Page 195 of Styx

what makes you believe you are worthy?’

Zeus placed a hand inside the bag

by his side and raised a glowing orb,

the orb Metis had made.

‘None of you had the courage to do this.

To force this down my father’s gullet.

To release my brothers and sisters

as they lay hostage within him.

None of you had the courage to face him.’

He threw the orb to the ground triumphantly.

‘Unlike you, I do not leave Gods to suffer.

I do not leave my kin to languish

in an eternity they do not deserve.’

He raised his head high. ‘Accept

that we are your new rulers;

I am your new God-King.’

Atlas’s cold voice held a challenge.

‘Or?’

‘Or Perish’

The words were uttered with such icy fury

that the voices in my head began to clamour.

Zeus did not intend for this to be resolved

with any kind of conciliation.

He and his siblings had come here

with a singular notion.

That was to control

the realms of the Titans.

And if we did not give them up willingly,

they would take them by force.

Styx held my hand tighter as Oceanus spoke.