[RL w/Hyacinthus, Artemis, Various Gods:] The Absence of Light

[sine_sole_sileo]

Apollo's vacation had been going well-- he and Hyacinthus had taken advantage of the boy's holiday from school and took time to relax on Olympus; they traveled here and there, but never for too long; they hunted, they watched movies, delighted in each other; all in all, it was a welcome respite from the stress of the community's needs

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[bloodiedrebirth]

The first thing Hyacinth noticed when he woke up was the lack of warmth. It was there one second, and gone the next. He reached out, only to pause as Apollo sat up suddenly, seemingly in a panic, and he watched the god with widened eyes, watched him fall out of bed, and try to grope for something that was not there, as if he couldn't see.

Why- what was- Hyacinthus froze. Apollo, he- There was something horribly wrong. It was almost as if someone had thrown a veil over him, rendering him cold and dead and lifeless; his skin, normally so robust and flushed was now deadly pallid and even his hair seemed to have taken on cold tones, as he had while he was in Tartarus, only this was even worse.

The cry of his name shook him out of his stupor, and he moved over, sinking down beside Apollo and resting surprisingly calm hands around his shoulders. "Apollo, I'm here. I'm here."

[sine_sole_sileo]

Wide, blank eyes blinked once, twice-- Apollo hadn't even known the boy was still in bed with him. He lifted his pale hands and felt for the boy, the comfort of his presence deadened by the fear of what was wrong.

He trailed his fingers down the boy's arms, over his strong shoulders, up his neck, through his hair-- it was horrifying, to know he was there but unable to see him. Cupping his cheeks (they were so warm), Apollo whispered, pale eyes searching a face he could not see, "Τι έχει συμβεί σε με?"

("What has happened to me?")

[bloodiedrebirth]

His eyes. They were so pale, neither dark brown nor fiery amber-red. Hyacinthus couldn't speak for a moment, could only let Apollo run his fingers over him as if to make sure he was there. What was going on? Could Apollo not see? He looked around the room. This was not Olympus- this was Hawaii. How had they gone there? Neither of them had transported them there surely.

"I do not know," he answered, his gaze returning to Apollo, unease and horror slowly crawling into his heart. He placed his hands over Apollo's, trying not to wince at how cold he was. The only time he'd felt Apollo this cold was when he lay almost dead in that icy cavern in the Arctic. But this was so much worse. He could not see, he looked dead, and even his voice had turned lifeless, more so than anyone else he'd ever heard.

It was not the haunted voice of Charon, but it sounded so close to Hyacinth's ears.

"We are in Hawaii, Apollo," he murmured after a while. "We- we should go back to Olympus. To see what has happened, and to seek the lady Artemis."

[sine_sole_sileo]

"Hawaii?" Apollo repeated, brows furrowing, the same thoughts running through his head-- how had they gotten here? He let the matter go when Hyacinthus suggested they return home-- he chuckled low, humorlessly, shaking his head.

"No... I cannot take us. You may be able to, but I? No... no, if I cannot see, if I cannot heal, what hope is there that I may be able to return there without aid?" He tore himself away from the warmth and comfort of Hyacinthus and stood on shaking legs, unsure of where to go from here. The room felt so vast, so empty-- he couldn't even remember where the dresser was.

"If we are to go, we must make ourselves presentable to Father."

[bloodiedrebirth]

He let his hands fall when Apollo got up, fingers curling slowly into impotent fists. There was another revelation- Apollo could not heal himself. But that was no surprise now, considering what else had changed. Getting up as well, he went over, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I will take us to Olympus later," he said, guiding Apollo gently towards the wardrobe. "And I will help you dress meanwhile. This will be resolved soon, I'm sure." Meaningless words, but at least they hid the fear in him, as he opened the door and pulled a shirt out.

[sine_sole_sileo]

It was obvious the offer, however heartfelt, wounded Apollo's pride greatly-- but he consented easily enough, knowing better than to make an even greater fool of himself by attempting to dress on his own.

With Hyacinthus' help, he was soon dressed comfortably and warmly (albeit nowhere near as warm as he normally-- once was). He waited unsteadily as the boy dressed as well, wondering vaguely and sadly what they were both wearing-- so too did he wonder if he would ever know. Apollo seemed smaller than before, even if he was still as tall as ever-- it was his entire personage, he was completely devoid of the joy, of the sunniness, of that which comprised his entire being.

"Αισθάνομαι… άρρωστος." He murmured absently, as if understanding the feeling for the first time in his existence. "Τον συμπαθώ όχι."

("I feel... ill. I like it not.")

[bloodiedrebirth]

His hands stilled halfway through buttoning up his shirt, and he ached for Apollo, that those words should escape his mouth. What on earth was going on? Hyacinthus couldn't imagine, but he remembered with a sinking heart that Apollo had posted some time ago, about visions that he'd had, disjointed dreams. Was this it?

He took Apollo's hand when he was done, squeezing his fingers. "All will be well," he said, as quietly. "Perhaps Zeu Pater would know what is happening. Shall we go then?"

Somehow though, there was an unease, that seemed to promise that there would be no cure on Olympus for Apollo.

[sine_sole_sileo]

He was being brave for him, Apollo knew it. He may have been blinded, but he knew the twinge of melancholy in Hyacinthus' voice, whether he had heard it yesterday or thousands of years ago. He returned the squeeze and pulled himself up, standing taller for the boy's sake-- the Sun God (was he as such any longer?) nodded, taking a shuddering breath before he said yes

[bloodiedrebirth]

The melodic voice stole his attention immediately, and he looked up, at the approaching figure. It was Apollo, yet not. No. It was as if that person had stolen what had made Apollo immortal, and placed that veil of immortality about himself. He was the sun personified, as Apollo once had been, gold and radiant and beautiful, and Hyacinthus hated him for it, as much as he hated him for that smug and arrogant look on his face

[sine_sole_sileo]

Apollo gave a cry when Hyacinthus pulled him away, every fiber of his being lusting, aching, needing that heat-- he couldn't see the way Helios looked at him, but he didn't care at the moment; everything he was, everything he stood for and defended for so long was right there.

It was only when the boy spoke that he took notice of him-- it seemed Helios had been oblivious to Hyacinthus' presence until that moment, too immersed in the divine mockery that had been made of Apollo.

"Yes," he said finally, a little surprise sneaking into his prideful voice, "Apollon has not been responsible; he has shirked his duties, neglected his patronages, left them to fall apart and destroy the--"

"Shut up!" Apollo was against the gate again, sobbing now as the magic seared his forearms. "You know nothing! You know nothing, Helios-- you know not the mortals I care for, nor anything else about me! You've stolen my patronages from me, taken everything awa--" He stopped suddenly, jerking away and gasping as if the very breath had been stolen from his

[bloodiedrebirth]

With every word that Helios spoke, Hyacinthus hated him more and more- he had not thought it possible to hate someone this deeply. But he was not the sole perpetrator either- Zeus was behind this, and it choked Hyacinthus to know that they'd actually thought of seeking his help.

He felt helpless, as he watched the two gods argue, and he could only try to stop Apollo from pressing himself against the gate and hurting himself more. He was as humanlike as any other now, and he bled far too freely. Hyacinthus could do nothing much at all. He hated this.

"Apollo," he said again quietly, trying to pull him away from the gate, at the same time, cursing Helios in his heart. Property? Even Apollo's relationships with people were considered to have transferred to Helios now? Just how much of Apollo as a god and a person were they planning to take away? He glared at Helios, but it was of no use and no consequence- for all it did, Hyacinthus might as well have been a pebble, of little concern in this quarrel.

[luna_liberat]

"να είμαι κατεστραμένος , υιόs του τιτάνιο," said Artemis sharply, stepping out from the shadows, all bare feet and slender shape and unmoving will. Be gone, son of Titans. "I will not tolerate your presence here."

She would deal with this upstart, this usurper, before she aided her brother. Never was she one to be vulnerable in the face of opposition.

[sine_sole_sileo]

The voice of his beautiful sister, so strong, so noble-- it was a godsend, literally; Apollo wished he could see her in that moment, though he knew without sight the anger in her eyes, the sternness of her brow, the steely posture of a woman scorned. His weeping ceased; he no longer resisted Hyacinthus' gentle urges and stepped away from the adamantine gates, pressing close to the boy with shaking breaths.

"I have every right to be here, as you do, Huntress." Helios shook his head, shoulders rolling in an unsympathetic shrug. "However, your brother," he gestured carelessly toward the pale form of Apollo, "Nay, he lacks the prestige of an Olympian. For, you see, he is no longer one-- therefore, he belongs here not. But I do. Your father has granted me your twin's powers and patronages, rendering me Olympian in nature."

[luna_liberat]

"I care not what Zeus has said to you!" she cried, wind picking up around her in her fervency. "I know the truth of this matter and I will deal with it as I wish. Whatever your patronages may be, Olympian or not, blessing or not - I will not have you here at this time, speaking against me!

Be gone now or face my rightful anger. I warn you not to set the moon against the sun!"

[sine_sole_sileo]

Helios didn't even flinch, retaining a stoic calm about him as she raged before him.

"Stay your tongue, Artemis. Your father will know of your disobedience; he turns not a blind eye to your defense of Apollo-- admirable it may be, it is also misplaced. There is no threat you could lay upon my person to reverse what has been done. I have no reason to leave nor any to obey your demands."

His golden eyes flicked to Apollo and Hyacinthus without sympathy and he sighed, turning his back on all three of them and walking away, glittering and serene.

"Take them away."