The Truths Spoken In The Sea Of Lies

Prometheus comes with a gift

Prometheus arrives,

Peace talks in his guileful eyes,

Rhea sees through his lies.

***

They could see the white flag from half a mile away. It was as big as a soccer field, carried by a thirty-foot-tall giant with bright blue skin and icy grey hair.

"A Hyperborean," Thalia said. "The giants of the north. It's a bad sign that they sided with Kronos. They're usually peaceful."

"At this point, even cockroaches are siding with that motherfucker." Rhea mumbled, which made Thalia snort.

As the giant got closer, they could see three human-size envoys with him: a half-blood in armour, an empousai with a black dress and flaming hair, and a tall man in a tuxedo. The empousai held the tux dude's arm, so they looked like a couple on their way to a Broadway show or something— except for her flaming hair and fangs.

The group walked leisurely toward the Heckscher Playground. The swings and ball courts were empty. The only sound was the fountain on Umpire Rock.

Grover approached Rhea nervously and whispered. "He looks like a magician. I hate magicians. They usually have rabbits."

Rhea took a deep breath and then stared at him. "Bunnies ... that's your phobia?"

"Blah-hah-hah! They're big bullies. Always stealing celery from defenceless satyrs!"

Thalia coughed.

"What?" Grover demanded.

"We'll have to work on your leporiphobia another day," Rhea said.

The man in the tux stepped forward. He was taller than an average human—about seven feet. His black hair was tied in a ponytail. Dark round glasses covered his eyes, but what really caught everyone's attention was the skin on his face. It was covered in scratches, like he'd been attacked by a small animal—a really, really mad hamster, maybe.

Or vultures.

"Rhea Jackson," he said in a silky voice. "It's a great honour."

His lady friend the empousai hissed at Rhea. Who in return glared at the demon and adjusted her trident, the empousai took a step back.

"My dear," Tux Dude said to her. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable over there, eh?"

She released his arm and drifted over to a park bench.

Rhea glanced at the armed demigod behind Tux Dude. Not one she recognized, but he wasn't important.

"To business." Tux Dude extended his hand. "I am Prometheus."

"Yes the fire thief, the scars give you away." Rhea coolly said.

Prometheus winced. He touched the scratches on his face. "Please, don't mention that. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return, the ever-merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all eternity."

"Enough chit-chat, say what you came here to say and leave, you are not welcome, especially with the company you brought here." Rhea glared at the man.

Prometheus looked at the empousai and completely ignored Rhea's tone.

"Oh, demons aren't so bad," he said. "You just have to keep them well fed. Now, Rhea Jackson, let us parley."