DC
Some amount of time later -- (minutes or aeons,...) I was in a dark cave, air like ink. I soon realised where I was, when I saw the dark river, and the boatman. ( I needed a coin to pay my way _ but my pockets were empty, so I began to pray) Knowing not what to do, I walked open-handed and poor to the dark figure before me. He turned towards me /his pale face and empty sockets laughing. "You cannot cross without the toll" he said, his voice cold and empty. "There is no bargaining. I come here bearing not peace, but a sword." he said, his dark cloak streaked with a now familiar red&white, but dim and faded. for a brief instant, his countenance changed. Brilliant gold his garments became, his face a mighty hawk's. A shining sun-disc surrounded his head, and a lyre hung by his side. His voiceless voice changed, and became that of the lyre / hung by his side. "I am the son and I am the sun. My crown is of laurels and of thorns. I am the beauty and your journey must be through me. I can give you life everlasting, and I will take your suffering on as my own." as he said this, with wounded hand he drew an arrow from the quiver behind his back. His form shimmered and returned to as before, but the laurels and the sun-disc remained. as he pulled the arrow back, his hands began to bleed and blood rand down his face. Again I stood motionless, unable even to cry out. The arrow struck, and the sun-god's shining form blinded me. I felt the fire-hot arrow sting, but soon I felt nothing at all as my body was consumed by the fire the beautiful, beautiful fire of Apollo's golden song.