Page 45 of Monsters of Mayhem

Chapter 27

“What are you really doing here, brother?” I asked Magnus as I sat down on the sofa in front of the fire. California didn’t really need a fire in the fireplace but monsters, like demons, were drawn to fire and we always kept one burning if we could. It helped us think about the calmness of the world.

“I thought it was time we talked,” Magnus said. “I want to help you.”

“You’ve never wanted to before. Why do you suddenly want to now?” I asked.

“I heard from some people about the runes you found with the frost giants,” Magnus said. “The runes were frozen to the ground and opened the crack. I went there also. I had a feeling it was something we should all know about.”

“The runes of ice and dawn were what they used to break open the rift of the monsters.” I mused. "The ice rune means that something frozen must be broken through and the dawn rune means something hidden must be brought forward.”

“Those are the runes of our father,” Magnus said. “I think he’s returning.”

“I think the same thing,” I stared into the fire. I hadn’t told anybody yet what I had seen, but Typhon was a monster of extraordinary proportions. He could take on all sorts of forms, but he was at his greatest and most frightening when his body floated on a multitude of snakes. It was the snakes that had made the lines in the snow. I had seen them. That was when I knew he was coming.

“It’s our father returning to earth,” I said. “There’s only one thing I don’t understand about it. For him to return, somebody must be helping him, and who in their right mind would want to help return Typhon to Earth?”

“Certainly not you, brother,” Magnus said. “After all, you proclaim to be the God of Monsters. If he returns, is he not challenging your supremacy as God?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m not interested in being the supreme anything,” I said. “I’ve dedicated my life to stopping the growth of monsters in this world. I have fought them. I have risked my life.”

Magnus laughed. “It’s kind of hard for a demigod to risk their life, don’t you think? I mean, you are invincible.”

I looked over at him. “Everybody has a weakness. You have Mother.”

“You have Caroline,” Magnus pointed out.

“Exactly,” I grumbled. “That’s why I’ve been trying so hard to protect her. There is no way on God’s green earth, I’m letting Typhon come back to this place. I will not allow it.”

“If he finds out you have a weakness, he will exploit it.” Magnus finished the thought for me.

“Does he know where Mother is?” I asked.

“We don’t even know if he’s fully back yet,” Magnus pointed out.

“I saw the marks in the snow,” I insisted. “Somebody broke the rules and brought Typhon back to the Earth. Now he’s in hiding and we just must find him.”

“Don’t you think the rings would be fairly helpful now?” Magnus asked.

“They are in a vault at the DGC. They’re in safe hands.”

“I think we should have them ourselves,” Magnus said. “Shall I go and get them?”

“They are the final things needed to bring Typhon to life, to give him the strength to stand up against us. I don’t think it’s a very good idea. I think they’re in safekeeping where they are, but if anything should happen to me, brother, then go to Vina. As the remaining heir of our father’s inheritance, you will be the rightful keeper of the rings.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to you,” Magnus said. “I won’t allow it.”

“You never know,” I said. “I’m not invincible. If something happens to me, I need to make sure you will take care of Caroline and you’ll take over my place at the Demigod Corporation. I need to have somebody willing to step up.”

“What about Ratchet?” Magnus asked.

“Ratchet’s my right-hand man,” I said. “He’s not a monster. He can’t cross the rift to our homeland. He can’t control the monsters as much as we can. I know you don’t know much about controlling the monsters, but you have to start training. Are you ready to take your place at my side, brother?”

Magnus sat up a little straighter.

“You avoided the position of responsibility for a long time.” I pointed out.

“I have been taking care of mother,” he explained. “You know she has nightmares and dreams of Typhon leaving, even after all these centuries.”

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