The Book of Gemma VOL. 2

42: THE DEAD GARDEN

HERCULES:

The last time I was here it was still being rebuilt to its original glory... maybe they had taken a break?

My father's castle is grand smack in the middle of town now, usually he would set his housing further back from the Greek armies dwellings. Usually there would be fully formed housing but these looked more like shacks. Triton and I walk towards the town and I get this weary feeling, all of the soldiers are drunk in the streets, the woman's upper half exposed as their robes are ripped and dragged in the dirt. I see Triton's stare as he looks around at the wild scene of sin lining the streets. I admit we have a good time here but not like this, not like animals. A couple soldiers nudge each other as they see Triton and I making our way to the steps of the castle. I don't think they even remembered my face unless they saw a painting of me on the wall. The guards line the top of the stairs, their spears crossing my path and blocking me.

"The King is not taking-" The guard goes to say and I push his spear to the side.

"You shouldn't have this job if you do not know who I am."

He goes to block me again and quickly sets his spear to the side.

"My apologies, Hercules."

Triton follows close behind me as we make our way up the flights of steps. I can already hear my father's harlets laughing from inside and his thunderous laugh as he watches.

A guard opened the door for us and I saw him for the first time in over a hundred years.

He lays on his klismos with women lined along the backside, feeding him and refilling his gauntlet of dark wine.

He heard the door open and clapped one time.

"Hercules, my boy! Where have you been?"

I halt my steps toward him.

"Where have I been?" I am stunned and a little pissed off at his question.

He gets up from the klismos, his robe lazily falling off of his shoulder. "Well yeah! Where have you been.." He trails off as he sees Triton behind me, I knew Triton's purple eyes would have him question.

"What.. is.. That?" His thick finger pointing to Triton.

Triton kneels before him, "Triton, son of Poseidon."

Zeus belly laughs, grabbing Triton by the shoulder and lifting him up from his kneel.

"Triton? I should ask you the same thing, where have you been?"

I can tell Triton wants to answer but doesn't know how, so I take the lead.

"Father.. Triton was kidnapped over six thousand years ago when Olymous fell.. Do you not remember?" I didn't know if I should be angry or concerned by his forgetfulness.

Zeus brushed through his beard with fingers as he tried to remember.

"Olympus didn't fall? It's standing right now!" His open mouth smile made my face fall, was he okay? Or was he trying to rid the fact that someone had beaten him before?

I place my hand on his shoulder, looking more deeply at him. His eyes had traces of white, his vision not the same as it used to be. The wrinkles concave on his face so defined now, was he close to losing his mind?

"Father, Triton was stolen when Olympus fell... I went searching for him over a hundred years ago like you had asked... I was held captive in the planets of Paradise by the creator of the Zodiacs.. Vyx." I tried to keep my voice calm but that name sent a chill down my father's back. He scrambled away from us.