Contents
Chapter 29: Opening Ceremonies & Gore
Overview
Zeus opens the Spartan Gladiator Competition and stages the leaders’ and contestants’ revelations and labor draws. Erebus’s scars unsettle the arena; several contestants draw manageable labors, but Zeus’s rigged roll burdens Alexis with twelve. After Ajax assaults her, Kharon strikes back. Despite Hades’s and Persephone’s protests, Alexis accepts the lethal terms to lure Zeus into her plan.
Summary
Zeus inaugurates the Spartan Gladiator Competition, boasting of Spartan tradition and announcing thirteen Chthonic competitors over thirteen days, with knives and protectors only. Fate calls the leaders first; Artemis, Ares, Hades, Erebus, and Aphrodite reveal zero defeats, though Erebus’s body is covered in claw scars, mesmerizing and disturbing the stadium.
The younger contestants then reveal scar status and roll labors. Agatha shows two brands and draws five labors across two rounds. Hermos, branded six times, draws three labors in one round. Patro reveals one brand and draws two labors in one round. Achilles, unbranded, draws eight labors in two rounds and will fight unmuzzled, electrifying the crowd. Drex, unmarked, draws two labors in one round.
Kharon exposes his mutilated chest; Zeus declares eleven past defeats from his first games. He draws three labors in one round, and returns to Alexis, masking pain. Augustus reveals zero defeats, drawing six labors in two rounds, adored by the arena even as Alexis notes his darker edge beneath the facade.
When Alexis steps up, Ajax forcibly tears her toga open. As Zeus rolls, the sparking dice land on twelve, assigning her three rounds and twelve labors. Alexis reels; Kharon snaps Ajax’s neck and throws him down, provoking chaos. Hades and Persephone confront Zeus, demanding a re-roll, but he pleads the law prevents it while feigning concern.
Remembering Ceres’s counsel, Alexis pivots. To keep her deception plan viable and draw Zeus in, she publicly accepts the twelve labors, projecting confidence while silently asking Hades and Persephone to trust her. The arena buzzes as Alexis commits to play along with Zeus’s game—until it is time to spring her own.
Who Appears
- Alexis (Hercules)Protagonist; humiliated by Ajax; assigned twelve labors via Zeus’s sparking dice; accepts to bait Zeus.
- ZeusMC of the ceremony; likely rigs the dice; denies re-roll under Spartan law; postures concern.
- KharonHusband/protector; reveals eleven past defeats; draws three labors; breaks Ajax’s neck for assaulting Alexis.
- AugustusHusband; reveals zero defeats; draws six labors; soothes Alexis while masking a darker nature.
- HadesChthonic leader; reveals zero defeats; vehemently protests Alexis’s twelve-labor assignment.
- PersephoneRaces to the altar, demands a re-roll; ultimately reads Alexis’s intent and restrains Hades.
- FateAnnounces participants and calls revelations, clipboard in hand; authoritative voice.
- AjaxHermes House enforcer; assaults Alexis during reveal; neck snapped by Kharon; likely survives.
- ErebusLeader; masked; reveals a torso of claw scars yet zero defeats, unsettling the crowd.
- AphroditeLeader; captivates the arena with a teasing reveal; zero defeats.
- ArtemisLeader; smugly reveals zero defeats; resumes rivalry-presence.
- AresLeader; scarred but undefeated; reinforces the leaders’ ceremonial strength.
- AgathaCompetitor; branded twice; draws five labors over two rounds; endures crowd abuse.
- HermosCompetitor; six brands; draws three labors in one round; smiles through insults.
- PatroCompetitor and former mentor; one brand; draws two labors; taunts Alexis about her choice.
- AchillesCompetitor; zero defeats; draws eight labors over two rounds; glares at Alexis for choosing husbands.
- DrexOlympian mutt competitor; unmarked; draws two labors in one round; relieved.
- NyxSerpentine companion; offers irreverent commentary, urging boldness and mocking onlookers.
- HeraOlympian leader; restrains Hermes during Ajax incident; glares at Zeus over Aphrodite.