Fall of Apollo part 3

Apollo couldn't sleep.

He got through day one, just 364 to go. It was quiet in the house, only the sounds of crickets flowed through the air. He attempted to sleep but he just wasn’t tired. Mentally he was exhausted but he just couldn't sleep.  He sat up in the bed, huffing, and decided to just admire the night and look at the moon.

It was full and it made his heart ache, missing his sister. He wondered..

He got up, put his robes back on, and went outside.

He walked out a small distance from the house, feeling the grass touch his skin, it was soft and pleasant. Once he felt far enough away, he looked to the moon.

“Artemis, if you can hear this. I’m sorry about this whole damn mess.” his voice raised suddenly, feeling all his anger for Zeus come back but none of the heat of the sun that accompanied it like usual.  “But if I had ever thought, for a  second! That Zeus would kill him, I would have seen about taking that ability of his away! I would have actually fixed it-”

Suddenly he felt the wind blow near him, ruffling his blonde hair as his sister appeared before him with a sad smile. “Hello, brother.” Apollo smiled, the first real smile he’d had all day, and ran to hug her, arms out but ended up falling into the grass with a grunt.

Artemis laughed at him before kneeling to him as he sat up. Apollo blushed. “I forgot, we can’t actually touch.”

“It’s alright, I think we both needed the amusement. How are you fairing?”

He stood, picking grass out of his hair. “Better than I thought I would but that might have been calculated on Zeus' part. Where I landed is a vineyard. My son helped them, brought one of them back from the dead and now Dionysus is his patron.”

Artemis gave a nod but had suspicions of Hermes helping somehow, it was just too lucky. “That is rather lucky, At least it’s working out, you have a shelter and people willing to help you.”

“But it’s not home.” He said softly, looking away from her.

She frowned. “No,  it’s not. And Olympus is not the same with your absence; it’s too quiet.”

He gave her a look. “Is that your way of saying I’m a chatterbox?”

She chuckled. “It’s not wrong but I meant your music, you idiot.”

“Oh. yeah.” He blushed again.

“Helios is helping.’

“Figured.”

Artemis sighed. “I have to be going, I’ll visit as often as I can.”

“Asclepius’ funeral is tomorrow night,” he said bluntly.

She frowned, walking closer to him. “Will you be alright?”

He looked away. “I don’t know. I lost it today at my temple. Do you know how hard it is to see my believers and worshipers and be unable to thank them or help them? One girl was upset because she felt unworthy of me, she wrote me a poem she was going to throw away. I helped her the best I could in this form but…I wish I could do more.” His eyes watered but he wiped at them quickly.

She smiled sadly. “You always were a bleeding heart. I will be there, I have to be there to help my baby brother.”

Apollo gave a playful glare. “By one minute, I am not a baby.”

“Sure you're not,” She said with a smile before it turned into a frown. “I have to go. I will see you tomorrow but you must not acknowledge me, very few can actually see me and if they know you can see me they may get suspicious or even try to recruit you.”

“I will do my best.”

“I know you will. I will see you tomorrow night.”

She was gone then, disappearing into the air.

He sighed, feeling the coldness of the night air on his skin, loneliness creeping back in as he walked back to the house, waiting for the sun to rise.

By the time he managed to sleep, the sun was rising and Kasandra was waking everyone up for the day. He grumbled as he hid in the pillow and blankets.

She opened the fabric curtains from the window, letting the dawning sunlight come in. “Come! We’ve no time to waste,  Apollo has blessed us with another beautiful day and there’s much to do. The first meal of the day is waiting for you on the table.”

She left, leaving the door open for him.

He sighed heavily, feeling heavy from the lack of sleep. Fuck, it was gonna be a rough second day.

He got up and dressed, walking into the kitchen, feeling his stomach growling as he sat at the table.

He was happy to see he wasn’t in this alone, Maria looked just as grumpy to be up, just staring at her bowl of porridge, playing with it.

Georgio gave a friendly but tired smile. “Good morning, did you sleep well?”

Apollo went to answer but was interrupted by a yawn. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Kasandra frowned. “You should have come to me, I have a tea that can help. Maria often has nightmares and the tea helps her very well.”

Apollo shook his head. “I’m not going to wake you up just because I can’t sleep.”

“Nonsense. Tonight you’re having some tea before bed.”

Apollo smiled weakly, it was a nice feeling cared for. “Yes, mam.”

“So, Phoebus, ever harvested grapes before?” Georgio asked as he took a bite out of his bread.

Apollo frowned, he was close to saying yes but he’s never actually harvested grapes, only heard of it from Dionysus and their many talks and he knows that’s a difference between knowing it and doing it.

“No, actually. I’ve read about it though.”

“It’s not that hard, I’ll show you while the girls are getting water for the day.”

Apollo just nodded at that, starting to eat the bowl of porridge.

Once breakfast was done they cleaned up, Kasandra and Maria going to the stream nearby to gather water for the day as Georgio took Apollo to the grape fields.

It was comparatively smaller than most vineyards but it was still just as beautiful with at least six rows of grape vines ready for harvest.

Georgio went to the shed and got the baskets for the harvest and a few pruning shears, handing one of each to Apollo. “Take these and follow me.”

Apollo did as he was told, a bit excited to be learning something new. Georgio showed him, going to a grapevine. “You want to give the grapes a good look over first, make sure they are ripe. They should be firm and purple. If there’s still some green on one or  two of the grapes, that’s alright but if most of the plant is green, leave it, it’s not ready.”

He showed where to cut and showed how to place them in the basket so they don’t get damaged too much.

“Think you got it?”

Apollo nodded. “Yeah, not too hard.”

“No. The hardest part is growing them, to begin with. Now let’s get to harvesting.”

A few minutes later the girls came back from getting the water, storing it away before coming to help with the harvest.

It took a little over an hour but all was harvested and now came the time-consuming part; crushing the grapes. But it was Maria’s favorite.

All the grapes they could fit went onto a screen that was framed and held together with wood, a big wooden, abit of a tall bowl. it. It was nearly as tall as Apollo.

Maria tried to jump it but it was too short. Apollo chuckled, picking her up, and placing her on. “There ya go.”

She didn’t let go and attempted to tug him up to crush the grapes with him. “Crush them with me, it’s really fun!”

Apollo couldn’t say no to her. He chuckled as he climbed up. “Alright-“

One step on it and he nearly slipped. Yeah, this was very different from just talking about it.

Kasandra and Georgio both nearly ran to him. “Are you alright?” Kassandra asked.

Apollo groaned, he didn’t fall but he wished he did. His muscles tensed up and although nothing was sprained or torn, it hurt for a few seconds before he steadied himself. “I’m alright. Never stood on one of these before.”

Once he stood he stopped still, seeing Dionysus's figure leaning against the shed that was nearby, watching with an amused smile eating a fig. He just gave a little wave. “And you said this was easy.”

Maria was already stomping with giggles, nearly jumping on the screen.

The wine god chuckled that a five-year-old was better at this than Apollo, a grown man.

Apollo remembered what Artemis said, he shouldn’t be making it known he could see and talk with the other deities. Probably only going to be able to either when alone or at his altar.

He pretended he wasn’t there and focused on balancing Instead, trying to crush the fruit beneath his feet.

It was fun but it was uncomfortable at first, they were squishy between his feet, getting in between his toes and it felt weird but he got used to it,

Kasandra and Georgio added more grapes and it was about 45 minutes before all the grapes were crushed and all the juices they could get out were all in the bowl.

It was easier to get off the grape crusher than on but even Maria made that look as easy as walking by jumping down.

Georgio came over with a towel for them. “Know what we do next Phoebus?” Apollo thought about it, even looking over to Dionysus for an answer who shook his head with a grin. “Nope. With all the talks we’ve had, you know this.”

Apollo tried not to react to that, just thinking hard, half the talks they’ve had where he rambled on about wine, they were drunk on said wine.

“We put it into its barrel to ferment?”

“Yes. But right now I lack an empty barrel so we will just get this put into some bottles to store until it can be moved. I have a shipment of wine bottles coming in a few hours. Now let’s get the screen off and see what we have.”

Just as they moved it, Apollo saw Dionysus swish his hand toward the barrel. They took the screen off to reveal a nearly full tub of grape juice.

Georgio smiled, folding his hands. “Praise Dionysus, look at the wonderful harvest. I hope we have enough decanters.”

Apollo looked at all the grape juice and then looked back at the wine god who was gone as fast as he showed. Apollo rolled his eyes and smiled, it was nice to at least actually see his friend even if he couldn’t interact with him.

It took a few minutes to get all the decanters. There were at least twenty, of varying sizes. They all got to work filling them, Maria carrying them carefully down to the wine cellar, of the ones she could carry.

Once the juice was low enough Apollo helped take some decanters to the cellar.

Eventually, there was just a small, thin layer of grape juice that they wouldn't be able to bottle, too shallow to get the liquid in and lots of leftover skins. Kasandra came over with a large bowl of water and a towel. “Alright you two, let's get your feet washed.” Maria ran over, her sticky feet picking up any loose grass and dirt.

Her small feet were cleaned and dried quickly. Kasandra looked up at Apollo. “Phoebus, come, let me clean your feet.”

Apollo blushed, feeling weird about the idea of someone washing them. “Oh, I can  get them myself.” He said, walking over and starting to place his feet in when Kasandra grabbed his foot and started cleaning, making him yelp in surprise. “Really, I don’t mind doing this myself.”

“That's not the point. You and Maria have helped and aided the juices that help us keep our livelihood, our home, and feed our bellies; you've taken care of us, I will take care of you.”

He swallowed down the complex feelings mulling around his head, of her having no idea who he actually is and the act of devotion she was giving. Once she was done and dried them he looked over at the grape skins on the screen. “What will happen to the leftovers?”

“They’ll be made for plant fertilizer, we use everything we possibly can.” Suddenly a small distance away, a horse and a large buggy were coming up the path to their home. Kasandra smiled. “What great timing, the bottles are being delivered.”

Apollo looked at the sky, getting an idea of the time, inwardly groaning; it was barely into midmorning. Apollo was helping them unload the bottles when Georgio saw the weariness on Apollo's face. “Son, why don’t we stop and have a small meal? You look like you need it.”

Apollo shook his head, holding a box of bottles. “Maybe after this is unloaded.”

“That’s already done. We got most of them, Kasandra can take care of the payment and once she does she can join us, come, let's get some food.” Apollo just followed, carrying the box of bottles carefully inside and placing it nicely and out of the way on the floor.

Georgio got some food of bread, olive oil, garlic, cheese and some fruit, bringing it over to the table. “Here, the girls will join us in a few minutes. You didn't sleep, you need it more than us.” He started putting together a small sandwich of bread and cheese with some garlic olive oil, dipping it in, urging Apollo to eat as well. “Eat.”

Apollo reached for an apple when Kasandra and Maria came in, sitting at the table with him. Then he took a bite.

He hated to admit, he did feel a little better after eating but it was not a replacement for sleep. The rest of the day was bottling wine bottles, Dionysus watching Apollo again, but this time with a more studying eye and less playful, making sure he does it right.

Thankfully he didn't butt in or say he did anything right or wrong so that's good for something, even gave a few smiles and nods his way when he did it right.

By the time they managed to fill all the bottles and then move the new wine into the barrels and cycle them, it was past midday. But everything was done, for now at least.

Kasandra smiled, going to Apollo. “Phoebus, Maria, and I are about to go into the city and deliver the wine, would you like to join us?”

Apollo gave a nod, feeling tired but sleep is not for hours and he can’t just not do something. “Sure.”

Georgio smiled, going over to Kasandra, kissing her softly, and then kneeling to hug Maria. “May Hermes bless your travel and bring wealth.” She smiled. “Thank you love. Ok, Maria, Phoebus, let's go.”

They got the bottles loaded and the three of them rode in the horse buggy, the driver leading the horses back to town. It was soothing, watching the trees and grass, bees gathering pollen, and the sun beating on his face but it wasn't too humid. He could fall asleep here.

He hadn't realized he actually did doze off when the buggy stopped suddenly at the first delivery, the temple to Dionysus.

He rolled his eyes but had an amused smile. There was music being played and a few women dancing when they pulled up. One of them broke away, her purple robes flowing behind her as she went to them. “Welcome! Here, let me help.”

She and a few others of his cult came over and helped unload their delivery of wine which was a surprising two boxes, which was about twelve bottles of wine but there were at least fifty people at his temple, at this moment, during rituals or festivities it’s closer to 200-500. Apollo frowned as he handed the last box over to them. “Is this enough wine for you? I know you can use a lot during your worship.”

She smiled. “We do. We try to order wine for many sellers, both small and large. We aim to support as many winemakers as possible. This won’t be the only delivery this week.”

“Oh, is that what the money goes to?”

She nodded. “Yes, some of it goes to charities but a large sum goes to supporting wine sellers. This wine is actually my favorite.” She said, with a soft smile. “Some wines can be a little bitter or dry or the alcohol is too much. I think the sweetness of this one is just right.”

Kasandra smiled, bowing. “Thank you very much my lady for your kind words. May the Lord Dionysus bless you.”

They left and went to Athena's temple and he felt weird going to Zeus temple, trying not to glare at it or resist the will to throw rocks at it.

After that was a few homes and then back home. It was nearly sunset when they got back, Kasandra paying the driver very well and thanking him. ’I’ll see you next month Alexander.”

He just waved with a smile, leading the horse and buggy away.

Kasandra smiled wearily. “I think we all earned a big dinner. Come, let's eat and after we will go to the funeral. Oh, Phoebus, do you need any black for it? I see you only have what is on you.”

Apollo frowned. “That is all I have.”

“Tomorrow we should go to town and get you some clothing, winter will be in a few months and you will need something. But that's tomorrow, go relax and I’ll get food ready.”

Maria yawned, leaning against her mother. “I’m too tired to eat mama.”

Kasandra smiled as she picked her daughter up. “I know love, it has been a long day.”

As they walked inside, Apollo spoke up. “Would I be able to borrow that robe I used yesterday for it?”

“Oh, yes. Georgio mainly useses it for autumn anyway, plenty of time before then.”

Apollo just nodded, agreeing, wondering how he’s going to be at the funeral. Worried he could accidently out himself or worse, out himself and people not believe it and think he’s speaking blasphemy.

He knows he’s going to be an emotional wreck when he sees his son's body and all the people that he helped. At least with the hood on the light robe he can hide a little bit.

Once dinner was done, the sun was set and the family started dressing in their funeral dressings. He felt anxiety thrumming through him, his heart rate picking up.

Soon they were walking down the path, Georgio leading the way.

He felt his hands shaking, trying to hide them but Maria must have sensed it. She reached her little hand up and held his. “Funerals make me sad too. Last year my pet cat died but Mama promised Hades took good care of him.”

Apollo smiled softly to her. “He sure did, he’s very kind.”

“It’s sad that others don’t think so. They’re so scared of him. I’m not, I think he’s really nice, he’s just doing his job.”

Apollo smiled, knowingly. She would be a future patron of Hades, he’s sure of it. “You're absolutely right.”

When they arrived, Apollo felt his heart drop. Although many people were attending he could only focus on his son's body sitting atop the funeral pyre, although he was dressed he could see the scars the lightning strike left behind on his chest, traveling to his neck and exposed shoulders.

People didn't notice as he walked closer and closer to him, or they didn't care. He reached out with a shaking hand, taking his son's limp hand in his. Suddenly Artemis, Hermes and Dionysus showed up on the other side, each sharing a sad expression, Artemis placing a hand over his, even if they’re not technically touching. “I’m so sorry for this loss brother.”

He saw his friends and sister, happy to not feel alone in mourning him but wishing so badly he could talk to them. Apollo looked to her, eyes watery before staring down at his son's body.

He wanted to hold him close so badly, to cry into his skin until he exhausted himself.

He did bring his limp hand to his lips to give one last kiss, uncaring of the people staring.

Kasandra went to him, gently trying to pull him away. “Phoebus, they need to start.” Apollo let go reluctantly, a whimper escaping. Kassandra didn’t understand his grief but comforted him all the same, embracing him as they moved to a safe distance.

It wasn’t a big funeral, other than Apollo, he didn't have any human relatives or family, the funeral was made up of all the people he helped, leaving offerings of flowers and poems and various other items as the fire started.

Apollo felt the need to stop the fire, wanting to embrace him one more time. He just held onto Kasandra tighter, turning his head and sobbing into her shoulder, completely forgetting to put his hood up to hide like he had planned to.

Dionysus watched longingly. “I wish I could comfort him. It feels like Zeus has cursed us as well.”

Hermes agreed, wiping tears from his eyes. “Just glad the luck I gave him worked.”

Artemis smiled weakly. “Knew it.”

“What? Wasn’t gonna let him get into shit with Zeus and not have some luck on his side.” The deities just silently agreed before the funeral was interrupted.

“You're all mourning a scam artist!” A man yelled, walking up, a few following him.  Some of the other mourners glared. The priest went to him, a soft glare on his face. “This is a solemn occasion, if you want to protest it, please do so once it is over, not while others mourn.”

Apollo watched with a growing, protective anger, slowly coming out of Kasandra’s hold. The new man glared at the priest. “What's the use of protesting if it isn't to disrupt? This man doesn't deserve the respect you're giving him! He doesn't deserve your tears! He never helped anyone, the only people he brought back from the dead were actors he paid!”

Artemis saw the look on Dionysus’s face, knowing what it could cause. Artemis stood in front of him. “This is a human situation, we have no need to get involved.”

“Do you not hear him? How is he disrespecting him?”

“I do but it's a squabble, we have no need to get involved, especially you.”

Dinouys gave a soft glare to the ground. “Fine but I make no promises I won’t torment him with nightmares.”

Artemis accepted that as she watched her brother marching over to him.

Apollo was already in the man's face, a familiar, righteous anger bubbling up. “You better shut up right now.” He reached for his bow, muscle memory but found air, making him even more angry.

“Why? What are you gonna do? I’m just trying to wake these idiots up to the fact you’re giving your respect to the wrong fucking man. Asclepius was a scammer, paying actors to bring back-”

Apollos fist moved faster than he could think, he may not have his bow or arrows forged from the sun but he has his fists. But his fists didnt stop and soon the other was punching back but he got the upper hand,slamming him to the ground before getting two punches in, two people pulling him off, struggling to pull him off.

Apollo screamed at the man, not feeling the tears going down his cheeks. “You take my son's name out of your mouth! He saved hundreds of lives and he paid the price for it! And now he’s gone.” His voice broke as his yelling gradually became soft and sad.

The man was holding his face, blood pouring from his nose, his friends sneering at Apollo as they carried him away. People at the funeral could only watch and gossip, not wanting to ask questions, not when he looked so devastated. Kasandra comforted him but Georgio watched, more questions in his head.

Between the prayer Phoebus had to Dionuysus and his extreme reaction to the asshole who interrupted. Phoebus called Asclepius his son and he has claimed before in a conversion that his father was Apollo, it’s how he got his gift of resurrection. Although it wasn't something widely known, if at all. Georgio just likes to talk and get to know people, especially those who have helped him so much.

He watched the man who called himself Phoebus, sobbing into Kassandra's shoulder, Maria hugging around his legs. He looked very similar to the statue of Apollo at the temple, so much so it made his heart nearly stop at the possibility.

Was this mysterious man actually Apollo? And if so, why is he here and human? Does that mean Asclepius was actually struck down by Zeus?

Phoebus was quiet on the walk home, Kasandra putting him in charge of Maria, knowing he needed something to take his mind off of what happened.

While Maria distracted him, Georgio took this moment to talk to his wife quietly. “Love, I don’t think he is who he says.”

Kasandra frowned. “What do you mean?”

“This may sound crazy but, I think he may be Apollo, walking among us.”

She shook her head. “What is your reasoning dear?”

“Last night, I was giving him a tour of the wine cellar, he wanted to pray to Dionysus and I left him alone but I wanted to make sure the candles got put out; his prayer wasn't a prayer, it sounded like he was talking to a friend, said things like being dropped here by Zeus. and just now he called Asclepius his son and his emotional display at the funeral, that's something only a parent knows.”

She frowned. “He did call him his son..”

“And how similar he looks to his statue at the temple.”

“He did want to hide when we went and he was so upset being there and I had no idea why, he just said it’s complicated. Oh goodness, you really think..” She asked, shock in her voice even as it trailed off, watching Maria talk to him about anything and everything, holding her hand.  “You really think he’s Apollo, walking among us?”

Gergio sighed. “Only one way to find out.”

“No, even if he is, I don’t think he’d want to talk about it. Think about it; he’s been cast out from Olmpus, his son died by Zeus' hand and now seeing his own son's funeral?”

“Tomorrow then.”

She just nodded, staring at Phoebus who laughed at Marias jokes and wondered with a pit in her stomach; is this young man really Apollo?