Kratos's Arc

Chapter 7 of 11

Dawn had not yet touched the sea when Bia signed the news at the gate. *Hermes talks. The report climbs to Olympus now.* Kratos knew what came next. Hermes had seen him leave the shadow-prison and speak with Demeter. By the time Zeus heard it, the story would already be twisted. Kratos had no proof to set beside it. His enforcers answered to his word alone. Soon Zeus would ask whose word that truly was. Kratos did not wait for the summons. He climbed to the great palace of gold and marble, past columns wider than three men. The giant statue of Zeus watched from above. Kratos found Hermes first, not the king. The messenger sat on the palace steps, counting coins into a pouch, wings twitching on his sandals. He was Zeus's own son, and he sold every secret he carried before he delivered it. "You brought me here fast," Hermes said, not looking up. "Cheaper than a full report to your face, I'd say. What's it worth to you?" "You saw me leave Tartarus," Kratos said. "Tell Zeus what you saw. All of it." Hermes grinned. "That's the part that costs. What I saw is worth more if I trim it right. Titan whispers. A daughter of Kronos. Buyers love that." Kratos set the rune-marked disc on the step. The marks still glowed faint. "Then read this. Kronos gave it to me. He wants no rescue. He wants peace. That is the law of gods, a token binds intent. Sell that, not your version." Hermes turned the disc in his fingers. He knew rune-marks bound truth. His grin faded a little. "Huh. This changes the price." The doors opened. Zeus filled the hall, lightning curling in his fist. "Hermes tells me you knelt to a Titan," the king boomed. "That you carry his words like a servant." Kratos did not flinch. "I carried one message. An apology to a daughter he wronged. Nothing more." He pointed to the disc in Hermes's hand. "Kronos marked that himself. He seeks no chains broken. I bound him tighter than any door could." Zeus took the disc. He studied the marks a long moment. Then he closed his fist around it and the anger drained from his face. "A token of intent," he said. "You are right. This binds him." He looked hard at Kratos. "You cleared yourself. But you cleared yourself alone, without my banner over you." "My enforcers answer to me," Kratos said. "Their word is mine. That is why you can trust it." Zeus was quiet. "Then prove it serves Olympus. Bring me the two who refused you. Zelus and Nike. Unite all four under one banner, or your loyalty means nothing." He turned away. Kratos had beaten the report. But the king had named a harder test. His siblings had already refused him once. Now he had no choice left but to make them kneel.