3.
- APOLLO, GET YOUR LAZY BUTT DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!
Okay, so maybe this was not what he should have said, but Poseidon had a lighter panic-attack and he immediately thought of the God of Doctors.
After all, he had just found his eldest brother, Hades lying unconsciously on the floor before his huge, blood red bed. The god was out cold, nothing could make him react in any way. Yes, Poseidon even slapped him across the face, taking on the possible respond (a strong punch in the face) but no such thing came. Hades didn't even twitch or grunt.
By the time Apollo arrived in a flash of light, Poseidon had already dragged Hades onto his bed. The guy was heavy.
- What is it? – mumbled Apollo, clearly not happy about his task. – I was writing a new poem, you know.
- Something is wrong with Hades – panted Poseidon, retreating a little from the bed. – I can't get him to show any life signs.
- Seriously? You ordered me here for Hades?
- Yes!
- Ugh, fine – grumbled Apollo and started examining the fainted god. – The dude probably just overworked himself or something.
His palms shimmered with magical light as he stroke the body, looking for… well, anything that could have caused this. Poseidon didn't turn away his gaze from them not even for a second. He actually surprised himself but he was very worried for his brother. This has never happened before. Unfortunately he didn't fail to notice the growing dismay on Apollo's face. At the end he bit his lower lips, finishing the examination.
- So? – asked Poseidon anxiously.
Apollo didn't answer. He uneasily glanced at him then back at Hades.
- What is wrong with him?!
- He is… – Apollo began but had to take a deep breath to be able to continue –, he is… fading.
...
- I don't get it! Why don't we attack them?! – roared Porphyrion, the counter Giant to Zeus.
The underground cave was shaken by his mighty voice.
- Patience, my child – came a soft reply: the sleeping Earth Primordial, Gaea. – We must wait for some time for my plan to fully set into motion.
- But why not take advantage out of it right away?!
- A sudden crisis would ruin everything… It would make them unite and that is what I want to avoid now.
- Why do you think it will work anyway? That stupid Goddess of Springtime is a speck of dust among the other gods! Why did you choose her?
- Oh, she is very easy to manipulate… A little false thought here and there and my plan is already working.
- She will do no good to us.
- Oh, but she already did – whispered Gaea. – There is still much for you to learn, my child. Sometimes all a small stream of water needs is one miniature crack… in order to eventually tear a giant proud cliff apart.
...
Poseidon sat nervously at the edge of the dark red bed, not taking his eyes of his brother. Hades didn't move yet, but soon he would wake up. At least that's what Apollo said: during fading the patient would often lose consciousness for a period of time which is longer as the fading goes by.
Poseidon gulped. He didn't know much about fading. Well, he knew what it was, but he didn't know how it happened. It was like the mortals with death: they knew it existed but they didn't know how it would get them and what is after that. The latter question did not concern the Sea God: after the fade there is nothing. Simple and straightforward. In fact, almost none of the gods knew how it went by. It was a rare sight among them and no one had the stomach to watch through one, not even Ares himself.
Hades suddenly stirred then slowly opened his eyes. They were blurry and almost opalescent, not piercing and dangerously sparking like usually. He let out a long but weak sigh. Poseidon forced himself to say something:
- Good morning, sleepy-head – he tried something just a little bit scornful, hoping Hades would retaliate like he used to: an annoyed glance and a sharp retort.
Instead Hades twitched and slowly looked at him, mild surprise on his face. He hadn't noticed him. Hades didn't say anything for a few seconds then turned his gaze towards the ceiling again and finally mumbled:
- Go away.
That was it. No annoyed glance, no retort, no growl, no anything. Poseidon tried to push harder.
- Yeah, because after scaring the everloving spirit out of me, you think you will get away with a simple "go away". Guess again, Sleeping Beauty.
Okay, this should piss him off.
- Just… go…
Goalpost. Again.
- Hades – Poseidon took a deep breath. – I came here precisely because I felt something was wrong with you. You know, through our Familylink. I'm not going anywhere until I make sure you are alright.
The "Familylink" was a mental connection between siblings. It was always there, they could always sense each other even if very dimly.
- Then… move in – Hades mumbled weakly, staring at the ceiling. – I will never be fine again…
- Yes, you will!
- No… not ever…
- What's your problem anyway? – growled Poseidon, hiding his growing worry behind false annoyance.
Hades' hand was shaking a little.
- He… betrayed me – he whispered, even his voice shook with anger. – He… he promised… he promised I could have her for all eternity…
Oh crap.
- You mean Zeus – mumbled Poseidon slumping back a little. – Listen, it was for the be—
- BEST?! FOR WHOM?! – screamed Hades, finally sitting up, staring at his brother. – FOR ME?! FOR HIM?! WHAT HAS HE GAINED FROM THIS?!
- Stop shouting! – boomed Poseidon. – Persephone gained freedom from this, that's what! It wasn't for Zeus! Only for her!
Hades stared at him, panting. Then he slowly gulped and fell back into the pillows.
- Yes… freedom – he managed to say in a hoarse voice. – Because I kept her here as a prisoner… locked up… away from everyone. Yes, sure… I didn't let her go anywhere…
The sarcasm was very hard to detect in his voice but it was there. Actually, Poseidon had no idea how Hades treated Persephone, but come to think about it, the goddess never complained about her husband, only the place.
- She hated the Underworld, you know – he finally said. – Not you, just the place.
Hades didn't answer.
- Look – Poseidon sighed heavily. – You can't just give up. We are at war right now, you know. We need everybody. Especially to keep the Balance of Power.
Hades snarled at this.
- Oh, of course, the Balance! How ignorant of me – he hissed. – Please, don't mind me. I have just gotten completely devastated, my marriage is ruined. The Balance is more important than my pity emotions.
- Yes it is! – growled Poseidon before he could stop himself.
Hades looked at him again, then returned his tired gaze to the ceiling.
- And this… is why I will fade – he said softly.
I'm trying my best to capture the characters, though I honestly have no idea how well I'm doing it. R&R?
