One Last Time - Apollo and Anastasia

One Last Kiss

As I stepped into my cabin on the warship, the door creaked softly behind me, shutting out the din of voices and the clamor of preparations outside. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the lingering warmth of the day, a stark contrast to the coolness settling in with the night. I let out a sigh, relishing the brief moment of solitude before the chaos of battle.

The walls felt cold and unyielding, painted a dull gray that echoed the tension in my chest. Above my narrow bunk hung a tapestry woven by my mother, its vibrant colors depicting the olive groves of Athens. In this cramped space, it was a precious reminder of home, a flicker of comfort in the growing darkness.

My bunk, a simple mattress stuffed with straw, was draped with a worn woolen blanket. I settled onto it, the familiar weight of my armor resting in the corner catching the faint glow of the oil lamp. Each piece of bronze gleamed in the dim light, a heavy reminder of the legacy of warriors who had come before me. I had polished them until they shone, and I could feel their spirits urging me onward.

Across from my bed, the small porthole framed the inky sky, stars beginning to twinkle like distant torches against the darkness. The sound of waves lapping against the hull soothed my frayed nerves. I leaned closer to the porthole, feeling the cool breeze on my face. For a moment, I lost myself in the vastness of the night, a beautiful distraction from the weight of the battles that loomed ahead.

Turning to my desk—a simple plank fixed to the wall—I surveyed my sketches. Maps of Troy and battle strategies lay scattered across its surface, the parchment illuminated by the flickering light. A small wooden figurine of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, stood sentinel over my work, her presence both grounding and empowering.

My fingers brushed the hilt of my dagger, resting beside my notes. The blade glimmered, a sharp reminder of the countless hours spent training in the dusty arenas of Athens. I could still hear the clang of metal and the cheers of my fellow warriors echoing in my mind, their voices filling me with strength.

A distant shout from the deck broke the silence, pulling me back to the present. The sounds of my comrades preparing for battle reverberated through the ship, a mix of excitement and apprehension in the air. The time had come to join them. I took a deep breath, drawing in the salty air and steeling myself for what lay ahead.

With a determined flick of my wrist, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and adjusted my tunic. My leather sandals felt solid against the metal floor. As I opened the door to my cabin, the cool night air rushed in, tousling my hair and filling my lungs with the scent of the sea.

I stepped back into my cabin, the door clicking shut behind me, blocking out the sounds of the ship and the distant shouts of my comrades. The dim light from the oil lamp flickered, casting long shadows on the walls, and I felt the weight of the day settle around me like a heavy cloak.

Sighing, I sank onto my narrow bunk, the straw mattress cradling my exhaustion. I had fought against the tide of anxiety for too long; the familiar embrace of sleep tugged at me. But as I closed my eyes, the darkness around me began to shimmer, and I felt a presence, warm and undeniable.

"Love," a voice called, smooth as honey and echoing with power. I opened my eyes to find Apollo standing before me, his golden hair catching the light, illuminating the cabin with a celestial glow. My heart raced, a mix of joy and dread flooding through me.

"Sunshine," I breathed, sitting up. "What are you doing here?"

His expression was serious, and I could see the weight of the world behind his bright eyes. "I came to speak with you, to warn you."

"Warn me?" I felt a flicker of annoyance. "I'm on my way to Troy, Apollo. I am a warrior, and I fight for my people. What are you warning me about?!"

He stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. "You're fighting for the Greeks, Anastasia. You're fighting against my people."