E I G H T

“Where did you go yesterday?” Eleena swallowed the lump in her throat. Ever since Apollo returned last night he didn’t utter a single word. He just dragged the unconscious Philius out then healed her wound before he locked himself in Artemis’s room. 

Apollo stopped eating and looked at Eleena’s hopeful eyes. He sighed as he was not comfortable telling her the truth. He cannot bear to see Eleena disappointed at him due to his reckless actions. Apollo was about to speak when Eleena smiled. 

“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me.” Eleena continued eating and just thought that she doesn’t have any right to pry into Apollo’s life. 

Apollo didn’t answer and remained staring at Eleena. He smiled as he thought how understanding she is. He felt his heart pounding so he quickly looked away. Ever since he met Eleena, his heart started pounding when they were together and he cannot find any explanation about that. 

After they finished eating, Eleena washed the dishes in the sink outside while Apollo was reading a book inside. Eleena felt her face heated when she thought that their setup is like that of a couple. She just shook her head to erase the thought but suddenly she felt someone was coming. She can clearly hear the heavy footsteps coming towards the house. Eleena panicked as fear started spreading in her system. She quickly wiped her hands and went inside the house that startled Apollo. 

He noticed how frightened Eleena is so he summoned his sword. Despite the possible danger they are in, Eleena managed to get amazed at what Apollo did. He went in front of Eleena and now he’s ready to kill if they try to harm Eleena again. 

“I can hear him. He’s a human.” Eleena whispered and she doesn’t know if she’ll feel glad at her weird ability. Knowing that someone might try to kill her again is only injecting her more fear. 

Apollo knows who’s coming and he’s certain he’s not human but a god like him. After what happened yesterday, he cannot take a risk. The agreement to temporarily not harm Eleena is now broken so anyone, even the gods, can try to kill her. Apollo held his breath and tightened his grip on his sword when he felt that the god was now in front of the door. Meanwhile, Eleena, despite feeling strong, is still afraid especially, she still hasn’t moved on from what happened yesterday. 

The door opened and it revealed Poseidon with a smug face. He clicked his tongue as he entered the house whereas Apollo remained pointing the sword at him. Eleena closed her eyes and just stayed behind Apollo as she could feel the strong aura brought by the man. Poseidon chuckled and lowered the sword by touching its tip. 

“I can smell your fears even from afar.” He tilted his head and tried to peek at Eleena but Apollo shielded her through his body. 

Poseidon chuckled once and stepped back with his hands in the air. Apollo is watching him seriously and although he lowered his sword, he’s still ready to use it if Poseidon will cause any trouble. 

“Easy there, old friend.” Poseidon looked around and hissed as he noticed the simplicity of Apollo’s house. 

“Why are you here?” Apollo asked seriously as he kept his hand on Eleena’s arm, trying to protect her. Eleena’s face heated as the contact of their skins but she tried to ignore it as there’s a possible threat for her life, again. 

“I would just like to check on you. I heard you almost strangled Hera to death.” Poseidon smirked while Eleena gasped before looking up at Apollo but he remained looking at the sea god seriously. 

Apollo clenched his jaw and tried to calm down. Poseidon is clearly trying to mess with him and Apollo cannot let him distract him. 

“Can’t I see the destroyer?” Poseidon tried to peek again but failed as Apollo’s athletic body perfectly hid Eleena’s tiny frame. 

“I won’t hurt her. I promise.” He added but Apollo is not satisfied. He shook his head that erased Poseidon’s smug smile. 

“She has a name and that’s Eleena. Stop calling her the ‘destroyer’.” Apollo gritted his teeth. Heat spreads across Eleena’s face upon hearing Apollo’s words and she cannot help but to feel grateful to him.

“Alright.” Poseidon stood properly and gave Apollo a fake smile. “Can I see Eleena?” 

Before Apollo could answer, another god appeared. Apollo almost slapped his forehead when he saw Zeus with all smiles. He even smiled at Poseidon which is a rare sighting. On the other hand, Eleena felt another presence and she wanted to peek but Apollo just held his arm tightly and their bodies are almost becoming one because of their closeness. 

“Where is Eleena?” Zeus looked around but he could not see his new prospective lover. Poseidon looked at his brother with disgust before he pointed at Apollo. 

“Your son is hiding her behind his back.” Poseidon answered sarcastically that Zeus's brows shot up. 

“What are you doing here? If you’ll avenge your wife---”

“No!” Zeus even shook his head. “I am here to comfort Eleena.” 

Eleena has been dying due to curiosity so she removed Apollo’s hold to her and peeked. She was surprised to see Zeus and another stranger that looks exactly like him but his eyes are piercing blue, like the sea. Zeus’s smile and Poseidon’s smirk returned when they saw the innocent mortal. Apollo just sighed and stood closely to Eleena with his sword still on his side. 

“What an innocent-looking mortal. I am surprised that you will end the world.” Poseidon chuckled and took a step forward but Zeus was faster. 

He quickly took Eleena’s hands and put them against his lips. Eleena shivered at the contact and tried to pull away from his hold but Zeus was strong. Apollo’s brows met at what his father did and he tried to break away his hold to her but Zeus glared at him. 

“Shall we talk outside? Perhaps in the room I prepared for you in my home?” Zeus smiled while Eleena cringed. She successfully pulled away from his hold and she took a step back. 

Apollo took that as an opportunity to push his father away. Meanwhile, Poseidon leaned on the table and crossed his arms. He watched them with a smirk on his lips.

“This will be interesting.” He chuckled and glued his eyes to the scene in front of him. 

Zeus gritted his teeth as he felt insulted. Apollo just looked at him with his head held high. He respects Zeus as the superior god and as his father but he cannot tolerate the fact that he’s offending Eleena in front of him. 

“Kneel and beg for my forgiveness now.” Zeus’s voice echoed throughout the house that caused Eleena to cover her ears and tremble in fear. 

Apollo took a step forward and made Zeus angrier. “Make me.” 

Zeus started breathing deeply due to his intense anger. He clenched his fist and glared at Apollo. Eleena was alarmed at the sight of Zeus. She knows that he’s capable of anything, even killing because of his immense strength and power. Eleena slightly pulled Apollo’s clothes but he didn’t give her any attention. 

“Just say sorry, Apollo.” Eleena whispered that caused Poseidon to smirk. Both Zeus and Apollo chose to not listen to her as they are waiting for each other to attack. 

"I will give you one more chance, Apollo. Beg for my forgiveness." Zeus said through gritted teeth. Apollo took another step forward and gripped his sword tightly. 

"As I've said, make me." Apollo slightly tilted his head, which offended Zeus. 

He roared in anger and summoned his thunderbolt. The clouds suddenly turned dark as a series of lightning occurred. Eleena squealed and took some steps back due to fear. Zeus's eyes turned white as his thunderbolt glowed with sparks appearing around it. 

Poseidon chuckled as he was more entertained now. He feels better when watching Zeus fight than fighting with him. Meanwhile, Apollo positioned his sword and prepared himself knowing that Zeus is a skilled fighter. 

Zeus didn't waste any time and threw his thunderbolt to Apollo but he quickly dodged it. It hit the chair and it caught fire. Eleena watched them with her eyes wide open and her heart pounding in fear. In a blink of her eyes, Apollo is now striking Zeus with his sword but he is skillfully avoiding Apollo's every attack. Zeus saw an opening and forcefully kicked Apollo in the stomach. 

Apollo flew and went through the wall. Eleena gasped while Poseidon cheered for his brother that is why she glared at him. Eleena was about to check Apollo but Zeus went to him so she quickly took a step back. She's too afraid and at the same she's mad at herself. Apollo always protects her and now that he needs help, he cannot give anything. 

Apollo dropped his sword but he swiftly stood when he saw Zeus coming. Series of lightning filled the sky as strong winds made the trees dance. Apollo ran to meet Zeus halfway. He threw a punch on his face that caused Zeus to fall on the ground but he quickly got up and returned Apollo's punch. 

They both exchanged punches and kicks under the angry sky. Poseidon stood and walked towards them. He pursed his lips before clicking his tongue. Meanwhile, Eleena slowly went to the opening to see what's happening. She gasped when she saw Apollo's on top of Zeus and punched him uncontrollably. She shuddered at how violent Apollo was. He's different from the caring and kind Apollo she knows. 

Eleena covered her mouth to suppress her squeals when Zeus headbutted him before pushing Apollo off of him. He fell next to Zeus and this time, Zeus was the one who's punching Apollo. Eleena's tears quickly fell at the sight but she cannot do anything but to watch. Her strange strength is now gone and even if it is still with her, she couldn't imagine herself fighting against Zeus. 

Posiedon sighed and kicked Zeus in the back that caused him to fall. He angrily turned to his brother but he just shrugged. Both Apollo and Zeus's faces are bloody and wounded but they are starting to heal. Apollo sat and spit some blood in the ground while looking at Zeus as if he was provoking him again. Zeus gritted his teeth and was about to attack Apollo again but Poseidon stood between them. 

"Enough. You're making little Eleena cry." Poseidon turned to Eleena who's peeking through the opening made by Apollo. 

Apollo's eyes widened when their eyes made contact. He totally forgot that Eleena was with him and he's now certain that she's petrified. He couldn't control himself anymore due to his anger. He was not like this before but he cannot tolerate Zeus making Eleena uncomfortable. 

He quickly stood and faced Poseidon and Zeus. He wiped his mouth using the back of his hand before staring at them seriously. 

"Leave." He said through gritted teeth before he went inside the house. 

Apollo stood in front of Eleena and tried to wipe away her tears but she flinched even before their skins would touch. Apollo froze and quickly withdrew his hand. Eleena wiped her own tears before she ran to her room. Apollo didn't follow because of what Eleena's eyes showed. 

'She's scared… of me.' He thought and at that moment, he felt his heart break.