Lore

Lore lurches back, and Castor attacks. They brawl, Castor nearly killing her, until Lore manages to remove her own mask and reveal herself. Her face snaps Castor out of his combat trance. Lore asks why Castor stood there and let Philip shoot him, and Castor says he didn’t mean to. After being a god for seven years, his mortal form feels “Like I’m in a body that doesn’t belong to me” (114).

Castor sought Lore out in hopes she could protect him. Lore snaps, feeling betrayed that he disappeared. Castor asks why she came if she’s mad at him. Lore lies—not mentioning Athena and instead asking about the alternative version of the origin poem. She decides that if the Agon can be stopped, Castor must be the god to gain the power. Helping him means defying Athena, which leaves Lore torn about her loyalties.

As they discuss bits and pieces of the last seven years, Lore suddenly realizes no guards responded to the sounds of battle in Castor’s room. Philip regains consciousness and informs Lore there were no guards because this assassination was planned. Philip is furious that Castor attained godhood and offers Castor one chance for a quick, painless death.