Rise of the King
Chapter 10
The throne room of Olympus was dead quiet. The remaining Olympians were all looking around warily, first Poseidon decides to leave, now Artemis was taken. By the Titans? By Perseus? None of the Olympians knew, but currently, they were not feeling all to well for their own future. Apollo merely stared at her twin siblings empty throne, before his eyes flickered to the rubble that had once been his uncle Poseidon's throne. Only ten Olympians remained and Perseus had countless allies if he truly held the sway of most of the minor gods and goddesses. The Titans however, were just as formidable.
Let's just say recently, things had not been going well for the Olympians. They had tried gathering as many allies as they could, but they were unable to secure any immortal to their side, and the demigods would only be slaughtered by the immortals in the upcoming war. The Olympians could not rely on them as they had in previous wars.
His blue eyes flickered to his father, who sat, tense and pale. His master bolt gripped tightly in his hands like a lifeline, the lord of the skies truly seemed to realize how utterly screwed they were, and it was all because of his ambition and jealousy. Oh, how he regretted the day he ever helped his father become King of Olympus.
"Father." Apollo called out, and was immediately met with an angry glare that flashed with lightning. He briefly looked away at his fathers look of utter rage but steeled himself. "We must do something, Poseidon is gone, Artemis is missing and the rest of us are blaming each other. We must act now."
Zeus rose from his throne, his master bolt appearing in his hands as he stared down his own son. "What?" He sneered, loud blasts of thunder reverberating throughout the throne room. "What can we do except wait for our fates to be destroyed? At the hands of the Titans or Perseus himself?" Zeus sighed, weary and frustrated, his electric blue eyes pulsating, filling with fear and pain. "We cannot do anything, Apollo." Zeus said dejectedly before sliding back into his throne, master bolt disappearing from sight.
Apollo and the rest of the Olympians seemed stunned as they stared at the sight of Zeus, the once proud King of Olympus who would submit to anyone seemed to be gone, and his place a broken and tired man waiting for his inevitable death to come. Had the return of Perseus broken the lord of the skies? No one seemed to think it was possible.
"Maybe we should call Perseus and beg for forgiveness." The goddess of love suggested, her kaleidoscopic eyes surprisingly dull, and no makeup adorning her face was shocking. Zeus and a few of the Olympians snorted at the suggestion. Their was no way that Perseus would ever forgive them for what they had done to him. After the way he treated Artemis, one of the Olympians he actually liked, the rest doubted that Perseus would actually forgive them.
The god of night was not exactly known for his forgiveness, even when he was King of Olympus.
"Perhaps we should try..." Athena started, but Zeus cut her off.
"Absolutely not." He roared in rage, his pride returning slightly. "I will not apologize for claiming my rightful place." Zeus snarled, despite knowing full well this meant his own destruction. "I would rather be cast in Tartarus than ask for his help."
The rest of the Olympians rolled their eyes in exasperation at his words. Despite their inevitable destruction, Zeus would rather let Olympus fall than beg forgiveness from his brother.
"You are a fool, father." Apollo grounded out, his jaw firmly clenched as he gazed at his father in fury. "We are going to fall because of you, and we will do nothing?"
A low rumbling sound appeared deep in Zeus' throat. "This is not just my fault," He bellowed. "All of you helped me, each and every single one of you. All of us are at fault, we shall all face our punishment. Or perhaps the fates shall allow us to remain." Zeus stated optimistically, but it seemed rather doubtful at the moment.
Athena snorted. "Father, I will not allow your ignorance to be our downfall." She growled. "If there is a way for to survive, I am going to try." The rest of the Olympians murmured their agreements. Zeus merely glared at all of those that were opposing him.
"Very well." He snarled, enraged. "How are you going to find him? He doesn't exactly want to be found."
"I shall bring him, little brother." Zeus' electric blue eyes turned upon Hestia, whom was standing in the center of the throne room. An eight year old form that didn't exactly seem the most intimidating.
"How are you going to do that?" Zeus growled, fully expecting another betrayal from one of his siblings. He knew just how close Hestia and Perseus had been at one point.
"I have been keeping in contact with him recently."
"You dare..." Zeus began as thunder blasted the throne room. He was cut off as any visible light in the throne room vanished and they were currently standing in eternal darkness.
A voice emerged from the darkness. One that he had not heard from in millennia, one that sent shivers down his spine at the mere words he spoke.
"Hello, little brother." His voice was calm and dark, with a deadly edge to it that promised pain and suffering. Zeus and the rest of the Olympians all shivered at his words, terrified and frightened now that he was actually here. On Olympus for the first time since his betrayal.
However despite the darkness, Zeus rose from his throne. Master bolt appearing in his hands, eyes darting around the throne room.
"You think that would be wise, Zeus?" Perseus hissed, his voice not staying in one place, but rather reverberating throughout the entire darkness. "I believe that would be foolish to try. After all, you need my help. Do you not?" He asked.
Zeus swallowed the lump in his throat loudly. He truly did need his eldest siblings help. For once, he tried to swallow his pride, but it seemed he was unable too. "No. Us Olympians do not need your help. You are here to be sent to Tartarus once again for your treachery."
Perseus laughed loud and mockingly. "Very well, Zeus. I shall take my leave, soon you shall be cast into Tartarus just as I had." The darkness began to disappear but Athena quickly spoke in a hurried tone.
"Perseus, wait. Please, ignore Zeus." She pleaded. Zeus growled but said nothing in return to her words.
The darkness vanished completely, revealing Perseus. Standing in the center of the throne room, Hestia by his right side, Hades by his left. His eyes were currently trained on Zeus, who was still holding his master bolt in a threatening manner.
Slowly, his gaze turned to the goddess of wisdom. Just one of the many immortals who had wronged him in his life, one that he had cared for greatly. He glared at the goddess of wisdom, who actually flinched under his harsh gaze.
"Why would I do that, goddess of wisdom?" He spat, his tone so venomous that everyone flinched at his words. Athena opened her mouth to speak, but Perseus cut her off quickly. "You would dare to ask me for help? All of you are truly pathetic." He snarled hatefully. "I shall love it, when I cast each and every single one of you in Tartarus for your crimes against me and the world. This isn't just about what you have done to me, but how little you have done for the mortal world. All of you deserve what is coming." His eyes gazed at Athena and Apollo especially.
"Please, Perseus." Apollo pleaded. "We are sorry, we didn't exactly have a choice in your banishment." Apollo revealed.
Perseus merely raised an eyebrow at Apollo's declaration. "Everyone has a choice Apollo," Perseus spat. "I give no fucks about how Zeus forced you to betray me. Honestly I couldn't care less."
Zeus had, had enough of this. "Then I shall strike you down now." Zeus snarled and unleashed his master bolt directly at Perseus, the god of night merely rolled his eyes and flicked his wrist. A shadow appeared before him and swallowed the bolt whole.
"I feel like you've done this before. Whoa, deja vu." Perseus grinned. "You know, I had a plan to cast you into Tartarus Zeus. But I guess I'll just do it now." He smirked. A blade of pitch black darkness appearing in his hands. The rest of the Olympians went to rise, but tendrils of shadows wrapped around them and forced them to stay in their thrones. "Tsk, tsk. None of you will be interfering this time." He stated darkly.
Perseus reached into a shadow and pulled free his brothers master bolt, before tossing back at Zeus. The lord of the skies nearly dropped it in surprise. "Come forward, little brother. If you dare."
Zeus jumped off of his throne and shrunk to the size of Perseus. "I defeated you once, I shall do it again." He stated confidently.
Perseus merely chuckled, turning to Hades. "Keep them restrained. I want this to be one on one, like it should have been all those years ago." He turned his attention back to his youngest brother. Waiting for the lord of the skies to dare approach. "Come forward, King of Olympus." He bellowed in rage. "And meet your fate." The evil glint in the former King of Olympus' eyes unnerved the inhabitants of the throne room, all those except Hades and Hestia. The former, having a look of pure glee on his face. While the latter merely stared impassively. Fully expecting Zeus to get his ass kicked.
Zeus stood before his eldest brother, taking in his defensive stance and the psychotic glint, shining deep within his dark orbs and suddenly all of the arrogance left his body. 'Shit.' The lord of the skies knew that he was mostly done for.
Perseus smirked as Zeus' face began to grow paler and paler. He sat there silently as he watched Zeus' fear turn to anger, he waited.
After about a minute of waiting Zeus lost his patience and launched his master bolt at Perseus. The supercharged lightning bolt crackled with energy as it sailed towards the former King of Olympus with incredible speed, even Perseus was surprised. His youngest brother caught him off guard last time the two fought, that wasn't the only reason he had been defeated, but it was a reason. He really needed to stop underestimating his enemies.
He raised his blade, and instead of dodging, the bolt slammed into his sword and exploded.
When the dust cleared Perseus was standing a few feet back from where he stood previously, but otherwise unharmed. Zeus on the other hand stood before him and retrieved his bolt with a quickness that was unmatched by most. But Perseus was faster, as Zeus brought his symbol of power down at his head like a sword. Perseus raised his own and caught the strike, effectively stopping Zeus in his tracks. A deadly smirk crossed his face and he slammed his knee into Zeus' gut, sending the lord of the skies stumbling backwards.
He flicked his wrist and his blade came down towards Zeus' head.
In response, the lord of the skies jumped backward , dodging the strike and brought his bolt forward.
The weapons of the two sons of Kronos met in a shock wave of power that rippled across the throne room of Olympus, shaking the city of the gods to its foundations. The Olympians shaking dangerously in their thrones, both Hades and Hestia stumbling slightly.
Perseus gave his brother a mildly impressed look as Zeus matched his strength shockingly. "You have improved, little brother." Perseus said neutrally as the two tried to gain the advantage on the other. Neither was able too however. While Perseus was able to speak, Zeus was red faced, sweat dripping from his forehead as he tried desperately to fend of his brothers superior strength. Not that he would ever admit that.
Perseus stepped back suddenly, forcing Zeus to stumble forwards. The lord of the skies recomposed himself quickly and their weapons met in a flurry of strikes that not even the Olympians could keep track of. One thing was for sure however, Zeus was certainly powerful. But Perseus was on a whole new level, while Zeus was straining himself to try and defeat his eldest brother. Perseus seemed to be hardly exerting his own power or speed.
Shock waves of pure power rippled across the throne room every time their weapons met in a clash. With Perseus on the defensive and Zeus straining to try and find the upper hand on the offensive. It was clear that the lord of the skies was tiring, his moves slightly slowing. His fatigue beginning to drain his strength, Perseus on the other hand seemed unaffected by the amount of time that was passing during their battle. His movements not slowly even in the slightest. Fighting for your life for a few millennia really increases your stamina. He mused silently in his head as he ducked under a wile strike from Zeus.
The lord of the skies stepped back, panting slightly while Perseus merely stood there, watching his brothers youngest movements with mere curiosity. "Little brother," Perseus chuckled slightly. "You should just surrender. You do not have the power to defeat me alone, and you know this." He paused briefly, letting Zeus digest his words. "Should you surrender, I will be merciful and shall let you live, possibly." He tilted his head to the side as if mulling over his own thoughts. "Or I will just destroy you and the rest of these pitiful fools quickly. If you don't surrender, you shall be the first god to feel my utter wrath and I will show you the true power I wield."
At his words Perseus' words, his aura flared out dramatically in a blast of pure power that nearly sent Zeus spiraling to the ground. The King of the skies truly nervous and frightened by the power that his very own brother could wield.
Zeus sneered, and readied himself. "I shall never surrender to the likes of you." He growled fiercely.
Perseus smiled, one without warmth, but excitement for the prospect of destroying Zeus slowly. "Very well, little brother. I can say that I am very excited to tear you limb from limb." He laughed.
Zeus knew he could not defeat Perseus in any weapons combat, but perhaps he could possibly defeat Perseus in a show of powers. It was unlikely, but the best chance that he had at defeating his eldest brother and keeping the throne for himself. He pointed his hand down and pushed, the wind around him rapidly gaining speed and he was vaulted thirty feet into the air before Perseus could even react. A monstrous blast of thunder reverberated throughout the entire throne room, shaking the entirety of Olympus as he raised his hand towards the sky, his eyes glowing with an ethereal blue light.
Perseus looked up at his youngest brother and pursed his lips. Unaffected by his brothers show of power while the Olympians themselves were shaking in their thrones by the auras that Zeus and Perseus were flaring out. Zeus raised and threw his master bolt into the air and a monstrous crack filled the air and a huge bright light dropped from the sky and sailed towards Perseus.
The master bolt, in its most powerful form.
Perseus stared upwards as the powerful bolt of lightning fell from the sky towards him with incredible speed, a cruel smirk came over his face and he closed his eyes. Time seemed to pause and everything remained stopped. Zeus frozen with a look of rage on his face, his body glowing with power. The Olympians all frozen in fear of their power. Hades and Hestia merely watching from the sidelines while the lord of the Underworld kept the rest of the Olympians restrained.
He shoved his left heel into the ground, a huge blast erupting as he did so. The very ground shaking. He raised his hands towards the sky and time resumed, as the bolt came closer, the earth rose and wrapped itself around Perseus as the master bolt collided with a thunderous boom, Olympus shook from the blast.
The ground slowly melted away, revealing Perseus completely unharmed, a dangerous smirk playing at his lips. "You failed Zeus." He said with a cold sneer before raising his hands. "You wish to play with powers, I shall show you just how unmatched you truly are." Zeus' electric blue eyes widened dramatically as darkness thickened around him and started to weigh him down. He tried to rise further into the air but time seemed to slow for him and only him. His eyes widened in fear as tendrils of shadows latched out and roughly pulled him from the sky and slammed him downwards, he felt his power over the winds fail him and he fell straight into the marble floor of Olympus. He roared in pain as he struggled to rise to his knees.
Immortal ichor poured from his mouth and nose as he glared up hatefully at Perseus as the eldest Olympian slowly approached him with an amused smile on his face.
"Finally." Perseus stated with a breathless awe in his tone. "You are finally on your knees before me. As it should be." The tone of his voice was dangerous and low, a whisper that was so frightening that Zeus himself shook at his words.
"Do you not realize just how foolish you are Zeus? Do you realize just how outmatched you are? Do you know what is about to happen to you? This is justice, for all the mistakes and wrongs you have committed."
He slowly leaned down until his face was inches from Zeus'. "Do you know what I'm going to do to you." He asked, a curious glint in his eyes.
Zeus didn't answer, instead choosing to glare at the god of night. Perseus tsked at his stubbornness and reached down and grabbed him by the jaw, squeezing painfully so much that Zeus cried out as his jaw creaked under the pressure. "Answer me, bitch." He snarled. "Or I'm going to crush you jaw to dust. Now, do you know what I'm going to do to you?" He asked slowly and dangerously.
Electric blue eyes filled with fear. "I don't know Perseus." A smile overcame Perseus' face at his words and he lightly patted the lord of the skies on the cheek.
"Was that so hard?" He asked rhetorically. "Well as for the answer to the question, you're going to wish Kronos had eaten you when I'm finished with you and the rest of the Olympians." He paused, his eyes flickering to each and every Olympian.
"This I promise, little brother."