#apollo inspired

I'm joking, I'm joking, here's the full art!

Helena fit the last piece of armor tightly around her forearm. The silver metal shone bright in the candle light. Reflecting the flame as it danced about in the dark room. It was cold, always cold, she was used to it. She had never felt the warmth of the Sun. The elders talked of it as if it deserved worship, devotion, adoration. On the seventh day of each month Helena would stand in the temple as the elders prayed to their absent God. She knew all the prayers and devotional poems, the music from the lyre playing softly.

Helena’s family were devoted to it. The Sun. They called it so many names in their prayers and poems. Apollo, Helios, Surya, Hathor. Sometimes they would just name it The Light, The Golden Flame, Life-Bringer.

Because of this she enlisted in the Solis Guard the second she had come of age. She didn’t regret the choice. They fed her, clothed her, and a gave her a bed to sleep on. It was better than what many others in the kingdom received, but she admitted her faith in the Sun had dwindled. 

She still had a mission though. Her greatest desire in life was to hunt down the Sun and put it back in the sky. Many had tried before, none had succeeded. You had to be the best of the best to be granted permission for the search. The darkness hid dangerous creatures. You never knew what was hiding in the shadows. It was a good thing then that she had been the best in the guard.

“Captain?” 

Helena slipped her sword into its hilt. “Speak.”

“Thank you sir,” The young recruit stood at attention in the doorway, a torch in hand. “They are ready sir.”

Helena nodded and picked up her helmet.

“Thank you. I’m on my way.”

She may have lost her faith in the Sun. She may not believe in devoting her entire life to a single cosmic being, but she did believe that she would find it. She would find it and save the Earth. Bring back the sunshine, the flowers, the animals, and bring back hope. Without the Sun there was no future for the Earth and without the Earth their was no hope for future generations. It had gone on for far too long, the darkness had wreaked havoc on the world, sinking its sharp claws deep within the core, poisoning the heart. The darkness would turn to light. The sickness would be cured along with the animals and humans that the dark had poisoned.

Helena walked behind the recruit, watching the shapes the flames cast on the stone walls. They exited the long hall and walked through the main doors into the court yard. It was early morning but dozens of torches had been lit, without the Sun fire had become their only source of light. Guards stood at each checkpoint watching for signs of dark creatures.

“Captain.” A deep voice, rough and tired.

A large man in dark blue robes stood next to a neighing horse. He had a salt and pepper beard that sat under sparkling blue eyes. A metal crown adorned his head shaped to resemble flames.

“King Alphard, Your Highness.” Helena bowed, her metal armor clanking.

“No need for that now Captain.” He offered the lead in his hand. She nodded curtly, taking it. “Find the Sun Captain. Come back to us.”

She hoisted herself onto the horses back. “I will.”

“We can’t live in darkness much longer. You must find him.” King Alphard’s eyes burned into hers. Him. As though the Sun was only a boy who had wandered too far.