The God of Archery

Somewhere in the great Olympus mountains, by the towering Juniper and Pine trees. Right on a cliff with reddish soil that had an amazing view— two men were having a conversation.

One of them was well built, with strong muscles like the famous Spartan knights. But he wasn't human at all, no matter how similar he was. He had brown hair and shady blue eyes. He carried a sword on his waist and wore animal skin pants that were quite tight against his body. His feet wore leather boots that helped him tread on the rocky ground.

The other men had light blond hair which was rarely seen in Greece. His eyes were clear blue, his face perfect as if carved by the best art maestro. He had a sharp nose and charming symmetrical lips. His body was also no less well-built and athletic, although not excessive. His voice was deep and captivating. When he smiles, anyone will flutter to see him. He wore a silk robe embroidered with gold to show his aristocratic status as well as papyrus footwear imported from Egypt. At first glance, his clothes resemble those of human thinkers and philosophers in the city of Thebes or Athens.

Apollo was the son of Zeus who was dubbed as the most handsome man on Olympus. He made many men and women heartbroken.

"Hephaestus said this might be the best bow he's ever made for you," the brown-haired man handed him a bow with several dozen silver-tipped arrows. The bow itself appears to be painted brown so it resembles wood but was actually made of metal. The scabbard of the arrow was made of deerskin polished to a glossy finish. The bow was not big enough but light.

"I love this, Hephaestus never disappoints me. It's not in vain that I canceled today's schedule to party with Dionysius in the Northern Forest. It's lighter, similar to the primitive weapons that humans have but I know that Hephaestus always adds special features to every weapon he makes. Did he tell you what this bow can do?" Apollo asked. Hephaestus was an outcast prince. But he had extraordinary skills in forging weapons and was recognized as the best engineer of Titans. Zeus could not turn a blind eye to his skills and eventually gave him the title of God of blacksmiths and volcanoes.

"Lord Hephaestus said Apollo had to find out himself," said the brown-haired man, shrugging his shoulders. His job was done for today. He waited for Hephaestus to finish making that weapon on Lemnos island for a few weeks.

Apollo excitedly fingered his new bow. He was a busy prince. Because Zeus gave him many titles. He could be said to be the god of all things. Music, Divination, Poetry, healing, archery and the sun god. But he didn't really master it all. Apollo was not the best singer and without him doing anything the sun keeps rising and setting as usual.

He was part of the second generation of Titans who made themselves as gods on Earth. About six thousand years ago, Kronos and the early Titans arrived on Earth. Their planet experienced a disaster and finally chose Earth as their new home.

After Zeus—assisted by Hades and Poseidon, overthrew their own father, Kronos—a new rule was enforced. In order to protect the life of the Titans race on Earth, Zeus introduced the concept of gods and goddesses to humans.

For Apollo, being a god was fun. He likes to be adored and associated with humans. His life was orderly, because his task was quite a lot. But in every schedule he always includes archery activities every few days.

Apollo believed he was one of the best archers among the Titans. Of course humans could not match him because humans may only be able to train for a few decades of their lifetime. While he had been doing it for more than two thousand years.

"I have to use it, Pelias! I have to hunt something!" Apollo looked excited while gripping his bow tightly.

"What? You want to kill cyclops? Or some mountain wolves?"

Pelias, the Titans who was one of the followers of prince Apollo asked.

"Cyclops? No, my clothes are not suitable for hunting such a big monster. Troublesome. Maybe a few wolves..I have to make another new schedule for another day of cyclops hunting," Apollo shook his head reluctantly.

"Or maybe a pegasus?" Pelias asked again.

"Pegasus? They're not hunted animals. There aren't many pegasuses on earth. If there are, I'd better add them to my collection," Apollo refused.

"I mean, what a coincidence. There's a wild pegasus over there," Pelias pointed to a crouching Pegasus horse who snorted as it ate a mulberry bush with its young leaves.

"Wild Pegasus? There are no wild Pegasus. The Titans scramble to buy them even when they're still in the womb." Apollo folded his arms suspiciously. He slung his bow and arrows behind his back.

"Then what is that pegasus doing here?" Pelias asked.

Apollo stepped elegantly toward the pegasus. He was Atlas who ran away leaving Erithea at the water spring just now. Apollo knew how to handle a pegasus. They would fly if chased, kick if someone talks too loud and run away if someone forced to ride them.

Atlas looked wary for a moment, he backed away when he saw Apollo. But the handsome Titan never fails to make the most of his smile. Not even a proud pegasus could hate him. Atlas snorted and bent his forelegs. He let Apollo feel his neck.

"Who owns you?" Apollo asked. Although that sounds stupid because Pegasus couldn't talk. He was not a magical animal but genetically engineered by Titan scientist, who combined the DNA of the Akhal Teke horse from Turkmenistan, with a giant bird species from their home planet.

Atlas snorted, letting Apollo check his saddle and harness.

"The saddle is still warm, the owner must not be far from here. She hasn't been off her horse for long. The ropes are tied in a neat knot, a sign that this might be a woman's job. I don't know many Pegasus owners who are female, let alone live on Olympus. So this worries me quite a bit. Was this pegasus stolen by someone?" Apollo analyzed.

"No, the pegasus wouldn't want to be ridden by a stranger..although he seems tame to you right now —he'll kick you if you climb on his back. Anyone who rides it must have known him for a long time," Pelias shook his head.

Apollo continued to check Atlas feet and found yellowish dirt stains on his hind legs which still felt moist to the touch.

"Slightly wet clay soil, even though it hasn't rained in a few days. Do you know the area around here that is always wet and not overgrown with grass?" Apollo asked, crouching slightly near Atlas.

"Yes, I think there is. Up north here is a spring that Silas and his family own,"

"Who is Silas?"

"A Satyr, they like to wallow in there like pigs. Even Though they're half goats," Pelias showed his displeasure.

"Oh, this might be bad. I guess I'll have to hunt Satyrs today,"

"Apollo, they are no ordinary monsters who are free to kill. They are protected by Lord Pan," Pelias reminded. Pan was a Titan who holds the title of a minor god and protector of the shepherds.

"I know we used to ignore them if they were playing with humans. But if they did it to a Titan—I'm allowed to punish them," said the archery god with a smile. He was probably more excited about using his new bow than saving someone today.