chapter 22 (edited)

Late into the night, Cyd and Atalanta enjoyed each other's company. The wine had made Atalanta less aloof than usual, and Cyd was pleasantly tipsy. While the other heroes drank and feasted under the moonlight, Cyd and Atalanta savored the cool sea breeze and the serene beauty of the moonlit night. Though they didn't do much but talk, the hours slipped away unnoticed.

The next morning, the other heroes shot them ambiguous glances. After all, Cyd and Atalanta had been absent for the entire evening and had only just returned with the dawn.

"Oh, come on," Hercules said, patting Cyd on the shoulder with a grin. "It looks like you two had quite the night!" Cyd blushed and tried to hide his face.

"so annoying," Atalanta muttered, shaking her head as she faced the curious stares of the other heroes.

After several days of sailing, the Argo finally arrived at an island. This was supposed to be a routine stop—raid the island for supplies and continue on their journey. But today, things felt different.

"I thought we could stay here for a few days," Jason announced, giving Hercules a thumbs-up while surrounded by a group of women. He led the heroes into the city, eager to indulge in the island's pleasures.

Cyd ate an apple and offered another to Atalanta and Hercules from his bag.

"What's Jason thinking?" Hercules grumbled, brushing off the advances of the women.

When the women realized they couldn't win over Hercules, they turned their attention to Cyd, drawn to his white hair and pale skin. Atalanta bit into her apple without showing any interest in the women, her gaze dismissive.

A woman approached Cyd and whispered seductively in his ear, "I am the empress of this island. If you agree to spend the night with me, you could become the ruler of this land. It's my first time, so please be gentle."

Atalanta bit her apple more forcefully.

"Sorry, but I'm not a hero; I'm just a servant," Cyd said, raising his hands in protest.

"It doesn't matter if you're not a hero," the empress insisted, her eyes locked on him.

"If it's your first time, you should choose wisely. Giving yourself to a stranger isn't a good future for you or for the island," Cyd replied, gently removing her hands from around his neck.

The empress, slightly annoyed, promised to return later and then retreated back into the city.

"My answer is final," Cyd said, shrugging.

"Finished your apple? Give me another," Atalanta said, extending her hand.

"Sure," Cyd replied, pulling another apple from his bag. "So, what should we do now?"

Hercules stood at the entrance of the Argo, arms crossed as he watched the city's revelry.

"I don't mind," Cyd said, planting the pit from his apple into the ground.

"I'm going hunting," Atalanta said, mimicking Cyd's action and taking her bow from her back.

"I could use some food…" Cyd began, but Atalanta interrupted him.

"In the wild, you must hunt for your own food," she said coldly.

"Hercules, do you want anything?" Cyd asked, looking resigned.

"Do as you like, but it's your choice," Hercules replied, shaking his head.

"No problem. You have a more important job—keeping watch over the ship," Cyd said, patting Hercules on the shoulder before following Atalanta.

Hercules watched as the city gate closed behind the heroes, the sounds of laughter and music echoing from within.

"Jason, don't forget why we're here," he sighed, glancing back at the city.

Atalanta moved with the stealth of a leopard, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of prey. She moved silently, her gaze focused. When she spotted a target, she drew her bow, aiming for a clean shot. But today, things felt different.

"Stop following me!" Atalanta snapped, glaring at Cyd, who had been trailing her silently.

"I told you I wouldn't share my prey!" she continued, her frustration evident as she tried to mask the fact that she was secretly glad for the company.

"You say you won't share, but you're moving slower on purpose," Cyd said, barely hiding his smile.

"You're deliberately provoking me," she said, clenching her fists.

"No, I'm not!" Cyd protested, ducking behind a nearby tree. **"We had a great time last night. Why would I provoke you?"

Atalanta took a deep breath, her frustration boiling over. "Let's settle this with a contest, Cyd!"

"A contest?" Cyd asked, his curiosity piqued but wary.

"Yes. If you win, you can ask for anything you want from me," she declared, pointing at herself.

"And if I lose?" Cyd asked, a feeling of dread creeping in.

"Then I'll kill you," Atalanta said, her tone as cold as ice.

"I'm not that fast!" Cyd said, shrinking back.

"You're my prey now," Atalanta said, drawing her bow and pointing it at him. "We'll race to that tree."

Seeing no way out, Cyd swallowed hard. "Fine, let's race."

"Good. If you win, you live," she said, her tone steely.

Five minutes later, both Atalanta and Cyd arrived at the finish line at the same moment. Atalanta stared at him in shock.

"A tie," Cyd said with a relieved smile, looking up at the sun. **"Here's hoping tomorrow's sun is just as good."

Atalanta was stunned. "How did you keep up with me?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Just got lucky, I guess," Cyd said, still smiling at the sky. **"Let's hope the sun shines just as bright tomorrow."

BTW THIS IS NOT MY STORY I'M TRANSLATING IT