“Was she telling the truth?” I whispered once she was gone.
Nike didn’t answer.
I fell silent, thinking over the things that had happened to me. Zeus would be furious when he found out; that was certain. If I hadn’t left without telling anyone, maybe I wouldn’t have been in this situation. He was sure to yell at me, if I was still alive.
I wanted to hate him when he’d told me who he really was. I’d even managed to convince myself I didn’t love him. It was a lie, though. A million lifetimes could pass me by, and I would still love him.
“Nike?” I asked after a few moments. “Why does Kronos want to kill me?”
She remained silent, looking at the floor.
“Please,” I said softly. “I think I deserve to know.”
“Karly.” She returned her gaze to me, her eyes tired and a frown on her lips. “Zeus can’t come back until he truly falls in love with someone who loves him back. It’s clear he loves you. Most of us, if not all the Gods, have been watching him. We needed him to come back and fight for us—we wanted him to fall in love fast. That’s why I was coming to him. I’m the Goddess of victory. With me at his side, there was no chance he would fail. But I was captured before I made it, and Kronos used me to conquer Olympus.
“Luckily, Zeus managed to fall in love without my help. I’m very happy about that actually. If there hadn’t been the threat of war, I would have left him alone to figure it out himself. He needed to learn what love really was.
“You, on the other hand, were very cautious. We could tell he was frustrated at first and ready to give up. But then he decided you were worth it—that he wanted you. We saw how you fell in love with him—don’t deny it—but you didn’t even know it yourself yet.
“Kronos wants you dead because you love Zeus. He thinks that if your heart is no longer beating, you can no longer love him, and Zeus will never be able to come home. He is trying to permanently exile him and strip him of his powers.” She shifted from one foot to another, wincing as the chains dug into her.
“I do love him,” I confirmed. “I thought he was lying before, and I told him I didn’t, but I do. I love him more than I can even understand. I don’t know if saying it now will help or if it’s too late, but I do.”
Nike nodded her head sadly and gave me a weak smile.
“Only time will tell.”
I pulled at my shackles again, trying to free at least one hand to fight back with. I knew I couldn’t do much for anyone, much less myself—in fact, I was positive I wasn’t going to make it out alive—but I was in love, and that was going to enable Zeus to save everyone. If I could survive long enough for him to realize he was no longer banished, then maybe he could defeat his father and regain his kingdom.
A small whimper escaped my lips as I pulled on my bindings again. Blood seeped from my wrists onto the marble beneath me. The more effort I used, the more my previous wounds split open again. Finally, armed with as much courage as I could muster, I pulled a shard of glass out of my right forearm that had been keeping me from really working against my shackles. The pain was so excruciating, I left the rest to spare myself the agony of removing them. Blood cascaded onto the floor while I cried. Applying as much pressure as possible, I coached myself through the pain, keeping my greater mission in mind. At least my head had stopped bleeding—dizziness was around every corner and blood loss was not helping the matter.
The sound of chains scraping down the halls had been going on for a few minutes now, a never-ending parade of defeat echoing through the massive room.
“Keep moving dogs!” a loud voice barked.
Still, the sounds continued at the same pace, a protest to the wearer’s captor.
“They’re bringing in the other Gods,” Nike explained from her still-chained-up position.
A few moments later, her statement proved true.
Some of them I recognized, probably because they had specific characteristics I’d learned about in school. I sucked in a breath when I saw the strange angel man from my dream. He made eye contact with me and frowned. I knew then that he had been trying to warn me, to get me to leave before I was caught. I mouthed a silent thank you and smiled weakly.
“Who is that?” I asked Nike as the man continued to his designated spot.
“Morpheus, God of dreams,” she whispered back.
Before I could reply, the last two chained Gods entered, and I was shocked again to discover that one of them was the man from the beach who had helped me when I was younger. They were placed slightly in front of the rest of the Gods, in their own set of chains. I remembered that while Zeus was King of all the Gods, he had two brothers who were also kings. There was only one logical conclusion—Hades and Poseidon had been captured as well.
Though captured and chained together, the beaten gods all looked strong willed and determined. Each wore armor specific to themselves, none of which appeared shiny and new. Their presence in the broken room added another chapter to the carnage they had been through. Blood flowed freely from several, if not all of them. Some had sported a severe limp as they were paraded about the room. I didn’t know if Gods could die, but it was plain they could be injured.
Hera entered, along with a few Gods I didn’t recognize. Disgustingly triumphant, they stared down at their fellow deities, a few of them stopping to spit in the faces of their defeated brethren before proceeding to the opposite side of the throne. Silence filled the room as the two sides glared at each other, and I wondered who would break first from the increasing tension.
“He swallowed you whole, Hera! Did you forget that?” Hades spat out first.
“Brother,” Poseidon warned.
“No! I want her to explain why she helped the beast who swallowed us all! Why she went against the man who freed us from that! I want to know why she felt compelled to punish us even after her complaints against Zeus were dealt with justly!”
“There is no need for that, my son,” Kronos smirked as he entered the room.
His suit had been replaced with majestic armor of his own—completely black and form fitting, leaving virtually no weak spots.
“I’m not your son,” Hades spat back.
“We’ll see. You might decide otherwise soon enough.”
With a snap of his fingers, my bindings dissolved. A guard who had entered unnoticed behind me, grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet, dragging me in front of the throne. Sucking in a sharp breath, I pushed down a scream as the wounds he touched reopened.
“For those of you who are unaware,” Kronos began while loosening the ties on his gauntlets and removing them. “This is Karly Rawlins. She is the mortal Zeus has fallen in love with. We cannot allow them to be together, can we?” He tossed his gloves onto the throne and smiled devilishly as his supporters cheered.
As he removed a piece from around his waist, visibly confidant no one would attack him, he continued, “I have brought Karly here to die. I want everyone to know there is no chance of Zeus coming back.” He spat out the name as if it were a swear word, and my insides churned.
“You are all going to watch her die. And then you will swear fidelity to me or you will die as she did.” Hera held a long box toward him, and he pulled out a shiny, silver dagger.
“This has been dipped in water from the River Styx. I’m sure you’re aware it’s fatal to any God it stabs. Now, let’s begin!”
Kronos walked over to me and grabbed one arm.
“You’re too late,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I already love him. He can come back whenever he wants.” I prayed that was true.
“You can’t love with a broken heart,” he sneered. “And I’m going to stab yours clean through.”
“You can’t kill love,” I shot back. “It lives forever, long after the people who experienced it are forgotten.” I winced as he tightened his grip and jerked me closer.
“We’ll have to see about that then, won’t we?” His whisper sent chills down my spine and bil
e to my throat.
“We won’t swear fidelity,” Poseidon said commandingly. “And you can only kill so many of us before you have no one to command.”
“We shall see,” Kronos laughed, turning to look at him. “I plan on obliterating this mortal world anyway, leaving no one to worship you, your powers fading into oblivion. You will beg to be my loyal subjects just to stay alive.”
“You can’t kill all those people,” I said in horror, my hand grasping the one he had tightened around my arm.
“Watch me,” he hissed, turning back to me and ripping another piece of glass from my shoulder. I cried out as fresh blood ran down my arm, the laughter of my enemies ringing in my ears.
Before I could move to fight back, the knife raised high into the air and I froze, new chains magically appearing and holding me in place.
This was it. I was going to die. I would never be able to tell my parents or friends goodbye. I’d never finish school and follow my dreams of being an artist. And I would never be able to tell Zeus I loved him. I’d never get to see his face when I told him I loved him so much it hurt to breathe.
The dagger descended, and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping it would be over quickly and Zeus would arrive in time to save the others. Time stood still as I waited for death, the air crackling with electricity. I imagined it was the end as my hair stood on end and a warm wave overtook me. A loud rumbling, like thunder, filled my ears, making it hard to hear anything else. I felt something hit my feet, and my eyes popped open, looking for the cause.
The knife lay on the ground, free of blood. I looked up at Kronos, but his eyes were locked on the other side of the room, fury radiating from every part of him. I turned my head to see what was happening.
The crowd had parted the best it could, considering the chains. There, lightning bolts in hand, stood a man.
Zeus.
Chapter Twenty Two
I’d never seen him like this before. Elegant black armor covered his body, glowing with power. Lightning in his left hand crackled dangerously but did no harm—I didn’t know if it was from the gloves he wore or the power he held. Pure hatred rolled off him, filling the room with the force of his rage as he scowled at his father.
“Kronos,” he growled.
The chains that held me evaporated, and Kronos released me with a push towards the throne. A guard stood by, sword in hand and poised, ready to pounce if I tried to run.
“Zeus,” he said, his voice remarkably calm in spite of the anger emanating from him.
There was a strained silence as we waited to see what would happen next. Then—so fast I almost missed it—Zeus released a mighty shout, pulling a sword from the scabbard at his waist with his free hand. Light glinted off the blade as it sliced through the air, breaking the chains holding both his comrades and brothers. Sparks shot from the tip as he dragged the metal across the marble floor, pulled it up in a grand arc, and leapt at Kronos, releasing the lightning he held in his other hand.
Mass chaos ensued as the opposing sides leapt together, each determined to destroy the other. Screams of agony and triumph filled the air and the smell of blood grew stronger. My guard rushed into the battle, leaving me free to run behind the throne—the only shield I had among these immortals.
It was the most brutal thing I’d ever seen. Blood slowly covered every inch of the floor. Gods I’d never heard of—wielding strange weapons—climbed the pillars and walls like spiders and jumped around so quickly I could hardly see them. Some slipped on the slick floor, sometimes gaining the advantage, others being dealt what should have been a killing blow. Silent screams were lodged in my throat as I watched a terrifying monster cut the head off Morpheus. Before I could even comprehend what happened, his body picked the severed head up, placed it back in its spot, and a bright light sealed the two pieces back together. Evidently, none of the weapons were fatal. It seemed that everyone around me should be dead, their body parts littering the ground, but they weren’t. Impossibly, they were pressing on, determined to snatch a victory for their respective sides. My brain couldn’t even comprehend what was happening—it all seemed so fake.
I suddenly remembered Nike and looked over to her pillar. Still chained there, her eyes were locked on a specific point in the battle field. A weak golden glow emanating from her, matching what must have been her heartbeat. My gaze searching for her target, I realized she was using her powers to try and help Zeus.
I didn’t have to scan the crowd long to find him. The other Gods were giving him and Kronos a wide berth, trying to stay out of the way of the lightning. As soon as I started watching, I wished I hadn’t. Thunder shook the building, causing the floor to pitch and roll, while white hot lightning danced around Zeus. Kronos was wielding a large scythe, his jaw unhinging and snapping repeatedly. Every move they made left me fearing the worst, and I cringed at the sights and sounds around me.
Tears were beyond me—all I could hear was the hammering of my own heart, matching each blow Zeus dealt and received. I couldn’t look away, and the desire to run and forget everything happening around me gripped my throat. Regardless, there was nowhere to go, and even if there had been, I needed to be here for Zeus. I began sending out victorious thoughts—my own kind of helpful vibes.
He and Kronos were moving so quickly it should have been impossible for them to even lay a blow on each other. Every few seconds, there would be a bright flash of lightning, and I would hold my breath until I could see them again. Each time, the previous underdog seemed to have stepped up to the winner’s seat. I was certain they hadn’t touched each other, but blood trickled down Zeus’s face while Kronos’s shoulder spat out grey smoke, proving otherwise. I was glad that I was far enough away I didn’t have to smell the burnt flesh. Although, I don’t think I could’ve smelled anything past the overbearing iron smell of blood—which seemed to be permanently stuck in my nose.
Hatred emanated from both kings as they fought. Neither gave any ground as they each pushed to gain the upper hand. Their previous battles had supposedly accustomed them to each other’s fighting strategies. With a loud growl that ascended above the din of combat surrounding them, Kronos hooked his scythe under the edge of Zeus’s shoulder plate and ripped it off, adding a long cut to his bare skin. A mighty shout bursting from his lips, Zeus shot a ball of electricity from the palm of his hand, hitting Kronos in the jaw, which popped open and flapped around, reminding me of a cartoon I’d seen as a child.
Hades suddenly leapt into my line of sight, a battle cry tearing from his lips. Fire was obviously his weapon of choice, and he conjured it out of thin air. Snapping it like a whip, it crackled with the power of a thousand men, sparks exploding in every direction. The God who fought him beckoned him forward, unfazed by his theatrical display, widening his stance, and tossing his sword from one hand to the next.
They crashed into each other in a vicious frenzy. It felt like my eyebrows were singeing off as the fire snapped over my head. Hades howled as the God landed a blow on his leg, causing him to fall to one knee. The God laughed, advancing in for the kill, apparently forgetting about the fire whip Hades still held.
“Burn in Hell!” Hades snarled, whipping the flames back and sending them full force into the God’s face.
I crouched in frozen terror as he turned into a human torch. The smell of charring flesh filled the air as the God ran away screaming, desperately trying to put himself out.
“Stop, drop, and roll, moron!” Hades called out gleefully, as he seared the cut on his leg before turning, in search of his next opponent.
As soon as he and his fire whip were out of my immediate sight, a wave of water deposited Hera right in front of me. Behind me, Poseidon called the water back, leaving a sputtering Goddess on the floor. I pressed myself back against the throne, the cool stone biting into my skin. If she were to see me and attack, I wouldn’t have a chance at survival.
I wasn’t so lucky.
“You!” she snarled, her sopping wet hair falling int
o her face. She picked up a golden dagger, which had washed up beside her, and stood. The horror movie I’d watched unfold around me turned in my direction as she charged me, screaming like a mad woman.
Run, Karly! Run, run, run, my brain screamed, but fear grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go, rendering me a useless heap on the floor. A scream issued from my mouth, only to be silenced in awe as another massive wave of water crashed down in front of me. Quickly, it pulled back and swirled in the air around the man who controlled it.
“This has gone far enough, Hera. Step down!” Poseidon ordered, his voice bouncing around us.
“Never.” She slunk back, crouching like a tiger, her eyes calculating and deathly. Her instant calm was more terrifying than the crazy directed at me a moment ago, and suddenly, I realized she was smart—really smart.
Without any warning, she jumped the short distance between them, jabbing the dagger towards Poseidon’s heart. I screamed, thinking he was about to be run through, but he dodged to the right just in time, and the knife only clipped his shoulder armor. A jet of water knocked Hera back a step and out of jabbing reach for a moment.
They began exchanging blows, the perfect match as opponents. Despite Hera’s elegant appearance, she was a skilled fighter. Poseidon held nothing back, meeting each of her attacks and striking with brute force. Try as she might, she couldn’t get past him to destroy me. Frustration slowly pushed past her calm expression, and Poseidon noticed. Her suddenly worthless aim and lack of attack strategy caused his shoulders to relax and each blow became softer, more forgiving. Desperation washed over Hera.
“Hera, let it go!” he pleaded, taking a step to the side and extending a raised palm as if he could stop her by sheer will.
Hera’s stone cold expression snapped back into place and she smiled triumphantly, leaping forward. Poseidon, realizing his mistake, attempted to obstruct her path, but was shoved aside as she rushed toward me. As he slipped on the bloody, wet floor, water shot towards her in one last failed attempt to save me.
Zeus (Book One of The God Chronicles) Page 15
