Page 40 of Immortal Sun (Dark Olympus)

CHAPTER 40

CYRUS

“When men encounter enemies in the fight, a robust heart is better than a sharp sword.”– Volsunga, ch.19.

I t’s been ages.

The immortals have always cohesively lived on this plane but right now I have no idea if Apep has been busy grabbing more followers.

I don’t want to go where my power isn’t all consuming, but I know that’s exactly where he will be. Near the island, waiting.

Are Inti and Enki going with him?

Or will they fight for me?

My golden armor plates around my body, my boots come up to my thighs, my red cape drapes down my back, and without looking, I know I hold The Spear of Ra in my hand, heavy with the burden of life and death.

My eyes have never been more focused. I look away from the tree, though, as I walk outside. The sun of my helmet shines in the moonlight casting a glow across the grass and rocky cliffs.

A roar sounds as Ken lifts up his tentacles from the sea.

I know whose side he’s on.

And I know it’s mine, but will he fight?

Another thunderous roar escapes the sea and then nothing but silence. I feel him, though, his presence.

In all black armor, with spears sticking out of every single part of him, including his face, stands a man, his skin a beautiful black to match his armor, his hair pure white.

He holds his blue trident, the trident of the sea in his right hand.

“I thought I owed you a favor.”

He looks over at me. “I’ve been dying for a fight.”

“Once a kraken always a kraken.”

“You made me this way.”

“Are you complaining?”

“I’m in constant pain, but no, should I thank you?”

I smile for the first time that day. “It’s good to see you in human form.”

I wait for Tyrell, Kratos, and Daggon. Soon they appear next to us in their full armor.

So it’s four against the old gods just for today. Anubis and Cassius probably already returned to report on what happened. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Thunder booms overhead, clouds begin to part, then an eerie silence covers the space around us, thick with tension.

The air is heavy. It smells like honeysuckle and lilac.

“Well, shit.” Tyrell looks down. “That’s why you only text and never answer phone calls.”

“What?” I peer over at him.

“Best to ask forgiveness than permission.” He slams his hands together creating the sound of thunder. The skies open farther.

And a thousand fallen angels march out with silver and black armor, they form lines across the beach, followed by Cassius and Anubis, and standing next to them is Horus who I haven’t seen in ages—Mason a werewolf, King of the Earth, Ethan a vampire who hates everyone, and finally, one of my descendants from so very long ago, a male siren with just enough of my immortal blood within him to make him a serious threat to the world—Alex. Their wives, goddesses of the earth in their own rights, stand next to them, eyes full of fury.

And then they come.

The gods of Olympus descend onto the sand with one final clap of thunder.

“I failed.” I confess to myself as I manage to walk down the rock stairs one last time. I manage to make it across the beach of a thousand soldiers staring straight ahead at the water ready for war—ready to stand under the burden of the sun.

I approach the final thirteen gods of Olympus.

Gaia is still beautiful, her jet-black hair falls down past her waist; she’s in black armor and still refuses to wear a helmet since her beauty is her weapon.

According to her.

Full pale lips form into a tight line. “So is it the beginning or the end, Ra? Only we can decide what happens, and yet you still plan to go against the other immortals you know Apep has pulled to his side? You know he’ll be manipulating them even now.”

I nod. “Yes, I know, Gaia.”

“And what do you think, Mars?”

Mars shakes his head, he’s shirtless as he often is, and wearing a pair of jeans and sneakers that he probably just bought before coming here. He has two swords strapped to his back, and his hair is pulled up on top of his head. “Hard to say.”

“You don’t need to help us,” I say. “Go back to Olympus, this isn’t your fight.”

Mars laughs. “It may not be our fight, but we will always protect you. He cheated. Therefore, it’s null and void, your test. Have you forgotten yourself so easily after each sacrifice, you are the very sun we need to survive? Life isn’t so easy, Ra. It is about sacrifice, but it seems the more power you lose the more desperate you are to find, the more you convince yourself you really don’t have a choice.” He peers around Gaia. “Well, do you? Do you have a choice?”

“We’re talking about Chaos ruling the world I shake my head. So, no.”

“Destinies change. So do fates,” Gaia says. “It is how they created the worlds, so why would this be different? You are powerful, and now you are blinded by true love and revenge all at the same time.”

“Go.” Mars drives one of his swords into the beach. It starts to rumble, the water parts as a blood-red bridge in front of us and on the other side stands Apep, Enki, and the remaining fallen gods.

Tyr, God of War.

Delling, God of Dawn.

Nemesis, the God of Revenge, next to Fury.

And Jake.

I take a step forward.

Jake is holding a sword, his hands red with blood, his eyes matching them. His hair runs down his back in white braids, he’s standing next to Apep with a cruel smile on his face.

“Not yet,” Gaia speaks softly. “He’s Apep’s son. She has descended, he has ascended and Apep has secretly stored forbidden power within him as well. He’s created a weapon.

Power corrupts, dear Ra, absolutely. You know this. I sense the power of Apep within him. I do not know how or what happened but he is storing it.”

I fall to my knees in agony. “WHY!”

“Go.” Gaia’s whisper carries across the wind. “Go search for her, go to the depths of the underworld. We will take care until we cannot.”

“And if you die?” I’m on my knees.

Mars’s hands slowly move to his other sword. His eyes are pure black, his hair is in blue braids that fall over his chest. His brows are heavily slanted, his skin a light brown.

He turns toward me, smile sad. “What better destiny? To die for those you created. Love, after all, exists even in agony, my friend. Go. We have been stagnant for too long.”

“I’ve been hesitant. I’ve lost the warmth of the sun.” I shake my head. “I’m not worthy?—”

“Stop stalling,” Mars snaps. “And find her.”

I get up slowly and start to walk away when he continues. “Love, Ra, her love was her sacrifice.”

The last thing I see when I look over my shoulder is Mars tossing a sword into the sky, and a thousand arrows falling across the island.

And so, the great battle between immortals and Chaos, the final battle between good and evil, power and control…

Begins.