Men and Women are different. That is a fact. Men are protectors and providers, and Women are supporters and nurturers.
Both are unique in many of their ways. Men are physically stronger than women, but women have a higher pain tolerance.
Put a Man and woman together and you have created an unstoppable force. Especially if their children are involved.
A man will die to protect and provide for the family.
A Woman will support and work herself to the bone to take care of her loved ones.
But unfortunately, this not always the truth.
Sometimes people find themselves in very difficult positions. One woman, in particular, was in a unique circumstance.
Sally Jackson walked on a beautiful beach. The white sand felt warm under her bare feet and the glow of the evening sun was perfect.
The blue-green waves continue to crash against the shore.
She stood taking everything in. Sally's curly brown hair was blown by a gentle breeze. She was wearing her favorite blue sundress and felt a cool breeze tingle her skin.
Nothing could make this moment any better. She was for quite the surprise.
The waves parted and a man walks out of the sea with an aura of King.
Sally's heart began racing at the sight of him. Long black hair and goatee, perfect tanned skin, and rugged handsomeness that no other man could compare to.
Only wearing a green toga that didn't hide his muscular chest, and a crown made of seashells.
The man walks up to her with a kind smile. Sally became lost in his sea-green eyes. She never wanted to look away.
He then cupped her chin and lean in for a kiss.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Sally's hand quickly hit the snooze on her alarm clock and slowly open her eyes.
She woke up before the good.
Sally leaned ups and yawn. A figure in her bed snored loudly. She looked at the man.
No, it wasn't the man in her dreams, it was her husband, Gabe Ugliano.
He then farted loudly.
Sally sigh and got up to get ready for her day.
She took a quick shower, clean up, applies a little makeup and change into her uniform.
Sally worked two part times jobs. In the morning she works at a diner and in the afternoon she worked at a candy shop.
She made breakfast that consists of eggs bacon and waffles. All of which was the color blue.
Sally then went to her son's room. Percy was only four years old. She couldn't help but smile at her son's peaceful sleeping face.
Too bad, she had to wake him.
"Percy...Percy... It's time to wake up."
Percy groaned. Sally shook his shoulder, "Come on it's time for school."
Percy groaned, "No school." He threw his blanket over his head.
Sally knew what to do. "Well, that too bad, I brought home a bit bag of candy, but candy is only for good boys who go to school." She began to walk out of the room.
Percy threw his blanket off and begrudging got out of bed. He moaned like a zombie.
"Now go wash your face off sweetie."
Percy walked like a zombie into the bathroom. Sally got his plate ready and piled on a big stack of blue pancakes.
Percy sat at the table and said, "I hate school." He pouted and then took a bite of pancake stuffing his cheeks.
"I know Percy, but learning can be fun," she pours herself a cup of coffee and sat down.
"Said's you," Percy continue to eat, getting syrup all over his face. Sally laughed a little and wipe his face clean.
"Finish up sweetie, we need to leave in twenty minutes." Sally took a sip of her coffee.
Percy went back to eating/covering himself in syrup.
"Bye mommy," Percy waved and went into his school. Sally waved back and got back on the bus.
From eight to noon Sally worked part-time at Glenn Diner as a Waitress.
"Sally, I need you at table twelve, then eighteen and nineteen." Her boss called out.
"Yes sir." She went to table twelve with her notepad. "Hello, my sally, are you guys ready to order?"
Sally counted the tips she made today; about seventy-five dollars and fifty-two cents. She clocks out and went into her boss's office.
"Mr.Glenn, will you need me to work tomorrow?"
Mr. Glenn look at the schedule, "Yes I will, but I won't need you on Friday or Saturday."
"Ok then, you have a good day Mr. Glenn."
"You too Sally."
Sally was hoping to work either day, a paycheck with tips made all the difference.
Sally got on a bus and headed home.
When Sally got to her floor she saw her neighbor Carson at his door.
"Hello, Carson," She said "How are you today?"
Carson turns to her, his clothes were ripped to shreds. Sally's eyes widen.
"Oh my goodness, what happens?" Sally walks up closer to get a better look.
Carson's face was the same scowl he always had. "A dog attack me."
"A dog attack?" Sally has heard of dogs attacking people in the city, but when she looked closer Sally didn't see any bites or scratches. She saw blood, but no injuries on him whatsoever.
She did see one thing, his muscles. The tears in his shirt showed the chiseled muscles underneath.
"Stop starting."
Sally jump a little and looked back at his eyes. "Sorry," she blushed.
"It's fine." He opened the door. "Shouldn't you be at work?"
"Oh, well I did just get off my first job, I have a second job I go to at two pm." She said.
Carson nodded and went into his apartment and closed the door behind him.
"Um, ok, see you later I guess."
When Sally got into her home she went to her bookshelf. She was an avid reader and read whatever she gets her hands on. Fiction and mythology were favorites. Gabe thought that reading books was dumb and the only reason he allowed her to keep her books was to make his poker buddies think he was smart.
Sally's dream job was to become a writer, but fate has been cruel to her so far.
She pulled a out book about a young woman who falls in love with Zeus. In Sally's option, she thinks Poseidon was way better than Zeus.
It was still a good book, it's a New York Best Seller and was even getting a movie adaptation.
She read three chapters and made her a quick lunch.
Then she quickly took care of the laundry, and wash the dishes. She looked at the clock. She had thirty minutes before she had to go to her second job.
"Do I have time?" Sally said to herself. She a had secret, a secret that nobody knew about. "No, I need to get ready for work."
She changed in her blue work shirt with the logo "Ambrosia Candy Shop" was over the left breast. She tied her hair back and left.
She locked the door and heard another one open. Carson had change into a new set of clothes. Despite the cold weather, he was only wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.
Sally could see the veins in bulging arms. 'Oh my!" She thought.
"Are you heading to work?" He asked.
"Oh yeah, gotta make that cash you know," Sally said. She began to walk with him. "So Carson, do you work anywhere?"
"I'm retired."
"Retired? But you're like only thirty-something years old," Sally said as she reached the next set of stairs.
"Military," Carson said dully.
"Oh you're a vet, what war did you fight in?" Sally asked. She had a habit of being a little nosy.
"What war didn't I fight in," Carson groaned. There was silence between the two until they reach the lobby.
"I didn't mean asked any too personal, I just get talkative sometimes, I just talk and talk, and next thing I know is I'm talking about something I shouldn't or something embarrassing and I'm just unaware of what I'm doing, like this one time-"
Carson cut her off, "Sally is this your bus?"
Sally stopped and looked, "oh, oh, no that not the I take, so anyways this one time I'm at the store I happen to meet an old friend of mine and the next thing I know is-"
Sally proceed to talk for five minutes, Carson just stood and listen until Sally's bus arrived.
"And why I will never buy granny smith apples, and only get honey crisp." Sally finished her story. Carson had a blank stare.
Sally blinked and realized she had her talking phase again. Embarrassed she quickly said bye and got on the bus.
Carson wonders why he listened to her story. Though she was convening about her choice about Apples.
Carson went behind Clark Repair Shop and went through the back.
Clark was working on the fridge and look up at him. "Oh hey, go ahead and head down. I gotta finish this real quick."
Carson nodded and walk the loading dockside. Several large machines cover this side. Opening a large showed a staircase leading down to under to shop. There was a large elevator he could have taken, but Carson didn't trust elevators.
He killed over thirty people using elevators.
After walking down twenty flights of stairs Carson went to two giant doors large enough for an elephant to walk through.
The doors both had Greek symbols covering in green glowing paint. One of the many security procedures that Clark used to protect his forge.
Carson push opens the doors and walks onto a massive platform.
The forge was amazing, big enough to keep a small skyscraper in it. Several giants machine were operating with conveyed belts taking out the pieces that have made by the machine.
Fifty smelters were line up each melting and reshaping a different type of metal.
One of the most interesting sites were the mechanical servants, Automatons, who were each work on a project or assignment they were given.
Clark had also created several tunnels to lead to storage and training areas. Testing areas, labs, and game room when Clark to clear his head.
Clark and Molly also lived down, they have a lovely space. Clark even builds an underground greenhouse for Molly to enjoy.
A mechanical eye with wings flew up to Carson and scanned with a blue light. It then let out positive Bing! And flew off.
Behind Carson the elevator open and Clark came out. "I apologize for the wait, but I promise Mr.Gracia I get that fridge done by today."
"It's fine." Carson and Clark walk over to another platform. Clark's eye glowed and the platform lifted and flew across.
"Explain to me again how the Olympians are unaware of this." Carson looked at a flock of robotic birds working together to carry a large crate.
"Ahhh, well are you aware of the labyrinth?" Clark asked and the platform landed. The two walked a tunnel to another work area.
Carson was aware of the labyrinth, hell he was the first person to complete it.
Clark explains that when the labyrinth has been growing and changing over the past few centuries. In the labyrinth space and time, they were in a state of disorders. One moment your walking for five minutes, but realized that you walk across the entire united states.
"The labyrinth is always changing, always growing. It so dangerous that not even the Olympians themselves dare to enter," Clark explained, "The labyrinth itself also emits a barrier that protects itself from detection."
Carson stroked his beard, "So Olympians cannot detect you down here, but did you find this place."
"About eighty-eight years ago, Molly I came to America to start a new. I was looking for supplies one when my eye began picking these strange signals."
An automaton walks up to Clark holding a sword and presented it, Clark looked at it and said, "Sharpen it just a little bit more." The automaton nodded and went away.
Clark continued, "After two months of searching I finding found the entrance to this place."
"If the labyrinth is always growing and changing, how have managed to put your forge down here?" Carson asked. Another one of the robotic servants came up with a large sword, a kopis, and handed it to Clark.
"That golden question isn't it, well you see we're not in the labyrinth, were in the entrance tunnels of the labyrinth." Clark hands the sword to Carson.
"The entrance tunnels emits the same barrier, but not change as offend or at all as the main body," Clark said.
"Mmmm," Carson said overlooking his new sword.
Clark smiled, "I made improvements, this one is far more durable than last," the old cyclops to the hall on his left, "There a training room down that way, why don't give a test."
Carson nodded and went to test his new sword. Clark went to his private study. A room fill notes, scroll, and books. A desk with design paper that was blueprints for new projects.
Clark sat down at his desk and examine a map he has made. He trying to make a map of the labyrinth. Even since he discovers it he wants to know its secrets. He found several other entrances and marked them down.
He wanted to create a map that changed with the labyrinth and help guide the traveler to safety. Molly worries about him when he went exploring, she didn't like the energy of the main body of the labyrinth, in her own words, describes it as "Bad voodoo."
The door to the study open and Carson came in.
"So how the sword?" Clark smiled.
"I broke it," Carson said. Clark frown, "No you didn't."
Carson pulls out the broken blade and sets it on the desk. "Yes, I did."
Clark groaned. That the fifth sword he made for Carson.
"Sally! More bean dip!" Gabe order. Sally came out of the kitchen with a new can of bean dip and set a table.
Gabe was having his poker night with his buddy, all of whom were carbon copies of Gabe. Cigar smoke and flatulence filled the up apartment.
When Sally was at home with Gabe she was reduced to a servant and did what Gabe said. If not there were consequences.
Percy was in his room and not allowed out. "The little shit bad luck." Gabe would say.
Sally was making dinner for her and Percy, Gabe pretty much lived off-chip dip, bean dip, cigars, and beer.
"Sally more beer!"
"Yes, Gabe." She went to the fridge and pulled out a case of cold beer. When Sally came to the table and set the beer down Gabe's friends, Mitch, grab a hand full of her ass.
Gabe's friends groped and fondle her every chance they got. Either Gabe didn't know or didn't care. It most likely the latter. Gabe himself was treated as a sex object when he felt like it.
Sally squirmed free from Mitch's grip. "Gabe I'm going to go check on something real quick."
Gabe's focus was on his cards, "Whatever."
Sally left the apartment and went up to the roof. The scent of cold air was welcoming. She went to some other to lose bricks and pull one out. She had a secret and that secret was that Sally Jackson was a smoker.
She had a carton hidden up on the roof and every time she felt overwhelmed she quickly up to the roof and have a quick smoke.
Sally put a cigarette between her lips and lit it. Breathing it in, she could feel the nicotine enter her system.
She breathes out the smoke and felt better, "Aww, that just what I needed,"
"I didn't take you as a smoker,"
Sally jumped and her cigarette flew out of her hand, she let a cry of despair as her smoking friend was lost forever.
Carson stood on top of the apartment mechanical penthouse looking down on Sally, his amber eyes glowed slightly.
Sally's heart was still racing, "Carson, please don't tell Gabe that I smoke, he'll kill me!"
Carson jumped and down landed in front of her. "You shouldn't be smoking at all, it bad for your health."
Sally sigh, "I know, it just, it just tough you know," she felt cornered.
"Mmmm," Carson said, "Whatever it's your choice." He went over to the edge of the roof. From the roof, you could see the Empire State Building.
"It beautiful isn't it," Sally came up next to him. She was right, for once the state building was cover with smog. The glow made it look like it was made of gold.
"So, why are you up here?" Sally asked her vision still on the golden tower.
"Came up here to think," Carson said focusing.
"Think about what?" Sally pressed a little.
"It's personal," Carson said. The air around him got slightly denser.
Sally didn't say anything and continue to look at the Empire State Building.
Sally wanted to have another cigarette but knew she had to return to Gabe.
"I need to head back, it was nice talking to you." Sally walked back to the door and open it.
She returns to her smelly husband.
Kratos enters the burning village, the sky and the ground were solid blacks.
The buildings were demolished and smoke raised to the black sky.
Kratos walked with caution until he heard a CRACK! He looked down and lift his foot, a large red crack formed.
Kratos stepped back as the crack grew larger. Then a wither corpse pulls itself out of the ground and crawled toward Kratos. It then screamed, "YOU KILLED ME!"
Kratos stay stilled. Then another corpse emerge out and grabbed Kratos' right arm. "YOU KILLED ME!"
Several hands grabbed his legs. The ground collapse in front of him, and an endless red void appears below, and an endless amount of corpses grabbed and dragged Kratos Into the bottomless pit screaming, "YOU KILLED ME! YOU KILLED ME!"
Kratos didn't resist allowing himself to be punished.
Carson slowly opened his eyes and looked at his cheap ceiling. He looked at his clock, four-thirty a.m.
He threw his blanket off and rubbed his eyes. He went into the bathroom and wash his face off and look into the mirror.
Cold, lifeless amber eyes looked back at him. Even since he remember who he was the nightmare came back.
Carson didn't need to sleep like a regular mortal, a few hours and he was good for a few months.
He sat down in a recliner he bought and pick out a book to read. He bought a collection of encyclopedias, he already read books A to D.
He just read until morning arrived. He had a Mist lesson with the nymph at nine a.m.
Carson finish Book E and look at the time, he had another three hours. He picks up Book F and began to read it.
Right behind Carson was a Minotaur. A giant bull-man hybrid that was twelve feet tall, dark hair, giants horns, and a golden nose ring.
It had a battle ax and snarled at Carson challenging him.
"You can do it, Carson," Molly said, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Carson stared down the bull resisting the urge to kill it.
'It's not real,' Carson told himself, 'it's not real ' he focuses harder and watched as the minotaur slowly dissolved.
When the minotaur completely disappeared, Molly was standing in its place with a high grin on her face.
"You did it!" She floated toward with both hands up ready for a double high five.
Carson slowly raised his hands and allowed Molly to high-five him.
"Omg! You pass!" She leaps up and high give him again, "I can't believe how fast you learn!"
Carson had been learning from Molly for the last two weeks. He has been learning at an incredible rate.
It usually takes three months for the average mortal to learn. A month if it demigod, satyr, or nymph. And that just learning the basics of it.
But Carson learns it all in two weeks, the fastest any of Molly has learned.
"We should celebrate! Have about a nice dinner," Molly said floating around Carson.
"Mmmm, ok," He said, "Should I bring anything?"
"I want you to bring is your appetite," Molly said beaming.
Carson just nodded.
Carson sat at the dinner table with Clark discussing the new weapon he wanted.
"You want me to make you a gun uhh," Clark stroking his goatee, "Yeah, I can do that, what model do you want?"
"Semi-automatic pistol, model nineteen based," Carson said. Clark nodded, "Show me your hands,"
Carson held out both hands and Clark eye scanned them for measurements.
"Alright, I'll make you a prototype for us to test," Clark said. Carson crossed his arms and lean back, "I would like a rifle and shotgun, sawed-off."
Clark took his notepad and wrote it down.
"Ok boys no more work talk at the dinner table," Molly floated in with several plates flying behind her.
Minotaur ribs, potato salad, baked bean with nectar, and a side salad with Athens grade olive oil dressing.
Clark rubbed his hands happily, "Once more my little spring flower you have a made meal worthy of the gods,"
Molly waves her hand and a bottle of wine appeared. "Carson would care for some wine? it's Dionysus grade,"
"No thank you," Carson filled his plate and began to eat. "It's good."
Molly beamed and sat down. She pours herself a glass.
You know when food is good is when people dont talk, and Molly's cooking was really good.
Clark patted his balloon stomach, "Oh my goodness that was good,"
Carson sucked the marrow out of a rib and then add it to the pile of bone he made. Molly finished off her fourth glass of wine. Her face was a darker shade of green.
Carson wipes his lips off with a napkin, "Thank you, the food was excellent."
Molly set her glass down and give a goofy smile, "Well I'm glad some people like my cooking," her word were slurring, "Mother always said that I over season my food,"
Clark got up from his seat, "Sweetie look you a little too much, here why don't you go lay down,"
Molly tries to pour herself another glass but spills it. Clark grabbed and put her over his shoulder.
"I'll be right back," Clark said to Carson.
Molly began patting his arm, "So big and strong, mother wrong about you, she just jealous."
Clark took Molly to their bedroom and tuck in her bed before going back to Carson.
"I'm sorry about that, Molly doesn't usually drink that much," Clark said sitting back down.
"What causes her grief." Carson looks through rib bones for more marrow.
"Her mother, she never appreciates any she does, she doesn't ever allocate of our marriage," Clark said shaking his head, "Demeter is the worst mother-in-law you could ask for."
Carson picks at the bone and looks at Clark.
"Demeter, the goddess of harvest and seasons, is Molly mother and your mother in law,"
Clark groaned, "Yeah, the big green bitch is the mother of my soulmate,"
Carson began looking around cautiously, "Is she aware of your forge."
"Thankfully not, the last time we met was over right hundred, but Molly see practically every day and all Demeter does nitpicking everything she does."
Clark reaches over for the wine and drinks from the bottle.
"Why did you have to marry the cyclops? Why couldn't you marry that nice doctor god?"
Carson listens to Clark ramble about his mother-in-law for the next ten minutes.
"But it worth it! I love my wife with all my heart and if I gotta deal with Demeter then so be it!" Clark finished off the wine and now he was a little tipsy.
Carson looked at his watch, "I need to leave, thank you for dinner."
Clark nodded, Carson was got up and was nearly out the doorway.
"What are you?"
Carson stopped and turn back to the cyclops.
Clark asked again, "What are you?"
Carson didn't answer. Clark chuckled, "You've killed cyclopses with your bare hands, break every celestial bronze weapons I give, and my eye can't analyze your essence. What are you?"
Carson blinked. "I'm a God. The God of War."
Clark smirked, "Aries?" Carson's eyes went from amber to crimson.
"No!" Carson growled like a beast. Clark felt his anger. "Then your him aren't you, The Mark Warrior, The Ghost of Sparta." Clark said, "Kratos the Bane of Olympus."
Carson felt power course through him, "Are you sure?"
Clark looked at his empty bottle, "I remember the day the world ended, I was only a hundred years old when it happens."
Carson said nothing. His eye was still crimson. Then, "If you want me to leave you and your wife alone I will."
Clark held up his hand, "Nah, I like you, one question, what's your endgame?
Carson's eyes went back from red to amber, " Potentially, to end this peacefully,"
Clark nodded, "I don't like the Olympians, especially since how they treat their kids. I'll have your guns ready by the end of the week."
Carson nodded and left.
Sally slips on her blue oven mitts and pulled a tray out of the oven, it was a loaded baked potato casserole. A new recipe she has been wanting to try.
"What the hell is that?" Sally looked over her shoulder, Gabe enters still wearing his work shirt, he works as a manager at his family store. He rarely did any real work there, and only got the job due to nepotism.
Sally turned and showed him, "It's a loaded baked potato casserole, I been wanting to make it for some time now," Sally sat down the casserole down on the stovetop and put away her oven mitts.
Gabe still stares at the casserole, "What about dinner?"
Sally tense a little, "Umm, this is dinner," Gabe looked back at Her.
"Did I say that I wanted this?" Gabe said.
"Well, um, no, but-" Sally began but Gabe cut her off, "Did I say that I wanted this for dinner!"
Sally looked down, "No Gabe you didn't."
"That right I didn't say anything about any casserole and here you are wasting food and money!" Gabe raised his voice.
"I-I used coupons," Sally said weakly.
"Coupons are still money! Get that through your thick skull!" Gabe yelled.
Sally felt her eyes tear up a little, "I'm sorry Gabe,"
"Oh, you're sorry? Is that going to give me back my hard-earned money? No!"
"Gabe please," Sally begged.
"Or what?" Gabe raised his hand and Sally flinched and covered herself. Luckily Gabe didn't do anything, he brought down his hand.
"Forget this, I going to Mitch's to get a drink, don't lock the door or wait up," Gabe left the kitchen,
"What should I do with the casserole?" Sally asked.
"I don't care! Why don't go ahead and eat it, that all you do is eat and waste money." Gabe left and slammed the door.
Sally looked at the casserole, it didn't look good anymore. She felt tears leave her eyes.
"Fucking asshole." Sally wiped her tears away. Gabe always did this to her, he always treated her like garbage, always belittle her, and made her feel worthless. Gabe has even hitters her multiple times.
Sally has been dealing with this for the past two years. The first time Gabe ever hit her was about three months in their marriage. Sally accidentally spills some coffee on Gabe and he slapped her hard enough to give her a bloody nose.
Sally learned to hide the bruises. She knew the right amount of makeup to hide a black eye or busted lip.
Sally left herself to cry for a minute and went to check on Percy, she put him down for a nap earlier.
She slowly opens the door and saw her son peacefully asleep.
'It's all for him.'
She closed the door and felt better.
'I need a smoke.'
Sally made her way to the rooftop and unveil her secret stash of cigarettes. She lit one and deeply inhaled then exhaled.
It has snowed again and the cold air felt good. Sally leaned against the roof railing and looked at the Empire State Building. But she wasn't looking at the building, she was looking at what was above it.
A gigantic mountain that had a golden kingdom on it. She wasn't delusional, what she was seeing was real.
Olympus home to Olympian Gods was floating above the Empire State Building and on that mountain, her lover and father of her son were there.
Poseidon, Gods of the Seas, was her lover. Four years ago, Sally at again twenty came across the Sea God and the two fell in love. The result of their love was their son Percy.
But their love couldn't last, one Poseidon was already married to
Amphitrite and two Poseidon made an oath with Zeus and Hades not to have any more demigod children.
If Zeus or Hades knew about Percy they would kill him on the spot.
Sally would do anything to protect Percy, anything! That why she married Gabe.
Percy was a demigod and his scent naturally attracted monsters to him like moths to a flame. Gabe's horrible odor acted as a shield to protect him.
Just eight more years, just eight more years! Percy would go to Camp Half-Blood, become strong to defend himself, and she gonna kick Gabe out of her life for good.
'I can handle it!' Sally told herself. But could she? Last Thanksgiving, Gabe broke her arm.
Sally reached for another smoke, but to her horrible realized she ran out. She unknowingly just smoked her whole pack.
She let out a sigh and pick up the buds, she was a smoker, but she was not a litterbug.
Sally walked to the door and walked straight into Carson, she fell back and fell on her butt.
"Ow," she groaned. Sally looked up, Carson held his hand.
"Sorry," he said. Sally grabbed his hand, it was so big and rough. He could easily crush her hand if he felt like it.
"It's fine." Sally dusted the snow off her. Carson walked past her and stare at the Empire State Building on the horizon.
"Mmmm." He groaned. Sally walk and stood next to him. "Deja vu huh?"
"Mmm?" Carson grunted.
"Remember the last time we talked? We were on the roof looking at Empire State Building" Sally said.
"Mmm, you have been smoking again," Carson said. He stared intensely at the state-building.
"How do you know?" She placed hands on her hips. Carson didn't look at her. "You reek of smoke."
Sally blushed, "I do!?"
"Yes, smoke and potatoes. Why do you smell like potatoes?" Carson turn to her and Sally began shifting around.
"Oh, well I made load baked potato casserole," Sally said. She then began to remember what Gabe said ever.
"Load bake potato casserole, sound good, got any left?" Carson had dinner earlier but load bake potato casserole sounded too good to pass up.
Sally blinked, "Really? You want to eat it?"
Carson let out a grunt, "hmm, yeah I try it."
"Oh! Ok! Yeah, in, yeah, I might need to heat it up, but yeah!" Sally said a little more positivity in her voice.
She walks through the door, but Carson didn't follow her.
"Go ahead, I need to take care of something real quick."
Sally nodded and left. Carson left allow turn back to Empire State Building.
Carson closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He exhales and opens his eyes now a golden red color.
He focuses on the top of the building and saw it, a giant Mountain with a golden kingdom on it.
He could see it now.
"That was delicious, thank you." Carson set his fork down. He ate the whole casserole much to Sally's surprise.
"Glad you like it," The whole time Sally watch him eat she kept telling herself that he would hate it.
Gabe's abuse has affected her self-esteem. But seeing Carson eat her cooking brought her joy.
Gabe says she couldn't cook right, she didn't clean well, and she didn't know how to please a man.
"You have quite the collection of books." Carson got up walk over to the bookcase. He eyed the books until the one caught his attention.
The Ultimate Guide to Greek Mythology: The Complete Encyclopedia of Greek Gods and their Stories.
It was a doorstopper, a worn green book with gold letters on the cover.
He opens the book and the front page was written, 'To my baby girl, happy twelfth birthday,- love Uncle Rich.'
"That's my absolute favorite book," Sally beamed with a great big smile.
"I must have read it a hundred times,"
"Who's Rich?" Carson asked, Sally's smile shrank.
"My Uncle, he raised as his own after my parents died when I was little."
She said in a glum tone," He passed away a few years back."
"I'm sorry," Carson said as he began flipping through the papers of the book.
A door open and Percy came out of his room rubbing his eyes, "Mommy I'm hungry,"
"Ok let get you some of the.. casseroles," Sally's mind reminds her that Carson ate the whole casserole, the casserole was meant for her and percy dinner.
Percy wrapped himself around his mother's legs like a koala bear. "I want pizza."
Percy gave the lopsided grin that he inherited from his father. Sally couldn't help but smile.
"I'm sorry baby, but no pizza tonight. How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
"No! Pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza," Her baby boy began chanting. She didn't have money for pizza.
Carson closed the and reached for his wallet, he took a hundred-dollar bill.
"Here." He held out the money. Sally blinked, "Huh?"
Percy still chanting for pizza was ignore. Sally thought she was being pranked, but Carson didn't seem to the joking type.
"Oh, no I can't accept this!" She held up her hands in defense.
Carson let out an annoyed groan, "Go on, I ate your dinner anyway."
"But,"
"You're going to take the money, and buy you and your son dinner, and keep the change." Carson order.
Sally was hesitant, she looks at the money and slowly reached out and took the money. She expected a camera crew to jump and say "Gotcha!"
But luckily one jump out. Percy didn't know what was going he just wanted a pepperoni pizza with mushrooms.
"Um, Thank you, Carson," she still felt uneasy about accepting the money.
Carson held up the Myth Book, "May I borrow your book?"
"Oh yes, you may, just please be careful with it," Sally said.
Carson nodded.
Sally looked down to her son who was still clinging to her legs, "Alright Percy pizza for dinner."
Percy pumped up his little fist. "YAY!"
Sally laughed, and Carson himself smiled a little.
Ever since Clark figure out who Carson was he been address by his real name: Kratos.
Kratos didn't mind. He was getting tired of using aliases anyway.
Molly still didn't know, She was a gossip hen and might let slip that Kratos was back.
At the labyrinth forge, Kratos was allowed to be himself. Right now he was waiting for Clark in one of the many rooms of the forge.
He was reading the book he borrowed from Sally, he only had it for two now but was halfway through.
"Hmmm," Kratos said angrily at the Olympian's propaganda. The new stories did interest him.
Then Clark came in carrying a large case. "Alright, here it is." He set the case down on a table. Kratos set the book aside.
"Here." Clark unlocked the case and open it. Kratos like what he saw.
A twelve-inch barreled handgun base on the Colt nineteenth eleven models.
Dark gray with brown wooden gray grip with omega symbols.
"Nice." Kratos held it, surprising it was heavier than it looks, it weighed fifty pounds. But to Kratos weight wasn't an issue.
Clark had a big smile, "I can it the Stallion Model Nine Thousand Prototype Number One."
Kratos held the Stallion out and stare down the barrel.
"Bullets?"
Clark reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thirteen-millimeter bronze bullet.
"I designed the magazines to contain twenty bullets each." Clark said, "The bullets have infused with Greek fire to give it the kick it needs."
"Tips and castings?"
"Tips are pure Celestial Bronze, the castings are a mixture Celestial Bronze and steel."
"Bullet speed?"
"These babies can travel five thousand feet per second."
Kratos in his many lives has wielded many firearms, The Stallion surpassed them all.
"You are master of your craft, Clark."
Kratos set the Stallion down.
Clark rubbed his nose, "Aw shucks, I'm just a mere craftsman that all," Clark pull out a leather belt from the case
"Here, put this on" Kratos took the belt and it the swap it.
"Ok, now hold the Stallion near the belt." Kratos put up the Stallion and held it near the belt. It disappeared from his hand.
"The belt has a hammerspace, I already stored ammo in it, so if you need to reload just swing the gun near it and it will automatically reload."
Kratos held his hand near the belt and the Stallion reappeared.
Kratos looked at Clark, "Why do you help me? What do you want?"
"Kratos," Clark began, "My only desire is to craft and build to my heart content, The Olympians restrict me, you don't, that why I'm on your side."
Clark waves for Kratos to follow him, "Plus someone of your power can help me obtain the resources I need to improve my craft."
They went down through forge, eventually coming to a large opening with automaton guards standing in place. Several large roadblocks stood in front of the opening. Yellow paint was splatter everywhere.
"This opening leads to the labyrinth main body, going in means you can in up anywhere or nowhere."
Kratos could feel the strange energy from the entrance. It was stretching and compacting over and over.
"What do you need me to do?" Kratos said.
Clark looks at Kratos, "I been picking a strange signal, so very ancient magic, I think somewhere near another entrance is a powerful item."
Kratos raised his eyebrow, "You want to travel through the labyrinth to find some unknown item?"
"Look if you don't want to do it I-"
"I'll do it," Kratos said, Clark, decides not to question him.
"I will need to supplies."
Clark snapped his fingers and a robotic dog came with a backpack in its mouth.
Clark handed an earpiece to Kratos, "we'll communicate through this, the bag contains a magical map to help your way through the labyrinth and a device to help track the item."
Clark gave Kratos some armor and new sword and a collapsible shield. The bag also contains Ambrose and nectar, a compass, enchanted rope, and a spare knife.
Kratos got himself ready. He stood before the opening.
"Ready?" Clark asked, Kratos nodded.
Clark pulled out a remote and pressed a button. A signal was emitted and travel through the labyrinth.
The device in Kratos had a crystal on top that turns red. Red if he too far, yellow if he closes, and green if he really closed.
Kratos walk into the darkness, the labyrinth magic consumes him.
"Kratos can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"Ok, pull out the map and it will help guide you,"
Kratos pulls out his map, black line swirl until they settle on the shape they wanted.
"I might lose your signal, just follow the map and the tracking device."
The tracking device was still red. Kratos kept moving forward and after five minutes it turned orange, he pointed to his left, back to red. Kratos held it to his right, back to orange.
Twenty of walking a light appeared. On the side, Kratos was greeted with bright whiteness and cold winds.
Kratos looked around, he was on a mountain. Mountains everywhere covered in snow.
"Kratos? Kratos?" Clark called through the earpiece.
"Yes I'm here," Kratos responded.
"Oh thank the Elder, now how long were you in the labyrinth?"
Kratos thought about it, "About twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes, I lost your signal two hours ago!"
Two hours? It was through the labyrinth did discord time and space.
"Kratos my satellite is picking up your location," Clark said.
"You have a satellite?" Kratos looks up at the white cloudy sky.
"Yeah build it years ago. Now, in the bag there is a bronze cylinder, take it out and stick it to the ground."
Kratos found it and stab it into the earth. "Press the blue button and stand back."
Kratos did so and watch as the cylinder grew twenty feet and a satellite disk came out.
"Ok, I locked on your position," Clark said, "You on the Rocky Mountain in Montana, what color is the tracking device,"
"Yellow,"
"Good, the satellite disk there will help you find the item, and return home."
"Good." Kratos head up his device, greenish-yellow when he held it north.
Kratos climbed and tracked his way rough mountainside. He leaps over to the next mountain.
He kept moving until he saw smoke in the distance. "Mmm,"
Reaching the area Kratos found a burnt-out campfire. It was lit about four hours ago. No signs of anyone near though.
"Clark, can you detect anything near me?"
"Let me see," Clark said through the earpiece, "What the hell?"
"What?"
"I don't know what this is, but something out there is, well, empty"
"What do you mean by?" Kratos asked he couldn't sense anything or anyone near him.
"I don't there something messing with the signal,"
Kratos look at the device, more green than yellow.
"I'm close to the item, I contacted you if anything happens," Kratos said.
"You be careful man."
Krato moved forward, the tracking device became greener and glow brightly. He stood on top of the mountain looking for anything usual.
He saw a man moving through the snow, then he disappeared.
To most people, they would think their mind was playing tricks on them. But Kratos knew better, someone was looking for the same thing.
Kratos look at a canyon to his west, the tracking device was solid green now.
Getting there Kratos look down and looking through the icy fog he could see a nest down on a ridge. A big nest.
And a small flame. Looking at the flame, Kratos felt inspired, optimistic, and even happy.
"What is this," Kratos took out the rope and tied it to a large rock, and began to scale down the edge.
Reaching the nest, Kratos found the nest to be the size of a helipad for a large military-grade helicopter.
The tracking device was at its brightness, he found it.
A flame was coming from a torch. The light and heat were welcoming.
Kratos pick it up and examine it. The torch handle was made from a tree branch and the whole thing was four feet long.
"Clark, I think I found it, it a torch."
Kratos called in.
"Bzzzzzzzzzz.' He lost communication. Damn it. It was probably the torch.
Kratos held his hand to flame, it didn't burn, if anything it felt like it was healing him. At least Kratos didn't have to worry about getting burnt.
He thought about putting it in his hammerspace belt, but the idea of putting a flame with his ammo didn't seem like a good idea.
He was about to climb up.
"No! That's mine!"
Someone tackled Kratos and knock him back. Getting up Kratos saw a man with long hair grab the torch and climb up the cliff.
Kratos groaned and climb after him. When Krato got to the top he pull out the Stallion, he saw the man running off with the torch.
Kratos didn't want to kill, this guy might have information. Kratos fired and shot him in the shoulder.
BANG!
"AAH!" The man held the torch near his wound shoulder and heal himself.
Kratos fired another shot and gazed at the left leg. Man falls over and Kratos throws himself on top of him. He repeatedly brought his fist down on the man's face.
Kratos tries to pull the torch away but the man gripped was like a vice, the two continued to wrestle over the torch.
Caaaw!
The man looked up at the sky, "Oh no,"
Caaaw!
"Quick we to get-"
Caaaaw!
An eagle the size of a biplane flew down and snatch the torch out of grasp. The force sent the two flyings off the mountain. Their bodies rolled down and land in deep snow below.
The man pops out with a hat of snow on his head. "NO!" He cried in despair, "I finally had it! Why? Why me? I just want my torch!"
The man felt a gun pressed on the back of his head.
"Move and I will shoot," Kratos said. The man didn't move.
Kratos saw his leg was still bleeding, bleeding gold blood.
"Who are you," Kratos order. The man slowly turned around, he long, mangy brown hair and scraggly beard. He had thin scars covering his face and wore a green cloak. He had bright blue eyes.
The man's blues eyes lit up when he looks at Kratos, "it you,"
Then man hugged Kratos. "It's really you!"
Kratos shove the man off and consider pistol-whipping the man. He raised his gun at the man's forehead.
"Kratos wait!" The man held up his hands, "it's me! Prometheus!"
Kratos stopped. Prometheus, Kratos kill him ages ago. Not out of vengeance but mercy.
Prometheus was the titan of forethought and tricks. He was also the creator of humanity and gave them fire from Olympus.
Zeus left Prometheus hanging above a massive flame to burn and had Eagles eat his liver daily.
Kratos kill him to free him from his torture.
Prometheus got up and limp toward Kratos, "I can't believe this, your back," Prometheus hugged Kratos again.
"Please help me!" Prometheus begged. Kratos pushes the titan off him. Prometheus fell to the ground and held his leg in pain.
"Prometheus?" Kratos asked.
Prometheus sat up, "Yes Kratos it me, please I need your help!"
"Prometheus how are you alive?" Kratos asked, he began to wonder who else he killed return alive.
"Look I will explain everything to you, but first I need you to help to get my torch back! Please!" The Titan begged.
"That torch?"
"The same is used to give humanity fire, help me get it back and I'll bet you borrow it."
If that was the Prometheus Torch, it had vast magical power. It was too valuable to give up.
"Alright I'll help, but I need answers."
"Of course!" Prometheus tries to stand up but his leg gave out.
"Uhh, I'm going to need a little help."
Kratos groaned, "Heal Yourself."
Prometheus focuses on him and it slowly closed. He tried standing, but it was clear was still in pain.
Kratos groan and turned around knelt, "Hop on."
Prometheus blinked, "Huh?"
"Get on my back and hold on."
Prometheus didn't do anything.
"Get on or I will take the Torch for myself," Kratos growled.
Prometheus not wanting to lose his precious Torch hop on Kratos.
"Never thought you of all people would give anyone a piggyback ride." Prometheus chuckled.
Krato gave a warning growl that shut the titan up.
"Now tell me how the gods came back to life." Kratos said.
Prometheus then began to tell Kratos what happened after he destroyed the gods.
END.