Takashi puts away the final piece of the mess away. "Thanks for your help. Sorry about ruining lunch."

"It's okay. I guess you have a problem with some of the gods", Perseus assumes.

"I as well," his brother adds.

"In what way?"

Heracles is hesitant since other people are around. Takashi taps him on the back to reassure him. Heracles sighs and tells them the truth of what happened.

Perseus and Chrysaor are upset to hear what had actually happened. Some of the servants who stayed behind cry from his tragic tale. Chrysaor's armored body trembles while Perseus' hands are glued into fists.

"I can't believe she did that to you! That monster!" The young demigod remarks with light golden aura flaring out. He takes a moment before asking a question. "Will you use your wish to bring Hera to justice?"

The mighty hero relays what Megara told him, making his answer unsure. "Hera certainly deserves to pay for all she has done. But is that what I really want? Things wouldn't change too much after she's gone."

"Even though the reward is three perfect wishes, we need to add unbreakable conditions so the gods can't screw us out of it," Taki figures while tapping his right foot.

"Exactly."

This makes Perseus think about what he really wants. "I see. I think you would ask to be home, right?"

"I would first get the space powers, that way I won't be ripped away again. I just became a father when I was taken to this world."

Perseus and Chrysaor take a step back out of shock.

Chloe overhears this and hugs Takashi tightly. "I didn't know. Did you get to see your child?"

He shakes his head. "But I will make it up to her when I get back. I just pray my wife will forgive me. I worry about how her and our families are doing. The pain they're going through in my absence," his right foot stops tapping. "I won't let Poseidon nor any other god get in my way. I will be so strong that nothing can stop me."

Perseus admires his confidence and completely understands his feelings. He just can't reveal the truth right now.

Chloe tears up for him. "She will forgive you. It's not your fault that this happened."

He uses his sleeve to wipe her face. "Hey, no more tears. We will cry happily when it's all over," before turning to his youngest nephew. "What would your wish be?"

"I'm still figuring it out."

"That's okay. Since I'm in recovery mode, train with Heracles for today. We want to see what you can do."

"I'm ready."

"There's an open field at the back of the temple so you can train. Just don't break anything, please," Chloe puts her hands together in a prayer. She leads the trio while others follow to witness the strongest hero in action.

Pegasus sits up after hearing Perseus' footsteps. Taki sits on the steps to rest. Chrysaor walks in between Perseus and Heracles to act as a referee.

"What do you want to see?"

"Show me what you can do in a fight, bare handed without aura. We will move to aura afterwards," Heracles instructs.

Perseus gets into a crouched stance with both arms up and Takashi doesn't know what it is. It seems like a boxing pose he saw before, but different in a way.

Heracles recognizes it. "Pankration?"

Perseus nods.

"Go at any time."

Perseus understands based on the tasks that Heracles is the strongest of all the demigods. He doesn't need to hold back. Chrysaor raises his hand and drops it.

He runs and jumps to deliver a roundhouse kick. A pull followed by a shift has him knee Heracles' temple with his other leg. 

The young son of Zeus lands and jumps back. He rushes in for a jumping uppercut, but instead traps Heracles' right arm with his legs for an armbar. He then quickly transitions to a sleeper hold and delivers some pointy elbows to Heracles' face.

He jumps off of him as Heracles goes to reach up. Pegasus whinnies for his cheer as the others are amazed by his reflexes.

"That's not bad," while the mighty hero's golden wisps covers the outline of his body.

Not one shred of fear is expressed on Perseus' face.

The young son of Zeus rushes in with his enhanced state. Heracles quickly reacts with a jab, but Perseus sidesteps and delivers an energy hook to his ribs. Heracles doesn't move a single step back from this. Chrysaor is astonished that Heracles isn't wavering at all.

Perseus steps back and delivers an energy ax kick that travels towards Heracles. A controlled hand swats it up in the air. In that moment, several energy blows land on his body.

Uppercuts, hooks, jabs, crosses, and a variety of kicks and knees. All used as projectiles.

Heracles raises his aura to the level that made Takashi want to try FF2. The hero rushes in this time to punch Perseus with the strength of that level. He raises his aura right before Heracles connects with the punch. Perseus takes three steps back, but his guard hasn't broken.

Heracles raises his aura to the next level. Takashi's eyes tell him that this level is less than half of the hero's strength.

Heracles fires off a divine energy fist at Perseus. All Perseus does is shift his feet to take the attack head on....he only moves a step back. His enhanced guard hasn't broken.

The next raise in aura has Taki tapping his right foot. More than half of Heracles' raw strength. Chrysaor expresses worry, but he trusts in Perseus. He holds Pegasus back from interfering.

"H-Heracles! What are you doing?!" Taki questions him.

The face of a lion goes to clamp its jaws down on the Gorgon Killer.

The energy spreads around Perseus, but it can't clamp down on the young man. His past failure motivating him to withstand any obstacle that comes his way. The energy disperses, leaving him with heavy breaths and marks on his forearms.

Despite the pain inflicted, an optimistic smile is on his face. "I never had my defenses tested like that. Thank you."

"You are incredible, my brother."

"That wasn't even your full strength, right?"

"That would have killed you if I didn't hold back."

"Well, at least I'm alive to see you use 65% of your strength," before wincing from the pain. Chrysaor and Pegasus run over to check on him. "Though I do need to make my defenses stronger."

Taki walks over.  "Let me heal you. Tell me know when the pain is gone," while touching his arm. "Zone. Rewind."

Perseus' eyes widen from the pain melting away like butter. He also feels his aura recuperating as well from what his uncle is doing. "You can stop."

"Play."

Perseus swings his arms and throws a few air punches. "My pain is gone. Is this your power?"

"One of them. I will show you more tomorrow."

"Thanks, Tak- I forgot how to pronounce your name."

"That's okay. You can call me Taki for short."

"Thanks, Uncle Taki."

"You never showed that to me before," Chloe chimes in.

He explains it's a recent ability that he can use to influence certain parts of his surroundings. He brings up that he wanted to reverse time when they first met but was stopped.

Chloe pieces it together what stopped him. That stormy night. "Well, I'm glad you didn't."

Perseus leans forward. "What happened between you two?"

"Nothing. I mean I would have loved it if it happened differently, but I can't complain."

The young demigod senses she's telling the truth.

Taki crosses his arms. "Did you think I had an outside arrangement or cheated?"

"N-N-No. Not at all, uncle!"

Taki and Chloe laugh at his expense.

"Your face is priceless!"

There's some murmuring and they turn to see Aphrodite has left her chambers and is accompanied by someone wearing a happy comedy mask. The masked person has a lean, feminine body and long, straight golden hair. Chloe quickly hides herself behind Chrysaor.

"Who is that person?" Perseus asks his brother.

"My ex before I got married."

"Wow. She must be beautiful under that mask if you were with her."

"I bet he's still beautiful to this day."

It takes time for Perseus to catch up. "Oh."

Aphrodite yawns. "I heard a commotion. Is everyone okay?"

"Sorry, mistress. They were sparring for a bit," Chloe explains.

She surveys the land and finds some of the ground and flowers have been uprooted. She pouts from the damage. The masked person strokes her arm to calm her down.

"I can fix this," before Taki touches the ground. "Zone. Rewind."

Time reverses on the damaged landscape bringing it back to normal. Everyone is amazed at what he could do.

"Play."

Time flows normally and the land is healed from their battle.

"Thank you, Taki. You are interesting," the goddess teases with a wink.

Taki blushes and looks away. She smiles from the effect she has on him.

Perseus bows before her. "A-Aphrodite, may I have some time to speak with you?"

She glances at her masked companion who lets go. "Certainly. Come with me to my chambers."

Chrysaor panics since he knew what that meant from the "literature" he read.

Perseus is even taken aback as he moves his face up. "W-What?"

"I know what you want to talk about, Perseus. Come and follow me."

He is relieved as he gets up. He waves Chrysaor over to follow them.

Heracles walks forward to the masked individual.  "Can we talk, Adonis?"

Taki had pierced it together in his mind since Chloe is looking away. Also, her reaction to who Aphrodite wanted to protect from Poseidon factored in.

"Sure. Can we go in there?" He points at the bathhouse.

As soon as they get inside, Adonis takes off his mask. Long eyelashes with gentle brown eyes. Although he's 28 years old, his smooth, angelic face makes him look 18.

They hug each other before speaking.

"It's good to finally see you out of that hut."

"It's good to see you too."

"I came to see you after what happened," Adonis strokes his arms.

"I know. I'm sorry for pushing you away. I didn't want to hurt you like-"

Adonis hugs him again and holds on for a while. "I'm sorry for what happened. I know they meant a lot to you."

"Thank you," he gently pushes him back. "There's a lot that happened before I got here."

"Is it because of that Takashi person?"

Heracles nods. Adonis sits down and pats the seat next to him. "I'm ready to listen."

Heracles tells his ex-boyfriend what happened. Adonis expresses horror, anger, and sadness from what he's told. He holds Heracles' hand to comfort him.

"I wish I could do something to help you."

"Being here is more than enough...How have you been?"

"I'm a lucky man. I get to spend time with two goddesses and things can't get any better."

"Be honest, please."

Adonis sighs. "I do enjoy it, but I don't know how long I want to keep this going."

"You mean you want to be single?"

"I want to have one partner. Aphrodite and Persephone have made me so happy, but my heart is claimed by someone else. I just don't want to break their hearts."

"If you could get out and choose one partner, would it be Chloe?"

Adonis chuckles. "You know me better than I do myself. I wish she would let us be together. Why won't she let us be?"

Heracles displays his aura to uplift his mood. Adonis feels better and a memory was projected from him because of the aura.

----

Before the Trojan War, a younger, unmasked Adonis was spending time with a younger Chloe. She kept her eyes on the ground while talking to him. Before her lips could reveal her love, he stopped her. He told her about his childhood to dissuade her.

That his mother slept with her own father before turning into a tree. And the deal that would only give her three months instead of his full heart. Even then, she admitted her love for the beautiful man. That his origin doesn't determine his character. 

Before he could profess his love in return, Aphrodite stormed in and forbade the two from coupling. She even threatened death to Chloe if she ever pursued him. Adonis threatened to take his own life if she ever laid a hand on her which made her reconsider. She would only exile Chloe from the group, but Adonis had to wear a mask to hide his beauty from the public. 

The mortal placed the mask over his face to make sure that she wouldn't lose her friends. He took one last look at Chloe, who's sobbing on the floor from heartbreak. Him wanting to clutch her close to his heart. To pepper her face with gentle kisses. And to say those three words to her.

The goddess pulled him away. 10 years have passed since that day.

-----

Heracles pulls his ex in for the biggest embrace for his loss. "I didn't know."

"It hurts. I can't even talk to her when I'm free. She cares about everyone here and I can't let her suffer because of me. I wish things would change."

Tears shed between the two men.

Heracles wipes his face. "Maybe I can wish for-"

Adonis shakes his head. "Don't use it for me. At least with Chloe, we can be in Elysium together. Get your family back."

He kisses his hands. "I pray things will change for you."

Adonis puts on his mask before they leave the bathhouse. Chloe keeps her distance. He stops to pick up a bright, red bougainvillea. He walks away but drops it behind him before running off.

She understands the intention and sadly grins as she picks it up to sniff the flower.

Heracles and Takashi each place a hand on her shoulders to comfort her.

Meanwhile..... 

Perseus leaves Aphrodite's chambers with a newfound confidence. Chrysaor stops leaning on a column after waiting for a while.

They then see the masked Adonis running and slowing down to a walk as he returns to her room.

"How was your talk?" Adonis asks him.

His suave deep voice catches him off guard. "It-It went well. I got the answers I was looking for. Thanks for letting me talk with her."

"You're welcome."

"I do have one question. Did you and Heracles at least break up on good terms?"

"We did. We talked before he got involved with Megara and we broke up after a long discussion. I don't harbor any ill will towards him."

He sighs. "That's a relief. Although I don't know much about you, I wish you and Chloe a great future together."

Adonis steps back from his comment.

"I know love when I see it. I have some experience," he explains.

Chrysaor affirms his words with a nod.

"Thanks. You remind me of Heracles."

He tilts his head. "In what way?"

"You're both perceptive and kind. Don't lose that part of yourself in the games."

"Thanks. I will let you go," before he and the metallic man return to the group. Adonis smiles under his mask that his ex has a great team who will give him what he needs.

Perseus returns to the group and blinks numerous times. A huge lion on two legs is wielding a club in one hand. Chrysaor is on high alert, but Perseus holds him back.

"Since we're going to be using weapons, I brought this," Heracles turns his head to address him.

Perseus' eyebrows shoot up. "Was this the Nemean Lion?"

Heracles nods.

"I heard about that creature. That thing must have been huge!"

"It was. Time to start."

Perseus unsheathes his sword. The golden blade stuns Heracles.

"Athena's sword?"

"You know of it?"

"I used that to defeat the hydra."

Despite having a blank face, the weapon's reflection displayed sadness from the current user.

"That sword has quite a story," Echo's voice startles him.

He sees her sitting down on the steps. "You heard all of that?"

"Sorry about that. Is this also the same blade for uhm-"

"For Medusa?" His regret can't be unnoticed.

Chrysaor turns his back to gently rub Pegasus' head. Echo's flowers wither from his sadness.

The young son of Zeus turns to Heracles with a readied sword and shield. "Let's get back to training."

Heracles rushes forward with a swipe, but Perseus blocks with his shield. Cracks form under his feet. With a push, he nicks the lion's armor with the golden sword.

A breath escapes Takashi's lips. He couldn't even damage Heracles when he had that on.

Perseus figures out that this divine sword can defeat this special armor. He tosses his sword to Heracles who catches it by the handle.

"I'm not used to wielding a sword. The shield is my strongest weapon," he explains.

Heracles understands by charging at him. He swings his club and Perseus drops low to avoid the hit. The shield rises up at an angle, but it connects with the divine sword. The force behind the sword makes Perseus kneel to the ground.

He jumps back while raising his energy. He throws his shield like a discus. The weapon flies off to the side before bashing Heracles on the back of the head. The shield returns with aura-like string to Perseus' left arm.

He does a running start before jumping on the shield for a sliding attack.

Heracles jumps over him and swings his club from the side to knock him off. The force sends him flying before he drives the shield into the ground. A powerful swiping motion has him force the energy into the air with his shield at an angle.

In that blind spot, Heracles stops his divine fist mid-motion. Perseus' eyes don't shake from the near hit.

His older brother steps back and bows to end the training.

The young sibling bows back. "Wow! You're faster than you look."

"Not as fast as Artemis or Hermes."

"Uncle Taki, could you do that stuff like he does?"

He stands up. "I have my methods. Could you teach me some striking techniques tomorrow? Maybe I can teach you some sword techniques?"

"You know about swordsmanship?"

"I was taught by King Odysseus himself."

Perseus can't hide his excited smile. "I will teach you all that I know, and I hope you do the same for me."

"Looking forward to it."

Meanwhile....

Bellerophon wades in the water with bandages on his face. Theseus is on the land with rocky armor on.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Bellero asks.

"One hit decides the winner. Give it your all."

He summons his aura and swings his arms around his upper body. The water from the lake forms a small wave to attack him.

Theseus shoots rocks at him, but his brother disappears into the water. Theseus stomps the ground to form a rock barrier. The wave hits the wall, but the barrier holds as the water separates around him. Bellero rides the water to the left of Theseus past the wall and spits out a ball of water to end this session.

The top half of Theseus breaks off to his horror. With a closer look, it was a set of rocky armor. Hollow on the inside with a hole on the bottom.

Bellero quickly pumps water into the hole to force him out. Something pops out of the ground  that has him throws his wires to capture him. A small boulder surprises him in the net.

Before he can do anything else, a muddied Theseus hits him with a mud blast in the ribs. Bellerophon is knocked back with air escaping his lungs. Theseus grabs and throws him back into the water to recuperate.

The young sibling catches his breath as he walks back onto land. "Damn, that hurts."

Medea touches his ribs with glowing hands. The pain exits his body, leaving him restored.

She lets go and walks away from him. "That was a major improvement, Bellerophon."

Ariadne claps for them. "You both did great!"

Bellero blushes and turns his face. "Brother, did I do well?"

Theseus washes himself. "You did. You have improved greatly within these few days of training."

"But...will I be ready for the games?"

Theseus is silent. He feels there is more to be said.

"I will just let you down in some way, like here. I still lack the combat experience you have. What if I cause our team to lose? Maybe Medea should find a substitute and have that person replace me."

Finally, you said something smart, Narcissus snickers to himself.

Theseus places a hand on his shoulder. "I don't want anyone to replace you."

"But why not?"

"Not just because you're my brother. Bellero, you are different from me and that's what we need to win."

"You mean like my powers or how my skin-"

He places a hand on his head. "It's how you use them. You are smarter than you realize. I need that from you."

The young demigod's eyes widen at the last sentence. "Y-You need me? But you're stronger than me."

"You need more than strength to be a hero. Athena said the games will test all aspects of a hero and that also includes creativity. How you use those wires of yours is proof of that."

Bellero feels his self-doubt washing away as his brother's words sink in. "But I'm not a hero."

"The games will bring that out in you."

Hearing him say that makes Bellero smile from ear to ear.

You will be a great father, my love. Our child will be so blessed, thinks his adoring wife.

"Can we do more teamwork attacks?" Bellero asks with excitement.

"I know what you said, but how about just for today we can come up with something?" Theseus insists on Narcissus' involvement as a teammate.

"There's no point."

"We only have 10 days before the tournament, Narcissus. I think you should have some coordination or do you want to lose?" Medea verbally pokes at him.

His anger bubbles inside. "Fine, witch. What brilliant ideas that you have in mind?"

"Maybe I can just switch you out for someone more teachable. Bellerophon has made more of an effort to learn than you have," she slaps away his sarcasm.

The vain demigod wants to lash out but can't because of the rules. Only one card to play, the action he hates the most.

"You're right," he whispers.

She puts a hand to her ear. "I'm an old witch. Speak clearly."

"You're right," he fakes a smile while prepping his crossbow.

"Good to hear. Theseus, throw that big rock wall over the lake. Narcissus, do what you do best."

Theseus shifts his bare feet and raises his hands towards the rock wall he summoned. He throws it high over the lake.

White wisps form around the vain demigod before firing one bolt arrow after another. The arrows tear through the rock like paper. Narcissus then fires off a large energy arrow without looking at it and the projectile destroys the rock wall into pieces.

"That was amazing. You are a great archer," Bellero compliments.

Narcissus slightly smiles from his compliment. "Tell me something I already don't know."

"We have mail."

Ariadne's laughter makes Theseus laugh as well.

Narcissus is puzzled until he looks up and sees two birds flying down. He puts out his arm and one of the birds lands on it with a message on it from Echo. He hands the bird to Georgios as he goes to his tent to read it. The other bird lands on Medea's shoulder and she opens to read it.

Narcissus skims through it and notices that Echo has invited him to a dance at Aphrodite's temple in Corinth. Not that he already knows their location thanks to the ring. He also gets to the bottom where Echo questions their relationship with each other. How talking with Eros makes her want to talk to fix their issues.

He figures that he has to show up or else she would toss that ring away. The brass armored mute also threatens his plans. His eyes twitch from her questioning their relationship.

I'm the one in control, not her. This letter should calm her down until I show.

After writing a response letter, he sends it away.

"Was it Echo?"

"It was. Things are going well, Georgios. What's in that message?" He asks Medea.

"Aphrodite invited us to a dance at her temple in Corinth in two nights. She also mentions that another participating team is staying there."

"Why would she invite us with another enemy team there?" he feigns suspicion.

"I don't know, but we should go. Maybe we can see who we would be up against," Bellero thinks aloud.

"A very good point, Bellerophon. It would be good to scout them out."

"We can see their weaknesses up front," Narcissus adds.

"Don't forget that they can see ours as well, if we're not careful," Medea warns.

I was just about to say that, bitch.

"It would be good to also have some fun. What do you think, my love?" Ariadne asks her husband.

"Let's do it. We can stay the night there if we want to."

Ariadne understands what he really meant and looks forward to it.

Bellero rubs the back of his head. "Uhm. I don't think I should go. I know what that place actually is."

Medea dismisses it with the wave of her hand. "You will be fine. It's time for you to grow up and get over your fear."

"She's right. After we win, imagine the girls who will be your biggest fans."

Bellero blushes as he imagines it. I don't think I can handle that!

Theseus waves a hand in front of his face and sees that he's frozen in thought. He pats him on the back to bring him back to reality. "Let's just focus on having fun."

His little brother only nods in response.

Medea stands up. "Now that is settled, let's get some fancy clothes. I want us to look good in front of our enemies."

"You all go ahead. I have fancy clothes," Narcissus excuses himself.

She gets out her metal chariot statue and brings it back to life. Georgios takes several steps back from seeing the golden dragons while Narcissus hides his amusement. Theseus, Ariadne, and Bellero, wearing his wet scarf, hop on.

They ride high above the forest to a nearby city.

Narcissus sits down and thinks about the plan. The words he would use to manipulate Echo like puddy in his hands. Him finally putting an arrow through Takashi's heart. With Heracles and Artemis out of the way, no one can stop his glory.