She seemed broken. Even when they arrived at Delphi, the sanctuary of her beloved Apollo, she said nothing. She didn't attempt to run either. In fact she only moved when he moved her. Easily being dragged along as they went. He now left her at the altar of chains as he made his way into the temple and to the oracle.
Left alone Celia did little more than glance about. Her mind was still in a haze from the depression she was in and currently only two thoughts went through her mind. How much she missed her brother and father and how she wished Apollo would do anything to free her from this. Even if that meant striking her down where she stood. Her eyes now lingered on the likeness of him. The statue stood large and comforting. For a moment she felt calm. Though it was fleeting. Around her people went on with their lives. Coming and going to ask the oracle their questions and visit the theater and gymnasium. No one else realized how broken she was or what she was going through.
Lost in her own world she didn't notice when someone walked up behind her. She didn't hear the first or second time she was called out to. It wasn't until a hand was placed on her shoulder that she turned, startled and expecting to see Deo. Instead she stared at a stranger. Gold waved hair that hung just at shoulders length. Blue eyes that reflected the sky. Tanned skin. A short chiton that hugged the man's body. And upon his head a laurel. For a moment she wondered who would wear such a thing when there was no sport competition currently. Then the thought popped in her head, though he spoke before she could ask.
"Why are you here? I never thought I'd see you on the mainland." The man's voice was shocked yet delighted. His eyes scanned over her a hundred times as if they couldn't believe she was real.
"Do… I know you?" Her words were slow coming. Her mind screamed the name she hoped he'd be, yet she would be foolish to think it was truly him. But at her words his smile became brighter.
"Oh I know you very well. I know your voice and music better than anyone."
She couldn't believe it. Only her father, brother, and a few family friends have heard her sing. Many had heard her play instruments but only those few had heard her sing. Yet she could honestly say she had never seen his face before.
"Celia!" Deo's voice stole her from her thought process. The man's face fell and before she could react he was rushing away. Her body turned to follow him and her mouth opened to call after him. He couldn't be… yet he had to have been. She tried rationalizing it but she would have remembered his face if she had sang while in his company. Deo was the first man she'd meet with golden hair after all. "Celia?"
Deo had walked up to her, staring her down with raised brows. Turning back to face him she was dumbfounded. She didn't know what to think or how to react and in the end allowed him to take her hand and lead her into the temple. There she was meet with a thin, pale woman. She was beautiful and fair and every piece of fabric that hung from her complemented her. However she didn't smile. Her eyes were trained on something far in the distance that, even though she tried, Celia could not locate.
"You are walking a dangerous path, boy." The woman spoke in a cool tone. "Dragged someone so loved here. Are you that bent on raising hell?"
"You know exactly why I've brought her along. Now just tell me what I need to know." Deo hissed at the woman as he wrapped his arm around Celia's shoulders, as if trying to convince the woman of something. Celia snapped her gaze to him and began to shake wondering what he was doing.
"Child come here, he won't stop you." The woman, who has yet to take her eyes off the unseen object, held both her hands out for Celia. After hesitating Celia stepped forward, sighing when Deo allowed her to do so. She took the woman's hands and followed where she lead. "I am the oracle of this temple. I hear the words of gods and know their plans. I can also see into the futures of other mortals and often guide them on their way."
Celia paused in her steps. She knew. This woman knew she was wondering who she was. "I… I don't want to know the future."
"I know. You wish to go home. You only wish to be reunited with your family." She nodded in response before hanging her head. The oracle placed her hand gingerly under Celia's chin and lifted it. "You are beloved by more than your family. To others now watch your moves closely. I can not guide you home, but I can guide you to your next step."
"Next step?"
"That boy has angered the gods. He has Zeus against him and Hera after him. However he does not remember this. His father stripped him of this knowledge. And now he needs you to help him regain not only his memory but the favor of the gods. However you must be willing to help him."
Celia looked over her shoulder at Deo. He was watching them with knitted brows as he paced in a small circle. He looked worried. However she felt nothing towards him. She had started feeling something, but after they ran from Orion her heart turned cold once more. She didn't want to help him. She wanted nothing more to do with him. She only wanted to return home. To return to the land she knew and the temples she loved. "I can't."
The woman shook her head slowly. "It seems that way doesn't it. As mortals we can not easily let go of wrongs done to us. And I do not demand you help him now. Eventually you will come to the decision to help him or not. One way will lead you to a golden road and one will lead you down a dirt road. I can not tell you which leads where. However I can say that you may never see Delos again. Are you prepared for that?"
The oracle left her with those words before walking back to where Deo stood. Celia watched as they exchanged few words, she placed her hand on his shoulder, and then walked away. He then turned his focus on her. His brows still knit together and his mouth pulled into a worrisome line.
She may never see her home again? Was that if she didn't help him? Or was it no matter what? Her father… She'd never see him again. Deep in her heart she had the feeling of deep seated loneliness. After staring at each other for a long moment Celia finally walked back to Deo. She didn't need to say anything. They both knew what was next. She would follow him. If she wanted to or not her future had him in it. At least for awhile longer.
"Come on… I want to show you something." Deo once more took her hand and lead her from the temple. Her eyes glanced at the statue of Apollo once more before they made their way further up hill. Eventually they came to where to mountain walls were separated by a spring. Stone was carved away beautifully to adorn the site. "This place…. is important to you."
He didn't have to say what it was. Even she had heard of Castalian Spring. The site of Apollo's great victory over Python. She had often heard travelers talk about it and its powers. She was taken by the beauty of the sight and had almost forgotten who stood beside her until the pressure of his hand around hers drew her back. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I told you I would bring you to whatever temple you liked once here yet the temple trip was for me." His words were rushed and he didn't look at her while he spoke. This brought a sigh from her lips. She didn't want to feel anything anymore. She wanted to stay numb. However the mysterious stranger and the oracle seemed to have thrown that into the fire. She now wondered what would become of them from here.