Within a moment Apollyon was shocked from head to toe when he felt a sharp push on his chest. With a quick glance he had identified the culprit to be very surprising. It was an immaculate longsword that his family was known to carry into battle with them. The specific type of sword was made personally for each member of the royal family. It was the perfect length for a combination of strength and speed, but Apollyon was never allowed to handle his sword. His father had never let him not even as a child. Rather than being sheathed in a normal function battle sheathe it was covered with an elegant Leather sheathe lined with gold and jewels. It had finally dawned on Apollyon it must be party night.
Apollyon was so excited by the realization that he ran around his room and was dressed in his best clothes in a flash. Ares then gave him the sword and pulled his son close. In a harsh whisper he said, “Do not embarrass me tonight. No showing off there is a reason I chose this sheath.” Then Apollyon said,” I promise I will not embarrass you dad” with a smug tone. As they walked down the grand stairs to the main hall Apollyon surveyed the crowd. The party was filled with nobles and businessmen from every corner of the kingdom. They were not what caught Apollyon's eye though. In the corner of the room there was a group of girls, presumably the daughters of the nobles and businessmen.
As he stepped of the grand staircase, Apollyon waded through the crowd of nobles and their servants with little regard for decency or manners. Ares shot him a look of disapproval but not surprise with each rude step Apollyon took. As he slowly made his way to the group of girls who were dressed elegantly from head to toe he spotted one girl who peaked his interest. She was tall with blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Apollyon approached her and greeted her with a simple hello and a kiss on the hand. Apollyon said smoothly,” By what name would I call a beautiful woman such as yourself.” She spoke to Apollyon and said,” My name is Grace taken after my grandmother, I presume you are Apollyon the son of Ares.” Apollyon was unfazed in his attempt to win her thought the night. His efforts were fruitless until he saw he glance down at the extravagant sheath his broadsword was placed in. Grace whispered,” Your family are the most skilled warriors in the whole kingdom are they not?” Apollyon replied, “Yes without a doubt.” Grace glanced at the sword again and said,” Why don’t you show us how great your skill really is.” Apollyon remembered what his father had said but unsheathed the sword and started to play with it anyway. After a few minor tricks did not impress grace Apollyon attempted to flip his sword through the air and catch it eyes closed. The sword missed Apollyon's untrained hand and hit the ground with a loud clang. The sword had been ruined by a large scrape down the center where it had first hit the ground. Before Apollyon could think he was in his room with his Ares practically breathing down his neck. “I told you not to do anything stupid you idiot, now our family name will be run through the dirt with that of the commoners.” Apollyon replied quickly,” I'm sorry dad it was an accident.” Ares screamed,” It's always an accident Apollyon you will never truly be my son you van never live up to the family name, because of your reckless actions you will stay in your room until further notice.” Before Apollyon could say anything, Ares was out the door with it locking behind him. All that was left in the room was the gashed broadsword and the pain of his father's words.
Man, I must be the only guy in the world who was gifted a golden chestplate from Nira, Apollyon thought to himself as he pushed through the crowd who was trying to grab at the golden chestplate. He pushed and pulled through the crowd with reckless fury, trying to get to his gift before the crowd could. A magnificent glow was being caused by the piece of armor, it was the sun gleaming down through the beautiful bright blue sky and reflecting off the metal through the water and back into the atmosphere. Apollyon reached the side of the fountain and observed the common people looking at but not touching his chestplate. The common people were all different in one way or another, it could be their ethnicity, background, appearance or personality. Apollyon, now distracted from the chestplate, pondered to himself, you can call Elantris a lot of things but above all it is diverse. When the great crusade had begun to reach the washed city only a few were picked of the thousands who had traveled, but they had all been chosen for a reason, and Apollyon never forgot that day. Breaking from his trance, Apollyon reached into the fountain and grabbed the chestplate. One of the viewers asked, “Are you the one great warrior who was gifted this armor by Nira?” Apollyon replied quickly, “Yes I am one of the servants of Nira. I only carry out her will, and I guess this time I was rewarded.” The Fountain and its surrounding areas were filled with buzzing of talk about Apollyon. The whole city knew of Apollyon’s past but they all wondered how the son of one of the greatest warriors who stood against magic could possibly devote himself to Nira.
Apollyon had reached the barracks and was walking through the hall with chestplate in hand when he rounded the corner entering his room only to be greeted by the goddess herself. Nira had seated herself on a deep brown oak chair, which sat in the corner of Apollyon’s tiny room. He stood in stunned silence waiting for Nira to speak first. She didn’t seem to notice his presence in the room. Her eyes were big and he body didn’t move a muscle until Apollyon spoke up. “Now I must be the only guy to ever see Nira twice in one day”, he said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. She woke from her chance and spoke, "You come from a great warrior bloodline, do you not?” After a second of deliberation Apollyon spoke, "That is one way to look at it I guess.” Nira responded, “I have a task for you to complete. It will be the last test for you to prove your loyalty to me.” With great excitement Apollyon jeered back, “Anything for Nira” Nira spoke one last time, “You must travel back to your homeland and slay your father. With this you will prove your loyalty to me” Before Apollyon could respond Nira emitted a bright glow before disappearing into thin air. He took a moment to ponder the situation. I am already committed now, and anything is better than going home so I might as well try. With a pep in his step, Apollyon began to gather his belongings in preparation for the journey.
Apollyon exited the city walls with a deep breath and a quick observation of his surroundings. A once well-traveled path had been overgrown by grass and weeds, because of the few travelers in and out of Elantris. The trees grew into the sky with huge green leaves that looked like they could touch the clouds. The sky was a deep blue with birds soaring through the air of all colors and sizes. One caught his eye, it was a phoenix with rough orange engulfing its body. The bird seemed to follow above Apollyon, but it never came down to greet him.
Apollyon began the travel the long road that was outstretched ahead of him. Every day and every night Apollyon would edge closer and closer to the great kingdom from which he was from. Every sleepless night only made Apollyon more apprehensive about his journey into now enemy territory. Should I just beg for forgiveness or should I follow Nira without question? Apollyon thought to himself every moment he could spare on the journey. It was tiresome and trying but Apollyon finally made it to the border which divided The Kingdom of Ares from all other places. The same trees stood on both sides, the same rivers, the same lakes, the same animals, but Apollyon could not bring himself to cross the threshold. He made camp in a small grassy plane which ran right along the border. It was another sleepless night for Apollyon as he gazed up at the stars wondering and pondering his situation.
In the morning Apollyon was awoken from what little sleep he was getting by multiple shouts of increasing volume moving in his direction. He slowly blinked his eyes open and rose from his slumber. Apollyon’s urgency increased as he saw an all too familiar face rise over the hill. It was John... He was the youngest of the 3 brothers and Apollyon's nemesis ever since birth. Apollyon quickly rose to his feet and unsheathed his sword in a defensive posture as the me approached. John spoke first as he was just mere feet away from Apollyon, “You know the crimes have committed now prepare to die.” Apollyon identified three others in the group. Apollyon swung first knowing he was outmatched and outnumbered. It was a grazing blow which happened to stun one of the henchmen. The other two jumped at Apollyon with no blades in hand, as if they were trying to take him alive. Apollyon reacted quickly by blocking one man with his shoulder and at the same time wrenching a powerful upward thrust into the others chest. Apollyon pulled the blade from his chest and did not hesitate to use it again. He saw the other man who had charged was coming back for more and decided to meet the man's fist with his gauntlet covered hand. The man cried out in pain as Apollyon squeezed the man's hand tighter and tighter with each passing second. Apollyon reacted first however with a swift knee to the chest which knocked the man back. In his mindless fury Apollyon had forgotten about the man who he had struck first, who now held a blade against Apollyon's throat. John chuckled with glee as he unsheathed his sword intent on delivering Apollyon's last worldly breath. It was in this moment that great phoenix which had been following him suddenly leapt into action. It soared down from the sky releasing a bone chilling screech as it descended. Its first target was John who had no idea what hit him when the Pheonix landed upon him burning any and all exposed flesh. Apollyon seized the moment to spin around and stab the man who was holding him captive. In one more swift movement he finished off the other stunned man left standing. The phoenix moved away from John leaving a crippled, burnt man behind. Apollyon said, “Farewell brother” as he ended Johns feudal existence. Apollyon had found a new friend on that day and with his newfound courage and sidekick Apollyon crossed into the Kingdom of Ares.