Theodoros

“Give it back!” Atalanta yelled as she rushed Theodoros who weaved around her desperate attempts to retrieve her slingshot.

“A slingshot? I’d understand a bow, but a slingshot is pitiful. You should be embarrassed.” Theodoros said.

Atalanta jumps forward, missing her slingshot once more as Theodoros is much taller and quicker. Even on her best attempts, the slingshot is tossed amongst Theodoros and the three others with him.

“You bring shame to Olympians!”

“We can’t have anyone be seen with such a weapon, have some respect for yourself.”

Atalanta trips over herself and falls, remaining on the ground as she wipes her tears.

“Crying over something like this?” Theodoros asked.

“Hey.” Calista approaches Theodoros, slaps him once within reach, and snatches the slingshot as he stumbles back from the impact.

The others catch Theodoros. Calista used every ounce of strength in her body when dealing the blow, only his physical gifts kept Theodoros awake.

“Are you alright?” Calista asked as she helped Atalanta up.

“I’m sorry.” Atalanta said.

“Nothing to be sorry about, not with this lousy bunch. Do you find joy in mistreating others?”

“Mistreating? She makes a mockery of Olympians with such a weapon.” Theodoros said.

“Mockery? Is ingenuity a shameful trait? In comparison, Atalanta is ten times more impressive than any of you. Many times more than you, Theodoros. You share the physical gifts of a great Olympian, but should we shame you for your inability to use magic?”

“Calista, it’s ok.” Atalanta tugs at Calista’s sleeve.

Theodoros approaches Calista, towering over the two girls. “What I lack in magic I make up for in physical strength. I can wield a blade far better than the captains, even Ares has acknowledged me. What can you do?”

“Such gifts, and the best you could think to do is make another cry. You're pitiful.”

“Pitiful?!” Theodoros raises his arm, only stopped by the Atalanta pointing her slingshot at him. “You wouldn't dare, you’re a coward.”

“If you dare touch her, I won’t hold back.” Atalanta said.

“She’s a great shot. I’d do as she says. And after we walk away, I hope you will rethink your actions.”

“You believe you understand what makes an Olympian better than we do?”

“In what realm would the best of any kind be that which makes another cry? I take it back, you aren’t pitiful. Far worse, you’re disappointing.”

Theodoros arrives at the village where he can sense Prometheus. A full day without stop, his entire body trembles as he places Atalanta and Nikos on the ground just outside the village.

Inside, the villagers are chained and working on a large ship. Within minutes of Prometheus's arrival, everyone inside the village was gathered to join the effort, those who refused were dealt with due judgement.

“Your efforts will amount to nothing young man.” Prometheus said, “But I am impressed. Join me, the mortals and Olympians will have to bow to me and do as I say from here on. Only that will make this world right.”

“I disagree, free will is our greatest natural born talent. It allows us to choose what we will do with life, whether we will be pitiful or worthy of such blessings.”

“Ha! Such thinking is ridiculous, you will fail without taking from others.”

“I do take from others. Atalanta’s cleverness, Nikos’s creativity, and Calista’s kindness. I did not need to force them to help, I’ve improved because I made the effort.”

Theodoros finds a sword nearby and raises it to Prometheus. Although he is exhausted, he ignores all pain as the key to revive his friends is within reach. At Prometheus’s hip hangs a jar with a flame inside, that is all he needs.

“Fine, allow me to end your helpless journey.”

Theodoros rushes Prometheus, his sword shattering once more upon contact with his opponent. Prometheus attempts the same counter, reaching for Theodoros’s wrist but missing as Theodoros kneels with a slingshot at the ready.

A single shot filled with dirt blinds Prometheus, allowing Theodoros to launch himself and grab the jar.

“So that was your aim.” Prometheus said as he wiped his eyes. “Go ahead, kill me with it.”

“I won’t.”

“Then I will go ahead and paint your destiny. I will not leave without that jar. You will use the flame to revive them, but I will kill you as you do and retrieve it. I’ll allow them to live, your pitiful display deserves as much. My question is, can you pay such a price?”

Theodoros smiles. “Is that all I must pay?”

Rushing over to his friends, Theodoros opens the jar. The flame burst out, spinning around his body and whispering the endless possibilities they can create. Fortune, fame, power, all within a whisper to the flames.

Prometheus has only two wishes. First, to revive his fallen friends. Then, he asks the flame to break the chains the mortals wear.

As the flames bring Atalanta and Nikos back to life, Prometheus drives his hand through Theodoros’s heart.

Theodoros remains conscious until life returns to his friends, pure will keeping him alive after the fatal blow. Much to his relief, they begin to breathe.

“Good. Good. I know you two can do it.”

“Theodoros!” Atalanta shakes Theodoros until he wakes, embracing him as he does. “Thank goodness.”

Theodoros springs up, grabbing at his chest where great heat gathers. It’s the same heat from the flame within the jar, it rests within his heart now.

“What is happening?”

Prometheus laughs, still within his sealing orb floating above the ocean. “Free will is a natural born talent… Well, there is truth and evil to that.”

“Prometheus.”

“Quiet. You’ve yet to prove yourself. Should I deem it necessary I will retrieve the flame.”

“Even so, thank you.”

Prometheus glances at Nikolas. “Time has made us Titans soft it seems. Nikolas, will the world you once spoke of come to be soon?”

Nikolas smiles. “With this bunch, I think the time is coming.”

“I see, how interesting.” Prometheus returns to the depths of the sea, the group reuniting after another successful trial.