SACRIFICE TO THE MOON (Completed) #Wattys2020

CHAPTER 54

Two Weeks Later
Athena walked through the streets of Malabour in search of Freya, she found her in city's square.
She was mindlessly staring at Waya's stone statue which the people of Malabour had erected in honor of the prince of the moon.
Athena approached Freya who seemed oblivious to her presence.
She cast her gaze on the statue, it depicted Waya wielding the shield of Belus.
Her gaze fell on the inscription below the statue.
It was written in Malabourlian, it was translated as
"Waya god of courage and bravery".
She missed Waya terribly. She released a breath she didn't realise she was holding.
Only then did she allure Freya's attention. Freya cast one glance at her and returned to gazing at Waya's statue.
Athena knew it was useless trying to speak with Freya, she was grief stricken.
Her gaze fell on another statue, it was Orion's.  It depicted him welding his bow. She read the inscription beneath the statue, it read
"Orion; king of Atlantis; protector of men"
She'd never liked him but not even him could deny the fact that he was one of the bravest gods to have ever existed.
She returned her attention to Freya, the grandcommander was still pitifully gazing at Waya's statue.
Athena placed her on Freya compassionately.
"Pull yourself together, we are returning to the moon".

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Athena walked through the moon, she had her soliders free the children and nannies locked in the nursery.
Without Waya on the moon, the moon felt empty and with Poseidon dead, she had no reason to stay.
An eagle flew in the sense atmosphere of the moon, it was impossible for any animal to exist on the moon outside Athena's shield but Athena wasn't stirred for she knew who it was.
The eagle flew through Athena's barrier as if it were nonexistent and loomed over Athena's head.
The eagle landed few meters behind her and transformed into an old man.
Athena didn't move a muscle as her father approached her.
They stood together side by side neither saying a word.
Ziana raced through the castle's grounds and made her way to Waya's room.
She didn't believe the rumours, Waya couldn't be dead, he just couldn't.
She kicked the door open; to her utter dismay, on Waya's bed sat Freya with reddened eyes.
"Where is he?" Ziana wheezed.
"Dead" was Freya's sapient reply.
Ziana grabbed her chest as hyperventilation hit her.
Freya didn't as much as spare her a glance as he fell to the ground sobbing.
"Daughter" Zeus began.
"Daughter?" Athena scoffed
"You've lost the right to call me that".
Zeus sighed in sadness
"I tired to..."
"You tried to what!......" Athena thundered.
"It took a mortal to protect me from Poseidon while my father the king of the gods idly watched.
If it were up to you I'd still be locked and raped in Poseidon's dungeon".
"Hundreds of centuries ago you announced your intent to enter into matrimony with Poseidon.
I warned you, about who he was, about my inability to protect you, about all of these"
"You should've stopped me" Athena flared "I was young and in love".
"I tried to, I did my utmost but you defied me and created conjugal ties with Poseidon.
I could do nothing but watch him murder my grandson and torture you. It broke my heart to watch you live in exile on the moon".
"So, here you are after all these years to play father. I refuse; I refuse you"
With those words Athena walked away.
"How do you think Waya became such a good fighter?"
Zeus called after his daughter causing her to stop in her tracks.
"It was I who whispered to him in his dreams, it was I who took him to the abyss of war and schooled him.
It was I who healed him, it was I who caused the high priest to point him towards Ra, all so he could protect you where I couldn't".
Athena closed the distance between herself and her father.
She threw herself upon him and wept uncontrollably.
Zeus embraced his daughter.
"What will happen to Waya father" Athena inquired.
Zeus exhaled audibly.
"For murdering a god-emperor, he's doomed to spend the afterlife in isolation"
The shock on Athena's face was visible.
"Cant anything be done?" Athena inquired further.
"Am afraid not my darling, that is the law but I don't want you to bother with that, I want you to return to Olympus where you belong".
"Alright " Athena responded in meek fashion.
"But before that, I need to put a few things in order"

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Ra allowed Athena access into his ferry,
"Ra Egyptian god of sunlight" Athena muttered as she assessed him.
Ra gave a knowing smile,
" I hope I am all you envisioned".
Athena smiled in returned in return.
"It is an honor" Athena stated.
"The honor and pleasure is all mine" Ra returned.
"Am aware of the help you accorded Waya, I am most thankful"
"You miss him don't you; Poseidon I mean"
Athena couldn't deny, she was before an all-knowing being.
"I miss him terribly, after all these years I still loved him".
Ra nodded in understanding.
"He was a horrible being but one thing is certain, he loved you.
So what brings you to my ferry".
"I've come to implore a favour.