I’m Sorry

“ Wake up… Wake up… WAKE UP!” Kronos’s eyes shot open, and he sat up, right into Calypso’s fist.

“ Ow!” He moaned, falling on his back, holding his left eye.

“ Serves you right! You should have woken up before! I lost track of how long I’ve been trying to rouse you!” She snapped. Kronos glared at her, then sat up once more, scooping up a handful of snow. Before Calypso could say anything, Kronos threw it at her. She slowly wiped her face as the snow and growled, her right hand tightening its grip on her lance.

“ You’re pressing your luck Half-Breed,” she warned. Kronos ignored her and looked around. It looked like the two of them had fallen into another cavern, this one much narrower than the one Kronos had trekked through earlier. On the walls were runes etched in the icy walls, which caught Kronos’s attention. He slowly got to his feet and inspected them more closely.

“ Kronos, what are you doing?!” Calypso demanded.

“ Shut up,” Kronos muttered as he studied the runic writing, tracing them with his finger and muttering under his breath. “ Foit…Xtiro…Crasiz…”

“ What in blazes is so damn important?!” Calypso demanded, walking up to him, hands on her hips. Kronos looked at her, eyes wide with excitement.

“ Calypso! I can’t be certain, but I think we’ve found a Hall of Stories!” He said, his typically deep voice a high-pitched squeak.

“ A what?” Calypso asked, dumbfounded.

“ A Hall of Stories! The Second People, the Kordean would write their significant historical events on walls such as this one.”

“ Hold on,” Calypso said, holding up a hand. “ The Kordean. you mean those that were allegedly both Xikram and Mordean, the descendants of the Primordial Siblings and Xether? The creations of the Paragon? Better known as The Second People?”

“ The very same.”

“ Are you sure this isn’t the language of the Lordean?” Calypso asked, raising an eyebrow. “ That would make more sense considering they are the people who came before us.”

“ If it weren’t for the fact I explained why that is to you before, I’d understand why you asked that. When the Lordean vanished, most of their culture, including their language, did as well. They only left scraps behind,” Kronos told her with an edge to his voice. “ However, the Kordean were very detailed and left a lot behind. I’ve studied the languages both the Lordean and Kordean used, and this is Kordean writing.”

“ This is all fascinating and all Kronos, but I really do not care. Unless there’s something we need to know, I’d rather we find our way back to the others. I imagine my troops have captured the fugitive by now, and I really want to torture him,” Calysp said dryly.

“ These writings mention The Paragon,” Kronos said, turning back to face her. As he expected, Calypso looked mildly interested hearing that.

“ What does it say?” She asked, walking next to him.

“ From what I gather, these seem to be different prayers, and ballads etched into the ice. The Kordean were staunch worshippers of The Creator, as they knew The Paragon as. They actually-”

“ Save the lecture for the Schola Kronos,” Calypso rudely interrupted. “ Is there anything on these walls that speaks on how to kill Absalon, should The Paragon return?”

“ I told you before, should that happen, Ocrad wouldn't have a chance of survival. Yes, the founders of every Abnormal Tribe were able to defeat The Paragon, but they each perished due to their injuries.”

“ There has to be a way!” Calypso exploded. Kronos drew back and cocked his head slightly.

“ What is your problem?!” he demanded. “ You’re acting as if someone is preparing to perform the Paragon’s Sacrament.” He said it as a joke but frowned when he saw the worried look on her face and furrowed his brow. “ Is there something you’re not telling anyone?” She growled and tried to give him a stern glare but wavered slightly.

“ That is none of your business. You’re a mere prisoner and a repulsive Half-,”

“ Hey,” Kronos interrupted. “ Enough of your typical responses. Dragon to dragon, what’s going on?” Calypso eyed him angrily, and for a moment, Kronos thought she was going to lunge for him. But she sighed and looked at the ground.

“ I have it on good authority that the Ishtar Dynasty wishes to perform The Paragon’s Sacrament.” Kronos’s eyes stretched wide, and his mouth fell open. No…. No….

“ Are they mad?! Have they taken leave of their senses?! Don't they know what will happen if they do that?!”

“ They seem to think The Paragon will be bound to serve them for three days and three nights when it returns to our realm. In that time, they plan to use The One who Poisons Reality to subjugate and rule the entire world. After that, It will answer to no one,” Calypso said softly.

“ Those flaming corpse brains!” Kronos exclaimed, slamming a fist against an icy wall. “ If they are successful, there won’t be a world to rule! There’s a reason The Paragons were eliminated in every land!”

“ There’s more to it, I’m afraid,” Calypso said, her eyes meeting his. “ High Queen Hera is currently planning to meet with the other tribal leaders as a result. Her purpose being she wishes to convince them that all Half-Breeds must be eradicated, seeing as only one with human and Abnormal heritage can mantle into The Paragon.” Kronos had to lean against the wall to steady himself, staring at the ground. This can’t be happening! He looked up at Calypso, his voice wavering.

“ I take it you’ll be the one to execute us should they vote in favor.” When Calypso met his gaze, Kronos could not read the expression on her face. Before she could say anything, Kronos turned his back to her.

“ Don’t bother saying anything. I already know what your answer will be. After all, you live for this. Let’s just focus on getting out of here, so I no longer have to speak to you.” He started to walk away but stopped as pressure squeezed his neck. He choked and grabbed at his neck. Damn! The band she placed around my neck! He dropped to his knees, trying to pry the metal from his neck. His vision began to darken as he felt himself losing strength. I can’t get it off!

Suddenly he felt the pressure lessen. He breathed in and out, gingerly touching his throat. Calypso marched up to him and, with a snarl kicked him in the ribs. Kronos let out a pained grunt, wanting nothing more than to retaliate but knew it was a bad idea. She grabbed Kronos by the collar and hauled him to his feet, pinning him to the wall.

“ I am sick of you!” She exclaimed, her face inches from Kronos’s. “ You seem to go out of your way to infuriate me every chance you get!”

“ Enlighten me. How exactly do I do that?” Kronos asked, struggling to keep his voice calm.

“ You know exactly how! I am sick and tired of you refusing to live up to your heritage! All you do is sit back and let whatever happens to you happen without doing anything to change it! I took you prisoner, and you do nothing! I forced you to fight in my arena, and you just let me! I make you fight for me, and you still do nothing to stop me! And now that I’ve told you the truth about what High Queen Hera is planning, instead of cutting me, her apprentice, down when you know I’ll be playing a part in her plan; you just walk away!

Any other dragon would have eliminated the apparent threat, but not you! Noooooo, you would much rather just let whatever happen! It’s like you don’t even care! Damn it, Kronos, for once in your life, act as if you care about your heritage and make our ancestors proud!”

“ And be like you?” Kronos growled. “ Thanks but no thanks. I’m not anything like you, Calypso. I don’t kill others in cold blood just to nurse off the High Queen.” That remark earned him a slap across the face. Seeing red with his left cheek stinging, Kronos drew his fist back and punched Calypso in the gut. She gasped and stepped back, releasing Kronos. The Half-Breed punched her in the jaw as hard as he could. Calypso flew away from him but landed on her feet. With a roar of fury, a vortex of pale green wind surrounded her. Kronos narrowed his eyes and dropped into a defensive battle stance, a vortex of white lightning surrounding him.

“ Are you going to kill me like you killed Apollo?” Kronos demanded. Calypso’s eyes flew open upon hearing that name. Neither of them spoke for several moments. Calypso broke the silence speaking in a voice Kronos had to strain to hear.

“ That wasn’t… I did what I had to back then.”

“ Did what you had to? DID WHAT YOU HAD TO?!” Kronos roared, his Ryuijin replacing his normal eyes. He could make out small details even more clearly than before. Colors were more vibrant than they had ever been. Calypso took a step back; disbelief etched on her face.

“ Your eyes evolved to their second state? But that’s supposed to take several winters!” Kronos didn’t bother asking her what she was talking about; he just focused his Mana into his fist and rushed her. Before she could react, Kronos landed a punch that sent her flying backward several feet. Calypso landed on the balls of her feet, her face enraged. Kronos ran towards her again, but Calypso extended a hand and conjured a mighty gust of wind. Kronos fought to keep upright but was soon blown back.

He let out a pained cry as he smashed into an icy wall. Shards flew everywhere and cut the flesh of Kronos. Before he could react, Calypso flew in front of him and grabbed him by the neck. Kronos braced himself for an attack, but instead, Calypso just looked into her eyes. She was doing her best to keep her expression stoic, but due to the enhanced vision the Ryuijin granted him, he was able to see something else. Is that… regret?

“ I’m only going to say this once, so pay attention!” Calypso said softly. “ I understand you hate me for what happened that night. But I did what I had to do. I did what I’ve always done and sacrificed for the greater good.”

“ You sacrificed?! You sacrificed. Oh my, you should have said something, Calypso. I didn’t realize you were making such a sacrifice for killing Apollo in cold blood, just so you could be Hera’s lapdog!” Kronos snarled.

“ High Queen Hera!” Calypso snarled with a slap to his face. Kronos didn’t even blink as he felt his cheek sting. Still, he persisted. He was going to look this demon in the eye and tell her what he had always wanted.

“ Don’t you dare act as if you’re even the least bit remorseful for what you did that night,” he told her in a low voice full of anger. “ You didn’t just massacre a village full of innocents; you stabbed us in the back. Apollo and I were your comrades; we were your friends,” he said, anger and grief making his voice shake. “ We had your back; before anyone else cared about you, we had your back! But I guess that doesn’t mean anything to you.” Calypso was silent for several minutes; she just stared at the ground, her grip on Kronos’s neck weakening. When she spoke, her voice shook and was fragile, as if she was about to start crying.

“ You think I wanted to do that to him? You don’t think it hurt me, more than you can understand to have to turn my back on the two of you?” Kronos opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he noticed a few teardrops begin to fall from her eyes. A split second later, Calypso wiped her eyes with her arm. If Kronos didn’t have his Ryuijin active, he wouldn’t have noticed. Calypso took a quivering breath and released Kronos.

“ Look. We can do this later. For now, we’ve got to get back on track. Come on, let’s try and find a way back to the others,” she said in an attempt at her normal authoritative voice but failed. Kronos just nodded in reply, it sure what to make of her current demeanor. Wordlessly the two began to walk down a path shoulder to shoulder. As they walked, Kronos continued to read the carvings on the wall. More prayers and verses of worship. The Second People were pious indeed.

“ Kronos look,” Calypso said. Startled, Kronos followed her pointed finger and gasped. He was so lost in thought he hadn’t noticed where they had gone. The two of them were standing in front of a large bronze door. On the door, we’re depictions of death, war, plagues, famine, and people praying at the altar to a higher power.

“ I’ve seen doors like this in scrolls,” Kronos said. “ This door leads to a Temple to the Paragon.” He reached for the handle, shivering as his finger grasped the cold handle.

“ Kronos, wait. We need to find a way back,” Calypso protested.

“ Perhaps this will provide just that,” Kronos told her as he tugged at the door. It refuses to budge, no matter how many more times Kronos attempted to do so.

“ Hold on,” Calypso said with a devilish grin, brandishing her lance. Kronos did as instructed, and Calypso began to channel Mana into her lance, causing it to glow pale green. Before Kronos could say anything, she thrust her lance at the door, creating wind so mighty it blew through the door. Kronos watched in amazement, shock, and anger as he watched the bronze door be reduced to nothing more than rubble.

“ Do you know how many centuries of history you just destroyed?!” He moaned.

“ Get over it,” she told him, leading the way inside. Kronos mournfully followed her inside, wanting to wail aloud the waste as he stepped over the shards of the door. This is the worst thing she’s ever done! The two stood in the doorway, peering into the darkness. Kronos gagged as the smell of rot and soggy corpses filled his nose.

“ I can’t see anything! And the smell is wretched!” Calypso complained. Kronos found he agreed, barely able to make out his hand in front of his face. I could escape right now, and she wouldn’t be able to stop me! Kronos took a few steps back to attempt to do so but stopped when he felt Calypso grab his arm.

“ You know I can sense your Mana,” she said. Kronos sighed; I don’t know why I thought that was a good idea.

“ Let’s go, Kronos; I know Abnormals with lightning-based abilities can also create light,” she said. Kronos nodded and did as she commanded, forming a large ball of yellow light in his palms that floated above their heads. While his surroundings were still mostly dark, Kronos could now see where he was going, at least. The two began to walk down a ramp, both of them looking at the limestone walls. Their footsteps echoed throughout the deserted hallway. Kronos’s foot bumped into something when he looked down; he saw it was a skeleton.

“ Dust and cinders!” he exclaimed, jumping away. Calypso walked over to him and started down curiously at it.

“ Scared of bones now?” she asked him, her voice full of mockery.

“ It just surprised me,” Kronos said lamely, feeling his face turn warm. He heard Calypso scoff.

“ You really are a disgrace to our kind,” she said, shaking her head. “ Imagine, a dragon scared of a skeleton. You'll never be a true warrior, will you?” Kronos clenched his fists and thought about punching her but restrained from doing so. The last thing I want is to give her a reason to stab me and leave me for dead. I have no desire to join the skeletons. The two rounded a corner and walked down a large hallway made of limestone until they came to a double set of doors that they both pushed through.

The metallic scent of blood mixed with rot assaulted Kronos’s nose, causing him to cover it with his hand. Calypso followed suit, swearing to the highest of all heavens. The room they found themselves in was a small chapel. Rows of broken wooden benches lay everywhere amongst skeletal ruins. There was a gray stone sacrificial altar with the exact depictions as the door Calypso had destroyed in the middle of the room. Behind the altar was a large stone wall with symbols carved into it and a carving of an entity.

Four eyes stared at Kronos, tentacles sprouting from its mouth that reached its withered nose. Six curved horns adorned its thick bulbous head, which sat atop a compact, robust body. A scythe-like tail was pointed towards Kronos with sinister intent. Two immense wings extended themselves fully. Visible bones and see-through membranes stretched upward over the creature.

“ Kronos, is that-”

“ That is what The Paragon supposedly looked like,” Kronos said with a nod. “ But I have never seen this wall in any scroll. We may be the first ones here since the Second Age.”

“ I really don't like the looks of it,” Calypso said, stepping closer to Kronos. He noticed her shoulder was touching his. Normally he'd move away from her, not wanting to be this close to his former friend, but this time stayed where he was. He hated to admit it, but the image unsettled him as well. To distract himself, Kronos began deciphering the message carved on the wall.

Wait, what? No. No no no I must have misread that! Kronos thought once he was finished. He read it over and over again, hoping he was wrong. His brow furrowed, and he gritted his teeth. All this time, we’ve been doing exactly what they wanted!

“ What is it Kronos?” Calypso asked quietly. He looked back at her, eyes wide.

“ When is High Queen Hera planning to meet with the other leaders?“ he demanded.

“ What

“ Just answer me!” He shouted. Calypso blinked in surprise but shrugged.

“ Within the current moon cycle, why?” Kronos turned back to the wall, muttering under his breath. He then looked back at her.

“ She’s playing into The Paragon’s hands,” he muttered.

“ What do you mean by that?” Calypso asked, narrowing her eyes. Kronos pointed at the wall with a slightly trembling finger.

“ That wall tells of what shall come to pass before The Paragon returns. It reads thusly. When the children of Xether are no more.

When the land is drowned in blood and war.

When the wolf devours the moon.

And the sun pays its wedding boon.

When the land forever succumbs to eternal slumber

And reality itself is turned asunder.

When the gods weep endless tears.

And hope surrenders to fear.

He who Poisons Reality shall return.”

He bit his tongue in frustration when he saw Calypso’s blank face. “ Dust and cinders woman, don’t you get it?! If she succeeds in convincing the other tribal leaders in exterminating the Half-Breeds, it will initiate the rise of The Paragon! Our proper classification is called Xetherbloods!” A look of horror appeared in Calypso’s eyes, and she stepped back.

“ No. No. Surely High Queen Hera would know better. Besides, we don’t even know if that is the truth or just some legend,” Calypso said firmly, but Kronos could tell she was trying to convince herself as much as she was him.

“ Any member of the Kordean who dared utter or write a falsehood about The Paragon was killed, as well as their families. They wouldn’t permit such lies in a temple dedicated to their creator,” Kronos told her.

“ But what about The Paragon’s Sacrament? The Paragon can only return if a Half-Breed performs that ritual and mantles into Absalon,” Calypso said.

“ I do not know,” Kronos said. turning back to the wall. “ But I do know according to this wall, by killing the current-day descendants of Xether, that is one of the signs of The Paragon’s return.” Both of them fell silent for a few moments, staring at the wall.

“ I suppose I have no choice if you speak truly,” Calypso whispered. “ I wanted to wait until I was strong enough, but it looks as if waiting is no longer an option. I’ll have to overthrow Hera and become the new High Queen.” She hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder. “ And I’ll need your help to do so. When I take the fight to Hera and trust me, I will, Zhiliria can I trust you to stand by my side?”

Kronos pulled away from her with a snarl, setting his jaw so hard he was sure he cracked a tooth. He clenched his fists so tightly they turned white. No! No she didn’t! There’s no way she dared call me that!

“ My ears must be failing me. Did you just call me Zhiliria?” Calypso realized her mistake and held up her hands.

“ Kronos-“

“ I am not your War-Sibling!” Kronos roared, his outburst causing Calypso to flinch. “ My

Zhilirias stood by me through thick and thin. My War-Siblings fought with me no matter the odds. We protected each other! I trusted my War-Siblings!” Tears began to glisten in Kronos’s eyes. “ My Zhilirias stood for something!” Kronos found himself, inches from Calypso’s face. He knew he should keep silent, that Calypso would find a way to use this moment of weakness against him, but he was unable to. Emotions he had suppressed for years came rushing to the surface.

“ As for you, I don’t know you,” Kronos said, lowering his voice. “ Although I did know someone who looked just like you once. She was a snake who sank her fangs into me and another dragon called Apollo. Me and him thought we could trust her, and you know what happened? That same woman we had risked our lives for time and again took the very same lance you have and used it to stab me in the back and left me for dead.” Kronos’s voice fell to a whisper as he looked Calypso in the eyes.

“ She left me there in the mud, clutching the hand of the man I had sworn to defend till my dying breath. I watched him struggle to cling on to life in vain. I heard him call out for his mother, unable to do anything. That woman not only killed my sworn brother but she also broke my heart.”

“ That was over five winters ago! And you know what, I’m sorry!” Calypso yelled, getting into the face of Kronos. The Half-Brees was stunned to see tears running freely down her face as she glared at him. She grabbed him by the collar so he couldn’t back away. “ I know I’ve never told you that before, but I truly mean it, Kronos. I’m sorry. That night haunts me every time I close my eyes! If I could go back and prevent myself from doing that, I would!” She took a deep breath and stepped back, letting go of Kronos and wiping her eyes.

” It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I planned for you and Apollo to stand by my side when I claimed the throne. The three of us were going to lead our people to a grand new dawn. And we would have, if it wasn’t for your insecurities and your failures,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

” Are you blaming me for what happened?!” Kronos asked incredulously raising an eyebrow.

“ I suppose I am,” Calypso said, her voice hardening. “ You seem to have forgotten a few key moments of our history. Such as how every time you failed, Apollo and I picked you up, dusted you off and looked after you. And it never occurred to you why we did that did it? It’s because I saw a bit of myself in you and I thought if only you had someone to guide you, you could be significant.

Because you’re not weak by nature Kronos! The reason you were among the weakest of our village, is your own fault. What a fool I was, thinking you could live up to your potential. Because you're nothing but a disappointment.” Kronos took a moment to ponder what she had said. As much as he didn't want to admit, she had a point.

“ You brought up my insecurities and my failures being the real reason for what happened. And perhaps you're right,” Kronos reluctantly agreed. “ Maybe I am to blame, I don’t know. But I do know you never saw Apollo or I as friends or comrades. All you saw us as were tools you used for your own agenda and the moment you no longer had a need for us, we were discarded without a second thought.”

“ No no no! You got it all wrong, as usual!” Calypso exclaimed. “ What I did, I did out of necessity. I had to eliminate either you or Apollo. Even though it pained me, I chose Apollo. The reason I didn’t cut you down instead is because believe it or not I cared about you. To this day, I care about you Kronos. There’s a reason I took you prisoner. It's so I could protect you from High Queen Hera. The reason I forced you to fight in my arena and take this mission is so you could become stronger.”

Kronos didn’t say anything. He has been stunned into silence. Is she telling the truth? No. This has to be an act. The great Calypso regrets none of her sins. She revels in them. It is her sins that make her so feared. As much as Kronos didn’t want to as it, however, something told him she had been telling the truth.

“ Listen, Kronos, everything we’re talking about is in the past. Our present-day and our future will be lost unless we move on. I’m willing to do so; what do I have to do for you to be willing to move on?” Calypso asked after a few moments of silence.

“ It’s funny, Calypso. Your lips are moving, yet I hear no words,” Kronos told her. Does she genuinely expect me to forgive her?! Forgiveness won’t bring Apollo back!

“ Fine. I should have known mere words wouldn’t be enough to sway you,” Calypso said with a small smile. “ You always were the last one to change your mind after deciding something. Fine, here’s my proposal. I’ll give you three moon cycles to train. After the third moon cycle, you and I will meet and settle this issue for good. If you win, I’ll let you and your friends go free. But if I win, you work for me.”

“ And what assurance do I have you are being genuine?” Kronos asked. How do I know you mean what you said, and this isn’t a trap?”

“ I’ve never lied to you, Kronos. I’ve always been truthful; you know I have,” Calypso said, extending a hand. “ What do you say? Do we have an accord?” Kronos stared at her hand, unsure of what to do. She’s so much more powerful than me. I could fight her with the power of the gods themselves, and I’d still fail. But, Apollo has never been avenged. I let him down once. I can’t bear to do it again. With a deep breath, he slowly but firmly shook her hand.