Chapter Text
I could no longer tell what was real and what wasn’t. Images flashed through my mind, too fast to comprehend. There was my mother, her beautiful face streaked with tears as she yelled broken curses at the sky. Flashes of lightning with menacing voice saying over and over again, “ Your fault. Your punishment.” The faces of all my dead loved ones, flying past me, all blurring together.
DaphneHyacinthusAdmetusCyreneMichaelLee.
So many more, their names slipping through my mind like pieces of sand.
I waited in silence, wondering what horrors would come for me next. A giant plume of smoke coiled into existence in front of me before lunging and wrapping itself around me. I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain to come.
“Shouldn’t he be awake by now?” A distant voice whispered.
“I’m sorry my lady, but we’ve done all we can. Let us pray that the Fates will be kind.”
Those voices… I knew those voices! I reached for them, struggling to wake but something pulled me back.
Wait. There is one more thing you must see. And then I was back in the Olympian throne room.
Zeus was straight up not having a good time. I hovered above the council, watching as they went for each other’s throats.
“What you did was unnecessary and you know it Zeus!” Poseidon shouted, slamming his trident down with enough force to cause a level five earthquake somewhere in the mortal world.
“Oh so you’re in on this little scheme too aren’t you brother? Did you forget what happened last time you tried something like this or should I serve you seconds?” With each word, the storm clouds gathering at the top of the hall grew larger and larger, threatening to release their pent up anger.
“Two can play at this game.” My uncle growled, summoning a giant wave that swirled around him.
The others glanced nervously between the two, waiting to see who would break first. Ares looked downright pleased at this fight. I repressed the urge to roll my eyes. Of course he would be excited about a petty squabble.
In the end, none of them spoke out. It was Aunt Hestia who finally stood. She thrusted her hands out between the two gods, her flaming eyes glowing with more anger than I’ve ever seen.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Poseidon, sit down! And you little brother,” she rounded on Zeus. “What has happened to you?” Her voice broke at the end. She choked back a dry sob before continuing. I felt my heart crack at my Aunt’s pained expression.
“You are the Lord of the Skies and King of the Gods, the Lord of Justice and Hospitality. It is your job as our leader to listen to us and help us improve our lives and the lives of mortals who were entrusted to us! Why have you forgotten? You’ve let your throne twist you into a complete monster. Apollo is right. Olympus needs to change. You need to change, and until then, I will no longer support you!”
Around me, the throne room crumbled, and the last thing I heard was an angry roar and a thunderous boom. Then… nothing.
I awoke with a gasp.
“Apollo!” Someone tackled me in a hug.
“Hey sis.” I rasped.
She pulled away, quickly wiping the corner of her eye. I broke into a grin.
“Aw, did you miss me?”
“Shut up.” She sniffled.
Behind her, Emmie quickly bustled towards the exit, telling us she was going to let everyone else know I was finally awake.
I turned back to Artemis. “How long was I out?”
“Three whole days. Your wound healed pretty quickly but you wouldn’t wake up, and oh Apollo why must you keep hurling yourself in situations where you know you’re going to get hurt? She paused. “Actually, don’t answer that.”
“Three whole days?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s not bad. I’ve had worse.” I shrugged, pushing myself into a sitting position.
“He did this to you before.” Artemis said, realization and horror dawning on her face. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”
“I think you already know the answer to that.” I replied quietly.
“You bumhole, stop trying to play the tragic hero! I’m an Olympian too! You don’t have to look out for me at every turn.”
“You don’t know what he’s capable of! I can’t have him hurt you and Mother as well!”
“Contrary to what you just said brother, I DO know what he’s capable of. Don’t tell me you have forgotten about Callisto.” She retaliated sharply. ”I wanted to rip his throat out for what he did but I didn’t. Do you know why?” Without waiting for me to respond, she continued full force.. “He threatened to hurt Mother if I dared to seek vengeance!”
“He did what— oh Artemis, I’m so sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. What’s done is done.” She said, sitting down beside me. Her shoulders slumped. “I’m just so tired. Father being an ass, you getting hurt, all of it.”
“Me too. Is Aunt Hestia ok?”
“How did you—, yeah. She’s ok. Slightly hurt but she’ll be alright. We’ve managed to subdue father for the time being and the others are waiting for you to come back. I believe most are in favor of your bold sentiments.” She shot me a wry smile.
“I figured. Change is coming, whether Olympus is ready or not.”
My sister nodded. “I have been sensing a shift in the winds lately. Even Hecate has told me her spells have been off.” She stood. “I must leave. Take all the time you need to recover brother, but I advise you return to Olympus soon. You’ve kickstarted this movement whether you want to believe it or not.”
And with that, my sister was gone.
Well, time to say hello to everyone else I suppose.
The moment I stepped foot into the kitchen, I was crushed into one giant group hug from what seemed to be every Waystation resident save for the griffins and Livia. Laughing, I embraced as many as I could, hoping none of them could see my tears. I don’t know how long we stood there, basking in each other’s presence. We finally managed to untangle ourselves from each other.
“Alright folks, dinner time. Give Apollo some space and don’t bother him too much ok?” Jo said, herding us towards the tables.
As soon as I sat down, I was immediately bombarded with incoherent questions from Meg. R.I.P. to not bothering me too much.
“Is it true you told Zeus to suck it? And that the gods are going to have a big fight? Will we have to be forced to fight with them?”
“Hey slow down a little. No, I didn’t necessarily tell him to suck it, it was just heavily implied. We don’t know if there will be a fight but we’re hoping there won’t be. And if one breaks out, then no. I won’t allow it. Olympus needs to solve our own problems without dragging our children into another bloody mess.”
Meg nodded before shifting her attention to the food that arrived. Looks like I won’t be conversing with her for the rest of the evening. Girl had her priorities straight. We were halfway through with dinner when Lityerses came over and joined us, along with Leo and Calypso, each holding their own plates loaded with delicacies.
“You sure took your time in dreamland man. Glad to have you back.” Leo said, slapping me on the back.
“It was a relief to hear you woke up.” Calypso agreed.
Lit silently placed his hand in mine under the table, having me a reassuring squeeze, his eyes reflecting the million of thoughts he wanted to say to me but couldn't. I squeezed back, letting him know that yes, I was going to be fine. We were going to be fine. One day.
Dinner resumed, with the atmosphere considerably more lighter than before.
Soon, everyone filtered out of the room, leaving me and Lit alone.
“Hey, do you wanna go up to the rooftops with me?” He blurted out.
That was an unexpected surprise. “Of course. Any particular reason why?”
“Trust me, I think you’d want to see this.” He said, tugging me along. “And I want to spend some time alone with you if that’s alright.”
I laughed. “Very well. Let’s see it then.”
We hit the rooftops and my jaw dropped.
“Whoa…” I breathed.
“Right? It’s beautiful.”
In front of us sprawled the Indianapolis skyline. Even though it was well into the night, the city felt alive . I couldn’t believe just a couple of months had passed Commodus tried to take over this place.
We perched on the edge of the roof, letting our feet dangle over the side.
“Will you be going back?”
My eyebrows rose. “Yes. I don’t know when but I will be. Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“Hey hey, you know you can always tell me what’s on your mind. It’s ok, I won’t judge.”
“I don’t want you to leave me again. Please.” He said quietly. “You left for your quest and actually died . Then, when you finally come back, I thought this was going to last. I thought I was going to be able to spend time with the person I love, the one who gave me a better purpose in life, but instead, you left and got yourself roasted. And now I risk losing you again and I- I don’t think I can take it.” His voice cracking.
“Oh Lit…” I turned and pulled him closer, feeling my heart break as his silent tears soaked into my shirt.
“Sorry ‘Pollo. I didn’t mean to be that emotional.” He murmured.
“That wasn’t overly emotional at all, promise. That’s just a normal reaction to all of this. Hey, a thousand miles seems pretty far but they’ve got planes and trains and cars…”
“I’d walk to you if I had no other way.” He finished.
“Mhm,” I said, smiling. “I promise you Lit, whatever happens next, I will be by your side every step of the way. Perhaps I am being selfish but I think I’m allowed to be at the moment.”
“If it’s selfish to be with the person you love then that must make me the most selfish person on earth.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble love, but you’ve got competition.” I replied cheerily, kissing his cheek.
“‘Pollo, I’m trying to be romantic here.” He pouted.
“Trust me, it’s working.” I said.
“Hmph.” He said, snuggling closer.
Soon, he was asleep, his steady breathing the only sound in the still night air. I stared out into the dark, letting my thoughts keep me company. Up in the skies, Olympus sings to me, telling me to come home.
But Olympus can wait.
Here, at one of the most safest and welcoming havens on earth, surrounded by those who love me and who I loved back, I knew I was safe. And right now, that’s all that truly matters.