8 The Ruler of the Skies

Apollo led Julius to a thick mist further from the peak, and the latter still could not believe that he was walking with this godly presence. The area near itself is tingling with a heavy atmosphere, and literal static can be felt as soon as they made contact with the mist.

Being somewhat cautious, Julius stopped on his tracks and just looked ahead like he's sensing some danger. The god noticed this and inquired, "Why are you stopping?"

"Just…treading carefully…I guess?" He replied.

"Ah, you must be getting twitchy from all this electricity. Pardon me, I forgot you were a mortal." With a wave of his hand, a 'chlamys' or an ancient Greek cloak, materialized out of thin air and Julius caught it with his bare hands. The cream-colored fabric was of really high quality, like it was out of modern times. "Wrap that chlamys around you, and it shall protect you from the stronger power of my father who awaits ahead."

Julius did as he was told he immediately felt the change as soon as he put on the chlamys – all the uncomfortable tingling the static caused him are now gone. Apollo then asked, "Shall we proceed?"

"Where are you taking me?"

"Ah, just inside the throne room of Olympus. Come." The god continued as if he revealed nothing major.

After a few more minutes of awkward silence, with nothing but the mist around them, Julius finally saw a huge white door a little farther ahead. When they were a few feet from it, the door burst open and Julius was blinded by the bright light that came out from that entrance. He can't help but cover his face and close his eyes, even Apollo himself had to squint from the bright light that was radiating before him.

"Father, I must ask you to please refrain from appearing in your real form in front of your victor."

The light ceased to shine so brightly and Julius now felt at ease to open his eyes ever so slowly. They entered the chamber and there, on the throne by the dais, was a God commanding a kingly presence that is beyond compare to Apollo's. He too, was dressed in a himation, in radiant colors of gold and rust. His long hair and beard stick out in some places, but it could not be called messy for it was styled in accordance with his strong and well-defined features. He was buff and looked dignified in his posture, even if he's sitting.

Beside him was a woman who rivalled Pandora's beauty. She too was dressed in similar colors as the man by her side. Her blonde hair was tied in a stylish updo, and a band of gold was resting on her head.

The two pairs of their electric blue eyes captured Julius' olive ones, and they need not introduce themselves for him to realize who they are – the heavenly rulers of Olympus, Zeus and Hera.

Julius bowed before lightning can strike him for his indolence in staring at their wonder, and he uttered the words that he thought are most proper to be said in this situation. "My Lord, my Lady."

He dared not say another, nor looked up, for he had no more words left in his dry throat. He wanted to cough but he could not. 'What kind of presence is this? It gets me down on my knees!' He thought.

"Young man, please introduce yourself to us." Apollo's voice got him out of his awe.

Julius, getting the permission to speak, struggled to get out the words from his mouth. "My – erm – my name is Julius. I was tasked by Epimetheus to win the race, and I – I – I guess I did? Hehe" He let out a nervous laugh.

'Stupid! Stupid, stupid Julius!' he cursed to himself.

Zeus shifted from his seat and eyed the mortal before him like he's scanning his entire being. Then, his wife suddenly whispered something in his ear.

"Epimetheus bargained for his brother, but this man was not his original participant." Hera said.

Zeus audibly cleared his throat, and his resounding voice then filled the entire room. "EPIMETHEUS!"

The seemingly empty space to the right suddenly began to shimmer and the next thing heard was a loud 'pop' before the figure of Epimetheus appeared right inside the throne room. The titan concerned also appeared to be surprised when he realized where he is, then –

"Julius, my boy! Haha!" Epimetheus' joy was apparent. "So you won! Haha! Good job, good job!" He then walked over to Julius and began his torturous patting of his back, which knocked off the remaining air in his lungs. After which, the titan turned to Zeus.

"What an honor to be summoned here by the Ruler of the Skies himself. How's it going, Zeus? Remember our deal? Haha!" His tone was rather annoying.

"Do you confirm that this young man participated in the race in behalf of someone else's place?" Zeus asked in a cold tone.

"Yes." Epimetheus replied confidently.

"Then the conditions are not met. Besides, the deal we had is invalid." Now it was Zeus' turn to sound arrogant.

"WHAT?!" The titan spat at him.

"Did you hear me swear upon Styx?" Epimetheus' face paled after that remark by Zeus. "I never intended to release Prometheus from his prison. My will still stands regardless of the results of this race."

The titan's rage is so obvious that he wasn't able to control himself from lunging at the God before him. Before he can get closer, Zeus, said, "Begone." And the titan disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Julius, who witnessed the entire scene, could only watch in a daze. 'That's seriously some amazing godly summoning and live roasting by the Zeus!'

He also made a mental note about swearing upon Styx, or one of the five principal rivers in the Underworld. Styx is actually the name of the goddess of that river, which forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld. She was a firm ally of Zeus during the Titan Wars, who brought her children gods and goddesses Nike (Victory), Zelos (Rivalry), Bia (Force) and Kratos (Strength) to fight alongside with them in battle.

Zeus rewarded her by making her the Agent of Oaths which binds all those who swore upon her name, including those who are divine. To make a Sworn Oath, one must connect a drop of his/her blood to the ground, and utter their vow in Styx' name. The blood is the seal of that vow, and it binds that person's soul to the promise. If they break that Sworn Oath, Styx can claim their souls anytime without warning.

"Congratulations, young man. You just became a pioneer of the theme I thought out of your hardships in winning – Citius, Altius, Fortius. Now, as a way of showing my gratitude in your effort to entertain us, let me reward you – Julius of – ?" Zeus looked at him expectantly for an answer.

"Bo – Boston, my Lord."

One of Zeus' eyebrows went up in his reply. The place doesn't sound familiar to him. But he masked his confusion with a steady reply. "Then let me reward you Julius of Boboston."

'Citius, Altius, Fortius'. These words are still actually used up to this day as the official motto of the Olympic Games. It means 'Faster, Higher, Stronger.' Julius thought. 'But Julius of Boboston?! How lame can that nickname be? Come on! I'm the first Olympic gold medallist! Or laurelist, whatever!'

He doesn't wish to be remembered in history with that embarrassing monicker. Zeus rose from his seat and a wreath of laurel appeared out of thin air. The God then placed it into his head.

"To complete your rewards, tell me, Julius of Boboston, what else do you desire?"

'This is it, I can finally return to home!'

"My Lord, I wish to return to the time and place from whence I came." Julius smiled because that came out rather smoothly.