Chapter 6: Identity
2386 Words
Kyra was not able to get comfortable in her my bed. She started on her back, turned to her side and end up on her stomach. After a couple of minutes, she eventually ended up on her back again staring at the ceiling. Suddenly, there was a panic rising inside of her with her heart beating faster than if she had just run 10 miles. She realized quickly that she had to get calm, so she closed her eyes and tried to picture the field and the sunset from her previous dream. I feel panic rising inside of me and heart begins beating faster. All she was able to see was the inside of her eyelids. Frustrated, Kyra looked over at the alarm clock.
“It’s after 1am. Why can’t I sleep?” Out of the quiet of her room, Kyra felt a poke to her shoulder. “Ok. I admit it. I don’t care about sleep. I need answers.”
After not receiving any more response from the universe to her statement, Kyra sat up and got out of bed. The fireplace still glowed with hot embers and staring at it she saw many of the colors she saw in the sunset. After adding more logs to the fire, Kyra sat down in the comfy chair. The fire grew from the dried wood quickly which increased the glow in her room. With enough light to read, she picked up the book laying on the floor, finally starting to relax. She placed the book on her lap unopened, closed her eyes and took a few more deep breaths. There is a warmth growing from the bracelet. It was like the feeling of peace washed through her. Not wanting to lose the feeling, she kept her eyes closed but allowed her head to fall back to some pillows she had kept there between the chair and the wall.
She was taken back to the field again. The sun was out, but there were a lot of dark clouds which began to hide it from view. Atlas was leaning against one of the larger trees at the edge of the forest. “We found the note that came with the flowers.” She found herself smiling.
Atlas looked up smiling back at her. “And.”
“Actually, we found all of the notes but still don’t see where or why danger was coming. My parents found us reading them, which led to a family conversation.”
“What did you find out?” Atlas asked as he walked towards her and they both sat on the bench that always seemed to appear out of nowhere.
“That my dad isn’t my biological father. Whoever sent the letters is and he doesn’t want anyone to know about that, I guess including us.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It feels like more than coincidence that a really bad storm came through, and lightning struck just outside the house as we were talking about the letters with our parents. But there was something else about the storm that made it feel different. I’ve seen my parents during a storm before, and they seemed afraid this time. They also looked afraid when they found us reading the letters.”
“I don’t think he is the one that is out to harm you and your family. I have told you before that you have great power within you. That power is because your father is an immortal.”
“How can I find out?”
“Did your parents share any information about how you were conceived?”
“That was part of the family conversation. It turns out they were camping one night, and someone showed up looking like my dad. When my mom woke up, he was gone, and my dad had spent the night in the woods unconscious with my uncle.”
“That sounds like something Zeus, Poseidon or Hades would do. They change their appears so they can get whoever they want and then leave without saying anything.”
“Real players, huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“It means that they will have s*x with only their own interests in mind.”
“They yes. They are real players,”
“It could have been one of their offspring, but if it were, your family wouldn’t be in danger right now. Do you remember when we first met?”
“How can I forget. You gave me this bracelet.”
“Yes. But before I gave you the bracelet, you were telling me about how I was not the first man to visit you in your dream.”
“And you got jealous.”
“Other than old, what did he look like? Not that it matters because he could have masked his appearance again.”
“He was tall with a dark beard and blue eyes just like mine. Oh, my goodness. You might be right. I can’t believe I didn’t piece this together before.”
“The old man who read to you was your father. But I am still not sure which of the 3 it could be. I have a thought.”
“Don’t leave me hanging in suspense. Who do you think it is?”
“Zeus sent me into exile as punishment for leading a fight against him. The Fates intervened without his knowledge and put me here.”
“And it was the Fates who had you give me this bracelet.”
“Right. I really wish you could meet them. I am sure someday you will. I think if you had met them, you would understand this irony as their sense of irony or poetic justice.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was sent to help Zeus’ daughter.”
“If you are right, I would think that was more cruel than ironic. He took everything from you, and they sent you to help his lineage. Please just don’t hate me for what he has put you through.”
“I could never hate you. You are kind and funny and beautiful.”
Kyra blushed at his words and the sincerity on his face.
Atlas was to reach out and kiss her to show her the truth in his words but one word cleared the fog of his brain. Danger. “I believe that the danger you are in is not your fault or the fault of your parents. I believe the one to blame is Zeus. He has made many enemies and if has become known that he is your father, it is easier to get to him through his daughter.”
“He visited for 10 years and all of that time, he never said anything.”
“If it was known, you would have been in danger sooner.”
“Next question. He deceived my mother. How can we trust him?”
“I do not have any answer for you. I am sorry Kyra.”
“Why are you sorry? You have not lied to me or put danger on our doorstep.”
“I will never lie to you. If I could, I would protect you with my life.”
“I don’t understand how you can say something like it. It requires loyalty which I have not earned from you.”
“You’ve had that and more since the moment I first saw you. And I know what I feel is true because the Fates told me that you would bring light into my world which you have.”
“I am feeling so many things right now and just really confused.”
“We need to get your family safe first.”
Kyra appreciated him for allowing her to put the needs of her family first. “There is something else I want to tell you. The Fates told me that you would have many powers and this bracelet will help you control those powers. There is a price for power however.”
“What is the price?”
“You have the power to shift between worlds and the bracelet has helped you do that without anyone showing you the way. Lachesis said that it takes great energy to travel between worlds and while you are only in another world like here with me for a few minutes, several hours pass by in your world. You cannot afford to lose energy because we do not know when you will need it to help protect your family.”
“Did they say anything about the danger to my family?”
“Only that as your powers grow, so will the danger. Many are afraid of what you will become if you allowed to live while others fear that your power will threaten the balance among the gods.”
“How can I threaten the balance of power?”
“Existence relies on a balance and that balance must be maintained at any price. In the beginning it was easy for Uranus to self-proclaim himself to be the ruler. He turned out to be a very cruel ruler and was so afraid of losing his power that he had the Centimanes imprisoned in Tartarus. Gaea eventually convinced one of their sons, Cronos to help her remove him from the throne. Gaea and Cronos attacked Uranus while he slept, castrating him with a sickle and throwing his genitals into the ocean. His blood spilled creating the Giants, the Ash Tree Nymphs, and the Erinnyes. His male parts mixed with the sea foam and created Aphrodite. Cronos became ruler but he was also afraid to lose is the throne, so he banished the Cyclopes, joining the Centimanes in Tartarus. Cronos mated with his sister Rhea, and they produced the six Olympians. They had three sons named Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades and three daughters named Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. Cronos was so paranoid that he ate each of his children as soon as they were born.”
“He ate his children. Does that mean that he ate them for dinner or something?”
“Ate may not be the right word. He swallowed the children and took them inside himself, imprisoning them. Titans are immortal and when Cronos imprisoned his children, they still lived but no one else could get to them.”
“That sounds awful.”
“I cannot imagine nightmares being worse than that, but they were eventually rescued. When Rhea was close to term with her sixth child, Zeus she ran away, gave birth and had him in Crete. When she returned, and Cronos demanded she give him the baby to swallow, she dressed up a rock in baby clothes and threw that to him instead. He was in such a rush that he never noticed that it was a rock instead of a baby. Zeus grew up and eventually freed his siblings. Before going into battle, he freed the Cyclopes and the Centimani, who helped him win the battle and control of the throne, making him king.”
“How does that relate to my family being in danger?”
“Like their parents the Titans, the Olympians are considered gods because of their powers and immortality. However, with all of their power they are not without faults, and they have long memories when one wrongs another, they can be vengeful. Instead of going after each other, they go after their greatest weakness, his daughters. They are coming after you and Cassie out of vengeance. Your family is collateral damage.”
“I’ve got to share this with my family. We have to figure out what to do.”
“You must not.”
“Why?”
“Zeus may find out where you got the information and if you do not trust him, do you want to give him the advantage? I believe he will make himself known to you very soon so you just need a little patience.”
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Kyra opened her eyes and saw her entire family standing around her. Dad is standing on one side of the bed with someone I don’t recognize, and Mom is sitting on the other side of the bed holding my hand. “What’s going on?”
“Kyra, you’ve been unconscious for over two days. When we came in yesterday morning, we saw you on the floor and couldn’t get you to wake up. Your dad called a doctor to come and look at you,” mom said patting my hand.
“I remember falling asleep in the chair last night watching the fire.”
“You had us all scared to death young lady,” Dr. Cooper said. “You didn’t have a fever but were barely breathing. I told your dad that he needed to get a doctor here right away.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Alex, call me if she has any fever or dizziness.”
“Thanks, Brad. I owe you one,” dad said as he shook his hand.
“No. We’re even. I’ll see myself out,” he said as he walked out of my room leaving the rest of my family staring at me.
“How do you feel honey?” Aunt Emi asked.
“I feel tired. I’m sorry I worried all of you.”
“I’ll bring up some soup for you. Once you eat it, get some more rest. If you’re up to it, come down to dinner, if not, I will bring something up, okay?” My mom held my hand and felt my forehead just to make sure I’m wasn’t feverish.
“Thank you. I am already starting to feel a little better.”
Once everyone left her room, Kyra rolled over to her side and closed her eyes. This time, sleep took over and she began to dream peaceful and deep.
- Writer
