Silence lingered, thick. Then Gwen’s grin crept back, sly and secretive. He shot a glance at the door, rose, and slid the latch into place. When he turned again, his voice was hushed, almost conspiratorial.
“Forget waiting for your mystery armor to make up its mind,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I’ve got something better. A journey. I’m leaving soon—and I want you with me.”
Before Heracles could reply, Gwen’s space ring pulsed. A roll of brittle parchment shimmered into view, landing on the table with a soft thud.
Heracles narrowed his eyes. “What’s that?”
“A map.” Gwen unrolled it carefully, the parchment cracking faintly with age. His finger pressed to the center. “Here. Aurelia Isle. The old tales call it the Isle of the Sky-Beasts.”
Heracles leaned in. The island’s outline was uncanny—an eagle’s head carved into the sea, beak jutting east, the rest of it adrift and alone in endless waters.
“And here’s us,” Gwen added, tapping the coast on the far edge of the parchment.
Heracles frowned. “I see it. But what are you really planning?”
“I’m planning to set foot on Aurelia,” Gwen said, his tone suddenly steady, weighty. Then he tilted his head, smirk tugging at his lips. “And I want you there, too.”
Heracles blinked. “To Aurelia Isle? That’s madness. It’s leagues out in the sea. How do you expect us to get there?”
“Not by ship,” Gwen murmured. He leaned in close, voice dropping to a whisper so low Heracles barely caught it. “We’ll use the Magic Circle.”
Heracles’s eyes widened. “The Magic Circle?” The words slipped out louder than he meant.
“Shh!” Gwen pressed a finger to his lips, eyes darting toward the door. “Keep your voice down, will you? I’m trying to keep this secret.”
Heracles lowered his tone, still suspicious. “Then tell me—what is it? I’ve never even heard of the Magic Circle. How are we supposed to use it?”
“I didn’t bring the details here,” Gwen said, his voice quick, almost too casual. “But there’s a diary at my home. It explains everything—the Circle, the Isle, and how to cross.”
Heracles studied him carefully, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “Then tell me—why, Gwen? Why do you want to go there so badly?”
For a moment Gwen said nothing. He rubbed the back of his neck, then gave a crooked grin. “Because waiting around here is boring, and you know I’m not built for boring.”
Heracles narrowed his eyes. “That’s not an answer.”
“Sure it is,” Gwen shot back, leaning back on his stool. “Adventure, excitement, maybe a bit of glory. Isn’t that enough?” His grin widened, but his eyes didn’t quite match it.
Heracles tilted his head, unconvinced. “You’re hiding something.”
“Maybe,” Gwen admitted, softer now. Then, with a sudden spark of mischief, he added, “Or maybe I just want to see if you’ll follow me off a cliff.”
Heracles groaned. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re predictable,” Gwen countered, still grinning. “Which is why I know you’ll come.”
Heracles and the Nemean Lion
The first epic in the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series — witness Heracles' legendary battle against the invincible lion. A tale of strength, fate, and immortal valor.
Heracles and the Dragon Hydra
The second chapter of the Heracles and the Twelve Labors series. Heracles faces the monstrous Hydra — a dragon-like beast with many heads, each reborn from the last. A mythic journey of courage, strategy, and divine challenge.
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