Page 144 of Styx

he did not say a word. Then,

‘I will answer your question

if you answer mine.’ I took a deep breath,

but it was Asteria who spoke next.

‘We will do our best, uncle.’

And we all waited for what he said.

‘How Many Years Does a God Live?’

What a strange question.

It felt like it had an obvious answer.

The ancient being before us

was watching us intently, magma-filled eyes

gazing on us all at once.

Perses tried his answer first.

‘An eternity,’ he said quietly.

The great God shook his head.

‘An uncountable number of years?’

Leto suggested hesitantly.

He shook his head again.

Pallas spoke after that.

‘As many as Chaos allows.’

Tartarus gave a rumbling

chuckle but shook his head.

Asteria spoke now, softly.

‘As many as the stars.’

He smiled this time, but shook

his head again.

‘You have one more chance.’

He turned to look at me.

‘It is yours, little one.’

I took a deep breath and spoke quietly,