Demi-God

Lucian and Linus slipped out of Thais's opulent house. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional distant bark of a dog or the murmur of voices from behind closed doors. Lucian's mind was filled with questions and frustrations while his body still aches from his recent ordeal.

"Do you have any idea what happened to me last time?" He began.

"I did. You had a fight with that Mira girl."

"Yes, and I almost died because of the hunger."

"I told you that your hunger would be your downfall."

Lucian stopped walking, turning to face his uncle. "And that's it? That's all you have to say? I was trapped in a cell, starving, and you didn't even try to help me escape."

"I fully believed in your ability to handle the situation. You're stronger than you realize."

"That's not the point," he growled. "It's weird, you know? We're supposedly related, and you don't even have the slightest empathy to lift a finger to help me. What kind of family does that?"

For a moment, Linus was silent. When he spoke, his voice was softer. "I apologize. I don't fully understand the concept of empathy. It's... a human thing, not something gods typically concern themselves with."

"What?"

"To the gods, danger is a constant from the moment we're born," Linus explained. "We're thrust into perilous situations from a young age. It's how we learn, how we grow stronger."

"That's appalling. You're telling me that gods don't care about their children? That they just throw them to the wolves and hope for the best?"

"It's not about not caring. It's about believing in their strength and their ability to overcome challenges."

"Aren’t you guys worried that your kids are going to…" Lucian stopped when he realized that gods are immortals. "Oh, yeah. Scratch that. I forgot you guys cannot die."

"Immortality is a gift that is given to us, yes."

Lucian resumed walking. "Well, I'm not a full god, am I? I'm half-human, and the human part of me thinks that's a shitty way to treat family."

"I'm trying to understand," Linus said, keeping pace with him. "This is new territory for me too. I've never had a half-human nephew before."

"Maybe you could start by actually helping when I'm in danger, or at least giving me a heads up about the life-threatening aspects of these powers I have."

"I see your point. I'll try to be more... forthcoming with information in the future. And more present when you're in trouble."

"That'd be a nice change."

They walked in silence for a few moments before Linus spoke again. "There's more you need to know. About your heritage, your powers, and the dangers that lie ahead."

"Of course there is," Lucian sighed heavily. "Because apparently, nearly starving to death in a cell wasn't enough excitement for one day."

"I know it's a lot to take in. But the more you understand, the better prepared you'll be."

Lucian stopped again, leaning against a nearby wall. "Fine. Tell me what I need to know. But first, answer me this: why didn't my mother warn me about any of this? Why did she leave me in the dark?"

"That's... complicated," Linus's face clouded. "Your mother had her reasons for keeping you in the dark. Reasons that, I suspect, have to do with the force that's pursuing her."

"The mysterious god that Thais said?"

"Yes," Linus nodded. "But before we get into that, there's something else you need to understand about your powers. Something that might help explain the hunger you've been experiencing."

Lucian crossed his arms. "About that, I had this small window when my hunger pains disappeared. What’s up with that?"

"That’s just your body reacting to the pain. It’s pumping more blood when you’re alert, a natural occurrence to a human’s body."

"Oh, I thought it’s a power that I have."

"You do. In your human side."

As they strolled through the city, Lucian was drawn to the imposing structure of Athena's temple. Its marble columns stretched towards the sky. He paused, taking in the familiar sight that reminded him of home.

"Uncle," he said. "This reminds me of the temple back in Sparta. My sister Lexi and I used to worship there."

"Ah, yes. Athena's temples are quite similar across Greece."

Lucian's brow furrowed as a thought struck him. "You know, I've always wondered... Am I related to Athena in some way? I mean, if Artemis is my mother, and you're my uncle..."

Linus chuckled, shaking his head. "The family tree of the gods is a complex one. While Athena and Artemis are both daughters of Zeus, they're not directly related to you in the way you might think. Your connection is more... distant."

"It's all so confusing. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever truly understand it all."

"Give it time," Linus said, patting his shoulder. "Understanding one's divine heritage isn't something that happens overnight. But speaking of Artemis and Athena, did I ever tell you about some of their adventures together?"

"No, you haven't. What kind of adventures?"

"Well, there was this one time on Mount Olympus when a group of Cyclopes decided to cause trouble. Artemis and Athena teamed up to deal with them."

"Really?" Lucian leaned in. "What happened?"

"It was quite the sight. The Cyclopes had somehow managed to sneak onto Olympus, and they were wreaking havoc in the gardens. Artemis spotted them first and immediately called for Athena's help."

Lucian could almost picture the scene in his mind. "I bet they made quite the team."

"Oh, they did. Artemis with her bow and Athena with her spear – they were a force to be reckoned with. The Cyclopes didn't stand a chance."

"Did you see it happen?"

"I did indeed. I was there as their healer, though thankfully, my services weren't needed that day."

"Healer? Gods needs healing?"

"Correct. Though we’re immortal, we can still sustain injuries in the heat of battle. It's rare, but it's not unheard of for us to seek restoration through powers such as mine."

"Wow, I never knew that. So what happened to the Cyclopes?"

"Your mother and Athena handled them with such skill and grace, it was almost like watching a dance."

"That's incredible. I wish I could have seen it."

Linus's expression softened. "You have your own adventures ahead of you. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll fight alongside the gods yourself."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of responsibility."

"You will be. In time. For now, focus on the task at hand. Remember why you're here in Thrace."

"Right. We need to find out more about the Persians and that dead Spartan scout."

"Exactly. But don't forget to enjoy moments like these, too. Learning about your heritage, understanding where you come from – it's all part of becoming who you're meant to be."

As they continued their walk, Lucian found himself lost in thought, imagining his mother and Athena battling Cyclopes. It all seemed so fantastical.

"Thais said that my mother was running away from a god. Is that true?" Lucian asked, passing by a fountain.

"The Whisperer’s deduction is impeccable. She’s right. Artemis was running away from a god."

"Do you happen to know who that god is?"

"I’m afraid I don’t know myself. I was away when my sister went to the human world. I only heard it when she told me."

"Where were you?"

Linus paused, a shadow crossing his face. "I was on a journey of my own, delving into the depths of Tartarus."

"Tartarus? Why would you go there?"

"I was assigned by my father to check the gates of Tartarus if the titans escaped. We received reports of strange occurrences, rifts in the mortal world that seemed to lead back there. It was a harrowing task, but necessary. The titans must never be allowed to return."

"What did you find?"

"Thankfully, the titans remained imprisoned."

Lucian saw something in his uncle’s expression, like he’s holding back crucial information. "But that's not the end of that story, right?"

Linus chuckled. "You noticed that, huh?"

"Yeah. It’s written all over your face. So what was it?"

"The reports that were given, they were—"

"False."

"Correct, like someone planted them there. To distract me."

"Why you?"

"Let me show you," Linus reached out and took Lucian's hand. "Close your eyes."

He hesitated for a moment, then complied. As his eyelids fell shut, a blinding flash erupted behind them. The sensation was disorienting, like being pulled in all directions at once. When the feeling subsided, Lucian opened his eyes and found himself in a place he'd never seen before.

The landscape that stretched out before him was alien and terrifying. The ground beneath his feet was a patchwork of jagged obsidian and cracked, blood-red earth. Towering spires of black rock jutted up from the ground at impossible angles, their surfaces gleaming with an oily sheen. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying the acrid scent of sulfur and decay.

In the distance, Lucian could make out vast plains of fire, where flames danced and writhed in unnatural patterns. Rivers of lava snaked through the hellish terrain, their molten contents showing a haunting, pulsating glow across the land. Overhead, the sky was a roiling mass of dark clouds, occasionally split by bolts of sickly green lightning.

Lucian glanced to his side and saw Linus standing there. "Where the hell are we?"

"This is Tartarus. Or rather, this is my memory of Tartarus from when I was here."

"This is Tartarus? It's... fuck, it's worse than I imagined."

"It's a place of torment and punishment. The prison of the Titans and the most wicked souls."

As they stood there, Lucian noticed movement in the shadows. Twisted, barely-humanoid shapes slithered and crawled through the crevices and caves that dotted the landscape. In the distance, he heard what sounded like screams, but distorted and warped, as if coming from a thousand throats at once.

"Why did you bring me here?"

Linus turned to face him. "You needed to understand the gravity of the situation. The reports of disturbances here... they weren't just a minor concern. If the Titans had escaped, it would have meant devastation for the mortal world."

"But you said the reports were false. Who would have planted them? And why?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out. Someone wanted me here, searching for a threat that didn't exist. The question is, what were they trying to distract me from?"

As they talked, the landscape around them seemed to shift and change, like a dream struggling to maintain its form. Lucian noticed new details emerging - massive chains embedded in the rock face, their links as thick as tree trunks, and pits that seemed to have no bottom, from which emerged otherworldly howls.

"This place," Lucian said, shaking his head. "It's like it's alive. How did you stand being here?"

"It wasn't easy. Tartarus has a way of getting into your head, of bringing your worst fears and regrets to the surface. I spent what felt like an eternity searching every corner of this realm, all for nothing."

"And while you were here, that's when my mother disappeared?"

Linus waved his hand, the hellscape shifted around them. "Follow me. There's more you need to see."

The jagged rocks and rivers of fire faded, replaced by a steep, craggy mountainside. Lucian found himself climbing, his legs burning with exertion as they ascended. The air grew thinner, colder, but Linus pressed on without pause.

Finally, they reached the summit. Linus stood at the edge of a sheer cliff, his figure silhouetted against the darkening sky. He raised his arm, pointing into the distance and said, "Look."

Lucian stepped forward, his eyes following the line of his uncle's outstretched finger. What he saw made his blood run cold.

Mount Olympus, the fabled home of the gods, was engulfed in flames. Great pillars of smoke rose from its palaces and lush gardens. The fire seemed to have a life of its own, leaping from building to building with unnatural speed. Even from this distance, Lucian could hear the clash of weapons and the cries of battle.

"What... what happened?"

"This is what I returned to after my wild goose chase in Tartarus. Our enemies had planned it all along. They needed me out of the way."

"Because you’re the healer?" Lucian asked, unable to tear his gaze from the burning mountain.

"Yes. Without me, the other gods were vulnerable. Wounds that would normally be trivial became debilitating. Our enemies used that weakness to devastating effect."

"So the false reports, the distraction in Tartarus..."

"It was all a ploy. A way to ensure that when they struck, the gods would be without their physician. And in the chaos of the attack..."

"That's impossible," Lucian said, shaking his head. "Gods can't die, even without a healer. Right?"

"You're correct. That's precisely what troubled me. The gods' immortality should have protected them, regardless of my absence."

"But it didn’t," Lucian said, a cold dread settling in his stomach. "So what happened next?"

Linus didn't respond immediately. Instead, he snapped his fingers, and the world around them shifted once more. The mountaintop view of burning Olympus dissolved, replaced by a scene of utter devastation.

They now stood amidst the smoking ruins of Olympus itself. The once-gleaming marble was blackened and cracked, great columns lay toppled, and the air was thick with ash and the stench of death. Lucian watched as Linus's memory-self picked his way through the wreckage, his face a mask of shock and grief.

As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he began to make out shapes among the rubble. His breath caught in his throat as he realized what he was seeing.

Bodies. The broken, lifeless forms of gods were strewn about like discarded dolls. Lucian recognized some from stories and statues - there was Dionysus, his wine cup still clutched in his lifeless hand; Hephaestus, half-buried under the ruins of his great forge.

But it was what he saw next that made his blood run cold. Impaled on spears driven into the scorched earth were the severed heads of gods he'd heard about his entire life. The fierce visage of Ares, god of war, his eyes wide with final surprise. The wise, noble features of Athena, goddess of wisdom, now frozen in an eternal expression of horror.

And there, atop the highest spear, were two heads that made Lucian's knees go weak. The regal, bearded face of Zeus himself, king of the gods, and beside him, the proud countenance of Hera, his queen.

"This... this can't be real," he gasped, turning to Linus. "You said gods can't die. How is this possible?"

"That's the question that's haunted me ever since I discovered this scene. Something happened here that defies everything we thought we knew. Hence it was the reason why I left Olympus, to seek your mother. It took me a while but I found her. I found you two, Lucian and Lexi."

"You talked to her didn’t you? She even greeted you."

"Yes, but I don’t think she remembers me anymore. She lived in the human world for so long that she forgot her immortal side."

"Maybe she’s hiding it? You know, coz she doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s Artemis."

"Could be. I’m not really sure."

Linus reached out and touched Lucian's hand once more. In a blinding flash, the horrific scene of Olympus's destruction vanished, and they found themselves back on the quiet streets of Thrace.

The sudden transition was jarring that Lucian stumbled backward, losing his balance and falling hard on the ground. His breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to process everything he'd just witnessed.

"Fuck," he muttered, pushing himself up. "That was... intense doesn't even begin to cover it."

Linus stood silently, watching as his nephew struggled to his feet.

As Lucian dusted himself off, a thought struck him. "Wait a minute," he said, looking up with furrowed brows. "If you can show me all this, why not do the same for my mother? Why not tell her who she really is, wake some sense into her like you're doing with me?"

"You think I haven't tried? I've attempted to reach Ianthe countless times over the years. I've appeared to her in dreams, in visions, even face-to-face as I'm doing with you now."

"And?" Lucian pressed. "What happened?"

"Nothing," Linus shook his head. "She won't listen. Every time I've tried to reveal the truth to her, she shrugs it off. It's as if her mind can't - or won't - accept the reality of who she is. She dismisses my attempts as mere hallucinations, voices playing tricks in her head."

"But how? How can she just ignore something like that?"

"I don't know. It could be a defense mechanism, her mind's way of protecting itself from a truth it's not ready to face. Or it could be something more sinister - some kind of divine interference keeping her memories locked away."

Lucian paced back and forth, trying to wrap his head around this. "So you're telling me that my mother, a goddess, is living as a mortal woman with no memory of who she really is? And nothing you've done has been able to break through to her?"

"It's part of why I've focused my efforts on you. You're the key to unlocking this mystery. Your very existence proves that Artemis was here, that she lived among mortals. And unlike Ianthe, you're open to the truth, willing to see and accept things that defy mortal understanding."

He stopped pacing and turned. "But why me? Why now? What's changed?"

"Because time is running out. Whatever force was behind the attack on Olympus, whatever power was able to kill gods - it's still out there. And I fear it's closing in on Artemis, whether she remembers who she is or not. We need to unravel this mystery and find a way to protect her before it's too late."