Fallen Gods Read online

  “That hasn’t half bad,” she joked.

  Several of those that had watched and ridiculed clapped in support.

  “Come on,” said Aaron.

  They were going to hit the showers early. Not to get ahead of the others before the session ended, but because Aaron wanted to talk in private, and he knew it.

  “That was pretty good,” said Aaron.

  “Thanks, maybe the saber is for me.”

  “Whatever works for you.”

  “You’re really serious about this being for real now, aren’t you?”

  “You use the tools you have or need to get the job done. If a firearm won’t do it, but some magical sword will, then yeah, I guess so.”

  “Maybe it was all some kind of show. Or some kind of mistake.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m trying to find a way to justify what we saw. It was ridiculous, and you know it. There has to be some explanation for it all. High tech weaponry we haven’t seen before?”

  “You think a sword is high tech?” Aaron chuckled.

  “The one you’ve got, sure.”

  “Whatever we walked into there, it wasn’t something from the future. It was something from the past, or another world.”

  “Aliens, that’s what you’ve got?”

  “I ain’t got shit. But when someone inhuman is standing before you, you’ve got to ask, what is this?”

  “I don’t…”

  “Bullshit. People can’t just bounce bullets and heal wounds before your very eyes. No human being can do that.”

  “Okay, so what then?”

  “Something we ain’t ever seen before.”

  “Like what? Supernatural beings? You always said you never believed in any of that.”

  “I believe in what I can see and touch. Three days ago we fought bulletproof immortals with magical weapons. That much I believe. I just need to figure out what the hell it all means.”

  “Like the end times or something?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s something new, something weird.”

  “Maybe we should stay out of it. Whatever it is they’re trying to keep a low profile. We don’t need that kind of hassle in our lives.”

  “Low profile? They tore the Met apart.”

  “Fighting each other, sure. This is some gang level crap. They’re killing each other. We can just let ‘em go on doing that.”

  “That’s not the way we operate, and you know it.”

  “Yeah? You sure about that? Because I know for a fact there are plenty of neighborhoods the cops stay well away from if they can.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Yes I do, because I grew up in one.”

  Aaron shrugged. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Yeah, well it’s not something I like to think about too much. I got out, but a lot of the kids I grew up with, they didn’t. Uniforms stay well away from that if they can. Why? Because they know they can’t do any good.”

  “That’s a pretty cynical outlook.”

  “Yeah, well, you learn to be honest and practical about these things.”

  Aaron smiled in appreciation of him being straight with him.

  “Look, I never thought we’d have to do this for real either. But if we hadn’t, we’d both likely be dead now. Knowing how to use these weapons saved our lives, and something tells me it isn’t going to be the last time. There’s a battle going on out there. One we didn’t even know was being fought, and I want to know why. This is our city, and I’m not gonna let anyone get away with that.”

  “And if that means seeing and finding out things you wished you’d never had?”

  “We’re not accountants. We’re here to deal with anything and everything, no matter how bad it gets.”

  “As police officers yes, but we weren’t acting as police officers that night.”

  “Yes, we were. We didn’t exactly play by the rules, but we had no choice. We did the best we could. This war, it can’t stay secret forever. A lot of questions are being asked of what happened there. It’s going to surface at some point.”

  “And if the fact we were there surfaces, too?”

  The door to the changing rooms swung open, and a line of fencers shambled in.

  “I guess we’ll deal with that when the day comes.”

  * * *

  Theodosia awoke once again. She was still in the cabin, but it was light outside now. She must have been out all night. She looked down to her bandaged wounds and pressed to feel how they were. Despite being a little sore, she knew she was ready to go this time. She grabbed her gear and headed for the door. She stepped outside and found Thanatos splitting wood for the fire.

  “See, you needed another night,” he said, casually continuing to work, as if it was just any other normal day, and he was an average guy.

  “Thanks. I do appreciate it, but you have to understand I have to get back in this fight.”

  “You do what you have to do. I’m not stopping you.”

  She looked around for some idea of where to go and how to get there.

  “You got any wheels?”

  “Wheels?”

  “Yes, how did you get us out here? Have you got a car or truck or something?”

  “I walked.”

  “She sighed angrily as if he were messing her around, but then realized he was being serious.

  “So, you carried me here, from the New York Met?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Damn, how did you ever take down the Allfather?”

  “Hey, look, I’m not exactly used to this world yet, okay. Last time I ever came to Earth it didn’t look like it does now. Or at least it does out here.”

  “Where is here?”

  “About a day’s walk that way to New York,” he pointed.

  She sighed at the prospect of it.

  “Sorry I saved your life and all.”

  “Look, I really do appreciate it all, but I still don’t understand it. You fought against us in the war. Many said you were the one leading it, not Hades.”

  “Maybe I was, maybe I wasn’t. I don’t even know anymore. It all happened so fast.”

  “But why? Why did you turn on us all?”

  “Turn on you? I never wanted to fight you. The Allfather had lost sight of what it was to rule. He was a tyrant.”

  “And you think you know better? You think you could have done a better job?”

  “Not me. I never wanted power. I just wanted to see a better life for us all.”

  “You’re a fool. There is no perfect existence, but we had as close to it up there. Olympus. Do you have any idea how good we had it? Now we’re down here, trapped among the humans. Living like one of them.”

  “Is it so bad here?”

  “Go and look for yourself. We lived in paradise, but because of you, we now wage war in this hell. Please, go out there and see what the world is really like. Then come and find me, and tell me if you still think you made the right choice.”

  “I told you, I never wanted to see the end of the Allfather. I never expected him to shatter his crown and for all this to happen.”

  “Then you really are a fool. This was only ever going to end one of two ways. With your death or his.”

  “You think he’s really dead?”

  “I don’t know, but I pray for it not to be true. Maybe if we can reassemble the crown it may bring him back. Maybe it would return us to Olympus, but how can we know? Nothing like this has ever happened. Zeus survived the worst perils imaginable. He conquered the Titans, and yet who was it to bring about his demise, but one of his own. For shame. Go into this world, Thanatos, and see what curse you have brought upon us.”

  She stormed away furiously. She clearly meant him no harm now, but neither would she call him a friend. But he was in no rush to go after her. He didn’t even trust his own thoughts anymore. Maybe he was wrong to fight Zeus, or perhaps this was just the kind of shake up they all needed. He didn’t know who to support and what to do, but he was in no rush to pick sides. He picked up a bow he had placed ready to go hunting.

  “Maybe I will go and see what this world has to offer, but not today,” he said to himself, marveling at the beautiful forest and scenery before him.

  It wasn’t Olympus, but it was magnificent, nonetheless. He went to the edge of a path and looked out across a vast mountain range and valley plunging down in front of him. He smiled. He was going to enjoy this. For all the distress Theodosia seemed to feel, he hadn’t felt more at peace in as long as he could remember.

  Chapter 5

  It was a new day, and Thanatos was walking through the outskirts of New York during rush hour, not that he’d know it. He found it fascinating as he studied everything around him. Hundreds of cars stormed past, and thousands of people, all walking at such a pace with such urgency it surprised him. It was starting to rain, and he simply looked up with his right hand open, palm upwards. Feeling the drops land on his skin. Rainfall was something he rarely experienced, and certainly not when he had all the time in the world to himself. He was enjoying every minute. The smell of fresh rain and street food wafted past. He smiled and began to wonder what Theodosia despised about this place.

  “Here,” a voice said, placing something in his hand.

  He felt cold metal and looked down. A stranger had put a few coins in his hand.

  “Sorry, it’s all I have on me,” the woman said apologetically.

  She was well dressed and well spoken. She smiled and carrying on her way. He looked at the money with bewilderment. He understood how currency worked even if he’d never had use of it. What he didn’t understand is why anybody would simply give it to him, a stranger no less. He looked about the street for some understanding of what had just happened to him.

  That’s when he spotted someone else being given a few notes of money. It looked like a beggar to him, sitting at the side of a path with a blanket wrapping his legs. He turned to a large glass window that was reflecting his image, and he understood it. He was stubbly and wearing rough and worn clothes he’d found at the shack he’d taken Theodosia to. As he looked around at the well-dressed people going about their day, he realized he didn’t fit in at all. He looked just like the beggar.

  “Well this won’t do at all,” he said, looking longingly at the well-cut suits and coats of those passing him by.

  He went over to the beggar and knelt down beside him.

  “This money. There has to be a way to make more of it?”

  The homeless man looked dumbfounded.

  “If you wanted to make more than this, how would you do it?”

  The man didn’t answer him.

  “How do these people get their money?” He looked at the passersby.

  “The really rich ones, they steal it from everyone else.”

  “Steal?”

  “That’s right. You think they got to the top by being nice? Some of these folks work hard for it. I used to fight for my country.”

  “You fought, for money?”

  “I didn’t just do it for the money, but yeah, sure. Everyone’s got to make it somehow.”

  “Fighting for money,” he said to himself and began to smile.

  He walked away without another word, thinking about what that meant. He wasn’t ready to fight for an army or a cause. But for himself, he would be more than happy to do so. He’d seen people fight for money before and knew just the sort of place to go looking for it.

  He went off the main streets and further into the rougher looking neighborhoods until he found the scruffiest looking drinking establishment he could find. He stepped inside to find a few patrons drinking at the bar, despite the fact it was the afternoon and the sun was still up. They gave him a wicked look as though he was not welcome there. He’d been to plenty of places like it before. It smelt of sweat and spilt alcohol.

  “What do you want?” One man shouted at him.

  “Money.”

  The man began to laugh.

  “Oh, yeah? Me, too, how’d you suppose you’re gonna get it?”

  “I’ll fight for it. Do you know a place that’ll pay for that sort of thing?”

  “Hey, buddy, who do you think you are coming in here looking for that kind of trouble?” Another of the patrons asked.

  “You a cop?” Someone else joined in the conversation.

  “I’m just looking to make some money.”

  “Why don’t you go on out of here before we beat your ass?” The first man got up and approached Thanatos with an arrogant swagger. He pulled his jacket back to reveal a pistol slung in his waistband as if to intimidate him.

  “That’s cute,” he replied.

  The man looked furious as he reached for the pistol, but Thanatos leapt forward. He pressed one hand against the man’s own hand as it reached the weapon, holding it firm. His other one went to the man’s face. His nose burst out with blood. As he staggered back, Thanatos delivered a powerful push kick that sent him crashing into two framed pictures on the far wall. Glass shattered as he collapsed to the floor, groaning in agony.

  “He ain’t no cop,” said the barman.

  “All right, you want to fight, you go here, tonight.” A man scribbled something down on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Thanatos. The man looked skittish as if he was scared of him. The one he’d kicked to the wall was getting up now.

  “You want to get your teeth kicked in, be our guest. There ain’t nothing there but bums and freaks.”

  Thanatos shrugged as he looked at the note. The address meant nothing to him, but he’d work it out. He had to figure out this world, as he suspected he was going to be here for a long time. In fact, as he left the bar, it was all he could think of.

  Is this it? Am I trapped here forever?

  At least he knew he was still immortal. He took a deep breath of air. It was far from fresh, nothing like the perfection of all things in Olympus. But he liked that. It was a welcome change.

  * * *

  Luca shivered when he spotted the Met through the windshield of their cruiser. Scaffolding covered the face of the building where workmen labored to fix the damage they had witnessed. He knew it was no accident Aaron had brought them there, but he was surprised when they pulled up outside, and he cut the engine.

  “What are we doing?”

  “Just taking a look around,” Aaron replied with a smile.

  Luca wasn’t amused. He didn’t want to be reminded of that night anymore. The bruises on his face had mostly gone, and he was trying his best to forget all that.

  “We got away clean that night, why do you want to revisit it?”

  “Because this isn’t over. I want to know what really went on that night and why.”

  “Shouldn’t you stay away from the scene of a crime? How many guys have we caught because they just can’t stay away?”

  “We aren’t the criminals here.”

  “Not exactly innocent either, are we?”

  Aaron kicked open his door and got out. Luca sighed as he followed. They both stopped to marvel at the building as repair work went on.

  “What could be worth dying over for whoever they were?” Aaron asked.

  “You kidding me? It’s the Met. It’s filled to the roof with priceless shit that wouldn’t mean anything to you or me. But to the right collector, the right crime lord that thinks he’s something special, and has some ridiculous taste in art worth millions.”

  “I don’t buy it. They were smashing stuff up in there like it was nothing. I heard the damage could be twenty mil or more. Not even including damage to the building itself. They didn’t care about what was there. They could have grabbed anything in sight and be rolling in money.”

  “Yeah, but these collectors, they don’t just want something valuable. They want something specific.”

  “How the hell do you know about any of this?”

  “Really, the value of things that can be stolen? If I hadn’t become a cop, that’s just the sort of life I’d be leading.”

  “So those were the two choices? Cop or thief?”

  “Pretty much, you know how hard it is to get work where I came from? Getting into the Academy was the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s how I got out of all that.”

  Aaron looked surprised, wondering how he hadn’t known that already. They’d not been partners for long, but plenty long enough for him to have known something like that.

  “So, what are we really doing here?”

  “I told you, want to know what went on that night.”

  “You kidding me? We’ve had teams all over this for days. What can we find out that they didn’t?”

  “Well, for a start, we were there and saw what actually went on, and who did it. So I’d say we’ve got a rather unique insight.”

  “You sure you want to keep digging this hole?”

  “I don’t want to. I have to.”

  “We really don’t.”

  “These things, they don’t just go away if you ignore them.”

  “No, but it doesn’t mean we have to get involved either. We know where bad things happen in this city, and we stay away, because we know we’d do more harm than good.”

  “Tell me you aren’t just a little bit curious? Come on. Bulletproof people and swords powered by what, some kind of magic? Tell me you don’t want to know more about that?”

  “If this was the next Lord of the Rings movie, count me in. That’s why I wanted to use swords. But that’s fantasy. It’s not real.”

  “Yeah, well, it just got real, didn’t it.” Aaron went toward the front door. Large panes of glass were being carried back and forth as various workmen tried to reconstruct the face of the building.

  “Some of this is on us, right?” Luca asked.

  “No way, we didn’t do this.”

  He felt bad at seeing the wreckage as they stepped into the lobby. It was still closed to the public. Large bins were filled with debris, and it still looked like a warzone days on.

  “Hey, be careful with that, please!”