Posted by Light in the street of Athens faded away. The sun came up as Apollo commanded it, but the clouds over the city were so dense that light could barely pass through.
He laid in bed, having to make the greatest of efforts to breathe just enough to stay conscious. She sat beside him, holding his right hand between hers. Pouring as much of her magic into him. But just as it came in, it went out almost as fast. His mortal body had no way of retaining this energy anymore.
His eyes were open, but he couldn’t see her. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. His soul was there, just hanging by the thinnest of strings. But she wouldn’t give up. He meant too much for her. She felt as her energy was almost completely drained.
Rain started pouring from the gray, dimly lit sky. Apollo came in the room, soaked, dripping.
“Athena, it’s time” – he said, but she didn’t answer. “You have to let him go. Have you looked outside?”
She looked at Apollo.
“The city is suffering, YOUR city is suffering. They need you.”
“He needs me.”
“Yes, he needs you to let go. He needs peace. He needs to go on.”
“Go where?” She asked as she turned back to look at him.
“There’s no way for me to know.”
“And you want me to give up?”
“Look at yourself, you’ll die if you keep going. What good will that do to anyone?”
She didn’t answer.
She looked at Apollo with her eyes clouded by her own tears and looked back at the man in the bed. Athena started decreasing the flow of magic and slowly let go of his hand.
He, for a moment, looked at her straight in the eye with what stregnth he had left, and closed his eyes.
He took his last breath.
The rain slowly stopped, but the sun was not seen in Athens that day.