Feel the Burning Light by Dewy_Pink_Morning_Roses52

Chapter 12: The muses challenged, Icarus struggles, Percy gets the demigod talk

The muses are challenged, Icarus struggles, Percy gets the demigod talk

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Yet another someone makes the mistake of challenging gods to contests of talent and skill.

Hyacinthus has an awful experience.

Icarus almost does something foolish, forcing Apollo to resort to strange measures

Percy finds out and Grover really messes up.

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In the ancient lands of Greece, Thamyris, a gifted and famous musician from Thrace and grandson of Apollo, was madly in love with Prince Hyacinthus of Sparta. The fabled musician had travelled far and wide, but he had never seen the like of the Spartan Prince. The gods had given him every possible gift: beauty, talent, martial prowess, intelligence and kindness. Hyacinthus, mostly renowned for his beauty, was pursued by mortals and gods alike. Yet, his heart belonged to none other than the sun god Apollo. Hyacinthus had rejected all suitors except the golden Olympian.

Thamyris, heart heavy with unrequited love, decided to share a cautionary tale with Hyacinthus. He recounted the story of his grandmother, Philonis, who boasted about her affair with Apollo and Hermes. Her pride and insinuations of simultaneously seeing both gods led to her downfall, as an angered Apollo shot her through the mouth with an arrow.

Thamyris had approached Hyacinthus, his voice trembling with emotion. "Prince Hyacinthus," he began, "I must tell you a tale. It is a tale of my grandmother, Philonis, who boasted about her affairs with both Apollo and Hermes. Her pride led to her downfall, as an angered Apollo shot her through the mouth with an arrow."

Hyacinthus listened to Thamyris' tale but confessed that his love for Apollo was unwavering. As the son of Clio, the Muse of History, he was well-versed in the deeds of Apollo - the good, the beautiful, and the ugly. He acknowledged Philonis' folly, stating that mortals should know better than to cheat on a god.

"Thamyris," the prince replied after patiently listening to Thamyris's tale, "I am the son of Clio, goddess of History, thus well-versed in the deeds of Apollo - the good, the beautiful, and the ugly. Yet, my love for him is unwavering. Philonis should have known better than to cheat on a god. Mortals who dare to do so meet only one end - death. There is no higher dishonour than infidelity. Mortals will kill their lovers for infidelity. What do you expect a god to do?"

The prince recalled one more detail of the tale of Philonis. She had boasted that she was more beautiful than the goddess Artemis. Yet another thing that was just not done. No mortal woman could boast that her beauty was greater than a goddess's, even when that goddess was an eternal maiden who shunned the company of men with vehemence. Kindly, Hyacinthus chose not to mention that to Thamyris. The musician was humiliated enough with his family drama.

"Hyacinthus," Thamyris lamented, "you will never even look at me. My heart aches for you, yet you have eyes only for Apollo."

Thamyris was left heartbroken by Hyacinthus' words. His love for Hyacinthus would never be reciprocated, and he could only express his sorrow through his music. He did this for years as he watched the prince love the god. Apollo usually grew bored of his mortal lovers quickly. At most, he stayed for a few seasons. It had been nearly four years since Prince Hyacinthus' meeting with Apollo. The sun god's devotion remained unchanged. Apollo visited Hyacinthus almost daily. During the day, they hunted, exercised or played music together. In the night, together, they retreated to Prince Hyacinthus' private quarters. In his despair, Thamyris learned that Clio bore a striking resemblance to her son, Hyacinthus.