บท 23: Chaotic Ties
You've come to the right place. It is indeed possible for mortals to ascend to godhood without the assistance of other gods. I have the knowledge of all the steps necessary to achieve it—I created them myself, after all. However, I must admit that I personally wouldn't recommend this path to others. But if you are certain this is what you truly desire, then you can give it a try.
- Apollo.
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Meanwhile, Apollo approached the chambers, his keen ears effortlessly catching the faint sounds emanating from within, even though the walls were heavily fortified with concealment wards. However, as soon as he heard her piercing voice, he instantly regretted it.
"Where are you hiding—Don't you dare walk away from me!" Hera screeched. "I will find her, no matter what it takes! I will annihilate the abomination she brought into this world! Do you want me to explode? Is that what you want? Is that—"
Zeus flung the chamber door open, bolting out with urgency and slamming it shut behind him. The sounds from within abruptly ceased, and Apollo no longer bothered to tune in, sparing his ears.
The King of Gods turned to his son, his movements deliberate and unhurried. "How long have you been standing there?"
"I just arrived, father," Apollo answered honestly.
"You must have heard—" Zeus pinched the bridge of his nose, a sigh escaping his lips. "Regardless, it does not matter. Walk with me, son."
Apollo complied, strolling alongside his father down the main palace corridors. The servants swiftly scuttled out of their way, granting them solitude. Even Apollo gave his father space, allowing him to delve into his own thoughts until he felt ready to converse. Silence stretched on, and they ended up at the edge of a balcony, overlooking the world.
"I suppose," Zeus finally spoke up, his gaze fixed on his vast domain that opened before them, "you are here due to your brother, Hermes."
Apollo wasn't the least bit surprised. His father should have already known everything that had happened. There were very few things under the sky that could escape his father's notice, and news always travelled fast among the divine pantheon if no one was trying to keep it hidden. And he didn't bother to keep it hidden; it was better this way. "Yes," he said, cutting to the chase. "I want to vouch for him."
"Vouch?" Zeus turned to his son, his eyes crackling with surprise.
"His inherent divinity is the path," Apollo explained, expanding on his previous statement. "He has great potential and can be incredibly useful. He's even more exempt from the ancient law of hospitality than I am. He would be perfect to take on the role of messenger. Iris has been carrying that burden alone for too long; she could use a helping hand."
This proposal was carefully crafted and meant to entice Zeus. The King was well aware of it, yet still took it into consideration because every word spoken by Apollo held undeniable truth. However, in the end, he didn't appear convinced. "You speak the truth, son," he rumbled, "but I'm more interested in knowing what compelled you to come all the way here to just vouch for him?"
"Father," Apollo chuckled, pointing at himself. "He fooled me, and as you know, that is something not a lot of people can do. And he is still not even a day old—"
"He actually pulled that off, didn't he?" Zeus smiled proudly. "Truly, my son."
"He is a true trickster," Apollo echoed, "which Olympus very much needs. He may not have the divinity for it yet, but it would be no problem for him to gain it under my guidance." He paused, catching a glimpse of his father's countenance, which, despite the pride, still had traces of scepticism. With a sigh, he added, "But ultimately, I want to save him from the Queen."
The only way for a bastard child of Zeus to escape the wrath of Hera was when their father acknowledged them as true-born children, removing their status as bastards. At that point, even Hera could do nothing but swallow her indignation and accept them into her family as her stepchildren.
"That," Zeus nodded in contentment, scepticism melting away into certainty, "was the truth I was expecting. You truly value him, don't you, son? Regardless, Hermes will prove to be an exemplary Olympian." With an authoritative turn towards the face of the world, he cleared his throat, commanding attention, and declared, his voice resonating through the terrestrial realm like reverberating thunder, "I hereby proclaim Hermes, the illustrious God of Paths, to be my rightful and true-born son."
Right on the heels of that, a bright burst of light erupted behind them, materialising into the majestic figure of the Queen of Gods. Her face remained expressionless, but her fury blazed like a volcano, radiating from her seething divine aura. Her bright yet venomous eyes locked on her husband with intense focus before shifting to Apollo. "You..." she snapped, her voice laced with venom. "You were the one who was hiding them..."
"Hera," Zeus thundered, his tone brooking no argument. "Enough of this! This was my decision. Stand down."
"I will take my leave, father," Apollo stated firmly, not daring to hesitate between them.
Zeus nodded, his electric eyes fixed on Hera as Apollo walked past her, his footsteps deliberate and measured.
"Apollo," Hera spat, her words piercing the air. "You. Will. Pay. For. This."
"Hera!" Zeus rumbled, his fingers crackling with steaks of lightning.
Apollo halted abruptly, facing the Queen of Gods, meeting her cataclysmic gaze with unwavering resolve. "My intention was never to deliberately provoke your wrath, stepmother, but it seems inevitable, doesn't it?" His words carried raw sincerity. "All I wanted was to protect our family and seek the betterment of the pantheon. I hope you can understand that."
With that, the God of Light turned and walked away, leaving the Queen of Gods stunned into silence, her retort swallowed by the weight of his departure.
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"Hermes seems to have potential," Athena commented, taking a sip of tea as she sat on one of her palace balconies with Apollo. He gave her a quick rundown of recent events, spurred by her persistent inquiry.
"Your tone tells a different tale, Athena," Apollo pointed out, smirking pointedly.
"I speak the truth, as you're well aware," Athena replied calmly. "But you also know how I feel about being caught off guard."
"Yes." Apollo nodded, savouring each sip of his tea. "Hermes has truly been quite surprising, hasn't he?"
"More than just a surprise?" Athena's eyes turned stern. "He could pose a threat as well."
"A threat?" Apollo laughed. "You jest, Athena."
"I do not jest, Apollo," Athena replied evenly. "Especially not when it comes to matters like this."
"Do go on," Apollo urged, his curiosity piqued.
"Hermes has deceived you," Athena asserted, emphasising her viewpoint. "This fact alone speaks volumes about his aptitude for trickery and deceit—qualities that bring not only change and opportunity but also chaos and destruction. Just consider our neighbouring pantheon, whose ultimate demise will be shaped by a trickster. So, I fail to comprehend why you, the God of Order, would endorse yet another trickster."
Apollo placed his cup on the table. "What do you want from me, Athena?" he asked, locking eyes with her in confrontation. "Are you suggesting that we should make everyone fear Hermes and see him as a 'threat'? Or do you actually want us to go even further and spurn everyone into mistreating him, turning him into an outcast like the Aesir did to Loki? Look at how well that turned out for them! Is that the fate you want for us, Athena?"
"Do not twist my words." Athena met his eyes, blazing golden against stormy grey. "My concerns are valid."
"Perhaps," Apollo reclined in his seat, "Perhaps not, but I'm certain about one thing: our brother isn't an agent of chaos or destruction—believe me, I have firsthand knowledge. He's simply himself; Hermes, who is endlessly curious and mischievous about the world."
"I will confirm it myself then," Athena nodded in consideration.
Apollo rose abruptly from his chair, his voice filled with conviction. "You will," he declared, readjusting his laurel crown and gazing down at his half-sister with an air of inevitability.
In the face of the intense stare of the All-Seeing One, Athena couldn't help but break into a smile. "You really do value him, don't you?" she said.
Apollo interjected, "Let me give you a piece of advice, Athena. There's nothing wrong with being objective, but don't let it consume every aspect of your being." With that, he gracefully lifted himself off the ground, his sandals leaving behind waves of shimmering light. "Oh, and by the way, the tea was fantastic."
Athena lifted her cup and took a final sip of the remaining tea, her eyes fixed on Apollo as he soared towards the arena where the Muses were performing a concert. Her stormy grey eyes followed his captivating and powerful figure, revealing nothing of her own thoughts.
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