Rising Tension

“They lost against Nikolas?”

“The god slayer?”

“I hear he left for the underworld to retrieve the woman he traveled with.”

“What? Are they crazy? They’ll end the world! What are the gods doing?”

Damon drinks at a bar near his village. Since the revival of the river, he often travels to spread word about it and the opportunity to use it without fear of retaliation from any lord. With time he hopes it will bring trade back to his village and many others.

His travels also keep him wise of mortal sentiment, the most popular now of Nikolas and the god. Many speak ill words of Nikolas and the gods, the combined hatred only building as mortals fear what may come should Nikolas find Calista.

“We can’t allow this!”

“They’re doing it again. They may have a way to live past calamity, they’re forsaking us.”

“They tried and lost. The new gods are weak, they’ll only protect themselves if they must.”

“What if they doubt the laws?” Damon’s question quiets the bar.

“Doubt the law?” A horde surrounds Damon. “Are you insane? We can’t trust Nikolas, and the gods have clearly abandoned us once again.”

“I trust Nikolas.” Damon said. “You all may deny it but he and his team saved us. The gods allowed him into the underworld, does that not mean they too doubt such laws? Do you all wish to remain separate as we are?”

“Quiet Damon! You’ve always sympathized with Nikolas and his team of mistakes! He seeks to end this world out of hatred!”

“Nikolas would do no such thing! It is you all who should follow their examples and gather the courage to challenge your beliefs and that of others.”

“Do you want this world to end?!”

“If it remains one where both sides are reluctant to speak with each other then yes!”

The bar erupts into skirmishes. Some reeled in by Damon’s words, others furious by the suggestion of breaking the laws. Whatever they’re anger derives from, the skirmish lasts for an hour before all parties leave bloodied and bruised.

“They call us weak! Cowards! Our legacies begin with shame because of you Alexios!” Helen tosses a wine cup at Alexios who dodges it with ease.

The four gods meet in the Abode of Gods weeks after the battle against Nikolas. The fallout from the battle is one that brings shame to their name, mortals and Olympians alike are furious at the defeat. Furthermore, mortals are uniting, thoughts of protests and even taking charge now common.

“Calm down, Helen. There is still time to correct this mistake.” Ourantos said.

“But the damage is done! As we speak, mortals gather and are speaking of revolting. They wish for our heads now, they believe we’ll allow the calamity to occur.”

“Then we show that we will prevent it. Alexios, you may have made a mistake. I say we find Nikolas and bring him here, imprison him for his actions and end it.”

“No.” Alexios said.

“Why? Do you believe yourself strong enough to combat calamity?”

“With you all here I have no such fear. But I do not worry about calamity, I do not believe such a thing will occur. All because of a relationship between an Olympian and a mortal? Is that not ridiculous? Helen, you aren’t furious about the relationship yourself, only of the outcome of the battle.”

Helen relents. “It is ridiculous. Love will not bring calamity; I too doubt the law. But your decision has left us in a difficult position.”

“Then we must take action, but not against Nikolas or Calista.” Pelagon said. “We speak with the mortals. Explain that we doubt the law and will protect them should we be wrong.”

“I object.” Ourantos stands. “Not only are we unsure if we can even protect them from the consequences of breaking such a law, respect for other laws will also diminish. I will go search for their group personally if I must, but we cannot lose any more authority.”

“No.” Pelagon stands in Ourantos’s way. “Allowing such division is the reason our worlds are at danger of war once more. We’ve had ten years yet little progress has been made. We must support them and use the opportunity.”

“Unity does not mean we must break laws, Pelagon.”

“Unity requires sacrifice and understanding. If we cannot love each other then our worlds will continue to clash. Please, Ourantos, I do not wish to fight you.”

The two gods rush each other, words not enough to convince one another. Before their strikes land however, their bodies are suspended in midair.

“Thank you, Helen.”

“Alexios, I am still furious at you. Your decision has divided us, and now tension is rising fast enough to make the possibility of war reality.”

“But you will support me. I promise to prevent a war at all cost.”

“To think I would support you despite all the grievances I hold against you. But even I have my beliefs. I will hold them here, your task is a much more difficult one so I wish you luck.”

Alexios spent the next day calming Olympians. Many were afraid of calamity, others furious at mortals for the threats of war. His words were enough to prevent any Olympian from retaliating in the mortal realm, but it is only a temporary measure.

Where Alexios must focus is the mortal realm.

Today, Alexios arrives at the foot of Mount Olympus’s stairs. The guards here bow at him, though his eyes focus on the concerned and angered looks within the city.

Alexios approaches many, some unwilling to speak even to him, others too afraid, but there are a handful willing.

“Why did you not stop them?”

“Are we going to die?”

“We can’t trust you.”

“Leave. Just as you all have done already.”

“Nikolas must be angry; he must wish to end this world now.”

“No.” Alexios said. “I believe his reasoning is beautiful, though I cannot guarantee what will come of it.”

Alexios could only respond to the last mortal he spoke to, his words failed him with the others as he had little idea of how to calm their worries or give them hope.

“I was chosen for strength, but is that enough? Perhaps, I should go to where you both found the strength to oppose even us.”

Alexios arrives at Damon’s village, his reception similar to that of the people of Dion. Some are shocked by his appearance, but the looks of disdain are plentiful.

“Some of us do appreciate your visit.” Damon said.

“Unfortunately, I have no healing abilities, though you seem not to mind those injuries.” Alexios said.

“Hahaha, please, these bruises are nothing compared to those I received during the war.”

“You were one of the heroes?”

“I had no such honor or skill, only the hope that we could see better days.”

“And does that hope still live on?”

“You know, for many years it dwindled. But a certain duo has brought it back by force, and I am happy it has.”

“I see. Then you are in support of them. But what if we are wrong? We could be powerless against the consequences; I may bring that upon us.”

“Do you wish to see such a world? In my eyes, you are powerful enough, but you have no desire to keep a divided world safe.”

“Is that fair to the others?”

Damon hits Alexios with his stick. “You young ones have narrow views. The end of this world does not mean the end of it all.”

Alexios smiles. “I will lose my seat for allowing such a thing.”

“Far from it, Alexios will be known as the god that sought a better world. You’ve always done so. The first Olympian to wield a sword against the gods, hah! You cannot fear some laws now, raise your blade once more young man.” Damon points to the village and Mount Olympus. “Do it for them once more. I know many will support you. Many will hate you because they are afraid. I cannot bring them courage; my body ages, but I have heart still. I will find you all support, but you must fight as Nikolas and his friends do.”

Alexios pinches his arm, pulling blood and wiping it away. “Damon, thank you sir.”

“Sir, hehe, I am old now. Shall I show you where many gather?”

“Please.”

Alexios arrives at the village bar, now a gathering for many passing by the thriving village since the revival of the river.

Everyone stares at Alexios. The young god holds his head high, even with the overwhelming hatred sent his way.

“May I share a drink with you?”

For hours, Alexios drinks with the villagers. News of his presence spreads like wildfire alongside the fact that all are voicing their concerns without fear.

As more rush to the bar, they are able to capture and record the event on paper.

“We will not abandon you!” Alexios said.

“But you have, many times over! And now you wish for us to support such a dangerous plan?”

“Yes! I swear upon my seat that I will make it work. Even if you are afraid, I will never falter.”

“Afraid?! We only fear because of precedence!”

“Then starting today, I will visit you all everyday. I will make my presence known.”

The room becomes quiet. Alexios' main drinking partner struggles to stand as others watch on.

“Fine. But that may not be enough to convince others, Alexios. Now that they know that you support Nikolas and Calista, they will protest. Will you be able to stop them without force?”

“If I must. I will make sure the Olympians do not retaliate.”

“Then only time will tell. Listen here, young god, when calamity comes, and you stand before it with your blade raised, you have my word that mortals will stand behind you. But that responsibility now lies on you.”

“And it is because of your support that we will prevail.”

Damon watches from the end of the room as an Olympian god and a mortal share drinks like best friends. At last able to voice themselves, the group inside will begin a united effort for a dangerous plan, one which could spell calamity.

For many, it is the possibility of a new world.

But it is not enough. Even as Alexios keeps his promise to visit every day, large groups gather to protest. Their voices loud, the tension increasing, their march to Dion threatens a war reminiscent of that when the gods fell.