Page 128 of Styx

‘Kronos has always been haunted

by the words of Ouranos, who said

that his reign would be cut short

by one of his own children.

Back then, we had all believed

that this was said by the old God

in spite for Kronos turning on him,

taking the sickle to him

and reducing him to half the God

he once was.’ Crius’s face creased

with worry that made him look

ancient. ‘We had thought

that upon wedding Rhea, upon

actually holding his firstborn,

he would change. None of us thought

that he would—’ He paused, unable

to speak the truth about his brother.

He leaned back and drank long

from his goblet. ‘I fear…’

he said quietly, ‘that a madness

like this one cannot be cured or forgiven.’

A Promise

We all rested uneasily once Hyperion

had set the sun and Nyx was out

painting the sky black again.

When Perses finally slept, I crept out

of the chambers we shared

and knocked softly

on Styx and Pallas’s door.

To my relief,