The Lost God

Chapter 2: Apollo's Palace and the Unspoken Truth

Through my screaming and closed eyes, I failed to notice that we were flying through clouds and had slowed down. I figured that Apollo probably didn't want other people to spot us. Who knows what kind of a panic people would go into if they saw real life pegasi.

"Calm yourself, Adelphos. We're almost there." Apollo's voice was soothing and eased my nerves. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw just how beautiful everything was.

"I thought we were going to the sun?" I said in confusion, considering we weren't flying upwards towards space.

"Did you think I meant the actual sun? Of course not! My palace is named 'The Sun'." I was completely relieved; I wasn't dying today. "Far too hot on the Sun for guests for my liking. I may be the sun god, but even I have my limits on heat."

I had to be dreaming, but the burn on my arm was validation enough that this was my reality. My life went from having a wonderful girlfriend and a beautiful apartment, to having nothing at all. Was my family even real? Was the entire life I knew a lie?

"Here we are! The Sun! Beautiful, isn't it? I always enjoy a good view." Apollo announced. We were approaching a golden palace that looked just as magnificent as a sunrise or sunset. In fact it looked like the colors were changing as the sky's colors were changing. It went from golds to pinks, purples, yellows, and oranges. They shifted as if by magic, which I'm sure was the exact cause. It floated atop clouds, which made it move in the wind and it seemed to be the perfect disguise from the people that lived below on the earth, or even from passing planes.

We landed softly on the top steps and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding in. I got off of the chariot with shaky legs and thanked the heavens for being able to stand on a hard surface I couldn't fall off from. I looked around me to find Apollo, but he was already at the giant glamorous entrance.

"Come. We have much to discuss. You're going to want the truth, I'm sure." I followed urgently, the truth was all I needed.

People, well more like creatures and people with strange skin, were all dressed in ancient Greek clothing. They stopped whatever they were doing and bowed to Apollo, but I could hear them whispering to one another when we'd pass them. It seemed like they were talking about me, but they all called me Adelphos for some reason.

"In here. We'll have some privacy and a meal to eat. You're going to be very hungry." Why would I need to eat? I almost got killed not too long ago and on top of that I could've fallen off of a magical flying chariot to my death. Any type of appetite was long gone from my stomach.

The room we walked into seemed to be a dining area with a high ceiling and a dinner table so long it could seat a hundred people. Torches were blazing on large marble columns that filled the room with warm and bright light. There were hints of gold in all of the trim and floors of only the most expensive and authentic looking marble. It seemed as though the stereotype of Greeks and marble was somewhat true. Probably mainly for gods. The plates and silverware were all gold and were absolutely spotless, not a single stain was in sight. The wooden dining table was dark and polished to perfection, it was absolutely beautiful.

Apollo and I sat farthest away from the dining room entrance. He sat at the head of the table and I sat to his right. Servants immediately came out and poured us large goblets of wine that had small golden specks within it. They even drank gold. Apollo waved the servants away and they bowed then stood with their backs against the wall, holding the wine bottles in case if we finished our glasses.

The sun god raised his hand and snapped, which caused more servants to come from a small door to his left. They were pushing wooden carts completely full of freshly made foods. They were so fresh that steam was still coming off of them, as if they had been cooking while Apollo went out to look for me. The scent filled the room and it made my stomach call out in hunger. It felt like I was starving and my stomach was begging for the food that was being placed in front of us.