Percy Jackson: An Endless of All

As the seasons change and time moves on. It brings change to those who live. For example, a couple of months as passed, and now Orpheus was nineteen. 

A nineteen-year-old, who was deeply in love with a wood nymph.

Which leads to why I, Dream of the Endless, was in the waking world.

The sea murmured beside Orheupus, waves whispering against the sand like the soft breaths of a sleeping god. He lay curled on the shore, the sun barely rising. In his sleep, as he dreamed.

Eurydice was Running. Laughing. In the dream he was having, then—a gasp. Water, black and endless. Which changes the scene to her Drowning. Her name on his lips—

"Eurydice. Eurydice. Eurydice!"

A voice broke through his vision.

"Orpheus. Orpheus." I called out to him, standing over his once sleeping self.

He woke, breathless, heart pounding.

Standing before him, as if called from the dream itself, was I, his father. Dream of the Endless.

Clad in shadows and moonlight, your presence silenced the waves. The air shimmered with your power. Orpheus sat up in the sand, awe and surprise flickering across his face.

"Father? You're here. You… came," he said softly, voice caught between wonder and question.

I went on to give him a faint but genuine smile.

"I wouldn't miss my only son's wedding. Not for all the stars in the sky."

Orpheus's brow furrowed.

"Father, I… I had a strange dream. A nightmare. About Eurydice. She was drowning. She died."

You tilted your head.

"Am I a hedge wizard that I should decipher your dreams for you?" you said, amusement coloring your tone.

"Of course not. Forgive me," Orpheus replied quickly.

I stepped closer, the tide stilling at your feet.

"Dreams are composed of many things — images, hopes, fears, memories… of the past and the future," you said.

"So… was I dreaming of the future?" he asked.

I looked away then, toward the horizon, where the sun met the sea in pale gold. As I felt the Godly presence of Apollo as he watches over Orpheus on his big day.

"Dreams are subject to interpretation," I told Orpehus.

He turned towards me, and in a voice more urgent now.

"But this is your realm, Father. And I'm your son. Why won't you tell me what you know?" asked Orpheus. 

I met my lovely son's gaze.

"Because you are my son," is all I replied.

And that was all.

Then came the time for his wedding.

The wedding was held at noon, beneath an ancient olive tree wrapped in garlands of wildflowers and golden ribbons. The air smelled of summer and citrus. A priestess blessed the union as villagers gathered, satyrs brought music, and dryads watched from the trees.

Orpheus stood beside Eurydice, trembling with joy.

When the vows were spoken, and they kissed beneath the sun, you stepped forward — in your regal, dream-garbed form — and laid your hand gently on their joined hands.

"You have my blessing," I said to them with a happy smile. I was happy for my son and his happiness. However, as his father, who gave birth to him. I just felt something would occur that would change our relationship as father and son. Nevertheless, I will always love him, even though our relationship might become somewhat strained.

And the world, for a moment, was still and perfect.

After the wedding, came the Celebration.

As the moon rose and Night fell.

The celebration began. Music, laughter, firelight, and feasting surrounded the couple. Eurydice glowed with happiness, dancing with friends while Orpheus stood at the side, smiling awkwardly.

Then, she came to him.

"Will you dance with me?" she asked, extending her hand.

He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I confess, I am my father's son in that regard." For sure, because I cannot dance at all for the life of me.

"Did I not marry a dancer?" she teased.

"No, you did not. And if you see me dance, you may not wish to remain married."

"Then you must dance with me," she said with a grin.

"Not in public. For both our sakes."

She leaned in, whispering:

"There happens to be a lovely, secluded glade just beyond the olive grove. Full moon shining."

He hesitated.

"You're allowed to just hold me and sway."

He smirked.

"I can think of far better things we could do in a glade, in the moonlight."

Eurydice laughed, eyes gleaming with mischief and love.

They slipped away from the party, walking hand in hand through the silver-lit grove. Towards the secluded glade. 

"Where to?" he asked, playfully.

She only laughed, skipping ahead—

A snake hissed in the underbrush.

"Wait, wait. Wait for me—" Orpheus called.

She laughed again—

Then silence.

A soft gasp.

A rustle.A thud.

Orpheus ran.

He found her in the grass. Eyes wide. Skin pale. A dark bite at her ankle.

She was shaking.

"Eurydice! Eurydice, no—Eurydice!" he cried, clutching her.

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, her lips trembling.

"Help! Someone, please—please!" Orpheus shouted into the night, his voice breaking, his heart splintering.

No answer. No gods came. No mortals stirred.

Just the moon, watching.

And as it went on, I felt it as I watched the others party around me. 

The thread is tightened. The story twist.

Not again.