Akhill

Chapter Seven: ThereAfter II

***

"We are set." The accompanying Hermes said, covering every opened carriage.

"To where?" Thetis asked Hermes, who looked at her as though to hit her head with one of the horses that bore them then walked away to set the horses in motion.

"To Athena, we have been heading there since we left Mr Zeus' throne room." Thetis' partner said, explaining over again as much as he could to the oblivious Thetis whose memories seem to lick out.

"You know she will forget soon and ask again, right? Why waste your time?" Hermes struck the horses to motion; destination Athena's West.

"I can't help it, my lord." Thetis partner said looking at her as she looked out staring blankly without hate or love, just blank. "Her voice just makes me want to protect her." He smiled and his eye reached out in hope then withdraw back into deadness.

"You are— Are you stricken?" Hermes asked.

"I, I don't know." He replied.

"So why can't your ears deafen themselves to her voice."

"I don't know, she just get back her voice but it sounded as though I was meant to protect it from being let again."

"Reaaallly." Hermes looked back with a broad grin and flickering brow. The boy who has sentenced himself to be eternally yoked to the caramel-skinned girl called Thetis, looked at Hermes wandering what was going on with his face.

"Apologies my Lord is something wrong with your face. Are we in danger?"

"I know you are eye dead but is your heart dead also." Hermes was disappointed that his message was not understood.

"No my Lord. If it was, I should be dead."

"I meant— forget it." Hermes looked forward in the direction of the journey, sad at the oblivious nature of the boy which seem even worse than that of the girl with shattered memory. "Yah." Hermes struck the horse to move faster."Watch that girl because I sense she—" Thetis jumped out of the chariot straight over the bridge— Her memories didn't add up and the emotions that went through her heart were raising the intensity of burning fire and anger that she felt were justified but her head could not give reason more than 'you are insane', 'end this, you can never be happy, 'you don't even understand why this boy is doing this or why this man hates me' and the voice that kept calling to her was a pivot of her anger.

"Jump!" Thetis was out as the smiling sun smiled brighter unaware that somebody was willfully embracing the mesmerising allure of Tartarus.

"Not today!" Thetis partner instinctively jumped after her while Hermes walked on the chariot to the carriage carried by the wind almost like the kungfu master in Jet Li's universe, pulling open the cover and threw the boy's weapon towards him as he went down holding the girl. "Your lives are still yoked to mine, you two playthings," Hermes said.

"No Thetis, your life is worth more than mine." The boy held Thetis turned in the air and kicked her back towards Hermes in the Chariot then threw the weapon aimed at the chariot's frame. Hermes jumped and stepped on the whip and used his leg to kick the spikey whip pulling Thetis' partner into the Chariot.

"I will not let you two cause my head to be detached from my body." He ties up Thetis.

"We—" Thetis partner panting. "Are—Sorry."

"Jast let me go!" Thetis screamed, wiggling like a fish out of water. "Jast— I can't take this anymore, my head wanna explode, jast let me—" Hermes struck Thetis unconscious.

"I still can't find a reason to adore this child," Hermes said irritated. "Explain to me boy." He turned to look at Thetis' partner while the horses kept their pace unhindered by their shenanigans. "What do you see in this girl with missing thread?" Thetis's partner sat beside Thetis where she lay unconscious then pulled her close placing her head on his leg.

"I can't say my lord, even if I do know."

"Crazy runs deep in shades at Olympus."

***

"Crazy is the least of your— wait. Chiron!!" Luke shouted, waking up the whole neighbourhood. "That freeloading, Thetis hurting, Thetis friend, me swindling blackshek blah!."

"Lucy, your husband, please."

"Luke!" Lucille shouted with her brow angled and folded. "Can't you see the day is not fully broken?"

"Oh, Sorry sweet, I can—" He replied while steaming over something he alone knows.

"You are still shouting." Lucille stood from the bed, walking past Thetis who was writing.

"I know but you can't hear me otherwise!"

"Yes but— I don't know." Lucille walked out of the room to meet her husband.

"Why are you shouting this early eh?." Lucille moved towards him, hugging him to listen to his racing heart. "What wrong?"

"Forgive me sweet but that, that Chiron— Argh!"

"Calm down dear, Let it out gently, Sweet," Lucille said, causing every steam to fizzle.

"Chiron left early."

"Uh, you miss your friend already." Lucille strubbed his chest.

"I think— what No! Why will I miss him? And he just even left."

"So. Are you saying you can't miss him hmm?" Lucille pulled back looking into Luke's eye.

"Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. Why will a man miss anot— ah! woman that bottomless belly of his ate my breakfast."

"Wait." Lucille dropped her hands and moved back. "Luke, did you yell that much because of your belly." Lucille's words came out one after another, like one excepting a "no".

" Yes, my sweet. I need to be at the recruitment site early." Luke replied like a child about to be scolded by his loving mother.

"Lucille, sometimes I wonder what you see in the bum of a husband." Thetis walked past.

"What, what did I do wrong?" Luke asked.

Lucille shook her head at her husband then left him and walked towards the kitchen."You could just have come wake me up, eh."

"Why will I want to disturb—" Lucille glared at him and he had a recollection of what he did was not just waking her but everyone else that could hear him.

"Good Morning Luke." Theophile walked into the kitchen, walked past Luke to hug Lucille then came back to Luke who bent to speak to the half-awake boy.

"Good Morning, did I wake you?"

"No Tasha did," Theophile answered as he yawns. "We need to prepare to go for study."

"Now!" Luke shouted again but immediately controlled himself as he felt an ogling eye. "Now." He whispered.

"No, not now Luke don't be silly." Tasha walked in, speaking all mature even though she was younger than Theophile. "The children need to prepare because it is a special day in our study."

"Oh. How was your night Tash." Luke looked toward her.

"Brief as usual and because someone decided to be a rooster."

"What? Tash? Did you just call me a rooster?"

"No Luke not you. I was referring to the one that shouted waking everyone."

"Yes, Tash that was me."

"Really, why were you—" Tasha looked at Lucille."Lucille how may I be of help."

"Did she just leave me?"

"Yes Luke." Theophile yawns and stretches. "That girl gives me the chills." Like and Theophile muttered.

Lucille kissed Tasha's head. "Thank you, dear. For now, go have your baths." Lucille looked at Luke. "Every one of you."

"Are you sweet?" Luke stood on his feet, rubbing Theophile's hair, tapping him to go take his bath.

"No," Lucille replied.

"Come on my lovely. You sound mad." Luke moved closer to her.

"Come any closer and I will be angry. Just go bath and prepare." Lucille pulled a spoon to tease Lucille.

"Aye Captain." Luke walked out defeated, drooping into the bath as Thetis walked by, smiling in mockery.

"Lucille, ya know he did not mean to wake everyone up."

"I know Thet but he acts as though I can't help."

"He was alone for three days, maybe he forgot." Lucille glared. "I mean why would he forget such a thing."

"Exactly." Lucille pointed a spoon at Thetis.

"Regardless he loves you though."

"I know but it hurt a bit."

"Meh. I don't feel for you, I am hungry. Make me breakfast."

"Thetis I thought you are my friend."

"I am but I am pregnant and hungry."

"Fine here— wait have you had your bath."

"Lucille, how heartless are you. Do you want to starve my unborn child?" Thetis collected the plate and stormed out leaving Lucille.

"In less than two months, she will bear." Lucille mutter as though she has plans.

Thetis walked to the dinner, sat awhile then moved to the parlour. As she moved towards the chair, she kicked something and almost tripped as she maintain the plate of soup instinctively.

"What is— Boy, what are you doing on the floor." The boy was curled on the floor.

My Lady." The Boy robbed his eye, chewing air.

"Why are you laying here?" He yawns, processing the words of Thetis slowly. "Uh?"

"First, why are 'you!' Thetis sat and continued her eating.

" why? I like it well."

"Really, in jast one day." Thetis teased

"No, I since I can remember. The hard surface is more comfortable."

Thetis shoulders dropped not because of his word but because of his cluelessness.

"The bed can make your body less archy." Thetis emptied her dish.

"Uh?"

"So my aid, starting this day, ya have to sleep on the bed that Luke and Lucille prepared for you till O can return to ma home."

"But what if—"

"No jast try to do."

"Aye." The boy stood up and walked to the children's room passing Lucille, who set the table, rubbing his eye. "Good morning Missis Lucille." Lucille looked at him as he walked past not sure what is happening. "But the room is that way." She thought.

***

"That the dew of remembrance, never finds its way to my sight, for I choose to forget, what burns my heart to pain, I never want to remember, why it hurt ever so long, yet the mind can't help but wonder, what am I missing, what if I remember, I need to know. Then the top gushed open and I remembered. I remembered every second of breathing it took from me, every layer of strength it stole from me. So much I remember it's hurt and I wished I never remember." Mr Zeus stood with his pen, staring at the blank sky through the window frame of his throne room.

"My Lord."

"Go on," Zeus replied the Hermes without turning.

"Words from the west, Hermes and the two children have arrived safely at the Arena of Warriors."

"Hm." He signalled the Hermes out and thought. "Hope Athena doesn't break them."

***

The accompanying Hermes came down, pull and lifted Thetis— who was wrapped like the Egyptian mummy— on his shoulder.

"My Lord, Thetis is awake, can she be loosed."

"No, I prefer her tied," Hermes replied while smiling at his imagery of Athena as they continued towards a vast field. "Stop moving, we are there?"

"Where? My Lord, There is noth— argh!" The ground fell in, Thetis's partner shouted by the sudden quack but Thetis though awake was unfazed and silent on the shoulder of Hermes.

"The entrance is underground." They landed on a rolling cart that ran into the Arena of Athena. "The other entrance is for the gods and nobles."

"My Lord is Thetis—"

"Get a grip boy."

"Yea, Uhm, my lord—" The cart poured them out. "I think—"

"Welcome to The Arena of my lady Athena." The boy who was laid face flat, stood up holding his side.

"It has been a while young William." Hermes' heart skipped a beat at the voice of the woman so much he dropped Thetis like a sandbag— Thetis's partner body acted on its own to give her a soft landing— and knelt before her as a knight to a dynasty.

"Yes my Lady."

"I see the Hermes call does you well."

"All thanks to your recommendation, my Lady." The lady walked closer and placed his shoulder like a queen knighting a noble. "Rise now William."

"Can I remain like—"

"I see you are still uncomfortable around me." The Lady lifted him and hugged him. "You know I am harmless to my children, William." Hermes smiled broadly like one struck by cupid.

"Me know, my Lady." The Hermes' heart shouted fireworks as she let go.

"Is these the two?" Hermes still lost in the embrace of the lady, imagining the isles.

"Hermes, are you there?"

"Yes I do— I mean— Yes they are." The lady stepped closer to the two children laying on one another, one of them bound, then squats with a smile filled with tenderness.

"I am Athena, in Thirty days, you will become true warriors fit for Zeus." She stood up and walked away ordering them to be moved to a recovery centre.

***

"I am leaving Lucy," Luke said, walking out the door.

"I might join you when I am done."

"You really don't have to stress your—" Lucille stepped out her face pouty. "Fine, if you can." Luke walked out then went the children whom she kiss farewell.

"Bye Lucille, Bye Thetis, Bye Uhm," Theophile looked at the boy serving Thetis.

"Boy."

"Boy? I still don't— Bye Boy." Theophile was scared at the fierce stare of the boy.

"I will be on ma way next. Boy, do you mind." Thetis said.

"I can't let my Lady go alone not when she is injured."

"Well, I see you are in good hands Thet." Lucille strubbed the boy's head.

"That I can't argue." Thetis pick some of the stack paper with imagery on them and then took to her journey out followed by the boy.

"Do remind me to send a letter to Chiron."

"Why? I don't like him."

"Some told me once, that your past is only as powerful as you live. You can either let it haunt you or be converted to a tool of strength for the future." Thetis replied. She looked at the boy who looked at her blank. "Chiron is a good trainer."

"But I don't—"

"The destiny of a Cerberus is not so easily escaped. They are bred as animals even to —" Thetis stopped as she remembered the fire the rose from the south.

"But I am—"

"Just don't forget to remind me." Some of the children playing, throwing their plaything back and just then a slip in hand came at Thetis who caught it. The boy snapped and attempted to attack the children but was stopped by Thetis who tripped his feet making him stumble.

"Why!" The boy faced her fierce and animalistic aura.

"Because they are only children."

"So!"

"So, let's get going before it's too late." Thetis walled closed to the boy. "My aid." Thetis smiled and kept walking. "If ya history was suppressed, it would have been better but now that it overflows, ya have to control it."

"So. Remind me to send the letter to Chiron."

***

"Wake up! You snoring fledgeling." The door flung open and Hermes walked in. "You have less than twenty-seven days and you still have the courage to snore." He looked around and saw Thetis chained anew. "Why are you in chains again?"

"Uhm, she jumped lady Athena the moment she was unbound."

"Courageous."

"Though she was knocked out that same second my Lord." Thetis partner explained whilst Hermes giggled at the story. "After she woke up, she tried to pluck out her eye which was met by a slap that sent her flying thus her present dilemma."

"Right and the chains around her neck and mouth? Is she become a horse?"

"No my Lord, that happened yesterday. She struck her head on the wall and almost bite off my skin when I tried to stop her." The boy held his hand, calming his pain.

"Mountain goat, I will presume. Well I will grant her, her wish and liberate you"

"What wis—" Hermes pulled out his sword, approached Thetis who stare unfazed, and swung it towards the base of her neck as Thetis's partner threw a ceramic flower pot at the sword to stop it.

"What do you think you are doing Boy?"

"Forgive my boldness my Lord but I can't let you take her life whil—" Hermes punched the boy away from his presence but the boy though in pain from the impact held Hermes' hand with an intention not to let go. "My, My, ap-apologies my Lord." The boy held his smile while he bleed and pleaded, not letting Hermes have his way.

"Boy, I am doing you a favour by granting her wish" Hermes raised his other hand to strike the boy off him as he noticed the bloodstream by the boy's side. "If this continues, your life will end faster than the gods planned and in sadness."

"I would rather it be me than her." Hermes looked at the boy's sad, dead eye. "I feel nothing, my Lord but I see hope in hers." The boy continues will maintain his smile.

"Pointless." Hermes retracted his intent to kill. "She will bring you only sorrow," Hermes said as the boy let go, though his guard was still up.

"Sorrow, my Lord us a price I will dine with to keep her alive." Hermes stepped back to inform him 'I have no more intention to kill her today.' then teased.

"You sound like Zeus' writing now. Since when."

"I read, My Lord. I will to learn all I can."

"Is that also for her sake?" The Boy looked down and muttered. "I have a dream."

Hermes walked towards the door and as though to see the conviction of the boy, threw a dagger at Thetis who ran towards it to be stabbed but both Thetis and the dagger never united because the boy kicked the weapon back at Hermes.

"My Lord, why are you with weapons?"

"Because I want to."

"I thought—"

"We don't hold weapons in Central Olympus because the chief Hermes loathe it. He prefers we are the weapon."

"Oh"

"Though here that rule does not apply." He continued his journey out. "In three hours, you both be out here, I will lead you to my Lady."

***

The Arena of warriors planted in the west gate of Mr Zeus' Olympus, ruled by Lady Athena the goddess of war and wisdom though different from the original, Mr Zeus has an eye for talent and a feel for naming in accordance to the original Grecian gods— at least most times. The encounter between Zeus and Athena started with—

"Stella Anne Magreph. Your giftings waste. Join me, strengthen my kingdom."

"You jest Zeus, I came to calm your bounty, you false king of this false kingdom."

"My bounty is too great for you Stella Anne Magreph. Join me."

"Can you even afford my expense Zeus, if that is your real name?"

"Your expense. You lay defeated by the hand of my Hermes and join me and live."

"The flicker of my eye would rather embrace Tartarus than be your slave."

"Slave? You are not even in chains. What is a slav—"

"The testament of your cruelty rains upon the farthest west."

"Join me Stella Anne Magreph. Become a child not like the others but born from my crown and preferred above all".

"Deaf. You are deaf. I said I did rather—"

"I make you my Athena this day. Reign over the west as the goddess of war and wisdom and let the greatest of the four winds be born from you. Rule as you will, only bid my call."

"Why you? Listen when others speak, I would never—"

"Hermes, leave her be." Hermes released her hand which he held locked with his own. "If your sword finds its way to my neck, take my head with you, if not your existence is yoked to Olympus."

"My Lord!" Anne grinned as Hermes raised his voice in protest while Zeus unrobe himself, exposing his smooth built skin, and dropped off his armour. "My lord please don't. She is—" Zeus raised his finger. "As you will." Hermes step back and gave her her weapons. She flipped the tool with an engraved joy.

"It's your funeral." Anne paced, observing the direction of the wind, the light and the faintest sound. She breathe out then in with the thought 'by my hands this tyrant will end.', excitement washed over her, she looked and noticed the cloud covered the sun then like unhindered string against gravity, Anne swung for Zeus' neck. 'Even a plush ear can't miss.' She thought as she the wind towards Zeus' neck and Hermes' eye stayed fixed on her as she moved, only for her joint to be unyielding seconds to impact because her eye locked the eye of Zeus, which was filled with sorrow that outstretches the river of Styx and its mountains can't grasp the depth of his pain. "What happened to you?" She thought as the words escaped her lip then instant her weapon struck the edge of Zeus' throne backrest.

"You missed." Zeus smiled. "The daughter after my head."

***

"They are here my lady."

"Thank you, Hermes."

"My Lady, can I be an observer for the purpose of record sent to Mr Zeus."

"You have no need for such but feel free to observe."

"As you will.". Hermes rose and walked off to the observers' seat. "Playthings, what privilege you have." He tapped Thetis partner.

"Come closer." Athena gestured to the two, and they approached. "That's enough." She walked around, accessing them for a while then stopped snd stared sternly at Thetis. "Move me from here." Athena drew a line. "And you are free to die."

"But—" Thetis partner attempted to protest.

"You on the other hand." Athena turned to him. "Are to douse my word over her after you defeat them." Athena points to three children playing that respond to her signalling.

"Apologies my lady I won't fight children."

"Then keep mute. So much for protecting—"

"I want to but they are children. What if I fight them." He pointed to a huge man with an axe.

"Take it as a simple task. Defeat them in twenty-six days."

"Twenty-six that is too—" A punch landed on his nose, side and legs and all he remembered were. "Why am I laying on the ground."

"Long story short. You are weak."

"My Lord." He sat up. "Apologies, I believe it was a fluke."

"Sure." Hermes stood up from his squat beside him. "Know this. Belittling them will send you six-foot under."

"Nay my lord, They ate just—" The boy's vision darkened.

"I warned you. Don't—"

"What happened?"

"You died again." Hermes was more interested in the boy's growth than Thetis'. "The battle of survival is warfare."

"No more!" Thetis partner jumped up and got hold of one of the many weapons scattered on the arena's floor. The children giggled, running around.

"My Lord, you see they are—" He was back on the floor. "This is ridiculous. Why can't I see when they attacked." He looked to the triplet who had returned to their games while still on the floor. "Again—"

"Just give—"

"Never!" The boy pulled himself up, face covered in bumps. "But my Lord, I think something is wrong—" He reacted to the next attack but couldn't stop it and like afore, was knocked out.

"Boy." Hermes tapped him to awaken. "Your body seems to have adjusted to their rhythm." Hermes pulled the boy up."Chop Chop." Hermes threw him at towards the three, like a shark gone frenzy, they charged at him, as he picked another weapon."You crazed, love-struck fool. For Thetis!!!!"

***

"Show me your death is worth more than your life." Athena cut off Thetis' bond. "Come at me. You have twenty-six days." Thetis looked around mute, picked up a weapon."Can you make void that boy's claim?" Thetis rushed at Athena with heartfelt desire to end her misery but ended up with a punch to the stomach that forced every micro-dust on her gave way. "One, never fight an enemy no matter how great or small without a plan." Thetis landed thinking 'I just wanna die.' Then ran at Athena again, the same way she did Kronos the king only to receive a kick that broke one, maybe four ribs. "Two, no matter your enemy's position, whether immobile or mobile, know to find a surprise." Athena gestured for Thetis to come at her. "One more and I will raise the hurdle." Thetis as though deadened to pain, dropped her weapon and picked another. She threw the weapon to distract Athena and sledge to aim at her leg. "Are you deaf?" Athena evaded the weapon and pinned Thetis by the neck. "Three, tenacity is key but useless if you can't see the difference between you and your enemy." Athena lifted Thetis by the neck and then threw and kicked her backwards. Thetis felt her inside deconstruct. "Come now Thetis, child chosen if Zeus and take your freedom from me." Thetis looked at the Colosseum. "Get up! Or remain with a life without meaning." Thetis spat blood.

"I will be dead if this continues." Thetis thought. "But why am I holding on?" Thetis changed her weapons again, this time into the same knuckle type weapon that defeated Kronos.

"The weapon is as useless as the bearer. Never let a tool determine your worth." Thetis ran towards Athena and maintained her afore pattern. "You are still blin—" Thetis changed her trajectory as she blocked Athena's blow, twirled and landed one on Athena's head which she blocked, but Thetis's aim was her legs. She drove a punch at Athena's foot but Athena caught on, kneeling Thetis's nose, then Thetis responded with a back-flip kick, which Athena caught, spinned Thetis like the Cowboys lasso then threw her away. "Unpredictable good. Open your eye more." Thetis came again even more unpredictable and almost made contact but Athena instinctively kicked Thetis, stronger than normal which knocked her out. 'Oops, I am not to kill you. Get her to the physician."

***

"On ya feet Boy."

"I can't."

"Ya past is ya past. Accept it to embrace ya future."

"But I—" The boy held his head on the floor. Thetis whipped the air, creating a sound that rained memories into the boy. "Stop!"

"Stop denying your past. Walk into ya future."

"Why?"

"Ya a lit dynamite."

"But—"

"Do you trust yourself," Thetis recalled herself in the arena of Athena? "Do you hate yourself?" Thetis remembered her unending attempt to embrace Tartarus. "Should I end you?"

"No!" The boy felt a crack. "I want to live Thetis, Please stop the whipping." The bous's desire to live rose in height so much that his environment became clashing in time, his present crumble as he stood face on with his past and Thetis to him became Mr Hades. "Hades, I will not— Die!" The boy ran towards Thetis.

"Hades is not—" The boy attacked, blinded to his present. Thetis evaded with are rounded belly. "Boy. Listen. Accept don fight, accept ya past." Thetis voice did not travel well enough to arrive in the boy's ear.

"You bastard! You made me, made us like this." The boy's eye became laced with tears as he attacked Thetis.

"Boy, It is ya past, ya past. It can't harm ya."

"Every night, that fire, every night Hades you, that face. Why didn't they arrive early? Why was I alone for so long?" The boy continue talking as bodies piled and fire became like a stream while he saw himself wrapped in the chaos. "Why am I alone? They are all dead." He knelt and left out a bellow from within himself. "Why?" His shriek, blow the bodies, the flames and leaving him and the image of himself in the quietness of the moon. "Why was I not—" From the silence emerged the smoke like figures his eye did not recognise but his heart drew some meaning to it. "Why are you—" He saw a lady that looked like Thetis though younger shouting at another boy who approached him with an eye given to death, raising his sword to strike as he felt pulled, by a kick against the other him, out the window. While falling he saw the smoke figure clash and he splashed. "Why argue, what has already happened?" The boy heard within himself as a hand stretched towards him. He stared at the hand for a while, not sure if he should accept or reject it, asking "What do I live for? I am alone, maybe death is better?" The thought pulled him lower, dragging him deeper till he heard words vibrate through the hand, crawling into his ears, settling in his heart.

"I am here for you—"

"You also will leave."

"Amma be here by ya side no matter."

"What if—"

"Amma be here Boy, y'know g ma dream won't let me die."