197. Gods Had Never Had Reason to Count Days Before
Gods Had Never Had Reason to Count Days Before
but now, time took
on a different meaning.
Time meant more injuries.
Time meant returning
to battle after healing,
only to come home injured again.
Time meant children born
and fathers unable to be
present at their births.
No one will ever tell you
that the meaning of time
changes when you are within a war.
If you are immortal,
it does not even end in death,
just a battle that rages on and on forever.
I gave birth to Bia alone,
with only Nike to aid me.
I sent word to Pallas, and received no response.
I understood his anger at me. But why at Bia?
My child of force and courage was my easiest birth.
Already she was her brother and sister’s most beloved.
Watching my three youngest children bond
as Kratos and Nike took turns holding their sister
brought me more joy that I thought imaginable.
When I finally received word from Pallas,
it was only to tell me that Kratos, like Zelus,
was required on the Titan front.
I seethed. I had already given one son to this war.
Kratos had only just become old enough
to own his godhood, and now he was required
to bleed ichor for his kin who barely knew him.
I refused to send an answer back.
If Pallas wanted him, he would have to
go through me. No more children of mine
were going to be sacrificed to this senseless war,
not whilst they lived in my home.
When the second messenger from Pallas arrived,
I did not even go to greet him.
Instead, I stayed in my chambers
playing with Bia. Nights passed before
it finally happened. My worst fears realized.
Thunder and lightning flashed across the sky
when the chamber doors were flung open.
Pallas, his clothes drenched in golden blood,
amber eyes wide, stood. In his arms
was our oldest son, Zelus. Both his arms
had been cut off. And a messenger behind them
was holding them. I could not help it.
In my grief, I screamed.