"Styx! Come on!"
The black haired ocean nymph looked up from her scroll and saw her younger sister, Cocytus, playing in the ocean drift. Her sister, unlike her, was fair skinned and had cascading ringlets of gold hair. Cocytus also had eyes as blue as the ocean itself, many a man had fallen for the Oceanid.
Styx set her scroll down and went and sat on the sand. The fine grains standing out as they covered her dark skin. Cocytus grinned at her, then sent a splash of water to land on her older sister. Styx glared as the water clung to her skin and hair.
"You are no fun anymore, Styx. Ever since you got married to that grumpy old titan." Cocytus said, her pretty features turning to a pout.
"Pallas is a wonderful husband. You shouldn't speak so ill of him, sister." Styx said sternly.
Cocytus rolled her eyes. "You are lying to yourself, Styx. Pallas is terrible."
"Mother says he is a good husband." Styx said, even know she knew Cocytus was right.
"I'm usually not one to judge, but our father happens to be mother's brother. Should we really listen to her about husbands?" Cocytus said, putting her hands on her slender hips.
"Should I remind you of how the gods were created?" Styx said, arching an eyebrow.
Her younger sister giggled. "You are right. Anyways, is he still on you about your children?"
"I bare him children and yet it still does not please him. The only one that is of any decency is Nike. Bia, Kratos and Zelus all are vile and terrible." Styx said, anger seeping into her voice.
"Darling sister, I know you are the goddess of hate, but must you be so angry at your children? Bia is rude, but a good fighter. Kratos is perhaps a bit to aggressive, but he has never lost a fight, and well I think Zelus is just wonderful." Cocytus said smiling.
"You only think Zelus is wonderful because he happens to be good looking. Sometimes I think that Zelus is the worst of them all! And, Pallas, he encourages them all. To be vicious and angry and vile and…"
"Hateful?" Cocytus supplied.
Styx sighed. "Perhaps the reason I don't like them is because they are like me."
"Now, now, chin up! Hate can be a good thing!" Cocytus said cheerfully.
"Don't try to cheer me up, Cocytus. Immortals loathe me more then anything else in this world." Styx said bitterly.
"Maybe it is because you are so 'woe-is-me.'" Cocytus said with a sigh.
"Never mind. Do you know where Lethe is?" Styx asked, getting to her feet.
"Lethe? I never know where she is. Probably staring into a crystal ball, fancying herself an oracle." Cocytus said with a shrug.
"If you see her, let me know. I have something to ask her." Styx said.
"Where are you going? You haven't been here very long. I was hoping Father would come today." Cocytus said, biting her lip as if she was about to cry.
"Father never come anymore, Cocytus. And I have a husband to attend to." Styx snapped before turning around and disappearing in a breeze of salt water.
Pallas's home was large and overly decorated with trophies of war. The titan did well living up to his name of 'Warcraft and the springtime campaign.' Weapons of all sorts littered the halls, armor and wine goblets were thrown into the mix. With a sigh, Styx went to their room and found her husband stretched out on the bed reading over some sort of strategy.
"Pallas." Styx said quietly.
He looked up and smiled. "Ah, my dear! I thought you would never come home." He said, his dark eyes twinkling.
"Perhaps I thought of not returning." She said bluntly.
Pallas's expression turned from happy to hurt, but quickly returned to back to happy. "You only tease me, my dear." He said with a forced smile.
"Where are the children?" Styx asked.
"Up to no good no doubt. But, alas, they are still young. A little trouble is good for them." Pallas said, tossing his scrolls aside.
"They should be careful." Styx replied, about to turn and leave.
"Styx…." Pallas said softly.
She turned to face him again. "Yes?"
"Nothing. Some one has arrived." Pallas said, shaking his head.
Styx nodded and went out to great their visitor. Standing there was Styx's other younger sister, Lethe. Unlike Cocytus, Lethe was quite and reserved. She was as beautiful as her sisters, with long flowing white hair that touched her ankles and eyes the color of moss. Her skin was as pale as the moon and her body thinner then even Cocytus.
"Lethe! I'm glad to see you." Styx said smiling.
"What is it that you require, Styx?" Lethe asked.
"It is about mother. I was wondering if you have talked to her recently." Styx said.
"Are you wondering if she is still going on about Pallas? Then yes, but I have heard other things." Lethe said glancing at her feet.
"Other things? Tell me." Styx said.
"It is probably nothing, yet, it still worries me greatly. I have heard that the gods and titans are planning to go to war." Lethe said softly.
"That is old news. They have been trying to declare war on each other ever sense Zeus tricked Kronos." Styx said with a sigh.
"It is true."
Lethe and Styx turned around at the voice and relaxed slightly when they saw that it was Pallas. His large frame leaned against the doorway and he looked at them with a grim expression.
"The gods sent us a declaration of war yesterday. Kronos and Rhea are absolutely livid." Pallas said with a shrug.
"They stand no chance against the titans." Lethe said softly.
Pallas chuckled. "These gods seem to think they do. But, I suppose we will show them." He went over and placed a gentle hand on Styx's cheek. "And, you my love, shall be my queen when Kronos rewards us with our own realms."
It was hard for her not to back away from Pallas's touch. She didn't want to be touched by him, loved by him, cared for him. She hated him! Why couldn't anyone understand that? Pallas must have sense her burning anger because he stepped away from her. He glanced at Lethe and said.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Lethe shook her head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Pallas. But, I really must go." And with that, the Oceanid seemingly disappeared leaving only the scent of saltwater air in her wake.
"Will the children be home for dinner?" Styx asked, hoping they would not be.
Pallas shook his head. "No, you don't have to worry." He said with a sigh.
Soon they were eating dinner, the only sounds were that of a fork scarping against a plate or a ring clinking against a wine goblet. Finally, Pallas more or less threw down his fork and knife and stared at his wife with worry and anger.
"What has gotten into you, Styx? This behavior of yours is nerve racking." He said with a sigh.
"I don't understand what you are talking about, husband." Styx replied, coldly.
"This! Why are you being so callous to me? I have done nothing but love you and care for you." Pallas said frustrated.
"You are terrible! I despise you and I hate our children and I want nothing to do with any of you!" Styx screamed. She instantly regretted the words.
Pallas looked stunned. "Styx…..No, you may hate me but I will never stop loving you. You are my wife and you will act like it." He said before going back to his meal.
"Pallas…." Styx started but he held up a hand.
"You are the personification of hate. I married you knowing that. I understand you that it would only be normal for you to start screaming you hate me." He said not meeting her eyes.
"But, I do." She whispered.
"And I know."
