by Maz Evans
‘I want to,’ said Elliot. ‘This is all my fault. Please let me help.’
The Gods and Councillors muttered uncertainly between themselves. Virgo could sense another showdown with Zeus coming on. He was always very resistant to Elliot participating in adventures, so this time he would unquestionably . . .
‘You’re right. You are our best hope,’ Zeus suddenly pronounced. ‘You can do this.’
Stunned, everyone turned to stare at Elliot. But he simply smiled gratefully at Zeus.
‘Be that as it may,’ Hera pronounced, ‘he can’t possibly do this alone.’
‘I’ll go with him,’ Virgo said, without a moment’s thought, standing next to Elliot.
‘So will I,’ declared Hermes on his other side. ‘Trust us, we got this. And this . . .’
Hermes produced the Hydra bow from his bag with a flourish. All the Olympians winced at the sight of one of the few things that could kill an immortal.
Virgo looked at Zeus’s proud smile. It was good to see that again.
‘Now, if only we knew where the blazes he’s going to launch his attack,’ said Zeus. ‘It’s all well and good taking care of business down below, but we need to keep the mortals safe above ground too.’
Virgo heard Elliot gasp and reach for his shoulder bag. He pulled out a scroll.
‘Thanatos told me to give you this,’ he said, handing it to Zeus. ‘Said it was an invitation?’
All eyes were on Zeus as he unfurled the scroll. After reading it, he drew a heavy breath and read it aloud:
Zeus,
Long time, no see. not long enough, perhaps.
I’m afraid my hectic schedule will prevent me from joining in, but I cordially invite you to meet my army at dawn tomorrow morning at Stonehenge before they enslave the mortals. Seems fitting, doesn’t it? You imprisoned me there 2,000 years ago. Tomorrow, you will be imprisoned there with your family. At least, until I can deal with you all myself.
Wishing you luck. Not that there’s enough in a thousand lifetimes to save you.
Warmest regards,
Thanatos
The King of the Gods’ face darkened as he crumpled the scroll in his right fist.
‘So be it,’ Zeus declared. ‘We will meet Thanatos’s troops above ground. You three travel to the Underworld to deal with Thanatos below. Good luck to us all.’
‘We will beat him,’ Elliot said. ‘I swear it on the Styx.’
‘I know,’ said Zeus. ‘And we’ve got just the plan for that. Let’s bring Elliot up to speed. Then we all need our rest. Because tomorrow – WE GO TO WAR!!!’
14. A True Gem
Dave Hooper looked blankly at the steaming cup of tea and buttery toast being offered to him. He turned away.
‘Doesn’t feel right,’ he said finally. ‘Me in here with hot tea and toast and Elliot out there in the dark.’
‘Up to you,’ said Reg softly, putting the mug and plate down on knitted mats on his kitchen table. ‘But you’re no use to your boy if you’re weaker than a newborn runt.’
Dave looked into the kindly eyes of the village postman. He’d known him since he was younger than Elliot – he was a good friend.
‘Besides,’ Reg whispered, ‘you didn’t hear it from me, but I make a much better brew than Maud. So, you’d best drink mine before she gets back and makes you her old dishwater.’
With a feeble snort of laughter, Dave picked up the toast and nibbled an edge.
‘Your boy Elliot’s a tough one,’ said Reg. ‘He’s made it through these past few years on his own. Few more days ain’t gonna hurt him.’
‘He shouldn’t have made it through anything on his own!’ growled Dave, dropping the toast. ‘It’s all my fault . . .’
‘So what if it is?’ said Reg plainly. ‘What use is bellyaching over it now? I’ve lived enough yesterdays to know you can’t change ’em. So let’s just focus on the tomorrows that we can.’
‘But what if tomorrow we find . . . What if Elliot’s . . . What if . . . ?’
Dave’s head dropped into his hands. He couldn’t bear to think about all the what-ifs.
He felt Reg’s crinkled hand fold over his own.
‘What if we find him?’ said the old postie gently. ‘Let’s just focus on that. Oh, that reminds me – I ran into Felix Simpson today outside the library.’
‘What did he say?’ said Dave stiffly. He’d had some warm correspondence from the librarian while he was in prison, but he hadn’t had the chance to face Felix, the man he shot the night he was forced to rob Kowalski Gems.
‘He said he’d talk to his old pals on the force,’ said Reg reassuringly. ‘He’ll let us know the second they discover anything. He apologizes for not being out there looking himself but – you know . . .’
Dave knew exactly why Felix couldn’t roam the countryside looking for Elliot. Dave Hooper had shot him in the leg. He might have saved Felix’s life that night, but he’d taken his mobility. It didn’t need saying out loud.
Dave looked out of the window at the dark night beyond.
‘It’s no good, I need to get back out there,’ he said, reaching for his coat. ‘I can’t stay here.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ said Reg, putting his hands on his knees to push himself out of his armchair. Dave put a staying hand on his shoulder.
‘You get some sleep – you’ve been out with me every night,’ said Dave. ‘You need your rest.’
‘You mind your manners, young whippersnapper!’ growled Reg. ‘I was doing dawn starts when you were still messing your nappies.’
‘So get some rest now,’ said Dave kindly, but firmly. ‘Besides, if you’re not here, who’s going to save me from Maud’s tea in the morning?’
Reg’s wrinkles gathered into a smile.
‘Good point,’ he said, sitting gratefully back in his chair. ‘My pot will be warm before the sun is. That’s a promise.’
Dave smiled. He was heading for the door of the cosy cottage when a brisk knock stopped him. He looked nervously at Reg. This wasn’t his house. It wasn’t for him to open it. And he knew that most of Little Motbury wouldn’t be too happy to see him.
‘I’ll go,’ said Reg, rising again with difficulty, his legs stiff.
‘Hello . . . Oh,’ he said, half-opening the door. ‘I don’t think now’s a good—’
‘Please,’ said a heavily accented voice.
It was only one word. But Dave knew the voice. The memory of his screams had haunted him for ten years.
He sighed and walked to the door.
‘Mr Kowalski,’ he said, his head bowed in shame. ‘Say what you have to say. You have every right. But I must find—’
‘Your son,’ said Mr Kowalski. ‘Of course. We just saw him on the news. I am so very sorry.’
Dave looked up in shock. This man, from whom he’d taken so much, was sorry for him?
‘Please – come in, Aleksander,’ Reg said. ‘It’s chilly out.’
Dave felt a shiver at the words – his son was out there somewhere. And it was chilly. Elliot must be so cold.
‘Thank you,’ said Mr Kowalski, handing Reg a casserole dish.
‘A stew. For you all. From my wife,’ he added. ‘Her response to a crisis is to cook. Her response to anything, actually . . .’
He patted his broad stomach with an awkward laugh before turning to face Dave.
‘He – he came to see me,’ he began, faltering. ‘Your son. Earlier this year.’
‘Elliot came to you?’ said Dave. ‘Why?’
‘For answers, I think,’ said Aleksander. ‘But I was too stupid to see that at the time. I shouted at him. I scared him. I was wrong.’
‘You have absolutely nothing to apologize for,’ said Dave earnestly. ‘Everything is my fault.’
‘Not everything,’ said Mr Kowalski. ‘My own father escaped Poland during the war. They were terrible times. Father never gave me details, but he told me he did dreadful things to survive. Things he could never forget. Things
that other people might never forgive. But he did what he had to do. That was the only way.’
Dave nodded. He knew something of that.
‘My son Piotrek talked to your son. Elliot is a good boy. A kind boy,’ Mr Kowalski continued. ‘I see that now. Well – Mrs Kowalski made me see that. When I told her what I’d done to an innocent child, there was no stew for me that night, let me tell you.’
Dave smiled. Mrs Kowalski sounded just like Josie. She’d never shied away from telling him he’d been an idiot either. True love doesn’t ignore the cracks. It tries to fix them.
The thought of his beloved wife brought the familiar tears back to his tired eyes.
‘I’m sorry,’ he gasped. ‘I don’t want to be rude, but I’m just heading out to find—’
‘Your son,’ said Mr Kowalski again. ‘I thought you would be. No father can rest with his child not in his bed. Piotrek once ran away from home and spent the night camping in the woods after we fought. Scared the life out of him – nearly killed me. That was the longest night of my life. And you’ve had – how many now?’
‘Four,’ said Dave, the tears spilling from his eyes. ‘He’s been missing for four nights.’
‘I see,’ said Mr Kowalski, pulling a torch out of his pocket. ‘Then let’s not make it five. My family have gone around the village – we have a search party ready. One group is taking the fields, another the woods and river, a third the next village. We thought that if we were prepared to search, others would join.’
‘Y-you don’t have to help me . . .’ Dave stuttered.
‘Yes. Yes, I really do,’ said Mr Kowalski, holding out his hand.
Dave raised his own shaking palm. It was grasped firmly with both hands by the jeweller.
‘And besides,’ said Mr Kowalski, ushering Dave out and smiling at him and a teary Reg. ‘You have no idea how much stew I will miss if I don’t . . .’
15. Tartarus
Thanatos contentedly surveyed the ranks of his army. As far as the eye could see, row upon row of Elementals and Daemons stood, awaiting his orders. He wrapped his long, bony fingers around the Chaos Stone. With the might of his army and the power of the elements at his command, victory today was now surely certain.
‘Your troops are waiting,’ Nyx whispered in his right ear. ‘And so is your world.’
‘Your troops are waiting,’ mimicked a sulking Hypnos to his left. ‘And so you is your world, bum-head . . .’
Thanatos allowed a small smile to spread across his thin lips. It was time.
‘Army of justice!’ he pronounced from his balcony, overlooking the plains of Tartarus as the Phlegathon raged below. ‘Are you ready?’
A mighty roar came from the ground below.
‘Our time has come,’ Thanatos declared. ‘For too long, we have been treated like vermin. We’ve been treated like we don’t matter. We’ve been treated like we don’t belong.’
Another roar greeted his words.
‘But now, today, this very hour, we are going to take the fight to the Gods! Go up to the Earth and capture our captors! Cast them beneath Stonehenge to rot! The Gods have imprisoned us all for too long! We are going to fight! And we are going to WIN!’
A third mighty cheer rose up. They were eating out of the palm of his hand.
‘Er . . . exthcuthe me, Thanatoth,’ called Sisyphus, propping up his bolder on a nearby hill. ‘But I think it’th only thenthible that people undertht and the conthequentheth of their actionth.’
‘The consequence will be VICTORY!’ roared Thanatos, to a new rousing cheer.
‘That’th all thuper,’ said Sisyphus. ‘But what happenth if we looth?’
The roar came to sudden and uncertain halt.
‘He’s got a point,’ whispered a nearby satyr. ‘Hadn’t thought about that. This could be terrible for my CV . . .’
‘It’s unthinkable,’ said Thanatos, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. ‘We have right on our side! We will WIN!’
A notably less enthusiastic cheer greeted him this time.
‘But if we do lose . . .’ muttered a Sphynx a little further back. ‘I’ve got a family to support. What if the Gods win? What if I can’t go back to my job? I’ve already used all my holiday leave . . . What if—’
‘These are not concerns that need trouble you, my friend,’ Thanatos said smoothly. ‘When I rule the world, I will take care of the immortals. No longer will you have to work. The world will be ours, cleansed of the mortal scum who have overrun it for too long. The few remaining mortals will be our slaves. They will work for us.’
‘Hang on a minute,’ shouted a Nereid. ‘I didn’t sign up for that! I like the mortals! Who else are we going to watch on The Human Channel?’
‘I thought this was a peaceful protest!’ cried a unicorn.
‘I thought this was the queue for the cashpoint,’ shouted a mermaid.
‘I CAN’T TALK,’ a fairy bellowed into her mobile. ‘I MIGHT BE PART OF A MASSIVE REBELLION. OR NOT.’
‘I don’t want any part of it,’ grumbled a wood nymph.
‘I’m going home,’ said a gnome, slinging his fishing rod over his shoulder and looking around for the exit.
‘Friends, be calm,’ Thanatos insisted over the rising grumble. ‘I can assure you that this is a necessary step to—’
An almighty red thunderclap stunned everyone into silence.
‘My son is talking!’ screeched Nyx from high above. ‘You will be silent! You will obey! Or you will face my fury! Now, has anyone else got anything they’d like to say?!’
She unleashed another bolt of red lightning from her fingertips. The troops appeared to understand her point.
‘Thank you, Mother,’ said Thanatos with a forced smile.
‘Mummy’s boy,’ giggled Hypnos.
‘You are vital to our plans! That’s why you’ll lead the troops into battle!’ Thanatos declared.
‘No. I will not,’ Nyx said plainly.
‘Shut up, Mother,’ Thanatos muttered from the corner of his mouth, ‘I’ve got this.’
‘If anyone knows about troublesome immortals,’ said Nyx, flying down between him and Hypnos. ‘It’s me. And I don’t trust any of them. Especially not Zeus.’
‘Then what do you suggest we do?’ hissed Thanatos, struggling to keep the smile plastered to his lips.
‘Attacking the Gods on Earth means nothing if you don’t get the Chaos Stone to the Earth’s core. And the Gods know that too. They’re bound to try something to stop you down here. I need to stay here and be on alert for them.’
‘No,’ said Thanatos plainly. ‘I have decided that you will . . .’
‘Absolutely not,’ said Nyx, ‘I need to be here. End of discussion.’
Thanatos stared resentfully at his mother.
‘So be it,’ he scowled. ‘Now may I get on with it?’
‘Please,’ smiled Nyx, bowing sarcastically in the air.
Thanatos suppressed his annoyance and turned to face the ranks once more.
‘Comrades,’ he began, ‘I appreciate that this is a difficult time. Change is rarely painless. Nothing worth having ever is. I won’t lie to you. There will be casualties. There will be loss. There will be blood.’
‘Sounds great,’ said a small yeti. ‘But I’m off, thanks . . .’
‘MY SON REQUIRES SILENCE!’ Nyx screamed, honing in on the yeti and flying down into her face.
‘OK,’ squeaked the yeti sheepishly, returning to her place. ‘Sorry.’
‘But at the end of the day, we will create a new world,’ Thanatos continued. ‘A fairer world. A better world.’
‘Er . . . that’th with you ath thupreme leader, I thuppothe?’ Sisyphus chipped in.
‘I don’t think of it as “ruling”,’ Thanatos countered. ‘I think of it as . . . “supporting” and “protecting”.’
‘And what if we don’t want to be “supported” or “protected”?’ said a gorgon.
Nyx loosed another bolt of red lightni
ng in answer to his question. The gorgon nodded his snaky head.
‘Gotcha,’ he mumbled.
‘Trust me, friends,’ said Thanatos. ‘I know what is best for you. For all of us.’
‘What’s the matter with you?’ bellowed Tantalus, turning to face his squadron. ‘Don’t you want to taste freedom? Don’t you want to taste supremacy? Don’t you want to taste a decent burger?’
‘Yeah!’ shouted Asteria, shaking a spear above her head at her forty-eight sisters. ‘Isn’t it time we fought for ourselves? Rather than with our siblings? Speaking of which, when I find out who nicked my favourite lipstick . . .’
‘I’m thick of living in fear . . . Whoa!’ cried Salmoneus teetering beneath his precarious rock. ‘I’m with Thanatoth!’
‘I’m sick of living in Dudley,’ cried a Chimera. ‘I’m with Thanatos!’
‘I’m with Thanatos!’ another voice cried.
‘I’m with Thanatos!’ a third repeated.
‘I’m still looking for the cashpoint!’ yelled a fourth.
Thanatos gazed happily across the throngs of bellicose Elementals. With them to keep the Gods out of his way, and the Chaos Stone now in his hand, nothing could stop him. He produced the elemental gem and held it aloft, allowing the rainbow beams to fill the dark air to a chorus of cheers.
‘Then let us ready ourselves for war!’ Thanatos cried. ‘It is time, my friends! Go now – and do not rest until VICTORY IS OURS!’
16. War
Zeus watched the sun set the dawn sky alight above the ancient rocks of Stonehenge. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he had no idea how the day would end. In fact, he had only felt like this once before – the last time he’d defeated Thanatos in battle. That time he’d been lucky. Would lightning strike twice?
He heard a disgruntled snort next to him.
‘Ready, Peg?’ he asked his immortal steed.
‘Always,’ sighed the winged horse. ‘But why, oh why, must all threats to the world demand such early starts? Would it kill anyone to battle to the death after lunch? It plays havoc with my skincare regime . . .’
Zeus turned to look at his beautiful daughters, ready in their battle attire. Athene stood proudly in her golden armour with her sword. Aphrodite was dressed in her leather breastplate with her crossbow at the ready. The rest of the family – Hephaestus, Hades, Ares, Dionysus, Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon, Artemis and Apollo – were fanned out behind them, flanked by the Zodiac Council. They were ready to face the enemy. He had put them all in so much peril. At moments like these, he wasn’t the all-powerful King of the Gods. He was just a father, worried about his family. And yet here they were once again, right by his side.