“The Rise of Zeus – Chapter IX (Pt 2)”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

ZEUS (cont.)

The car’s front door opens and literal smoke pours out. Honestly, I don’t know how he can breathe in there.

A black leather boot steps out. It’s been polished to a point that I can literally see the reflections of the faces of all the tormented dead in it.

Oh wait, no, that’s just my disgusted face staring back at me.

“Well, well, well,” Hades says as the rest of his body emerges from the car. “How nice of you all to come welcome me.”

“Chiron made us,” Apollo mumbles under his breath.

I hold back a chuckle and gently elbow him.

“Ah, Zeus,” Hades says. He slams his car door closed behind him and holds his arms out to me. When I don’t immediately return his hug, he grabs me and squeezes me tightly. “I missed you most of all,” he whispers into my ear.]

I scowl but let him hug me for an uncomfortably long time. Honestly, I really don’t understand why Chiron likes him so much. Seriously, why does he like Hera and Hades so much? Okay, Hera I can understand because she acts so incredibly sickly sweet around him. It’s amazing, really, that he doesn’t realize that she’s faking it just to get to be the favourite. But Hades? He doesn’t even try to hide that he’s a self-absorbed jerk, and yet Chiron still seems to love him. I should be the one getting that attention, for crying out loud! I’m the leader of the Olympians, not Hades!

Final Comments: I want to add more descriptions of Hades and his car. I feel like I need to create a stronger atmosphere — this is something I need to work on in the whole story, not just this scene!

Overall Rating: 😣