Chapter 38: Walk The Plank – Hermes' Fateful Riddle
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Hermes transports the champions to a mountain ledge where the three Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos) appear, each performing their traditional roles—spinning, measuring, and cutting threads of life. He announces a riddle: one Fate always tells the truth, one always lies, and one answers randomly. Each champion may ask three yes‑or‑no questions to discover which Fate is which. The catch is that their planks shrink toward the edge with each question asked, and a fall likely means death.
Lyra observes other champions strategizing: Diego's Halo of Heroism glows; Dex, Neve, and Dae‑hyeon discuss collaborating with Rima; Zai studies a book. Dex and his group climb off their planks to cling to the mountain, sacrificing stability for time. Lyra turns to face the rock face and prays to the Ourea (mountain god) for sanctuary. When her plank shrinks dangerously, she panics and asks Clotho, "Is my name Lyra Keres?" Clotho answers yes. Lyra realizes this narrows Clotho to either True or Random. Her plank extends slightly, but before she can plan her next move, a scream and thud confirm a champion has fallen to their death.
Key Events
- Hermes summons the three Fates and explains the riddle of truth, lies, and random answers.
- Each champion can ask only three yes‑or‑no questions; planks retract with each question.
- Diego's Halo of Heroism activates, and Dex, Neve, and Dae‑hyeon climb off their planks to conserve time and possibly attack others.
- Rima appears to oppose the plan to eliminate competitors.
- Lyra turns to face the mountain and prays to the Ourea for protection.
- Lyra asks Clotho if her name is Lyra Keres; Clotho says yes, indicating Clotho is either True or Random.
- A champion screams and falls to their death, signaling the first fatality of the Labor.
Character Development
Lyra Keres – Demonstrates quick, logical thinking under extreme pressure. Her prayer to the Ourea reveals a growing connection to the natural gods and hints at loyalty to Hades (she hesitates to pray from death). Her impulsive question gains her a few inches of plank but also proves she can analyze probability in real time.
Hermes – Acts as a detached, almost bored overseer. Unlike Zeus or Poseidon, he offers no fanfare—only a cold riddle. Lyra notes his presentation skills are lacking, and she reconsiders him as her favorite god.
Dex, Neve, Dae‑hyeon, and Rima – Form a temporary alliance. Dex advocates for knocking others off by asking multiple questions simultaneously. Rima resists, possibly to preserve her own questions or out of ethics. Their strategy highlights the cutthroat nature of the Games.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Truth vs. Deception – The entire riddle hinges on identifying who always tells the truth, who always lies, and who is unpredictable. Lyra’s first question attempts to pin down one Fate, but even a "yes" leaves ambiguity.
Sacrifice and Survival – Champions willingly leave their only safe perch to cling to the mountain, risking muscle failure. The first death confirms that falling is fatal—a stark reminder of the Games’ stakes.
Fate and Free Will – The Moirai themselves symbolize life’s predetermined course. Yet Lyra’s decisions (which question to ask, whether to pray) suggest mortals can still influence their fate within the gods’ game.
Mortality and Connection – Lyra’s prayer to the Ourea and her unwillingness to pray from death subtly tie to her relationship with Hades, the god of death. This moment foreshadows deeper emotional conflict.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 shifts the competition from physical endurance to mental agility. Hermes’ riddle introduces a logic puzzle that rewards careful deduction over brute force. The first death raises the emotional stakes for Lyra, who must now balance quick thinking with the risk of losing allies or even herself. This chapter also deepens Lyra’s character by showing her rely on intelligence and faith (prayer) rather than theft skills. Finally, it sets up a partition of the remaining champions—those who collaborate, those who compete, and those (like Lyra) who work alone.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Lyra ask Clotho about her own name, and what does the answer reveal?
Lyra asks because she can think of nothing else when her plank shrinks. Clotho’s "yes" tells Lyra that Clotho cannot be False (since a liar would say no); therefore Clotho is either True or Random. This eliminates one possibility but does not yet identify Clotho’s nature.
2. How do Dex and his group attempt to gain an advantage in this Labor?
They climb off their planks onto the mountain face to buy time when their planks retract. Dex also suggests that multiple champions ask questions simultaneously, which would shrink many planks at once and potentially knock others off the ledge before they can ask their own questions.
3. What does Lyra’s prayer to the Ourea suggest about her evolving relationship with Hades?
Lyra begins to pray from peril but catches herself before saying "from death." She realizes that asking to be saved from death would hurt Hades. This hesitation shows her growing loyalty to the god of death and her unwillingness to treat him as an enemy, despite the danger of the Games.