Quest of the Half Gods

Chapter 8: Γαλάτεια

**CONTENT WARNING**** The following chapter of Quest of the Half Gods contains topics involving suicide, read at your own discretion
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Galatea opened her eyes, expecting to have the sun blind her when she realized that she was indoors. She stood and took in her surroundings, a sinking feeling settling over her when she realized where she was.

"Ah, Galatea! You've finally decided to join us!" A voice called from behind her. Galatea curled her fists and turned around, glaring at her host. "What do you want Prometheus?" The titan twisted a lock of hair around his finger, grinning sarcastically. "Oh Galatea, it is you that wants something. I didn't call out to you, you sought me out!" "Don't play games with me! Why would I seek you out?" Prometheus smirked, "I think you know." Galatea glared at him. He laughed at her face, "Oh, we are going just to pretend like you don't know? Okay, well I guess I have to do everything here." He said in an exasperated tone. "This has to do with the fact that you," he leaned forward, resting his chin in the palms of his hands, "are in love with Apollo."

Galatea felt the blood leave her face. Prometheus was saying something but she couldn't hear him over the ringing in her own ears. She had to fight herself not to throw up. Then, her shock turned to rage. She sneered and looked up at the titan, "You have my undivided attention Prometheus. Isn't that what you wanted? Spit it out!" She yelled.

Prometheus laughed as if he was watching a puppy yell at him; her rage was just the most adorable thing. "You're correct! Now, what I want is simple. I want you to kill yourself." Galatea raised an eyebrow, "Um, why?" Prometheus leaned back, picking at his fingernails, "It's simple. If you die, your curse will be broken, Apollo will be safe, but he will be so devastated by your loss that he won't be able to continue the quest." "What if I don't kill myself, let him die, and do the quest alone? What then?" Galatea bluffed. Prometheus smirked, "We both know you would never let anything happen to him. You care about him too much." Galatea scowled. She knew that he was right. However, she'd also known that this was coming, ever since she and Apollo had first entered Prometheus's lair.

"I'll do it." She said. Prometheus laughed, clasping his hand together, "Excellent! I-" "On one condition," Galatea interrupted, "You must swear on the River Styx that once I'm dead, No harm will come to Apollo." Prometheus raised an eyebrow, "I can swear to leave him alone, though if he provokes me, he will meet his end. It's either that or Lover Boy dies via inevitable curse death. The choice is yours."

Galatea glared at him, "Deal. You swear first." Prometheus made a big show of placing his hand over his heart, saying the words as if they caused him great exhaustion, "I swear on the River Styx that I will not cause Phoebus Apollo any harm unless provoked." He finished and smiled sarcastically at Galatea. "Your turn sweetheart." Galatea looked directly into the titan's eyes as she spoke, "I swear on the River Styx that I will kill myself when the time is right." She finished and cleared her throat, "Are we done here?" Prometheus grinned, "It's been a pleasure Galatea. Here," He threw something at Galatea and she caught it. "To use when the job is done." He laughed as the scene faded, the only feeling left was the chill of the Golden Drachma that he'd given to her.

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When Galatea opened her eyes, the sun had gone down in the Fields of Persephone. She sat up and immediately regretted it as her head pounded. "Hey!" Came a cheery voice from next to her. Galatea struggled into an upright position and squinted at Apollo sitting across from her. "I thought I'd fried you! Thank the gods you're okay!" Galatea waved a dismissive hand, "Of course I am." Apollo smiled and poked a stick in the fire. "How's Nico?" Teia asked, fishing around in her back for nectar. "He's doing really well," Apollo said, gesturing to Galatea's right where a few trees away, Nico and Will were deep in conversation.