by Gene Stiles
“He is well, as is our brother and our sisters,” Hades answered, thanking her. His long, ebony braid hung down his broad, muscled chest and he tossed it back over his wide, flat shoulder to keep it from falling into his plate. “Time has tempered his hatred but not his resolve.”
“Has he given any indication when he expects to begin the offensive?” Eriktis loved his peaceful life here, but he knew Cronus could turn on them any time and the constant threat enshrouded Erik like a thick fog.
“In the spring,” Hades replied, his raven-black eyes losing a little of their sparkle beneath his bushy, black brows. “That is why this harvest is so important and why I made sure the new tunnel entrance was completed before the first snow fell.”
“We will be ready,” Eriktis assured him. He squeezed Loren’s hand and smiled tersely into her chocolate eyes. “As much as I love the tranquility here, I know it will not last as long as the Lord Father remains on the throne of Atlantis. His hunger for power and domination consumes him. I will not allow what happened in Olympia to happen here.”
“Nor will I,” Hades said with a nod, “but we must also enjoy all the good in life.” He swept his hand over the laughter and joyful faces filling the room. “This is what we fight for. Immerse yourself in it. Relish each and every moment of comradery you can find. Make it last as long as you can.”
Hades leaned his trimmed, black beard into his palm and looked directly at Loren’s mischievous face, his eyes twinkling. “If you cannot handle the beauty surrounding you, maybe I can take it off your hands.”
“Only if you no longer wish to keep your hands attached to your arms,” Erik said with a guffaw. A warm and happy smile returned to him as he wrapped a protective arm around Loren. “You are right, of course,” Eriktis said, pulling the smaller woman to his bulging chest. “Live for today with an eye on tomorrow. I trust you and Zeus know I will be here when you need me.”
“Until then,” Hades said, standing up, “show me around your fantastic community.” He patted his full, muscle-rippled belly and added, “I need to walk off some of this fat.”
Almost a thousand miles away, four hundred miles inland from the docks of Haven, Zeus stood on the terrace of his home along the mighty Argrye River. The honey-blond streaks in his fire-red hair shimmered in the late evening autumn sunshine as a cool breeze blew in from the cold, dark blue waters. His golden gaze swept across the city of Olympus tucked beneath the huge branches of the monstrous trees that filled the vast primordial woodland. Wide dirt boulevards and narrow, unpaved streets wound around the mammoth trunks almost hidden by the thick canopy of multi-hued foliage.
Zeus leaned his elbows on the smoothed wooden railing and clasped his hands together. The darkly tanned lips within his neatly trimmed, curly red beard were pressed tightly together as he pondered his next move. His sisters and advisors were pushing him to begin their battle plans and had been for the last year. Their voices were becoming more insistent and harder to ignore ever since the Atlantean surveillance Bird was seen scanning the small harbor of Haven. The settlement was well disguised as a small fishing village, but the mere sight of the drone after all this time sent shockwaves throughout his communities. Fear of discovery fueled the calls for action.
“You look so dour, my love,” Metis said as she moved up next to him. She handed him a crystal goblet of heady red wine and placed her slender fingers upon his sinewy forearm. “What troubles you so?”
Looking into her bright hazel eyes, Zeus could see the kindness and empathy that had drawn him to her radiating from her beautiful, sweet face like the corona of the sun. Her auburn-tinted, dark brown hair flowed around her oval, pointed-chin face and cascaded down her gently sloped shoulders like a living cape. Her light-green, soft linen dress highlighted her curves without putting them on display in the same way her girlish, lightly blushed, predominate cheeks understated her highly intelligent mind.
“The others press for war,” Zeus said, kissing her softly on the forehead. He took a long sip of his wine and sighed deeply. “I know Cronus must be removed from the throne if the world is to live in peace and safety, yet the cost will be great for all of us. I do not know if I am ready to pay it.”
“It is not just your burden to bear,” Metis said, looking up into his golden eyes. “We all know what is at stake and are willing to sacrifice for what we believe. We do this not for you, but for all those we have lost and could lose in the future. We all remember the lessons of Clearwater, Home, Olympia and so many others. As strange as it may sound, it is peace we are willing to die for.”
“Yet is it vengeance we seek,” Zeus asked, “or justice?”
“Sometimes, the two are not mutually exclusive,” Metis told him sagely. “I understand your dilemma. You have been preparing for this for decades. You have scouted, planned and built incredible armories. You knew from the moment Olympia fell the only way to ensure our security was to take Atlantis.”
“I know,” Zeus nodded. “But Cronus is powerful. Even Ra does not wish to go head to head with him. I just want to make sure we are not as outmatched as we were before.”
Metis took his hand in hers and touched his cheek with the other. “The problem with waiting so long is fires die. Peace, even if we know it to be temporary, breeds complacency. Maybe he will not find us. Maybe Cronus will not decide he wants something we have. Maybe we are safe. Maybe. Yet, we know this has never been the case.”
“You know as well as I,” Metis said softly, “that if Cronus learns you and your siblings still live, he will hunt you to the ends of the earth and destroy everything in his path.” Metis put his chin in her palm and locked her gaze with his. “Do you wish to live with that fear for the rest of your days?”
Her face glowed and a tiny, enigmatic smile played across her lips. “And do you wish for our child to live that way as well?”
“Child?” Tethys bounced up and down like a ball, her hands on Metis’ shoulders. Her hazel eyes danced and her roundish face glowed like the sun. “I am so happy for you, my daughter. It is been over a century since an Atlantean woman has been with child by another Atlantean! How is this miracle possible?”
“Who cares?” Oceanus said with a laugh. He wrapped his burly arms around Zeus and threatened to crush the man in a powerful hug. “We are to be grandparents again! The Creator be praised!”
Metis giggled as she watched her mother and father. They were as giddy as if she was the first of there their many daughters to be pregnant. It overjoyed her to see them so thrilled after all they had been through.
“Actually,” Metis said as she beamed at them, “there is really no way to know if I am the first. I believe a number of Atlanteans over the years have had children. How many, I do not know nor do I know if they were pure Atlantean. They told me they were and that they were only branded Nephilim because they had children. They were forced to run and hide. I helped a lot of them escape. Who knows how many others ran away on their own.”
“I never knew that,” Tethys said, her pride not lessened by the thought. “Maybe our curse is finally over. Oh, what a great thing that would be! It would lessen the anger and envy levied upon our giant friends.”
“But, at the moment,” Oceanus interjected, picking up Metis and swinging her around, “I care only for you! How long shall we have to wait for our newest babe? How long have you known?”
“Father!” Metis laughed, her hair swirling around her head. “Put me down! You will make me sick and, believe me, I have had enough of that lately!”
“Oh,” Oceanus said, setting her on her feet and looking a little abashed. “I forgot about that. It has been awhile. Forgive me.”
“No forgiveness required,” Metis said as she brushed the wavy brown strands from her eyes. “I believe I am about six months along now,” she added, patting the small, rounded paunch of her tummy.
“And you waited this long to tell me?” Zeus looked at her, shocked.
“I wanted to be sure, my love.” Metis
took hold of his big hands and smiled into his golden eyes. “I did not want to disappoint you. I could just be getting fat,” she said with a giggle.
It took only a matter of hours before word of the child spread throughout Olympus. The news was encoded and sent to Hades in the Sanctuary, Poseidon in Haven and to Eriktis and the people of the Lunae Valley. Within days, Zeus’ siblings and friends of his and Metis from all the races of man converged upon the city to bestow gifts and best wishes upon the couple. After a private gathering of their family and closest friends, the people decided to throw a huge celebration in their honor even though it embarrassed Zeus to be the center of such attention. Besides, he told everyone who would listen, it was Metis who was having their child. She should be acclaimed, not him.
“Do not be silly,” Demeter told Zeus, smiling at her brother. “It takes two.”
“This child is important to all of the people,” Hera added after she hugged him tightly. She gazed intently into his eyes, her sharp, handsome features filled with both joy and a touch of envy. “As a verifiable true Atlantean birth, it gives hope to all who hunger for a family of their own.”
“Yet, keep this in mind,” Hera warned, her emerald eyes darkening. “We must contain the announcement to only our own people. Should word of this travel to Atlantis, Cronus is likely to come hunting out of curiosity. It would not take long for him to learn who the father is.” Hera left the repercussions of that discovery hanging in the suddenly chilly room.
“Our sister may be right,” Hestia said, her tinkling laughter shattering the misty gloom, “but now is the time for happiness. Let us savor the moment and let our community take part in your elation. The people have followed you through war and tragedy. Let them share in something good as well. Remind them what we fight for.”
Finally and reluctantly, Zeus agreed.
The lights of the city hidden within the forest sparkled like a million diamonds in the dimness of the coming night. The houses and homes were designed to blend with their surroundings, some even built within the mighty boughs of giant trees. It gave the city of Olympus a magical, otherworldly appearance, especially when a light breeze ruffled the leaves and a touch of fog whispered among the branches as it did now. Even the public houses and taverns added to the incredible spectacle with their chimneys sending plumes of smoke up through the dark green canopy. The joyous music and laughter within spilled out along the winding streets and pathways and bathed the woods with happiness. The lights from the shuttered windows slipped between the open slats and sent horizontal beams into the misty night adding to the fantastical feel of enchantment that filled the air.
After a day of festival in the open meadows along the river, the people of the Olympian community split up to find lodgings for the night. The hostels and inn were packed so the people opened their homes to those who needed a place to rest. The heartier revelers stayed out to explore the city nightlife until the wee hours of morning.
Lelantos stepped between Zeus and Metis, pulling them together beneath his huge arms. He gave them a quick squeeze of congratulations and moved away so the rest of the community could fawn over the parents-to-be. The Main House of Olympus was still filled to overflowing with well-wishers so Lelantos found an empty couch in one of the many sunken seating areas and waited. He was more than excited for the couple, but he had things to tell Zeus that could not be delayed long.
“You look so gloomy, my friend,” Anak said with a grin as he plopped himself on the couch next to Lelantos. “I am here to lighten your mood.”
He sat a large pitcher of dark ale on the short table before him and poured some into the two tankards he brought with him. Anak handed one to Lelantos and eased back on the couch. “What are you thinking?”
Thanking Anak for the brew, Lelantos took only small sips, preferring to keep his head clear and his mind sharp. He noted the bright red blush on his Nephilim friend’s copper-colored cheeks and the blurriness in his amber eyes. “I am thinking you have been at this for a while,” Lelantos said with a half-cocked smile.
“Ah, yes,” Anak replied, his words accompanied by a big belch. He patted his rock-hard stomach and grinned impishly. “Well, I am a big man. It takes a while to truly relax.”
Laughing out loud, Lelantos had to agree. At eight-foot-four, he had always been considered fairly tall among the Atlanteans, but Anak towered a good three foot above him. His Nephilim friend had arms as big as Lelantos’ thighs and a chest almost twice as broad. Around this giant, he felt tiny for the first time in his life. He was glad they were brothers.
“Where is your usual entourage of lovely young ladies?” Lelantos asked, diverting the subject away from his dire information. This was not the time.
“They will be here shortly,” Anak answered with a slight slur. He patted Lelantos on the shoulder and smiled. He raised his hand and waved. “I wanted to make sure you were receptive first.”
Four beautiful, giggly women converged upon the two men and showered them with attention. At first, Lelantos wanted only to find a polite way to escape. The alarm bells were going off in his head and he needed to talk to Zeus. It was not the warm kisses upon his cheeks or the fingers that swirled the dusting of light brown curls on his sinewy chest that changed his mind. It was watching Zeus and Metis across the room beaming with pride and happiness. Lelantos could not break this moment for them. The morrow would be soon enough. ‘Let them have this’, he thought grimly to himself. ‘Who knows when any of us will be this happy again?’ With an inward sigh, he turned his attention to more pressing matters…the hands pressing upon his thighs.
Lelantos had to wait a little longer than he wanted. It took two days for the people to clear the city and return to their homes. There was a purpose in dividing the growing populous into smaller communities. It made them less conspicuous and thus less worthy of Atlantean attention. Olympus and the Lunae Valley were the largest above ground but the Sanctuary complex could house every member of their current society ten times over. A gathering this large was rare and, beyond the good wishes for Zeus and Metis, it gave the people time to see old friends, exchange ideas, share stories and engage in trade of products and the newest fashions.
“I did not know how big we have grown,” Demeter said as she watched ships leaving the harbor and saw caravans heading overland away from Olympus. Even a few skyships dotted the horizon like birds winging their way home. “Where did all these people come from? I thought our existence was a closely guarded secret.”
“It is,” Zeus replied as he sat back on the upper terrace of his spacious home and watched the sailing ships ply the river waters. “Most of these people come by way of Nil or from the underground established by Metis. It still operates in her absence.”
“The Nephilim are still targets of hate,” Metis said from her rocker next to Zeus. “Many have found havens of their own, but some still find their way here. Add to that those dissatisfied with Atlantean rule and seeking a new life and there will be a portion who wind up here.”
“On top of that,” Haleah interjected from her perch on the wooden railing, “in the process of traveling to Nillian lands, these people occasionally crossed paths with previously unknown Izon and Cro-Mag settlements. Some of those people decided to join us though most remained in their own villages.”
“The real issue is that no one actually knows how many people there are in the world these days,” Haleah continued, looking at her friends. They could see the weariness in her sky-blue eyes and the streaks of white in her honey-blond hair that had become more pronounced in recent years. “I am older than any living person on the planet, but the Izon have been here far longer.”
“In our journeys through the millennia, many people of the Clan decided to follow their own lives instead of following the Need,” the last Keeper told them. Haleah drifted into ancient memory for a moment and sighed heavily. “Who knows how many survived or how big their communities grew?”
“Since Home and the vile exper
iments of Cronus in Pettit,” Zeus said, watching his adopted grandmother slide into reminiscence as she was want to do these days, “the Cro-Mags and Nephilim have added unknown numbers to the population. That is why we built the Sanctuary so big. When war comes, I want to make sure we can grant safety to all who need it.”
“And it is coming sooner than you think,” Lelantos said harshly as he stepped out onto the porch. “Cronus is amassing troops to attack Nil.”
“What?” Zeus stood up quickly and stared at Lelantos, his jade eyes flashing and wide. “What have you heard?”
Lelantos stopped near the railing and leaned his shoulder against a wooden stanchion. His gold-flecked, hazel eyes were narrowed and grim. The sharp planes of his artistically chiseled face were as hard as granite. Every muscle in his body was tense and alert. Every day Lelantos had held back this knowledge for the sake of the celebration weighed on him and now there was more. It could wait no longer.
“A little over two weeks ago, I received word of an unusual amount of sea and land traffic heading toward the city of Azmerizan on the most eastern tip of Prubrazia,” Lelantos said, his baritone voice deep and foreboding. “Azmerizan is notable for a number of reasons. First, it is the largest of the network of cities Atlantis established along the Prubrazian coast. It has tremendous natural resources of metals, ores and wood. It also maintains one of the two largest shipyards of the empire. More importantly, it sits on the closest point between the two continents. Only roughly two thousand miles of empty ocean separates the city from the Afrikanikis shoreline.”
“I have just learned,” Lelantos said, his ample, tan lips pulled tight as he opened his palm and showed them a small data crystal, “Cronus has a hidden fortress across the sea on Ra’s own land.”
“Hold,” Zeus said, raising his hand, his golden eyes crackling with lightning. He could see there was much more Lelantos had to say and Zeus understood the ramifications of this dangerous action by Atlantis. This was something his war council needed to hear. “Before you continue, let us take this inside and call for the others to join us.”