he Peregrination of Balthazar and the Phantom Rangers

Suddenly all eyes are on Norwood. No one says a word. The silence of the crowd is deafening. His mind races with flashes of Athena in that small room and the allure of the dagger. He can hear Athena saying something about a Ranger needing to be self-sufficient but may at times require the help of a true friend. What am I doing? Maybe I should heed the advice of my friends and stop this foolishness.
Beads of sweat pool on his brow, and run off as droplets of salty water into his eyes. Panic grips him. He can’t move, but still calls out, “I accept the new conditions.” He can’t believe what he is hearing. It is his own voice that has spoken, but why? He still doesn’t have a clue what to do. It is as if he is not in control. Is it the Ambrosia? Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter anymore. He has to solve the riddle.
“The Challenge has been accepted!