Blood of Zeus: The God of Blood

The Voice of Fire

Heron was still in the dark dream; the only thing that kept the burning pain away was the dark waters, the silence. It was all Heron needed to stay sane and to know that he was still him; he was still Heron. Then came a voice that he knew was his, but how? He never spoke like this before. This voice of his was almost demonic, the speech of a madman. 

Voice: Burn them, burn them all... It's the only way to be free. 

Heron: No, go away. You are the thing that needs to be burned away.

Voice: You wish to be free of this pain? It would be best if you desired to get back at Hera for killing your mother. If it weren't for her, the vampires would have never found you, your mother! With this power, you can rule over all mortals!

Heron: NO! GO AWAY! WHY RULE OVER A LAND OF ASH!! 

Voice: It's what the world deserves! You will bring a new era of humanity! Think of the warmth that the humans will have. A fire that never goes out! Fall, fall into your inner fire. In your blood is the power to make kingdoms fall. Just open your flesh and see the power you have at your command. All gods should worship you, for you can make them! Just a drop and the flame will spread to every being with blood! You will turn kings to ash, armies into burning flesh, and the land a paradise of flames! Think! Think of the Crimson Fire!

Heron: Go away!

Voice: I will never go away. I will always be here. Those gods will never accept you as long as those low lives live; they will find ways to take what is yours by birthright! Burn them, BURN THEM ALL!!!

Voice two: Leave him!

Heron was too weak to open his eyes to see this new voice, but he felt the flame disappear from him. Morpheus, the god of dreams, had heard that his younger half-brother was in a coma-like state. He knew that he had to investigate this matter, but what he didn't expect was that a demon-like entity was in Heron's body. He knew that he had to be careful with Heron. After all, he had been tortured for days. 

Morpheus: Heron, you are okay now.

Heron: No! The pain is unbearable! It will still be there when I wake up!

Morpheus: I know it hurts, but you must eat something soon, at least drink something. 

Heron: Everything will only turn to ash before anything can go down my throat. There is no hope for me now. 

Morpheus: We will figure out something soon, I promise.

Heron: There is no way out. I'm stuck in this inferno. 

Heron was placed in an iceberg, but it was melting quickly due to Heron's body heat. He was asleep for almost a week now, and Zeus was at the end of his rope. He was desperate to save Heron from this fate. He failed his mother and couldn't lose him to whatever plan Fino had played. Fino was a son that he made true, but he never thought he would become something that would change the world forever. Heron stirred in his sleep, and before long, he opened his eyes to see that he was in the room of a large palace, and someone was gently washing his face with a cold cloth. The person, Asclepius, was hoping to use the never-melting ice to cool Heron, but even that failed. The ice melted in Heron's mouth before it could go down his throat. He was stubbed on how to control Heron's body heat. He never knew that such a power could exist. Zeus stood behind Asclepius when the god shook his head in defeat.  

Heron looked over to see Zeus and an unknown god at his side. He felt so weak from the lack of food and water. Heron then looked at the ceiling, wondering why he was there. Then he felt the pain again; this time, it was worse. Heat burst from Heron's body, and the force of the heat made the two gods back away from Heron, and an unseen force lifted Heron from the bed. Heron's veins glowed a deep red, and his flesh turned a dull gold. He screamed at the pain, his hands scratching at his throat and his legs kicking in the air. Zeus went up to stop Heron from cutting his flesh, but Heron's skin burned Zeus's hands, the heat of his skin too hot for the king of gods to hold. Still, Zeus held on to Heron's wrists, trying to stop Heron from hurting himself any further. Asclepius got a sleeping draught, and with Zeus's help, he could put Heron to sleep, and the force controlling Heron stopped. He landed back down on the bed, and Zeus backed away, his hands still burning from the action that he had taken. He knew that whatever Fino gave Heron would destroy the world. He needed to know what this horror was, and fast.