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Phaethon’s eyes grew wide as the assorted immortals entered the arena of the gods, a vast amphitheater surrounding a relatively small circular area.  It looked to be twenty paces across at the most, with stones surrounding the perimeter and sand covering the floor.  Before he knew what was happening, he found himself within the ringed area, with his garments being removed by the gods.

His father was not among those stripping him; Phaethon risked a glance in Apollo’s direction.  The sun god’s face was inscrutable as always, giving away nothing of how he felt about this contest.  But Phaethon’s eyes hardened nevertheless; even if he didn’t want to destroy Ganymede for its own sake, he would never go down to defeat in front of his father.

Across the ring, Ganymede stood, likewise stripped to the skin.  He stood alone, and Phaethon was uncomfortably aware that the gods had retreated to the seats of the theater.  There was no one in the ring but the two of them.

Lord Zeus’ voice boomed throughout the theater.  Just a single word.

“BEGIN!”

*****

Zeus watched as the two young men sprang at each other while his command was still echoing across the ceiling.  So alike in features:  dark, wavy hair, dark eyes, lean, muscular frames, and identical looks of hatred and fury on their handsome faces.  What differences there were in their looks were subtle; Ganymede, a son of Troy, had the nose and jawline typical of such men, while Phaethon’s features were unmistakably Hellenic.

Phaethon swung a clumsy fist at Ganymede, but the Trojan boy easily ducked under it and came up with his fist right under Phaethon’s jaw, snapping the other youth’s head back and causing him to stagger backwards.  Ganymede followed after him, his fists slamming hard into his rival’s ribs and stomach.  Zeus felt himself becoming aroused – a good contest always did that to him, especially one between two so beautiful youths.

They had reached the end of the ring when Phaethon suddenly lashed out with a foot and caught Ganymede squarely in his hard belly, doubling the other youth over.  Phaethon quickly grabbed Ganymede by either side of his head, and drove a knee into the youth’s face, then another.  Ganymede fell to his knees, and Zeus could see drops of blood hitting the sand.

Phaethon, however, failed to press the attack, and instead, bent over and said something to Ganymede that Zeus could not hear over the encouragements and catcalls of his fellow gods.  But whatever it was, it infuriated Ganymede, and he grabbed his rival’s ankles and pulled hard. Phaethon went down, with his head striking the stones surrounding the ring.  He was clearly stunned for a moment, and Ganymede took the opportunity to drag him back into the middle of the ring before pouncing on him.