CHAPTER ONE THIRTY-SIX

Rising, Part 1

Being the closest entry point between the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall’s Beach had an amazing panoramic view of one of North America’s most recognized landmarks. But it was hard to get to, which meant it rarely had visitors. At least that’s what Galatea promised Sam before she sent him and an unconscious Apex up to the surface in a giant water bubble. However, after this bubble popped when they reached the surface, Sam’s head cleared the water to the sound of excited cheers.

“H-huh?”

There was a crowd gathered on the short hill past the beachfront and they were all cheering on a bewildered Sam while he pulled an unconscious Apex toward the shore. He recognized some of them; the woman in the baseball cap, the dark-skinned man in the basketball jersey, and even the slanted-eyed civilian who’d carried Onus for him. These were the civilians on the bridge who’d witnessed Sam’s battle with Apex.

“Herculean!” they called.

“Herculean! Herculean!” they chanted.

They were thankful for what he’d done. He could see it clearly on their faces. It was honestly very touching to Sam who rarely received any recognition in life.

“Herculean!” another group called. “ABS News… We’d like an interview!”

“Oh, no…”

Unfortunately, his supporters weren’t the only people on that cliff. Several news crews were also around, and they all had their cameras trained on Sam.

“How did they find—”

“Herculean!”

Thunder was waiting for him by the shore. Jackboot and Farsight were there with her while Dr. Hearthstone stood at the entrance to the beach like a stalwart sentinel blocking the path of anyone who wanted to climb down the cliff to disrupt the reunion between Sam and his friends.

“Guys!” Sam called.

He noticed how exhausted they all looked; the dirt clinging to their suits that sported all sorts of cracks and tears, and the many cuts and bruises on their flesh—they’ve clearly had it rough. Yet there were big fat smiles plastered on each of their faces. Even Dr. hearthstone, who’d held his arms to the side and barred the way of the reporters attempting to push past him was grinning at Sam. Farsight in particular looked extra smug, and Sam guessed she was the culprit that had clued everyone to the location of where Sam would pop up.

Sam didn’t mind though. Because he realized that his friends were expecting him. They believed he would survive the fall and whatever came after.

Less than a year ago, Sam had felt tremendous pain from failing to fulfill his duty. He lost his colleagues. He lost his family. He lost a part of himself. But now, as he dragged Apex out of the water, his heart filled to bursting with emotions, Sam knew that he was no longer alone. He had friends now. He had a team he could rely on.

Jackboot took Apex’s other shoulder and helped Sam carry him onto the beach.

“You are bloody insane,” Jackboot stated. “Brilliant, but insane.”

They traded fist bumps and then high-fived each other.

“Yeah, well”—Sam dropped Apex’s unconscious form onto the gray sand—“maybe we can take a break before we jump into another lion’s den…”

“You wish,” Farsight chimed in.

She knelt on the sands and jammed a syringe into Apex’s shoulder.

“This should keep him quiet a little while longer,” she said satisfied.

“You know you’re holding power-dampening cuffs in your other hand, right?” Jackboot pointed out.

“Better safe than sorry.” She slapped the cuffs onto Apex’s thick wrists next. “There. No more super strength.”

As soon as the power-dampening effects of the cuffs came into effect, Sam was immediately bombarded by notifications that seemed to have piled up while he was under the sea.

[You have leveled up!] appeared five times, bringing Sam’s total level up to forty.

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve completed the special mission [THE THIRD LABOR]. REWARDS ONE: [Herculean (Δ)] has evolved to [Herculean (Γ)].

“Holy…”

REWARDS TWO: 2,000 Golden Drachma, exclusive OTC collectibles: limited edition villain series - The Nemean Lion and Apex (comes with a certificate of authenticity), 3x unrefined enchanted bronze, 1x blessed ability enhancement scroll, 1x weapon enhancement scroll, 3x epic-grade crafting ingredient: enchanted ironbark splinters, and 1x equipment rune [Fury Rune]. REWARDS THREE: The hidden mission [THE FOURTH LABOR] is now open to you.

“…Zeus.”

Poseidon, God of the Sea, applauds your victory. He also reminds you that there is a time limit to the special mission assigned to you and that you should complete it as soon as possible if you wish to remain in his good graces. Your patron, Apollo, God of the Sun, is boasting about you to his fellow Olympians. Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, has thoroughly enjoyed your hunt. She is inquiring about your current contract with Apollo. Ares, God of War, declares that you’re just lucky. He is not interested in inviting you to his sacred cadre. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, believes luck is also a talent. She smiles at your success and wonders if your contract with Apollo has an expiration date. Dionysus, God of Revelry, has enjoyed too much wine thanks to your battle. He will be asking about your exclusivity with Apollo once he is sober again. Apollo wants to remind you that you are his champion with all the benefits that title entails. CONGRATULATIONS! You have earned the title: Champion of the Sun. Title: Champion of the Sun, a title given to a hero who has proven his worth to the sun god, Apollo. [BOONS: All stats increased by 5% at dawn, gradually rising to 10% at noon, and gradually lowering to 5% at twilight. Your status as Apollo’s champion is now official, and you will be treated favorably by all of his followers, earning you a temporary increased health regeneration bonus when you visit his temples and a discount at all affiliated shops, including a special reading with the Oracle of Delphi.

“Seriously?” Sam raised an eyebrow at this latest notification. “You’re only giving me this now?”

You have earned the gratitude of the God of Strength. A reward related to your family’s legacy will be delivered to you soon. Fame with the Olympian Pantheon increased by 1,000. Because of your growth as a swordsman and your excellent use of [Gram], the one-eyed god of another pantheon has begun to notice you. Fame with the Norse Pantheon increased by 500. Total fame: [Olympian: 3,500] [Norse: 800]

“Sam?”

He was so busy reading all those notifications that he didn’t notice Thunder was standing opposite him now.

“Um, hi,” he said while he brushed away the pop-ups floating between them.

“Hi,” she replied in an equally awkward tone.

They stood there facing each other while the surf crashed against their ankles. Their eyes locked only on each other. Sam’s gaze drifted to Thunder’s lips, making him remember the kiss they’d shared. But then he remembered that he’d also locked lips with Galatea afterward, and that made Sam look away.

“What’s wrong?” Thunder asked.

“Um, nothing.” Sam’s embarrassment caused his cheeks to flare red. “It’s nothing.”

“Wait… was that”—a teasing smile crept up the corners of Thunder’s lips—“your first kiss?”

“Wh-What?” Sam stepped back. “N-No, of course not.”

Thunder’s smile widened. Her eyes glittered too.

“Seriously, I-I’ve kissed lots of women,” he protested, although his voice got weaker and weaker toward the end of that sentence as he noticed Thunder’s smile was slowly vanishing.

There is such a thing as too much information.

Styx!

“I-I mean”—Sam glanced sideways at Jackboot, who quickly turned away from him, and then at Farsight, who also looked away, before turning back to Thunder with his brow furrowed— “not a lot, but,” his cheeks flared red even more, “it just wasn’t my first kiss, alright?”

Thunder let out a fit of giggles. She was giggling so hard that it took a while for her to speak again.

“You’re so easy to tease, lame-brain,” she said, and then added, “Good job catching Apex. Here. This belongs to you now.”

He had been so flustered by Thunder that he didn’t notice the fur cape and lion’s head hood wrapped in her hands.

“Is this…” Sam accepted the gift and noticed its glossy fur coat shimmering like the sheen of polished gold. Surprisingly, it was soft to the touch like it wouldn’t be able to stop a single bullet from penetrating it. “Wow…”

CONGRATULATIONS! You have received the Fur of the Nemean Lion. It can be used as-is or reused as a mythical-grade crafting ingredient for more suitable items. ALERT! The corruption of a giant permeates the Fur of the Nemean Lion. It is recommended that you cleanse it at a temple before attempting to put it on.

“Huh,” Sam whistled. “Maybe Mr. Moonday can make us something better out of this?”

“Us?” Jackboot repeated.

Sam glanced sideways at him, then at Farsight, Dr. Hearthstone, and ended with Thunder. “Yeah. I couldn’t have beaten Apex or his giant puppeteer without you guys.”

“You are such a boy scout,” Thunder teased.

“Takes one to know one,” Sam insisted.

She offered Sam her fist, and although it wasn’t the reunion he hoped for—because he had hoped for another kiss, maybe even a hug—he gladly bumped his fist against hers.

“Glad you’re both not awkwardly flirting anymore, but,” Farsight stepped between them, “You two realize the mission’s not over, right?”

She really has the best timing…

Sam frowned as he was reminded that [Hands off the Golden Fleece] was still an active mission, and the Golden Fleece wasn’t the only thing they needed to get back. Serena—the real Serena and not the villainous doll that was her alternate persona—was waiting for him. Sam promised he would save her.

“You’re going to need this.” Dr. Hearthstone put Onus back in Sam’s hand.

He got to high-five from Sam now that Jackboot had graciously traded places with him and kept the media vultures at bay for a little while longer.

“I still don’t get how easy it is for you to lift this,” Sam said.

“Train your mind and unburden yourself, Herculean,” Dr. Hearthstone tapped the side of his temple, “that’s the key.”

Sam wasn’t sure if he could do that. He had way too many burdens after all. He did notice that Onus felt considerably lighter now that he’d dealt with the problem lying unconscious on the nearby sand.

The sound of sirens reached their ears, causing Sam to frown. He knew that the closest parking spot to Marshall’s Beach was at Baker’s Beach to the south so it would take a while for the first responders to hike the Bluff Trail that led down to their spot. At least he hoped that was the case.

Sam sighed deeply. I don’t need Warden Malarky accusing me of vigilantism in front of the reporters… Gods help me... here they come.