Tales of Olympus

Chapter 2: Deeper Truths

"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool."

Over the next few days, the most famous son of Iapetus met with the goddess of the hearth.

In the workshop of Prometheus, Hestia joined Prometheus in his near-endless task of his final creation with Epimetheus. Before them, a bronze model of the first woman lay upon a marble pedestal.

Hestia's mousy brown hair was bound up as she analyzed with her gentle warm fire-red eyes. A serene smile flashed across her face when she approached Prometheus's special project.

"Prometheus," she began, her eyes observing every piece of the model. "This is unbelievable. You and Epimetheus truly are amazing."

Prometheus let out a laugh at the compliment.

He was not one for accepting praise despite the fact that he was more than capable of offering positive and negative criticism to others.

"I do not know if I can agree. We gave away all of the best traits to the other animals. Elephants are strong, fish can swim, and birds can fly. If I don't give them small blessings from us, they will be no better than hairless apes."

Hestia smiled at that notion, finding it to be almost adorable, before returning her attention to the great Maker.

"I like that you care so much for them even before they are born." She reached out a hand, and a divine fire-like energy jumped from her to the model. "I give them the gift of home," she said softly. When the son of Iapetus looked at her, Hestia gave him a soft smile. "Your other animals may make nests or caves, but they will want home with family. It instills compassion for them to need one another. Through that closeness, they will make shelters to weather the storms of life."

Prometheus watched in awe as the bronze figure swirled with the few gifts he had been able to give. Soon, he would add Metis' final gift. That would be for later...But even as he thought of it, he knew there was someone else he would need to talk to.

Until that, he would focus on the matters at hand.

"Thank you, Hestia," Prometheus said, reaching out with his black marked hands.

Hestia accepted his right hand and shook it. His other hand clasped on top in friendship. "I am still sorry about the Flame of Olympus burning you."

Prometheus let out a snort of laughter. "Think nothing of it."

"That was a large favor," Hestia said kindly. She touched his arm to make sure he understood that she was grateful. "The Flame could have consumed you."

"It might have, but I trusted you," Prometheus said honestly.

"Well, just know if you need something in the future, I am here for you," Hestia said.

"You've already done so much for me," Prometheus said, motioning to the model.

Hestia turned the touch into a hug of friendship. "Let me still owe you a kindness, Prometheus. Good things on Olympus need to be more commonplace."

"They do," Prometheus said back.

He hugged her back, but while he was grateful for the comradery and affectionate contact, his thoughts were on the actions of Zeus, knowing that the future of Olympus would likely be cruel and selfish in nature.

---

Just before the moonlight of Selene touched down on Olympus, Demeter and Zeus strolled through the landscapes of Olympus. The night air was sweet from the fragrance of blooming flowers. The distant sound of cascading waterfalls gave them a relaxing atmosphere for their time together.

"I had no idea you could be interested in me," Demeter commented after their days together.

Zeus smiled, "Why not? You're just as important as I am... More so, even, as one of the older children of our parents."

There was a light blush on Demeter's face upon receiving such simple praise in his compliment.

"But you're king," Demeter pointed out. She paused before adding with a motion of her hands, "And you always seemed in love with Metis."

"I was," Zeus commented with open honesty. "I am still if I am being truthful, but there are certain obligations as King of Olympus that would require more of me, such as to have the right person to be by my side."

Demeter's hair seemed to shine silver in the moonbeams. Her lips parted in a soft smile of compassion for her youngest brother.

"And you think that person might be me?" Demeter asked.

Zeus, ever the charming suitor, nodded respectfully. He was quite aware that he would get nowhere without flattery. He had to pretend they were equals even if his position as king clearly made him superior to her and all other goddesses on or below Olympus. Even deeper, he knew the tremendous power at his disposal would never allow them to be equal regardless of their parentage.

Together, they reached a small, quiet garden adorned with fountains that had splashing waters that seemed to splatter out liquid diamonds. Winding pathways surrounded them both. Zeus was hard at work to make his godly city to be more open and welcoming than it ever had been before.

Zeus paused to admire the beauty of his handiwork in the settling night. Thankfully, his admiration for his work transferred from one subject to another as he turned to Demeter.

"My dear Demeter," Zeus said with as much affection as he could muster for her. "You are by far the best choice to be by my side. Olympus can see how much work you have done in cultivating food from the ground and the goodwill of trying to make the Mortal Realm more livable for all beings."

Demeter's heart swelled at his kind words. "Thank you, my lord Zeus," she replied, soft as a summer breeze. She looked upon with soft eyes. "If I should be your choice, I would be honored to be by your side, but I want you to know I will not try to replace Metis. I know how much she meant to you."

Zeus flinched, controlling himself. He did not want Metis' name mentioned by this lesser divinity. While he restrained his anger, Demeter looked at him with soft eyes, believing his rage to be mourning.

"I do know what she meant to you, Zeus," Demeter repeated. "I know you might have other 'attentions'," she added, knowing all about Zeus' affairs. "I won't stop you from having them," she went on with a colder, calculated cadence. "I only ask thatanychildren we have come before the others."

Zeus could not understand what it had taken Demeter to say what she did. He only cared that she had said what he had wanted to hear. Leaning down, beneath the starry sky, Zeus' lips brushed against Demeter's with soft, slow, deliberate intention.

The kiss caught Demeter off guard, but it was not altogether unwelcome. She melted into his experienced touch.

She could not know of Zeus' intentions, but her body just reacted to her more seasoned partner. As wet clay in the hands of this molder, Demeter surrendered to his longings.

---

Back on Gaia's island, the peaceful tranquility of the elder deities' exile had been shattered. Rhea's frantic footsteps could be heard as she raced throughout the ancient forest. Her heart was pounding in her chest from the anxiety of what she feared that she had lost rather than the cardiovascular sprint she found herself in. Her bare feet stamped on the soily earth in her search.

Panic gnawed at her as she searched for any sign of the children. Aegis and Eletheia were nowhere to be found on the entirety of the island.

Rhea's worry deepened into a well of despair moment by moment. Her mind raced with countless fears and possibilities. Had Zeus come for them? Had they left on their own? Had some unknown god kidnapped or destroyed them?

She called out their names. Her voice grew louder and more shrill with each new call she let out. For all her efforts, there was no answer. Only silence from the forest returned her cries.

When she was defeated by their absence, wandered into the clearing she had been countless times with Gaia. This was where she often found solace from the trees, but also to just think about all of the eventful tragedies she had survived.

Gaia stood at the water's edge. As Rhea could only see her back, she could not read the Earth Mother's expression, but Rhea knew that somehow Gaia was aware of the tragedy.

"Mother!" Rhea cried out. Her voice trembled with fear as she rushed to Gaia's side. "They're gone. Aegis and Eletheia are missing."

Gaia turned to face Rhea. The weight of their shared sorrow hung heavy in the air, but for Gaia, it was so much more than it was for Rhea. In that moment, for her, this was just the inevitable conclusion to her immortal life's totality of failure.

"I know, Daughter," Gaia replied weakly. While others might mistake grief in her voice, Rhea could hear the defeat that emanated from her mother. "I felt their absence the moment they departed from my island."

"Then..." Rhea breathed, struggling to contain her anger. "Why did you not stop them?" The question was just a little quieter than a scream. In the past, Gaia had not tolerated her daughter's outbursts, but then, she allowed it.

Rhea's heart clenched when Gaia offered no response. The reality of their children's disappearance was becoming more tangible by the second. "What are we going to do, Mother?" she asked, pleading.

Gaia's gaze turned back to her lake. "Nothing," she breathed.

"Nothing?"

"Everything we have done since Cronos has been for the betterment of the other gods, for Olympus, but..." she struggled, shaking her head. "Perhaps, we have been too active."

"Too active?" Rhea shot back.

The question was an affront to Rhea. How could her mother say such a monumentally stupid thing?

"That is our right, as queens!"

"Wewerequeens," Gaia remarked back. "I believe the Moirai are giving us a chance to step away before we become too involved, before we make an irrevocable mistake."

"But... how?"

"Everything we do turns to ash against Zeus," Gaia said softly. "I believe he is meant to be king."

She let out a long breath and stared off blankly into the distance. Despite her less then mundane features, Rhea could recognize the detail of defeat etched in her mother's eyes.

"The Curse of Ouranos is broken through him, Rhea. We cannot stand against him."

Rhea stared at her mother in disbelief. Rhea had given up much to get to where she was. Some might say too much. With those words from her mother, Rhea might have allowed the situation to crush her, but no. Something else ignited within her. There were other options.

Maybe there was no prophecy against her son. Maybe there was, but Rhea would not give up like Gaia. Rhea was a Titaness, not steady and firm like the stones and rocks. She was not her mother.

There were still options that lay ahead for them. She would not just become compliant to her son. Rhea was meant for the game of control on Mount Olympus, and she still had moves to make. Her greatest option had yet to be played.

---

Aegle, Hespera, and Arethusa managed the trees of Hera's private garden when Prometheus came to disturb the worst kept secret sanctuary of Hera. The green foliage was everywhere, but especially around the perimeter of the area. Flowers blossomed and trees bloomed in the gentle breeze.

Sitting at a marble table with stone chairs was Hera. The table had intricate carvings on it, depicting events of the final battle of the Great War.

As the afternoon sun cast its golden rays upon the garden, Prometheus arrived into the wonderful place. He bent down to smell the delicate flora

When he looked up, his eyes found Hera arriving.

Hera walked through the verdant foliage with a grace unique to her. In Prometheus' eyes, she was every bit the daughter of Rhea. Her regal bearing radiated off of her as easily as light came from Helios or even the Great Flame.

She was clad in a gown of a lovely, shiny silk, accentuating her lovely form. She seemed to have put on a little weight, but that mild imperfection did not diminish her in any way. In fact, Prometheus could see why Hades had been drawn to her physical allure. She seemed to move like a fluid rather than a solid person when she went to the daughters of Atlas before coming to the counselor.

Prometheus watched her dismiss his nieces with a gentleness that he had not expected of her.

As she approached Prometheus, he saw the curiosity within her eyes. Trust between the two had been built during the Great War, but if Prometheus was correct, and he usually was, she was suspicious of him. After all, he had not deemed to meet with her since the Three Kings' ascension.

Hera motioned to the stone seat, and Prometheus joined her at her marble table.

"What brings you here, Prometheus?" the youngest daughter of Cronos and Rhea asked.

"How long have my nieces been in your care?" the son of Iapetus and Clymene asked back.

"Since Zeus' eye fell on them," Hera answered, annoyed to have her question ignored.

"Ah!" Prometheus replied. "I assume this happened right after my brother's punishment?"

"Obviously," Hera answered. She did not hide her irritation at him. "Metis helped me arrange it since I constructed the spell that made Cratus and his siblings loyal to Zeus."

"So that was you?" Prometheus asked. "I suspected, but I did not know. Interesting."

"Why do you ask?"

"I only wondered given what happened to Metis."

Hera stared at him. She could sense the issue with how he had commented to Metis. "And whatdidhappen to Metis?"

"Why doyouask?" Prometheus wondered.

"I saw her before the first fight with Typhon. She wasconvincedthat she was going to die soon. I don't..." she trailed off.

"No. Please. Go on," Prometheus said.

Hera looked at him. He could see she was making an assessment of him. Her eyes darted back and forth before she touched her table. A vibrant purple-red hue shot out around her garden, maybe even the entirety of the palace.

"I am assuming you are my ally, Prometheus," Hera said cautiously. "I cannot accept the risk that those listening are now. My spell makes sure that no one will overhear us."

Prometheus nodded, encouraging her to go on.

"Was she alive after that battle?"

Prometheus nodded.

"She said something to you?"

"Not... said... per se," Prometheus struggled. He did not know what he could tell Hera without betraying Metis' trust. "She intimated that Zeus might become a threat to her... and Olympus."

Hera's eyes grew wide. "I thought as much."

"You think he has done something?" Prometheus asked.

Hera nodded slowly. She held up a hand to pause the conversation. He could tell that, to some degree, she was thinking about her choice of words. Diplomacy was a gift seldom used on Olympus, so the Counselor was more than willing to be patient.

"Either he killed her, consumed her, maybe absorbed her... Something. Hades, in the final battle, found a way to absorb a Titan's spirit for a short time. It made him stronger. If Metis were weakened in her battle with Zeus, he might have been able to absorb her: mind, body, and soul."

"And that would account for his new power," Prometheus breathed.

Hera nodded again.

"By Chaos," Prometheus breathed again. He looked away, unsure of what to do. "He truly might be a monster."

"And with his gaze on Demeter," Hera remarked, "no one will say anything negative to him."

"Well," Prometheus offered in his observation. "There might be one..."

"Oh. And who is that?" Hera asked, entirely sure that Prometheus could provide no answer.

The word slipped from his mouth before he knew what to do. He was not being discreet or circumspect in this choice. Rather, he was being forthright, which he felt served him far better in this arena.

"You."

---

Demeter was no foolish girl. She knew what Zeus was like and what he was about. However, she found his company more than acceptable. In fact, the entire evening with him had been rather wonderful. He was charming, sweet, endearing, and presented her with an offer to be Queen of Olympus.

As the second eldest of Cronos and Rhea, it made sense for him to consider her. Hestia had no interest in sex with god or goddess. Hera was practically Hades' plaything. She was the smart choice, the sensible choice.

When Zeus offered Demeter his hand through his courtyard, she knew what it would entail. Truth be told, Demeter was curious in what this would mean and what Zeus could do. She was a goddess, so she knew the pleasures of an orgasm. There were many night she had pleasured herself, but Zeus was offering something more tangible. Ouranos had claimed Gaia in front of the other Primordials.

While Demeter was not open enough for such a display, she was entirely sure Zeus would want to sample her fruits before committing to her grove.

As they reached the entrance to the palace, Zeus turned to face Demeter. In that fleeting moment of night, Zeus leaned forward as he had in the gardens. His lips brushed against Demeter's lips, gently caressing her. There was a promise of so much more in his action.

A shiver of anticipation ran up and down her spine. She wrapped her arms around him, wanting to explore more of his affection.

Their kiss was soft and sweet at first, but when his tongue went into her mouth, she unexpectedly opened her maw in a surrendering acceptance of his advances.

The sensation was new and not altogether without pleasure. Demeter found herself reacting by instinct moment by moment when it came to Zeus' advancements.

Before she knew it, Demeter found herself in the throne room of Zeus' palace. She did not even know how she had gotten there. The golden hair tie, which had bound her mane up, fell, and with it, so too did the many strands.

She did not know how, but Zeus had undone the straps of her dress, and before him, her entire body was his to view and to have.

Surprisingly, she enjoyed his eyes on her body, the way her breasts fell, the muscles of her midsection, and the dip and curves of her hips. Strength and using her fists during the Great War had been her greatest attributes.

In those moments, she felt both like meat and prey under the eyes of Zeus.

He was evaluating her, but the lustful hunger in his eyes did not dissipate.

Was that not how it should be? He was the King, and she was the future Queen. She would bear him princes and princesses.

Her body folded under his hands' pleasing actions. Those ten fingers explored her extensively, and every moment was akin to an hour of newfound pleasure for Demeter. How had she never done this before?

She moaned and groaned when his lips touched her brown, fertile nipples. Her back arched, and the sensations were lighting one fire after another all over her body.

A gasp turned into a whisper of a grunt. To be so out of her own control was not something Demeter had ever allowed herself to be. She was not like Hestia and viewed as important because she was the eldest, nor was she Hera and the favorite of her mother.

Demeter had carved her own small piece of existence for herself, and to know that in this simple act of giving herself to Zeus, her reality could expand in the most amazing of ways was the most invigorating of thoughts.

She wanted to give him his heir almost immediately because of the life-altering effects of his massaging caresses.. She knew where his manhood would need to go for that.

The Wedding Ch. 02

Discussion(0)