Quest of the Half Gods

Chapter 14: Γαλάτεια

Apollo looked at Galatea nervously. "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to boost your spell." She said determinedly. Apollo said nothing and Teia turned to look at him. "Do you really doubt my power Apollon? I turned you into a demigod, forced memories that had been stolen from the goddess of magic, and did countless other things when we were younger. Is now really the time to doubt me?" Apollo shook his head, "No! It's just...you did those things when you were a goddess. Now, you're running on demigod power and I know better than anyone how that change is rough on the body. You do have a limit Teia, just...be careful." 

Galatea hated how concerned he looked for her. She couldn't tell if it was worse when he didn't remember her or now that he did. Now, if she died someone would actually care and she hated when people worried about her. Still, he had a point. She'd never done this much magic or, any magic as a demigod besides the spell she had just done. Galatea tried to clear her mind. No matter what, you have to get to where you need to go. You can't be selfish, that's not how this hero thing is supposed to work.

She turned to Apollo, "I'm going to be fine." She reassured him. Galatea took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and kneeled, pressing her right palm against the grass. She couldn't help but glance self-consciously at Apollo, watching her expectantly, before beginning the second chorus of "Invisible String."

She closed her eyes as she sang through the bridge, stopping when she got to the line: "One single thread of gold tied me to you." She finished her spell, opening her eyes to see Apollo standing with his eyes closed, a smile across his lips. "I remember...you never used to want to sing in front of me." He said, opening his eyes to look at her. "Yeah well, it's kind of daunting to sing in front of the literal god of music, but I do what I must."

Suddenly, a strong breeze swept around them, blasting through the trees, and leaving the grass glowing faintly with a violet haze. "Looks like that's our path," Apollo said. "Teamwork am I right?" Galatea didn't answer as a wave of exhaustion crashed over her like a tidal wave. Apollo rushed to her side as she toppled over. "Are you okay?" He said in a panicked voice. Teia nodded faintly, "I'll take that ambrosia now."

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They walked for several hours, Galatea leaning on Apollo's shoulder as the poet recalled fond times they'd shared together. Teia's head pounded as Apollo recounted a picnic they'd shared some four hundred years ago. "Do you remember the sandwiches we-" "OH MY GODS!" Galatea finally exclaimed, "Will you please shut up?" Apollo looked hurt, "If I wanted to be verbally abused on a quest I would've taken Meg." He harrumphed. Teia closed her eyes, "I'm sorry. I really am glad you remember me, it's just...weird." Apollo didn't say anything, his mind lost in thought. "That spell took way more out of me than I thought it would and if I'm honest...I'm scared." He looked up at her, his eyes full of understanding, "Me too. I don't think I've ever met a demigod who wasn't terrified when they go on a quest, plus, we don't have much experience." Teia laughed, "Yeah, the oracle really chose the best possible options for this one didn't she?" Apollo's face fell at the mention of his friend and they continued walking in silence.

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Several more hours later, the sun had started to go down. Around an hour ago the duo had run into a herd of feral centaurs who had tried to convince them to party with them and when they refused the creatures had then tried to talk them into joining a pyramid scheme, and when they'd rejected that idea, the centaurs had decided that the only option left was to attack.

Apollo and Teia managed to fight them off, though when the deed had been done, Teia was not doing well. Apollo looked at his friend, worry written all over his face, "Galatea, seriously, we need to stop." She shook her head, "No, I'm fine. Just give me a sec-" 

Suddenly she gasped in pain- her hands flying up to her head. She felt as though someone was shoving thick shards of glass into her skull one by one and as though her body wasn't her own. Apollo said something but she didn't hear him. She felt something akin to acid being poured down her throat except it seemed to be coming from inside of her. Her mouth forced itself open and a voice that sounded like it was being spoken through the world's most obnoxious megaphone came out of her mouth, "The sun..."  Apollo kneeled at her side as she writhed in pain. "Oh, my gods oh my gods oh my gods OH MY GODS! What can I do?" He said frantically. Teia coughed violently as more words forced their way out. "She can't! She can't!" "She can't what?" Apollo asked, "What's happening?" "The changeling, the daughter of death, the sun, the summertime." "What?" Apollo asked again. Galatea struggled to breathe as she felt the last of the acid clearing her throat. She coughed and wheezed until it was all out of her system. A thought occurred to her and her hand flew up to her neck where her necklace hung, relief settling in through the pain. "WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT?" Apollo yelled, terror in his voice. Galatea wheeze-laughed weakly, "I think I found the oracle! Hehe..."