Broken Chains: Chapter 4

IV

The Mad King

As Jason and Joe walked to the Hall of the Gods Joe couldn't shake the feeling of dread. He and jason had suddenly been called to the Hall by their father Zeus. Joe was not thrilled about meeting with his father. In the Iris message he sent Zeus just didn't look right. Regardless Joe had to go because he had resently become the Head Councilor of Zeus's Cabin.

He had wanted to avoid the fighting at all costs. He didn't beleve in demigods killing their own kind. He belived the only thing demigods should be killing is monsters. But because he was the eldest child of Zeus, other than Jason, he had to take on the burden and care for his remaining siblings.

Jason walked slightly ahead of him his Praetor's cape billowing. Joe was less dressed for the occassion, wearing only a Camp Half-Blood t-shirt, jeans, a leather jacket and combat boots.

As the two approached the doors Joe's hair stood on end and the smell of ozone was over powering. Before Joe could warn him Jason touched the door and a large shock blasted him backwards. Joe walked over and extended his hand to help Jason up. Jason groaned and took his hand.

"You should've known the door would shock you." Joe scolded.

"I spaced out for a second. There's alot on my mind." He responded.

Joe nodded his head. He understood the pressure Jason was under. Joe pointed his hand at the door and a lightning bolt shot forward, grounding the doors. Joe then pushed the doors open using a gust of wind. The pair walked into the hall and were nearly knocked off their feet. A hurricane had started in the hall. Joe stood his ground and used his powers to create a pocket of calm air around him and Jason. Their father, Zeus, sat on his throne glaring at them.

Joe looked at Zeus and knew something was wrong. His beard wasn't neatly trimmed his hair was dis-shelved and his grey eyes were blood shot and darted all over the room. His pin striped suit was buttoned wrong and his tie was screwd up. Jason knelt down and Joe followed his example.

"Rise!" Zeus barked. The brothers stood to face their father. The storm died down and Zeus rose from his throne.

"You summoned us father?" Jason asked.

"Yes," Zeus responded. "This war will start soon. I have noticed that Camp Half-Blood is still in disary..." Jason opened his mouth but Joe nudged him telling him to stay quiet. "I want my warriors ready for battle and not fighting amoungst each other."

"And what are we to do about this?" Joe asked sensing that this meeting was about to go south very quickly.

Zeus turned and stared down his sons. "I want every demigod interrogated and questioned. Any who are not entirely loyal to me and my cause or show any signs of weakness shall be imprisioned or sentenced to death."

Joe's mouth dropped. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew that his father could be rash at times, but to have every demigod who wasn't completely loyal to him? Joe couldn't comprehend that. He looked over to Jason but Jason was bowing to his father. He rose and began walking towards the doors.

"Jason!?" Joe shouted. "You can't seriously be follwing this ridiculos and outrageous order."

Jason turned back and Joe saw that his eyes were slightly glazed over. Joe took a step back. Zeus had given them an order using the voice of authority, a powerrful technique almost like charmspeak. Joe hadn't been affected because he also had the voice. An ability no other child of Zeus had.

"Father this is insanity!" Joe shouted turning back to Zeus. "You know this isn't right. This war will tear all the gods apart. You have the power to stop this but do not do it with blood shed and carnage."

Zeus's eyes flared with rage. "Jason! Dispose of him!" Jason drew his golden sword. Joe was forced to pull out his staff. "You are no son of mine anymore." Zeus growled.

Jason lunged and brought his sword down. Joe dodged and turned to face him. "Jason stop! You can't do this!" Jason didn't seem to be listening. He rose off the ground and hovered in the air. He rasied his sword and a lightning bolt shot down towards Joe. Joe deflected the bolt and tried to blast Jason with a gust of wind. Jason was pushed back but slashed his sword and the winds were diverted. Jason divebombed Joe and he was forced into the fight.

Joe blocked Jason's attack then swiped at his head trying to knock him out. Jason ducked and swept Joe's leg out from under him. Joe used the winds to prevent from cracking his head on the floor. He then blasted Jason with another gust of wind and sent him tumbling to the base of Zeus's throne.

Jason stood and jumped into the air. Joe brought his staff back and it crackled with electricity. Joe pointed it at Jason and unleashed the pent up lightning. Jason was blasted square in the chest. He screamed and was blasted through the window behind Zeus's throne.

Joe wasn't worried about Jason. He'd recover and catch a current of wind before he hit the pavement. Right now he had to get the heck out of the throne room. He turned to run but the doors slammed shut. He turned around and saw Zeus holding his Master Bolt.

"You arrogant child, for disobeying me and killing your brother I sentence you to rot in the Field of Punishment." Lightning crackled and blasted from the end of the master bolt. Time slowed down as the lightning shot towards Joe.

Suddenly a blinding light interrcepted the lightning, saving Joe. When the light dimmed Joe saw Athena kneeling behind a shield deflecting the continuos blast of lightning.

"Athena! Wha-what are you doing here?" Joe asked.

"Saving you!" She answered through gritted teeth.

"Come on Mierek you have to go." Some one said behind them. Joe turned around and saw Hera standing in front of a portal. Joe was totally stunned. Why was Hera, Zeus's wife and bane of all his children, trying to save him?

"This portal will take you to Poseidon's Base. I have seen your future Mierek, you will be insturamental in ending this war and bringing my family back together. Now hurry child!" Hera explained.

"Thank you." Joe said and lunged through the portal.