Guest1: Apollo is aware that he still feels deep affection for Delphina. He just believes he has gotten over her rejection, but in reality, he didn't.

Greek myths and Guest2: Well, I don't know if it is updated soon enough for you, but here it is!

Thank you for your comments. They really help me to be motivated. I hope you will like this chapter.

Warning: If you are not familiar with this myth, just know that things are going to turn a little gore.

Chapter 10: Marsyas

Delphina was swimming with her dolphins, enjoying another beautiful day in the sea. It had been a long time since the last storm and so, it meant less work for her. She still assisted the fishermen when asked, but most of her time, she just played with her best friends. It was one reason why she appreciated life so much!

But today, she had other duties to attend. Pythian Games were coming and as a patron goddess of Delphi, she had to participate to the preparations. She left her pod and swam toward the sanctuary…but on her road she heard a prayer from Anatolia. A child unable to swim was in danger and her parents called for her help!

The mermaid didn't think a second more. She used her godly swimming speed and hurried up for the rescue. She got there just in time and saved the boy with the help of one of her dolphins living nearby. It was a routine. She knew how to help humans at the sea. Once her job was done, she prepared to go back on her way to Delphi when she suddenly heard music.

Very beautiful music.

Here, in the water, not far from the coasts of Anatolia, Delphina was captivated by a sumptuous but mysterious melody. It was not the sound of a lyre, but the sound of a flute. She continued to listen to it. It was magical! But it seemed to come from far away from here.

Delphina possessed the power to listen to good music from a long distance. But until now, it had only worked with Apollo's lyre. And the music was so wonderful that it had to be from him. But her friend would never play a wind instrument. So who played it?

She was too curious. She had to know where this sound came from! And so, she completely forgot about the Pythian Games and unashamedly went on land to reach the origin of the music. She walked and walked through the Anatolian plains and mountains until she arrived at Phrygia, in the middle part of the region. Damn! It was a longer distance than she thought. As a deity, she was fast but she still possessed limits. Nevertheless, her curiosity remained strong.

The music was now louder and more beautiful than ever! She was almost there. She entered a small forest and finally arrived at her final destination.

She expected the unknown musician to be a god. Someone with such talent had to be divine. At best, she could expect it to be from a demigod. They may be mortal but still could develop high skills often equal to their immortal parents. She was also prepared for the possibility to discover a simple mortal. It would be exceptional to see someone so ordinary developing such virtuosity but not impossible.

But never would she have expected to find a satyr.

But here he was. A half-goat half-man creature with black hair and beard. He played an instrument she had never seen before. It was not a single flute but two united as one at the tops which were stuck together. Each hand was manipulating a flute.

Delphina would usually be distrustful since it was a satyr, but she noticed many people around him, nymphs and mortals alike, just sitting there, listening and appreciating the music. With stars in their eyes, they all appeared bewitched. Just like her.

So, she presumed that he was not dangerous at all. She felt reassured. And she listened to it. The song that was played enchanted her. The only time she felt such feeling was when she heard Apollo playing his lyre. How was it possible to become musically so good?

He finished. The whole audience stood up and exploded in applause. They couldn't stop praising the satyr.

"Again, it was wonderful, Marsyas. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!" A nymph told him.

"Yeah! The music from your aulos is as marvellous as a lyre's sound." A man pretended.

Delphina found it was a very daring declaration. Apollo would not like to have his precious lyre compared to a wind instrument. But she couldn't disagree. The piece she just heard was an exquisite symphony of sweetness for the ears. It brought appeasement and felicity. She only wished to listen to it again and forever.

And so, she got out of her hidden spot, applauding alone as all the others had finished. That succeeded to attract their attention on her. First thing they noticed was her beauty. Because of this, they guessed she was at least a nymph, but she seemed to have a halo from someone of highest rank.

"Who are you?" A man asked.

"Ho! Excuse me! My name is Delphina."

As soon they heard her name, they all gasped and immediately bowed before her in reaction. Since she had been born as a nymph, the goddess was not very comfortable with such reverence and so, she retorted. "Please. Raise, my friends. No need to be so formal."

They did. All eyes were now on the deity, one they weren't very familiar with or even worship, for practical reasons. "What are you doing here, in Phrygia, My Lady?" A nymph asked. "It is so far from the sea."

"Well, I was in Lycia on duty and I heard the music from there. I had to know where it came from."

Delphina moved her feet. They made her enter the middle of the assembly, straight in front of the skillful satyr. The latter appeared very impressed by her presence. A divine presence. She smiled and declared. "Mister, your name is Marsyas, right?"

"Indeed, this is my name."

"Well, Marsyas, I just want to tell you that your music is simply sublime! I completely love it! What is the name of the instrument you are using? I forgot, already."

The satyr blinked his eyes, stunned. Could he believe it? A goddess was interested in him? And one that was particularly close to the God of Music in person! If it wasn't a proof of the high level of his talent, then he couldn't say what it meant.

He was more than happy to answer. "Ho! This a flute I found somewhere, near a river. I named it aulos."

"Wow! And how did you learn to play it so well?"

"All by myself!"

"It's incredible!"

Marsyas blushed. He received a lot of compliments from almost everyone in the region, but from a divinity, it was a first. She even heard him from a long distance. It clearly showed the length of his skills. Blessed he was the day he found this flute! He even got the attention of an immortal!

With a sentiment of gratitude, he invited her to take a seat on a rock just beside him. "Please, my Lady, just sit here. Since you walked all the road to come here, I will thank you by playing a piece only for you."

Usually, Delphina would feel insecure to be so close to a satyr, but, for once, she trusted one. She sat on the rock and put her hands on her knees. She appeared happy. Her smile lightened the place. She was ready.

At that moment, a spectator suggested. "I got an idea! The Goddess of Dolphins should sing to accompany the aulos."

"Wonderful idea!" A nymph approved. "We all heard about your great singing, Lady Delphina. You will bless all of us by giving a taste of it."

"Well, why not?" She said.

She was used to sing with Apollo and his lyre. She didn't know how she will sound with a wind instrument but she was eager to attempt the experience.

Marsyas brought his aulos to his mouth and began to play. Again, this melody. A melody that made the spirit travel through the high mountains, the vast plains, the deep forests, the flowing rivers… A melody that told a story, the journey of a life full of joy, sadness, sorrow, peace, strength and hope.

Delphina closed her eyes. She felt profoundly inspired. With her soul moved by the music, she began to sing. A new song she just invented. A hymn to love. She thought about her dolphins, her children, the greatest pride of her life. The music reminded her of their goodness, their playfulness, their smiles, their caring side, their compassion… She sang for them. To show her appreciation for her companions who had changed her destiny forever.

When she was done, she opened her eyes. The spectators were silent. And suddenly, all of them stood up and applauded genuinely. Delphina smiled. She had succeeded!

She turned to Marsyas and told him. "It was amazing! Thank you!"

"I am the one honored here. Your voice is more gracious than I thought. You are very surprising."

"I can say the same about you! We should definitely do it again someday. You are just as talented as Apollo and it excites me!"

And the last sentence caught the attention of the satyr. "Really? You think I can compete with the God of Music?"

Forgetting her previous joy, Delphina became concerned. She hesitated to respond. She walked into a dangerous zone. The sun shined to remind her she was under watch. One had to be careful with Apollo's pride. The act of hubris rarely ended happily. So how to manage this tricky situation?

"Hum… This isn't what I meant. I…" What to say without offending anyone?

"I wonder why it takes you so long to finish this sentence." Interrupted a very deep voice.

Delphina's body instantly paralysed. Her breathe almost stopped. Adrenaline ran through her blood. This voice… No.

Around her, everybody jolted and quickly knelt, trembling in fear. It meant bad news. Slowly, she turned to see behind her.

He appeared in his best attire. A red cloth covered his waist to his right arm. A crown of laurel decorated his perfect golden hair. His hand held his bow and his quiver was on his back. He looked magnificent.

But he also looked very displeased.

Nervous, Delphina spoke. "Apollo, what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?! I have been waiting for you to come at Delphi for at least five hours but you never came. It's not your style to be late, so I was worried. I didn't expect to find you here!"

The goddess gasped at the realisation. "What?! Five hours?! I didn't realize I was here for so long! I'm sorry. I have completely forgotten!"

"And what did you do that was so distracting?"

She felt trapped. The God of Almost Everything was in a bad mood. She needed to cook him well so nothing awful would happen. That meant avoiding to hurt his pride.

"Delphina." He added with a scarier tone. "Don't forget you are talking to the God of Truth."

Oops! She forgot that. Whatever she would say, he would know if she lied.

So, she had no choice but to say the basic truth. "I was on duty near Lycia when I heard the sound of a wind instrument that led me here. I was curious."

Apollo didn't reply. He deviated his stare from her to focus on the satyr. The later didn't seem very intimidated. He dared to send an intense gaze reflecting confidence, even defiance.

The kind of attitude very displeasing to a god.

"I heard that your name is Marsyas, right?"

"Indeed, My Lord."

"What is the instrument you are playing?"

"I call it aulos, My Lord."

"I see. Still, this is only a wind instrument. Very pathetic. But very fitty of a satyr."

Arrogant like usual, Delphina thought. But when you were the God of Music, everyone would understand you for being obstinate when it came to your own domain.

But Marsyas felt offended. His ego had been recently boosted and he wanted to defend it. Just because the other guy was a deity shouldn't give him the right to denigrate him like that.

"I may be playing a wind instrument, but I still can play music as good as you! Even Delphina admitted that my talent equal yours."

No… The Goddess of Dolphins smelt trouble. Hubris had been committed. And sadly for her, she got involved. She carefully observed the reaction of Apollo. He appeared calm. But without bothering to look at her, he asked. "Is it true, Delphina?"

She was definitely walking a tightrope. However, she couldn't lie. "Yeah. I said he was as talented as you."

"I see."

He didn't sound mad. But then, Apollo was known for his self-control. Without any doubt, she had hurt his ego badly with this confession. She now prayed for very soft consequences. What will he do?

Sadly, Marsyas didn't share the same carefulness. The divine acknowledgment inflated his self-confidence to the superior level. He smiled. Could he reach the top? He became pompous enough to attempt it.

"You see? As a musician, I am not lower than you! In fact, I think I could even surpass you."

The whole audience, who had chosen to remain silent, gasped loudly in shock. But they couldn't compete with Delphina's anxiety. She felt her heart beating faster.

"No, Marsyas! Why did you say that?!" She thought.

She nervously awaited Apollo's reaction. His body was tense. His eyes dark. His hold on his bow dangerously tight. What was he thinking?

And finally, she heard him reply in a menacing way. "You think you can challenge me, the God of Music? You think your filthy aulos can compare with my enchanting lyre?"

"I do. And I challenge you to a music contest."

Panic increased inside Delphina's head. What she feared happened.

"Arrogant mortal." Apollo answered angrily. "Fine. I accept. But the Muses have to be the judges. No one knows music better than them, besides myself. In exchange of this condition, I am willing to let you decide of the price of the contest."

"That suits me. And I propose that the winner will have the right to do whatever he wants to the loser."

The Goddess blushed. She had detected some sexual insinuation in the sentence. A satyr will always be a satyr. And Apollo incarnated the pinnacle of attractiveness. She shouldn't be surprised. But she became frightened when her dear friend just smiled nefariously like a hunter in front of his prey. She freaking didn't enjoy it. What was up in his mind?

He would not dare to act too much cruelly, right?

"That's perfect for me." He answered.

…

One hour later, the nine Muses arrived accompanied by a lot of servants who came to assist to their master's performance. The two contestants sat on a rock face to face in front of the judges. Both held their instruments of predilection.

Delphina sweated in all corners of her skin. She knew that nothing good was going to happen whoever would win. Damn! Why she did nothing to prevent this? She felt responsible. She should have gone to Delphi since it was her duty. And she shouldn't have boosted Maryas's confidence like that. After all, she knew better than anyone else how proud Apollo was. He certainly didn't take well to discover she had forgotten him to be with another musician. Even more scandalous, a satyr playing a wind instrument. And the cherry on the cake was the fact she dared to considerate them equal.

Yeah. It was partially her fault. And yet, she remained curious. She sincerely believed in the greatness of Marsyas's skills. Did he truly have a chance to win? A wind instrument against a stringed one?

The contest started.

Apollo played first. With his left arm holding the lyre, his right hand went to touch the strings. Delicately, his fingers held them, released them and slid from one to another. It resulted an accumulation of sounds which together produced a melodious harmony. A music that transported the soul to the sky, to a luxurious palace surrounded by a green garden garnished with colorful flowers and fountains. A music that made you feel like you belonged to royalty and all your desires of wealth, of peace and of love were granted.

Apollo stopped. It was now Marsyas's turn.

Holding his aulos with his two hands, he brought it to his mouth and blew inside which putting the extremities of his fingers over holes and moving them in order to control the sound. It generated a music that called to a return to the nature. A more modest life which breathed purity and inspired joy. A calm place where happiness ruled as a supreme king.

And he stopped. Both had successfully filled everyone with amazement. No one could guess with certainty who had won. This information only belonged to the Muses. The nine ladies discussed together and after deliberation, Calliope approached them to announce. "Both of you have been incredible beyond our hopes. You have played differently but still dazzlingly. And this is why we are sorry. We cannot decide who the best is. You are unbelievably equal."

That surprised everybody more than it should. For Marsyas, this draw sounded like a victory. He could now brag to all people that he had reached the level of a god! He smiled cockily to his opponent. He ignored the risks to dig deeper in the act of hubris.

Apollo didn't miss his expression and it quite angered him a lot. He was a god, the God of Music! He was Apollo. He couldn't allow his reputation to slide as low as a satyr. Never would he accept such humiliation.

If it ended in a draw, then, he just needed to level up the competition.

He took his lyre again. He began to play another melody just as marvellous as the last one. Only one difference this time… He accompanied the music with singing. And by Zeus, how divinely his singing blessed the ears of his listeners! Yet, despite being truly impressed, Marsyas couldn't keep his thoughts for himself.

"Eh! That's unfair!" He protested. "I cannot sing with my aulos and you know that!"

Irritated by the interruption, the deity stopped to answer angrily. "You call it unfair? You are using both your hands and your mouth to produce music which I only use my hands. It is fair that I get to use my mouth as well in my own way."

"But…"

"This a wind against string instruments." Apollo cut him. "That means the advantages of each kind are judged."

It was often useless to argue with the God of Truth. Therefore, the Muses completely validated his argument. Obviously, the combination of the lyre and the singing eclipsed the individual aulos's melody. And this was how Apollo was declared the winner.

Delphina's members shook. She had a very bad feeling. She observed attentively her victorious friend. His stare scared her! The way his eyes fixed the satyr illustrated the depth of his wrath and a carnal desire to inflict pain. He unleashed a little of his godly energy that began to affect the air and anybody at proximity…even Delphina. His power gave her a headache and intimidated her heavily.

He stood up in front of a frightened satyr. The goddess became worried. What was Apollo going to do?

"Tie Marsyas to the pine tree. Now" He suddenly ordered.

The servants obeyed without questions. The poor satyr got griped firmly and forcibly, before being attached tightly to the tree with his hands above his head. He panicked, fearing whatever was coming to him. He screamed. "No! Please! Don't hurt me! I'm sorry! Please!"

Sadly, Apollo was entirely deaf to his supplications. His gaze on him stayed cold and unmoved. However, Delphina wasn't indifferent. She got up on her feet, alarmed and terrified. "Apollo! What are you going to do?!"

He didn't respond. Instead, he made a knife appear in his hand. It unnerved the goddess who called louder. "Apollo! Please! Talk to me! You are scaring me!"

Apollo stopped. It made her hope. Would he listen to her?

"Servants." He spoke calmly with a noticeable authority. "Take Delphina away from here. I don't want her to see this."

"What?! No!" She felt men and nymphs taking her arms and her body, pushing her against her will. "Apollo! No!"

The god didn't pay any attention to her cries. He waited for her to be far away enough before beginning his act. Then, he confronted the satyr, who had fear marked in his face and breathed heavily. "What are you going to do to me?"

"Claiming my prize, of course." The tone of the answer was very deadly.

"You are going to kill me?"

"Nothing less a pretentious mortal like you deserves, but…" He showed him the knife that shined under the sunray. "I will take all my time."

…

"No! Please! Let me go!"

Delphina struggled against the many forces that forced her to advance. Those servants were hers as well. However, the authority of Apollo always surpassed her own. In spite of that, she still fought for her believes. Her friend was going to commit something terrible. She knew it! She had to intervene but first, she needed to be released.

"My Lady, please, calm down." A nymph instructed her which others were trying to hold their mistress against her will. "My Lord's orders are clear. You must listen to him."

"No way! He cannot tell me what to do! So, again, I order you to let me go!"

Suddenly, a pained cry resonated out loud in the forest. That gave a bad chill to the goddess and a stronger urge to react.

"We are sorry, My Lady. We have no choice but to obey our master."

"Well, I'm sorry but he isn't my master and I do have a choice!"

All of a sudden, pushed by her anger, Delphina used her powers to transform everybody into dolphins. They all fell on the ground. In this form, they couldn't move on land. At least, the trees would protect them from the sun.

"Forgive me for doing that. I promise to give you your original forms back as soon I will be done."

The cries continued. She had to hurry up. And so, she ran fast. Faster than she ever did before with her heart beating and her legs in fire.

When she came back there, she swore it… Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw.

Apollo was beautiful. As the God of Light, his body glowed to illustrate all the intensity and the beauty of his powers. He showed in his posture such elegance unequalled. Anyone would be blinded by his majesty. A flawless handsomeness.

But…

His hands committed horror. Marsyas, still alive, was being flayed from his wrists to his feet. The skin was wide open and she could see the muscles, the bones and the intestines inside. Blood dripped and smelled intensively bad. The pine tree had been transformed into a table of dissection. Still conscious, Marsyas screamed continually while Apollo slowly kept cutting the skin with his knife. He applied the merciless torture while giving a cold stare, not an ounce of compassion.

Apollo possessed the looks of an angel…but he totally acted like a demon.

Delphina wanted to vomit. She couldn't bear this atrocity. She had to do something. She felt responsible for Marsyas's suffering. But what to do? Apollo didn't look ready to listen to her pleas. And even if he did, she doubted Marsyas would survive these injuries, too far over-the-top.

The agonizing screams continued, reclaiming mercy. And Delphina finally understood what she had to do! She ran to the quiver left on the grass and stole one of the golden arrows. Then, without thinking, she jumped between the god and the satyr and stabbed furiously the victim with the pointed weapon in his heart.

A last long cry followed by silent. Marsyas's eyes closed to never open again. Everyone around became silent. A body fell on the floor, trembling. Tears came out from the goddess's eyes.

She had killed someone!

She wasn't meant to be this. She was a rescuer. She may have done it in order to shorten an agony, but she still failed.

"What have you done?"

But suddenly, hearing Apollo talking like this, without any shame for his actions, quite annoyed by her intervention, made her feel a rage she never thought she could be able to feel. She got up. She watched the poor satyr, skinless, like the oeuvre of a butcher. This terrible sight multiplied by ten her wrath.

She turned to Apollo, eyes darkened. "What have I done? What have you done? How did you dare to be so cruel?!"

"Don't play this game with me, Delphina! The price was that I obtained the right to do whatever I want to my adversary. And you dared to interpose!"

"That's not fair. You adapted the rules of the contest to your advantage! But anyway, how did it justify your choice to torture him that much? Yes! I know! He was arrogant. He insulted you. But, did he really deserve such punishment?"

"Delphina. I am warning you…"

"Warning me? Are you so much lacking arguments that you have to menace me? Are you going to beat me for disobeying you? To torture me for robbing you of your price?"

"Don't be an idiot. You perfectly know that I would never…"

"And why not, Apollo? I am the one who compared him with you first. It was a mistake. I should have remembered how prideful most gods are."

"Exactly. I am a god. I work like one. Marsyas knew the consequences of challenging someone of higher rank than him. He got what he deserved."

Delphina couldn't believe it. It was a familiar situation. The Nereids had reacted the same in the past but at the end, they had regretted it. Apollo didn't. Not a single remorse in the depth of his soul. He stared at her like a father scolding his child.

She felt like an idiot. Of course, Apollo would do something like this. Like any god, he was convinced to possess the rights to do whatever he wanted and considered the mortals as insignificant beings if they didn't worship him. Her biggest mistake was to believe she could influence him for the best.

"You may be a god." She said. "But after what you have done, for me, you are only a monster."

And when she moved to leave, Apollo took her wrist to tell her. "Wait! Delphina! We are not finished…"

"I am finished!" She yelled, taking her hand off from his grasp. "I don't want to hear anything from you anymore! Never try to see me again!"

"You are overreacting!"

"You think so? Well, let me tell you something. If it wasn't me. If it was someone else who had dared to stop your torture… You would have punished this person like you did to Marsyas. If you didn't know me. If I wasn't a goddess you cared for, but only a mere mortal you despised, I wouldn't be alive to have this conversation. Now, look at me and try to tell me that I am wrong, God of Truth."

He didn't answer. He stayed silent. He lowered his head.

"That's what I thought. How can you expect me to continue to be friend with someone like that? I am now going to the sea. Never coming back."

"You cannot abandon your duties at Delphi."

"Then, don't be there when I am there! Understood?! You and I, we are now…"

She couldn't finish this sentence. It hurt more than she wanted it to.

"Goodbye, Apollo."

And she left without looking behind. On her way, she turned the servants back to their original forms and kept going. She fought hard to not cry.

Some people could accuse her to be hypocrite. After all, most gods acted the same. She even served Poseidon who possessed a far worse temper and tendency to revenge. But he was only her king. She wasn't very close to him. Not like with Apollo. With him, she had bonded a very deep friendship. A strong relationship she had only experimented with her twin sister and her dolphins before.

But with such a strong contrast between their values, she didn't know how she could keep going. She would cherish her memories with him, but it was the end.

She simply couldn't find the courage to forgive his acts. Her anger took over her sadness.

…

Everyone around the corpse of Marsyas were crying. The news of the death of the marvellous musician left no one indifferent. The whole Phrygia was grieving.

Apollo was standing beside a tree, far away, but still near enough to observe what was happening. He had ordered his servants to leave him alone. He needed to think.

The more he watched Marsyas's body, the more he realised what a bloody mess he have created. Yet, he hated how he had difficulty to feel any shame. He was still persuaded that the satyr merited to lose his life, but was it necessary to be so painful?

Delphina's words tormented him. Many times before they had argued. Their values diverged so much. But this time, she had defeated him.

And never had he felt so lonely.

He took his lyre and, pushed by a destructive anger, he threw it on a stone, using all his godly strength. The instrument couldn't resist the impact and it shattered into a thousand pieces.

The lyre was now in the same state as his heart.

He had lost Delphina.

Thank you for reading.

In an alternative version, Apollo proposed to play the instruments upside down in order to win, thing impossible to do with a flute. I chose the other version because it looked like a less asshole thing.

Anatolia corresponds to Turkey.

In many versions, it is said that Athena was the one who invented the aulos, but I chose to not include her part.

I hope you enjoyed it! This is the hint for the next chapter: Sparta

See you soon!