Chapter 2: Bonds in the Depths

Back on the island of the Earth Primordial, Gaia summoned mountains of rock to attack Zeus. Zeus ran forward, dodging the ones that came at him the quickest. He threw bolts of power at the rocks.

Even as he felt confident in his own might, the earth became mud and quicksand, trying to swallow him. Zeus, the Lightning-Bearer, would never allow himself to be defeated by such a simple distraction.

Thunder and lightning encompassed his body, hardening the earth. It separated the earth from their ruler and propelled him into the heavens. Zeus saw Gaia on the ground, smiling at him.

She almost encouraged him to win.

He did not need her permission. He was Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Victory was his to have as a right. Gaia launched pillars of earth, roots, and trees at him. The roots, stone, and metals from the earth were nothing to him.

He flew back towards her, and his power over the shocking magic stopped the defenses of Gaia from inhibiting him.

Zeus landed gracefully before Gaia. She began to enclose herself in rock and tree. When she had, he shot forward and touched his grandmother on her stomach.

“I win,” Zeus said, with a laugh.

“You do,” Gaia said with a smile. “You have done very well.”

Gaia kissed Zeus on the forehead. “Come now, Zeus. We need to discuss the future.”

Within the belly of Cronos, Poseidon and Hades sat across from one another.

“Thank you for taking it easy on me the other day,” Poseidon said. “You could have killed me.”

“You are my only company,” Hades said bluntly. “I will not kill you.”

Poseidon stared at Hades, confused. “Thanks? I guess.”

“Thank you for not using the acid on me,” Hades said. When his face hit the light, Poseidon could see the blue-ish gray tinge to Hades’ skin from being in Cronos’ belly for so long. Further, there were scars and unhealed gashes from the acid and dangers of Cronos.

“I would never do that to you. You’re family,” Poseidon said.

“That sentiment is sweet, but unnecessary.”

“I guess that is better than when you kept repeating ‘Blood and Darkness’ when I got here.”

“I have been here all my life,” Hades pointed out.

“So have I, but even I know that family matters.”

“Why?”

“Why else would our father eat us? Because he fears family. And if he fears it, someone out there must love family.”

“So what? Because father ate us, our mother will free us?”

“Or maybe a brother?”

Hades recoiled and rolled his eyes. “No! Not this again!”

“Yes!” Poseidon exclaimed with excitement. “This again! I’m telling you! We must have a sibling out there!”

“Based on a rock?” Hades asked, skeptical.

“A magic rock!” Poseidon said, picking up the stone that had fallen into their father’s belly so long ago. “Come on! Our mother could have enchanted it to look like a baby so he would swallow it.”

“Maybe! But father being tricked by a rock seems unlikely,” Hades said.

“Then why was there a blanket? And I think pieces of a baby bed.”

“A crib,” Hades said.

“How would you know that’s the name?” Poseidon asked.

“I just do,” Hades said, unsure of how he knew what a crib was. “Maybe insight is a power of us divine beings.”

Slightly crestfallen, Poseidon looked at the bubbling stomach acid. He truly had hoped Hades had gotten on board with his theory about the stone. “Then you’ll train some more tomorrow?” Poseidon asked.

Hades let out a long gruff sigh. “Yes. We will train tomorrow. I do not believe some phantom brother is coming to save us, but it will give us something to pass the day. If we ever get free, I think it would be useful to have some handle over our divine power.”

While Hades went off to rest on the largest body of land in Cronos, Poseidon cheered silently, lifting the rock overhead.

“No celebrating!” Hades said, never turning his head back.

“Oh, come on! I didn’t make any noise! Wait! You can’t even see me!” Poseidon protested.

“You were still celebrating,” Hades replied offhandedly.

“You’re such a killjoy,” Poseidon huffed.