Zeus's loud and boisterous laughter filled the grand hall, much to the annoyance of the other gods who gazed upon the village of Apakto below them. The broad man leaned back in his extravagant throne of marble and cloud, leaning towards the golden and light throne of Apollo.
"Looks like you're the lucky guy this year, eh Apollo?" Nudging the younger god with his elbow, the white haired god leaned forward once more, lightning blue eyes filled with joy and laughter.
The golden god let out a soft chuckle, filling the room with its warm and pleasant noise that was not unlike wind chimes. "It would seem so father," he mused, his warm golden eyes returning to the ceremony before them.
His thoughts were soon interrupted when a soft voice filled every corner of his mind. 'I don't want to die…'
Taking quick glances around, Apollo brushed it off and tuned back into the contagious laughter of his father and the soft murmurs of the other gods. Each of them watched as the man, no, the boy, was led up to the dias, tied, bound, and gagged to be sure he would neither scream, or run.
"Hmmm. They've never offered us one this young before." Zeus murmured, oblivious to his wife shifting uncomfortably beside him.
Hera was never one for these events and more often than not she'd look away when the priest finally finished the deed. She took pity on most of the sacrifices, and thus was never chosen by the village. Today was different; Hera was not the only one to look away. Something about this boy though..many of the gods were shifting in their seats, avoiding the view before them.
'This is what you were raised for. There's no point in getting upset now. You knew you were going to die a long time ago.' The voice seemed to be right against Apollo's ear, causing chills to run down his spine. Jerking he turns his head to look over his shoulder, once more.
A firm yet familiar hand placed itself over his, slender fingers curling over his much thicker and broader ones. His golden gaze was quickly met with the harsh but caring silver gaze that belonged to his sister. Artemis may revel in the slaughtering of men but she knew when something was bothering her twin.
Leaning up in her chair, she moves towards him, pressing her soft, silver tinged lips against his ear. "You can hear him, can't you?" she whispered, pulling back to look up at him.
Golden eyes widened in response as his sister leans back in her chair, those silver eyes filled with knowing.
"We all heard them, before they die that is. I guess it's a way for them to gain closure, a way for us to comfort them as they are lost."
Apollo's head snapped back towards the ceremony, eyes falling on the boy the gods were watching through the large looking glass. The ceremony was beginning to come to a close, people chanting and praying as the priest turned towards the boy. Green eyes squeezed shut as the knife in the chosen priest's hands plunged towards his midsection.
'Please Apollo, make it be painless.' the voice wavered, fear finally taking over the confidence and pride that he once had.
The sun god felt something awaken inside of him at the plea, his power roaring to life. In a flash of golden light, Apollo was gone, leaving a very content Artemis behind with the other confused gods.