Page 8 of Guided by the Stars
With full power, I sprint through the woods, only slowing my pace when I reach the edge, and follow the gravel paththrough the Garden Arena. Despite knowing no one will be out this early, I take a deep breath and keep my head steady as I march upwards, scanning the Halls of the Gods.
Each one belongs to those deemed worthy to possess a home in Olympus. Zeus provides them as rewards for their loyalty. He even ordered them to be built from the same golden-flecked pillars that hold the walls of his Hall together. They’re filled with fancy beds, throne rooms, and useless crap to make us feel special. Problem is, there’s always a price to pay. In these two-story walls, it’s your privacy.
They’re lined up in rows, the further up the hill you go, the stronger your abilities are and the greater of a threat you’ll be surrounded by. It’s an order of ranks, right under Zeus’ watchful eyes as he stands on his balcony peering down into our glass walls, keeping track over whichever god he chooses. He’s a suspicious fucker, keeping those with power closest to him and surveying every detail at any moment.
The high-pitched whistle from above tears me out of my thoughts and I hustle the rest of the way, keeping myself under the shadow of the huge golden bird circling above me. His silky wings are stretched out, spanning almost as tall as the Halls themselves, with enough power blowing gusts of wind to make even the heaviest of trees sway. He’s massive, a weapon once used by the gods, and armed with feathers the size of my arms that have the ability to pierce through flesh. Claws as sharp as blades are able to rip open even the strongest of gods. He’s fierce, and has proven himself loyal, similar to each of Zeus’ eagles.
Periphas technically was Zeus’ first eagle. It all started with him as he was forced into servitude, yielding his power under Zeus’ orders. Decades of his loyal service rewarded him with becoming a constellation. As a gift in return, Periphas boundhis descendants to work together as a group. Each stripped of their own personality and named Aetos Dios, they are the specific unit assigned to protect Zeus.
It’s a high honor among the creatures in Olympus, but a shitty position to be in. They’re the personal messengers of Zeus, the god who fails to consider the risk he puts them or anyone in. Over the last century alone, half the birds have died serving him and are buried in our Golden Meadow.
Aetos Dios’ wings curl, forcing my feet to plant themselves in the dirt, my body pushing against the wind as he glides his way down. Once his claws touch the gravel, I relax, watching him lower his head to pierce his blazing red eyes into mine.Glad you made it in time. An order came through for an immediate meeting this morning. There’s been disorder, but no one has left the Feast Hall, which is putting him on edge. He’ll call upon you when ready.He pauses for a minute before continuing with a warning.Do as he says, Alexius. Stay quiet and don’t react. Keep yourself off of his tasks today.
He dips his head, feathers blowing in the wind, and I do the same in return, respecting him for who he is. I’ve known him since I was a child, thrown into training by Zeus himself because I was born with the power to connect with them. Leave it to me to have a bird as one of the best companions I have. He’s loyal to Zeus by the power of the stars, yet our bond has grown strong. Over our time together, he puts himself in danger for me by keeping his eyes and ears open when I need him to. This is the only eagle I have communicated with over the last few decades. I’ve come to trust him.
Thank you, Aetos Dios,I push out as he spreads his wings, taking off, and I turn to face the place I dread most, Zeus’ Hall.
As I walk up the steps, the white building shines with the sparkles of the gold lined within it, blinding me. Witha weighty sigh, I push the heavy glass doors open, entering the Golden Hall.
Hephaestus designed it himself, forced to make Zeus’ home greater than any other gods’. He succeeded. If the Halls of the Gods represent the royalty, this palace honors the King, reminding us all how little we matter. Similar to the outside, he decorated the white stone walls with gold trim reaching high into the glass ceilings. It coaxes your view into the sky above. The sun's rays shining inward against the gold-flecked pillars reflect off the white marble floors, all mixing together to brighten the Halls and lines of sculptures along the walls. Each step pulls you face to face with Zeus. It creeped me out as a kid. Still does, centuries later.
I listen to the bird and stay put at the entryway. It’s between the Feast Hall and the personal chambers, giving me a view of every angle I need.
Seconds tick by and the noise from the Feast Hall hits my ears, growing louder and louder. They are slurring and yelling at each other, betting against one another. I’ve been there enough to know that at least ten of them are sitting under Zeus’ throne, drinking and waiting for him to come back to hold up his portals. He only gives them brief glimpses of the Mortal World, controlling how much he wishes them to see. Hopefully it’s enough and they will figure this shit out.
A shift happened a few days ago and it’s causing problems. It started as a low vibration, comparable to an itch under your skin. It grew in strength rapidly, overwhelming my senses with a power I have never known. An intense force erupting through me. We tried to pinpoint the location as soon as it hit, when it was the strongest, but then it leveled out just as quickly as it came, disappearing from our sight. Since that day, Zeus has ordered the most powerful gods to return to Olympus until it’sfound. Unlike him, I don’t give a shit about the shift, besides the complications it’s bringing. It’s hard enough staying under the radar. Now it adds more eyes my way.
My head snaps up as I hear the creek of the doors opening and the Goddess of Love flashes her smile my way. “Why, Alexius, I thought it was you. It’s been a while since I saw your handsome face,” she says, swaying her hips, prowling towards me.
She’s known as the Goddess of Beauty for a reason. It’s fitting, every inch of her has curves in the right places, keeping you entranced. Her voice makes men melt at her feet, giving her the chance to cage them in. She’s the definition of enticing.
“I’ve missed you, sweet warrior,” she purrs, letting her long fingers find the rim of my jeans. Then she pushes them under my shirt, against my bare skin, keeping her eyes fixated on mine. They’re burning with lust. The golden rings swirl around, mixing into the electric blue of her irises, only intensifying as her pink, rosy lips turn into a small smirk.
Her fingers dip into my jeans, tugging me forward, forcing her naked body against mine. “Oops,” she says, tilting her head and allowing her lips to graze against my strained skin. She exhales with purpose, a soft warm breath against me. “I do hope you came to see me,” she sings, tracing her fingers lower, building the tension of this moment.
I push her away, sending her unwanted heat along with her. She enjoys playing her games. Most of all when she has the chance to use her power and she catches me off guard. You would think she’s learned I lose my patience as quickly as any other ruling god.
“Come on. You used to be so much fun,” she says, leveling her voice, breaking the last of the trance she held over me, and giggling away.
“Cut the shit. You and I both know I only come here when necessary.”
She purses her lips in a smirk and her eyes glow with a hint of amusement, increasing the tension building in my muscles. “What is it, Aphrodite?”
“You have new orders, you know. And the mortals are always so fascinating, don’t you agree?” she says with mischief in her tone, playing another card in her deck, trying to push me over the edge. I don’t hate the mortals. It just so happens that I only ever go to their world for one reason. One Idohate.
“Lose that frown, they’re not all bad.” She slings her arms around me, forcing me into another hug, letting her lips land on the corner of my mouth and lingering for a second too long. Thankfully, the door on the opposite end opens and she pulls back just in time, stopping my anger from igniting. She’s not innocent by any means. She’s powerful, vindictive even, but still not a complete bitch. I have no reason to hurt her.
“Have fun,” she teases, turning and sauntering back into the Feast Hall, giggling the entire time. I, on other hand, straighten my spine and inhale a lung full of air before walking towards the open door.
My body relaxes a fraction, noticing it’s only Zeus sitting on his royal seat in the greeting room. He’s wearing his signature white robe, making him look like a carbon copy of the ridiculous depictions the mortals have of us. When Zeus wears them it means only thing, there will be entertainment for him today.
As I walk forward, his head remains locked downward, his eyes unwavering from the liquid inside his goblet and his other hand holding his prized golden chocolate balls, twisting them around. I roll my shoulders, shifting my feet, looking around the room as I wait.
This area is the entryway leading into the personal chambers of Zeus and Hera. Unlike the rest of the Hall, this room lacks the booming personality. The walls still reflect the golden shine, but not a single portrait or decoration hangs. It’s bare, except for a small table placed in the corner, collecting dust and lined with three chairs facing away from the enormous fireplace. It’s doors hang open displaying the ever-burning fire, and it expands from one side of the wall towards the other, filling the room with warmth. The only thing placed in its view is Zeus’ stage. It’s nothing like the Feast Hall, where he sits up high. Not in this room. Here, he’s just a step above the rest of us and the only barrier between me and the personal chambers.
The motion of his hand popping a ball into his mouth catches my attention and he signals for me to join him. Guess five minutes of waiting was enough.
I reach forward, pulling out one of the wooden chairs, and placing it underneath his stern stare. Familiar, stone-cold eyes, vacant of any emotion, scan my body. He’s unreadable, thoughts locked away as he assesses me, comparing how similar we are. I either piss him off or there’s a fraction of pride in the smirk he gives me. Whichever way he sees it, it fades and his gaze moves towards the crackling of fire behind me.
