- Apollo -
Across the world from where Olympus stood, a dark and uninviting tower loomed over an abandoned land. It was encased in vines and little purple flowers that climbed to the spire, an indication of how long it had stood.
Inside, there were almost always three sounds present.
Pull. Measure. Cut.
A song that never seemed to end. The destiny of those little threads was discussed as the song went on.
"An untimely death, what a pity-"
"Perhaps he should've been more kind."
"A wife and child will be left alone-"
"This man will be cruel, they won't mind."
Laughter would peal out the open tower doors before the song would continue.
Pull. Measure. Cut.
"A god's thread here, see how it shines?"
"Ah, and look at where it intertwines!"
"A child of two such opposite in nature?"
"Shush dear, don't laugh- she'll be a queen in time."
The voices that discussed the future so calmly and casually belonged to three women- Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Three sisters who could see past, present, and future, and who's divine role was to determine the fate of each individual. So, naturally, they were nicknamed the Fates.
Clotho, the sweetest of the three, would pull out the thread and see it's possibility. She tried to weave happiness into each fiber, but happiness is much harder to find than trials.
Lachesis, the logical one, would measure out the life span, and see the misfortune in each one. She was blunt, and spoke her mind. She didn't care much for humans, gods, or any other creatures besides the other two in the room beside her.
Atropos, who cut the thread to mark the end of life. She spent a great deal of time in the Underworld, and took the passing of life quite seriously. Her aim was never off, despite what those on Earth would say when someone died seemingly early. No, each life was always cut at the precise point it needed. Atropos was a teacher- sometimes a life ended to teach the liver a lesson. Sometimes it ended to teach those around it. Whatever the case, her job was done with upmost care and accuracy.
The three had been at this for longer than they could remember. Even as children, born of Zeus and the Goddess Titan, they had spent their time prophesying and foreseeing.
Below them, the black, red, blue, and purple threads of human life intertwined and weave, each cutting off to let a new one take place. Black defined the wicked, red the righteous. Blue were those somewhere in between who just tried to survive. Purple were those innocent who were killed, never having time to pick another side.
Above them were threads of gold- the threads of the immortals. They stretched seemingly forever, and perhaps they did. There were no individual markings of attitude- the gods changed too many times over eternity for such a thing. But the Fates knew each string from another, and watched with great interest.
For example, their eyes had been set on sweet Kore's, which was drifting from their mother's to another thread. Hades and Kore were a pairing they had foreseen, of course, but it was one event in the immortal sphere that didn't make them roll their eyes or curse at their endless dramas.
How did I know this, you might ask?
Because I am Apollo, of course. And with power comes connections, like the wise oracle who worshipped in my temple and gave me constant updates on the Fates.
I gritted my teeth as my chariot soared through the sky towards the Fates, loaded with all sort of treasures and gifts. The old woman told me that my thread was apparently twisted towards Kore's, but was unable to reach it. This would cause problems soon- a thread not woven somewhere and simply wandering always spelled out incoming disaster.
Pull. Measure. Cut.
This journey was no small thing to me. I had gone throughout the land, collecting the finest and most unique gifts I could find. Of course, I saved the very best for my own palace for my beloved Kore.
I have no problem admitting that I am arrogant and used to winning. This contest would be no different. I carried himself with swagger, like I had already won- scaring away completion was the first step in an easy victory. Sure, Demeter's glare was ferocious whenever they passed, but I paid it no mind.
"When Kore is mine," I thought bitterly, "we won't be seeing that old shrew more than necessary."Â She had done a good job of training the girl to be obedient and submissive- I could at least admire that about the Goddess of Nature. Kore was not fiery or aggressive like the other goddesses. She was sweet, demure, and eager to please. She was the prettiest and kindest thing I had ever seen
The corners of my lips turned up, the image of the girl holding out her rose popping up in my mind.
But I had a task to finish first- the Fates. Honestly, I wasn't worried, with all the gifts to offer and my gift of charm. The Fates had relaxed rules before for me, and I was sure with some convincing they would do it again.
It would be a battle, surely. Most things in this world the Fates didn't care for, but Hagneia was a sanctuary for only the kindest and the innocent. I gritted my teeth- I'd have to really work for this victory.
***
"Kind Fates, I thank you for you audience," I greeted with a bow, my charm dialed in on the three women before him. They sat on white thrones, each keeping an expressionless face as they studied me.
"God of the Sun," Lachesis greeted. "You have traveled far to be here today."
"Indeed," I replied amiably as I straightened. A wave of my hand brought the gifts for the Fates before them, sitting between myself and the goddesses. "Gifts and favors from those on Olympus, to express our gratitude for your endless service."
"I assume you have come for a greater purpose than bringing these." Clothe waved her hand as she spoke, causing the gifts to disappear to somewhere in the castle. "Please, Apollo, tell us your wish."
Sweet Clothe. She was the only one of the three who had a soft spot for me, and was often the one to sway her sisters to bend the rules.
I smiled serenely. "My dear Fates, I have come before you with the greatest desire of my heart. The Goddess of Spring is locked away on an island only you can grant access to. She is sweet, kind, and worthy of someone who can cherish such a flower."
"That being said," I continued, my face darkening. "Zeus has proposed a crude contest for who will marry Kore. She will be practically sold to whoever can bribe the judges best. I want to save her from such a fate, and give her a chance to be with me. Please," I continued earnestly, the vision of grace. "I ask for only one day's access to Hagneia, to convince Kore of my love."
Silence prevailed, if only for a moment.
"Young man," Atropos started, her eyebrows raised as she started down at me with apparent dislike. "Do you know what Hagneia is?"
My grin faltered. What did that have to do with anything? "I know many who live chaste and virtuous lives pilgrimage there, to wash in the waters of the island."
"Hagneia,"Lachesis interrupted sternly, "Is a refuge for those pure of heart from the world. The waters are pure and clean there because the hearts of those who touch it are the same. Kore is there because of the virtues of her heart, and to offer protection from the very contest you mention. Can you tote the same innocence and purity in your own heart?"
My eyes widened. Surely, they couldn't be serious! Were they truly going to deny him?
Desperately, my attention turned to Clothe, who was looking away uncomfortably. "Sweet Fate," I called to her, my eyes imploring. "Surely you see my intentions are as I've said?"
Clothe took a moment before sighing, looking up to meet my eyes. "Any other request might be granted. But to go to Hagneia to bring Kore back without Demeter's permission is quite impossible. You mean well, but like many of those on Olympus, you have not yet learned what love is truly like. It is not possession or a passionate fling, Apollo."
The girl straightened her back, standing resolute with her sisters. As a trio, they replied with one voice. "We deny your request. Do not tempt the Fates further."
I couldn't believe my ears. I sputtered, taking a step back. Failure. "What?" I cried, my hands reaching out to the Fates. "Please, dear Fates, I implore you to reconsider! Kore is my true love, I cherish her heart with all my-"
"You cherish her body with a lustful eye," Lachesis snapped, her voice angry.
"You cherish the possession of a mysterious goddess that everyone desires," Atropos continued, her face wrinkled in disgust.
"You cherish," Clothe is repeated in a quiet voice, her eyes full of disappointment, "a chance to prove that you are indeed the greatest amongst the gods."
My vision turned red as my hands tightened into fists. "Then I shall visit the Underworld and take what is rightfully mine," I hissed, the charming vision I had tried to be turning into something quite terrifying. My eyes, once soft and full of grace, could pierce stone as they were now. "And when Kore is my bride and we control sun and spring, music and growth, I will be sure to send a message of how pathetic your control is!"
Too far?
Too far.
"Insulate boy!" The three screamed in unison, two of the faces twisted in rage as the third turned down with hurt. The woman, a moment ago appearing as beautiful women, now appeared as horrific harpies from a nightmare, the lower part of their bodies as spirits. They moved, sailing around mw in a tight circle, black smoke filling the room.
My heart froze as they swirling around me. I couldn't break the circle, and in a flash, my temper was replaced with fear.
"We have seen, we have spoken, and we have denied. You are not welcome in the presence of the Fates!" Their voices chimed in awful high-pitched screams before the laughing began. They swirled faster and faster, the wind and force they generated forcing me to my knees, all the while maniacal laughs bounced off the room, coupled with angry shouts as I tried to break free.
Just when I thought he couldn't stand it any more, I felt the wind pick up and force me from the room, out the window, and to the ground outside.
It was like being caught inside a tornado. The rush of wind in my ears, the air sucked from my lungs, and my vision black as I tumbled through the air was perhaps the most terrifying thing I had ever been through. I panicked, reaching desperately for a hold on something, anything, trying to catch my breath and call down my own powers to fight this.
With a hard thud, I found myself on my back on the grass, the tower I stood in only seconds before visible several miles away. I lay there, gasping for breath as my body and my pride ached. "Do not tempt the Fates," I heard in a final whisper before the wind around me finally settled into a clear and beautiful day.
I had heard stories of the Fates temper, but had never seen them transform. Slowly, I sat up, my heart pounding wildly as I took in the tower in the distance.
My fist clenched as my jaw ticked. "Regardless of your spooks and tricks," I muttered as I stared down the tower, "You have failed to dissuade me. Nobody makes a fool out of me."
I stood, sending a final sneer in the Fates direction before turning, my sun chariot appearing to take me away from this rotten place. I staggered in, and with a snap of my wrists, headed towards my next destination.
"If the Fates would not grant my request," I said to myself, "Then Hades will have no choice. I will have Kore, and that was final."