Page 141 of Axios

Even in death, I could not bear to separate Axios and Eryx, so I had placed them in the same grave. I hoped it was what they would’ve wanted, to be in death as they’d been in life: together.

A gentle breeze blew and caressed my sun-warmed skin. The nearby stream flowed—soothing—and the plants thrived with life. The newly blossomed flowers greeted the spring day and adorned the ground in blues, purples, and yellows.

It was a beautiful resting place, their favorite area hidden in the woods.

I had not wished to give them a random grave. They meant much more than that and deserved somewhere special. Remembering all the times they had slipped away from us to go to their stream, I knew they needed to be laid to rest there. It had taken me a while to finally find it, but when I had, I’d seen the perfect spot for them.

They had even carved their names into the tree.

And now they rest beneath it.

“Father?” Leonidas stepped through the wall of trees, holding Icarius’ hand. “He would not stop asking for you. I told him you were visiting our uncles, and he whined even more to come.”

I smiled. “It’s fine, son.”

Icarius was nearly seven, but he’d taken after his mother in the sense that he was of slight frame. His hair had lightened even more and was of the shade of straw instead of the lighter brown it used to be. He reminded me so much of Axios; not in appearance but in personality. His questions of the world were endless, and he often spoke against violence.

Seeing me, he released Leo’s hand and ran to my side.

Leo grinned before saying his goodbye, telling me he had to return to the field for midday training. He was eighteen and nearly completed with theagoge.He’d grown into a magnificent young man, and I knew he’d make a brilliant soldier someday.

And I’d get to see that day because of Eryx.

I ruffled Icarius’ dark-blond curls before kneeling to his eye level.

“Tell me the story again, Father,” he said as his face lit up like the sun. “The story of Uncle Axios and Eryx.”

“Ah, where to begin?” I sat on the grass and motioned for him to do the same. He plopped down beside me and waited quietly—but not patiently—for me to continue. “It is difficult to put into words the way they altered the course of my life. Eryx with his keen mind, and Axios with his kind heart. They each had what the other lacked, and together, they were whole. Their friendship made me a better man.”

My gaze dropped to their shared grave, and I placed a hand upon the earth, closing my eyes as I recalled their faces.

“Do you believe they are in the Elysian Fields?” Icarius asked.

I looked at him—observing his curious nature and remembering the words Axios had spoken, a request to allow Icarius to remain true to himself. I would not want him any other way.

“No, son,” I spoke, shaking my head and peering up at the sky. The sun shone right then, but in a matter of hours, it would sink below the horizon and breathe life into the night. “They are in the stars.”

The End