Overview:

Echidna revels in her victory over the heroes, leaving only three of the Seven Acolytes still standing. Meanwhile, Sir Cerulean Arlentis (Topher) reaches the Griffin’s vault, where a daunting trial awaits—balancing giant scales in his favor. With his divine steed, Cielo, he searches through mounds of gold, chests, and jewels, each treasure reflecting values cherished not only by his fallen comrades but also by those still fighting.

As Cerulean carefully selects the right artifacts, the final treasure is revealed—Pandora’s Box, now transformed into humanity’s last hope. The fate of their battle hinges on this discovery, marking a turning point in their struggle against Echidna.

Back in Echidna’s lair, the snake woman stood before the steam and ember-framed window, observing the aftermath of the battle between the Nemean Lion and Oppa (Big Bro, transl.) Rockstar in the crumbling tower of Nemea.

“The five days have ended; only two remain. The battle between the Greek monsters and the Acolytes is drawing to a close,” Echidna rasped.

“The Acolyte of Honeycomb (Bee Girl) was sent away before the war even began, for her own safety. The vanity and pride of the Acolyte of Love (Love Fey) led to her downfall under Medusa’s petrifying gaze. The Acolyte of Heroes and Champions (Spartan), whose reckless bravery brought about his end alongside the Harpies. And now, the Acolyte of Music (Oppa Rockstar) has fallen to the Nemean Lion, carrying the final wishes of his brother,” Echidna continued, her voice dripping with malice.

“Only three Acolytes remain: the Acolyte of the Sea (Princess Ruana), the Acolyte of the Cosmos (Captain McKinley), and the Acolyte of Heaven (Cerulean Arlentis). Princess Ruana exists merely to support her team—she wields no weapons and possesses no real power. She is weak. Captain McKinley, their so-called leader, is as young and inexperienced as the rest of them. As for Cerulean Arlentis, the Keeper, his Star of Vis will soon be ours,” she sneered.

Echidna lay beside Typhon’s tomb, her massive tail coiling around the ground below. “My love, the Acolytes are falling like flies. Soon, you shall rise, and I will be by your side. The mortal world will be at our mercy. We will lay waste to their land, leaving only blood and tears behind—screams, agony, and pain. They will beg for death. Oh, Typhon, what a terrifyingly wonderful world it will be!” she cooed, caressing the tomb.

The Oracle of Delphi listened silently, ensnared by thorny vines and venomous tendrils, pinned to the cavern wall for what seemed like centuries.

Back in the crumbling tower at Nemea, Oppa Rockstar (James) lay unconscious in one corner, still clutching his younger brother Spartan’s (Michael) golden laurel belt adorned with the Nemean Lion medallion. The sun streamed through the blown-off ceiling, casting bright beams downward. A radiant bird with red, yellow, and purple plumage descended atop a boulder near Oppa Rockstar—it was the Phoenix. The mythical creature gazed solemnly upon the fallen Acolyte.

High in the mountains, beyond the forest, stood a small, humble house beside a river. It was a bright day, with a gentle breeze rustling through the lush green grass that carpeted the ground. The home, isolated from any city, town, or village, was the only one of its kind in the quiet wilderness. The garden surrounding it flourished with vegetables, roots, and herbs. Inside, an old man wrung out a damp towel over a white basin. He had once lived alone, but not anymore, at least for the moment.

Sunlight filtered through the open window, carrying motes of dust in its rays. A boy in his early teens slept soundly on a simple bed. He had short, wavy black hair, a beauty mole on his face, tan skin, and a slightly muscular build. His clothes were plain and unassuming. It was Michael, the missing Spartan and superhero. He had been treated with healing herbs by the old man, an albularyo (a local faith healer) residing near the remote rural village.

High in the bright sky, a small flying object appeared. As it descended, it revealed itself as Cerulean Arlentis (Topher), riding his white-winged pony, Cielo. They glided down toward a path on a towering mountain, surrounded by rugged, rocky peaks. Atop the highest summit stood a golden pyramid, crowned by a massive bust of a regal eagle, its ruby eyes gleaming with an imposing gaze.

“That’s one heck of a giant eagle!” Cerulean marveled at the stone figure above him.

Cielo neighed in awe.

“I’m eager to see what’s inside the pyramid. Let’s find a way in,” Cerulean urged his companion.

The young paladin and Cielo ascended the gleaming golden steps, arriving at an intricately designed gate.

“This gate seems to be missing a piece—like a key, but larger,” Cerulean observed, noticing a distinct keyhole. “And it’s shaped like this medallion of the Griffin,” he added, glancing at the golden medallion in his hand.

“We should give it a try,” he decided, voice filled with determination.

Cielo nodded, letting out an encouraging neigh.

Cerulean placed the Griffin medallion into the large keyhole, and the gate creaked open automatically. With grins of triumph, Cerulean and Cielo stepped inside together.

Cerulean Arlentis (Topher), the young paladin, and his white-winged pony companion, Cielo, stepped into the golden pyramid of the giant eagle with ruby eyes. As they advanced down the massive central aisle, they were greeted by towering mounds of gold coins that filled the vast space. Chests of treasure lay scattered about, alongside statues crafted from solid gold, delicate porcelains, ornate vases, and an array of jewels—gold, silver, and precious stones—collected from across the Mediterranean.

Cerulean and Cielo stood in awe, overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of precious items within the pyramid.

As they approached the altar, a mythical beast materialized before them. It had the head and wings of an eagle but the body, legs, and tail of a lion.

“The Griffin!” Cerulean exclaimed, recognizing the legendary creature from his studies of mythology.

Cielo neighed in agreement, sensing the creature’s formidable presence.

“You know well, young paladin,” the Griffin spoke with the voice and wisdom of an elder. “Your winged companion is a fitting choice, for he soars high in the bright, blue sky. This golden pyramid—my home, atop the highest peak—is filled with treasures from all over the Mediterranean.”

The Griffin’s gaze was sharp and discerning. “Tell me, little knight, what brings you here? Have you come for the treasures I guard?”

Cerulean stepped forward, holding up a medallion. “I found your medallion in the lost city of Atlantis beneath the sea. My journey led me here, with my companion, Cielo, in search of adventure.”

“Adventure, indeed,” the Griffin mused. “But perhaps you seek a challenge as well? Look before you, at the giant scales. The western scale is heavy with gold and treasure, tipping downward. The eastern scale, however, is empty. If you and your companion can tip the balance to the east, I shall grant you a single treasure—the most valuable and precious of all.”

Cerulean studied the scales thoughtfully. “Will piling mounds of gold and treasure chests onto the empty side truly outweigh the left?”

Cielo, eager to try, flew around swiftly, gathering treasures and stacking them on the eastern side. Despite his efforts, the scale only descended to match the height of the western one. Disappointed, Cielo neighed softly.

“What could be more valuable than gold and treasure?” Cerulean wondered aloud, deep in thought.

The giant weighing scales stood as they had before. The left hanging dish was filled with gold and treasure, tipping downward, while the empty right dish hung high above. Previously, adding more treasure to the right side had only managed to balance the scales, resulting in a stalemate.

Cerulean Arlentis (Topher), the young paladin, and his winged pony, Cielo, found themselves back at square one, pondering the riddle: what could tip the balance to the right in their favor?

The pair scanned the vast interior of the Griffin’s pyramid, surrounded by heaps of treasure. As they searched, they noticed a large wooden paintbrush resting atop a mound of gold coins.

“A paintbrush? This one stands out as less valuable than the rest,” Cerulean remarked, picking up the wooden brush.

He then noticed a peculiar wall nearby. “And this wall is different, too. Unlike the golden walls all around, this one seems to be made of plain stone. Yet, its frame showcases intricate Greek artistry,” Cerulean observed.

Curious, he approached the shale wall, with Cielo following closely behind. The wooden brush twitched slightly in Cerulean’s hand as he neared the wall.

“This brush is reacting to the wall,” Cerulean noted. “I have an idea—let’s see what happens.”

With Cielo watching intently, Cerulean began to paint the plain wall framed in Greek art. As he brushed, a mural gradually appeared.

“Honeybees, slices of honeycomb, and spilled honey,” Cerulean described as the mural took shape.

The paintbrush glowed a warm yellow, and a series of visions flooded Cerulean’s mind. He saw Sophie as a young girl, joyfully drawing a honeybee in her living room. In another scene, Sophie mustered the courage to join her school’s Art Club, warmly welcomed by the adviser, a new friend named Mae, and the other young members.

“Sophie’s dream is art. She’s been taking steps to achieve it,” Cerulean realized aloud.

“Could this be it?” Cerulean wondered, glancing back at the giant scales.

He returned to the scales with Cielo, where the Griffin awaited, overseeing the trial.

“You’re an odd one,” the Griffin remarked. “For your first choice, you’re betting on a mere wooden brush.”

“It may seem insignificant, but this object carries more value than it appears,” Cerulean replied confidently.

He raised his arm, and the wooden brush floated toward the right dish, resting gently atop it. The eastern scale descended slightly, but the balance remained tipped to the west. The Griffin watched intently, assessing the outcome.

Cerulean Arlentis (Topher) and his winged pony, Cielo, continued to explore the treasures around them. A large seashell caught Cerulean’s attention—it was massive, resting on a stand, with water pooled at its base. As Cerulean gazed into the water, he was startled to see a young Greek girl staring back at him.

“Who’s this girl?” Cerulean wondered aloud.

In his mind, he suddenly envisioned Allison, sitting in front of a large mirror on her dresser. His cousin admired her reflection in the same way the Greek girl had earlier. Returning his focus to the seashell, he watched as the Greek girl transformed into a beautiful young woman. Crowned with a wreath of pink roses, she danced beneath a tree in a meadow.

The vision shifted back to Allison at her dresser, her eyes bright with hope. I want to be a lovely woman someday when I grow up, she thought.

The scene in the mirror shifted once again, this time transitioning to an awards ceremony at the Oscars. Allison, now a stunning woman in a hot pink, sparkling gown, was announced as the winner of the Best Actress award. She walked onto the stage, radiant in the spotlight, accepting the trophy with joy while the audience cheered her on.

The water in the seashell rippled, and a porcelain mirror rose from its depths.

Allison’s ambition is the limelight, Cerulean realized.

The image of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, appeared on the porcelain mirror, enchanting yet exclusive. The mirror was said to reflect only the fairest of women, as deemed by Aphrodite herself. It glowed pink, and Cerulean reached out to grasp it.

Cerulean and Cielo then returned to the Griffin to present their latest find.

“I see you’ve returned with something more valuable this time—Aphrodite’s mirror,” the Griffin observed.

“The value of this mirror lies not just in its porcelain or its link to Aphrodite,” Cerulean replied.

“If you’re ready, you may place the porcelain mirror on the eastern scale,” instructed the Griffin.

Raising his arm, Cerulean sent Aphrodite’s mirror toward the eastern scale, where it joined the wooden brush on the right dish. The eastern scale descended another level, inching closer to balance, yet the western side remained heavier.

“You may need a third object—or perhaps even more,” the Griffin teased.

“Yeah, but Buddy and I won’t give up until we tip the balance to the east,” Cerulean declared, and Cielo neighed in agreement.

Cerulean Arlentis and Cielo continued exploring the area. They soon came across a tapestry, draped and hanging between two stands.

“This tapestry feels more like a backdrop than a standalone piece of art,” Cerulean observed.

The tapestry depicted a simple, empty room with a single object—a hearth that burned brightly and warmly.

“Wait, maybe I need to interact with this tapestry, like I did with the mural earlier,” Topher recalled. “Just like how Aphrodite’s mirror emerged from the water in the seashell.”

With Cielo by his side, Cerulean moved his hands over the tapestry, and his gauntlets began to glow seafoam green. Gradually, the image of a modest Greek family—a father, mother, two sons, and two daughters—appeared on the tapestry. They were gathered around a single-legged round table, sharing a hearty meal.

Visions of Roanne filled Cerulean’s mind, similar to the earlier glimpses of Sophie and Allison. He saw moments from Roanne’s life: her mother, Carlotta, serving fruit salad at the dining table; Roanne watching her father, Carding, fix a sink’s P-trap; Roanne reading bedtime stories to her little sisters, Christine and Sarah, as the youngest, Kate, listened from the bed; and finally, Roel, Roanne’s older brother, on his wedding day, surrounded by their close-knit community in Laiya.

It is love that binds Roanne’s family together. The same holds true for her community, Cerulean realized.

“This is Roanne’s treasure,” Cerulean told Cielo.

They returned to the altar, presenting the family tapestry to the Griffin. The tapestry joined the wooden brush and Aphrodite’s mirror on the right dish of the scales. The eastern scale descended again, narrowing the gap between it and the western side, which held gold and treasure. Though still slightly tipped to the western side, balance was nearly achieved.

“We’re almost there—just a bit more to reach equilibrium,” Cerulean declared.

“We shall see,” the Griffin responded.

Cerulean and Cielo set off once more, determined to find the fourth object that would finally achieve balance.

Cerulean Arlentis and his pony, Cielo, stumbled upon a lyre amid the piles of gold and treasure.

“This is a musical instrument, Cielo. It seems to be the only one here,” Cerulean noted, sensing it might be a clue. The pony pricked his ears, paying close attention.

“I’ll play it and see what happens,” Cerulean decided. As Topher in his civilian life, he was a wealthy boy with experience in classical music, particularly the cello.

He began to play the lyre, producing a beautiful melody. The instrument glowed orange, triggering visions of James in Cerulean’s mind.

Three years earlier, James had performed with his band, Kaleidoscope, at the opening of the Intramurals at their school. Cerulean saw James reaching out to his bandmates—Ezra, Apollo, Kai, and Rowan—on their group chat inside the cave where they had discovered the magical board game. The bandmates, who were also James’s best friends, chose the General Academic Strand (GAS) track together to stay united during their senior high years. They even supported James after his breakup with his girlfriend, a result of a fangirl’s interference.