Cygnus

Chapter 20: Tears

Phaethon had journeyed for months, overcoming countless obstacles and challenges to reach the palace of his father, Helios, in Ethiopia. As he approached the grand structure, he could feel a mix of excitement and apprehension, eager to confront his divine heritage and hopefully find answers to the questions that had haunted him.

Phaethon, with a mixture of nervousness and determination, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on his radiant father who sat on his divine throne. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation in the presence of the great Titan.

The great Titan of the sun starts clasping his lips before speaking;

"I have seen that you won the Isthmian Games, son. As promised, I will grant you a wish."

Phaethon, overwhelmed by his father's benevolence, hesitated for a moment, considering his wish carefully. He finally spoke with determination, "Father, I wish to prove my lineage and claim my rightful place. I want to ride your sun chariot for a day, to show the world the true son of Helios."

Although taken aback by the request, Helios tried to dissuade Phaethon from his dangerous wish. Yet, Phaethon's resolve remained unyielding, as if fate itself had chosen this path for him.

Bound by the unbreakable oath to the river Styx, Helios reluctantly agreed to Phaethon's request, knowing he had no choice but to allow his son to ride the sun chariot.

Helios meticulously prepared the sun chariot, ensuring that every detail was in place. He cautioned Phaethon to tightly grip the reins, emphasizing that the horses would only obey someone with a firm hold.

Phaethon nodded with determination, mounting the sun chariot. As he rode away, it felt as if destiny itself had chosen him to command the sun chariot.

Phaethon clenched the reins tightly, his initial struggles evident as he shouted commands at the untamed sun horses.

Desperation and doubt filled Phaethon as he wondered how his father managed this task day after day.

As the journey continued, Phaethon gradually mastered the art of navigating around the constellations. He held the reins firmly until the sun reached its zenith, and for a moment, he relaxed. However, as he did, the horses grew restless, causing the chariot to descend rapidly. The intense heat scorched the land below, leaving the Sahara in turmoil.

Phaethon's inexperience and the wild flight of the sun chariot caused unintended havoc. Sunburns afflicted the lands and its inhabitants across the globe, as the intense heat raged on.

The dire situation caught the attention of the constellations, and they shared their grievances with Mother Earth, Gaia. Her anger surged, and she took her concerns to the King of the Gods, Zeus, who was informed about Phaethon's reckless descent towards Earth.

Realizing the impending chaos, Zeus resolved to stop Phaethon's dangerous journey. With a bolt of divine precision, he hurled a thunderbolt, striking Phaethon and knocking him off the sun chariot. Phaethon tumbled helplessly, crashing into the sea below.

Struck by Zeus' thunderbolt, Phaethon's world faded into darkness until nothing remained. His lifeless body tumbled from the chariot and plunged into the Eridanos river below…

Some days have gone by, news spread across the lands of Greece.

Clymene, anguished by the news, was the first to arrive at the scene. She dove into the river and fervently prayed to her brother, the river Eridanos, to save her beloved son, Phaethon. Moved by her plea, the river released Phaethon from its depths, though the boy was already dead when Eridanos gave his nephew back to his sister.