Melody

Moments later, my grandmother enters the living room, concern etched on her face. "What happened?" she asks, her voice tinged with worry.

"Sphinx and the Hesperides took Morpheus. I have no idea what the purpose is," Chiron responds, his expression as troubled as hers.

Jake walks into the room, eyes wide. "Morpheus? I was just reading about him. He's the God of Dreams."

"The God of Dreams?" I ask, anxiety mounting. "So now I have to fight in my dreams too? Great."

"The dream world is nothing to fear. Your abilities remain intact there," Acelptus tries to reassure me.

"What if I die in my dreams or in this dream world?" I press, but Acelptus' silence and the way he avoids my gaze confirm my fears.

"We'll research the dream world and figure out why they need to go there," my grandmother suggests.

"Do it fast. Sphinx only works for whoever is the most dangerous," Chiron warns.

"Speaking of Sphinx, that name sounds so familiar," Jake says, frowning.

"Maybe you came across her while reading. She's deeply intertwined with our history," Darius offers.

I head upstairs to change my clothes, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety. As I change, a memory flashes before me—I carried Hercules to Mount Olympus after he died. The image stirs a mix of emotions, but I push them aside. Soon, I tell myself, I will remember everything.

Before I know it, I fall asleep, only to awaken atop a beautiful mountain, overlooking a cascading waterfall. I turn to see a familiar face. "You're not Theo, but your face..." I say, taking in his striking resemblance.

He gives me a small smile. "No, Theo is my twin brother. I'm Hypnus, the God of Sleep. And you are Princess Athene, or is it Melody now?" he asks, his demeanor uncannily similar to Theo's.

"Melody is fine," I say, struggling to keep my composure.

"I need your help. The dream world is fading without Morpheus. If he's not returned soon, the effects could be fatal to both mortals and gods," Hypnus says, stepping closer.

"I'm working on it," I assure him, trying to maintain control of my emotions. He looks so much like Theo that it makes my chest ache.

"Summon me when you have a plan," he says, leaning in before vanishing into the mist.

Left alone in the dream world, I know I must act swiftly. The danger is palpable, and the stakes are high. Morpheus must be rescued before the dream world collapses—and with it, our reality.

In the living room, Kasha, Sasha, Tori, and my grandmother, Nike, stand in stunned silence as Hercules materializes before them. He's a shadow of his former self, appearing tired and haunted.

"Hercules?" my grandmother questions, her brow furrowing. "Where's Athene?"

"She's asleep," Tori answers, her tone filled with curiosity and concern.

"Apollo sent me to help with the trials," Hercules says simply. Without another word, Tori rushes up the stairs and bursts into my room. "Hercules is here. He's come to help with the trials. Maybe he can help with Morpheus."

I sit up, still groggy from sleep. "Hypnus came to me in a dream. He wants to help us," I reply as my eyes glow, summoning the God of Sleep.

Descending the stairs, I find Hypnus already waiting in the living room. His presence is calming, and he feels so reminiscent of Theo with his poised demeanor.

"Princess," he greets me, bowing with respect.

I've grown wary of the title, preferring the simplicity of my name. "Call me Melody, please," I respond, offering a smile.

Kasha steps aside as Hercules walks in behind her. "Hercules? Why are you here?" I ask.

"Apollo sent me. He claimed you needed me for this next trial," he explains, his voice tinged with both determination and reluctance.

Acelptus interrupts, "I've figured out the next trial." The anticipation in the room builds as everyone leans in, waiting for his explanation. "The Golden Apples of the Hesperides, Hercules once went through 11 trials to obtain the apples. Maybe in the dream world we can navigate through until we reach their location." he reveals, his words landing like a stone in the silence.

"No, I can't do that again," Hercules says, retreating into the shadows, his shoulders sagging with weariness. He appears shattered, far from the indomitable hero of stories.

"After Hercules found the apples, they moved the tree to the dream world, making it nearly impossible to reach. They took Morpheus for protection," Acelptus explains, his tone grave.

"Hypnus visited me while I slept," I interject. "He wants to help us."

Hypnus steps forward, his presence commanding the room. "With my guidance, you'll be able to find the Golden Apples and rescue Morpheus. But be warned—the dream world is not without its perils."

Hercules takes a deep breath, seeming to draw strength from Hypnus' steady gaze. He finally nods, determination rekindled in his eyes. "All right. For Athene and for Morpheus, I'll do it."

Together, we begin to form a plan. With Hypnus' guidance and Hercules' memories of the apples location, we prepare to face the Hesperides and reclaim the Golden Apples. Though the challenge is daunting, the unity in the room gives me hope. The trials are not over, and the stakes have never been higher, but together, we will prevail.

As we awaited Grandmother's instructions, reality itself seemed to twist and bend around us. The air rippled like water, and the landscape changed with each breath, like a whirlpool of disorienting scenes spinning us deeper into chaos.

"Hercules, Melody, and Hypnus are the only three that go," Grandmother commanded, her voice steady amidst the distortion.

"But she might need backup," Kasha protested, her loyalty fierce as she defended me.

"We are at war. If we leave the real world undefended, this will be for nothing. Melody can handle herself," Grandmother affirmed, her words reverberating through the unstable space.

I summoned the scepter and held it tightly, the energy grounding me amidst the fluctuating world. The others stood uneasy, the landscape's uncertainty casting shadows over their faces. Hypnus waved his hand, and with a sudden lurch, we stepped into a portal that carried us to a new reality.

Emerging on the other side, the landscape shifted again, with purple and red hues painting the horizon and bathing us in an otherworldly light.

"Where are we?" I asked, my confusion echoing through the empty air.

"Thessaly," Hercules answered, his voice laced with fear and recognition. He knew this place, but the memories that accompanied it seemed to haunt him deeply.

As we moved through a small town toward a river, the world continued to morph, and I could sense Hercules' escalating panic.

"This is wrong. We shouldn't be here. I've already done this," he muttered, his eyes wide as his past unfolded around us.

Suddenly, a towering figure appeared behind me, a ghost from Hercules' past—a figure of legend and terror.

"I am Cyncus, son of Ares and Pyrene," he declared, his voice thick with malice.

"Who are you?" Cyncus demanded, his eyes burning into mine.

"Athene, daughter of Zeus," I replied, holding the scepter tightly, its energy pulsing in my grip.

"Athene?" Cyncus seemed almost gleeful, finding amusement in the challenge I presented. "I came to challenge Hercules, but I'd much rather challenge you now."

My readiness for battle swelled within me as I stepped forward, engaging Cyncus in fierce combat. Our movements flowed through the distorting landscape, each blow a dance in this shifting reality. Hercules stood at the edge of the scene, burdened by memories of his past struggles.

The battle raged, each strike pushing us further into the tempest of memories swirling around us. With a final surge of energy, I struck Cyncus down, and he fell to the ground. Exhausted, I looked around to see Hypnus and Hercules, their presence now solidified in this otherworldly landscape.

"Let's move forward," Hypnus said, his voice low and steady. "The trial isn't over."

With each step, we pushed deeper into this shifting reality, our resolve hardened by the battle against Cyncus. I knew we couldn't let Hercules past hold us back; we had to press on, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Realities began to shift again, and memories bled through the air like echoes from distant worlds. Kasha's voice rang in my ears: "They need God or Goddess blood to open the box." The landscape morphed, and we stood at a train station, urgency humming in the atmosphere, as the gravity of our quest was laid bare before us.

With every twist and turn, realities continued to shift, drawing us deeper into the trials and challenges of Hercules' past. I remained resolute, absorbing each lesson as I grappled with the ever-changing terrain. The trials he faced mirrored my own uncertainties about my past and identity. The dream realm was chaos incarnate, but I realized that embracing the present and focusing on the task at hand would be crucial. I'd been consumed with uncovering the truth of my origins, but the past was only part of who I was. Like Hercules, I had to adapt to the challenges ahead.

Hypnus tugged my arm, and we were thrust into another shifting reality. The landscape settled into something more stable, though my head throbbed from the rapid transitions. We found ourselves in an arena surrounded by a cheering crowd. In the center stood a towering figure waving his hands with a showman's flair, his presence demanding attention.

"Hercules, who is he?" I asked, trying to comprehend the context of this new reality.

"King Anteos," Hercules answered, his voice thick with emotion from past struggles and triumphs.

"Did you kill him, too?" I asked, a memory from our journey thus far flashing in my mind. I quickly shook it off, realizing that these were Hercules' experiences, not mine.

As the arena shifted around us, I turned to Hypnus, hoping he could find us a way out. "Can you get us out of here?"

He frowned slightly. "No, I couldn't last time until you defeated the giant."

With a deep breath, I walked toward the center of the arena. "Where is Hercules? I don't have time for a little girl," I taunted, brandishing my scepter with determination. "I'm the warm-up. Defeat me, and Hercules will face you."

King Anteos' laughter boomed through the air, but his amusement quickly transformed into resolve as he swung at me with a cheap shot. The battle commenced, and with each blow and parry, the shifting reality mirrored the turmoil within my own mind. The rhythm of the fight grew more familiar with every strike, like long-buried knowledge resurfacing.

We exchanged blows, a fierce back-and-forth that shook the ground around us. Finally, an opening appeared, and I drove my scepter through the giant's heart. The arena fell silent as King Anteos collapsed, a sense of finality hanging over the space.

Breathing heavily, I looked around to see Hercules and Hypnus approaching. The arena began to fade, the shifting reality once again pulling us into a new world. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, I knew that facing these challenges head-on was the only way forward. The trials would continue, but with each one, I was growing stronger and regaining the memories that would guide me to the answers I sought.

Panting, I rushed to Hypnus, and in an instant, the landscape shifted again, depositing us in the desert of Egypt. Enchanted chains materialized around us, locking tight against my wrists and ankles.

"Okay, I am not feeling the love here," I muttered, struggling against the chains, testing them with my newfound strength. Hercules was also bound beside me, his face tense as he tried to break free. "Please, Bersis," he called out, his voice strained.

A woman stepped forward, her gaze stern as she studied me with an air of authority. "You're not supposed to be here," she declared.

My lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Wow, what are you, psychic?"

"I am the oracle to men. You are a goddess with no memory," she revealed, her words slicing through the illusions, leaving a sharp sting of truth.

Determination flared within me. "Let me go, and I will remember you helped the goddess Athene."

"Bersis?" Her response to my name was tinged with recognition.

"No. All strangers to Egypt should be placed on the Altar," the oracle insisted, her voice unwavering and backed by ancient traditions.

Soon, we found ourselves outside, our feet nailed to a stake, left to suffer as the surreal ordeal of this shifting reality pressed down on us. Through the pain and struggle, I tried to free myself, but it was futile, the enchanted chains binding me tightly and mirroring the turmoil within.

After two agonizing days, we were finally released, and we encountered Bersis, who offered an explanation for his actions. "Our people are very protective. Outsiders may wish to return and steal the resources we have acquired. This keeps them away."

"No one should suffer in this way," I replied, the raw pain in my voice mingling with the gratitude I felt for our release. "Thank you for allowing us our freedom."

As the chains fell away and we regained our strength, I felt the reality around us ripple, the landscape beginning to shift once more. But the ordeal in Egypt left its mark, a reminder of how important our memories and alliances were to withstand the harshest trials. We pressed forward, united and resolute, as the weight of the shifting realities guided us back on our journey.

Moving forward, the sands of another reality enveloped us, their golden grains swirling around in an almost ethereal dance. "Now what?" I asked aloud, a sense of trepidation tugging at my heart. Amidst the cries of distant agony, a bird-like figure emerged from the dunes, his silhouette rippling against the desert heat. The sight of him signaled another layer of Hercules' past unraveling before us.

As Hercules shook off his fearful state and stepped forward, I hurried to the bird-like figure, noticing an arrow lodged in his back. Carefully, I removed it and watched in amazement as he transformed before our eyes.

"Prometheus?" Hercules asked in disbelief.

"Thank you, Princess," Prometheus said, his tone filled with genuine gratitude that resonated deeply within me. I felt an immediate connection to the mythical figure, sensing an ancient kinship between us.

"How do you know who I am?" I asked, curiosity tugging at my mind.

"If you are here, then someone is trying to acquire the poison belt," he reasoned, his voice carrying the weight of countless millennia.

In conversation, we discussed the Golden Apples and the poison belt, the delicate balance of their protection intertwined with the fate of the world. As Prometheus spoke, reality itself seemed to shift around us, morphing to reflect the exchange. The dreamlike backdrop shimmered and transformed to mirror the surreal nature of our discussion.

"Those seeking the poison belt are driven by desperation," Prometheus continued, his gaze unwavering. "But the Golden Apples are equally perilous. Protecting them requires more than strength—it demands wisdom and unity."

With each word, the sand beneath our feet shifted into images of past battles and future challenges, a visual tapestry woven from Hercules' trials and my own uncertainties. Despite the shifting realities, one thing became clear: we needed to face the trials head-on, guided by wisdom and united in our purpose. The trials of the past would inform our journey ahead, and Prometheus' guidance would be crucial in navigating the ever-changing sands of fate.

With a snap of Prometheus' fingers, we were suddenly transported to the sight of Atlas bearing the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. As we approached, he turned to us, his imposing figure casting long shadows over the rocky landscape. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.

"We seek the Apples," I said firmly.

Atlas' gaze drifted over to Hercules, recognition flashing across his eyes before they hardened. "No, I will never give the apples to him," he said, his tone resolute.

As Hypnus grew visibly impatient, I kept my composure and met Atlas' eyes. "We need this to save what Zeus created."

Atlas let out a laugh, a low, gravelly sound that reverberated off the surrounding cliffs. "If you hold the heavens for me, I will show you to the apples."

"No, he will betray you," Hercules warned, a note of urgency in his voice.

"We don't have a choice," I replied, my gaze shifting to Atlas. "Agreed."

A smile tugged at the corners of Atlas' mouth as he slowly transferred the weight of the heavens onto my shoulders. My muscles tensed beneath the immense burden, but I stood firm. Atlas turned and led us toward the tree, the dragon that guarded the apples slumbering peacefully at his feet, lulled into a deep sleep by Atlas himself.

My heart raced as I watched Atlas' movements, sensing his integral role in this ancient ordeal. Flashes of memories flickered through my mind, and as we approached the tree, I was struck by its ethereal beauty. With the apples now within reach, I prepared to return the heavens to Atlas.

"I can't take it back," he said, shaking his head. "I want to protect the apples as well. Allow me to be the Bearer of Eurystheus' apples, and I will truly find happiness."

As I struggled to keep my emotions in check, memories began creeping in, and I whispered, "I remember." The pieces of the puzzle finally clicked into place as I faced Atlas. "You chose to protect the apples. What did Hercules do?"

Hercules shifted uncomfortably, retreating into the shadows.

"He stole them," Atlas answered, bitterness tainting his words.

Knowing my options were limited, I took a deep breath and met Atlas' gaze once more. "I need to do the spell to secure the apples. Once I am done, I will carry the heavens."

Reluctantly, Atlas resumed his burden, and I took the apples and began the spell to secure them. As I focused on the incantation, I felt the energy of the ancient magic surge through me. But before I could finish, a shadow fell over the clearing.

Sphinx emerged from the darkness, a formidable presence with Morpheus held captive, a knife pressed to his throat.

"Hand over the apples," she commanded, her gaze piercing through the dim light, "or Morpheus dies."

Every muscle in my body tensed as I held the apples close, my mind racing for a way out. Hypnus and Hercules stood ready, their eyes fixed on Sphinx.

"We can talk this through," I said, trying to reason with her while not letting my grip loosen.

Sphinx tilted her head, a cold smile curving her lips. "There's no negotiating, Princess. The apples or Morpheus."

I glanced at Hercules and Hypnus, their expressions urging me to hold firm. But the knife pressed closer to Morpheus' throat, and I knew the clock was ticking.

"I'll give you the apples," I said, my voice steady, "but you need to release Morpheus."

Sphinx's eyes gleamed, and she loosened her grip just enough for Morpheus to step forward. With a nod to Hypnus, I slowly approached Sphinx, the apples in hand, and extended them toward her. But just as she reached out, I summoned my scepter, channeling its power in a burst of energy that sent Sphinx reeling back, her grip on Morpheus faltering.

Hypnus was there in a flash, pulling Morpheus to safety, while Hercules stepped forward to subdue Sphinx. The apples remained secure, and with a final incantation, I finished the spell to protect them once and for all.

Atlas stood by, watching with a hint of approval as the magic settled into the earth around the tree. Despite the tumultuous challenge, we had emerged victorious, and the apples were safe, the dream world and reality tethered together by the threads of our shared resolve.

Sphinx stood triumphant, her victory unmistakable as the Hesperides gathered the Golden Apples. She locked eyes with me, her gaze unwavering and her smirk challenging.

"You know, Hades is going to be pissed that some Goddess goody two-shoes has his scepter, no matter what side he's playing at the moment," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of envy and annoyance.

A small smile crept onto my lips as I tightened my grip on the scepter. "You're welcome to try and pick it up."

Our banter hung in the air, a thin veil over the palpable tension between us. With the apples in their possession, the Hesperides began to retreat, and Sphinx slowly backed away, her gaze never leaving mine. At that moment, I understood that this chapter of our journey had come to an end.

As they disappeared into the shifting fog of the dream realm, I stood among the swirling remnants of what had just transpired. The consequences of our actions reverberated through the fabric of this world, and the gravity of the choices we had made settled heavily in my chest.

With the scepter in hand and the weight of Atlas' burden still pressing on my shoulders, I turned to Morpheus, Hercules and Hypnus, who were each watching the retreating figures with a wary eye. "We should go before Atlas attempts to give you the Heavens again." We help a beaten Morpheus up and retreat, realities begin to shift.