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Boring Greek Myths For Sleep | Gentle Storytelling (2 HOURS) | 3 Stories

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Tonight we explore the mythic tale of

Tonight we explore the mythic tale of Irene, the forgotten son of

Irene, the forgotten son of

Irene, the forgotten son of Hisus, a demigod born not of Olympus,

Hisus, a demigod born not of Olympus,

Hisus, a demigod born not of Olympus, but of fire and steel deep in the forge

but of fire and steel deep in the forge

but of fire and steel deep in the forge of a mortal blacksmith. His task, steal

of a mortal blacksmith. His task, steal

of a mortal blacksmith. His task, steal the eternal flame from Mount Olympus

the eternal flame from Mount Olympus

the eternal flame from Mount Olympus itself to reignite the dying hearths of

itself to reignite the dying hearths of

itself to reignite the dying hearths of humanity. But what stood in his way was

humanity. But what stood in his way was

humanity. But what stood in his way was no simple quest. a three-headed guardian

no simple quest. a three-headed guardian

no simple quest. a three-headed guardian of the underworld, a jealous god in

of the underworld, a jealous god in

of the underworld, a jealous god in winged sandals, and a storm summoning

winged sandals, and a storm summoning

winged sandals, and a storm summoning oracle who foraw only one ending,

oracle who foraw only one ending,

oracle who foraw only one ending, Aryan's death. So, before you get too

Aryan's death. So, before you get too

Aryan's death. So, before you get too comfortable, take a moment to like the

comfortable, take a moment to like the

comfortable, take a moment to like the video and subscribe, but only if you

video and subscribe, but only if you

video and subscribe, but only if you enjoy the kind of content that merges

enjoy the kind of content that merges

enjoy the kind of content that merges myth and mystery. And hey, let us know

myth and mystery. And hey, let us know

myth and mystery. And hey, let us know where are you watching from. What time

where are you watching from. What time

where are you watching from. What time is it for you right now? Sometimes our

is it for you right now? Sometimes our

is it for you right now? Sometimes our stories are better than sleep, and other

stories are better than sleep, and other

stories are better than sleep, and other times

times

times They just make you dream

They just make you dream

They just make you dream louder. It's time now to dim the lights.

louder. It's time now to dim the lights.

louder. It's time now to dim the lights. Turn on a fan for some noise. And let's

Turn on a fan for some noise. And let's

Turn on a fan for some noise. And let's cover what we have for tonight

cover what we have for tonight

cover what we have for tonight together. In the flickering forge of

together. In the flickering forge of

together. In the flickering forge of Myini, where men shaped iron with sweat

Myini, where men shaped iron with sweat

Myini, where men shaped iron with sweat and prayer, there lived a woman whose

and prayer, there lived a woman whose

and prayer, there lived a woman whose hands rivaled the gods. Her name was

hands rivaled the gods. Her name was

hands rivaled the gods. Her name was Kalista, a mortal blacksmith with fire

Kalista, a mortal blacksmith with fire

Kalista, a mortal blacksmith with fire in her soul and a hammer that sang when

in her soul and a hammer that sang when

in her soul and a hammer that sang when it struck bronze. She built swords that

it struck bronze. She built swords that

it struck bronze. She built swords that could split spears in midair and armor

could split spears in midair and armor

could split spears in midair and armor so seamless it was whispered that Aries

so seamless it was whispered that Aries

so seamless it was whispered that Aries himself once wore her breastplates into

himself once wore her breastplates into

himself once wore her breastplates into battle. The gods noticed, but only one

battle. The gods noticed, but only one

battle. The gods noticed, but only one descended. Histus, the lame god of the

descended. Histus, the lame god of the

descended. Histus, the lame god of the forge, the outcast of Olympus, watched

forge, the outcast of Olympus, watched

forge, the outcast of Olympus, watched her in

her in

her in silence. He was not drawn by beauty.

silence. He was not drawn by beauty.

silence. He was not drawn by beauty. Kalista was not a woman of perfumes or

Kalista was not a woman of perfumes or

Kalista was not a woman of perfumes or palace gowns. She wore soot like war

palace gowns. She wore soot like war

palace gowns. She wore soot like war paint and smelled of iron and pine

paint and smelled of iron and pine

paint and smelled of iron and pine smoke. But when she worked, Heistas saw

smoke. But when she worked, Heistas saw

smoke. But when she worked, Heistas saw something divine in her movements,

something divine in her movements,

something divine in her movements, something familiar. One night, as the

something familiar. One night, as the

something familiar. One night, as the moon hung low and red over the Ajian,

moon hung low and red over the Ajian,

moon hung low and red over the Ajian, Heristas entered her workshop, cloaked

Heristas entered her workshop, cloaked

Heristas entered her workshop, cloaked in smoke and shadow. He offered no

in smoke and shadow. He offered no

in smoke and shadow. He offered no gifts, no divine decree, only his

gifts, no divine decree, only his

gifts, no divine decree, only his presence. The forge flared brighter that

presence. The forge flared brighter that

presence. The forge flared brighter that night, and nine months later, a child

night, and nine months later, a child

night, and nine months later, a child was born. Aryan. He did not cry. Not at

was born. Aryan. He did not cry. Not at

was born. Aryan. He did not cry. Not at first. His eyes opened and glowed like

first. His eyes opened and glowed like

first. His eyes opened and glowed like coals, and the fire in the forge leapt

coals, and the fire in the forge leapt

coals, and the fire in the forge leapt as if recognizing its kin. The midwives

as if recognizing its kin. The midwives

as if recognizing its kin. The midwives gasped. One whispered, "He's touched by

gasped. One whispered, "He's touched by

gasped. One whispered, "He's touched by the divine." Another crossed herself,

the divine." Another crossed herself,

the divine." Another crossed herself, and the oldest among them muttered,

and the oldest among them muttered,

and the oldest among them muttered, "He's not meant to stay here long."

"He's not meant to stay here long."

"He's not meant to stay here long." Aryan grew faster than other boys. At

Aryan grew faster than other boys. At

Aryan grew faster than other boys. At five, he could shape iron. At seven, he

five, he could shape iron. At seven, he

five, he could shape iron. At seven, he forged his first blade. Flawless, sharp,

forged his first blade. Flawless, sharp,

forged his first blade. Flawless, sharp, and oddly warm to the touch. He never

and oddly warm to the touch. He never

and oddly warm to the touch. He never played. He never lied. There was a

played. He never lied. There was a

played. He never lied. There was a stillness in him that made others

stillness in him that made others

stillness in him that made others uneasy. The village feared what they did

uneasy. The village feared what they did

uneasy. The village feared what they did not understand. They called him cursed,

not understand. They called him cursed,

not understand. They called him cursed, the son of a god who had no throne.

the son of a god who had no throne.

the son of a god who had no throne. Children avoided him. Priests refused to

Children avoided him. Priests refused to

Children avoided him. Priests refused to bless him. But Kalista, she loved him

bless him. But Kalista, she loved him

bless him. But Kalista, she loved him fiercely, teaching him not just to work

fiercely, teaching him not just to work

fiercely, teaching him not just to work with fire, but to respect it.

with fire, but to respect it.

with fire, but to respect it. Flame obeys those who listen, she'd say,

Flame obeys those who listen, she'd say,

Flame obeys those who listen, she'd say, not those who

not those who

not those who command. By the time he turned 16,

command. By the time he turned 16,

command. By the time he turned 16, Irion's forge burned day and night,

Irion's forge burned day and night,

Irion's forge burned day and night, shaping weapons for cities he'd never

shaping weapons for cities he'd never

shaping weapons for cities he'd never seen and kings he'd never meet. But even

seen and kings he'd never meet. But even

seen and kings he'd never meet. But even as metal flowed beneath his hands,

as metal flowed beneath his hands,

as metal flowed beneath his hands, something deeper stirred within him. He

something deeper stirred within him. He

something deeper stirred within him. He wasn't made to serve. He was made to

wasn't made to serve. He was made to

wasn't made to serve. He was made to change the world. Long ago, the eternal

change the world. Long ago, the eternal

change the world. Long ago, the eternal flame had been a gift stolen from the

flame had been a gift stolen from the

flame had been a gift stolen from the heavens, defied into existence by

heavens, defied into existence by

heavens, defied into existence by Prometheus himself. It was fire not just

Prometheus himself. It was fire not just

Prometheus himself. It was fire not just for warmth, but for thought, art,

for warmth, but for thought, art,

for warmth, but for thought, art, creation. It was what set man apart from

creation. It was what set man apart from

creation. It was what set man apart from beast. But that age of defiance had

beast. But that age of defiance had

beast. But that age of defiance had dimmed. Humanity no longer remembered

dimmed. Humanity no longer remembered

dimmed. Humanity no longer remembered the debt it owed the gods, and the gods,

the debt it owed the gods, and the gods,

the debt it owed the gods, and the gods, in turn, had turned their backs on

in turn, had turned their backs on

in turn, had turned their backs on mankind. It began slowly. Hearths that

mankind. It began slowly. Hearths that

mankind. It began slowly. Hearths that once glowed without fail began to

once glowed without fail began to

once glowed without fail began to flicker out. Forests grew colder. Storms

flicker out. Forests grew colder. Storms

flicker out. Forests grew colder. Storms stretched longer. Crops wilted in

stretched longer. Crops wilted in

stretched longer. Crops wilted in spring. And homes were filled with the

spring. And homes were filled with the

spring. And homes were filled with the breath of frost, even in high summer.

breath of frost, even in high summer.

breath of frost, even in high summer. Children shivered beside unlit chimneys.

Children shivered beside unlit chimneys.

Children shivered beside unlit chimneys. Old women murmured prayers into ashes

Old women murmured prayers into ashes

Old women murmured prayers into ashes that gave no heat. Priests spoke of

that gave no heat. Priests spoke of

that gave no heat. Priests spoke of punishment. Scholars blamed the stars.

punishment. Scholars blamed the stars.

punishment. Scholars blamed the stars. But across villages, towns, and empires,

But across villages, towns, and empires,

But across villages, towns, and empires, a different fear took root. Not that the

a different fear took root. Not that the

a different fear took root. Not that the world was ending, but that the gods had

world was ending, but that the gods had

world was ending, but that the gods had abandoned them. And they were right.

abandoned them. And they were right.

abandoned them. And they were right. High at top Mount Olympus, the gods had

High at top Mount Olympus, the gods had

High at top Mount Olympus, the gods had sealed away the last true flame. A spark

sealed away the last true flame. A spark

sealed away the last true flame. A spark kept alive only in the divine brazier,

kept alive only in the divine brazier,

kept alive only in the divine brazier, untouched by mortal hand for centuries.

untouched by mortal hand for centuries.

untouched by mortal hand for centuries. No god dared share it again. They feared

No god dared share it again. They feared

No god dared share it again. They feared man's rebellion, feared what Prometheus

man's rebellion, feared what Prometheus

man's rebellion, feared what Prometheus had begun. They told themselves, "Let

had begun. They told themselves, "Let

had begun. They told themselves, "Let them suffer. They must remember their

them suffer. They must remember their

them suffer. They must remember their place." But not all gods agreed. In

place." But not all gods agreed. In

place." But not all gods agreed. In hidden corners of the world, whispers

hidden corners of the world, whispers

hidden corners of the world, whispers stirred. Driad spoke of a boy born of

stirred. Driad spoke of a boy born of

stirred. Driad spoke of a boy born of flame. Nymphs saw sparks dancing in a

flame. Nymphs saw sparks dancing in a

flame. Nymphs saw sparks dancing in a boy's eyes from Msini. The winds carried

boy's eyes from Msini. The winds carried

boy's eyes from Msini. The winds carried a name, Irion. In the cold chambers of

a name, Irion. In the cold chambers of

a name, Irion. In the cold chambers of Deli, the oracle dreamed of fire.

Deli, the oracle dreamed of fire.

Deli, the oracle dreamed of fire. Walking on two legs, lighting cities

Walking on two legs, lighting cities

Walking on two legs, lighting cities with its footsteps. And in the depths of

with its footsteps. And in the depths of

with its footsteps. And in the depths of forgotten temples, dying candles

forgotten temples, dying candles

forgotten temples, dying candles sputtered back to life at the sound of a

sputtered back to life at the sound of a

sputtered back to life at the sound of a blacksmith's hammer striking

blacksmith's hammer striking

blacksmith's hammer striking anvil. Iran had no idea. He only knew

anvil. Iran had no idea. He only knew

anvil. Iran had no idea. He only knew the iron was growing harder to shape,

the iron was growing harder to shape,

the iron was growing harder to shape, that the flames in his forge required

that the flames in his forge required

that the flames in his forge required more breath, that the warmth that once

more breath, that the warmth that once

more breath, that the warmth that once came easily was slipping away.

came easily was slipping away.

came easily was slipping away. But the world had begun to watch. Gods,

But the world had begun to watch. Gods,

But the world had begun to watch. Gods, both old and silent, had turned their

both old and silent, had turned their

both old and silent, had turned their gaze to Myini. The divine brazier at top

gaze to Myini. The divine brazier at top

gaze to Myini. The divine brazier at top Olympus, though shielded in marble and

Olympus, though shielded in marble and

Olympus, though shielded in marble and guarded by fate, flickered for the first

guarded by fate, flickered for the first

guarded by fate, flickered for the first time in an age, responding not to a god,

time in an age, responding not to a god,

time in an age, responding not to a god, but to a boy born of fire and

but to a boy born of fire and

but to a boy born of fire and sorrow. And deep within him, something

sorrow. And deep within him, something

sorrow. And deep within him, something began to

began to

began to glow. Deli was

glow. Deli was

glow. Deli was dying. Once the center of divine

dying. Once the center of divine

dying. Once the center of divine council, where kings and warriors

council, where kings and warriors

council, where kings and warriors climbed stone paths to seek Apollo's

climbed stone paths to seek Apollo's

climbed stone paths to seek Apollo's voice, now it stood quiet, its columns

voice, now it stood quiet, its columns

voice, now it stood quiet, its columns cracked and overgrown, its sacred

cracked and overgrown, its sacred

cracked and overgrown, its sacred springs reduced to mist, but one voice

springs reduced to mist, but one voice

springs reduced to mist, but one voice still lingered, buried deep within the

still lingered, buried deep within the

still lingered, buried deep within the mountains breath. The

mountains breath. The

mountains breath. The oracle Irion arrived in silence. No one

oracle Irion arrived in silence. No one

oracle Irion arrived in silence. No one greeted him at the gates. The torches

greeted him at the gates. The torches

greeted him at the gates. The torches lining the temple had long since gone

lining the temple had long since gone

lining the temple had long since gone out. Ivy clung to broken altars like

out. Ivy clung to broken altars like

out. Ivy clung to broken altars like fingers, unwilling to let go of lost

fingers, unwilling to let go of lost

fingers, unwilling to let go of lost faith. Thunder growled in the clouds

faith. Thunder growled in the clouds

faith. Thunder growled in the clouds above, not of rain, but of something

above, not of rain, but of something

above, not of rain, but of something older, watching. He descended into the

older, watching. He descended into the

older, watching. He descended into the hollow chamber where generations before

hollow chamber where generations before

hollow chamber where generations before him had once wept and begged. There,

him had once wept and begged. There,

him had once wept and begged. There, seated at top a crumbling stone throne,

seated at top a crumbling stone throne,

seated at top a crumbling stone throne, was the oracle. She was draped in violet

was the oracle. She was draped in violet

was the oracle. She was draped in violet robes, skin pale like ash, eyes blind

robes, skin pale like ash, eyes blind

robes, skin pale like ash, eyes blind but blazing with storms. Before he could

but blazing with storms. Before he could

but blazing with storms. Before he could speak, she inhaled sharply like a flame

speak, she inhaled sharply like a flame

speak, she inhaled sharply like a flame being pulled back into a lantern. Hyion,

being pulled back into a lantern. Hyion,

being pulled back into a lantern. Hyion, she hissed, though no name had been

she hissed, though no name had been

she hissed, though no name had been spoken. He said nothing. You will climb

spoken. He said nothing. You will climb

spoken. He said nothing. You will climb the mountain. You will take the flame

the mountain. You will take the flame

the mountain. You will take the flame and you will

and you will

and you will die. Her voice cracked like a whip

die. Her voice cracked like a whip

die. Her voice cracked like a whip through the

through the

through the stillness. He didn't flinch. He had

stillness. He didn't flinch. He had

stillness. He didn't flinch. He had heard stories of oracles, their riddles

heard stories of oracles, their riddles

heard stories of oracles, their riddles wrapped in poetry and metaphor. But this

wrapped in poetry and metaphor. But this

wrapped in poetry and metaphor. But this wasn't a prophecy. It was a sentence.

wasn't a prophecy. It was a sentence.

wasn't a prophecy. It was a sentence. She rose slowly, limbs moving like smoke

She rose slowly, limbs moving like smoke

She rose slowly, limbs moving like smoke caught in wind. The gods will oppose

caught in wind. The gods will oppose

caught in wind. The gods will oppose you. The world will demand your failure.

you. The world will demand your failure.

you. The world will demand your failure. The flame what you seek. It does not

The flame what you seek. It does not

The flame what you seek. It does not belong to mortals. It was stolen once,

belong to mortals. It was stolen once,

belong to mortals. It was stolen once, and the price was eternity in

and the price was eternity in

and the price was eternity in chains. Irrion stepped forward, fists

chains. Irrion stepped forward, fists

chains. Irrion stepped forward, fists clenched. So let me pay the price. A

clenched. So let me pay the price. A

clenched. So let me pay the price. A long silence followed. Then laughter,

long silence followed. Then laughter,

long silence followed. Then laughter, not cruel but tired. The sound of

not cruel but tired. The sound of

not cruel but tired. The sound of someone who had seen too many stories

someone who had seen too many stories

someone who had seen too many stories end the same way. You already are, she

end the same way. You already are, she

end the same way. You already are, she whispered. The room grew dark. The

whispered. The room grew dark. The

whispered. The room grew dark. The thunder outside crescendoed. The air

thunder outside crescendoed. The air

thunder outside crescendoed. The air pulsed with something old, something

pulsed with something old, something

pulsed with something old, something primal. Then, just as suddenly,

primal. Then, just as suddenly,

primal. Then, just as suddenly, everything went still.

everything went still.

everything went still. The oracle slumped back into her seat.

The oracle slumped back into her seat.

The oracle slumped back into her seat. Her mouth opened, but only smoke

Her mouth opened, but only smoke

Her mouth opened, but only smoke escaped. Her prophecy was done. And

escaped. Her prophecy was done. And

escaped. Her prophecy was done. And though Aryan left without another word,

though Aryan left without another word,

though Aryan left without another word, her vision followed him. In dreams, in

her vision followed him. In dreams, in

her vision followed him. In dreams, in flame, in every shadow cast by his

flame, in every shadow cast by his

flame, in every shadow cast by his forge. The gods had spoken. His path was

forge. The gods had spoken. His path was

forge. The gods had spoken. His path was set. But not even Olympus could predict

set. But not even Olympus could predict

set. But not even Olympus could predict what a dying world would do when handed

what a dying world would do when handed

what a dying world would do when handed back its fire. Before one could ascend

back its fire. Before one could ascend

back its fire. Before one could ascend Olympus, one had to earn the mountains

Olympus, one had to earn the mountains

Olympus, one had to earn the mountains recognition. And Olympus never bowed to

recognition. And Olympus never bowed to

recognition. And Olympus never bowed to the

the

the untested. Legends whispered that the

untested. Legends whispered that the

untested. Legends whispered that the base of the mountain was not stone or

base of the mountain was not stone or

base of the mountain was not stone or snow, but soul. That beneath its

snow, but soul. That beneath its

snow, but soul. That beneath its foundation was a gate sealed by silence

foundation was a gate sealed by silence

foundation was a gate sealed by silence and guarded by the oldest fear in

and guarded by the oldest fear in

and guarded by the oldest fear in creation, Cerberus, the hound of

creation, Cerberus, the hound of

creation, Cerberus, the hound of Hades. No one could pass that gate

Hades. No one could pass that gate

Hades. No one could pass that gate without first touching death. Arian did

without first touching death. Arian did

without first touching death. Arian did not question it. He had studied myths

not question it. He had studied myths

not question it. He had studied myths the way blacksmiths study heat, closely,

the way blacksmiths study heat, closely,

the way blacksmiths study heat, closely, wearily. He knew what waited beneath the

wearily. He knew what waited beneath the

wearily. He knew what waited beneath the roots of Olympus. But to reach the

roots of Olympus. But to reach the

roots of Olympus. But to reach the eternal flame, he would have to descend,

eternal flame, he would have to descend,

eternal flame, he would have to descend, not metaphorically, but into the very

not metaphorically, but into the very

not metaphorically, but into the very underworld itself. So he prepared not

underworld itself. So he prepared not

underworld itself. So he prepared not with armor, but with craft. He spent

with armor, but with craft. He spent

with armor, but with craft. He spent three days and three nights forging a

three days and three nights forging a

three days and three nights forging a collar, not for battle, but for

collar, not for battle, but for

collar, not for battle, but for submission. It was made of obsidian,

submission. It was made of obsidian,

submission. It was made of obsidian, iron, and the final ember from his

iron, and the final ember from his

iron, and the final ember from his mother's

mother's

mother's forge. Into it he carved three names,

forge. Into it he carved three names,

forge. Into it he carved three names, one for each of Cberus' heads. He

one for each of Cberus' heads. He

one for each of Cberus' heads. He whispered them aloud as he worked.

whispered them aloud as he worked.

whispered them aloud as he worked. Memory, loyalty, grief. On the fourth

Memory, loyalty, grief. On the fourth

Memory, loyalty, grief. On the fourth day, he stood before the shadowed mouth

day, he stood before the shadowed mouth

day, he stood before the shadowed mouth of a cave said to lead downward forever.

of a cave said to lead downward forever.

of a cave said to lead downward forever. The wind here was cold, but it did not

The wind here was cold, but it did not

The wind here was cold, but it did not sting the skin. It scraped the soul, and

sting the skin. It scraped the soul, and

sting the skin. It scraped the soul, and the air smelled not of rot, but of

the air smelled not of rot, but of

the air smelled not of rot, but of forgotten prayers. He entered deeper and

forgotten prayers. He entered deeper and

forgotten prayers. He entered deeper and deeper. He walked past bones that glowed

deeper. He walked past bones that glowed

deeper. He walked past bones that glowed faintly in the dark, past torches that

faintly in the dark, past torches that

faintly in the dark, past torches that lit themselves without flame until he

lit themselves without flame until he

lit themselves without flame until he heard it. The breathing, slow, massive,

heard it. The breathing, slow, massive,

heard it. The breathing, slow, massive, layered, like three storms dreaming in

layered, like three storms dreaming in

layered, like three storms dreaming in unison, Cberus.

unison, Cberus.

unison, Cberus. He stepped into the clearing and found

He stepped into the clearing and found

He stepped into the clearing and found the beast sleeping on a bed of ash and

the beast sleeping on a bed of ash and

the beast sleeping on a bed of ash and bone, each head twitching in a different

bone, each head twitching in a different

bone, each head twitching in a different rhythm. Its fur was blacker than

rhythm. Its fur was blacker than

rhythm. Its fur was blacker than absence. Its eyes were closed, but its

absence. Its eyes were closed, but its

absence. Its eyes were closed, but its ears

ears

ears twitched. Aryen did not draw a weapon.

twitched. Aryen did not draw a weapon.

twitched. Aryen did not draw a weapon. He approached, knelt, and held out the

He approached, knelt, and held out the

He approached, knelt, and held out the collar. Then, softly, he began to hum.

collar. Then, softly, he began to hum.

collar. Then, softly, he began to hum. It was the song his mother had sung to

It was the song his mother had sung to

It was the song his mother had sung to him as a child. The one she sang when

him as a child. The one she sang when

him as a child. The one she sang when night made the world feel too big, too

night made the world feel too big, too

night made the world feel too big, too cruel. The middle head stirred. The left

cruel. The middle head stirred. The left

cruel. The middle head stirred. The left opened one amber eye. The right snarled,

opened one amber eye. The right snarled,

opened one amber eye. The right snarled, then stopped. They listened, and in that

then stopped. They listened, and in that

then stopped. They listened, and in that silence, Irion slipped the collar on.

silence, Irion slipped the collar on.

silence, Irion slipped the collar on. Cberus exhaled, and the door behind him

Cberus exhaled, and the door behind him

Cberus exhaled, and the door behind him opened, not with rage, but with respect.

opened, not with rage, but with respect.

opened, not with rage, but with respect. Irion had touched death, and death had

Irion had touched death, and death had

Irion had touched death, and death had stepped

stepped

stepped aside. The road up Olympus was no road

aside. The road up Olympus was no road

aside. The road up Olympus was no road at all. There were no markers, no stars

at all. There were no markers, no stars

at all. There were no markers, no stars to guide the way, only sheer rock,

to guide the way, only sheer rock,

to guide the way, only sheer rock, biting wind, and whispers that echoed

biting wind, and whispers that echoed

biting wind, and whispers that echoed from

from

from nowhere. Irrion climbed not with

nowhere. Irrion climbed not with

nowhere. Irrion climbed not with certainty, but with instinct. His mortal

certainty, but with instinct. His mortal

certainty, but with instinct. His mortal hands bled. His divine blood burned. The

hands bled. His divine blood burned. The

hands bled. His divine blood burned. The mountain resisted him at every turn. And

mountain resisted him at every turn. And

mountain resisted him at every turn. And then he appeared, not with a roar, not

then he appeared, not with a roar, not

then he appeared, not with a roar, not in a flash of power, but in silence.

in a flash of power, but in silence.

in a flash of power, but in silence. Hermes, the trickster, the messenger,

Hermes, the trickster, the messenger,

Hermes, the trickster, the messenger, the thief. He stood on a ledge ahead,

the thief. He stood on a ledge ahead,

the thief. He stood on a ledge ahead, dressed like a traveler, cloak loose,

dressed like a traveler, cloak loose,

dressed like a traveler, cloak loose, sandals laced with feathers, eyes sharp

sandals laced with feathers, eyes sharp

sandals laced with feathers, eyes sharp as broken glass. A crooked grin danced

as broken glass. A crooked grin danced

as broken glass. A crooked grin danced across his

across his

across his lips. "Well," he said, spinning a coin

lips. "Well," he said, spinning a coin

lips. "Well," he said, spinning a coin between his fingers. "I thought you'd be

between his fingers. "I thought you'd be

between his fingers. "I thought you'd be taller.

taller.

taller. Irion didn't stop

Irion didn't stop

Irion didn't stop climbing. "I know why you're here,"

climbing. "I know why you're here,"

climbing. "I know why you're here," Hermes continued, walking casually

Hermes continued, walking casually

Hermes continued, walking casually beside him without ever lifting a foot.

beside him without ever lifting a foot.

beside him without ever lifting a foot. "You want to bring fire back to the

"You want to bring fire back to the

"You want to bring fire back to the mortals? Sweet, noble, stupid." Irrion

mortals? Sweet, noble, stupid." Irrion

mortals? Sweet, noble, stupid." Irrion paused. "Then stop

paused. "Then stop

paused. "Then stop me." Hermes chuckled. "Stop you? Oh, no.

me." Hermes chuckled. "Stop you? Oh, no.

me." Hermes chuckled. "Stop you? Oh, no. No. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here

No. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here

No. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to make sure you understand the deal.

to make sure you understand the deal.

to make sure you understand the deal. You're walking into the heart of

You're walking into the heart of

You're walking into the heart of Olympus, into the god's vault, into a

Olympus, into the god's vault, into a

Olympus, into the god's vault, into a story that isn't yours to tell. And yet,

story that isn't yours to tell. And yet,

story that isn't yours to tell. And yet, Aryan replied, "Here I am." That smile

Aryan replied, "Here I am." That smile

Aryan replied, "Here I am." That smile faded slightly. "You're trying to

faded slightly. "You're trying to

faded slightly. "You're trying to restore a balance that was broken for a

restore a balance that was broken for a

restore a balance that was broken for a reason," Hermes said. "The flame was a

reason," Hermes said. "The flame was a

reason," Hermes said. "The flame was a gift once, a mistake, and now the gods

gift once, a mistake, and now the gods

gift once, a mistake, and now the gods guard it like a dragon guard's gold. Not

guard it like a dragon guard's gold. Not

guard it like a dragon guard's gold. Not because it's precious, but because it's

because it's precious, but because it's

because it's precious, but because it's dangerous." Aryan stared at him. Then

dangerous." Aryan stared at him. Then

dangerous." Aryan stared at him. Then they forgotten what danger looks like.

they forgotten what danger looks like.

they forgotten what danger looks like. For the first time, Hermes's expression

For the first time, Hermes's expression

For the first time, Hermes's expression soured. The air around them shifted. The

soured. The air around them shifted. The

soured. The air around them shifted. The coin in his hand vanished. His wings

coin in his hand vanished. His wings

coin in his hand vanished. His wings twitched. "You think you're Prometheus,"

twitched. "You think you're Prometheus,"

twitched. "You think you're Prometheus," he said, voice cold. "But you're not

he said, voice cold. "But you're not

he said, voice cold. "But you're not even a flicker compared to him." "I'm

even a flicker compared to him." "I'm

even a flicker compared to him." "I'm not trying to be him," Aryan answered.

not trying to be him," Aryan answered.

not trying to be him," Aryan answered. "I'm trying to finish what he started."

"I'm trying to finish what he started."

"I'm trying to finish what he started." Hermes stepped forward, pressed two

Hermes stepped forward, pressed two

Hermes stepped forward, pressed two fingers to Aryan's chest. Then here's my

fingers to Aryan's chest. Then here's my

fingers to Aryan's chest. Then here's my gift. Pain surged. It wasn't physical.

gift. Pain surged. It wasn't physical.

gift. Pain surged. It wasn't physical. It was deeper. A thread inside him

It was deeper. A thread inside him

It was deeper. A thread inside him twisted,

twisted,

twisted, turned. The fire you seek, Hermes

turned. The fire you seek, Hermes

turned. The fire you seek, Hermes whispered. Will burn everything you are.

whispered. Will burn everything you are.

whispered. Will burn everything you are. Then he vanished. The mountain groaned.

Then he vanished. The mountain groaned.

Then he vanished. The mountain groaned. Thunder rolled. A storm had begun. Not

Thunder rolled. A storm had begun. Not

Thunder rolled. A storm had begun. Not of rain, but of consequence. and Aryan

of rain, but of consequence. and Aryan

of rain, but of consequence. and Aryan climbed higher, cursed, but

climbed higher, cursed, but

climbed higher, cursed, but unshaken. The curse settled into Aryen's

unshaken. The curse settled into Aryen's

unshaken. The curse settled into Aryen's chest like frost in the lungs. At first,

chest like frost in the lungs. At first,

chest like frost in the lungs. At first, it was subtle, a tightening when he

it was subtle, a tightening when he

it was subtle, a tightening when he breathed, a dull heat beneath his skin.

breathed, a dull heat beneath his skin.

breathed, a dull heat beneath his skin. But the higher he climbed, the more it

But the higher he climbed, the more it

But the higher he climbed, the more it bit into him, not like a wound, more

bit into him, not like a wound, more

bit into him, not like a wound, more like

like erosion. Piece by piece, the man was

erosion. Piece by piece, the man was

erosion. Piece by piece, the man was being scraped away, leaving something

being scraped away, leaving something

being scraped away, leaving something raw behind.

raw behind.

raw behind. Mount Olympus was no longer just a

Mount Olympus was no longer just a

Mount Olympus was no longer just a mountain. It was alive. Its cliffs

mountain. It was alive. Its cliffs

mountain. It was alive. Its cliffs shifted beneath his feet. Wind screamed

shifted beneath his feet. Wind screamed

shifted beneath his feet. Wind screamed down ravines like ancient voices,

down ravines like ancient voices,

down ravines like ancient voices, furious to be disturbed. The higher he

furious to be disturbed. The higher he

furious to be disturbed. The higher he rose, the less mortal the world became.

rose, the less mortal the world became.

rose, the less mortal the world became. Trees stopped growing. Birds stopped

Trees stopped growing. Birds stopped

Trees stopped growing. Birds stopped singing. Even the stars above seemed to

singing. Even the stars above seemed to

singing. Even the stars above seemed to pull back. There were no paths, only

pull back. There were no paths, only

pull back. There were no paths, only jagged ledges and sheer faces that

jagged ledges and sheer faces that

jagged ledges and sheer faces that demanded sacrifice with each step.

demanded sacrifice with each step.

demanded sacrifice with each step. Irrion bled. He slipped. Once he nearly

Irrion bled. He slipped. Once he nearly

Irrion bled. He slipped. Once he nearly fell to his death, but a sudden flash of

fell to his death, but a sudden flash of

fell to his death, but a sudden flash of heat from within his chest steadied him.

heat from within his chest steadied him.

heat from within his chest steadied him. It was as if the flame Hermes spoke of,

It was as if the flame Hermes spoke of,

It was as if the flame Hermes spoke of, the one that would burn him, had begun

the one that would burn him, had begun

the one that would burn him, had begun to awaken.

to awaken.

to awaken. But he kept climbing because every time

But he kept climbing because every time

But he kept climbing because every time he faltered he thought of the dying

he faltered he thought of the dying

he faltered he thought of the dying hearths, the cold villages, the children

hearths, the cold villages, the children

hearths, the cold villages, the children huddled in darkness. He thought of his

huddled in darkness. He thought of his

huddled in darkness. He thought of his mother, hands blistered, still forging

mother, hands blistered, still forging

mother, hands blistered, still forging warmth for a world forgetting what

warmth for a world forgetting what

warmth for a world forgetting what warmth meant. And still Olympus offered

warmth meant. And still Olympus offered

warmth meant. And still Olympus offered no mercy. Storm clouds gathered above.

no mercy. Storm clouds gathered above.

no mercy. Storm clouds gathered above. Lightning danced along the ridge like

Lightning danced along the ridge like

Lightning danced along the ridge like gods pacing in frustration. He could

gods pacing in frustration. He could

gods pacing in frustration. He could feel their eyes now, watching, judging,

feel their eyes now, watching, judging,

feel their eyes now, watching, judging, waiting for him to fall. But it wasn't

waiting for him to fall. But it wasn't

waiting for him to fall. But it wasn't just the mountain fighting him. It was

just the mountain fighting him. It was

just the mountain fighting him. It was Olympus itself. He passed ancient ruins

Olympus itself. He passed ancient ruins

Olympus itself. He passed ancient ruins carved into the stone. Temples long

carved into the stone. Temples long

carved into the stone. Temples long abandoned by faith, their altars

abandoned by faith, their altars

abandoned by faith, their altars cracked, their gods forgotten. Statues

cracked, their gods forgotten. Statues

cracked, their gods forgotten. Statues of Athena with eyes chipped out, columns

of Athena with eyes chipped out, columns

of Athena with eyes chipped out, columns of Zeus split by time and silence.

of Zeus split by time and silence.

of Zeus split by time and silence. Irrion realized something no one else

Irrion realized something no one else

Irrion realized something no one else had dared to say aloud. The gods weren't

had dared to say aloud. The gods weren't

had dared to say aloud. The gods weren't powerful anymore. They were afraid.

powerful anymore. They were afraid.

powerful anymore. They were afraid. Afraid that a mortal might bring the

Afraid that a mortal might bring the

Afraid that a mortal might bring the fire back without their permission. That

fire back without their permission. That

fire back without their permission. That someone not born in their halls might

someone not born in their halls might

someone not born in their halls might carry the light that once defined

carry the light that once defined

carry the light that once defined Olympus. And in that fear they threw

Olympus. And in that fear they threw

Olympus. And in that fear they threw their worst at him. Ice, thunder,

their worst at him. Ice, thunder,

their worst at him. Ice, thunder, visions, voices. But he climbed. With

visions, voices. But he climbed. With

visions, voices. But he climbed. With hands torn and hearts smoldering, he

hands torn and hearts smoldering, he

hands torn and hearts smoldering, he rose above the clouds. And in the

rose above the clouds. And in the

rose above the clouds. And in the distance, lit not by sun but by divine

distance, lit not by sun but by divine

distance, lit not by sun but by divine flame, he saw it. The brazier burning,

flame, he saw it. The brazier burning,

flame, he saw it. The brazier burning, waiting. It was not what he expected.

waiting. It was not what he expected.

waiting. It was not what he expected. The summit of Olympus wasn't carved in

The summit of Olympus wasn't carved in

The summit of Olympus wasn't carved in marble or guarded by gods clad in gold.

marble or guarded by gods clad in gold.

marble or guarded by gods clad in gold. There were no trumpets, no gates, no

There were no trumpets, no gates, no

There were no trumpets, no gates, no thunderclaps of divine welcome. There

thunderclaps of divine welcome. There

thunderclaps of divine welcome. There was only silence and the flame. It stood

was only silence and the flame. It stood

was only silence and the flame. It stood in the center of a windless clearing on

in the center of a windless clearing on

in the center of a windless clearing on a pedestal of blackened stone. The

a pedestal of blackened stone. The

a pedestal of blackened stone. The brazier looked ancient, older than

brazier looked ancient, older than

brazier looked ancient, older than language itself, shaped by hands no

language itself, shaped by hands no

language itself, shaped by hands no longer remembered. And inside it danced

longer remembered. And inside it danced

longer remembered. And inside it danced the eternal flame, not red, not orange,

the eternal flame, not red, not orange,

the eternal flame, not red, not orange, but white, pure, blinding, alive. It did

but white, pure, blinding, alive. It did

but white, pure, blinding, alive. It did not flicker. It watched. Arion stepped

not flicker. It watched. Arion stepped

not flicker. It watched. Arion stepped closer. The heat didn't sear him. It

closer. The heat didn't sear him. It

closer. The heat didn't sear him. It entered him as if recognizing something

entered him as if recognizing something

entered him as if recognizing something long lost. His breath caught, his skin

long lost. His breath caught, his skin

long lost. His breath caught, his skin prickled. That ember Hermes had cursed

prickled. That ember Hermes had cursed

prickled. That ember Hermes had cursed into his heart now pulsed like a second

into his heart now pulsed like a second

into his heart now pulsed like a second heartbeat, calling to the flame like a

heartbeat, calling to the flame like a

heartbeat, calling to the flame like a lost sibling. He reached out. In that

lost sibling. He reached out. In that

lost sibling. He reached out. In that moment, time faltered. He saw cities

moment, time faltered. He saw cities

moment, time faltered. He saw cities built from firelight. He saw his

built from firelight. He saw his

built from firelight. He saw his mother's forge blazing in the dead of

mother's forge blazing in the dead of

mother's forge blazing in the dead of winter. He saw civilizations rising and

winter. He saw civilizations rising and

winter. He saw civilizations rising and falling, each one built around fire, and

falling, each one built around fire, and

falling, each one built around fire, and each one forgetting why it

each one forgetting why it

each one forgetting why it burned. He also saw the punishment.

burned. He also saw the punishment.

burned. He also saw the punishment. Prometheus, chained to stone, his liver

Prometheus, chained to stone, his liver

Prometheus, chained to stone, his liver eaten daily by a vulture. The gods had

eaten daily by a vulture. The gods had

eaten daily by a vulture. The gods had called it justice. But Aryan saw it for

called it justice. But Aryan saw it for

called it justice. But Aryan saw it for what it was. Fear wearing a crown. He

what it was. Fear wearing a crown. He

what it was. Fear wearing a crown. He could turn back. He could let humanity

could turn back. He could let humanity

could turn back. He could let humanity adapt to the cold. Forget fire. forget

adapt to the cold. Forget fire. forget

adapt to the cold. Forget fire. forget him. But then he heard the wind whisper

him. But then he heard the wind whisper

him. But then he heard the wind whisper her name, Kalista, and he remembered who

her name, Kalista, and he remembered who

her name, Kalista, and he remembered who he was. He grabbed the flame, and it

he was. He grabbed the flame, and it

he was. He grabbed the flame, and it took him. Pain screamed through his

took him. Pain screamed through his

took him. Pain screamed through his body, not like burning, like being

body, not like burning, like being

body, not like burning, like being rewritten. Bones cracked and reformed,

rewritten. Bones cracked and reformed,

rewritten. Bones cracked and reformed, his skin glowed, veins pulsing with

his skin glowed, veins pulsing with

his skin glowed, veins pulsing with light. He fell to his knees, roaring

light. He fell to his knees, roaring

light. He fell to his knees, roaring soundlessly as the flame poured into

soundlessly as the flame poured into

soundlessly as the flame poured into every part of him, erasing the boy,

every part of him, erasing the boy,

every part of him, erasing the boy, forging the firebearer. He wasn't

forging the firebearer. He wasn't

forging the firebearer. He wasn't holding it anymore. He was it. The

holding it anymore. He was it. The

holding it anymore. He was it. The brazier flickered, then dimmed, then

brazier flickered, then dimmed, then

brazier flickered, then dimmed, then went cold. Because the eternal flame was

went cold. Because the eternal flame was

went cold. Because the eternal flame was no longer chained to Olympus, it had

no longer chained to Olympus, it had

no longer chained to Olympus, it had chosen a new

chosen a new

chosen a new vessel. Irrion collapsed beside the

vessel. Irrion collapsed beside the

vessel. Irrion collapsed beside the empty pedestal. Smoke rose from his

empty pedestal. Smoke rose from his

empty pedestal. Smoke rose from his fingertips, but his eyes glowed like

fingertips, but his eyes glowed like

fingertips, but his eyes glowed like dawn. He breathed barely, but with each

dawn. He breathed barely, but with each

dawn. He breathed barely, but with each breath, a wisp of warmth spread outward

breath, a wisp of warmth spread outward

breath, a wisp of warmth spread outward into the wind, down the mountain, toward

into the wind, down the mountain, toward

into the wind, down the mountain, toward the world

the world

the world below. He had taken the fire, but not

below. He had taken the fire, but not

below. He had taken the fire, but not for himself, for everyone. Aryan did not

for himself, for everyone. Aryan did not

for himself, for everyone. Aryan did not walk down Olympus. He carried it with

walk down Olympus. He carried it with

walk down Olympus. He carried it with him. The moment the flame entered him,

him. The moment the flame entered him,

him. The moment the flame entered him, the mountain stopped resisting. Winds

the mountain stopped resisting. Winds

the mountain stopped resisting. Winds fell silent, the sky cleared. Even the

fell silent, the sky cleared. Even the

fell silent, the sky cleared. Even the stone beneath his feet seemed to shift

stone beneath his feet seemed to shift

stone beneath his feet seemed to shift and guide him, not with reverence, but

and guide him, not with reverence, but

and guide him, not with reverence, but with

with

with recognition. He was no longer a

recognition. He was no longer a

recognition. He was no longer a trespasser. He was a torch. His body

trespasser. He was a torch. His body

trespasser. He was a torch. His body smoldered with divine heat. Not the kind

smoldered with divine heat. Not the kind

smoldered with divine heat. Not the kind that scorched, but the kind that stirred

that scorched, but the kind that stirred

that scorched, but the kind that stirred life. Wherever his foot touched earth,

life. Wherever his foot touched earth,

life. Wherever his foot touched earth, frost melted. With every breath, the

frost melted. With every breath, the

frost melted. With every breath, the cursed wind softened. The air smelled

cursed wind softened. The air smelled

cursed wind softened. The air smelled not of smoke, but of renewal, of

not of smoke, but of renewal, of

not of smoke, but of renewal, of rebirth. But he was not whole. His limbs

rebirth. But he was not whole. His limbs

rebirth. But he was not whole. His limbs trembled beneath the weight of what he

trembled beneath the weight of what he

trembled beneath the weight of what he carried. The eternal flame was not just

carried. The eternal flame was not just

carried. The eternal flame was not just fire. It was memory. He could feel every

fire. It was memory. He could feel every

fire. It was memory. He could feel every spark it had ever ignited. The first

spark it had ever ignited. The first

spark it had ever ignited. The first campfire in a prehistoric cave, the

campfire in a prehistoric cave, the

campfire in a prehistoric cave, the torch that lit Athens, the forge that

torch that lit Athens, the forge that

torch that lit Athens, the forge that built Troy, and he felt the cost of all

built Troy, and he felt the cost of all

built Troy, and he felt the cost of all of it. He saw the cities burned in its

of it. He saw the cities burned in its

of it. He saw the cities burned in its name, the temples raised, the wars

name, the temples raised, the wars

name, the temples raised, the wars fought with stolen fire and ambition.

fought with stolen fire and ambition.

fought with stolen fire and ambition. The gift of the gods had never been

The gift of the gods had never been

The gift of the gods had never been innocent. But this time he would not

innocent. But this time he would not

innocent. But this time he would not give it as a

give it as a

give it as a weapon. He descended through cloud and

weapon. He descended through cloud and

weapon. He descended through cloud and silence, past broken statues of gods who

silence, past broken statues of gods who

silence, past broken statues of gods who had once been worshiped, now crumbling

had once been worshiped, now crumbling

had once been worshiped, now crumbling in divine decay. He passed the cave

in divine decay. He passed the cave

in divine decay. He passed the cave where Cerberus had once guarded the

where Cerberus had once guarded the

where Cerberus had once guarded the gate, but the beast was gone. As if even

gate, but the beast was gone. As if even

gate, but the beast was gone. As if even death had stepped aside for what Aryan

death had stepped aside for what Aryan

death had stepped aside for what Aryan had become, he reached the world below.

had become, he reached the world below.

had become, he reached the world below. And there, in a frozen village where

And there, in a frozen village where

And there, in a frozen village where hearths had long turned to ash, people

hearths had long turned to ash, people

hearths had long turned to ash, people gathered around him, not in fear, but in

gathered around him, not in fear, but in

gathered around him, not in fear, but in awe. He did not speak. He simply held

awe. He did not speak. He simply held

awe. He did not speak. He simply held out his hand, and a flame danced from

out his hand, and a flame danced from

out his hand, and a flame danced from his fingertips into the nearest hearth.

his fingertips into the nearest hearth.

his fingertips into the nearest hearth. It roared to life, then another, and

It roared to life, then another, and

It roared to life, then another, and another. A chorus of warmth spread from

another. A chorus of warmth spread from

another. A chorus of warmth spread from home to home, city to city, across lands

home to home, city to city, across lands

home to home, city to city, across lands that had forgotten what it felt like to

that had forgotten what it felt like to

that had forgotten what it felt like to gather around a fire without praying

gather around a fire without praying

gather around a fire without praying first. Irrion burned. His hair

first. Irrion burned. His hair

first. Irrion burned. His hair shimmerred like molten gold. His skin

shimmerred like molten gold. His skin

shimmerred like molten gold. His skin cracked like cooled obsidian. He was

cracked like cooled obsidian. He was

cracked like cooled obsidian. He was dying, but not fading. He was becoming

dying, but not fading. He was becoming

dying, but not fading. He was becoming something else. He had not stolen the

something else. He had not stolen the

something else. He had not stolen the flame. He had become it. And everywhere

flame. He had become it. And everywhere

flame. He had become it. And everywhere it burned, the world whispered his name.

it burned, the world whispered his name.

it burned, the world whispered his name. Not in worship, but in

Not in worship, but in

Not in worship, but in gratitude. No tomb was ever built for

gratitude. No tomb was ever built for

gratitude. No tomb was ever built for Irion. No statue was carved. No songs

Irion. No statue was carved. No songs

Irion. No statue was carved. No songs were sung in temples. There was no

were sung in temples. There was no

were sung in temples. There was no procession, no mourning, no final battle

procession, no mourning, no final battle

procession, no mourning, no final battle to mark his passing. And yet, he never

to mark his passing. And yet, he never

to mark his passing. And yet, he never disappeared. After the fires returned,

disappeared. After the fires returned,

disappeared. After the fires returned, strange things began to happen across

strange things began to happen across

strange things began to happen across the land. In distant villages where no

the land. In distant villages where no

the land. In distant villages where no traveler had passed, hearths lit on

traveler had passed, hearths lit on

traveler had passed, hearths lit on their own. Entire forests, once frozen

their own. Entire forests, once frozen

their own. Entire forests, once frozen solid, blossomed overnight. Blacksmiths

solid, blossomed overnight. Blacksmiths

solid, blossomed overnight. Blacksmiths claimed their forges heated faster.

claimed their forges heated faster.

claimed their forges heated faster. Children, huddled in the cold, told

Children, huddled in the cold, told

Children, huddled in the cold, told their parents they saw a man of light

their parents they saw a man of light

their parents they saw a man of light standing beside the flame before it

standing beside the flame before it

standing beside the flame before it rose. No one could prove anything. But

rose. No one could prove anything. But

rose. No one could prove anything. But they all told the same story. He walked

they all told the same story. He walked

they all told the same story. He walked until there was nothing left of him to

until there was nothing left of him to

until there was nothing left of him to walk with. His body had long since

walk with. His body had long since

walk with. His body had long since cracked and burned, not from weakness,

cracked and burned, not from weakness,

cracked and burned, not from weakness, but from transformation.

but from transformation.

but from transformation. What remained of Irion, bone, blood,

What remained of Irion, bone, blood,

What remained of Irion, bone, blood, voice, had become spark, smoke,

voice, had become spark, smoke,

voice, had become spark, smoke, heat, and he gave it all away. His

heat, and he gave it all away. His

heat, and he gave it all away. His mother's forge was the last place

mother's forge was the last place

mother's forge was the last place touched, old, abandoned, its fires cold

touched, old, abandoned, its fires cold

touched, old, abandoned, its fires cold for decades, until one night a traveler

for decades, until one night a traveler

for decades, until one night a traveler passing through claimed he saw a boy

passing through claimed he saw a boy

passing through claimed he saw a boy hammering something glowing white at the

hammering something glowing white at the

hammering something glowing white at the anvil. When he looked again, the forge

anvil. When he looked again, the forge

anvil. When he looked again, the forge was empty, but the flame danced high and

was empty, but the flame danced high and

was empty, but the flame danced high and hot, just like it used to. They say the

hot, just like it used to. They say the

hot, just like it used to. They say the gods felt it. That Olympus, sensing it

gods felt it. That Olympus, sensing it

gods felt it. That Olympus, sensing it had been stripped of its power, trembled

had been stripped of its power, trembled

had been stripped of its power, trembled in its silence. But the gods did not

in its silence. But the gods did not

in its silence. But the gods did not strike back. They did not rage. Because

strike back. They did not rage. Because

strike back. They did not rage. Because even they understood, Arion had not

even they understood, Arion had not

even they understood, Arion had not challenged them with war or pride. He

challenged them with war or pride. He

challenged them with war or pride. He had reminded them of purpose. And so the

had reminded them of purpose. And so the

had reminded them of purpose. And so the eternal flame, once hoarded by

eternal flame, once hoarded by

eternal flame, once hoarded by immortals, now flickered in every

immortals, now flickered in every

immortals, now flickered in every village, every city, every lonely

village, every city, every lonely

village, every city, every lonely mountain hut. It lived in the warmth of

mountain hut. It lived in the warmth of

mountain hut. It lived in the warmth of soup shared by strangers, in candles

soup shared by strangers, in candles

soup shared by strangers, in candles placed by grieving hands, in torches

placed by grieving hands, in torches

placed by grieving hands, in torches lifted by rebels seeking light in the

lifted by rebels seeking light in the

lifted by rebels seeking light in the darkest places. And always, always, they

darkest places. And always, always, they

darkest places. And always, always, they whispered the same

whispered the same

whispered the same name. Aryan. Some say when your fire

name. Aryan. Some say when your fire

name. Aryan. Some say when your fire dims for no reason, it's him passing

dims for no reason, it's him passing

dims for no reason, it's him passing through. Others say if you listen

through. Others say if you listen

through. Others say if you listen closely to the crackle of the flame,

closely to the crackle of the flame,

closely to the crackle of the flame, you'll hear the rhythm of a hammer

you'll hear the rhythm of a hammer

you'll hear the rhythm of a hammer striking an anvil. Steady, patient,

striking an anvil. Steady, patient,

striking an anvil. Steady, patient, eternal. Because Arrion never died. He

eternal. Because Arrion never died. He

eternal. Because Arrion never died. He became warmth itself. Not a god, not a

became warmth itself. Not a god, not a

became warmth itself. Not a god, not a hero, just a boy who gave up everything

hero, just a boy who gave up everything

hero, just a boy who gave up everything to help the world remember how to glow

to help the world remember how to glow

to help the world remember how to glow again.

In the land of Sparta, where boys were

In the land of Sparta, where boys were taught to fight before they could speak,

taught to fight before they could speak,

taught to fight before they could speak, and honor was carved in bone, women were

and honor was carved in bone, women were

and honor was carved in bone, women were no less fierce. Among them was one whose

no less fierce. Among them was one whose

no less fierce. Among them was one whose name echoed through the marble halls

name echoed through the marble halls

name echoed through the marble halls like the clash of steel. Leonthy,

like the clash of steel. Leonthy,

like the clash of steel. Leonthy, daughter of Commander Adrastos. She was

daughter of Commander Adrastos. She was

daughter of Commander Adrastos. She was born during a blood red eclipse as omens

born during a blood red eclipse as omens

born during a blood red eclipse as omens howled over the city. Midwives whispered

howled over the city. Midwives whispered

howled over the city. Midwives whispered that she came from Arri himself. By age

that she came from Arri himself. By age

that she came from Arri himself. By age 12, she had bested her brothers in the

12, she had bested her brothers in the

12, she had bested her brothers in the wrestling ring. By 16, she had led a

wrestling ring. By 16, she had led a

wrestling ring. By 16, she had led a hunting party into the Teetus Mountains

hunting party into the Teetus Mountains

hunting party into the Teetus Mountains and returned with three wild boars tied

and returned with three wild boars tied

and returned with three wild boars tied behind her chariot. Leonthy was not just

behind her chariot. Leonthy was not just

behind her chariot. Leonthy was not just respected. She was feared. She walked

respected. She was feared. She walked

respected. She was feared. She walked through the Spartan Agora with a

through the Spartan Agora with a

through the Spartan Agora with a straight spine and quiet steps. Men

straight spine and quiet steps. Men

straight spine and quiet steps. Men lowered their eyes. Women watched her

lowered their eyes. Women watched her

lowered their eyes. Women watched her with a strange mix of envy and awe. She

with a strange mix of envy and awe. She

with a strange mix of envy and awe. She rarely spoke unless spoken to, and her

rarely spoke unless spoken to, and her

rarely spoke unless spoken to, and her words were chosen like arrows, never

words were chosen like arrows, never

words were chosen like arrows, never wasted. But there was something in her

wasted. But there was something in her

wasted. But there was something in her that few noticed. When she removed her

that few noticed. When she removed her

that few noticed. When she removed her armor at night, when the torches dimmed

armor at night, when the torches dimmed

armor at night, when the torches dimmed and the world outside fell away, Leonthy

and the world outside fell away, Leonthy

and the world outside fell away, Leonthy would stare at the stars, not with a

would stare at the stars, not with a

would stare at the stars, not with a warrior's challenge, but with wonder.

warrior's challenge, but with wonder.

warrior's challenge, but with wonder. There was a softness buried in her, one

There was a softness buried in her, one

There was a softness buried in her, one that battle could not scorch. A

that battle could not scorch. A

that battle could not scorch. A yearning, not for marriage, not for

yearning, not for marriage, not for

yearning, not for marriage, not for conquest, but for something else,

conquest, but for something else,

conquest, but for something else, something the Spartan code had no name

something the Spartan code had no name

something the Spartan code had no name for. Peace, magic, mystery. She never

for. Peace, magic, mystery. She never

for. Peace, magic, mystery. She never said. What she knew was this. Every full

said. What she knew was this. Every full

said. What she knew was this. Every full moon when the city slowed and the

moon when the city slowed and the

moon when the city slowed and the warriors slept, her body pulled her

warriors slept, her body pulled her

warriors slept, her body pulled her toward the cliffs above the river

toward the cliffs above the river

toward the cliffs above the river Uritus.

Uritus.

Uritus. She would leave behind her spear, her

She would leave behind her spear, her

She would leave behind her spear, her quarass, her reputation, and become just

quarass, her reputation, and become just

quarass, her reputation, and become just a woman wandering beneath the stars

a woman wandering beneath the stars

a woman wandering beneath the stars alone. The world, she thought, must be

alone. The world, she thought, must be

alone. The world, she thought, must be bigger than Sparta, bigger than swords

bigger than Sparta, bigger than swords

bigger than Sparta, bigger than swords and pride. She felt it in her blood,

and pride. She felt it in her blood,

and pride. She felt it in her blood, like music she couldn't hear, but knew

like music she couldn't hear, but knew

like music she couldn't hear, but knew was playing somewhere. And then one

was playing somewhere. And then one

was playing somewhere. And then one night, beneath a sky so silver it looked

night, beneath a sky so silver it looked

night, beneath a sky so silver it looked scraped from the edge of a blade, she

scraped from the edge of a blade, she

scraped from the edge of a blade, she saw it gliding across a still pool in a

saw it gliding across a still pool in a

saw it gliding across a still pool in a hidden

hidden

hidden grove. A swan, unmoving, watching her,

grove. A swan, unmoving, watching her,

grove. A swan, unmoving, watching her, moonlight rippling on its back,

moonlight rippling on its back,

moonlight rippling on its back, beautiful in a way no warong had ever

beautiful in a way no warong had ever

beautiful in a way no warong had ever been. And from that moment on, Leonthy's

been. And from that moment on, Leonthy's

been. And from that moment on, Leonthy's life began to shift away from blood and

life began to shift away from blood and

life began to shift away from blood and battle towards something softer,

battle towards something softer,

battle towards something softer, stranger, and far more

stranger, and far more

stranger, and far more dangerous. The grove was hidden,

dangerous. The grove was hidden,

dangerous. The grove was hidden, untouched by the usual grit of Spartan

untouched by the usual grit of Spartan

untouched by the usual grit of Spartan boots. Nestled between two cliffs, it

boots. Nestled between two cliffs, it

boots. Nestled between two cliffs, it whispered of something older than

whispered of something older than

whispered of something older than Sparta, older even than

Sparta, older even than

Sparta, older even than Olympus. The trees curved in crescent

Olympus. The trees curved in crescent

Olympus. The trees curved in crescent arches, their branches low and silvered

arches, their branches low and silvered

arches, their branches low and silvered by moonlight. A shallow lake lay at the

by moonlight. A shallow lake lay at the

by moonlight. A shallow lake lay at the center, still as glass, and on it the

center, still as glass, and on it the

center, still as glass, and on it the swan. Its feathers shimmerred like woven

swan. Its feathers shimmerred like woven

swan. Its feathers shimmerred like woven starlight, neither white nor gray, but

starlight, neither white nor gray, but

starlight, neither white nor gray, but something in between. It floated with

something in between. It floated with

something in between. It floated with the silence of smoke, cutting across the

the silence of smoke, cutting across the

the silence of smoke, cutting across the water with no ripple. Its long neck

water with no ripple. Its long neck

water with no ripple. Its long neck arched gracefully as if sculpted by

arched gracefully as if sculpted by

arched gracefully as if sculpted by divine hands, and its eyes, gods, its

divine hands, and its eyes, gods, its

divine hands, and its eyes, gods, its eyes, held no animal wildness, no fear,

eyes, held no animal wildness, no fear,

eyes, held no animal wildness, no fear, only awareness. Leontthi froze at the

only awareness. Leontthi froze at the

only awareness. Leontthi froze at the treeine. Her training screamed caution.

treeine. Her training screamed caution.

treeine. Her training screamed caution. Nothing in nature moved like this. No

Nothing in nature moved like this. No

Nothing in nature moved like this. No creature stood so boldly before a human.

creature stood so boldly before a human.

creature stood so boldly before a human. But the swan did not flee. It watched

But the swan did not flee. It watched

But the swan did not flee. It watched her calmly, expectantly. She stepped

her calmly, expectantly. She stepped

her calmly, expectantly. She stepped forward. It tilted its head. Another

forward. It tilted its head. Another

forward. It tilted its head. Another step, closer. The lake did not stir. She

step, closer. The lake did not stir. She

step, closer. The lake did not stir. She stood at the edge of the water,

stood at the edge of the water,

stood at the edge of the water, heartbeat steady but alert, hand resting

heartbeat steady but alert, hand resting

heartbeat steady but alert, hand resting lightly on the dagger strapped to her

lightly on the dagger strapped to her

lightly on the dagger strapped to her thigh. The swan moved again, slowly,

thigh. The swan moved again, slowly,

thigh. The swan moved again, slowly, deliberately, toward her. When it

deliberately, toward her. When it

deliberately, toward her. When it reached the edge of the shallows, it

reached the edge of the shallows, it

reached the edge of the shallows, it stopped and bowed its head

stopped and bowed its head

stopped and bowed its head slightly. Leontthi knelt. She had seen

slightly. Leontthi knelt. She had seen

slightly. Leontthi knelt. She had seen thousands of things in her life. War

thousands of things in her life. War

thousands of things in her life. War camps burning, bloodied warriors

camps burning, bloodied warriors

camps burning, bloodied warriors screaming at the heavens, newborn calves

screaming at the heavens, newborn calves

screaming at the heavens, newborn calves gasping for their first breath. But

gasping for their first breath. But

gasping for their first breath. But never had she seen something so quiet,

never had she seen something so quiet,

never had she seen something so quiet, so still. So

so still. So

so still. So enchanted. She reached out. The swan did

enchanted. She reached out. The swan did

enchanted. She reached out. The swan did not resist. Her fingertips brushed its

not resist. Her fingertips brushed its

not resist. Her fingertips brushed its feathers. Warm, unnaturally warm, as

feathers. Warm, unnaturally warm, as

feathers. Warm, unnaturally warm, as though its body burned with sunlight

though its body burned with sunlight

though its body burned with sunlight instead of blood. A feeling stirred in

instead of blood. A feeling stirred in

instead of blood. A feeling stirred in her chest. Not fear, not

her chest. Not fear, not

her chest. Not fear, not fascination, something older, something

fascination, something older, something

fascination, something older, something she didn't know she'd been missing until

she didn't know she'd been missing until

she didn't know she'd been missing until that very moment. Connection. The swan

that very moment. Connection. The swan

that very moment. Connection. The swan blinked once and turned away, gliding

blinked once and turned away, gliding

blinked once and turned away, gliding back into the center of the lake.

back into the center of the lake.

back into the center of the lake. Leontth remained kneeling, watching it,

Leontth remained kneeling, watching it,

Leontth remained kneeling, watching it, unsure what had just begun, but certain

unsure what had just begun, but certain

unsure what had just begun, but certain it was no accident. The next full moon

it was no accident. The next full moon

it was no accident. The next full moon she returned.

she returned.

she returned. So did the swan. And again the next

So did the swan. And again the next

So did the swan. And again the next month and the next. No words, no

month and the next. No words, no

month and the next. No words, no promises, just presence. A ritual born

promises, just presence. A ritual born

promises, just presence. A ritual born of silence and

of silence and

of silence and gravity. By the time autumn settled on

gravity. By the time autumn settled on

gravity. By the time autumn settled on the hills, Leonthy no longer questioned

the hills, Leonthy no longer questioned

the hills, Leonthy no longer questioned why. She just knew the swan would be

why. She just knew the swan would be

why. She just knew the swan would be waiting, and her world would never be

waiting, and her world would never be

waiting, and her world would never be the

the

the same. Seasons turned. Leaves reened,

same. Seasons turned. Leaves reened,

same. Seasons turned. Leaves reened, fell, and grew again.

fell, and grew again.

fell, and grew again. The wars continued far below the hills,

The wars continued far below the hills,

The wars continued far below the hills, but in that moonlit grove, time stood

but in that moonlit grove, time stood

but in that moonlit grove, time stood still. Only the full moons mattered now.

still. Only the full moons mattered now.

still. Only the full moons mattered now. Only those

Only those

Only those nights. Leonthy had once measured her

nights. Leonthy had once measured her

nights. Leonthy had once measured her worth in battle scars, victories, and

worth in battle scars, victories, and

worth in battle scars, victories, and commands followed without

commands followed without

commands followed without hesitation. But now, something softer

hesitation. But now, something softer

hesitation. But now, something softer guided her, something far older than

guided her, something far older than

guided her, something far older than Spartan law.

Spartan law.

Spartan law. Each month she returned to the grove

Each month she returned to the grove

Each month she returned to the grove with offerings, fresh figs, soft linens,

with offerings, fresh figs, soft linens,

with offerings, fresh figs, soft linens, carved trinkets from olivewood. The swan

carved trinkets from olivewood. The swan

carved trinkets from olivewood. The swan never ate, never acknowledged the gifts.

never ate, never acknowledged the gifts.

never ate, never acknowledged the gifts. Yet Leontthy continued, drawn by an

Yet Leontthy continued, drawn by an

Yet Leontthy continued, drawn by an instinct she couldn't

instinct she couldn't

instinct she couldn't explain. The swan was always waiting. It

explain. The swan was always waiting. It

explain. The swan was always waiting. It met her at the edge of the water, dipped

met her at the edge of the water, dipped

met her at the edge of the water, dipped its head gently, then glided by her

its head gently, then glided by her

its head gently, then glided by her side. Sometimes it circled her.

side. Sometimes it circled her.

side. Sometimes it circled her. Sometimes it simply stood beside her on

Sometimes it simply stood beside her on

Sometimes it simply stood beside her on the shore, its warmth bleeding into the

the shore, its warmth bleeding into the

the shore, its warmth bleeding into the air around it like a hidden sun. She

air around it like a hidden sun. She

air around it like a hidden sun. She began to speak, not like a soldier, but

began to speak, not like a soldier, but

began to speak, not like a soldier, but like a woman who had never been heard

like a woman who had never been heard

like a woman who had never been heard before. She spoke of her father's

before. She spoke of her father's

before. She spoke of her father's coldness, of how victory never filled

coldness, of how victory never filled

coldness, of how victory never filled the empty space in her chest, of the

the empty space in her chest, of the

the empty space in her chest, of the nights she stared at the sky, wondering

nights she stared at the sky, wondering

nights she stared at the sky, wondering if there was more than sword and soil.

if there was more than sword and soil.

if there was more than sword and soil. The swan said nothing, but it listened.

The swan said nothing, but it listened.

The swan said nothing, but it listened. She could feel it. Its stillness wasn't

She could feel it. Its stillness wasn't

She could feel it. Its stillness wasn't silence. It was attention. The kind

silence. It was attention. The kind

silence. It was attention. The kind mortals never gave. The kind no

mortals never gave. The kind no

mortals never gave. The kind no commander, no suitor, no friend had ever

commander, no suitor, no friend had ever

commander, no suitor, no friend had ever offered her. Over time she stopped

offered her. Over time she stopped

offered her. Over time she stopped feeling alone. She braided her hair

feeling alone. She braided her hair

feeling alone. She braided her hair before each visit. Smoothed her robes.

before each visit. Smoothed her robes.

before each visit. Smoothed her robes. sat beside the swan for hours, shoulder

sat beside the swan for hours, shoulder

sat beside the swan for hours, shoulder touching wing, saying little, yet

touching wing, saying little, yet

touching wing, saying little, yet feeling more than she'd ever felt in a

feeling more than she'd ever felt in a

feeling more than she'd ever felt in a Spartan palace or

Spartan palace or

Spartan palace or battlefield. And still, the swan never

battlefield. And still, the swan never

battlefield. And still, the swan never fled, never aged, never

fled, never aged, never

fled, never aged, never changed. She should have been afraid.

changed. She should have been afraid.

changed. She should have been afraid. There were stories of gods taking animal

There were stories of gods taking animal

There were stories of gods taking animal form to lure mortals into ruin. Stories

form to lure mortals into ruin. Stories

form to lure mortals into ruin. Stories of punishments for those who loved the

of punishments for those who loved the

of punishments for those who loved the divine. But Leonte didn't believe in

divine. But Leonte didn't believe in

divine. But Leonte didn't believe in stories anymore. She believed in the way

stories anymore. She believed in the way

stories anymore. She believed in the way her hand fit perfectly along the curve

her hand fit perfectly along the curve

her hand fit perfectly along the curve of the swan's neck. In the way it bowed

of the swan's neck. In the way it bowed

of the swan's neck. In the way it bowed its head when she sang quietly into the

its head when she sang quietly into the

its head when she sang quietly into the night. In the way it seemed to wait for

night. In the way it seemed to wait for

night. In the way it seemed to wait for her, need her. No words, no promises.

her, need her. No words, no promises.

her, need her. No words, no promises. But in their silence, something ancient

But in their silence, something ancient

But in their silence, something ancient took root. And though she didn't speak

took root. And though she didn't speak

took root. And though she didn't speak the word, not even to herself, Leontthy

the word, not even to herself, Leontthy

the word, not even to herself, Leontthy knew what it was.

knew what it was.

knew what it was. love. The swan was not born of earth.

love. The swan was not born of earth.

love. The swan was not born of earth. Its wings had once stretched across the

Its wings had once stretched across the

Its wings had once stretched across the sky. Its fingers had played the liar

sky. Its fingers had played the liar

sky. Its fingers had played the liar that made the sun rise. Its name had

that made the sun rise. Its name had

that made the sun rise. Its name had once been whispered in temples, carved

once been whispered in temples, carved

once been whispered in temples, carved in marble, and shouted in song. Apollo,

in marble, and shouted in song. Apollo,

in marble, and shouted in song. Apollo, god of light, of music, of prophecy, now

god of light, of music, of prophecy, now

god of light, of music, of prophecy, now silent, feathered, bound. Long before

silent, feathered, bound. Long before

silent, feathered, bound. Long before Leonthy was born, Apollo had committed a

Leonthy was born, Apollo had committed a

Leonthy was born, Apollo had committed a sin in the eyes of Olympus. He had

sin in the eyes of Olympus. He had

sin in the eyes of Olympus. He had defied Zeus, not with blade or

defied Zeus, not with blade or

defied Zeus, not with blade or rebellion, but with truth. He had spoken

rebellion, but with truth. He had spoken

rebellion, but with truth. He had spoken against his father's punishments,

against his father's punishments,

against his father's punishments, against the cruelty passed down from

against the cruelty passed down from

against the cruelty passed down from throne to world, against the silence

throne to world, against the silence

throne to world, against the silence demanded by power. For this, Zeus did

demanded by power. For this, Zeus did

demanded by power. For this, Zeus did not kill him. He unmade him. A spell

not kill him. He unmade him. A spell

not kill him. He unmade him. A spell cast in fury, more cursed than justice.

cast in fury, more cursed than justice.

cast in fury, more cursed than justice. Apollo was stripped of his form, his

Apollo was stripped of his form, his

Apollo was stripped of his form, his voice, his divinity forced into the body

voice, his divinity forced into the body

voice, his divinity forced into the body of a swan. Not to teach him humility,

of a swan. Not to teach him humility,

of a swan. Not to teach him humility, but to remind him he could glow like the

but to remind him he could glow like the

but to remind him he could glow like the sun and still be caged by shadow. The

sun and still be caged by shadow. The

sun and still be caged by shadow. The curse was cruer still. There was one

curse was cruer still. There was one

curse was cruer still. There was one condition. If a mortal ever discovered

condition. If a mortal ever discovered

condition. If a mortal ever discovered his true identity, the transformation

his true identity, the transformation

his true identity, the transformation would become permanent. And so Apollo

would become permanent. And so Apollo

would become permanent. And so Apollo waited years, centuries, lifetimes,

waited years, centuries, lifetimes,

waited years, centuries, lifetimes, floating on lakes, hiding beneath stars,

floating on lakes, hiding beneath stars,

floating on lakes, hiding beneath stars, watching mortals forget his temples,

watching mortals forget his temples,

watching mortals forget his temples, forget his hymns, watching the world

forget his hymns, watching the world

forget his hymns, watching the world grow colder as the gods withdrew. Until

grow colder as the gods withdrew. Until

grow colder as the gods withdrew. Until Leonthi, her presence cracked something

Leonthi, her presence cracked something

Leonthi, her presence cracked something inside him, something buried so deep

inside him, something buried so deep

inside him, something buried so deep even Olympus had forgotten it

even Olympus had forgotten it

even Olympus had forgotten it existed. Hope. He never meant to be

existed. Hope. He never meant to be

existed. Hope. He never meant to be seen, never meant to stay. But she

seen, never meant to stay. But she

seen, never meant to stay. But she returned again and again. And her voice.

returned again and again. And her voice.

returned again and again. And her voice. Her voice when she spoke to him in the

Her voice when she spoke to him in the

Her voice when she spoke to him in the glade was the only thing that made the

glade was the only thing that made the

glade was the only thing that made the fire inside him flicker again. She was

fire inside him flicker again. She was

fire inside him flicker again. She was not a priestess, not a nymph, not a

not a priestess, not a nymph, not a

not a priestess, not a nymph, not a chosen oracle. She was a warrior with

chosen oracle. She was a warrior with

chosen oracle. She was a warrior with hands that knew only weapons, a woman

hands that knew only weapons, a woman

hands that knew only weapons, a woman hardened by loss and trained to feel

hardened by loss and trained to feel

hardened by loss and trained to feel nothing. And yet she saw him. She

nothing. And yet she saw him. She

nothing. And yet she saw him. She treated him not as a symbol or a threat,

treated him not as a symbol or a threat,

treated him not as a symbol or a threat, but as something sacred, something worth

but as something sacred, something worth

but as something sacred, something worth waiting for. He dared not speak, dared

waiting for. He dared not speak, dared

waiting for. He dared not speak, dared not reveal his name. But in the tilt of

not reveal his name. But in the tilt of

not reveal his name. But in the tilt of his head, in the stillness of his body,

his head, in the stillness of his body,

his head, in the stillness of his body, he answered every question she never

he answered every question she never

he answered every question she never asked. And slowly,

asked. And slowly,

asked. And slowly, impossibly, he loved her back. In

impossibly, he loved her back. In

impossibly, he loved her back. In Sparta, solitude was respected, but not

Sparta, solitude was respected, but not

Sparta, solitude was respected, but not for too long. Leontthi's absence did not

for too long. Leontthi's absence did not

for too long. Leontthi's absence did not go

go unnoticed. Each full moon, she slipped

unnoticed. Each full moon, she slipped

unnoticed. Each full moon, she slipped away from the barracks, from the

away from the barracks, from the

away from the barracks, from the training fields, from the watchful eyes

training fields, from the watchful eyes

training fields, from the watchful eyes of commanders and kin. At first, none

of commanders and kin. At first, none

of commanders and kin. At first, none questioned her. She was Leontthi,

questioned her. She was Leontthi,

questioned her. She was Leontthi, untouchable,

untouchable,

untouchable, unshakable, the warrior whose loyalty

unshakable, the warrior whose loyalty

unshakable, the warrior whose loyalty was carved into every scar. But Sparta

was carved into every scar. But Sparta

was carved into every scar. But Sparta thrived on order, on discipline, and

thrived on order, on discipline, and

thrived on order, on discipline, and love, especially the hidden kind, was a

love, especially the hidden kind, was a

love, especially the hidden kind, was a foreign thing in a city built on

foreign thing in a city built on

foreign thing in a city built on control. Whispers began, "She wanders.

control. Whispers began, "She wanders.

control. Whispers began, "She wanders. She speaks less in counsel. She trains,

She speaks less in counsel. She trains,

She speaks less in counsel. She trains, but her strikes lack venom." It was

but her strikes lack venom." It was

but her strikes lack venom." It was true. Leonthia had changed. Her

true. Leonthia had changed. Her

true. Leonthia had changed. Her movements were still sharp, but no

movements were still sharp, but no

movements were still sharp, but no longer cruel. Her voice no longer cut

longer cruel. Her voice no longer cut

longer cruel. Her voice no longer cut and something in her eyes

and something in her eyes

and something in her eyes softened. Some nights she smiled to

softened. Some nights she smiled to

softened. Some nights she smiled to herself as if holding a secret the gods

herself as if holding a secret the gods

herself as if holding a secret the gods themselves couldn't steal. Her father

themselves couldn't steal. Her father

themselves couldn't steal. Her father noticed first. Commander Adrastos, a man

noticed first. Commander Adrastos, a man

noticed first. Commander Adrastos, a man whose face bore no softness, whose

whose face bore no softness, whose

whose face bore no softness, whose daughters were meant to lead men, not

daughters were meant to lead men, not

daughters were meant to lead men, not follow feelings. He summoned her one

follow feelings. He summoned her one

follow feelings. He summoned her one evening under the guise of strategy. But

evening under the guise of strategy. But

evening under the guise of strategy. But when the chamber emptied, he spoke

when the chamber emptied, he spoke

when the chamber emptied, he spoke plainly. "What keeps you from

plainly. "What keeps you from

plainly. "What keeps you from sleep?" Leonthy offered no answer. His

sleep?" Leonthy offered no answer. His

sleep?" Leonthy offered no answer. His voice

voice

voice darkened. "Do not forget who you are."

darkened. "Do not forget who you are."

darkened. "Do not forget who you are." But she already had, at least the

But she already had, at least the

But she already had, at least the version of herself that Sparta had

version of herself that Sparta had

version of herself that Sparta had molded. What the city had built in

molded. What the city had built in

molded. What the city had built in stone, the swan had touched with water,

stone, the swan had touched with water,

stone, the swan had touched with water, and Leonthi found herself unwilling to

and Leonthi found herself unwilling to

and Leonthi found herself unwilling to return to who she'd been.

return to who she'd been.

return to who she'd been. Still, Sparta watched. A patrol once

Still, Sparta watched. A patrol once

Still, Sparta watched. A patrol once followed her out beyond the walls,

followed her out beyond the walls,

followed her out beyond the walls, tracing her steps toward the

tracing her steps toward the

tracing her steps toward the cliffs. They lost her near the olive

cliffs. They lost her near the olive

cliffs. They lost her near the olive groves. She was too skilled to be

groves. She was too skilled to be

groves. She was too skilled to be shadowed, but it was enough. Enough to

shadowed, but it was enough. Enough to

shadowed, but it was enough. Enough to birth

birth

birth suspicion. Priests murmured about omens,

suspicion. Priests murmured about omens,

suspicion. Priests murmured about omens, that the moonlight carried voices, that

that the moonlight carried voices, that

that the moonlight carried voices, that the lakes beyond Sparta stirred

the lakes beyond Sparta stirred

the lakes beyond Sparta stirred unnaturally, a warrior woman

unnaturally, a warrior woman

unnaturally, a warrior woman disappearing each full moon. They feared

disappearing each full moon. They feared

disappearing each full moon. They feared it was madness or worse a god. Leontthy

it was madness or worse a god. Leontthy

it was madness or worse a god. Leontthy knew the walls were closing in. That

knew the walls were closing in. That

knew the walls were closing in. That eyes were learning to look where before

eyes were learning to look where before

eyes were learning to look where before they had looked away. That her silence

they had looked away. That her silence

they had looked away. That her silence once strength now made her vulnerable.

once strength now made her vulnerable.

once strength now made her vulnerable. But still she went, still she found him.

But still she went, still she found him.

But still she went, still she found him. And in that grove where moonlight

And in that grove where moonlight

And in that grove where moonlight touched feather, she forgot the noise of

touched feather, she forgot the noise of

touched feather, she forgot the noise of Sparta. Forgot the rules. Forgot the

Sparta. Forgot the rules. Forgot the

Sparta. Forgot the rules. Forgot the danger. Only one thing mattered now, not

danger. Only one thing mattered now, not

danger. Only one thing mattered now, not being seen. Because if the world

being seen. Because if the world

being seen. Because if the world discovered what she knew in her heart,

discovered what she knew in her heart,

discovered what she knew in her heart, it would destroy them both. The moon was

it would destroy them both. The moon was

it would destroy them both. The moon was heavy that night, low, swollen, golden

heavy that night, low, swollen, golden

heavy that night, low, swollen, golden as a dying

as a dying

as a dying flame. Leonth stood in her chamber,

flame. Leonth stood in her chamber,

flame. Leonth stood in her chamber, fingers trembling over her armor, unable

fingers trembling over her armor, unable

fingers trembling over her armor, unable to fasten the final clasp. Something had

to fasten the final clasp. Something had

to fasten the final clasp. Something had changed. She had felt it for days. a

changed. She had felt it for days. a

changed. She had felt it for days. a quiet trembling beneath her feet, like

quiet trembling beneath her feet, like

quiet trembling beneath her feet, like the ground itself knew what she did not.

the ground itself knew what she did not.

the ground itself knew what she did not. The swan had been different on their

The swan had been different on their

The swan had been different on their last meeting, restless, more watchful,

last meeting, restless, more watchful,

last meeting, restless, more watchful, its feathers bristled when the wind

its feathers bristled when the wind

its feathers bristled when the wind shifted. It had circled her twice before

shifted. It had circled her twice before

shifted. It had circled her twice before settling at her side, its warmth sharp

settling at her side, its warmth sharp

settling at her side, its warmth sharp instead of

instead of

instead of soothing. That night, sleep eluded her,

soothing. That night, sleep eluded her,

soothing. That night, sleep eluded her, and when it came, it brought visions.

and when it came, it brought visions.

and when it came, it brought visions. She stood in a silver grove, her hands

She stood in a silver grove, her hands

She stood in a silver grove, her hands covered in gold dust. A statue loomed

covered in gold dust. A statue loomed

covered in gold dust. A statue loomed before her, part man, part swan, its

before her, part man, part swan, its

before her, part man, part swan, its wings frozen midbeat, its face serene

wings frozen midbeat, its face serene

wings frozen midbeat, its face serene and lifeless. She reached out, called a

and lifeless. She reached out, called a

and lifeless. She reached out, called a name she didn't know she knew.

name she didn't know she knew.

name she didn't know she knew. Apollo. The statue cracked and a voice

Apollo. The statue cracked and a voice

Apollo. The statue cracked and a voice echoed, not from the sky, but from

echoed, not from the sky, but from

echoed, not from the sky, but from inside her bones. Truth will freeze what

inside her bones. Truth will freeze what

inside her bones. Truth will freeze what love has kindled. She awoke breathless,

love has kindled. She awoke breathless,

love has kindled. She awoke breathless, heart racing, the name still burning on

heart racing, the name still burning on

heart racing, the name still burning on her tongue. She tried to dismiss it, a

her tongue. She tried to dismiss it, a

her tongue. She tried to dismiss it, a dream, nothing more. But warriors know

dream, nothing more. But warriors know

dream, nothing more. But warriors know when fear is real. And this was no

when fear is real. And this was no

when fear is real. And this was no ordinary omen. This was

ordinary omen. This was

ordinary omen. This was prophecy. The next day, Leonthi left

prophecy. The next day, Leonthi left

prophecy. The next day, Leonthi left Sparta earlier than usual, the ache in

Sparta earlier than usual, the ache in

Sparta earlier than usual, the ache in her chest sharper with every step. She

her chest sharper with every step. She

her chest sharper with every step. She didn't follow her usual path. Her feet

didn't follow her usual path. Her feet

didn't follow her usual path. Her feet led her deeper into the hills, through

led her deeper into the hills, through

led her deeper into the hills, through trees she'd never passed, into groves

trees she'd never passed, into groves

trees she'd never passed, into groves untouched by

untouched by

untouched by memory. There, hidden beneath a curtain

memory. There, hidden beneath a curtain

memory. There, hidden beneath a curtain of ivy and moss, she found the altar,

of ivy and moss, she found the altar,

of ivy and moss, she found the altar, ancient, cracked, marked with a single,

ancient, cracked, marked with a single,

ancient, cracked, marked with a single, unmistakable inscription, carved in old

unmistakable inscription, carved in old

unmistakable inscription, carved in old flaking gold. Appalon, her breath

flaking gold. Appalon, her breath

flaking gold. Appalon, her breath hitched. All at once, the pieces fell

hitched. All at once, the pieces fell

hitched. All at once, the pieces fell into place. The warmth of the swan, its

into place. The warmth of the swan, its

into place. The warmth of the swan, its listening gaze, the dreams, the curse in

listening gaze, the dreams, the curse in

listening gaze, the dreams, the curse in her bones, the reason it had always come

her bones, the reason it had always come

her bones, the reason it had always come during the full moon. He wasn't just

during the full moon. He wasn't just

during the full moon. He wasn't just enchanted. He was a god. Her god, and

enchanted. He was a god. Her god, and

enchanted. He was a god. Her god, and she had broken something. She stumbled

she had broken something. She stumbled

she had broken something. She stumbled back, the sound of feathers behind her.

back, the sound of feathers behind her.

back, the sound of feathers behind her. The swan had followed her, silent as

The swan had followed her, silent as

The swan had followed her, silent as always, but its stillness no longer

always, but its stillness no longer

always, but its stillness no longer comforted her. It was watching sadly,

comforted her. It was watching sadly,

comforted her. It was watching sadly, softly, as if it already knew, as if the

softly, as if it already knew, as if the

softly, as if it already knew, as if the truth had arrived. And so had the end.

truth had arrived. And so had the end.

truth had arrived. And so had the end. The grove was no longer still. The air

The grove was no longer still. The air

The grove was no longer still. The air pulsed slow and deep, like the breath of

pulsed slow and deep, like the breath of

pulsed slow and deep, like the breath of something ancient stirring in its sleep.

something ancient stirring in its sleep.

something ancient stirring in its sleep. Moonlight trembled on the surface of the

Moonlight trembled on the surface of the

Moonlight trembled on the surface of the lake. The trees leaned in, silent

lake. The trees leaned in, silent

lake. The trees leaned in, silent witnesses to the unraveling of a secret

witnesses to the unraveling of a secret

witnesses to the unraveling of a secret that had survived centuries.

that had survived centuries.

that had survived centuries. Leonthy stood frozen before the altar.

Leonthy stood frozen before the altar.

Leonthy stood frozen before the altar. The name Apollo still echoed in her mind

The name Apollo still echoed in her mind

The name Apollo still echoed in her mind like a spear striking stone. She turned

like a spear striking stone. She turned

like a spear striking stone. She turned slowly as if doing so would unmake the

slowly as if doing so would unmake the

slowly as if doing so would unmake the truth. But it was too late. The swan was

truth. But it was too late. The swan was

truth. But it was too late. The swan was there, not gliding, not graceful, just

there, not gliding, not graceful, just

there, not gliding, not graceful, just standing, watching. Its feathers no

standing, watching. Its feathers no

standing, watching. Its feathers no longer shimmerred, its glow dimmed,

longer shimmerred, its glow dimmed,

longer shimmerred, its glow dimmed, flickering like a dying flame. Leontthy

flickering like a dying flame. Leontthy

flickering like a dying flame. Leontthy stepped toward it, her lips parted,

stepped toward it, her lips parted,

stepped toward it, her lips parted, unsure what to say, unsure if anything

unsure what to say, unsure if anything

unsure what to say, unsure if anything could be

could be

could be said. "I know," she whispered. The wind

said. "I know," she whispered. The wind

said. "I know," she whispered. The wind stilled. A single feather drifted from

stilled. A single feather drifted from

stilled. A single feather drifted from the swan's back, falling slowly,

the swan's back, falling slowly,

the swan's back, falling slowly, silently before vanishing into dust the

silently before vanishing into dust the

silently before vanishing into dust the moment it touched the altar. And

moment it touched the altar. And

moment it touched the altar. And then the change began.

then the change began.

then the change began. The swan's neck arched, not in grace,

The swan's neck arched, not in grace,

The swan's neck arched, not in grace, but in agony. Its body trembled.

but in agony. Its body trembled.

but in agony. Its body trembled. Feathers unraveled into streams of gold

Feathers unraveled into streams of gold

Feathers unraveled into streams of gold and light, wings bent into arms, webbed

and light, wings bent into arms, webbed

and light, wings bent into arms, webbed feet split into toes that dug into the

feet split into toes that dug into the

feet split into toes that dug into the earth, and where the swan had stood. Now

earth, and where the swan had stood. Now

earth, and where the swan had stood. Now knelt a man, naked, radiant, broken,

knelt a man, naked, radiant, broken,

knelt a man, naked, radiant, broken, Apollo. His hair shimmerred like the sky

Apollo. His hair shimmerred like the sky

Apollo. His hair shimmerred like the sky at dawn. His skin glowed faintly, like

at dawn. His skin glowed faintly, like

at dawn. His skin glowed faintly, like embers beneath marble. But his eyes, his

embers beneath marble. But his eyes, his

embers beneath marble. But his eyes, his eyes were dimmed by sorrow, by

eyes were dimmed by sorrow, by

eyes were dimmed by sorrow, by inevitability. Leonthy stepped back,

inevitability. Leonthy stepped back,

inevitability. Leonthy stepped back, hand to her mouth. She had loved him in

hand to her mouth. She had loved him in

hand to her mouth. She had loved him in silence, and now silence had become

silence, and now silence had become

silence, and now silence had become unbearable. He tried to speak, but the

unbearable. He tried to speak, but the

unbearable. He tried to speak, but the curse had not fully lifted. His voice

curse had not fully lifted. His voice

curse had not fully lifted. His voice cracked like thunder in a storm too old

cracked like thunder in a storm too old

cracked like thunder in a storm too old to name.

to name.

to name. You weren't supposed to know, he said at

You weren't supposed to know, he said at

You weren't supposed to know, he said at last, voice barely more than wind. It

last, voice barely more than wind. It

last, voice barely more than wind. It was the only rule. She fell to her knees

was the only rule. She fell to her knees

was the only rule. She fell to her knees beside him, tears cutting down her

beside him, tears cutting down her

beside him, tears cutting down her warrior's face like rivers through

warrior's face like rivers through

warrior's face like rivers through mountain

mountain

mountain stone. I didn't mean to, she whispered.

stone. I didn't mean to, she whispered.

stone. I didn't mean to, she whispered. He smiled then just once, a god's smile,

He smiled then just once, a god's smile,

He smiled then just once, a god's smile, not of joy, but of

not of joy, but of

not of joy, but of farewell. I know. And with that, the

farewell. I know. And with that, the

farewell. I know. And with that, the ground beneath them shuddered. A

ground beneath them shuddered. A

ground beneath them shuddered. A soundless quake. A divine sentence

soundless quake. A divine sentence

soundless quake. A divine sentence passed without mercy. His glow faded,

passed without mercy. His glow faded,

passed without mercy. His glow faded, his skin hardened, his limbs stiffened

his skin hardened, his limbs stiffened

his skin hardened, his limbs stiffened mid-reach. Apollo was turning to stone.

mid-reach. Apollo was turning to stone.

mid-reach. Apollo was turning to stone. And Leontthy could only watch as love

And Leontthy could only watch as love

And Leontthy could only watch as love became

became

became legend. The moment the name was spoken,

legend. The moment the name was spoken,

legend. The moment the name was spoken, the curse began its final work. Apollo's

the curse began its final work. Apollo's

the curse began its final work. Apollo's body, once fluid with divinity, now

body, once fluid with divinity, now

body, once fluid with divinity, now stiffened inch by inch. The light

stiffened inch by inch. The light

stiffened inch by inch. The light beneath his skin dulled like cooling

beneath his skin dulled like cooling

beneath his skin dulled like cooling metal. His golden hair lost its luster,

metal. His golden hair lost its luster,

metal. His golden hair lost its luster, hardening into marble threads as the

hardening into marble threads as the

hardening into marble threads as the final phase of Zeus's punishment took

final phase of Zeus's punishment took

final phase of Zeus's punishment took hold. There would be no forgiveness, no

hold. There would be no forgiveness, no

hold. There would be no forgiveness, no reprieve. Leonthy grasped his hands,

reprieve. Leonthy grasped his hands,

reprieve. Leonthy grasped his hands, still warm, still trembling, but she

still warm, still trembling, but she

still warm, still trembling, but she could feel it, the stone creeping like

could feel it, the stone creeping like

could feel it, the stone creeping like frost over flesh. his fingers curled

frost over flesh. his fingers curled

frost over flesh. his fingers curled around hers one last time before they

around hers one last time before they

around hers one last time before they stopped moving altogether. She shook her

stopped moving altogether. She shook her

stopped moving altogether. She shook her head. No, no, this can't be how it ends.

head. No, no, this can't be how it ends.

head. No, no, this can't be how it ends. But the curse didn't listen. It had

But the curse didn't listen. It had

But the curse didn't listen. It had waited centuries in silence, patient and

waited centuries in silence, patient and

waited centuries in silence, patient and cruel. Apollo's chest rose once more and

cruel. Apollo's chest rose once more and

cruel. Apollo's chest rose once more and then didn't. His wings halfformed behind

then didn't. His wings halfformed behind

then didn't. His wings halfformed behind his shoulders froze

his shoulders froze

his shoulders froze midfold. His knees bent in grief, locked

midfold. His knees bent in grief, locked

midfold. His knees bent in grief, locked in place. His face, still beautiful,

in place. His face, still beautiful,

in place. His face, still beautiful, still kind, was caught between love and

still kind, was caught between love and

still kind, was caught between love and pain. His eyes open but unseeing. And

pain. His eyes open but unseeing. And

pain. His eyes open but unseeing. And then

then

then silence. A quiet deeper than any

silence. A quiet deeper than any

silence. A quiet deeper than any battlefield, deeper than the moments

battlefield, deeper than the moments

battlefield, deeper than the moments before the charge. This was not the

before the charge. This was not the

before the charge. This was not the silence of peace, but of loss, of

silence of peace, but of loss, of

silence of peace, but of loss, of something sacred shattered.

something sacred shattered.

something sacred shattered. Leontthy knelt there, forehead pressed

Leontthy knelt there, forehead pressed

Leontthy knelt there, forehead pressed to his now cold hand. A hand that once

to his now cold hand. A hand that once

to his now cold hand. A hand that once cradled stars, now nothing more than

cradled stars, now nothing more than

cradled stars, now nothing more than stone. Her tears slid down the side of

stone. Her tears slid down the side of

stone. Her tears slid down the side of his marble fingers and fell to the

his marble fingers and fell to the

his marble fingers and fell to the earth, one after another, slow and

earth, one after another, slow and

earth, one after another, slow and steady as a funeral march. The grove

steady as a funeral march. The grove

steady as a funeral march. The grove dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright

dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright

dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright and watchful, seemed to draw back behind

and watchful, seemed to draw back behind

and watchful, seemed to draw back behind a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No

a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No

a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No god appeared because the punishment was

god appeared because the punishment was

god appeared because the punishment was done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had

done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had

done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had flown for the last time. And Apollo, god

flown for the last time. And Apollo, god

flown for the last time. And Apollo, god of light, was now a statue of silence,

of light, was now a statue of silence,

of light, was now a statue of silence, forever frozen in the moment of his

forever frozen in the moment of his

forever frozen in the moment of his final

final

final truth. Leontthi stayed long after the

truth. Leontthi stayed long after the

truth. Leontthi stayed long after the transformation finished, arms wrapped

transformation finished, arms wrapped

transformation finished, arms wrapped around what remained. She did not

around what remained. She did not

around what remained. She did not scream. She did not curse the heavens.

scream. She did not curse the heavens.

scream. She did not curse the heavens. There were no Spartans to hear her

There were no Spartans to hear her

There were no Spartans to hear her cries, no warriors to bear witness, only

cries, no warriors to bear witness, only

cries, no warriors to bear witness, only the wind, only the trees, and the stone

the wind, only the trees, and the stone

the wind, only the trees, and the stone figure of a god who had once loved her,

figure of a god who had once loved her,

figure of a god who had once loved her, not with thunder and fire, but with

not with thunder and fire, but with

not with thunder and fire, but with stillness. And now with silence,

stillness. And now with silence,

stillness. And now with silence, Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She

Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She

Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She left her armor where it lay beside the

left her armor where it lay beside the

left her armor where it lay beside the altar, removed her sword, let her

altar, removed her sword, let her

altar, removed her sword, let her warbound name drift away like smoke over

warbound name drift away like smoke over

warbound name drift away like smoke over the lake. The woman who had once stood

the lake. The woman who had once stood

the lake. The woman who had once stood tall among kings now knelt in silence

tall among kings now knelt in silence

tall among kings now knelt in silence beside a statue that would never move

beside a statue that would never move

beside a statue that would never move again. The grove became her world. Each

again. The grove became her world. Each

again. The grove became her world. Each full moon she returned, never missing a

full moon she returned, never missing a

full moon she returned, never missing a single one. She brought no offerings, no

single one. She brought no offerings, no

single one. She brought no offerings, no incense, no prayers, just herself and a

incense, no prayers, just herself and a

incense, no prayers, just herself and a memory. She would sit beside the statue

memory. She would sit beside the statue

memory. She would sit beside the statue of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold

of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold

of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold stone hand she once held in flesh.

stone hand she once held in flesh.

stone hand she once held in flesh. Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she

Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she

Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she hummed a song he'd never heard, but

hummed a song he'd never heard, but

hummed a song he'd never heard, but somehow felt like it belonged to both of

somehow felt like it belonged to both of

somehow felt like it belonged to both of them. Other times she simply watched the

them. Other times she simply watched the

them. Other times she simply watched the water and said nothing. The villagers

water and said nothing. The villagers

water and said nothing. The villagers began to whisper. They said a woman

began to whisper. They said a woman

began to whisper. They said a woman haunted the hills, that she wandered

haunted the hills, that she wandered

haunted the hills, that she wandered under moonlight with eyes like distant

under moonlight with eyes like distant

under moonlight with eyes like distant stars. Some said she had gone mad.

stars. Some said she had gone mad.

stars. Some said she had gone mad. Others said she had been chosen. But no

Others said she had been chosen. But no

Others said she had been chosen. But no one dared disturb her.

one dared disturb her.

one dared disturb her. Years passed. Winters came and went.

Years passed. Winters came and went.

Years passed. Winters came and went. Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But

Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But

Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But Leonthy remained. She grew older, but

Leonthy remained. She grew older, but

Leonthy remained. She grew older, but never frail. Her strength endured, less

never frail. Her strength endured, less

never frail. Her strength endured, less like a soldier, more like the roots of

like a soldier, more like the roots of

like a soldier, more like the roots of an olive tree clinging to the same patch

an olive tree clinging to the same patch

an olive tree clinging to the same patch of earth year after year, storm after

of earth year after year, storm after

of earth year after year, storm after storm. And still the statue stood.

storm. And still the statue stood.

storm. And still the statue stood. Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind

Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind

Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind him, gaze fixed on the space where

him, gaze fixed on the space where

him, gaze fixed on the space where Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in

Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in

Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in marble, untouched by time. Some

marble, untouched by time. Some

marble, untouched by time. Some travelers claimed the stone was warm to

travelers claimed the stone was warm to

travelers claimed the stone was warm to the touch, that if you placed your hand

the touch, that if you placed your hand

the touch, that if you placed your hand against his chest, you could feel

against his chest, you could feel

against his chest, you could feel something faint, like a heartbeat from a

something faint, like a heartbeat from a

something faint, like a heartbeat from a dream. And then, one final full moon,

dream. And then, one final full moon,

dream. And then, one final full moon, Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer

Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer

Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer than usual, laid her head gently on his

than usual, laid her head gently on his

than usual, laid her head gently on his shoulder, and never moved

shoulder, and never moved

shoulder, and never moved again. When the villagers came weeks

again. When the villagers came weeks

again. When the villagers came weeks later, they found her there, peaceful,

later, they found her there, peaceful,

later, they found her there, peaceful, eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a

eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a

eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue

smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue

smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue shimmerred faintly as if lit from

shimmerred faintly as if lit from

shimmerred faintly as if lit from within. No one touched it. They built no

within. No one touched it. They built no

within. No one touched it. They built no shrine, no temple. But the legend grew,

shrine, no temple. But the legend grew,

shrine, no temple. But the legend grew, and now when the moon is full and the

and now when the moon is full and the

and now when the moon is full and the wind is still, some say the swan returns

wind is still, some say the swan returns

wind is still, some say the swan returns to the lake. Not to be seen, but to

remember. Melanian was not born under a

remember. Melanian was not born under a palace roof or amidst temple incense. He

palace roof or amidst temple incense. He

palace roof or amidst temple incense. He came into the world beneath a willow

came into the world beneath a willow

came into the world beneath a willow tree during a storm that split the sky

tree during a storm that split the sky

tree during a storm that split the sky in two. His mother, a midwife's

in two. His mother, a midwife's

in two. His mother, a midwife's daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap

daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap

daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds

as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds

as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds scattered, the rain danced, and the

scattered, the rain danced, and the

scattered, the rain danced, and the child did not cry. He

child did not cry. He

child did not cry. He hummed from the moment he could walk.

hummed from the moment he could walk.

hummed from the moment he could walk. Music followed him. Streams whispered

Music followed him. Streams whispered

Music followed him. Streams whispered melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves

melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves

melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves trembled in harmony as he passed. He

trembled in harmony as he passed. He

trembled in harmony as he passed. He didn't need instruction. Sound belonged

didn't need instruction. Sound belonged

didn't need instruction. Sound belonged to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird

to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird

to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird call and weave it into song. By 16, he

call and weave it into song. By 16, he

call and weave it into song. By 16, he played the liar with such grace that

played the liar with such grace that

played the liar with such grace that even hardened warriors paused to listen.

even hardened warriors paused to listen.

even hardened warriors paused to listen. He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of

He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of

He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of fields before war, songs that filled

fields before war, songs that filled

fields before war, songs that filled men's eyes with tears they didn't know

men's eyes with tears they didn't know

men's eyes with tears they didn't know they had. People called him a gift, a

they had. People called him a gift, a

they had. People called him a gift, a miracle, a child of divine breath. He

miracle, a child of divine breath. He

miracle, a child of divine breath. He never claimed it. Melanian traveled from

never claimed it. Melanian traveled from

never claimed it. Melanian traveled from village to village, sharing his music

village to village, sharing his music

village to village, sharing his music without coin or pride. His voice calmed

without coin or pride. His voice calmed

without coin or pride. His voice calmed fevers. His cords softened hardened

fevers. His cords softened hardened

fevers. His cords softened hardened hearts. He once played for a dying child

hearts. He once played for a dying child

hearts. He once played for a dying child who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled

who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled

who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled and drifted into death as if it were a

and drifted into death as if it were a

and drifted into death as if it were a dream. But not all ears that listened

dream. But not all ears that listened

dream. But not all ears that listened were mortal.

were mortal.

were mortal. One spring evening, as he sat beside a

One spring evening, as he sat beside a

One spring evening, as he sat beside a glimmering river and strummed a tune

glimmering river and strummed a tune

glimmering river and strummed a tune about starlight, the very air around him

about starlight, the very air around him

about starlight, the very air around him changed. The wind slowed, the water

changed. The wind slowed, the water

changed. The wind slowed, the water stilled, even the frogs silenced their

stilled, even the frogs silenced their

stilled, even the frogs silenced their song. And then they arrived, the muses.

song. And then they arrived, the muses.

song. And then they arrived, the muses. Nine of them, stepping lightly from

Nine of them, stepping lightly from

Nine of them, stepping lightly from behind the veil of the world, cloaked in

behind the veil of the world, cloaked in

behind the veil of the world, cloaked in light and sound, each carried her own

light and sound, each carried her own

light and sound, each carried her own essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic

essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic

essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic poetry, and more. Their eyes were not

poetry, and more. Their eyes were not

poetry, and more. Their eyes were not kind, not cruel, just knowing. They

kind, not cruel, just knowing. They

kind, not cruel, just knowing. They listened, and then to Melanian's

listened, and then to Melanian's

listened, and then to Melanian's astonishment, they sang back. Nine

astonishment, they sang back. Nine

astonishment, they sang back. Nine voices in perfect harmony, older than

voices in perfect harmony, older than

voices in perfect harmony, older than language. Melanian closed his eyes, and

language. Melanian closed his eyes, and

language. Melanian closed his eyes, and without thought joined them. His voice

without thought joined them. His voice

without thought joined them. His voice didn't echo theirs. It evolved them.

didn't echo theirs. It evolved them.

didn't echo theirs. It evolved them. When the last note fell into silence,

When the last note fell into silence,

When the last note fell into silence, even the stars seemed closer. One of the

even the stars seemed closer. One of the

even the stars seemed closer. One of the muses, Colli, eldest and most stern,

muses, Colli, eldest and most stern,

muses, Colli, eldest and most stern, touched his brow. "You are not

touched his brow. "You are not

touched his brow. "You are not ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel."

ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel."

ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel." And thus began the legend of Melanian,

And thus began the legend of Melanian,

And thus began the legend of Melanian, the bard whose voice would shake the

the bard whose voice would shake the

the bard whose voice would shake the heavens. From that night on, Melanian

heavens. From that night on, Melanian

heavens. From that night on, Melanian was no longer just a gifted mortal. He

was no longer just a gifted mortal. He

was no longer just a gifted mortal. He was touched, marked, whispered about.

was touched, marked, whispered about.

was touched, marked, whispered about. The muses had chosen

The muses had chosen

The muses had chosen him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel,

him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel,

him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel, where few dared to tread, they invited

where few dared to tread, they invited

where few dared to tread, they invited him into their sacred circle. There,

him into their sacred circle. There,

him into their sacred circle. There, beneath ancient trees and skies

beneath ancient trees and skies

beneath ancient trees and skies unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian

unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian

unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian learned not through lectures, but

learned not through lectures, but

learned not through lectures, but through

through

through experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught

experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught

experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo

him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo

him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo whispered the histories of nations into

whispered the histories of nations into

whispered the histories of nations into his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced

his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced

his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced barefoot through leaves while he played

barefoot through leaves while he played

barefoot through leaves while he played beside her, his fingers learning the

beside her, his fingers learning the

beside her, his fingers learning the rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her

rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her

rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her flute across his palm and said only,

flute across his palm and said only,

flute across his palm and said only, "Listen." And he did. He absorbed not

"Listen." And he did. He absorbed not

"Listen." And he did. He absorbed not just melodies, but truths. The kind that

just melodies, but truths. The kind that

just melodies, but truths. The kind that lived between words. The kind that

lived between words. The kind that

lived between words. The kind that mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the

mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the

mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the hush before a storm, in the ache of

hush before a storm, in the ache of

hush before a storm, in the ache of longing, in the gasp of a child at first

longing, in the gasp of a child at first

longing, in the gasp of a child at first snowfall, the muses gave him not power

snowfall, the muses gave him not power

snowfall, the muses gave him not power but perspective. And they asked for only

but perspective. And they asked for only

but perspective. And they asked for only one thing in return. Sing for them. Them

one thing in return. Sing for them. Them

one thing in return. Sing for them. Them meaning mortals. The lost, the weary,

meaning mortals. The lost, the weary,

meaning mortals. The lost, the weary, the proud and broken. Those who needed

the proud and broken. Those who needed

the proud and broken. Those who needed to remember that beauty still existed

to remember that beauty still existed

to remember that beauty still existed even in suffering. That song could be

even in suffering. That song could be

even in suffering. That song could be both balm and blade.

both balm and blade.

both balm and blade. At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed

At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed

At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed in city forums and quiet fields, played

in city forums and quiet fields, played

in city forums and quiet fields, played before kings and beggars alike. His

before kings and beggars alike. His

before kings and beggars alike. His songs stitched broken hearts, stirred

songs stitched broken hearts, stirred

songs stitched broken hearts, stirred revolutions, mended fathers to

revolutions, mended fathers to

revolutions, mended fathers to daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace.

daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace.

daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace. But as his gift grew, so did something

But as his gift grew, so did something

But as his gift grew, so did something else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds

else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds

else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds the muses hadn't taught, notes no god

the muses hadn't taught, notes no god

the muses hadn't taught, notes no god had touched. In the stillest parts of

had touched. In the stillest parts of

had touched. In the stillest parts of the night, he would write alone,

the night, he would write alone,

the night, he would write alone, drafting fragments of something beyond

drafting fragments of something beyond

drafting fragments of something beyond language. A song that could bend time,

language. A song that could bend time,

language. A song that could bend time, still the wind, and bring tears to

still the wind, and bring tears to

still the wind, and bring tears to stone. A final song. He told no one, not

stone. A final song. He told no one, not

stone. A final song. He told no one, not even the muses, because some part of him

even the muses, because some part of him

even the muses, because some part of him no longer wanted to share the divine. He

no longer wanted to share the divine. He

no longer wanted to share the divine. He wanted to surpass it. And the muses,

wanted to surpass it. And the muses,

wanted to surpass it. And the muses, ever watchful, saw the change, not in

ever watchful, saw the change, not in

ever watchful, saw the change, not in his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he

his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he

his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he looked beyond them, as if destiny owed

looked beyond them, as if destiny owed

looked beyond them, as if destiny owed him more than

him more than

him more than admiration. And in the distance, fate

admiration. And in the distance, fate

admiration. And in the distance, fate stirred slightly. Because no mortal

stirred slightly. Because no mortal

stirred slightly. Because no mortal walks beside the divine forever without

walks beside the divine forever without

walks beside the divine forever without cost, Melanian withdrew from the world.

cost, Melanian withdrew from the world.

cost, Melanian withdrew from the world. He left behind the applause, the

He left behind the applause, the

He left behind the applause, the requests, the gifts from kings, and the

requests, the gifts from kings, and the

requests, the gifts from kings, and the adoration of cities. He stopped

adoration of cities. He stopped

adoration of cities. He stopped performing in public, stopped teaching

performing in public, stopped teaching

performing in public, stopped teaching students, even stopped speaking to the

students, even stopped speaking to the

students, even stopped speaking to the muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill.

muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill.

muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill. Others said he had died. But in truth,

Others said he had died. But in truth,

Others said he had died. But in truth, he had gone to the shadowed slopes of

he had gone to the shadowed slopes of

he had gone to the shadowed slopes of Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal

Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal

Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal had ever gone, where only echoes of the

had ever gone, where only echoes of the

had ever gone, where only echoes of the old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined

old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined

old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined with crystals that sang when touched by

with crystals that sang when touched by

with crystals that sang when touched by light, he began composing the final

light, he began composing the final

light, he began composing the final song. It came to him in pieces.

song. It came to him in pieces.

song. It came to him in pieces. Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in

Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in

Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it

thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it

thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it frightened him. He didn't write it. He

frightened him. He didn't write it. He

frightened him. He didn't write it. He found it like a secret hidden between

found it like a secret hidden between

found it like a secret hidden between the folds of reality. The melody refused

the folds of reality. The melody refused

the folds of reality. The melody refused to stay still. It changed when he

to stay still. It changed when he

to stay still. It changed when he breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It

breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It

breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It was not a song for performance. It was

was not a song for performance. It was

was not a song for performance. It was truth in sound. He heard the birth of

truth in sound. He heard the birth of

truth in sound. He heard the birth of stars in its opening note. He felt the

stars in its opening note. He felt the

stars in its opening note. He felt the deaths of empires in its fall. It was

deaths of empires in its fall. It was

deaths of empires in its fall. It was not sad. It was not joyful. It simply

not sad. It was not joyful. It simply

not sad. It was not joyful. It simply was. He labored for months, maybe years.

was. He labored for months, maybe years.

was. He labored for months, maybe years. Time bent strangely inside the cave. He

Time bent strangely inside the cave. He

Time bent strangely inside the cave. He ate little, slept only when the music

ate little, slept only when the music

ate little, slept only when the music allowed it. He would weep one moment,

allowed it. He would weep one moment,

allowed it. He would weep one moment, laugh the next, as though the song

laugh the next, as though the song

laugh the next, as though the song played through his soul instead of his

played through his soul instead of his

played through his soul instead of his hands. And when it was finished, the

hands. And when it was finished, the

hands. And when it was finished, the world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight.

world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight.

world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight. Trees leaned toward the windless

Trees leaned toward the windless

Trees leaned toward the windless mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky

mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky

mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky itself held its breath. And far above,

itself held its breath. And far above,

itself held its breath. And far above, in the marble chambers of Olympus, the

in the marble chambers of Olympus, the

in the marble chambers of Olympus, the gods turned their heads. Even the fates,

gods turned their heads. Even the fates,

gods turned their heads. Even the fates, who never looked away from their

who never looked away from their

who never looked away from their weaving,

weaving,

weaving, paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread

paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread

paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread trembles."

trembles."

trembles." Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears

Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears

Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears never hesitated, set them down. They

never hesitated, set them down. They

never hesitated, set them down. They listened. The song did not demand

listened. The song did not demand

listened. The song did not demand worship. It did not beg to be loved. It

worship. It did not beg to be loved. It

worship. It did not beg to be loved. It simply revealed everything. When the

simply revealed everything. When the

simply revealed everything. When the final note faded, even the cave refused

final note faded, even the cave refused

final note faded, even the cave refused to echo it. As if the world knew to

to echo it. As if the world knew to

to echo it. As if the world knew to repeat it would be a crime. The gods

repeat it would be a crime. The gods

repeat it would be a crime. The gods waited. The muses waited. They expected

waited. The muses waited. They expected

waited. The muses waited. They expected Melanian to return to offer this wonder

Melanian to return to offer this wonder

Melanian to return to offer this wonder to the world, but he didn't. He hid it.

to the world, but he didn't. He hid it.

to the world, but he didn't. He hid it. And in doing so, he set a different

And in doing so, he set a different

And in doing so, he set a different music in motion, one of silence and

music in motion, one of silence and

music in motion, one of silence and consequences. When Melanian emerged from

consequences. When Melanian emerged from

consequences. When Melanian emerged from the cave, the world felt smaller. The

the cave, the world felt smaller. The

the cave, the world felt smaller. The skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside

skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside

skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside the echoes of the song still humming in

the echoes of the song still humming in

the echoes of the song still humming in his bones. People rushed to greet him.

his bones. People rushed to greet him.

his bones. People rushed to greet him. musicians, poets, even priests. They

musicians, poets, even priests. They

musicians, poets, even priests. They begged to hear what he had written, to

begged to hear what he had written, to

begged to hear what he had written, to feel whatever power had moved the

feel whatever power had moved the

feel whatever power had moved the heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They

heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They

heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They asked again. He smiled

asked again. He smiled

asked again. He smiled faintly. Not

faintly. Not

faintly. Not yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They

yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They

yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They came to him one dusk, stepping from

came to him one dusk, stepping from

came to him one dusk, stepping from starlight like breath from a liar. Their

starlight like breath from a liar. Their

starlight like breath from a liar. Their robes glowed with inspiration, but their

robes glowed with inspiration, but their

robes glowed with inspiration, but their eyes held warning.

eyes held warning.

eyes held warning. You were chosen to carry beauty, said

You were chosen to carry beauty, said

You were chosen to carry beauty, said Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is

Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is

Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You

not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You

not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You must sing it, whispered Collopy.

must sing it, whispered Collopy.

must sing it, whispered Collopy. Melanian bowed his head. I will not see

Melanian bowed his head. I will not see

Melanian bowed his head. I will not see it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd

it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd

it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd struck them. You think mortals unworthy?

struck them. You think mortals unworthy?

struck them. You think mortals unworthy? Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think

Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think

Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think you alone are its guardian? He met their

you alone are its guardian? He met their

you alone are its guardian? He met their eyes, not with rage, but with something

eyes, not with rage, but with something

eyes, not with rage, but with something colder.

colder.

colder. Possession. Yes. Silence felt like

Possession. Yes. Silence felt like

Possession. Yes. Silence felt like winter between them. "Then you are no

winter between them. "Then you are no

winter between them. "Then you are no longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because

longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because

longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because you created something beyond us, but

you created something beyond us, but

you created something beyond us, but because you hoard it." He said nothing,

because you hoard it." He said nothing,

because you hoard it." He said nothing, and they vanished. Still, the gods

and they vanished. Still, the gods

and they vanished. Still, the gods waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned

waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned

waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned himself with mortal affairs, paused his

himself with mortal affairs, paused his

himself with mortal affairs, paused his thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his

thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his

thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his head in the depths. They waited for a

head in the depths. They waited for a

head in the depths. They waited for a single note, a whisper, a fragment.

single note, a whisper, a fragment.

single note, a whisper, a fragment. Nothing

Nothing

Nothing came. Melanian kept the song locked

came. Melanian kept the song locked

came. Melanian kept the song locked inside himself. Not written, not

inside himself. Not written, not

inside himself. Not written, not recorded, not shared. He called it

recorded, not shared. He called it

recorded, not shared. He called it sacred, but sacred things, when sealed

sacred, but sacred things, when sealed

sacred, but sacred things, when sealed too long, begin to sour. He performed

too long, begin to sour. He performed

too long, begin to sour. He performed other pieces. They were still beautiful.

other pieces. They were still beautiful.

other pieces. They were still beautiful. Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he

Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he

Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he knew, and so did the divine. Something

knew, and so did the divine. Something

knew, and so did the divine. Something was missing. And worse, something had

was missing. And worse, something had

was missing. And worse, something had been stolen. The song that could stir

been stolen. The song that could stir

been stolen. The song that could stir the fates, bend time, and touch the gods

the fates, bend time, and touch the gods

the fates, bend time, and touch the gods themselves, was buried beneath his

themselves, was buried beneath his

themselves, was buried beneath his pride. He told himself he protected it.

pride. He told himself he protected it.

pride. He told himself he protected it. But the muses, watching from afar, saw

But the muses, watching from afar, saw

But the muses, watching from afar, saw the truth. He had chained the divine to

the truth. He had chained the divine to

the truth. He had chained the divine to his ego. And the gods who endure

his ego. And the gods who endure

his ego. And the gods who endure madness, war, and worship without

madness, war, and worship without

madness, war, and worship without blinking do not abide theft. And so one

blinking do not abide theft. And so one

blinking do not abide theft. And so one night the wind turned still. The stars

night the wind turned still. The stars

night the wind turned still. The stars went quiet, and a curse began to bloom.

went quiet, and a curse began to bloom.

went quiet, and a curse began to bloom. Not with fire, but with memory. The

Not with fire, but with memory. The

Not with fire, but with memory. The curse came softly. No thunder, no divine

curse came softly. No thunder, no divine

curse came softly. No thunder, no divine wrath from Olympus, just a dream.

wrath from Olympus, just a dream.

wrath from Olympus, just a dream. Melanian lay beneath an open sky,

Melanian lay beneath an open sky,

Melanian lay beneath an open sky, cradled in the same silence he had once

cradled in the same silence he had once

cradled in the same silence he had once treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into

treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into

treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into darkness. And there, waiting, was the

darkness. And there, waiting, was the

darkness. And there, waiting, was the song, the final song. It returned,

song, the final song. It returned,

song, the final song. It returned, clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He

clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He

clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He heard notes he'd never written,

heard notes he'd never written,

heard notes he'd never written, harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It

harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It

harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It lifted him through stars, wo him into

lifted him through stars, wo him into

lifted him through stars, wo him into oceans, unspooled the very fabric of

oceans, unspooled the very fabric of

oceans, unspooled the very fabric of meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in

meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in

meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not

surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not

surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not faded, erased. No memory, not a note,

faded, erased. No memory, not a note,

faded, erased. No memory, not a note, not a name. The melody he'd written with

not a name. The melody he'd written with

not a name. The melody he'd written with his soul, felt in his bones, was gone

his soul, felt in his bones, was gone

his soul, felt in his bones, was gone like mist at sunrise. At first he

like mist at sunrise. At first he

like mist at sunrise. At first he thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He

thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He

thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He grabbed his liar and tried to recall

grabbed his liar and tried to recall

grabbed his liar and tried to recall even a single

even a single

even a single progression. Nothing. He strummed

progression. Nothing. He strummed

progression. Nothing. He strummed wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That

wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That

wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That night, he returned to his bed early,

night, he returned to his bed early,

night, he returned to his bed early, heart pounding, and the song returned,

heart pounding, and the song returned,

heart pounding, and the song returned, more radiant than ever. He sang along in

more radiant than ever. He sang along in

more radiant than ever. He sang along in the dream, tears streaming, fingers

the dream, tears streaming, fingers

the dream, tears streaming, fingers dancing through light. It felt real. He

dancing through light. It felt real. He

dancing through light. It felt real. He could remember it within the dream. But

could remember it within the dream. But

could remember it within the dream. But once again, with dawn's first breath

once again, with dawn's first breath

once again, with dawn's first breath gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit

gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit

gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit through the night, scribbling notes in

through the night, scribbling notes in

through the night, scribbling notes in the dark. He begged his mind to retain a

the dark. He begged his mind to retain a

the dark. He begged his mind to retain a phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no

phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no

phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no matter what he tried, it vanished again

matter what he tried, it vanished again

matter what he tried, it vanished again and again and again. He stopped playing,

and again and again. He stopped playing,

and again and again. He stopped playing, refused to perform. Crowds dwindled,

refused to perform. Crowds dwindled,

refused to perform. Crowds dwindled, friends left. His home grew dusty and

friends left. His home grew dusty and

friends left. His home grew dusty and cold, but none of it mattered. He had

cold, but none of it mattered. He had

cold, but none of it mattered. He had one obsession now. Remember the song.

one obsession now. Remember the song.

one obsession now. Remember the song. The muses stood at a distance, watching

The muses stood at a distance, watching

The muses stood at a distance, watching with sorrow. He was given a gift, said

with sorrow. He was given a gift, said

with sorrow. He was given a gift, said Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he

Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he

Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he is the only one who will hear it, said

is the only one who will hear it, said

is the only one who will hear it, said Polyhimnia. And never remember,

Polyhimnia. And never remember,

Polyhimnia. And never remember, whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it

whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it

whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it was balance. Melanian would hear the

was balance. Melanian would hear the

was balance. Melanian would hear the song every night for eternity. But it

song every night for eternity. But it

song every night for eternity. But it would live only in dreams. Each sunrise,

would live only in dreams. Each sunrise,

would live only in dreams. Each sunrise, it would slip through his grasp like

it would slip through his grasp like

it would slip through his grasp like water through cracked hands. He would

water through cracked hands. He would

water through cracked hands. He would never stop chasing it, never stop

never stop chasing it, never stop

never stop chasing it, never stop hoping. And in time, hope would rot into

hoping. And in time, hope would rot into

hoping. And in time, hope would rot into madness. Because what torments a bard

madness. Because what torments a bard

madness. Because what torments a bard more than forgetting the greatest song

more than forgetting the greatest song

more than forgetting the greatest song he ever knew, and knowing it still sings

he ever knew, and knowing it still sings

he ever knew, and knowing it still sings without

without

without him. Melanian stopped counting the

him. Melanian stopped counting the

him. Melanian stopped counting the nights. They bled into each other, an

nights. They bled into each other, an

nights. They bled into each other, an endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each

endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each

endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each evening he slipped into dreams where the

evening he slipped into dreams where the

evening he slipped into dreams where the final song embraced him like a lover

final song embraced him like a lover

final song embraced him like a lover returned from war. And each dawn he woke

returned from war. And each dawn he woke

returned from war. And each dawn he woke alone, screaming, weeping blank. At

alone, screaming, weeping blank. At

alone, screaming, weeping blank. At first, he tried to outwit the curse. He

first, he tried to outwit the curse. He

first, he tried to outwit the curse. He hired scribes to sleep beside him,

hired scribes to sleep beside him,

hired scribes to sleep beside him, begged seers to extract fragments from

begged seers to extract fragments from

begged seers to extract fragments from his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his

his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his

his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his own voice would betray some hidden

own voice would betray some hidden

own voice would betray some hidden memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he

memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he

memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he began to

began to

began to fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung

fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung

fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung from a body gone hollow. His fingers

from a body gone hollow. His fingers

from a body gone hollow. His fingers trembled when he reached for his liar,

trembled when he reached for his liar,

trembled when he reached for his liar, the same instrument he once cradled like

the same instrument he once cradled like

the same instrument he once cradled like a child. Strings snapped under his

a child. Strings snapped under his

a child. Strings snapped under his shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He

shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He

shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He didn't need them anymore. Because in

didn't need them anymore. Because in

didn't need them anymore. Because in sleep, the music still came. It became

sleep, the music still came. It became

sleep, the music still came. It became his only purpose, the only place he felt

his only purpose, the only place he felt

his only purpose, the only place he felt whole. and waking became a punishment.

whole. and waking became a punishment.

whole. and waking became a punishment. He cursed the sun, smashed his windows,

He cursed the sun, smashed his windows,

He cursed the sun, smashed his windows, sealed himself in a room with no light.

sealed himself in a room with no light.

sealed himself in a room with no light. But still the song left with the

But still the song left with the

But still the song left with the morning. When he emerged, he no longer

morning. When he emerged, he no longer

morning. When he emerged, he no longer resembled a bard. He was wildeyed,

resembled a bard. He was wildeyed,

resembled a bard. He was wildeyed, gaunt, his once golden voice now roar

gaunt, his once golden voice now roar

gaunt, his once golden voice now roar from nights of desperate humming. He

from nights of desperate humming. He

from nights of desperate humming. He wandered from village to village like a

wandered from village to village like a

wandered from village to village like a beggar, not for coin, but for memory.

beggar, not for coin, but for memory.

beggar, not for coin, but for memory. "Have you heard it?" he'd asked

"Have you heard it?" he'd asked

"Have you heard it?" he'd asked strangers. The song with no beginning

strangers. The song with no beginning

strangers. The song with no beginning and no end. Have you heard it in your

and no end. Have you heard it in your

and no end. Have you heard it in your sleep? People pied him at first, then

sleep? People pied him at first, then

sleep? People pied him at first, then feared him. Some threw stones, others

feared him. Some threw stones, others

feared him. Some threw stones, others fled. He began to sing fragments in the

fled. He began to sing fragments in the

fled. He began to sing fragments in the streets, random, frantic bursts of

streets, random, frantic bursts of

streets, random, frantic bursts of melody. They made no sense to others,

melody. They made no sense to others,

melody. They made no sense to others, but to him they were clues, keys, pieces

but to him they were clues, keys, pieces

but to him they were clues, keys, pieces of a shattered mirror he could almost

of a shattered mirror he could almost

of a shattered mirror he could almost almost reassemble, but every time it

almost reassemble, but every time it

almost reassemble, but every time it slipped through his fingers. He laughed

slipped through his fingers. He laughed

slipped through his fingers. He laughed when he failed, then cried, then laughed

when he failed, then cried, then laughed

when he failed, then cried, then laughed again. And every night the song came

again. And every night the song came

again. And every night the song came back, shimmering, whole, just out of

back, shimmering, whole, just out of

back, shimmering, whole, just out of reach. The muses watched, not with

reach. The muses watched, not with

reach. The muses watched, not with anger, with mourning. He had once been

anger, with mourning. He had once been

anger, with mourning. He had once been their finest vessel. Now he was a

their finest vessel. Now he was a

their finest vessel. Now he was a cracked jar, overflowing only when no

cracked jar, overflowing only when no

cracked jar, overflowing only when no one could hear. And in that descent, the

one could hear. And in that descent, the

one could hear. And in that descent, the song he'd hoarded became the thing that

song he'd hoarded became the thing that

song he'd hoarded became the thing that unraveled him. Not with fire, not with

unraveled him. Not with fire, not with

unraveled him. Not with fire, not with wrath, but with

wrath, but with

wrath, but with silence. Melanian no longer lived in the

silence. Melanian no longer lived in the

silence. Melanian no longer lived in the world. His body walked through it. Yes,

world. His body walked through it. Yes,

world. His body walked through it. Yes, but his mind was elsewhere, caught

but his mind was elsewhere, caught

but his mind was elsewhere, caught between dreams and daylight, past and

between dreams and daylight, past and

between dreams and daylight, past and present. A song only he could hear, and

present. A song only he could hear, and

present. A song only he could hear, and only when it was too late to hold. He

only when it was too late to hold. He

only when it was too late to hold. He wandered barefoot through cities that

wandered barefoot through cities that

wandered barefoot through cities that once hosted him like royalty. Children

once hosted him like royalty. Children

once hosted him like royalty. Children who once sat at his feet now ran from

who once sat at his feet now ran from

who once sat at his feet now ran from his shadow. His name once sung in praise

his shadow. His name once sung in praise

his shadow. His name once sung in praise became a warning. Don't end up like

became a warning. Don't end up like

became a warning. Don't end up like Melanian. He slept where he could, under

Melanian. He slept where he could, under

Melanian. He slept where he could, under trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in

trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in

trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in the doorways of ins whose keepers once

the doorways of ins whose keepers once

the doorways of ins whose keepers once begged for his presence. He no longer

begged for his presence. He no longer

begged for his presence. He no longer asked for food, only a place to rest,

asked for food, only a place to rest,

asked for food, only a place to rest, only the dream. The curse never failed.

only the dream. The curse never failed.

only the dream. The curse never failed. Each night he fell asleep with trembling

Each night he fell asleep with trembling

Each night he fell asleep with trembling hope. And the final song returned.

hope. And the final song returned.

hope. And the final song returned. whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each

whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each

whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each morning he woke to forgetting. The

morning he woke to forgetting. The

morning he woke to forgetting. The cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in

cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in

cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in the memory of sound. He remembered that

the memory of sound. He remembered that

the memory of sound. He remembered that he had heard something transcendent,

he had heard something transcendent,

he had heard something transcendent, that it had meant everything. But he

that it had meant everything. But he

that it had meant everything. But he could no longer remember why. He began

could no longer remember why. He began

could no longer remember why. He began speaking to shadows, to trees, to the

speaking to shadows, to trees, to the

speaking to shadows, to trees, to the stars. Sometimes he would sing to

stars. Sometimes he would sing to

stars. Sometimes he would sing to strangers and demand they sing back.

strangers and demand they sing back.

strangers and demand they sing back. Convinced the melody was hiding in

Convinced the melody was hiding in

Convinced the melody was hiding in someone else's throat. Once he believed

someone else's throat. Once he believed

someone else's throat. Once he believed a child had hummed it in passing, he

a child had hummed it in passing, he

a child had hummed it in passing, he followed the family across two villages

followed the family across two villages

followed the family across two villages before collapsing in the dust, begging

before collapsing in the dust, begging

before collapsing in the dust, begging the boy to sing again. But the sound had

the boy to sing again. But the sound had

the boy to sing again. But the sound had been something else, something ordinary.

been something else, something ordinary.

been something else, something ordinary. He wept for hours and still each night

He wept for hours and still each night

He wept for hours and still each night the song returned taunting, embracing,

the song returned taunting, embracing,

the song returned taunting, embracing, divine. He tried to hum it as he

divine. He tried to hum it as he

divine. He tried to hum it as he dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but

dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but

dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but the curse was clever. He could not move

the curse was clever. He could not move

the curse was clever. He could not move within the dream. He could not record

within the dream. He could not record

within the dream. He could not record it, write it, carry it, only hear it.

it, write it, carry it, only hear it.

it, write it, carry it, only hear it. And when he woke, emptiness. Some who

And when he woke, emptiness. Some who

And when he woke, emptiness. Some who saw him said he still hummed in his

saw him said he still hummed in his

saw him said he still hummed in his sleep. that if you placed your ear near

sleep. that if you placed your ear near

sleep. that if you placed your ear near his mouth at midnight, you could hear a

his mouth at midnight, you could hear a

his mouth at midnight, you could hear a music unlike any other. But only then,

music unlike any other. But only then,

music unlike any other. But only then, only in darkness. The muses no longer

only in darkness. The muses no longer

only in darkness. The muses no longer came. The gods stopped watching, and

came. The gods stopped watching, and

came. The gods stopped watching, and Melanian, once the voice of the world,

Melanian, once the voice of the world,

Melanian, once the voice of the world, now wandered like an echo of a song the

now wandered like an echo of a song the

now wandered like an echo of a song the world could no longer remember, and he

world could no longer remember, and he

world could no longer remember, and he could no longer

could no longer

could no longer forget. Melanian had grown thin as

forget. Melanian had grown thin as

forget. Melanian had grown thin as twilight. His skin, once kissed by

twilight. His skin, once kissed by

twilight. His skin, once kissed by golden light, was now pale and paper

golden light, was now pale and paper

golden light, was now pale and paper thin. His voice, what remained of it,

thin. His voice, what remained of it,

thin. His voice, what remained of it, was horsearo from years of whispers and

was horsearo from years of whispers and

was horsearo from years of whispers and wandering. He no longer searched for

wandering. He no longer searched for

wandering. He no longer searched for food, shelter, or even the song. He

food, shelter, or even the song. He

food, shelter, or even the song. He simply walked. One evening he reached a

simply walked. One evening he reached a

simply walked. One evening he reached a cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet

cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet

cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet there. No towns, no roads, no curious

there. No towns, no roads, no curious

there. No towns, no roads, no curious eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the

eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the

eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the stars slowly rising in the deepening

stars slowly rising in the deepening

stars slowly rising in the deepening blue. He sat curled against a stone, the

blue. He sat curled against a stone, the

blue. He sat curled against a stone, the seab breeze tangling what remained of

seab breeze tangling what remained of

seab breeze tangling what remained of his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't

his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't

his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the

sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the

sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the dream came again. But this time,

dream came again. But this time,

dream came again. But this time, something was different. There was no

something was different. There was no

something was different. There was no delay, no mist to wade through, no

delay, no mist to wade through, no

delay, no mist to wade through, no struggle to hear. The final song was

struggle to hear. The final song was

struggle to hear. The final song was there from the beginning, full and

there from the beginning, full and

there from the beginning, full and clear. But it was not just sound. It was

clear. But it was not just sound. It was

clear. But it was not just sound. It was a place, a presence, a world built from

a place, a presence, a world built from

a place, a presence, a world built from music. Melanian stood within it,

music. Melanian stood within it,

music. Melanian stood within it, barefoot on chords that bent like grass,

barefoot on chords that bent like grass,

barefoot on chords that bent like grass, stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky

stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky

stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky was a symphony. The wind sang in

was a symphony. The wind sang in

was a symphony. The wind sang in harmony. And he was not just hearing it.

harmony. And he was not just hearing it.

harmony. And he was not just hearing it. He was part of it. His own voice joined

He was part of it. His own voice joined

He was part of it. His own voice joined the song and it did not tremble. It did

the song and it did not tremble. It did

the song and it did not tremble. It did not forget. It soared. He saw every note

not forget. It soared. He saw every note

not forget. It soared. He saw every note he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned.

he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned.

he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned. But now he understood. The song had

But now he understood. The song had

But now he understood. The song had never left him. It had grown without

never left him. It had grown without

never left him. It had grown without him. It had become more than his hands

him. It had become more than his hands

him. It had become more than his hands could hold. He was not its owner. He was

could hold. He was not its owner. He was

could hold. He was not its owner. He was its witness. And in that final dream,

its witness. And in that final dream,

its witness. And in that final dream, there was no sorrow, no shame, no

there was no sorrow, no shame, no

there was no sorrow, no shame, no punishment, only release. When the sun

punishment, only release. When the sun

punishment, only release. When the sun rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind

rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind

rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind lifted softly around his body as if

lifted softly around his body as if

lifted softly around his body as if carrying away a final

carrying away a final

carrying away a final breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs

breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs

breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs found him later, peaceful, hands resting

found him later, peaceful, hands resting

found him later, peaceful, hands resting on his chest, as if cradling an

on his chest, as if cradling an

on his chest, as if cradling an invisible liar. There was no scroll, no

invisible liar. There was no scroll, no

invisible liar. There was no scroll, no recording. But above him, high in the

recording. But above him, high in the

recording. But above him, high in the coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange

coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange

coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange formations, almost like they danced to

formations, almost like they danced to

formations, almost like they danced to something only they could hear. And the

something only they could hear. And the

something only they could hear. And the sea for a moment sang, not in words, not

sea for a moment sang, not in words, not

sea for a moment sang, not in words, not in melody, but in something older than

in melody, but in something older than

in melody, but in something older than either, something he had finally

either, something he had finally

either, something he had finally become. Melanian was buried beneath a

become. Melanian was buried beneath a

become. Melanian was buried beneath a lone olive tree near the cliff where he

lone olive tree near the cliff where he

lone olive tree near the cliff where he last slept. No priest performed the

last slept. No priest performed the

last slept. No priest performed the rights. No crowds gathered. Just the

rights. No crowds gathered. Just the

rights. No crowds gathered. Just the shepherd who found him and a few

shepherd who found him and a few

shepherd who found him and a few villagers who remembered the stories.

villagers who remembered the stories.

villagers who remembered the stories. Faint echoes of the bard who once made

Faint echoes of the bard who once made

Faint echoes of the bard who once made the gods pause mid breath. There was no

the gods pause mid breath. There was no

the gods pause mid breath. There was no monument, only

monument, only

monument, only silence. But silence has a way of

silence. But silence has a way of

silence. But silence has a way of amplifying truth. In the years that

amplifying truth. In the years that

amplifying truth. In the years that followed, strange things were whispered

followed, strange things were whispered

followed, strange things were whispered across the land. Travelers claimed that

across the land. Travelers claimed that

across the land. Travelers claimed that if you passed that cliff under a new

if you passed that cliff under a new

if you passed that cliff under a new moon, you might hear a melody in the

moon, you might hear a melody in the

moon, you might hear a melody in the wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly

wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly

wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly beautiful. Not a full song, just a note,

beautiful. Not a full song, just a note,

beautiful. Not a full song, just a note, just enough to make you stop. Children

just enough to make you stop. Children

just enough to make you stop. Children began dreaming of music they'd never

began dreaming of music they'd never

began dreaming of music they'd never heard. Musicians would wake in the night

heard. Musicians would wake in the night

heard. Musicians would wake in the night with tears on their cheeks and no memory

with tears on their cheeks and no memory

with tears on their cheeks and no memory of why. And sometimes when a bard sat

of why. And sometimes when a bard sat

of why. And sometimes when a bard sat alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden

alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden

alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden cord would form beneath their fingers.

cord would form beneath their fingers.

cord would form beneath their fingers. Something not

Something not

Something not theirs, something perfect. They never

theirs, something perfect. They never

theirs, something perfect. They never remembered it by mourning. The musers

remembered it by mourning. The musers

remembered it by mourning. The musers said nothing. They did not curse another

said nothing. They did not curse another

said nothing. They did not curse another bard. They did not reclaim the song

bard. They did not reclaim the song

bard. They did not reclaim the song because they understood what Melanian

because they understood what Melanian

because they understood what Melanian had become. Not a warning, not a hero,

had become. Not a warning, not a hero,

had become. Not a warning, not a hero, but a vessel turned legend.

but a vessel turned legend.

but a vessel turned legend. A soul whose punishment was born not of

A soul whose punishment was born not of

A soul whose punishment was born not of cruelty but of refusal and whose

cruelty but of refusal and whose

cruelty but of refusal and whose redemption came not through sharing but

redemption came not through sharing but

redemption came not through sharing but surrender. The final song was never

surrender. The final song was never

surrender. The final song was never written down. It was never performed in

written down. It was never performed in

written down. It was never performed in amphitheaters or temples. It does not

amphitheaters or temples. It does not

amphitheaters or temples. It does not exist in scroll or scripture. But it

exist in scroll or scripture. But it

exist in scroll or scripture. But it lives in the quiet moments between sleep

lives in the quiet moments between sleep

lives in the quiet moments between sleep and waking. In the hush before a

and waking. In the hush before a

and waking. In the hush before a performer strums their first chord. In

performer strums their first chord. In

performer strums their first chord. In the way the sea sounds different when

the way the sea sounds different when

the way the sea sounds different when you're grieving. Melanian song became

you're grieving. Melanian song became

you're grieving. Melanian song became part of the world itself, not to be

part of the world itself, not to be

part of the world itself, not to be remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in

remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in

remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in the bones, a melody without words. And

the bones, a melody without words. And

the bones, a melody without words. And those who feel it even for a moment,

those who feel it even for a moment,

those who feel it even for a moment, never forget the silence that follows.

never forget the silence that follows.

never forget the silence that follows. They say if you stand alone on the right

They say if you stand alone on the right

They say if you stand alone on the right cliff on the right night with no one

cliff on the right night with no one

cliff on the right night with no one watching and the wind is kind, you might

watching and the wind is kind, you might

watching and the wind is kind, you might hear a sound that doesn't belong to this

hear a sound that doesn't belong to this

hear a sound that doesn't belong to this world. Just a fragment, just a breath.

world. Just a fragment, just a breath.

world. Just a fragment, just a breath. And maybe if you listen closely enough,

And maybe if you listen closely enough,

And maybe if you listen closely enough, you'll finally understand why Millennium

you'll finally understand why Millennium

you'll finally understand why Millennium never let it go.

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YouTube Transcript:Boring Greek Myths For Sleep | Gentle Storytelling (2 HOURS) | 3 Stories

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Boring Greek Myths For Sleep | Gentle Storytelling (2 HOURS) | 3 Stories