Freedom | Avengers Story

Part 3

It was a rough couple of years. Ersa did her best. The only way I was fed was from a Goat. There was no source of food, other than that.

I am now a full-grown God. I have left my childhood years and have entered adulthood. I have all the freedom in the world, at least, part of the freedom. The only time I can fly and give the wings a stretch is to find food. Coconuts, Tangerines and Cherries grow where we stay, and Ersa sometimes makes something called Ambrosia - a sort of fruit concoction. Drinks available was the juice from Nectar and water from a stream nearby.

I gather the fruits in a woven sack, flying about to spot some more anywhere. I hum a melody Ersa played on the Lyre. She's very skilful with that instrument, and can play a song on command. Most of the songs she plays are not existing songs, so she creates them on the spot. She truly is amazing.

When there are no more ripe and fresh fruits in sight, I fly back to Ersa.

When I usually land, she'd be outside the cave sharpening a wooden log to shred the coconut with. When I did land, however, she wasn't outside, and the log was untouched.

"Ersa? I'm back." I call out, but I get no response, just the wind whistling through the trees. I repeat;

-"Ersa?"

I drop the fruits near her work place and enter the tunnel. When I do, the sight before me brings me to my knees.

"Let her go." I beg, my eyes never breaking away from the two of them. It's been years, and only now, has it been the time that Ares found me.

He holdS Ersa around his left arm and he possesses his staff in his right arm, the sharp end just seconds away from Ersa's heart.

"I've finally found you." He praises, Ersa struggling under his grip. It hurts me to see her like that...

"I'm the one you want. Let her go." I demand, but that only brought laughter from Ares.

-"And why would I do that? She betrayed me, and the others."

"Ares, please. It is not what you think. Let me explain." I try, however, he's too stubborn to listen.

"You're presence explains enough. I don't want to be a half-brother to the daughter of a whore!" He spits, his voice booming around the cave walls. It shakes, small pieces of it falling to the ground. When he called Mother that, he shattered me. I begin to brim with anger, and my wings spread open, preparing to battle.

I have to admit, I've never once fought in my life. I don't know how to. Ersa tried to teach me, but even she was dry with combat knowledge. I just have to guess. It's dodge, block and strike, but it can't be that simple.

"I won't ask you again. Let her go, Ares. I'm the one you want." I repeat, my feet lifting off the ground in preparation.

"...No!" He yells. I know what he's going to do, so I fly inside the cave as fast as I can, but I'm still too late. Ares drives the staff into Ersa's chest, through her heart. Blood spews out, dripping onto the ground, marking it with her death.

I stop flying, gasping in terror. Many emotions fill me, from sad, to anxious, to pure fury. I watch Ersa drop to the floor, her soul unable to keep her standing. More crimson blood flows from her wound.

That's it. I've reached my peak.

"I told you, your fight is with me!" I yell, zooming towards Ares. Our strength comparison could not be more obvious. Before I could make a scratch on him, he sends me flying, exiting the cave. I fly back until I hit a tree, and I sink into the ground, pain seeping into my nerves.