Family ties

Greece, Thebes.

.

The scorching sun pulled by Apollo's chariot hung in the middle of the clear blue sky illuminating the earth with golden rays of light and pure goodness.

Within a huge farm outside the city of Thebes, adjacent Edenia, the forest of death, a group of able bodied farmers could be seen harvesting what remained of their crops after the terrible winter storms and hail.

"Thank the gods this terrible winter is over. I don't know how long my family would've survived." One farmer spoke with an exasperated expression as he harvested a sheath of wheat and barley.

"All praise to Phoebus Apollo." Another farmer, an old man spoke with a huge smile while he worked.

"Anyway, old man, have you heard?" The first farmer who was a middle aged man spoke sneakily. "What is it?" The old man inquired.

"My sister, the one who works in the royal palace, she told me that the young Prince has decided to join the Spartan army." He whispered, while the old man's eyes widened in shock.

"Not only that, Queen Megara had warned him, that if he did join the army, he would never be able to call himself a Prince of Thebes, but the young Prince ignored his mother and went ahead to join those barbarians."

"By the Gods! These younger generation children do not know what is good for them. Who in his right mind would leave the position of Prince of a wealthy kingdom such as this to join a group of barbaric and bloodthirsty mongrels."

The two men gossiped like a bunch of girls. They were so engrossed in their gossip that they never noticed the bloody figure holding unto a hammer on his shoulder in his right hand, and the mangled corpse of a beast in his left hand.

"That would be me." A chuckle sounded, and the two farmers turned around only to see Astylos walking towards them with a small smile.

"Young Prince?!! Please forgive this old man for his unruly behavior. Please have mercy!!"

The old man was the first to drop his knees. The baleful aura, the bloodthirsty grin and Astylos' imposing figure overshadowed him completely, painting a figure of a maniacal emperor of. the young Prince in his mind.

Seeing the old man on his knees, the middle aged man joined later on, as Astylos shook his head and passed by them.

"D-di-did you...see that? Did you see the corpse of the beast he was holding in his hand?" The old man took deep breaths and spoke with a stutter, while the middle aged farmer nodded and wiped his sweat with his shirt.

"Wait old man. If he came from this direction, that could only mean he came out of the forest of death. And it means he could've killed the beast while in there?" Shock appeared on both of their faces as they turned around and watched the retreating figure of the young Prince.

.

The royal Palace of Thebes...

Astylos dropped the corpse of the beast to the guards and ordered them to take it to the culinary house for a meal to be prepared out of it for him, before walking straight into the palace under the shocked gazes of the guards and servants.

With his hammer still on his shoulder, he walked along the long corridors of the palace with a nostalgic expression.

He had lived here all his life. All the people he cared about and would give his own life to protect, lived in this very edifice. Despite the fact that they didn't accept him for who he truly was, his family would forever hold a special place in his heart.

"The mongrel of the family is finally back." Suddenly, just as he was about to enter his chambers, he heard a jeering voice, as he rolled his eyes and turned around to see his elder brothers staring at him with disgusted expressions.

"What do you want?" His eyes turned sharp, as he glared at both of the two picture perfect beings before him.

"Dont be so dramatic brother. We heard you had arrived, and came to see how you were faring." Adonis, the second brother and heir to the throne spoke with a ridiculing expression.

"I guess we won't be calling you brother anymore. You're no longer the third Prince of Thebes. You're just a filthy, barbaric Spartan!" They jeered, while Astylos' eyes were narrowed and teary. His hammer was tightly clenched, and it took all he got to stop himself from swinging it and killing the two bastards standing before him.

"Enough!" Suddenly, a dominant voice reverberated, as king Creon walked majestically in between Astylos and his brothers.

"Both of you leave us! Now!" He commanded, as Adonis and Asclepius left with their tails tucked between their legs.

"You're very strong Astylos, but you are just a child. You should not keep everything bottled inside of you." King Creon stood, gazing at the sky as he spoke. His words drowning deep within Astylos' soul.

"And what am I supposed to do? Rip their heads off their shoulders and toss it into the sea?" He leaned against the wall and spoke with slight sniffs.

"Listen to me boy. Your brothers don't hate you. Deep down they are envious of who and what you are. They are envious of how free and unfettered you are, unlike them who are shackled by nobility and its pride." King Creon turned around and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Most importantly, they are envious of the man you are. They are envious of your natural overwhelming strength which makes them feel inferior to you. Be proud of who you are boy. The blood of the Gods flow inside you." The king spoke with a slight smile and turned around, about to leave.

"But what about my mother? Why does she hate me? What did I do?" He spoke in between sobs, as his hammer dropped from his hand and fell to the ground, causing a large crater.

"Your mother doesn't hate you, my boy." King Creon turned around and caressed his head. "I have known Megara all her life. In fact, I can say that among all your siblings, you might be her favorite. It is just- she doesn't want you to become like your father."

He said and turned around. "You should go talk to her when you have the time. Misunderstandings should be cleared out before it's too late my boy." King Creon left these few words lingering, before disappearing into the royal chambers, leaving a confused Astylos behind.