One Last Time - Apollo and Anastasia

One Last Trick to Death

Days, Months and Years.

We lost the track of time with the constant war and bloodshed everyday and every night. Me, Odysseus, Diomedes, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Achilles, Ajax gained the most power throughout the ten years of battle. Every night, I wished for my crew to be with me. But then at the same time would I be able to face their death in the battlefield? Alas, death was considered glorious by the Greeks. They would have earned names in the pages of history had they not lost their lives that unfaithful day.

Much had changed. Me and Hector always charged at each other during battle at any costs. Mostly, our streak was even, either him or me, we'd always have an equal win. Every night, I reached my camp, where I struggled to scrub the blood of the Trojans off my hands. It usually led it to bleed due to such force put on. But it was a habit of every night. 

I wondered when I lay on my bed, had we angered the gods? How much longer do we suffer? The Trojans had killed us slowly. We were in great numbers, but soon were only a hundred more than the enemy army. I thought about Helen, the queen of Menelaus, probably so grief-stricken that she brought this war upon the pages of history. I thought of the Paris of Troy, who perhaps learnt that love is the most dangerous thing in the world. I thought of
Telemachus who must've been 10 by now, without the shadow of his father.

I thought of my mother, who must've grown older by every day, hoping for the return of her daughter while we fought.

I'll come back home mom.

I kept my sword in its sheath, and my bow slung over my shoulder, and quiver on the right, I stood infront of the mirror, and a shiver went up my spine. Something cruel awaited, something, that's change the course of the war. A trick that would end in death. I walked out my tent and saw Odysseus and Diomedes sipping on wine outside. I sat beside them and asked.

Odysseus pat my shoulder. "Glad you agreed to return."

"I only am here to leave this place and reach Athens as soon. But I must ask. Did Achilles agree to get back to war?" Their faces fell, and they looked down.

Diomedes sighed and spoke up. "Not once. Not once did he even dare come out of his tent. He's always inside, sulking over his war prize being stolen."

Odysseus continued. "I knew Agammemnon had taken the wrong judgement, and now we are less of one of the best warriors."

I sighed. A few weeks ago, Agammemnon had taken one of Apollos priestess as a hostage. Her father begged for her return, but the king didn't listen. Then, the father went and said his story to Apollo. Since then, we haven't talked, or met with each other. He has been continuously firing arrows at our camps. Many died, and at this great moment of need, Achilles  and me had a argument with Agammemnon.

-----

Few weeks ago

Achilles finally stood up on the court and spoke. "King Agammemnon, it is very clear that Lord Apollo is angry with our crew. It makes sense with all that ever since you've taken that priestess in hostage as yours, her father has prayed to the son of Zeus."

Agammemnon, trying to hide his anger spat. "What do you suggest son of Peleus?"

"We must return her with utmost respect King." Achilles answered.

Agammemnon stood up in rage and sped towards Achilles. "You dare say so?! Ever since I have taken her, she's mine! That mustn't be the reason!"

Achilles, anger evident in his tone spoke up. " Then what do you think? Was he jealous of your small brain for he decided to shoot arrows and kill the Greeks for fun?!"