Page 193 of Styx

‘Your father’s choices as king

were not our choices to make.’

A raven-haired Goddess amongst

Zeus’s siblings let out a bitter laugh.

‘You would have left us to rot

in his stomach for eternity. You had

choices. You chose our suffering.’

Zeus put his hand on her shoulder

to calm her.

He then turned back to Oceanus.

‘As this was your choice, mighty Titans,

we decree you incapable

of reigning over the realms.

We decree you unable to rule

with the nobility and dignity

required of great leaders.’

It was as though the very hall

had darkened to the threat

of an endless abyss.

It was my father, thus far holding back,

who stepped forward, his eyes

a hurricane of anger.

He shouted, ‘Insolent children!

You have no right to decree

anything. You have no say here.

You are in the house of Titans

and we do not bow to strangers.’

I had never seen him so enraged,

never known Coeus the Calm

to hold such fury in his voice.