Chapter 83: A Step Back in Time (1/2)
*BOOM*
Lava erupted from the numerous volcanos dotting the land, and earthquakes were frequent and deadly.
The little vegetation that could survive thrived in the sea, but the violent currents and massive waves made even the growth of moss impossible.
In the Age of Titans, nature was extremely erratic and inhospitable.
In this ancient land, atop a colossal mountain, a simple wooden hut stood still.
Inside the hut, a woman sat on a wooden chair.
She had deep-blue hair and eyes, and a golden armor covered her body.
The woman seemed to be deep in thought, and her eyes were circulating around the room.
As she was in this contemplative state, a man entered the room.
The man had a bloody blindfold that covered his eyes, yet he moved around the hut as if he could see perfectly.
The woman looked up and when she saw him, a smile replaced her worried and thoughtful face.
”Sophus!” The woman's voice was excited and high-pitched.
”Athena...I sensed worry and came about instantly, what's on your mind?” The man named Sophus asked with a worried tone.
”I'm glad you're here....”
Athena continued, ”The war with the titans is taking a toll on me, and Father's expectations for me to always make the right decisions is....”
She didn't find the right words and stopped speaking.
Sophus interjected, ”Heavy on your mind?”
Athena chuckled self-depreciatingly and nodded, ”You always find the right words for everything, Sophus, I hope I can be like you in the future.”
Sophus shook his head and replied, ”No, I'm just a lonely being who cannot even come to terms with his own sister.”
He shrugged and said, ”Athena, these new gods, that call themselves the Olympians, I have observed them, and you and Hermes are different.”
”How so?”
”Zeus and the bunch are stubborn and stiff, they cannot grow and will always be the people they were when Rhea gave birth to them. However, I know that you, Athena, can change.”
He halted for a second and stared at Athena.
Then, he continued, ”You can make the decisions to become the goddess you want to be, and even if you don't, you don't have to worry about time, since you have plenty of it.”
Athena listened attentively and when he finished his speech, a single tear dropped down her face.
”Can I really do that?”
”Yes, and why are you so worried? You only came out of Zeus' head recently, you can't possibly know yourself the moment you are born.” Sophus moved his finger.
Suddenly, a third person entered the hut.
It was also a man of short stature.
The man had a handsome face and purple eyes. A small pair of wings folded on his back when he landed, and a smile covered his face.
When he saw Sophus, he exclaimed, ”Sophus! You're here!”
Sophus giggled and greeted him, ”Hermes, you look as busy as ever!”
Hermes sighed and turned to Athena, ”Sister, I have some bad news.”
He didn't wait for Athena's reply and informed her, ”Atlas refuses to give ownership of Mauretania to Father and Iapetus, The Titan of Pain is with him. You've been asked to assist on the sidelines.”
Athena frowned and said, ”Sophus, I think I'll have to go.”