Hey everyone, sorry this is out a bit late, I took a small break and caught up on some tv I've been missing. Anyway, here's chapter five. Sorry if it feels messy, I wrote at random points, sometimes days apart, but I hope it turned out okay.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (except the OC's) Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Heroes Of Olympus, Or Trials of Apollo. All of that belongs to Rick Riordan.

5. The Ancient Art Of Blowing Stuff Up

Matt

Okay, so picking back up where we left off, because let's not miss a beat here. You probably want to see me get my ass kicked a couple of times, which yes, did happen.

Zeus tossed me the cube and stood next to Kyros, who didn't seem to mind his presence, despite past history. He just looked up and went back to pecking at his feathers, uninterested.

"Take it slow, Matt!" Zeus encouraged, "Set a good pace!"

I hefted the cube and repositioned my grip. With a deep breath, I passed the line I reached on my first attempt, that's when Ouranos came up the side of the cliff, yet again.

I felt a reaction at seeing him once again, but managed to fight it down. Focus on the cube, not him, focus on the cube, Matt.

Ouranos snarled at me like a wild animal, and lunged. His hand was outstretched to grab my throat, but this time, I barely avoided.

The weight of the cube reduced my speed by a lot. Moving now kind of felt like being crushed on all sides of my body, like a gravity enhancement room. My stepping to the side was like an elderly man doing it, but I did it early so it had the same effect.

And that's how I'm gonna have to do it. Think quick, go early.

Ouranos's full on dive sent him over the edge of the rock bridge, down into the ocean. I kept moving forward, not humoring my adrenaline at the progress. If I tried to jog or run I'd fall flat on my face. I kept walking.

I made it about fifteen more feet, and this time, two copies of Ouranos came from the side of the bridge. Sliding their knees over the edges and standing up quick, immediately making another move.

The one on the right dove at me, just like the first copy, just a bit quicker. I couldn't move this time, so I arched my back and brought my knee up, sending the cap of it into his chin.

It caved in and his body was sent upward in the sky, out of sight.

Right as my knee connected, the other one must've decided to have his turn. I felt his palm on my shoulder, and then the weight behind it. Okay, I can't dodge now, I can't attack, so I just have to roll with it.

I twisted my hips as best I could, letting his hand slide off the ball of my shoulder and back into the air, but still, it was enough force to make me stumble.

Ouranos landed on his chest and slid in the dirt. By this time, the first one I kneed came down and landed on his back. Both were still on the bridge with me. I'd made no advancements, and they didn't go over the side. So it looks like I'll have to do something else.

But this cube is really getting heavy. My arms have been aching since I picked it up, my legs are shaking, my core is on fire. I'm five seconds away from just tossing the thing and calling it quits.

But that would be stupid. Especially after acting stupid, flying off, and then coming back all confident. This is my second attempt. If I fail, I fail.

Another wave of pain washed through me, breaking my posture further. "Ah shit..."

The Ouranos's got up, completely unphased by everything. At least they weren't the smartest, from what I'm getting. They seem to be just tough idiots. Which...is a handicap. Doesn't make me feel much better.

I planned on another kick, but I couldn't move my hands out of the way to make room, like at all. They were stuck just holding the weight of the cube. I couldn't lift or move them.

So you can imagine what happened next. Ouranos two came from the back and palmed the back of my head, shoving it forward into the fist of Ouranos one.

My nose stung with pain, eyes watering instantly. I didn't see the action, but one of them swept me. I fell on my back and the weight of the cube landed on my chest, pushing me against the ground.

My eyes bugged out of their sockets. My groan sounded like I'd been stabbed, which wasn't far off. Maybe if I got stabbed with a battering ram.

Ouranos one and two knelt down and pelted me in the face with punches. Left and right against my cheek and jaw, my head recoiled from side to side. It matched the pressure of the cube, just in smaller, more annoying doses.

I couldn't see, but weaving my head to the side saved me from another punch. Everything after came in one movement. I used my hand to push the cube to the crook of my left arm, allowing one half of my body to finally get out of the way.

I cracked the right one in the nose with my elbow, giving relief. But as quick as I could do that, the other was latching onto my neck.

Fingers gripped me tight, but they didn't choke me, they pushed me.

Over the side of the bridge.

I held onto the cube, but my body was off the rocks and soaring through the air. I didn't even panic or worry about the water below, because I knew there would be a reset. And there was. It happened in a femtosecond. I reappeared below Zeus, on my backs as if I'd been there the entire time. The weight of the cube was still on me, he hadn't removed it.

"Get up and go again." Zeus ordered, not looking at me.

"Okay." It came out as a mix of a groan and a growl. I tried to sit up, but every bone turned to jelly, and I laid back down unwillingly. My body was actually screaming at me to stop.

This time Zeus looked. His arms were crossed. "Did you not hear me?"

"I did."

"Then get up. Find a way. Just don't let the cube touch the rocks."

"What the hell's in this thing anyway?"

"Don't worry about it. Now get up."

I huffed, and quickly thought of a way to stand. I wanted desperately to stick with the one at a time strategy, but now I'm starting to think about the big picture. How the hell am I gonna reach the top if I can't even stand up?

"It all leads to progress." Zeus said, reading my mind. "Every inch."

I tucked my fingers under the cube and used my biceps to tilt it up, enough to somehow squeeze the entire length of my hands back in a comfortable position. I bucked my hips up and the cube left my body for a moment. That's when I did it. Using the weight of the cube, it propelled me upward to a squat. Okay, I'm off my back.

I know for a fact if my friends saw me like this, they'd probably bust out laughing. I just flopped like a fish to get some mysterious cube off me that weighs more than a thousand Midgard Serpents. The situation is so wild that it's almost surreal. I don't even know what's in this damn thing.

I tried to lift, but felt my back get tight in a way that would only lead to it snapping.

"Lift with your legs, not your back." Zeus instructed.

"Yep..." I groaned, "...that's a good idea."

It was no use. Each time I tugged, it went nowhere, and then with the slightest movement of my feet, I'd fall off balance and stumble.

This was starting to get really frustrating, and I am more than ready to toss this thing. It's this thing that's making everything hard. It's such a simple task too. Literally hold an object and walk.

Zeus sighed, "Okay, this isn't working. You're not ready."

"No, I can do it. Just hold on."

"No, Matt. You can barely stand. We're going to take a step backwards and do something else."

"No! I can do it! Just-" I tried to step, but that was a huge mistake. I tripped right away and had to let go of the cube to avoid the inevitable faceplant.

Boom. Happened anyway.

I hit my forehead on the ground and flattened out like a pancake. The cube fell beside me, breaking the laws of physics by not digging through the rocks. Guess their made from the same thing if they can withstand it.

Zeus's footsteps stopped in front of my head. "Matt, it's okay. I know the issue, we can fix it."

He reached down and scooped up my arm, wrapping his entire hand around it and pulling me up with no effort. Upon standing, my quads were burning, pleading for me to sit down and give them a rest.

But I did my best to keep it. Zeus reassured me, "It's your posture. We need to work on it when pressure is added. So here's what we're going to do." He reached down and picked up the cube with one hand like it was a baseball, tossed it in the air and caught it. "Hold it like a kettle bell. Feet wide, knees bent, back straight, like you're pulling something from the ground. This will create a good foundation and strengthen your fighting stances."

I tried not to appear like it, but I was disappointed. This sucks. I couldn't even complete the first step of training. Just the first step of the first day. We're having to move backwards because I can't do it, to something as basic as stances no less.

Zeus read my mind, "Don't think that way, Matt. Mastering the basics is a key factor in becoming a great warrior. I'd rather you be good at the things you know than be terrible at a bunch of things you want to know."

"Do we even have time for this?" I asked, "It's no big deal, If I can just breathe for a second, I can go again."

"A day here is equivalent to a year on the outside, remember? An hour is like a week. It may not feel like it now, but with every move you are progressing many times faster than you would normally. We have time."

I grumbled, "Okay." I didn't really want to do it, to be honest. That's why I tried to weasel my way out.

"Take the cube. Hold it. Stand until I say to stop." Without warning, he handed the cube to me. It almost slid through my grip but I snatched it just in time, back in the same old squatting position from earlier.

"Son of a bitch!" I gritted my teeth, "What is in this thing?!"

"Hold it. Remember your stance. Don't break it. You break it, we reset."

"Reset?!"

"Hold it!" He barked, "Think of nothing but the task at hand!" He turned around and left my sight. "Come, bird. Let's leave him."

Kyros didn't like being called 'bird' but he got up and followed Zeus, shooting me a strong reassuring emotion. I appreciated it, but really, it didn't help. I hadn't recovered at all from the jelly spell on my body.

I felt Kyros and Zeus's aura leave and I was alone, with nothing but the noise of crashing waves to fill my ears. In a way, it soothed me, and offered a tiny distraction.

But that still offered little relief. It's probably better that I didn't know what exactly caused this insane weight, because that would just make it worse. Like with the Midgard Serpent, knowing that thing was as big and weighed as much as the Earth just gave me a sinking feeling. Maybe I have expectation problems.

Looking down, beneath my shoes, I didn't see the sand anymore. I saw myself standing in the air, above the atmosphere, with the Earth chained to the cube I held. I gasped lightly; my first thought went to this being an illusion created by Zeus. But somehow I got the feeling it was coming from my own mind, imagery of the pressure I felt.

The chain was rusty, and longer than the span of the planet. It wrapped around the cube multiple times, straightened thousands of feet to do the same to the planet.

But that doesn't matter. I'll hold it up if that's what it takes. I'm not failing again. I need to be an immovable object, If I want this to work. Standing straight, and never letting go. Even though my arms feel like they're going to fall off, I'll push through.

I don't want to move backwards anymore.

(Ten hours later)

When Zeus found me, I didn't even speak to him at first. I didn't register that he was even there. I was so focused on holding the cube.

I knew it had been hours. At least four or five. It felt like an eternity. At the end of hour one, I was seriously thinking about giving up and dropping it. My arms were screaming in agony, every fiber of my body was on fire, blazing fire, and I knew anymore would rip my tendons right out of place.

But I kept thinking about the possibility of becoming strong enough to end it all on my own. Without even having to involve my friends. If I could, I would do it. I would fight and they wouldn't have to be in danger at all, and if this training can offer that, then you can bet like hell I'm not gonna give up.

So I kept holding on. I didn't dare allow my posture to budge. I didn't look down at the Earth visual. Instead, I kept my head forward and closed my eyes, thinking of anything else. It ended up going back to an ambient background of Camp, like an outsider looking in on daily life, camper activity, and general peace. A camp without worry of being attacked, or thinking about a far threat.

His voice was muffled for the first two instances, but then a third came, and a hand on my shoulder.

"Matt?"

My eyes shot open, but I didn't let go of the cube. Zeus's eyes were wide with shock, and Kyros's head was ducked at my knee, sniffing it.

"You've been holding it this entire time?"

I tried to talk, but my voice wouldn't come out. Just a weak, raspy breath. My body had been strained for so long, I could no longer speak. Strength had been focused elsewhere.

Zeus understood, leaning down and placing his hand under the cube. "Drop it."

I immediately did, and it fell into his palm, not moving it at all. I felt every part of me go limp and I fell on my back, breathing heavily while the sun pierced my eyelids. The red aura depleted and I went back to normal within a second.

"My my, Matt. I honestly didn't expect you to hold out for an hour, let alone ten."

Ten hours?! Holy shit... I figured it was long, but not that long. I couldn't talk, but my eyes expressed the words.

Zeus nodded, "I know. That's incredible. I think you gradually got used to the weight over time. That or just sheer willpower."

I didn't respond, I just kept trying to catch my breath. Was it being siphoned out of me?

"Well, either way, you're ready to try the mountain again." He said cheerfully.

At that, I coughed up a storm and sat up, even though it felt like someone punched me in the gut with every movement. I found my voice, "W-Wait! Can I rest for a minute? Please? I'm dying here."

Zeus scanned me, and sighed, "Yes. I suppose you won't be able to move just yet. You were in one position after all for nearly half a day." He then smirked, "But think of how much you've progressed in the time. Ten hours is quite a while here, so you'll surely be able to carry that cube up the mountain."

"You've got to tell me...what's in that thing." I swallowed hard, finding it tasting bitter. "Please."

He chuckled and tossed the thing up and down with ease, "A condensed portion of aura I stored in a pocket dimension. It weighs roughly..." He cocked his head back and forth, "...the equivalent of a hundred massive black holes."

I lifted my eyebrows, "Is that heavy?"

Zeus scoffed, "Well, a massive black hole can weigh up to ten suns. They feel the same to me."

"Ten suns?!" I shouted, feeling my throat sting at the sudden sensation. After a few more coughs, I continued my tirade, "A single one? A-And, a hundred? A hundred of them-"

"This is why I didn't want to tell you. I knew it would freak you out."

"No, No, I'm just...surprised that I was able to do such a thing."

"If you used the Bolt's energy, it would've been easy. But like I said before, I want your own energy to increase. It's important that you remember that the bolt is only an amplifier. An outside force. It should only be used in dire situations. If you can, try to finish a battle with your own power."

"My own power..."

"Yes."

"Say, Grandfather, where does it come from? Aura and all of that? I've always been curious."

"Where does aura come from?"

"Yeah, like, how come I've been able to use it my entire life, while someone like Percy didn't know about it until recently couldn't?"

"It's not as complicated as you might think." He snapped his fingers, "Sit up."

I did, much to the dismay of my abdomen, but I powered through to watch his fingers draw a little person on the sand.

It wasn't a stick figure, but a surprisingly well sketched little version of me. "That's you. Inside, is your life force." He drew a little circle on my chest. "Life force is exactly what it sounds. A mortal's life force is different from a god's. It's weaker, and smaller. It grows as you reach your prime, peaks there, and then decreases with elderly age."

"Okay, so...does that mean life force comes from my human side, and aura comes from my godly side?"

He nodded, impressed. "That's right. I'm impressed you put it together that quickly. The red aura that you're able to conjure comes from your father and myself, while your lifeforce comes from your mother, her parents, and your mortal ancestors. Another thing. When a demigod is born, the fates place a limiter on the child, meaning that they cannot surpass a certain level of power. That's not to say that you can't use your aura, but not to the extent that you and your friends are doing."

"So how can we do it?"

"You break the limiter." He said it like it was simple. "Either through rage or a traumatizing experience, it can come in many forms. Something must happen for you to awaken that next level, and when you do, it shatters the limiter. Not to say that your power is limitless, but it can get farther than you think."

I nodded. I had no idea that the fates did such a thing. But it made sense if you thought about it. Placing a limiter on a demigod assures that they can't go rogue and become more powerful than the gods themselves. But...the limiters must be pretty flimsy, because that whole barrier has been broken several times already, not just by me.

Zeus wiped the little sketch of me from the sand. "I'll let you rest a little more. Then you can try the mountain again."

I was fine sitting up now. My body was sore, but it wasn't unbearable anymore. Within a few minutes, I could give it another go. "Wait."

"Yes?"

"Can we talk a little more about...that lesson you were trying to teach me earlier? The whole hatred thing."

"Sure. What did you want to know?"

"Well, first...I'm sorry for running off like that. That was stupid. I had time to think about it at Camp and I realized it was pretty dumb of me."

"Don't worry. I figured you would come back."

"I thought about it more, and...I even had some help from dad on understanding it."

That took him off guard. His posture broke a little and he knitted his eyebrows, "You spoke with Heracles?"

"Yeah. A friend gave me this cape that allows you to speak to the dead briefly. I used it, and spoke with him. I brought up the hatred thing, and he made a good point that really helped me understand it."

Zeus was still taken back by the fact I talked with Dad, which I couldn't blame him for. It was pretty wild to think about as an outsider. He probably wanted the chance to talk to him too, which I didn't think about. But then again, it's way easier for him to do so than me. He could just go to Elysium himself and do it, I imagine. Or maybe not. I heard that it's bad for gods to go in another's domain. Elysium is technically a part of Hades's territory.

He responded, despite his initial shock, "And what did he say?"

"He said that acting out of hatred just means that...they've gotten to you. When I feel that anger, it means Ouranos has already won. He's become my master." I shook my head thinking about it, "It makes sense. I think about the bastard way too much, and whenever I let it fester, I get reckless. It's like you were saying, recklessness leads to mistakes. And that's...weakness."

Zeus nodded, "That's...great insight on Heracles' part. I'm glad you were able to make sense of it."

"It's just...hard, you know?" I said, "Trying to suppress that anger, especially in the face of Ouranos."

"That's why I'm trying to help you become familiar with your fear. Seeing all of those copies on the mountain makes it easier to confront him, because you already have, one hundred fold, for hours on end." He shrugged, "Sure, they aren't real, but it's a small consolation."

I felt a burst of adrenaline course through my body. It was quick, but it helped me stand up and stare at the rock bridge, determined. "I'm ready to try again."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Hand me the cube, please."

Zeus held it up, and I formed my hands into a cup under his. Reading my eyes to make sure I was ready, he tilted his palm and let it slide off into my grip.

I figured it would be the same as before, with the cube pushing my hands down to the ground, and that unbearable pressure returning. But to my surprise, my hands only budged a few inches. The weight was heavy, sure, but it wasn't nearly as bad as before. I was able to hold it at my hip without feeling like I was going to die. My body ached a little, but it wasn't agonizing or death inducing. It was as if my healing had been sped up ten fold over the last few minutes.

It had...

Dummy. I keep forgetting time is different here. That means that I recover quicker too.

I smirked, and started the course again.

I gripped the cube tightly and made a light jog toward the rock bridge. Moving past the point of wide ground onto the narrow way, the first Ouranos popped up, just like last time.

I was more than ready now. His feet left the ground and he lunged at me, but I knew what to do.

With a simple side step, I dodged his attack and let him fall over the side of the bridge. I didn't have to lift a finger, punch, kick, or do anything. It was just as simple as walking.

Then the next two emerged, just like before. This was as far as I had gotten, so I needed to do something different this time. As both Ouranos's pulled themselves above the sides, I took in a breath, calming myself. I wouldn't fail this time.

Both began a running start towards me, smiling like madmen but not saying anything. Both had their right fists reared back, ready to swing.

With wide stances like that, I could nail them right on the jaw. I calculated every movement and thought of a counterattack in the second, like I had entered some next level of thinking on the fly. I had literally upgraded myself. That, or I just didn't panic. Probably the latter.

I stepped my right foot towards my left and spun around, lifting my arms up slightly, letting momentum do the rest of the work. Just like I'd planned, the edge of the cube that stuck out slammed into both of their jaws, knocking them in the air simultaneously and over the edge of the bridge.

When I saw both pairs of gray hair descend into the sky, I knew I was making progress. I finally got past the place I had failed before. Time to see if I can continue. Because it's only going to get harder.

Two last time, so three this time. I thought. It has to be. I'm guessing it increases by one the further I go.

Sure enough, within the next twenty paces, I saw three hands slam themselves onto the side of the rock bridge. I nodded, ready for them to come at me. Determine their striking methods before they strike, that way you can react. Be fast, be vigilant, and be wary of the cube.

I was surprised at how little of an issue it was now. It was like carrying a heavy bag to a normal person, so it wasn't easy by any means, but I found myself able to keep carrying it, my fingers not slipping or having to regain a position. I just held tight and continued, focused on evading the Ouranos's. Which is the end goal, I'm sure. Zeus's intention all along. For the cube to become secondary, which wasn't the case before.

They yanked themselves up and flew in the air for a moment. As they landed without hardly a sound, I noticed too late that the one in the very back had a weapon this time, which was something new. And it wasn't just any weapon either, it was the Heavenly Diamond spear.

I wasn't sure if it was actually Heavenly Diamond. I doubted it. But still, I wasn't going to take the risk.

Just as I noticed he had it, he already pitched it at me. He was so fast, I didn't even see him cock his arm back, I only saw it leave his hand, then the glint of a silver light, reflecting the sun's ray.

I immediately gave in to my instincts and dodged, weaving my head to the side as far as I could. I felt wind hit my ear as the spear sailed by. Feeling two auras rapidly approaching, I knew I'd messed up.

One Ouranos rammed his fist into my gut, doubling me over, and the other two grabbed my shoulders, tucking their fingers in my armpits so I couldn't escape. With a single, combined effort push, they tossed me overboard and into the clouds.

I cursed as I fell, and there was no space for idle time now. Zeus instantly teleported me back to the start.

I broke away one fist to slam it on the sand, "Damn!"

"Don't get frustrated, and don't underestimate your progress. You did better that time."

"Only by one advancement." I grumbled.

"One is better than nothing. You get as many tries as you want, Matt. Adapt and overcome. Remember what they did, and use it against them next time. Go."

I nodded, not protesting one bit. He had the spear, and he threw it. Remember that. He might go for it again, and he might not. These things were just aura manifestations, but they weren't as dumb as they looked. They might try a different strategy this time, if Zeus wills it.

I jogged forward again, dodging the first Ouranos, like before, then ducking a punch from the second wave, coming behind the attacker's friend, and kicking them into each other over the edge like it was nothing. That was easy, to get past what you've already beaten. I was just worried about the new stuff.

The third wave emerged, and I steeled myself. Get ready for the spear. This time if he throws, I'll dodge it and keep my eyes on the other two. If he doesn't, I'll take him out first.

Like before, they landed in a triangle position facing me. The one at the back still had the spear, and he threw it at me, shot for shot.

I dodged, this time narrower and with my head tilted farther downward, not facing the sky. I was able to see everyone clearly, and I saw the one on the left disappear from view.

My eyes widened, about to question what he was doing when I felt his aura reappear behind me, and the noise of skin gripping metal. He had grabbed the spear and intended to finish the job.

I wasn't going to let that happen. Adapt. Adapt and keep going.

Knowing he was right behind me, feet planted on the ground, I ducked my body and back kicked my leg in between his. With a twisting movement, I was able to knock him off his feet and crumble. The spear flew out of his hand and freefell in the air.

I glanced at the cube, wondering if I should take the risk. I decided to. If it didn't work, I could always try again.

I cupped my left hand deeper into gripping position and caught the spear with my right, free hand. It was heavier, and my arm started aching, but I was able to hold it and not drop it. A good sign. Quickly, I turned my gaze forward, and found the second Ouranos right in front of me, his mouth open in a war cry, both fists balled up in no readable attack position. Better for me.

I lunged forward and stabbed him. I could tell by the feeling of this spear that it wasn't actually Heavenly Diamond. But it hardly mattered, it was more than enough to drive through the clone's gut and defeat him, not to mention, I used to specialize with spears. They were my favorite weapon before a club, and I had plenty of experience using one. It wasn't my old reliable shark toothed one, but it was still a spear nonetheless.

Tossing it up and switching to a throwing grip, I quickly tossed it as hard as I could, and it flew to it's target. The sternum of the third Ouranos, who had wielded the spear originally. It sank through his skin and killed him.

Now I hadn't forgotten about the one I swept. I knew good and well he was still kicking, I had only stumbled him. Sure enough, as I turned around, he was shaking his head in anger, roaring like a lunatic.

I waited for his movement, going into a wide stance. Placing my right hand back on the cube to offer some relief, I knew I had to go for a kick.

My thoughts landed on the best option. A hook kick. I would've preferred a spinning hook kick, but that would mean taking my eyes off of him, even if just for a second, that could cost me. A regular hook lacks the power a spinning one would have, but I think it'll get the job done.

I stepped forward and leaned back, lifting my leg to the side and snapping the knee to kick the clone on the side of the face. From afar, it looked like I tapped him with the sole of my shoe, and it was rather like that. Enough force was applied to send him falling to the ground and sliding over the edge.

Moving on, I took another twenty steps and found myself confronted with four this time. And so on and so forth. I managed to keep evading them, or holding out until I could attack all of them in an angle that suited me. One thing about the higher numbers was the cluster effect, where if you hit one, you might just get lucky and hit two, or even three with one blow.

I kept moving, and at one point, there were a dozen in a near straight line. I let go of the cube with one hand and gathered a small amount of energy from them into my palm. A red, glowing sphere formed, and I quickly released it, shooting a beam straight through their chests. It was wide enough to engulf all of them and burn them to crisps.

Wave after wave came, and I remained in that plane of thinking where I...didn't really have to think. I just saw the situation, and a counterattack would come to me instantly. Whether they surrounded me, used spears, or even lightning. I found that I could last, and even win.

I hadn't even noticed I'd almost reached the top when there was a pause. I took a few steps more than I should've, and I got confused. Where's the next wave?

Within a few seconds, I had my answer. A pool of an ink-looking substance formed above me, and I saw Tartarus rise from it. Just as I'd seen him in his domain, he was tall, lanky, and terrifying, with cosmic black skin, and nothing to show but predatory eyes.

I braced myself. He was tricky. Whatever he would throw at me, would probably be outside of the box. I needed to be ready.

Slamming his hand down to the ground, black tendrils erupted all over the place, shooting from the ground up, snaking across my sides, and arching over the top of me. All aimed at different parts of my body.

It was going to be hard to dodge, but-

Wait. I don't have to dodge.

Quickly, I used a free hand to yank Viribus off my neck and morphed it into its club form. Feeling Zeus's aura inside, I willed lightning to come from it. And it did. Out of the tip, blue light shone and formed a crackling dome around me, taking the brunt of the tendrils' attack. When they clashed, both the tendrils and my dome dispersed.

The Tartarus clone was wide open. I dove forward and decked him right in the jaw, making sure to push extra hard in a finish, that way he would crumple over the side.

And he did. Like a ragdoll, he went limp and tumbled over, his long form leaving my sight entirely.

From there, I sprinted like there was no tomorrow. I took big strides, pushing my sore legs to their limit. More Ouranos copies rose up, but I was too fast. I blitzed through the rock bridge at a speed I couldn't calculate, red aura blazing a trail behind me. My teeth were gritted, and I felt like I was on fire. Maybe I was.

But I didn't care. I saw that summit approaching fast. I put all I had into the next few strides, all of the gas I had left in the tank, and managed to make it.

As soon as my feet landed on the flat surface, overlooking the entire sea, I made an attempt to shout in victory, but fell over instead, dropping the cube.

I felt more tired than I ever had, in any fight, in any training session, I was out of it. My stomach churned in a way that I didn't like, and I could practically feel something making it's way up my throat.

"Oh crap..." I whispered, not wanting to barf. I preferred keeping whatever I ate yesterday, which I honestly couldn't remember. Speaking of, am I ever gonna eat here?

Oh no, don't think about food. That makes it worse.

A burst of energy pinged on my radar and faded as soon as it came, but it was Zeus's, so I knew he'd zapped himself up here to check on me. "Matt, are you asleep?"

"Just...trying...not...to...throw up..." I managed to get out, my voice coming in a series of grunts and moans.

Kyros walked over to face me, and carefully placed his head over mine to shield me from the sun.

"Ah...thanks bud."

"That was excellent." Zeus said, "It took you far less time than I imagined. You're progressing quite well. Why, you should be able to take on the next step without trouble."

"Does it...involve...this cube?" I croaked, not wanting to see that damn thing again.

Zeus snapped his fingers and the cube blipped out of thin air, never to be seen again. "No. The next step isn't about physical strength. It has to do more with aura manipulation. But today's lesson was very important, Matt, and with a good night's rest, you'll see it's fruits begin as early as the morning."

"Wait, you know what time it is right now?"

"It is evening. Do not worry about what's going on outside, think only of what you did. Replay mistakes in your head, and think about Ouranos. As hard as that may be, I want you to continue to become familiar with him, so that he becomes less frightening. Envision what you'll do if you face him, what you'll say, how you'll act, how you'll fight. Create a plan."

"Create a plan. Got it." I sat up and sighed, about to follow his advice, but a grumbling noise interrupted my thoughts.

I looked down and noticed that it was my stomach. I was hungrier than I thought.

"Uh..."

Zeus chuckled, "I almost forgot, mortals have to eat. What would you like?"

Kyros cawed loudly, signaling that he wanted treats.

"I wasn't speaking to you, bird."

"He's hungry too, Grandfather. Give him some treats."

Zeus didn't look too thrilled about accommodating Kyros, but with reluctance, he willed two giant bird treats to pop out in the air. Both landed in Kyros's open beak.

"Now you?"

"You can form anything?" I asked.

"Yes. Fast food to a five-star meal. Whichever. Doesn't really matter to me."

My smile grew wider and wider with my imagination. "Alright, well get ready, because you're gonna have to do a lot of finger snapping."

Zeus did in fact, do a lot of finger snapping.

I had probably burned tens of thousands of calories with my little session earlier, so I piled the request high. What I had sitting in front of me on a blanket in the sand put death row last meals to shame.

I had a series of filet mignons scattered in front of me, fries, chicken, and even though I didn't like them, an assortment of veggies. You gotta have them in there to balance everything out, as much as it sucks.

And then to top it off, a chocolate sundae as tall as my knee. Like I said, balance it out. Throwing in a tiny sweet to the mix won't hurt anything.

To a normal person, it would look like I intended to feed twenty people, but to Zeus, it was normal, and actually subpar to what gods eat. Which I gathered by him asking, "That's all? You must be eating light."

But he willed it to exist for me anyway, and I started chowing down on the mountain top, with the sun setting in the distance.

I stuffed my face, not caring how I looked since it was just the three of us. I didn't have to cater to the crowd of my friends and act all neat, with a napkin in your lap and salad forks in the right spot. Here I was free to eat like an animal in the wilderness. Although to be fair, I'm probably overthinking the friends thing. The girls are really the only ones who act properly at a dinner table. Well, maybe not Harper. She eats more than I do, which is saying something. Not once though has her appearance changed in the slightest bit. Her workout routine must be on another level.

I noticed Zeus watching me with a smile of disbelief, shaking his head.

"Wut?" I said, mouth still full.

"You even eat like your father." He snickered, "That or a savage monkey."

I swallowed, "Hey, leave me alone. I'm hungry after all of that cube lifting."

Zeus nodded and threw his hands up, leaving me to my business.

I chewed a little more and then stopped my rampage for a second, a question on my mind. The fact that I now sat with the most powerful Greek god kept escaping me. Someone with so much battle experience, so much life experience in general. I felt like I was wasting a shitload of time by just eating and not asking a million questions. Zeus could probably answer the questions of the universe if he wanted. All of the deep stuff I sometimes wonder about.

But to be honest, none of that really interested me. I kind of just wanted to hear about his own story. Some of the finer details that don't make it into myths.

"Hey Grandfather?"

"Yes?"

"All of this stuff you're teaching me...the strength training, the whole 'looking at your opponents as bugs' thing...did you learn that from somebody else? Or was it self-taught?"

"Self-taught." He answered, "My brothers and I received no training whatsoever. As you already know, our father wasn't the caring type. We had to refine everything on our own, or with each other. Well, at first Hades was involved, but once he received his duties...he didn't come around as much. Didn't want to, I should say."

"You've fought a lot of beings, haven't you?"

"Many." He nodded, "I couldn't begin to count. After I became king, it was few and far between, since there were very few who could challenge me. But before I claimed the throne, when I was younger, dumber, and angrier, I fought almost constantly. Many aren't even worth talking about."

"Was Kronos the first life you took?"

"No. But that is the battle I remember most. It was the most satisfying of victories."

"And Typhon?"

He nodded, "Another hard one. We fought many times. Our first battle was very close, because I underestimated the beast. He almost killed me."

I found myself hesitating to ask the next one. "And...what about Nikandreos?"

Zeus's voice hitched, and he stared at the ground before answering. "Yes...that was incredibly difficult. I remember it well."

"Did he beat you?"

Zeus looked more uncomfortable than I'd ever seen him. His silence was enough to give me the answer I wanted, but I could understand him not wanting to admit it. He had changed, but that prideful side would never leave him completely.

"Yes." He sighed, "That was a dark time for us. We gods have done many horrible things, myself at the top. But you know, the best part of being immortal is that you have an infinite amount of time to change. And I've tried to become a better king."

I continued eating, "Huh, guess it's crazy to watch the world change over and over again."

"Oh yes. The odd thing is, it feels like it hasn't even been that long. It's been...millennia I imagine since I became king, yet it feels like only a few years."

I nodded.

"I'm curious, Matt. Why are you so steadfast in declining godhood? Is it because Percy Jackson did the same?"

"No, I just don't need it. I want to defeat Ouranos my own way, and keep the human side of me intact. I just feel like I would think differently if I became a god. More egoic, more bloodthirsty, which are things I don't like. I don't want to become something I'm not."

"Fair enough." Zeus said, "I respect you for taking the difficult path. Not many would."

I didn't say anything. I wondered what it would be like, sure, but thinking about the cons was enough to stop the thought process entirely. I just couldn't see myself doing it, ever.

"Well, I'll leave you be. You may sleep wherever you like. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"Wait, I can sleep?" I asked, a little taken back. "I thought we didn't have much time."

"That doesn't mean excluding sleep. Rest will help your body accommodate your new strength, and recover from today's training. When you wake up, that soreness should be gone. Remember, if you sleep for even eight hours, that's equal to several days on the outside."

I kept forgetting that. It didn't feel any different here. "Oh right. I forgot."

Zeus chuckled, "Rest well. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he left me with the rest of my food, a yawning Kyros, and the sound of crashing waves. I hadn't even been tired until he said something. But what did I have planned to do anyway but sleep? Nothing. Besides, a full stomach does help turn the lights out.

So when I finished, I stood up from my position and jumped down from the mountaintop on the sand below. I figured that would be more comfortable than rocks.

Kyros followed me, and curled up in a position that allowed me to lean back on his side, his feathers acting as a soft pillow.

"Goodnight, bud."

I woke up to the sound of Zeus's voice, orange light immediately shutting my eyes back, making me squirm.

"It's morning, Matt. Time to get up."

I wasn't sure how much sleep I got, but I didn't feel particularly groggy. In fact, I felt quite refreshed. My muscles weren't sore anymore, and I felt like I could take on the world. Guess eating all that food yesterday paid off. Gas tank is full right now.

Moving my shoulders around, I discovered I had woken up in the same position I fell asleep in. Leaned back on Kyros. Normally I'd had a crick in my spine from doing so, but today was different. Thank Olympus. I can't train with cricks.

"How long was I out?" I mumbled, bringing my hand up to shield my eyes from the blinding sun.

"Do you feel refreshed?"

"Well...yeah, I guess so." I stood up and stretched, expecting a yawn to come out, but it never happened. Oh well.

"Then it doesn't matter. As long as you feel ready, we're going to take the next step."

I bent my leg out straight and squatted, switching sides a few times until I felt comfortable. "Yeah, I'm ready. What are we doing?"

"First. If you don't believe me about yesterday..." I raised an eyebrow at his unfinished sentence, my head still facing the ground. Right as I looked up to see what was going on, Zeus's fist was coming at me.

My chest sank and I reacted as fast as I could. I widened my stance and braced myself by bringing my forearms up to block.

His fist hit my arms and I felt pain shoot up my nerves in an instant. There was no way he was using even a fraction of his power, because I'd be a pancake of guts on the sand if that were the case. But still, whatever he was doing now packed a hell of a punch. I remained in my stance, but slid back a few feet away from the contact.

I barely heard the wind burst around me, blood pumping in my ears overpowering the sound. But when I gauged the chaos was over, I lowered my arms to see him in a casual, maybe semi-serious manner, standing straight with his fist balled at his chest, looking at me like an inspector would a test taker.

"What the hell was that?" I said, shaking my hand to relieve some of the pain. It wasn't that bad, but it would probably leave a bruise later.

"Testing your posture. That training with the cube really helped you. You would have fallen down had I done that before we started."

"Really?" I was in awe. I couldn't gauge how much power he used, but I did notice that I hadn't stumbled, and my arms hardly even budged. I was sent skidding from the force, but that was only natural.

"Really." Zeus confirmed. "Don't underestimate yourself. Remember what I said. Every single step you take is immense progress in your journey. Now, let's begin the second step."

"Alright, what's that?" I was eager now. If I really had gotten a great deal stronger...then I was ready for more immediately.

"I'm going to teach you a technique to strengthen your beam attack."

"The Red Beam Cannon?"

"You named it?"

I nodded proudly. "Sure did. It's cool, huh?"

Zeus looked like he wanted to facepalm, but settled for sighing. "I suppose. Anyway, I'm going to help you strengthen the...'Red Beam Cannon' by accessing energy from other dimensions. Like how you steal energy from others, even nature, you can do the same with outer worlds separate from our own."

My eyes widened, but that quickly changed to me scrunching my face.

"Wait, how would I be able to access them?"

"How did you meet your friend Zane?"

I reared my head back, "How did you-"

"I can read your mind. Now tell me, do you remember how you met him?"

"Well...the first time, he was training, and used too much power, so it created a rift. Then the second time, well, he didn't tell me, so I assume he just did it knowingly."

"He created a tear. And you can do the same with a concentrated burst of power. This takes a great deal of aura manipulation mastery, which, you are very good at. But we can take it a step further." He pointed a finger at himself, "Watch."

Placing his hand out to his side, palm towards the ocean, I felt a portion of his aura leave his body for a second, oddly enough, invisible, to my eyes at least. It hovered two feet away from him, spinning in a circle, as if...creating friction with the air itself. It was a very weird thing to feel, much less contemplate. I couldn't really explain the science behind it, but I knew what he was doing on an applicable level.

It spun faster and faster, and finally, when Zeus closed his fist, it exploded. The circle exploded like shrapnel, and when it spread out, it tore a hole of equal size in the air. A literal sphere that gave a peek into a dark, cosmic looking place, like the outskirts of a galaxy.

"This is the rift, and inside is the separate dimension. There are thousands of empty ones to choose from, uninhabited. But don't mistake that emptiness for a lack of energy. Chaotic energy exists in all plains, and you can draw it from anywhere."

"But wait, why are these dimensions uninhabited?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps the god of that world hasn't decided to create life yet. I couldn't tell you. But don't worry about that, only think of the energy you can gather. Infinite energy to add on to your cannon. On top of the infinite energy you can gather from this world." Zeus smirked, "Do you understand the sheer vastness of power here?"

I shook my head, in awe. "I don't think so. But I know that's a lot. It's just a matter of how much I can gather with the time I'm given."

Zeus raised his index finger, "But that's another plus. Drawing energy from this dimension, and several others at the same time only speeds up the charging process. Tell me, how long does it usually take to charge up this cannon of yours, to a point where you can assure victory?"

"A few minutes?" I guessed, remembering all the times I've done it, that seemed accurate.

"Well with this, you can get a stronger effect within a few seconds."

"Yeah?" I could hardly imagine. I'm still trying to wrap my head around creating portals to other dimensions, but he's talking about adding on extra energy to what I already consider my strongest technique.

"And you can do it with more than one." Zeus said, putting his other hand out and repeating the process, only much faster this time. So that first one was just slow to help me understand, got it. Another spherical rift was created, leading into another dimension, only this time, instead of just darkness, I saw the outline of something red, and enormous. It looked like the edge of a planet.

"Two at the same time." He said, "And you can do even more. As many as you can create. But you have to be able to manage it. Keeping a rift open requires you to keep the aura suspended in the air. It's trying to close, constantly, so you have to keep it open." His tone got stern, emphasizing how difficult it was. "And let me tell you, Matt, it is very hard to keep one of these open, let alone a few at a time."

"Well shit, you're handling two just fine."

"Yeah, I've been doing this for millennia. I'd hope that I've achieved mastery by now." He said sarcastically, "I don't think your problem will be creating the portal. In fact, it will probably be quite easy. Where you'll need to work, is holding it open and being able to withdraw at the same time."

With that, he closed both up and everything returned back to normal. Kyros ruffled his feathers and made a grumbling noise. So he'll react to the portals closing, but he won't bat an eye when Zeus punches me? Weird.

"Now, we'll start slow. Try creating a rift."

I followed his example and put my hand out in front of me. Zeus stopped me.

"Create one beside of you. You're going to shoot the beam forward; the rift will only block it."

"Okay." I shifted it to the side and pushed my aura to my palm, condensing a good portion of it into one single spot. With it, my hand started glowing red.

"Why's it not invisible?"

"Yours won't be for a while." He said, "It takes years to conceal. Don't worry, just go with it."

I nodded, and with a push of will, my aura left my body. Describing this part is weird, because it's sort of like telekinesis, only aura is a part of you, so it's more like cutting your arm off and still being able to control it, including levitating it above the ground.

Like Zeus said, it wasn't that hard to remove and place the aura. About two feet from me, I expanded it into a disc shape and let it spin. It spun and spun, to the point where I could feel the emitting heat on my fingers. Finally, the friction became too much, and it actually started to get hot.

"What do I do now?" I said, a bit panicked.

"Expand it further." Zeus ordered, "Expand it with all you have! The explosion will create the rift!"

I nodded rapidly, and closed my fist as hard as I could, willing the aura to burst with all the power behind it. When it did, there was a horrible noise, like the sound of a table saw cutting through a sheet of metal. The grinding sound pierced my ears, then it stopped. Silence.

I glanced next to me and saw that a hole just like the one Zeus created replaced my red circle. A peek into another universe, with darkness, no planets, no stars that I could see, just a void.

For a moment, I felt nothing, and just smiled at the accomplishment. "I-I did it! Holy shi-"

I got interrupted by a crazy, out of nowhere, unbearable crushing force against my will. The rift had given no resistance upon immediate formation, but all of a sudden it started closing up, and the pressure only got stronger.

"Agh!" I groaned. It felt like trying to keep an industrial press from coming down with just your pinky finger. I could hardly stand it.

It became too much, and the rift closed with a snap, followed by relief over my muscles. I broke out into a series of gasping breaths, noticing sweat had started to drip from my nose, a little droplet already soaking a few grains of sand.

"I told you." Zeus said, in a matter-of-fact manner.

"I think that's worse than the cube!" I breathed out, completely exhausted. I was at least able to bear the cube's weight at first, but this was a matter of a few seconds. I had no chance.

"Far worse. When you're opening a rift to another universe, you're defying the laws of reality itself. It's only natural for it to push back. Like a hole being torn in a jug of water, the consciousness of nature immediately attempts to patch it up."

"The universe has a conscious?"

"Chaos is the universe." Zeus said, "Chaos is a being with will, but without a form you're familiar with. I wouldn't begin to think about it, Matt, even I scarcely understand it. Just know that it is actively trying to fight against you."

"Well...how the hell am I supposed to stand up to that?"

"Persistence and adaptability. Like the cube, you have to get used to it. Keep trying." He chuckled and shrugged, "Hell, you have all day after all."

"I don't know if all day's going to be enough." My shoulders slumped. "These techniques, Grandfather, I-"

"Can't do them? They're too hard?" Zeus interrupted, "There you go again. You have to stop thinking like that. You can do it. Did you not think the same thing yesterday? You did, yet you succeeded anyway. Be persistent, keep trying. Try one thousand, try ten thousand, or even one hundred thousand times. You keep pushing until you can't anymore. Because that's what it takes. This is for the fate of the world. And even if it wasn't, you apply that mindset to everything."

"That cube thing was just strength training. This is...another level of aura manipulation that I'm not sure I can reach." I shook my head, "Not in a day. Even if it is different here, I'm just too young. I'm not really in my prime."

I expected him to argue, but he just stepped back and nodded, lips pursed. Then he lifted his palms like he was holding two cups full of water and didn't want to spill them. Before I knew it, he had rifts appearing left and right, all around him, popping up like raindrops. Ten above him, six on each side, and another ten in front of him. Dozens upon dozens of the portals I struggled to create, and he willed them to exist like nothing.

Then he drew an equal amount of energy from all of them, and the energy went straight to his right hand. He balled it up into a fist, the black chaotic energy coated it in an outline, like a glove, and Zeus held it there for me to stare at.

It held unbelievable power. I know I've been saying that a lot here, and it's probably getting old, but I really mean it this time. This trumps it all. I imagined he could split the multiverse in half with a punch. The only reason it wasn't melting the Earth around us, was because Zeus's aura protected it. If it had been the real thing, it would've been destroyed for sure.

The rifts disappeared all at once, and so went the coating around his fist. "Think about it this way for now; It's not about keeping them open; it's about drawing energy. It doesn't matter if it's only for five seconds, just draw as much energy out of it as you can. Over time, you'll be able to keep it open longer."

"So keeping the rift open is secondary?"

"For now." He said, "Try again."

I took in a deep breath, placed my hand out again and repeated the process. This time it was even easier to create the rift. I put my aura out and spun it, creating that familiar friction and heat again. Quickly, another rift was created.

This time I was far more prepared for the pressure. I braced myself, knowing it was coming. It went a little better this time, I didn't crumble immediately, but it hardly mattered. It still felt like my arm was being crushed on all sides.

"Start withdrawing now!" Zeus shouted, "As much as you can!"

Since my right hand was occupied with being destroyed, I positioned my other hand to create the cannon. You don't need the hand to actually perform the action of withdrawing aura, you can do that with your mind, but you need an anchoring point to place all that energy. You don't want a destructive sphere just hanging out in the air.

I'll be honest, it was a real challenge, doing all of this stuff at once. It broadened my view on aura manipulation by a lot. It made me realize that the stuff I'd been doing, the stuff I've been good at, were only the basics. Suppression, ascension, transformation, stealing energy...but now I'm adding more to the equation, and harder things too.

I focused on the chaotic energy in the darkness, an infinite pool to siphon from, and I began to do so. I knew I could only hold out for a few seconds, so I didn't dare put a filter in, I just let it all swim in, adding onto the tiny red ball in my hand.

It darkened immediately, like swirling black sand with red streaks in the middle. For as long as I held it, the string only kept coming and coming, filling the ball to the size of my torso.

Finally, it got to the point that I couldn't hold it anymore. I winced when the pain started to numb my whole body, so I figured that was a good point to stop. I let go of any resistance, and the rift closed up. But this time, I had results. Something to show for it.

"There you go." Zeus said, "That was good."

Fresh out of breath again, I had trouble getting the word out, "Thanks. Now...what do I do with it?"

"What do you do with this attack normally?"

"Blast it."

"Then do it." He pointed towards the ocean, "Right there. Release it."

I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. The cannon was very strong, not as strong as the one I used against Tartarus, but still enough to cause a good deal of trouble. However, this entire place is made from Zeus, so I don't doubt that it can take the brunt of it if need be.

So I put my other hand behind the one controlling the cannon, pointed it towards the ocean, and released it.

The sensation is like playing tug of war, and then the opponent just falling backwards, releasing all tension. The sphere formed into a black cylinder, more condensed than usual, the size of a bullet train. As soon as it left my hands, it immediately appeared at the end of the horizon, moving far faster than light.

Normally, with a cannon of this magnitude, some of the heat will go haywire and burn my hands, but I've been thinking of a way to prevent that. Now, I try to place an aura barrier in between the cannon and my hands, acting as a shield.

So I willed a red wall to come up between the two, and it was...a good idea. Didn't work for too long, the chaotic energy sort of shattered it. When little sparks would fly off, it would crack the wall more and more, and with only a few, it broke.

"Okay, okay, stop." Zeus ordered, his voice just loud enough to drown the whirring of the blast.

I closed up my hands and stopped the aura flow. It obeyed me, thinning out to nothing. When the light disappeared, I saw the destruction. Any wisps of clouds in the sky had been melted away, the air around us hot now, and the ocean dented. Water came up hundreds of feet on both sides, like wings of a bird in a crescent shape, or a mountain valley, the middle had been split in, revealing the rock of the ocean floor.

It collapsed all around us, salt and droplets flew in the air, creating smaller waves in the process. It lasted forever, and made a loud crashing sound, distant, but massive. Zeus and I stood there watching it, waiting for it to be over. I probably looked on the verge of passing out, taking deep breaths just to regain the air I'd lost.

When it stopped, I looked to Zeus, who's face remained completely neutral, his arms folded. "Don't look at me, keep going. This is what we're going to do all day. I want you to draw more energy little by little with every attempt."

I wanted to groan. How could I do that when my stamina's getting drained every second? With something that wears you out this much, it seems like the first attempt would be the golden one.

Zeus read my mind, and started to calmly scold me, but his head perked up. I couldn't see why, nothing happened. It was just us here. Had Kyros done something?

"What is it?"

Zeus's eyes widened; he unfolded his arms. "That presence..." He spun around quickly, and looked up at the sky. Still empty and blue.

I had no idea what was going on, but he went from relaxed to guarded very fast. Something had to be wrong. "What's going on?" I asked, more panicked this time.

"Matt, stay behind me." He ordered, no room for argument.

I just kept my gaze focused on the sky. Whatever he thought was wrong had to do with something up there. But I didn't see a thing.

Then, out of nowhere, a shockwave burst from the very spot we were staring at. It hit the water and flattened it, uprooted sand, and knocked both Kyros and I several feet back, skidding on my shoulders. I sat up as soon as I stopped to see Zeus regaining his balance from a stumble. What the hell?

That was when I noticed it. Replacing the emptiness of the sky, was now a figure, forming from what looked like gray smoke. I'm not delusional, there hadn't been any smoke. This entire place is under Zeus's control, so either he was playing a trick on me to test my abilities, or a foreign force had broken in.

It started as a mass of smoke, then turned into the shape of a head, then a torso, legs, so on and so forth. It thinned out and became the shape of a woman, with long hair, a hard face, and lifeless eyes. Her shape was naked, tall, athletic, curvy, like a goddess. She still retained a smoky form, but now it was more of a skin tone than a cloud that looked like a person. Giant, standing a thousand feet tall, and something told me this was small. It could get even bigger.

After I took in her appearance, I felt her aura. I should've been floored by the size of it, but I really shouldn't be surprised. It was infinite. As infinite as the chaos I drew from in that empty dimension. That's when I knew it wasn't planned, it wasn't one of Zeus's tricks, it was real. Whoever this was, she was real. Calling her a "she" doesn't even really seem fitting. Whoever this is seems to be above mere labels, or anything a mortal could imagine. It just happens to take the shape of what we know as a woman.

The sky darkened ten shades to near night, spreading like a virus across the horizon. Zeus immediately changed form upon seeing her take form, summoning lightning that enveloped him. Once it was sucked back into the sky, he donned a white and blue toga, with white hair instead of the salt and pepper from before. Signaling he'd entered his prime form, and was dead serious.

"Matt, get the bird and stay behind me!" He shouted; his voice laced with intense urgency. Whatever was going on, had him shaken. Zeus shaken. I've never seen it happen, not since I've known him, and from what I've heard, rarely ever in his own life. This being had to be horrible news if he of all people was worried.

"Who the hell is that?!" I screamed, forgoing a tough exterior. It was high pitched, like a terrified child. And hell, I was terrified. Kyros was unnerved, bucking, his feathers standing up like a cat's. "What's going on?!"

The wind picked up. Soon I had to direct all of my strength just to stay standing, avert my arms to my eyes to keep the sharpness of the air from tearing them out. It was her doing, but what did she want? Why was she here?

Zeus didn't answer me, he instead shouted at the figure with all of his might, his voice, being amplified a hundred-fold, sounded like he was yelling in my ear.

It echoed outwards to say, "Ananke! You have no business here! Leave at once!"

My face twitched. Ananke? Didn't Zeus mention that name before?

Ananke stared down at Zeus coldly, though it was hard to make out much emotion on her face. When she spoke, it sounded like the very universe itself was speaking, with one command, the grass and flowers would obey, every person would pay attention at the same time, stopping whatever they were doing, the stars and the planets would gravitate towards it.

"You have defied me yet again, Zeus. What shall it be?"

I grabbed on to Kyros and made my way through the piercing wind up to his back, placing a hand on it to stabilize myself. "G-Grandfather!"

"It's Ananke." He growled, "She's come for me again. I should've known this would happen!"

"Who's Ananke?! What's going on?!"

"Ananke is Fate!" He shouted, "Fate itself!"

As soon as he said it, I remembered the talk we had just a few days ago, by the palace overlooking the city, when I asked him about healing Mom. He said that whenever he steps in, whenever he does stuff like that, stuff he's not supposed to do, Fate itself pays him a visit. The very day he healed her, Fate gave him a beating. At least, that's what he implied.

So this was Fate itself? Ananke?

"Oh shit..." I whispered.

"Whatever you do, Matt, you stay quiet and don't move. Let me handle this. This is not a game, this is life or death. She's incredibly dangerous."

I gulped. Whenever I'm with Zeus, despite the ups and downs, I always feel safe. He knows what he's doing, he's unmoving, and calmly handles every situation. But here now...I'm not so sure what's going to happen. For the first time ever, the king of the gods looks nervous.

(000)

That's all I've got! Hope you enjoyed, and stick around for next week, because I'm back on regular schedule!

Until Next Time.