章節 7: It's the Climb

Julius lost track of time and he's awfully exhausted from the climb that he's going through in this mysterious mountain. He has no idea if he's still currently leading or not.

"What kind of Olympic race is this? We don't even have established rules on how to keep track with the players. Plus, no safety equipments!" He quietly complained in behalf of all participating athletes.

His current struggle is how to move past his dangerous, steep-looking rock that blocks his way up. Well, he can go around, but that would only waste his precious time. Seeing an available hold, he grabbed on to it, thinking that it can support his weight. Unfortunately, his sweaty palms betrayed him, and he slipped away from the rock. As a result, he lost his balance and he began to descend to where he came from. Julius started to fall and the only thing he can do is scream.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!" He closed his eyes as he waited for his impending doom.

He wished he didn't risk to hold that gap, and instead went around even if it costs him a few more hours. One second…. Ten seconds...Thirty seconds...He counted until a minute have passed since the fall.

Why the heck isn't he feeling anything? Is there no landing to be expected? Just how high is this mountain that the fall feels like forever?

Two minutes of counting and he still hasn't hit rock bottom. Ever so slowly, Julius opened his left eye. He can't believe what he saw so he decided to open the other eye.

He was in the same position as before – when he was just about to grab on to the available hold.

"Was that a vision of the near future?" he asked as if someone will answer him.

Julius dismissed the idea and decided to just take the longer way around, where he felt he was much safer.

Back in Olympus, Zeus choked on his nectar when he saw that the young man who was leading slipped from the rock and was about to fall down. Then the Vision once again showed a 'static' (like signal interruptions on television), and then it displayed the face of the boy who slipped – only this time, he didn't slip. He actually decided to take the longer way around.

"You saw that, right? The boy slipped?" He turned to his wife who was busy picking peeling off the grapes.

"Huh? I didn't see him slip." Hera replied, disinterested.

"I see." But Zeus definitely saw the boy slip before the Vision interruption. It made him wonder if he was finally having eye problems or not. But he's a God, how can he be imperfect?

He definitely hates Vision interruptions now. It happened a lot during this livestream. First, was when the race began. Seven times now, the 'static' showed, and it was everytime the focus was on the strangely-clothed participant of the footrace.

'I better check on this Dactyl. He might be someone with unusual mortal fortitude.' Zeus thought.

Suddenly, a sing-song voice of a man sounded from the entrance of the throne room.

"My dear father, I have come to visit you!"

It was the God of Music, Healing and Archery – Phoebus Apollo. Hera audibly snorted at the sight of the God.

She hates children of Zeus from other women. Everytime she sees Apollo or his twin, Artemis, she is always reminded of Zeus infidelity and his affair with Leto, the daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe.

"What brings you here, Apollo?" His father asked.

"Am I not welcome here no more?" Apollo asked in return, to which Zeus only let go with indifference.

"It seems that you are watching something incredibly entertaining." Apollo continued as he too looked at the livestream. "Ah, that's the race going on at Olympia, correct?"

"Yes." Hera sharply answered.

"Ah, and that peculiar young man is in the lead towards the summit, is that right? Would you like me to welcome him and send him in for your rewarding?" The god presented his offer to his father.

"If you wouldn't mind, that would be good."

"Fine, then. I'll just visit the Muses and hear the melody of their songs." And Apollo walked away from them.

What he didn't tell them, was the real reason why he is in Olympus. 'My Pythia tells me that a prophecy about a man of unknown origin who will change the course of the world is about to be unraveled. It can only be him. I must bring him to my Oracle to divine his destiny.'

Several more hours have passed and Julius' body is almost at breaking point of his exhaustion. The air is already so thin, and he was ever so thankful for Epimetheus for allowing him to keep his clothing. He would've froze his balls here if not for his now-favourite black pants.

After a few more moments, there were no more rocks in sight, and he seemed to be at the top of the world – literally. He looked around and no other person is here aside from him. Julius sighed, 'Yes, I made it'.

He gazed into the horizon and he marvelled at the incredible view from the top of Mt. Olympus. "Wow." He can't help but say that single word. He then plumped down on the cold ground and stared overhead. He was so tired he can sleep all day. Suddenly, he heard footsteps closing on to him.

This startled him a little so he quickly got back up. He thought it was a participant who reached the summit after him, but when he looked around, he saw a man approaching him.

Unlike Pandora and Epimetheus, this guy was not in a giant or titan form. Rather, he looked normal for his size, except for the fact that he was glowing despite his 'bearable-for-mortals' form. "Congratulations for arriving first, and welcome to Olympus." He said.

The man had a long, blonde hair, and he was looking regal in his blue and white combination of a 'himation' or a mantle-wrap clothing worn by ancient Greek men who are nobility in status. Just being in his presence felt so different, and he can feel himself slowly recovering from his exhaustion, even his wound healed, like the guy alone was 'restoring his HP' if this was an MMORPG. There was no doubt about it, this man is –

"Ze- Ze- Zeus. I mean – Lord Zeus." Julius managed to say, and awkwardly bowed.

But the man only smiled and uttered, "You are mistaken. I am not my father."

Julius swallowed his saliva before asking, "Then, who are you?"

"My name is Apollo. Come with me, my father wants to meet you. Ah, but before that, tell me something profound. Like what you learned from climbing Olympus. For my Muses' lyrical poetry inspiration."

Just like that, he was stunned again. This guy is a God! A real divine being! The one and only, Phoebus Apollo! He can't find the right words and voice to respond to the man's request.

"Well, then?" The god persisted. Julius gained some sense and said the first thing that crossed his mind, which is incredibly stupid even for his opinion and taste.

"There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move."

Apollo smiled again. Who would've thought a Miley Cyrus hit will inspire some ol' Olympus lyrical poetries?