Ichor Lasts Forever (Does This Mean We Can’t Change?)
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Summary:
“There was a prophecy.” He says instead, watching as the titan wriggles in the grasp of the chains. “I let it out to the mortals because I never thought it’d come true.”
“And this matters how?”
“I want to. Isn’t that funny? I want to forgive you.”
He’s held onto this secret path for generations. Hades and himself agreeing that it’d be useful to have a way in and out of Tartarus if needed.
His brother would probably wall it off if he knew what Zeus was going to use the path for.
Tartarus was as unpleasant as ever, the walls changing ever so slightly to remake the cave Typheous had chained him in. The shadows flickering, resembling the storm giant as he would return. Creeping closer and closer and- Zeus shakes his head.
He needs his thoughts to remain clear. Otherwise the pit would chain him with his worst fears, trapping him until he gained enough strength to overpower it. Then he’d be free to roam until he gained the power to leave again.
The walk is torturously long. His every step invites the place to taunt him more. Still, he steps with purpose. Eyes forward and back straight, the perfect picture of confidence.
He kept going even as he heard the screams start. Various titans and gods, having been punished and suffering under their own worst moments. Zeus doesn’t let himself falter as the air fills with static and the smell of burnt flesh follows.
He’s here for one voice- only one.
It’s hard to tell how long it takes; between Tartarus’ natural darkness and tortured sounds weighing on his mind, but Zeus does find him.
Kronos is tied down, scars from where Zeus had used the titan’s own scythe against him glowing as gold leaks out. Golden chains holding him still to the mimicked floors of Mount Othrys, a black throne with the back broken, blackened- lightning singed flesh on the man’s chest.
Zeus doesn’t like the feelings it brings up. The satisfaction and guilt warring inside as he fights back tears to keep a straight face.
He watches as the scythe goes down, a phantom-like him going to cut the crooked one- to end the war and save his family as foretold. Kronos is cursing at it, vowing vengeance. Zeus moves before his mind can catch up.
Before the doubt could make him turn back. Before he ran and left this behind. His hand waves through the image as his father braces for the pain that never comes.
It takes a moment for things to process. The god-king watches as his predecessor sorts through the emotions before golden eyes open to meet his own.
“Come to gloat?” The Crooked One hisses, body still. “Just because your pets prevailed last time doesn’t mean they won’t fail on the next. Just you wait boy, I will rise again.”
“I came to speak, Father. That is all.” He’s impressed with how even his voice comes out. The last war, being so closely followed by a second wave of giants, had so many casualties that grief and rage almost always made his voice shake. Even as the years turned to decades, he couldn’t get rid of it. “Do you ever regret what happened?”
“Oh by Gaia, bring back my torturer. At least he didn’t bore me with stupid shit like this.” Kronos rolls his eyes and starts moving again. “I do regret eating your siblings, I suppose. I should have just ripped them apart instead.”
Zeus closes his eyes. He wants to scream. To electrocute the elder until apologies spill out his rotten mouth. To carve out his tongue so he doesn’t have to hear vile words the immortal didn’t mean and leave him as nothing.
“There was a prophecy.” He says instead, watching as the titan wriggles in the grasp of the chains. “I let it out to the mortals because I never thought it’d come true.”
“And this matters how?”
“I want to. Isn’t that funny? I want to forgive you.” Kronos stills again, eyes wide. Zeus, not wanting the titan to enrage him more, continues, “I remember thinking, ‘the only way I’d ever forgive him is if he did us a favor and jumped into Chaos’s chasm himself.’ That it was such and impossible idea that I didn’t care who thought it’d be true. ‘Cause it wouldn’t matter.”
Zeus gulps. His father doesn’t speak but watches.
“I’ve made mistakes- I know I have. There are times where I think I could’ve put you to shame with my cruelty. I knew nothing and yet placed a crown on my head, declaring myself the world's king.” Zeus admits, feeling like a toddler. Hiding his face in Amalthea’s coat while his caretakers told horror stories of the man before him. “And now, even when I know better, I still find myself making those mistakes. Or newer and worse ones.”
“It made me think. And all I come to is ‘when will I make a mistake they can’t tolerate anymore?’ When will they finally have enough and toss me away like we did to you?”
“Delightful,” the titan drawls. “That doesn’t really explain anything. Like why your here.” Zeus almost smiles at the statement.
“I told you. I want to forgive. I want to know that you can change- that you can be better. I know I want to be better. To be the king they deserve… the father and brother and husband my family deserves.” His shoulders shudder as he lets out a breath. “It’s going to take work. A lot of work and effort. But if it’s possible for me to change… if it’s possible at all… then it has to be possible for you too.”
Zeus moves closer, his father still not moving stares. His had reaches down to one of the pins holding in the chains and he pulls it out. Kronos doesn’t move even as the chain on one of his arms disappears.
“I have to have hope. That this isn’t just another mistake. That you can become better. I have to.” He murmurs and steps back. “Please don’t make me regret this dad.”
Zeus turns and heads on back, listening to the sounds of chains being hurriedly removed.
-
Hades is sitting at the entrance, pacing as Zeus reenters the underworld. Stopping when Zeus says his name and rushing over. The elder fusses for a moment, despite his attempt to calm his brother down, checking for wounds before glaring.
“In what fucking universe was this a wise decision? Zeus, you are lucky I set up wards around here! What if you’d gotten stuck or one of the things down there tried to use you to come up? What if he tried?”
“Sorry brother, I had to check something.” Hades forces his chin upwards, their eyes meeting.
“Okay… I’m still telling Hestia. You went to fucking Tartarus. You know what- no.” Hades let’s go of his chin and takes out his cell as he pulls Zeus away from the pit. “I am getting the others too. Going to Tartarus- by yourself! I thought Poseidon was supposed to be reckless.” Zeus grins and lets out a chuckle. It only enrages Hades further but he can’t help it.
Even if this backfires… he has to try. He’s going to be better. Not just for them. He wants to feel like the man they consider worthy of their affection. He wants to bridge the gaps and mend what’s been fraying.
Even if he’s not fully sure that change is possible for beings who blink and have millenia go by. He wants to try.