238. I Breathed in the Cold Deeply
I Breathed in the Cold Deeply
for I had to harden my heart
to what I had become.
Once my world was wrecked by war.
Now I was a leader in one.
Somewhere, I was sure,
the Fates were laughing.
But there was no time to reflect
on the complexities of immortality.
Instead, I turned to this army
I had created and said loudly,
‘I have brought you back for a purpose.
The realms of the Gods are under attack.
This means the very nature of this world,
any loved ones you may have left,
even the afterlife you walk into,
is under threat of extinction.’
A murmur rose now:
they could speak.
At least they remembered
some of their humanity.
‘I am asking for your help.
I am asking you to march
with me upon Olympus,
where giants have laid siege.’
The murmurs grew louder.
I could feel Thanatos’ eyes
upon me as I spoke.
I heard Hermes’ slow chuckle.
An impossible plan
for an impossible army.
‘In return, if we win,’ I continued,
‘I can offer you a second life,
one of more comfort than you knew.’
At this the army grew so loud
that Hecuba started barking.
The heat of excitement battled
both the cold and the decay.
I heard Hermes clear his throat.
This was not something I could offer;
only Zeus could bestow this wish.
But I fully intended to make Zeus
accept this as my boon.
Besides, would it not benefit
the Gods to have more mortals
left that would pray to them?
I turned back to my army,
blue-skinned, held together
by the hearts of stars.
‘What say you?’ I call,
and the roar of agreement
that followed steeled my spine.
‘Then onward we march!’