As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the garden, Apollo and Hyacinth continued their quiet conversation. The golden light reflected off the pool's surface, creating ripples of warmth that seemed to soothe the tension of the past few days.

Apollo glanced at Hyacinth, grateful for the chance to reconnect, to rebuild their friendship. But as the conversation naturally slowed, the blonde found his thoughts drifting back to Lyra.

The weight of her fate still hung heavily over him, a burden he couldn't shake. Even now, as she lay in a deep slumber, her fate uncertain, he felt an overwhelming responsibility to see her through this transition, to ensure she made it to the other side as more than just a casualty of war.

"I should check on Lyra," he said, breaking the silence.

His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if speaking her name out loud would make the reality of her situation all the more real. 

Hyacinth nodded in understanding, his eyes filled with a gentle empathy.

"Of course. She needs you now more than ever."

Apollo stood, his movements slow, as though the weight of the world was pressing down on him. The younger god rose as well, offering a comforting hand on his former lover's shoulder.

"If you ever need to talk, or just some company, you know where to find me."

"Thank you, Hyacinth," the sun god smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "That means a lot."

With a final nod, Apollo turned and began walking back toward the medical quarters where Lyra rested.

He reached the medical wing, and as they entered, Apollo felt a wave of cool air wash over him. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of divine energy that filled the space.

Lyra looked peaceful, almost as if she were merely asleep, but there was an ethereal quality to her now, something that set her apart from the mortal girl she had been.

Apollo felt a deep, gnawing sense of guilt. Had he made the right decision? Had he saved Lyra only to condemn her to a different kind of existence, one she might not have chosen for herself if she actually had time to think over this?

"I had to do it," he murmured, quietly to himself. "I couldn't let her die."

"We know," Hermes said softly, startling Apollo, who shirled around to face both him and Artemis, who just walked into the room. "And she will understand that. But we also have to be prepared for whatever comes next."

The blonde nodded, though his heart felt heavy. He had done what he thought was right, but now, as he looked at Lyra lying there, so still and silent, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had lost something precious.

They stood in silence for a long moment, the weight of their thoughts pressing down on them. Then, Apollo spoke, his voice firmer this time.

"We'll do whatever it takes to help her," he said, his gaze never leaving Lyra's peaceful face. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Artemis and Hermes exchanged a look, and then both nodded in agreement.

"We'll be with you every step of the way," the goddess said, her voice full of determination.

"Absolutely," the god added. "We're family. We take care of each other."

Their brother gave them a grateful smile, though it was tinged with sadness. He knew they meant well, and he appreciated their support more than words could express.

As they stood there, a soft knock came at the door. They turned to see Alexander and Callista standing in the doorway, their faces full of concern.

The twins had been with Lyra since she was brought back, never leaving her side except when Heron took them to wash and eat something. 

Now, they looked at Apollo, their eyes pleading for some kind of reassurance. And the god did his best to give them a small, reassuring smile.

"She's going to be okay," he said, though he wasn't entirely sure if he was trying to convince them or himself.

Alexander and Callista nodded, though they still looked worried. They came over to the bed, standing on either side of Lyra, their hands resting on hers. He stepped back, joining his siblings on the other side of the room.

The sight of them, so small and vulnerable, tugged at Apollo's heart. They had already lost so much—he couldn't bear the thought of them losing Lyra too.

He knew how much they depended on her, how she had been their rock, their protector. The thought of them suffering without her, of them being left to fend for themselves in a world that could be so cruel, was almost too much to bear.

"I promised her I'd take care of them," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I promised her."

"And you will," Artemis assured him, her hand resting gently on his arm. "We all will. But we need to be prepared for the possibility that she might not wake up... or that she might not be the same when she does."

Apollo's gaze shifted back to Lyra, his heart clenching at the thought. He knew what Artemis was saying was true. The process of ascension changed a person, sometimes in ways that were irreversible. 

But there was a reason only those of pure heart and intentions survived the process. He was sure that Lyra did and he had to believe that Lyra's spirit, her fierce determination, would survive this. She just had to.

"I'm not giving up on her," Apollo said firmly, his jaw set in determination. "She's fought too hard to get this far. I won't let her go now."

*****

As the first stars began to twinkle in the sky, the door to the room creaked open, and Hermes slipped back inside, after leading the twins to Heron's room, like they asked. He moved silently to join his brother, his gaze flickering to Lyra before settling on Apollo.

"How is she?" Hermes asked, his voice hushed.

Apollo shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips.

"No change yet."

The younger god held back a sigh and pulled his lips into a thin line. Then, he put a hand on his brother's shoulder, making the blonde look up at him.

"She's strong. She'll pull through."

Apollo appreciated the words, but he could hear the uncertainty beneath them. They all knew how serious this situation was. But they still held onto the hope that everything will turn out just fine.

He spent every moment he could by Lyra's side, willing her to wake up. He used every ounce of his still weakened power to stabilize her condition, but there was only so much he could do.

They didn't have much intel on ascension, as few of the gods were born mortals. The best source of knowledge about this was Hyacinth's transformation, but Apollo knew that each process was different. 

During the time his former lover went through that transformation, he tried to base it off Psyche's ascention, only to grow more nervous and scared each time something different happened–some process took longer, something happened faster, something didn't happen at all, something happened that didn't happen with Psyche, et cetera. 

All of this only brough him unnecessary stress and anxiety.

This time, he only loosely tried to put everything into time frames, feeling each change Lyra went through. He had two different ascentions to compare it with and based on them and his own knowledge of medicine and gift of prophecy, he tried to predict when which change should happen. Surprisingly, he's been mostly accurate with his guesses.

But the divine energy that had fused with her was beyond his control, a force that neither he nor the other gods fully understood. Still, he didn't give up. He couldn't.

And as the night deepened, Apollo found himself alone once again, lost in thought, his gaze fixed on Lyra's peaceful face. The room was quiet, the only sounds being Lyra's soft breaths and the faint rustle of leaves outside the window.

It was in that quiet moment that something changed.

A soft glow began to emanate from Lyra's body, growing brighter and more intense with each passing second. The air in the room seemed to thrum with energy, a pulse that matched the rhythm of Apollo's heartbeat.

He felt it—a connection, a surge of power that was both familiar and foreign.

He remained where he was, his gaze locked on Lyra as the light enveloped her, cocooning her in a radiant aura.

The glow intensified, becoming almost blinding, and Apollo felt a tug—a pull on his very essence, as if something was drawing him closer to Lyra. He could feel her presence, could sense the struggle within her as her mortal form battled against the divine power infusing her.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the light faded, leaving the room bathed in a soft, otherworldly glow.

Lyra's body, now fully transformed, lay still on the bed.

She still looked like herself, yet so different. 

She grew taller, her body becoming more defined, more regal. Her form became more imposing, more powerful, yet still retained the grace and beauty that had always been a part of her. The delicate curves of her human body gave way to the statuesque, awe-inspiring figure of a goddess.

Her once human features also took on a new, ethereal quality.

Lyra's skin, still retaining the warm, sun-kissed olive tone she had as a human, now had a soft, luminous glow, as though she were always standing in the light of a setting or rising sun.

Her scars were transformed into delicate, intricate patterns. Silver and golden markings in the form of vines and constellations adorned her skin, weaving across her arms, shoulders, and back.

Her hair, which had once been a deep brown, deepened into a vibrant auburn, rich and full of life.

Upon closer inspection, Apollo noticed that depending on the light, it showed hints of copper and bronze too. The ends of her hair also changed, shifting through shades of gold and silver.

Her eyes' colour was yet to be revealed, as they were still closed, but he was almost sure they were changed too.

The room was also charged with a new energy, a feeling of anticipation, of something extraordinary about to happen. Apollo held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited.

And then, slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

The room fell silent, the tension so thick it was almost palpable.

Lyra blinked, her gaze unfocused at first, but gradually sharpening as she took in her surroundings. Her breathing was steady, her movements slow and deliberate as she raised a hand to her forehead, as if trying to make sense of the world around her.

"Lyra?" Apollo's voice was barely a whisper, his eyes wide with a mix of hope and fear.

The new goddess looked around the room. There was a clarity in her eyes, a sense of understanding that had not been there before. She was still Lyra, but she was also something more—something divine.

Finally, her gaze settled on Apollo, who was staring at her with a mixture of relief and overwhelming emotion. And once again, his breath was taken away.

Her eyes, which had once been a singular colour of soft muddy brown, now became multi-faceted, like a gemstone catching the light. They shifted between shades of blue, green, and gold, before they settled into a striking blend of vivid emerald with flecks of gold.

"Apollo?" her voice was weak, barely more than a whisper, but it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

"I'm here," he replied, his voice thick with emotion.

Relief washed over him like a tidal wave, and he felt his knees weaken as the weight of the moment crashed down on him. He moved to her side, kneeling by the bed as he took her hand in his, his heart pounding with a mix of emotions he couldn't begin to untangle.

"You're awake," he breathed.

He could feel the change in her, the divine energy that now flowed through her veins, but it didn't make her any less the person he had come to care for. If anything, it made her more—more powerful, more radiant, more... Lyra.

Lyra sat up slowly, almost unsurely, as though she were testing the boundaries of her new form. Her gaze drifted to the markings on her arms, the silver and gold vines and constellations that adorned her skin where her scars had once been.

"They're beautiful," Apollo said, his voice filled with awe. "Just like you."

Lyra's lips curved into a faint smile, and she squeezed Apollo's hand weakly.

"I... I thought I was dreaming," she murmured. "I thought... I was lost."

"You're not lost," he whispered back.

"What... what happened to me?" she asked, her voice growing steadier despite the confusion in her gaze.

"You've changed, Lyra," the sun god said softly. "You're... a goddess now."

For a moment, Lyra simply stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, to his surprise, she nodded, accepting the news with a calmness that caught him off guard. There was no panic, no fear, not even anger—just a quiet understanding.

"I see," she murmured, quietly, looking down at her hands. "I suppose it was inevitable, wasn't it?"

"What do you mean?" Apollo frowned, not fully understanding.

"When the Fates called for me and Heron, they told us we were approaching a crossroads. I didn't understand what they meant at the time, as I didn't want to see it back then, but now... I think I understand."

She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing.

"When I chose to join the battle, instead of staying behind with Alexander and Callista, I knew I was making a choice. I was ready to face whatever outcome it might bring, whether it was victory, defeat, or... this."

"You knew this would happen?" Apollo felt a pang of sorrow at her words.

"Not exactly," Lyra shook her head. "But I knew that whatever happened, it would change me. I was ready for that. I was ready to fight for what I believed in, to protect those I cared about, no matter the cost."

Her words hung in the air, as the silence enveloped them for a moment. Then, she broke it once again.

"What happens now?" Lyra asked, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "What am I... the goddess of?"

"We don't know yet," Apollo shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's something you'll have to discover for yourself, in time."

"Then I suppose I'll just have to wait and see," she sent him a small, soft smile and squeezed his hand.

He replied with a smile of his own and rose slightly to press a kiss to her head. Apollo felt a profound sense of relief wash over him. She was awake. She was here. And she was going to be okay.

The transformation had been successful, but they all knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges.

But for now, in this moment, they had won a small victory. Lyra was alive, and she was awake. And that was enough.

*****

The morning sun bathed Olympus in golden light. Lyra's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as she waited to reunite with her friends. Still, she couldn't ignore the nervousness gnawing at her. Would they see her differently now? Would she see them differently?

She was aware of Apollo standing a few paces behind her, giving her space but staying close enough to be there if she needed him. He had stayed with her the whole night, talking and reassuring her.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke through her thoughts. Lyra turned to see her friends—Heron, Alexia, Kofi, Ismene and Evios—enter the courtyard. Her heart swelled at the sight of them, but there was also a hint of apprehension. She hadn't seen them since the battle, since she had ascended.

From what she heard, they've all visited her and knew what was happening. But she still wasn't sure what they would think of it, of her.

Heron was the first to spot her, his steps faltering as his gaze took in her new form. He had always been taller than her, but now, she stood at Kofi's height, or maybe even a little bit taller. Still, she was shorter than most gods.

From what she managed to already find out, the top of her head just reached Apollo's chin. He had already explained that most mortals that reached godhood stayed shorter than gods, who were born as divine deities.

Heron's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but then they softened, the familiar warmth she knew so well returning to them.

"Lyra," he all but whispered, relieved smile spreading across his lips.

The others stopped beside him, their gazes fixed on her.

Kofi's expression was unreadable, his stoic demeanour masking whatever thoughts raced through his mind. Alexia watched her with small smile, eyes moving over her new form. Evios gave her a slow, lazy smile, though there was something deeper in his gaze. Ismene, smiled slightly. She wouldn't admit it, but she was glad Lyra was alright too.

For a moment, no one moved, the weight of what had happened hanging between them. Then, Lyra took a tentative step forward, her heart in her throat.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Heron beat her to it, as he rushed forward and embraced her. The difference in height was strange, but the man didn't care. He held onto Lyra as if afraid she might disappear.

"You scared us," Heron whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I thought we lost you."

Lyra returned the embrace, closing her eyes as she revelled in the familiar comfort of her friend's presence.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean to... I didn't know this would happen."

After a moment, they finally let go, simply looking at each other with teary eyes. Then, Kofi and Alexia approached them, their eyes locked on Lyra's. They didn't say anything at first, just stood there, their gaze searching her face.

Then, with a nod, the man reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Well," Ismene was the first to break the tension, as she looked the new goddess up and down. "You sure know how to keep people in suspence."

Lyra couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. She gave the woman a small smile, to which she received a plain look, but there was a flicker of amusement and relief in Ismene's eyes.

"You're still the same Lyra we know," Kofi was the second to speak. "Doesn't matter if you're a goddess or not."

"We're glad you're okay now," Alexia added with a smile.

"I have to say, the new look suits you," Evios also finally stepped forward, his smile widening.

She smiled and from there, the conversation flown with ease.

After a moment, she turned her attention to Apollo, who had been quietly observing the reunion from a short distance, standing and talking with his siblings. He met her gaze, a small smile on his lips.

He was giving her space, allowing her to navigate this new reality at her own pace, but she could see the concern in his eyes, the protective instinct that had driven him to save her.

Lyra's eyes flickered toward the entrance of the courtyard, where two familiar figures stood hesitantly.

Alexander and Callista looked hesitant, unsure whether they should approach. Lyra's heart clenched at the sight of them, her younger siblings who had always looked up to her. She knew this change would be hardest for them to accept.

"Excuse me for a moment," she said to her friends, who nodded in understanding.

The new goddess turned towards her siblings and slowly walked over to them, as if she was afraid they would run off if she made any faster movement.

"Lyra?" Callista's voice was small, almost trembling, as she stepped closer.

Lyra's expression softened as she knelt down to their level. Despite her transformation, she wanted to make it clear that she was still their sister, the one