Eternal Souls Father Verses Son Chapter Five

GHerc found Zeus still at the party. He and Hera appeared to be enjoying the festivities. Well GHerc was about to spoil their fun. He began to stride toward them.

GHerc felt a hand grip his elbow. "Finally decided to show up for your party?", Apollo's obnoxious voice greeted him. GHerc easily shrugged off his half brother's grip. "Get lost," GHerc warned. "Why that isn't a very friendly attitude now is it?"

"You'll have to excuse our brother," Ares said as he strolled up with a stunning redhead on his arm. "He died today. I understand that can be quite a downer." GHerc shot him a look that let Ares know he'd better not start anything he wasn't willing to finish. Amazingly enough Ares shrugged his shoulders and said "lighten up bro," before he, Apollo and their companions slipped off.

Zeus smiled at GHerc as he approached. "Welcome my son. I knew you'd come eventually. Have some food, some ambrosia, relax. Evander and the rest of your nieces and nephews will be arriving soon. Whatever you think of the rest of us, I know you will enjoy their company."

GHerc wondered at this latest bit of news but he was not about to be swayed from his mission. "Sorry Zeus but I'm not in the mood to join your soirée. So I'll save us both sometime and cut to the chase. Send her back!" "Who?" Zeus asked.

"You know damned well who, Marrianna. And while you're at it send me back too. Zeus didn't respond for a moment. "Excuse me my dear," he said turning to Hera, but I need a moment alone with my son." "Of course," she agreed. "Just hurry back quickly, my husband." Hera nodded in Hercules direction. Then she moved away to engage Demeter in conversation.

Zeus motioned for GHerc to follow him. He led the way to his throne room. "I can't do that," he said as soon as they were out of earshot of the others. "Why does that answer seem so familiar, so false?" GHerc asked sarcastically. A pained look crossed Zeus' face. "This may shock you son, but your old man may be king of the Olympians, but that doesn't mean I can control everything that happens."

"What is that supposed to mean?" GHerc asked. "Precisely what it sounds like", Zeus said. "There are forces in this vast universe that have abilities far more powerful than my own. They have decreed certain things that like it or not, I cannot change." "What things?" GHerc asked. "Well for one, Greece as we know it will be beset by many, many, wars and not ones of Ares' makings."

"And you mean to tell me that you can't prevent that?" GHerc asked. "No", Zeus said and remarkably there was remorse in his tone. "Then send me back," GHerc said. "Maybe there is something I ca........." "Aren't you listening?" Zeus shouted at his son. "There is nothing anyone of us can do. In fact anyone with an ounce of Olympian blood in their veins has been forbidden to remain on earth. We have been given domain over Olympus, our underworld, the Elysian Fields, Tarturus and that is it. This is why your lifeline was cut by the fates today. Why I am bringing Evander and the other demi-gods and goddesses here too. You have all seen your last days on earth."

I allowed each of the immortals one last time to visit there as well. They were allowed to select companions, and give them ambrosia. So new blood will be added to our line, and we can continue to thrive even in our exile. I would have allowed you the same opportunity but I knew you'd stubbornly refuse. Besides I feared you would resist coming back. But at any rate the portal between earth and the remains of our empire will soon be closed."

"So what would happen, if you were to defy these other powers that be by sending me back, before it closes?" GHerc asked. "Both your mortal and immortal soul would be vanquished from the universe, completely erased. Think of what that would do to your mother, Deineria, your children, your friends. What it would do to m..." Zeus turned away. "I will not allow it to happen", he said gruffly. It is one of the few things that I still have control over."

"But what about Marrianna?" GHerc pleaded. "Can't she be sent back?" "No", Zeus informed him. "The same fate would await her." "She wasn't born an Olympian, and she didn't even really choose to be one of us," GHerc pointed out angrily.

"Ah but she drank the ambrosia, so she is now an immortal, none the less", was Zeus's reply. GHerc shook his head in disgust. "So you took her here against her will to be a "companion" and now she's stuck here.

"For your information she was dead in her earthly form. It was the enemy soldiers that saw to that. I only chose to bring her here and give her immortality. And no despite your low opinion of me and other members of this family she wasn't brought her as a companion."

"Then why?", GHerc shouted. "Because without even knowing it she did me a favor and I decided to reward her," Zeus replied. "Some reward," GHerc scoffed. Zeus merely shrugged his shoulders.

"So Marianna and I are forced to live here in exile for ever."

"More than likely was," Zeus' response. "The forces said we could return to earth, only if we were to be called back by the people of Greece. If they were to ask for the help of even one of our full gods and goddesses, we could all return. But as you know that is not likely to happen."

"And whose fault is that? Do you blame them? Were any of you ever there when you were truly needed?" GHerc shouted angrily.

"Blame me, if you will son. I've failed. Isn't that what you want to hear? Well I admit it. But it doesn't change a thing. We are all in exile. That is something you and Marrianna are just going to have to come to terms with," Zeus said forcefully.

"Thanks for nothing as usual, Zeus, " GHerc snarled. And with those angry words echoing through the throne room, he disappeared. The king of the Olympians bowed his head and amazingly tears of sorrow streamed from his eyes.