Capítulo 59: The Gift from Moon Goddess Artemis
The sky lanterns lit up the night, causing even the stars to dissipate.
Each sky lantern carried the blessings and prayers of a person from Calydon to the goddess Artemis, using the night sky as a canvas to sketch out the painting dedicated to the goddess at this moment.
The goddess of Fates, within the Temple of Fate saw that painting.
Thus, at this moment, the quiet Clotho standing in the dark of the forest also raised her head.
Although she couldn't see the night sky now, that scene had already been deeply engraved in her eyes.
Therefore, she naturally understood how beautiful the painting that was now visible to all beings, was.
Although it would dissipate in a very short time, just like Promise had told Clotho before, even though the bloom was momentary, that beautiful scene would forever be painted in the heart.
Now, the Moon Goddess Artemis stood there, foolishly.
Looking at Promise, who was presenting the painting to her, she did not take it,.
Because she was completely overwhelmed.
Her sky-blue eyes just stared at the black-haired, emerald-eyed youth in front of her.
The wind blew their hair, the ground's white lilies symbolizing innocence and purity swayed slightly, and the clear pond beside them reflected not only the painting in the sky but also the scene of the youth offering the painting to the goddess.
Atalanta stood by, witnessing this scene.
In that moment, she felt that this scene was also a painting.
And she probably would never forget such a scene in her life.
"You don't want it?"
Just as Artemis was foolishly staring at Promise, without reaching out to take the painting, Hera arrived.
Dressed in regal garments, her beautiful golden hairs cascading from her crown and her amber eyes fixed intently on the painting.
At this moment, her flawless and magnificent face displayed unabashed jealousy.
"If you don't want it, I do!"
Saying so, Hera prepared to snatch the painting from Promise's hands.
Hearing this, Artemis reacted, quickly snatching it away and holding it tightly to her chest, stepping back cautiously as she watched Hera.
The latter was full of regret as she saw the painting taken by Artemis as she turned her beautiful eyes towards Promise.
In her eyes, a flame named desire burned.
...Eh?
Just as Promise noticed this, he blinked gently.
"Promise, I want it too, I want such a painting!" Hera said excitedly, stepping forward and preparing to firmly grasp the boy.
"Enough," Athena arrived, stopping Hera with a hand and saying, "Hera, you scared him... And if you want to seek such offerings from a child, you should first fulfill the promises you haven't kept yet?
Have you seen Hephaestus yet? Has the child's brush and canvas been sorted out? And... Hades' wedding, you haven't settled that yet, have you?"
"Athena..." Hera, feeling a bit frantic, glared fiercely at Athena and said, "I am this child's goddess!"
Hearing this, Athena ignored her further, her dazzling golden eyes turned to Promise, and in the boy's uneasy heart, she showed that 'signature' smile...
So far, whenever Athena showed such a smile, Promise had never encountered anything good!
"Don't worry, Promise, I won't seek such paintings from you like Hera, but..." Athena slightly narrowed her eyes, "Little Promise, you were naughty, huh? Next time, the painting you offer to me must be even more beautiful than tonight's, understand?"
Hearing this, before Promise could react, Hera, showing a not-surprised expression, disdainfully glanced at Athena, then slightly raised her eyebrows as if realizing something, saying, "Wait for the next painting..."
The giddess finally reacted, recalling the painting Athena had bragged about to her before, and then looking up at the painting in the night sky, her eyes widened as she said to Athena, "Wait, the painting you showed off before was also painted by Promise?!"
Ah, it was finally exposed, huh?
Athena still smiled elegantly, then turned her head away.
Hera, having gotten her answer, then once again focused on Promise, and by now her jealousy was not just written on her face, but seemed about to burst forth from her body.
As Promise saw this and his body subconsciously tensed, he heard Hera's faint voice, "Promise, mine then, my... painting?"
Hera's voice did not mix the expected anger, only thick with melancholy.
And this, in turn, made it clear that she was just one step away from a final breakdown.
"Promise, I am... your goddess!"
As she bit her lip, the words had just fallen.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind becoming your goddess next, Promise," Athena said with a beaming smile.
Hearing this, Hera hadn't turned to vent the anger in her heart towards Athena when...
"I don't mind either!" Artemis, holding tightly to the painting in her arms, afraid of it being snatched away, came forward and said seriously, "Promise, I can also be your goddess!"
Atalanta, hearing this, instinctively opened her mouth to say something, but looking at the scene before her, she thought better of it and simply bowed her head.
Then she suddenly noticed beside her, the Pegasus that had descended from the night sky at some unknown time.
It was grazing on grass nearby...
"You two..." Hera, teeth gritted, looking at the two goddesses eyeing her follower greedily, felt the suppressed anger in her heart and the jealousy almost bursting forth from her body.
She even felt that this moment was more infuriating than catching Zeus in an affair!
"Don't always think about my follower, he is mine, don't even think about it... Oh, right, take this opportunity to make it clear!"
Then Hera again focused on Promise, urgently and with a deep hope, said, "Promise, you will choose who to be your goddess, you will definitely choose me, right..."
She hadn't finished speaking when Artemis also looked at Promise full of expectation.
Athena, however, stopped the conversation from continuing.
After all, she was very clear about the choice in Promise's heart at this stage.
"Enough." Thus, she stopped Hera, and spoke, "Don't say anymore, look around... Tonight, it's really quite lively."
Hearing this, Hera was momentarily stunned, then turned her head, scanning the surroundings.
Feeling those eyes gathered here, and thinking about how her behavior had been spied upon by them, her face instantly darkened.
She glared fiercely at Athena, one of the main culprits, but in this situation, Hera had to compromise, forcefully suppressing her emotions as she said, "Fine, I can ignore these for now, but Promise, you also must prepare such a painting for me!"
"Okay."
What surprised everyone present at that moment was that the boy agreed very readily, as if he had been prepared.
Even Athena felt somewhat surprised by this.
Then Promise nodded and continued to speak to Hera, "Honorable Goddess Hera, I will prepare a painting for you, but... sorry, before that, I need to meet the God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus, and seek a brush and canvas from her."
To avoid any misunderstanding from Hera, he quickly explained that he currently lacked the ability to paint deities, hence he needed the God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus, to specially create the tools for him, which he informed Hera.
Hearing this, Hera glanced at the painting tightly held in Artemis's arms, then looked up at the sky, and understood some of the reasons.
"Therefore, Goddess Hera, I hope that when I am capable, you will allow me and bestow upon me the honor of painting you... and that will also be my first painting that truly depicts a deity."
Promise smiled and said to the slightly stunned Hera, "I have never forgotten the grace you bestowed upon me in the homeland of Jason, honorable goddess, nor have I forgotten everything that happened in Aegean.
I have always felt very fortunate to be your follower, so great goddess, please grant me this honor on that day."
Hera is a goddess prone to jealousy.
Promise was well aware of this.
Thus, he had already considered that offering a painting to Artemis might provoke Hera's displeasure, so he had prepared accordingly.
And indeed, quenching Hera's rage was not difficult.
Although he couldn't produce a finished product at the moment, and the folder offered to her was still blank, it was enough to make it seem like he was considering her first.
After all, as long as it doesn't involve marriage, Hera is relatively easy to talk to.
Unlike Artemis, who is always thinking about hunting.
So, after Promise finished speaking, Hera, who had initially worn unhappiness and jealousy on her face, changed her expression in an instant, turning it into surprise.
And hearing this, Artemis blinked, feeling somewhat dejected that the painting in her hands didn't seem so desirable... Yet even so, she held onto it tightly, with no intention of letting go.
"Athena, did you hear that?"
Then Hera, with a face full of pride, immediately boasted to Athena, "This child still remembers me, and moreover, the first person he will paint will be me!"
But the first painting truly offered to a god is still mine...
Thinking this, Athena did not expose Promise, but merely smiled lightly, her golden eyes casting a meaningful glance at the boy.
At the same time, she couldn't really say much, as after all, having Hera as the first god truly depicted by Promise, from all perspectives, was reasonable and appropriate.
Thus, Promise successfully got through the night.
Hera got the outcome she wanted, and was even eager to meet her daughter, the God of Craftsmanship, Hephaestus, hoping to obtain a painting like the one of Artemis tonight.
Although Athena didn't gain anything, she was already satisfied, for to her, a goddess of her stature, everything tonight was too interesting, and Promise had not disappointed her once again... Although she felt a bit jealous in her heart.
As for Artemis, the greatest winner tonight, she was initially stunned by the overwhelming happiness, and was dazed throughout.
It was only when Athena and Hera were about to leave with Artemis that she somewhat came to her senses.
'Wait, wait a minute, I haven't bestowed my grace on little Promise yet!' Artemis exclaimed loudly.
Hearing this, Hera and Athena were slightly taken aback and then stopped.
Indeed, such a significant offering tonight without gifts or blessings would indeed be inappropriate.
If Artemis didn't give one, by tomorrow, the gods would surely seize the opportunity to mock her for being stingy, thus covering up their jealousy.
But what kind of gift would Artemis give for such an offering?
Hera couldn't help but stop and curiously look at the moon goddess.
And at that moment,
"The gift is not just from me but from all of Calydon and Atalanta, as a blessing and gift to you, Goddess Artemis," Promise spoke, even turning to pull Atalanta closer, and earnestly said,
"Therefore, Goddess Artemis, I don't have the sole right to enjoy this gift, please bestow it equally upon everyone!"
Hearing this, Hera looked at Promise somewhat emotionally.
'This is the child who can bring me honor... No, from today onwards, I must take even better care of him, I absolutely can't give Athena any chance!'
Thinking this, she glared fiercely at Athena again.
Thr latter, however, did not pay attention to Hera at this moment but rather looked at Promise with a somewhat playful gaze.
After all, she had realized early on that Promise's carefully prepared painting was because he feared being hunted by Artemis, and she naturally guessed his thoughts at this time.
That is to stand everyone in front of Artemis.
And Artemis, feeling the blessings contained in the night lanterns and looking at the first one who lit the lantern, her most loyal little follower, really couldn't refute.
As she hesitated...
"Grant the blessings to the entire Kingdom of Calydon," Athena spoke up, smiling, " Forgive their past mistakes, give blessings to all, that is what they are hoping for.
And Artemis, you should also fulfill your little follower's wish, letting her follow by your side from now on.
As for Promise, Artemis, from today onwards, you should no longer use hunting to scare him."
" Is that all?" Artemis looked at Athena in confusion.
"Of course, Goddess Artemis!" Before Athena could respond, Atalanta excitedly said, "Following you is my greatest wish, please grant me this honor!"
"Alright then," Artemis, feeling a bit helpless but also happy, nodded at Atalanta and said, "Since this is little Ata's wish, so be it... What about Promise?"
"Apart from no longer going hunting, it's the painting, of course."
After Athena's response, everyone present was slightly taken aback.
"Painting?" Artemis looked at Athena in confusion, then at the painting in her hands, and the next second, she hugged it tightly, looking warily at her.
"Not the one in your hands."
Athena rolled her eyes at Artemis and said, "But when Promise gets the brush and canvas from Hephaestus, Artemis, you are not to make any requests of this child, and must graciously be portrayed on his canvas.
And from then on, whenever this child seeks your help, you cannot refuse!"
This statement was a bit absolute, but even Hera showed an expression that it was only right, considering those sky lanterns were still lit up in the sky.
"No problem!" Hearing this, Artemis didn't even give Promise a chance to speak and immediately nodded in agreement, as if afraid that the other party might change their mind.
She actually didn't care about what Athena said later; she only heard the first part, that Promise would paint her again in the future.
Seeing this, Promise hesitated for a moment and then said nothing.
After all, his main goal, with Athena's help, had indeed been achieved.
Since Artemis had given her promise, she could no longer hunt Promise from now on.
So the night finally calmed down... Well, more precisely, until the dawn lit up the sky, Calydon would not be quiet at all.
Meanwhile, those sky lanterns traveled a distance into the night sky before stopping.
Even though the painting is destined to dissipate in the sky when the sun rises, tonight, the goddess of the night, Nyx, who makes the stars retreat, wishes to keep it hanging in the night sky, using the night sky as its canvas.
And then the Pegasus, stretching its wings, brought Atalanta and Promise back to the Kingdom of Calydon.
And when it landed within the Kingdom of Calydon, what welcomed Promise was the cheers of everyone in Calydon..
After all, before their return, the temple's followers and prophets had excitedly informed everyone that the Moon Goddess Artemis had forgiven their past mistakes.
And she would also grant them a hundred years of blessings.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night, a grand banquet took place throughout the kingdom, everyone participated, but Promise, who was the absolute core of it all, quietly slipped away from the crowd at some point.
Because he still had a small promise to keep.
He climbed to the highest point of the palace in the kingdom, and there at the very top, wearing a white robe, Clotho, the Fate holding Promise's destiny orb, sat quietly waiting for him.
That day in the Temple of Fate, having awoken from the spied-upon future destinies, Promise naturally found the other two goddess of Fates.
They had agreed to help, but only made one small request.
Though the request was a bit strange, it was just a small matter, so Promise eventually agreed.
That was, at the end of everything, Promise needed to come to Clotho's side.
To accompany her, who couldn't see it all, and together admire the view of tonight.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder