ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

THE DUAL OF OLYMPUS

They named it that. The gods were, as always in the Council throne room, spectators, while two mortals fighting it out. Anyway...

My return to Olympus, and that awkward landing right in the middle of the throne room, in front of Demeter's throne, was welcomed by a kind smile from the goddess of agriculture, and cheers by the other gods, except for Zeus, Poseidon, Athena and Hera. Even Artemis was clapping. I looked around the room. All the gods were in their battle armors, and were fit and fine, fifteen feet tall. They were in their thrones. Zeus and Hera sat opposite to the door. Poseidon was to Hera's right, while Ares was opposite to him. Demeter sat beside Ares, and to her opposite sat Apollo. Next to Apollo was his sister Artemis, and opposite to Artemis sat Athena, with her owl. Beside her, Aphrodite was checking her nails, while Hephaestus, opposite to her, was looking around. Hermes sat beside Aphrodite, while opposite to him, Dionysus seemed laid back. However, we had many more to accommodate this time. Enyo was sitting on Ares's armrest, and Iris was standing by my friends. Hades and Hestia had taken the guest thrones, while Persephone was sitting on Hades's armrest. The demigods sat on the floor, but did stand up when I entered. And, in between Hades, Persephone and Hestia, stuck and hung was Jared Wilson.

I looked at Jared, completely overlooking the gods, and said, "What now, sapling? Your vengeance has been terminated. The gods are immortal again, and you, my foe, are stuck."

Another huge round of applause. I heard Apollo scream, "Burnnnnn!!!!" I didn't see what kind of burn I caused with my words, but I wouldn't say that to him, would I? Anyway, now, I turned to the gods, and kneeled. "You have done well, young warlock." Hera said, "Impressive."

"Impressive?" Demeter asked, "That's it? He saved our lives, all of our lives. If you are still sitting on that throne, It's because of him."

"Okay, enough." Zeus said. He couldn't bear the fact that his divine life had been saved by a mere mortal, and definitely, he didn't like to hear that all the time. He looked at me, and said, "Okay, King of Atlantis, what did Chaos say?"

"What?"

"It didn't save us for free." Zeus said, "I know that. What did it want?"

I told Zeus about what Chaos had said. Zeus nodded, but before he could say anything, we heard two scratching sounds. Zeus looked behind me with intent. I turned, and we all saw. Jared Wilson had freed himself, and running away, and was saying, "Another day, you petty gods!" Zeus's hands sparkled, but he couldn't attack Jared. "Stupid Styx oath." I turned to him, and said, "Allow me, my Lord. It is my fate, anyway." And I ran after Jared. Dadai and Abhro were about to come with me, but I stopped them. "My fate, I alone face it." I said, as I ran.

I saw him run, without knowing that I was behind him. So, I shouted, "Where will you go, Wilson? You will be caught by Heracles in the gates, and if you escape that, a pack full of hungry werewolves are waiting outside."

Then, I realized that I couldn't run anymore. I was getting tired. Jared, with his invulnerability and other strengths, was stamina-wise stronger. So, I had to improvise. I used my first ever spell, the earth shaking spell (Non verbally). Jared lost footing, and fell on the ground. I summoned my magical strength, by uttering, "Theikos!", and picked him up. Then, I carried him back to the throne room.

When I reached the throne room, I threw him in the middle. My friends stood in anticipation. I spread my arms. Jared got up, and came at me in rage. But, my pain spell worked again. Jared fell on the ground, wincing. He looked at Demeter, and said, "Your son is pain, Demeter. Why would you let him do this?"

"You are no son of mine." Demeter looked away. She closed her eyes. I understood this feeling. She was a mother. And she was Demeter. It pained her to see her son wince like that. But her knowledge that her son might even destroy the world if let free, was making her stay away from saving him.