Fall of Apollo, part 4

Apollo slept this night but it was off and on, between bone-dead exhaustion from the day and emotional exhaustion from the funeral on top of the shame he feels for breaking down and getting into a goddamn fight.

By the time the sun came up, he had gotten more sleep than last night but the depression he felt was still present. Only two days and he’s feeling like emotional shit with no sleep.

Kasandra came into his room to let him know breakfast was ready but she stopped herself, seeing him with a pause. He frowned. It wasn’t like she to just zone out. “Uhh you ok?”

Kasandra nodded stiffly. “Yes, it’s fine, breakfast is ready.” She said before leaving quickly. Apollo frowned, feeling more shame dig deeper from last night. Was she just as embarrassed as he was with himself? Is she going to kick him out for his actions?

He really didn’t want to eat, he barely wanted to leave the room. He put his robes on and walked out and down the hall and to the kitchen. They both smiled to him but their energy was different. Maria eating contently. Kasandra smiled. “Good morning, I hope you slept better this time.”

“I did but I’m not really feeling well, I might just stay in bed for a bit.”

Georgio frowned with concern. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah just not feeling great. I’ll be in my room.” He said before walking back, going to his room and closing the door.

He got into bed and laid down, wishing the bed would swallow him up.

He was half asleep when someone knocked on his door. He looked out the window and saw it was midday.

He sat up, running a hand though his hair and wiping his eyes free of any tears that might have been there, before getting up and opening the door, seeing both Kasandra and Georgio, making his heart drop; fuck, he was getting kicked out wasn’t he?

Kasandra smiled weakly. “We just wanted to talk.”

Apollo reacted immediately, starting to pace the room as he talked, rushed. “I’m really sorry about last night, I didn’t mean to start a fight.. wait, no I did, but still, that wasn’t appropriate to do at a funeral, no matter how disrespectful he was being, I have nowhere else to go, I can be better-“

“It’s not that. He deserved it.” Georgio said, cutting his words off. “This might sound a little crazy and I hope I am. I accidentally overheard your prayer to Dionysus and it didn’t sound like a prayer, it sounded like you were talking to an old friend.”

Apollo swallowed, this was worse than getting kicked out, they know don’t they?

Georgio continued. “And at Apollo's temple, you hid from everyone and were so emotional there. And then last night, you said Asclepius was your son. Now my memory may not be what it was but after he brought me back, we talked for a bit, asked about his abilities and he said Apollo was his father.”

“And the statue of Apollo looks remarkably similar to you,” Kasandra added with a shaking smile.

Georgio just nodded. “I know this is probably insane but I just have to know; are you Apollo?”

Apollo felt his face heat up deeply, his hands shook. “I..I mean..I..”

Kasandra looked pleadingly at him. “We have to know, please, be honest; are you truly the sun god walking among us?”

Apollo looked away, his heart trying to beat out of his chest again. “Yes.” He said weakly but it was loud enough as Kasandra and Georgio gasped, staring at him now with new eyes, with awe and an admiration he didn’t feel he deserved, not like this.

Kasandra was the first to kneel down and bow. “We are not worthy.” Apollo went to stop her but Georgio followed suit, kneeling with a wince. Apollo frowned, going to him, taking him by the arm gently, and lifting him back up. “Do not kneel before me if it hurts you.”

Georgio looked surprised. “But you are divine.”

Apollo helped Kasandra stand up as well. “No, I’m not. At least not now.”

Kasandra frowned. “What happened? Why did you come to us?”

Apollo sighed. “It’s complicated. Where’s Maria?” He noticed she wasn’t hanging around him like she has been. “She’s at her friend's house. We wanted to have this talk privately.” Kasandra stated.

Apollo just nodded. “We can talk about this but I need some wine, it’s a long, messy story and I’d like to have a good drink in my hand when telling it.”

Georgio nodded. “Yes my lord.” He said, walking away. Apollo huffed, following. “Don’t call me that, please.”

Kasandra sat at the kitchen table, staring at him with awe and curiosity. “What are you then, with you here?”

Apollo sat down heavily. “A human, like you.”

Kasandra looked away. “I am sorry you are in such an unworthy form.”

Apollo took in a controlled breath, now is not the time to lecture about “worthiness.”

Georgio came back with a bottle and three wine glasses, pouring each glass. Once the the bottle was on the table, Apollo took it in hand, and started drinking it down.

Once he felt a small buzz, he placed the bottle down and let out a breath. “Zeus cursed me, for my sons mistakes. He kept bringing people back from the dead, like you. Obviously this upsets the natural law and it was a huge problem. I told Zeus I would handle it and I did. I gave him a huge lecture. But in the end, it didn’t matter. He kept bringing people back and Zeus thought it best to kill him.”

He told his tale, bitterly, all his anger for Zeus coming back to the surface.

Kasandra took a drink of her wine. She swallowed before speaking her questions. “I apologize for anything I may have said during our time to offend you. I realize now I kept mentioning Apollo bringing us this day and how he’s blessing us when you were right here. Curious, who is handling the sun?”

Apollo smiled weakly. “Helios, we share the duty of the sun.”

Georgio took his own drink. “What happened after Zeus killed him?”

Apollo took his wine glass. “I sought revenge on Zeus. I killed the Titans that make his bolts. It might be a while until he has his lightning again. He didn’t like my behavior, said it was impulsive; rich coming from him and, and cursed me down here to live as a human for a year, probably so he can just not deal with me for a while; asshole.” He took another long gulp, emptying his glass.

Kasandra sighed. “It certainly explains why you started a fight with that man last night. If I had known that was your son-“

“Stop.” He said.

She stopped, looking scared. He frowned, why were they so scared? “You were wonderful, you gave me comfort, with no judgment.”

She nodded, looking down, still looking so scared, he frowned. “Why are you scared of me?”

“I don’t want to anger you.”

“Why? I don’t even have any powers, I’m just…me. I’m human.”

“I’m sorry again, for Zeus cursing with such an unworthy body.”

Apollo stood wildly, snapping at them. “Enough of that!” They both looked wide-eyed at him, fuck he’s probably not helping them being scared of him but this has to be said. “You humans seem to think so much of what you do for us is unworthy of us or not enough. Do you have any idea how amazing and divine you humans actually are?”

Kasandra and Georgio just shook their head. Apollo continued. “Your lives are a blip compared to the gods but yet you’ve accomplished so much in so little time. Your bodies are so fragile and vulnerable yet you go to work, put food on the table for your children, and sometimes risk your life to do so. You could die at any time but that has never stopped you even once. Even with your body and mind aching you still stand and face the day. Wait here..” He said, walking back to his room and getting the poem from the temple goer from under his pillow.

He walked back, showing them. “When we went to my temple, it hurt, so much. I couldn’t talk to any of my believers or worshipers there. One young woman wrote this for me, for me! A deity she can barely talk to. She was going to throw it away cause she thought it was bad and unworthy. And no, it’s not good but it’s hers. She wrote this for me, went and got paper, and ink, and took time out of her day to write it. There is not enough words to express my love and gratitude to you all.”

Kasandra and Georgio just listened and watched in awe. Kasandra had tears in her eyes. “You’re very kind but I don’t understand; why is it so hard if you can barely talk to us?”

Apollo sighed, it was a bit complicated to explain to humans. “Imagine being locked away from Maria, you can see her but unable to interact or talk to her. She can give you offerings but you cannot talk to her. Or can

’t talk to her very well.”Georgio frowned. “Why can’t you talk to them?”

Apollo looked away, staring at the badly written poem. “Most people are not spiritually open, they might be able to sense I’m there watching or see the signs I give them but only about ten people in Greece alone can talk to me and they're oracles at another temple of mine. It’s a spiritual gift one has to be born with to converse with deities.”

Kasandra let out a breath, looking away. “It sounds like a very lonely experience.”

“As a deity or human?” He asked.

“Both,” Kasandra said with a sad smile, wiping tears from her eyes.

Apollo smiled sadly back, sitting back down. “It’s not so bad as a deity. I have my siblings and fellow deities.”

“How do you get the offerings? Are you even able to eat the food offerings?”

Apollo grinned. “Absolutely! They kinda just show up in my realm when they’re placed either in my temple or just in my name. We don’t need to eat to live but we still enjoy it all the same. Food is amazing. Have you tried some of the sun cakes from my temple? There are so many different ones from my followers, some have a crunchy honey on the outside and others it’s gooey on the inside..”

Kasandra and Georgio just watched as the sun god raved about all the different foods he loves, in awe and a little confused on how to handle this new information; they were hiding a deity in their own house.

After that, it was quiet between the three. Apollo frowned. “I really don’t want any of this to change how you view me. I’m still human right now, just as you are. I’m still me, I can’t do anything, I’m not divine anymore, at least not for this year.”

Kasandra swallowed. “How can it not change? You are Apollo, the sun god, in my home.”

Apolo sighed in exasperation. “But I’m not. I have no divine powers, no healing or prophecy, I don’t even have my bow and arrow; I am just a human.”

Georgio let out a breath. “Well we won’t make any promises on treating you the same but I will do my best.”

“And please don’t tell Maria? She doesn’t need to know.”

Kasandra smiled softly. “Your secret is safe with us.” Apollo let out a relieved breath. “Good.”

Elsewhere in Elysium fields. Asclepius was the only one not happy. It was a paradise, everyone was kind and generous and loving. Dionysus regularly threw some sort of festival but he felt lost among it all. During one of the parties that Dionysus forced him to go to, wanting to help get him out of his depression, even made a special wine for him to help but he barely touched it.

While the party went on, music loud and souls and deities alike dancing, singing and drinking with merriment. Demeter came and sat down next to him. “You are very unhappy.”

Ascelps sat up straighter. “Oh. No, I’m just worried.”

She gave a knowing look. “Don’t lie to me young man, I am one of those in charge of this realm, you think I cannot sense when something is amiss?”

He slumped, looking away. She gave a small, comforting smile, taking the wine he didn’t touch from his hands and placing it on a nearby table. “What is keeping you from enjoying your afterlife?”

“I worry, about my father. He should not have to pay for the mistakes I made. I knew what I was doing, I knew I was told to stop, that there would be consequences but I didn't think he would also be so severely punished.”

“Oh trust me, he is not punished because of you, he is punished because Zeus forgets where your father's impulsive behavior comes from. I’m sure he regretted it as soon as he sent him away. And you know Hera is giving a mouthful of Hell to him.”

“That doesn't change the fact that he’s cursed to be a human for a year. I cannot even apologize to him from here.”

Demeter brought her arm around him in a motherly hold with a sad smile. “He knows. Parents always know.”

About two days went by and Zeus was starting to feel Apollos absence; it was far too quiet. He was always chatting about something or playing music or even singing while he did his duties; it was far too quiet.

“Do you think I was too harsh on him?” Zeus asked Dionysus. The wine god chuckled as he poured Zeus his fourth glass of wine. “Oh absolutely.”

Zeus gave a glare. “I thought you were on my side.”

“You called me here to vent, not take sides, old man. Apollo was correct that there were other ways of dealing with Asclepius.”

Zeus groaned drinking his wine down. “I know, but he promised that it wouldn’t happen-”

Suddenly the doors to the palace opened, Hera, walking inside, her blue and green robes flowing behind her, and her hair which is normally braided up, was coming out of its style from her anger as she marched to her husband. “ZEUS! Why have you killed Asclepius?! Greece’s best healer! He was acting as a midwife for many of my devotees, I swear if any of them die because of his absence-oh, Dionysus, hello.”

Dionysus gave a controlled look to her, burying down any anger at seeing her. “Hello, Hera.”

Hera let out a breath. “Zeus and I need to have this conversion in private.”

He stood, taking his wine bottle, walking to her. “It’s alright, all of Olmpus will hear regardless with your screeching.”

Here glared. “Do not forget yourself and whom you speak to.”

“It is you who should not forget yourself, do you forget what happened the last time someone forgot who they spoke to?”

Hera looked away, she and Zeus may be powerful but he can take them down, even kill them with madness alone. He looked back at Zeus with a smile. “I will see you next time, Father.” He added, knowing how it angered the queen, before walking out.

Hera relaxed, resuming her tirade as she marched to Zeus. “What in all of creation were you THINKING?! Killing him?!”

Zeus huffed. “I wasn’t thinking-“

“Oh when are you ever thinking! If you’re not starting a war among your children, you’re thinking with your dick!”

Zeus threw his wine glass to the golden floor, marching and pointing a finger in her face, his face red with anger.

“You take back your blasphemous words!”

“How many more illegitimate children do you plan to create?!”

“Don’t you dare talk about them like that!”

Hera growled before looking away. “This is off-topic.” She glared back up at him. “If any of my devotees die in childbirth because he is not there because you killed him, I will bring Apollo back myself and let him finish what he started.” Zeus huffed, walking away. “Fine, I will fix this.”

The party was winding down, the souls getting pleasantly tired, and a few passed out. Asclepius sighed, the party scene was never for him, he felt so out of place. At least Demeter knew his worries.

“You have been a wallflower all day,” Dionysus said with a smile, now standing in front of him.

Asclepius straightened again. “I’m sorry sir-”

“Drop the sir, it’s just Dionuysus here.” Asclepius was about to apologize again when the wine God stopped him. “And do not apologize when you have nothing to apologize for, now what is on your mind-you never drank your wine, that never happens,” He said, spotting it on the table near the bench.

Asclepius frowned, looking away. “I’m just worried. I left many people behind, people who may die without me there. And then my father, paying for my own mistakes? It’s not fair, all of the blame should be on me.”

Dionysus frowned, making the untouched wine glass disappear. “That is pretty heavy, glad you didn't drink it then. I don’t allow drinking to forget or hide from your problems.”

“But you're a god of wine, isn’t that your thing?”

Dionysus gave him a look. “I am but drinking wine or any intoxicating substance while already so emotionally vulnerable or using it to hide from your problems, that's not fun. I want those who drink my wine or partake in any substances, to do so because they enjoy it, not to hide. I may be a god of wine but I do not accept abusing it. Here.” He summoned a wine glass and handed it to Asclepius. “Just grape juice, promise,” He said with a smile.

Asclepius took it gently, smelling it and seeing it was indeed, just grape juice, sipping it. “That's very kind of you, thank you.”

There was suddenly a flash of light and people gasping. Dionysus turned, seeing Zeus walking his way. He stood in front of Asclepius, not sure what Zeus would want here. Zeus sighed. “I mean no harm, I’ve come to apologize to the boy.”

Dionysus chuckled, stepping away. “As you should.”

Zeus grumbled to his son but walked closer to Asclepius. “Son-”

“Don’t call me son.” Asclepius said with a glare, crossing his arms as he stood to face Zeus. “I am not your son, I am not any of your children. I am Apollo's son and you will say my name.”

Dionysus just watched, feeling an unimaginable feeling of pride and amusement.

Zeus glared weakly but allowed it before softening. “I apologize for your death-”

“No, that's not what happened.”

Zeus grumbled. “You are your father's son; I apologize for killing you, better?” Asclepius nodded and Zeus continued. “I am…sorry. I see now that my actions were rash and impulsive. Your father was right and there were other ways of dealing with it. I can’t bring your father back, it’s already set and he will return from Earth in one year but I can at least fix things with you.”

Zeus reached and patted his head and suddenly Asclepius’ soul changed, his robes changing to white and gold, like his father but a medal medallion holding it at his shoulder with a snake on it, a staff in his hand, wrapped with a snake. He suddenly felt powerful, could feel immortality running through his veins.

He looked down at himself in awe, a few other deities looking just as confused and in awe. He looked to Zeus. “I don’t…I don’t understand..”

“Hera has made some very good points,” He heard Dionysus snort a laugh. He sighed. “And this way I don’t break the rules of nature and you can still aid anyone in need of you.”

Asclepius looked around, nearly smiling. “Thank you, so much. I’ll get to work right away, how do I contact those I helped? How do I contact my father?” Dionysus came over, a smile on his face, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll show you how it all works.”