(A Rare Occurrence)

Mars POV

"Apollo," I whisper. "I came to YOU, not my nephew, damn that sounds weird. But, I didn't. Just help me."

He looks at me, his dark eyes daring me to continue.

But I don't.

And I stand my ground.

"What you have given me about it is vague, but I will try. But I have something to ask of you."

"A favor for a favor."

Apollo nods. "I need you to- Well, I want you to g-give this to Mom," he hands me an envelope, and I look away.

He doesn't know.

He doesn't know she's gone.

"Apollo," I say cautiously. "I can't."

He frowns. "Why?"

"Because she doesn't exist anymore."

"What?" The confusion and horror evident in his voice and expression. "No, no, no, she can't be gone."

The Divine eventually have an expiration date.

One a reincarnation can't save you from.

The Divine past that date stay gone until the others go that way too, and it all restarts again.

And something I never expect happens:

Apollo cries.

Quietly.

But he is.

A rare occurrence.

NEVER tell anyone I said this.

But I feel like I'm going to cry too.

Damn.

"Why am I the last one to hear of such things!?" Apollo snaps and I want to cry and laugh at that.

Its accurate.

Its always the grievers that never know.

But when they do, its way past gone.

"Zeus knew before I even did. And I thought I was the only one who cared." I blurt, and I immediately regret it.

"WHAT?!" Apollo whispers. "D-did the same thing happen with Solstice?"

The concern and worry in his voice surprising me.

I'm sad with my answer.

"Yes." I look at him. "Why do you think I hate him?"

"Oh,"

"Yeah, I still can't forgive him."

"I thought it was because... because he ditched you, because... You're a half-blood."

I frown. "NEVER say that again. Just help me with Korri and you can go your pretty way back to Olympus."

"So that is the girl's name." He nods. "I will help you."

Suddenly the world starts to spin, and by the time I finally get my bearings I realize I'm in my room.

I walk toward the kitchen and pop my head through the door, and I see Apollo talking with Korri.

Well, I'd say arguing, but... Apollo's talking like he isn't arguing, and Korri's arguing.

"YOU ARE NOT STAYING!" Korri snaps. "OUT!"

"Ares sent me," Apollo says. "Please calm down Mistress Sallow."

"THEN WHERE IN THE HELL IS HE?!"

He points at me, still keeping eye contact with Korri.

"Right here," I whisper, stepping into the room.

Korri looks like she's in...

Disbelief.

"Uh, you know this guy?" Korri frowns.

"Yeah, 'bout that, he's actually my brother." I force a smile. "Introductions, um, Korri this is Apollo and Apollo this is Korri."

Then comes the flurry of questions.

"Why did he want me to drink this golden goo? Is he telling the truth? What's going on?"

In the time I've come to know her, I believe I'd describe her as being cautious, stubborn, faithful, hopeful, and curious.

"Why did he come?"