My Hero's Journey

For the mortals living on Earth, the sun appears to inch its way ever so slowly across the vast expanse of sky above them. For me, however, we fly across the sky in what seems like seconds though I know it spans over several hours. Every day I make the same journey that I have been making for eternity. Every night, I travel back to the east via Okeanos. That is my journey every day and every night, for I am Helios, the Sun God.
I rarely visited my island of Thrinakia, only when something dire had happened or, on occasion, when returning on my journey from the sky. However, the cattle there are my joy and pride. My daughters Lampetia and Phaethusa care for them and alert me any time that my services may be needed.

The sun shone bright in the
But this time was different. I could see the sorrow I was causing him in never answering his much asked question.
This time I assured him that I was, indeed, his father. Unfortunately, he was not content. Had he grown up with me, I would never have permitted him to be so selfish and spoiled. I would have taught him to appreciate the little things in life, as I had watched a number of my mortal children live their entire lives believing that they had
His crestfallen face and harsh words made me rethink my decision, so I consented. Watching from the ground, I saw Phaethon struggle to keep control of the horses. I could have stopped him, but I figured it better to let him figure out the consequences of this actions first. Soon, he was out of my reach, but, of course, being all-knowing and all-seeing, I could still see him. By the time I realized I no longer had control, it was too late. The horses driving the chariot could not register the fact that there was someone driving them, as a mortal’s weight is nowhere near the weight of a god like myself. They ripped and teared away from the chariot and they were soon controlling Phaethon, rather than Phaethon controlling them. I stood in shock, knowing that, even as the sun god, I could do nothing. I watched as the chariot tore through parts of Africa, drying up rivers and lakes, scorching trees and plants.
Gaea cried for help, screaming that the whole world was going to burn, but only one person could help her. Zeus struck my son down with a lightning bolt, and I watched helplessly as his burning body spiraled into the river Eridanos. And it was all my