Hades' Second Chance

Chapter 6

I woke up after yet another strange dream, this time about the myth of Persephone. They started with a nightmare about when Kronos ate his children, including my namesake.

I had always chalked up my family and friend's names, all Greek gods and goddesses, to pure coincidence.

But after meeting Apollo? And his twin sister Artemis? It was starting to get almost creepy, not to mention my dreams. I didn't dare tell my brothers, or even Hestia, but I needed to talk to someone about it.

So I picked up my phone and dialed the first number on my speed dial.

It rang for a few moments, before it was picked up.

"A little early to be calling, isn't it?"

"Sorry, I just need to talk to someone. And you were the first person I thought about." I told him, running a hand through my hair and glancing at the clock. It was five am.

"Are you alright? Did something happen?" He sounded concerned.

"I'm fine. I had a... dream. Or I guess I've been having them." I told him.

"They don't happen to be about Greek mythology, do they?" He asked.

"They do. Apollo, do you think...?" I asked, leaning my head into my hands.

"I've been having them too. Although mine are about my namesake, the god of music. Starting with Python, and so far they're at... Hyancith. That was the dream you woke me up from."

"It has to be a coincidence, right? That we each have dreams about Mythology? Right?" I asked.

"... I'll be over in a little bit. We should discuss this in person," he hung up.

I sighed and grabbed a t-shirt and some sweatpants.
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I sipped the coffee he brought, thinking.

"So, we're both having dreams about Greek myths. Almost all our friends and families are named after Greek deities. This can't be a coincidence." Apollo muttered, pacing the room and drinking his coffee.

"I used to think it was, but I'm starting to have doubts," I told him.

"See, my sister has been having them too. Maybe your family also has these dreams. Perhaps..." Apollo paused, and pursed his lips.

I sipped the latte in my hand again. "Perhaps it's related."

Apollo nodded. "My half-brother, Hermes, has a theory that we're all gods, reborn into this life, because this is when we're needed. That western civilization is 'forgetting their roots' and we're here to remind them."

Hades rolled his eyes. "Sounds a little far fetched to me."

"I agree, but it's still possible." He sat on the couch, curling up into my side.

I kissed his forehead and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Let's just focus on the present. Only time will tell if Hermes is right. Could be something completely coincidental."

"Maybe. It's just... odd. Some of these dreams and myths match up to my life, especially..." he took a deep, shuddering breath, "last night."

I pulled him a little closer. "You wanna talk about it?"

He took a deep breath. "A couple years ago, I fell in love with a man named Hyancith. I guess I should have put two and two together and realize that it could only end in tragedy. We were out in the woods, practicing shooting targets with arrows. I was showing off, and the wind caught the arrow, and..." he gulped, and let out a shuddering breath.

"He... died before we got to the hospital." Apollo said quietly. "I got over him, but the memory is still painful."

I was silent, rubbing small circles into his arm.

Finally, I started to talk. "One of the first dreams I had was about Kronos, and that he ate his children. I woke up and cried for almost an hour, because it reminded me of my father, back before my brother killed him. He was awful. Abused us, when we got left with him, after my mother divorced him. He bribed the judge, and got full custody. Mom was pregnant with my youngest brother, and he stayed with her.

"He... would lock us up and leave us for up to a week, with little food and water. My brother showed up after years of this, and they got into a fight. Dad pulled a gun, Zeus got a hold of it... And my father was dead when before he hit the floor. But I'll never forget that. I vowed that I would be kind to my children, should I ever be a father." I finished.

Apollo took a deep breath. "Thank you."

"For what?" I looked at him.

"Telling me that. It means a lot." Apollo told me.

We sat in silence, curled up together. We were both lost in thought, but also enjoying each other's company. He pressed his lips to my cheek, and rested his head on my shoulder.

I had never shared that with anyone outside of my family, not even Persephone knew.

And it made me realize just how important Apollo was to me, and that our relationship was stronger than mine with Persephone ever was.

Perhaps autumn and winter were over.

And spring was finally beginning.