Empathy- The Diaries of Olympus #1

Two: Old ends and New beginnings

Two: Old ends and New beginnings

My breath stayed steady which was ironic because my heartbeat was far from it.

My chest felt as if it would explode. My heart thudded against my ribcage so hard that it began to hurt. Zeus and and Hades trailed just behind me as we sped through the hallways, sandals squeaking on the polished marble floor. I tried to keep my mind off of our current situation. I counted everything, like the way that mortals sometimes count sheep to fall asleep. I blink, one,two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten times every thirty seconds. I coudln't help it. All I hoped was that I wouldn't cry. Crying was for the weak.

The War room doors are made from thick mahogany but my brothers and I pushed them open with ease. We all fell into the same long strides, despite our height differences. Lord Oceanus was already there, sitting in one of the black leather chairs which was a contrast to the striking white long table. His chair was stationary and at the head of the table sat what I like to call a minutes throne. Basically, it's a large marble chair with fancy designs splayed all across it but it's nothing compared to the decor of the mother's throne and what used to be fathers throne. Mother'a throne reminds me so much of her. It's small in size, just as she is, and is decorated with vines and plants of all sorts. I'd have to grow into my full godly height to sit in it but I don't think I would anyway. Mothers throne was mothers throne. Only she was allowed to sit in it.

Lord Oceanus rose as my brothers and I entered. He bowed his head slightly, in a ding of respect since we were he princes of Olympus and the most powerful gods to ever be born. He didn't have to kneel before us or bow or curtsey like most ordinary immortals had to. He was a king after all, so his only formal greeting towards us was a simple inclination of his head.

Amey's father was a good five inches taller than me, so whenever he looked me in the eye he was looking down at me. His eyes were blue, the same blue as Amey's and his hair was straight neat, combed back and dark brown. He was muscular but not burly and he stood with the pride that any king should stand with. He was dressed in a linen white tunic, lined it gold, trailed by a gold cape. His vibrant gold crown sat atop his head and I studied it as my brothers and I drew closer.

"Poseidon, Hades, Zeus, what happened?" He asks quickly, probably noticing the tense air about the three of us.

My voice sounded dead and cold as I said,"Mothers been taken by death." I was silent for a moment and let that slowly sink in. I still hadn't fully accepted what had happened.

Zeus' lightning blue eyes darted around,"Where's Grandfather?"

We had requested for both Lord Oceanus and Grandfather's prescence in the War Room after all.

"His condition is rapidly detoriating. He couldn't be here."

"What?!" Hades is just as shocked as I am.

"I know Grandfathers been unwell for some time now but he can't be..." Zeus started but he never finished. No one wanted to say it but it was present in all of our minds. Grandfather was dying.

"And you didn't care to tell us this before!" I all but frustratedly scream at Lord Oceanus," while we were at the gathering our Grandfather has been in his room alone and...and dying." My voice almost cracks at the end.

"Poseidon I-"

"Don't you dare," I icily warn him," you may be my mentor but if you utter another word I will end you right here and right now."

Lord Oceanus is silent. I turn on my heel and walk out. Hades and Zeus silently follow me, knowing without asking where I'm going. We all want to say goodbye.

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Granfathers face is as pale as paper. Every wrinkle is present on his skin and his hair is an ashen gray. His blue eyes are duller and he keeps blinking very constantly as if he can't stay awake very long.

Zeus, Hades and I kneel beside his bed. And then we begin to talk.

I don't want to go into too much detail of what excatly we said because it's too painful to repeat. All I can say is this, we relieved every wonderful moment that was now in the past. When I told him about mother being missing he winces, as if in pain," I know you three will find her. Just don't give up hope."

Then, when it was nearly his time to go, Grandfather said,"Boys. You are all handsome, powerful and destined for greatness. I love you all. Never forget that. May the spirit of Nike ever be with you. Remeber, this is not the end, this is only a new a beginning."

Then, before any of us could say anything, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. His eyes would never open again.