Vampire Greek: The Burning King
Chapter 27: Salmoneus

The tunnel wasn’t long and it opened into a small clearing surround by large walls of rocks. Besides the tunnel that Janus created, there was no other way out. The sky had color now, there were big grey clouds moving quickly and a strong wind whipped across Roman’s face. In the clearing sat a bald man on his knees, kneeling in front of a massive bonfire, the flames hissing against the unrelenting rain. As he got closer, Roman saw that the wasn’t just kneeling, his hands were shoved in the fire, and tears streamed down his broiled and blistered face.

The man noticed Roman and rose to his feet with big flaming rocks in each hand. He looked to the sky in fear and launched one as hard as he could sending it spiraling like a fireball towards the clouds. Seconds later, he launched the second one with the same force, aiming directly for the first, and bowed his head, flinching as the struck each other. The sound reminded Roman of a lightning strike, and Roman knew that’s what he’d been hearing all along. He stepped forward to ask Salmoneus why he did it when the fragments fell down upon Salmoneus, shards of rock embedding themselves into his back as he cried out in pain. He collapsed to the ground as Roman neared him, whimpering to himself in agony.

“Why do you do this?” Roman asked him as he tried to pull out the shrapnel. “Why did you put your hands in the fire? Why didn’t you avoid the rocks?”

“It is my punishment.” Salmoneus answered. “Given to me by Zeus.”

“What did you do to end up like this?” Roman asked him. He could feel the heat of the flames roaring against his flesh, and he didn’t mind it, considering how cold and empty he felt before.

“When I was king, I compared myself to Zeus. I refused to sacrifice to him and had my people offer sacrifices to me instead. I used to mimic Zeus’ thunder so he struck me with a thunderbolt to kill me.”“Same. He did the same to me, twice.” Roman chimed.

“He also destroyed my city and banished me here for eternity.”

“That’s awful. Can you decide not to put your hands in the fire? Can you refuse to throw the stones?”

Salmoneus shook his head and got to his feet.

“It’s a cycle I could never break.”

Salmoneus walked towards the fire and began to kneel again with outstretched hands.

“No. Stop!” Roman tackled him and dragged him away from the fire.

“Your effort is admirable, but I can’t escape this.” Salmoneus shoved Roman off him with more strength than he anticipated. Salmoneus dove his hands in the fire and pulled out two more rocks.

“Zeus damned me! You can’t save me, no one can, no one will! I WILL ENDURE THIS PAIN FOR EONS!” He threw one of the rocks in the sky and launched the other shortly after. Bowing his head to wait for their return, he looked at Roman, eyes filled with self pity.

“I don’t know what your punishment is boy, but you got a better deal than me.”

The rocks clashed and they both could feel the vibrations of the sound in their bodies. Roman watched as the rocks fell and he sympathized with Salmoneus’ pain more than ever. He ran and pushed Salmoneus out of the way, standing in his position with his head bowed just like Salmoneus. He roared in anguish as the sharp rocks punctured his skin, dropping to his knees from the pain. Blacking out, he almost fell face forward into the fire until Salmoneus caught him. He pulled out the shards and laid Roman carefully on his back. Cupping his hands to catch the rainwater, Salmoneus poured the water on Roman’s face, waking him up.

“Why would do such a thing?” He asked Roman. “This is not your pain to bear.”

“Zeus struck us both down. I vow to get revenge, for you, me, and whoever else I encounter that is banished here.I came to rally you, your spirit, to fight alongside me in my battle with him.”

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“Your faith is power enough.” said Roman “When I face Zeus I will have the wrath of Tartarus itself on my side.”

“Do you really believe you can fight Zeus?” Salmoneus asked him as he helped him up.

“I killed one god already. He would be wise to fear me.”

Salmoneus smiled.

“Then I will fight alongside you, in spirit.”

“They shook hands and Roman headed to the tunnel.

“Before you go,” Salmoneus called after him.

“Yeah?” Roman turned to answer.

“I think you should seek out my brother next. His name is King Sisyphus.”

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