As Phaedra drifted back towards consciousness, several things became clear to her. The first thing she noticed was that she could breathe again, and each breath felt more wonderful than she remembered. But, this was probably due to the fact that she was denied those precious breaths when she was underwater. The second thing she felt all across her body was a warmth that seemed to immediately dry her dress and caress her skin. And, as she opened her eyes, a bright light blinded her for several moments, but when her vision finally adjusted, Phaedra realized she was no longer in Zaesria.

She was lying in the middle of a path which led up to the most beautiful city. Even her wildest dreams would not have been able to create the splendor that she beheld before her. The streets seemed to be paved with gold but were nothing compared to the beauty of the buildings next to them. Each brick seemed to shine with its own inner light. Phaedra stood up in a daze and began to walk down the path, my eyes focused on only one thing.

The grandest building of them all adorned the top of a large hill. Its pillars were massive and dwarfed everything around them except the building itself. Phaedra could not keep her jaw from dropping as she gazed in awe at the magnificent building and continued walking slowly towards it.

As Phaedra passed the smaller buildings on my way to the large hall, she noticed many people lounging outside. Their laughs trilled high into the skies and made her want to smile along. They were beautiful people, with fair skin and bright eyes that danced playfully as the people continued to express their delight. But, all noise stopped abruptly as many began to take notice of her presence. It was obvious Phaedra did not belong in their midst, and as she began to feel their eyes boring accusingly into her, she sped up and briskly walked away from the wave of whispers beginning behind her.

"How is she here?"

"-just a mortal!"

"It is impossible!"

Turning her walk into a run, Phaedra quickly made her way to the large building. If anyone in this place would know what was going on, it would be whoever lived there. Suddenly the city did not seem as pleasant. It was still beautiful, but more of a mocking beauty that blatantly pointed out how much of an outsider she was. Her brown tresses could not compare with the shining locks of those around her. Phaedra's brown eyes did not shine with as much intelligence either, nor did her face hold such regal dignity. And though she was considered beautiful in Zaesria, here she seemed no more beautiful than an insect.

Finally, she made it to the top of the hill where she realized how much she had underestimated the size of the hall. It was so massive that she reckoned that half of Zaesria could have fit inside. Taking tentative steps, Phaedra allowed her curiosity to propel her forward between the large pillars and into the hall.

Arrayed before her was a row of chairs, each taller than the average building in Zaesria. Phaedra could not imagine how a single person could sit in the throne-like chair, but, she did not have to imagine, for several people already occupied the enormous seats. Of the twelve massive thrones, only five were occupied by the largest people Phaedra had ever seen.

An immense power radiated from the five giants. Three of the giants were male and two were female, and as Phaedra looked upon the large person in the center of the room, she could not help but feel as if she had seen him before. His large, white beard moved side to side as he pondered her in front of him. She could tell he was confused by her presence, and that confusion soon turned to frustration.

"What kind of absurd farce is this?" The bearded man's voice thundered around the room. His eyes seemed to spark in near rage, "Brother, is this your doing?"

"Why do you always assume it is my fault when something strange happens?" The male giant directly to the first said. He also had a beard, but instead of being white, his beard was grey with brown mixed in throughout. There also seemed to be a certain aroma about him, he smelt distinctly like the sea. With every breath he exhaled, Phaedra could clearly visualize the breeze that would often blow across the water back home.

"Because it seems that all my problems have something to do with you," the first man grumbled.

"Father," one of the two females said. Her blonde hair was regal and as she regarded Phaedra with her stern grey eyes. Phaedra had no doubt that this woman could outsmart even the cleverest warrior. "We are getting off topic, aren't we? Shouldn't we be figuring out who this mortal is?"

"Mortal!" The first man rumbled, his white beard practically crackling with electricity. Phaedra gasped when an actual lightning bolt flashed from within his beard, but that was impossible. Perhaps she was just in shock.

"But father, that is impossible," the last male said. He did not have a beard and looked quite young compared to the other men in the room. His hair was a brighter gold than the sun itself, and his blue eyes shone with a playful curiosity. Of all the giants in the room, Phaedra trusted him the most. "It is impossible for a mortal to come here. She most have a trace of godly blood within her."

Mortal? Godly blood? Phaedra's head spun with confusion as these words sounded in her mind. What were they talking about?

"It does not matter how she got here, all that matters is that she is trespassing and-" the man with the large white beard said with authority.

"I didn't mean to come here!" Phaedra shouted out, too nervous to be courteous, "It was an accident; I don't even know where I am! All I want is to know how to get back to my village!"

"You mean you don't realize where you are?" The woman with the intelligent grey eyes said. Phaedra shook her head.

"Mortal ignorance," the man with the white beard said in distaste, "I ought to just smite her now."

"Peace father," the young man said, his eyes regarding Phaedra curiously, "As she said, it was only an accident."

"Accident or not, if allowed to return then we will be regarded as weak. No, better to destroy her and prove a point," the bearded man shouted, pointing a finger at her threateningly.

"Killing her would be the wisest move," the woman with the grey eyes said, leaning back into her throne. Phaedra's knees began to quake as she realized her defense was shrinking by the second.

"But what fun would that be?" The second woman spoke for the first time. She was unbelievably beautiful. Her hair was a flowing auburn with perfect curls and her skin was fair and smooth. Her almond shaped eyes were bright and danced with a spirited gleam. Around her neck was an elegant necklace with large, sparkling jewels.

"Can someone please tell me what is going on?" Phaedra shouted, near hysterics.

The man with the white beard opened his mouth to respond, but the younger man beat him to it. "Somehow, by accident or not, you have found your way to Mount Olympus."

"Mount Olympus?" she whispered in disbelief.

"Yes girl, this is indeed Mount Olympus," the man with the brown beard said. If that was true, then that meant...

"And you are the gods?" Phaedra responded, the world beginning to tilt beneath her.

"Yes," the young man responded, a slight smile beginning to grace his lips.

Finally, her mind made the connection it had been lacking and she looked upon the people, no gods, in front of her. "Then that means," she said in shock, "that you are Apollo!"

The young god with the golden hair nodded in approval at her.

"And you!" Phaedra continued, looking at the man who smelt like the sea, "You are Poseidon!"

He also allowed an amused smile to grace his lips.

"You are Aphrodite," Phaedra said looking at the beautiful woman before turning to the woman with the grey eyes, "And you are Athena."

Once again she was correct.

"And," Phaedra said, turning to the last of the gods. His large white beard cracked once more in pure energy, "you are Zeus, King of the Gods."

"Yes, and now you see the gravity of your actions, mortal. You have intruded upon the hall of the gods and, therefore, must be punished."

"Your highness, Lord Zeus," Phaedra responded nervously, "I am deeply sorry for my rash actions. I did not know I was in the land of the gods, and if I had, I would never have taken it upon myself to disturb you. Please, have mercy upon me."

"And if I do, then what? You will return home and boast of your deeds. All will consider me powerless then. No, in recompense of your actions, you must be killed," Zeus said, his eyes blazing.

Phaedra dropped to her knees and prepared to beg, but was startled to see Apollo stand from his throne and turn to Zeus, "Father, it was obviously mistake. This mortal did not even know where she was. It would be unjust to kill her."

"Apollo," Aphrodite said, her eyes shining playfully, "I must say that I agree with you. Besides, I have taken an interest in this mortal. Father, can we not simply punish her? That would be more amusing, anyways."

"She will still gloat of her achievement if we allow her any mercy," Zeus said stubbornly.

"There are ways to avoid that," Poseidon commented.

"Yes, but it may be wisest to avoid all complications and simply kill her," Athena said, "It would be the easiest course of action."

"But father," Aphrodite said, "I have a very effective solution if you would only consider it."

She then spoke, but for some reason, Phaedra could not hear a word they said. Aphrodite's mouth moved and the other gods seemed to hear her, but she could not. Several times it seemed the gods bickered at each other, for their expressions grew frustrated and they moved their hands a lot. But, Apollo seemed the most flustered. He often made objective expressions and paced in front of his throne. Finally, when it seemed the gods had reached a decision, Apollo looked pityingly in Phaedra's direction and sat down in his throne exasperatedly.

"Phaedra Deondresdaughter," Zeus said as Phaedra's hearing returned to her, "In recompense for your actions, we the gods have determined your punishment."

The whole room was silent. Phaedra glanced at Apollo, hoping for some kind of reassurance, but he would not meet her eye. Zeus then pointed one finger at her, and before she even had the chance to wonder why, a bright light flashed throughout the room. Her whole body felt as if it was on fire as an inhuman scream tore through her mouth. Her spine bent forward as she dropped to her hands in knees. The pain was unbearable. It felt as if her own body had turned against her as a horrendous wave of agony wracked through her limbs. Time itself seemed to stop and prolong her torture. Finally, when she could take no more, Phaedra's mind was once again sent spiraling into unconsciousness.