3. Taking a Step Back: Eryx

CHAPTER 3

TAKING A STEP BACK

ERYX

G olden morning light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse apartment, painting the open-plan living space in warm hues. Eryx sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring his coffee as he gazed out at the New York skyline. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread mingled with the crisp scent of sliced fruit, creating a comforting atmosphere that belied the knot of tension in his stomach.

Across from him, Alex lounged in his chair, one hand wrapped around his mug, the other idly flipping through emails on his phone. Zac, the seventeen-year-old who had willingly accepted the essence of Absalom, the god of vampires, sat between them. His attention was divided between his plate of scrambled eggs and his ever-present smartphone. Despite the heavy responsibility he carried, Zac seemed more at ease these days, his decision to embrace Absalom's power having given him a newfound sense of purpose.

Alex glanced up from his phone, his eyes meeting Eryx's with a knowing look. "You know," he said, his voice casual but tinged with that hint of centuries-old wisdom that never failed to send a shiver down Eryx's spine, "you could take Zac with you to the label meeting today."

Zac's head snapped up, his eyes wide with interest.

"I don't know," Eryx hedged, running a hand through his hair. "The music business can be pretty intense. Are you sure you're up for it, Zac?"

Zac straightened in his chair, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I think I can handle it."

Alex's lips quirked into a small smile. "This could be a good experience for him, Eryx. A glimpse into the mortal side of your life."

Eryx nodded, realizing they were right. "Alright, you can come. But," he added, fixing Zac with a gentle but firm look, "if it gets overwhelming at any point, just let me know. We can leave whenever you need to."

Zac grinned, a genuine expression that lit up his face. "Thanks, Eryx. I promise I won't let you down."

After cleaning up, Eryx and Zac gathered their things, preparing to head out. As they stood by the door, Alex pulled Eryx in for a quick kiss. "You've got this," he murmured, his breath warm against Eryx's ear.

Eryx navigated through the morning traffic, his fingers tapping an unconscious rhythm on the steering wheel. He glanced at Zac, who was gazing out the window, his reflection in the glass a study in contained emotions.

Clearing his throat, Eryx decided to broach a different subject. "So, you've got that therapy session coming up soon, right? How are you feeling about that?"

Zac's shoulders tensed slightly, but he didn't retreat into himself as he might have done months ago. "I don't really know what to feel about it," he admitted, turning to face Eryx. "I mean, I know it's important, but how do I even begin to explain everything that's happened?"

Eryx nodded, understanding the challenge. "You know," he said carefully, keeping his tone light, "I used to feel the same way about therapy, especially after bonding with Apollo. It seemed impossible to explain my experiences to anyone."

Zac raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "How did you handle it?"

"Honestly? Not well at first," Eryx chuckled. "But I learned that it's not about explaining everything all at once. It's about finding someone who can help you process your experiences, bit by bit."

He paused at a red light, taking the opportunity to look directly at Zac. The teenager met his gaze steadily, a far cry from the guarded looks of the past.

"The therapist we found knows about our world, Zac. You won't have to hide or pretend. You can talk about Absalom, about your decision to accept him, about how you're navigating this new reality."

The light turned green, and Eryx returned his attention to the road. For a moment, the only sound was the purr of the engine and the muted chaos of the city outside.

Finally, Zac spoke, his voice thoughtful. "I guess I'm worried about balance. Absalom is a part of me now, by my choice. But sometimes it's overwhelming, trying to figure out where he ends and I begin."

Eryx felt a surge of pride at Zac's articulation of his concerns. "That's exactly the kind of thing therapy can help with," he said encouragingly. "Finding that balance, integrating these different parts of yourself... it's a journey. And having someone to guide you through it can make a world of difference."

He could feel Apollo's presence stirring within him, a warm glow of approval and support. The god had always encouraged Eryx to embrace both his humanity and his divine connection.

"You know," Eryx continued, "when I first bonded with Apollo, I felt completely overwhelmed. I was granted all of these new abilities and magic overnight that it became a lot to handle. Therapy helped me make sense of it all, to find balance between the mortal and divine parts of myself. "

Zac nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It helps to know you've been through something similar."

Eryx smiled, feeling a deep sense of connection with the young man beside him. "That's why I think this could be so valuable for you, Zac. You've made an incredible choice, accepting Absalom. But that doesn't mean you have to navigate all of this alone."

Zac was quiet for a moment, absorbing Eryx's words. When he spoke again, his voice was steadier, more resolved. "Thanks, Eryx. I think I'm ready to give therapy a real shot."

Eryx felt a surge of pride and affection for the young man beside him. "I'm always here for you, Zac. No matter what. And so is Alex. We may not be your parents, but we're in this together, okay?"

Zac nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Okay. Yeah, I appreciate that more than you know."

As they pulled into the parking lot of Eternity Records, Eryx felt a sense of calm settle over him. The nervousness about his meeting was still there, but it was overshadowed by the warmth of the moment he'd just shared with Zac.

"Alright, kid," Eryx said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Ready to see where the magic happens?"

Zac's eyes lit up with enthusiasm, the weight of their earlier conversation balanced by excitement for what lay ahead. "Absolutely. Let's do this."

As they stepped through the sleek glass doors, Eryx felt the familiar rush of entering his professional world. The lobby bustled with activity - assistants scurrying about with stacks of papers, artists lounging on modernist furniture, their voices a melodic hum beneath the thrum of pop music playing softly from hidden speakers. The scent of expensive cologne mingled with the aroma of fresh coffee, creating an atmosphere that was both invigorating and slightly overwhelming.

As they made their way towards the elevators, a familiar voice cut through the lobby's buzz. "Eryx! My man! "

Turning, Eryx saw Richard Lane striding towards them, his megawatt smile lighting up the room. The pop star moved with the easy confidence of someone used to being the center of attention, his designer clothes a stark contrast to Eryx's more understated attire.

"Richard, hey," Eryx greeted, genuine warmth in his voice. "Didn't expect to see you here today."

Richard clapped Eryx on the shoulder, then turned to Zac with a grin. "Zac! Good to see you, kid. How's life treating you?"

Zac's face lit up, clearly at ease with the charismatic star. "Hey, Richard! It's going pretty well. Just tagging along with Eryx today, seeing how this whole music biz works."

Richard's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, is that so? Well, you picked a good teacher. But hey, if you want to see where the real fun happens..." He glanced at Eryx, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm heading to the studio now to lay down some tracks. Why don't you join me, Zac? Show Eryx how it's really done?"

Eryx felt a surge of affection watching the easy rapport between Richard and Zac. It was a relief to see Zac so comfortable, so normal, despite the extraordinary circumstances of his life.

Zac turned to Eryx, excitement clear in his voice. "Can I, Eryx? I promise I won't get in the way."

Eryx chuckled, any hesitation melting away at Zac's enthusiasm. "Of course you can. Just try not to show me up too much, alright?"

Richard laughed, throwing an arm around Zac's shoulders. "No promises there, Eryx. This kid's got talent. Who knows, we might be looking at the next big thing!"

As Richard led Zac away, the two of them already deep in conversation about music, Eryx felt a warmth spread through his chest. He was grateful for Richard's friendship, for the way he'd embraced Zac without question or judgment. It was moments like these that reminded Eryx of the importance of their mortal connections, of the joy and normalcy they could bring to their often chaotic lives.

Shaking himself from his reverie, Eryx stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the executive floor. As the doors slid shut, he took a deep breath, centering himself for the meeting ahead. The cool metal of the elevator walls pressed against his back, grounding him in the present moment.

The elevator dinged, doors opening to reveal a hallway of polished wood and muted lighting. Eryx strode towards the conference room, his footsteps muffled by plush carpeting. He paused for a moment outside the frosted glass doors, squaring his shoulders and feeling Apollo's presence surge within him, a comforting warmth that bolstered his confidence.

Pushing open the doors, Eryx was greeted by the sight of Brad Byrne, his manager, already seated at the long table. The room was bathed in soft, ambient lighting that highlighted the sleek, modern decor. A wall of windows offered a breathtaking view of the New York skyline, the city sprawling beneath them like a living, breathing entity.

Brad looked up from his tablet, a smile spreading across his face. "Eryx! Right on time," he said, standing to shake Eryx's hand. His grip was firm, his eyes sharp and alert despite the early hour. "I see Zac's not with you?"

Eryx settled into a chair across from Brad, the leather cool and supple against his skin. "He's getting a studio tour with Richard. Thought it'd be good for him to see that side of things while we hammer out these final details."

Brad nodded approvingly, his fingers dancing across his tablet to pull up their agenda. "Smart move. Now, let's dive into this charity concert. We've been planning this for months, and I've got to say, it's shaping up to be something really special."

Eryx leaned forward, excitement bubbling up inside him. This concert had been a labor of love, a way to merge his music career with the values he held dear. "Absolutely. The response from the other artists has been incredible. I still can't believe we managed to get that lineup."

Brad's eyes sparkled with pride. "Well, that's the power of your influence, my friend. Now, tell me about the rehearsals. I know you've been juggling a lot with your... other commitments." His tone was careful, a subtle acknowledgment of Eryx's Shadowguard duties.

Eryx ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that betrayed his fatigue. "The rehearsals have been great, actually. Despite everything else going on, we've managed to create something really powerful. But I won't lie, Brad. It's been tough balancing everything."

He paused, thinking back to the long nights in the studio, often coming straight from Shadowguard missions, still wired from the adrenaline of supernatural encounters. He needed to get this out now before he lost the courage to do so. "Brad, there's something we need to discuss. After this concert, I need to take a step back. A hiatus."

Brad's eyebrows shot up, but he remained silent, waiting for Eryx to continue.

Eryx took a deep breath, steeling himself. "The Shadowguards... our work has been intensifying. There are threats out there, that need our full attention. I can't keep splitting my focus like this. It's not fair to the team, and it's not fair to my music."

Brad's face grew serious. "I had a feeling this was coming. You've been stretched thin for a while now. How long of a break are we talking about?"

"I'm not sure," Eryx admitted. "That's part of the problem. These aren't threats with convenient schedules. I need the flexibility to focus on the Shadowguards without worrying about album deadlines or tour dates."

Brad nodded slowly, his mind visibly working through the implications. "Okay. We can work with this. The charity concert can serve as a sort of farewell for now. We'll frame it as a creative sabbatical, keep the fans intrigued without alienating them. "

Eryx felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Brad. I was worried you'd try to talk me out of it."

Brad smiled, a mix of understanding and resignation in his eyes. "Eryx, I've been in this business a long time. I know when an artist needs a break. And let's be honest, what you're doing with the Shadowguards... it's important. More important than hit singles and chart rankings."

They spent the next hour hammering out the details of Eryx's hiatus announcement, interwoven with finalizing the charity concert plans. They discussed everything from stage design to security measures, with Eryx subtly ensuring there were precautions in place for potential supernatural threats.

As the meeting wound down, Eryx felt a profound sense of both accomplishment and anticipation. The charity concert represented the culmination of months of hard work, a bridge between his public persona and his secret calling.

Gathering his notes, Eryx stood, shaking Brad's hand with genuine warmth. "Thanks for understanding, Brad. I know this isn't the easiest path, but I really believe it's the right one."

Brad's grip was firm, his smile sincere. "That's why you're not just another pop star, Eryx. You've got substance, vision. This concert is going to be amazing, and when you're ready to come back – whether that's in six months or six years – we'll be here."

As Eryx left the conference room, he felt a mix of emotions – relief at having made the decision, excitement for the concert ahead, and a touch of apprehension about fully embracing his Shadowguard role. But underneath it all was a sense of rightness. This was the path he needed to take.

Stepping back into the elevator, Eryx's thoughts turned to Zac and the studio session with Richard. He hoped the teenager was enjoying himself.

The lobby came into view as the elevator doors slid open, and Eryx spotted Zac immediately. The teen was perched on one of the modernist sofas, his face animated as he chatted with Richard. Seeing them together, Eryx felt a sudden surge of affection and pride. Zac had been through so much, had shouldered responsibilities far beyond his years. Yet here he was, engaging with the world, finding joy in new experiences.

As Eryx approached, Zac looked up, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Eryx! You won't believe what we did in the studio. Richard let me lay down some backing vocals!"

Richard chuckled, clapping Zac on the shoulder. "Kid's got talent. You might have some competition on your hands, Eryx."

Eryx laughed, genuinely delighted by Zac's enthusiasm. "Is that so? Well, I guess I'll have to up my game then."

As they said their goodbyes to Richard and headed out of the building, Eryx felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges they faced - balancing the mortal and divine, navigating the complexities of their unconventional family dynamic - were daunting. But moments like this, seeing Zac's eyes light up with excitement, reminded him of why it was all worthwhile.

"So," Eryx said as they stepped out into the sunlight, "tell me everything. I want to hear all about your studio adventure."

As Zac launched into an animated retelling of his morning, Eryx listened intently, storing away every detail. He may not have all the answers, may still be figuring out how to balance all the aspects of his life, but he was committed to being there for Zac, to supporting him in whatever way he could.