwhile, the four other pigs, who have heard Hermes, have crowded around you, trying to get at the root, you run with it in your mouth until the world spins, and you're back in your human form.

"Grab the apples!" Hermes shouts.

You find the lowest hanging apples and pluck them from the tree. Then you turn to the four little pigs and say, "I'm so sorry that I had to trick you, but this root is the antidote. Please share it."

You toss the root to the ground as a bright light, along with a pressure, envelops you. When you open your eyes, you are sitting beside Hermes in the chariot.

"Way to go!" he says, just before he kisses you.

Then he quickly pulls away. "Ugh! That Moly has left a terrible taste in your mouth."

You bust out laughing, and so does he.

"I suppose we should go to Circe's Island first," Hermes says.

You nod, hoping that Hera won't know.

"To Circe's Island," Hermes commands the horses.

You arrive at the rocky beach in no time. Hermes flies you over the thick forest, past the bald hilltop, and straight to the stone and glass house shimmering in the sunshine.

Hermes sets you down in the grass a few meters away, and it is at that moment that Hera appears before you.

"I want both apples," she says.

"But..."

"Give them to me, mortal, or I will kill you," Hera demands.

"Okay," you say. "But you'll tell the others that I passed the test, won't you?"

"Only if you give me what's mine."

You hand her the apples.

Hera disappears just as Circe's door opens.

"You promised that apple to me!" she shouts. "You swore an oath!"

Hermes grabs you and carries you away as he shouts, "The mortal broke no oath!"

You land with a thump in the chariot. Quickly, Hermes takes the reins and shouts, "To Mount Olympus!"

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you tell the others what happened.

When you're finished, Hermes adds, "The oath was to pluck two apples and return to Circe with one of them. The mortal did just that and cannot be blamed for Hera's interception."

"I agree" Athena says from her throne. "You handled yourself well, mortal. You are to be commended."

"Thank you," you say, giving Athena a slight bow.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Hades and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hades says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "You brought the mortal to our realm, Hades. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the Underworld replies. To you, he says, "Allow me to first present you to my younger brother Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Hades says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, along with two goddess whom you've already met—my wife, Persephone and her companion, Hecate."

You bow to all three. Demeter sits between the other two, who remain standing.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

The two of you exchange bows.

"Over here is Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you as you bow to him.

"Beside him is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Hades continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To his right is Hermes, the god of commerce, theft, tricksters, and travel, among other things."

You and Hermes exchange bows.

"And last, but not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says to you.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

You glance nervously at Hades, who says, "I don't recommend it, but this is your decision."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "Yes."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Persephone shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

Hades turns to you. "Shall we go?"

You follow him from temple but not without noticing the looks of doubt on the faces of the other gods.

Outside of the temple, Hades takes your hand and, together, you fly over the gold-paved courtyard, past the fountain, to his chariot, where Swift and Sure are waiting.

Hades takes the reins and says, "To the garden of the Hesperides!"

The horses draw the chariot from the garage, through the gates, and up into the sky. You're astonished to find that dawn has arrived. The passing of time has been difficult to gauge in the company of the immortals.

You're delighted by the feel of the early breeze against your face and by the smell of the sea, sparkling below. The sky is clear and blue.

"This is amazing," you say with a smile. "If I succeed and become immortal, this is all I want to do—fly in a chariot across the sky."

Hades laughs. "As nice as that sounds, every deity has an obligation to serve the world or humanity in some capacity. You would be no exception."

"I'd  want to serve," you say. "But what could  I do?"

"That's a question you'll need to answer for yourself," he says. "And if you do succeed in this test of Athena's, you'll have three months to find the answer."

"What happens if I don't?" you ask.

"Your immortality will be revoked."

You sigh. "And all of this will have been for nothing."

"You should consider your options more carefully," Hades says. "The last thing you want, I believe, is an early death. Am I right?"

"It sounds better than living a life without you in it," you admit. "It's the arrow. I can't help myself."

Hades looks at you tenderly for the first time. "I understand. Truly. But, in time, you'll learn to find other pleasures to occupy and distract your mind. Do you think you're the only mortal to live with unrequited love? You can still have a full life. A happy life."

"Where is this garden, anyway?" you ask, changing the subject. "And why is it called the garden of the Hesperides?"

"The garden is protected by the three daughters of Atlas, known as the Hesperides. They're called that because they sleep during the day and sing in the evening. 'Hespero' is Greek for 'evening.'"

"They protect the whole garden, or just Hera's apples?"

"Hera's apples. Of course, Ladon protects the apples, too"

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree. He's devoted to Hera."

Your heart picks up speed at the thought of such a beast. "Does that mean he's friendly?"

"Only to Hera. He's aggressive toward everyone else. He doesn't even like the daughters of Atlas. If they so much as lay one hand on a branch, he attacks."

"Will he attack  me ?" you ask.

"Not if he can't see you."

You cock your head to the side.

"I'm going to let you borrow my helm. It renders its wearer invisible, even to the gods."

Your mouth drops open. "That's awesome. Are you sue the others won't think that's cheating, though?"

"Wearing the helm won't make what your about to do any less dangerous."

"Why would you say that? If I'm invisible..."

"They'll be able to hear you and, quite possibly, to smell you. You will need to be as silent as still air, and that's not easy to pull off, especially for a mortal, who is unable to fly. Your footfalls on the dead leaves will likely give you away."

You shudder. "Are we getting close? Please say no."

"Sorry. We're nearly there."

"And where is there, exactly?"

"The northern tip of Africa, in Marrakech, Morocco—specifically in the  Jardin Majorelle ."

"I wonder why I've never heard of it before," you say.

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You jut out your chin. "If it's invisible to mortals, how will I see it?"

"Another advantage to wearing the helm is that all that is made invisible to others is made visible to you."

"Thank God."

"You're welcome."

He pulls the chariot to a halt near a fountain surrounded by palm trees.

"What if someone sees us?" you ask.

"We're invisible to other mortals, even without the helm. And these gardens don't open to the public for another two hours."

"Oh."

He leads you past the fountain, beneath tall palms, and across a bed of pea gravel, where a grove of pine trees lines another path. As you walk along the path, you smell citrus in the air.

After about fifty meters, Hades stops and holds out his hands, where an iron helmet appears. Hades places the helmet on his head and vanishes.

"Hades?" you say.

"I'm right beside you," he says without reappearing.

"That's so cool. Can I try?"

Hades touches your shoulder, and now you see him with the helm still on his head.

"I wanted to show you that the power of the helm will extend to anyone the wearer touches. This is important because, should you touch one of the nymphs, she will be able to see you as she becomes invisible to the others."

Hades then removes the helm and hands it to you.

You put it on your head and stare back at Hades. "Can you see me?"

"What do you think?"

You walk away from him.

"I can hear you, mortal. You'll need to be stealthier than that."

You wait for the wind to blow. When it does, you take a step. You do this a few more times.

"That's much better," Hades says.

You remove the helm. "But at that rate, it will take me all day to complete the challenge."

"Patience is a virtue. But so is reason. I implore you to give up this nonsense and allow me to take you home."

"Suppose I'm successful at sneaking past the daughters of Atlas," you say. "Once I pluck an apple, won't the one-hundred-headed beast hear the stem snap?"

"Probably. But, so will I. Remove the helm and I'll god-travel you away immediately."

You nod, feeling more confident.

"Here's one more piece of advice," Hades says. "You can confuse them about your position if you throw a stone a few meters away from you. Reserve that tactic for the moment you know they've sensed you."

"Good idea," you say as you scan the ground for stones that you can fit into your pocket.

"Have one ready to throw," Hades says, after you've collected a half-dozen.

You keep one in your hand. "I guess I'm ready, then."

"Good luck, mortal," Hades says.

With trembling fingers, you put on the helm and continue down the path. After walking another fifty meters, you see the huge golden apple tree before you. At first, the tree seems to be unguarded, but when you squint, you see three billowing gowns among the gnarly roots, and in them are the three sleeping nymphs, whose beautiful figures are the same color gray as the bark of the tree.

You still see no sign of the beast, but you stop and wait for a breeze to blow some of the dead leaves in the path before you take another step.

Progress is slow, but, over the next fifteen minutes, you manage to get within ten meters of the nymphs. However, your very next footfall is heard by one of them. She sits up, holds quite still, and listens. It reminds you of the many times you've heard something while you've slept. You, too, have sat up in bed, still as a statue, to listen for a second sound.

The nymph listens for nearly a full minute before she lays back down between her sisters. You wait at least five minutes before you dare to take another step.

When you take your next step toward the tree, you suddenly see the serpent draped among the branches. He's much larger than you imagined. Unlike most serpents, this beast has eyelids, though they are somewhat transparent, and you can see the eyes beneath.

You're so nervous about the possibility of being killed by the enormous beast that your breathing has become rapid. Fearing that it will give you away, you hold your breath. With the next breeze, you move within reach of the lowest hanging apple.

Balancing on the tip of your toes, you grab the fruit. One of the beast's heads opens its eyes and its great mouth and hisses just above you. You [choose one]

throw a stone to the opposite side of the tree and run .

draw Athena's sword and remove the helm .

* * *

As you run back in the direction you came, something grabs ahold of your ankle and jerks you back toward the tree. The helmet topples from your head and falls in the grass. Then you're flung through the air by what you now realize is one of the hundred heads of Ladon.

You put the apple in your other hand to free your dominant one, so that you can draw Athena's sword. Ladon's teeth penetrate your shoe and prick the skin of your feet. As you swing in the air, you see a dozen more of his heads bearing down on you. You swing the sword at one of the heads making for your face, shocked by how easily the blade cuts through his skin. When that head falls, you bend at the waist—not easy when you're being flung around—and slice off the head that has ahold of your foot.

You fall toward the ground, along with the blood-spurting head of Ladon. Just before you're about to hit the ground, a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure from all directions, and, when you open your eyes, you are seated beside Hades in his chariot.

"That was close," he says. The to the horses, he adds, "To Mount Olympus!"

You can't yet speak as you struggle to catch your breath. You sheathe Athena's sword and hold up the golden apple with a smile. Then you say, "The helm! It fell off..."

"You don't really think I'd leave my best weapon behind, do you?"

You sigh with relief.

Hades shakes his head and laughs.

"What?" you ask, smiling now, too.

"I can't believe you pulled that off. You've proved to be quite a surprise."

You've never been happier than you are at that moment. To have such a compliment from your heart's true love is invigorating.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

When the helm falls at your feet, at least a dozen heads bear down on you with mouths wide open. You swing Athena's sword, amazed by how easily it cuts through the beast's neck. You swing again and again, lopping off three heads, before something grabs you by the ankle and lifts you from the ground.

Then a bright light envelops you, along with a pressure, and, when you open your eyes, you are seated beside Hades in his chariot.

"That was either very brave or very foolish," he says. "I'm not sure which." Then, to the horses, he adds, "To Mount Olympus!"

You can't yet speak as you struggle to catch your breath. You sheathe Athena's sword and hold up the golden apple with a smile. Then you say, "The helm!"

"You don't really think I'd leave my best weapon behind, do you?"

You sigh with relief.

Hades shakes his head and laughs.

"What?" you ask, smiling now, too.

"I can't believe you pulled that off. You've proved to be quite a surprise."

You've never been happier than you are at that moment. To have such a compliment from your heart's true love is invigorating.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Three: Persephone and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Persephone says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Hades? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the Underworld replies.

Persephone squeezes your hand and moves to stand on the side of the room near Hecate and another goddess that you suspect is Persephone's mother, since she has the same corn-colored hair and dark brown eyes.

To you, Hades says, "Allow me to first present you to my younger brother Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Hades says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone's mother."

You smile and bow, happy to have been right.

"And, of course, you've met Persephone and her companion, Hecate."

You bow to Hecate and smile at your heart's true love.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

The two of you exchange bows.

"Over here is Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you as you bow to him.

"Beside him is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Hades continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To his right is Hermes, the god of commerce, theft, tricksters, and travel, among other things."

You and Hermes exchange bows.

"And last, but not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says to you.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

You glance nervously at Persephone, who says, "I don't think you should do it, poor love. Go home, where you belong."

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "I accept the terms."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hermes shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

Persephone turns to you. "Shall we go?"

You follow her from temple but not without noticing the looks of doubt on the faces of the other gods.

Outside of the temple, Persephone takes your hand and, together, you fly over the gold-paved courtyard, but instead of going to the garage, she leads you in the opposite direction, into another building. Once inside, you see it's a stable for horses.

"What are we doing here?" you ask her as she sets you on your feet.

She puts a hand on your shoulder, sending goosebumps of delight across your skin. "Listen, I really wish you wouldn't attempt this incredibly dangerous challenge, but since I can't talk you out of it, I'm going to do what I can to help you."

"Thank you."

"My help won't guarantee anything. You understand? You could still fail, or worse, die."

You suck in your lips and nod.

"Hera's apple tree is guarded by the daughters of Atlas—three nymphs who sleep all day and sing all night. They'll be sleeping when you arrive, and we want them to stay that way."

"Because..."

"They are vicious things who will eat you, if given the chance."

You shudder.

"Then there's Ladon."

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who lives in the tree and attacks anyone who tries to steal an apple."

Your mouth drops open. "No one on Mount Olympus mentioned him. Is he as bad as that sea creature, Scylla?"

"Absolutely," Persephone says. "You can still change your mind."

"No, I can't. Arrow, remember? The heart wants what the heart wants."

"Listen to me, you poor mortal," Persephone says, grabbing both of your shoulders now.

You want nothing more than to kiss her.

"You could still have a full, ordinary life. There are plenty of people who manage to find happiness despite their unrequited love."

"I'm not backing out," you say.

She releases you and leads you further into the stable. "Then I'd like you to meet Pegasus."

She opens a wooden door to reveal a magnificent white horse with beautiful feathered wings.

"Wow!" you say. "Hello, Pegasus."

Pegasus, who doesn't like to speak, whinnies back his greeting.

"I need your help," Persephone says to the beautiful creature. "This mortal has been charged with retrieving one of Hera's golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. Can you take us there and help this poor mortal under the power of the helm?"

Pegasus's bright eyes widen. Then he nods and whinnies.

Persephone lifts her palms, where an iron helmet appears. To you, she says, "This is the helm of invisibility. My husband agreed to loan it to you to help you in this dangerous mission."

"Wow, thanks."

"It's one of the most powerful objects in the world," she explains. "It will render its wearer invisible to all—including the gods."

"Oh!" you say with understanding. "That will definitely make this challenge easier."

"Not necessarily," she says. "The helm won't prevent others from  hearing you, which is why I'm soliciting Pegasus's help. If you were to walk up to the tree and take an apple, your footfalls and the sound of the stem breaking would alert the guards, who are much faster and stronger than you. I don't think you'd make it out of there alive."

Your throat feels tight when you try to swallow.

"But with Pegasus," she continues, "you can get close enough to the tree without making a sound."

"Great," you say. "I feel so much better about this."

"Have you ever flown on the back of a horse? You'll have to keep your mouth shut, even if you start to lose your balance. If you squeal or cry out or make any sound whatsoever, you'll endanger not only your life but Pegasus's as well."

"Isn't he immortal?"

"Yes, but he can still die. As soon as his body repairs itself, he'll spring back to life. But it's an awful experience, nonetheless, and a huge favor to ask of him when he gains nothing from it."

"Are you sure you want to do this, Pegasus?" you ask him. "It's okay, if you don't."

Pegasus presses his nose against you, as if saying, "Let's go."

Persephone climbs on to the horse's back and then helps you climb on behind her.

"Watch out for his wings," she says. "Stay close to me. Lean forward."

You enjoy being so close to your heart's true love.

Persephone gives you the helm. "Put it on. It will make all three of us invisible."

You do as she says. It feels much lighter on that it looked.

"Ready, Pegasus?"

The horse whinnies before flapping his wings and flying up into the clear blue sky.

You're surprised to find dawn just beginning to break. Gauging the passing of time among immortals has been impossible.

"I need to warn you of something," Persephone says. "Whomever you touch while wearing the helm will be able to see you. Avoid making contact with the guardians of Hera's tree."

"Got it," you say. "Where is this garden, anyway?"

"On the northern tip of Africa. Have you heard of Morocco?"

"Yes, but not the garden of the Hesperides," you say.

"That's probably because it's invisible to mortals."

Your eyes widen. "Then how am I supposed to see it?"

"Don't worry, you poor mortal. The helm not only makes you invisible, but it also makes visible that which other mortals cannot see."

You sigh with relief, feeling better and better about the challenge.

Soon the magnificent flying horse lands on a path lined with tall pines. You see palm trees in the distance and, beyond them, mountains.

"I'll hide in the trees," Persephone says, dismounting. "Remember to be absolutely quiet. Pegasus will fly you to the most accessible apple. Grab it and fly away. If Ladon senses you and attacks, be prepared to draw your sword."

You nod and say, "I will. Thank you, Lady Persephone."

Now, it's just you and Pegasus flying along the tree-lined path. In a few moments, the golden apple tree comes into view. It's thick trunk and twisted branches dominate the clearing. The tree is surrounded by smaller ones—orange trees, you think. It appears unguarded as Pegasus flies closer, but then you see the three nymphs sleeping among the gnarly roots at the base of the tree. You hold your breath as Pegasus swoops in toward the lowest hanging fruit, but when you see one of the serpent's heads lift up and stare in your direction, you gasp in terror.

That gasp is all it takes for Ladon to strike. Before you know what's happened, several of the beast's heads are biting the magnificent white horse. Pegasus screeches and bucks back, to no avail. In a matter of seconds, the two of you fall to the ground, where you're covered in the horse's blood.

Suddenly a bright light, along with a pressure, envelops you from all directions. And the next thing you know, you're back at the gates of Mount Olympus, where Pegasus is lying on the ground, dead. Persephone is crying. Seeing her tears brings your own welling in your eyes and slipping down your cheeks.

"I'm so sorry," you say.

"I don't blame you, you poor mortal," the goddess says. "This work of the Fates has been hard on all of us."

Persephone cries to the gates of Mount Olympus to open. When they do, the goddess transports the limp body of the horse to the gold-paved courtyard, where Cupid soon meets you.

"No!" Cupid shouts.

"He'll recover soon," Persephone assures the other god. "Stay with him. I'm going to take the mortal home."

"But..."

"Come on," Persephone says.

You follow her to the chariot. As she takes the reins, she says, "I promise you that things will get better. It may not seem so now, but you will find happiness. Meanwhile, I will do what I can to add to your happiness."

You wipe the tears from your eyes. "What do you mean?"

As the chariot leaves the garage and Mount Olympus, Persephone says, "I'll shower you with riches. Material wealth may not buy you total fulfillment, but it will certainly help."

"Seriously?" you can't believe it. "You're going to make me rich?"

"Beyond measure. Travel where you like, buy as many homes as you wish, share the wealth with whomever you want—it's for you to use as you please."

As the chariot heads back toward land, you shout, "Woohoooooo!" (The End) [ Click here to start over ]

* * *

Part Three: Hecate and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hecate says, "Before we proceed, I think it would be helpful to make some introductions."

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Hades? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the Underworld replies.

Hecate squeezes your hand and moves to stand on the side of the room near Persephone and another goddess that you suspect is Persephone's mother, since she has the same corn-colored hair and dark brown eyes.

To you, Hades says, "Allow me to first present you to my younger brother Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Hades says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone's mother."

You smile and bow, happy to have been right.

"And, of course, you've met Hecate and my wife and queen, Persephone."

You bow to Persephone and smile at your heart's true love.

"To their right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

The two of you exchange bows.

"Over here is Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you as you bow to him.

"Beside him is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Hades continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To his right is Hermes, the god of commerce, theft, tricksters, and travel, among other things."

You and Hermes exchange bows.

"And last, but not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says to you.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

You glance nervously at Hecate, who says, "You already know what you should do."

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "I accept the terms."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hermes shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

Hecate turns to you. "Ready?"

You nod.

Instead of leading you to the chariot, Hecate takes your hand and the familiar bright light, along with the pressure, surrounds you as you feel your feet lift from the ground. In the next moment, you find yourself in a room that reminds you of the Palace of Hades and Persephone.

"Where are we?" you ask as she leads you through a thick door into another room alight with the flames of the river of fire.

"In my chambers. I need to create a potion."

You look around the room. Its dome ceiling is at least ten feet high and covered with dancing shadows, cast by the light of the river of fire, which flows along one side of the room. A stream of water runs on the opposite side from an upper crevice down a series of rocks and pools into a six-foot-wide basin before thinning and disappearing behind another smooth boulder.

Beside the basin and curled on a pillow is a small animal, a cute brown fur ball.

"Who's this?" you ask,

"Galin, my polecat. This is the time when she likes to sleep."

"I won't disturb her, then."

"My dog is awake and around here somewhere." Hecate glances about the room. "Cubie? Where are you?"

A black Doberman pinscher with tall ears and a long tail crawls out from beneath the one big bed.

"There she is." Hecate reaches over and pats the dog on the head. "Were you spying on us?"

"Absolutely," the dog answers.

You are taken aback by the animal's ability to speak.

Hecate laughs. "Cubie, this mortal has been struck by Cupid and made to love me. The gods have promised apotheosis in exchange for the successful completion of three challenges. That's why we're here. I need to make a potion, to help."

"I see," the dog says.

Again, you stare in amazement at the dog's perfect English.

"Don't be deceived by appearances," Hecate says to you. "Cubie was once the Queen of Troy."

"It's a long story," Cubie says in response to your quizzical look.

Hecate crosses the room and beckons you. "This way, to my lab."

You follow her past the bed through another door filled with shelves and two tables made of petrified wood. The shelves contain numerous small jars filled with liquids and herbs of various colors.

"Wow," you say as you look around.

"I used to have many more ingredients for my spells and potions," she says, "but I traded most of them to Circe years ago to save another god from her trap."

"Circe?" you ask.

"The daughter of the sun god," Hecate explains. "Ignored by her family, she exiled herself on an island, where she practices black magic."

"Is that what you practice?" you ask. "Black magic?"

"Oh, no, no, no," Hecate says as she pulls an empty bowl from a shelf and begins to combine ingredients from different bottles and jars. "Black magic always comes with a price. It requires a sacrifice of life, which I can't abide. Besides, when you sacrifice the life of another living being, you compromise your own sanity."

"Does that mean Circe is crazy?" you ask.

Hecate vigorously mixes the contents in her bowl. "Very."

You watch on in silence as Hecate pours the mixture from the bowl into a glass jar.

"Unfortunately," Hecate says. "It's her kind of magic that we need today.

"Huh?"

Without explaining, Hecate heats another mixture, pours it into a second jar, and places both in a basket with a handle. "Ready?"

"Where are we going?" you ask, afraid of the answer.

"To Circe's island, of course."

She puts one arm through the handle of the basket and a hand on your shoulder just before she god-travels you from the Underworld. When the light fades and the pressure stops, you find yourself on a rocky bank in the early dawn beside the sea.

"This way."

You follow her toward the center of the island, where you are soon consumed by a thick forest.

She leads you up a steep hill protruding from the woods with a bald peak. From this point, you can see the entire island. At its center is a modern-shaped house made of shimmering stone and sparkling glass with a triangular chimney, from which transparent smoke ascends in puffs, like the steam from an engine.

"That's strange," you say. "I've never seen clear smoke before."

"Circe's potions and herbs," Hecate explains. "Wretched stuff. Try not to breathe it in."

You pull the neck of your shirt over your mouth but doubt you have much control over the air you breathe.

"At least, we know she's home," Hecate says. "Come on."

You follow her down the hill toward the center of the island and the poisonous puffs of smoke.

Soon you reach a clearing not far from Circe's house. Surrounding the house are six wolves and six mountain lions. Three of them sleep, but the rest pace nervously, like caged animals, though no fence pens them in.

"Don't worry," Hecate says. "The animals are friendly."

"They're wolves and mountain lions. I didn't think those could be domesticated."

"Circe has used her magic to turn them into pets."

You continue toward the house, feeling apprehensive. When the wolves and mountain lions notice you and Hecate, they climb to their feet and run toward you. You freeze, afraid that Hecate was wrong about them being pets. However, relief sweeps over you when the animals lick first Hecate's hands and then yours with affection. The mountain lions curl around you, like common house cats. The wolves wag their tails with their tongues hanging from their mouths.

"Hello," Hecate says, as she pets each one. "Can you take us to Circe?"

The animals lead you in a pack to the front door of the house.

Circe opens the door before Hecate can knock. You are stunned by her bright golden hair, which falls in tight ropes down her shoulders and arms. Her golden eyes are the same color gold as her hair, and they emit a soft light, like a bedside lamp. Her ruby lips, by contrast, are dark, like the color of blood.

"Hecate," she says in a cool voice.

"Hello, Circe," Hecate says. "I've brought you a gift."

"Is it poison?" she asks.

"Yes," Hecate admits, and you wonder if you should make a run for it.

"Very good," Circe says. "Did you bring the mortal to prove it?"

"I did," Hecate says.

"What?" your mouth drops open.

"Don't worry," Hecate says. "I brought the antidote, too."

Her words bring you no comfort as the witch Circe beckons you inside.

You are appalled by the jars of various animal parts, insects, and plants on display on her shelves. A bubbling cauldron sits on a grate over the fire—the source of the clear and poisonous smoke.

Despite these ghastly things, the light from Circe's hair and eyes reflects on the amazing architecture of the polished stone, creating a beautiful haze, like soft sunlight breaking through a clearing in a forest.

"Nice place," you say.

"I'm glad you approve. Please, have a seat." She motions to the white chairs before the bubbling cauldron.

You and Hecate sit on one end of the table while Circe fetches a golden cup and asks, "Will this do?"

"Gold is best, yes," Hecate says.

"Would you care for something to eat? I have some fresh ham from a pig I slaughtered this morning."

You look at Hecate, who says, "No, thank you."

Circe brings the golden cup to the table and sits across from you while Hecate opens one of the jars. Then Hecate pours a small amount of the contents into the cup.

"It only takes a drop," she says to you. "One sip."

"Do I really have to do this?" you ask her.

"No. But if you want to make a trade with Circe to increase your chances of success, then yes."

You take the cup and drink a sip. It burns your throat, but nothing else seems to happen. Circe's brows raise as she watches you.

"I don't think..." before you can finish your sentence, you spit up a ghastly-tasting white foam that chokes you.

Circe smiles. "Wonderful."

You continue to choke and are on the verge of passing out when Hecate makes you sip from her second jar. The liquid is cold, and you feel it move through your veins to neutralize the burn. You are relieved when you can breathe again.

"What do you want in exchange?" Circe asks Hecate.

"The paralysis potion."

Circe arches a brow. "Dark magic, eh?"

Hecate gives a solemn nod. "I see no other way."

"You've had visions?" Circe asks.

Hecate glances at you. "I'd rather not go into it. Do we have a deal?"

Circe jumps up from her chair and leaves the room. She returns with a tiny bottle and hands it over to Hecate.

"Do you want to test it on the mortal, first?" Circe asks.

You gasp.

"No," Hecate says. "I'll take you on your word."

Circe nods. "As you probably know, you don't need an antidote. The spell wears off in five or ten minutes."

"Thank you," Hecate says, standing from her chair. "We better be on our way."

You follow Hecate toward the door. She's left the basket and jars on the table and carries the small vial given to her by Circe.

"Thank you," you say to the bright witch.

"Good luck, mortal," she replies.

Once you and Hecate have left the house and have petted the animals eager for your attention, you head back up the hill.

"Ready to go to the garden of the Hesperides?" she asks.

"I guess so," you say. "Where is it, anyway?"

"On the northern tip of Africa. You've heard of Morocco, haven't you?"

You nod. "But not the garden."

"Probably because it's invisible to mortals."

You stop walking and look at her with wide eyes. "Then how can I possibly..."

"Don't worry. I have a plan."

She takes your hand, and you're enveloped by the pressure and the light of god-travel. In the next moment, you are standing near a beautiful fountain beneath a cluster of palms.

"Sit down, hon'," Hecate says, motioning to a bench. "I want to tell you the plan."

You sit on the bench near the fountain. Your surroundings are serene, but you're too nervous to enjoy them. Hecate stand before you and holds out her palms, where an iron helmet appears.

"This is the helm of invisibility," she says. "My lord Hades has allowed us to borrow it."

"It will make me invisible?" you ask.

"To everyone and everything—including other deities."

"That's great!"

"Listen," she warns. "It will not interfere with the other senses. You can still be heard, smelt, felt, and tasted. Understand?"

Though somewhat confused by what's she's getting at, you nod.

"You will need to wear this helm while you stealthily creep up to the sleeping daughters of Atlas and drop a single drop onto each of their lips."

"The daughters of Atlas?"

"Also known as the Hesperides," she says. "They're called that because they sleep all day and begin their song in the evening. 'Hespero' is 'evening' in Greek. They guard Hera's apple tree."

"So, once I give them the poison, I just reach up and grab an apple, right?"

"Wrong," she says. "The tree has another guardian named Ladon."

"Who's that?"

"A one-hundred-headed serpent who sleeps in the branches."

Your mouth falls open. "No way."

"You can change your mind. Now would be a good time."

You shake your head. "I want to be with you, Hecate. I'll do whatever it takes, even if I die trying."

She strokes your hair, which sends a tingling sensation down your neck. "I've told you that I'm sworn to another."

"I'll spend eternity trying to change your mind."

Hecate sighs.

"Anyway," you say. "Shouldn't I give the poison to the beast first? Isn't he the bigger threat?"

"He is, but he cannot leave the tree. If you poison him first and wake the nymphs, they will likely eat you. But if you poison the nymphs and wake Ladon, you can leave the garden alive."

"Oh," you say.

"Of course, the best-case scenario would be for you to wake no one. Only then, can you safely pluck an apple."

"If Ladon has one hundred heads..."

"Drop the poison on the snout of any one of them."

"The snout?"

"He won't have lips, but he does have nostrils, like a dragon."

You nod, processing the plan, working out the details in your mind.

"If, at any time, your life is threatened, leave," she says.

You make no reply, because you can't imagine giving up without the apple.

"Ready?" she asks, giving you the helm.

You stand from the bench and put on the helm. "Ready."

She takes your hand and flies with you along a pea gravel path that eventually is replaced by dead leaves. The path continues, but in place of palms, pine trees border it, until you approach the golden apple tree. Its massive trunk and branches tower over a circle of orange trees in the center of a large clearing. At first, it appears unguarded, but as you get closer, you see the three sleeping nymphs lying among the gnarly branches, their skin the same gray as the tree bark. Hecate flies you above the apple tree, where you can now see Ladon's long green body draping from the branches. Each of his one hundred heads is as large as a watermelon, and they are well camouflaged by the leaves in the tree.

Hecate gently sets you on the ground beside the sleeping Hesperides, gives you the vial of paralysis poison, and then hides in the tall pines. The lid is a medicine dropper, so you quietly use it to place one drop of the lips of the closest nymph to you.

The nymph bats at the air near her face and rolls over. You hold your breath as you lean close and drop the poison onto the lips of the second nymph. She opens her eyes and sits up. You freeze and continue to hold your breath. You pray to the gods that the nymph will return to sleep.

That's when you notice Hypnos appear in the sky above you. The god of sleep has heard your prayer and has come to help? You quickly drop the poison onto the lips of the third nymph, who doesn't move.

Now it's time to face the beast. You search for the lowest branch and the lowest head. Suddenly, you realize you will not be able to reach any of Ladon's snouts unless you climb. But climbing would certainly wake him, wouldn't it? Maybe the branches near the trunk are thick enough to support your weight without moving. Maybe you can creep up to that first branch without being heard.

You glance up at Hypnos. Can he keep the beast sleeping long enough for you to pluck an apple without using the poison?

You pray to Hecate, asking what you should do, but you no longer see her among the pines. Should you pluck the nearest apple, or climb up and poison the beast first?

After standing quite still for several seconds, you decide to [choose one]

pluck the nearest apple from the tree .

climb the thick branch toward Ladon's lowest snout .

* * *

As soon as the apple separates from the tree, the beast's one hundred heads lift from the branches and hiss. They strike out, blindly, and the one nearest you hits your knee with its tongue.

You turn and run.

But the beast catches your foot in its mouth and lifts you into the air. The helm falls to the ground. Clinging to the apple with one hand, you unsheathe Athena's sword with the other and slice Ladon's neck.

You're surprised by how cleanly the blade cuts as blood spurts all over you and you fall to the ground beside the helm.

Just then, you feel the pressure of god travel and close your eyes against the blinding light. You are relieved to find yourself sitting on the bench beneath the palms with Hecate standing before you.

"I couldn't reach his snout," you say, as way of apology.

"You did well, hon'," she says. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be  my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

You put the vial of poison into your pocket, so you can use both hands to hug the thick branch closest to you. Then you lift yourself and wrap your legs around the lower part of the branch, where it meets two others at the top of the trunk.

You freeze as the serpent's head nearest you sniffs at the air. You hang like that for nearly a full minute, holding your breath. When the serpent lies back down and closes its eyes, you wait thirty more seconds, even though your arms are aching.

For this next move, you must be very careful, so the helm doesn't fall from your head. You slide one foot between the two thickest branches and hook your foot under the other branch, so that you can sit up, swing around, and sit in the crook of the branches.

Now that you are sitting upright in the tree, you see five of the heads surrounding you, and all have lifted and opened their eyes to sniff the air. You try not to gasp or breathe but hold very, very still. You would rather pass out and die from lack of oxygen than risk breathing and being heard by this terrifying beast. You hold your breath for what feel like a minute, then two. When the beast doesn't lie back down, you carefully pull the vial from your pocket—so carefully, so quietly—despite your trembling hands. You take the stopper out and drop some of the poison in the open mouth closest to you.

The head looks up. All one hundred heads seem to look up, as if they are expecting rain. Then, much to your relief, they lay back down in the branches and return to sleep.

You wonder how long the poison needs before it takes effect. You sit there for many minutes, waiting. You carefully return the vial to your pocket and then reach a shaky hand toward the nearest fruit. You are terrified to pluck it. Then, you get an idea. You take the vial from your pocket and toss it so that it hits a branch way up in the tree. Ladon's eyes open, but he does not move.

You snatch the apple and leap from the tree before you run for dear life. You haven't gone far when the pressure and light of god-travel wrap around you and lift you off your feet. You are relieved to find yourself sitting on the bench beneath the palms with Hecate standing before you.

"You did well," Hecate says. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"

You give her a brilliant smile and nod, for you're too shaken up to speak.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four. ]

* * *

Part Three: Hypnos and the Second Challenge

"I'm ready," you say to Athena.

Hypnos says, "Hold up. There are a lot of gods and goddesses here that you haven't met." He turns to Zeus. "Would you like to introduce them, Lord Zeus?"

"Good idea," Zeus says. "Hades? You brought the mortal to our realm. Why don't you do the honors?"

"It would be my pleasure," the god of the Underworld replies.

Hypnos squeezes your hand and gives you a wink and stands close beside you, making you feel less nervous.

To you, Hades says, "Allow me to first present you to my younger brother Zeus, the lord of the sky, and his wife Hera, the goddess of family and marriage."

You bow to the gods seated on the double throne that faces the entrance to the great room.

"To their right is Athena, whom you've met," Hades says.

Athena gives you a nod, and you return it.

"Beside her is Hestia, my sister, and the goddess of the hearth."

You give a little bow as the goddess nods.

"Next to Hestia is my sister Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone's mother."

You smile and bow, happy to have been right.

"And you've met my wife and queen, Persephone."

You bow to the goddess.

"To her right is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Artemis smiles at you, and you smile and give a bow.

"To her right is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty."

The two of you exchange bows.

"Over here is Hephaestus, the god of the forge."

The god of the forge smiles warmly at you as you bow to him.

"Beside him is Apollo, the god of truth, prophecy, music, and healing," Hades continues.

You and Apollo smile and bow to one another.

"To his right is Hermes, the god of commerce, theft, tricksters, and travel, among other things."

You and Hermes exchange bows.

"And last, but not least, is Ares, the god of war."

You bow once more, and Ares gives you a nod.

Artemis steps forward from her throne. "I have an idea for the second challenge."

"Well, well," Zeus says. "Let's hear it."

"This mortal should pluck a golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides and bring it here, to Mount Olympus."

"What?" Hera cries. "Not one of my apples. I won't have it."

"Wait, just a minute, dear," Zeus says. "Let's think about this before we shoot the idea down completely. First, tell me why you oppose it."

"You know why," Hera says.

"Because her apples have the power to transform those who taste them," Demeter says.

"Transform?" you ask.

"Into a god," Aphrodite clarifies.

"You can understand why Hera is protective of her apples," the lord of the Underworld says to you.

"We can stipulate that the apple must be delivered untainted," Athena suggests.

Artemis nods. "And if the mortal takes a bite or harms the fruit in any way, death will be the result."

Your mouth drops open at the goddess's threat. "Wh-what if I drop and bruise it by accident?"

"You die," Apollo says. "So, think long and hard before you accept this challenge."

"Does this condition please you, Hera?" Zeus asks.

"I suppose," Hera acquiesces.

Athena turns to you. "Do you accept these terms?"

You glance nervously at Hip, who squeezes your hand and says, "Your call, gorgeous."

As frightened as you are by the possibility of death, the arrow in your heart compels you to prefer it to a life without your one true love. "I accept the terms."

Zeus claps his hands together. "It's settled then."

"The best of luck to you," Hermes shouts.

"Yes!" Apollo adds. "Good luck!"

Hip asks you, "Ready?"

You nod.

He walks you down the rainbow steps, across the god-paved courtyard, to the fountain.

"I want to warn you about some things," he says with a solemn expression. "What they didn't tell you in there is that Hera's apple tree is guarded."

"Oh. Who guards it?"

"The daughters of Atlas, called the Hesperides, and Ladon."

"And who are they? I mean, are they friendly?"

Hip shakes his head and laughs. "Not in the least. The daughters of Atlas can sometimes be distracted or tricked, but it's hit or miss with them. And when you miss, you miss bad. Like, they'll eat you for dinner."

"That  is bad."

"And Ladon, well...how can I put this. I may as well just say it: he has one hundred heads."

"What?" your mouth falls open. "No way. Is there any chance they'd let me take an apple?"

"The only one the serpent listens to is Hera."

"Serpent?"

"Ladon."

You lift your brows. "Hang on. He's got one hundred heads  and  he's a snake?"

"Kind of a snake slash dragon," Hip says.

You shudder. "Got any ideas?"

"Like I've said before, gorgeous. Let me take you home, tuck you in bed, and visit you every night. We could have an amazing time together for as long as you live."

"Any  other ideas?" you ask.

"I've got one more," he says.

"I'm listening."

"Have you ever heard that saying that if you die in your sleep, you die in 'real' life?"

You nod. "Is it true?"

"Usually—depending on how traumatic it is."

"So, what are you suggesting?"

"Let me take you back to the Fields of Asphodel. I'll find you in the Dreamworld, and then I'll help you find Ladon and the Hesperides. They sleep all day, so they should be there."

"Then what?"

"Take Athena's sword and slice of the heads of the nymphs, and then fly to the tree and chop off all one hundred of Ladon's heads."

"You think that will work?" you ask with furrowed brows. "I thought the guardians of the tree were immortal."

"Immortals die when their bodies can't hold onto their souls. Once the body repairs itself, it calls to the soul, and we're back in business."

"And you think I can kill all four of them in a dream?"

"You have to believe in yourself. If you lack confidence, it won't happen. But, if you believe you can do it, you can take control of the dream and make it happen. Then, once they're all dead, I'll god-travel you to the garden, where you can nab that apple."

"What have we got to lose?" you ask.

Hip scratches his chin. "Well, actually, quite a lot."

"Huh?"

"If you lose control of the dream, and Ladon or the Hesperides kill you, you could die."

"Oh," you say.

"But I'll be right there, and, if that happens, I'll wake you up before you die in the dream."

"If I wake up before I die in the dream, I won't die?"

"No."

You ponder this for a moment.

"So?" Hip asks. "What will it be? Home? Or the Fields of Asphodel."

You say [choose one],

" Home ."

" The Fields of Asphodel ."

* * *

Hip takes you in his arms as the bright light envelops you, and the pressure comes down on you from all directions. Then you feel a change and open your eyes. You're standing beside the god of sleep in your very own bedroom.

"I'll come to you tonight," he says before he kisses you again.

"Promise?" you ask.

"Promise."

"Must you go so soon?" you ask, glancing at your bed.

He grins. "I suppose I can stay for a little while."

You spend a lovely night together in your room before the god of sleep returns to his duties with promises to visit you every night in your dreams. You spend your days working productively, making good progress in your career, so that you live quite comfortably. Occasionally, you receive extravagant gifts from your love, such as an apple red Lamborghini that appears in your garage one day. You live a long and happy life, though you love your nights far better than your days. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

Hip takes you back to the Underworld, to the Fields of Asphodel, where he lies down beside you in the lovely perfume of the flowers. As he holds you in his arms, you yawn widely.

"Close your eyes, gorgeous," he says gently. "And look for a huge gnarly tree with golden apples. The daughters of Atlas are usually singing in their dreams. You need to be sure and kill them, no matter how sweet and innocent they are. Because if you don't kill them—and Ladon, too—we won't be able to god-travel to the tree and get that apple."

You nod as you close your eyes.

The next thing you know, you're standing in a hallway. You can't tell if it's a hospital or a university, but there are many doors ahead of you, and they're all closed. You don't know where you're supposed to go or what you're even doing here.

"Gorgeous! Over here!"

The voice sounds familiar, so you head down the hall in the direction it came from.

"Hello?" you call out.

Hip comes around the corner. "Why didn't you go to the brook?"

"Huh?"

"The brook. Your happy place?"

You turn to a door and open it.

"Wait! What where are you going?" Hip calls out. "Just wake up. Wake up and start again."

A big monster is waiting for you in the room. Its six heads sit on long necks, but only the center four have eyes. It stands on twelve tentacle-like likes. It lunges at you with its humungous pincers and lifts you in the air, shaking you around the room.

"Stop!" you shout.

"Wake up!" it growls. "Wake up, gorgeous!"

"Huh?"

You blink at the monster. You blink again.

"That's it," Hips says beside you. "Open your eyes."

You find yourself lying in the Fields of Asphodel. "What happened?"

"You didn't go to your usual spot. You got sucked into one of those confusing dreams with corridors that never end and doors that open to strange and confusing situations. That usually means you're feeling overwhelmed and out-of-control."

"I'd say that's about right."

"You need to focus. Unless you're ready to go home."

"No," you say. "Let's try again. I'll focus on the brook this time. I can do this, Hip. I know I can."

The god of sleep nods. "Okay, then." He kisses you. "Take it easy and relax. Can you do that?"

"Not when you kiss me," you say with a teasing smile. "You make me the opposite of relaxed."

Hip guffaws and then kisses your hair. "You're so fun. I'm half in love with you."

This makes you more determined than ever to focus and to succeed. "Let's do this."

"Take a deep breath, and close your eyes," he whispers at your ear. "Imagine the babbling brook and the field of flowers—your happy place."

You do as he says, breathing in deeply and slowly. You see the brook. You see the field of flowers. Then you are standing in the field and throwing a stone into the brook.

"Nice work, gorgeous."

You turn to see Hip walking through the fields to your side. "Are you ready to visit the apple tree?"

"Let's go," you say.

"Remember to stay focused," he reminds you as he takes your hand.

You follow him along the bank of the water into a wondrous fog of colors.

"Think about the apple tree," Hip whispers in your ear.

You follow him through the prism of colors until you find yourself, alone, on a bed of leaves looking down a tree-lined path.

"Look for the apple tree," Hip says again, though you can no longer see him.

In the distance the sun is setting, which is strange to you, because you thought it had already set.

"You're in the Dreamworld," Hip reminds you. "Stay focused on finding Ladon and the Hesperides."

You continue down the path toward the setting sun, when, suddenly, you hear voices. They sound like the voices of angels in heaven. You continue down the path a little further, where you see three beautiful nymphs singing a song about the brilliant night sky that is to come. Their skin is dark yet radiant. Their gowns are colorful and billowing in the wind. Their harmony is perfect, their melody mesmerizing. You've always wished you could sing like that.

Without thinking, you begin to sing with them, trying to harmonize. You're flabbergasted by how lovely your voice sounds, which reminds you that this is a dream. You are here for a very specific purpose. But as the nymphs smile at you and allow you into their song, the purpose of your visit seems to fade away.

"Put your hand on the hilt," a voice whispers in your ear. "Prepare to swing."

The idea of decapitating the sweet creatures beside you is repulsive, but something deep down in your heart reminds you that you ache to be with Hypnos, the god of sleep. This reminds you of why you've come here, to the apple tree, which stands like a mountain before you. As you continue to sing, you see Ladon, the monster, eating the golden apples with relish.

As quickly as you can, you draw the sword and swing it across the neck of the nearest nymph. Then you spin and use the same motion on the second. As the third stands silent and gaping, you cut hers off, too.

Ladon continues to relish his golden apples, unphased by the gore below him. Perhaps he thinks he can diffuse this nightmare by enjoying the fruit. You stand at the base of the enormous tree and look up. You see the point at which all one hundred necks join together into one body. You raise Athena's sword and slice all the necks from the body in one motion.

Although you're horrified by the scene around you, you are quickly pulled from the dream and awakened by Hip, who lies beside you among the asphodel.

"Excellent work, gorgeous! But we've got to go now. We don't know how much time we have."

He helps you to your feet, takes your hand, and god-travels you to the same path you saw in your dreams.

"You'll have to wear the helm of invisibility to see the tree," Hip informs you as the two of you fly along the path. "It's invisible to mortals."

He snaps his fingers, and the helm appears in his free hand. He puts it on your head.

"Cute," he says.

"It doesn't make me invisible?" you ask. "Why is it called the helm of invisibility if it doesn't make me..."

"It does. I'll explain later. Now, go pick an apple."

He sets you down on your feet when the tree comes into view. Though not as massive as the one in your dream, it's nonetheless bigger than any tree you've seen in the waking world. The nymphs and Ladon appear to be sleeping, but according to Hip, they're dead—at least for the moment. You search for the lowest hanging fruit and pluck it from the tree.

You see the light and feel the pressure that comes with god-travel, and, in the next moment, you are standing beside your true love outside the gates of Mount Olympus holding the golden apple.

"You did it," Hypnos says to you.

"Now, kiss me, dammit," you say with a smile.

He gives you the kiss you've been wanting—nice and long and soft, yet passionate. Then he commands the gates to open.

Once the two of you are back in the temple at Mount Olympus, standing before the other gods, you offer the apple to Hera.

"Well done," Athena says from her throne.

"That was to be my apple," Artemis complains.

"What does it matter?" Apollo asks. "The mortal proved worthy."

"One more test remains," Ares points out.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Four .]

* * *

Part Four: Zeus and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Zeus.

Although Hera is pleased to have her apple, she's not too keen on your proximity to her husband. Zeus notices, too, and before Athena continues with her idea, he moves away from you to sit beside Hera on their double throne.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says, once he's seated.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Apollo points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"But if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "then these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Zeus says, standing from his throne. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

Once you are seated beside Zeus in his chariot, he says, "Before we go to Crete, I want to pay a visit to my son Dionysus on Mount Kithairon."

"Sounds good to me," you say. "The longer we can put off my failure, the better."

"Don't be so glum, darling one. I have a plan to help you succeed."

The chariot sails from Mount Olympus through the clear blue sky. The air feels warmer than it was previously, especially for late September. The brilliant sun has almost reached high noon, causing everything below to sparkle.

Soon, the chariot lands on another mountain in the middle of a clearing. Smoke ascends from a pile of ash in the center of a group of sleeping women, scantily dressed. Among them are two—no three—satyrs, also sleeping.

You give Zeus a quizzical look. He puts a finger to his lips and then points.

You follow his finger to the edge of the woods, where a figure emerges. He, like the others, is scantily dressed in nothing but a loin cloth. His body is radiant, and his golden hair is tied back from his face in two braids.

"To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Father?" he says as he approaches the chariot.

"I want you to come with me," Zeus says.

Dionysus climbs beside you in the chariot. As frightened as you are by the upcoming challenge, you soak in the pleasure of sitting between two gods who couldn't be more visually appealing.

"Where are we going?" he asks.

"To Crete!" Zeus commands the horses.

As the chariot returns to the sky, Zeus introduces you to his son, the god of wine, and tells him about you and your mission to become immortal. "I'd like you to distract Ariadne and her brother while the mortal searches the labyrinth for Athena's dagger."

"I'm happy to help," Dionysus says. "And I can tell you why Ariadne has been slow to return Athena's dagger."

"You've been to see Ariadne?" Zeus asks, with surprise.

"Why shouldn't I? She's my wife."

"But I thought she preferred her brother's company."

"Not his company, his lifestyle," Dionysus says. "She wants me to give mine up, and I can't. It's who I am. You understand that, don't you, Father?"

"Indeed," Zeus says.

"One night, I went to see her," Dionysus says. "I may not have been sober at the time."

You giggle, which seems to please the god of wine.

"I may have been overly insistent, too," he says with a laugh. "Can you believe that wench used Athena's dagger while I was sleeping to cut off my left nut?"

Your mouth drops open in disgust while Zeus breaks out in laughter.

"That's not funny," you say to your love.

"Sorry," Zeus says. "Did it grow back?"

"No!" Dionysus cries. "And it hurt like the Furies, I tell you. And I sure as Hades don't want it to happen again."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," you say, "and am grateful for your help."

"Like I said, my friend, I'm happy to do it."

The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Zeus brings the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

"Dionysus will go ahead of us," Zeus says. "Once Ariadne and the monster are occupied with him, I'll show you to the entrance of the labyrinth."

You nod as Dionysus gives you a friendly salute before retreating toward the largest of the ruins.

"Thank you," you say to Zeus once Dionysus has gone.

"Don't thank me yet, darling mortal. Navigating the labyrinth is no easy feat."

He opens his hands, where a lamp on a strap appears.

"Wear this headlamp, so you can see."

He helps you to strap it around your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Zeus opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to succeed.

Zeus says, "I hear them talking. We better go, while we have the chance."

You follow him from the chariot, and through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going. When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head resembles that creature. The rest of him is in the form of a man."

You follow Zeus past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court, are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful. You can see Dionysus standing opposite the stairs speaking to a raven-haired goddess and a creature with the head of a bull.

Zeus takes your hand. "Ariadne and the Minotaur are arguing with Dionysus, so this is your chance to sneak inside. The entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You won't be able to see it but trust me, it's there. Just step inside, and you'll pass through the magical glamor into the labyrinth."

"Okay," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "Look for a steel dagger with a clear stone inlaid in its hilt."

Zeus kisses you once more before you leave his side and, mingling among the tourists, head toward the fallen pillar.

When you see the pillar, it seems to be leaning against a solid wall. You look around and see no other place where the secret entrance could be. So, you step into the wall and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Unrolling the twine, you continue forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

Not sure how much time you have, you move quickly, but every ten feet or so, the tunnel forks again. You decide to keep turning to your left.

After a while, you come across your twine on the floor of the tunnel—at least you think it's yours. You suppose it could belong to someone else who has tried to navigate through the labyrinth.

At the next fork, you turn to the right and come upon a door. You turn the iron nob and find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. You look through several drawers filled with silk scarves, jewels, purses, and shoes, but you see no sign of a dagger. Feeling that you must be in the right place, you keep searching. You look beneath the bed, through cabinets, and in the pockets of a coat when, suddenly the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up and a tingle of fear shoots down your spine. You freeze.

"What are you doing?"

It's a woman's voice. You turn to find a raven-haired goddess with bright eyes staring back at you. She's holding your twine, which she's rolled into a second ball. Your mouth drops open. Without the twine, you won't be able to find your way out.

"I'm sorry," you say. "Athena sent me to find her dagger. She wants it back."

"I see," the goddess says. "Do you know why I borrowed it?"

You suck in your lips, not sure if you should reveal your familiarity with Dionysus's story.

"I borrowed it because my beast of a husband won't leave me alone," she says. "I've told him to choose between his orgies and me, and he refuses. He continues with his nightly parties and then expects to lay with me whenever it suits him. The last time he came, he raped me."

You gasp. "I'm so sorry. That's horrible."

"I used Athena's dagger to get my revenge," the goddess says. Then she tells you what you already know.

Now you understand why she wants to keep it. "Why didn't you tell this to Athena?"

"She's a virgin goddess. I doubt she'd understand."

"Keep her dagger," you say—though you doubt you could take it from the siblings even if you wanted to. "I won't take it from you. But I think we might find you a replacement, so you and Athena can both be happy."

"Athena's dagger is special," Ariadne says. "It can't be taken by the one who possesses it by another god or goddess. That's why I want it. Dionysus can't steal it from me."

"Let me guess," you say. "It can be stolen by a mortal."

She nods. "Now you know why the goddess sent you."

"It was meant to be a test," you say. You explain to Ariadne what happened with Cupid, the challenges—everything.

"I see. Your heart aches for Zeus, and you want to be with him."

You nod as tears prick your eyes. "But I can't leave you vulnerable to a beast."

At that moment, the Minotaur enters the room, and you flinch back, terrified.

"Please, don't eat me!" you plead.

Ariadne extends her hands out to you and says, "He won't. He's not like that."

"What did the mortal mean about not wanting to leave you vulnerable to a beast," the Minotaur asks angrily.

"Not you," Ariadne says. "Dionysus."

"Oh," the Minotaur says. "I'm glad someone finally recognizes who the real beast is around here."

You're surprised by how calm he's become. Ariadne introduces him as Asterion and, not knowing that you already know her name, she adds, "I'm his sister, Ariadne."

"It's nice to meet you," you say. "Any chance you'd show me how to get out of here?"

"That's basically all I do," Asterion says. "I try to keep mortals out of here by scaring them off, but when one slips past me, as you have, I try to help them out. Usually they pass out, from fear, and I have to carry them out."

"I think I can walk," you say with a smile. "But thanks."

You follow the Minotaur and his sister back to the entrance. You say goodbye as you crawl out, near the fallen pillar. Then you make your way through the crowd of tourists back to where the chariot waits.

Zeus and Dionysus reveal themselves to you, where they are already seated.

"No dagger?" Dionysus asks.

You shake your head.

"Oh, darling mortal," Zeus says. "I'm so sorry. Let's take you home."

First Zeus flies the chariot to Mount Kithairon to drop off Dionysus, and then he takes you back to the babbling brook and the field of flowers, where your adventures began.

Before he leaves, Zeus lies with you in the flowers and kisses away your frown.

"I promise to visit as often as I can get away," he says.

Then he loves you for one glorious hour before he kisses you goodbye.

Although he doesn't visit you as often as you'd like, when he does, you are exuberantly happy, and it makes the long weeks without him worth it.

(The End.) [ Click here to start over .]

* * *

Part Four: Ares and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Ares.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Apollo points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Zeus says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Ares says. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

He takes you by the hand and leads you from the temple to the chariot, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"No, baby doll," he says, smoothing your hair from your eyes. "Don't think that way. You can do this. I've shown you how to use the sword and shield. We'll practice some more techniques that will give you an advantage over the monster."

He leans over and kisses you.

"Mmm," you say. "Maybe we should skip the labyrinth and spend our remaining time together differently."

Ares chuckles. "You're so cute. Think how much more time we can spend together once you defeat the Minotaur."

He takes the reins and shouts, "To Crete!"

The horses pull the chariot through the gates of Mount Olympus into the clear blue sky. A tight ball seems to form in the pit of your stomach as you imagine facing yet another monster with Athena's sword.

The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Ares lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

Ares opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Wear this headlamp, so you can see."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Ares opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to succeed.

"Put the twine in your pocket, so we can practice your fighting techniques."

You do as he says and follow him from the chariot.

"Remember to keep your elbow in," he says as he spars with you.

"I'm distracted by your handsome physique," you say with a teasing smile.

Ares laughs. "Speaking of physique, the Minotaur is taller than me, so I doubt you'll get a clear shot of his neck. Instead of decapitation, you should first slice off an arm and then go for his heart. Got it?"

You walk through a motion, but Ares stops you. "No, no, no. You'll die doing that. Watch me."

You lower your sword and shield and watch as he demonstrates.

"You never want to stop moving. Don't just chop at his arm and leave the blade down like that. See how easily you can get at your neck? Once you swing down, spin swinging, like this. Use the weight of the blade and gravity to your advantage, like this, see?"

He performs a series of motions. Then you try to imitate them.

"Bend your knees," he says. "Keep your center of gravity low, so you don't lose your balance. Don't let the monster's size keep you from bending those knees."

"Okay," you say. "This is a lot to remember."

"That's why we're practicing, baby doll." Ares gives you a peck on the cheek, which encourages you to keep trying.

You spar with him until the sun reaches high noon. Then he sheathes his weapon and says, "You're ready."

You follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going. When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Ares down a path past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court, are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful. Your heart is pounding in your chest, and you can barely breathe.

Noticing, Ares says tenderly, "You can do this. You have the advantage, because the Minotaur isn't expecting a fight today."

You nod, though you don't feel like you have  much of an advantage against a monster with the head of a bull who is immortal and ferocious.

Ares takes your hand. "The entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You won't be able to see it but trust me, it's there. Just step inside, and you'll pass through the magical glamor into the labyrinth."

"Okay," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "Don't attack the Minotaur unless you find him alone. If he's with his sister, put away your weapons and try another tactic, because there's no way you can win against two."

"What? Why are you just now telling me this?" you ask, suddenly terrified. "What should I do if I find them together?"

"Run," he says. "Follow the twine back to me."

As much as you love Ares, you are pissed that he is telling you this just before you're about to enter the labyrinth. You have been trying to psych yourself up for battle, and now you're a mess.

You leave his side and head for the labyrinth. When you see the fallen pillar, it seems to be leaning against a solid wall. You look around and see no other place where the secret entrance could be. So, you step into the wall and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Ares said to have your sword drawn, so you unsheathe it with your dominant hand, and, unrolling the twine, in your other hand, you continue forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the Minotaur.

In what seems like less than a minute, the small hairs on the nape of your neck prick and a chill of terror creeps down your spine. You freeze in your tracks, aware that someone—or something—is behind you. Slowly, you turn to face the Minotaur.

He is holding your twine, which he's rolled into a tiny ball.

"Who are you?" he asks. "And why are you here?"

You wonder why Ares didn't mention that the monster could speak.

"Athena sent me to retrieve the dagger she loaned to your sister," you say.

The creature narrows his eyes. "Tell Athena to come and get it herself."

Remembering what Ares has taught you about the element of surprise, you perform the action you've been practicing all morning, but the Minotaur swats the sword from your hand as if it were an annoying fly. Before you can pick it up from the ground, he grabs it and says, "It looks like we have her sword now, too."

Terrified, you take off running, deeper into the labyrinth. With every fork and turn, you become more and more confused. After a while, you fear you're running in circles. You continue, fumbling through the maze, irritated and frightened. Soon, you are crying tears of frustration. You aren't sure how much time has passed. Hours? Days? Overcome by hopelessness and despair, you finally lay on the ground of the tunnel, close your eyes, and yield to whatever comes next.

When you next open your eyes, you find yourself in the field of flowers beside the babbling brook, where your adventures first began. As you sit up and look around, you wonder if it was all a dream.

(The End) [ Click here to start over .]

* * *

Part Four: Apollo and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Apollo.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Apollo says. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

He takes you by the hand and leads you from the temple to the chariot, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"No, my love," he says, smoothing your hair from your eyes. "Don't say that. I believe in you. We'll practice more with a bow and arrow. Then we'll lure the Minotaur and his sister from the labyrinth."

"You want me to shoot them?" you ask.

"Right between the eyes," he says. "It's the surest way to kill them. The heart's easier to miss."

You shudder. "I don't know if I can do this. Shooting Ladon was one thing. Maybe I have it in me to shoot the Minotaur, but a goddess? It would be like shooting a woman."

"No, it wouldn't," Apollo says, still stroking your hair in the chariot. "She's immortal. It would be a temporary inconvenience to her as you search, first, her person and, then, the labyrinth for Athena's dagger."

He leans over and kisses you.

"Mmm," you say. "Maybe we should skip the challenge and spend our remaining time together differently."

Apollo chuckles. "You're so cute. Think how much more time we can spend together once you're immortal."

He takes the reins and shouts, "To Crete!"

The horses pull the chariot through the gates of Mount Olympus into the clear blue sky. A tight ball seems to form in the pit of your stomach as you imagine facing yet another monster.

The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Apollo lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

Apollo opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"If you don't find the dagger on Ariadne, use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Apollo opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to succeed.

"Put the twine in your pocket, so we can practice your shooting."

You do as he says and follow him from the chariot.

He takes you toward a cluster of trees on the perimeter of the ruins and has you stand ten meters away from your target—a tree roughly one meter in diameter.

"Remember not to hold the bow too tightly," Apollo says when you take aim. "Relax your grip."

"I'm just so nervous."

"Try to focus on the reward rather than the obstacle." He comes around to face you. "Maybe I should remind you of the reward again."

He closes the distance between you, pressing his mouth firmly against yours. You lower your arms to your side and stand there, mesmerized, as he kisses you again and again.

"Don't stop," you whisper, when he pulls away.

Apollo chuckles. "There's more where that came from. Focus on that, okay?"

"Okay," you say, dreamily.

"Let me see your form," he says.

You giggle. "You want me to undress?"

He throws his head back and laughs. Then he says, "The form of your aim, my love. I'll see the other later, I'm sure."

You take aim at the tree.

"Rotate your elbow just a bit." He moves the arm holding the bow in position for you. "And lower this shoulder."

"Like this?"

"Yes, now draw the string of the bow back."

Slowing, you pull on the string of the bow.

"Keep that elbow way up," he says.

You shift it.

"You want your hand closer to the corner of your mouth," he says. "If you bring it further back, you'll throw off your aim. You want to be able to look down the shaft of the arrow to your target."

You adjust your position.

"Good," he says. "Now let her go."

You release the arrow, and it hits your mark.

"Yes!" you shout as you throw a fist into the air.

"It's not too hard when you have all the time in the world to set up," he says. "I want you to practice doing everything you just did much faster. Start with the arrow in its quiver and the bow in your hand but lowered."

You practice shooting for him until the sun reaches high noon, at which time he says, "You're ready, my love."

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going, you ask, "How will we lure the Minotaur and his sister from the maze, especially with all these tourists around?"

"That's easy," he says. "They're virtually imprisoned here. They only leave the labyrinth at night and never the island of Crete, as far as I know. I've heard from others that Dionysus will sometimes bring honey, because Ariadne and her brother have a sweet tooth but nothing in the vicinity to satisfy that craving."

Apollo holds out his hand where a jar of honey appears.

"I'll call to them from outside of the main entrance with this gift," Apollo says. "You'll be positioned up there, ready to shoot."

He points to a ruin in the distance.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Apollo past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Apollo points. "The entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You stand here, with your weapon drawn and ready."

"Okay," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "If you don't find the dagger on Ariadne, run as quickly as you can into the labyrinth. We don't know how long you have before their souls are called back to their bodies."

"Okay."

"You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock near that fallen pillar. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling."

You nod.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

He kisses you, reminding you once again of the reward.

"Now, I'm ready," you say with a smile.

He heads down a set of steps with the jar of honey. He passes tourists who are oblivious to him. Then he stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! I bring honey!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. You remind yourself that their death is a temporary inconvenience as you take aim between the eyes of the Minotaur. You release the arrow, but it hits the goddess in the head, instead. You quickly reload as the Minotaur catches his fallen sister in his arms and roars.

The ground trembles. Some of the tourists say, "Earthquake," as you take aim and shoot the Minotaur. You're shocked when you arrow hits its mark and the beast falls to the ground beside his sister.

As you run to the fallen figures, you suspect that Apollo guided your arrows. Guilt pours through you as you search the goddess for the dagger.

You flinch when she opens her eyes and asks, "Why?" as she slowly dies.

"Athena's dagger," you say.

The goddess grins ruefully. "You'll never find it," she says before she closes her eyes and dies.

To be thorough, you search Asterion's pockets.

"Hurry, my love," Apollo shouts.

You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Apollo said to hurry, so you unroll the white twine as you run forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

Suddenly a figure appears before you and you halt in your tracks. It's the gray-eyed goddess.

"Athena?"

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "I'll help you find your way."

"But why? Isn't that cheating?" you ask, even though you're grateful.

"Follow me, and I'll explain as we go, but hurry."

You run behind the goddess, struggling to keep up.

She says, "My dagger is enchanted. Whoever possesses it controls it, and it cannot be stolen by another god or goddess."

You follow her around a bend, barely dodging a hissing snake.

"Not venomous," she says, as she continues to run. "I made a mistake of passing that control on to Ariadne, believing that she would give it back to me when I asked."

"If it can't be stolen then why..."

"Not by a god or goddess," she says. "But the enchantment doesn't extend to mortals, because, normally, they aren't a threat."

"You had this in mind from the moment you saw me with Zeus on Mount Olympus," you say, realizing that, all along, the goddess just wanted her dagger.

When the tunnel forks again, you follow her to the right.

"Yes," she says, "but I'll keep my word. If you help me find my dagger, you win."

"We just passed a door," you say, stopping. "Why is there a door there?"

Athena stops and follows you to a thick wooden door. You open it to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. You and Athena look through several drawers filled with silk scarves, jewels, purses, and shoes, but you see no sign of a dagger. You look beneath the bed, through cabinets, and in the pockets of a coat when, suddenly, you recall the goddess's dying words: "You'll never find it."

It reminds you of a riddle you once learned as a child that ended, "You'll never find it, but it will find you."

"Dagger of Athena, come to me," you say.

Athena stops and stares at you.

When the dagger fails to appear, you nearly give up, but then say, "Dagger of Ariadne, come to me."

Woosh! A movement through the air startles you as the dagger flies across the room to land in your hand.

"You did it!" Athena cries. "Now give it to me!"

"Do you promise to show me the way out of here and to make me a goddess?" you ask.

"I swear on the River Styx," she says.

You hand her the dagger. She takes your hand and leads you from the labyrinth, where Apollo is waiting, stunned.

"The mortal succeeded," Athena tells him. "Let's return to Mount Olympus and tell the others."

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

Part Four: Hera and the Third Challenge

"Are you sure about this, dear one?" Hera asks you.

"I'm sure," you say. "I can't imagine living a life pining away for the one I love."

"Even after she betrayed you?" Hera asks.

You feel the blood rush to your face as you nod.

"Then, I suppose we're off to Crete," Hera tells the others the gods.

"Best of luck!" Hephaestus shouts.

"We're rooting for you!" Athena cries.

You follow Hera down the rainbow steps, across the gold-paved courtyard, and to the chariot.

As she takes the reins, she says, "I'm formulating a plan to help you, since you were loyal to me."

"Thank you, Queen Hera," you say. "I'll be forever grateful."

"Let's just hope it works."

You give her a weak smile and try to ignore the knot forming in your belly.

"To Crete!" she commands the horses.

The chariot glides through the gates of Mount Olympus and into the clear bright sky. The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Hera lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

Hera opens her hand, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

She helps you put it on your head.

"Thanks," you say, "but how will I get past the Minotaur."

"That's where I come in," she says. "The Minotaur and his sister love sweets but rarely get them. I'll call to them, offering them cakes laced with a sleeping potion."

"What if they won't eat it?" you ask. "What if they sense you mean to trick them?"

"Ariadne knows that I despise her husband, Dionysus," Hera says. "I'll tell her how pleased I am to hear that she's refused to remain with him. I'll lead her to believe the cakes are a show of my appreciation for her husband's suffering."

You shiver, unnerved by the queen's cruelty. "Okay. And once they fall asleep, how will I find my way through the maze?"

Hera opens her hands, and this time a peacock appears. "This is my familiar, Heracles. He'll make sure you don't get lost, won't you, sweet boy?"

The peacock squawks and nods his head.

"Awesome!" you say.

"Unfortunately, I can't help you find the dagger. I have no idea where it is. You'll have to do that on your own."

"I'll do my best," you say.

"That's all you can do," she says with a smile and hands you her beloved peacock.

As you follow her through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going, you reflect on how she can be so nice one moment and so cruel the next.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hera past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hera points. "The entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You wait here while I lure them out."

"Okay," you say.

"One more thing," she says. "Before you enter the labyrinth, make sure Ariadne isn't carrying the dagger somewhere on her person. If you don't find it on her, follow Heracles as quickly as you can into the labyrinth. We don't know how long you have before they awaken."

"Okay."

"You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock near that fallen pillar. But don't hesitate to run inside."

You nod.

"Ready?" she asks.

"No, but let's do this."

She holds out her hands, where lumps of cake appear. Then she heads down a set of steps toward the fallen pillar. She passes tourists who are oblivious to her then stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! I bring cake!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar.

"Hera?" Ariadne asks. "What brings you here?"

"I must say, I'm impressed with you, Ariadne," Hera says. "When I heard that you have shunned Dionysus because of his barbaric ways, I thought to myself, 'Ariadne and I are kindred spirits.'"

"But you're the goddess of family and marriage," Ariadne says. "I didn't think you'd approve of a wife who refuses to live with her husband."

"I would never encourage a wife to remain with such a beast," she says. "I'm sure you know how much I despise him, because of the way he was conceived."

"Indeed," Ariadne says. "I believe it is your hatred of him that drives him toward his particular lifestyle."

Hera's skin turns red, and you fear she will blow your chances of getting the dagger. Instead, she says, "That may be so, Ariadne. Nevertheless, it seems we fall on the same side of the line on this one. I've brought you and your brother each a piece of my favorite cake, baked with honey and ambrosia in Hestia's kitchen, to show you my gratitude. If you don't want it, you can feed it to the birds."

Hera hands the goddess the cakes and disappears.

The knot in your belly seems to grow tighter and tighter as you suspect Hera has abandoned you. At least you have Heracles. You wait and watch, praying everything goes your way.

"Can I have some?" the Minotaur asks his sister.

"I don't care," Ariadne says. "That evil witch. What do you suppose she's up to?"

"She wants Zeus's bastard son to suffer," the Minotaur says. "What's so unusual about that?"

"I left him over a year ago," she says. "Why bring me cake now?"

"Better late than never," he says as he takes a bite. "Gods, this is good."

"Don't eat it all," she says, taking a piece.

You sigh with relief when the goddess finally eats some.

Nearly five minutes pass before the Minotaur and his sister begin to look woozy.

"I'm going to lie down," Ariadne says.

"I think Hera..."

They both pass out near the entrance before the Minotaur completes his sentence.

With Heracles tucked in one arm like a football, you race down to the fallen figures and search them both for signs of the dagger.

You flinch when Ariadne opens her eyes and asks, "Why?"

"Athena's dagger," you say.

The goddess grins ruefully. "You'll never find it," she says before she closes her eyes and returns to sleep.

When you don't find the weapon on either sibling, you step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. You set the peacock down on his feet and say, "Lead the way, Heracles."

You haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. The peacock turns to the left, so you follow.

You continue for at least another five minutes when you pass a wooden door. You stop, turn the iron doorknob, and push the door open. Then you step into a room with a bed, sink, and furniture.

"I bet it's hidden in here," you say to Heracles, who follows you inside.

Suddenly a figure appears before you. It's the gray-eyed goddess.

"Athena?"

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "I'll help you search for the dagger."

"But why? Isn't that cheating?" you ask, even though you're grateful.

"Not at all. You've already proved yourself useful.

As you and Athena look through several drawers filled with silk scarves, jewels, purses, and shoes, she says, "My dagger is enchanted. Whoever possesses it controls it, and it cannot be stolen by another god or goddess. I made a mistake of passing that control on to Ariadne, believing that she would give it back to me when I asked."

You stop searching, dumbfounded. "If it can't be stolen then why..."

"Not by a god or goddess," she says. "But the enchantment doesn't extend to mortals, because, normally, they aren't a threat."

"You had this in mind from the moment you saw me with Zeus on Mount Olympus," you say, realizing that, all along, the goddess just wanted her dagger.

"Yes," she says.

"Why didn't you make it the first challenge?"

"I didn't want my motives to become clear to the others," she says. "I was going to make it your second challenge, but Artemis beat me to it."

You suck in your lips.

"I promise to make you a goddess, so you can be around Artemis forever," Athena says. "Just help me find my dagger."

"Did you have Cupid strike me with the arrow?" you ask.

"Yes," the goddess admits. "Are you sorry I did it?"

You can't say that you are.

You look beneath the bed, through cabinets, and in the pockets of a coat when, suddenly, you recall the Ariadne's words: "You'll never find it."

It reminds you of a riddle you once learned as a child that ended, "You'll never find it, but it will find you."

"Dagger of Athena, come to me," you say.

Athena stops and stares at you.

When the dagger fails to appear, you nearly give up, but then say, "Dagger of Ariadne, come to me."

Woosh! A movement through the air startles you as the dagger flies across the room to land in your hand.

"You did it!" Athena cries. "Now give it to me!"

"Do you promise to make me a goddess?" you ask.

"I swear on the River Styx," she says.

You give her the dagger and pick up Heracles before Athena takes your hand and leads you from the labyrinth and back to Mount Olympus.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

Part Four: Poseidon and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Poseidon.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Poseidon says. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

He takes you by the hand and leads you from the temple to the chariot, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"No, dear mortal," he says, smoothing your hair from your eyes. "I have a plan to help you succeed."

Before you can reply, he commands the horses, "To Crete!"

The chariot glides through the gates of Mount Olympus and into the clear bright sky. Everything sparkles, but your mood is gloomy.

"Have you heard the story of the Minotaur?" Poseidon asks.

You believe you have, but you can't recall the details, so you shake your head.

"Centuries ago, a would-be king competed with his brothers for the throne," Poseidon says. "He prayed to me, asking for a sign of my support, specifying a white bull."

"Did you send it to him?" you ask.

"Sure, I did. But I asked him to send it back to me, in a ritualistic sacrifice."

"Was that the only way he could return it to you, through sacrifice?"

"Yes. At the time, that was the way things were done."

"I see."

"But Minos—that was the king's name—decided to keep my bull once he became king. He tried to get away with sending me a different bull."

"Sounds like you're still angry about it."

"I am. I don't get over things like that. You should know that about me, dear mortal."

You can't help but love him exactly as he is, but your gloomy mood prevents you from saying so.

"Let's land, my dear, and I'll finish the story."

The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Poseidon lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

"Now, where was I?" the god of the sea asks.

"You were dishonored by a king who returned the wrong bull," you say.

Poseidon's anger seems to have vanished as he looks down at you tenderly. "I want you to know that I want you to win. It would delight me to have you in my life as a diversion from the problems that vex us gods."

"I would love that," you say.

"So, to teach King Minos a lesson, I asked Cupid to strike the king's wife in the heart while she was gazing at the bull."

Your mouth falls open, because you know exactly what it feels like to be compelled by the arrow of love. "That seems hardly fair to his wife when he was the one who betrayed you."

"Yes, dear mortal, I see that now. But, back then, I was angry. And back then, I'm sorry to say, women were viewed as a man's property, just like his cattle."

You shiver. "I'm so glad I wasn't alive back then."

"In any case, Pasiphae—that was the name of Minos's wife—desired the bull so much, that she asked Daedalus—the same engineer who designed the labyrinth—to fit her into a hollow wooden cow, so that she might have relations with him."

"What?" your mouth drops open in shock.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it worked, otherwise the Minotaur never would have been born."

You let that sink in for a moment before you say, "I guess, in a way, he owes his life to  you , then."

"He wasn't too happy to hear his origin story," Poseidon says. "He doesn't have much of a life, living it that labyrinth. He was truly miserable when his sister betrayed him for a man named Theseus. Theseus abandoned her not long after, so she married Dionysus. Then she left him and now keeps company with her brother."

"I feel so sorry for him," you say.

"You shouldn't. He's a monster."

You want to ask Poseidon if he doesn't feel somewhat responsible for that, but you hold your tongue, not wishing to anger him.

"This way," he says, after he helps you from the chariot.

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going, you reflect on how he can be so nice one moment and so cruel the next.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Poseidon past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Poseidon points. "The entrance to the secret labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar."

"I still don't know the plan," you say.

Poseidon holds out his hand, where a piece of parchment paper appears. It's folded and sealed with wax, with the imprint of a trident.

"Deliver this letter to Ariadne," Poseidon says. "She'll either give you the dagger or not. I see no point in you trying to fight for it. You can't win against a goddess and a monster."

"What does your letter say?" you ask.

"In it, I express my regret for being the cause of her brother's curse, and I offer to trade places with him once a year. I will take his form and he will take mine. I will stay in the labyrinth while he rules the sea. I write that I will give her brother this eternal gift if she will give you Athena's dagger."

Your mouth drops open with surprise and utter joy. You can't believe what Poseidon is willing to give up for you and for the monster that he helped to make. You throw your arms around him, your gloomy mood gone, and you kiss him for as long as he allows.

After a few minutes of utter bliss, you come back to the task of delivering the letter. You take the steps down to the fallen pillar and stand before the secret entrance.

"Ariadne!" you shout. You look around at the tourists, worried they might have heard, but when no one turns in your direction, you shout again, "Ariadne! I have a letter from Poseidon!"

You flinch when a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull appear near the fallen pillar in front of you.

"A letter from Poseidon?" the goddess asks.

With a trembling hand, you give her the letter.

She inspects the seal, showing it to the Minotaur, who is surprisingly calm. From stories you've heard, you expected him to roar and attack, but he's surprisingly civil.

"Open it," he says to his sister.

Ariadne breaks the seal and begins to read the letter out loud. Your trepidation subsides when you notice tears forming in the eyes of both siblings when Ariadne finishes the letter.

"Asterion," the goddess says to her brother. "This is an amazing chance for you."

"But you need that dagger, for protection," her brother says. "You know I can't stop Dionysus from coming and taking what he wants. If he discovers you no longer have the dagger..."

"This opportunity is too good to pass up!" Ariadne argues. "My darling brother, you've never had a chance to live as you ought. I can't deny you that!"

You finally understand why Ariadne has been reluctant to hand over the dagger.

"I don't mean to intrude," you say. "But what if you agree to hand over the dagger under the condition that Poseidon give you a different one."

Ariadne meets your eyes for the first time. "Athena's dagger is special. No god or goddess can steal it from whoever possesses it. Dionysus could easily unhand me of an ordinary dagger but not this one. There's no other dagger like it."

"Which is why you should keep it," the Minotaur says.

Ariadne shakes her head as tears slip down her cheeks. "I can't do that to you."

"I have an idea," you say, though it will mean your own defeat. "What if you return the dagger to Athena but only if she and Poseidon swear not to tell another soul. If Dionysus believes you have the dagger, wouldn't that be enough to keep him away?"

"Yes!" Ariadne says, smiling at you. "That would work."

"I can't let you risk it," her brother says.

"This is my decision," Ariadne says. Then she turns to you. "But why would Poseidon help Athena? They can't stand each other."

You tell them your story—how Poseidon found you sleeping near a brook and offered you a ride in his chariot. You tell them about your tour of his underwater castle, about Cupid's arrow, and about the challenges to become immortal.

Ariadne covers her mouth. "If Poseidon and Athena agree to keep my secret, you'll forfeit your chance to become immortal."

You nod as tears prick your eyes. "But I couldn't take the dagger knowing I'd left you vulnerable to a beastly husband."

Ariadne and the Minotaur gasp at something behind you. You turn to see you've been joined by Poseidon.

"Enough of this heart-wrenching conversation," Poseidon says. "Keep the dagger, Ariadne. I will still honor my gift to your brother."

"Thank you, my lord," the Minotaur says with tears streaming from his bull eyes. "Thank you so much."

"The winter solstice is not far off," Poseidon says. "Let that be your day each year."

The Minotaur kneels before Poseidon. Ariadne follows suit.

Then the goddess says to you, "Thank you."

Poseidon takes your hand and flies with you over the ruins to the chariot. Although you've lost your chance to be with your love for all eternity, you feel good about the decision o put the needs of others before your own.

"My heart has grown quite fond of yours, dear mortal," Poseidon says to you. "In fact, I find myself falling in love with your generous, kind, strong heart. I promise you, that for as long as you live, you shall have my heart."

The god of the sea takes you into his arms and kisses you. For the rest of your life, he comes to you nearly every day, bringing you the most amazing gifts. He often takes you to visit his castle under the sea or to Mount Olympus. You travel with him to other parts of the world and live in houses he buys for you. You live a long, happy life, and you share it with your one true love. (The End) [ Click here to start over .]

* * *

Part Four: Amphitrite and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Amphitrite.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent.

Amphitrite turns to you. "Let's go have a talk, shall we?"

The goddess takes your hand and flies with you from the temple to a very small, deserted island in the middle of the sea.

She gently sets you on the sand and sits beside you, so that you are both looking out at the horizon beyond the sparkling sea.

"You want to talk me out of it," you say.

"Navigating through the labyrinth is difficult all on its own, dearie," she says. "Searching for the dagger—which is well-hidden, no doubt—seems like an impossible quest. Add to it the threat of the Minotaur and his sister, who will be guarding that dagger, you can be sure...well, I just don't want to see you killed."

You stroke the goddess's cheek. "You're so lovely."

She kisses you, bringing all the desire for her in your heart pulsing throughout your entire body. You lay her down on the sand and show her what you're capable of. She sighs with pleasure and lies in your arms beneath the golden sun.

After a while, she says, "It can be like this as often as you like, you know."

"But you said the last challenge was impossible," you say.

"You don't have to become a god to be with me. I've told you this before. I can give you riches and comforts. I can give you your own island, where I can visit you every day. You can have other visitors, too, if you'd like. We can even have children together. They'd be strong and talented. It could be a good life."

This sounds like more than you could have ever hoped for. "Do you promise, Amphitrite? Do you promise to share your life with me?"

"Yes, my sweet, dear love," she says before she kisses you again.

"Okay," you say. "I'll refuse the final challenge to ensure I get a full life with you."

The goddess smiles with happiness. "Why don't we go for a swim?"

"Can I wear the golden net, so I can breathe underwater?" you ask.

"It's yours anytime you want it, dearie," she says with her brilliant smile.

The two of you spend the rest of the day swimming with dolphins and hunting for pearls.

(The End) [ Click here to start over.]

* * *

Part Four: Aphrodite and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Aphrodite.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Aphrodite says. To you she asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

Aphrodite takes your hand, and the pressure and light you've come to associate with god-travel wraps around you before your feet lift the ground, and, the next thing you know, you're standing near a fallen pillar surrounded by acres and acres of ancient ruins and dozens of tourists.

"Is this Crete?" you ask.

"We're outside of the modern city of Heraklion," she says. "This wall is the secret entrance to the labyrinth."

"I hope you aren't sending me in there without a plan," you say.

"Of course not, my lovely. But, you see, there's no way in Hades you can defeat the Minotaur and his sister, no matter how strong and skilled you are."

"So, what's the plan?" you ask.

"You're going to ask Ariadne why she wants to keep Athena's dagger, and then, together, we'll think of another way to meet her needs."

Before you can object, Aphrodite shouts, "Knock-knock!"

You glance around nervously, and then, when none of the tourists look your way, you realize you they can't see or hear you.

"Ariadne!" Aphrodite shouts. "Please, come out and talk with me."

You flinch when a raven-haired goddess and a tall man with a bull's head appear before you.

"What do you want, Aphrodite?" the goddess asks as she gives you once over.

"We've come to discuss Athena's dagger," Aphrodite says.

"What about it?" the Minotaur demands. "And who's this mortal?"

"Why don't you tell them your story, my lovely."

Although your throat has tightened and your mouth is so dry that you can barely make spit, you tell the siblings the story of how you ended up here and why you need Athena's dagger.

"I wish we could help you," the Minotaur says. "But my sister needs that dagger."

"Would you mind telling us why?" you ask, trying to hide your trepidation.

Ariadne sighs. "My husband is a beast."

"Dionysus?" Aphrodite says with surprise. "Why would you say that?"

"I've told him that I will not live his orgiastic lifestyle," Ariadne says. "That's not me."

"But darling, have you tried it?" Aphrodite asks.

"She said it's not her," the Minotaur says.

"I told him to choose," Ariadne continue. "Me or the dance. He chose the dance. But he thinks he can come around here whenever he wants. The last time he visited me, he forced himself on me."

"Oh, dear!" Aphrodite cries.

You look at your feet, angry at the husband and sorry for the goddess.

"I used the dagger to cut off one of his nuts as he slept," Ariadne says.

Your eyes widen, as you can only imagine the pain. But then you wonder if it grew back.

"I told him that if he ever tries that again," the goddess continues, "I'll cut off the other."

That answers your question—sort of. You don't dare ask for clarification.

"Why can't you use a different dagger?" you ask.

"Athena's is special," the Minotaur says. "It's impossible to steal it."

You look at Aphrodite. "If it's impossible to steal, then why did Athena..."

"For an immortal to steal," Ariadne explains. "Dionysus could easily unhand me of any other weapon, but this dagger has special properties. Whoever is in possession of it controls it."

"So, technically, a mortal could steal it," you say. Then you turn to Aphrodite. "I think Athena set me up."

"What do you mean, my lovely?"

"She convinced Cupid to shoot me so that I would do anything to be with you, including this. She orchestrated this whole thing just to get her dagger back."

"Then why give you three challenges?" Aphrodite points out. "Why would she risk you failing the first two?"

"I don't know," you say. "I guess I could be wrong."

"You could always ask Cupid," Ariadne suggests.

"I have another idea," Aphrodite says. "If your desire to keep the dagger stems from a need to protect yourself from your husband, why not use Hippolyta's chastity belt instead?"

"Do you know where it is?" the Minotaur asks.

"No," Aphrodite says. "But wouldn't Hercules? The mortal and I will pay him a visit, discover the girdle's location, and bring it to you in exchange for the dagger. Are we in accord?"

Ariadne smiles and wipes away her tears. "If you bring me the girdle, I'll give you the dagger."

In the next instant, the feel of god-travel surrounds you, your feet lift from the ground, and you open your eyes to find yourself standing on the rocky ledge of a deep chasm.

"Hades!" Aphrodite shouts. "Let me in! It's Aphrodite with the mortal."

The bright light and pressure encompass you, and suddenly, you fall to a floor—it's a golden-paved floor in a cavern, illuminated by chandeliers of candlelight and a river of fire.

You realize you are inside the palace of Hades and Persephone, who are seated on their thrones before you.

Aphrodite helps you to your feet.

"What can I do for you?" Hades asks Aphrodite.

"We need to see Hercules. I promise to be quick."

"Why?" Hades asks before you can.

"I need to question him about the location of Hippolyta's girdle. Ariadne wants it in exchange for Athena's dagger."

"Oh, dear," Persephone says. "I can only imagine why."

"It's as bad as you suspect," Aphrodite says. "Her husband of a beast won't leave her alone."

"We have to help them," Persephone says to Hades.

"Yes, we do. But Hercules has already passed on to the Elysian Fields. He won't remember, unless the mortal is willing to give him human blood."

"I'll do it," you say.

"Catch Charon at the House of Judgment," Hades says. "He'll take you to Hercules."

Aphrodite takes your hand and leads you from the palace down a long corridor that dances with the light of the river of fire. Soon, you come to a large room that reminds you of underground caverns you visited as a child, except that three men in white robes are floating in the air where the river of fire and another river meet.

Aphrodite leads you to the bank to the black river, where you wait.

Only a few minutes pass when an old man in a red tattered robe appears on a raft-like boat. He pulls a long slender pole through the black river. On board is a beautiful young god with dark hair and bright blue eyes. He has a hand on the shoulders of two transparent men.

They stop at the House of Judgement, where the judges point.

The ferryman pulls his pole through the water and is about to steer the boat away when Aphrodite cries, "Wait! Hades said you would take us to Hercules."

The old man ignores you, but the younger one turns and beckons you aboard."

Aphrodite takes your hand and flies with you over the river, past the House of Judgment, and onto the boat beside the beautiful god. You clutch your throat, feeling as though you can no longer breathe air.

"Oh, I forgot," Aphrodite says. "The mortal will die in your presence, Thanatos."

"Get off there," the beautiful god says.

"Be careful not to dip a single toe into this blue-green river," Aphrodite warns you as you continue to struggle for air. "If you do, you will lose your memories. That's why it's called the river of forgetfulness."

You nod before she takes your hand and flies you to one of the many small islands in the blue-green river.

When the ferry unloads its other passengers, it whisks away, out of sight, and you can finally breathe again.

"Welcome to the Elysian Fields," Aphrodite says.

They are vast and wonderful. You see many transparent souls frolicking about, gayly flying kites, playing with balls, picnicking, and reading. There are hundreds—perhaps thousands—of these souls. And the fields seem to stretch on for miles and miles.

"So, this is heaven?" you ask.

"Yes," the goddess says, scanning the fields in all directions.

"How will we find Hercules?" you ask Aphrodite.

"Oh, look," she says. "It's Thanatos with him, now."

The beautiful god brings the transparent soul of a man with a smile on his face and a blank look in his eyes.

You clutch at your throat, struggling to breathe. The beautiful god vanishes, leaving the transparent soul.

"Hercules?" Aphrodite asks.

"Who?" the soul asks in return.

"Give him some of your blood to drink," Aphrodite tells you.

The soul licks his transparent lips with his transparent tongue as you hold out your hand and Aphrodite slices into your palm with a knife.

You lift your hand, pooling with blood, toward the soul, who laps up the blood eagerly.

"That's enough," Aphrodite says, pulling back your arm. "Tell me, do you know your name?"

"Um," the soul looks longingly at your bloody hand.

"If you answer correctly," you say, "I'll give you another drink."

"Hercules."

You offer him a sip and pull away.

"Tell us where Hippolyta's golden girdle is," Aphrodite says, "and we'll give you another drink."

"I don't know," he says. "I gave it to Theseus."

"Then go," Aphrodite tells the soul just before she pushes him into the river.

"Why did you do that?" you ask.

"Watch."

Hercules pulls himself onto the bank. He glances back at you with a blank look in his eyes and a smile on his face. Aphrodite waves, so he waves back before he skips off to join a game of baseball.

Just then the beautiful god reappears with another soul at his side. You clutch at your throat, straining for air as Aphrodite says, "Thank you, Thanatos."

The beautiful god disappears.

Aphrodite takes your bloody hand and offers it to the new soul, who looks like Hercules but with darker hair.

"Drink," the goddess says.

The soul eagerly laps blood from your palm.

After a moment you pull your hand away. "Do you know your name?"

The soul looks eagerly at your palm.

"Answer correctly, and you can have another taste."

"Theseus."

You offer him more of your blood, which he quickly laps from your hand.

You pull away again. "Where is Hippolyta's girdle?"

"I gave it to Dione."

"My mother?" Aphrodite exclaims with shock.

She pushes the soul into the river, grabs your hand, and god-travels you from the Underworld to the shore of an island.

"Mother!" Aphrodite shouts into the sea.

A beautiful silver face, with long silver lashes, appears in the sea foam of a gentle wave as it rides toward the shore.

"I need Hippolyta's golden girdle," Aphrodite says. "It's urgent."

"No woman should wear such a contraption," Dione says.

"It's for protection from a beastly husband," Aphrodite says.

The goddess emerges in her full glory onto the bank before you, sparkling like the silver scales of a fish, but in a lovely human form.

"Why didn't you say so?" the sea goddess says as a golden belt appears in her hands. "But I will only give it to you if you promise on the River Styx to return it in no less than one year and to tell no one, human or deity, where you found it." The goddess looks at you. "Both of you must swear."

"I swear," Aphrodite says.

"I swear," you say.

The sea goddess hands the belt to her daughter who offers her thanks before she takes your hand and god-travels you to the secret entrance of the labyrinth.

"Wait," you say, when you realize where you are. "What will Ariadne do to protect herself after a year has passed?"

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," Aphrodite says.

You shake your head. "I can't do it."

"What?" she asks. "After all the trouble we've gone to get this girdle, you don't want to make the trade?"

"I want to be with you more than anything," you say. "But I can't trade Ariadne's peace of mind for my own. It's not fair."

"Life isn't fair," Aphrodite says.

"Exactly," you say. "Which is why, when we  can make a difference, we should."

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Aphrodite says. "I don't need a lesson in morality from a mortal."

"Perhaps you do," the Minotaur says as he emerges from the labyrinth with his sister by his side.

"Fine," Aphrodite says with a pout. "Have it your way."

The goddess of love and beauty disappears, abandoning you.

You sigh, wondering how you will get home.

"Thank you," Ariadne says to you. "We overheard what you gave up, to keep me safe."

"You're welcome," you say as you fight tears. "I don't suppose you know how to get me back home."

"Isn't that Aphrodite's traveling robe?" Ariadne asks.

Your brows lift with surprise as you remember that you are still wearing the robe. Hoping Aphrodite doesn't take it from you, you focus on the babbling brook and the field of flowers, where all your adventures first began. The feel of god-travel wraps around you, and your feet lift from the ground. In the next instant, you are standing in the same place you were when you first met Poseidon.

Over the years, you have fun using the robe. You make a fortune and become one of the most famous people in the world. After ten years of living with the robe, you are visited by Aphrodite. She tells you that she's heard your prayers over the years, and she hasn't forgotten you. She admits that her feelings were hurt, and it's taken her this long to forgive you. From that moment on, she visits you nearly every day, and you live happily ever after. (The End) [ Click here to start over .]

* * *

Part Four: Hermes and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Hermes.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Hermes says. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

He takes you by the hand and leads you from the temple to the gold-paved courtyard, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"No, beautiful," he says, smoothing your hair from your eyes. "I have a plan. Later tonight, when it's dark, I'll distract Asterion and Ariadne with a game of night Frisbee, while you search the labyrinth for Athena's dagger."

"What's night Frisbee?" you ask.

"It's a game the siblings invented after Poseidon gifted a golden disc to the Minotaur. They only play at night, because, during the day, they try to keep the tourists from accidentally stumbling upon the entrance to the labyrinth and getting lost."

"Huh?" you ask. "I thought you said the Minotaur eats people?"

"That's just what he and Ariadne want everyone to think," Hermes explains. "They're actually pretty nice, spending their time saving mortals from the misery of the maze."

"They do sound nice," you say. "Now I feel bad about tricking them. Don't you?"

"How else will you become immortal?" he asks. "If Ariadne was willing to give up Athena's dagger, she would have returned it by now."

"I suppose you're right."

"Don't think of it as tricking them," Hermes says. "Think about it as getting back for Athena what is rightfully hers."

You nod. "So, what should we do until dark?"

"Well, they don't call me the god of travel for no good reason," he says. "Would you like to visit one of my favorite cities?"

"I'd love to do anything with you, Hermes," you say with a grin.

"Then, shall we go to London or Paris?"

You say [choose one]

" London ."

" Paris ."

* * *

" London, it is!" Hermes says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a tree-lined path that reminds you a little of the garden of Hesperides.

"What part of London is this?" you ask.

"Come on. You'll recognize it, I'm sure."

Hermes leads you along the path, where some people are sitting on the grass visiting, reading, or just taking in the views of nature. Soon you come upon a gilded gate followed by a semicircular garden full of gorgeous flowers in reds, oranges, blues, and pinks. In the center of this garden is an enormous marble statue.

"That's Nike on the top there," Hermes says. "Not the real one, of course. I mean her likeness. Do you recognize where we are now?"

As you go through the gate and get closer to the statue you see the palace beyond.

"Is the Buckingham Palace?" you ask in awe.

"It is."

"It's more beautiful in person," you say.

"How would you like to meet the queen?" he asks with a devilish grin. "And by meet , I mean  spy on."

Your mouth opens into a huge smile as you laugh with glee. "Are you serious?"

"We can see what all the royals are up to, if you'd like. Not all will be in, but many are during the week. They all have apartments to stay in while they're in London for official business."

You spend a delightful hour with Hermes popping in and out of rooms in Buckingham Palace to see how the royals behave behind closed doors. Although you are disappointed to find nothing scandalous, you find it thrilling to see what a day is like for such famous people.

You watch the changing of the guard and then fly to Westminster and to Westminster Abbey. You walk along Parliament Square and visit Big Ben, enjoying its chimes. Not far from there, the London Harvest Festival is in full swing. You and Hermes spend the afternoon tasting dishes made from food grown in local gardens.

"I'd really like to see Kings Cross Station," you say. "I want to see what it's like in real life."

"Real life?"

"I read about it in Harry Potter," you admit.

"Oh, then I know exactly where to take you."

You swoop through the sky and then down into a crowded train station that's not all that remarkable, until you stop beneath a sign that reads, "Platform 9 ¾."

A cart has been made to look as if it's going through the brick wall.

"How fun!" you say, just before he kisses you and takes a selfie with a cell phone you didn't know he had.

Next, he takes you shopping and buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on Oxford Street, a new jacket at a place in Leicester Square, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at Harrod's.

From there, he takes you to Camden, where you convince him to get matching tattoos. He agrees, and, together, you choose a pair of hearts with wings.

You have such a grand time with Hermes doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and Hermes says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hermes land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hermes opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Hermes opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to find Athena's dagger.

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds, you whisper, "Can they not see us?"

"No," he says. "Nor hear us."

You wave your hands and stick out your tongue as people pass you. When no one notices you, you shout, "Fuck off!"

Hermes throws his head back and laughs. "I almost lifted your glamor, just to play a trick on you."

Your face heats up, and you're sure it's as red as a tomato. "That would have been so embarrassing!"

"Exactly!" he says with a laugh.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hermes past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hermes points. "The entrance is to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You stand here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock near that fallen pillar. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

He kisses you, reminding you why you are here.

"Now, I'm ready," you say with a smile.

He heads down a set of steps. He passes tourists who are oblivious to him. Then he stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hermes! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Hermes said to hurry, so you unroll the white twine as you run forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

Suddenly a figure appears before you and you halt in your tracks. It's the gray-eyed goddess.

"Athena?"

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "I'll help you find the dagger."

"But why? Isn't that cheating?" you ask, even though you're grateful.

"Follow me, and I'll explain as we go, but hurry."

You run behind the goddess, struggling to keep up.

She says, "My dagger is enchanted. Whoever possesses it controls it, and it cannot be stolen by another god or goddess."

You follow her around a bend, barely dodging a hissing snake.

"Not venomous," she says, as she continues to run. "I made a mistake of passing that control on to Ariadne, believing that she would give it back to me when I asked."

"If it can't be stolen then why..."

"Not by a god or goddess," she says. "But the enchantment doesn't extend to mortals, because, normally, they aren't a threat."

"You had this in mind from the moment you saw me with Poseidon in his castle," you say, realizing that, all along, the goddess just wanted her dagger.

When the tunnel forks again, you follow her to the right.

"Yes," she says, "but I'll keep my word. If you help me find my dagger, you win."

"We just passed a door," you say, stopping. "Why is there a door there?"

Athena stops and follows you to a thick wooden door. You open it to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. You and Athena look through several drawers filled with silk scarves, jewels, purses, and shoes, but you see no sign of a dagger. You look beneath the bed, through cabinets, and in the pockets of a coat when, suddenly, you see a jeweled scabbard hanging on a hook between the headboard and the stone wall.

You reach behind the headboard, lift the scabbard from the hook, and unsheathe the dagger.

"You did it!" Athena cries. "Now give it to me!"

"Do you promise to show me the way out of here and to make me a goddess?" you ask.

"I swear on the River Styx," she says.

You hand her the dagger. She takes your hand and leads you from the labyrinth and god-travels you to Mount Olympus where the others are waiting. Hermes isn't far behind. When he sees you standing beside Athena with a smile on your face, he runs to you and takes you into his arms.

"Nice work, beautiful."

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

"Paris, it is!" Hermes says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a lovely garden with cone-shaped cypresses surrounding a larger-than life statue. It's one you recognize.

"The Thinker," you say.

"It was originally called  The Poet ," Hermes says.

"This place is beautiful!" you say of the surrounding garden, sculptors, and mansion in the background. "What is it?"

"The Musee Rodin," Hermes says as he draped an arm over your shoulders. "The most romantic place in Paris, in my opinion."

Goosebumps of delight spread across your skin as you walk through the garden with Hermes, admiring the art—both natural and human-made.

Hermes tells you about some of his favorite sculptures, stopping before the Gates of Hell.

"Not a true depiction," Hermes says, "but, beautiful, nevertheless. Don't you think?"

You nod, admiring the intricate workmanship.

"My favorite piece is inside," he says before he kisses your cheek. "Come on."

He leads you into the beautiful mansion, which looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. You walk through a series of rooms—all stunning—and stops before a white marble statue of two lovers kissing.

"I love it," you say.

"I have a replica in my rooms at home," Hermes says. "I'd love to see it, some day."

"You will," he says before he kisses your hand. "I promise."

"I'd love to imitate it," you say with a grin.

"What, now?" Hermes asks.

"Why not?" you ask with a playful chuckle.

As a woman poses before the statue while her partner takes a photograph, Hermes sits on the base of the statue. You sit on his left knee, just as the woman in the sculpture. Then he places his hand on your left hip as you wrap your left arm around his neck.

"We want to be realistic, don't we?" he says with that devilish grin.

In the next moment, the two of you are naked in the middle of the museum. At first you laugh, thinking how funny it was that the mortals around you had no idea that you were there. But as Hermes's lips move closer to yours, you are overcome with passion.

"Oh," you whisper, as his hands explore your body.

Hermes kisses you again and again as the two of you move your hands over one another, indulging your senses as the mortals walk around you, oblivious.

"What a lovely way to spend an afternoon," you whisper.

Hermes lies you on the floor beside Rodin's famous statue and arouses you in ways you've never felt. You pull at his curly hair and bite his luscious lips and shriek with pleasure.

Once you're back in your clothes and leaving the mansion, you smile brightly and say, "This is definitely the most romantic spot in Paris."

Hermes guffaws and takes you by the hand, leading you up into the sky.

"Time for shopping," he says.

You squeal with happiness as he flies with you over the Luxembourg Gardens

He buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on the Boulevard Saint Germain, a new jacket at a store in the Place de la Madeleine, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at a store on Rue Saint Dominique.

From there, he takes you to the Le Marais neighborhood, where you convince him to get matching tattoos. He agrees, and, together, you choose a pair of hearts with wings.

You have such a grand time with Hermes doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and Hermes says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hermes land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hermes opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Hermes opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to find Athena's dagger.

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds, you whisper, "Can they not see us?"

"No," he says, with a grin. "Nor hear us, just like in the Musee Rodin."

You giggle, replaying the events of earlier that day in your mind.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hermes past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hermes points. "The entrance is to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You stand here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock near that fallen pillar. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

He kisses you, reminding you why you are here.

"Now, I'm ready," you say with a smile.

He heads down a set of steps. He passes tourists who are oblivious to him. Then he stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hermes! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Hermes said to hurry, so you unroll the white twine as you run forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

Suddenly a figure appears before you and you halt in your tracks. It's the gray-eyed goddess.

"Athena?"

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "I'll help you find the dagger."

"But why? Isn't that cheating?" you ask, even though you're grateful.

"Follow me, and I'll explain as we go, but hurry."

You run behind the goddess, struggling to keep up.

She says, "My dagger is enchanted. Whoever possesses it controls it, and it cannot be stolen by another god or goddess."

You follow her around a bend, barely dodging a hissing snake.

"Not venomous," she says, as she continues to run. "I made a mistake of passing that control on to Ariadne, believing that she would give it back to me when I asked."

"If it can't be stolen then why..."

"Not by a god or goddess," she says. "But the enchantment doesn't extend to mortals, because, normally, they aren't a threat."

"You had this in mind from the moment you saw me with Poseidon in his castle," you say, realizing that, all along, the goddess just wanted her dagger.

When the tunnel forks again, you follow her to the right.

"Yes," she says, "but I'll keep my word. If you help me find my dagger, you win."

"We just passed a door," you say, stopping. "Why is there a door there?"

Athena stops and follows you to a thick wooden door. You open it to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. You and Athena look through several drawers filled with silk scarves, jewels, purses, and shoes, but you see no sign of a dagger. You look beneath the bed, through cabinets, and in the pockets of a coat when, suddenly, you see a jeweled scabbard hanging on a hook between the headboard and the stone wall.

You reach behind the headboard, lift the scabbard from the hook, and unsheathe the dagger.

"You did it!" Athena cries. "Now give it to me!"

"Do you promise to show me the way out of here and to make me a goddess?" you ask.

"I swear on the River Styx," she says.

You hand her the dagger. She takes your hand and leads you from the labyrinth and god-travels you to Mount Olympus where the others are waiting. Hermes isn't far behind. When he sees you standing beside Athena with a smile on your face, he runs to you and takes you into his arms.

"Nice work, beautiful."

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

Part Four: Hephaestus and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Hephaestus.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"Then I shall take this mortal to Crete, to Knossos," Hephaestus says. To you he asks, "Ready?"

You nod, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

He takes you by the hand and leads you from the temple to his horseless chariot, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"I'd be happy to take you home, love, if you want."

You frown. "I've come this far, haven't I?"

He shakes his head. "It breaks my heart to see your face so full of hope. I love my wife, love. I see no happiness for you if you succeed in this challenge."

"Just seeing you every day makes me happy enough," you say.

"All right, then." He opens his hands, where a round golden device appears.

"Is that a compass?" you ask.

"Not an ordinary compass," he says. "I've programmed it to lead you to Athena's dagger. I made her dagger—though I'm not the one who enchanted it—but I was able to use fragments of the stones I cut and inlaid in the scabbard to program this device."

He hands it over to you. A needle points to the southeast.

"This is incredible. Thank you."

"I'll want it back when you return," he says.

"Of course."

Then he opens his hand, and a similar round gold device appears. "This is a second compass that will always point to me. Use it to find your way out of the labyrinth."

You feel like your face will crack in half from the smile of gratitude you wear. "You are so awesome, Hephaestus. I could kiss you!"

The god of the forge blushes. "I'll do my best to distract Ariadne and the Minotaur while you're in the labyrinth. Here's one more thing you'll need."

He opens his hand, and a headlamp on a strap appears.

"Wear this, to see."

He straps it to your head.

"Thank you," you say, enjoying the feel of his face so close to yours.

He pushes a lever and says, "To Crete!"

The horseless chariot glides through the gates of Mount Olympus into the clear blue sky. A tight ball seems to form in the pit of your stomach as you imagine all the things that could go wrong if the Minotaur isn't distracted long enough for you to find and leave with Athena's dagger.

The chariot descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Hephaestus lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to your arrival, you realize they can't see you.

"This way, love."

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going, you ask, "How will we lure the Minotaur and his sister from the maze, especially with all these tourists around?"

"They're virtually imprisoned here," Hephaestus says as he guides you through the ruins. "They only leave the labyrinth at night and never the island of Crete, as far as I know. I built something I think they will want."

"What is it?" you ask.

"It's a special antenna for receiving radio waves that can't penetrate through the ground otherwise."

"Huh?" you ask.

"Most gods have cell phones these days—though not all of them use them, because they aren't really needed by most. But Ariadne and her brother could enjoy watching videos and reading news from all over the world if they had any reception down there."

"How cool!" you say. "What a great idea."

"I was waiting to give it to them when I needed a favor," Hephaestus says. "And, well, I need one now."

You blush, realizing he's cashing in something he's been holding onto for quite a while so he can help you. "Thank you so much."

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hephaestus past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hephaestus points. "The entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You hide behind this column while I bring them up here for a visit. Once you see us talking, take those steps down to that fallen pillar. See it?"

You nod.

"That's the secret entrance to the labyrinth. It looks like a solid wall but isn't. Just step through it and follow the first compass to the dagger."

"Okay," you say.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

"Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hephaestus!" the god of the forge shouts. "I have something you're going to want! Come out and talk with me!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. You watch with amazement as they walk up the steps, passing tourists who are oblivious to them, and stand beside Hephaestus.

As soon as they clear the steps, you take them down, mixed in with a group of tourists.

You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. You know the clock is ticking, so you look down at your compass—you've put the other in your pocket—and follow the needle down the winding tunnels. At each fork, you follow the needle, making several turns to the left and then two more to the right, until it points to a wooden door.

Suddenly a figure appears beside you and you flinch. It's the gray-eyed goddess.

"Athena?"

"You've done well, mortal," she says. "I'll help you find the dagger."

"I don't need your help," you say. "Besides, Isn't that cheating?"

"I will keep my promise if you help me find it," she says. "But we have to hurry."

"Why would a goddess need  my help?" you ask as you put your hand on the iron doorknob.

"My dagger is enchanted. Whoever possesses it controls it, and it cannot be stolen by another god or goddess. I made a mistake of passing that control on to Ariadne, believing that she would give it back to me when I asked."

"If it can't be stolen then why..."

"Not by a god or goddess," she says. "But the enchantment doesn't extend to mortals, because, normally, they aren't a threat."

You open it to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture.

Then, something occurs to you. "You had this in mind from the moment you saw me with Poseidon in his underwater castle," you say, realizing that, all along, the goddess just wanted her dagger.

"Yes," she admits.

"Were you behind Cupid's arrow, too?" you ask.

"Yes. Are you sorry?"

You aren't sure. You can't imagine never loving Hephaestus, but it hurts to not be loved back.

"You stole my happiness from me," you say.

"What if I can get you your happiness back?" she asks.

"How?"

"The Fates can remove the arrow."

"Will they?"

"I don't know."

You shake your head, feeling disgusted by the goddess of wisdom. But you've come this far, so you use the device to search for the dagger. The needle points toward the bed. You check beneath the pillow and covers but come up with nothing.

Then you notice that the headboard isn't pushed all the way against the stone wall. You look behind it to find the jeweled scabbard hanging on a hook. You take it from behind the bed.

"You did it!" Athena cries. "Now give it to me!"

"Do you promise to make me a goddess?" you ask.

"I swear on the River Styx," she says.

You hand her the dagger. She takes your hand and leads you from the labyrinth, where Hephaestus is still talking with Ariadne and Asterion.

"Athena!" Ariadne cries.

"That's right," the gray-eyed goddess says. "You thought you could keep me from what's mine, but you were wrong."

Ariadne's eyes fill with tears and the Minotaur roars.

"Let's go," Athena says.

"Wait," you say. "Why are they so upset over losing your dagger?"

"I don't know," Athena admits.

The Minotaur says, "It was her only defense against her bully of a husband."

"If you need a dagger for self-defense, I can make you another," Hephaestus says.

"Not like that one," Ariadne says weeping. "Athena's can't be taken from whoever possesses it—at least not by a god or goddess. That's why she used the mortal."

"What?" Hephaestus says, piecing together Athena's plan. "If that's so, why didn't you make getting your dagger the first challenge."

"I didn't want the rest of you to know what I was up to," she says. "And then Artemis beat me in naming the second."

"What makes your dagger enchanted?" Hephaestus asks Athena.

"The jewels you cut for the scabbard came from my mother, Metis," Athena explains. "She gave them to me while I was still inside Zeus. She told me they would could never be taken from me unless I gave them away."

"Will you give up one of the jewels, so I can use it to make a dagger for Ariadne?" Hephaestus asks Athena.

Athena fingers her scabbard, where there are three stones that look like diamonds. "I suppose I could give up one of them."

"Thank you!" Ariadne cries. "Thanks to both of you!"

The Minotaur hugs his sister. Your eyes fill with tears of happiness.

"I'll bring the weapon to you tonight," Hephaestus says.

"Until then!" Ariadne says with a wave.

"Let's tell the others on Mount Olympus that the mortal is ready to become one of us," Athena says.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .]

* * *

Part Four: Hades and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Hades.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent.

"But is this what the mortal wants?" Persephone asks.

"Yes," you say, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

"Then let's go to Crete," Hades says to you.

Hades leads you from the temple, across the gold-paved courtyard, to his chariot, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"You can always let me take you home," Hades says. "I regret ever offering you a ride."

"Please don't say that. It breaks my heart."

"I'm sorry," Hades says. "But if you plan to become immortal, you need to get used to it. It only gets worse with time."

"Can you see no future in which you no longer love your wife?" you ask.

"No," he says. "Not that our marriage hasn't had it's rough patches. Believe me, we've had our share. Even so, I could never love another."

Tears prick your eyes. "The Fates are cruel to do this to me."

Hades pinches your chin and lifts it, so he can look you in the eyes. "Life isn't fair, but if you remain a mortal, you have death to look forward to, and  that will be fair, I assure you."

The touch of his fingers on your chin comforts and excites you but also makes you sad.

"I can't imagine never seeing you. I'd rather be close to you, even knowing you don't love me than to live a life in which I never lay eyes on you."

"I suppose you could serve me in the Underworld," the god of darkness says, and a thrill moves through your heart.

"Shall we go, then?" he asks you as he takes the reins.

You nod as you wipe the tears from your cheeks.

"To Crete!" Hades says to Swift and Sure, who then draw the chariot through the gates and out into the clear blue sky.

The chariot soon descends toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. Hades lands the chariot down among them, where tourists are still walking in and among the partially ravaged buildings. Since none of them react to a horse-drawn chariot, you realize they can't see it.

Hades opens his hands, where his helm appears.

"This is how you will explore the labyrinth unseen by the Minotaur and his sister."

"I'll be walking on rock this time," you say. "Hopefully I can creep around more quickly than I could on dead leaves."

Hades grins. "Indeed. The helm will also allow you to see in the dark."

"Oh, good," you say. "I was wondering about that."

"With the power of the helm, you'll also be able to see any deity that might be hiding from mortal eyes, including Ariadne and her brother."

"Do you think I'll run into them while I'm searching for the dagger?"

"Probably," he says, "though the maze is complicated enough that I suppose there's a small chance of avoiding them."

"What should I do if I see them?" you ask.

"Freeze. Hold your breath. Wait for them to move on."

"And if they don't?"

"Quietly creep away."

Hades opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"Won't this be noticed by the Minotaur or his sister?"

"As long as you hold the twine in your hands, it will remain invisible."

You nod.

"Unless one of them touches it," he says.

"Does that include stepping on it?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

You sigh. "Great. This is impossible."

"There are countless threads running along the floors of those tunnels," Hades says. "More mortals than you can fathom have tried their luck with the labyrinth. Your thread will likely blend in with the others."

"I hope so."

"It's all I've got," he says. "Unless you have a better idea."

"No," you say.

"Then let's go."

You follow him from the chariot through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are coming and going. When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hades past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hades points. "The secret entrance is on the other side of that fallen pillar. It will look like a wall of rock. Just step through it."

You nod.

He claps a hand on your shoulder, puts the helm on your head, and says, "Good luck."

"Thanks," you say.

Then you take a set of steps down toward the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through what looks like a solid wall. You crouch and step all the way through into a tall, wide tunnel—large enough for a train to pass through. As you creep forward, you unroll the white ball of twine.

You haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

Suddenly a figure appears before you, and you halt in your tracks. It's a raven-haired goddess with bright eyes. She's skipping along the tunnel with a book in one hand and a pencil in the other. She passes you, and you decide to follow her.

You have a hard time keeping up with her as she turns right at one fork and left at another—left again, left again, and right. It's hard to unwind the twine fast enough, and, for a moment, you lose sight of her.

Then you hear her shout, "Look what I've got!"

You creep around the corner to find a wooden door ajar, and, on the other side, you see a room with a bed and furniture. Sitting in a chair is a man with the head of a bull—the Minotaur.

"Sudoku!" Ariadne cries with glee. "Nearly all the puzzles have yet to be solved. I stole it from a tourist a few minutes ago. Imagine coming to an island like Crete with a book of Sudoku puzzles!"

"What an outrage! That tourist  deserved to have the puzzle book stolen," the Minotaur teases.

You hadn't realized the monster could speak, much less use sarcasm.

Ariadne swats her brother's shoulder with the paperback puzzle book. "Yes. She did. Want to help me solve one?"

"Why not?"

Ariadne pulls another chair beside her brothers and sits close to him with the book opened and the pencil in her hand. You decide this is a perfect time to continue your search.

"What was that?" the Minotaur says.

You freeze.

Then the little hairs on the nape of your neck stand at attention, and you are overwhelmed by mortal fear. Without turning, you realize the Minotaur is standing directly behind you.

"I see you," he says. "Who are you and why are you here? And how did you get the helm of invisibility?"

You turn around to face the monster. He's holding the other end of your twine.

"Hades loaned me the helm," you say.

Ariadne is soon beside her brother. "Who are you talking to, Asterion?"

The Minotaur hands his sister part of the twine, so she can see you, too.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" she demands, just like her brother did moments before.

You tell them how Hades found you sleeping beside a brook, offered you a ride in his chariot, and gave you a tour of the Underworld. You tell them about Cupid's arrow and Athena's challenges—the black box of beauty and the golden apple from the garden of the Hesperides.

"Aha!" Ariadne says. "I should have known Athena put you up to this. I bet she's the one you orchestrated the whole thing, just to get you here."

"Why won't you return her dagger?" you ask.

"That's none of your business," the Minotaur says as tears fill his sister's eyes.

"It's an enchanted dagger," Ariadne explains. "The only one of its kind. It prevents anyone from stealing it from whoever is in possession of it."

"If that's true, then why would Athena ask me to steal it? Did she send me on an impossible errand?"

"It's enchanted against other deities," Ariadne says. "I suppose a mortal  could steal it, or she wouldn't have sent you. Otherwise, the only way she could get it back is for me to give it to her."

"But if it belongs to Athena..."

"It's not that simple," the Minotaur says. "Come on, Ariadne. You don't have to explain yourself."

"If the mortal has the helm, then this must be important to Hades," Ariadne says. "I want the lord of darkness to understand my side."

"I'm listening," you say.

"My husband is Dionysus, the god of wine," she says. "He was banned from Mount Olympus by his step-mother, Hera. He's upset that his father won't stick up for him, so he wastes his days away sleeping and his nights drinking and dancing with a troupe of wild women and satyrs, doing all kinds of nasty things."

You feel sorry for the goddess.

"I told him he had to choose between me and his lifestyle," she continues.

You realize what he must have chosen.

"But he thinks he can come here anytime he feels like it and..." Ariadne bursts into tears.

"That's enough," her brother says. "At least come and sit down."

The Minotaur leads his sister back into the room and helps her into her chair.

"Have a seat," the Minotaur says to you, offering you his chair.

Not knowing what else to so, you sit.

"I want to finish my story," Ariadne says.

The Minotaur sighs. "I won't stop you."

"After my husband,,,forced himself on me..."

You shudder and feel terribly uncomfortable.

"I waited until he fell asleep," Ariadne continues. "And then I used Athena's dagger to cut off one of his testicles."

You shudder again, resisting the urge to make a face of disgust.

"I told him that if he ever tries it again, I'd cut off the other one, too."

"If he learns she no longer has the dagger," the Minotaur says, "he'll have his revenge on her. That's why she's afraid to give it up. Dionysus knows it's an enchanted weapon. He's afraid to return as long as it's here."

You realize you could never leave the goddess vulnerable to her beastly husband just so you can be around your heart's true love—especially when that love is unrequited. Besides, you highly doubt you could take it from the two siblings even if you wanted to.

"Thank you for telling me your story," you say. "If you let me leave the labyrinth with my life, I'll tell Athena I couldn't find it."

Ariadne and her brother lead you back to the secret entrance, where you say your goodbyes. Then you return to Hades and tell him their story. Hades takes you back to the babbling brook and the field of flowers where your adventures first began and says, "I'll see you again one day. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be displeased if you prayed to me from time to time."

You give him a grateful smile and wave goodbye and look forward to the day when you see him again. (The End) [ Click here to start over .]

* * *

Part Four: Hecate and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Hecate.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"And what about you, mortal?" Hecate asks you. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes," you say, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

"Then I shall take you to Crete," Hecate says.

Hecate leads you from the temple, down the rainbow steps, and onto the gold-paved courtyard, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"Not necessarily, hon'. But if you're having second thoughts..."

"No. I want to do this—to try, at least."

"Then, I have a plan," Hecate says. "Later tonight, when it's dark, I'll distract Asterion and Ariadne with a game of night Frisbee, while you search the labyrinth for Athena's dagger using a location spell."

"What's night Frisbee?" you ask.

"It's a game the siblings invented after Poseidon gifted a golden disc to the Minotaur. They only play at night, because, during the day, they try to keep the tourists from accidentally stumbling upon the entrance to the labyrinth and getting lost."

"Huh?" you ask. "I thought Hermes said the Minotaur eats people?"

"That's just what he and Ariadne want everyone to think," Hecate explains. "They're actually pretty nice, spending their time saving mortals from the misery of the maze."

"They do sound nice," you say. "Now I feel bad about tricking them. Don't you?"

"How else will you become immortal?" she asks. "If Ariadne was willing to give up Athena's dagger, she would have returned it by now."

"I suppose you're right."

"Don't think of it as tricking them," she says. "Think about it as getting back for Athena what is rightfully hers."

You nod. "So, what should we do until dark?"

"Would you like to visit one of my favorite cities?"

"I'd love to do anything with you, Hecate" you say with a grin.

The goddess blushes. "Shall we go to London or Paris?"

You say [choose one]

" London ."

" Paris ."

* * *

" London, it is," Hecate says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a tree-lined path that reminds you a little of the garden of Hesperides.

"What part of London is this?" you ask.

"Come on. You'll recognize it, I'm sure."

She leads you along the path, where some people are sitting on the grass visiting, reading, or just taking in the views of nature. Soon you come upon a gilded gate followed by a semicircular garden full of gorgeous flowers in reds, oranges, blues, and pinks. In the center of this garden is an enormous marble statue.

"That's Nike on the top there," Hecate says. "Not the real one, of course. I mean her likeness. Do you recognize where we are now?"

As you go through the gate and get closer to the statue you see the palace beyond.

"Is the Buckingham Palace?" you ask in awe.

"It is."

"It's more beautiful in person," you say.

"How would you like to meet the queen?" she asks with a mischievous grin. "And by  meet , I mean  spy on ."

Your mouth opens into a huge smile as you laugh with glee. "Are you serious?"

"We can see what all the royals are up to, if you'd like. Not all will be in, but many are during the week. They all have apartments to stay in while they're in London for official business."

You spend a delightful hour with Hecate popping in and out of rooms in Buckingham Palace to see how the royals behave behind closed doors. Although you are disappointed to find nothing scandalous, you find it thrilling to see what a day is like for such famous people.

You watch the changing of the guard and then fly to Westminster and to Westminster Abbey. You walk along Parliament Square and visit Big Ben, enjoying its chimes. Not far from there, the London Harvest Festival is in full swing. You and Hecate spend the afternoon tasting dishes made from food grown in local gardens.

"I'd really like to see Kings Cross Station," you say. "I want to see what it's like in real life."

"Real life?"

"I read about it in Harry Potter," you admit.

"Oh, then I know exactly where to take you."

You swoop through the sky and then down into a crowded train station that's not all that remarkable, until you stop beneath a sign that reads, "Platform 9 ¾."

A cart has been made to look as if it's going through the brick wall.

"How fun!" you say, wishing you had a camera.

Next, she takes you shopping and buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on Oxford Street, a new jacket at a place in Leicester Square, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at Harrod's.

You have such a grand time with Hecate doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and she says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hecate land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hecate opens her hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

She helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Hecate opens her hands again, and a a piece of paper and a pen appear. She uses the pen to write  Athena's dagger on the paper. Beside the words, she draws a clam-shell-shaped symbol. She tears the paper in half and gives the blank piece to you, along with the pen.

"Put those in your pocket," she says, so you do.

Then a silver bowl appears in her hand. She folds her printed piece of paper and places it in the bowl before adding a pinch of salt and a squirt of honey from a bottle she pulls out of thin air. She tosses the bottle away, and it disappears. Then she hands you the silver bowl, along with a lighter.

"What's this for?" you ask.

"After I distract Ariadne and her brother with a game of night Frisbee," she says, "go into the labyrinth, turn on your headlamp, and light this paper on fire. Once the paper is ash and there are no more embers, the smoke will lead you to Athena's dagger."

"You are so cool," you say. "I could just kiss you."

Hecate blushes again. "This is important, so pay attention, hon'."

"I'm sorry. I'm listening."

"Once you have the dagger, write my name on the blank slip of paper in your pocket. Add the paper to the bowl—do not empty the ashes that are already in there, because the honey and salt residue is needed for this to work."

You nod. "I won't empty the ash."

"Use the lighter to light the second paper and wait for the flame to go out. Then follow the smoke out of the labyrinth to me. Okay?"

"How do you spell your name?" you ask, just to be sure you don't mess up.

"H-E-C-A-T-E."

"Got it," you say. "That's what I thought."

You follow her through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds. When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hecate past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hecate points. "The entrance to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You stand here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," she says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" she asks.

"No, but let's do this."

She heads down a set of steps, passing tourists who are oblivious to her as they head out to their busses and cabbies. Then she stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hecate! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through.

You flick the lighter on and set the flame to the paper in the silver bowl. Then you stuff the lighter back into your pocket and wait for the paper to burn. When there is nothing but smoke, you wait to see which way it drifts. It ascends in front of you, so you follow it forward.

You haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. You wait to see which way the smoke will drift. Then you follow it to the left.

You continue to follow the smoke deep into the winding, twisting labyrinth, despite its many forks and turns. The smoke leads you to a thick wooden door. You watch as the smoke flows through the tiny cracks between the door and its stone frame.

You open the door to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. The smoke drifts through the room toward the bed—specifically to the wall behind the bed.

Noticing the headboard isn't pushed up against the wall, you peer into the space between them and see something hanging from a hook. You look more closely and discover a jeweled scabbard. You reach behind the headboard, lift the scabbard from the hook, and unsheathe the dagger.

You sheathe the dagger and stuff it into your pocket before using the pen to write Hecate's name on the blank piece of paper. Then you set it on fire and wait for the flame to burn out. You follow the smoke from the room, down the winding, twisting tunnels, and out into the crisp night air.

You turn off your headlamp and hide behind a ruin until Hecate finds you and takes you back to Mount Olympus, victorious.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

"Paris, it is," Hecate says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a lovely garden with cone-shaped cypresses surrounding a larger-than life statue. It's one you recognize.

"The Thinker," you say.

"It was originally called  The Poet ," Hecate says.

"This place is beautiful!" you say of the surrounding garden, sculptors, and mansion in the background. "What is it?"

"The Musee Rodin," Hecate says. "One of my favorite places in the world. It reminds me of someone I'm very fond of."

"The one you swore yourself to?" you ask.

"No," she says. "Someone else."

The fact that she is fond of someone, in addition to the one to whom she is sworn, fills you with hope.as you walk through the garden admiring the art—both natural and human-made.

She tells you about some of the sculptures, stopping before the Gates of Hell.

"Not a true depiction," she says, "but, beautiful, nevertheless. Don't you think?"

You nod, admiring the intricate workmanship.

"Time for shopping," she says.

You smile with happiness as she flies with you over the Luxembourg Gardens

She buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on the Boulevard Saint Germain, a new jacket at a store in the Place de la Madeleine, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at a store on Rue Saint Dominique.

You have such a grand time with Hecate doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and she says it's time to go to Crete.

You have such a grand time with Hecate doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and she says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hecate land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hecate opens her hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

She helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

Hecate opens her hands again, and a a piece of paper and a pen appear. She uses the pen to write  Athena's dagger on the paper. Beside the words, she draws a clam-shell-shaped symbol. She tears the paper in half and gives the blank piece to you, along with the pen.

"Put those in your pocket," she says, so you do.

Then a silver bowl appears in her hand. She folds her printed piece of paper and places it in the bowl before adding a pinch of salt and a squirt of honey from a bottle she pulls out of thin air. She tosses the bottle away, and it disappears. Then she hands you the silver bowl, along with a lighter.

"What's this for?" you ask.

"After I distract Ariadne and her brother with a game of night Frisbee," she says, "go into the labyrinth, turn on your headlamp, and light this paper on fire. Once the paper is ash and there are no more embers, the smoke will lead you to Athena's dagger."

"You are so cool," you say. "I could just kiss you."

Hecate blushes again. "This is important, so pay attention, hon'."

"I'm sorry. I'm listening."

"Once you have the dagger, write my name on the blank slip of paper in your pocket. Add the paper to the bowl—do not empty the ashes that are already in there, because the honey and salt residue is needed for this to work."

You nod. "I won't empty the ash."

"Use the lighter to light the second paper and wait for the flame to go out. Then follow the smoke out of the labyrinth to me. Okay?"

"How do you spell your name?" you ask, just to be sure you don't mess up.

"H-E-C-A-T-E."

"Got it," you say. "That's what I thought."

You follow her through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds. When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hecate past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

Hecate points. "The entrance to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar. You stand here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," she says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" she asks.

"No, but let's do this."

She heads down a set of steps, passing tourists who are oblivious to her as they head out to their busses and cabbies. Then she stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hecate! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through.

You flick the lighter on and set the flame to the paper in the silver bowl. Then you stuff the lighter back into your pocket and wait for the paper to burn. When there is nothing but smoke, you wait to see which way it drifts. It ascends in front of you, so you follow it forward.

You haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. You wait to see which way the smoke will drift. Then you follow it to the left.

You continue to follow the smoke deep into the winding, twisting labyrinth, despite its many forks and turns. The smoke leads you to a thick wooden door. You watch as the smoke flows through the tiny cracks between the door and its stone frame.

You open the door to find a room with a bed, sink, and furniture. The smoke drifts through the room toward the bed—specifically to the wall behind the bed.

Noticing the headboard isn't pushed up against the wall, you peer into the space between them and see something hanging from a hook. You look more closely and discover a jeweled scabbard. You reach behind the headboard, lift the scabbard from the hook, and unsheathe the dagger.

You sheathe the dagger and stuff it into your pocket before using the pen to write Hecate's name on the blank piece of paper. Then you set it on fire and wait for the flame to burn out. You follow the smoke from the room, down the winding, twisting tunnels, and out into the crisp night air.

You turn off your headlamp and hide behind a ruin until Hecate finds you and takes you back to Mount Olympus, victorious.

[ Click here to proceed to Part Five .)

* * *

Part Four: Hypnos and the Third Challenge

"I have the perfect task for the third test," Athena says in the court on Mount Olympus, where you stand, exhausted, beside your true love, Hypnos.

"Let's hear it," Zeus says from his double throne beside Hera.

"Over one year ago," Athena begins, "Ariadne asked to borrow my favorite dagger. As you've seen in the case of the mortal, I am happy to loan out my things to those who need them. However, she refuses to give it back. I've asked her twice, and she always has some excuse."

"You want the mortal to get your dagger from Ariadne?" Artemis asks. "That doesn't seem like much of a challenge, if you ask me."

"Except that Ariadne has been living with her brother, the Minotaur, in his labyrinth," Athena says. "And I'm sure she has my dagger hidden somewhere in that confusing maze."

"People die there all too often," Hades points out. "They lose their way."

"And then are eaten." Demeter shudders.

"Asterion has to get food from somewhere," Hermes points out.

"Asterion?" you ask.

"That's the Minotaur's name," Hephaestus explains.

"Artemis?" Zeus says. "Does the challenge satisfy you now?"

Artemis sits back in her throne and crosses her legs. "Yes."

"And if the mortal fails to return with the dagger," Ares says, "these trials are over."

"And there will be no apotheosis," Hera adds.

"Agreed," Zeus says. "Are we all in agreement?"

The others give their consent

"And what about you, gorgeous?" Hypnos asks you. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes," you say, though you have no idea how you can possibly succeed.

"Then I shall take you to Crete," Hypnos says.

He leads you from the temple, down the rainbow steps, and onto the gold-paved courtyard, where you say, "This is the end of the line for me, isn't it?"

"Not necessarily. But if you're having second thoughts, we could go back to plan B and meet in the Dreamworld, every night until the day you die."

"No. I want to do this—to try, at least."

"Then, I have a plan," he says. "Later tonight, when it's dark, I'll distract Asterion and Ariadne with a game of night Frisbee, while you search the labyrinth for Athena's dagger."

"What's night Frisbee?" you ask.

"It's a game the siblings invented after Poseidon gifted a golden disc to the Minotaur. They only play at night, because, during the day, they try to keep the tourists from accidentally stumbling upon the entrance to the labyrinth and getting lost."

"Huh?" you ask. "I thought you said the Minotaur eats people?"

"That's just what he and Ariadne want everyone to think," Hip explains. "They're actually pretty nice, spending their time saving mortals from the misery of the maze."

"They do sound nice," you say. "Now I feel bad about tricking them. Don't you?"

"How else will you become immortal?" he asks. "If Ariadne was willing to give up Athena's dagger, she would have returned it by now."

"I suppose you're right."

"Don't think of it as tricking them," Hip says. "Think about it as getting back for Athena what is rightfully hers."

You nod. "So, what should we do until dark?"

"Would you like to visit one of my favorite cities?"

"I'd love to do anything with you, Hip," you say with a grin.

"Then, shall we go to London or Paris?"

You say [choose one]

" London ."

" Paris ."

* * *

" London, it is!" Hypnos says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a tree-lined path that reminds you a little of the garden of Hesperides.

"What part of London is this?" you ask.

"Come on. You'll recognize it, I'm sure."

He leads you along the path, where some people are sitting on the grass visiting, reading, or just taking in the views of nature. Soon you come upon a gilded gate followed by a semicircular garden full of gorgeous flowers in reds, oranges, blues, and pinks. In the center of this garden is an enormous marble statue.

"That's Nike on the top there," Hip says. "Not the real one, of course. I mean her likeness. Do you recognize where we are now?"

As you go through the gate and get closer to the statue you see the palace beyond.

"Is the Buckingham Palace?" you ask in awe.

"It is."

"It's more beautiful in person," you say.

"How would you like to meet the queen?" he asks with a devilish grin. "And by  meet , I mean  spy on ."

Your mouth opens into a huge smile as you laugh with glee. "Are you serious?"

"We can see what all the royals are up to, if you'd like. Not all will be in, but many are during the week. They all have apartments to stay in while they're in London for official business."

You spend a delightful hour with Hypnos popping in and out of rooms in Buckingham Palace to see how the royals behave behind closed doors. Although you are disappointed to find nothing scandalous, you find it thrilling to see what a day is like for such famous people.

You watch the changing of the guard and then fly to Westminster and to Westminster Abbey. You walk along Parliament Square and visit Big Ben, enjoying its chimes. Not far from there, the London Harvest Festival is in full swing. You and Hip spend the afternoon tasting dishes made from food grown in local gardens.

Next, he takes you shopping and buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on Oxford Street, a new jacket at a place in Leicester Square, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at Harrod's.

From there, he takes you to Camden, where you convince him to get matching tattoos. He agrees, and, together, you choose a pair of hearts filled with the colorful prism of the Dreamworld.

You have such a grand time with Hip doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and he says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hypnos land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hip opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

He kisses your cheek. "Why, thank you very much."

He opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to find Athena's dagger.

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds, you whisper, "Can they not see us?"

"No," he says. "Nor hear us."

You wave your hands and stick out your tongue as people pass you. When no one notices you, you shout, "Fuck off!"

Hip throws his head back and laughs.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hip past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

"The entrance is to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar," Hip says. "You wait here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

He kisses you, reminding you why you are here.

"Now, I'm ready," you say with a smile.

He heads down a set of steps. He passes tourists who are oblivious to him. Then he stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hypnos! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Hermes said to hurry, so you unroll the white twine as you run forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

You continue down the twisting turning tunnels, making choices to go left or right every few meters, when your ball of twine runs out.

"What the heck?" you whisper.

The moment you've spoken, you hear a whooshing sound radiating throughout the caverns, like the sound of a distant train coming your way. Your mouth drops open when the Minotaur appears before you, and, this time, he's not smiling.

"Who are you? And why are you here?" he demands with a growl.

"I can explain!" Hypnos shouts from behind the Minotaur.

"Hip?" the raven-haired goddess says with surprise. "You knew about this?"

Hip tells the siblings your whole story—how Hades found you and brought you to tour the Underworld, how Cupid shot you, and how Athena challenged you.

"I should have known Athena was behind this," Ariadne mutters.

"Why won't you return her dagger?" you ask.

"That's none of your business," the Minotaur says as tears fill his sister's eyes.

"It's an enchanted dagger," Ariadne explains. "The only one of its kind. It prevents anyone from stealing it from whoever is in possession of it."

"If that's true, then why would Athena ask the mortal to steal it?" Hip asks.

"Did she send me on an impossible errand?" you wonder.

"It's enchanted against other deities," Ariadne says. "I suppose a mortal could steal it, or Athena wouldn't have sent you. Otherwise, the only way she could get it back is for me to give it to her."

"But if it belongs to Athena..." Hip begins.

"It's not that simple," the Minotaur says. "Ariadne, you don't have to do this."

"I want Hip to understand," she says. "He's our friend."

"Maybe we should sit down," the Minotaur says. "Follow me."

Hip takes your hand as you follow the Minotaur and his sister down the winding tunnels, past several forks, into a room with a bed and furniture. The siblings offer you and Hip the only two chairs in the room. Ariadne sits on the edge of the bed.

"My husband is Dionysus, the god of wine," Ariadne says to you. "He was banned from Mount Olympus by his step-mother, Hera. He's upset that his father won't stick up for him, so he wastes his days away sleeping and his nights drinking and dancing with a troupe of wild women and satyrs, doing all kinds of nasty things."

You feel sorry for the goddess.

"I told him he had to choose between me and his lifestyle," she continues.

You realize what he must have chosen.

"But he thinks he can come here anytime he feels like it and..." Ariadne bursts into tears.

"That's enough," her brother says.

"I want to finish my story," Ariadne says.

The Minotaur sighs. "I won't stop you."

"After my husband,,,forced himself on me..."

You shudder and feel terribly uncomfortable. Hip squeezes you hand.

"I waited until he fell asleep," Ariadne continues. "And then I used Athena's dagger to cut off one of his testicles."

You shudder again, resisting the urge to make a face of disgust.

"I told him that if he ever tries it again, I'd cut off the other one, too."

"Good for you," Hip says. "That will show him."

"If he learns she no longer has the dagger," the Minotaur says, "he'll have his revenge on her. That's why she's afraid to give it up. Dionysus knows it's an enchanted weapon. He's afraid to return as long as it's here."

You realize you could never leave the goddess vulnerable to her beastly husband just so you can be around your heart's true love,

"Thank you for telling us your story," you say. "I doubt that was easy to do."

Ariadne gives you a weak smile as she wipes the tears from her cheeks.

"I think Hip would agree that you should have the dagger," you add. "I'll tell Athena I couldn't find it."

Hip gives you a bittersweet smile and says to the siblings, "I'm sorry I tried to trick you. I should have just come and asked you about it."

"I forgive you," Ariadne says. "We all make mistakes."

After sharing a warm cup of tea and hearing a few stories about strange things that have happened in the labyrinth, Hip returns you to the field of flowers beside the babbling brook, where your adventures with the gods first began.

"You're a good human," he whispers to you as he lies with you in the flowers. "I've come to care a great deal for you."

"I look forward to seeing you in my dreams," you say.

"Always," he says. "But first..."

You sigh with delight as he covers your mouth with his. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice.]

* * *

" Paris, it is!" Hypnos says as the pressure of god-travel wraps around you.

You land in the middle of a lovely garden with cone-shaped cypresses surrounding a larger-than life statue. It's one you recognize.

"The Thinker," you say.

"It was originally called The Poet," Hip says.

"This place is beautiful!" you say of the surrounding garden, sculptors, and mansion in the background. "What is it?"

"The Musee Rodin," Hip says, draping an arm over your shoulders. "The most romantic place in Paris, in my opinion."

Goosebumps of delight spread across your skin as you walk through the garden with Hypnos, admiring the art—both natural and human-made.

He tells you about some of his favorite sculptures, stopping before the Gates of Hell.

"Not a true depiction," Hip says, "but, beautiful, nevertheless. Don't you think?"

You nod, admiring the intricate workmanship.

"My favorite piece is inside," he says before he kisses your cheek. "Come on."

He leads you into the beautiful mansion, which looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. You walk through a series of rooms—all stunning—and stops before a white marble statue of two lovers kissing.

"I love it," you say. "I'd love to imitate it."

"What, now?" he asks.

"Why not?" you ask with a playful chuckle.

As a woman poses before the statue while her partner takes a photograph, Hip sits on the base of the statue. You sit on his left knee, just as the woman in the sculpture. Then he places his hand on your left hip as you wrap your left arm around his neck.

"We want to be realistic, don't we?" he says with that boyish grin.

In the next moment, the two of you are naked in the middle of the museum. At first you laugh, thinking how funny it was that the mortals around you had no idea that you were there. But as Hip's mouth move closer to yours, you are overcome with passion.

"Oh," you whisper, as his hands explore your body.

He kisses you again and again as the two of you move your hands over one another, indulging your senses as the mortals walk around you, oblivious.

"What a lovely way to spend an afternoon," you whisper.

He lies you on the floor beside Rodin's famous statue and arouses you in ways you've never felt. You pull at his wavy hair and bite his luscious lips and shriek with pleasure.

Once you're back in your clothes and leaving the mansion, you smile brightly and say, "This is definitely the most romantic spot in Paris."

Hip guffaws and takes you by the hand, leading you up into the sky.

"Time for shopping," he says.

You squeal with happiness as he flies with you over the Luxembourg Gardens

He buys you whatever you want. You get new shoes at a shop on the Boulevard Saint Germain, a new jacket at a store in the Place de la Madeleine, and a diamond ring worth thousands of dollars at a store on Rue Saint Dominique.

From there, he takes you to the Le Marais neighborhood, where you convince him to get matching tattoos. He agrees, and, together, you choose a pair of hearts filled with the prism of colors from the Dreamworld.

You have such a grand time with Hip doing fun and carefree things, that you're sad when the sun begins to set, and he says it's time to go to Crete.

Rather than god-travel, you fly through the evening sky from London toward the Mediterranean Sea, which glistens in the light of the setting sun. Once you pass the tip of Greece, you descend toward a heavily populated island with modern buildings covering nearly every square inch, except for one finger jetting out into the green sea with what appears to be the ruins of an ancient fort. Further inland, ruins stretch for acres and acres. You and Hypnos land among them, where tourists are leaving for their busses, trains, and cabbies.

Hip opens his hands, where a small light hooked to a strap appears.

"Use this headlamp to see inside the labyrinth."

He helps you put it on your head.

"Smart thinking," you say with a smile.

He kisses your cheek. "Why, thank you very much."

He opens his hands again, and a ball of white twine appears. "Unroll this as you proceed through the tunnels so you can find your way back out."

"You are so smart," you say. "I could just kiss you."

"Please do," he says with a grin.

When your lips meet, you sigh with pleasure. The thought of spending eternity kissing your heart's true love makes you that much more determined to find Athena's dagger.

As you follow him through some of the ruins to a set of steps, where tourists are leaving the grounds, you whisper, "Can they not see us?"

"No," he says. "Nor hear us."

You wave your hands and stick out your tongue as people pass you. When no one notices you, you shout, "Fuck off!"

Hip throws his head back and laughs.

When you reach a hall with pillars, you are surprised by the fresco painting of a bull. It is larger than life in deep browns and blacks against the white stone. Two huge horns curl and point from each side of its ferocious head.

"Is that what the Minotaur looks like?" you ask.

"Only the head."

You follow Hip past partially fallen stones into a large central court. To the south of the central court are more stairs—refurbished, reinforced, and beautiful.

"The entrance is to the labyrinth is on the other side of that fallen pillar," Hip says. "You wait here, until you see us fly up into the sky to play our game. Got it?"

"Got it," you say.

"One more thing," he says. "You won't be able to see the entrance. It will look like a wall of rock. But don't hesitate to run inside with your twine unrolling. I don't know how long I can distract them."

You nod.

"Ready?" he asks.

"No, but let's do this."

He kisses you, reminding you why you are here.

"Now, I'm ready," you say with a smile.

He heads down a set of steps. He passes tourists who are oblivious to him. Then he stands near the fallen temple and shouts, "Ariadne! Asterion! It's Hypnos! I've come for a game of night Frisbee!"

Almost immediately, a raven-haired goddess and a tall god with the head of a bull emerge near the fallen pillar. The Minotaur is carrying a golden disc in his hand and a smile on his face. You've never seen a bull smile before.

As soon as the three of them fly into the evening sky, you make a run for the labyrinth. You step into the wall near the fallen pillar and are shocked when your foot goes through. You crouch and step all the way through into darkness.

You find the switch on your headlamp. Thank goodness, you can now see. You peer down the cavernous tunnel. It's large enough for a train to fit through. Hermes said to hurry, so you unroll the white twine as you run forward.

But you haven't gone very far when the tunnel branches in two directions. Should you turn to the right or the left? You turn to the left, deciding you can always come back to this point later and go the other direction if you don't find the dagger.

You continue down the twisting turning tunnels, making choices to go left or right every few meters, when your ball of twine runs out.

"What the heck?" you whisper.

The moment you've spoken, you hear a whooshing sound radiating throughout the caverns, like the sound of a distant train coming your way. Your mouth drops open when the Minotaur appears before you, and, this time, he's not smiling.

"Who are you? And why are you here?" he demands with a growl.

"I can explain!" Hypnos shouts from behind the Minotaur.

"Hip?" the raven-haired goddess says with surprise. "You knew about this?"

Hip tells the siblings your whole story—how Hades found you and brought you to tour the Underworld, how Cupid shot you, and how Athena challenged you.

"I should have known Athena was behind this," Ariadne mutters.

"Why won't you return her dagger?" you ask.

"That's none of your business," the Minotaur says as tears fill his sister's eyes.

"It's an enchanted dagger," Ariadne explains. "The only one of its kind. It prevents anyone from stealing it from whoever is in possession of it."

"If that's true, then why would Athena ask the mortal to steal it?" Hip asks.

"Did she send me on an impossible errand?" you wonder.

"It's enchanted against other deities," Ariadne says. "I suppose a mortal could steal it, or Athena wouldn't have sent you. Otherwise, the only way she could get it back is for me to give it to her."

"But if it belongs to Athena..." Hip begins.

"It's not that simple," the Minotaur says. "Ariadne, you don't have to do this."

"I want Hip to understand," she says. "He's our friend."

"Maybe we should sit down," the Minotaur says. "Follow me."

Hip takes your hand as you follow the Minotaur and his sister down the winding tunnels, past several forks, into a room with a bed and furniture. The siblings offer you and Hip the only two chairs in the room. Ariadne sits on the edge of the bed.

"My husband is Dionysus, the god of wine," Ariadne says to you. "He was banned from Mount Olympus by his step-mother, Hera. He's upset that his father won't stick up for him, so he wastes his days away sleeping and his nights drinking and dancing with a troupe of wild women and satyrs, doing all kinds of nasty things."

You feel sorry for the goddess.

"I told him he had to choose between me and his lifestyle," she continues.

You realize what he must have chosen.

"But he thinks he can come here anytime he feels like it and..." Ariadne bursts into tears.

"That's enough," her brother says.

"I want to finish my story," Ariadne says.

The Minotaur sighs. "I won't stop you."

"After my husband,,,forced himself on me..."

You shudder and feel terribly uncomfortable. Hip squeezes you hand.

"I waited until he fell asleep," Ariadne continues. "And then I used Athena's dagger to cut off one of his testicles."

You shudder again, resisting the urge to make a face of disgust.

"I told him that if he ever tries it again, I'd cut off the other one, too."

"Good for you," Hip says. "That will show him."

"If he learns she no longer has the dagger," the Minotaur says, "he'll have his revenge on her. That's why she's afraid to give it up. Dionysus knows it's an enchanted weapon. He's afraid to return as long as it's here."

You realize you could never leave the goddess vulnerable to her beastly husband just so you can be around your heart's true love,

"Thank you for telling us your story," you say. "I doubt that was easy to do."

Ariadne gives you a weak smile as she wipes the tears from her cheeks.

"I think Hip would agree that you should have the dagger," you add. "I'll tell Athena I couldn't find it."

Hip gives you a bittersweet smile and says to the siblings, "I'm sorry I tried to trick you. I should have just come and asked you about it."

"I forgive you," Ariadne says. "We all make mistakes."

After sharing a warm cup of tea and hearing a few stories about strange things that have happened in the labyrinth, Hip returns you to the field of flowers beside the babbling brook, where your adventures with the gods first began.

"You're a good human," he whispers to you as he lies with you in the flowers. "I've come to care a great deal for you."

"I look forward to seeing you in my dreams," you say.

"Always," he says. "But first..."

You sigh with delight as he covers your mouth with his. (The End) [ Click here to start over .] [ Click here to return to your last choice .]

* * *

Part Five: Your Transformation

The gods and goddesses applaud you as you stand in the center of the great hall on Mount Olympus. Zeus brings you a golden cup.

"Ambrosia," he says. "By the power vested in me as the king of the Olympians, you shall become immortal as you drink this cup."

You smile at all the gods surrounding you. Then you put the cup to your lips and drink.

At first, you don't feel anything. You look at Zeus, wondering if something's gone wrong. Then you feel a tingling sensation that starts in your toes and rushes, like the wind, through your body to the very top of your head.

Gasps fill the room.

"You're stunning," you hear the others saying. "Lovely and worthy."

Then Hades asks, "Have you decided how you will serve?"

"Not yet, Lord Hades," you say. "But you can be sure I will figure it out before my three months are up."

The other gods applaud you once again. Then Zeus invites the Muses to perform. He asks all gathered to partake in dancing. As you move from one dance partner to the next, you are enthralled with your new life and are anxious to begin your next adventure.

The END [ Click here to start over .]

I hope you enjoyed this interactive adventure based on the same world as my bestselling series  The Gatekeeper's Saga . If you haven't already read this series based on the gods, goddesses, and creatures of the ancient Greek pantheon, visit my website at  https://www.evapohler.com to learn how to purchase your copy. While you're there, sign up to receive the first ebook for free, along with four others that comprise my starter library.

To get the most out of this book, I suggest that you read it all the way through, one love interest at a time. If you do it that way, you will essentially read over fifty different variations of the story. I hope you enjoy your adventures interacting with the gods, goddesses, and creatures of the ancient Greek pantheon!

If you do enjoy the adventures, then you should visit my website to learn where to play the game edition of this interactive adventure. The text-based game will have even more variations that you won't find in the ebook. You can learn more at  https://www.evapohler.com .

And thank you for reading my story. You are now officially a Pohler Bear!

In addition to the above  Webster definition, a Pohler Bear follows me on social media, hangs out in the Pohler Bear Lounge, and subscribes to the  Pohler Express , where I give away one Pohler Bear T-Shirt in each email  . I hope to see you in the Pohler Bear Lounge, where I ask for advice on covers and story ideas, run frequent giveaways, and chat!
  1. Gods of Olympus An Interactive Adventure Final.docx

