44 Sigil, Coffee and Family

The amphitheatre, Illios, floated above the Atlantic Ocean, blanketed by a dark and starry blanket of Nyx like the rest of the sky. The silence and repose of night mended everything, including the crumbling amphitheatre and broken sky.

The Gods and Goddesses left the amphitheatre readily, their thoughts still on the magnificent battle. They departed from Illios in their own distinct ways.

Within the amphitheatre, Apollo walked into the infirmary, his bow on his back.

The infirmary was rather empty with only Quetzalcoatl, who was lying on a long bed, and the Nymphs, who were treating her. There was no sign of any god from the Aztec Pantheon coming to check up on her. But, given her reputation, this was to be expected.

Apollo approached her, waving the Nymphs away, and took a seat next to her bed. Quetzalcoatl was still improving, albeit slowly for a divine being. The previous attack must have really taken a toll on her.

"Little brother…" Quetzalcoatl called out in pain, her voice strained.

"Yes," Apollo answered, his gaze drawn to her face. Her eyes were still closed.

"I didn't expect you to come…." Quetzalcoatl said. But she immediately coughed violently, golden blood trickling down her lips.

"Don't strain yourself." Standing up and placing his palm on her hand, Apollo chastised her. Light shimmered in contact, imbuing into Quetzalcoatl. Her condition immediately began to improve more quickly and significantly.

"No." Quetzalcoatl shook her head weakly. "I'm all right. I just need some more time to get back on my feet."

"Exactly." Apollo stated emphatically, clasping her hand in his palm. "You need time."

Quetzalcoatl let out a weak sigh, relenting. The light coursed through her divine figure, slowly healing and patching her.

After a few seconds of silence, Apollo said, "I came to check on you..."

"I appreciate it, little brother." Quetzalcoatl breathed out, opening her brightening eyes and gazing at him. "However, I can't deny that I'm surprised."

Apollo chuckled. "Did I come off as that arrogant to you?"

Quetzalcoatl hummed. "At the start of the battle, I thought you were arrogant and cocky. Then, I slowly realised that you were just confident."

"Oh, the irony." She laughed self-deprecatingly, as Apollo looked on in silence.

Soon, Quetzalcoatl's laughter faded and was replaced by a sigh.

"Well, it doesn't really matter anymore, does it?" She stated. "I lost in the end..."

"The battle," Apollo said, soothing her. "It was great. You were great in it."

"It was, indeed..." Quetzalcoatl nodded, her lips forming a smile. "It's been a long time since I completely let go and had a great time."

She looked at him. "Now, you are the Supreme God of the Sun, huh?"

"Yeah." Apollo grinned. "In all his glory."

Hearing his haughty words, Quetzalcoatl smirked.

"Remember what you said before the battle." In between laughs, she inquired. "That we could speak if I was willing to talk?"

Apollo merely raised his brows.

Quetzalcoatl went on, pointing to his chest. "I sense darkness, a great deal of darkness within you, little brother."

"Are you sure that you are alright?"

"Where there is light, there is also darkness." Apollo hummed. "There are like two sides of a coin. Inseparable. Inextricable."

"Well…" Quetzalcoatl drawled, looking at the ceiling. "You are indeed right if you put it that way…"

"I am fine." Apollo said. "You are the one that needs immediate attention, not me."

The light faded away as he retracted his hand from her. Quetzalcoatl looked much better under his treatment.

Apollo retrieved something from chiton and gave it to Quetzalcoatl. It was the emblem of the blazing sun.

"This is my sigil," he said. "Take it. It contains my power, which will keep healing you. You can also use it to contact me."

Quetzalcoatl looked at his sigil in a moment of silence before accepting it with firm hands.

"See you next time, big sister." Apollo waved his hand, his figure breaking apart into particles of light. "Remember, the doors of Delphi are always open for you…."

Then, he was gone.

Quetzalcoatl looked at fading light particles in sunken silence, sighing. She clasped his sigil, and it emitted a gentle light, illuminating her....

_________________

Apollo walked in and between the paths of the amphitheatre towards the central room, where his mother and others were present.

"Brother." Artemis appeared, blocking his path. "Where did you disappear to?"

"To check up on Quetzalcoatl." Apollo replied, catching her hand and dragging her along with him.

"Quetzalcoatl.." Artemis muttered, her slivery eyes brimming with rage. She jerked her hand free from his grasp and strode in front of him, peering at him.

"You referred to that woman as your 'big sister.'"

"Oh," Apollo laughed. "Are you jealous, my dear Artemis?"

"But you've never called me that." Artemis continued, her voice weakening.

"Artemis." Apollo clasped her hand in his, noticing her emotions. His laughter died away, as solemnity took his eyes. "You will always be my sister.."

"My 'little sister'."

"There's nothing that can change that..." He whispered the last words before bolting down his path without hesitation, laughing.

"Phoebus Apollo!" Artemis yelled, shaking the walls. "I'm not going to let you off the hook this time..."

She chased him down, her feet exploding with moonlight. Their figures transformed into golden and silver streaks, darting through the pathways towards the amphitheatre's centre.

But, slowly, a mirthful smile formed on Artemis's lips, as she shook her head in amusement. She looked up at the golden streak of light ahead of her. Her brother was still hers, after all. That bitch, Quetzalcoatl, Artemis will surely settle accounts with her.

They ran and ran in and out of the winding paths of the amphitheatre, reaching the central room.

The door to the room creaked open, as if it had noticed their arrival. Leto walked out with her hands on her hips and her face scrunched.

Apollo and Artemis came to a halt in front of her, their feats gliding across the floor in the light and moonlight.

"Stop your antics immediately." Leto admonished.

Artemis kept her glare on her brother, as if to say, "We will settle this later."

Apollo winked at her provocatively, his hands on the back of his head.

"All right, come on." Leto said that after seeing them calm down, "Everyone has already arrived."

Apollo looked through the door, as his eyes brightened. He then frowned. "Mother, where is Hecate?"

"She is outside dealing with the damage to the amphitheatre." Leto stated. Then she went on, grabbing his hand, refusing to let her son bolt for his love, disregarding everything. "She wanted to meet you alone afterwards by the time of dawn."

Apollo nodded, albeit with reluctance.

Artemis had her hands on her heart dramatically. "Are you alright, brother? You look pretty sick...." She snickered. "Pretty lovesick to me..."

"Enough." Leto said, dragging them into the room immediately. Though the brother-sister duo were already glaring at each other, sparks flew in between the confrontations.

The centre room was dimly lit by a heart that bloomed brilliantly with embers of golden flames, illuminating Hestia, who was prepaying food; Demeter, who was whispering to her daughter; Athena, who was exchanging parchments with Hephaestus and finally, Hades, who sat silently near Hestia.

(Image here)

"Look." Hephaestus boomed, noticing Apollo "Who is here?"

"The Man of Miracles!"

Everyone turned their gaze towards the door and at Apollo, who turned towards them and nodded lightly.

Demeter rushed ahead to him, beating everyone else and dragging him away from Leto and Artemis, who were strolling towards Athena and Hephaestus, her daughter.

"Apollo, this is my daughter." She introduced, quite enthusiastically. "Persephone."

"Hello, cousin." Apollo smiled politely.

"Apo-ollo..." Persephone strutted, avoiding his enchanting eyes, her fingers swaddling on each other. "You ar-re great." Demeter immediately elbowed her daughter, making her click her tongue in realisation. Then she spoke quickly, her gaze darting to the hearth. "I mean, you were fantastic in battle."

"Thank you, Persephone." Apollo smiled gently. "And the tales didn't lie, cousin. You are as lovely as spring itself."

Persephone blushed, looking down. Apollo felt a dark eye on his back. Ignoring that, he informed Demeter, motioning to the hearth. "I think the food is almost ready."

Hearing his words, Demeter, who was intently watching them, immediately nodded with a smile.

"Yes, yes." She nodded quickly, dragging them towards the hearth in hand. "Sister is making one of her specialties. You are going to love it."

Persephone sighed discreetly as she and her mother sat to the right of Hestia, and Apollo sat between Hades and Hestia.

"Here." Hestia offered Apollo a glass of ambrosia. "Exactly how you like it."

Apollo nodded gratefully, relishing the ambrosia. "Aunt, was there any progress with my request?"

"There was, indeed." Hestia nodded, tending to the hearth. "I asked for it in the divine realms based on your description and details of the plant, and Parvati responded. This plant grows in their tropical lands. She is willing to trade it."

"Name the price." Apollo spoke quickly, his enthusiasm palpable in his eyes and tone. "And I shall pay for it."

"No need for that." Hestia chuckled, shaking her head. "I'll take care of everything. And what were you going to do with it in the first place?"

"New Beverage," Apollo revealed.

"Did someone say new beverage?" Demeter chimed in, her interest piqued.

Hestia raised her brows, a questioning look on her poignant eyes.

Apollo gave a nod. "Despite my love for Ambrosia, I wanted to try something new and different."

"Well..." Persephone concurred, saying flatly. "It does get old pretty quickly. Drinks and beverages in Olympus are truly lacking in variety."

Thunder boomed. But all ignored it curtly.

Demeter asked, patting her daughter's hands. "Why didn't you say it before? I could try to invent some."

Persephone's face turned pale, as if 'inventing' brought back some terrible memories for her.

She spoke swiftly, before her mother could continue "Go on, cousin. I have a feeling that whatever you say next, I will surely like it."

Demeter looked at her obstinate daughter in silence.

"You certainly will." Apollo continued. "I want to brew a new beverage from the plant, one that is sweet yet bitter."

"I named it 'Coffee.'"

"I will complete the transaction with Parvati and send it to you." Hestia said. "Don't forget to invite us if you are successful."

"I surely want to taste it." Persephone added almost immediately.

"Well…" Apollo drawled, raising his cup to them. "I shall throw a banquet for that then."

Hestia nodded, returning her attention towards the hearth, while Demeter dragged her daughter into a "private" conversation.

Apollo finally turned his focus to the pale figure sitting to his right. Hades, the Unseen One, whose presence was so low that he almost forgot he sat next to the Lord of the Underworld himself, "Uncle Hades." He called. "I didn't expect you here."

"Oh?" Hades merely raised his dark brows, chuckling. "What did you really expect, my nephew?"

"It is rare to see you at any social event, uncle." Apollo said calmly. "That's why I was surprised."

Hades was deafeningly quiet for a moment before speaking, his voice as oily as ever. "My dear sister, Hestia, invited me after your battle. I've always enjoyed her cooking. So I decided to make an exception just for her."

"Little brother..." Hestia spoke with a knowing smile on her lips. "I am truly flattered..."

Hades glared indignantly at Hestia, who just chuckled back at him.

"Uncle Hades." Apollo suddenly said. "You are also welcome."

"What?" Hades asked, his eyes turning to Apollo, stirring with darkness. "Come again."

"You can also come to my banquet." Apollo said.

Hades once again fell into silence, a sunken silence at that. His face was as dead-panned as ever, making it impossible for anyone to grasp his thoughts.

He finally said it quietly. "Well, my nephew, if I am free, I will come."

Apollo smiled, raising his cup to Hades, who followed, their cups clinging together, though his hands appeared stiff.

"The food is ready." Hestia declared, drawing everyone's attention to the hearth. She motioned with her hands at them. "Come on."

Artemis, Athena, Hephaestus, and Leto halted their discussion, walked towards the hearth, and sat on the side of Persephone.

Flames roared as Hestia spread her hands. Wooden plates of food fell appeared, flying into the hands of everyone.

The aroma of wood wafted through the air as a familiar warmth of home enveloped them.

Everyone took a piece of their food and threw it into the hearth, sacrificing it to Hestia.

"For Lady Hestia!" Apollo raised his cup towards the Goddess of Hestia. And everyone followed.

"""""For Lady Hestia!"""""

"For my sister!"

"For my favourite sibling!"

The hearth burned brighter, and streaks of red fire cracked in the air, illuminating Hestia, the Lady of Honour, who smiled brightly as she waved her hands at the hearth.

"Thank you everyone." She said, her emotional eyes gazing at them all. "Now dig in."

And dig in they did, wolfing down the delectable food.

"Uncle Hades." In between bites, Apollo said. "Will you tell us a story?"

Everyone's gaze was drawn to Hades, who appeared slightly confused by the sudden request.

"It's a tradition, uncle." Apollo added. "Hearth and Story. Aunt Hestia honoured it not long ago."

Felling the expectant eyes, Hades sighed. "Fine."

The flames of the hearth were immediately dyed charcoal black, as an eerie aura filled the room, setting a perfect backdrop.

"Long ago, long before Olympus and our time, Titans ruled the Europa, led by the Kronos, a force so vile and wretched, that he devoured me and my siblings, his own children…"

The hearth lit a glow on them, between the stories and tales, between their talk and smiles.

_______________

The rays of dawn shone on the edge of Delos, the divine island, illuminating Hecate, who looked at the rising sun with resolute eyes.

Soon, a pair of warm hands hugged her from behind, then scorching lips showered her neck with kisses with incredible speed.

"Why did you disappear last night?" Apollo whispered, biting her ears. "You missed a lot. I missed you a lot."

While his warm hands streamed into her dress and clasped her breasts, kneading them slowly, Hecate bit her lip, fighting back the moan in her throat.

Felling his rising member poking against her, Hecate turned herself intangible, getting out of Apollo's embrace reluctantly.

She then looked him in the eyes. "We need to talk."

The displeasure in Apollo's eyes waned away; solemnity took its place.

"What?" He asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

Hecate took a deep breath and retrieved something from her gown.

It was a red heart made of cut glass.

The Sigil of Desire.