Evening had fallen, and everyone had dispersed to their homes. Kaelric and I had decided to clean the house.
I say "we" because equality matters here. No one person does everything; everything is shared.
As we worked in the back yard, a sudden noise and a flash of light made us freeze. We glanced at each other, instinctively grabbing anything we could use to defend ourselves. When I looked closer, I realized—it was Zeus. That old, decrepit god. Surely, he had sent us here.
"Zeus!" I shouted.
"Greetings, my grandchild," Zeus replied. In his voice, I sensed disgust—a god unhappy that his legacy had passed into a woman's hands.
"Great Zeus," Kaelric said.
Was he bowing to a man? No, it was Zeus, but still…
Zeus's gaze sharpened. "You, Zeythara… will you not bow before the great Zeus?"
"When have you ever seen me bow before a man?" I shot back.
Lights flickered across the backyard, and the wind whispered through the trees. Zeus's eyes darkened; the traces of his ancient wrath were unmistakable. "I sent you here," his voice thundered like a storm. "Every step you take, every breath you draw, is part of my design."
My eyes locked with his. "You… you are the one who sent us here?"
He nodded slightly, a cruel, mocking smile playing on his lips. "Yes. My legacy has passed into a woman's hands, and I intend to destroy it. I will test your power, push your limits. Only then will true obedience come."
Kaelric stepped behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "God… what do you plan to do to your grandchild?" he asked, his tone laced with mockery, though inwardly I felt a thrill at his words. Then I noticed the figure standing beside him—Zeus himself, radiating power.
Stepping forward, Zeus cast his shadows across the yard. "You display your strength, but remember: every light casts a shadow. Your weakness intrigues me as much as your power."
I drew in a deep breath. "You cannot diminish me. Try all you want, but my will is stronger than yours."
Zeus laughed as he withdrew slightly. "We shall see, my grandchild. I will test your strength… and learn your limits."
Suddenly, the lights around the yard flared as if nature itself had become part of his plan. Kaelric and I exchanged a glance—there was no turning back. Zeus had brought us here, his sole purpose to strip me of my power.
"I see… you took all the strength in my hands to send me here, and now you dare challenge me? Where is your justice?" I said, a small, knowing smirk curving my lips.
"Is that so?" Zeus murmured.
A beam of light struck him, hurling him away. He crashed to the ground, the villagers surrounding us staring in shock.
Kaelric and I approached him, and Zeus looked up at me, utterly stunned.
"Really?" I said, unleashing a booming laugh that echoed through the empty yard.