Family Matters
"…and That is basically what you should to. Any questions?"
"Uh, yes!? This is insane! Even if I manage to do this. Is this even possible in a single lifetime? What if I fail? Will that be it? Is there any plan B at all? Couldn't you send out more people? And even if I somehow manage to pull this off, there is no way I can be in time everywhere! Whatever will be left, will just be a fraction of what currently exists!"
"Slow down there, how am I supposed to answer all of them at once! It's going to be fine. You'll have enough time, I promise.
There will be no need for a plan B, because I know you will succeed. Who do you think I am? You think I'd do something thoughtless? Do you think that little of your master? I'm shocked – no: I'm upset! My dear disciple thinks his master is a sham!
Also, you should understand why I can't send out more than one person. It's just not possible.
And for your last question: You of all my disciples know best, about what is to come. The fact that there is a way to save anyone at all can be considered a miracle. I understand your wish of wanting to save everyone. I get it, but you mustn't lose yourself in a misconception: You are not a god. Sometimes you will have to let go – maybe even run away! Because if you fall, all the other places you haven't been to by then will lose the only chance they have."
"…"
"Well, if you don't have any more questions, let me tell you a funny story about the power of light: As you know, virtuous people carry light itself inside their heart. And once mastered, they can cast powerful spells with that light.
But did you know that the light inside a heart will be incredibly amplified, when it is fighting with darkness? So, if someone had to find a beaming light, the best method would be to control darkness! I just love the irony of that!
Hey! Don't look at me like that, it was a joke! Don't worry there are more than enough ways people can shine brightly – I wouldn't tell you to do something like wielding dark powers. Luxu? Hey, -"
"- Luxu!"
Suddenly opening his eyes, Luxu sits up straight as if struck by lightning.
"Yes! Mas-…ter?"
Confused, he stares into the eyes of the bearded man before him, who now gives him a smirk.
"Sorry, I'm not taking any disciples. For something like that you should go to the satyrs. I heard they love that kind of stuff."
Only now remembering what has happened, Luxu jump out of the bed and waves his arms around to apologise.
"Ah, sorry! I must have still been half asleep! I really didn't want to intrude. Thank you again for saving me, Zeus!"
Zeus gives him a hearty laugh.
"Haha! Intrude? Nonsense! If anything, it was me, who kidnapped you right out of the air. So come, sit. You must be hungry, and I just love sharing stories at the table!"
Still reluctant to indebt himself even more, Luxu can't object Zeus' argument. He has indeed not eaten a full meal in a while, so he gives in.
"Fine, I'll try to entertain you as best as I can."
"Whahahaha! So, you're saying you've been climbing this mountain because your master told you in a prophecy to 'go up'? And you survived the encounter with Lykos, Pyros, Hydros and Stratos? And then you still flew up even further! Hahahaa! This is getting better and better! Whaahaahaha…I can't! I give! I won't be able to eat like this!"
Visibly struggling to catch his breath, Zeus fans with his hand towards Luxu, signifying that he needs a pause. Luxu smirks, as he drinks from a glass of water
"Alright, but then I also have a question. What did you mean when you said 'challenging the titans'? Does that happen sometimes that people come up and challenge them?"
Zeus laughter seems to vanish, the moment Luxu changes the topic and a small frown can be seen on his face instead. Luxu raises his hands to retract his question.
"Sorry, I didn't know it was a bad topic. I shouldn't have asked."
Zeus smiles slightly.
"It's fine, it was me who brought it up anyways."
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. While looking at the door, he begins talking
"No, so far no one has challenged the titans. They reign freely. Without anyone standing up to them, they do whatever they want to whoever they want. And the worst of them all, who is always at the top is my father, Cronus. I tell you, if he knew that I was still alive, he would swallow me whole! That's what he did with my brothers and sisters after all."
Luxu is shocked from what he has just heard and doesn't know what to say. He just stares at Zeus, not understanding how he can say something like that in such a calm manner.
"Ah, don't worry. I'll get them out of him at some point."
Zeus takes a small flask out of his robe.
"You see, if he drinks this emetic, he'd throw them all up. The only problem is, that I have no idea how I could make him drink this. So, I'm hiding in here for the time being, looking for a way to get close. He would notice me as soon as I get near him, I'm sure. I am his son after all!"
Luxu, calming down after hearing that his siblings are still alive, thinks about it and comes to a conclusion.
"I might have a solution for your problem. I have faith in my ability to sneak around, so I could go up and put it in his drink. Then, when he throws up, I'll give you a sign. You come running and we'll defat Cronus."
Zeus raises his voice and seems almost offended.
"What!? How could I ask an outsider for help? This is a Family matter!"
"You had no reason to help me either and yet you saved my life! Let me please return the favour."
It is true that he wants to help Zeus, but there is another reason why he wants to do this as well. Luxu can see light in Zeus' heart and if he is there, when Zeus faces off against his father, it might be exactly the kind of light he is looking for.
"Hah… Alright, then let me show you a save way up. That way you won't run into any further trouble like you did up to now."
Zeus stands up, goes towards the door, opens it and signs Luxu to go in front. Once through the door, Luxu understands what Zeus has meant with 'hiding' before: Outside, he now stands in the middle of a cliff on a small plateau. Looking down, Luxu can't see the bottom, as it is already concealed by a thick fog – or a cloud?
"Great hiding spot – the titans can't find it if they can't reach it. And now I also get why there weren't any windows in the room. The view would have simply been stone – wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, it's a bit dark inside, but it seems I'll change rooms soon anyways. Now then…"
Zeus gives Luxu a wry smirk and proceeds to walk towards a small path, that leads upwards.
"…Follow me!"
After getting the path explained to by Zeus, Luxu swiftly goes up the rest of the mountain. When he can already see the top, he whispers to himself.
"The first person I meet, and it already gives better directions than you master. And you were joking about being a sham!"
Luxu slows down considerably and begins sneaking so he won't be caught so close to the finish line. He can hear heavy steps from somewhere up above and he starts to zick-zack from rock to rock until he can see the origin of the steps. Another Titan is patrolling in front of a gate. Luxu can see a single eye on his face.
"That must be cyclops then. So, Zeus was right about him guarding the entrance."
Luxu gets as close as he can and circles around cyclops towards the right side of the entrance.
"THIS IS SOO BORING! I AM BOOOORREEEED! WHY DO I HAVE TO JUST SIT HERE WHILE THE OTHERS CAN HAVE FUN! WHO DOES CRONUS THINK WOULD CHALLENGE HIM ANYWAYS? ARRGH!"
Cyclops hits a rock with his bare fist in anger and leaves a mark on it. The rocks around him seem to have many such marks and many more have huge cracks on them or have already broken to pieces.
"Good thing I'm not fighting that. Seems like it's time to wait for a bit."
Luxu continues to observe the Titan for a while.
Then, a huge explosion can be heard in the distance. Luxu is unfazed but Cyclops turns towards it and has a huge smile on his face.
"IT CAN'T BE! SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY UP HERE!? HEEEEY! DON'T RUN AWAY, I NEED SOMEONE TO SMASH!"
Cyclops runs off and Luxu can easily pass the door that is now unguarded.
Inside is a huge hall with uncountable pillars along the walls. The only light is a dark blue glimmer that comes from the ceiling and brightens the floor, which is so smooth, that it simply reflects the light from the ceiling and shines in almost the same colour.
As Luxu enters, he immediately hides behind one of the pillars that are forming a circle along the wall of the hall. He then continues to walk from pillar to pillar until he finally spots what he has been looking for: A giant throne made from what seems to be clouds. It is coloured in a somewhat brighter blue than the ceiling and inside shines some white lights as if they were stars.
On top of the throne is a giant blue man, snoring faintly. One hand supports his head, the other holds a giant mug.
Seeing his chance Luxu sneaks up to the throne and climbs the clouds to get to the mug. When he gets there, he climbs that as well and stands on the edge, looking inside an empty mug. Luxu has a displeased expression on his face and clicks his tongue as he whispers.
"Tch. Do I have to do everything by myself? Water…!"
Water gushes out from his and and it slowly fills the cup. After he is finished, he gets out the flask, opens it and pours all of it inside the mug. The water glimmers green for a moment and foam gathers at the surface. Luxu gives the scene a satisfied nod, when suddenly a deafening bang can be heard.
"NOBODY! I HAD MY HOPES UP FOR NOTHING! DAMNITAAAALLL!"
More bangs can be heard, and Cronus starts to wake up. Luxu hurriedly jumps off the mug and hides inside the clouds. Cronus starts to speak in a deep voice:
"NNNGH. DIDN'T I TELL CYCLOPS A THOUSAND TIMES ALREADY TO STAY QUIET?"
He opens his eyes, looks at the door and starts to yell so loud, Luxu has to cover his ears.
"CYCLOPS! IF YOU CAN'T EVEN DO SOMETHING SO SIMPLE LIKE GUARDING A DOOR, I MIGHT AS WELL SEND YOU TO TAUTARUS, YOU HEAR ME!? BUT I'LL GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHANCE! GO, BLOW OFF SOME STEAM AND AFTER YOU COME BACK WILL NOT HEAR A SINGLE WORD FROM YOU ANYMORE!"
From outside Cyclops can be heard:
"YOU MEAN IT, YYEEEESSSS! SEE YOU LATER CRONUS!"
More bangs can be heard, but they get continuously quieter until they become completely quiet. Cronus starts to massage his temple.
"GEEZ, WHAT WILL I EVER DO WITH HIM?"
He looks down and just now noticed the mug
"HUH? I THOUGHT I EMPTIED IT ALREADY? OH, WELL. MAYBE I DREAMT IT."
With that he drinks the mug in one go and burps out green steam.
Luxu sees his chance, reaches inside his coat and jumps up. He throws what appears to be a little spark as strong as he can towards the door. There it flies straight through to the outside. Alarmed, Cronus immediately reaches for Luxu, but he stops midway and holds his stomach instead.
"WHAT!?"
He bends forward and start to vomit. Luxu is surprised when the first thing that comes up is a stone. Afterwards come five people. Zeus has already told Luxu their names: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Poseidon and Hades. Before Luxu can say anything the door to the hall is thrown open and Zeus storms inside.
"My brothers and sisters! Time has come for us to finally meet each other! But there is no time for greetings! We need to be quick if we want to be free! Hestia! Demeter! Hera! The titans will notice as soon as the fighting starts! Please hold them off for as long as you can! Poseidon! Hades! My brothers! Come! Fight by my side against Cronus! Let us break our chains and regain the reins of our fate!"
The three goddesses nod and run towards the entrance. Poseidon readies his trident
"Zeus! Long have I waited for this day to come. You have my gratitude for this chance you have given me!"
Hades on the other hand starts burning in a bright red.
"Took you long enough, little brother! It's going to take forever to forget the smell his stomach. Think about it, we were living in the realm of farts!"
He turns towards Cronus.
"Hey! Big guy! Can't you see!? Your son is BURNING for your attention here! So, stand up and let's get this over with!"
With his words, fire starts to spread between the pillars. It grows bigger and bigger until the flames reach the ceiling. Cronus, who has been on all fours up to now, looks at Hades and stands up.
"SUCH INSOLENCE! THE FREEDOM YOU SEEK I SHALL NOT GRANT YOU, BUT MY ATTENTION I WILL – GET READY TO REGRET YOUR ACTIONS!"
With that he throws his fist towards the three of them. They all evade by jumping to the side, Poseidon to the left and Hades and Zeus to the right. Luxu starts running towards him, but Zeus yells.
"Stay back, Luxu! I told you, this is a family matter!"
Luxu stops and wants to shout, but Hades is faster.
"Look out!"
He grabs Zeus and jumps away, when another fist comes crashing down on them.
"Eyes on the prize, if you don't want to get plastered to the ground, Zeus!"
On the other side Poseidon prepares his own attack. He summons a huge wave of water and sends it towards Cronus.
"How about letting go of my brothers will you!"
Cronus on the other hand reaches towards his throne. The clouds it is made of give up their current shape and fly in front of Cronus. When the wave reaches them, it is absorbed into the cloud, making it grow much bigger. Cronus forms the cloud into a fist and throws it towards the three gods.
"Hades!"
Zeus shouts and runs towards the cloud, forming a spark of lightning in his hands, that grows more and more intense. Hades understands and sends a firestorm towards the cloud.
A huge explosion follows, with steam blocking sight everywhere. Cronus is almost thrown off his feet by the explosion and tries to regain his posture. But before he can do so, Zeus jumps out of the steam, holding a huge spear, made of lightning in his hand.
"CROONUUUUSS!"
A little spark of fear can be seen welling up inside Cronus' eyes, but that is enough for him to be frozen for just a moment.
Luxu has been sneaking up on Cronus and is the first to notice the dark clouds spreading from behind Chronus engulfing his body more and more. Luxu has already wondered when it will happen. The fight has riled up the cursed mist, which has already been very active in these lands, from the start. It has only been a matter of time before the storm comes. But this moment is exactly what he was waiting for.
With a wry smile on his face, he dashes in front of Cronus and jumps as high as he can.
"Zeus! Hit this!"
He puts up his hand and holds a strange looking object in his hand. It seems to be an ornamented box shining in a blinding white. Zeus who has been confused about the clouds for a moment, stops his sprint and throws his spear. When it hits the Device, it is absorbed by it and on the other side comes out an even brighter light until everything had turned to white.
The dark clouds are blown away and Cronus falls to his knees. But being unconscious, he doesn't stop there, and his upper body accelerates towards the ground as well. Until it suddenly stops in its track.
Zeus, stares at Cronus with a baffled look on his face, but then averts his gaze to look at Luxu who is walking towards him.
"What… just…?"
Zeus raises his hand to hold his head.
"What happened? You tell me. If the device works as master said it would, you should already know. After all it needed you to cast a spell with the light of your heart."
Luxu smiles wryly as Zeus answers.
"Yes, you're right. I did do something. I suddenly wanted to protect everything I can and understood how I would do that…"
"Wrong. the desire to protect was already there inside you. The device just brought it to the surface. And I believe congratulations are in order. You just saved your entire place from falling into darkness. Now you'll just fall asleep. It's just a matter of time now, before the spell finishes."
Luxu turns around looking at Cronus, who – like everything else – gives off a small glimmer of light.
"What I don't get here is, why you would want to protect even him?"
As Luxu says this he points at the hovering giant in front of him. For a short moment Zeus seems just as puzzled as him, but then his face loosens as if he has found a satisfactory answer.
"It's not because I've forgiven him or anything. I'm not yet finished with him, or the other titans for that matter. But the device has not just shown me how to cast the spell. It also made me understand what I was protecting these lands from. It made me understand what happens what happens once you are swallowed by the dark mists. And though I hate him, even my father doesn't deserve this. He is someone I'll have to deal with myself."
Luxu ponders over Zeus words and answers.
"Casting away your family is more difficult than one would think, huh?"
"Yeah, he's been there for as long as I can remember, so he's already part of who I am. And who I am going to be."
Zeus has a conflicted expression on his face and changes the topic.
"By the way Luxu. What are you going to do now? You can come stay here if you'd like."
"Oh, the device didn't tell you? Now that the dark storm is coming, the spell will activate as soon as it's finished. But while your world falls asleep and the storm dissipates to nothingness until there is no mist left to cause one, the devices carrier will stay awake and move to the next place. Of course, while I'm in the lands you just cast the spell on, I'll also be immune to the mists power, so you don't have to worry."
*Although my thoughts will seep out of me and create Darknesses while the storm rages. But I'll manage, thank you.*
"What? You're not part of the spell!?"
Something else seems to bother Zeus more than Luxu's safety.
"But that would mean, neither are any memories of you! They'll fall into darkness and be erased – won't they!?"
Luxu lets out a sigh.
"Yeah, they probably will. Nothing we can do about that. I do need to continue my travels after all. So… you know. I wish you and your brothers best of luck together."
Luxu puts up a painful smile as Zeus almost loses his composure. But then he forms a big grin on his face.
"Now, that won't do! That won't do at all! You come in here. You free my brothers and sisters for me. You even give me the means to save my world from falling into darkness. And now you'd move on as this world falls asleep before you!? Well, just you wait! You're not going anywhere! I'll send you far away from this storm! You can't just always run while it's right behind you, can you!?"
With those words Zeus creates another lightning spear in his hand and as it grows, so does the grin on his face. Luxu gets pale, as the blood leaves his face. He still remembers the last time he has ridden one of those. Actually, he still feels the last time he has ridden one of those in his bones.
"No, I'm good. I'll walk."
It may be fast, true. But Luxu would rather travel up the mountain several times over before even considering reliving this nightmare.
"Hey, don't be like that. I'm offering you a once-in-a-lifetime-chance of getting away from the storm-front."
Zeus grabs Luxu with one hand, before he can run away, and puts him on top of the spear he holds in in the other hand. This spear is almost as big as the one he has used against Cronus.
"Now hold still, so you don't fall off… Best of luck out there and if we ever meet again, you may beat some sense into me until I remember you… Get ready. Here. We. GOOOOOOOO!"
Zeus throws the spear with all his might and it almost immediately flies so far away it can't be seen anymore. The only thing that still proves something has been there, is the screams of terror that still echo in the mountains and a few teardrops that have landed on Zeus shoulder.
Zeus is touched by the tears Luxu has shed for him. It hasn't occured to him that it might not be tears of a far too early farewell, but of fear for one's life.
With this he goes back to the place he has stood at, when he has thrown the spear. Looking at his brothers, he waits for the spell to finish with a smile on his face. Then he also freezes up like everyone else and the world slowly falls into it's so important slumber.
A few… hundred… miles away, there is a cloudy sky above a giant forest. The clouds may have been dark, but by no means, have they been storm clouds. Still, with a thunderous scream, lightning comes crashing down from then and it flies towards a tree which it strikes.
The tree splits apart from the impact and starts burning a little. But branches aren't the only things that fall to the ground. A lifeless body, as pale as white marble also hits the trunk of the tree and falls on its roots.
As it laid there, small breaths can be heard. Though, the body still is still considering if one simply breathes in the afterlife as well. Because there is no way for anyone to survive something like this. While it lays there for a while longer, wondering if it should try whether its muscles still work, a prophecy comes to its mind. It starts to recite it:
Down the mountain have you been cast,
away from the mists at last!
But do not loosen your heart,
for you are still a long distance apart
from your longed-for goal.
Where you have to fulfil your role.
A forest still separates you
- a labyrinth you could call it too.
If you want to find a pumpkin, do not follow your sight.
Just listen closely and you'll be alright.
Author Notes:
I kept the fighting scene rather short, because I can't bring myself to write it all out, as it has little value regarding character or story development. Feel free to let your imagination run wild though and add some more stages to the fight if you like. Poseidon could use fists made of water instead of a simple tidal wave, the stars inside the clouds could be used as a form of heat-ray, that is mirrored between ceiling and floor. Cronus could freely change the shape of the two to redirect the ray. Or the cloud could fly overhead and start raining down the stars, that turn out to be bombs. Hades could use his fire to blow them up before they reach the ground. How about some more combination attacks? A water-tentacle that becomes an electrocution-device. A firestorm that takes Cronus' vision, giving Zeus the chance to land some critical hits. The dark stage could be longer and Luxu could join the fight as well…
The Device *name Pending* - Notes
I might have explained in the story but just to be sure there's no misunderstandings, I'll paste my notes towards the Device here.
The Device works in such a way, that it will put the world to sleep, when darkness arrives, so they can resurface unscathed when the time comes. (- Main series) Upon activation the device connects to the activators heart and puts a protective spell on everything that person holds dear. (That way the Darkness can be driven out of the land, as soon as its surfacing in the form of a Storm. To be exact: The Darkness drains itself from the land it seeped into in order to take form. But as everything is immune to it, it is unable to. When it tries to go back into the land it cannot, and it breaks down into nothingness. This process repeats until there is no cursed mists left in the land and only then will the world wake up.) It is a powerful spell, but that's why it drains so much from the activator. It also amplifies the carrier's ability to sense both light and darkness, so he can find candidates for its activation. While it's activating everything in its surroundings, will be wrapped in light and be able to understand the general intentions of the device - that it's there to protect.