"Man, I'm starving." Brody popped a few grapes into his mouth.
"I wish the gods would give us more food," he complained to Heracles.
The gods were feasting on roasted meats, fish, cheese, and vegetables.
Even the mortals in the crowd had plenty of food, thanks to the vendors wandering around.
A few minutes earlier, after the end of the discus event, Zeus had called for a lunch break.
Brody could see Julia, Markos, and Iphicles enjoying a platter of cheese and olives.
Delicious scents drifted over the track, making Brody even hungrier.
Heracles was chewing on a fig. "Eating light snacks is best," he told Brody.
"If you're full, you can't perform well in the Games."
Brody shrugged, still wishing he had a nice, juicy cheeseburger—or at least some of those sausages Dionysus was enjoying.
"So which event comes next in the pentathlon?" he asked.
"The javelin throw," Heracles replied.
"And what pranks are planned for that?" Brody asked.
"None," Heracles said. "At least none that we know about.
Julia, Markos, and Iphicles heard no one plotting against me in this event."
Brody shrugged. "So maybe the gods will give you a break when it's your turn to throw the javelin." He picked up another grape.
"I doubt it," Heracles replied grimly. "I suppose I'll have to be ready for anything."
"Yeah." Brody tossed the grape into his mouth.
"By the way, I'm sorry for throwing my discus so far. I almost beat you!"
Heracles shot him a surprised look. "You have no need to apologize for that, my friend," he said.
"I didn't realize the tortoise would be so heavy," Brody went on.
"You would have thrown a real discus much farther."
"This is still a competition, Brody," Heracles said, looking serious.
"I'm willing to accept your help in avoiding the gods' mischief.
But I still want to win on my own merits."
Brody nodded. "Yeah. I get it." He knew just how Heracles felt.
He loved to win football games, but winning wouldn't be fun if the other team wasn't doing its best.
Soon the lunch break ended, and the Games resumed.
Zeus announced the start of the javelin event.
"Ares' champion will go first," he declared. Then he smirked.
"Although there's not much point in anyone throwing the javelin, is there?
It's pretty clear already who is going to win every event."
A few gods groaned.
"Don't get cocky, Zeus," Ares called out with a frown.
"Anything can happen in the Olympic Games, and we're not even halfway through!"
A smile curled across Zeus' face. "As you wish, Ares," he said.
"I merely wanted to spare your champions the embarrassment of losing."
Hera scowled. "That's enough, husband," she snapped.
"I came to see the Games, not to listen to your constant bragging."
"It's not bragging if it's true, dear wife." Zeus smirked again.
When Brody's turn came, he threw the javelin as far as he could.
Brody knew at once that it was a good throw, and he instantly heard Hermes cheering and applauding.
Agon stepped forward to retrieve the javelin and mark its landing spot.
"Sorry, Hermes," Demeter said with a smug expression.
"It appears that your champion has failed to beat my champion's mark."
Brody gulped, remembering Hermes' warning about sending Brody to Tartarus.
Would Hermes think that Brody hadn't done his best?
So far Brody had come in second or third in all the events. Was that good enough?
"It has to be," he thought. "Even Hermes must realize that nobody can beat Heracles at any feat of speed or strength.
At least I hope he realizes that."
Brody forgot about Hermes when Heracles stepped up for his turn.
"Good luck, buddy," Brody whispered as he moved aside.
Heracles nodded, but his focus was on the javelin he'd just picked up. He hoisted it to his shoulder.
Suddenly Brody saw the javelin shimmer—and then move in Heracles' hand!
"Heracles! Look out!" he cried.
But Heracles had already felt the change.
The javelin had turned into an enormous hissing serpent!
Ares had played this prank on Brody.
Brody should have predicted that Ares would try it now on Heracles!
Meanwhile Heracles acted fast.
He grabbed the serpent behind its head so it couldn't bite him, and swiftly tied the whole creature into a huge knot.
Then he flung it along the course with all his might.
The crowd roared as the knotted serpent flew through the air.
It untied itself in midair—and then turned back into a javelin just before landing.
Brody let out a sigh of relief. "Snakes," he muttered to himself.
"Why is it always snakes with these guys?"
Agon hurried over. "Oh my!" he exclaimed.
"Heracles has thrown the javelin nearly twice as far as any of the other competitors!"
Cheers rang out from all over the stadium.
Zeus strutted onto the course, waving to the crowd.
"Behold the greatest mortal athlete Greece has ever seen!"
Heracles took a bow and then quickly joined Brody, who was standing nearby with the other athletes.
"Ares was definitely behind that snake prank," Brody whispered. "He seems to like snakes."
"It's possible." Heracles glanced out at the crowd.
"However, Dionysus is frowning, which is unlike him.
My guess is that he was behind this latest prank.
He has a fondness for serpents as well." He paused and thought for a moment.
"Actually, many of the gods like snakes. There's Ares, Demeter, Apollo—"
"Okay, okay," Brody broke in. "Anyway, you'd better get ready, Heracles.
Wrestling comes next, and we know Artemis is planning to make trouble."
Heracles nodded and flexed his powerful muscles.
"Yes. I am quite ready for what is to come."