Page 80 of Crimson Skies

It took a moment for Cassius to realize the sound they were hearing was Chaos chortling.

Loki tugged on his armor. “Am I imagining things or did Chaos just tell a joke?!” he hissed.

Cassius exchanged a mystified look with Atropos.

“I think he did,” the Moira mumbled.

They faltered before slowly putting away their weapons.

“AH, THAT WAS A GOOD LAUGH,” Chaos chuckled. “NOW, HOW ABOUT WE ALL HAVE A NICE, LONG TALK?”

Something shifted in the darkness. Shadows coalesced, forming a silhouette. A tall man with a striking face and wild, dark hair walked out of the void and joined them, his inky robes sparking with the lights of newborn stars.

“It will be easier for us to converse when I am in this form,” Chaos said, his obsidian eyes swimming with the secrets of the universe.

* * *

Atropos’s mouthwent dry as Chaos settled down comfortably opposite her.

Never in a million years could she have imagined that she would be sitting around a fire one day in the Abyss, talking to the first Primordial God.

A jug and five glasses appeared out of thin air next to Chaos. She blinked.

“Drink, anyone?” the God asked mildly.

Hypnos clapped his hands. “Yay!Ambrosia!”

Chaos served his cheerful grandson before meeting their shocked stares.

“You have ambrosia in the Abyss?” Cassius said skeptically.

Chaos arched an eyebrow. “Iamthe God of Creation.”

Cassius flushed. Mischief flashed in Chaos’s eyes.

Atropos swallowed a snort. Cassius shot her an accusing look.

“I’m sorry,” she choked, biting her lip. “But that was really funny.”

She couldn’t help bursting out laughing as his expression grew even more aggravated.

Chaos smiled. “You remind me of Nyx, child.”

Atropos startled. “I do?”

“Yes.You possess the same will to fight too.”

Surprise jolted her at that.

They accepted the drinks Chaos served them.

Loki examined the glittering contents of his glass with a trace of unease. “This isn’t like one of those potions where if we drink it, we’re bound to this realm forever, right?”

Chaos stared. “What an intriguing idea.”

Atropos’s shoulders knotted. Cassius straightened, wariness creeping across his face.

“But no,” Chaos said, deadpan. “It is simply ambrosia.”