Chapter 37 : Vortex

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•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

He was the god of sexual longing,

yearning and desire.

He was one of the winged love-gods

And they were known as Erotes.

He's Pothos.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

At the last second, I grabbed the handrails. My stomach constricted painfully like it could drop right from under me. I grasped desperately at the polished wood, trying to survive. Glancing down will only increase my panic by tenfold.

"Why you little..." Zeus was irritated. He made a move, but Liam tackled him to the side. They smashed against the railing, causing my hands to slip a bit.

No. No. No.

The wood was smooth. Which means I could easily slip. I tried my best to hold on as Liam delivered continuous blows to Zeus' face. At a point, he grabbed his bow and raised the sharp tip, ready to strike.

I couldn't control my cry. "No! You'll kill Zion!"

Liam heard me loud and clear. At the last second, he redirected his movements, evading Zeus' head completely.

The god smiled -- eyes crackling with electricity. An ear-shattering thunder rumbled through the skies. It skipped my racing heart by a second. Zeus shoved Liam and released lightning from his fingertips. It struck his chest, sending him a few feet in the air before crash landing to the ground. The scent of burnt skin reached my nostrils.

No. Liam!

I gathered up courage and looked down at the boulders. If I let go, I'll die. Then a crazy idea popped in mind.

I could make a portal.

"Sweet Pandora." Zeus hovered over me, his glowing eyes sparkling. "Sorry, it had to end like this."

He bent over and touched my hand, hinting at his intentions. He was going to let me fall. I braced for it but it never came. The god was ripped away from me. He hit a wall and toppled over a potted plant. The impact rippled through the building, further shaking my hold. Liam lay at the opposite end, his hands outstretched.

He had used his telekinesis.

He got to his feet -- even though one side of his torso had burnt up -- and tossed his bow to the ground. His angered eyes glowed brighter as he mumbled. "You're really starting to piss me off."

He lunged with the sole intention of destroying the sky god. Or better yet, injuring him. I couldn't reason with Liam anymore. Mainly because if he held back, Zeus will use the opportunity to eradicate him and me. On top of that, I had to get out of this predicament myself. Liam couldn't help me even if he tried.

The portal.

I released one hand and stretched it downwards, focusing with all my might. I tried to picture the roof's terrace. According to Liam, I had to imagine where I want to go -- which means it should be in great detail. I can't risk teleporting somewhere faulty and endanger myself in the process. The terrace was much easier. At least I can see it from here. I kept my focus.

Appear, you dimwit! Please? Nothing was happening!

The two gods crashed against the railings and this time, its hinges came off. The wood jerked further away from the roof and a scream pierced through the atmosphere. I half expected it to be Liam, but it took a while to recognize it. The scream was mine. The railings hadn't completely fallen off; only the lower hinges were still intact. If they loosened, I'll be heading to the ground for sure.

"Penny," Liam completed a surprising roundhouse kick, sending the god to the ground.

I couldn't control my panic. I was on instinct now. "Liam!"

Liam rushed to me, but a hand grabbed his leg, pulling him to the ground. Zeus was laughing. He was enjoying this. I, on the other hand, was slipping. My only chance was the portal.

Liam had said my abilities depended on my emotions. I took a calm breath, remembering the feelings I had when the Carcinus crab tried to eat me. I felt anger build within and I channeled it, stretching my hand below me. Right then, a cloud of smoke appeared in mid-air. I couldn't hold back a smile as I kept focusing. I risked a glance at Liam. The sky god had him pinned against the wall with an arm to his neck. He was speaking in low tones, but I could hear it.

"...I'm enjoying this fight. It's quite fun. But I'll have my real match with you some other day. I defeated you before and I will again. This time, I'll end you permanently."

Liam's lip quirked up at one end. "You don't want to fight me now? That's odd. I wonder why."

Zeus never replied but I notice a movement in his throat. Liam leaned forward, his words bold and precise. "You forget that I had trapped you beneath my fingers once. I'm sure you dreaded being under my control."

What are they talking about?

I focused on my portal. The cloud was growing wider by the second and I kept feeding it.

It grew into a swirling vortex -- large enough to contain my size. Amid the swirling smog, I could see the terrace. Lightning crackled through the air as Zeus made another strike.

I had to help Liam.

After the portal had grown to a sufficient size, I pried off my fingers and let go of the railing, heading for the vortex. The smoke engulfed every part of my body and for a mere second, time had frozen -- right before I came into contact with a hard ground. The air got knocked out of my lungs. I rolled to the side, knowing my left shoulder had made a stronger impact.

That's going to bruise.

Overcoming the pain, I glanced at my surroundings. I lay on the terrace floor of the balcony. I smiled, ecstatic that I made it without Liam's help. I did a mental victory dance and quickly snapped out after hearing Liam's groan. I sat up and shot to my feet.

Liam sat at the far corner, his shirt scorched at the front. He shifted upward on his hands and winced, his muscled strained against his torn shirt. My heart squeezed at his dilemma, searching desperately for a way to help.

Zeus took slow steps towards him, enjoying his play. At least that's what I think he's doing. Lightning snaked up his buffed arms, reaching towards his shoulders. Zion had used the same maneuver to fight the Crocottas. But the fight wasn't fair.

Zeus was going to hurt Liam and I can't let that happen. I glanced around and spotted a tall vase holding a stack of umbrellas. I grabbed one by the ferrule and smacked the curved handle against Zeus' head with every remaining strength I could muster.

It broke into two.

Like hitting a statue with a biscuit. This is so unfair!

The god had stilled, pausing his pursuit towards Liam. He growled and I knew I was doomed.

At least I got his attention.

He slowly turned, eyes licking with blazing heat. I stumbled back, trying to find a safe place. I used the remaining half of my umbrella, swinging it towards Zeus. He pulled it from my hands, broke it into two, and threw it behind him.

Well, that was quick.

"You're trying my patience, human." He hissed.

I kept backing up till I reach one corner of the terrace -- the railings on my left and the wall on my right. I gulped. "If you want to kill me, leave Liam out of this."

Zeus smiled but it was filled with wicked promises. "He's fun to fight with, but I shall have my battle with him at the right time."

"Then leave him alone." I snapped more than I intended.

Zeus stilled, his eyes widened a fraction before completely burying it. A feature Zion also possesses.

I had surprised him.

He growled and moved fast. A hard force met my jaw and I fell to the ground. I blinked back the dark spots appearing in my vision. Zeus had slapped me and it felt more like a blow.

"Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. Do." He threatened.

I had a metallic taste in my mouth and something thick snaked down one corner of my lips. I touched it.

Blood.

I looked up at Zeus. He watched me with curiosity before smiling. "So fragile."

He took steps forward and I shuffled against the wall. The god clicked his fingers, his two rings glowed brighter before a long sword emerged in his hands.

I swallowed. This is it.

He raised his weapon. "Do you know what lies after this? After your death?"

I was surprised by his question but couldn't answer. My lower jaw was screaming. Zeus smiled like he understood a silent joke. I bet he didn't care much about my response."If only you knew...you'll wish you never existed."

He aimed his sword and plunged.

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