Blooming Emotions

~Πέντε

People in my house have always shocked me—primarily alive people. No one wants to hang out with the King of the Underworld. Well, walking downstairs to find two figures on my couch shocked me. I recognized the duo in a second: Zeus and Demeter.

I believe Zeus goes by Oswald. Not my first choice for a name but whatever.

Zeus still has the same form except for a few details. He let his blond hair have gray flecks, and he grew out a small beard. And he now has clearer blue eyes. But his height and weight stayed the same—a tall, muscular, and narcissistic man like himself would want to remain tall, muscular, and narcissistic.

I am not partial to the smirk on Demeter's face.

Then I remembered Demeter's threat to get Zeus involved.

"Good morning, brother," Zeus spoke.

"What do you want?" I spat.

"Come sit."

"I will do no such thing. Tell me what you are doing here or leave."

He sighed. "Demeter tells me you are involved with her daughter. Does that ring any bells?"

"Yes, I admit it. I have begun courting Demeter's daughter."

"Well, I forbid you from doing so. Break off your relationship immediately."

Anger boiled in my veins. I felt its heat pulse through my body. "You have no right to tell me who I may marry!"

Zeus stood up, wrath burning in his eyes. He did not scare me, though. In the distance, I heard a clap of thunder. "If you do not stay away from my daughter, I will make sure you do!"

I took a step back. "Did you say, 'my daughter?' I always wondered why Demeter kept her child's parentage a secret, and now I realize why. You are the father!"

"Hades, I mean it. Stay away from the girl, or I will gather the Olympians and take the Underworld from you."

I hesitated, freezing in place. "You would not dare."

"I do believe some gods would be perfectly fine to rip it away from you."

I knew that he was serious. Although Hermes will always be an adorable little boy in my heart, he has tried to take my kingdom for a few centuries. I do not stand a chance if Zeus rallies all of the Olympians; at most, I have Thanatos, Hekate, and Charon. Maybe some titans, but they might still be mad at us for our role in their decline. With persuasion, I could have Thanatos' siblings.

My heart dropped. They outnumbered me.

I have to let Calantha go.

I cannot see her any longer.

Suddenly, I couldn't breathe, and my heartbeat sped up. "Get out of my house!"

"Not until you can verify you will leave the girl alone."

I gave my brother the coldest stare that I could muster. "I will," I choked out. "But know this: next time you require help... you will not get it from me."

I closed my eyes as they passed me—I could not bear to see their self-righteous faces. I flinched when the door closed, a dull ache spreading through my chest. Something wet landed on my cheek. I wiped it off—is that... a tear?

Now I understand why they call it a heartbreak—my heart feels as if something shattered it into a thousand pieces.

I decided to say goodbye to Calantha before I left. I did not want her to think I vanished because of her. As I walked across the road—the sunrise accompanying me—I contemplated taking her with me. I shook that thought out of my head; Zeus would flay me alive.