Perhaps the only thing to be thankful for was that the God-King, as he is now, is still willing to observe rules, reason, and righteousness, and his divine character can still be called broad and compassionate.
Otherwise, the entire universe would truly have no hope left.
Gaia can be hot-tempered at times.
But she is not foolish.
If the God-King is still willing to reason with you, that is already the greatest good fortune.
In such a situation, if you still choose not to be reasonable with the God-King, then he will let you learn what a true "Sovereign of Spirit" is, and what a true "Lord of Thunder" is!
The spiritual authority that the former Lord of Spirit used to act with wanton arbitrariness, and the thunder with which Zeus shatters all—Gaia had not forgotten them, nor could she.
She drew a deep breath and pressed down the surge of emotion in her heart.
She spoke slowly: "Honored Zeus, I thank you for your favor and your promise."
"My children are indeed unclear-headed at times. It is right that you restrict their freedom."
"However, now that they have lost all their laws, they pose no threat at all."
"Tartarus truly is the most terrifying place in the world."
"The torment of Tartarus is suffering truly worse than death. Even utter annihilation might be better than sinking forever in that endless void."
"Your mercy is known throughout the universe, your breadth of heart wins the gods' obeisance. We are, after all, one family of gods, I…"
As Gaia spoke, she slowly rose from her seat.
Then she did something that would shock any deity—something almost impossible to believe!
She bowed her noblest head to Zeus upon his throne!
She bent her waist deeply before Zeus and, in the most humble tone, pleaded softly: "Your Majesty the God-King, I… I beg you…"
"Please, transfer their confinement from Tartarus to another place."
"Anywhere else, to be imprisoned anywhere else."
"So long as it is not Tartarus, anywhere will do."
"Whether in the boundless seas and vast oceans, or somewhere in the starry expanse—find a desolate, lonely celestial body at random."
"Even the deathly Underworld would do. Anywhere, so long as it is not Tartarus."
In the endless span of her divine life, this was the first time the Mother of All showed such vulnerability and humility before another deity.
No living being had ever seen such vulnerability and humility from the Mother of All.
This oldest, strongest, most exalted Mother of All—the primordial source of the whole heavenly family and of all gods—
Was now bowing her noblest head, bending her regal back, and uttering the most heartfelt plea to her grandchild, the God-King.
In all past ages, she had not been spared setbacks; she had known oppression; she had felt helplessness and resignation; and she had compromised, too.
But even before Uranus, at most she folded her hands and adopted a passive stance.
And before Kronos, she confronted his majesty again and again, directly rebuking him, even clashing with him repeatedly.
She had never been truly humble.
Yet now, for the first time, she pleaded like this.
Her green eyes—once filled with endless mystery and vitality—looked dimly toward Zeus.
In those incomparably beautiful eyes shimmered a moist, fearful supplication.
She clasped her hands at her breast, bowed deeply to Zeus, and entreated in a woeful voice: "Merciful God-King, I implore you, grant me this humble request."
Even Zeus had never seen the Mother of All like this.
This oldest and strongest Great Mother had always been so self-assured and proud; her nature was so forceful and resolute.
Even for her own sake, she would never have yielded like this.
But she knew too well how dreadful Tartarus was.
And her six giant children had told her far too many times of its horrors.
The psychological scars those children bore—at the mere sound of the name "Tartarus," the frenzied, terrified reaction that followed—made her heart ache without end just to witness it.
Now, for the sake of her children, this great Mother had bowed her noblest head in humiliation and laid down her immeasurably proud and precious dignity.
Zeus's expression was austere. He kept his silence.
And the Mother of All held her pleading posture, motionless.
A long, long time passed before Zeus finally let out a quiet sigh.
He could not bring himself to stand by and watch a noble Mother so abase herself for the sake of her children.
The Mother of All is not a perfect mother.
She is not skilled at teaching her children, and sometimes indulges them too much.
Nor is she a mother who always yields to her children.
At times she clashes with them; at times she is indeed too irascible; at times, too willful.
But her love for her children has never been in doubt.
Zeus gently set down the thunder scepter in his hand and slowly descended from his throne. He came to the Mother of All, personally supported her by the arm, and asked her to sit again.
"Honored Mother, you need not do this."
"I promise you this. In ten thousand years, I will grant them another chance. For now, let them hone themselves a little longer."
"Zeus…"
Gaia would have spoken again.
But Zeus lightly took her hand and cut her off.
"Honored Mother, let it be so. Ten thousand years pass in a blink, and they do indeed need this little lesson."
"Please trust me. I give you my word—they will not come to harm."
Gaia parted her lips, wanting to say more.
But her spirit had truly ebbed away.
In the end she only lowered her head and let out a quiet sigh, not wishing to press the matter further.
She slowly lifted her fair face and looked at Zeus, as if to ask something else.
But there was a flash of hesitation in her gaze, and in the end she said nothing.
At last she said softly, "Magnanimous Majesty, I thank you for your forbearance and your promise. I have nothing further; I will take my leave."
With that, she turned to go at once.
But Zeus suddenly caught her small hand, and she looked at him in a start, doubt in her eyes.
Zeus spoke slowly: "Honored Mother of All, after some time, I will have a great matter for which I need your aid."
"At that time, I may be somewhat discourteous to you. I wish to tell you this in advance, and to ask your understanding."
"But please rest assured, I will not harm you in any way. This is a matter that concerns the whole world, and it must be done. I am truly sorry."
Zeus spoke with utmost sincerity, and his gaze upon Gaia was of the same sincerity.
Gaia's green eyes narrowed slightly.
She studied Zeus carefully; her low mood vanished at once, replaced by keen alertness.
"May I ask, Majesty, what matter this is?" the Mother of All asked softly.
Zeus answered solemnly, "The time has not yet come; it is not convenient to say more for now. I beg your understanding. When the time arrives, you will know."
Gaia's vague sense of foreboding only grew stronger, to the point of making her feel anxious at heart.
In earnest candor she asked, "Honored Majesty, may I refuse?"
"Or, can this matter be entrusted to another god?"
Zeus shook his head helplessly. "Honored Mother of All, no deity but you can take this on."
"No one," Zeus added, with emphasis.
Gaia's face chilled despite herself, and she thought: 'If I cannot refuse, what more is there to say?'
The Mother of All cursed several very unpretty words in her heart.
With a set face, she said coolly, "In that case, when the time comes, it would be best if Your Majesty could inform me in advance—so that I may be prepared."
Zeus nodded emphatically, face full of sincerity. "I will do my utmost!"
The ominous presentiment in Gaia's heart pounded at her divinity like a great hammer.
She nodded with difficulty, then turned and left—quickly!
She had already resolved to avoid Zeus as much as possible in the days to come.
This seemed a very big problem!
No.
From today forward, I shall keep my doors shut!
If I cannot afford to provoke you, Zeus, can I not at least avoid you?
Watching Gaia's hasty departure, Zeus blinked.
He thought to himself: I hope the Mother of All won't be too angry later…
But what I said was all true, and I will not harm her in any way.
Indeed, I can even grant her more of what she cherishes most.
This…
Counts as a good thing, does it not?
It should count…
After Gaia's hurried figure vanished from the hall, Clymene returned quietly, face full of conflict and hesitation.
With one glance, Zeus saw through what this wise Oceanid had in mind.
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