Leto's serene composure wavered, her eyes searching Lucifer's for some hint of leniency, but finding none. She turned to Apollo and Artemis, her children, her pride, and now the very center of her fears. Before Apollo could muster a response, she raised a trembling hand to silence him.
"Do not," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Do not risk yourself, my son."
Apollo's jaw clenched in frustration, but he nodded, respecting his mother's plea. Leto took a deep breath, tears welling in her eyes as she faced Lucifer again.
"Lucifer, you must understand," she began, her voice breaking. "Apollo and Artemis are all I have left. I cannot bear to see them go to Olympus, not when that venomous woman Hera has solidified her power and place there. She would see them harmed simply because they are my children, not hers."
