Laurel returns to the forest. But she strolled deeper until she reached the place where she met Daphne's father. The place's beautiful. The waterfall gives off a relaxing ambiance, luring her to dive into the waters. Laurel didn't think twice. She removes her clothes and lets the night witness her fair skin before dipping under the waterfall and let the raging waters wash away her worries.

The night has become serene, with the flowing waters and rustling leaves resounds. It's relaxing. Laurel closed her eyes. She let herself float and be part of nature, breathing fresh air and listening to its voice. Being embraced by the water feels rejuvenating, but she's always on alert. A small change in the direction of the wind followed by an aromatic scent could put her on guard. Yet, Laurel didn't move from her spot nor open her eyes to see the one who arrived. It's as if she knew who it was.

"Surely, in this dark of the night, even gods should be asleep, right?"

"If you would only let the night witness your beauty, then I'd regret sleeping tonight."

"It would have been great if you rested in peace."

The god chuckled, "I'd take that as a compliment." He moved atop of the rock beside the waterfall. "Aren't you cold, my love?"

Laurel flinches and breaks away, swimming closer under the raging water. She knows Apollo's nearby, but she doesn't want him to get any closer. It's bad enough that he found her swimming nakedly under the dim moonlight. It would be worse if he gets any ideas that she's letting him in her space.

"I guess that's a no." She heard him mutter. "I didn't mean to disturb your swim, my love. I was only hoping to spend time with you, even for a while."

It's the second time she's been able to speak with Apollo. And in both times, she gets irritated at how persistent the god was. She has always known that gods and goddesses were like nobles and the rich in her time. They always get what they want and take no for an answer. It's ridiculous, so she avoided interacting with any of them until she's transported in ancient times. She never thought this would be her fate. Daphne probably fled because of the same reason, she sighed.

"I don't have time to spare. You should go," says Laurel before busying herself in the water.

"Home is where you are now, my love. I'm content just talking to you." The god didn't hear any response from Laurel, nor does he know if she heard it or not. Nonetheless, Apollo didn't bother saying another word. Instead, he let out his lyre and played a song for his beloved to enjoy her swim.

The music flowed like a lullaby. It eases Laurel and hushes the surrounding once more. As Laurel relaxes, she notices the dust of lights like fireflies circling the waterfall. The little lights emit heat that warms the air when it's close, yet even if she touches them, she doesn't get burned.

The place now filled with dancing lights look otherworldly. It's fascinating and magical. As she glides through the waters, her gaze lands on the god who's playing his music. Laurel didn't expect the god to be oozing with talent. She hasn't seen him do anything other than chase after her. But then again, she never cared about their existence from the beginning. It's amazing. She admits. Apollo can be sensitive and sense the mood sometimes, but she'll never say it out loud. But maybe, just for tonight, I'll let him entice me with his melody.

Before the night came to an end, Laurel moved out of the waters. Even if she loves bathing under the waterfalls, she still needs a good sleep to rest.

"Are you done for the night?" Apollo asked when he saw Laurel move close to the shore.

"I would, but would you mind facing the other direction so I can change?" She ordered. It's fine when she's floating around by the water since it's dark and Apollo's far away from her. But she still feels uncomfortable when the god's within arms reach.

"Why would you hide your beauty to me, my love?" the god furrowed. "You don't need to feel ashamed of your body. Your beauty has no bound. Everything about you - your hair that flung loose over your shoulders, your eyes bright as stars, lips so lush and pink, your naked to the shoulder, and whatever's hidden from view - everything, I imagined more beautiful still."

"You're embarrassing. Did you know that?" Laurel felt heat across her face. She tried to hide it, but she could tell Apollo noticed it with his smile. Laurel didn't know how to take his words. She wasn't used to praising and compliments if that's what it was. Her life has always been on the line. Rushing, to meet her quota and fight to stay alive. There's no time for pleasantries and sweet words.

"Do you want me to continue?" The light god smiled like he's enjoying the flush on Laurel's face. He'd love seeing her beloved dust in shades of pink. It allows him to learn every detail about her adored one.

"No!" Laurel's bewildered at the question, but the god still proceeds to shower her with admiration.

"I admired your hands and arms that fought bravely to those bandits. Your sharp tongue that seems unlikely to be a nymph, your independence, your wits, and your every move express your grace and charm. I adore them all." Apollo sees everything about her as perfection. There's no mistake nor a slight imperfection could he see on Laurel. Everything about her is to his liking. Nothing can be compared to his beloved.

"Oh please, stop." Laurel had enough. She had submerged herself - until her shoulders - in the water to shield herself from Apollo's words. Laurel couldn't feel her ears turning red from all those flatteries. It would have been easy enough to ignore the god, but his voice is honest that she couldn't sway away. It didn't help that the way he looked at her since they met until now shows gentleness and affection.

When the god noticed how his beloved covered her face with both hands, he paused. Apollo didn't want to make her uneasy. He only tells the truth. "Had I made my love uncomfortable without knowing?" He asked, but Laurel wasn't sure if the question was directed at her or to himself.

"Please, I wanted to change," Laurel muttered.

"As you pleased, my love." Apollo grabbed Laurel's clothes lying closer to him, but when he saw how tattered they were, the god furrowed. "Have you been using these clothes, my love?"

Laurel turned to face him. The god's holding her clothes, her chiton specifically. He's glaring at it as if the dress has done something unforgivable. Laurel frowned, not knowing what the god's up to. "Can I have it now?" she inquired.

Laurel frowned deeper when the god didn't respond. His expression's hard to read as if weighing his option. Laurel waited until Apollo sighed and made eye contact. "I'm sorry, my love. This cloth has not been in the best condition. I'm afraid I'll have to dispose of it."

"What?" A tiny gasp escaped Laurel, not expecting what he said. "What do you mean to dispose of? I don't have anything else to wear. I needed that. Give it to me," she insisted.

Laurel saw how the god hesitated. She glared at him when he didn't give her the clothes. It's not that she had any other choice. It's the only one she could use to blend in this time. She already threw away her old clothes, and she doesn't have enough money to buy another one.

"If you're not going to give me my clothes, I swear, I'll run away and never show myself to you ever again." Laurel saw how Apollo's eyes widened at her treat. It's the only thing she can think of that would make the prideful god listen. It would have been better if the god could just leave her alone. But with what she said, it looks like she's willing to let him bother her anytime. Ugh, I hope Daphne could forgive me when she gets back.

Laurel took the clothes from Apollo, and as promised, he turned around for her to change. The softness of the fabric kissed her skin, sending a warm embrace. But when the cold wind of the night grazing, it sent shivers to the body more than before. It didn't help that the fabric was too thin to cover her from the cold.

"I guess. I have to buy a thicker cloth soon." Laurel whispered to herself while she gathered her belongings. But before she could collect her things, a golden himation draped around her.

"Take it. It would keep you from shivering," Apollo offered. He had used the cloak for a while. The god weaved it using the best fabric and blessed it with his power to shield him from harm. With his beloved insisting on wearing her clothes, he decided to give her his treasured cloak. It's better to keep her beloved safe, covered, and protected from harm.

"Thank you." It's a simple gesture but worthy of her gratitude.

Laurel fixed the himation drapes around her and continued to pick up all her belongings. When her bag's tucked, she faces the god once more. "So, that's everything." Laurel doesn't know what else to say but keeps taking a step backward. "Thanks for your help since this afternoon. I hope you'll be busy for the next while so I could live my life in peace. Bye," she darts off, swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties.

***

The search for the Fates took a few days, with Laurel being wary of Apollo on her trail. She took a few detours. Laurel knows the god can find her easily with his speed and whatever ability he has. But for some reason, he's letting Laurel take the lead and do as she pleases, a strange act that she needs to be cautious of.

Laurel reached the temple of the Fates, like in the temple of Eros, she made an offering for the gods. She said her prayers, and not long after, the torches lit up one by one as if leading her to the inner part of the temple. Laurel didn't say a word. She followed the light until she's in front of three women spinning and weaving the spindle and thread.

"Are you the Fates?" Laurel wanted to confirm.

"Who asked?" The one spinning the strings responds. The Fates differ from the gods Laurel previously met. For one, there are three of them, not one. The other thing was the heavy feeling that weighs the air of their temple, especially when she's standing in front of them.

"I... my name's Laurel. I'm a mortal but not born from this time. I got tangled by destiny, and now I'm transported back. I was hoping you could tell me what's happening in my life." Laurel's unsure of how she would explain her situation. She doesn't know if they'll believe her or could they lend an ear for a moment.

"Your present is still your present." The woman in the middle who's measuring the thread announced.

"So was your past." The first woman to speak added.

Laurel waited for the other woman, the one cutting the thread to respond, but she never did. Laurel believes that the third woman knows her future but wasn't telling her a thing.

"What about the future?" she voiced out, her eyes glued to the third woman.

"The future comes in the future. What happens then will be your choice," the woman uttered.

"So does that mean I can go back to my real world? When?" The three women halted, brows furrowed and looking confused. "Is there a problem? Did I say something weird?" She asked, mirroring the confused looks in the Fates' eyes.

"Dearly, why do you think you're not in your world?" The spinner answered a question, which made Laurel more confused.

"Because I 'm not," she insisted. "As I said, I got tangled in this world and transported here. It's like a parallel universe where I switch places with someone who looks like me. In this case, the nymph named Daphne. She's the one who lives in this world and time, not me. I'm from the future." Laurel didn't mean to say the last part, but she felt it would be easier to understand if she mentioned it.

"You're mistaken, dearly." The middle woman stated. "You are who you are. And this is where you belong."

"T-That's impossible. I'm from the future. In the 21st century, known as the modern era. That's the place where I belong." Laurel's sure of it. She's normal. She's born and raised in the modern world like any other 21st-century person. Even if she lived a shitty life, that's the world she lives in, and that's the place she hoped where her life would end.

"Dearly, your fate's weaved since you're born, and it will proceed as you go." The third woman exclaimed. "The reason why you were here when you said you're supposed to be may not be because of fate alone."

"Then who else?" Laurel has long wanted to know the whys and the hows of her existence in ancient times. But she never thought of the who. In this time, where people believe in gods and goddesses, things could have worked like magic. She never believed in them. But with her encounter with a few of them, anything can be possible.

The Fates look at each other as if telepathically until they face Laurel and give her an answer in unison. "It's the Time."

Chills run down Laurel's spine. She may not have known who the Fates are referring to, but the dark expression on their face says it all. Who is this deity? There are questions she badly wanted to ask. But with her mind jumbled and no voice coming out, she stayed quiet and tried to process what she heard.

"W-Where could I find the one who holds the time?" She managed to utter even if she's still shaken.

"Dearly, the one who holds time's not as merciful as you think."

"It can end badly."

"And mess up your thread along the way."

Laurel knows what the Fates meant. She might not know who she's going to face, but she's born not to underestimate an enemy. But to get back on her time, she must meet this god no matter what. 

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