Summary

Apollo tells the reader that any killing he did was ordained by the gods, but he never saw them as murder. His vision takes him to Ancient Rome where he disguises himself as Commodus’s closest trainer, Narcissus. Many people had begged Apollo to stop Commodus before he destroyed the city. While Commodus is a perfect picture of a Roman god, Apollo knows he is bloodthirsty and does not listen to reason. Unwilling to let Commodus ruin Rome, but also unwilling to let anyone else kill the one he loved, Apollo drowns him, and Commodus recognizes him as he dies, reminding Apollo of his blessing. Now, Apollo sees Commodus’s face in the water.

When he comes back from the vision, Agamethus gives him the Magic 8-Ball that says they cannot stay in Waystation and that something is wrong. When Apollo remembers Trophonius, he...