Temple Of Apollo

I had visited the temple a couple of times before, but never had I experienced it at night. Stepping inside, I immediately sensed a palpable shift in the atmosphere, as if I had entered a completely different realm.

In the morning, when the first rays of sunlight filtered through the circular glass ceiling, adorned with an exquisite etching of Apollo poised with his bow, the temple took on an ethereal quality. The warm glow illuminated the space, casting a gentle radiance on the intricately carved walls.

However, the temple transformed entirely at night. Moonlight delicately seeped through the glass ceiling, casting a soft, serene glow over the surroundings. The rhythmic patter of raindrops outside added to the tranquility, creating an enchanting ambiance that seemed to transport me to another world.

At the far end of the room, a magnificent marble statue of Apollo stood proudly, clutching a golden sun in his outstretched hand above his head. Its gleaming surface seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, emanating an aura of divine power and grace.

Drawn to the mystical allure of the moonlit scene, I found myself leaning against the cool, stone wall, gazing at the limited amount of moonlight that managed to penetrate the room. The gentle tapping of rain against the glass ceiling lulled me into a state of peaceful contemplation, and before I knew it, my eyelids grew heavy and I succumbed to sleep.

Suddenly, a sound shattered the tranquility, jolting me awake. It was a distinct tapping, but much louder and heavier than the gentle raindrops. Blinking my eyes open, I found myself momentarily blinded by the brilliance of the sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling.

To my utter astonishment, a majestic white crow perched gracefully on the edge of the windowpane. Its feathers were pristine and glistening, like freshly fallen snow. Each movement it made was deliberate and precise, as it repeatedly pecked at the glass with its sharp beak.

I stood there, captivated by the sight before me. Never had I seen or even heard of a crow that wasn't black. This ethereal creature seemed to defy the laws of nature, emanating an aura of enchantment. Its presence felt otherworldly, as if it belonged to a realm beyond our own.

However, before I could even question it, the creature gracefully spread its wings and took flight. Its elegant soaring through the sky left me breathless.

Rubbing my neck, which had grown stiff from leaning against the wall, I rose to my feet. The soreness reminded me of the passage of time, grounding me in reality as I tried to ease the discomfort.

As I prepared to depart from the temple, my eyes caught sight of something peculiar on the floor. An apple lay there, abandoned and out of place. It struck me as odd, for no soldier would waste food.

Curiosity compelled me to pick up the apple and examine it closely. Its vibrant red skin was unblemished, its flesh firm and untainted. Perplexed, I scanned the surroundings, searching for any other signs of scattered items. Yet, there was nothing else to be found. Though intrigued by this enigma, I ultimately decided to leave the temple and dismiss it from my mind.

As I ventured beyond the temple's entrance, the sight of soldiers training in a makeshift ring caught my attention. Their bodies glistened with sweat, their faces etched with determination, as they endured the scorching heat of Troy's unrelenting sun.

Above us, airships passed by, some descending to deliver much-needed supplies from Greece. The back doors of these vessels opened, revealing soldiers who emerged carrying crates to a nearby station. The weekly restocking of provisions was a testament to the insatiable appetites of these men, who consumed rations with immoderate fervor.

Once the soldiers ceased to emerge from the airship, a figure appeared, causing my mouth to drop open and my eyebrows to furrow in confusion. It was none other than Queen Thetis herself. Her piercing gaze locked onto mine, and she approached with an air of urgency.

"Patroklos," she spoke with a tone laced with concern. "Where is Achilles?"

I stumbled over my words, caught off guard by her sudden presence. "I-I'm not sure," I stammered, my mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter. "I haven't seen him since last night. Why are you here, my Queen?"

Her eyes bore into mine, fierce and unyielding. "You're not sure?" she questioned, her voice carrying the weight of disappointment. "You're supposed to be by his side, always! Have you forgotten your oath, child!?"

My gaze dropped instantly, unable to meet her intense scrutiny. The humiliation she made me feel was overwhelming, causing my voice to come out as a mere whisper. "I'm sorry..."

Before the Queen could continue speaking, her words were interrupted by Achilles' voice, filled with surprise and confusion. "Mom!? What are you doing here?"

"I have grave news, my love," she replied, her grip tightening on Achilles' arm as she pulled him away. "We must speak privately."

As Achilles glanced back at me, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern, I quickly averted my eyes, overwhelmed by a sense of shame and cowardice. The exact nature of my emotions remained unclear, perhaps a combination of both

I stood in the middle of the grand temple, its towering marble columns casting long shadows across the mosaic floor. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, and the flickering candlelight danced on the walls. I gently touched the smooth beads of my dice bracelet, a comforting presence against my skin, as Eurypylus sat at a nearby table, diligently practicing his reading.

"We... um, we offer our prayers and... offer-ings to you, seek-ing your di-vine... di-vine guid-ance and pro-tec-tion," Eurypylus stumbled over the words, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"You're doing great! Keep going," I encouraged, my voice filled with genuine admiration.

"May... May your bless-ings... shower upon us like the sun's rays, and may we always walk in your... your radi...radi..." Eurypylus struggled to find the right word, his frustration evident.

"Radiant," I supplied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Radiant...footsteps," he finally completed the sentence, a triumphant look on his face.

"Bravo, Eurypylus! You're getting better every time," I praised him, my eyes shining with pride.

"What's the point of this anyway? Shouldn't I be sharpening your weapons or learning to fight? These words will be useless in battle," Eurypylus questioned, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Learning to read and write isn't useless, Eurypylus. It's a necessary skill, and even if you never end up using it, it's still better to have it just in case," I explained gently, hoping to instill the importance of education in him.

The boy sighed heavily, placing the book aside with a dramatic gesture.

"So what's wrong between you and Prince Achilles?" he blurted out, his curiosity getting the better of him.

I was taken aback by his directness, my eyes widening in surprise.

"What do you mean?" I responded, my voice betraying a hint of defensiveness.

"I haven't seen you two together since Queen Thetis' arrival. Every time you pass each other, you don't greet or acknowledge him. I might not know how to read, but I'm not stupid," Eurypylus observed, his tone filled with a mix of innocence and perceptiveness.

"Well..." I sighed, a mixture of emotions swirling within me, my fingers continuing to rub the dice bracelet. "You're right. We just had a disagreement, that's all. Nothing to get too concerned about."

I offered him a weak smile, hoping he would drop the subject. But, of course, he didn't.

"Are you two together?" he asked, his curiosity unabated.

Shocked and uncertain about how to respond, I stood there frozen, my mouth hanging open. The boy looked at me with an arched eyebrow, probably finding my reaction peculiar.

"We..." I stammered, my hand nervously rubbing the back of my head. "It's complicated... I guess."

"Oh, do you not love each other anymore?" Eurypylus inquired innocently, his eyes searching mine for answers.

"Of course we do!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of passion and frustration. The boy jolted back, clearly startled by my outburst. I quickly regained my composure and continued, my tone softer now. "It's just... Achilles usually never keeps his thoughts from me. He's always so strong and prideful, but when it's just the two of us, he becomes this different person. He's kind and gentle and playful, although sometimes irritating. But I love that about him, and he always tells me everything that's on his mind."

As I spoke, I tightened my grip on the dice bracelet, my longing for Achilles becoming overpowering.

"But recently, he has been distant and wouldn't talk about his feelings. And when I finally got him to talk, he said that he didn't want my help. That he has to ensure he's worthy of all his titles and glory. That he has to take down the shield by himself because it's his destiny. But by doing so, he's made me feel useless. He's pushing me away and torturing himself with this obsession, and it just hurts to watch and not be able to help him." I poured out my frustrations, my words filled with a mixture of sadness and anger.

"I'm sorry..." Eurypylus spoke, his voice tinged with genuine concern. "Perhaps I could make you a drink to cheer you up?!" His eyes sparkled with youthful excitement, his eagerness to help evident.

I couldn't help but smile at his offer, grateful for his presence and unwavering support. Just seeing Eurypylus, with his youthful energy always warmed my heart.

"Thank you, Eurypylus," I replied, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "That would be wonderful. But remember, after you make the tea, we'll continue with your reading."

The boy let out an exaggerated groan, his shoulders slumping in mock defeat. But deep down, I knew he understood the importance of his studies and that he had no choice but to listen to my command.