Chapter 108 - Brotherly Love

After they talked a little more, Ikki left the Mercedes without saying much, leaving Thalia alone with her thoughts and having her moment of rest.

The cold wind coming through the train's openings whipped at his face, but he didn't seem to care.

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, but the beauty of the scene went unnoticed by him.

The '67 Impala caught his attention immediately. There it was, gleaming as if it had just left the factory, an impeccable relic from another era. It was impossible not to think of "Supernatural." He opened the driver's side door and smelled the new leather. Without hesitation, he got in, closing the door behind him. The silence inside was comforting, almost welcoming.

Ikki lay down in the driver's seat, adjusting it until he could look at the ceiling. The seams of the lining seemed to form patterns he didn't bother to decipher. His eyes were fixed on nothing in particular, lost in the void. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the day—and many other things—pressing on his chest.

Thoughts came in waves, as always happened when he was alone. The confession to Thalia had been a step forward, but it hadn't completely relieved the burden he carried. The image of his mother was still vivid in his mind – her smile, her voice, the way she always seemed to know what to say to calm him. And Luke… He tried not to think about it too much, but it was impossible.

"I should be angry… more than this." He murmured to himself, his voice low, almost swallowed by the silence. But deep down, he knew that anger wasn't all he felt. The pain of loss, mixed with the desire for revenge and the confusion of repressed emotions, was a suffocating combination.

He closed his eyes, trying to focus on something else. On the present. On the mission. On the fact that, despite everything, he was there, alive, with a chance to do something. He had to believe that it meant something.

"You don't have to solve everything today," he whispered to himself, repeating words his mother used to say when he was younger. "One step at a time."

The gentle rumble of the train wheels on the tracks was the only sound. Ikki lay there, motionless, trying to find some kind of peace in the chaos that was his mind. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but at least, for a brief moment, he could simply… breathe.

As time passed, fatigue overtook the group. One by one, they succumbed to sleep, the train gently rocking as it moved along the tracks.

Zoe was awake, sitting upright in her seat. Her gaze seemed lost, but there was also a silent determination. She stared at the horizon as if she could find the answers to her complicated thoughts somewhere in the distance. The other Hunters were huddled in the Lexus, sleeping soundly, lulled by the movement of the train.

Grover had finally given up trying to impress Zoe, Phoebe, and Atalanta with his flute playing. His last "big number," an attempt to play "Poison Ivy," had ended disastrously when thorny sprouts emerged from the Lexus's air conditioning vents, startling the Hunters and nearly causing Phoebe to snatch the flute from his hands. Now he snored in the Lamborghini, hooves up, visibly defeated.

Ikki, on the other hand, remained awake. He leaned back in the Impala's seat, his eyes watching the car's ceiling as his thoughts wandered. He gave a wry smile as he saw everyone resting, even Zoe leaned against the window and decided to get some sleep, something he rarely did.

"Oh, man, you need to rest. I haven't seen you sleep for centuries. Why don't you try it today?" a familiar voice sounded to his right.

Ikki turned his head slowly. He wasn't surprised to see the homeless man from the railway yard sitting in the passenger seat. His jeans were so faded they were almost white, and his coat, even more tattered than he remembered, had tufts of stuffing poking out of the seams. He looked like a teddy bear that had endured years of neglect, followed by being run over.

"Sleeping helps you relax. And if it weren't for dreams…" the man began, gesturing as if he were about to share an important secret. "I wouldn't know half the things I know about the future. They're better than the Olympus tabloids."

He cleared his throat and raised his hands dramatically, reciting with enthusiasm:

"Dreams like a podcast

Downloading through my ears

They tell me cool things."

Ikki wasn't surprised, he already knew the homeless man's identity since he laid eyes on him, and even if he didn't, the familiarity of that terrible haiku said it all: "Apollo?"

The homeless man put a finger to his lips with a conspiratorial smile. "Shhh. I'm incognito. You can call me Fred."

"A god named Fred? Seriously? Couldn't you find a better name?"

"Hey!" Fred/Apollo protested, placing his hands on his heart as if offended. "It's a classic name! Besides, Zeus insists on some rules. No interference when there's a human quest. Even when something really big is wrong. But nobody messes with my little sister. Nobody."

Ikki nodded slightly. "So, as I imagined, you're helping us. The train… how fast are we going?"

Apollo/Fred stifled a laugh and looked out the window as if checking something. "Fast enough. Unfortunately, we're running out of time. Sunset is approaching, but hopefully, we'll cross a good part of the country with you guys."

"And Artemis? Where is she?" Ikki's question came out more bitter than he intended.

Apollo's face darkened. His playful tone disappeared, replaced by an unusual seriousness. "I know a lot of things and see a lot of things… but she's clouded to me. I don't like that. Artemis should never disappear like this. Something's wrong, and I can't ignore it."

Ikki was silent, feeling somewhat complicated. Was he sitting next to the man who would have been his brother-in-law if Artemis had accepted his confession? He'd never stopped to think about it since he met the God of the sun.

Apollo sighed, crossing his arms and looking ahead, as if the sight of the falling night brought some kind of dark omen. His normally carefree tone had changed. There was something deeper there – genuine concern, perhaps even fear.

"When Artemis disappears like this, it's not by choice," he continued. "She's a hunter, a warrior. She doesn't let herself be captured easily. This makes me think that… something bigger is at stake. Something even I can't see."

Ikki noticed Apollo's expression, that slight furrow of his brow that didn't match the jovial figure he usually presented. It was rare to see a god so… human.

"If she's clouded even to you," Ikki commented, crossing his arms and looking at the car ceiling, "then that means we're dealing with something that could go beyond even the gods."

"You're right," Apollo said, his voice lower, almost somber. "But don't say that out loud. Zeus is already in a bad mood, and that would only make it worse."

Ikki raised an eyebrow. "Isn't he always in a bad mood?"

Apollo gave a weak smile. "Valid point, only when it comes to you that he seems less rigid." He relaxed a bit, resting his arms on the seat again. "Anyway, you need to rest. You won't be helping anyone if you collapse halfway through."

Apparently, Apollo had been watching them since they left camp after Artemis; did he think he needed to sleep? And even if he did, he wouldn't want it, Ikki let out a dry laugh. "It's not that simple, Fred. Sleeping doesn't erase everything that's in my head. And the dreams, as you said… Sometimes, I prefer to avoid them."

Apollo tilted his head, studying him. "I understand. More than you think, actually. But the point is: you can't carry everything alone. I see this all the time with heroes like you. This idea that they need to bear the weight of the world."

Ikki sighed and said calmly, "I'm already used to it."

"That doesn't mean it's right," Apollo retorted, but without aggression. He looked at the boy with transcendental beauty and said, "Anyway, I trust you to save my sister… I know what happened. Between you and my sister."

Ikki was surprised, his eyes moving quickly to the god beside him, his body tensing in preparation for a fight because he knew Apollo was extremely protective of Artemis. He didn't know how much the Sun God knew about what had really happened between him and her, but the confidence in the god's voice told him he was aware of much more than he let on.

"I… I don't know what you heard, but…" Ikki started, but was interrupted by Apollo, who simply raised his hand, signaling him to be quiet.

"Don't worry," Apollo said calmly, "I'm not upset about it. None of it."

Ikki looked at him, unsure what to say. He was surprised, as he expected the god to reprimand him or, at the very least, give him some lesson or threaten him about the dangers of getting involved with his sister, but instead, Apollo seemed at peace.

"Really, Ikki," Apollo continued, his eyes now fixed ahead, "Unlike Orion, you are the ideal man for her. Kind, calm, and, most importantly, you make my sister happy. I've seen it. I may not understand all the decisions she makes, but I know what's good for her..."

Ikki's silence said it all; he didn't know how to react to this conversation. In fact, he never thought Apollo would sit beside him and talk to him about what happened between him and Artemis.

"And more importantly," Apollo said in a more serious tone, "you can protect her from almost anything that exists in this world, Ikki. You have what it takes to keep her safe, and she needs that. I know you're not perfect, but who is? What matters is that you make her feel something no one else could."

Ikki swallowed hard. Apollo's words were touching something deep inside him, something he rarely allowed to be exposed. Apollo seemed to believe in him regarding this. And that, somehow, made things seem a little easier, not that it would change anything about their relationship, but knowing that he had been the best candidate for her brought him a certain comfort, even if it seemed somewhat pathetic.

With a sigh, he asked,

"So… you know how it all ended, don't you?" His voice was lower than he intended. His gaze was fixed on the space in front of him, as if avoiding the god's eyes. Sadness seemed to seep into his expression, like a shadow that couldn't be dispelled.

Apollo observed him for a moment, his eyes softening. "Yes, Ikki, I know how it ended," he said calmly, without judgment. "But, to be honest, that doesn't change the fact that, after everything, you still chose to go save my sister. And that, to me, is something to be admired."

"Many wouldn't have had the courage to take that step. Many would have left everything behind, sunk into grief. But you, you didn't do that. You got up and went after your mission, without hesitation, even knowing it was to save the woman who rejected you. That's why I say without hesitation, you are the man I admire most…"

"There's no reason to admire me…" Ikki finally said, his voice trembling, as if he were forcing himself to say the words. "I'm just a failure, I wasn't good enough, she rejected me. I said how I felt, and… she said she couldn't be with someone like me. I… I wanted her to see beyond that."

Apollo observed the young man without rushing to answer, allowing him this outburst. The god knew how much it affected him, knew that the weight of Artemis' rejection was still a burden on his heart.

"I know you loved her," Apollo said, his voice soft, "But Artemis… she has her own reasons. She can't let anything or anyone get close to her like that. She carries a very heavy burden, Ikki. It's not that she didn't see you, but… she couldn't accept it."

Ikki closed his eyes for a moment, a slight smile forming on his lips, but without joy. "I know, Apollo. I know she has her reasons, but that doesn't make the pain any less real. I knew she was a goddess, that she had responsibilities… but still, it was difficult. I just… I just wished she could see that I wanted to be by her side, that it wasn't just about love, but about wanting to protect her. I wanted to be whoever she needed."

Apollo moved a little closer, his tone now more serious. "And you are, Ikki. The difference between you and many others is that you didn't give up on her, even after everything…"

Finishing saying this, he gave a thumbs-up with a bright smile as he said, "Brother-in-law, you're amazing! Don't let this get you down…"

It took a few seconds to process Apollo's words. Ikki gave a low chuckle, without much humor, still reflecting on Apollo's words. He was trying to process everything, but the lightness of hearing the god talk about him that way brought a surprise deep in his chest.

"Oh, you really have a strange way of making me feel better, Apollo," Ikki commented, his eyes narrowing in a wry smile. "But… you can't be serious, right? Brother-in-law?"

Apollo leaned back, crossing his arms with a mischievous grin. "Oh, you know, you have a good heart, Ikki. And if my sister ever needs someone by her side, I couldn't ask for anyone better than you. So, yes… I officially consider you my brother-in-law. And don't forget, call me Fred."

Ikki raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to laugh or be perplexed by the idea. "All right, Fred. Brother-in-law… you're messing with me, right? Just because… well, you know how she is, right? She rejected me…"

Apollo chuckled. "Look, don't get me wrong. You're the ideal man for her, as I told you. It's not like I'm one of the many who would be asking 'what now?' or creating a drama-filled soap opera. I know what she needs. And honestly, I have to give you credit, because after everything, you're still here, fighting to save my sister. So, 'brother-in-law' seems like a fair way to put it."

The god looked at him with an expression of complicity. "Definitely. I'm not the kind of guy who asks for a wedding present or anything. But if you ever need divine approval or advice on how to deal with an overprotective older sister, I'm your guy, brother-in-law."

Ikki was silent at Apollo's words; he never expected to be talking to him about this. But he lamented in his heart, since he had decided to move on, this applied to Artemis as well, although the outburst was good and he felt part of the family talking about it with the brother of the woman who rejected him, it didn't change the fact that he had his principles, he wouldn't chase after a woman who rejected him…

"And the monster Artemis was chasing?" After a few seconds, he asked, his tone curious. He leaned back in the car seat, watching the road ahead as the shadows of night began to take over. "Do you know what it was?"

Apollo looked at him, a slight sadness appearing in his eyes.

"No." His voice was soft but firm. "But there's one who probably knows. If you haven't found the monster yet when you reach San Francisco, look for Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea. He has a better memory than anyone and an eye as sharp as a blade. He holds vast knowledge, sometimes more obscure than my own Oracle."

Ikki frowned, processing Apollo's words. "Since it's like your oracle, you could very well tell us the meaning of the prophecy, right?"

Apollo sighed, his fingers playing with the thread of his coat. He seemed thoughtful, a little distant. "Can you ask an artist to explain his art? Or ask a poet to explain his poem? It defeats the purpose. Meaning isn't something given, Ikki. It only reveals itself through the search. The journey, in the end, is what gives value to the answer."

"In other words, you don't know. Doesn't that make you kind of useless?" Ikki replied with a slight, ironic smile, as if playing with his own exhaustion.

Apollo chuckled softly, the laugh resonating like the melody of a gently plucked guitar string.

"Hey, brother-in-law. That was cruel!"

But his expression seemed more amused than irritated. The way he said it, with a touch of lightness, showed that he wasn't really offended.

There was a moment of silence between the two. The train continued on its way, the rails creaking faintly in the distance. Finally, Apollo rose from the seat, adjusting his tattered coat as if it were a hero's cape.

"Well, I think my stop is coming up. But remember what I said, brother-in-law. And… take care of her."

"Take care of who?" Ikki asked, but Apollo was already disappearing, a golden glow taking his place for a brief instant before vanishing completely.

Alone again, Ikki stared into the void.

Apollo's words echoed in his mind, but he didn't want to think about them too much. Not now. He sighed, lying back down on the seat and staring at the Impala's ceiling.