As he laid there in his bed, Theseus couldn't sleep, so he thought about many things. His mind wondered, and wondered, deep into his past.

Before Theseus was Part of the Xentidos, he was a son of high social standing in Thebes. He was to follow the footsteps of his parents, and join the Honor Guard and he was to began his training at the age of 7.

The Honor Guard were the Barbarian King's wisest and most trusted foot soldiers. They would give the king council, deal with diplomatic situations in their stead. The had many responsibilities to Thebes, but they only obeyed the orders of the rightful kings of Thebes.

Theseus's parents were the right hands of Balthazar's parents, and so Theseus and Balthazar were close. Today, Theseus and Balthazar were hunting, just west of Thebes, near the dry mountain range. That separates Thebes, Ilium, Arcadia, and Alybe.

It was here in these mountains that Theseus mastered his archery skills. It was as if he was destined to use his long bow. At his age, he already proved a better archer than the older men and women in Thebes. He was only 11 years old then. Balthazar on the other hand was 15, and he favored his clubs and short swords.

The two of them were on the trail of a creature that had been devouring the livestock of Thebes, and other villages in the area. They have been hunting it for 3 days now.

"My lord.." Theseus turned to the prince, "how long before we find this beast?"

They were both tired and breathing heavily, in the past 3 days, Theseus only counted 2 hours of sleep between them.

"What's wrong Theseus?" Balthazar huffed, "don't tell me you're ready to give up.."

"Of course not Lord.." he matched his heavy breathing, "I just don't want you to miss your wedding to Rebecca Dawnstar."

"I see.." his breathing began to slow, ".. don't worry, we are close now..."

"How can you tell?"

Balthazar kneeled down, brushing his blonde hair out of his face, so he could take a closer look at the foot prints they had been following. Theseus leaned back deeper against the tree, using it to remain standing. He was tired, and felt to young to be here, but he didn't want to disappoint his best friend.

"These tracks are fresh, see how the dirt looks?" He pointed out, "hmm.. that's odd..."

"What?"

"It looks like hoof prints, but normally hoofed animals have 4 legs... This trail looks like they were made by a bi-paddle creature, a creature that walks on 2 feet..."

"What does that mean?"

"Honestly, I'd suggest highering one of the Xentidos members from our city, but, we don't have the coin to spare... And I'm not willing to offer our livestock, or food form our gardens... We are already in a bad place economically.."

Balthazar was right. He couldn't afford the aid of the Xentidos. Because of how much this creature had destroyed, the people of Thebes were on the brink of famine.

Their trade wasn't going well either, nobody wanted to buy brass from Thebes anymore, and they couldn't seek the aid of any of the neighboring kingdoms either, they weren't on good terms with their neighbors.

They could seek the aid of Athens, but Balthazar was to prideful to ask for their aid.

"Well, how long before we face this creature?"

"Looking at these tracks, I'd say just up north at the mountain summit, there's a temple there from ages long since past, and it has a watering hole, and a natural spring.. with how hot this place is, the creature would definitely seek it out... It would have to or it would dehydrate itself..."

The heat of this dry mountain was almost unbearable, Theseus and Balthazar both felt like they were melting in the sunlight. It was miserable especially here in the dry season. Theseus wipes his sweat form his brow and remained hiding under the tree.

"Where is this temple at?"

"Just a little further north." Balthazar posted up hill, "it's dedicated to 2 sun gods, Helios and Ra.."

"A temple for ra? Here? This far north?!"

"Yes.."

Theseus kneeled down next to Balthazar, and studied the tracks, just as Balthazar was.

"They do head up the mountain..."

"Did you think I was lying?" Balthazar smirked, "if you want to be my Honor Guard one day, then you'll need to learn these things.."

Theseus said nothing, and nodded. Agreeing with his prince, agreeing with his friend.

"I guess we better follow these tracks then..." Theseus thought, "but what creature do these tracks belong to?"

"..now that is a good question. It could be a saytr, a hybrid, or something worse..."

Even at 17, Balthazar appeared wise, especially for someone viewed as a barbarian. Even then, Balthazar was built like a wall. The Immovable Balthazar, that's what they called him. Unlike Theseus, Balthazar wore little to no armor, leaving his torso and arms exposed, only wearing animal skins as pants, and leather as boots. He was a simple man, but a wise one. He wore his crown around his neck, in the form of a golden pendent.

After studying the tracks longer, Balthazar and Theseus decided to continue following them uphill. The sands sifted under their feet, almost sinking into the spongy landscape as the marched up the mountain.

Theseus felt the strain on his legs, it wasn't easy to match Balthazar's speed. Yet still he remained close, just behind his friend. He wondered how Balthazar could move so easily in this odd terrain. Balthazar didn't even seem to struggle even slightly. He truly was as strong as an ox.

After what felt like hours, but was only a grueling 30 minutes, they could see the top of the sandy mountian. And, from the distance, a golden temple began to come in their view.

The temple appeared to glow with the heat of the sun. Columns decorated the entrance, and the symbol of the sun framed a great door. Infront of the temple, a beautiful oasis conveniently placed itself, bouncing the blazing sun rays back into the air. Varius trees, bushes, and other plants also surrounded the temple. Theseus and Balthazar could tell it was created by the giants of Irium, a golden city, located deep in the desert that covered most of the southern part of Pangea.

"How did the Iriumites reach this far north?" Theseus asked in awe, "it would take months to reach this place..."

Balthazar gave a slight smile, amused by the kid's amazement. It's a look that he once shared too.

"Like the Atlanteans, and the Lumarians," he explained, "the Iriumites had a way of travel that they refuse to share with other kingdoms."

"Really?! That's fascinating!"

"One day, I hope we can learn their secrets.." Balthazar sighed, "but I'm not even sure that the Iriumites exist anymore, they were wiped out when Deimos fought Ahriman.. just like the dwarves.."

"Is there any way we could recover their knowledge?"

They stopped at the oasis, and filled their water skins. They washed their faces and sat under a tree, leaning against a rock.

"That's a good question..." Balthazar huffed, exhausted from their long travel, "..maybe one day, but as far as I know, the only ones who could harbor such knowledge is the Xentidos.. and Our negotiations keep falling short..."

"Hmm.." Theseus thought for a moment, "..maybe we should send a different negotiator... Like my mother or father..."

"..or, maybe one day I can send you..."

"..really?!... I.. would be... Honored for that chance my lord..."

He beat his chest once with his fist, a sign of respect for Balthazar.

"When you beince king, I would love to be sent to Xenthos to negotiate on your behalf.. I'd be looking forward to it.."

Balthazar smiled at his friend, and nodded.

"Then it's settled then.." he smirked, "when I become king, I will send you to Xenthos to negotiate," he remained smiling, "I believe your hunger for knowledge would benefit more than our previous negotiators.." he gave a serious look next, " I believe King Stilphius would be pleased to talk to someone like you who shares his interests in knowledge.."

"Do you really think so?"

Balthazar said nothing, and nodded.

Once they rested for a few moments, Balthazar stood up, and extended his hand warmly.

"Come, we must finish this mission," his smirk returned, "after all, I am to be married in a few weeks time, and I don't want to miss it.." 

Theseus took his hand and stood up.

"We've wasted too much time as it is." Theseus broke the silence, "I'd be a poor Honor Guard if I couldn't get you to your wedding in time.."

Hearing those words, Balthazar couldn't help but to laugh and chuckle. Balthazar was deeply in love with Rebecca, and she made him truly and genuinely happy. And she was beautiful too.

"Come, the tracks lead into the temple." He voice lowered, "I suggest we be careful.. and prepared for anything.."

Balthazar drew his clubbed blades from his sides, they were a special weapon, they looked like short swords, but with a spiked club at the end, the blades themselves only were sharp on one side. They were made from a golden metal, said to be forged in Asgard and given to Balthazar's first ancestor. They had black hilts, where the bottom curved and resembled dragons. Theseus seen Balthazar use them before, they created lighting everytime he swung them.

Theseus drew his long bow, and readied and arrow. His weapons were basic compared to Balthazar's, but, his arrows were made from Silverite, which ment he could use his magic to create lighting around the arrow head.

The two of them creep into the temple. It was dark, but the wall-torches seemed to dimly lit the hollowed halls. Cobwebs ordained the ceiling and walls, the stone beneath their feet seemed shattered and brittle under their feet, nothing like the outside of the temple. It felt more like a crypt instead of a holy place.

They say nothing, moving quietly and stealthily through the temple halls. Exploring, wondering deeper and deeper into the darkness.

Finally, there are no more torches lit, and they found themselves stumbling in darkness. The temple had no become a maze to them. They would do their best to cling to the walls, and used their lightning to signal each other. The crackling noise of their lightning magic, seemed muffled and quiet, trying to keep their stealth in check. They would only let their lightning be seen in glimpses.

They venture deeper and deeper. Theseus's photographic memory made a mental map on his head, to ensure that neither of them became lost in this maze. Deeper and deeper they ventured. Until finally..

Grrrwwl!!
Roar!!!
Snuff!!

The sounds grew louder, and louder. The closer they ventured to the sound, the louder the grunts and moans seemed.

"I think we found what we were after.."Balthazar whispered, quiet as a mouse, "shh, we just remain quiet, it doesn't sound like it's found us yet.."

Theseus's adrenaline was pumping through his body. He was excited, breyahing irregularly. Balthazar pressed the bottom of one of his hilts onto his friends chest, signaling him to slow his irregular breathing. And Theseus did as his was ordered.

Rooaaarrr!!
Growl!!

They were closer now,  and the dark abyss of the maze seemed to open up, letting a dark glimmer of light break through the cracks in the ceiling, and finally they saw what they were after.

"Shit..." Balthazar huffed in his silent breath, "I wasn't expecting this..."

Theseus came up to Balthazar's side for a better look, and gave a silent gasp.

It was a creature unlike anything he had seen before. He's seen wyverns, and Basilisks in the desert, and near Thebes. Theseus even killed a small group of goblins with Balthazar's help.  But this creature. He never thought he would see one. He read about him when he studied the new island Crete, But he never expected them on the mainland.

It was large, and hairy, it seemed human, at least partly. It stood upright like a human or an elf. But its muscles were bigger than Balthazar's, and it towered over them.

Theseus felt terror overtake him. The creature had large eyes that reflected the light form the cracks, giving off a horrible red glow. It had 2 large horns, and it's head was shaped like that of a bull or a cow.

".. Minotaur?..." Theseus felts as if her were on the verge of having a panic attack, "how the hell are we supposed to slay that?"

Wind felt like it was crashing into them, a good sign.

"Shh" Balthazar responded, "we need to be careful... Careful and cautious..."

Balthazar always look calm. He wasn't afraid of anything it seemed. It was like nothing phased him. With such calmness radiating from Balthazar, Theseus regained his nerve, he slowed his breathing once more, and looked at his prince.

"..what's the plan?"

"Shh!" He hushed him again, "let me think, stay quiet, it hasn't noticed us yet..."

The wind kept rushing against them. And the Minotaur seemed to continue to not notice them. It stood there, appearing to lift it's large ears as if trying to listen.

"Don't minotaurs have an acute sense of smell though?"

"Yes... We are just lucky that the wind is blowing against us right now..."

Balthazar felt the wind begin to slow, so he held up his hands to signal Theseus to do nothing, while he thought. After thinking in silence for what felt like an eternity, he made a familiar hand sign, signaling Theseus to move to the side of the room farthest form them, against a wall to the far east, where he could seek cover in the fallen columns.

"Here's the plan.." his hushed whispers could barely be heard from the wind, "I want you to go over there, on my signal, I want you to- shh!"

He felt the wind die, and the two of them criutched lower, behind follen columns and stone blocks.

The Minotaur pointed it's disgusting, snotry nose to the ceiling, and took no less than 4 deep inheales. And then...

Squeel!!
Grunt!
Squeeeel!!

It turned to their direction, and readied itself on all fours. It let out another unholy screech, and charged forward at them.

"ROLLL!!"

Balthazar quickly tossed Theseus to the far side of the room, slamming him into the wall using only one arm, and then took a strong stance.

The Minotaur lunged further at them, galloping almost, ready to skewer the good prince with its large hulking tusks.

Theseus was dazed for a moment, as his vision returned to normal, he felt he was about to see his friend get impaled.

The bull charged with all its might and momentum, coming up dust and rocks as it lunged.

Sllaaaamm!!!

Theseus closed his eyes fesieng the worst, but as he heard a strong straining grunt he opened his eyes again. And again, Theseus found himself in awe, paralyzed it seemed, unable to move it register what was happening before him.

The Minotaur struggled and strained, huffing, and growling, filled with anger and hate in its eyes.

Balthazar was holding the Minotaur in place. Literally grabbing the bull from its horns. He grunted like a wild beast, gnashing his teeth with so much pressure that he felt like his gums were bleeding.  The Minotaur was still trying to rush, but Balthazar held it in place, it looked like he was holding the beast there with ease.

Theseus couldn't believe it. He heard that Balthazar's bloodline was descended from the Nyphlim, but until now, he hadn't believed it. The strength he showed, no normal human should be able to do those things. Theseus was paralyzed with thoughts rushing into his mind.

"Damn it Theseus!! Hurry up, I can't hold him here forever..." He could feel himself struggle, "I need you to fire your arrows with your magic.." he grunted, "so I can break this bastard's momentum.. hurry!!!"

He gnashed his teeth, as the very tip of the horns moved closer to Balthazar's bare meaty shoulders. The ground beneath him seemed to start giving way, slowly, meter by microscopic meter, the ground shifted. And Balthazar began struggling more and more.

"THESEUS!!!"

The pained voice in Balthazar's ton broke Theseus out of his trance.

"Come..on!!"

The tip of the horns began breaking the first layer of skin.

Theseus quicky drew his bow, and readied his arrow, and he focused. Manifesting his electrical magic, he channeled it from his stomach, up his arm, out his finger tips, and through the wood of the arrow, the lightning then made contact with the Arrowhead, and it waved and spun like a small spiraling storm.

Theseus then simply  let go of the arrow, and it glided angelically to the hairy knee of the beast.

It spun and spun, in endless cycles, and as it flew, the lighting grew stronger and more intense.

In the center of the Minotaur's knee the lighting infused arrow impaled. Bursting and shattering into endless shrapnel, and the sound of thunder shook the entire room. It felt like a violent earthquake shook them. And the Minotaur collapsed violently, and it's face smashed into the ground, braking it's horns in Balthazar's hands.

Wrooaaaar!!

It wailed in pain. Crying almost. Making their ears ring. It wailed, and struggled to stand.

It's knees were useless, no matter how many times it tried to stand, the Minotaur collapsed, over, and over.

It used its hands, but it's legs couldn't move. Theseus and Balthazar watched it struggle.

"We can't let it suffer.." Balthazar said, "..and there's only one way to kill a Minotaur..."

He looked at the broken horns he held in his hands. Then handed one to Theseus.

"We must run it's horns through its heart and brain..."

Theseus nodded in agreement, and they walked towards the beast. They both kneeled next to it.

"You fought well monster..." Balthazar spoke, "..I offer you to the spirit of Odin, as a sacrifice..."

He held the horn up ritualistically. And Theseus mimicked his movements.

"You truly were a unique creature...." Theseus said, "thank you for a good battle.."

The brought the horns down, and in sync they plunges their horns through the brain and the heart of the Minotaur..

It gave out one final squeel, and Theseus watched the life fade from its eyes. Then he and Balthazar nodded, and removed the horns.

"That was... Unlike anything I have ever seen..." Theseus proclaimed, ".. I knew you were strong, but, no human has that strength... How did you do that?"

Balthazar huffed, cleaning the scrapes on his chest with his large hands. He then cracked his knuckles and neck.

"My people, are the direct descendants of the Nyphlim of old.." Baktahzar poped his back, "the race created when giants bred with humans..."

"I see..." He looked at his bloody trophy, "if your so powerful, why do you even need an Honor Guard?"

Balthazar stretched, and poped his chest next, followed by his knees.

"Because..." He stretched again, "..we don't like killing people, unless it's necessary.. and my strength is hard to hold back, especially when faced with a strong opponent.."

"..I see..." Theseus tilted his head, "but if you unrestrain yourself, how can the Honor Guard prevent you from killing someone?"

"Because, the Honor Guard is also supposed to keep us in check, we train you to kill us if we go to far.."

Theseus was in awe. How could he ever be strong enough to restrain Balthazar?, he wasn't exactly good with swords, and his bow and arrows are useless at close range combat. He couldn't think of any possible way to take Balthazar head on.

"..forgive me..." Theseus questioned, "..I have to make myself stronger than YOU?! That would be impossible!!"

"That's part of being the Honor Guard Theseus..." He spat on the ground, "you have to be willing to kill me should the time comes, and be powerful enough to.."

"But why?"

"Because.." he sighed, "..When my family goes into battle, and we want to use all of our strength, we have to enter a kind of... Rage state, ... Or rather, Berserker state..."

He explained that in that Berserk State, they go on a wild rampage, destroying, and demolishing, killing everything in their way. The Honor Guard were diplomats mostly, but, they also have to be able to pacify the Berserker State, and to do this, they needed to be able to knock out, or if need be, kill, the person going berserk. It was dangerous, but that state of mind was what made Balthazar's bloodline so powerful and renown. It was that Berserker State that gave them the reputation of being barbaric monsters with no manners.

"I see... I understand.." he nodded, "thank you, this is going to prepare me and drive me.. I won't let you down!"

Balthazar and Theseus shared a laugh. They joked, and joked. Theseus remembered those days.

After they killed the Minotaur, Theseus and Balthazar searched the Temple, and took all the gold, jewels, tablets, and objects of wealth.

They arrive at a large Treasury, filled with glittering stones and coins. They were piled up floor to ceiling, wider than even the most wealthy kings at the time had. The treasure meant allot to the people of Thebes.

The people of Thebes always had a neck for finding treasures, before the drought, they were just as famed for their treasure hunting skills that they rivaled the Xentidos.

"Lord.." Theseus broke his silence, ".. with this much gold, we wouldn't be so poor, the other kingdoms would notice us again.."

"That's true..." Balthazar nodded, "this much wealth, it would help out kingdom allot.."

"On top of the pay the neighboring kingdoms are going to pay us?"

"Yes.."

"That would definitely restore our economy, and more.."

They agreed to take the riches of the temple. Balthazar then sent Theseus back to  Thebes, to tell everyone the good news. It wasn't long until all of them took wagons and wagons to and from the temple. Taking everything they could. Eager to make the economy boom once more in Thebes.

It took days to take all the treasure from the temple. They took the knowledge tablets and other artifacts, and turned them over to the Xentidos, which only added more to their wealth.

After the treasure was taken to Thebes, Theseus remained at the temple, studying it, mapping down every room to the temple, writing, tracing, drawing it into the scrolls he carried on him at all times.

Theseus found that the temples real treasure was engraved within the walls himself. There were letters, written in strange languages, or rather the same words but in various languages. He found a translation he understood, and read it, over and over, and even writing it in the scrolls.

"Oh wow, so there is one treasure left..." He studied the words he wrote, ".. hmm a divine artifact huh .. that will help me for sure... I could definitely serve Thebes better with this..."

The words were a cryptic map, he spent 3 hours trying to to crack what it was saying, but he figured it out.

From what he understood now, Theseus  traced a line within the map, and he created a map to the treasure.

He followed his map eagerly, leading him further into the labyrinth abyss, and safe from any Minotaur attack, Theseus followed his map, and stayed true to it. 

It took him a while, but he finally reached the end.

And he found himself standing infornt of a black Silverite door. He recognized it's celestial silver glow, and held his hand to its center.

"Seek my soul, so I may better serve you.." he changed, "for I seek to honor your name, your memory, and your soul..."

As he said those words, face Silverite door liquified, and retreated within the door frame.

He found himself gazing into a shimmering silver cylinder room. In the center of the room, a tall Silverite alter, carved delicately, and precisely. In the prongs stood a strange golden metal object. As Theseus drew closer, he felt an invisible force shoot through his chest. It felt ice cold, chilling to the core. Suddenly he does like he wasn't alone.

"Whose there?" He called out, "show yourself.."

He heard hushed whispers surround him, he couldn't make out what they were saying. But he could see the golden object glowing brighter in the distance.

He walked closer to the object, the hushed whispers raised to aggressive hisses.

"What's going on?"

"Forward.." a strange patient voice called to him, "move forward.."

Theseus listened to the powerful voice, the hisses turned to spooky slow howls.

"Come forward..." The ghostly voice sounded over them, wisping, "..come.. destiny has fallen to you.."

Theseus moved forward, ignoring the ghastly voices, as they now shriek into his soul.

"Come.."

Theseus finally made it to the alter, the golden object glowed, it's sphere began to crack, and a blinding light seemed to blow the voices away.

"You... Are... My chosen.." the voice was stronger, "..you will help where you are needed most.."

From the light erupted a flaming ray, it felt beautiful and warm, like the sun. And when the light flickered away, a new object was on the alter.

It was a golden bow, it looked like metal, but was a flexible wood. It's string look strong and reliable, it's energy glowed in friendly waves, as if calling out to Theseus.

"Come, New Blood, for you carry my future.." it wailed angelically.

Theseus felt his hand move on its own, as if his body was ready to reach out and grab his destiny, before his mind was ready. However he knew in his heart that this felt right. He felt he was mentally for this bow.

As he grabbed the base of the bow, he felt the strange holy enefy sink into him. He felt as if a new power lie dorment inside of him. However he knew he wasn't ready to use it.

He turned his attention to the bow, and a brilliant sapphire blue flame appeared to be surrounding him. And he heard the voice one final time.

"He will need you, and so will they, I will appear to you soon, when you are ready..."

It was then, that Theseus finally awoke form his dream.

"When I'm ready huh.. Ra... I can't wait for that moment.."

He yawned and stretched, then he fastened his armor and clothes.  Then he reached for his wall mount, where his Golden Bow was hanging. He looked at it for a moment, remembering his dream, his memory.

"Now I'm almost 30, and still I wait..."

Just then, Theseus felt a small pulse within the bow, he held his hand there, but then buying happened. So he nodded, and slung it over his shoulder. Ready to face another day.