The fury of the storm flung me out of the city, hurling my body against something hard with a loud crack. I heard it splinter beneath the impact. Whatever it was, it broke my fall and, purely by accident, saved me from being blown away further. I dropped fast, then blacked out completely.
I don't know how long I was unconscious. I only stirred when I felt water splashing over me. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I was lying on a soaked, rotting wooden floor.
I sat up, blinking in confusion, and looked around. Before me stood a mast, a sail, oars, a prow, an anchor, and a decaying wooden figurehead of the goddess Hera.
(The thing I must have collided with.)
There was no doubt now: I was on the Argo.
The Argo.
The. Argo.
Oh gods—you have got to be kidding me.
After all that effort to escape those two clingy heroes, I ended up on their ship?! No, no, no. I had to get off this boat immediately. Where was the exit?!
I scanned the deck and spotted the gangplank. I ran for it, full speed—but then froze.
Someone was boarding the ship.
Was it Jason? Achilles?
No. I couldn't let them see me.
My eyes darted to a nearby barrel next to the mast. Without thinking, I dove behind it. Thankfully, it was large enough to completely conceal me. I peeked out to see who was coming aboard.
Two men. Neither of them were Jason or Achilles.
The first was a massive, muscular figure. His upper body was bare, revealing a torso covered in scars. A tangled beard and a mournful expression gave him the look of someone who'd lost something dear. Draped over his shoulders was the hide of a massive lion.
The second was a beautiful young man with a clean-shaven face and an ordinary build—the kind you'd see anywhere. But even so, he looked almost... too perfect.
The two looked like complete opposites. It was hard to believe they were companions. But their conversation revealed their names.
The giant was Heracles. The handsome youth was Hylas.
Soon after, Achilles and Jason boarded behind them. They greeted each other like seasoned warriors—rough and rowdy, but familiar.
Wait. Heracles and Hylas were joining the quest too?
No. No. No!
Now there were four main characters on board. I couldn't withstand that much persuasive influence. It was too much.
My right eye started twitching again—a sure sign of incoming doom. But this time, it was twitching like mad.
Could it get any worse?
Of course it could.
Another figure stepped aboard.
Theseus—the hero who killed the Minotaur. Then came two identical young men: the twin brothers Castor and Pollux.
Four main characters became seven.
And it still wasn't over.
One by one, they came: Orpheus, the famed musician. Meleager, the boar-slaying warrior. Atalanta, the legendary huntress. Asclepius, the divine healer who had boarded earlier, emerged from below deck.
Then came Tiphys.
Zetes.
Calais.
Admetus.
Peleus.
Etc, etc...
GREAT. Just great. How many main characters were there now?! I couldn't even keep count anymore.
If I didn't get off this ship immediately, I would be overwhelmed by what I called the Ultimate Persuasion Effect.]
Let me explain.
A single hero's voice is enough to make me dazed but still semi-functional. But when multiple heroes speak together? That combined influence obliterates my will. I become a mindless zealot, ready to throw myself at death if they ask.
I needed the golden needle.
I had to use it to escape.
But where was it?
I searched myself frantically—nothing. The needle of fate was gone. Lost. Maybe it fell when the storm swept me away.
Oh no. I was doomed.
Then Jason walked toward the mast. I barely had time to duck out of sight. He climbed up and stood on top of the barrel I was hiding behind. (Why here, of all places?)
Then he spoke.
"Fellow Argonauts... I, Jason, am honored beyond words that you have chosen to join me on this voyage."
He looked like his cheeks would split from smiling so wide. (He must be over the moon to finally have a crew. Congratulations, Jason.) His grin was so sincere and charming, it wasn't surprising that all these heroes agreed to follow him.
Good for you, Jason. Your legend lives on.
But mine? Mine was about to end.
Heracles threw his arm into the air and shouted, "No need for thanks, friend. We gladly go with you to seek the Golden Fleece! No matter the danger, we do not fear death! Right, everyone?!"
"Yes! We do not fear death!" the heroes roared in unison.
The ship rang with their voices.
I clamped my hands over my ears. But it was no use.
The Ultimate Persuasion was too strong.
My body burned. My blood surged. My limbs moved on their own.
I stood up from my hiding spot and screamed at the top of my lungs:
"YES! WE DO NOT FEAR DEATH! BRING IT ON!"
I had completely lost control. I was one of Jason's crew now. There was no escaping the fate Lachesis had written.
Achilles came over, grinning, and threw an arm around me.
"Hey, friend! Didn't think I'd see you again. I thought the storm had swept you away."
"A little wind? That won't stop me! What am I, a coward?!" I yelled, still caught in my madness.
"That's the spirit! Didn't know you had that kind of bravery in you. I like it," Achilles said with a warrior's smile.
His praise only fed my frenzy.
The Argo set sail from Iolcus, heading for the distant kingdom of Colchis, where the Golden Fleece awaited.
Now I could no longer say I had avoided the Argo, the sea, Jason, or the Golden Fleece.
Because I was officially part of the crew.