It's been five years since Leonidas started his tasks. He, amongst others were serving for the crimes they committed against the gods. His daughter, Jazmine had cursed the gods openly outside the temple of Hera for taking her mother away from her. Hera did not take kindly to this, she was to be punished and Leonidas took her place. He had twenty more years to serve until he would be a free man. The thought of seeing his daughter again, knowing she was okay kept him going, it was the only thing that made everything worth it.
Apollo had served longer than he had. He never spoke of what he did to be in the same situation as Leonidas but if you were here, you or someone had done something to offend the egotistic gods. He hardly spoke to anyone other than Leonidas and would often be seen talking to himself by the shore.
"What would you do Leonidas", he spoke softly with his head facing the other direction.
"What would you do if you could leave this place tomorrow and never come back".
Leonidas knowing so well it was almost impossible to leave before completing all tasks without incurring the wrath of the gods, looked in confusion. Was his friend going mad or was this one of his jokes.
"The eye of Zeus, the eye of Zeus is what keeps us here, get it and you're a free man", he said.
This didn't seem to be one of his jokes, he looked damn serious. A lot of thoughts ran through his head, what made Apollo think something like that existed and even if it did, where would they find it. Something like that would be protected by demi gods, or worse, Zeus himself.
"You speak of madness Apollo", Leonidas whispered with fear.
"Think of it Leonidas, you would get to see your little girl soon", " She wouldn't be so little if you wait to get out, she'll have her own family, her own kids, a different life and you wouldn't be part of it" Apollo said as he turned his head facing Leonidas.
Apollo's words made sense but he was attempting to go against the gods again, if they failed, it would mean never getting to see how baby girl again.
"Where would we even find it" Leonidas asked.
"In the temple on the mountain, where the gods allow us pray. I plan to make a move for it tomorrow while we go to pray" he replied.
"Do this with me and by this time tomorrow, you're a free man"
It was a tempting offer, one he could hardly refuse. Twenty years started to look like eternity.
"Wouldn't that sort of thing be heavily protected", curiously turning to Apollo.
"That's the thing, it is there in plain sight, they know nobody would ever look for it", Apollo whispered moving closer to Leonidas.
How does one person come across this knowledge. Apollo could tell his thoughts by the look on his face, he wasn't that hard to read,
"with you or not my friend, by tomorrow, this would be the face of a free man" he said and walked away.
The time had come to pray, Leonidas didn't sleep the night, He was up thinking hard of the choice he had to make. He walked into the temple and sighted Apollo close to the edge of Zeus's statue. He made his way to him,
"I can not go against the gods, I implore you my friend, do not too, they will not take kindly with you", he whispered quietly.
"I do this for my freedom, if I do not get out now, I will never get to see my sister" Apollo replied.
This was the first time Apollo had said anything about having a family outside. His sister had a month to live before her sickness took her and he needed to see her, to say his goodbyes.
"We would ask the gods for a pardon, they are merciful, they would show mercy" he said in a convincing voice.
"I am afraid it is late for that Leonidas", he said as he opened his hand to reveal the eye of Zeus he had already stolen.
The doors of the temple shut themselves, cold wind blew round the temple, Zeus was here and he was angry, someone had stolen from him.
"Give the eye to me" Leonidas jerked at Apollo. "If you are caught with it, you will never make it out of here, you would never get to see your sister or anybody else for that matter" he said as he dragged it quietly from Apollo's hands.
"But you will never get to see your daughter again, I cannot to that to you my friend"
All he could think about was the love he has for his daughter and the fact that he will not get to see her again. Once he was caught, it would mean the end.
"I have the eye"，he shouted, "I took your eye and I am ready to pay for my sins".
"You dare steal from me", a voice said, sending the temple to tremble.
"I am ready to pay, I acted alone. I took it in hopes that could help my friend see his family one last time", he cried looking aimlessly at the ceiling of the temple, he did not know what direction Zeus spoke from.
"You were right, he is an honorable man" said Zeus.
"Indeed he is father", Apollo replied.