Chapter 3: Duel with the embodiment of strength.

Chapter 3: Duel with the embodiment of Strength!

Jason POV

As I had gotten the blessings I deemed I could need and possibly get for now, I made my way back to the city. Going the same path as Jason had. I make my way across the beautiful port city as I look around and see the people who passed me by.

They were all humans, no magical beings in sight. It makes sense that there was seclusion due to how humanity and the magical had a clear distinction.

I made my way to the docks where I see many shipwrights. I look toward them as an old man asks me

"What do you want lad? looking for a ship to buy?" he asked in a voice, filled with false machismo.

it was very much forced good sir, you aren't fooling anyone-

"Well yes, I am looking for the shipwright named Argus." I said as the old man's eyes widen as his voice turned high, almost like a girls

"W-who!? do you know who he is!?" he said as I nodded, a little confused. Was Argus not here? I believe from what I remembered that he hasn't made any ships prior to the Argo

"Yes, I am looking for him. May I inquire you for where he is?" I said, still in a little confusion as the old man slowly nods. Rushing inside of a cabin that was present there and dragging out a man, a few years older than me at best.

"T-this is the one known as Argus! The chosen craftsman of Athena's will!" The old man said dramatically, presenting the man to me as I nodded

"Yes, I know of you Argus... I would like a ship from you" I said to him straight up as he looks at me and sighs

"I would love to make you a ship but..... I simply don't have the time!" he exclaimed as I tilt my head in confusion

"Why not?" I asked him, he looks to the side and says

"The Great goddess of wisdom Athena has tasked me to build a ship as well! I can't stop yet. It is a masterpiece! one that i can't stop in the middle of making!" he exclaimed as I nodded, understanding his perspective. 

If only he knew that the ship he was making was written to be mine.

I was about to say something as the wind around me blew weirdly, I could sense the arrival of someone from behind me. The wind shook as I hear a voice filled with calm and cool behind me

"The Man infront of you is the one destined to sail the Seas on the very boat Argus. The hero destined to quest out for the golden fleece!" A woman from behind me exclaimed with her voice booming with excitement

She was much taller than me, 9 foot tall someone could say. An aura of divinity around her. She wore an Athenian helmet as well as a dress draped with smooth fabric. No doubt, a high ranking god.

Her Golden hair flowed in the air as her figure was ever so prevalent. Her grey eyes giving the look of all knowing. I have no doubts, this is Athena.

"I bid my greetings to the goddess Athena" I quickly say as I take a standing bow, knowing that these gods valued respect over all else.

"Oh? And how might you be sure that I, am the goddess of war and wisdom?" she takes a pause as she smirks towards my direction, I look back up and smile back at her

"Who else but the goddess of Wisdom would have such eyes that have foresight beyond my perception? truly, your aura and stature alone show me that you are the great goddess of wisdom" I said as respectfully as I could muster as she continued to smile

"Quiet the flatterer I see, but yes. Argus, let us finish the ship and till then you, make your crew for this voyage." she said as I nodded, smiling as I nodded with excitement.

The appearance of the goddess had seemingly excited the citizens as they heard the conversation, word had spread as people start flocking towards me in mere minutes

"TAKE ME WITH YOU, I WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW GOLD COINS AS PAYMENT!" yells such as this came from all around, I decided to do what Jason had done originally 

I brace myself and prepare to give a speech, one that would narrow down the people wanting to come by much.

"SILENCE!" I yelled on the top of my lungs, allowing the wind to carry my voice further. Letting the whole crowd of almost 50 men go silent

"I cannot offer a single piece of gold for this Voyage to you all!" I yell out as they all look at me as if I was crazy, they were contemplating my sanity as I continued

"I cannot offer a single piece of Silver for this! But i can offer you eternal Glory! A chance to mark yourself in history as a hero who sailed the seas on quest of greatness! I do not wish for those who are faint of heart! I only ask for those who can bear the travels and hold a heavy heart for all they are choosing to leave behind!" I continued as the air grew denser, people failed to breath as the pressure from my words grew, words echoed the city as even the smallest lad to the oldest man heard them

"I WISH FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE, YET EVERYTHING TO GAIN. A LIFE OF ETERNAL GLORY, THAT'S WHAT I OFFER. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU WISH TO JOIN" I said as many of the men left in fear yet there were many who stayed. Even those who stayed seemed shaken...

It wasn't like this in the myth, most of them left except of the heroes.

"I-I still wish to join!" Said the scrawny looking man, I look him the eye as he shied away

"I don't want you." I simply said as the man looked at me in shock

"W-what!? W-why!?" he said as I sighed, turning toward him as I looked down.

He was around 5'5 while I was 5'10

"You can't even gaze at me straight. You are intimidated by my mere words. You won't be able to survive on sea. I do not wish for someone like you on board" I simply said to him as he looked at me in anger and frustration, yet still reluctant to act.

"R-remember my name! A-asterion! You will r-regret that you didn't c-choose me!" he exclaimed as I simply laughed a little at his words

"First say your name without a stutter and then do something. For now, I bid you fairwell. I wish you luck with your future endeavors." I simply said he looked at me in fear, shaking in boots as he walked away dejectedly yet still watching from a distance

"Hey!" I heard a feminine voice, I look at the place from where it came from as I see a woman with both a sword at her hips and a bow on her back, her muscles toned and someone who had clearly struggled and learnt to earn her place in the world

"I wanted to as-" she began as I immediately said

"Your in." I said as she looked at in surprise, and the bystanders followed suite.  Asterion had the greatest reaction as his mouth almost reached the floor!

"W-what!? She's a WOMAN!" A man yelled from the back ground as an arrow flew right by him, into the wall.

"And what of it asshole? I could tear you a new one so shit doesn't have to spill out your mouth." she threatened in a dark tone as the man ran away. What's up with these guys, geez.

"But yeah! Why the hell did you accept me at a look, impressed by my charms?" she said with a coy smirk as I laughed a little at the sight.

"You simply seem to be the type to not complain. You clearly worked to get where you are in life. I need you in this crew, will you join me?" I ask of her as I extend my hand, she takes it with vigor, using enough force to actually make me feel pain despite the fact that jason was decently strong.

His main focus may not have been his physical strength but he still was a student of Chiron, the trainer of heroes.

"Hell yeah! call me Atalanta! I'll be the one basking in glory while you sit their and watch me!" she says with pride and energy as I chuckle at the sight

"Call me Jason, I'd be cheering for you then!" I said with a smile, she smirked at my response as more people poured in

slowly but surely, big names popped in from around. A few days passed and I had assembled the core crew. A total of 7 people for now, I am simply waiting for a certain Hunk and his sidekick to arrive

"I can't wait for this adventure to begin! can you even imagine how much gold we will get for acquiring the fleece! we could sell it even to the gods!" Tiphys, our Helmsman said as I sighed

"No Tiphys! we aren't going to keep the damn fleece!" I exclaimed again as he groaned, Idas and Idmon looked on at the exchange from the side, unsure of how to feel as Atalanta just laughed

"But whyyyyyyyyyy, we can just steal it!" he said as I slapped him on the head knocking him down to the floor as he held it in pain

"Goddamnit Tiphys listen for gods sake!" I said to him in annoyance as Orpheus came toward us

"Guys, guys, no need to fight! how about a song for a change!" Orpheus offered for the upteenth time as I continued to sigh at the annoyance I was already feeling and we hadn't even set sail yet!

We were about to continue to argue as I hear a loud yet calm voice from around the corner.

"Are you the one's going to quest for the golden fleece?" The big man asked as I smirked and nodded, there was only one man I know who was described as such.

The pinnacle of strength himself. Heracles

"I am Heracles. I wish to join your quest!" he said with a smile as a small boy popped up from around him, only around 16 years of age

"I am Hylas! I wish to come to!" he said as I smiled

"You both are welcome aboard!" I said with a smile as everyone looked at Heracles in admiration and shock

The great Heracles! the one known across all of Greece for his greatness was right infront of them!

Even I couldn't help but be excited at the mere sight of him. 

"Oh? No test or anything for me?" he looks at me with excitement as I simply reply with a smile

"Why would I try and challenge a hero of great might when I myself have nothing to prove my strength?" I simply say as he laughed, understanding my words

"You interest me. I believe it will be fun to travel along with you!" He says with a laugh as I nod a little, I am excited as well. I wish to deal with a lot of the foes and trials they faced myself.

"With that we have a total of 10 people, That's enough crew members for one ship!" I exclaimed as everyone who had joined looked excited, the crew was finally assembeled

Jason, Atalanta, Idas, Idmon, Orpheus, Cepheus, Euphemeus, Erginus, Hylas and Heracles

3 of these were big names. Atalanta for her fierce strength and contribution to the hunt of the Calydonian boar. Orpheus for his tales and songs across the lands and even journey to the underworld and finally.... 

Heracles, the conqueror of the 12 labours. And the Hero who will save Olympus from the giants.

"Now that we have all the members of the crew, It's time we decide who the Captain is!" Cepheus said as everyone looked at him weirdly

"I mean, Jason isn't exactly experienced and we need someone who will keep us alive you know?" he said as everyone around did agree to an extent. I myself agree as well.

"Nonsense, this man is a leader through and through. My vote is for him!" Heracles exclaimed with a laugh as I shook my head

"They're right. I am not someone who can bear the responsibility. I vote for Heracles." I simply said as everyone around agreed to, he sighed as he raised his club from his back

"What are you doing?" I asked him as he looked at me with dark eyes

"I don't listen to people weaker than me you see.... if you wish for me to be captain, defeat me." He said as everyone around looked at him in terror.

This was the man who had wrestled with Hades's dog. FUCKING CERBERUS.

SO WHY AM I SO EXCITED!? WHY IS BLOOD RUSHING TO MY BRAIN!? WHY DO I WANT TO WIN!?

"Sure, I don't mind." I said as he looked at me with a raised eyebrow. Surprised with my compliance

"J-jason! I know I am not the best person to say this... but this is suicidal! what are you doing!?" Atalanta asked as I shrugged

"I just want him to be on the crew, I know I will lose but..." I said as her forehead had a cold sweat drop down

I walked away, to the outside as I turned back towards her and a large smile crept on my face

"I don't know why but I can't help but feel so excited!"I said as she looked at me, questioning my sanity as the whole crew looked at the scene in shock as me and Heracles made our way outside to clear ground, the air between us tensing

"I expected some resistance and then for you to agree to being captain..... I didn't forsee this." Heracles said as I chuckled and smiled

"Well... what can I say? I am a man of surprises!" I said as he looks at me, gaining a smile of his own.

I unsheathe my sword, a simple iron sword. I felt the wind around me, it heightened my senses as I felt his every muscle twitch, creating differences in the wind

"Ready?" Idas gave a signal as we both strained our stances, being ready to charge

"BEGIN!" Idas called out as not a moment passed yet Heracles was infront of me, Club swinging toward my head

I was about to die again. A shiver went down at my spine at the realisation as my body moved on its own

I dodge the downward blow as I raise my sword and swing as he brings up his clubs handle and blocks it.

"Not bad...." he mutters as he removed one hand from his club and jabs at me, a blow faster than light.

I had felt it coming before he even moved, I dodged with the trained reflexes of this body as I was ready to reveal a card of mine. Don't fail me now winds.

I coat my sword with a blade of wind, wind so compressed that it tore whatever it touched.

At the sight many people gasped as I swung the sword sideways toward him, scratching his coat.

Not just any coat, the coat made from the hide of the nemean lion, a material so strong it was said to be indestructable.

He looked at me in utter shock as he stomped his foot down and made a huge crater, I use a blast of wind to throw myself away from him as I throw compressed blasts of winds and wind blades towards him.

He simply dodged them without problem as I realized that he understands the nature of my power already.....

I control the wind and make a gust of dust which I send his way, hoping to blind him as he simply swings his club and blows the wind away

"You've impressed me, such power is something we don't see often. But I don't plan on stopping till you forfeit so here we go" he said as he once again rushed toward me as he came even faster.....

faster than what my body could react to...

My body burst into blue flames as they singe him, he jumps away and exclaims in shock

"WHAT THE FUCK!? WEREN'T YOU USING WIND A SECOND AGO!?" Heracles exclaimed in shock as the crew just looked at the scene unfold

"Holy fuck jason...." Atalanta looked at the scene as she laughed a little to herself at the sight

I compress a ball of fire inside of a ball of wind, making a combination that I could only describe as.... a beam of compressed energy.

The fire acted as the source of raw energy as the wind acted as a medium for the energy to stay focused in.

I sent it toward him, he blocked with his club as the beam that went faster than even his eye could see obliterated his club.

I engulf myself in flames as wind flew around him, fanning the flames even hotter, turning violet.

I send a wave of fire toward him as he used his bare hands to punch the ground and make it crumble into pieces, forcing a piece upward to shield himself

I use my sword and cover it with the fire and flew toward him, using as much wind as I could. I bring my sword of fire down as I had failed to calculate one thing.

I looked to my right as he was right there with his fist raises, a fully winded right hook at his disposal

Heracles was much faster than me, I should have played defense. I got too excited and now he was right next to me in mid-air

He punched me with a dark look on his face, uncaring of if he got burnt. I get slammed down to the ground as a crater formed around where I landed.

"G-geez... you don't pull punches do you?" I asked him, my maxillae bone was definitely broken.

"Do you think I really could!? You would've won!" he said with excitement as he laughed

"I forfeit..... that one punch alone as enough for me to know where the battle would've gone if it continued..." I said as he laughed

I have been here only for a few days, with just this much ingenuity and practice with my abilities, I was able to match Heracles to a degree, even if I would've lost in the long run....

I may have had him on range and possible defense but he would've figured out how to get around it and finish me

It was a complete loss for me yet still a victory as I had learnt much. 

I look toward the sky and smile a little, my adventure is soon to start. Wish me luck mom, dad..... love...