Poseidon & Athena

Decision Of Love

(Poseidon Pov)

"How many centuries has it been since we fought each other, brother?"

We circled around the spiral flooring leading us into an endless loop. If I'm being honest with myself, I don't want to fight Zeus. But I can't accept the fact that he won't let Athena and I be together. That's why this has to be done for the better good.

My thought was left unfinished as I heard Zeus charge for me from across the circle. With this hair flying over his shoulders and his eyes filled with trust disintegrate into nothing but hatred, brought me back to an earlier time when Zeus didn't remind me of our father. The time where I would have acted the same way. How did it all come to this? When did it become prominent that, Zeus, the one who seemingly protects us all, became an enemy to his own state? Because the Zeus I remember only ever protected his kin from the wrong doings of a wicked monster.
That was when his lighting bolt connected with my trident pushing me back towards the wall where Athena stood. I strained to keep myself upright knowing that if I fell now, that would be the end for me. So instead, I looked forward, right into the storming eyes of the lightning god all while trying to keep the past behind me.
Flashes of light drowned my sight with intense pain and a sweltering sound as I felt my arm being punctured by lighting.
I wailed loudly as I held my right arm. I looked down at the blood already dissipating into nothingness but the pain still remained.

"That was only a flesh wound, brother." Zeus stood back and gazed at the bolt in his hand. "I won't hold back any longer."

"Father! Please stop this! This is insane!" Athena's voice rang though my ears and my attention was no longer focused on my arm.

"Insane? You think my actions are immoral?"
There was a pause before Zeus finished his statement.
"Why is it always I, that must reason with people that think I'm insane? Do you think I've ever been given a chance to justify my wrongs and my rights?"

I no longer paid attention to my lover when Zeus' words hit my ears. What was he getting at?

"I've seen all the gods and goddesses make bad decisions but why is it that when it comes to my sacrifices, I'm thought of as insane?" Zeus cast his eyes down letting them linger on the ground.

Was that...grief? No that can't be it. Zeus doesn't harbor those types of feelings.

"Father, this is unreasonable. You've let me roam around freely since I was born and now you want to have a say in how my life proceeds? That's what I'm confused about."
Zeus looked up.

"I agree, Zeus. I don't understand your fixation on controlling us all. What do we owe you that we haven't already thanked you for?" I spoke without thinking but knew what I said was true.

"I agree." I had completely forgotten Zelus was present until he spoke.

Zeus whipped his head around and pointed at the lowly god, "learn your place Zelus or I will take you down as well."
Zelus squinted his eyes before looking past Zeus at me. "I think this whole brawl isn't worth getting killed, don't you agree?"

"Of course." I said while eyeing my brother.

With a nod, Zelus turned towards the exit but not without giving Athena his last words. "If Poseidon hurts you, just know that you can come to me." With that his steps disappeared down the long stairwell and into the never ending hallway.

I looked back at Zeus who seemed to be raging internally. "Brother, let us end this before the whole palace turns into dust."
Zeus said nothing; he only glared at the ground with the lighting bolt disappearing at his side.
"Do what you must..."

That was when he waved his hand and began to walk in the other direction. Every god who has met Zeus knows what that means. 'Ive had enough.' Those who are blessed with such a signal will always be kept under Zeus' watch in the end. Although I believe this was a different case because my brothers whole demeanor was different. The slowness of his walk and how fast he made his decision. This whole thing was weird to me.
But all thoughts of worry dissipated when Athena hugged me from behind.
"Poseidon!"

"Athena.." I turned around and looked at the face of a loveable warrior. She looked up at me with a smirk on her face as she pulled me down to her lips. We both had forgotten that Hermes was still in the room until he scoffed disgusted.

"This is the best you could do to my father, Poseidon? You didn't even try. All you did was stand there while Athena and Zelus put an end to the whole thing."

"Shut it, Hermes." Athena said after she let go of my lips. "I don't know whats gotten into you, but don't think for a second that I won't put an end to your mockery."

Hermes shifted his weight to his right foot before he answered.
"...Dont forget who cared for you the most, Athena." Hermes glanced at me, "for the sea god knows nothing of you in the time of war."

"Whatever she is like, I will accept it." I said instantly.

"...Did you say something? I heard nothing but a gust of wind." Hermes made a face the reminded me so much of his father. And all I could think was how such an innocent god got tainted by Zeus' tyranny.

"Until we meet again, Athena. I will be off to tend to fathers ...wounds." He spoke the last words slowly as if he wanted to word of differently.

We both watched Hermes zoom past us after Zeus while the only thing that weighed on my mind was how I never wounded Zeus....