Feel the Burning Light by Dewy_Pink_Morning_Roses52

Chapter 21: The Fall of Icarus

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Icarus only for this chapter. This will be the end of the Icarus arc. No Percy for this chapter. I wanted to focus on finishing Icarus' story.

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In the golden light of dawn, Apollo watched from his sun chariot as Icarus donned the mechanical wings crafted by Daedalus. Curiosity gnawed at the god's heart—why would his beloved choose such a perilous method to escape King Minos's wrath? Surely, Icarus could have asked Apollo to intervene, to quell the king's rage with a mere word. Many times Apollo had asked his beloved that question, both as Hyacinthus and Icarus. The answer from both incarnations of his beloved was that Apollo was their lover, they had no wish to exploit his kindness. Helping each others as partners was one thing, but constantly asking for divine favours from Apollo was another. Apollo did not quite get it, but he was glad that his beloved loved him fiercely and sincerely.

But no. Icarus, ever headstrong, had other plans. It seemed like Icarus, after a lifetime of having to hold his tongue with the tyrant Minos wished to heap as much humiliation upon the King of Crete as possible before escaping Crete. With a mischievous grin, he tested the wings, flapping them like a fledgling bird. Daedalus, the brilliant inventor and Icarus's father, followed close behind, his eyes wide with both pride and trepidation. Minos was definitely headed to disgrace. He had lost his monster, and he had lost having monopoly ove the mind of Daedalus. Minos might be beseeching the gods now, but Apollo knew that Zeus would turn away after Minos had been fooled and hoodwinked by a son of Poseidon. The gods would follow a different tale, the young and bold hero was more compelling than the old and humiliated king.

Apollo leaned forward, amused as Icarus did daring maneuvers to the astonishment of everyone watching. Apollo had to admit, the wing were a marvel of artificing. Daedalus had outdone himself.

"Why these wings, Icarus?" he whispered to the wind, feeling a shift in the cosmic tapestry. These wings would be important. They will not just carry Icarus away from Crete. These wings were destined to echo across centuries and inspire. Were mortals destined to brave the skies? Would his beloved start this?

"Why not seek my aid?"

Icarus soared, taunting Minos and his soldiers drawing them away from the Athenian ship and Princess Ariadne. Apollo marveled at the boy's audacity. The sun god had seen many mortals defy kings and tyrants, but none quite like Icarus. His beloved was taunting Minos, a sky spawn from the sky itself while the tyrant was earthbound and could not follow in the air. How it must rankle Minos.

The thrill of freedom danced in Icarus's eyes as he ascended, carried away from Crete on winds conjured by a deity. Apollo frowned. At first he thought it was his uncle Poseidon, aiding his son Theseus and his grandson Icarus, but it did not feel like his uncle. It did not feel like one of the four winds either. Apollo would notice if it was one of them, especially the West Wind.

Below, Theseus's ship sailed toward Naxos. Apollo's heart swelled with pride. Icarus and Princess Ariadne, Theseus's saviors, they, the hunter and the princess had helped the Athenian prince brave the Labyrinth and slay the Minotaur. Apollo's lover was part of that heroic tale, even if it meant risking his own life.