Blake Hoena - The Quest of Theseus: An Interactive Mythological Adventure

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YOU are the mighty Greek hero Theseus. You are on a quest has you facing monsters, criminals, and powerful gods. You must defeat them all if you are to prove your worth to your father.

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through this mythical adventure.

Theseus, I have a surprise for you, your mother says. Come.

You grab your cloak and follow her outside. She leads you through the streets of Troezen, your home city. You pass shops and thatched homes. All the while, your mother is silent.

Where are we going? you ask.

Just follow me, your mother whispers.

She leads you out of town. Eventually the marketplace and houses are left behind. Once Troezen is no longer in sight, your mother turns onto a narrow path that winds its way up a hill.

Youre old enough now, she begins. Its time I told you the truth about your father.

This comes as a surprise. Your father left Troezen before you were born. Until now, your mother wouldnt tell you who he was. Shed never told anyone the truth.

When people asked, your mother said that you were the son of Poseidon. Living near the sea, the people of Troezen honored him above all other gods. He was the citys . So when your mother, Princess Aethra, claimed that Poseidon was your father, no one argued. They did not want to risk angering the mighty sea god. But you never really believed her.

Youve probably guessed that Poseidon is not your father, your mother whispers.

Does anyone else know that? you ask.

Only your grandfather, she says. Hes the only one who knows the truth.

But why did you lie to everyone, including me, all these years? you wonder aloud.

In the past, you had begged your mother to tell you who your father really was. She always stuck to her claim that it was Poseidon.

She stops and turns to you. Im sorry, she says. I wanted to, but your father your real father had warned me not to.

Why? you ask. Why keep it a secret?

To protect us, to keep you safe, your mother says. Your father has many enemies.

She turns away and starts walking the rest of the way up the hill.

Then who is he? you ask, chasing after her.

King Aegeus of Athens, your mother says.

You are stunned. You had guessed your father might be an important man. But never had you imagined he would rule one of the most important cities in all of Greece.

Your father was on his way home from seeing the of Delphi, your mother explains. He wanted an heir, and the oracles guidance led him to me. But before you were born, King Minos of Crete declared war on Athens. Your father left to defend his city.

Why didnt he come back to see you? you ask. To see me?

Your mother bows her head. He couldnt.

Athens had lost the war with Crete, and there are rumors of a horrible price the city has been forced to pay. You dont know the full story. Maybe that is what kept your father away all these years.

But he left some gifts for you, your mother says. In case he could not return.

What are they? Where are they? you ask.

There, your mother says, pointing to a large rock. It is about as big around as you are tall.

I dont understand, you say, confused.

Your father said that once you were grown I was to bring you here, your mother explains. He wanted me to tell you about the gifts. He said they are yours if you can move that rock.

You have nothing of your fathers. If he left something for you, you want it.

Determined, you strut over to the rock. You plant your feet and push with all your strength. Your legs tremble. Ever so slightly, you feel the rock shift.

Bit by bit, the rock moves. With one last burst of strength, you roll it aside.

You did it! your mother says, proudly.

Where the rock once sat is a hole. In it, you find a sword and a pair of sandals.

You reach down to pull out the sandals. You swap your footwear for your fathers. Then you take the sword and hold it up to examine.

With this blade, I will make my father proud, you promise.

Now, you are ready to prove yourself as one of Greeces greatest heroes. But what adventure will you go on?

As you hold your fathers sword, you tell your mother, I will go see my father. I will earn the right to be heir to the throne of Athens.

As you prepare to leave, your mother tells you some alarming news.

Ive heard your father is about to be married to Medea, she says.

The witch who helped Jason and the Argonauts retrieve the Golden Fleece? you ask. Everyone in Greece has heard of how Jason earned the right to rule Iolcos by finding this priceless treasure.

Your mother nods. Medea has a son, Medus. If you dont reach your father before the wedding, Medus will become heir to your fathers throne.

Now you have another reason to hurry. You gather up your things and prepare to leave.

Be careful, your mother warns.

I will, you reply as you hug her.

You take the road out of Troezen that heads north. It will take you past the city of Epidaurus and to the Isthmus of Corinth. From there, you will go east, around the gulfs northern shore, and on to Athens.

The farther you get from home, the fewer travelers you see. The ones you do come across clutch their belongings close. This worries you. Why are people so nervous?

Excuse me, you say to an elderly man. What dangers lie along this road?

The man appears to be afraid of you.

I mean you no harm, you say. Im on my way to Athens.

I wouldnt take the road to Epidaurus, then, the man says. There are thieves, and Periphetes is the worst of them.

Ive never heard of him, you say.

Hes a giant, about twice as tall as I am, the man explains. They call him Clubman because of the weapon he carries.

You could continue along the road you are on. But traveling by water might be safer, and it would also be quicker.

You feel sorry for the old man and offer him some food. Then you continue on to Athens.

Even though danger lies ahead, you stay on the road to Epidaurus. After all, you are out to prove yourself. What better way than by facing a giant?