The first trial had ended, yet Shadow knew it was just the mere beginning of what was about to emerge from this year’s gambit.
He raised his attention to the tall walls of the Temple of Zeus, and this time, he chose not to watch the gods’ meeting by being inside the room of Concord—but by lingering right next to one of its crystal windows. He floated through the warm air, which roared silently beneath the unyielding sun, as the peony scent of his transparency permeated the atmosphere.
I shall observe your almighty activities after this trial, my dearest gods.
He stopped in front of the upper window where he could oversee all the gods—but not Eros.
What reason could there be for him to be absent from this place?
Shadow found the room’s atmosphere to be anything but peaceful. He could almost feel their raised voices resonating through each wall of the temple, causing even the crystal glass of the window to tremble.
Dionysus and Apollo seemed to be quietly listening, whereas Artemis and Eros seemed to interject and contributetheir perspectives to the discussion. Artemis’s lively gestures mirrored her passionate words, filling the air with vibrant energy; while Eros offered a placid smile, his gaze serene as he tried to support his best friend.
On the other side of the table, Hestia stared at Zeus, her eyes pleading for salvation, each blink a silent, desperate prayer. She kept her head between her tiny hands, slowly moving her eyelids as she tried to pay attention to each god that was talking. She had no wish for them to fight, nor was she aware of a way to calm the atmosphere. Her jaw clenched, her fists balled, and her gaze burned with a desire to intervene—but she didn’t.
Regrettably, the peace she so valued was not on the agenda of the other gods today.
With the first trial concluded, every god appeared to be vying for a specific outcome. However, Poseidon’s attention was fixed on his brother’s performance as king, a role he felt was being handled poorly.
His jealousy is obvious. Could this god’s behavior become more predictable?
The ongoing history of the brothers, who had always despised one another despite their distinct abilities, persisted even now, and Shadow found this situation incredibly irritating. He found pleasure in observing them, particularly when he saw the raw expressions of discomfort etched on Poseidon’s strained features.
His blue eyes darkened as he continued to look at Zeus, who presided at the head of the table. The calm tide of composure swelled with an unspoken envy. Zeus remained his characteristic, detached self. It was that very thing that angered Poseidon.
I am curious, basileús, about the reason for the quiet cruelty of your detachment.
What turmoil might brew within your almighty mind?
Shadow maintained his focus on Zeus. It was evident that he was once again showing signs of disassociation.
At this moment, it seemed as if an internal struggle began for Zeus, a feeling that refused to dissipate easily, a sensation that would remain, attaching itself to his core until it had completely obliterated everything within him.
No matter what he was thinking, Zeus maintained his composure and dignity, tilting his head a little while carefully listening to the conversation. He looked around the room with intense, unemotional eyes, the whites resembling the chaotic waves of a stormy sea.
He crept closer, a burgeoning curiosity urging him on as he passed through the window’s glass. He yearned to be present, to eavesdrop on the gods engaged in their squabbles. As soon as he caught wind of their words, his preconceived notions about what they were discussing crumbled. They weren’t discussing the recently concluded trial. They were discussinghim.
“How can you be so unconcerned when you know he’s out there?” Artemis said the words with a hiss, her fists tightening on the table as her gaze scrutinized Zeus.
“I appreciate your assumption, but I assure you, I am anything but unconcerned,” he responded, his white eyes still fixated. “However, he is no longer capable of causing harm to our world. His sorrow possesses no destructive power, assheis dead.”
His emptiness stirred as he heard him speak. Even though Zeus had not spoken her name, Shadow knew to whom he was referring. Every day of his life, he remembered her, testifying to the love he still clung to, but he conceded Zeus was correct. He couldn’t bring himself to hurt anyone, as the sole heart Shadow had ever cared for had ceased to beat. Their powers were meant to be at their fullest when their hearts beat together, but he was now only half of what he could be without her.
Perhaps they were still afraid of what I used to be.
“If he ever manages to destroy our world again, you alone will answer for it,King,” Artemis hissed, her voice sharp with accusation.
Zeus met her words not with a response, but with a sudden, impulsive movement as he stood up from his chair.
The gods remained silent, lacking the courage to question him or support Artemis’ threat.
He strode across the room with his heavy, powerful steps that echoed between all four walls. With his shoulders held back and his posture impeccable, the air bent to his presence until he finally reached the door. His hand reached for the doorknob, his fingers gripping it as if he was trying to piece his mind back together.
Shadow focused on Hera’s lips, absorbing the words coming from them.
“My dearest, where are you going in such haste?”
But Zeus did not turn nor did he offer her the answer she was looking for.
