Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 43

"JASON!" Leo roared, rushing across the top of the building as soon as the elevator doors dinged open and the top of Mount Orthys became visible. While the building's lobby and elevator had been pristine and grand, the building's roof was at odds with the modern setting. Stones that seemed to be remnants of the original mountain lined the roof and large steps that were seemingly carved into the very stones led to a large platform where the prone body of Jason laid. Leo had just been about to ascend the stairs when Rhea appeared before him, blocking his path. "Move lady!"

"You must not touch him!" Rhea declared, spreading her arms and barring his path. Leo doubted that he could pass by her even without her arms extended. The whole goddess thing was completely unfair. "If you remove the burden from him now he will die before you could even attempt to save him."

"Well if you have a better idea, I'm all ears." Leo said spreading his arms in confusion. "Cause if I don't save him he is definitely gonna die."

"You cannot do anything, son of Hephaestus." Rhea told him almost sadly. "Your power lies in creating great works with your hands. You may be able to build machines that can save lives, but not at this moment."

"Well...?" Leo let the question trail off in confusion and dismay. "What are we supposed to do then? I can't leave him there!"

Sensing his pain, Calypso was at his side and slipping a reassuring arm around his waist. "If Leo cannot help Jason, then who can?" Calypso asked, understanding that Rhea had not passed a death sentence on Jason. Far from it in fact. Her tone of voice had indicated that there was a clear way to save the son of Jupiter, but Leo would not be the one to do it. She opened her mouth to speak again when the sounds of gunshots followed closely by a large crash cut her off.

Rhea glanced towards the elevator as though expecting something and then nodded to Calypso. "The third member of your party. As I said, a son of Hephaestus can build great inventions but saving lives is not their gift."

"So you are saying that dude down there, the guy who acts like fighting for his life is a game, is the one who can save lives?" Leo asked incredulously. "Lady you are nuttier than a fruitcake."

"Let us not argue the merits of someone like your friend." Rhea advised, descending the last few steps. On the platform, Jason groaned and struggled to shift his position. The groan was a piteous, weak sound that tore at Leo's heart. He only managed to restrain himself from trying to get past Rhea again because of what she had said. If Ryker was really Jason's only chance at making it out alive, fine. He had better not let Sciron kill him. "Rather, let us discuss current events."

"What, did you want us to bring you the newspaper?" Leo patted himself down as if in search and then assumed a sorry expression. "Sorry, guess I left the paper in my other jacket."

"Oh, I always have a paper." Rhea said brightly, conjuring up what Leo assumed was the day's newspaper. "I like to do the crosswords whilst I bake. I don't suppose either one of you know a five letter word for an endless void?"

Calypso shrugged while Leo shook his head. "Apologies, grandmother." Calypso said with a small smile. "You said that you wanted to discuss current events? I am assuming that you did not mean the newspaper?"

"You are correct." Rhea said, vanishing the newspaper into thin air. She waved her hand and a table with three plush armchairs appeared. She took her seat at one and gestured for her two guests to occupy the other. "Please, sit. I would rather be comfortable while we wait for your friend."

"Look, lady!" Leo said angrily, drumming a hand on his tool belt. "You might have all the time in the world but Jason don't!"

"Not true, technically." Rhea said, reaching forward and wrapping her hand around what seemed like air. When she brought her hand to her mouth a glass of water had appeared. "As I said before, the magic that binds the one to hold the sky is a strong one. Your friend could hold the sky up for millennia and not age a day. He would certainly die the instant the burden was lifted from him however."