Atalanta: Tournament of the Gods

**Started June 23rd**

**Finished July 13th**

**Line Count:**

**Atalanta - 643**

**Meleager- 120**

## Issue 1 - Welcome to Calydon

A teenage girl was looking over the bow of a ship. She had short blue hair that was tied back into a bun. She wore a blue top, with a tunic over her top, which joined on one shoulder and not the other, leaving part of her top open. She also wore a grey dress. Under her dress she wore short blue shorts. She wore some sandals as well. Her eyes were as blue as the sea. Her father walked out of the ship’s quarters. He wore no shirt and had brown shorts. Over this, he had a long blue coat. He had grey hair that stuck up like an afro and fell into his beard.

???: Atalanta, make haste, and stop leaning over the bow.

Atalanta: Master Key, don’t you know exactly what’s going to happen? You know I’m not going to fall overboard.

Key: That’s not how foresight works.

Atalanta: Then how does it work, O great Key?

Key: Just come over to the planning room.

Atalanta: Ugh, fiiine.

Atalanta followed her Dad to the quarters of the ship. It was a small room with a map in the middle.

Key: See here? We’re sailing to the island of Calydon. It’s one of the islands under Circe’s thumb.

Atalanta: Why are we going to the island anyway? You never told me. You just told me that “all my training led up to this grand moment!”

Key: Don’t mock me. All your training is very important for this mission to succeed. Even the time you spent with those bears, all leads up to this moment.

Atalanta: My time with mother bear probably matters less compared to what you guys taught me.

Key: Well...It does. But that’s besides the point. This island is where you’ll learn to hone your power to stop a tragedy.

Atalanta: The tragedy of what, exactly? I go through all this trouble to get a water spirit, and you aren’t even telling me what it does!

Key: Do you really want to know?

Atalanta: Why would you need to hide my glorious purpose from me?

Key: Your water spirit will help you defeat “The Red Devil”.

Atalanta: Who the hell is The Red Devil? Sounds like a stupid name.

Key: Stop joking around and take this seriously! We are going to die if you don’t! The Red Devil is a being of mass destruction, destined to wipe out the metahumans. The water spirit that is now inside of you, is the best way I have thought of to defeat her. The only thing is, the change in fate hasn’t settled in. So we have no idea what’s going to happen, yet.

Atalanta: So my great destiny is to beat some devil who's going to kill all of our people? That’s a big responsibility…

Key: Don’t reject your destiny. We’re going to stop at Calydon. We need fuel to get home, and this is our chance to see if your spirit really works.

Atalanta: Well, okay. What’s the island like?

Key: Well, it’s ruled by Circe. It could be a number of things. A pleasure-filled island where nobody worries about anything, or an island wreaked with bloodshed, people competing for Circe’s heart.

Atalanta: This Circe seems like a bitch.

Key: Language…

Atalanta: Sorry, sorry.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Key landed the ship. Him and Atalanta got off and walked onto the island.

Atalanta: Wow...What are all these animals? And all this gold? There’s so much gold!

Key: Don’t remind me about how much you like gold. Those are probably Circe’s subjects.

Atalanta: Subjects?

Key: People who she turned into animals.

There were tigers and boars walking around. Seemingly tame. Atalanta walked up to a tiger and started petting it.

Atalanta: Aww. This one likes me.

Key: Stop playing! We need to get moving!

Atalanta: You’re so boring...Bye bye kitty.

Key: Look over there. Shrines.

One of the shrines had various water-themed items, clamshells, exotic rocks, fish, and more.

Key: It looks like this is the day they give offerings to the gods.

Atalanta: Is that one for Poseidon?

Key: It looks like it. Here’s one for Athena.

Athena’s shrine had various war items. Strategic plan scriptures, armor, and a tapestry of her and Poseidon competing to name Athens.

Atalanta: Wow, these are pretty cool.

Key: Hmm. It looks like their missing a god.

Atalanta: Why would they leave a god out?

Key: They left Artemis out.

There was a man in a crown surveying the shrines nearby. Presumably the king. Key went over to the king.

Key: King Oeneus, is it? My liege. It appears you’re missing one of the gods. Artemis to be precise.

King Oeneus: We’re well aware of that. Artemis didn’t bless us last year. If anything, she made things hard. We had a shortage of livestock, and the island almost starved!

Key: Don’t you think Artemis may be upset if you don’t offer your blessings?

King Oeneus: Doesn’t she have some peeping Toms to turn into deer or something? She doesn’t even live on Olympus. She hides out in the middle of nowhere preaching about chastity. Can’t you see how skewed she is?

Key: Well, don’t blame me when she turns you into a deer.

King Oeneus: How dare you talk to a king like that!

Key: Trust, I mean no harm. She’d do the same to me in a heartbeat.

King Oeneus: Women, right?

Key: ...Right. This is my student, Atalanta.

Atalanta bowed to the king.

King Oeneus: Ah, finally. A respectful woman. Let the ceremony begin!

People began doing various things with their shrines. Burning them, throwing them to the sea, and more. As the ceremony went on, Atalanta was petting a tiger. When she heard a loud thump. The tiger got up and ran away.

Atalanta: Aww…

Atalanta’s attention was now turned towards the increasingly loud thumps. She looked over a bunch of rocks and her eyes widened. She jumped away from the rocks and ran away towards the shrine.

Atalanta: Key! Key! Master Key!

Key: What is it?

A gigantic boar smashed through the rocks Atalanta was looking through. Everyone started scattering. People escorted the king away. Atalanta and Key ran to the King’s quarters. Where he put out a call for hunters.

King Oeneus: I want the bravest hunters in the area!

Atalanta: Key, I could kill the boar! Wouldn’t that be the perfect test to prove myself?

Key: You must prove yourself, but not at the expense of trifling with the gods! Artemis could find us, and turn you into a deer or something!

Atalanta: Artemis wouldn’t do that to a woman.

Key: We don’t know it for sure. My plan is foolproof. It would be going completely against my plan for you to fight this boar.

Atalanta: Didn’t you look forward in time and see this happening?

Key: Look, the boar wasn’t what I was focusing on. There is a bigger and better trial for you. The eye of fate won’t tell me what the outcome of the fight is.

Atalanta: Your meta powers don’t seem to help you very much.

Atalanta: This is my chance, Key. A monster sent down by Artemis. Don’t you think this is the best way for me to prove myself? You said it yourself, I’m the strongest among our new generation.

Key: Show me I didn’t make a mistake bringing you here.

A group of hunters came into the room.

King Oeneus: Who is willing to lead the charge against that boar?

The hunters in front of the cave were quiet, and looked around at each other. Atalanta put her hand up.

Atalanta: I will!

King Oeneus: You...You will? Sorry little lady. My daughters are playing in the back if you’d like to join them.

Atalanta: I’m sorry, I must’ve misheard you, I heard there was a gigantic boar on the loose because of your hubris, and it needs to be taken care of. Doesn’t killing a boar by all means necessary seem more important than doing arts and crafts!

King Oeneus: I don’t like your tone.

Hunter: Yeah, and I’m not going on a hunt with a little girl as disrespectful as her!

Another Hunter: Yeah! Why would we follow her into battle?

Another hunter walked into the group of hunters. He had a small crown that held his hair back. His blond hair went a little past his ears. He wore an Olympian hunter’s robe, with a chestplate made from animal skin. He had a spear latched onto his side. His eyes were sparkling golden. He also had a necklace around his neck, with a small piece of wood attached to it.

???: I say we give her a chance.

King Oeneus: What the hell are you doing here Prince Meleager? Go back home!

Meleager: You called for the bravest hunters. I would consider myself quite brave. I want Atalanta here to participate in this quest. I think she can help us.

Atalanta: You know my name?

Meleager: Well, I do know of most sailors coming into the island. Me and Atalanta will lead the charge against the boar, and we will strike it down!

The other hunters sighed, but followed Meleager and Atalanta out of there.

Key: Watch yourself, Atalanta. I can’t help you here. And don’t lag behind these hunters.

Atalanta: I won’t. I promise.

## Issue 2 - The Boar Hunt

The boar rammed into a group of hunters. They went flying up in the air, and the boar didn’t stop. They were trampled under the weight of the boar.

Meleager: My god…

Atalanta: You’re scared of it?

Meleager: It’s a gigantic boar, of course I’m scared of it. Did you see what it did to those people?

Atalanta: We’re going to need a distraction…

Meleager: Why are you looking at me?

Atalanta: Stand in front of this boulder.

Meleager: It’s going to charge at me!

Atalanta: Trust me! I know what I’m doing! I’m going to weaken it.

Meleager: You’re insane.

Atalanta: The T in hunt, trust.

Meleager: Hunt isn’t an acronym. You made that up!

Atalanta: You believed it for a second though. Right?

Meleager: I...Guess?

Atalanta: There you go! You trust me! Now stand in front of that rock and get ready to stab the boar!

Meleager: Okay fine! I’ll try.

Meleager got in front of the boulder they were hiding behind.

Meleager: There it is...

The boar was rampaging around the woods. It knocked down trees in its wake, smashed rocks, along with skulls. Meleager was standing in front of the rock, nearly shaking. Atalanta jumped on top of the rock and looked down at Meleager.

Atalanta: Get in a fighting stance. Don’t just stand there like you want to die.

Meleager: I basically am!

Atalanta: Trust me!

Atalanta jumped off the rock and ran towards the boar. It turned towards her and got ready to charge. She jumped high into the air. Atalanta’s eyes lit up, and she fired a blast of water at the boar. It backed up a little. She made the water on the boar freeze up. Atalanta landed on top of the boar. She stabbed it in the back with her spear. It began flailing around rampantly, and Atalanta flew off.

Atalanta: Okay, water spirit time. Come on…

Atalanta was covered in a bubble of water. Her eyes lit up blue, and she was covered in a dark blue aura. Atalanta flew in the air and fired a bunch of powerful water blasts. They hit the boar and crashed like the harsh ocean. She fired a gigantic blast of water into the boar, and it was blasted back through trees. It got angrier, and grew in size.

Atalanta: Oh shit…

The boar ran at her. She grabbed it’s tusks and kicked off of them. Atalanta floated in the air and spun in midair, she held out her hands, and turned herself into a torpedo, with water surrounding herself. The boar was now running full speed at Meleager.

Atalanta: I weakened it! Get ready!

Atalanta went flying into the boar’s back. It let out a loud squeal, that could be heard throughout the island. She ripped into it’s back, blood went flying everywhere. It’s tusk slashed across Meleager’s cheek, but as it squealed, he stabbed it through the head with his spear. It fell down, dead.

Meleager: Ha! We did it! Yes!

Atalanta: Yeah! We’re eating bacon tonight!

Atalanta and Meleager high-fived each other.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and Meleager were recovering after the fight.

Meleager: You were amazing out there! With those water blasts and that cool super form thing! Are you an Olympian?

Atalanta: Haha. No. I’m a metahuman.

Meleager: A metahuman? What’s that?

Atalanta: Well I guess the better word for me is mutant.

Meleager: Mutant? You don’t look very mutated.

Atalanta laughed.

Atalanta: It’s just a name for humans who have powers. I was born with mine.

Meleager: Wow...You’ve been blessed by the gods.

Atalanta: Not really. I was just born like this.

Meleager: You’ve definitely been blessed. I mean, you made it here with the blessing from Poseidon.

Atalanta: ...Sure.

Meleager was bandaging up his face.

Atalanta: Hey, you don’t need to bandage that up.

Atalanta put her hand on Meleager’s cheek.

Atalanta: I can use my powers to heal you.

Her hand lit up blue and she healed Meleager’s cut.

Meleager: Wow…

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Meleager and Atalanta were in the king’s quarters. The hunters gathered around Meleager.

Hunter: Wow Meleager! You killed the boar!

Meleager: C'mon guys, Atalanta did most of the work. She should get the boar’s skin as a prize.

Meleager kneeled before Atalanta and handed over the boar’s skin.

Meleager: This boar’s skin should protect you from magic spells.

Atalanta: Thank you.

The hunters towered over Atalanta. They started pushing her around.

Hunter: Nobody’s going to believe you killed a boar!

Hunter#2: Obviously Artemis was helping you!

Hunter#3: You don’t deserve that boar skin!

Atalanta: Can yo-

Hunter: You’re like 4 feet tall! Who would believe that you beat a 10 foot tall boar!?

Meleager: Okay guys, can you just stop pushing her around?

Hunter: What are you going to do about it, prince? I could break you like a twig!

Meleager: You want to test that theory?

The hunter drew a sword.

Meleager: Shit…

Meleager stabbed one of the Hunters who was behind him. He dodged a slash from the hunter in front of him and slashed him at his knees. He fell down. Meleager blocked a sword slash and headbutted the last hunter. As he was dazed, Meleager slashed him across the stomach and he fell. Meleagar stabbed the last hunter as he crawled away.

Atalanta: Wow, that was impressive.

Meleager: We should probably leave before my Dad sees this.

Atalanta: What if he thinks someone broke in?

Meleager: I’d better leave a note then.

Atalanta: What? “Sorry I killed your best hunters, they were harassing the girl you also love to harass.”

Meleager: Something like that.

Atalanta: I’d better find Key…

Meleager: That old fellow who came in with you?

Atalanta: Yeah. I think I’ll stay the night here.

Meleager: You're welcome to sleep in one of our open quarters. So is this Key.

Atalanta: Thank you. Uhm, before I go see Key, I wanted to say something.

Meleager: What’s up?

Atalanta: Well, I really appreciate you protecting me. Something like that has never happened to me. Me and Key are kind of on our own now. I really like you, and you’re handsome and nice and stuff…

Meleager: Oh, I didn’t know you felt like that. I’m just not interested in girls.

Atalanta: What is it I’m doing wrong?

Meleager: No it’s not that. I’m not interested in any girls. I like guys.

Atalanta: Oh, that’s not as bad as I thought.

Meleager: But I do appreciate you Atalanta. You are very charming, and strong.

Atalanta: Thank you.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta found Key waiting for her on their ship.

Atalanta: Hey Key, aren’t we going to spend the night?

Key was facing away from her. He was looking straight into the ocean.

Key: We have to go home.

Atalanta: What? Why? I was beginning to like it there. I proved myself too. I got this boar skin!

Atalanta handed the boar skin to Key. He examined it.

Key: You have proven yourself to me Atalanta. But I guess you didn’t really need to. I know your fate.

Atalanta: Yeah…? What about it?

Key: Well, the fates have given me sight. I’ve seen my fate as well.

Key went over to the boat’s anchor and untied the ship from the bay.

Key: We’re leaving.

Atalanta: What do you mean? Can’t we stay? You’re acting weird.

Key: Atalanta. You’re proud, strong, and I hope you’re willing to put yourself before your species. I’m doing this to change our fate.

Key leaned against the side of the boat.

Atalanta: Master Key. What are you doing?

Key was holding a string in his hand. It was connected to a bow and arrow that was facing him. He let go of it, and an arrow was fired into his chest. His blood spattered on the boar skin. He dropped it and fell overboard and into the ocean. Atalanta ran over to the deck and peered over. She was sobbing. She knelt down to the boar skin, and buried her face in it.

## Issue 3 - Like God, Like Human

Atalanta walked onto U.S soil. Wearing the boar skin like a coat. She went to a house that was on the water. Her and Key’s house. She took a key from her pocket. She walked into the house through the back door. She walked into a dark living room. There was a couch. Atalanta clicked on a small light in the room. Plastered on the wall in front of her were tons of newspaper clippings, pictures, security camera tapes, pictures from said tapes, a white board with writing of weaknesses and strengths, and even more. All the data in front of her had the face of a redheaded girl with red armor in front of her. One of the clippings had red devil ears drawn on in sharpie by Atalanta. The words were written on the white board.

“Red Devil”

Atalanta fell into a rage. She ripped down the many posters on the wall in an outburst of anger and sadness. This myth was the reason Key had died. The only one who had truly cared for her all these years. Then she stopped, sat on the couch and cried some more. She looked at the posters. They were just crumpled. Atalanta let out a sigh of relief. She had almost destroyed her master’s work.

Atalanta: This red devil...She’s taken hits from machines made to destroy cities. But her weakness…

“Her most powerful form, deemed destruction, can be deactivated with water. Largest weakness, water?”

Atalanta: It all makes sense now. What is it that Key saw, though?

There was a rampant knock at the door. Atalanta opened the door. To see about 20 men outside her door. All clamoring for her to marry them.

Atalanta: What the hell…?

???: It’s the huntress that defeated the boar!

???: She’s even more beautiful in person!

Atalanta: What...What are you all doing here? Are you all from Calydon?

???: You’re the huntress that killed the Calydonian boar!

Another man stepped out.

???: Miss Atalanta, won’t you have my hand in marriage?

Atalanta: What the hell? Are you all here to marry me?

Everyone nodded and started making a ruckus.

Atalanta: I’m not interested, okay?

All the men in the crowd just started clamoring more, and begging for Atalanta’s hand in marriage.

Atalanta: Oh my god…Is this what people were like in ancient Greece?

Atalanta thought to herself.

Atalanta: Alright, let’s play a game! Okay! Everyone, I have a way to handle this!

Everyone quieted down and looked at Atalanta.

Atalanta: Okay, all you have to do is beat little ol’ me in a footrace! And if you lose you get this!

Atalanta pulled out a sword.

???: We win a sword?

Atalanta: I’m going to kill you with the sword! You die! If you get second place you die!

People started walking away. Atalanta was astonished when she saw that about half of the people were still standing.

???: I’ll beat you in that race! And I’ll gain your hand! I’ll show you.

???: I actually like a little bit of competition!

Atalanta: Are you serious?

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta raced the around 10 men that were left. They lose and then die. With her enhanced metahuman speed, she wiped the floor with all of them.

Atalanta: What the hell is wrong with these people?

She sat down on her couch after a long, stressful day. She decided it was time to go to bed.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta was startled awake by the sound of a boat’s horn going off. She looked out her window to see the boat. People were getting off the boat, in the same Greek outfits as the men from yesterday.

Atalanta: There’s no way…

Atalanta went outside, to see men flocking towards her house.

???: I hear there’s a competition for your hand!

Atalanta sighed.

Atalanta: Godammit. Time to get the sword.

Atalanta raced a man, and subsequently killed him.

Atalanta: How are you all still standing? I just killed him? It’s not even fun anymore!

???: How about I go next?

The man standing before Atalanta had his hair dyed white, he wore a skintight suit with a long coat over it. His hair was slicked back and his eyes were grey.

Atalanta: Fine, okay.

Atalanta didn’t show it. But the man standing in front of her clearly was from the U.S. That meant word had spread to other places as well.

Atalanta: Alright, let’s go.

???: Aren’t you going to ask my name first? I might be the one you marry, and spend the rest of your life with.

Atalanta: Is that a threat?

???: Not at all. I was just asking.

Atalanta: Ugh...What’s your name?

???: My name is Milan.

Atalanta: Great. Let’s do this.

Atalanta and Milan lined up.

Atalanta: Alright. Threetwoonego.

Atalanta and Milan took off. Atalanta’s heart sank when she saw Milan blast ahead of her. She burst into a full sprint, she used her water powers to jet herself forward. But Milan overtook her easily and finished first.

Milan: Didn’t expect another meta? A speedster at that.

Atalanta: No...No, no.

Milan: Everyone get out of here! This woman’s taken!

The people who were still waiting to race left. Milan watched Atalanta think to herself on a rock as the men went back on the ship and left.

Atalanta: Well, I guess we’re married now. So now what?

Milan: Jeez, do you think I’m that desperate for a girl? I was just getting those guys out of your hair. You're welcome.

Milan ruffled Atalanta’s hair and started walking away.

Atalanta: Hey! Well first of all thanks. I never thought those guys would go away. I mean, you did win. I could bring you on a date or something. I could make you a sandwich. I have to thank you in some way.

Milan: Make it a tuna sandwich.

Atalanta: Deal.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Milan and Atalanta were eating sandwiches across from each other in her rundown kitchen. Milan lit a candle.

Milan: There you go. Setting the date mood.

Atalanta: So, how did you find out about me?

Milan: Some other metas. Well, actually my tattoo girl. Gretchen. We help out other metas who are in need. You obviously were having a hard time over there. I figured those crazies wouldn’t stop coming.

Atalanta: Well, I don’t know what to say. Thanks!

Milan: We’re trying to stop this war from getting worse and worse.

Atalanta: War?

Milan: People are calling it the meta-mutant civil war. That kind of makes it sound like it’s metas vs mutants. Pretty dumb name. Humans and metas are slaughtering each other in the streets.

Atalanta: It’s what Key was talking about…

Milan: Key?

Atalanta: Doesn’t matter. What does matter right now is this girl.

Atalanta pulled out a picture of the red devil. Milan chuckled.

Milan: Terra Lorenz? I can see why you think she matters. She was the one who freed the metahumans from the MFI camps.

Atalanta: She’s the red devil!

Milan: Devil? She’s a 5’ 2” freckled girl The only thing she’s guilty of is being adorable. Look at her little face…

Atalanta: Okay, weird. But she’s fated to wipe metahumans off the map someday. Something’s telling me it’s soon.

Milan: That’s kind of insane. What makes you think she’s an insane megalomaniac. She’s far from the next Hitler. I mean, maybe she is. Hitler was pretty short.

Atalanta: No more short jokes! She’s massively powerful, and she’s going to wipe us out someday! We need to do something to change fate!

Milan: Okay lady, I’ll let you sleep on that. I think I’m going to head home.

Atalanta: My master, Key, researched her. Look!

Atalanta brought Milan to Key’s research room.

Atalanta: He could see into the future. That was his power. But it was limited. He did all this work to prepare for the coming apocalypse! I have water powers, guess what her weakness is? Water! Key picked me because I can change our fate! Maybe that’s your fate, to help me defeat this Terra!

Milan: Well, I don’t think you’re insane. So I’ll take your word for it. I want to see what my people think of this.

Atalanta: I’ll tell you everything Key taught me!

Milan: Why can’t he do it himself?

Atalanta: He...He passed recently. But all his knowledge is right up here!

Atalanta put her hand on her head.

Milan: Well, let’s go.

Atalanta: Are you going to finish your food?

Milan: I can eat on the way there!

## Issue 4 - A New Home

Atalanta and Milan walked into a sewer hole.

Atalanta: Ugh...Smells so bad…

Milan: You’ll get used to it. Maybe you can purify the water.

Atalanta: I’ve never tried that.

There was a tattered sheet covering their hideout. Milan lifted it up.

Milan: Strawberry on the shortcake.

A barrier in front of the sheet let them in. There were three people in the room.

Milan: Here’s Gretchen. She’s the quiet type.

Gretchen was leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette. Tattoos all over her body. She wore a small top with a coat that had flower patterns on it. Her green hair was a mess and tied back into another mess.

Milan: This is Elliot.

Elliot wore camo pants and no shirt. His head was shaved. He was lifting weights. He nodded to Atalanta.

Milan: And here’s Leo.

Leo wore glasses, and had long hair that came down to his shoulders. He wore a zip-up sweatshirt with a shirt from some video game. He was focused on something he was doing on the computer.

Atalanta: Hi everyone.

Elliot was the first to get up. He towered over everyone in the room.

Elliot: Nice to meet you. What makes you special?

Atalanta: Well, I control water. That’s my power.

Elliot: I don’t care about your power. I’m asking what makes you fit for this team. You need grit, determination, and a real sense of justice to be with us.

Milan: Don’t worry about Elliot. He’s just really passionate about what we’re doing here.

Atalanta: I think I get it. Look, guys. I have information that might be of use. I know things about the war that are going to happen.

Leo turned around in his chair.

Leo: So what are you? You can also see into the future?

Atalanta: I can’t but my master, Key could. He passed away recently. But I know things he does.

Milan: Well, tell the people.

Atalanta: Key looked into the future. He foresaw the fall of metahumans. We’re massacred by one girl named Terra Lorenz.

Elliot: Terra wouldn’t do that to us. Why would she anyway? She saved metas!

Atalanta: I don’t know, all I know is that he had the power of foresight. It was never wrong. But sometimes he would use it to change fate. I think that’s what he’s trying to do now.

Gretchen: How do we know this story of yours isn’t bullshit?

Atalanta: Do I need to show you real proof?

Atalanta took out her phone, there was a picture of Key’s wall spread with data of Terra.

Atalanta: We’re talking about millions dying. People who are our species. Don’t you care?

Elliot: If you’re telling the truth, we’ll do what we can. But I’m staying skeptical.

Gretchen: Then we inaugurate her. You want to run with our team?

Atalanta: Well, where else would I go?

Gretchen: Then prove it. This is a blood oath, literally. Your blood is stained with this team. Mine is, so is everyone else.

Gretchen dropped her coat, and showed a gigantic abstract needle tattoo that went up her back. Milan showed a lightning bolt down his arms and across his chest, Leo had his arms covered with malware-like tattoos, Elliot’s tattoo was across his chest, A hammer of justice.

Gretchen: If you are to be with us, I’ll give you a badass tattoo.

Milan: Don’t jump the gun, Gretchen. After a mission.

Gretchen: Fine, after a mission.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Milan ran Atalanta next to her newfound teammates. They were outside of a border wall.

Milan: Now we’re outside of Quirin. We need to stop some humans from getting close to Quirin. They may even have weapons. But we don’t want to kill them. We will disable their gear.

Elliot: Guess who gets to do it?

Atalanta: ...Me?

Milan: Yup! Leo, show her.

Leo: All you need to do is throw this little device on their attack vehicles and gear. It disables anything electric.

Atalanta: Okay. sounds good.

Gretchen: You sound real cocky.

Atalanta: If this is what I have to do to prove myself, then so be it.

Milan: You’ve got this!

Milan gave Atalanta a fist bump.

Milan: Hey, eye on the ball. Not me.

Atalanta: S-Sorry.

Milan: Here they come.

A bunch of cars started driving towards them from afar. The team stood their ground. Milan ran in at super-speed, taking some guys off their motorcycles. Elliot jumped forward and grabbed a car by its hood, stopping it in its tracks.

Elliot: Atalanta!

Atalanta threw an emp at the car, it stuck to it and deactivated it’s battery. She shot a blast of water at a car that was heading straight for her. She threw a bomb right through the blast of water that deactivated the car. Through the dust from the cars, a huge explosion sent everyone flying. Humans were driving a tank towards everyone. Humans came out and started firing a turret. Everyone got behind Elliot. He tanked the hits from the turret. Leo used some sort of telekinesis to make the guns start flying around in circles. The humans ducked down as Atalanta threw the emp and deactivated the tank. Humans jumped off their cars and out of their tanks with special guns. Milan ran at them and dodged their bullets. Gretchen made some needles materialize. She threw them at all the humans, they were paralyzed. Elliot smashed his fist on the ground, the humans were sent in the air. Milan spun his fists super fast to make a tornado, they stayed in the air. Atalanta shot herself into the air with her water and knocked them out.

Atalanta: How was that?

Elliot: Good enough.

Leo: Man, that was awesome!

Milan: You did a good job.

Atalanta: We make a good team, right?

Milan: You’d make a great addition. Meet Gretchen in her tattoo room.

Atalanta: So I’m in?

Milan: Mhm.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Gretchen made some of her needles materialize. She dipped them in blue ink.

Gretchen: Alright, ready? You like that design right?

Atalanta: Yeah. I’m actually kind of excited. I’ve always wanted a tattoo.

Gretchen: Good for you. This is going to sting a little.

Atalanta: It’s fine.

Gretchen: Well, brace for it.

Gretchen started inking Atalanta.

Atalanta: So you did everyone’s tattoos. How long have you been with Milan?

Gretchen: I was the first person he found. Also the one who came up with the whole tattoo gimmick. I was born with the power to create needles. All I need to carry around is some ink and a pen to put my needles in.

Atalanta: I was born with my powers too. But I was recently given a power that’s supposed to beat Terra.

Gretchen: You’re really bent out of shape about this Terra person.

Atalanta didn’t talk for a while. Then spoke up again.

Atalanta: Can I tell you something, Gretchen? You don’t talk a lot. So…?

Gretchen: What is it?

Atalanta: I don’t know if I’m ready to tell the whole team yet. But my master. He killed himself in front of me. I think he saw something. He said he knew my fate. Along with his own.

Gretchen: So what? You think he saw something so scary that he decided to pull the plug on himself?

Atalanta: Maybe. He saw himself die and then killed himself before he was set to die. He was also trying to change fate again. It was his final try to save us. Now the responsibility is in my hands.

Gretchen: Well, I’ve never met this Terra. If she is who you think she is, then I’m fine with jumping her.

Atalanta: We’ll probably have to kill her.

Gretchen: So be it.

More time passed. Atalanta came out with her tattoo. A water design. There was a droplet of water that went down her neck. And then what seemed like a waterfall going from her shoulder all the way down to her waist.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta went over to Milan.

Atalanta: So how do I look?

Milan: Pretty good. I think it compliments you well.

Atalanta: Thank you. Can I see yours again?

Milan took off his shirt. Showing his lightning bolts.

Milan: Yours is better.

Atalanta couldn’t stop staring.

Atalanta: So, you want to continue this conversation somewhere else?

Milan: I don’t think anyone’s around.

Milan got up close to Atalanta.

Atalanta: Was this all part of your plan?

Milan: Well, I’m not ready for marriage. That’s too much of a commitment.

Atalanta: I agree.

Atalanta and Milan kissed each other.

## Issue 5 - Top Priority

Months later

Atalanta and Milan clinked glasses together. They were in some purified sewer water.

Milan: See, you can purify the water. It’s not so bad, huh?

Atalanta: I like it. It’s like a hot tub.

Milan: And you know what usually happens in hot tubs~

Atalanta: Don’t be a creep. You want to be the guy who seduces girls in sewers?

Milan: Maybe.

They kissed. Atalanta grabbed some whiskey and poured them some glasses.

Atalanta: Want some more?

Milan: Why not?

Atalanta: We should purify the water with Whiskey. That’d be pretty cool.

Milan: Not a bad idea. Let’s just drink it before we drown in it.

They downed their glasses.

Atalanta: So what’s our codenames again?

Milan: We’re calling you Echo.

Atalanta: Echo? Why?

Milan: Elliot said because we always hear the echoes of the human’s screams.

Atalanta: Edgy.

Milan: I know. I’m lightning, I think. Elliot’s heavy. I honestly forgot what everyone else’s nickname is.

Atalanta: Elliot seems to know. Actually, holy crap. What would happen if everyone on the team had a gigantic battle royale?

Milan: It would be a pretty small battle royale, but Gretchen would probably win.

Atalanta: Gretchen? She isn’t super strong, or super fast.

Milan: I’m super fast. But something that would suck for me is paralysis. That’s what her needles do. She’s stabbed me with one before. It lasted a while.

Atalanta: She did? When?

Milan: We fought when we first met. She was so mad at the world. Took her anger out on me.

Atalanta: Now you guys are like, best friends.

Milan: We’ve always been with each other through thick and thin. Don’t worry. She won’t steal me from you though.

Atalanta: Pfft. I’ve seen lesbians before, Milan. She’s never even cared to look at you the way I do.

Milan: Yeah, you drool over me.

Atalanta: No I don’t! That’s disgusting!

Milan: It’s true! See, you’re doing it right now!

Atalanta playfully pushed Milan. He fell into the water and splashed Atalanta.

Atalanta: Hey!

Elliot walked out.

Elliot: No more screwing around out here. We’ve got news about Terra.

Atalanta: Really, what’s it about?

Elliot: Let’s go in. Dry off first.

Milan: It’s a concrete floor, Elliot.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Elliot: Terra has just killed a human leader. Simon Akir. Are you really sure she’s going to kill metahumans?

Atalanta: I’ve told you. Key can’t be wrong. We need to do as much research as possible.

Elliot: Terra is not our top priority right now! She just took down a human leader. So if she’s going to suddenly change and start killing metahumans, then it’ll be later. We need to focus on the now, and prepare for the future on the side. We need to stop the people from dying now. Milan, don’t you agree? You are our leader.

Milan: I-I do agree. Atalanta, think about it. People could be dying because we’re obsessing over a myth. We’re putting Terra on the side for now, and we’ll do research on the side.

Atalanta: I understand.

Milan: New York is the belly of the beast. It’s also where Terra is. We’ll go to New York to help as many as we can.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

It was 2025. Atalanta had grown up with her group of friends. She was in bed with Milan by her side. She got to her feet and got dressed. Her hair had gotten longer, and now she had a long ponytail. She wore a blue top, with a chestplate covering it.She had tight blue shorts under a grey dress with a golden belt, along with some old worn shoes. She now sported a ring around her finger. Matching the ring around Milan’s finger. Milan got up without Atalanta noticing. He wrapped his arms around her. She turned her head and they kissed. Milan came in front of her and put his head up to her stomach. She had developed a little bit of a baby bump.

Milan: How’s little Enopeus?

Atalanta: Enopeus? Well it’s obvious you want it to be a boy.

Milan: I love you and all that, but girls are trouble. They’ve got a million dicks to worry about. We have one boy, we’ve only got one.

Atalanta: I mean, in the world today, that statement doesn’t really hold up.

Milan: That’s messed up.

Atalanta: Everything about the other thing is messed up.

Milan: We’ll make sure our kid is a nice christian boy or girl. We’ll get a chastity belt!

Atalanta: Please don’t remind me of the chastity belt.

Milan: I’m telling you, it fixes all our problems!

Milan turned on the news.

Newswoman: The Meta/Mutant Civil War is finally coming to an end after five long years. Fights are still spread out. But war has ceased for the moment. We will now reveal the official death toll.

Milan went to turn off the TV. Atalanta grabbed his hand.

Atalanta: No. We need to see.

```
Numbers appeared on screen. 100,000,000 humans, and 20,000,000 mutants.

```

Milan: Oh my god…

Milan leaned down on the couch and put his hands on his face. Atalanta rubbed his back.

Atalanta: It could’ve been more if it wasn’t for us.

Milan: We could’ve done more. Just...give me a moment.

Atalanta: Okay.

Atalanta went into her room with all the Terra data. Data that had been found over years and years. Atalanta looked at the data she had found over the war. Terra’s fights were mixed. She fought metahuman leaders, like General Grey. Human leaders like Simon Akir.

Atalanta: She doesn’t have a side...Whatever fits her at the time. What the hell...

There were multiple cameras capturing places Terra had been to often. A little store called Bibble and Sip, the Hudson River, and more.

???: It’s time to put your big girl pants on.

President Bordon was by the Hudson river. Atalanta watched Terra walk into frame.

Terra: Ugh. What’s your proposition? I’m happy to end the war any way that I can.

???: I doubt it.

Bordon: What Tempest means is that this is the hardest way. But also the only one.

Terra: Well, throw it at me.

Bordon: You made this mess. I need you to clean it up. You’ll need to find every meta we know committed a crime, and put them back where they came from.

Terra: What!? I can’t do that! Do you know how long that would take?!

Bordon: We didn’t have lots of info on all of them. So we’ll need you to capture everyone you can find.

Terra: I can’t do that all by myself!

Bordon: We’ll give you a task force. You can make your own up, or use our soldiers.

Terra: I don’t want them to rot in slave camps! That’s millions who are going to live out their lives like that!

Bordon: Then you shouldn’t have let them out!

Terra quieted down.

Atalanta: She’s scared….

```
Bordon: This is our only option that’s on the plate.

```

Terra: Why can’t we give them the mental support they need?

Bordon: They will get angry again. I’ll be outlawing powers from being used in this country.

Terra: Why?

Bordon: Imagine someone is in the middle of a mall, and they shoot ice from their hands. That’s equivalent to shooting a gun off in the middle of a mall! Metas will be threatening to all humans now. At least the norm. So tell me, are you in? Or not?

Terra: ...I don’t have a choice, do I?

Bordon: No.

Terra: I’ll only take the deal if you do this for me, lock up the humans who fucked up too! I know there's talk about the winning side telling their part of history. But one of my friends died because of a human! A fucked in the head, insane maniac. Lock up the humans who deserve it. Deal?

Bordon looked astonished.

Bordon: Deal.

They shook hands, and Bordon walked off frame. Atalanta’s head started hurting. She felt it. She saw Terra killing metahumans. Clear as day. Shooting them in the head with an uncaring face.

Atalanta: Milan! Milan! We need to attack! We need to do the plan!

Milan: Atalanta! Slow down! What’s going on?

Atalanta: We’ve been planning this for years! Years! We have to make our attack on Terra...tomorrow! Tomorrow should work!

Milan: What? Why?

Atalanta: It’s the president. He wants to get her to lock up metahumans.

Milan: Lock them up?

Atalanta: I know I said kill, but this has to be the moment. She’s taking sides with humans. She’s going to kill millions more of metas. You want to protect our species? This is our chance to save millions!

Milan: Should we get the rest of the team?

Atalanta: Yes!

Milan: What about the baby?

Atalanta stopped.

Milan: Atalanta.

Atalanta sat down.

Milan: I know it’s been years. But we’re not sacrificing this kid.

Atalanta: It’s millions of metas vs our child. One kid vs millions.

Milan: We know how dangerous Terra is. She could kill all of us.

Atalanta: That’s why we need to catch her by surprise. I’m fighting, Milan.

Milan: I don’t want her to recognize you.

Atalanta: Let’s meet the team, and lay out the plan.

## Issue 6 - Red Devil

The team had reformed. Atalanta was in front of a white-board.

Atalanta: When we attack her. She’s going to freak out. She’ll try and protect herself. She may even try and kill us. Before the fight. Leo will enhance all of us. You can pull off that invisibility thing too, right?

Leo: Yeah, it’s no problem.

Atalanta: We’re going to get into her house, we’ll be undetectable.

Leo: The invisibility cloak only lasts until you’re hit.

Atalanta: Then that’s how we’ll start. Gretchen, throw your needles in to slow her down. She’ll probably try and power up. I’ll weaken her with water. Now she’ll know we’re there. Milan and Elliot will have to attack her. Milan will have to do most of the starting damage since he’s the fastest. With Elliot doing big hits when she isn’t expecting them. Leo, throw in bombs and gadgets to disorient her. If she starts hurting us, that’s when Elliot will have to enter. You’re the strongest, and maybe the only one that might be able to contend with Terra’s strength. One of her most devastating powers is her disease power. We need to block her eyesight. She can still fight without her eyes. But she needs to see us to make us sick. Leo should have something for that.

Leo: I also have something that’ll keep her armor down.

Atalanta: Yeah, under any circumstances. Don’t let her get her armor. If everything goes right. I will be able to take her out with my water spirit. I know her address. We’ll attack early tomorrow morning.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and Milan were in bed.

Milan: You really have this whole thing planned out.

Atalanta: Don’t jinx us.

Milan: I do actually have a question about the plan.

Atalanta: What’s up?

Milan: That water spirit, the doctor said it could hurt the kid. We can find another way.

Atalanta: No we can’t. It’s been years of planning to get here, Milan. Can’t you see what’s at stake? If we can find another way, then okay. I care about our kid, our future. But sometimes we can’t have it all. We could just have another kid.

Milan: I know, but we have one on the way right now. I’m about to be a Dad. I don’t want it to get spoiled by the “red devil”

Atalanta: The plan is the plan. I’m only two months pregnant. I know I sound cold. But it’s the kid vs millions of metahumans. Just have some faith.

Milan: Okay...Okay.

Atalanta: Are you sure we’re good?

Milan: We’re good. Golden. Crystal clear.

Milan kissed Atalanta.

Milan: Now c’mon. Let me show you some of that faith in action.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The team woke up bright and early. Leo gave them short-term strength enhancements, everyone used their invisibility cloaks.

Atalanta: These cloaks aren’t foolproof. But we’ll be able to catch her off guard.

They approached the apartment building Terra lived in. They took the stairs to not cause any suspicion. Atalanta led them up a bunch of floors. They got to a room. Terra’s room. Milan phased through the door and looked around the apartment. Terra was asleep. Milan let everyone in.

Elliot: Why can’t we just shoot her dead?

Atalanta: A gun won’t kill her. It’ll just piss her off. Elliot, try and hold her down.

Elliot jumped on Terra’s bed as she was sleeping peacefully.

Elliot: This is to protect millions.

Elliot smashed his fist into Terra’s head. She was startled awake. She started glowing red.

Atalanta: Gretchen!

Gretchen threw her needles at Terra. Elliot jumped off, Atalanta shot a blast of water into Terra. The red energy around her waned. Terra dragged herself out of bed. She was paralyzed, but got to her feet. She stood up weakly, and held out her hand. Leo threw a piece of metal that went over Terra’s eyes. She was blinded. He threw a bunch more pieces of metal to keep Terra’s armor from moving.

Terra: Whoever you are, I mean you no harm!

Milan started hitting Terra from all sides at super-speed. Terra tried to react. But it was hopeless. She was knocked down. Elliot came over Terra and punched her in the stomach. Terra let out a cry.

Elliot: It’s like we’re beating the shit out of a defenseless little girl…

Atalanta: Trust me. She’s far from defenseless.

Terra was clearly looking for an exit. She was horrified.

Milan kept hitting Terra from all sides. He got a good punch to the face, and she spat out blood. Her face was now bloody, her pajamas stained with blood. He came for another punch, and Terra grabbed his arm. She punched him in the stomach, and he was sent flying into the wall, cracking it. She shot a couple blasts of energy at Milan. He was hit in the stomach. Elliot throttled her in the side of the face.

Terra: How many people are here…?

Leo threw a grenade at Terra. She caught it in her hand. She put her hand out. Everyone’s invisibility cloaks went away.

Terra: Five…

She jumped over her bed and kicked Gretchen in the stomach. She went sliding across the other bed in the room. She threw a bunch of needles at Terra. Atalanta punched Terra in the stomach and grabbed her by the face, she slammed her head against the wall. Terra threw a kick at Atalanta. She moved out of the way. Terra grabbed the mask on her face and tried tearing it off. But to no avail. Elliot kicked her in the back. She was sent into her kitchen. Leo took out a sword. He stabbed Terra through the stomach.

Elliot: Jeez, Leo.

Terra punched Leo square in the face, she was now seething with anger. Leo’s head exploded on impact. His body fell on the floor of Terra’s kitchen, staining everything with blood. Terra’s face was covered, and she looked at the group with hatred in her eyes. The mask that had been covering her eyes fell down. And her armor was set free. Her armor flew to her.

Atalanta: No...No, the plan!

Elliot: Don’t stand there! Weaken her!

Atalanta fired constant blasts of water at Terra. Elliot jumped in and throttled Terra in the face. This time, she didn’t move an inch. Gretchen jumped over and threw needles at Terra. Some needles hit her open skin. But she shrugged them off. She grabbed Elliot’s wrist and crushed it. She kicked him away and hit him with her armor. She took out her spear.

Terra: Back off! All of you! I don’t want to do this.

Milan ran over to Terra and threw a blast of lightning at her. It bounced off her armor and hit her wall. Blasting it to pieces. Atalanta fired more blasts of water into Terra. Terra got close to Atalanta and threw a kick at her. Milan ran in and deflected the kick. He hit Terra at super-speeds. Terra waited and grabbed his leg when she got the chance and slammed him against the wall. He spat out blood. He got to his feet and kept attacking Terra. She kept getting pelted by needles. Elliot increased his muscle mass and punched at Terra. She fell to one knee and swung her spear in desperation. She sliced Elliot’s hand off. He let out a scream of agony and fell down. Milan sped up even more and came up to Terra and punched her rapidly in the face. She eventually lifted both of her hands and blocked Milan’s punches. She picked him up and threw him across the room.

Milan: Atalanta...Hide...Protect our son…!

Terra grabbed one of Gretchen’s needles and stabbed her with it. Terra ripped out needles from all over and threw them at Gretchen. She fell down with no control.

Milan: The captain always goes down with the ship.

Milan summoned more lightning into himself and ran at Terra. Terra swung her spear. Milan was decapitated immediately. Terra took out more needles and threw them at Elliot. She fell to her knees and coughed up blood. She started crying. She got up, and saw Atalanta running down the hall, trying to get away. Atalanta turned around and looked at Terra from across the hall.

Terra: I’m sorry. Your friends attacked me. What did I do to you? Whatever it is, I’m sorry. Please, try and accept it.

Terra got on her hands and knees. It was like she was begging to Atalanta. The devil she had been searching for was telling her sorry. It enraged Atalanta. She was slowly covered in a blue aura. And her eyes turned a light white. She summoned the water spirit. She was more enraged than ever before. Terra stood up.

Terra: Then that’s how it’s going to be.

Atalanta flew quickly at Terra. She fired a blast of water at Terra. She held out her hands and blocked the blast. Her skin was torn badly as Atalanta raced towards her and her blast got more intense. She grabbed Terra by the neck through her blast and slammed her against the roof. She punched Terra in the face over and over. Terra used her armor and dragged Atalanta to the ground. She turned and slammed Atalanta in the ground. She threw a punch at Atalanta. Atalanta held up her hand and blocked it. She fired a blast of water into Terra’s face. It ripped her skin, tearing it off like a bandaid. Terra grabbed onto her spear and spun around, she slashed her spear up Atalanta’s stomach and to her chest. She fell down. Bleeding. She lost her water spirit and leaned against the wall, crying.

Atalanta: Just kill me. Kill me please.

Terra looked at Atalanta.

Terra: Oh my god...you have a kid on the way. I’m...so sorry.

Terra sat down next to Atalanta. She put her hand on Atalanta. Atalanta’s wounds began to heal.

Terra: I didn’t...Just kill the parent, did I? Please tell me.

Atalanta: Milan...The speedster…

Terra: Oh my god...I don’t know what it is I did, bu-

Atalanta: You killed us! You kill all of us! My master, Key! You killed him!

Terra looked at Atalanta, clearly unsettled.

Terra: I can take you somewhere else. I know I can’t save you. I can’t fix this. But I can take you somewhere you’ll be safe.

Terra lended her hand to Atalanta.

Atalanta: Fuck you.

## Issue 7 - Head In The Clouds

Milan and Atalanta were eating dinner in her house.

Atalanta: Did you hear that the Red Devil actually had a hand in making Quirin exist? This place used to be San Francisco. She had a hand in destroying it.

Milan: She’s really that bad? What do you think she’s like?

Atalanta: You haven’t heard the things she does? She destroys everything she’s around.

Milan: She destroys all…

Atalanta: She must be some uncaring, angry, insane bitch.

Milan: That’s a little intense. I doubt she’s that bad.

Atalanta: I beg to differ. Me and Key have done extensive research on her. I know her. She doesn’t care about anyone. She thinks she’s a hero. A self-proclaimed hero is never good.

Milan: A hero is never all good. But a villain is never all bad.

Atalanta: That may be. Doesn’t change the fact of the carnage she causes.

Milan: I guess you’re right.

There was a knock at the door. It kept getting louder and louder.

Atalanta: Let me answer that. That person needs to learn some manners.

Atalanta opened the door. Terra stabbed her spear straight through Atalanta’s stomach.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta awoke with a shriek.

???: God, Mom. Can you keep it down?

Atalanta: Sorry, Enopeus.

Atalanta looked at the time. But it didn’t matter. It was always daytime in Olympus. She opened the door to her small house. The one thing that she loved about where she lived was the view. She went a little down the road and looked up to see everything. She saw the rich part of her city, Phoenicia. Then Athens. Where the gods and heroes of Olympus lived. Far from Athens was the Olympian library. Then there was a huge castle. Where new gods went to school and where the old gods used to live. Now the ruler of Olympus lived there. Hesial. The castle was known as The Heart. She saw other metahumans wandering the streets in Greek clothing.

Atalanta wore a blue top that only covered her chest. Her tattoo was still there. It was now a faded blue. She wore the same dress and tight blue pants as usual. She now had golden sandals that acted almost like leggings. They went from her knees and around her feet like sandals. She had newly acquired golden bracelets that dug into her skin. Her hands were a deep blue. The same blue as her water spirit form. The climbed up her skin like vines trying to take over an ecosystem. The bracelets seemed to stop the water spirit from overtaking her anymore. She had also clearly gotten older, and less fit than she used to be. She had picked up some weight. She was now 36 years old. And it was 2040. Atalanta went inside to make breakfast.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Enopeus: My favorite, pancakes without syrup.

Atalanta: Syrup is like gold nowadays. I couldn’t get any. I mean, can’t you agree that your Mom makes some hella good pancakes?

Enopeus: Sure.

Atalanta: C’mon Enopeus. I’m trying here.

Enopeus: You can’t even afford bread. These pancakes are the same box from three weeks ago. You just threw random shit in there to make more.

Atalanta: I was just trying to find another way. Y’know?

Enopeus: Get a job, Mom. It’s not that hard to be successful here. You said it was way harder on Earth!

Atalanta: Those were different times! I never even had the chance to work a job on Earth.

Enopeus: I bet if we were olympians we would be super rich. Millionaires!

Atalanta: Being an Olympian requires you to be one of three things, a whore, a virgin, or a psycho rapist. Which I am none of.

Enopeus: God, Mom. Are you hungover again?

Atalanta: There’s not even any beer in the house.

Enopeus moved over a rug and opened a compartment with tons of beer in it.

Enopeus: It’s refrigerated too!

Atalanta: You want me to get a job? Fine. I’ll go looking again.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta went into the bar. Which had job postings on a billboard. Atalanta glanced at it and then got a drink.

Bartender: Add it to the tab?

Atalanta: Yup. Thanks Oenopion.

There was a woman sitting next to Atalanta. She had short hair and wore a long robe. Like most of the Olympian women. She wore a small crown.

Atalanta: Hey Leda. How’s everything going today?

Leda: Living the dream as always.

Atalanta: How’s work?

Leda: Boring. Came here to get some inspiration.

Atalanta: What do you do again?

Leda: I’m knitting for the nursery. But this cloth is going to be given to Dionysus. I’ve got to give him something that knocks his socks off, and hopefully his clothes. Wink, wink.

Atalanta: You have a husband, don’t you?

Leda: Tyndareus? He’s a damn bum. Every woman in Olympus has a husband so we can live. It’s simple. You’ll have to stop with that widow bullshit. Get yourself a good husband. Or date an Olympian.

Atalanta: There’s only one Olympian man that’s still living. Which is Dionysus.

Leda: There’s Ludus.

Atalanta: But he looks like a child, and seems to reject every woman that comes up to him.

Leda: True. What’s going on with you?

Atalanta: I need a job.

Leda: Even if you were to support yourself with a stable job, which would be shit work for women. Knitting, taking care of kids, making food, making kids, etc. Either way, you need a husband to support yourself. Get yourself out there, Atalanta!

Atalanta: You make it sound easy.

Leda started chuckling.

Leda: Hey Oenopion, can you show me that flyer again?

Oenopion: Atalanta want to see it?

Atalanta: A competition for the next generation of Olympus?

Oenopion: It’s a tournament. The winner becomes an Olympian.

Atalanta: Wait, really? No joke?

Oenopion: Flyers were sent down by Hesial herself.

Atalanta: Cool. I guess I’ll take it. For safekeeping.

Leda: What? Are you going to become an Olympian?

Atalanta: Wel-

Leda poked Atalanta in the stomach.

Leda: Not with that beer belly you are. Maybe get botox too.

Atalanta: Very funny.

Atalanta walked away from the bar drinking her beer. She went to open the door to her house. There was a note on it.

Atalanta: ...Eviction notice?!

A man walked past the house.

???: Atalanta. Sorry we had to let you go. I’ve been lenient with you long enough. You’ve got two days to move out.

The man walked away. Atalanta walked into her house.

Atalanta: Enopeus?

There was no answer. Atalanta checked Enopeus’s room. He wasn’t there.

Atalanta: Damn kid...He fuckin’ hates me.

Atalanta finished her beer. She grabbed another from the cooler in the floor.

Atalanta: I don’t blame him.

Atalanta unfolded the flyer to the tournament.

## Issue 8 - Party in Phoenicia

Atalanta took a swig of beer and placed it down next to her. She was in a large work-out area. Some people were fighting in a ring around the corner. She put on 4 sets of 500 pound weights.

Atalanta: C’mon Atalanta. 1 ton is a cinch.

She laid down on the bench press. She put her hands to the bench and slowly lifted the weight. She did one full bench. She lifted again, but didn’t make it. She dropped the weight back on the bench and got up. A little tired.

Atalanta: God...I’m out of shape…

She got up off the bench press and bumped into a man who was going to use it.

Atalanta: Sorry.

???: It’s not a problem! Please, move aside young lady.

The man was ripped. He had a gigantic, looming body. He only wore long loose pants and the skin of a lion around him. He had a short beard. Atalanta started to walk away, and then looked back at him.

Atalanta: Wait a sec. You’re fucking Heracles!

Heracles: Yeah, that’s right. Did those twelve labors and all. How about you spot me on this weight?

Atalanta: Oh, okay.

Heracles easily lifted the ton and did a set of 10. Without breaking a sweat. Atalanta was astonished.

Atalanta: Wow…! Impressive.

Heracles: Why don’t you do another set?

Atalanta: You know… I think I’m good.

Heracles: Come on! Why not? Do another set!

Atalanta: Alright, alright.

Atalanta got down and lifted the weight once. She was clearly overwhelmed after lifting the weight twice. She was able to do it once more before putting the weight down.

Atalanta: God...I need to get back into shape.

Heracles: Well, you metahumans aren’t quite on par with us gods. You didn’t do bad.

Atalanta: Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?

Atalanta went to take a swig of her drink. But there was no more alcohol in it.

Atalanta: Got any drinks?

Heracles: Of course not! How do you think I keep this figure up? Besides, I have to get in shape for the big fight!

Atalanta: Big fight?

Heracles: I’m going to become an Olympian!

Atalanta: You sure are confident.

Heracles: Yeah. Everyone else who is participating is going to be washed away by me.

Atalanta: So...Who else is participating?

Heracles: Many Olympian heroes. Odysseus, Perses, even gods like Eros.

Atalanta: Fuck me…

Heracles: What?

Atalanta: Nothing, nothing.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta was sitting next to the bar in an alleyway drinking. There was a man about the same age as Atalanta across from her. He wore more normal clothes and had stubble. They were laughing with each other.

???: So that piece of shit really found your secret stash?

Atalanta: Yeah, I can’t believe he did. Didn’t steal from it though. I counted. What about your daughter, Bishop?

Bishop: She’s doing okay. Doesn’t seem to like this place. She wants to go back to Earth.

Atalanta: Shit, you’re not going to believe this. I met Heracles today.

Bishop: What’s that bastard doing here? Shouldn’t he be in Athens?

Atalanta: Probably should. Did I tell you about the Olympian thing going on?

Bishop: The tournament of the gods?

Atalanta: I could join in.

Bishop laughed and took a swig of his beer.

Bishop: You know that there’s a reason all the metas looked at that and immediately said no. You know who's competing in these fights? Heracles, Theseus, Ashana, Eros and his brother Anteros! Do you want to have your head lopped off by an arrow?

Atalanta: I mean, my son hates me, I don’t own a house anymore, and I’m single. It’s me against the world.

Bishop: You know it doesn’t have to be. Right? Introduce yourself to some guys. Maybe they’ll marry you and you’ll have-

Atalanta: Fuck all this marrige bullshit! To be successful as a woman here you either have to be raped by a god or have drunken sex with someone and hope it works out. All the knitting and arts bullshit never pays enough to last!

Bishop: I’m not asking you to have drunken sex. I’m asking you to try.

Atalanta: Fuck it, maybe Heracles is here to have a party. I’m going to track that piece of shit down.

Bishop: Goddamnit. Language, Atalanta.

Atalanta walked away as she whispered to herself.

Atalanta: You aren’t Key…

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta went back to the place where everyone was working out. Heracles was fighting someone in the ring. He put out his hand and flicked them in the face. He went flying to the ground. Heracles let out a booming laugh. He went out of the ring with a towel on.

Heracles: Oh, she’s back. Here. Hold my towel.

Heracles threw his towel at Atalanta. She caught it and threw it on the ground.

Atalanta: Hey Heracles. Why are you in Phoenicia?

Heracles: You want to know why I’m here? Well, I’m invited to a great party hosted by a powerful metahuman here!

Atalanta: Any chance a lowly woman like me might be able to go?

Heracles laughed.

Heracles: I like you. You know that? You’re up front. Not afraid to ask exactly for what you want.

Atalanta: It’s not that big of a deal. Can’t a little woman like me get down and party every once and a while?

Heracles: Be my guest. Party is at the biggest building in Phoenicia.

Atalanta: What floor?

Heracles: Third.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked into the party. Heracles was already there. He was chugging hard alcohol.

Heracles: Come on! You can do better than that! Give me something good!

Atalanta walked over to him.

Atalanta: Hey, thought you were laying off the hard alcohol.

Heracles: Yeah, and then I forgot that I was a god!

Atalanta: Let me try some of that shit.

Atalanta tried some of the alcohol Heracles had given her. She got an immediate buzz.

Atalanta: This is good! Wow! We need to drink together sometime.

Heracles laughed and put his hand around Atalanta.

Heracles: Everyone! This is Atalanta! She’s great! I can tell she knows how to party!

Atalanta: I’m a little rusty.

Atalanta walked around the party. She had small conversations with metahumans and gods alike. She saw a plate of golden apples.

Atalanta: Holy shit...Edible gold?

Atalanta picked up one of the apples and went to bite it.

???: I wouldn’t bite those.

Atalanta: Why not? I love gold, and kind of love apples.

???: You aren’t a god, right? Could turn your insides inside out.

Atalanta: Man...I could turn your insides inside out.

???: ...What?

Atalanta: Shit...You’re supposed to say that right? Fuck. Hi! I’m Atalanta!

???: I’m Hippomenes…

Hippomenes and Atalanta shook hands.

Atalanta: You should totally try some of that alcohol that Heracles has. It’s some good shit.

Hippomenes: Us mortals aren’t really supposed to drink that kind of stuff.

Atalanta: You’re a mortal? How are you here?

Hippomenes: I’m a disciple of Chiron. I’ve been here for years now. This is pretty much my home.

Atalanta: Cool. So you’re some smart nerd?

Hippomenes: Well, Chiron does praise me. I’m not very brilliant.

Atalanta: Shit me too! We have so much in common!

Hippomenes: ...Are you a metahuman? I can at least see you survived Dionysus’ ale.

Atalanta: I am a metahuman. How could you tell?

Hippomenes: Also your water tattoo. Can you use water powers?

Atalanta: I can, yeah.

Hippomenes: Can you...Show me?

Atalanta: Anything for you, nerd.

Atalanta shot a little bit of water in the air, making a little fountain.

Atalanta: Shit, hopefully the dude running this party doesn’t care that I got his floor and couch wet.

Hippomenes: Wow...I’ve never seen a metahuman show their powers.

Atalanta: Yeah, nobody really uses their powers much in public. Last time that happened we had a second holocaust.

Hippomenes laughed awkwardly.

Atalanta: God...I don’t know if this ale is dealing with me.

Atalanta stood up and stumbled her way outside. Hippomenes followed her, concerned. She threw up next to the house. Hippomenes put his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Hippomenes: God...Let it out.

Atalanta: Ugh...Guess I shouldn’t have drank that.

Atalanta looked up at Hippomenes.

Atalanta: God, now that my vision isn’t blurry I can see you. Damn. You don’t look half bad.

Hippomenes: Uhm, thank you. Same to you.

Atalanta pushed Hippomenes against the wall and kissed her. He was surprised, and pushed her off himself.

Hippomenes: Hey, I’m pretty sure you’re hungover. Are you sure this is what you want?

Atalanta: Shit I’m always hungover. Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.

Hippomenes: Like where?

Atalanta: Not a fucking alleyway.

Atalanta brought Hippomenes back into the party.

## Issue 9 - Divine Soil

Atalanta woke up next to Hippomenes in a bed. She looked at him. He was fast asleep.

Atalanta: Shit, shit. Shit.

Atalanta got out of the couch, stepping over all the sleeping, or blackout drunk people. She went to her house. She slowly opened the door. To see her son angrily packing his bags.

Atalanta: Enopeus…!

Enopeus didn’t even say anything.

???: What about these human relics? They must be from your Mom.

Enopeus: Leave them.

Atalanta: Heracles…?

Heracles peeked his head over.

Heracles: Oh, hi Atalanta. I saw your son coming back from the breakfast place. I figured I’d help him clean up.

Enopeus: Let’s call it your 13th labor!

Heracles let out his booming laughter.

Heracles: Your room was very clean. They may have made an entire myth out of that! Woman would be swooning over the great Enopeus! I’ll have to tell you the story of my first love

Enopeus smiled and chuckled.

Enopeus: That’d be cool!

Heracles almost tripped over something on the floor. He lifted the carpet.

Atalanta: Hey! No n-

He opened the trapped door in the floor. Seeing Atalanta’s stash of beer.

Heracles: Wow Atalanta! You must party all the time! Do things ever get as...y’know intense as last night?

Atalanta: Heracles...Not in front of Enopeus.

Heracles: What’s wrong? Shouldn’t he know who you are?

Atalanta put her hand on her throbbing head.

Atalanta: I...I don’t need to do this right now.

Enopeus: Mom. Give me an explanation. What’s wrong with you!?

Heracles: Well, she tried some of my special ale. I’m surprised she even got out of bed today.

Enopeus: Mom…

Atalanta: Heracles. Get the fuck out of my house.

Heracles: Hey, watch the language there. I was nice enough to invite you to the party.

Atalanta: That’s my son. This is my house!

Heracles: Hey, calm it. I was just helping your son.

Atalanta: He doesn’t need your help! Nobody needs the great mighty Heracles! Just another useless fucking drunk idiot.

Heracles: You really want to talk to me like that? Useless woman. All you do is sit at home and drink. What do you offer to our society? I will have you six feet under just by thinking about it. You metahumans poisoned this place. You poison everywhere you go. Stronger than the blood of the Lernaean Hydra. Stay in your place. If it were my choice, you’d be on the ground looking up at the sky. Wondering if we were a myth. When I become an Olympian, maybe I’ll revoke Terra’s choices. Then you’ll go back to the Earth's soil. Instead of poisoning my divine soil.

Atalanta got close to Heracles and whispered in his ear.

Atalanta: We’ll find out at the tournament of the gods then.

Heracles smiled at Atalanta and left the house. There was a wave of silence that hit both Atalanta and Enopeus.

Atalanta: Fuck...I need a drink.

Atalanta lifted up her cooler, and then pulled her hand back when Enopeus stomped his foot down on the door.

Atalanta: Hey! What’s gotten into you?

Enopeus: Mom! What’s gotten into you!? You’re a useless drunk! I mean, what were you doing yesterday?! You could still get money to scrape by! But you went to a party? By the sounds of it, you even met a guy! We could’ve found someone to help us out!

Atalanta: He was a fucking nerd anyway.

Enopeus: Take this seriously! We’re about to lose our house! What are you going to do to make sure we aren’t homeless?!

Atalanta: I-

Enopeus: Nothing! You’re going to get drunk! That’s what you always do! Get a goddamn job! Do something to make money! Rob someone! Anything!

Atalanta sat down in her chair and just looked up at her son. He zipped up his bag.

Enopeus: I’m going to stay with my friend Hylaeus until this whole thing blows over. I’ll stay here tonight. Then I’m gone. Come and get me when you do something about this.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked into the town hall of Athens. It was lined with golden statues of different gods. Like Atlas, Zeus, Aphrodite. Huge golden pillars towered over Atalanta. There was a woman at the desk. She had wings on her back and short hair. She wore a short blue tunic and pertegues with shorts. On the desk was the name “Nike”

Nike: Hello! What brings you to the grand hall today? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.

Atalanta: I’d like to sign up for the tournament of the gods.

Nike: You’re a meta...Right?

Atalanta: That’s right? There a problem?

Nike: I mean, we already have two metahuman participants.

Atalanta: Well, How many gods are there?

Nike: Hmm. Nine.

Atalanta: Fuck it. I want to join.

Nike: Okay. Fill out this form.

Atalanta filled out the form. She handed it to Nike.

Nike: You agree to the rules, if you are pinned, killed, or knocked out of the arena you lose. The tournament is double elimination. So if you lose your first match, you get to fight your way through the losers.

Atalanta: Sounds good.

Nike: You can invite a family. I see here that you have one son. Here’s a ticket for him to watch the fights.

Nike gave Atalanta a golden coin.

Atalanta: Do you think I could get one extra coin? I want my son’s friend to be able to go too.

Nike: I don’t care. Here. Only one extra.

Atalanta: Thank you.

Nike: Good luck. Hopefully you can take a punch.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and her son were eating dinner in their house for the last time.

Atalanta: So...How’s the boar? You want to hear about the Calydonian Boar again?

Enopeus: I’m good, Mom.

They ate a little longer in silence.

Atalanta: ...Everything moved out?

Enopeus: I’ve got everything out.

Atalanta: What are you and your friend going to do?

Enopeus: We’ll probably hear the oracle tell about the tournament of the gods.

Atalanta: Seems kind of boring. A dude telling you the story.

Enopeus: Not like I can go.

Atalanta: What if I told you you could?

Atalanta flipped the two gold coins to Enopeus.

Enopeus: Wait, what are these? Invitations to the tournament?

Atalanta: That’s right. You and your friend can go!

Enopeus: Oh my god...Thanks Mom! I can’t wait to go! How’d you get these?

Atalanta: Well…

Enopeus: Mom…!

Atalanta: I wanted it to be a surprise, but I’m participating in the tournament!

Enopeus: That’s uh...Great Mom.

Atalanta: If I win, we’ll be rich!

Enopeus: But, how are you expecting to win?

Atalanta: Look, I know you love Olympians. You love those heroes.

Enopeus: So what? If you prove that you’re better than them then you’ll be Mom of the year?!

Atalanta: Listen! That’s not what I was thinking! I think my water spirit really has a stake in the competition!

Enopeus: I’ll go to the tournament. Thank you Mom. But I don’t think I’ll be rooting for you.

Atalanta didn’t even say anything. She just leaned back on her chair.

Enopeus: You must be still hungover. You need a real job. I’ll...see you at the fights Mom.

Enopeus left the house with his bags. Leaving Atalanta alone in the house. She stood up and started packing all her things. She put on the old boar skin Meleager had given her. Atalanta grabbed some oil from her cabinet. She opened her cooler with all her beer in it. She poured all the oil in it and lit a match. She dropped it in the cooler. The cooler went up in flames. The boar skin was caught on fire. She shot some water onto her clothes, putting out the fire. She left the house as it burnt to the ground. She took out the paper that said eviction notice, crumpled it up and threw it in the fire.

## Issue 10 - Tournament of Gods

Atalanta was walking down the streets of Phoenicia. On her way to Athens. She walked past the bar, her friend Bishop was outside of it drinking.

Bishop: Hey Atalanta. Got time for a drink?

Atalanta: Nah. I’ve got a tournament to go to.

Bishop: Tournament? Don’t tell me…

Atalanta: I’m participating in the tournament of the gods. How’s that for you?

Bishop: You?

Atalanta: What about it?

Bishop: Well, I wish you luck. I don’t doubt you could beat some of the mortal opponents. But someone like, say Heracles. You can’t beat him!

Atalanta: I can’t, but my water spirit may be able too.

Bishop: Well, I wish you luck. Here’s some advice…

Atalanta: What’ve you got?

Bishop: Find that exit they call paradise.

Atalanta: Gotta find the exit…

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked into the room where all the fighters were waiting. She felt a chill go up her spine as she walked in. She wouldn’t admit it, of course. But she was only a middle-aged mutant with a beer belly. She looked at her competition. Ate, Pan, Theseus, Dimeios, Perseus, Achilles, Odysseus, Daedalus, Anteros and Eros. There were two metahumans in the corner. One was writing a letter, the other had a bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses. He was pumping himself up. His face was so red he looked like he was going to explode. There was another girl around the gods. She was arm wrestling Theseus. She easily beat him.

???: C’mon bro. Thought you would’ve stepped up your game.

Theseus: You disappear for over twenty years, Ashana, and then come back a badass.

Ashana looked like a god who had fallen from grace. She was a dark skinned woman with black hair and green highlights and blue sleeveless armor. Which came down into blue pteruges. She wore brown leggings that were lined with gold. Part of her armor was burnt. She had a large scar on her face, and some burns on her face. She also wore an eyepatch. Next to Ashana was Heracles. He gave Atalanta the stink-eye. In another one of the corners was a horse. Pegasus to be precise.

Ashana: Hey! It’s Atalanta! I’ve heard of you!

Atalanta: Me?

Ashana: We have similar powers, you and I. I’m going to be the next Poseidon.

Atalanta: ...Really?

Odysseus: So you’re one of our competition? Wow, I figured more people would show up to this party.

Atalanta: Is that supposed to mean something?

Odysseus: Of course not. I can’t wait to go against you. Fresh blood. I’ll shoot you down with my bow!

Atalanta: Isn’t that a common trick among you people?

Ashana: Don’t listen to him. He’s an asshole. Focus on setting free your powers. I see those rings are stopping you from letting the beast free.

Atalanta: It’s a cautionary tactic. If I take these off, the spirit takes over.

Ashana: So it’s a last resort?

Atalanta: I guess so.

Announcer: And the first fight of the day! To kick off the Tournament of the gods! Persus, the beheader of Medusa VS Ashana, the god who rose from the ashes!

Ashana: Well, here’s to a good fight.

Perseus: Likewise.

Ashana and Persus entered the large ring. They both stood off against each other.

Announcer: Fight!

Ashana made a sword materialize out of water, and Persus lifted up the decapitated head of Medusa. A beam was fired from her eyes at Ashana. She made a shield materialize and bounced the beam off of it. She ran at Persus and they traded sword blows. Ashana got in close, Perseus took the chance to fire a beam into her. She was instantly turned to stone.

Theseus: Wow, what a bore.

Achilles: I thought she had more in her.

Perseus turned and slashed his sword into the stone statue of Ashana. He cracked the stone, and then it cracked more. Ashana broke free of the stone prison and slashed her sword across Persus’s stomach. Causing a massive shockwave to go across the arena. Sand was kicked up everywhere. She kicked Medusa’s head out of his hand and put her sword to his neck as he hit the ground.

Ashana: I didn’t even break a sweat.

The crowd booed Ashana. It was clear they were on the hero’s side. Ashana went over to Medusa’s head. Her snakes were somehow still alive. She sliced one of her snakes off her head and kept it as she walked off the stage. When she walked back into the briefing room, Theseus and Heracles were the first to congratulate her.

Atalanta: God...This is going to be ugly.

Announcer: Now, for the next match! Atalanta, The swift-footed Huntress who killed the Calydonian boar VS Duke Fusion! The...uh...The one who turns lesbians straight!

Atalanta walked into the arena. She looked for her son. She knew he had to be there, but it was so crowded. Duke Fusion walked onto the arena. He wore aviator sunglasses, a leather jacket, fingerless gloves and a shirt with many Olympian myths involving Aphrodite. His hair was slicked up.

Duke: So you’ll be my first? Not half bad! Bring it on! I love a challenge!

## Issue 11 - Duke Fusion

Atalanta stood off from Duke. She came equipped with her chestplate, her spear, and a bow and arrow. She thought to herself. This was one of the other metahuman opponents. Maybe this was someone giving her a break. Duke was much younger than her. He was standing across from her. Smiling and waiting for what she was going to do. She could see that clearly his confidence was misplaced.

Duke: Come on! I’m not going to wait all day! Come at me! Anyway you like!

Atalanta: Well, you put this upon yourself.

Atalanta charged up her blasts of water and shot them into the ground. She went flying at Duke and threw a kick at his head. She instantly felt her foot ach.

Atalanta: Shit...Should’ve stretched before this.

She then saw a blue shield appear around Duke. That’s why he was standing still. He was betting everything on his shield. What is it with this guy? Atalanta thought to herself.

Atalanta: You really think that shield’s going to protect you?

Atalanta charged her water powers and blasted it into his shield. He still stood there, unmoving.

Duke: Should’ve come here with a little more firepower, little lady!

Atalanta threw punch, after punch. It really did feel like it had been a while. She threw her hardest kick at his shield. Still nothing. He reached his hand out, finally doing something. He grabbed her leg and tackled her and lifted her up and fell backwards. Landing her clean on her head. She immediately got up, her head aching.

Atalanta: What the hell was that…?

Atalanta was dazed. She looked a Duke.

Duke: Wow...What’s this you have here?

Duke lifted up Atalanta’s spear that she had had at her side. He swung it at her wildly. She couldn’t find a chance to grab it from him. She tried getting in close by ducking under, and then felt the spear slash into her shoulder. Duke turned and hit her with a back kick. She went flying back.

Atalanta: Goddamnit...What are you planning?

Atalanta decided it was time. She took off her rings, and the blue on her arms ran up her arms quickly and overtook her body. She clung to her consciousness. She remembered there was a big reason she didn’t like to use her spirit.

Duke: Your shining armor and dirty mouth won’t get you anywhere!

Atalanta: The fuck does that even mean?

Atalanta flew at Duke. He smiled as she flew into him. She fired a large blast of water. It bounced off of his shield. She made a large spear out of water and threw it at his shield. It chinked off the shield. She hit it over and over again as Duke laughed. She began searching for a weak spot. The shield was fine everywhere. She started hitting it with normal attacks and let her power sit. She hit it once more, and felt it give way. She jumped back and hovered in the air. She flew as fast as she could at the shield and fired her most powerful blast of water into it. A large indent was left in the ring as a loud shattering of glass was heard. The crowd roared. Atalanta pushed Duke into the side of the ring and punched him in the face over and over again.

Duke: Not the glasses!

She threw another punch, and he put his hand out. He caught her punch and put his other hand on her wrist. Her power suddenly faded. She realized he had put her bracelets back on.

Atalanta: How…?

Duke: I wouldn’t be here if the only thing I could do was block your attacks! Well, I don’t even block your attacks. I absorb them. All for this little show! What’s wrong? You should be excited! I’ve never done this to a girl before!

Atalanta: Fuck you.

Duke: Mach 13 Elephant Explosion!

There was a gigantic explosion. Full of blue, just like Atalanta’s energy. She felt it all in slow motion. It was like her victory was literally being burnt off of her.4 Everyone in the audience had to shield their eyes. Part of the wall was also broken off. Luckily there was a shield that protected the audience from being obliterated as Atalanta was.

Enopeus: Mom!

Atalanta was smoking. Some water was even evaporating off of her. She was laying on the ground, and she couldn’t get up. Duke was moonwalking past her.

Duke: Goddamnit! I’m so awesome!

Announcer: Get her off the stage! Also check to make sure she’s still alive.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta woke up in a wheelbarrow. She started freaking out. The person pushing the wheelbarrow lost his balance, and Atalanta fell out of it. She fell down the long flight of stairs of Athens, and down to Phoenicia. She sat up, rubbing her head.

Atalanta: Ugh...Goddamnit!

She slammed her hand onto the ground. Breaking the stone beneath her. The man pushing the wheelbarrow came down to her.

Atalanta: Daedalus? What are you doing here?

Daedalus: I was bringing you back to your hometown. You don’t have a ticket to see the fights, so back home you go.

Atalanta: Shit...Guess I should’ve kept that second ticket.

Daedalus: You fought valiantly. But I don’t know what makes you think you could’ve won that fight. You didn’t really go in with much of a strategy. You fight blindly. You can do other things with your powers, right?

Atalanta: Well...Yeah. Look. I don’t need to do this right now. Think I need a drink. You want to come?

Daedalus: Hmm. Sure.

The bar was mostly empty for once. Everyone was focused on the fights.

Atalanta: So everyone in Olympus really just watched me get my ass kicked?

Daedalus: Pretty much, yes. Or heard it from the oracle.

Atalanta: Fuck that tournament anyway…

Daedalus: You know it’s a doubles. Right? So you have another chance.

Atalanta: Shit, I guess I do. You don’t think I could just quit now?

Daedalus: They’ll drag you back. Kicking and screaming if they have to.

They drank in silence for a little while.

Daedalus: Why’d you decide to participate in the fights anyway?

Atalanta: I guess...I guess I was just trying to impress my son. I....Did something stupid.

Daedalus: You lay with Hippomenes?

Atalanta: Heracles told you, huh?

Daedalus: Yes. I never liked him.

Atalanta: Well, I did. It was a mistake, a dumb decision. I shouldn’t have even gone to that party.

Daedalus: Are you willing to hear some advice?

Atalanta: What’ve you got?

Daedalus: I was a father once. My son died. I presume you’ve heard the story.

Atalanta: Heard it in kindergarten.

Daedalus: He was a hard one to impress. It wasn’t the first time I made those wings. I tried to impress him. I’d say “look Icarus! I can fly like Aphrodite!” He was obsessed with her. Especially her wings. I clearly lack her looks. I thought if I could be a god like her, maybe he’d love me more. It just makes them mad when you try to imitate their idols. If you are to impress him, impress him the way Atalanta can.

Daedalus looked next to him. Atalanta was about to leave.

Daedalus: Are you going to finish your drink?

Atalanta: Don’t need it. I’ve gotta find the exit.

## Issue 12 - Earth Soil

Atalanta walked through some sort of portal in a house. She looked around, it was an old, abandoned house in the middle of the woods. It was falling apart, Atalanta felt a shiver creep up her spine. She walked out of the house and into the darkness

Atalanta: Shit, maybe I should find some normal clothes.

She looked around, all she could see in front of her was crowded woods. Overgrown grass and trees. She shuffled through the grass, and manifested a weak water-like sword. She cut through some grass. She suddenly heard a woman’s voice call out to her.

???: Stop!

The woman shined a flashlight in Atalanta’s eyes.

Atalanta: What the hell is that for?

Woman: Who are you and what is your business here?

Atalanta: I’m Atalanta, I just want to get out of here. Calm and simple.

Woman: How did you get here?

Atalanta: You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

Atalanta tried to go around the woman. She felt an arrow tip touch her.

Woman: I wouldn’t be so hasty. Look around you.

Atalanta: There were shadowy figures, holding bows at Atalanta.

Woman: How did you get here?

Atalanta: You really want to do this right now?

Atalanta made water shoot from her hands. Making herself fly into the air. A vine came from the ground and wrapped around her leg. Like it was alive. It brought her to the ground. As she was slammed on the ground, vines held her down. A woman who looked slightly older than her walked out. She had short orange hair and freckles. She wore solid armor that covered her tightly which came down in pertegues. She wore a blue sweatshirt over this, and wore long pants and boots.

???: Wow, what’s a metahuman doing here? Haven’t seen you people in 15 years.

Atalanta: Who the fuck are you?

???: You’ve got a mouth on you. Reminds me of myself. I’m Delta.

Delta made the vines go away, and helped Atalanta up. Atalanta fired a blast of water at Delta’s face. She fell back and got up.

Delta: Mmm...salty. You know, I want to be nice with you. But you’re making this harder than it has to be. You want a drink or something? Seems like you need one.

Atalanta: Not really in the mood.

Delta: I’m not going to hurt you. I have no quarrel with you. Let me walk you out of here. If this place wasn’t guarded by my people, you’d be as good as dead. I even offered you beer!

Atalanta: ...Just get me out of this place.

Delta: So you came from Olympus? Huh?

Atalanta: How…?

Delta: I’ve been there. When the gods were still there. Place was a real shithole.

Atalanta: Still is.

Delta: Good to know. Come on.

Delta led Atalanta out of the woods, and into a small town.

Delta: Still want that drink?

Atalanta looked at Delta.

Delta: I would say yes. These people trust me.

Atalanta: ...I don’t need a damn drink. Or you’re help. You’ve done enough for me. All I want to know is what way the ocean is.

Delta: That way.

Delta pointed through the town.

Delta: Go straight, you’ll run into a dock. Be careful. Humans don’t take kindly to metahumans.

Atalanta walked down the street. She looked out of place among everyone. Her tattoo was a large tell that she was a metahuman. She walked past a police station. There was a police car on duty next to it. She locked eyes with the officer for a second. He was wearing sunglasses. He seemed to be examining her. She started walking a little faster. A beam suddenly shone down from the sky.

Atalanta: What the…

She looked back at the cop car. It’s sirens flickered. Like a sick message, telling Atalanta that she was screwed.

The beam grew bigger. Atalanta was blinded. She stumbled back. Something walked out of the beam. It was a human-like android. It was all white, and looked like a girl. It had a blue arm and a red arm. It’s torso was white, and it wore some sort of half-dress. One of its legs was covered by a dress, and it’s other was bare with leggings. It wore short pants of some sort.

Atalanta: What the fuck?

Android: I am Maxim Version 3. Minimal destruction battle android 3B. A metahuman has entered the United States. Commencing termination process.

3B put her hand to her side. She had a katana at her side. She put her hand on the hilt. There were some sort of cybernetic ears on her head. She touched the side of one of them, and it turned into a mask that covered her eyes.

Atalanta: Are you serious?

3B took out her katana and began advancing towards Atalanta.

Atalanta: Dumbasses sent a robot to fight a metahuman with water powers.

Atalanta fired a blast of water at 3B. 3B put out her blue arm and turned Atalanta’s water into ice. It fell on the ground. Atalanta took out her bow and arrow and shot at 3B. She shot energy blasts from her hands, and disintegrated Atalanta’s arrows. Atalanta jumped through the debris that came up and shot a blast of water at her face and kicked 3B in the face. Atalanta took out her spear and slashed down at 3B’s head. She put up her hand and grabbed Atalanta’s spear. She examined the spear.

3B: Weapon is a spear of Olympian descent. Confirming metahuman suspicion. Sending to base.

Atalanta fired a straight attack of water at 3B. The water pierced through her armor. Atalanta kicked 3B in the stomach and took her spear back. She turned and stabbed it into 3B’s side, she tried slashing straight through 3B. But felt herself start to bleed. 3B repositioned her body and put another hand on her sword.

3B: Opponent terminated.

3B stopped her slash and looked behind herself. Everything was starting to shake.

Atalanta: Is this an earthquake?

A gigantic tsunami came over the horizon. It was heading for both her and 3B. Atalanta shot a blast of cold water to turn part of the tsunami into ice. It slammed into 3B, and also swept away Atalanta. She saw as some buildings began to crumble, and the cop car from earlier was washed away. Just as Atalanta was.

## Issue 13 - Old Man of The Sea

Atalanta was sopping wet. She opened her eyes and saw the sky, with seagulls flying overhead. Her eyes stung, and she had the taste of saltwater in her mouth. She sat up. She heard the british voice of an old man behind her. He had a long beard that was braided towards the end and long hair. He wore old sailor clothes. A tattered jacket over a disgusting grey shirt and just as tattered jeans. Atalanta realized his hands were webbed.

???: Wow, I thought you were going to die. Your little squirts of water are really weak. Where did you learn to control that technique?

Atalanta: What are you talking about? I’m skilled with my meta powers.

???: No you aren’t! You’re weak! You suck! How old are you? 36? And you can only shoot water guns at your opponents!

Atalanta: I can do more than that!

???: Then show me!

Atalanta: Are you…? Fine!

Atalanta prepared a technique. But the man cowered.

???: Wait! I was kidding! I’m just a frail old man, as you can see. A frail old man with a beer belly...Wow. I am fat.

Atalanta: What’s your name?

???: My name is Nereus!

Atalanta: Wait...You aren’t just a frail old man! You’re the old man of the sea!

Nereus: Oh right...I am. Aren’t I?

Atalanta: Wait...What am I doing on this boat?

Nereus: Well, it was my time to insert myself into your story. So I caused a tsunami to kill that naughty little robot. I waited until the tide settled and went over to see. I see you, who turned the tsunami to ice for some stupid reason!

Atalanta: I was trying to kill the robot, okay?

Nereus: Well you succeeded. It was very risky. You nearly blew your head off. You were given this great power, and you waste it. How much training did you do?

Atalanta: I-

Nereus: Wait, wait! I know! You healed your teammates forever, and when you were in a fight, you shot little squirt guns at people. Your master Key taught you to fight. But not how to fight to win.

Atalanta: Don’t you dare talk about Key like-

Nereus: What can you do? Why do you think that spirit is taking your body over? You won’t be able to control it soon, especially if you keep fighting the way you are. I mean...two more uses of this power, and you could be taken over forever. You wouldn’t want that, would you?

Atalanta: Shut the fuck up. I do things the way I want. If I have to use the spirit, then I will.

Nereus: Do you even know what it is?

Atalanta: No! Key said I needed it to succeed in my fate. So I took his word for it. What more is there to learn?

Nereus sat down. He started to look very tired. He clenched his chest.

Atalanta: What are you doing?

Nereus: Water…! I need water!

Atalanta readied a blast of water.

Nereus: No! Not this kind of water! Go into my fridge!

Atalanta: What?

Nereus: Now!

Atalanta went over to a fridge on the ship. She opened it.

Atalanta: Are you kidding me…?

The fridge was filled with alcohol. Atalanta looked in disbelief. She grabbed a beer. She then went back to the fridge and grabbed another. She gave him a beer, and he opened it and took a sip.

Nereus: Ah...Fresh alcohol.

Atalanta: So you’re an alcoholic?

Nereus: Out of necessity. You see, someone cursed me with a terrible curse.

Atalanta: God…

Atalanta opened her beer and took a long gulp.

Nereus: Wow, you drink like a fish.

Atalanta: Says the fish.

Nereus: That’s my other form.

Atalanta: Goddamnit. What’s the meaning of this?

Nereus: What’s the meaning of anything anyway?

Atalanta: Don’t spout philosophical bullshit. We’re going to get to the same place anyway! What is the meaning of this? This boat ride with the old man of the sea?!

Nereus: It’s just convenient. You need to get to the island of Calydon. We knew you’d have this...Misstep. So I was told to get you off your feet. That doesn’t seem to be working though. I guess my effort was all for nothing.

Atalanta: You know everything. Why can’t you just tell me whether or not I’m going to win the tournament?

Nereus: That just takes away all the fun of life. I mean, if I told you you’d win, and you knew. Then you’d think you were going to win, and die a grizzly death because you thought you were above fate. You thought that you could beat the competition. If I told you you’d lose. Maybe you’d be motivated. Or you’d lose all hope and kill yourself on this boat just like your master did.

Atalanta: Are you trying to piss me off?

Nereus: I’m simply telling you what you wanted to know. Give me more questions. This is fun.

Atalanta: Is my son going to be okay?

Nereus: His story is separate from yours. This is the fork in the road for him. He can stay with you, or carve his own path. I’m betting on the latter.

Atalanta: You talk about my master like that, and talk about my son.

Nereus: Your master is weak. He could see into the future as I can. But his vision was cloudy. The fates hated him. Hell, they drove him to suicide. Weak bastard…

Nereus took a sip of his beer. Atalanta knocked it out of his hand.

Nereus: Hey!

Atalanta punched Nereus in the face. He fell to the side of his ship. She jumped back and summoned some water. She blasted it at Nereus. Before it hit him, he put his hands up and lifted them suddenly. Atalanta felt her insides be stirred up. Everything went numb, and she fell down.

Nereus: God. So annoying.

Nereus took the beer Atalanta had been drinking.

## Issue 14 - Old Bones

Atalanta woke up in the loft of the ship. She walked out into the bow of the ship, where Nereus was sitting on a chair reading.

Atalanta: Who's driving the ship?

Nereus: Well, me of course.

Nereus made the ship start to fall one way. Atalanta panicked and grabbed onto the side.

Atalanta: Okay. Just sit there and read your book. I need to get to Calydon.

Nereus: Why do you even want to go to Calydon?

Atalanta: To...Reconcile.

Nereus: Reconcile what?

Atalanta: There’s someone there I feel like I can trust. He can make me a better person.

Nereus: Meleager.

Atalanta: Look. It doesn’t even matter. I just want to become a better person. Olympus is sick and twisted. I’m known as the drunk widow there. I need a place where I can learn in peace.

Nereus: Well, you want to learn? You should’ve told me from the first place!

Nereus closed his book and slowly got up.

Atalanta: Of course I want to learn! Calydon is a place I think is safe for me. At least now. Meleager’s the king. I’ll be welcome. What do you have to teach me?

Nereus: I can’t believe you are still infatuated with this Meleager fellow. He’s old news.

Atalanta: I wrote letters to him for years, until I was taken to Olympus.

Nereus: Now, how much did you learn back in the day? You’ve spent your days in Olympus drinking like a fish, so what about on Earth after your master died?

Atalanta: Well, I learned to purify water, I can freeze water, I can do all kinds of shit!

Nereus: You’re just old and rusty. Your old bones have long forgotten your powers.

Atalanta: I still know how to use my powers.

Nereus: Really? Do you?

Atalanta: What? You want me to show you everything I can do?

Nereus: Well, actually. I want to have a little water battle.

Atalanta: You want to fight me? Why? What do you have to prove?

Nereus: Backing down from a fight? You? You must not be the same person Key described. I mean, you are supposed to-

Atalanta shot a blast of water at Nereus.

Atalanta: I get it.

Atalanta thought about all the different ways she could go about attacking Nereus.

Nereus: Wow, another water gun. Are you really going to bore an old man?

Atalanta made a bunch of bubbles fly out of the water. She pressurized them and made them fly at Nereus. He stopped them in the air and threw them back into the water.

Nereus: God, are you trying to bust a hole in my ship?

Atalanta made a water whip. She wrapped it around Nereus. He threw some water on the ground and jumped out of the sea. He jumped above Atalanta and tackled her. He rolled her to the ground and trapped her arm.

Atalanta: Agh! Let go!

Nereus: Is that you admitting defeat?

Atalanta fired water into Nereus’s face. He didn’t move at all.

Atalanta: Goddamnit.

She blew cold air from her mouth, and made Nereus freeze.

Nereus: Wow, that isn’t even cold.

Atalanta started to be taken over by her spirit.

Nereus: No! You can’t do that! You only have so many uses of that power.

Atalanta instead let Nereus snap her arm. She rolled out of his grasp and fired a huge blast of water onto him in her rage. The wood of the ship crumbled like glass when Atalanta shot her water into him. Nereus came back out of a puddle on the ship from the fight.

Nereus: Well, you made a huge hole in my ship. Bitch! Now I have to get a new ship.

Atalanta: What about the fact that we’re sinking?!

Nereus: Well, it’s not really a problem for me. I can swim. You didn’t like the little tricks I can do?

Atalanta: You broke my arm!

Nereus: Because you suck. You are a flaming narcissist. You think you're still that girl from the 2020s. The one that rolled with your group. You force yourself to make sure your view of yourself as a badass chick with tattoos stays with you. And even funnier, you really don’t want to rely on a guy to help you! Because you’re still hung up on Milan! Because you’re scared. You’re a worthless drunk who thinks you're better than you really are. Think about it, for everything to go right, the old man of the sea, an arbiter of fate, had to get you on track. Do you know how embarrassing that is? Grow up, before it’s too late. Before one of those Olympians decapitates you in front of your son.

The ship sunk below the sea. Atalanta was forced to keep herself afloat by swimming. As Nereus fell into the water, he turned more fish-like. He had fins, and a long fish tail instead of legs. He swam into the deepest depths of the ocean. Atalanta kept herself afloat. With her one arm. She used the power of the sea to heal her broken arm and swam with one arm for as long as she could. She drifted across the ocean. In search of Calydon. She was holding onto her boar skin.

Atalanta: I realize there's really nothing here for me. But what else can I do but keep going? Maybe I should've been a little more careful before I jumped in... Gotta find the exit... Gotta find that exit, to Paradise! But I can't see it... I can't see anything! There's this sense of doom running down my spine like it's... Like it's trying to suck the life out of me! I need to get rid of it. Something deeper, something deeper than my instincts is taunting me! Can't find the exit...Can't find the exit...Can't find the exit...

Atalanta crawled onto the beach of Calydon. Her limbs were numb by this point, and she was shivering. She walked on her hands and knees onto the island, and rolled over in the sand and lost consciousness.

## Issue 15 - Her Fate

A beautiful woman with a long dress made out of animal skin, along with leggings and a crown made from boar tusks. She wore various jewelry around her neck and had a chalice. She was holding hands with Meleager.

???: Come on! We need to make you a coat from lion skin. It represents your energy. You have the soul of a lion!

Meleager: Something just feels messed up about it. You know those were humans, right?

???: Animals then, animals now. What’s the difference?

Meleager: Well that’s a weird way of thinking about it, Circe.

Circe: We don’t need to talk about philosophy. Come on, kiss me.

Meleager and Circe kissed.

Circe: Where was the passion there? Don’t let me down, Mellie!

Meleager: ...I’m going to use the bathroom.

Circe: Okay. I’ll just walk alone then.

Circe let out a fake pity cry and winked at Meleager. She took a drink from her chalice. She tripped over something, spilling some of her chalice on the ground.

Circe: Oh what the hell?

Atalanta woke up, she tasted the bitter taste of wine. Her eyes burnt. She sat up and wiped the wine from her eyes and spat it out.

Atalanta: Ugh. Where am I…?

Circe: Dammit! She’s alive!

Atalanta: Huh?

Circe: What animal do you want to be? Hmm….Maybe a fish. I can have you for lunch.

Meleager: Hey! Circe!

Atalanta: Meleager…?

Meleager: Don’t turn her. She’s a friend.

Circe: A girlfriend?!

Meleager: No. Just a friend. I recognize that boar skin. Is that really you, Atalanta?

Atalanta: Ding ding ding. Congratufuckinglations.

Meleager: Jeez Atalanta. Watch your mouth.

Circe: Are you sure she’s just a friend? This fat, fla-

Atalanta: Don’t you dare finish that sentence.

Meleager: I haven’t seen her in...about 20 years.

Atalanta: We sent letters. Well, until I was sent to Olympus.

Meleager: Olympus?

Atalanta: We’ll talk about it later.

Meleager: Here, lets bring you back to the castle to warm you up.

Circe: Must be freezing...Since you’re wearing so little. You're not impressing anyone!

Atalanta: Does the bitch here have an off switch?

Circe gasped.

Circe: How dare you! I could turn you into any animal I want!

Atalanta: Point your magic at yourself and set it to bitch.

Meleager: Atalanta! God...You’ve changed.

They walked past where people used to leave shrines for the gods. There were no more shrines. Only houses with mostly lights off. There was trash all over the place, and men and women wearing even less than Atalanta walking around.

Atalanta: God...What happened here?

Meleager: Since the last attack on Olympus, things have changed. Most of the gods are dead. The world’s fallen out of balance.

Atalanta: Oh yeah, that. The Pandora event.

Meleager: You were in Olympus?

Atalanta: Yeah, I guess so. I didn’t see the carnage up close. But I saw some gigantic dragons fighting. Hesial’s real form. That’s the only time we’ve seen her in person. Everything was crumbling. It was a scary time, I just protected my son.

Meleager: You have a son?

Atalanta: Let me finish. There was a big-ass flash of light. Thought I was going to die. But everyone was fine, things were different sure, but the time of the Olympians seemed like it was over. It’s just Hesial now. Well, the Olympian’s time isn’t over. There’s some that are still alive. Hades, Athena, Dionysus, couple others. The god of Earth and god of love or something.

Meleager: Ah, Terra and Ludus? Right?

Meleager watched Atalanta’s face turn to pure horror. Like she had just seen a ghost.

Atalanta: Terra? God of Earth. Funny name. Right? We need to talk somewhere private. Me and you.

Meleager: Hey! Circe! Did you forget?

Circe: Forget what?

Meleager: There’s a ship that should be landing here. Means tons of unsuspecting sailors.

Circe: To turn into giraffes?!

Meleager: To turn into whatever you want them to be!

Circe: Yes! I love you Mellie! I’m going to wait for them!

Circe ran off excitedly.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and Meleager sat in the castle next to a fireplace. Atalanta sat next to Meleager in some nice chairs.

Atalanta: How do you know about those new gods?

Meleager: I mean, who doesn’t? Anyone who does Olympian practices has to know the gods they worship.

Atalanta: On Olympus, they never disclose to us what the gods are doing, and the only info that got out about new gods was that one was the goddess of earth and the other was the god of charms. You just said one of them was named Terra. Tell me more about her.

Meleager: What about her?

Atalanta: I dunno, what did she do? What’s she famous for?

Meleager: She had a hand in the second and third attacks on Olympus. She beat Ivan, Extinguisher of Gods. Oh, and she brought metahumans to Olympus.

Atalanta leaned forward in her chair. She looked into the fire.

Atalanta: What's her weapon of choice?

Meleager: Uh...Her armor

Atalanta remembered Leo’s brains splattered on the floor of Terra’s apartment. Her face seething with anger.

Meleager: Or maybe her spear.

She remembered when she crushed Elliot’s hand, and cut it off. It was the first time she saw Elliot in real pain. The first time she saw him cry, and the last.

Meleager: Hey, Atalanta.

She remembered when she sliced the head off of her husband. She remembered his last words. “Captain always goes down with his ship.” He was fearless, beautiful. An expecting father. Killed senselessly.

Meleager: Hey...Earth to Atalanta!

She remembered Key’s words. “The Red Devil is a being of mass destruction, destined to wipe out the metahumans. The water spirit that is now inside of you, is the best way I have thought of to defeat her. It’s your destiny.”

Meleager: Atalanta, are you crying?

“Atalanta. You’re proud, strong, and I hope you’re willing to put yourself before your species. I’m doing this to change our fate.”

Meleager: Atalanta!

Atalanta was snapped back into reality. She had been crying silently.

Atalanta: Key had a plan for me. The boar wasn’t his first idea. There’s something even more powerful here for me to fight.

Meleager: Are you even okay to fight? Atalanta. Tell me what’s going on.

Atalanta: I’m going to be an Olympian.

Atalanta smiled at Meleager with tears in her eyes.

Meleager: What? Congratulations!

Atalanta: After I defeat the people in front of me. After I make it through this tournament. I’m in the losers bracket. Sounds like...5 fights. 5 fights against some of the dirtiest pieces of Olympian filth. Olympian “heroes”.

Meleager: You really don’t like these people. Why is that?

Atalanta: I’ll be an olympian. Then I can do it. It’s my fate.

Meleager: Fate?

Atalanta: To kill Terra. To kill the Red Devil.

Meleager: To kill an Olympian? That’s impossible.

Atalanta: Ivan did it. I can too. Terra isn’t immortal like most of the olympians. She’s human. She’s vulnerable.

Meleager: Atalanta! You’ve gone insane! What happened to you?!

Atalanta: You know what happened to me? I had a son, before he was even born, Terra killed all of us. She killed my team, Leo, Gretchen, Elliot, and my husband. Milan! She decapitated my husband in front of me! She found out what I was expecting. So she didn’t kill me, and sent me to Olympus. Where I can’t even live! Sure, I survived for a little while doing some...bad things. But I can’t survive on a job without a husband!

Meleager: Couldn’t you just...meet another guy?

Atalanta: Too late now. I’m already in it. I’m trapped. I can’t back out of the tournament even if I wanted to. So I have two choices. Take that exit to paradise the way my master did. Or fight to the top, and get to look the cold-blooded bitch who took my family in the eyes as I ring her fucking neck!

Meleager hugged Atalanta.

Meleager: God...Calm down. Calm down…

Atalanta: My son hates me, and I’m probably the whore of Phoenicia because of a one night stand I had at a party.

Meleager: Do you want to get strong? Do you want to win that tournament?

Atalanta: At the very least, I can make sure my son has a good future. I’ll be able to provide for him.

Meleager: What’s his name?

Atalanta: Enopeus.

Meleager: That’s a nice name. I would’ve never thought of something like that.

Atalanta: Milan came up with it.

Meleager: Look, I don’t know if I agree with what you're doing. But you want to provide for your son. So I’ll lead you to what I think Key’s idea was.

Atalanta: Can I...stay here for the night. I haven’t slept in a nice bed in well...20 years.

Meleager: Sure. You can.

## Issue 16 - The Last Titan

Atalanta woke up to the sound of Circe yelling at Meleager.

Circe: ...You just….do what you have to! I’m going to go turn some sailors into tigers or something!

She heard Circe walk away from Meleager. Atalanta stretched from her sleep. She got dressed and put on her boar skin. She walked outside to see Meleager sitting alone on his throne eating.

Atalanta: You a stress eater?

Meleager: It’s better than being an alcoholic.

Atalanta: Too shay...What is the nature of this whole Circe thing anyway?

Meleager: Well, it’s hard not to attract ladies when you’re a prince, and considered an Olympian hero on top of that. This was arranged. When you’re a famous prince, you don’t really to get to choose who you love.

Atalanta: Well I think that’s bullshit. You should be your own boss.

Meleager: Well, I’m a king now. So I kind of am. But what else is there for me here? It’s human nature to look for a purpose.

Atalanta: I guess it is. Some bullshit glorious purpose.

Meleager: Yep. Anyway, let me show you to this challenge.

Atalanta: You aren’t going to chase after Circe?

Meleager: I’m willing to come up with any excuse to get away from her. She was mad that I was going to bring you to do this. Thought I was trying to cheat on her. Because that’s all she thinks.

Atalanta: Fucking bimbo…

Meleager: Come on. I have a special challenge for you. It might be impossible, to be honest.

Atalanta: I’m willing to do anything.

Meleager: I hope so.

Meleager led Atalanta far away from the castle. Towards the back of the island. Where there was a small mountain.

Meleager: I’m guessing you’re used to scaling mountains, right?

Atalanta: Pretty much.

Meleager: We need to climb to the top. Are you ready? Do you have everything?

Atalanta: My bow and arrow, spear, boar skin. Yup. I’m ready.

Meleager: Great.

They started climbing the mountain. Atalanta got more and more tired the higher they went. Meleager was way ahead of her. She kept pushing. She thought about Enopeus, and then Milan. Then Terra. How she killed everyone Atalanta loved. If she made it to the top, then she’d get to face Terra. She started to get tunnel vision. Wondering what was ahead. It didn’t matter. She’d destroy it, and then move on. Move forward. They got to a part of the mountain. Atalanta heard someone greet Meleager. She got to a cliff face on the mountain. With room for her and Meleager to stand. She tried not to look down.

???: Hello there. Who are you?

A man spoke in a greek accent. He towered over both of them. Taller than the average human. He had a long beard and wore a robe that covered him from the waist down. His stomach was slashed open, but he was still alive, and it was starting to regenerate.

Meleager: This is Atalanta.

Atalanta: Are you...Prometheus?

Prometheus: So you’re Atalanta. The one who vanquished the calydonian boar. I guess the gods just needed a cover to make them seem less like cereal rapists.

Atalanta: Uh…

Prometheus: How the mighty have fallen. You get to drink like a fish. I couldn’t even if I tried. This damn eagle keeps eating my fuckin’ liver!

Atalanta: Why don’t we just kill the eagle?

Prometheus: Another one would just come around. That’s how it is. You need to free me. So I can kill my bastard younger brother myself.

Atalanta: Who?

Meleager: That’d be Zeus. The titans were created by Hesial a little before the Olympians. Then there was the Titanomachy. A battle of the Titans and Olympians.

Atalanta: I hate to break the news to you, but Zeus is already dead.

Prometheus: Zeus is dead? How could he even die?

Atalanta: He was erased from existence. By something called Azrael’s blade.

Prometheus: I wanted to be the one to bring him to his knees...Who did it? The angels?

Atalanta: No. Ivan Springer and Yuri. Maybe one of those names is familiar.

Prometheus: Yes, Yuri. A former olympian.

Atalanta: Well sorry buddy. But Zeus is dead. Most of the olympians are. Actually. Except for a few.

Prometheus: It isn’t even worth it anymore…

Meleager: Prometheus, weren’t you sided with Zeus during the war?

Prometheus: The greatest mistake of my life. After we won the war, we had our disagreements. So I gave fire to some humans. Zeus was mad. So he chained me to this rock. Where an eagle continuously feasts on my liver.

Atalanta: How have you not gone insane?

Prometheus: What are you talking about insane? I see all of time! I’m like...father time!

Atalanta: Okay, so my mission is to unchain you from this mountain?

Meleager: There’s a reason he’s never been set free. His chains are guarded by Polyphemus.

Atalanta: ...Who?

Meleager: He’s a cyclops. Big, and with one eye.

Atalanta: Oh yeah! Wasn’t he blinded by Odysseus?

Meleager: These guys fought in the Titanomachy. Prometheus can regenerate. Not too far fetched that he regenerated his eye.

Atalanta: I guess so.

Prometheus: Just kill him! Kill him so I can be set free from this damn prison! Look, I’m a man of my word. If you set me free, I will train you.

Atalanta: Me?

Prometheus: Look at you. You have the eyes of a tiger. You are ready to pounce on your prey. But you have the body of a...really fat tiger! You think you can kill your prey, but you’re so fat and overweight that they will easily outwit you. Even kill you.

Atalanta: Wow, that’s a really mean metaphor.

Prometheus: You would’ve proved yourself if you killed Polyphemus. You need to train. I will teach you sacred titan techniques. Like something called the giant stone wall technique.

Atalanta: ...What?

Prometheus: Now go! Free me!

Atalanta and Meleager went to leave.

Prometheus: Wait!

Atalanta: You just told us to leave!

Prometheus: What do you fight for, Atalanta?

Atalanta: I’m going to become an Olympian so I can give my son a good life.

Prometheus: ...and…?

Atalanta: And take revenge on the one who killed my family.

Prometheus snickered.

Prometheus: You become an Olympian? Sure. We’ll see.

## Issue 17 - Polyphemus

Atalanta and Meleager went into a cave, where Prometheus’ chains led.

Atalanta: Shh...What’s the plan?

Meleager: I mean, his eye is the weak point. I say we aim for that.

Atalanta: Alright, Mel. Let me do this myself.

Meleager: That’s not happening.

Atalanta: I need this, I need to prove to myself that I can win.

Meleager: That’ll be later. Prometheus said he’d train you up. He’s been there for thousands of years. Maybe he’s a little insane, but he’s a Titan. He nearly matched the power of Zeus. I would humor him. The fact is, this guy fought in the Titan and Olympian war. He’d destroy you.

Atalanta: ...We need a plan then.

Meleager: I’m thinking the same thing.

Atalanta: He’s slow, right?

Meleager: Should be slower than us.

Atalanta: I’m going to attack his legs with my spear. If I can, I’ll bring him to the ground. Then you shoot him in the eye.

Meleager: Plan B?

Atalanta: If he gives me trouble, I’ll just use my water spirit.

Meleager: You can’t rely on that thing over and over. I mean, look what it did to you.

Atalanta looked at her hands. She then remembered what Nereus said. That she only had a couple uses left.

Atalanta: He’s not going to be easy to take down.

Meleager: You know, Cyclops also eat humans.

Atalanta: I’m not going to be eaten and shat out by a Cyclops.

Meleager: Don’t get eaten.

Atalanta: You got anything he might want to eat more?

Meleager: ...One of Circe’s potions!

Atalanta: A potion that changes him into an animal?

Meleager: No. Here, take some of this.

Meleager took out some spray.

Atalanta: Oh yeah, your bug spray.

Meleager: Spray this on you. One thing I know, bug spray tastes horrible.

Atalanta: How do you know that?

Meleager: ...Don’t ask.

Atalanta: This is fucking dumb...You know I have water powers, right? What if I wash it off?

Meleager sprayed himself from top to bottom with bug spray.

Meleager: Here, keep it. Just don’t get me wet.

Atalanta: Okay, okay. Plan B, if he gets his hands on me, uh...burn him.

Meleager: Burn him? What?

Atalanta: We’ve got fire arrows. You put some fire in front of that bug spray, and you’ve got a makeshift flamethrower. Distract him with that, I’ll figure something out. A plan for an encounter like this is hard to come up with. Something’s bound to go wrong. We’ll figure it out.

They walked further into the cave. There Polyphemus was. They heard the cracking and snapping of bones. He was eating a boar.

Meleager: Circe sends some animals in here to keep the big guy full.

Atalanta: Maybe he’s full.

Meleager: Well, what do we do? We can’t really sneak up on him. Or sneak around him.

Atalanta: Hey! Dumbass! One-eyed willy!

Polyphemus stood up. He was gigantic. Even taller than Prometheus. He was about 15 feet tall. In place of his eyes, was one singular eye. Which had regenerated.

Atalanta: Hey! We’re here to vanquish you! We’re here to free Prometheus!

Polyphemus: Free...Prometheus? How dare you defy Lord Zeus! He will have your head on a platter! And I’ll get to have the rest!

Atalanta: Not going to happen. I don’t think you like to eat little girls like me. Just move aside, let me destroy those chains.

Polyphemus: I am power! I am one of the great cyclops! I will not be bullied by a woman!

Atalanta: A little sexist, not going to lie.

Polyphemus: I can smell it. Olympian blood does not course through your veins. What are you doing here? How dare you threaten me?! You will regret being born useless, and human. If you really want to free Prometheus, then show me your power!

Atalanta: Is that a challenge? Because it looks like you’re backing up as I’m walking closer.

Polyphemus: No talking! Only feasting! On your remains!

Atalanta shot water behind herself. Blasting herself at Polyphemus. He swung his arm at her. She ducked under and slashed at his leg. She only left a small scratch. She shot a bunch of arrows at him. They were lodged into his chest. He grabbed them and pulled them out. Atalanta produced long whips of water and wrapped them around Polyphemus’ legs.

Meleager: Come on, I need a good shot…

Atalanta pulled the water back. Polyphemus let him fall, and did a bodyslam. He caused the ground around him to rupture. Atalanta’s legs suddenly went weak. Polyphemus grabbed her by the leg with his two fingers. Atalanta started panicking.

Atalanta: No, no no…

Meleager: Goddamnit…

Meleager shot his bow into Polyphemus’ head. He yelled out in pain. This only made him eat Atalanta quicker. He shoved her in his mouth. Atalanta was still alive. She immediately scrambled away from his teeth. He was trying to chomp her to bits.

Meleager: Atalanta!

Polyphemus: More food!

Atalanta came up with a plan. She nearly threw up from the smell, but let herself slide down his tongue. She stopped herself just before she was going to slide down. She started increasing her water pressure.

Meleager ran from the cyclops. He was shooting arrows at him, but they had no effect. He took out a flaming arrow and shot it at him. He shot the bug spray onto Polyphemus. His chest was lit on fire. He jumped to the ground, still trying to eat Meleager. Polyphemus suddenly grabbed his head.

Polyphemus: My...My head!

Atalanta fired a water blast all around Polyphemus. A hole was blast through his head, and sliced down his eye. His eye popped out, and bloody water rained from the sky. Atalanta walked out from Polyphemus’ head brushing herself off.

Atalanta: Well, that was disgusting.

Meleager stood there with his mouth wide open.

Atalanta: How about a shower, then we go get Prometheus.

Meleager: There’s a hot spring close by.

## Issue 18 - Glorious Purpose

Atalanta and Meleager walked back into the cave. They walked over to the chains, which were attached to a huge metal ball.

Atalanta: Let’s break these chains.

Atalanta froze part of the chains, and she broke them in half.

Atalanta: You know...Why didn’t we just destroy part of these chains before?

Meleager: Isn’t it obvious? Polyphemus would’ve gone crazy. He would’ve either found and killed us, or attacked my civilization.

Atalanta: True, true.

They heard yelling, and then a loud smash outside of the cave. Prometheus ran into the cave speaking triumphantly in greek. He grabbed Polyphemus and dragged him with one hand.

Prometheus: So you are the one who kept me here all these years! What a waste of space! Go back to where your father came from!

Prometheus threw Polyphemus’ gigantic body into the ocean. He came back into the cave.

Prometheus: Now...your training commences!

Atalanta: Alright. That’s what I like the sound of.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and Meleager were standing next to each other.

Prometheus: So, what about you, young lad?

Meleager: Me?

Prometheus: What is your motivation? What are you here training for?

Meleager: I’m uh...Just helping her out. Y’know. Moral support.

Prometheus: What kind of motivation is that? What’s your glorious purpose?

Meleager: Uh...To protect my civilization?

Prometheus: You phrased that as a question. Come on son! What do you fight for?

Meleager: I don’t have time for this, okay? All this philosophy. I’m helping my friend. Okay?

Prometheus: Okay, okay. I hope you can handle this.

Meleager: Atalanta, how long are you even going to be here?

Atalanta: Till’ they drag me back to Olympus.

Prometheus: You are planning to stick by that?

Atalanta: Yeah.

Prometheus: Attend Atalanta’s warm-up here. Then you may return to whatever boring thing it is that you do.

Meleager: Yeah. I’m here to support you, Atalanta.

Atalanta: Yeah.

Prometheus: Alright, let’s begin. Drop and give me 100.

Atalanta: Push-ups? That's all?

Prometheus: This is the warm-up.

Atalanta and Meleager did 100 push-ups.

Prometheus: Now 100 sit-ups and then 100 squats!

They did what they were asked. Atalanta’s legs were starting to hurt by the end of the squats.

Prometheus: Now for the fun part. A run!

Atalanta: Alright. How far?

Prometheus: Around the island!

Atalanta: Wait a sec...What? Do you know how long that is?

Meleager: About...30 miles

Prometheus: Well? Get going! Go! Go!

Meleager: Atalanta, I’ll go with you. Okay?

Atalanta: Alright.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

They were still running around the island. Atalanta was wheezing. She stopped herself and took a breath. Prometheus walked up behind her.

Prometheus: What are you doing?! Keep going! Go! Go!

Atalanta: Shut the hell up…

Prometheus: You want to become powerful enough to be an Olympian?

Atalanta: You...You were born into godhood! I have to fucking earn it! Don’t pester me with all your bullshit!

Prometheus started laughing and talking to himself in greek.

Prometheus: I was born into godhood. What do you want me to do? Ungodify myself? You are so entitled. You think that old myth about you killing a boar still matters. Everyone forgot about it. Aside from you. You want to be a god, I will help you earn it, because I know what it takes. Now keep moving. You need to catch up to your friend.

Atalanta looked at Prometheus, and kept running.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Meleager and Atalanta got to the end of the run. They were both out of breath.

Atalanta: So that’s...Your warmup?

Prometheus: Yes. Get a drink of water, then we will move onto the next stage.

Prometheus gave them bottles of water. They both took a long drink.

Meleager: Atalanta, I’m going to head up to the castle to check on things okay. I’ll come around frequently, alright?

Atalanta: Alright. Sounds like a plan.

Prometheus: Now it’s just you and me. Time to start climbing that mountain. The same one you took to get me. We’re going to the top. Maybe we should teach that eagle a lesson.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta was standing off with Prometheus.

Prometheus: Wait! Before we go. Before we fight, drink this.

Prometheus threw a bottle of whiskey at Atalanta.

Atalanta: What am I supposed to do with this?

Prometheus: Drink it, of course.

Atalanta: I’m not drinking.

Prometheus: So be it! You have no idea what hidden power you have in the alcohol.

Atalanta: What?

Prometheus took out a bottle of whiskey and drank it in one gulp. He threw it on the ground, shattering it.

Prometheus: Now let’s go!

Atalanta: You’re going to fight me while drunk? Are you going easy?

Prometheus got loose, he looked like he was losing his balance. He got in a drunken stance.

Prometheus: Come on!

Atalanta fired a couple blasts of water at Prometheus. He stretched his hands out drunkenly, and disintegrated the water. He made a spark of fire around his hand and threw it down at the ground. A circle of fire was formed around them. Atalanta was forced to get closer. She slashed her spear at him. He blocked her slashes and threw out a lazy kick and hit Atalanta in the face. He drank some more whiskey and shot fire out of his mouth. Atalanta was set on fire. She panicked and fired some water on herself.

Prometheus: Check out these moves!

Prometheus hit Atalanta with his arms by spinning around and headbutted her. As she fell back he tripped on himself and grabbed her leg, making her fall to the ground.

Prometheus: Ugh, the buzz is fleeting.

Atalanta made a bunch of bubbles of water flew in the air and were blasted at Prometheus. He destroyed all the bubbles. Atalanta fired two blasts of water at Prometheus. He looked at Atalanta and laughed.

Prometheus: What are these supposed to be?

Atalanta kept her blasts coming, Prometheus’ skin was starting to be ripped. Atalanta got up and stabbed Prometheus in the stomach. There was silence. The faint sound of the fire crackling. Prometheus pulled back his hand and punched Atalanta in the face. There was a rupture as Atalanta was slammed on the ground. She spat out a tooth. She got to her knees, Prometheus kicked her in the stomach. Atalanta laid on the ground, she could barely move.

Prometheus: ...Weak little woman. I’ll give you 10 minutes. That’s being nice.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta was sitting, looking into the ocean. She looked back towards the cave her and Prometheus had been training in. She stood up and looked down. It was a long drop. If someone were to fall off of this part of the island, it would surely kill them. Quick. Maybe even painless.

???: You have a son, right?

Atalanta: Nereus? What the hell are you doing here? Are you here to tell me how much of a dumbass I am for saving Prometheus?

Nereus: I could care less about that.

Atalanta: Yeah, I have a son. You know it.

Nereus: Can I tell you the story of Thetis?

Atalanta: Whose that?

Nereus: One of my daughters. Hopefully none of the nereids are listening. Because Thetis was one of my favorite daughters.

Atalanta: What about it?

Nereus: She passed away a while ago.

Atalanta: Oh, well. Sorry.

Nereus: She was also Achilles’ mother. The arrow that killed Achilles before he went to Tartarus was guided by Apollo. Thetis was vengeful. She found Apollo and fought him. The fight ended with Thetis death, arrow to the head. Just as most of Apollo’s opponents end up.

Atalanta: Sorry. I don’t mean to spoil the mood. But how does this apply to me? You wouldn’t be here unless you were trying to change my fate.

Nereus: You may think your son hates you. But rest assured. If you die. It will ruin his life. He won’t know what to do. He’ll be even worse off than if you left him and never spoke with him again. He needs a mother. It’s your job to care for him. Don’t end it here just because Prometheus knocked a tooth out. Be prepared to lose all your teeth for your son.

Atalanta: For my son…

## Issue 19 - Unreasonably Cruel

Prometheus and Atalanta traded blows against each other. Atalanta had a new spear, made from rocks. She spun and slashed it at Prometheus. She slashed it across his stomach. He fell back, blood coming from his stomach.

Prometheus: Nice one…

Prometheus grabbed Atalanta by the neck and threw her at the roof of the cave. Her back was slammed against the cave, and rocks fell down. She buffered her landing with a blast of water. She put up her arms, and slashed Prometheus’ arms. Prometheus got close and threw punch after punch at Atalanta. She dodged until she was hit in the stomach. She stabbed her spear on the ground and stopped herself. Prometheus blitzed her and punched her in the face. There was a bunch of red energy around her.

Prometheus: Alright, that’s that. Good use of the stone wall technique.

Atalanta’s face was untouched.

Prometheus gave Atalanta some water.

Atalanta: I was about to take out the whiskey.

Prometheus: Oh-ho-ho. I would’ve liked to see that.

Atalanta was now well-built. Her boar skin now covered her shoulder and went down her arm. It strapped around her neck like a type of cape.

There was a sudden flash of light outside of the cave.

Atalanta: What’s that…?

Prometheus: Let me go look.

Prometheus went over to the outside of the cave, and then backed up.

Prometheus: Look who it is.

It was one of the few remaining Olympian gods. Athena.

Prometheus: Of course you were one of the survivors. Clever Athena.

Athena: Prometheus. I see you were freed.

Prometheus: Correct, and by this brilliant one here.

Athena: I didn’t expect to find you in a remote island training with Prometheus.

Prometheus: Are you here to take her?

Athena: You have to return to Olympus. It’s time for your first fight of the loser’s bracket.

Atalanta: Finally.

Athena: Are you ready?

Atalanta: Do I have a choice?

Athena looked at Atalanta coldly.

Athena: No.

Atalanta: Can I talk to someone?

Athena: Not without leaving my sight. We have to go.

Atalanta: Then come with me.

Athena looked at Prometheus anxiously.

Athena: I’m not leaving him alone.

Prometheus: Well, you have to leave with her, don’t you?

Athena was quiet.

Athena: I know I can’t beat you. So I’ll keep an eye on you.

Tons of owls flew overhead. They sat on trees and rocks and stared at Prometheus. Their eyes were golden. She shot a pulse of light into the air.

Athena: Your little titan friends. They're dead. We killed them. The same way Zeus was killed.

Athena raised her hand. There was a beam of light. Something came to her hand. It was a short-sword.

Athena: This is Azrael’s blade. One fatal blow with this, and you die. Get it? Die. Gods are strangers to the concept, and I’m dying to introduce you. If you leave here. Even if you, I dunno. Go for a midnight swim. I will be there to cut you down. Something your brother was too stupid to do.

Prometheus: ....Kakomathiméni skýla…

Atalanta was writing something on a piece of paper. A letter. She signed it with her name.

Atalanta: I’m ready.

Athena: Great.

Prometheus: Well, you did good. Filia.

Atalanta: Uh, thanks for everything.

Athena: Trusting a titan...chazos…

Athena put her hand up, and light enveloped both her and Atalanta. When it diminished, they were gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta appeared by herself in the tournament’s arena.

Announcer: Wow! What an entrance by Atalanta! It’s her vs Odysseus the Cunning!

The crowd cheered for the pair. Atalanta stared down Odysseus. He was holding a short-sword, he had a bow on his back. He wore light armor and had a beard.

Odysseus: I hear you have a son. Once I’m done with you, I’ll take care of him next.

Atalanta: Yeah. I heard you were sometimes unreasonably cruel towards your opponents.

Odysseus: It’s what they deserve! They decided to stand to the great Odysseus! Now I laugh at them in Tartarus.

Atalanta: What could you have done to go to Tartarus? Sure, you killed all of your crew. But you probably did something even dumber before. You fuck a goat or something?

Odysseus: Ha! I won’t fall prey to your games! Don’t you know who I am?!

Atalanta: It’s always hubris for you people…

Atalanta made a bunch of bubbles of water fly in the air. Odysseus shot them down with his bow and arrow. She shot a couple arrows in the air. Odysseus looked up at them.

Odysseus: What do you expect those to do?

Odysseus got closer to Atalanta. She shot a blast of water at him. He extended out his hands, and the water seemed to evaporate off of him.

Atalanta: What the…?

Odysseus: See the power of Apollo!

Atalanta felt a bunch of arrows stab into her back. They burned onto her back. Odysseus punched Atalanta in the face and slashed his sword at her. His sword slid off of her spear’s head. She spun and slashed her spear down at Odysseus. She ripped through some of his armor. She shot a blast of water into his stomach. He went flying back and rolled to his feet. Odysseus shot a bunch of arrows at her. They lit up gold and aimed right at Atalanta.

Atalanta: Shit…

Red energy came around Atalanta. The arrows hit her stomach all at the same time. Atalanta grabbed her stomach as she fell down.

Odysseus: Is this really all you have to offer?

Odysseus came over to Atalanta. He pulled back his arrow. Atalanta fired a blast of water into his leg, and he fell down. Atalanta kicked his bow away. He stood up and lifted his sword. Atalanta made a bubble of water go around his head. She touched the bubble. His face was enveloped in ice. She punched through the ice, it was smashed off, and Odysseus fell down with a curse. Atalanta looked around and smiled. She looked at the audience. She finally saw her son in the crowd. Who was clapping and smiling. She looked at the audience again and then looked at Odysseus. She spat on him like he was nothing. The crowd got louder as she walked offstage.

Atalanta: Shit...I did it.

## Issue 20 - Taste of Paradise

Atalanta went into the waiting room. Waiting for her next fight. She saw many of the fighters. Now she was able to look at the tournament bracket. The next fight was Daedalus vs Pan. Atalanta looked around at her competition. Ashana came barreling into the room. People were surrounding her. They were asking her some questions. She waved them off.

Ashana: Wow, look who's back.

Ashana came over to Atalanta.

Ashana: I see you’ve been training for the big day.

Atalanta: Yeah. That’s right. You’re pretty famous. I mean, I lost my first fight. Why are you even talking to me?

Ashana: The perfect story of an underdog!

Atalanta: Sure.

Ashana: Y’know what? I like you. Wanna go get a drink sometime?

Atalanta: What do you like so much about me?

Ashana: You have the workings of a star. The crowd ate that up. You even disrespected Odysseus! A woman disrespecting the great Odysseus. People are going to love you!

Atalanta: You really have a positive look on this. I just did what came to me.

Ashana: Even better. So how about it?

Atalanta: You’d better not be an alcoholic.

Ashana: Because you are…?

Atalanta: Wasn’t a set up for a joke. Just don’t get me drinking.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta and Ashana were at a bar in Athens.

Atalanta: Shit...I’ve never seen a bar like this.

The bar was mostly golden. With grape vines and wine chalices littered everywhere, symbolizing Dionysus. The rich heroes and gods who lived in Olympus were drinking there. Atalanta looked completely out of place. Ashana gave Atalanta a chalice with wine in it.

Atalanta: What’s this?

Ashana: It’s wine straight from Dionysus’ chalice. This is the life of gods.

Atalanta: I’m not really a wine person, to be honest.

Ashana: You’ll never be able to drink something like this again! Come on!

Atalanta: Okay, okay.

Atalanta drank her chalice.

Atalanta: Eurgh...Not really my thing.

Ashana: Well, cheers to a great tournament.

They clinked glasses.

Atalanta: So, you’re undefeated. Right?

Ashana: Well, I don’t like to brag. But I am right now.

Atalanta: Damn, how do you do it?

Ashana: I go into that ring, and treat it like whoever’s in front of me is going to kill me. The audience doesn’t even like me that much. But I’m going in there and fighting for my life.

Atalanta: That’s a pretty hard mindset to keep. I admire it.

Ashana: Thanks. You know, I fought against many strong people. I was shat on. Thought of as an afterthought. You wanna know where these scars came from?

Atalanta: Do I? That’s up to you.

Ashana: I was part of something called the Clan of Reiki. Everyone thinks that I survived a fight with Ivan. I was with him.

Atalanta: What do you mean?

Ashana: I didn’t attack Olympus. But I certainly didn’t stop them.

Atalanta: What…?

Ashana: I fought Phobos and Psyche. Two of Ares’ kids. Along with Delta and Terra.

Atalanta: Terra? Wait. You fought Terra and survived?

Ashana: It wasn’t her. That fucking Psyche. She cut off my arm.

Ashana held up one of her gauntlets, she lifted it. Showing that she had a prosthetic arm. Delta slashed me down, and I nearly drowned in lava. Then the castle fell.

Atalanta: Explains the scars. I still can’t get this through my head. You were with Ivan?

Ashana: Not anymore. He’s dead. I didn’t want to kill the gods. I wanted to get back on my bastard of a father. He didn’t give two shits about me. One day he banished me. So I’m going to get back at my father. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. So I’ll be the new god of the sea. I could take over Atlantis. I mean, Olympus is in shambles. Everything’s so out of order since metahumans came around. Maybe I’ll start by taking care of my brothers.

Atalanta: Jeez. That’s pretty extreme, don’t you think? I mean. Becoming an Olympian just to destroy something.

Ashana: Things have to be destroyed. So something better can be built on top of it. I’ll start by getting rid of Dionysus and Athena. There’s no room for old gods. We need the new gods!

Atalanta: Yeah...yeah sure.

Atalanta was now looking off into the distance. Ashana wants to become an Olympian just so she can destroy things. But how was she any better than Ashana? Her main goal was to kill Terra.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

For the next few nights, as the fights happened. Atalanta found a place to sleep. She went to Phoenicia. Where she slept in the alley next to the bar in her boar skin. Someone kicked her in the morning. She was startled awake. To see Bishop.

Bishop: You’re taking my seat.

Atalanta: Jeez Bishop. Maybe more of a warning next time!

Bishop: Yeah, next time I’ll tell the all-star fighter I’m going to hit her before I do it.

Atalanta: You’re an asshole.

Bishop: Same to you.

Atalanta smiled and stood up. She put her boar skin on.

Atalanta: Listen to me on the radio.

Bishop: Wish you luck. Not that you need it.

Atalanta: I totally do.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked into the waiting room. She looked at the bracket. It was her vs Daedalus. She walked into the ring. She saw Daedalus facing her. The announcer announced their names. They stood closer to each other and walked in circles.

Atalanta: Hey. Good luck.

Daedalus: Same to you. I see you took some time to become stronger.

Atalanta: I did my best.

Daedalus: So, you've committed to impressing your son then?

Atalanta: No. I’m here to provide for him. That’s what it is. If I’m an Olympian, he can be helped. I can provide for my son.

Daedalus: That’s admirable. But very simple. If I’m a god, I could bring my son back. I could give Icarus his wings back.

Atalanta: This is your last chance, huh?

Daedalus: That’s right.

Atalanta knew she was taking his last chance to see his son from him. This meant he was losing everything. But again, she was trapped. She could still meet Terra. She still needed to provide for Enopeus.

Atalanta: I respect you, Daedalus. So I’m sorry.

Daedalus: Me too.

Daedalus clicked a button that was around his chest. Robotic wings sprouted from behind him. He flew up in the air. He took out a gigantic gun. He pulled the trigger, it charged a large beam. He aimed it straight at Atalanta. It shot at her. She jumped out of the way and shot a bunch of blasts of water at Daedalus. He was hit, and fell back a little. He stopped himself in the air and took out a large rope. He threw it at Atalanta. She jumped out of the way, and then dodged a couple of arrows. She charged two water blasts, and shot them straight through his wings. He fell to the ground.

Daedalus: Wings off!

Atalanta got close and kicked him in the head. He seemed to take the hit well. She took out her spear and spun it around. Her heart sank as the sharp side of her spear went past his head. She hit him with the non=sharp end. The rope that he had was suddenly charged with electricity. He pulled it up, and wrapped up Atalanta’s leg. A robotic arm went around his arm, and he grabbed the rope and threw Atalanta far into the air. He took out his gun and charged it. Atalanta couldn’t move out of the way. As the gun shot, she threw a blast of water into the air. Which hit her. She warped through the blast of water, and came out of a puddle behind Daedalus. She shot a straight blast of water at Daedalus, and he was blasted to the ground. Atalanta got close and shot ice at his arms and leg, keeping him down. He had no strength left. The crowd roared for Atalanta.

Daedalus: Please, finish it.

Atalanta: ...What? Dude. I won the battle fair and square. There’s nothing for me to “finish”

Daedalus: I want to see my son, Atalanta. Do you think you’re the only one whose silly for getting yourself into this? You are either here because your desperate, or power-hungry. Me and you both, we’re desperate. This battle ended with use letting each other down anyways. So finish the fight. Kill me.

Atalanta: I...I...Not in front of all these people!

Daedalus: People were killed here already. It’s okay. This is out of respect. You said you weren’t fighting to impress your son. Prove it.

Atalanta picked up her spear.

Atalanta: Are you sure?

Daedalus nodded. Atalanta slashed her spear across Daedalus’ neck. Sending him to see his son. The crowd gasped. And boo’d. Atalanta put her spear away. And silently walked off the field.

## Issue 21 - Unrequited Love

Atalanta brought herself down to Phoenicia. She felt like she was getting tunnel vision. She made her way down the stairs, and started thinking about what Enopeus saw. Her emotionlessly killing Daedalus. She walked down the street.

???: Hey, Atalanta! I’ve been looking for you!

Atalanta turned around. She saw Hippomenes walking towards her.

Atalanta: Me? Sorry, who are you? Oh, Hippomenes.

Hippomenes: I was at the party! With Heracles. You were pretty messed up…

Atalanta: Yeah. I guess I was.

Hippomenes: Do you want to sit down and talk?

Atalanta: Not really. But I guess I owe you some sort of apology.

They went to a nearby restaurant. A waitress came over.

Waitress: Coffee?

Atalanta: Sure.

The waitress poured Atalanta and Hippomenes some coffee. Atalanta put some milk in her coffee.

Atalanta: You know, they don’t make coffee like they did on Earth. We don’t even have coffee beans here. So the metas made some off-brand shit.

Hippomens looked at Atalanta like she was crazy.

Atalanta: Look. That whole thing that went down at that party, it was a mistake. I bet you have a wife or some shit and I fucked everything up. That why your here?

Hippomenes: Well, I kind of like you. Atalanta. I mean, you were funny and charming. Very uhm...active. I don’t have a wife. But I’m making an okay living for myself. I mean, I don’t really want to be a soldier. I would much rather pursue my art. It doesn’t really pay well enough. I’m scraping by. But I fear for the worst.

Atalanta: That’s too bad. I wish I could help, but I’m kind of going through my own financial troubles.

Hippomenes: That’s what I mean! We could help eachother out!

Atalanta: You know about that tournament, right?

Hippomenes: What about it?

Atalanta: I’m in it. I guess you don’t keep up. But I’ve got my hot ticket up there. A seat with the Olympians. I’m sorry about the thing at the party. But it was a mistake. You’re great and all. But go and find yourself a pretty broad. I’m not the one you’re looking for.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked into the stadium. Some people cheered for her. The ones who just loved blood and carnage. Others boo’d. Some didn’t do anything. She looked for her son in the audience. But was interrupted by the announcer.

Announcer: Now we have the god of requited love, Anteros!

Anteros bore a golden club and a bow and arrow. His wings were plumed and likened to those of a butterfly. He wore a robe from the waist down. He had long hair, and a hateful face.

Atalanta: So you’re Anteros. I like the name. Guessing you hate love. You’re a real virgin.

Anteros: I’m certainly not as narrow minded as my brother. I’ve actually been looking forward to fighting you, Atalanta.

Atalanta: Am I really that famous?

Anteros: You aren’t famous. This is just your moment in the spotlight. You’ll lose, or die. Then you’ll be forgotten again. Just as that other myth was.

Atalanta: Well that’s pretty rude. I have to bring this to the end. I’ll ride this wave.

Anteros: You’ll make it to paradise no matter what.

Atalanta: That’s right.

Anteros: Let’s just end this. You’ve insulted me enough.

Atalanta didn’t care about this. She just began attacking. Anteros didn’t fly in the air yet. Atalanta shot some arrows at him. He turned around, and the arrows broke off of his wings. Atalatna shot a blast of water into Anteros’ legs. He stepped forward and shot arrows at Atalanta. She dodged out of the way, but felt one stab into her shoulder, and then saw one coming straight at her. She just barley used her titan technique and stopped it with her hand. She ripped out the arrow.

Atalanta: Hm. I’m not falling in love with anyone.

Anteros: It means you can’t be saved.

Atalanta: Not the first time I’ve heard that, buddy.

Atalanta shot a blast of ice at Anteros. He was frozen in place.

Atalanta: Shit, he’s even frozen in the air. I had no idea that technique would work.

Atalanta did some stretches while increasing her water pressure to try and impress the audience. They seemed to like it. The crowd roared for Atalanta. She fired a large beam of water into Anteros. As soon as she fired. He broke from the ice and put his club and wings in front of himself. He slammed his club onto Atalanta’s head. He brought out one of his wings and broke off her chestplate. He hit Atalanta in the stomach with his club and brought her to the ground. She tried kicking him away. But he shed a feather from his wing. It was solid. He threw it over Atalanta, locking her legs down.

Anteros: I’m the god of requited love. It means love is reciprocated. Don’t you see your sins? How long has it been since you’ve loved someone back? I’m the punisher of people just like you. You burnt your house down instead of submitting yourself to love!

Atalanta: Why the fuck does that matter? You don’t control who I am!

Anteros: You had a chance, today. At that party, to love someone. You didn’t even try.

Anteros kept attacking her with his club. Atalanta did her best to protect herself. The blue on her hands started to crawl up her arms.

Anteros: It works out that my job is to punish filth like you. Milan would’ve wanted you to meet someone new. Someone who could provide for Enopeus.

Atalanta waited until he was just about to hit her. She used the stone wall technique. Anteros was confused when it felt like he hit pure diamond. Atalanta slid backward and was able to grab her spear. She stabbed Anteros in the stomach as she got up. He stumbled back and focused on healing his wound.

Atalanta: Don’t you dare bring up Milan or my son. Don’t go snooping around my past.

Anteros: It’s that easy to make a living here. Fall in love. My arrows. They kill if you feel no love. But work if you do feel love.

Atalanta: Looks like your bullshit didn’t work.

Anteros: Are you stupid? Their lead arrows.

Atalanta: So? It stabbed me, and it hurt. Who cares. Now time to kill you for fucking up my face.

Anteros: You have to change, Atalanta. It’s been done to death. But choosing hate over love always ends in suffering.

Atalanta: Do you even hear yourself right now? You sound stupid! This is the real world! I have a pretty admirable motive. To provide for my kid. I don’t need love, or any of that shit if I’m an olympian. What about Artemis or Athena? Never threatened them for being asexual?

Atalanta shot a blast of water in the air. It exploded in a big splash of water above Anteros. He looked up, and then looked to Atalanta. She had disappeared. She jumped out of the bubbles of water flying in the air and slashed her spear down at Anteros. He put his wings above himself and blocked. She let go of her spear and it flew away. Atalanta had made two shortswords from ice. She stabbed the swords into where his wings were protruding from his back. He let out a shriek of pain, and fell to his hands and knees. Atalanta danced around him and grabbed his club. She hit him across the face.

Atalanta: And that’s for all this.

She pointed at her now bloody and battered face. Atalanta paused, looking at the audience, and then suddenly fell down. She looked at where the arrow had hit her earlier. She was bleeding profusely. She looked at the blood fall on the ground. The crowd was silent. Anteros got to his feet. He flew high into the air. He floated in the air, and held back one of his arrows. Atalanta put up her hand, and made a gesture. The swords that were still in Anteros’ back, slashed across his wings. The crowd gasped as Anteros was separated from his wings. He free-fell through the air. Atalanta stood up and watched as Anteros fell. She looked around at the audience, she heard them start to cheer. She rose her hands, and then realized they weren’t cheering for her. It was for Anteros. He shot his lead arrow, and hit Atalanta in the side as she started to turn.

Anteros: Poison is spreading throughout your bloodstream. Unrequited love will be your downfall!

It sounded like thunder when he hit the ground. Atalanta took the arrow out of her side. She was bleeding from there too. She switched the side of her boar skin so it covered the two holes in her shoulder and side, and stumbled out of the ring.

Announcer: Now! We will go straight onto the next round! Danny Adams vs Heracles!

## Issue 22 - Desperate Struggle

Atalanta sat down in the waiting room. She knew she wouldn’t be allowed to watch the next fight. So she left. Someone stopped her. It was the person who let her into the fights. Nike.

Nike: Atalanta, you can stay here. Watch the fight.

Atalanta: Really? Why?

Nike: Well, it’s part of the tournament. They want to ride the wave all the way to the grand finale.

Atalanta: Haven’t they been waiting for all the other fights?

Nike: This is the grand finale. The final four fights.

Atalanta: Well, do you have some bandages or something?

Nike: Bandages are in the preparation room.

Atalanta: Don’t you have shit to fully heal my wounds?

Nike: Not at a time like this! We need suspense! I know you’ll try your best. You want to see that paradise. But not the one...downlow. I can tell.

Atalanta: You don’t know shit about me.

Nike: Sure.

Nike turned around and left the room. Atalanta went into the preparation room. She bandaged herself up, and put her chestplate back on.

Atalanta: Now the tattoo has a big fuckin’ hole...Sorry Milan.

Atalanta got out of the preparation room. She felt a little weak. But tried to push it away. She heard someone coming into the waiting room. She sat down, waiting for the next fight.

???: Hey, Mom.

Atalanta looked next to her. It was Enopeus.

Atalanta: Enopeus! How’d you get down here?

Enopeus: They let me down here since I’m family.

Atalanta: What are you doing here?

Enopeus: I just wanted to check on you. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.

Atalanta: Okay? Yeah. I’m fine. What’s wrong?

Enopeus: I know when something’s wrong with you Mom. You...You leave for a while. Then come back way stronger and with new abilities. You were getting the crowd excited. They seemed to like you. Then you killed Daedalus, and the way you fought Anteros...was so brutal.

Atalanta: I’m trying to do what I can for us. I’m doing this for my family. What’s wrong with that?

Enopeus: You didn’t need to kill Daedalus. You know that.

Atalanta: He...He wanted to die.

Enopeus: He wanted to see paradise…

Atalanta: Uhm...yeah. Where’d you hear that?

Enopeus: You’re doing this for your family. So we can become rich. Why do you still want to kill Terra?

Atalanta: I-what? What did you say?!

Enopeus: You’re so selfish. You’re doing this for your ego! Terra’s a nice girl! She did all of this because she had to! So what are you going to do?! Kill her? Kill her and her whole family?

Atalanta: That…

Enopeus: That’s what she did to you! I get it! But it’s been 20 years! Drop it, Mom! Move on!

Atalanta was just staring as her son yelled at her. Again, the tunnel vision kicked in.

Atalanta: Enopeus…

Nike: Atalanta! Hey! It’s your round! What? Are you crying because you get to fight Heracles? I would too.

She wiped her eyes. Atalanta looked to her side. Enopeus was nowhere to be found.

Atalanta: I have to fight Heracles?

Nike: Danny’s powers weren’t enough for him.

Atalanta: Whatever.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta walked out into the ring. She saw Danny Adams being brought off the stage, and Heracles standing there with blood on his hands. He turned around and looked at Atalanta. Laughing.

Heracles: Wow! I see little Atalanta has gained a little four pack. Wow! You think that’s enough to match my strength?! Enough to beat me?!

Atalanta: Well, I kind of have to beat you.

Heracles: You think just because you have no choice, you’re going to win? That’s why I like you, Atalanta. You are so bold. You’ve gone from hopeless to hopeful.

Atalanta: I don’t care for your philosophy games. All you care about is killing me. I know it.

Heracles: It’s usually below me to kill weak humans. But maybe I’ll make an exception for you.

Atalanta: Just great.

Atalanta had been charging up her blast and shot it straight at Heracles’ face. He lunged back, holding his face. He was bleeding.

Atalanta: Shit, that was a good hit.

Heracles moved his hand. He was bleeding from his eye. His face was red. He let out a shout and advanced towards Atalanta. She jumped back as he sunk his fist into the ground. The ground shattered with his punch. Atalanta shot some ice blasts at his legs. But he ignored it and kicked ice up at Atalanta. Her side started to get weak as Heracles started barreling at her. She rolled out of the way and took out her spear. The crowd was booing altogether. Atalanta looked up. Everyone in the crowd was Enopeus.

Atalanta: Stop it!

Atalanta felt her head. She was already sweating. She could hear her breathing loudly. She then heard loud steps coming her way. She turned to the side and made a shield out of ice just before Heracles blew her head off. Her head was forced down from the punch. Heracles kicked her in the stomach. She went flying into the air. Heracles jumped in the air. Atalanta fired a blast of water at him. Making her fly higher, and bringing Heracles to the ground. Atalanta landed on the ground, and tripped on herself. Heracles shot one of his poison arrows in the air. Atalanta was stabbed in the stomach. Then Heracles was instantly above her. He slammed his fists down. He smashed through Atalanta’s chestplate. She grabbed a piece of her chestplate as it fell, and instinctively stabbed it into Heracles' side. He just got angrier. He grabbed Atalanta by the neck in a rage.

She felt the poison coming through her, and she felt her wounds from Anteros open up again. She wanted to save it for later. But she had no choice at this point. Her eyes became white, and her skin was engulfed with the blue around her hands. A surge of power came around her, and she broke from Heracles’ grip. She flew up in the air and landed in front of Heracles.

Heracles: Hm, nothing to say anymore? No one-liners with an unnecessary swear in the middle?

Atalanta put her hands together and started to generate a large bubble of pure energy and water.

Heracles: Finally. A challenge. Bring it on!

Heracles let out his battle cry, and ran towards Atalanta. She shot her blast straight into Heracles. Dust was kicked up in the battlefield. Everyone looked down. Heracles punched Atalanta in the face. She went flying back, and stopped herself in the air. She teleported through water below her. Heracles was surrounded with water. Atalanta appeared behind him and slashed him with her spear, which was enchanted with the spirit’s power. He turned around and swung at her. She kept disappearing and appearing and slashing across Heracles. Everything became a blur. Atalanta appeared and then disappeared so fast it appeared she was teleporting. Heracles swung wildly, but kept missing. Atalanta appeared far away from him. Out of the puddle she first teleported out of.

Heracles went to grab one of his arrows. But realized he didn’t have any. Atalanta smiled, and held up his arrows, which were all devoid of poison. Heracles looked at the slashes on his body, some of them were purple with his poison. He fell to his knees. Atalanta was still engulfed with her spirit. She shoved her hand into Heracles’ chest, and ripped out his heart. It was golden. The audience looked down at her and were all booing and screaming at her.

Crowd: Fuck you! Fuck Atalanta!

Atalanta looked up at the crowd. She held up her hand, and shot a blast of water at the crowd. It broke through the barrier. Atalanta flew into the air. She shot blasts of scalding water in the air. Melting away at the audience, then shot a large beam of water at the audience. So intense in pressure that it ripped their skin back.

Atalanta: Stop! I see what you’re thinking! Don't do any of that!

The god in front of Atalanta was sitting in a meditation position. Atalanta saw his thoughts playing in front of him. Like a tape. In real-time. Atalanta was standing in front of Heracles with his heart ripped out. She was just standing there emotionlessly.

Atalanta: There! I finally got your attention! Who the hell are you?! I’ve never been here. What do you want?

The god in front of her turned around. He was engulfed in the same blue that Atalanta was, and had light white eyes. He looked old, and was about the same height as Prometheus.

???: I am Oceanus.

## Issue 23 - Paradise

Terra spun her staff and slammed it into the ground. Ashana slashed at Terra’s spear, to slice it in half. Terra jumped off of it and kicked her in the stomach. As she flew back, another girl, Psyche, lifted her sword. She slashed off Ashana’s arm. She screamed out in pain. Ashana fell into the wall of lava. Delta took out her axe and slashed over the top. Right through Ashana and the wall of lava. Ashana was practically drowning in lava. Her skin slowly scalded, and burned away. She heard loud fighting. Bangs, and walls being destroyed. Then heard Zeus’ voice. He was enraged. She then heard a loud lightning strike, and felt Mount Olympus begin to slide, and the castle begin to crumble.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Ashana opened her eyes. Breathing heavily. She saw as debris of the castle fell down. She could barely move, and screamed when she tried to move as her skin was still on fire. She was on the side of mount olympus, a small cliff on the side. She put her head to the floor and was on her knees. Crying. She looked up, and laughed to herself. Then uttered one name.

Ashana: Father...Poseidon…!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Oceanus: Poseidon lived in the sea. I am the sea. Until Zeus locked me away. Then you found me. Thank the lord! Now me and you...we’re together! We’re one in the same! Let me give you the real paradise you’ve been looking for.

Atalanta: The hell are you talking about? Just give me my body back!

Oceanus: I will. But listen to me. If you do this again. Submit yourself to me. Then I don’t know if I’ll be able to contain myself! I may need to take your body for a longer stroll!

Atalanta: Yeah, fuck you.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Ashana was snapping her fingers in front of Atalanta.

Ashana: Hey! They cleaned up your mess! Are you ready!?

Atalanta had her body back. She felt the poison leaving her body.

Atalanta: Yeah.

Ashana: You really are a badass. You took out Heracles. Shit, I didn’t even kill Persus. Almost gets me excited. You feel that ecstasy? It’s the feeling that one of us is going to be gushing blood on the ground by the end of this! You really know how to get me excited for a fight!

Atalanta: It’s time? Already?

Ashana: It’s time. You know, I think I’ll start with Atlantis.

Atalanta: What?

Ashana: When I’m an Olympian, I’ll destroy my father’s legacy.

Atalanta: That includes Atlantis, huh? You know that’s an entire civilization?

Ashana: Atlantis, the Olympian library, maybe even Athens should be reshaped. Don’t you see?! The old gods were cruel! Ivan, my leader, he wanted to kill all the gods. Everyone. Even the ones who created us. So we can’t be controlled. He knew that the gods watch over us. Play games with us. But if they control us, then are they making us aware on purpose? Is it some sort of game?

Atalanta: Ivan was some sort of cultist then? People who believed him were either crazy or...Well I guess you were just crazy.

Ashana: Not crazy, enlightened!

Atalanta: So where was this part of you earlier, Ashana?

Ashana: I’m about to die! Don’t you see? Now you will know. My beliefs won’t die with me. So what about you? If I win, I will take your beliefs with me. So what do you believe? What great beliefs do you have? What’s your purpose before you go to paradise?

Atalanta was taken aback. What was her purpose?

Atalanta: I...I thought my purpose was to kill Terra. But what’s the point of doing it after she already killed everyone? My first thought was to kill her. She’s at the top of all of this. She’s the one responsible for killing my family. So my purpose is to raise my son. Make sure he has a good life.

Ashana: Wow, that’s boring. How boring are you? All this potential, and you don’t have any purpose or stake here.

Atalanta: I dunno, when I’m a god maybe I’ll cure cancer or some shit. That’ll make me pretty notable.

Ashana: Well, how about we....?

Atalanta: Get this over with?

Ashana: Took the words right out of my mouth.

Atalanta and Ashana ran towards each other and slashed at one another. Both of them landed their attacks. Atalanta fell to one knee. Ashana turned around and held up her sword. It was a new sword, still blue. But clearly not fabricated by her. She fired a blast of lightning into Atalanta. Atalanta made ice come around herself. She fired a bunch of ice spikes at Ashana. Ashana blocked them with her shield. Atalanta ran to Ashana and kicked her shield. She jumped off her shield and slashed down at Ashana. Ashana grabbed her leg and slammed her on the ground. Atalanta stood up. Ashana held her sword, and stabbed Atalanta through the back. She stood there with a grin on her face, and stabbed Atalanta through the back. The crowd roared, some gasped.

Ashana: There’s your exit to paradise.

Atalanta just stood there. Ashana just took her out like she was nothing.

Oceanus: Your paradise, she says. You could join me, and get what you want. You want to live, correct? So I think the choice is obvious. This girl is nothing. She’s not even as strong as Heracles. So die, or take my hand. Paradise is a step away! Make the logical choice.

Atalanta grabbed Ashana’s sword, she froze part of it, and broke it in half as she stumbled forward. She took out part of Ashana’s sword. She put her hands on her knees, and spat out blood. Atalanta suddenly turned and slashed her spear across Ashana’s stomach. Ashana stumbled back.

Ashana: What’s this? Is this some sort of family and love conquers all thing?

Atalanta: Obviously it doesn’t. I’m bleeding out over here! More like...an evil titan spirit conquers all.

Atalanta fell to her knees. Her eyes were filled with white. White beams shot from her eyes as her skin was engulf-

Ashana: Taking too long.

Ashana stabbed Atalanta in the chest as she was transforming. Ashana slashed her sword across her neck as she fell. Blood splattered. Atalanta fell on the ground. Ashana looked at the audience and raised her hand up.

Ashana: You may have erased them, Ivan. But you didn’t erase their legacies.

Ashana looked around at the audience. She raised her hands. Clearly signalling for praise. Cheers for their newest Olympian. She turned and looked at Atalanta. But she was gone.

Ashana: Seriously? She wants more?

Ashana looked for Atalanta. She was nowhere to be found. Ashana looked down.

Ashana: NO!

Ashana’s body was ripped apart from the inside. She was blasted apart as Atalanta emerged from inside of her body. Atalanta was covered in her blood. Her eyes still burning white. Atalanta stood up. She didn’t say anything. Paused for a second, and her body went back to normal. Atalanta looked at the audience. Nike walked into the battlefield.

Nike: Alright, I don’t want to touch you so, here.

Nike threw the medal at Atalanta. She picked it up off the ground.

Atalanta: ….Thanks.

## Issue 24 - Price of Humanity

Atalanta was standing in front of Oceanus.

Atalanta: You know you can’t do what you want to do without me. Hesial would find you out. Maybe she’ll be a little tolerable if she knew you were still around. But under my control.

Oceanus: You can’t get rid of me. I can take you over at any moment!

Atalanta: Well, you need me. But I need you. I think we can come to an agreement.

Oceanus growled and shook Atalanta’s hand.

Oceanus: You fuck with me, I will make your life a living hell.

Atalanta: Don’t doubt it, bud.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta was being escorted into Hesial's castle. She saw Hesial on her throne.

Atalanta: Wow, I expected you to be more...divine.

Hesial: I saw you fight Atalanta. You made some hard decisions. I hope it was worth it for you. You signed the scroll at the beginning of all of this.

Hesial took out the scroll that Atalanta had signed. The scroll disintegrated. Atalanta was imbued with a blue glow. Much more pure than the dark blue that she was covered in when taken by Oceanus. Her eyes started to glow lightly.

Hesial: How do you feel?

Atalanta: Not much changed. Honestly. So, I’m an Olympian now?

Hesial: The age of Olympians is over. You’re one of the primordials.

Atalanta: Primordials?

Hesial: Among Nox,Tempest, and the one you’ve been looking for. Terra.

Atalanta: How do you know?

Hesial: I’m all-knowing. It’s kind of my thing. There’s a reason I’m not trying my Olympian strategy again, we don’t need internal conflicts. You need to be strong together. Go into the next room over. See her.

Atalanta’s heart sank. She was going to see the one responsible for killing everyone she loved. She went into the room. There Terra was. She was around the same age as Atalanta. She wore a grey turtleneck, and jeans. She was standing there reading a book. Atalanta felt a surge of anger come over her. There she was. Reading a book without a care in the world. She came up to Terra, and punched her across the face. Then again, and again. Terra didn’t do anything. She didn’t fight back at all. Atalanta then backed up. They sat down in chairs perpendicular to each other next to a fire.

Atalanta: So you’re the Goddess of Earth? Should’ve guessed that. Y’know? With the name and stuff. That works out pretty well. You were named after the goddess of Earth, and then became the goddess of Earth. That’s some funny shit...right?

Terra: …

Atalanta: Right?

Terra smiled and chuckled.

Terra: Yeah. It is kind of funny. I didn’t expect to be here.

There was another awkward silence.

Atalanta: ...Do you remember me?

Terra: I remember all of them. I figured something like this would happen eventually. If things got bad, Hesial told me to, you know…

Atalanta: Kill me?

Terra: I can’t ask for forgiveness because I killed your family. All I can say is that I’m sorry, and if things had gone differently for me, then I wouldn’t have had to kill them. I wouldn’t have had to do any of this. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.

Atalanta: Do you have a family?

Terra: I...do. A daughter and adoptive son.

Atalanta: What’s her name?

Terra: Ellie.

Atalanta: That’s a nice name.

Terra: Your kid...What’s their name?

Atalanta: It was a boy. His name’s Enopeus.

Terra: You did this all for him, huh?

Atalanta: Well, before, it was to kill you.

Terra: What changed?

Atalanta: The constant pattern of destruction. Destruction and rebuilding. Why destroy something that ain’t broke? You fought Ivan, right? Personally?

Terra: Ivan Springer? I killed him.

Atalanta: At what cost?

Terra: Many of my friends.

Atalanta: Your family?

Terra: You could say that.

Atalanta: We’ve lost enough then. Both of us.

Terra: So. What are you going to do now that you’re an Olympian? To be honest, it’s a lot more unceremonious than you’d think.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Atalanta: I made your favorite! Pancakes with syrup!

Enopeus: Thanks, Mom.

Atalanta and Enopeus sat in a private hotel in Athens.

Atalanta: We’ll have to stay here for a little while until we can find ourselves a new house.

Enopeus: Yeah. That whole fire thing was insane. Do you know what caused it?

Atalanta: ...Prometheus.

Enopeus: Mom, thanks for all the food. But I think I’ll be staying with Hylaeus for a couple more days.

Atalanta: Wait, wait! Don’t go on. Let me...Let me say something. I know I’m not the best Mom. I’m kind...I’m kind of shit to be honest. I did something because I was a crazy-ass narcissist. But I can provide for you. Finally, I'll give you everything you need.

Enopeus: I mean thanks Mom. I’m happy you’re giving this all to me. We can provide for ourselves now. That’s great! But...you killed Heracles, Daedalus, and Ashana. You killed three people in front of us. In front of me. It’s hard to look at you and be proud that that’s my Mom. You killed my hero, Mom.

Atalanta: Listen to me. I did this for-

Enopeus: I don’t want to hear that you did this for me, Mom. I just...

Atalanta paused, and thought over everything she had just done. The people she had killed. The people she had fought.

Atalanta: I did it for me. I did it because I wanted to be that hero. I looked in the mirror everyday, hating myself. Wanting to be who I used to be. A strong, powerful hunter capable of taking down beasts and going toe-to-toe with gods. I wanted that side of me back. That’s...That’s what I really want. I wanted to be alive.

Enopeus: Mom…

Atalanta stared at Enopeus dead in the eye.

Atalanta: Sure, I wanted you to idolize me. I wanted you to love me. Love me like you did your idols.

Enopeus: Mom, I did-

Atalanta: I was being foolish. I love you son. I really do.

They both were silent.

Enopeus: What...What are you going to do now?

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Meleager sat down in his study and took Atalanta’s letter out of a bottle.

Atalanta: Dear Meleager, I hope this letter gets to you. I had to go back to Olympus. Athena showed up. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for your people to meet their gods.

Hippomenes opened the door to his house, he saw a pile of golden apples, and began to celebrate.

Atalanta: I went to Olympus with her to finish the tournament. I really don’t know if I’m ready. I can’t really back out now. It’s do or die. I hope everything with Circe turns out okay. She needs a reality check or something.

Circe turned a group of sailors into pigs.

Atalanta: I wish you could see me in Olympus. I wanted to bring you with me, to be honest. But you have your responsibilities down there. Just know, you’re being watched over by Athena now.

Athena and Dionysus came through a ventilation shaft on Earth. They were wearing masks and normal clothes. They looked ahead to see a Golden Apple on display.

Atalanta: Make sure your people know that the owls who watch are Athena’s. It’ll give them something to believe in again.

Meleager’s people were starting to place shrines to the new gods.

Atalanta: You could totally throw in my name too, wink wink. Either I’m dead, probably thrown off of Olympus. Or I made it to the top. Let’s hope it’s the latter. So we can meet again sometime.

Atalanta was sitting alone in a coffee shop. She took a sip of her coffee, then took out a flask and added a bit of alcohol. She drank more.