In the Light of the Moon

When the tingles faded, I recognized the picturesque lawn from the last time that I was here. It's the same mansion as previously. What is Zeus going to do? Why didn't he bring me to his cells?

"Kneel," Zeus snarled.

I looked at him. Oh. He's not wasting time this time. "Don't you have any compassion left?" I asked, trying to stall. "I'm your daughter. Doesn't that count for something?"

Zeus' response was to backhand me across the face. I guess not. "I did you a favor. I was going to kill you in front of your dear, little wolves, but I spared you your dignity."

"And I'm forever grateful, but can't we come to a comprom—?"

"Shut the hell up."

The more he dismissed my pleas, the more desperate I became. The tears swam in the corner of my eyes, and I couldn't swallow through the knot in my throat. I don't want to die! I want to have a life with Monica! With Apollo!

"Please," I whispered. I don't want to give up yet. There's one more tool in my belt. "Please, dad. Please, I love you."

Zeus made a face like I was the one to hit him. He opened his mouth, but no sound escaped. He shut his mouth, but it opened again a second later. Did it work? I almost used that time to sprint away, but a guard shoved me to the ground.

Before I could speak again, a clap of thunder boomed above me. Well, I tried. I hope Monica can move on without me, and I hope it doesn't devastate Apollo too gravely. I hope my death won't cause people too much pain.

There was a second clap, and the hairs on my arm stood up. I brushed my hair back as it blew into my face, and a tiny spark danced across my fingertips. I brought my eyes up to Zeus' as the familiar crack of lightning struck.

The white-hot pain ripped through me. I couldn't move, couldn't speak—I could only feel the pain. The smell of burnt flesh reached my nose as my ears began to ring. Something flashed through Zeus' eyes as my world went dark.

There was nothing. No pain, no sound, no cold—just nothing. The nothing wrapped itself around me, like a blanket bringing a sense of security. It felt almost soothing—like the comforting hold of my mother.

I never wanted to leave.

But the nothing, ever-so-slowly, started fading. I fought to keep it—come back! I liked the absence of pain, of sadness. But it was just out of my grasp. As the nothing receded, I heard something—voices.

"Κύριος των Ουρανών, she's still breathing."

"What? Impossible! I made sure it was a lethal strike!"

"Come see for yourself, sir."

Footsteps pounded closer and closer. Then came a growl of frustration.

To my elation, the nothing crept back to me, gathering me in its arms. I settled into its embrace, letting the nothing lap away at my pain.

For how long the nothing kept me there, I'm not sure. But I didn't complain. I just floated there, in the nothing. But like before, the nothing went to leave. I grabbed at it, begging it to stay with me. But all good things must come to an end.

The first thing that I saw was the dimly lit stone ceiling. The damp odor wrinkled my nose, and confusion took over me. Why am I here? I struggled to remember the last thing I did, and I came up empty.

Movement caught my attention, and a grin overtook my face. Papa!

"Μπαμάς!" I cheered. "Papa! Have you come to play with me? Why are we in the cells? I know you don't like it when me and αδελφός play in here."