Page 49 of The Night Belongs To Lovers

“At last, he sees the truth, Coriolanus, as you soon will.”

Corey and Olympius swiftly turned to look behind them just in time to see Fortuna appear out of thin air.

“Fortuna? Here, in the flesh? What the fuck’s going on?! Dammit, I want answers!”

But before Corey got any, the wind picked up something fierce, like a mini tornado had targeted their part of the alley. But this was no natural phenomenon, as two of the three gods soon discovered.

No! You cheat! You witch! Leave! You cannot get involved! The Fates’ rules! I followed their rules! I had no choice! Treacherous! Unfair! I deserve my freedom! I destroyed them!

As it emerged from its hiding place, the apparition tried to blow the goddess away with all of its might, but to no avail. In its ghostly form, and especially having expended so much energy on Christian’s murder, it did not have the strength to do more than bluster and whip dirt, grit, and leaves around.

“I’ve revealed nothing, hateful spirit, broken no rules. I merely comment on what your progeny has finally figured out for himself. I foresaw that your unfamiliarity with this era of wondrous technology would be the key to your downfall.

“You couldn’t have known your actions could now be recorded and watched back, revealing all your wickedness. You should not have made yourself partially corporeal. The Fates protect the spirit from detection—only the spirit.”

Fortuna let out a mocking laugh, much like the ones the apparition was oft to do upon its triumphs.

“So it truly is you, villain!” Olympius gasped.

Corey was overwhelmed by the chaotic scene around him and could barely make sense of what was happening. He turned to Olympius and demanded to know what he and Fortuna were up toand what was going on. His frustration and confusion were palpable as he tried to grasp some sanity in this situation.

You dare to call me a villain, murderous cannibal?! Yes, tell him who I am. Tell him what you did and watch him recoil in disgust and horror. You will lose him forever, and I will continue to feast on your torment and despair.

“Don’t be afraid, Olympius. The truth will set you free.”

Interfering Secundus bitch!

Olympius, ignoring the onslaught of taunts, degradations, and curses spewed at him and Fortuna by the ghost of his Maker, turned to face his warrior-god.

“Look into my mind, beloved; all my walls are down. See through my eyes and view the creature in our midst that I fear and loathe. And learn my darkest secret. Even if you despise me for it, I will not hide any more truths from you. No longer will there be secrets between us, no more lies. If necessary, Fortuna will verify my history so you know I have done nothing to alter your thoughts and perceptions.”

The fact that Fortuna appeared to know Olympius’ secrets but not him left a bad taste in Corey’s mouth, but he held off on any more judgments until he scanned his Maker’s mind. He had always yearned for transparency, but now that it had become a reality, he was apprehensive, fearful of learning Olympius’ darkest truths.

The warrior-god crammed his reticence deep down inside and entered Olympius’ mind. Almost instantly, his senses were nearlyoverwhelmed by a never-ending stream of information about his Maker.

Corey saw many things: Olympius’ Becoming, his brief time with Coeus, whose spirit he now saw through Olympius’ eyes, and what his Maker had done to escape becoming an immortal plaything, at best, and an eternal slave, at worst. Corey immediately sympathized with the horrific act without a hint of condemnation or repulsion. He would have done no less to be free of such chains.

But before he could say so, relieving Olympius of his blatant worry and dread, images of a past moment shook him. He saw himself chide and betray his Maker, tossing his lot in with the Olympians.

Andthathad never happened.

“Olympius! I saw it, that treasonous, disloyal moment with the Olympians. My love, I don’t know who or what that was, but it wasn’t me! I’d been overwhelmed by Hermes, knocked unconscious by him. That’s why you saw nothing but blackness in my mind. I never came to you! That thing before you wasn’t me! I swear! I don’t know what sinister magic was at work, but you must believe me, thatthingwasn’t me!”

“No, it was not you, beloved. I now understand everything so clearly.” Fueled by unfettered fury, Olympius’ eyes transformed into pools of pure darkness, reflecting the intensity of his rage. Any fear gripping him before this moment vanished in an instant. “It—was—him!” the ancient night god seethed.

Olympius turned his gaze towards the space where the apparition hovered invisibly above the ground. “You can no longer hide from my eyes, demon! Somehow, aided by dark magic, you are responsible. It has always been you! I have been so blind, so irrational. Tricked and fooled for countless centuries! You created all this misery!”

Yes!

The apparition was positively gleeful in the loud admission; its telepathy was strong.

The Fates disciplined me for cursing you, Olympius, and disrespecting their aspect, The Erinyes, whose role is administering punishment. The Fates saw my dying action as hubris, condemning me to be your eternal oppressor. I should be redressed?! You murdered me! So I destroyed your happiness in turn! Oh, how masterfully I performed that task. But I have done my duty for over two millennia! I have shattered hearts, caused endless pain, and I deserve my freedom from that intolerable Void!

After the apparition made its bold declarations, a sudden sense of tremendous relief washed over it, dissolving the heavy burden weighing it down for so long. Without any doubt, it felt that its long-awaited reprieve had finally arrived, bringing with it a sense of liberation.

Fortuna let out a deep sigh, aware of what was transpiring. “The Fates are satisfied. You’re free now, ghost. Your time in servitude has come to an end.”

The apparition, feeling renewed strength, willed itself to appear before the three gods in as corporeal a form as it could muster. In the transformation, it embraced its former self’s majestic garb and countenance: the Titan Coeus, Lord of the Starry Firmament.

---