Akheron’s laughter told Zelos everything he needed to know. The uncle that Zee thought of as a father figure, the one that had taught him a lot, this uncle just did not care about him or his siblings. Kratos had asked a simple question, one he had obviously wanted an answer to. Akheron could have told them he had been caught up in the moment, that she had asked for it, that he had just felt like it. He could have given any reason imaginable, but he chose to mock Kratos and laugh. Their pain meant so little to him that he felt the need to add to it.
Zee was suddenly glad Bia was not there. He wished he could have spared Nike and Kray from this as well, but he knew that while he could have stopped his brother, Kratos needed to release his anger. And now Rivalry understood that blind anger. That loud laughter at their expense was enough to make Zelos snap. He looked at the man who was his uncle and felt nothing beyond his anger.
He put one hand on Kratos’ shoulder, not so much wanting to stop his brother, just to get his attention. With the other hand, he reached into his jacket and pulled out his handgun. Staying out of Kray’s way, Rivalry moved to stand at Akheron’s side. He flipped off the gun’s safety and pressed the barrel against Pain’s neck.
“Do you remember what happened to the last man that had abused Styx?” Zelos asked quietly. “We were there, hell, I even watched as Athena took care of him. You mean less to us than he did. Now, Kratos asked you a question. Just give him a straight answer or shut up and take what you earned like a man. If you mock him again, I will shoot you in the throat.”
He lowered his gun and moved over to his younger brother. “Don’t kill him, Kray, if you can avoid it. I really don’t want him to get off that easily.”
Zee kept his gun out and ready, in case Akheron decided to be a coward and fight back. He would have no problem dropping Akheron like a dog in the street with a bullet through his brain. Zee put his arm around Nike, needing a little more comfort.