Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
ARES
T he water’s current revealed its true power. Each strike of the tumultuous waves against me felt sharp and forceful as I fought against it. Desperate for air, I took a long gasping breath, trying to fill my lungs before I was dragged back under by the water. It seized me with a vise-like grip, rendering me powerless, I was as limp as a ragdoll. The unseen boulders beneath the murky depths hammered against my body, targeting me without mercy. My muscles burned with exertion. The water crashed around me, its force threatening to consume me. Every breath was a battle. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the treacherous waves.
I pushed against the violent tide, the deafening roar of thunder fueling my determination. I felt the weight of the abyss, pulling me deeper, but I refused to surrender. Aphrodite’s name echoed in my mind, her divine presence giving me strength as I kicked and thrashed, desperate to break free from the current's clutch.
The water was a relentless adversary intent on dragging me down. My lungs screamed for air. I could taste the murky water as it burned its way down my throat. My vision blurred, but I refused to let go.
With one last burst of energy, I propelled myself up toward the surface. The water fought against me, but I swam with all my might. The world blurred, a whirlwind of chaos around me.
And then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I emerged from the bitter depths. Gasping for air, I clung to the edge of survival with every ounce of my strength. The unruly sea roared around me, but I was determined to overcome it. I would rise from this struggle, transformed into a warrior reborn, ready to face whatever came next.
I noticed a branch looming up ahead. Harnessing the flow of the current to my advantage, I navigated toward the shoreline.
Save her , the voice in my head repeated. This was not how I would die.
I reached out, desperately grasping for the sturdy branch, my only lifeline. The roar of the water slamming into me was deafening, a relentless assault that pounded in my ears.
Determination surged through me, fueling my drive to push harder. My muscles protested with every movement, straining against the crushing force of the waves, each second a battle against the overwhelming pressure.
Pushing. Pulling. Pushing.
Once I reached the edge of the shore, I climbed up the rocks onto a deserted beach and collapsed, exhausted. My cuts stung from the saltwater, and my jeans clung to my skin. If I didn’t seek help soon, I would likely get hypothermia.
My lungs burned as I stared up at the sky. The saltwater had dried out my lips, and I felt like every ounce of energy had been drained from me. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t give up—I had to keep pushing forward.
Sitting up, I looked around, wiping the blood from my forehead. My chest ached, and I struggled to breathe. I pulled myself up from the ground, my drenched skin covered in dirt, coughing and shivering from the cold. My body throbbed with pain, a sharp, relentless ache radiating from my left leg where it had slammed into a rock beneath the water.
Staggering to my feet, I took in my surroundings. The dense forest around me was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife drowned out by the crashing waves of the violent waters.
I had no idea how far I had been swept from the bridge, but I knew I needed to figure out a way to get to a phone and call Hades. Every step I took was agony as I limped through the underbrush, my injured leg protesting with every movement. I pressed on, driven by the primal instinct to survive. The forest floor was a treacherous mix of mud and slick leaves, making my progress slow and painful. My vision blurred from the blood running into my eyes, and I wiped it away with a trembling hand.
Bursting through the undergrowth, I found myself at the edge of a road. There weren’t any vehicles around. I fought through the pain as I started to run down the road, picking up speed. After a couple of miles, I noticed a sign on the side of a road up ahead.
As I approached, a building came into view, fluorescent lights blaring through the night fog. It was a diner. With resolute strides, I walked into the restaurant, bloodied and bruised, my clothes soaked from the brutal fight I’d just survived. The stench of death and the sea clung to my tattered clothing.
Everyone in the diner froze as they watched me. I sat on a stool and collapsed my head in the palm of my hands as I took a deep breath, feeling the aches take over my body and my soul.
“Oh my…” The lady’s voice was soothing, but I looked up to see her eyes in fear, “Someone call 911!” she shouted, but I shook my head.
“No.” I could barely speak. “No! I need food, extra clothes, and a phone.” My voice was edged with desperation. After a moment of stunned silence, she nodded quickly, her face pale, and darted toward the kitchen.
"Hey, mister!" a gruff voice called out from the back of the diner. I turned and headed toward him. The man’s skin was weathered, his hair wild and white beneath a worn baseball cap. “I’ve got some clothes in my truck,” he said, his voice rough but steady, as he handed me a phone. I stared at it for a moment, feeling the weight of everything hitting me at once, then quickly dialed Hades's number, my fingers trembling as I pressed the buttons.
He answered after one ring. “Hello?”
“Hephaestus has Aphrodite. Ouranos is going to kill her and everyone we ever cared about,” I whispered frantically, the words spilling out in a desperate rush.
My voice trembled as I spoke, and the rhythm of my heart echoed in my ears. Tears streamed down my face, carrying the weight of my anguish, each droplet an expression of the love and despair that consumed me. With every tear that fell, a surge of vulnerability coursed through my veins, breaking down the barriers that had kept me safe. The invisible armor I wore to shield myself from the world had shattered, leaving me exposed and defenseless.
The world came to a halt in that sliver of time. Aphrodite was a beacon of hope. She ignited a flame within me, allowing me to experience the depths of love in all its forms. I dared to believe that I was worthy of being loved by her. The thought of losing her, of losing the possibility of her pure love, was unbearable. My existence hinged on her presence in my life.
“Ares,” He cut me off, pausing for a moment that felt like a lifetime. Hades continued, “She’s with me. She’s safe.”
I buried my head in my hands, relief washing over me. My voice broke, “Can I talk to her?” I said, wiping away my tears. I squeezed my eyes shut.
She was alive. I loved her. I loved every part of her being. She was my reason to fight, and I was ready to go into battle knowing she was alive.
“Ares!” Her voice was panicked as she spoke into the receiver.
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.” I let out a small laugh, “Nothing can kill me.”
“Where are you? We will come to you.” She sounded relieved, but there was a frantic edge to her voice, echoing the urgency I felt to get back to her.
“I’m at the diner near the bridge. Hades knows. I love you,” I said, my voice shaky but urgent, hoping the words would reach through the chaos of everything going on around us. I needed them to land, to ground us both in something real.
There was a brief pause, then, “I love you too.” Her voice was soft but strained, carrying the weight of everything we had endured.
I stood out in front of the diner, freshly cleaned after washing up, wearing the clothes the old man had provided. The scent of soap still clung to my skin, and the new clothes, though comfortable, made me look like a fisherman. I waited for them to arrive, feeling the weight of anticipation as I readied myself for whatever was coming next.
Headlights flashed, and Hades skillfully steered the sleek vehicle into an empty parking space in front of the diner. Aphrodite flung the door open and hurried toward me.
Standing there in the worn-out attire of an old man, I eagerly embraced the love of my life, wrapping her in a secure hold. I lifted her delicate form in my arms, relishing the sensation of her against my chest.
Our lips collided with intense passion, unleashing a torrent of desire. As I caressed her face, a symphony of tears mingled with our pleasurable moans. We clung to each other, unwilling to let go, cherishing every precious moment. We leaned our heads together, sharing a moment of solace and unity.
I looked at her face and saw bruises and cuts marring her skin.
“What did he do to you?” I reached out to touch her face, but she pulled away. I tenderly reached out again, fingers grazing lightly along her jaw. She crumpled in my arms. Anger surged within me as the harsh reality sank in—I hadn’t kept her safe when it mattered most.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, the words escaping in a ragged sigh as I leaned into her shoulder, the weight of my failure pressing heavily on me .
“No!” she shot back, her voice firm and resolute. “It wasn’t your fault, Ares. We have to stop them. Look at me.” Her gaze was fierce and unwavering. “I need you to be strong. Be the Ares you were trained to be.”
I took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm, my voice low and heavy with concern. “If I go down that path, there’s no turning back. I’ll become the demon they say I am, and it won’t be easy to claw my way out.” I looked up at her, my eyes reflecting a deep, unspoken fear. “I’ll need you, Aphrodite. There are times when my rage takes over, dragging me into a darkness I can’t escape on my own. Without you, I don’t know if I can break free.”
“I will be here.” Aphrodite whispered, pressing her hand to my heart.
Hades cleared his throat with a deliberate cough, cutting through the moment. “Sorry to break up the reunion,” he called out from the car, his voice tinged with urgency. “But we’re on the brink of total chaos, and we need to get ourselves ready.”
I pressed my forehead gently against hers, savoring the fleeting connection, and took a deep breath, trying to steady the pounding of my heart. With that, we began to move toward the Mustang. Aphrodite sat in the backseat, and I climbed into the passenger side. Hades revved the engine as he peeled out of the parking lot.
“So, you going to tell me what’s happening?” Hades looked at me with determination.
“Ouranos’ plan is to kill every single OS member.” I started, a grim expression on my face. “He manipulated Hephaestus into killing Titan to solidify their alliance.” I paused, watching Aphrodite’s eyes widen with shock. “But Hephaestus was deceived. He thought he would be spared if he cooperated. Ouranos plans to eliminate him too, ensuring the destruction of our family.” My voice came out harsh, a growl of barely contained anger.
I tightened my grip into fists, feeling the knuckles press into my palms. The thought of confronting my brother and Ouranos was like a fire burning within me, fueling my readiness to inflict pain and exact vengeance.
“Wait,” Aphrodite said, her voice barely a whisper. I turned my head to face her. A tear streaked down her dirty cheek. She blinked and looked up at me. “Hephaestus killed Titan?”
A vivid memory of Aphrodite at Titan’s funeral suddenly flashed through my mind. She had loved her brother. I reached for her hand, grasping it tightly. She blinked a couple of times, letting the tears fall.
“Ouranos wanted him dead because he wasn’t his son,” I replied, my voice strained and tired. “He didn’t want Gaia or Titan to see a single cent of his legacy. That’s why he had Titan killed.”
“And Gaia too.” Aphrodite added.
My eyes narrowed, taken back by her comment, “What do you mean?”
“Gaia’s dead. Hephaestus finished the job.” she said, releasing a deep breath, her lips trembling. “I will kill them. I will kill them both.” Her voice was a fierce whisper.
Her eyes darkened, a fierce determination etched into her features. It was clear nothing mattered more to her than avenging her brother’s death. Anger blazed in her eyes. “Was he trying to kill them the night of the Halloween party?”
I nodded slowly, the gravity of the truth settling heavily on my shoulders. Aphrodite’s eyes filled with tears as I reached for her hand, my voice a low murmur almost lost in the suffocating silence. “You deserve to know the truth.”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Hades’ grip on the steering wheel tightening, his knuckles white against the dark leather. His jaw twitched, a telltale sign of the storm brewing inside him.
This was the war we had been bracing ourselves for, the culmination of years of tension and unease. Hades had always been wary of the dark forces gathering strength, convinced that they would ultimately seek to bring about our downfall and unleash chaos upon us all. Now, as the tension in the air thickened, the grim reality of his fears was closing in on us.