“The Rise of Zeus – Chapter IX (Pt 5)”
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.)
“They never should have been chosen as heroes,” Chiron says stiffly. “They were my mistakes, and I fixed them accordingly.”
Just like every time the Lost Heroes are brought up, my insides twist. Sure, they betrayed us, but they were also human beings. They were mortals, and they were supposed to be under our protection. In my mind, Chiron didn’t let them down; we all did. And they weren’t mistakes; they were misunderstood.
This is yet another reason why Hades brushes me the wrong way. Then again, Chiron isn’t much better, calling the mortals ‘mistakes’ that he ‘fixed’. Man, my family is messed up.
“So that’s it?” Of course Hades won’t drop the subject. “You fixed it, so everything’s fine now? What about the other heroes? What if they turn evil? What if they’re the ones from Zeus’s vision? Or what if it’s the heroes you’re still training today?”
“That’s enough,” Chiron booms, his voice echoing almost as powerfully as mine can. “I will not stop training the mortals just because a few of them betrayed us.”
“A few?” Apollo mutters into my ear. “Try ten.”
I elbow him and he releases a small huff of air.
“Fine,” Hades says, raising his hands in surrender. “But don’t come ask me to help stop them the next time they attack us.”
“We’ve been able to deal with them just fine without you for the past year, thank you very much,” I scowl.
“Ah yes, so I hear. I, too, did just fine without you for the past year. Although I did miss the sound of your little voice and little thunderstorms.”
He winks at my deepened scowl.
Seriously, insult me all you want, but don’t insult my thunderstorms. They’re awesome.
Final Comments: I kind of forgot what they’re supposed to be doing right now… I should probably go back and read the beginning part of this chapter (and maybe last chapter) to figure that out before I keep going… That being said, though, I am enjoying establishing Hades’s voice and characterization!
Overall Rating: 😬
