Before Phaedra even became fully aware of her consciousness, she knew that she was not in Mount Olympus anymore. Her surroundings were too hot whereas Mount Olympus was perfectly mild. Her nose also picked up the most wondrous scent. Snapping her eyes open, she took several deep breaths, taking in the striking smell of roasting meat. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she took notice of the large trees surrounding her and the abundance of shrubbery. Despite the feeling of comfort the forest evoked, Phaedra did not stand up, for the gods had promised her a punishment and she was wary of what they had planned for her.

But, as she lay upon the grass, Phaedra could not help noticing how sharp her vision had become. She could see farther than she remembered and could even see the small bugs crawling over the individual grass blades beneath her. Her ears also took in every sound around her, catching everything from the flap of bird wings to the scurrying of the mice beneath the ground. And, when she took even the shortest breaths, a hoard of different scents came rushing in. She could smell the musky scent of the forest animals, the sharp smell of the grass and the trees, and the faintest smell of humans.

Phaedra's head snapped up as she recognized the different scents. Something was wrong. She had never smelt half of the things she identified, yet they seemed to be instinctual. And, she had classified the scent of a person as if she wasn't one.

In a near panic, she jumped to her feet. The world seemed shorter, and as perceptions and expectation clashed within her mind, Phaedra looked down to see paws, not her feet. Yelping out loud, she turned her head around and observed a long back and a tail covered in a shimmering gold fur. Beginning to understand the severity of the situation, she dashed across the ground, four legs carrying her faster than two ever could. Phaedra did not know where she was, but she knew that there had to be water somewhere in these woods. The once welcome forest now seemed intimidating and exotic. She continued to run until she found a small pond. It wasn't much, but it served her purpose well enough as Phaedra but over it and peered at the reflective surface. What she saw looking back startled her.

Where her usual angled face used to be was now the head of a wolf. Her brown tresses were replaced by shining gold fur that seemed to glow more than the stars themselves. Her brown colored eyes were now bright amber. Horrified, Phaedra jumped back and sat down upon the ground. Her head spun as small whimpers escaped her throat.

"I am sorry," a voice spoke up behind her. Whirling around, Phaedra bared her teeth out of mere instinct, but as her eyes gazed upon the man in front of her, she immediately calmed down.

"I know this is confusing," Apollo said, his golden hair, which matched her own fur, shining brightly in the glade, "but you must know that I never meant for any of this to happen. And I am here to try and make things easier for you."

Phaedra nodded her head in a very human way. She then opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a strangled warble. She growled in frustration and tried again but once more received the same result.

Apollo chuckled apologetically, "If you practice, you may be able to gain a little bit of your speech back, but until then I will simply explain everything to you.

"Zeus intended for you to come here completely oblivious to what will happen within the next week, but I feel as if that is too harsh. I have come here against my father's will to try to help you survive. You are currently located within the Forest of Aema, outside of Zaesria. But, do not try to leave the forest. You have been bound to this forest, and any attempt to leave will cost you your life. As I am sure you have already noticed, you have been turned into a wolf. Your fur is a shimmering gold as tribute to me, and you will always be strongest when under the rays of the sun."

Apollo paused, then his face took on a more serious aspect, "This may seem amiable, but it is anything but. Zeus has ordered that once a year a Hunt will take place, at which time the people of the village will surge into the forest to try to kill you. You will need to evade the hunters for the entire day. If you are able to do this, you will find that you are immortal every other day of the year. Your hide will be stronger than metal and you will notice that nothing will be able to penetrate it, except upon the day of the hunt. You will be allowed to kill anyone you please, but I implore upon you to resist the urge unless it is absolutely necessary. By doing so, not only will you find that their desire to execute you will increase, but you will also be relinquishing one of the last shreds of human morality you possess.

Phaedra looked down at her paws. Each claw was sharp enough to kill even the toughest predator. But, Apollo was right. She would never be able to kill another human being. It would be immoral.

"You have my sympathies, Phaedra. In fact, that is why I am here. I have taken an interest in you and wish to offer my assistance in any way I can. As long as you are devoted and pay tribute to me, I will give you my blessing and as much support as I can afford to give without alerting my father to my interference," Apollo explained, his eyes taking a very protective emotion.

Phaedra sniffed and bowed her head, trying to wordlessly express her thanks to the courteous god. He seemed to understand as he strode over and knelt down to her level, placing his hand upon her head, ruffling the fur that was so foreign to her.

"I am truly sorry about this atrocious fate the gods have condemned you to. I only hope that my support will make your life less arduous," Apollo said, staring into Phaedra's amber eyes with irises brighter than the blue sky.

But, sooner than she would have liked, Apollo stood and bowed his head to her before saying, "This is where I take my leave. And, I do hope you survive. If you do, this will not be the last time you see me." He then disappeared in a ray of sunlight, leaving Phaedra alone. She was no longer confused, but that did not mean her anger and melancholy had dissipated. Although, when Apollo was there he was able to restrain her negative thoughts and create a feeling of comfort. If only she could survive, she would be able to see him again.

Standing, Phaedra allowed a newfound sense of determination to flood through her limbs. She would show the gods. She would survive. She would survive and live to see Apollo again.