Fall of Apollo

A retelling of the myth of Asclepius, Apollos son

Ancient Greece

Thanatos sliced through the sickly soul, the middle-aged man’s soul looking at his dead body with melancholy as his family grieved.

His young daughter taking it the hardest. She was only five years old, she was their miracle child. He and his wife struggled and prayed to the gods for fertility, bringing various deities offerings in hopes they could bear a child.

He was nearly 48 years old when his wife announced she was pregnant and brought their beautiful daughter into the world. She was his everything, his daughter became the reason to keep getting up in the morning, to bring home a better harvest, and better pay, to work to get her the best education and childhood she could.

But he was struck with illness, fast and lethal. His daughter sobbed so hard into her mother's side, hiccuping with the force of her grief. Her mother cried, holding her daughter tightly to her.

The man looked to Thanatos. “Will my family be alright?”

“In time. Ready to go?”

The man just nodded, letting the death god show him to the underworld.

Hades signed the papers of a few souls. The next one was a man, who died of illness.

Name: Georgios

Age:53

Status: Middle-class, peasant farmer

Marital status: Married

Family: wife and one daughter

Death: illness

The soul stood before him, concern on his face as if he was more worried about the life he left behind on earth and not where he might go.

Hades saw the worry in the man and sighed, he didn’t like sending the souls if they needed some closure first. “What is on your mind?”

The man jumped, so zoned out of where he was. “My family. I worry for them, my lord. I know Thanotos said they would be alright but my daughter, she’s only five, this is her first lesson of death.”

“It is necessary to learn and cope.”

“But so harshly? She is just a toddler, barely a child and she lost her father.”

“I cannot change your death and even if I had the ability I would not change it; death is inevitable and at some point, she has to learn to cope with it. I’m sorry the lesson is so harsh.”

The man opened his mouth to reply but his soul disappeared, along with his paper from Hades desk.

Hades just blinked, looking at where the man was and where the paper was.

“What just happened?”

On earth, Asclepius was passing through and heard the grieving cries of the child. He knew them, he’s helped them before. He went to the door, gently knocking.

The door opened and he saw her husband dead on the couch of their living room, behind her. She cried, wiping her face clear best she could, it was wet with tears that never stopped. “I tried to find you but the illness, it was taking him so fast and I didn’t want to be away too long. And she’s too young to send out alone. He passed away about an hour ago.”

He frowned, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, blonde curls almost in his blue eyes. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Suddenly the little girl came running, tugging on his arm. “Bring Daddy back!” She sobbed. “Bring daddy back Asclepius! please!” He kneeled down and hugged her. “I’ll see what I can do.” He stood back up and went to the husband's body.

It was pale, eyes open and vacant, limp as a dying leaf on a tree. He put his hands on him, a golden glow coming from them as he worked his abilities.

It didn’t take long before the corpse, now living body was awake, gasping and blinking in astonishment. “Where am I?”

The daughter ran over, hugging her father, sobbing into his neck. “Don’t leave me.”

He hugged her, but was still confused. He sat up with her, holding her close. He looked to Asclepius. “Won’t you be in trouble for this?”

He just smiled. “You let me worry about that, take care of this little girl, she needs her father.”

He could only nod as he decided not to question it, hugging his daughter so close with a watery smile.

Hades let the one soul go. One brought-back soul won’t upset the balance of the universe.

But slowly more souls kept disappearing on him, more papers gone. It became enough that even other souls in the hall of judgment witnessed it once or twice.

Then he realized he should have not let this go.

Before he could call for Hermes to send a message to Zeus about it. Thanatos was next to him in a second, looking angry. “We have a problem.”

Hades just looked over with one raised, dark eyebrow. “You’ve noticed?”

“Noticed? I sliced a soul from their body and he came along and brought them back, I witnessed it.”

Hades cursed. “Has anyone been able to talk to Apollo about this?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Very well. I will send a message to Zeus to have a talk with him.”

Thanatos crossed his arms, irritation still coming off of him in waves. “He better. And Apollo had better make him listen or there will be consequences.”

Hades sighed, he hoped consequences were not needed. Asclepius was a good kid, too nice for his own good which is probably what led to this little issue.

“Hermes!” He called, voice echoing and booming in the empty hall of judgment.

Hermes was there in a second. “Whatcha need big guy?”

Hades went to his desk, getting some paper, and using his pen. “I need you to deliver this message to Zeus, it’s of utmost importance.” He wrote out the message quickly and moved to the next one.

“And this one to Apollo. Just as important.” Hermes looked at the letters. Both in his hands now. “Two letters from you, on the same day? Something’s going on.”

“Asclepius is bringing the dead back to life.” He said, matter of fact.

Hermes' eyes went wide. “Ok…that’s not what I expected. How is he even doing that? Isn’t he, ya know, human?”

“I don’t know nor care how he’s doing it but that he’s doing it in the first place. Now please, deliver those messages.”

Hermes gave a little salute before disappearing. Hades looked over at Thanatos. “Do you think Asclepius will listen?”

“I hope so. I fear what Zeus may do if he doesn’t. Knowing Asclepius, it’s hard to stay mad at him. He does this with the purest intentions, wanting only to help the humans. It’s hard to see a loved one grieving and struggling with their loved one's death. Especially a parent's grief.”

Hades just nodded in agreement. Asclepius was a good kid, too nice for his own good but that’s what’s getting him into this mess. He’s blurring the boundaries between life and death and not thinking of the consequences.

Nyx showed suddenly to the two. “I’m sure you two are aware of what is happening.”

“That Apollo's son is resurrecting the dead? Yes.” Hades stated.

Nyx gave a weak glare, angry at the situation. “The fates are livid. The only reason they have not cut his thread is because of his father.”

“Hades sent messages to both Zeus and Apollo, it’s being handled, mother.”

Nyx softened, just a bit. “Good. I hope it can be resolved quickly.”

On Mount Olympus, Apollo was playing some music on his Lyre while checking in on his followers. Some of the offerings manifested near him, like jewelry and artwork, and music, others food offerings that he would snack on in between notes and songwriting.

He was munching on a sun cake when Hermes showed up. He swallowed his bite down and smiled. “Hermes, hey!” But he noticed the sour expression on the message. “What’s is it?”

“You’re not gonna like this.” He said as he handed over the letter from Hades. “There’s another one for Zeus as well.”

Apollo sighed, putting his Lyre down, taking the scroll, and reading.

Your son is resurrecting the dead, talk to him, please.

Hades.

Apollo groaned. “Fuck..and Zeus probably has the same message huh?”

Hermes walked over to the plate of suncakes. “Most likely.” He went to grab one but was shot with an arrow, a small, little one but still enough to form as a warning. “Ow!”

Apollo just gave a playful glare, putting his bow back in its little pocket dimension.

“Well, that’s what you get for taking food that isn’t yours. Let’s go to Zeus. Together; I don’t trust you around my offerings.” Hermes mock gasped. “Rude, I would never do such a thing.” He says as he manages to stuff a suncake in his togas pocket.

Zeus was laughing heartily at a joke Dioynous made. Zeus was feeling bored and called on the wine god. Of course, he came with the best wine and the best jokes.

Zeus was a little drunk when Hermes and Apollo showed up.

Dioynous immediately smiled at them, bringing two more wine glasses into existence, floating by him. “What a surprise! Here, have a drink.”

Hermes got the letter out, and Apollo gently turned down the wine. “Unfortunately I don’t come with good news.”

Zeus frowned. “Whatever is the matter? Is everything alright?”

Hermes just handed Zeus his letter.

Zeus read it over.

Asclepius is resurrecting the dead. Please work this out.

Hades.

Zeus huffed. “Not a man of many words. But this is a problem. Apollo, what do you plan to do about this?”

Apollo sighed. “I will talk with him. I knew his abilities as a healer surpassed me but I didn’t know he was raising the dead. I will talk to him immediately, I promise, this will not happen again.”

“It better not or there will be dire consequences. For both of you.”

Apollo frowned, bowing to him quickly. “Yes, father.”

Hermes just watched, Apollo left without any goodbye or last word, it made him worry for the sun god and his son.

On earth, Asclepius was helping mend injuries from a farming accident. When he was done, the people thanked him profusely, the injury would have been fatal if left untreated. When he turned around he saw his father, looking irritated, arms crossed.

It wasn’t too often his father visited him directly, and this visit was not looking to be a good one. Apollo sighed, he hated having to be so stern and angry. “We need to talk.”

Asclepius walked over to him. Apollo sighed heavily, already feeling guilty for the lecture. “How many humans have you brought back to life?”

His son looked away, fidgeting with his hands, running his hand through blonde curls. “Just a few.”

“Do not lie to me.”

“I’m not.” Asclepius pleaded but his hands shook with anxiety.

Apollo sighed, again, he wasn’t going to make this easy, was he? His eyes glowed a soft gold and was easily able to see past his lies. He glared as he walked closer.

“40 is a few?”

“Many of them were infants-“

“That doesn’t matter, you are playing with the natural laws. You can’t do that.”

“What am I supposed to do if a mother comes with a dying baby?”

“You let them die!” Apollo shouted but immediately regretted it.

His son looked devastated. He walked closer. “I’m sorry for shouting. I know what I said sounds cruel but the fates have already predetermined their death. I know seeing a child or infant die, the mothers grieving…it’s hard. It’s an unimaginable pain they are going through but you cannot bring them back simply for the sake of their grief. It’s blurring the lines between life and death and if they know you can bring them back, they might get reckless, they might stop caring about injury or illness because you can save them. That’s not the natural order of the world and you know it.”

“Even for Stillborns?” Asclepius asked, sounding so small, reminding Apollo of when he was still a child, at least the times he could be there.

“Even for stillborns.” Apollo said softly. It felt so cruel to say out loud but it’s the natural order of the universe.

Asclepius just nodded. “I apologize, I did not think they would miss a few infant souls.”

“And adult souls. And yes. Infants may not go through hades but every soul is missed when they are brought back; none are too small or unimportant to go unnoticed.”

“What about animals?” Asclepius asked curiously.

Apollo shook his head, blonde waves swishing with the movement. “None. All die at their time. Alright?”

Asclepius just nodded, looking sad. “Alright, I will follow what you say.”

Apollo sighed, relieved the talk was over. “Good, I don’t like having to lecture. But since I’m here, why don’t we talk, tell me what you’ve been up to, other than breaking the laws of nature.”

Weeks and months went by, the talk seemingly has worked. Hades and Thanatos were happy about that, no souls were popping away, and no papers disappearing.

The issue was taken care of, never to have to bother Zeus or Apollo about it again.

But soon he saw a few souls disappearing and it forced his hand to send another message to Zeus. Hermes looked at the letter with a frown. “Again?” Already knowing who it’s going to.

Hades just nodded. “The boy has not learned.”

Hermes just took the letters, all playful demeanor and energy gone, knowing the message won’t bring good news and even bring devastating consequences. He left swiftly.

The next day, Hades got a paper and was about to ask the name to conform the next soul when he saw the name.

Name: Asclepius

Age: 23

Marital status: single

Family: Apollo, father, Coronis, mother

Cause of death: lighting strike

He froze, seeing the name before properly looking up and seeing the soul of Apollo's mortal son in his hall of judgment. He’s honestly not sure how to process him, it’s such a unique and worrying situation. By reading over the paper he knew exactly what happened but it filled him with dread; what does this mean for Apollo? Has he been punished as well? Why did Zeus choose death over other punishments? Does Apollo even know?

“Uh Hades? Sir?” Hades looked at Asclepius. He spoke. “I apologize, I was not expecting you.”

“Thank Zeus for that,” He said curtly, arms crossed. Hades could see he was very much like his father, bratty attitude and all.

“Yes, I see. I want you to know I did not want this for you when I first reported the missing souls, I only wanted you to stop. Why didn’t you?”

Asclepius looked away from him, feeling a mixture of shame and pride. “I just couldn’t not do something. You have not heard a mother wail of grief or a child begging for their parent back.”

Hades sighed as he signed the paper. “That is not your judgment to make but I admire your need to help at any cost. Go through the right door to Elysium Fields."

Asclepius just nodded and walked through the door.

Hades could already feel the shift in energy among the deities, something big was going to happen, he just hoped Apollo and Zeus survive it but knowing Apollo's abilities and temperament, Zeus should be scared.

He was just about done for the day too when Apollo showed up. His energy bristled with anger and grief.

He tensed, seeing the sun gods rage. “Apollo-”

“Don’t you dare give me any tone, where is my son?” His voice controlled but Hades could see his vibrating energy, could feel it as one feels the sun's rays on a particularly hot day; oppressive and heavy.

“In Elysium fields.”

“Why did you even take his soul? Why could you not tell me first he was down here?”

Hades walked down from his desk, walking closer to Apolo. “Because I do my job, unlike your son.”

Apollo already had his bow pointed at the king of the underworld but had not let go of the arrow, the arrow glowing gold, ready to strike as flares of the sun shined around him in his rage.

“You didn’t have to take him! You could have called for me!” Hades saw the tears in the sun god's eyes, falling down his face, his anger covering the grief he feels but Hades knew the grief well, he knew how heavy it was, the void it left as if it was sucking in any joy you may see, leaving you hollow.

“I could have tried to fix this!”

“You did, he listened for a while but his heart is too good. You should feel proud of him for wanting to selflessly help others, even knowing there will be consequences. Now please, lower your weapon.”

Apollo lowered his bow, much of his anger present still, even as tears wet his face. “I’m sorry. I know this is not your fault, you are not the reason he’s dead. But who is? Did his paper say?”

Hades looked away. “His cause of death was getting struck by lightning.”

Suddenly all the passionate rage was back, his bow held in a grip that would have broken a mortal bow as his energy started flickering little sun flares around him, threatening to melt the metal that was around the hall of judgment.“That bastard.”

Thanatos didn’t make himself known, not while Hades was trying to calm the sun god. But he heard it all and Apollo left suddenly. He walked toward Hades. “Why did you tell him?”

Hades looked over. “I didn’t, I only stated his cause of death, it’s not my fault if he put the pieces together.”

Thanatos chuckled weakly. “You are correct. I suppose Zeus has had this coming. I took his soul and it was unexpected, to say the least. although the boy needed punishment, I do not agree death should have been the punishment.”

“Zeus could have easily taken his abilities away, this was too much. Perhaps now he may think before he acts.”

Zeus was on his throne, as usual, chatting with several other deities, Ares included, Aphrodite on his lap when Zeus was struck by one of Apollo's arrows, dropping him to the ground of his palace with force.

He cried out in pain, it dug into his chest, burning a hole inside him, the skin around it turning a deep red and starting to blister; a sunburn, but then he felt ill, weak.

No, sun poisoning.

He knows this is only because Apollo wanted to send a message; if he had wanted him dead, he would be dead.

Ares was already standing at attention, spear and shield ready as he saw Apollo on his chariot, his voice wasn’t booming or thunderous but it was heard all the same.

“How dare you kill my son! I gave him a talk, and he listened! You could not have asked me to deal with him again?!”

Zeus was in the middle of getting up, feeling queasy when Apollo shot another arrow but Ares deflected it, leaving a melted dent in his shield as he yelled back. “Leave him alone! He is no threat, you got him! What more do you want?”

Apollo glared down at them, his energy still flickering little sun flares around him. “I want him to fix this. I want him to apologize! He could have taken that ability away but he killed him instead! Like the lazy, bastard he is!” He shot another and Ares deflected that as well, leaving another melted dent.

Zeus grumbled as he got up, taking the arrow out with a pained grunt, the skin on his hand burning with the effort. “I apologize for nothing! Your son gave no heed to your talk, nothing would have stopped him! How much longer should he tempt the fates? How many people did he have to bring back before you stopped him?!”

Apollo stared down at him, an arrow pointed at Zeus' head, but Ares was his defense. He couldn’t bring himself to shoot and kill the lightning god, it would bring a war that could last hundreds of years. He would never apologize. He was too prideful for that. Then he had an idea.

He lowered his weapon. “You’re right father,” He said with sarcasm heavy in his voice. “But you took someone precious from me, seems fitting I do the same to you.” He then took the reigns of his chariot, whipping the straps and the swans took him off into the sky.

Zeus growled, using the remaining strength he had to throw the rest of his bolts at him in a rage. But Apollo dodged them and was gone. He turned, looking at the Olympians who had gathered either to help or watch. “ARTEMIS!” He shouted.

She was there in a second, having been in the middle of checking in on a few of her followers and patrons when it all went down. “Yes sir- what’s happened to you?” Seeing his red, blistered skin and shaking hands.

Zeus stared her down, face red with anger. “Your brother is about to do something reckless, go stop him and bring him back to me!”

She just gave a nod. “Yes sir.”

She left, grumbling and wondering what the hell her brother was up to.

He flew to the Cyclops's domain, where Zeus' bolts were forged, bolts that killed his son. He was out of sight easily, one eye meant less depth perception and more blind spots, and Apollo took great advantage of that, drawing some of his most powerful arrows, forged from the sun, he took a steady and sure aim, relishing the moment Zeus finds out it’ll be a long time until he can get his bolts made again, and let go.

It shot right into the Cyclops head, through its temple. It was such an intense heat it melted the creature's eyeball. The others saw and he shot at them, never missing his mark and all dying in the same fashion, eyeballs melted and heads bursting from the intense heat as they collasped.

“Brother stop!” He heard his sister, turning, he saw her in her own chariot. “Why are you doing this?”

Apollo was remarkably more calm now that his revenge had been taken. “Zeus killed Asclepius. He was bringing mortals back from the dead, I talked to him but he didn’t stop. Apparently, Zeus saw it fit to kill him instead of finding other options.”

“He is dead?” Artemis asked, in disbelief.

Apollo nodded, tears starting to roll down his cheeks as the anger he felt slowly left him, making him feel hollow and cold. “By Zeus’ hand. He had too good a heart, he kept bringing back loved ones who passed away, unable to hear the wails of mothers whose children died. He would bring back stillborns sister.” His voice cracked and Artemis got close enough to jump into his chariot, her own eyes filling with tears as she hugged him close.

He held her tightly, almost tight enough to bruise. Artemis held him, letting him grieve with no judgment and for all the time he may need. She let a few of her own tears fall silently. When he moved to right himself, his tears stopped, she wiped her own face with a heavy sigh. “I’ve been ordered to bring you back to Zeus.” She said, looking down at the dead bodies of the cyclops, heads burst from the intense heat of the arrows.

“I know.” He said quietly, he wasn’t sure what Zeus had in store for him but it wouldn’t be good, he knew that. He chose not to use any divination to find out, honestly didn’t have the mental strength to do so, he didn’t care what Zeus did, none of it would bring his son back to life.

Artemis did as she was ordered and brought him back. When they arrived. Apollo started to walk toward the lighting god but an invisible force, forced him to his knees but Artemis was in front of him quickly, an arrow pointed at Zeus and a protective anger on her face. “You will let him stand. Do not force him to kneel before you when you do not deserve it.”

Zeus was about to object to her but Ares and Athena both backed her up. And those two often never agreed on anything. They were flanked by Artemis, protecting Apollo from any more of Zeus Wrath.

He let up and allowed Apollo to stand.

The others moved as Apollo stood, still staring Zeus down.

Zeus glared but Apollo could still see the signs of the sun poisoning he had given him earlier; his skin was red and heated, his chest where he shot still blistered and peeling and he could see the weakness as his hands trembled. “You promised this wouldn’t happen again.” Even his voice was weak.

“I am not going to supervise his every waking second. I talked to him, I told him there would be consequences. If I had known the consequences would be his death I would have done more than a talk.”

“How could you not know? You have the power of divination, of prophecy, you could have easily seen what was going to come.”

“I don’t use that all the time, you know the amount of energy that takes just for a few minutes of it?”

Zeus shook his head but nearly stumbled before righting himself, glaring weakly at him. “You have been a thorn in my side since the day you were born, always having an answer for everything.”

Apollo just sneered at him. “That’s because I know everything before it happens or did you forget?” He stated, knowing it would only stoke Zeus ire more.

Zeus growled, stepping closer to the sun god, his son. “I have had just about enough of you! For your impulsive attitude and inability to control your son-“

“That’s rich coming from you!”

“One year, on earth, as a feeble, mortal, human!”

Apollo blinked, nearly gasping. Even the deities behind him were in shock, his sister the most concerned as she went to him, her hands on his shoulders, a small attempt to keep him here. “You can’t be serious, what of my followers, my patrons?!”

“Too bad! They will see you in one year!”

And with a snap of his fingers, Apollo was gone and Artemis was left staring at the spot he once stood.