In the cosmic deep space five light-years from Earth, the mysterious phenomenon that had stunned the entire world was undergoing an astonishing transformation.
"Sir! Something's wrong!" Andrei Kozlov, a duty officer at the European Space Agency's Deep Space Monitoring Center, reported with a trembling voice. On the massive display screen before him, the four Abyssal Divine Steeds that had been running for days suddenly deviated from their original trajectory.
"What?" Director Michael Stone immediately jumped up from his seat and strode quickly to the display screen. "Are you certain the data is correct?"
"We've verified it three times, sir," Andrei said, pointing at the trajectory lines on the screen with shaking fingers. "They... they're no longer moving in the original direction. According to the latest calculations, their orbit is tilting toward our solar system."
Stone's face instantly turned pale. For the past four days, scientists worldwide had been trying to understand this unprecedented phenomenon. Four hundred-meter-long dead Divine Steeds dragging an ancient golden chariot, running eternally through the cosmos—this completely surpassed all known principles of physics. And now, they had actually changed direction.
"Immediately contact NASA headquarters and the Russian space agency," Stone commanded. "This is an emergency situation. Also, notify the International Space Station and have them monitor closely."
Meanwhile, at NASA's Houston Command Center, similar panic was unfolding.
"James, have you seen this data?" Chief Astrophysicist Susan Rodriguez pointed to the just-transmitted orbital analysis report. "At this speed and direction, they will..." She paused, recalculating, "enter Earth's atmosphere in less than thirty-six hours."
James Webb set down his coffee cup, the already cold coffee now completely forgotten. "Thirty-six hours? This is impossible... We need to contact the White House immediately."
At the Russian space agency headquarters in Moscow, Chief Scientist Ivan Petrov was conducting an emergency meeting with colleagues from various countries through encrypted channels.
"Fellow colleagues," his voice transmitted via satellite around the world, "we're no longer facing a purely scientific phenomenon. If this... this mysterious object truly enters Earth's atmosphere, we cannot predict what will happen."
"The target seems quite clear," added a representative from the French National Centre for Space Studies. "According to orbital calculations, the landing point will likely be in the eastern Mediterranean region... within Greek territory."
"Greece?" several voices responded simultaneously.
"Yes, more precisely, near Mount Olympus."
This news plunged everyone into silence. Mount Olympus—the dwelling place of the gods in ancient Greek mythology—had now become the target of this mysterious entity from cosmic deep space. Was this coincidence, or some deeper connection?
On the International Space Station, Michel Dupont was closely observing through high-precision telescopes the sight that had shocked the entire world. As time passed, the four Divine Steeds and the golden chariot behind them became increasingly clear in space.
"Ground Control Center, this is the International Space Station," Michel's voice carried an incredible tremor. "The target is accelerating its descent. I can see... My God, I can see the ancient carved patterns on the chariot glowing."
"What? Glowing?" Ground Control Center's voice immediately became tense.
"Yes, those runes... or patterns, they're emitting a faint golden glow. Moreover, the four Divine Steeds' bodies seem to be changing as well... their manes are flowing in space, as if... as if flowing in some invisible wind."
These reports plunged governments around the world into unprecedented panic. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, representatives from various nations looked exceptionally grave.
"We need to prepare for the worst," the American representative said seriously. "Whatever is behind this phenomenon, we must be ready to respond to possible impacts."
"The Greek government has been informed of the situation," the British representative added. "They're considering whether to evacuate residents from areas surrounding Mount Olympus."
"But the problem is," the Russian representative shook his head, "we have no idea about this thing's nature. Is it benevolent or hostile? Is it an emissary from an alien civilization, or some natural phenomenon we cannot understand?"
No one could answer these questions. Human civilization was facing such a challenge beyond common sense for the first time.
Meanwhile, en route to Greece, Tom Harrison and his classmates remained completely unaware of all this. Their journey was proceeding according to the original plan, about to arrive at the ancient Mount Olympus.
However, in distant space, those four Abyssal Divine Steeds were racing toward the sacred mountain peak the ancient Greeks regarded as the gods' dwelling place with a disturbing elegant posture, dragging the ancient chariot bearing countless secrets.
Ancient legends were about to collide most directly and shockingly with the real world, and this would completely change human understanding of the universe, of history, and of the meaning of their own existence.
Every observation station on Earth was frantically recording data, every telescope was striving to capture every detail of this unprecedented phenomenon. And in this moment filled with uncertainty, all humanity was holding its breath, waiting for the approaching... moment that might change everything.
* * *
The morning sunlight streamed across the slopes of Mount Olympus, draping this ancient sacred mountain in a golden glow. Twenty-three American high school students, led by a local guide, began their long-anticipated mountain climbing journey.
"Students, please stay close to the group," said Petros, the Greek guide, in English with a slight accent. "Mount Olympus is beautiful, but she also has her temperament. This mountain stands 2,918 meters tall, making it Greece's highest peak. Our goal today is to reach the observation deck at 2,500 meters elevation, where you can overlook the entire Greek plain."
"Wow, 2,918 meters?" a female student exclaimed. "No wonder the ancient Greeks believed gods lived here—such a tall mountain really gives one the feeling of approaching the sky."
Tom Harrison carried his simple backpack, still containing that copy of "Ancient Greek Myths and Legends." After the incident on the airplane, his classmates' attitudes toward him had undergone subtle changes. No one openly mocked him anymore; instead, some previously distant classmates now actively sought conversation with him.
"Tom, you know a lot about Greek mythology, right?" A classmate named Brandon approached him, his tone much more respectful than before. "Could you tell us about this mountain's story?"
Tom didn't feel proud about his classmates' changed attitudes. He smiled gently and said, "Mount Olympus is called the dwelling place of the gods in Greek mythology. It's said that Zeus and the other eleven major gods lived in temples atop the mountain, looking down upon all mortal affairs. The ancient Greeks believed that only the bravest and most devout could climb to the summit and approach the gods' dwelling place."
"Really?" Brandon's eyes widened. "Will we be able to see the temples today?"
"Those are just legends," Tom chuckled softly. "However, this mountain does have many archaeological discoveries that remain unexplained to this day. Twentieth-century archaeologists discovered numerous ancient altar ruins here, along with some inscriptions using writing systems older than known ancient Greek scripts. Some scholars even say that Plato and Aristotle once came here seeking wisdom's enlightenment."
Guide Petros, hearing their conversation, nodded approvingly. "This student speaks correctly. We Greeks have an old saying: 'The mountain peak remembers the footprints of all who have set foot upon it.' Mount Olympus has witnessed too much history. Even Roman Emperor Hadrian once spent an entire night atop the mountain, and it's said that when he descended, his entire demeanor had changed."
"Really?" Several students gathered around, captivated by these mysterious legends.
"There are even more miraculous things," Petros smiled mysteriously. "In some places on the mountain, the rocks are arranged very strangely, forming perfect geometric patterns that don't look naturally formed at all. We locals all say this mountain has its own life."
Walking at the front of the group, Emma Black heard Tom's words and unconsciously glanced back. The airplane incident had made her reassess this former boyfriend. The person she thought had "fallen" was actually a billionaire young entrepreneur. This contrast filled her with complex emotions—both questioning her past choices and feeling an indescribable sense of loss.
At this moment, beside Emma walked a tall, blonde boy—Andrei Volkov, an exchange student from Russia. Andrei's father was a Russian diplomat working in America, and he had come to study at this school through an exchange program.
"Emma, you seem preoccupied," Andrei asked with concern in his English that carried a slight Russian accent.
"It's nothing, just thinking about some past matters," Emma forced a smile.
"Past matters are best left in the past," Andrei said softly. "You should look toward the future now."
Emma looked at him gratefully. Since the second half of sophomore year, Andrei had always been caring toward her, and she had gradually discovered herself developing feelings for this gentle Russian boy.
Not far away, Chris Williamson noticed Emma and Andrei's intimate conversation, then his gaze turned to Tom, who was explaining Greek mythology to classmates. Chris remembered clearly that in freshman year, Emma had actively pursued Tom, but Tom seemed uninterested in this beautiful cheerleader, always maintaining a polite but distant attitude.
Now it seemed that Tom's choice then perhaps wasn't because he wasn't worthy of Emma, but because he simply hadn't taken these high school romantic relationships to heart. Thinking of this, Chris felt a complex mix of emotions—both admiration for Tom's judgment and shame about his own previous prejudices.
"Chris, what are you thinking about?" his friend Jeremy asked.
"I'm thinking," Chris looked at Tom ahead, "some people really are born different."
The happiest person in the group was Betty. The girl usually ignored by classmates was now walking alongside Tom, listening to him tell ancient Greek historical legends. For her, being able to communicate as equals with someone like Tom was an unprecedented experience.
"Tom, do you really believe in ancient mythology?" Betty asked carefully.
Tom thought for a moment before answering: "I think mythology is often history's shadow. Although the deities within might be fictional, they might reflect certain things or phenomena that actually existed. For instance, if there weren't some foundation, why would the ancient Greeks so unanimously believe that gods dwelt on this specific mountain peak?"
"You mean this mountain might really have something special about it?" Betty's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Perhaps," Tom gazed up at the towering peak. "Although ancient people lacked modern scientific knowledge, their observational skills and intuition were often quite sharp. If they all considered this mountain extraordinary, then very likely it truly was."
As the group continued ascending, Mount Olympus's magnificent scenery gradually unfolded before everyone. The mountain's terrain was precipitous yet majestic, with overlapping peaks and swirling clouds. From certain angles, the entire mountain peak resembled a massive natural temple, giving people a solemn and sacred feeling.
"My God, this place is truly beautiful," a female student couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yes," Tom said softly, "standing here, you can feel a kind of... power that transcends time. As if ancient Greeks thousands of years ago once stood in this same place, gazing at this same sky."
Guide Petros heard Tom's words and nodded approvingly. "This student speaks well. In Greece, we have a saying: 'The mountain peak remembers the footprints of all who have set foot upon it.' Mount Olympus has witnessed too much history—if it could speak, it would surely have countless stories to tell us."
"Mr. Petros," Tom asked, "having been a guide here for so many years, have you encountered anything... unusual?"
Petros's expression became somewhat mysterious. "Young man, this mountain indeed has her mysterious aspects. Sometimes, especially at dusk or dawn, you'll hear some... strange sounds. Some tourists say it's wind, but we locals know it's not just wind."
"What kind of sounds?" Several students gathered around curiously.
"Like... chariot sounds from very, very far away," Petros lowered his voice. "Ancient legends say that when the gods still lived atop the mountain, they would drive chariots through the clouds. Although no one believes these legends anymore, those sounds... are indeed hard to explain."
Tom felt an inexplicable tremor. Chariot sounds? He remembered the strange crimson glow he'd seen on the airplane, and the descriptions of divine chariots in "Ancient Greek Myths and Legends." Could these things be connected somehow?
But rationality quickly took hold. Tom shook his head, finding his wild thoughts somewhat amusing. These so-called sounds were very likely just natural phenomena of mountain winds, and the glow he'd seen on the airplane was probably just some atmospheric phenomenon at high altitude. He shouldn't let ancient legends influence his judgment.
The group continued climbing upward. As altitude increased, the air became increasingly thin, but the students' enthusiasm remained high. They frequently stopped to take photos or listen to the guide explain local historical legends.
At a rest stop, Andrei and Emma sat on a rock, overlooking the Greek plain below.
"Looking down from here," Andrei said, "you can imagine how ancient Greeks viewed this world. In their eyes, this was the connecting point between heaven and earth. I heard Petros say that modern monitoring equipment still frequently detects some abnormal electromagnetic activity atop the mountain, with no obvious natural cause."
"Do you also believe those mythological stories?" Emma asked.
"I believe human imagination always has some foundation," Andrei said thoughtfully. "In Russia, we also have many ancient legends. Moreover, think about it—if this mountain were truly just an ordinary peak, why would so many ancient philosophers and emperors specifically come here? Even medieval Christian hermits chose to establish monasteries here, claiming this place had unique spiritual energy. Although modern science can explain many phenomena, there are always some things... that exceed our current understanding."
Emma nodded, her gaze unconsciously drifting toward Tom, who was conversing with Betty. This boy who had once rejected her now seemed more mysterious and charismatic than ever.
Around three in the afternoon, the group reached the observation deck at 2,500 meters elevation. The scenery here left everyone breathless. Standing at this height, the entire Greek landscape was visible, with the distant Aegean Sea sparkling in the sunlight and nearby mountains rolling endlessly like a vast scroll unfolding before them.
"This is the perspective from which ancient Greeks believed gods looked down upon the mortal world," guide Petros said proudly. "Here, you can understand why they believed gods dwelt atop the mountain."
Students pulled out phones and cameras to take pictures, excitedly sharing their impressions. However, Tom seemed somewhat distracted. He stood at the observation deck's edge, gazing up at the higher peaks, feeling a strange sensation rising within him.
"Tom, what are you thinking about?" Betty noticed his expression.
"I'm thinking," Tom said slowly, "if... I mean if, the ancient Greeks' legends about this mountain were true, what would it be like now?"
"You mean, if gods really existed?"
"No," Tom shook his head. "I mean, if in ancient times, some things beyond ordinary understanding really happened here, might those things someday... reappear?"
Just then, a strange sound came from the sky.
It was a low, distant rumbling that seemed to come from extremely high altitude, yet also seemed to come from ancient times. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky.
"What's that sound?" someone asked.
Guide Petros's face suddenly turned pale. He said in a trembling voice: "This... this is the kind of sound I was just talking about. But... it's never been this clear before."
Tom felt his heart beating violently. That sound... really did seem like some kind of chariot running through the air. But this was impossible, absolutely impossible.
However, just as everyone looked up at the sky in confusion, four tiny black dots appeared on the western horizon.
At first, no one noticed these dots. They were too small, too distant, looking like birds or clouds in the sky. But as time passed, these dots began growing larger and clearer.
And that rumbling sound grew increasingly loud.
"Everyone look!" Jeremy was first to notice something wrong, pointing at the sky with a trembling hand. "What are those things?"
Everyone's gaze turned to the western sky. Those four black dots were now clearly visible, and their shapes... were unbelievable.
"That... that looks like... horses?" a female student stammered.
As the distance closed, that incredible sight gradually became clear before everyone. Four enormous Divine Steeds, each nearly a hundred meters long, pitch black as night, running through the sky in a way that defied physics. Their bodies were majestic and dignified, with distinct muscle definition, their manes flowing in an invisible wind.
"This is impossible... absolutely impossible..." Guide Petros collapsed to the ground, muttering to himself. As someone who had worked on this mountain for thirty years, he had never seen such a sight that exceeded common sense.
Even more shocking was that behind the four Divine Steeds, thick black iron chains dragged an ancient chariot. The chariot displayed an ancient golden hue throughout, about twenty meters long and over ten meters high, like a moving palace. The chariot's surface was covered with vague and ancient patterns that gleamed mysteriously in the sunlight.
"My God, is this real?" Emma gripped Andrei's arm tightly, her voice almost inaudible from shock.
Andrei was equally stunned. As a Russian from a scientific family, he had received strict materialist education since childhood. But the sight before him completely overturned his understanding of the world.
Tom felt his blood almost freezing. He remembered the scenes described in "Ancient Greek Myths and Legends," remembered the crimson glow he'd seen on the airplane, remembered the chariot sounds the guide had just mentioned. Everything was converging at this moment.
"This... this is the legendary Divine Steeds pulling a chariot..." he almost whispered these words.
Chris was completely dazed. His camera slipped from his hands, falling onto the rocks with a crisp sound, but he didn't notice at all. At this moment, only one thought filled his mind: What am I seeing?
Though the four Divine Steeds had lost their life's breath, they still ran eternally driven by some force beyond understanding. Their eyes held no light, their bodies emanated death's dignity, yet their movements were filled with immortal power.
As the Divine Steeds and chariot continued approaching, the rumbling became thunderously deafening. The entire Mount Olympus began trembling, as if this ancient peak was welcoming some long-awaited return.
"They... they're coming toward us!" Betty cried out in terror.
Indeed. Those four Divine Steeds dragging the golden chariot were flying straight toward Mount Olympus's peak. As the distance shortened, everyone could see more shocking details.
The Divine Steeds' bodies were covered with ancient scars that spoke of wars and glory from ancient times. Their hooves sparked invisible fires in the air, each step stirring energy fluctuations invisible to the naked eye. Those heavy black iron chains, each as thick as a person's waist, hummed metallically as they swayed through the air.
The golden chariot was even more breathtaking. The patterns carved on its body now seemed strikingly similar to the ancient mythological symbols recorded in Tom's ancient book. The wheels were made of some unidentifiable material, emitting weak but continuous light as they turned.
"Students, get down quickly!" Guide Petros finally snapped out of his shock, realizing the gravity of what was about to happen. "They're going to land!"
However, most people were already completely stunned by this sight beyond imagination and couldn't react at all. They stood there dumbly, watching this miracle from ancient times approach them with unstoppable momentum.
The distance grew ever closer. Now everyone could even see the texture of the Divine Steeds' manes, could see the specific shapes of the ancient runes on the chariot. That dignified and sacred aura rushed toward them, making everyone feel their own insignificance and powerlessness.
At this critical moment, the Divine Steeds and chariot suddenly began slowing down. They were no longer rushing at high speed, but descending toward the mountain's highest point with a solemn and slow posture.
At that moment, time seemed to stop.
Four hundred-meter-long Abyssal Divine Steeds, dragging the ancient golden chariot bearing countless secrets, slowly descended onto Mount Olympus's peak under countless shocked gazes.
When the Divine Steeds' massive hooves finally touched the mountaintop rocks, the entire peak shook violently. This trembling wasn't an earthquake, but a deeper, more ancient resonance, as if the mountain peak was welcoming its long-absent master.
Stones flew everywhere, cracks spread rapidly across the rock surface like spider webs. The observation deck's ground began cracking, emitting bone-chilling roars.
In this heart-shaking moment, everyone's minds fell into brief blankness. They stood there dumbly, looking at this sight that completely exceeded common sense, momentarily unable to react.
Then panic erupted.
"Ahhhh!" A piercing scream tore through the mountaintop's tranquility. It was a female student who finally snapped out of shock and realized the terrifying nature of this supernatural phenomenon.
This scream seemed to trigger a switch—instantly, everyone awakened from their stupor, and primitive fear overtook their reason.
"Run! Run!" someone shouted.
The observation deck immediately descended into chaos. Twenty-three young people, driven by life-and-death terror, completely lost their rationality and began frantically running toward the downhill direction.
"Don't push! Don't push!" Guide Petros tried to maintain order, but his voice seemed insignificant amid everyone's screams.
Chris was knocked down in the chaos, his knee hitting sharp rocks heavily, immediately bleeding profusely. But he couldn't care about the pain and scrambled up to continue running, his face full of fear and despair.
Emma gripped Andrei's hand tightly as they struggled through the crowd. Her white dress was torn by rocks, her beautiful blonde hair flying wildly, but at this moment, she only wanted to escape this terrifying place.
"Andrei, are we going to die here?" she asked tremblingly.
"No, we'll definitely escape!" Andrei gripped her hand tightly, but his own voice was trembling too.
In this extreme panic, humanity's most primitive survival instincts were completely exposed. These usually refined students now thought only of their own safety, pushing and trampling, ruthlessly breaking through any obstacle in their path.
Jeremy was tripped while running, and those behind him didn't stop to help but stepped directly over him. He moaned in pain, a large bump forming on his forehead with blood streaming down his cheek.
"Help me... help me..." he called out weakly, but no one stopped.
Betty was separated from the crowd in the chaos, struggling alone among the rocks with tears and mucus mixed together, looking utterly disheveled. Her glasses had fallen during the earlier collision, and without them, she could barely see the path, only feeling her way forward.
"Tom! Tom! Where are you?" she called out desperately, hoping for help from that kind boy.
Tom was facing a difficult choice at this moment. He saw the fallen Jeremy, saw the helpless Betty, and saw several other classmates who needed help. Reason told him he should immediately flee this dangerous place, but his inner kindness wouldn't let him abandon those who needed help.
After brief hesitation, Tom made his choice. He rushed toward the fallen Jeremy and pulled him up from the ground.
"Jeremy, can you walk?"
"My... my leg hurts so much..." Jeremy said painfully.
"Hold on, we'll go together!" Tom supported him and began moving toward the downhill direction.
Meanwhile, on the higher peak, those four Abyssal Divine Steeds stood quietly, as if looking down at the panicked fleeing crowd below. Their eyes held no expression, only death's emptiness, but that dignified and sacred aura remained awe-inspiring.
The golden chariot stopped at the mountain's highest point, those ancient runes glittering in the sunset's illumination. The wheels stopped turning but still emanated weak energy fluctuations, as if conducting some mysterious communication with this ancient mountain peak.
The mountain's trembling gradually stopped, but the cracks and debris left on the peak bore witness to the incredible event that had just occurred. The air was filled with an ancient and mysterious aura—power from ancient times that modern people had never experienced, supernatural energy.
As the crowd fled, the mountaintop gradually returned to tranquility. Only wind sounds passed through the rocks, making low wailing sounds, as if mourning this moment that changed everything.
On the downhill path, survivors stumbled as they ran. Their clothes were tattered, their bodies covered with wounds, their eyes filled with fear and confusion. What had just happened completely exceeded their understanding—they didn't know if they were dreaming, didn't know if the world had changed.
"What... what was that?" Emma asked through tears. "How could such a thing happen?"
No one could answer her question. They only knew they had just witnessed a moment that changed everything. Mythology had entered reality, ancient legends had become real existence.
As the sun set, Mount Olympus appeared even more sacred and mysterious in the golden light. At the mountain's peak, four Abyssal Divine Steeds and a golden chariot stood quietly, their arrival heralding the beginning of a new era.