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Apollo, God of the Sun, and Zephyrus, God of the West Wind, both fought for the love of a man named Hyacinth. He was known to be one of the most beautiful men alive so they were vicious in their fight however the mortal chose Apollo. One day while Apollo and Hyacinth were playing a game of discus while Zephyrus watched in jealousy. In a rage, when Apollo threw the next discus, Zephyr blew a gust of wind that changed the direction of the discus and it struck Hyacinth on the head, killing him instantly. Apollo used all of his medical training, even putting ambrosia on his wound, however it was all in vain. Apollo wailed and cried, even wishing to become mortal to join his lover in death. Instead Hyacinth bled all over the ground and in an act of devastation made flowers grow from his blood, purple Hyacinths to match his purple eye color. He swore to remember him in poems and stories, the flower's petals were described by Apollo as 'the most beautiful petals in the world' like the man they were named after.

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