Descendants: Dawn of the Fighters

xiiii. Enough

"Enough." Suddenly, the power is gone in an instant. With that, just one word.

"Honey, she is a child who is simply defending her father. You would want Lucian to do the same for you, right? Why don't you come back to your seat?" I never thought I would think this, but thank gods for Hera.

"You... are right." This seems to be enough to calm him down, and he straightens his jacket before returning to his throne. 

"I apologize Brother, I meant no ill will." This shocks all of us.

Zeus... actually apologized?

Holy shit, Hera is the ultimate weapon against Zeus.

Father says nothing, he simply bows his head in acknowledgement of his words and turns to me.

"You need rest, we'll confer more with them later." He strides past, not saying another word. I trail behind him, but can't help but glance back to find Persephone is sorrowfully smiling, I'm sure she wishes she could follow us too.

"Father..." I glance down at his hand and sure enough, he's bleeding. He doesn't respond, only closes his hand and presses the elevator button. We both enter it in silence.

The sound of the elevator music is the only thing filling the silence between us. I keep glancing down at his hand and worry is slowly growing inside me.

He got hurt protecting me.

My father actually protected me.

I look up to his face, and somehow, it doesn't look as cold and calculating to me as it has before.

Are you different now?

Did you change in the time I was gone?

The more I think I'm closer to getting answers, the further away I really am. I can't get a read on him, he of all people eludes me the most. Confusion in my heart, I jump a little at the ding of the elevator; indicating that we've reached the main lobby.

I silently follow Father as we head over to the black elevator. Asswipe is now present outside it, and bows in respect as Father enters. 

"Hey Barbie Doll, how'd it go?" He addresses me per usual as we both enter in the elevator behind Father. 

"Well, if you must know, they've made it better. Not only that, I can detect even more bullshit that comes out of your mouth!" I smirk, but he just snorts.

"Your brain must be going nuts every time you open your mouth then."

"At least I have a brain. I'm sure your skull is simply filled with shit."

"Oh wow! Back to third grade retorts, congratulations!" Father finally clears his throat, and we both fall silent. There's no music in this elevator, so there's nothing to fill the silence in here. We wait for what feels like forever, until finally, the door dings.

"Make yourself comfortable." I prepare for a dark, gloomy floor as we enter, but I eat my own thoughts.

"Wow..." It's a large room, and the decor is elegant. It's a light grey and white combination of furniture and appliances. There's a lavish kitchen, and a wonderful fireplace to compliment the living room. It's pretty much like a huge studio apartment platform-wise, and it's taking my breath away. 

"Did you decorate?" I turn to Father, who shrugs off his jacket.

"Indeed. I do have a sense of taste you know." Wait, did I just hear amusement in his voice? 

I smile and walk through the space. Father and Asswipe watch me like parents would a child, and I love this place. 

"That's not the best part." Father walks over to a control panel, and with a push of a button, the curtains covering the walls pull away. 

"Oh..." My breath is gone. Far below me, is a breathtaking view of the city. You can see where the sun is slowly setting over the horizon, and I'm in awe. 

"It's gorgeous..." I don't know what else to say to express how I feel, and I hear Asswipe chuckle behind me. 

"It's a great view, for sure." I turn back to them, and I notice Father is heading toward one of the doors that lead out of the room. 

"The other two doors will be your rooms, choose whichever one you'd like." With that, he shuts the door behind him.

It's like he's shutting me out again.

Why does it always become this?

I notice out of the corner of my eye that Asswipe is looking at me with pitiful eyes, but turns and heads to the room on the left. Heaving a sigh, I go to the door on the right but just as I'm about to open the door, I hear a noise that stops me. 

Without really thinking about what I'm doing, I turn and go to the door Father entered. I hesitate for a moment, my hand above the handle. I feel like opening this door can do one of two things.

Bring us closer together, or break us apart even further. 

I grab the handle, determination filling my heart. I want, no, I need to know who's the real him.

Is he cold and heartless?

Or is he compassionate and understanding?

I open the door to find Father sitting at a wooden, mahogany desk. He doesn't move even though I know he heard the door open and close behind me. 

The silence between us feels like forever, and I can't seem to have the words come through.

"Yes?" He finally breaks the silence, turning back to me. He has his usual expression, but now, I detect a hint of confusion in his black eyes.

"I..." I clench my fists.

"I want to see your hand!" Silence follows my declaration. We stare at each other for a few moments, then slowly, Father lifts up his hand. Gold drips from it.

I knew it.

"You did get hurt." I look around and search through a few draws until I finally locate a first air box. I turn and walk over to where Father is sitting.

"That was really reckless." I open the box and start addressing it. Even though he's a god, he still can feel physical pain. 

Also, because of how special Zeus's thunderbolt is, it takes a rather large amount of time to completely heal from it. There are even certain weapons that can kill even the gods.