CHAPTER 4 : CHOICES

Back on mount Olympus, on a balcony overlooking an enchanted garden. Apollo was nose deep into the book he'd purchased from the book store. The book that Marley had recommended. He wasn't sure weather it was the fact that she had mentioned it was her favorite book, or that it was actually a good read, either way, he hadn't put it down all morning.

Artemis threw the double doors to Apollo's balcony open and stormed up to him, a look of rage and worry in her eyes.

Artemis and Apollo were twins. Illegitimate children of Zeus from the female Titan Leto, who was also the goddess of motherhood. Being born from parents who were both gods, Artemis and Apollo grew up on Olympus under their father's care.

"What in the world do you think you're doing Apollo!" Artemis yelled with rage.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific than that dear sister" Apollo replied as he leaned back on the balcony railing. "But if you must know, I was enjoying the fresh morning air."

Artemis eyed her brother angrily, his sarcasm knew no bounds did it? "Apollo you know what I'm talking about!".

Artemis paused and looked around to make sure no one was listening to their conversation.

"I'm talking about that mortal girl you've been frolicking with on earth!" She spoke in an angry whisper.

Her words caught apollo off guard that he nearly dropped his book. He dashed past her and closed his doors to make sure no one could eavesdrop on their little talk.

"Listen Artie you wouldn't understand" he whispered sternly.

"You had one job Apollo. One job!" She grumbled, "to go and fix the mess Hades created on earth and return. That's it!"

Before this, the earth had been experiencing a strange change in weather. There had been continuous rains and dark cloud cover for almost two years. Scientists on earth could not explain the unnatural phenomenon, so they concluded that it must be a consequence of global warming. Great cities were being submerged in water, animals and plants were dying and lives were being lost.

Hades, the god of the underworld was the cause of all this turmoil. In an attempt to expand his hellish empire he cast an everlasting dark cloud that would bring a storm to wipe out the human race. In turn, the number of souls in the underworld would increase and give him more power, while the number of the living, from which the gods drew their power, would dwindle. Luckily his plan was foiled before it was in full effect, but the earth was still affected by Hades' curse.

Apollo, being the god of the sun and light, was given the task of returning the earth to its previous state.

"I am doing my job" Apollo responded

"I don't remember your job including you messing around with that mortal" Artemis spat back

"Can you please not refer to her as a 'mortal' like she's some insignificant creature!" Apollo responded, his tone getting more and more agitated, "she has a name!"

Artemis looked at her brother in total shock. She couldn't believe he was actually defending her. Apollo was more far gone than she had anticipated. She looked at the book he was holding and grabbed it from his hand.

"And what is this?!" She asked as she dangled it in front of him

Apollo grabbed the book back and glared at his sister clearly upset.

"Brother you have to stop this nonsense right now!"

"And if I don't?! What are you going to do about it Artie?"

"It's not about what I'm going to do, but about what princess Marpessa will do if she finds out" Artemis responded.

Princess Marpessa was the daughter of Evanus, the son of Ares, and Apollo's betrothed. To strengthen the unity between the gods, marriages like this were often arranged and socially accepted. And everyone considered Apollo very lucky to be paired with the granddaughter of the god of war.

"You're betrothed brother" Artemis continued, "stop acting like a fool and forget about that human girl"

"So I should sacrifice my happiness for the sake of father's military ties?" Apollo responded, "no one bothered to ask me how I felt about the matter! No one bothered to ask if I even love Marpessa!"

"Love? What do you know of love?" Artemis spoke, utterly dumbfounded, "Apollo it is an honor to be getting married to the granddaughter of Ares. You already gave your word you'd wed her"

"Well I'm changing my mind" Apollo responded.

Artemis knew how hardheaded her brother could be, but this was taking it too far.

"Apollo don't do this, please be logical" she pleaded with her brother, "don't make the same mistakes father has made"

Apollo looked at the plea in his sisters eyes. It was no secret that their father Zeus had had many scandals with women. He had many children outside his marriage with Hera and it almost caused a Great War among the gods. Because of that, affairs with mortals were strictly forbidden and contact with them was reduced to unsolicited help.

Apollo looked at the book in his hand and instantly a memory of Marley crossed his mind. When he was first sent to earth, a whisper of a prayer reached him. It was strange because humans had long forgotten about the gods. He followed the whispers and found himself looking down on Marley. She was late for her first day of work and it was pouring heavily. 'If anyone can hear me, please bring a little sunshine, just enough for me to get to work' she prayed. Apollo was taken aback by the mere sight of this mortal. She was like nothing he'd ever seen, her voice, her soft features and innocent demeanor drew him in like a moth to a lamp. Apollo answered the girl's prayer and the rain stopped. When it did, her face lit up instantly, she looked up and gave a little smile. 'thank you' she had said, almost like she was talking directly to Apollo. He had fallen for her almost instantly, and his feelings raged on with each passing day. He was now spending more and more time on earth, observing this beauty who had captured his heart, from the shadows.

"I'm sorry Artie" Apollo spoke as he stroked the pages of the book, "I can't do what you want me to do."

Artemis glared at her brother in shock, "wow" she spoke disappointed, "you really are your father's son. I hope she's worth it"

And with that, Artemis turned and left.

Apollo looked at the book again and smiled, "yes, she is."