Trials for the Gods

By Rebecca J. Sotirios

Greek gods? Just myths, right?

My name is Iris Dimitriadis, daughter of Zeus, the supreme ruler of the gods.
A few years ago, my whole life changed the moment I received a prophecy.
If you’ve stayed up to date with my life, you’ll know I was one of the prophesied demigods that helped save Mount Olympus from destruction.
The world has changed significantly since then…The barrier between the gods and mortals was demolished the moment the gods came to reveal themselves to the mortals of Earth.
Zeus has decided to further showcase their might and power. To prove they are the ‘Rulers of Humanity and only true gods’, an event was established, where demigods must compete annually via a set of perilous Trials.

The Trials take place yearly after the cold season has ended, on an island named H N – Hirakleia Nissos.
Meaning the Island of Hercules.
As demigods we are now solely trained to survive these Trials.

Thus, creating a modern form of entertainment for the gods.

The offspring of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, and Apollo are in a deadly predicament once again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669887515

Rebecca J. Sotirios

Rebecca J. Sotirios was born in the Southern Highlands, Australia, the eldest of three siblings, raised in a Christian family. She is the author of ‘Trials of the Four Olympians’, the start of her first Trilogy, based on Greek gods and their offspring. Rebecca’s passion of the Greek gods was influenced by her Greek grandparents. They immigrated from Greece in the 1960s, and their bedtime stories influenced her to research and understand the Greek culture, especially around the beliefs of Greek Mythology. Broadening her understanding of her heritage and is passionate to share it with the world. Rebecca has been writing short stories since she was 10 years old. She loves writing in fiction and has been obsessed with this genre ever since she was a child. Rebecca is also a passionate musician and singer; and has been composing her own songs. She spends her free time writing, to bring her fictional characters to life, providing entertainment and enjoyment into the lives of many.

Book preview

MEET THE TWELVE

OLYMPIAN GODS

Zeus

Zeus is the god of the sky and the king of the Olympian gods. He is the ruler, protector, and father of all gods and humans.

Hera

Hera is the goddess of marriage and childbirth. She is the queen of the gods and the consort of Zeus.

Poseidon

Poseidon is the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.

Demeter

Demeter is the goddess of agriculture.

Athena

Athena is the protectress and the goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason.

Apollo

Apollo is the god of archery, music, poetry, art, prophecy, plague, healing, and sun. He is the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother to Artemis.

Note: Also spelt by the ancient Greeks as ‘Apollon’.

Artemis

Artemis is the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, and vegetation, virginity, and childbirth. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo.

Ares

Ares is the god of war and the spirit of battle.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus is the god of fire. He is known as the blacksmith of the gods.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the goddess of sexual love and beauty, fertility, and marriage.

Hermes

Hermes is the messenger of the gods and the conductor of the dead to Hades. He is also known as a dream god.

Dionysus

Dionysus is the nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation, but mainly known as a god of wine.

Hades

Hades is the god of the underworld. Although Hades is a major god and was a part of the first generation of Olympians, his realm is the underworld, which is far from Olympus, and because of this, he was not usually considered one of the Olympians.

Note: Also spelt by the ancient Greeks as ‘Haides’.

MEET THE CHARACTERS

Name: Iris Dimitriadis

Age: 23

Parent: Zeus

Gender: Female

Height: 5’9" (175 cm)

Abilities: Command over the

domain of heaven

Name: Alexandros Papatonis

Age: 25

Parent: Hades

Gender: Male

Height: 6’2" (188 cm)

Abilities: Command over the underworld

and Dark Arts

Name: Anastasia (Tia) Papathanasiou

Age: 23

Parent: Poseidon

Gender: Female

Height: 5’8" (172 cm)

Abilities: Command of the sea

Name: Theodore (Theo) Drakos

Age: 24

Parent: Apollo

Gender: Male

Height: 6’1" (185 cm)

Abilities: the art of music, prophecy,

archery, healing, and light.

PART 1

The Chosen

PROLOGUE

Η Αρχή

The Beginning

F ive years have passed since our prophesied demigods completed their quest against Zorander, defying the odds and slaying their evil fiend. The outcome of such a prophecy has left the gods at a loss of what to do; they could not afford another Titan to avenge them of their wrongdoing/s.

Our prophesied demigods have been worshipped as heroes amongst the other godlings since they fulfilled their prophecy. To make matters worse, there have been rumours that the four demigods are more powerful than the Olympian gods themselves . . .

So the gods decided to intervene . . . revealing themselves to the mortals of earth. As you may have guessed, it did not go as planned . . .

The mortals of earth retaliated; they refused to kneel before the gods of Mount Olympus, resulting in an uprising on earth—gods against mortals.

Within a week, millions of mortals had lost their lives because of these so-called natural disasters caused by the supreme deities, the gods themselves.

The mortals were left with no other choice; they knelt . . .

Zeus, the king of the gods, then concluded that the mortals weren’t even worthy of their attention. To further show their might and power and to prove that they were the one and only true gods, they established an event that only demigods would compete in annually via a set of Trials.

This isn’t the first time something like this had taken place; it occurred in Ancient Greece. Demigods compete in Trials to prove their worth to their godly parents.

The gods had previously promised the Ancient Trials would come to an end if someone was able to complete them. You may very well know who the winner was. His name was Hercules, son of Zeus and Alcmene, courageously known for his twelve labours, the strongest demigod of all time.

1.Slay the Nemean lion

2.Slay the nine-headed Hydra of Lerna

3.Capture the elusive hind of Arcadia

4.Capture the wild boar of Mount Erymanthus

5.Clean in a single day the cattle stables of King Augeas of Elis

6.Shoot the monstrous man-eating birds of the Stymphalian marshes

7.Capture the mad bull that terrorised the island of Crete

8.Capture the man-eating mares of King Diomedes

9.Take the girdle of Hippolyte, queen of the Amazons

10.Seize the cattle of the three-bodied giant Geryon, who ruled the island Erytheia

11.Collect the golden apples kept at the world’s end, guarded by a hundred-headed dragon named Ladon

12.Bring the head of the triple-headed dog Cerberus from the underworld.

Those twelve labours are the Trials.

So, to the anger of Zeus, and for once keeping his word, the Trials came to an end . . . or so we thought.

The majority of the current demigods don’t have the strength of Hercules; they’re not from the same mould as him. Instead, they have control over the elements their godly parents’ rule over.

However, a minor few have evolved with time, and this didn’t go unnoticed by Zeus.

Zeus, wanting to gain control of the demigods, decided to herd and cull the cattle, bringing back the Trials.

The gods then created an island, naming it Ηράκλεια Νήσος—Hirakleia Nissos, meaning ‘island of Hercules’.

If selected, the demigods are taken against their will to a supernatural island, where they must survive during the length of the event. The victors are granted honour by proving their worth to their godly parents.

If the gods were willing to do this to their very own offspring, it compelled the mortals of earth to completely surrender to the supreme deities.

A modern form of entertainment for the gods

It was like any other day on Mount Olympus, with the Olympians betting on whose child would be chosen at the commencement ceremony, the danger of the Trials not once crossing their dense immortal minds.

While down below in Greece, the mortals and half-bloods ready themselves for the commencement of the next trial.

At the Olympic Sanctuary, our well-known demigod Iris Dimitriadis is waiting for the broadcast. The thought of the Trials had her on edge; she went through so much trauma during her last quest, and now to be possibly thrown back into the boiling water frightened her.

She wasn’t going to be chosen; she’d proven her worth to her father. Oh, how wrong she truly was.

CHAPTER 1

Ηράκλεια Νήσος

T he sun rose over the Olympic Sanctuary, making its way into one of the modest dormitories that were occupied by Anastasia and me.

As the light enters the little bedroom through the windows, rays of sunshine hit my face, instantly awakening me from my slumber. Yawning as I rub the sleep from my eyes, I slowly adjust to my surroundings.

The dormitory consisted of two single beds on either side of the room, accompanied with cabinets in the inner side of the beds. You could easily tell whose side was whose. Anastasia and I had designed the room to make it feel more like ‘us’. The walls on my side were yellow and white, and hers were blue and green; the linen duvets a simple shade of grey.

Crawling out of bed, I walk into the connecting bathroom, turning on the shower, letting the warm water pour over my body.

Today was the day, the commencement ceremony for the Trials. This sick game for the gods had been going on for years, and this was going to be the fifth trial.

I had turned twenty-three a couple of months ago, five years since I first found out I was a demigod, and not just any demigod—a daughter of Zeus. The burden of being a child of Zeus was one far too large to hold, being someone so young.

Over the past few years, we demigods have been forbidden to leave the Olympic Sanctuary, resulting in no contact with the outside world. We cannot obtain social media or any sort of social outlet, keeping us enclosed and hidden from the rest of the world. Being the daughter of Zeus, I have some sort of influence over birds and animals of the sky. So I came up with the grand idea of using a bird, like a courier pigeon, to deliver messages to our families around Greece. The most common bird in our location is the Eleonora falcon. I had to ensure that we were discreet and not picked up upon by the gods.

The Eleonora falcon is the only hawk that lives on the rocky cliffs along the shoreline. The Greeks refer to it as the sea hawk.

Because of the Trials, Alexandros, son of Hades, hasn’t been permitted to stay with his father down in the underworld. He’s had to put up with living at the Olympic Sanctuary full time, but I don’t think he really minds. Strangely enough, he and Hades were close-knit. Being the only son of the god, he had his father’s full attention. Everything was going well for them, up until the beginning of this year, Alexandros informed me that Hades hasn’t contacted him, like something or someone was preventing him from seeing his son, which was unusual, considering Hades kept close contact with him.

Anastasia (Tia), daughter of Poseidon, has been keeping in contact with her mother, stepdad, and younger half-brother, Adrian, via Falcon mail, sending them monthly updates of her Sanctuary life, keeping them in the loop. Bear, the shape-shifting hippocampus, has been visiting her on behalf of her father, Poseidon, which is bear-zarre considering we have no contact with our godly parents.

Just like Tia, Theo and I have both been using Falcon mail to contact our family. I have been informing Aunt Maria and cousin Darius of my very ‘average’ life here. I decided on telling them about Luke, my half-brother, also a son of Zeus, and they are beyond thrilled, wanting to meet him as soon as they possibly can.

I have already proven myself to the gods. We saved Olympus from Zorander, we showed great skill and bravery—what more could they want?

We are expected to dress up at the commencement ceremony and look presentable for the airing, as the Trials will be broadcasted throughout the world.

How unlucky, not so long ago, I was given a prophecy, and now there is a chance my name could be drawn for the next trial.

The gods had fun creating the island, naming it Ηράκλεια Νήσος—Hirakleia Nissos, meaning ‘island of Hercules’, which, oddly enough, makes sense, as Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, is courageously known for his twelve labours to prove his strength, which basically sums up the existing Trials . . .

I hear a tapping noise, kek-kek-kek.

I step out of the shower, wrapping my body with a towel. I open the bathroom window slightly, letting in the pesky visitor—Ajax, the Eleonora falcon.

‘Morning,’ I hum softly to the bird.

He makes himself at home perched on the windowsill, with his slim body, pointed wings, and long tail. Ajax had two-colour morphs, a dark sooty brown with black underwing coverts, showing the contrast between the two colours.

He had a note wrapped around his ankle. Leaning forward, I retrieve it from him. ‘What’s this?’

He tilts his head to the side as if saying, ‘Open it, and you’ll find out.’

I open the scroll, and written on the parchment scribbled, staring right back at me,

Rise and shine! It’s a beautiful morning, even more so that the commencement ceremony is today! See you soon!—A

I smile to myself, tucking the note away, knowing very well whom I received it from. Nothing fazes him.

I walk through into the room with only the towel wrapped around me. I am greeted by Tia, as she had been waiting patiently for me, dressed in a dark-green gown spreading out on the floor around her.

Her face lights up as soon as she sees me. ‘Hey, Iris!’

‘You look stunning,’ I compliment her.

‘Thank you. Why aren’t you dressed yet? The ceremony begins shortly,’ she says as her smile fades into a serious frown. She adds, ‘We have no time to dilly-dally. You remember what happened last year when you turned up late?’

My voice drags in a tone of defeat, ‘Yes, I know—’

‘You mustn’t know, because you aren’t showing it,’ she interrupts me, walking towards the shared closet. Looking inside, she starts rummaging through, mumbling to herself while doing so. I catch a few of her words . . . ‘Worries about nothing . . . I can’t believe this attitude . . . She never learns.’

Last year, I turned up late to the commencement ceremony wearing jeans and a sweater. Apparently, that wasn’t appropriate attire, and let’s just say the school leaders have not let me live it down. I’ve been watched like a hawk for the past year, as if turning up late to the ceremony was treason.

‘Here, this will do. Put it on. Hurry.’ She hands me a long baby-blue, off-the-shoulder gown. ‘This will turn heads once on. Trust me, you need to present yourself well after—’

‘After last year . . . I know,’ I grumble. ‘Turn around, I need to dress.’ She faces the wall as I change. ‘You can turn back now.’

She turns, smiling at the choice of dress. ‘Wonderful. Now, all that’s left is that.’ She points at the mess on top of my head. I sit down on the edge of my bed as she brushes my hair from behind. ‘You truly have such lovely hair. You need to take care of it.’

‘Ναί Μητέρα’ (Yes, Mother).

‘Iris, I’m just trying to help you. I don’t understand how Alexandros has stayed with you when you look like a four while he’s a solid ten.’ She begins to braid my hair.

‘Gee, thanks.’ I smile. I truly am lucky to have him by my side.

‘Done. Take a look,’ she says while passing me a mirror.

Staring into the mirror, I admire her hairdressing skills. She had neatly braided my dark-chocolate hair into a low bun. My brown eyes were staring right back at me.

‘Makeup?’ she asks.

‘No. I think natural will do just fine,’ I say before returning the mirror, planting a fake smile on my face. I hated this routine for the Trials but smiled nonetheless.

‘Let’s go.’

We link arms as we head down the cold brick corridor, hesitantly following the rest of the crowd as we pass the lotus tree that had been planted dead centre of the courtyard. The lotus tree was well known for bearing fruit that causes drowsiness. If you eat from the tree, you will forget your friends, home, and lose the desire to do anything anymore. A very questionable tree to have at the Olympic Sanctuary, but it’s here anyway . . .

Demigods from across the world have travelled to just be taught here. Another rule by the gods—every offspring of a god/goddess must attend this school. With the newcomers, the Olympic Sanctuary, a school for the offspring of the Olympian gods, has grown immensely over the years.

We find our way into the huge hall before we take our seats inside. I look up to see the tallest ceiling, a lovely crown moulding. The floor is decorated with marble ceramic tiles. Behind the stage crested into the wall is the school emblem: the lightning bolt in the middle, and on either side the bident and trident.

Tia follows closely behind me to a vacant row of seats. Towards the back of the hall, a huge stage layout is in front of us. The camera men are all set up, ready for the announcement. There are hundreds of demigods here and thousands watching throughout the Olympic Sanctuary. What’s the chance of the prophesied four being picked?

Tia takes my hand in her own. Only now do I realise that my hand had been shaking.

‘Hey, it will be OK,’ she whispers as she tries to settle my nerves. I force a smile back, turning away, avoiding eye contact.

‘Where’s Theo?’ I ask as I notice Alexandros take the spare seat beside me, laying a kiss on my forehead and sliding in a compliment.

‘You look beautiful.’

‘I’m here! Don’t fret,’ Theo announces as he slumps into the seat beside Tia, swinging his arm around her casually.

‘Attention, please,’ announces a middle-aged man through the microphone on the stage.

CHAPTER 2

Η Εκλογή

The Choosing

A s soon as the words flow out of the man’s mouth, the hall falls silent.

‘Welcome, Olympians. Shortly we will be on live television. So I need you all to be on exceptionally good behaviour, just like every other year,’ says the man as he stands confidently on the stage. His blond hair was combed neatly to one side; his navy-blue suit shone under the stage lights.

‘Five, four, three, two, one . . . And we are on,’ signals a cameraman, hushing us all to be silent.

‘Welcome to the calling of the Trials. My name is Oliver Black, and I will be your host for this evening. Who is ready to find out this year’s contestants for the Trials for Ηράκλεια Νήσος!’ yells Oliver, radiating from excitement; I’m unsure if it’s all an act.

‘But there will be a catch. This year will be unlike the previous years. The gods have chosen for this year’s contestants to be picked from the best of the best, gifted with the ability to complete the Trials, hopefully without any inconvenient mishaps.’ He stops as he lets the impact of this new information to be absorbed by the listeners.

‘Who will be the fourteen demigods partaking in this year’s Trials? Let’s see who our first contestant is,’ he says as he walks towards a golden box that lay dead centre of the stage. He reaches his hand inside, retrieving an eyeball.

Yes, an eyeball. The legendary Graeae’s eye, the eye of the three Graeae sisters. Their names were Deino, Enyo, and Pemphredo, also known as the Stygian Witches or the Grey Sisters. They were the daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters of the Gorgons. They were given an eye to share amongst themselves, known as the Graeae’s eye. This eye gave them great knowledge and