Archedios and Chara

By Justine Cameron

In an age of man, brimming with evil and sin, a youth roved the hills of Greece in search of the titan, Prometheus. For the Goddess Athena had come to his dreams and told him to do so.

His name was Phoebus and he was unlike any mortal. He had beauty and strength to rival the gods themselves. He had a love of growing things. All the gardens he planted were the most fair and the crops he grew were the most delicious. Phoebus also possessed the gifts of an oracle and was in tune with the gods. However, did not have hubris because all his childhood he had been enslaved. He had been free but one year before his dream from Athena.

Phoebus traveled for countless miles. Finally, he rejoiced, for he had found the dwelling of Prometheus. There, in a secret hollow Prometheus waited for the youth. As Phoebus approached the Titan spoke, “Who is he that comes hither?”

“I am Phoebus,” he responded. “I was guided here by the Goddess Pallas Athena.” The Titan smiled. He had known who the man was even before he saw him.

“Come. You have not been misled, for you there is a great truth that has been hidden from your eyes. I will reveal that truth to you.” Phoebus sat on the soft grass and harkened to the wise Prometheus. “Long ago, when Gaea was still young, a prophecy came to light. It foretold that one day a son of Zeus would overthrow him and drive the gods from Mt. Olympus. Only I knew the name of that son’s mother. I refused to divulge the information when Zeus chained me to a rock in the Causasus, but once I was freed I revealed to him that a son of Thetis, one of the Nereids, was destined to be stronger then his father. Achilles, son of Peleus was thought to be this child. This is not true, for the prophecy was for Zeus.”

Prometheus continued. “Not long ago, Zeus raped one of Thetis’ sisters and brought Hera’s terrible wrath on the innocent nymph. Thetis sought revenge. She disguised herself as a beautiful mortal maiden and lured Zeus to her. She bore the son that would seal the god’s fate. To hide her son’s identity she made him mortal and left him to the world to carry out his destiny. The son’s mortal name was Phoebus, but his true name is Archedios.” Phoebus – Archedios – was stunned. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought his parents were Gods. Even more astounding was his fate. To drive the Olympians from heaven! It frightened him. No person had ever challenged the gods unpunished.

Prometheus went onto explain, “The mortal world is falling into darkness. Soon Zeus will decide to destroy all in order to start anew. If this happens the next age of man will be plagued by their deities, for the gods are also turning to evil. While the Olympians punish the wrongdoing of mortals, they also sin and without punishment. You must raise common man to your cause, make them put down their evil rulers and bring them forth against the gods. This cannot be done unless you pass three ordeals and retrieve three items.

The first task is to rid a nearby town of a wild boar sent by Artemis. Once it is dead you must takes its tusks. They have the ability to harm immortal beings. Next you must find a cyclops that eats any travelers that come its way. The cyclops possesses a horn. Any person who sounds the horn will strike fear into his enemies and courage into his allies. The final task is to find your way through a labyrinth full of traps. In the center are winged sandals. Once you have obtained these three prizes you must go to the river Styx and bath yourself in its waters to restore your immorality.”

So Archedios went forth. He wrestled the boar and took its tusk. He defeated the Cyclops and acquired its horn. Then he made his way inexorability toward his last challenge.

As he passed through a forest Archedios spied a person running in the shadow of the trees. It was a young maiden garbed in mens’ clothes and a quiver that was slung on her back. As she ran the light that peered through the leaves made her long dark hair shimmer and her fair skin glow.