They sat around the chamber, Staring at Zeus in silence as the truth settled in like a weight in the air.
Cronus spoke first, his voice barely audible. "What...did we just do?"
Zeus inhaled sharply, and they all swallowed what they had to say, watching him.
For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then his finger twitched.
Gwen stiffened, Cronus straightened, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
Metis held her breath as Zeus opened his eyes.
He stared at the ceiling, slowly taking in the sight around him.
He shifted slightly and stopped.
There was no pain.
He sat up quickly.
They were all looking at him, and they did not look relieved. They were solemn.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
He asked hoarsely.
They remained silent, Cronus and Gwen looking at Metis to explain.
She hesitated, then sighed.
"They're inside of you."
Zeus frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Void spirits," she explained. "Abyssal creatures I think." She pinched between her brows, sighing loudly.
"I only ever saw one eons of years ago, and that is how it was, only this time they were much." She added sighing again.
Zeus looked to Cronus to explain, but he shook his head. "I don't know. I only noticed them around the walls and ceilings, and traced them to you."
"They sealed themselves inside you when your heart restarted." Gwen said.
"What?" Zeus asked getting out of the bed. He felt really strong and complete, something he had never felt before.
"We did everything we could to get them out." Cronus said to assure Zeus, mistaking his shocked expression for one of betrayal.
"It's...fine." He said after a while. "I feel okay."
They all sighed in relief, exhaustion taking over.
Cronus exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples.
"Thats enough for tonight." Metis turned to Cronus and Gwen. "We should all go get some rest, its been an exhausting day."
They both nodded in agreement, whatever little strength they had was already gone. Cronus patted Zeus on the shoulder. "I'll go get some rest now."
Gwen hugged him tightly, a tear falling down her cheek as she let him go. He wiped the tear off her face, hugging her again. "Welcome back." She told him, following Cronus out.
Metis turned to Zeus as soon as they both exited the room.
"You'll need to be careful." She started, Zeus listening attentively. "Your father can't find out. We don't know what the council might do otherwise." He nodded in understanding.
She walked to him and embraced him, her voice choked with emotion. "I thought I lost you there for a second." She said releasing him to look at him. "My darling boy." She whispered, caressing his cheek slowly.
He noticed the bags under her eyes, her shoulders stiff.
"I am sorry." He said.
"Don't be." She chastised him.
"I will go get some rest now." She said letting him go. "You should too, we don't know what it will do to you." He nodded in agreement, watching as she walked out and shut the door behind her.
He waited a while, inspecting both his hand. The power coursing in his veins felt empowering.
He stretched out his hand, and his staff appeared. It was thicker, heavier. It was also easy to conjure now without transforming.
He released it from his hand and it vanished into thin air.
The room reeked of herbs and tonics. He walked to the window facing outside and opened it wide, closing his eyes as a cold breeze blew at him.
Behind fortress Khronos, at the very top of the hill, Zeus stood looking beyond, watching the trees sway gently with the breeze, his robes gently fluttering along. The setting sun cast long shadows across the hill, the crescent moon hanging in the sky with an air of detachment.
Cronus approached from down the hill, the sound of stones and rocks falling and being trampled on, alerting Zeus to his presence. Zeus turned slightly, and Cronus teleported to his side. They both stood in silence, gazing out at the trees.
"How do you feel?" Cronus asked, his voice low and measured, his eyes squinted due to the breeze.
Zeus glanced at him briefly, and gazed at the trees, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the question. "I feel... oddly strong." He said, his voice still laced with a hint of disbelief.
Cronus turned to him, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "How strong?"
Zeus expression turned confident, disbelief fading away. "I feel strong enough to do anything, so strong that I feel I could beat you."
Cronus laughed at Zeus words, his eyebrows raised. "Really?" He drawled, his voice dripping with doubt. Zeus looked at him, his expression mock-offended. "Should we put it to test." He suggested, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Cronus shook his head, a hint of smile on his lips. "I don't think you are strong enough yet. I wouldn't want to hurt you." He said confidently, his words bordering on arrogance.
"Fine then," Zeus replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "How about we play hide and seek. To make you feel better, I'll hide, and you seek."
Cronus was still unconvinced, and hesitated before he nodded. "Okay, but only once." He added.
Zeus vanished before Cronus could finish speaking.
Cronus laughed out loud, vanishing also.
The forest beyond erupted into a flurry of movement, with Cronus appearing and disappearing in search of Zeus. Time and again, Zeus would appear before him, and vanish before he could land a punch. Only to appear behind him and land a light punch of his own before vanishing again.
Cronus frustration grew with every passing moment. He had never lost at any game before.
He was determined to catch Zeus, but Zeus always seemed to be one step ahead. The chase continued for what felt like an eternity, the sun's rays disappearing, the moon taking over, rising high in the sky.
As the moons pale light illuminated the forest, Cronus stumbled, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Zeus appeared before him, a smug smile on his face. "I warned you. I told you I would beat you." He said, his eyes glinting with triumph.
Cronus eyes narrowed, his hands waving dismissively. "Its only because of those things inside of you." He said his voice a mix of admiration and wariness.
Zeus smile faltered for a moment, his voice laced with acceptance. "I still beat you," he said his voice firm. "Or you want to try again?"
Cronus shook his head, raising his left hand in a gesture of surrender, gulping in air greedily.
"I don't think that is necessary." He said. "Let's head back."
They walked a while, Cronus lagging behind. Zeus turned around and held onto Cronus, teleporting to the back of the fortress.
As they walked towards the back door, Zeus stumbled, his knees giving out beneath him.
Cronus was by his side in an instant watching as he coughed up thick, crimson blood. Cronus held him upright, his face contorting in pain, his eyes wide with fear. He clutched tight onto his chest.
"My heart... I can't, I can't breathe." He gasped, trying to force air into his lungs.
Cronus eyes flashed with concern, and he used the last bit of his strength to teleport them back to Zeus' bedroom.
Zeus made for the window, and Cronus opened them up for him, staying with him till he could breathe again. He helped Zeus to his bed, and turned to go and fetch Metis. Zeus hand shot out grasping Cronus wrist with surprising strength.
"I am okay." He whispered, his voice strained.
Cronus tried to shake him off, but Zeus held on tight. "You are not," Cronus insisted. "let me fetch Metis."
Zeus' grip tightened, threatening to snap his wrist. He looked up at Cronus with fierce determination. "I said I am okay."
For a moment, the two of them locked eyes intensely, their faces inches apart. Then Cronus conceded, nodding his head in agreement, and Zeus relaxed, easing his grip around Cronus wrist.
"But I will stay here with you," Cronus said, his voice soft. "Until I am sure that you are okay."
Zeus nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He gritted his teeth, and adjusted his position, patting the space beside him for Cronus to stay.
Cronus lay down besides him, on top of the blanket. They both stared at the ceiling in silence, their faces somber.
"Does it still hurt, do you feel better now?" Cronus asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zeus nodded his head again. "It does not hurt as much as it did anymore."
As they lay there in the silence, the breeze blowing in gently, Cronus could not help but wonder how this would affect Zeus future, and whether the newfound powers would ultimately lead to his downfall. Zeus too wondered, he had used and relied on the shadows before, but they had never hurt him. Was his life the price he would have to pay for this power he now possessed.
They both looked at each other their minds locked in fear of the unknown.