Aeternum Vindicta

Act I, Chapter IV

ACT I, CHAPTER IV

The sky was overcast, enhancing the pearly grey colour of the sea that crashed mournfully against the shore. A man and woman stood at the edge of the surf. Drizzling rain masked the soft tears that emerged from her eyes.

"I pray this isn't the last time we meet, my love."

"And I too, Sally," The man sighed. "But Amphitrite is already beginning to wonder where I've been departing to for the last few months. And if Zeus finds out..." The implication went unsaid, but both the man and woman tensed as thunder rumbled.

A moment later, the woman gasped, her hand flew to her distended belly.

"He kicked..."

The man with wild black hair smiled softly, placing a hand on her stomach. "He's going to be a feisty one... What are you going to call him?"

"Perseus."

The man frowned faintly. "I hope you're not trying to appease my brother..." The man's sea green eyes were now laughing.

"No... He was the only hero with a happy ending."

The man's face grew serious again. "I see. Perseus. A strong name for a strong child."

Silence hung between them, as the waves roared louder.

"They will come for him," He started, noting her confusion. "Children of myself and my brother attract the attention of monsters and gods alike, without fail. When that day comes, have him trained. Embrace his heritage. Tell him I will always be protecting him."

Her hands tightened protectively around her middle. "No..."

"If you flee to the darkest corners of the earth, Hades will find you. If you journey under the sky, Zeus will find you. And if they find you... they will kill you, and Perseus."

At those words, a fury seemed to light up in the woman's eyes. "I don't care how many gods come after me. Perseus is going to live. I'll make sure he lives. Even if I have to fight every monster in Tartarus until he's powerful enough to stand on his own. Even if I have to go to extreme lengths. My son will live. I swear this on..."

The man lurched forward, alarmed. "Sally, wai - !"

"The River Styx!"

Thunder reverberated overhead, and a sense of heaviness made itself felt, as if the weight had been lowered from the sky onto both their shoulders. The man's face was stricken with grief. "Do you know what you've done?"

She was resolute, the same spark of determination from moments ago burning in her eyes.

'What is necessary to protect our son."

He sagged. "Very well. If that is what you wish. Sally... I'm..."

The woman cut off her companion with a finger to his lips. "I know what you're going to say. I made this choice myself. There is nothing you need to apologise for."

The two stared out into the vast ocean. The night was clear, constellations illuminating every inch of the aquamarine tide, reflecting the resonant sky.

"It seems like history always repeats itself," He sighed with finality. "Just like the first Perseus, his mother is forced to wed an atrocious king for the benefit of her son...."

"Yet he will be safe," She countered. "That is all that matters."

She embraced him for a long moment, then let go longingly.