DEMIS (A Clash With Lightning)

25

Circe's island reminded them of the one where Hecate had abandoned them as a test when she first kidnapped them. It seemed untouched by human life. The jungle was vast and intimidating, with tall trees that were impossible to see past. Luckily for them, they weren't the same people they had been at the beginning of this journey. They had picked up a few skills.

Rose used her power to grow into a giant so she could see over the trees. "Guys!" she called down to them on the sand below. "I see a beautiful red castle just a couple of miles away!"

"That must be where Circe resides," Josh pointed out.

"I really hope she cuts us some slack," Keith complained. "We deserve a break."

Rose set her giant hand into the sand next to her friends. "Hop on. We don't need to waste any time."

Her friends gathered in her hand before she covered the top with her left hand. She then took off, running through the jungle and toppling trees that got in her way. They reached the castle entrance in no time. She set her friends down before returning to her normal size. They looked at the giant path she had created from the beach to the castle and cringed. Hopefully, Circe wouldn't be angry that they had destroyed part of her jungle.

Before they could knock on the giant wooden doors of the beautifully intricate crimson castle, they opened by themselves. There stood a beautiful woman with dark skin, curly hair, and a long red dress with a modest slit just above her right knee.

"Welcome, warriors," she greeted with a smile.

It was important to note that Circe was no ordinary sorceress. She was a master of transformation magic and could easily turn them into any animal she wished if they disappointed her. She was a figure feared not just by mortals but by gods themselves. Zeus had banished her to this island as punishment for her defiance. However, the cunning Circe had used her banishment to her advantage, turning it into power. She shaped the island to her will and bent those who dared face her into obedient beasts. Her cruelty was known across the world; she had turned men into swine, and many warriors who entered her domain never returned.

"Hello, Circe," Jasmine greeted. "We have come in search of the armor of Ares."

"Yes, I knew you would come eventually," Circe said as she walked toward them. They cautiously took a step back from her, though if she was offended by their actions, she didn't show it.

"Will you give it to us?" Jasmine asked hopefully.

Circe laughed. "I can't be angry at you for trying, but I think we all know that I won't give it to you that easily."

"What do we have to do?" Jasmine asked.

"If you hope to defeat Alexander, you need to get stronger and wield your powers strategically," Circe began. "If I just gave you the armor, you wouldn't improve, and he would defeat you easily. So, I have prepared some trials for you. If you pass them, I will hand the armor over with no fuss."

The truth was, Circe desperately wanted them to succeed. She was more than just the stories broadcast about her around the world. Sure, she could be cruel, but she wasn't inherently evil. She believed in a greater good but also in proving one's worth. Anyone who set foot on her island with the intention of taking something would have to prove they were capable beings. If they turned out to be inadequate, she would add them to her farm behind the castle.

She wasn't sure what the future would look like if Alexander successfully released the Titans. She had grown comfortable with her life on this island and wasn't prepared for change—especially any negative change. But her point still stood. If she just gave them the armor, it would be a disservice to the cause. They needed more experience, and she was determined to give them that.

"You all seem so stiff," she said, using a false sense of calm to hide her inner turmoil. "I won't bite, you know." It was meant to be a joke, but it came out more threatening than she intended.

"What kind of trials are they?" Jasmine asked, trying her best not to let the fear spill from her voice.

"Each trial will be specific to you," Circe explained. "Each will be equally difficult in different ways. Do you accept?"

It felt like making a deal with the devil. Jasmine turned around to look at her friends, who nodded at her. She took a deep breath before facing Circe's eager eyes once more. It wasn't as if they had much of a choice. They couldn't leave without that armor.

"Alright," she exhaled. "We accept your trials, Circe."

"Good choice." Circe smiled at them with pride. Maybe, just maybe, they could pull this off. "You must complete the trials solo. However, none of you will be permitted to leave the island unless all of you complete your trial."

She had learned quite a lot about them ever since she was given the armor. She had done extensive research on each demigod with the intention of giving them the perfect trial to challenge them. She knew there was greater potential under the surface of each of these mediocre demigods. She was determined to bring it to fruition.

"Aren't you supposed to put clauses like that in before we sign the contract?" Keith asked in disbelief.

She smiled mischievously. "Always read the fine print when making a deal with a sorceress. That's the first lesson I'll teach you."

"What happens if we can't complete the trials?" Josh asked her nervously.

"I'm afraid that if you fail, you'll have to stay with me for the rest of your lives." She didn't let the smile drop from her face with the threat. "End of the world or not, I won't change the rules of my island for anyone."

She then snapped her fingers, and each of them disappeared one by one.

"Good luck," she whispered once they were out of earshot.

She had never wanted a group of humans to succeed so badly before.