Pat Twice

Chapter 22

Warning: Some distressing themes. May not be suitable for all readers, please read with caution.

"You will be a wonderful little addition, dear," Apollo whispered into Persephone's ear. She felt her body shiver. She couldn't move, she couldn't even jerk her head away from his smug face.

"You are very beautiful. I have heard about what the other gods on Olympus have said, but their descriptions are nothing to the real thing. You are divine," Apollo stopped strumming and ran his fingers down Persephone's side. Persephone felt her fingers begin to tingle, some feeling coming back to her. However, she still wasn't able to move her body.

"You know, when this is all over, I would love it if you were my queen. We could rule together. I'll give you everything you have ever wanted. And once I am in my true form I can- AGH!"

A rock came flying through the air, hitting Apollo smack in the eye. He dropped his lyre and rubbed his eye.

"You leave her alone!" Persephone had just enough control to turn her head and see Daphne standing at the top step of the temple, panting and holding another rock.

"Daphne, the lyre," Persephone whispered, using her eyes to point to the lyre on the ground by her feet. 

Daphne nodded and plunged for the lyre, almost in time.

"I don't think so, little nymph," Apollo chuckled, putting his foot on the lyre and bending down to stare at Daphne.

"Do you think you can defeat a being as powerful as myself?"

"I...I-"

"You what?" He smiled, his dark eyes drawing her in.

"Daphne, run!" Persephone yelled. Apollo turned to look at Persephone but before her could, he was on the ground, the lyre skidding across the floor. Persephone had regained control of her body and had shot vines from her arms to slam Apollo into the floor.

Daphne shot up and started running towards the lyre. Apollo burned the vines off of him. He grunted and sprang back up to his feet. 

"You stay away from her!" Persephone shouted at him, causing him to pause and look at her.

"My dear, this isn't the right way to start our partnership! We're a team, we will conquer Olympus together," he took a step towards her, smiling again.

"Our partnership," Persephone said slowly, trying to give Daphne enough time to get the lyre and run, "you and I are not partners. Partners don't trap one another and force them to make choices they don't want to make!" Persephone felt her mouth go dry and her hands grow clammy. Feelings that had been hidden deep inside her for decades were starting to rear their ugly heads.

"But Persephone, you and I would be the most fearsome beings in the cosmos. We would rule over all, mortal and immortal. With your...," Apollo signed, his body shuddering as he looked over Persephone, "power, we would be unstoppable." Apollo slowly ran his gaze over Persephone, finally resting on her eyes. He smiled at her and tilted her head, as if this was enough proof to convince her.

"Apollo, I don't want anything to do with you. I want you and your creepy eyes as far away from me as possible," Her body become tense. She prepared herself, ready to attack again.

"Your friend won't get far," Apollo chuckled. Persephone lost focus and snapped her head back to look at Daphne. She had grabbed the lyre and was sprinting as fast as she could down the temple steps.

Before Persephone could think, she was flung to the ground. The air was crushed out of her lungs and her head spun.

"We do need to stop hurting one another like this if we are going to work together," Apollo chided. Persephone watched as he tauntingly walked towards her, his mouth dressed with a tiny smirk. 

"My dear," he crouched down and took her chin in his hand, "you're all out of tricks already?"

Persephone felt her cheeks get hot and her body boil. She was not going to be defeated by Apollo. 

"I guess I'll need to apologize to Athena," she spat back. Apollo cocked his head to one said, he looked almost amused.

"And why-" 

Within seconds, the temple was filled with so many vines, roots, and other plants that it looked like they were in a jungle. Any light coming from the night sky was extinguished. 

Persephone ripped her chin from Apollo's grip and scrambled to her feet. She needed all her strength for her finale.

"This is impressive, little goddess," Apollo cooed at her in the dark.

His eyes aren't glowing, she thought to herself, something is wrong.

She inhaled deeply and pushed aside her thoughts. She took her stance and prepared for the final blow.

"Alright, I have had enough of your games. My patience is growing thin," Apollo clipped. She could hear him stumbling through the vegetation in the dark. He was close, he just needed to take a few more steps.

"Agh!" Persephone screamed. Her arms extended towards Apollo, her knees were bent and leaning her forward. Every fiber of her being pushing as much force as possible. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her goal.

Apollo let out a blood curdling howl. He cursed at Persephone, over and over until finally he was silent. She opened her eyes and looked at the damage.

Apollo was high above her head in the sky. Slicing though this torso was a tree filled with small pink flowers. The ichor dripping from his stomach and chest spilled onto the petals.

"Goodbye, Apollo," Persephone whispered to his unconscious body. When we awoke, she would be long gone.

Persephone climbed through the roots and vines and emerged from the temple. She found Daphne dead in her tracks, staring at Persephone's work.

"Daphne!" Persephone sighed in relief and flew over to her.

"My gods..."Daphne mumbled in disbelief, "I knew you were practicing but I had no idea."

"It's nothing, but we need to go. He won't stay like that for long," Persephone took the lyre from Daphne and examined it for a moment. It was a magnificent instrument.

"Well I think you found your sign, Perse."

"Yeah, I was hoping it would have been a bit more peaceful but hey, beggars can't be choosers I suppose," Persephone looked around them. There was nothing but silence. Somehow their little showdown didn't cause any suspicion.

Daphne cleared her throat to get Persephone's attention, "I know you may not like this idea, but I know a way we can get out of the mortal realm quickly." 

"Is that really the fastest way?" Persephone asked hesitantly. Of course, she felt the adrenaline begin to build up inside of her. It was the only way she wanted to take.

"Well, let's find out," Daphne smiled, and knelt down on the ground, "Actually, if you do it he might come faster," Daphne winked up at Persephone.

Persephone lowered herself next to Daphne and took a deep breath. She looked back at Apollo, hoping he would stay put for long enough.

"Here we go," Persephone trailed off. She put her hands on the soft grass.

Pat. Pat.