DEMIS (A Clash With Lightning)

10

"What is wrong with me?" Alexander muttered to himself.

He was on his way to the Underworld. Gaining access was no easy feat for a living being, but he was determined. As he made his way to a dock alongside the Styx River—a long river that connected the living world to the realm of the dead—he flipped his soul coin in his hand.

Sitting at the edge of the dock, he waited for Charon to arrive. Charon was the captain of the only boat that could navigate the treacherous depths of the Styx, ferrying lost souls across the river in exchange for their soul coins.

Alexander was plagued with unwanted emotions after his encounter with his "enemies," if you could even call them that. They were so weak he could have obliterated them with a single strike of lightning, but he didn't. He let them live, partly out of pity. They were misguided—likely influenced by the gods, who had filled their heads with nonsense. He would never allow humans to be enslaved. They clearly underestimated just how powerful he was. Controlling the Titans would be effortless.

His thoughts drifted to her—Jasmine. She captivated him. During their interaction, he found himself entirely focused on her. She was beautiful, and he sensed a potential power within her that, with the right guidance, could be immense. He could train her, mold her into someone no one could stand against. Yes, he had quite the crush on her. A demigod with the power of Olympus, yet still just a man—and a romantic one at that.

Now, he was conflicted. He could sense the latent power within her and her friends, even if it hadn't awakened yet. If they reached their potential before he reached Tartarus, it could pose a challenge. Logic screamed that he was making a mistake by allowing them to live, but his pride insisted he could handle them and even change them.

Ban would be an issue. During their encounter, Ban had shown little comprehension, being far too emotional. His pride would be his downfall. If only Alexander could convince him that his plan was foolproof, he might sway him to join the right side.

The gods were evil, despicable beings who didn't deserve their power. Alexander was determined to see their downfall. Once he eradicated their revolting existence, he and any other willing demigods would ascend to godhood. With their experience as humans, they could do a much better job ruling the universe.

His thoughts were interrupted by the gentle creak of a boat pulling into the dock. He grinned as the famous Charon stepped out of the boat to greet him.

"Hello, Alexander," he said calmly. "I've been expecting you."

Charon didn't look quite how Alexander had expected. Instead of a skeletal figure or a zombie-like creature, he met a semi-short man with tan skin, wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the letter "C." Alexander assumed it was for Charon's initial. To his surprise, Charon felt warm to the touch. Was he not dead?

"Are you not dead?" Alexander asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"I am neither dead nor alive," Charon replied. "I simply exist."

"Right..." Alexander trailed off, "because that makes sense."

Charon shrugged, motioning towards the boat. "You're here for a ride, right?"

"Of course," Alexander responded. "Take me to the land of the dead."

"I will not sail without payment," Charon said, extending his palm expectantly.

"And here I was hoping you'd forget," Alexander said, handing over his soul coin without fuss. He had no intention of allowing Charon to keep it.

Charon boarded the boat first. It wasn't large, but it wasn't small either—old yet sturdy, capable of seating around six people.

"Why does it seem so empty?" Alexander asked, anticipating crowds of souls making their way to the Underworld.

"The Underworld is off balance," Charon replied, offering no further explanation. After a brief pause, he added, "Your fault."

Alexander laughed at the news. How wonderful! He couldn't wait to see Hades reeling, powerless against what was to come. Then he would take his army to Olympus and destroy that monster and her pathetic husband.

"So you're telling me Hades isn't just having a sick day?" he asked, still chuckling.

Charon didn't seem amused, or he was simply skilled at hiding his humor. Alexander chose to believe the latter.

Just as he began to feel comfortable, a figure appeared beside him. He rolled his eyes at the god helping him drain the power of Olympus. "Why are you here?" he asked the hooded figure. 

"How could you let the demigods live?" they hissed, their voice laced with anger.

"I do what I want," he shrugged.

"If they succeed in their quest for the armor, it could jeopardize our goal!" they retorted.

"I'm not afraid of them. They'll never be more powerful than I am," he rolled his eyes.

"No, maybe not individually, but together, they could—"

"Shut up." Electricity coursed through Alexander's body as his patience ran thin. "Do not question my motives."

The god let out a frustrated tsk before vanishing, clearly angry. He didn't care; no god was innocent in his eyes. His ally would rot alongside the rest of them when all was said and done. He had no intention of sparing them, contrary to his previous promises.

Charon, seemingly uninterested in the exchange, spoke again. "We have arrived."

Alexander turned to the shore, grinning at the sight of Hades' imposing castle in the distance. He knew exactly where his first stop would be.