God of War

THIRTY

“WHO IS THE GRAVE DIGGER?”

Zeus appeared to be taken aback by Athena’s sudden question. “Why, he… digs graves.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“But it is. Just not the answer you’re hoping for.”

Athena hid the beginning of a smile. The Skyfather’s words led her to an inescapable conclusion: Zeus himself had been the gravedigger, and he supported Kratos. She knew he could not openly favor the Spartan, because of his own edict. The other gods would protest. With so much turmoil in Olympus, thanks to Ares and his disobedience, Zeus walked carefully. He was King of the Gods but could never withstand open rebellion among all the other gods.

She exulted. Zeus aided Kratos in ways she did not know, but aid him he did. That increased Kratos’s chance for success.

Zeus had bestowed the power of the thunderbolt on her Kratos surreptitiously.

Athena needed even more from Zeus. “Father, we must help Kratos more openly. He cannot hope to conquer Ares without our aid.”

“No!” Instantly changeable, Zeus jerked to his feet and now towered over her so that her whole body was in his shadow. “You will not help Kratos, because Ares’s blood will not stain your hands!”

Everything fell into place. The intricacy took her breath away. Zeus had maneuvered her so she would guide Kratos to where he, the Lord of Olympus, could bring about Ares’s death.

“What more is there, Father? You said that Kratos had to prove himself to be worthy. Of what? What more than killing Ares do you plan for him?”

“You thought to use your mortal to accomplish your end, but I foresaw failure. Now there is a chance for Kratos to kill a god and… attain more.”

“A chance,” Athena said, “but not a certainty.”

Zeus did not answer.