“Let me go!”

One had my hands pinned behind me while the other grabbed my throat. I froze in fear as multiple ideas passed through my head.

“Why? You will be the one to take the blame if we do anything to you.”

That snapped me out the frozen state; I started fighting to get out of their hold. I was losing, but then a savior came to me. Apollo opened the door and gave the scene a funny look.

“This doesn’t look like very priest like behavior.”

The two of them let go of me and ran out as if they were scared of Apollo.

“Thank you.”

He walked over and ruffled my hair. Then he took my arm, playfully, and we walked out of the room. Then my father showed up and dragged Apollo somewhere, so I decided to go to the library.

Apollo had a habit of talking about the past as if he was there. However, he looked around the same age as me so that had to be impossible. I looked up old articles from when my father was in training.

There was one photo, the day my father ascended to high priest. Standing next to him, was Apollo. He looked exactly the same as if he had not aged a day. I started looking farther back and the same thing in every photo of Apollo.

Every time there is some form of major event, Apollo is there looking the exactly the same. He always has a playful look as he stared into the camera. After looking at every photo, I decided to head back home to find my father’s old priest materials. One of the books held the biggest answer.

As you ascend into priesthood, speak not of our God’s name except in his presence. For Apollo prefers to watch his sheeple without them knowing. For he chooses which of his sheeple shall have his attention.

Apollo, the exact same name of the stranger. The stranger that talks about times long ago. My eyes widen at the realization. I hit the god that I have worshiped all my life, with a pillow multiple times. I am not going to have a good afterlife after that.

“It took you longer to figure me out than your father. Of course, he had that book helping as he figured it out, so it does make sense.”

He tapped my nose and I started to blush, realizing that a god has been goofing off around me this whole time. However, I had one powerful question on my mind.

“Why do you allow people to be burned in your name over the simple act of love?”

“That was actually not fully my fault. About two hundred years ago, one of the head priests did not like how free everyone was with their bodies and love. So he made it sound like I banned the people.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

“At the time, I was being punished by my father. I have been trying to convince the later high priests to change it back.”

I sat in silence as I tried to understand everything he just told me. Something soft touched my cheek and I realized it was a kiss.

“A god’s blessing can protect your afterlife.”

I do not know why I did it, but I do not regret it. I grabbed his shirt and kissed him on the lips. He had a huge smirk on his face afterwards, and I pushed him away. Then, I fully realized what I just did.

“I just kissed a god and shoved him away.”

“Yep, have you kissed someone before? Your lips are soft.”

I covered my face as he draped himself on my shoulder.

“I regret life right now,” I got him off me and stood up, “I need to go make dinner.”

He was smiling as I left to the kitchen. My face flamed up again as I remembered the kiss again. I did not know if I should be shocked at kissing a god or kissing a male.

I was stirring the stew, when something shattered a window. The door slammed opened and a group of people ran in and grabbed me. Apollo came running downstairs as they dragged me outside.

They took me along the back of the church to a spot hidden from the common folk. The sinner’s hole, where people go to repent before they get burned. They shoved me in and locked the door.

“Why are you doing this?”

One of the priests walked up to me. He had a smile that scared me to my core.

“Even though your father disagrees, we have decided that we will be saved when we get rid of the tainted sin here. You are the one tempted people. So even without the head priest’s permission, you shall be burned tomorrow.”

The crowd left and I fell to the ground. I did my best to live a pure, good life. However, I did my best to live a pure and good life. Nevertheless, I am going to die before really living. At least I kissed someone before I die.

I looked around in the dying light and saw all the scratched letters, begging for forgiveness on the walls. I touched the ones that I recognize.

For the first time in my life, I watched the moon rise up and light the room.

“You poor boy, my brother needs to learn to fix his mistakes.”

A woman walked up to the door and I watched her through the bars. She was bright with silver and white, almost as Apollo’s blond and gold.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I am Artemis, Apollo’s sister and Goddess of the moon. I came here to see the mortal that he asked me to save.”

So, this is the Moon Goddess that we were always warned about.

“Is there any way to help me?”

“Due to our father’s agreement, I cannot do much because this plane weakens my power.” She then pulled out a winged necklace, “This will numb the pain of the fire.”

I took the necklace and looked at it. At least I will not be in pain when I die.

“Thank you for all your help.”

“I normally don’t help males, but it is rare for my brother to care about mortals.”

After that, she left and I was alone again. Then came the early morning as they dragged me into the church. They tied me to the stake as the people gathered. Instead of my father, the younger priest gave the prayers.

“Icaro has been deemed a sinner. His crimes are temping people to do unholy act unto themselves, pushing his body against the priests, and causing hatred to grow in their hearts. May the Sacred Flame burn away his sin.”

He took the torch and set it on the blessed wood. The wood did not light on fire. More priests joined in to try and light the fire.

“He has cursed the flame!”

“Maybe that means I am unworthy to be burned! Due to a priest lying to the High Priest and the people!” I shouted while trying to scrap my bonds loose.

Then, someone in the crowd threw a rock and hit my head. The blood dripped on the flame causing it to shoot upward.

“The flame thirsts for his blood!”

They started breaking things to find pieces to throw at me.

“How dare you all!” My father walked through the church doors. “This is not how we purify sinners; this is tainting your souls!”

The angry mob parted as he continued to walk through them. But before he could reach me, two priests blocked his way.

“Why are you stopping us? You had us burn members of our families. When Icaro is the sinner, you stop us for him and not them?”

“The Sacred Flame had accepted them, but they have not accepted him.”

I started feeling heat upon my wrists and looked as they argued. A stream of light was burning the rope. As I fell down, everyone stopped to look at me.

“We need better rope!”

Not the best thing for someone to say just after nearly being burned alive. My father grabbed the Sacred Flame and tossed it on the ground. The fire started up and began to spread.

“We are the true sinners here.” He looked at me and said “fly, be free!”

I ran out of the church and I heard the screaming over the crackling fire. I ran into a building and fell to the ground. “I am sorry you had to suffer for my mistakes.” Apollo helped me up and pulled me in for a hug. “They will not suffer for long; their souls are going to have a second chance.

”He has to sing to Hades and Ephebos for a hundred years for this favor.”

Artemis was next to him and she was using an umbrella to block out the sun.

“What can I do now?”

“Come to Olympus with me! You can watch my family bless mortals.”

“At least I will not be nagged by Aphrodite.”

“Olympus sounds nice.”

I took his hand and he pulled me into a kiss. When he pulled away, the scenery changed. The land looked very bright even though I could not see the sun.

“Some people do not like to see PDA”

I could not stop the laugh, but I quickly covered my mouth afterwards.

"I'm sorry if I offended you!"

"I am not one of the stuck-up Gods, I prefer to be more relaxed compared to them."

"The only time she acts stuck up is when it involves love because she made an oath on the River Styx against that, years ago."

"Oh."

She walked away as Apollo took my hand.

I laughed as I pushed him away. He took me to his home as I started my new life in the realm of the Gods.

"Always remember; never fly too close to the sun." He kissed my cheek. "For the sun will always take you away."