World of Dreams
I spent a few days in Naxos Village handling the cleanup. The Amazons had left such a massive mess that it took considerable time to sort out. For someone itching to track down Endymion right away, it was frustrating. But what could I do? A person of noble status must act accordingly.
I was meeting with the Amazon queen in the building I'd commandeered as my temporary office.
"Your Highness, I'll arrange ships for the Amazons to sail home on. If we offer generous payment, merchants with nothing better to do will flock here."
"I appreciate your consideration."
"By the way, how are things between the Amazons and the villagers?"
"It's delicate. Thanks to your measures, they're not at each other's throats with curses and blades yet. But the awkward tension is unavoidable."
I'd ordered the Amazons to help rebuild Naxos Village. Of course, that wouldn't erase the villagers' resentment—it was the bare minimum.
"Just endure until the ships arrive for you and your warriors to depart. Consider it the Amazons' minimal atonement for attacking the village."
"Understood. I grasp your intent."
What I wanted was simple: no more incidents while the Amazons were still here. After asking her to punish any troublemakers harshly, I dismissed the queen.
"You're completely their superior now."
Atalante, who had stood silently by my side like a secretary, finally spoke. She was ramrod straight behind me.
"The queen and her people's fate hinges on me, after all."
If I didn't connect the Amazons with the rainbow god Iris, their kind would face dire hardships ahead. Artemis was tied up in war right now, so I was letting it slide, but once she learned of the Naxos incident, she'd hand down severe punishment. That huntress moon goddess had the worst temper on Olympus.
Only after handling a few more matters could I finally pack my gear and stand.
"Things are mostly sorted now. Let's go find Endymion."
"Got it."
Just Atalante and I headed to the cave where the old dragon Cataphractus lived. I'd left pirate captain Aitos in the village to watch the Amazons, so she was my only companion.
We reached the dragon's cave a few hours later.
"Cataphractus!"
I called his name as we entered. After a moment, the cave rumbled with heavy footsteps—thud, thud.
A massive dragon covered in spines emerged. The dignity of a superior species radiated naturally from him, making even his arrogance seem fitting.
"A Spartan, eh? How fares our deal?"
"The Amazons have all surrendered. Nothing will disturb your rest now."
"Good. Grrr rumble."
"Keep your promise. Tell us where the sleeping human is."
"Dragons always honor their word. Follow."
Cataphractus led the way deeper into the cave. It was more complex and vast than expected.
"To think a place like this exists on the island!"
I marveled, and the dragon replied without turning.
"It's only unknown because I've devoured most who ventured this far."
Surprisingly, the cave plunged endlessly deep, and at some point, artificial structures appeared. The walls shifted from natural rock to finished stone. Vast chambers revealed crumbled buildings and towers.
"This is a massive ruin."
"Indeed. A refuge for chthonians who fled the gods. When I arrived, only ruins remained—they were long gone."
"Chthonians... I didn't know such a race existed."
"I know little myself. Just that they were alien heteromorphs from beyond the stars. Advanced civilization, masters of incomprehensible machines. Even a dragon's wisdom couldn't unravel their devices."
Fascinating. An advanced scientific race, perhaps? Curiosity burned, but answers soon appeared.
"Oh, this is..."
We entered a vast domed chamber with an iron-plated ceiling. Scattered broken machines attested to high technology.
"Spartan. Proceed through the exit opposite—the sleeping human lies beyond."
"Thank you. Then we'll..."
"I've guided you by my name. That's enough."
"Hm?"
The atmosphere shifted oddly. Cataphractus smirked blatantly. Even on a dragon's face, it was expressive.
He swiftly shoved a nearby massive machine with his forepaw. Crunch! It slammed into the opposite exit, sealing it. Then he blocked our entrance too.
"Ah, so that's how it is."
No one could miss the setup. I chuckled and shook my head.
Why was the world so full of backstabbers? Too harsh for good guys like me.
"Spartan, you've done well. Cleared the pesky Amazons and delivered yourself as my meal. I, Cataphractus, am impressed by your dedication."
He'd planned to use and betray us from the start. Honor the named promise, nothing more.
"Cataphractus—no, you decrepit, ugly lizard. You pull this because you know I've got the gods' favor? Stuck in this damp hole, you've lost touch with reality?"
He bellowed laughter.
"Kyahahaha! Relying on that puny Triton god? I watched the village chaos through my faithful servants. The sea army's impressive, but they can't touch a cave-hid dragon. And no god foresees this."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Fool. I told you."
He gestured to the iron enclosure.
"Chthonians fled gods here. Far superior to vermin like you humans, they built civilization to evade divine eyes. This ruin is their shelter from gods."
"What? Possible?"
"Entirely. Even if I defile a god here, they won't hear..."
I bellowed at full volume.
"Artemis, you precious bitch—!"
Pouring out my grudges, Cataphractus looked baffled.
"What was that?"
"Wait."
I focused. Gods can't easily intervene due to causality, but curses provide cause for divine punishment.
Like the Sparta priestess who cursed Apollo's cult and Gangs of Sparta, sullying Artemis's name—cause for retribution. She died cursed.
"..."
"..."
Silence stretched. Nothing happened. Amazed, I smacked fist to palm.
"It's true! The gods can't hear!"
Marveling, he advanced sneering, jaws flexing to bite.
"Keh heh heh. So dim. Why rejoice? Gods deaf means Triton can't aid you."
"Hey, fat lizard. Think I can't take you?"
"What! Kyahahaha!"
He roared, slamming paws, shaking the chamber. Dragon power indeed.
"My minions watched your fights. Impressive for human, but that's it. I've clashed with your famed heroes countless times. See these scars?"
Rearing, he exposed his scarred belly.
"This from King Glaucus of Ephyra. He sacrificed minions to flee. This from his son Bellerophon."
"Bellerophon?"
"Yes, Bellerophontes. Legendary human hero, no? Yet he couldn't claim my life."
Every scar had a tale; he recited them proudly, like medals.
"Still think you can fell me? Kyahaha. Humans can't best dragons."
His tail swept structures aside. BOOM! Dust billowed; his silhouette loomed.
"I am your species' living limit and obstacle. Accept it."
Entertaining enough. Time to end it. Dusting hair, I replied.
"Bragging without meeting Heracles. Well, you're within my league anyway."
"What?"
"Gods blind here? I'm grateful enough for temple prayers."
Turning to Atalante, I messaged the Secret Book.
"Atalante."
"Yeah?"
"Go elsewhere for a bit."
"No exit—what're you—"
The Secret Book gaped wide. Snap! It gulped her like a toad swallowing a bug.
Cataphractus startled.
"Hm? What did you do?"
Invisible to him, Atalante vanished. He scanned puzzled, frustrated by the unknown.
"Hey, don't panic. In front of an inferior."
Chortling, he raged.
"You bastard! Killing you reveals all!"
I summoned forbidden power—gods mustn't see. Python covered the last use; no chances since.
Feeling it surge, I laughed.
"Kyahaha! Perfect. Been itching for a grand burst!"
My strongest: Divine Manifestation. Zeus's and Burning Nameless One's divinities fused for cataclysmic might.
"Die, human!"
As jaws engulfed me, flames erupted. Roar!
The horror that devoured Angulifer, scorched lands—unleashed again.
"Come, master of the flame grave!"
Explosion blazed everything white. Power denied mortals, hidden from gods, detonated.