eclipse [j.grace 1]

i. were there clues i didn't see?

The suffocating darkness of Tartarus seemed to stretch on forever. The shadows clung to Eira like a shroud, muffling her cries and fears. The cold, oppressive silence of her surroundings was occasionally punctuated by the distant, eerie echoes of the wretched creatures that roamed the abyss.

Eira huddled in a small corner of a cavern, her small form trembling as she clutched a tattered, darkened blanket. The chill in the air was relentless, seeping through her fragile skin and deep into her bones. 

Her mother, Nox, remained aloof and distant, more concerned with her own cosmic duties than with the well-being of her daughter. The golden half-siblings, with their eyes as cold and unfeeling as the darkness around them, watched Eira with indifference or contempt.

Her small body was covered in grime and dirt, her once-bright eyes now reflecting the dim glimmer of her limited hope. The harsh environment of Tartarus had been her world since birth, and the cruelty of her surroundings had taught her to survive rather than to thrive.

Then, as if from nowhere, a crack of divine light pierced through the eternal gloom. The cavern's shadows seemed to quiver as a figure of blinding brilliance appeared. Apollo, radiant and resplendent, stepped into the darkness, his presence like a beacon cutting through the thick shroud of Tartarus.

Eira's tear-streaked face turned towards the light, her wide eyes filling with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Apollo's golden aura bathed the cavern in a warm, comforting glow that contrasted starkly with the harsh, cold environment she had known.

Apollo knelt beside her, his eyes gentle yet filled with determination. He extended a hand towards her, his voice a soothing balm in the oppressive silence. "Eira," he said, his tone a mixture of warmth and urgency. "It's time to leave this place."

Confusion and fear gripped Eira, but the sight of Apollo's kindness and the promise of escape sparked a glimmer of hope. She hesitated only for a moment before reaching out, her small hand trembling as it met his. As he gently lifted her into his arms, the oppressive darkness seemed to recoil, unable to withstand the purity of his light.

The transition from Tartarus to the celestial realm was both surreal and overwhelming. Eira clung to Apollo, her eyes wide with wonder as they ascended from the depths of the abyss. The darkness of Tartarus faded away, replaced by a burst of divine radiance and the soothing warmth of Apollo's realm.

Apollo held her close, whispering words of reassurance as they emerged into a new world. The harsh reality of her past was behind her, and in its place was a realm of light and possibility. 

As the light enveloped them, Eira felt a sense of profound relief and awe. She had left the shadows of Tartarus behind, and a new chapter of her life was beginning, one filled with the promise of safety, guidance, and a chance to heal.

As the darkness of Tartarus faded into the light of Apollo's realm, Eira's senses were overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of her new surroundings. The transition from the cold, oppressive gloom to a world of warmth and colour was almost too much for her young mind to process.

Apollo's realm was a stark contrast to the abyss she had known. The sky was a breathtaking expanse of cerulean, punctuated by clouds of shimmering gold and silver. 

The air was fresh and invigorating, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and warm sunlight. Eira's small frame was wrapped securely in Apollo's arms, feeling the comforting pulse of his divine energy as they ascended.

They landed gently on a grassy knoll bathed in sunlight. Eira looked around with wide eyes, taking in the lush greenery and the gentle hum of life that filled the air. She had never seen such beauty before, and it was both exhilarating and disorienting.