Thalassa Angelos and the Cult of Chaos

Ch. 3

I watched as Liam and Gunnar interacted. The tension was higher than Olympus.

"Well, the bonfire should be starting soon. Perhaps your godly parent will claim you, Thalassa. If you could wait outside, I need to speak with Gunnar." 

I narrow my eyes. He was too perfect. His eyes shown too brightly.

"Very well," I mumbled. I nodded to Gunnar before standing outside.

It was interesting, seeing a place for demigods to live in peace. Two children ran past me, laughing. 

Jacob stopped next to me, two bowls in his hands.

"Here. Are they still talking?" He asked, handing me a bowl.

I nodded, sipping the stew. "What happened between those two anyway?" I asked.

Jacob frowned. "Before Liam, we had another leader. Alexis, daughter of Athena. She was smart, knew the best plans for any attack. But she was prideful."

I sat down, Jacob following me. "One day, Liam suggested that we attack one of the Cult's larger bases. Alexis knew that we couldn't. Many would die, and we wouldn't last an hour. So, Liam insulted Alexis, saying she was scared."

Jacob looked at me, his eyes starting to tear up. "She went by herself. Said she would prove him right. The next morning, we found her outside, dead. Liam took over, saying he would make sure it never happened again."

I looked across the cavern. "She sounds very brave," I whispered.

"She was. Gunnar was fond of her. He blames Liam for what happened that night."

I open my mouth and Liam and Solaris walk out of the tent. "Jacob. It's a pleasure to see you again. Miss Angelos." 

Gunnar glared at Liam as he walked off.

"After the bonfire, we should be able to find you a tent." Gunnar sighed, sitting next to us.

"That boy is going to get us killed, and you know it," Jacob mumbled.

"I know. But what else can we do? Challenge him?" Gunnar asked, throwing a stone.

I frown. "You can do that?" I question, interested.

"Yes. Any demigod can challenge the Chief, so long as they have been claimed by their godly parent." Jacob looks at me, his eyes narrowed. "You're not going to challenge him are you?"

I shake my head, looking off in the direction Liam left in. "Not yet. Not until I know more."

Solaris shook his head. "Thal, I have faith in your fighting skills, but Liam is a different level altogether. Ares blessed him when he was claimed. No one can beat him in a straight fight."

I shrug before standing up. "So. My father blessed me as well. That I know."

I walk off towards the bonfire, praying that my father would claim me.

The bonfire was more than I was told. The wine was passed around, and tales were shared. Liam sat on a makeshift throne, a smile on his face. Many threw him dirty looks as if the throne wasn't meant to be there.

After a while, Liam stood, banging his sword on the stones. Silence quickly engulfed the area.

"Friends, as you may have seen, Jacob and Gunnar have returned with a new demigod. Supposedly, she is a child of one on the Three Brothers!"

Whispers and looks passed around. Some looked at me or Gunnar.

"We ask her father to claim her on this night, so we make welcome her into the Chasm."

Everyone grabbed hands, making rings around the fire. The cavern became quiet, the fire crackling being the only sound.

After a few minutes, a breeze flowed through. The temperature dropped, and frost began to cover the ground.

Everyone began to whisper as the ground broke open slightly, right in front of the fire. Demigods scattered, avoiding the gap.

A skeletal hand broke through, crawling from the depths of the crack. In its hand, a solid silver and bone crown.

It walked towards me, its movements short and rigged.

"Impossible." I looked behind me, seeing Liam with his sword drawn. I looked back in front of me, the skeleton a few inches from my face.

It placed the crown on my head, and a shadowy wave rolled through the cavern. The skeleton gave a quick bow before crumbling to dust. The crack vanished.

I gently touched the crown, looking around me. No one spoke a word. Only shocked faces looked back at me.

Solaris stepped forward. "Thalassa Angelos, daughter of Hades and Sparta!"

He bent his knee, and everyone soon followed. Liam stood last, his face disgusted and scared at the same time. 

"Welcome to the Chasm, Angelos."

I didn't sleep that night. Solaris gave me a tent, saying it would be okay in the morning. I wasn't too sure. Instead, I played with a piece of onyx, shaping it into different forms. I suppose I should have seen it coming. 

"I knew of a woman from Sparta who supposedly knew Hades." I looked up, seeing Liam.

"Her daughter was named after a primordial goddess and was born during a storm. After her death, the daughter was sold as a slave. Supposedly, she killed her mother."

I glared at Liam. His face gave nothing, but his eyes showed everything. Madness.

"The city kept a necklace that girl was supposed to get. They gave it to me, saying it would bring luck." He pulled the leather cord from underneath his shirt. An onyx Cerberus pendant swung from the cord.

I stood quickly. "That belongs to me," I growled.

"Perhaps it does, but for now I have it. If you want it, then leave."

I narrowed my eyes. I was correct. He feared me.

"A child of Hades is a bad omen, worse than one of his symbols. It foretells death."

I snorted. "Yeah, like you're any better." 

"Regardless, " He snapped, "You need to leave. Take those two idiots with you if you want. Jacob is getting old, and Gunnar is weak, no matter his gifts."

Liam slipped off the necklace, throwing it onto my bed. "If you don't leave by morning, then you'll be killed."

I watched as he left, my knuckles turning white from gripping my sword.