Be calm, Metellusss… Apollo’s voice whispered and Lucius looked up to see the shining god across the water from him. You’ve been brought to this place to rest before a great trial.
“What trial, Lord?”
Anyone about who would have seen Lucius at that moment might have thought him mad, unknowing of his ability to speak with the Gods themselves, but as it was, he stood alone and unobserved.
You will soon be faced with a choice…and you must choose wisely… Apollo looked into the water and at that moment a blinding sunlight reflected in the pool, setting the red water aflame in red-gold. This place is for the blessed, Lucius, but those who come here can only stay when it is their time.
“Can we stay here?” Lucius asked, though he did not know why the words escaped his mouth.
Apollo shook his
