Time had passed slowly since Perseus' departure to Olympus. Io had left the gates of the Underworld and returned to the island she'd once called home. But upon her return, she found the remnants of Hades destruction. A home in ruins and nothing to persuade her to rebuild. Io left the island that very day. She journeyed in the company of Pegasus and Bo Bo, her only company. She kept to herself, never seeking further company of men, never leaving the safety of the forest. What she needed to survive, she found. What she needed to defend herself, she managed. But nothing was able to fill the hole in her heart.
Io stood beneath the branches of an olive tree. She used her skirt to contain the olives as she picked. Pegasus was grazing in the field nearby with Bo Bo perched in the branches above her. These melee tasks seemed to be her only distraction from Perseus' departure.
Suddenly, Pegasus whined heavily. Io turned quickly. The horse kicked strongly and turned from her. It broke into a speedy gallop across the field. It's wings spread across in the air as he took flight. Io ran after the horse a few paces. But she was no match to catch the horse. She watched as he soared across the sky, further and further from her.
Bo Bo twittered. "Where is he going?"
"I don't know." Io answered. But it was not what she was thinking. He probably returned to Perseus.
Io turned from the sky, back toward the tree. She walked back to the branch and continued searching them for ripe olives. Bo Bo was still looking at the sky. Io sighed, giving up her task. She walked to the small wooden bowl set in her small camp. She knelt on the ground and picked up the smooth rock. She crushed the olives in the bowl until there was nothing left but the oil of them. Io reached into a small pouch and retrieved a small handful of grain. She released the grain into the bowl and mixed it into a small portion of dough. Io set the dough upon a flat stone on top of the fire.
Bo Bo screeched loudly. Io brought her head up quickly. He was flapping excitedly in the tree. Io rose to her feet and walked back to olive tree. His head was spinning around and his body hoped on the branch.
"What is it?" she asked.
A soft whine caught her attention.
Io turned her head to the sky. The sun was slowly setting over the land, but she could see a black figure within it. It was growing closer. It was the Pegasus! His large black wings flapped in the setting skylight. But as Io watched him return, she saw he was not alone. There was a rider with him. The Pegasus touched down onto the earth, trotting toward her. He slowed to a steady stop. Io watched intently as the rider dismounted from Pegasus. He was tall, will broad shoulders. He wore no armor, but a simple green tunic and sandals.
Io gave a weak laugh. She moved quickly, greeting the rider. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his strong neck. She felt an arm wrap around her hand while he held the back of her head.
"I'll never leave you again." Perseus whispered.