Power From On High...

Chapter 1: Part 3

Zeus breathed in barely gasping for breath. His vision was black for a few moments as he tried to blink but he could not. He could not move. His muscles were trembling, vibrating from the force that had been bestowed upon him disgracefully. He was coughing imperceptibly as his lungs tried to relax. Zeus tasted blood and gently swallowed it. Spasms of his lungs were halting his breathing. He could not move. He had never felt so helpless before. The pain. The agony. He felt it really in his flesh, strangely, not in his bones. He felt that organs had been ruptured. He could imagine the massive fist-shaped bruise on his chest. Zeus had never really been hurt before. Not like this. This was mind-blowingly traumatic... Humbling. Zeus comprehended how far below Cronus he was in power.

He said he would defeat me in one blow and he did, thought Zeus, one day I shall return a greater blow... One day.

Cronus slowly descended into the crater and stood over Zeus.

"Are you dead?" Cronus asked. No answer. Blood rushed into his ears and his face, the swelling alerting him to the fact that he was embarrassed, guilty. Without an answer, he would be labeled a barbarian.

Zeus continued lying there. He still could not move.

Cronus picked up Zeus by both shoulders and looked into his eyes. They moved to look into his. Cronus asked, "Are you dying?"

"I will live," Zeus answered in a low voice.

"Truth be told, that was my strongest punch. You are strong," said Cronus.

"I am strong," Zeus repeated, as his eyes rolled into the back of his head, then swiveled back into place.

"I respect you," Cronus said.

"I fear you," Zeus admitted.

"Let me nurture that fear into love," said Cronus.

"Can you love a monster?" Zeus whispered.

Cronus was hurt. He turned away as he could not face the arbitrating stare Zeus was serving him. It was bitter medicine. Cronus summoned the strength to respond.

"We're all monsters when we have to be," said Cronus.

"An Angel, acting like a monster? It cannot be true that such a thing is possible, yet you have accomplished it," said Zeus.

"You will be surprised. Even Gods can be monsters," said Cronus.

"There is only one God," said Zeus.

"That is what you think." Cronus answered.

He threw Zeus over his shoulder, ran up to the foot of Throne Hill, jumped up onto the edge at the top, strode forward and placed Zeus to sit on Fayhime.

"Since this is what you were fighting for, enjoy your time on the throne," said Cronus.

Cronus turned around and preached to his people.

"This is a lesson. One boy was tested today and he has proven himself to be the strongest member of this nation, second only to myself. He lives to proclaim that he will be a hero to mark the pages of history for all time with his courage and valor. Who else is willing to summon such strength, prove themselves worthy of carrying the Eterlasian banner into war and conquering this world we cherish, establishing the very dream I have always had of uniting this world and making Martians the most powerful nation in the Universe?!"

The crowd roared in response and Cronus raised his fists in the air and shook them with vigor, smiling brightly, for this is what he had wanted. Perhaps this is what was needed to show them the zeal that is necessary in order to change the world. Cronus appreciated Zeus now.