Page 26 of Styx

of Oceanus and Tethys.

I was born at the start

of your reign, oh King,

the first of the Titan children.’

I could feel every eye in the room

turned in my direction.

The weight of my words

clearly had some impact.

Kronos’s eyes narrowed

as he considered them.

Then imperiously he asked,

‘And you think your position

is enough to challenge my decree?’

He turned to my father. ‘Oceanus,

tell your child to leave my sight

before I punish her!’

I looked to my father, hopeful

that he would support me.

He knew my counsel well,

had always trusted me to advise

him. I knew my father would

stand by me when it mattered most.

It felt as though an era passed,

then my father rose slowly

from his chair to speak.

He opened his mouth

and spoke these words…

‘Styx. Leave.’

At first, I thought I had misheard him.

This could not be the same father