While sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, Roger and the beast women watched the garden in front of them. He could smell the pink Anemone flowers in the bushes, surrounded by Corinthian columns. The sunlight above made the quiet garden more beautiful than it looks.

"What is taking them so long?" Katina complained. "They are lucky we don’t need to use a latrine.”

“What is a latrine?” Roger asked.

“A toilet. Don’t you dare ask how we use one!”

Roger didn’t even want to imagine that, and he was proud they didn’t use his restroom in his condo.

“I am sure the gods will decide who will train us soon,” said Labda. “Unless none of them cared.”

Katina flung her left hand up. “Errrrrrrrrr! I don’t understand why they have to train us too. Roger is the pussy who needs his ass worked out.”

Roger glared at her. “Hey, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t fight the monsters with you. So stop calling me a pussy!”

Katina lowered her ears, grimacing. “Well….. You haven’t fought Giants yet. I’m sure as hell could!”

“I think training together will be romantic.” Cilla turned her smile toward Roger. “Do you agree, sweetie?”

Roger glanced at the floor, blushing. “About… What the Fates said. What did they mean? Our love will save the world.”

Cilla giggled as she wrapped her right arm around Roger. “I think we are meant to be together.”

"Or they are making a stupid joke," Katina growled under her breath.

"The Fates never make jokes," said Labda. "Whatever they say, it will come to pass soon."

Cilla rubbed her finger around Roger’s cheek. "I think we should make it come true faster."

"Um-hum!" Zeus approached them from the open door behind them. With him, Ares and Athena followed him without their weapons.

Roger, Katina, Labda, and Cilla immediately rose off the stone bench.

"Greetings O great gods," said Labda. "Did you make your decision?"

Zeus nodded his head with a grin. "We have indeed. Ares and Athena will be your trainers. But….."

"But what?" Katina asked.

The muscled helmet man pointed his finger at the goddess. "I refuse to work side by side with her! She makes me feel stupid!"

Athena laughed. "You just couldn't stand my brilliance, brother. These two need a strategist guide rather than a brute like you."

Ares growled through his helmet. He sounded like a furnace, ready to explode. "You see! She is mean to meeeeeeeeeeeee! We cannot work together!"

Athena glanced at Roger. "Since my brother is being a fool, we will train you separately. But we will choose one of you."

She pointed her finger at Roger. "I will take the mortal." Her eyes glared at her brother. "You can have the dog."

Cilla lowered her ears. "Awwwwwwwww! I want to train together with our sweetie…"

"Sorry, but if my sister wasn't being a meanie, we would be a happy family," said Ares.

Athena turned her back toward him with her arms crossed.

"Hermes will keep an eye on the Giants to warn us about their coming," said Zeus. "It could be six or three days till the battle. I expect you to be ready before our time of judgment comes."

Labda bowed her head. "We will not waste your time. We know what is at stake."

Zeus smiled. “You are a wise one, aren’t you?”

Labda blushed with a small grin on her face. Cilla glared at her.

“Come on, ladies!” Ares grabbed the beast women’s right hand and pulled them toward the door with him. “I’ll make a war beast out of you!”

Katina chuckled. “I like this god!”

Roger watched the Cerberus leave with Ares. He hoped the God of War would go gentle on them, although they had battled many strong monsters before. But fighting a God was different.

“Come, mortal.” Athena snapped her fingers for Roger’s attention. “Follow me.”

“The name’s Roger. Not mortal.” The ex-cop corrected.

Athena breathed a sharp purr from her helmet, sending shivers through Roger’s spine. “I’ll call you whatever I want. If you speak against me again, I will nail you to a stone wall and summon a giant vulture to eat your intestines for eternity. Understand?”

Roger’s heart dropped, but he kept his face serious. “I….. Nevermind.”

Zeus chuckled and walked away. “Enjoy your training. My daughter will make you a great man.”

Roger sighed and followed Athena. Maybe training with Ares might be a better choice for his own sake.

*****

Roger walked down a stairway behind Athena. He hasn't spoken to her since they left the garden courtyard. Not that he was afraid of her, he just doesn't want to start any unnecessary problems with the ruthless goddess. Training to save his future was more important than a pointless fight.

The stairway led them outside into a big field surrounded by rows of seats above the barrier walls. On the other side stood a bigger door, tall as a ten-story building. Roger wondered what was behind it.

"This is the gymnasium where I will make you into a brand new hero," said Athena. "Ares has his own, but that isn't important. You will do as I say, or suffer my wrath. My methods will not be easy, but I hope your brain is big enough to overcome any obstacle."

"I can manage about anything," said Roger.

"Good, now strip."

Roger blinked his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Your robes. Remove them now."

"Why?"

"Do not question me again, mortal." Athena's words struck Roger like venom. "Your male body needs aesthetic appreciation to fight well. And don't worry about me. I have seen many male sacks throughout my life."

It must be a Greek thing.

Without arguing, Roger untied his robes and dropped them to the rough sandy ground. He removed his sandals and his under loincloth next. The cold air shivered his skin as he stood with his hands over his crotch.

Athena strolled around him, scanning his nude body. "Hmmmmmmmm, your figure is acceptable. Your muscles are small, but you seem more fitted to run."

Roger struggled. "I did a lot of cardio in my time. It is part of my job."

Athena rested her two fingers on her lip and chin. "And what job is that?"

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh, guardsmen?"

Athena chuckled. "Whatever. If we have more time, I could improve your strength to equal Heracles’s body. But for now, you will master your combat skills against a Giant."

Behind her, the giant doors opened, revealing a gigantic shadow inside. It marched outside into the sunlight, wearing an armor suit with mechanic limbs and a Corinthian helmet. While shiny in bronze, the thing also carried a two-handed trident. It stood taller than a house.

Roger pointed his finger at the giant human-like machine while shaking. "That's the Giant I have to fight?"

Athena curled her grin. "One of Herphaetus’s fantastic automation." She handed Roger a long golden spear. "You will fight that thing naked with this spear. If you can bring it down to its knees, you can defeat the Giants. Fail, then you will die."

Roger glared at her. "Wouldn't it be wise if I survive your training before the battle?"

Athena crossed her arms. "I expect you to fight as if your life depended on it. I can't care what the Fates said. If you want to live, fight really hard!"

Roger gulped and stared at the robot. It reminded him of Talos in the Underworld. The thing was a pain too, but he managed to defeat it. He will show Athena how strong he is, even if he fights naked.