Dawn broke, chasing away the endless night.
Helios, subordinate deity of Apollo and God of the Sun, appeared on the horizon. Yet the full moon remained high, its form now pale as ink in water, refusing to retreat to the world's far side—Artemis lingered, still gazing intently upon the mortal realm.
At that very moment, robes fluttering gently in the wind, Rovi floated near the gates of Olympus. His lips curled into a smile as he watched Athena approach step by deliberate step.
"Congratulations, my one and only beloved." Athena brushed back her long silver-white hair. Beneath the simple elegance of her white gown, she moved close, swiftly embracing Rovi. Rising onto tiptoes, she pressed her body intimately against his, entwining her legs about him. Her face drew near his ear, soft lips brushing gently as she whispered her words.
Though somewhat regretful they hadn't managed a proper battle, Rovi's recent display of wisdom only deepened Athena's already profound affection.
Indeed, you are truly worthy of being the sole recipient of the Goddess of Wisdom and War's love.
Athena's proud confidence flared as she glanced defiantly toward the lingering shadow of the moon, ruby-red eyes sparkling with clear provocation.
The moon's reflection wavered faintly, then stilled into silence.
Observing the embrace between god and mortal, Apollo discreetly turned his head away. Ever since his sister Artemis had cleared her heart's doubts, she had become remarkably… uninhibited.
Strangely enough, Apollo felt a sudden pang of envy.
No—I must maintain elegance. Grace is fundamental to my nature as the embodiment of art.
Yes. Grace… grace…
"I'll be going first," Apollo said curtly, summoning Helios's Chariot of the Sun and swiftly departing the scene.
Aphrodite, "Ares," Hera, Hephaestus… one by one, the remaining gods also dispersed.
Having granted their pledge, defeat was defeat. No god would dare, nor even think, to renege before Rovi.
As the Greek alliance withdrew, the soldiers of Uruk advanced.
Rovi extended his hand, silently guiding them eastward.
The soldiers of Uruk set out toward the direction he indicated. Crossing mountains and traversing valleys, they would eventually establish a city upon a vast plain—reviving Uruk's civilization on Greek soil. Step by step, they would secretly draw the souls of Uruk's people from the Netherworld into their new homeland.
Quietly, imperceptibly, like thieves of fate.
In time, they would become the largest population in Greece, influencing customs, reshaping traditions—and naturally, altering religious beliefs.
"I wonder what Zeus will think when that day arrives?" Rovi pondered, watching the steady march of Uruk's soldiers.
Perhaps he'll wish to rip me apart with his bare hands?
The thought filled him with anticipation.
...
The Sage first arrived upon mortal ground, forming pacts with the gods who dwelled there, and founded a city.
East of the Aegean Sea, positioned opposite Athens, rose this magnificent city—a sprawling, towering metropolis with walls as pure as jade and as immense as mountains.
It was a holy city of the mortal world, a reincarnation of Uruk itself.
The people named it 'Rovi City,' meaning 'the place illuminated by wisdom and virtue'—the city of Sage Rovi.
—Excerpt from 'Greek Mythology: Chronicles of the Fourth Generation Gods'
...
"Are they finally gone?"
Inside the temple of Olympus, Hestia—who'd been trembling in a corner, fearful of discovery by Rovi—tentatively opened her eyes. After glancing about the grand, empty halls and confirming the absence of gods, she breathed a sigh of relief and jumped up quickly.
Twisting her slender waist, dark hair swinging freely, this exceedingly unobtrusive major goddess, whose seniority matched the three God-Kings yet whose presence was almost nonexistent, hurried toward the exit.
Only then did she see the two figures still embracing at the gateway of Olympus.
At the same moment, her eyes met Rovi's deep, penetrating gaze…
What—the two of them are still here? And why are they still holding each other?!
Oh no… Am I going to be silenced permanently now?
The goddess of the hearth froze in her tracks, shrinking inward, silently chanting, You don't see me, you don't see me…
Despite being one of the Twelve Olympians, Hestia had always been nearly invisible, partly due to her excessively humble nature, and partly because of the authority she governed—the hearth, present in every home, ordinary to the point of being easily overlooked.
Yet, in reality, Hestia was a breathtakingly beautiful goddess. Her sleek black hair flowed over a body of gentle curves hidden beneath an innocent white dress, incapable of concealing her generous bosom. Smooth, pale arms swung nervously at her sides; beneath her dress, firm thighs tapered toward delicate, alluring hips.
Hestia possessed none of Athena's bold charisma, nor Hera's regal dignity, nor Aphrodite's seductive charm.
Instead, she radiated youthful innocence.
Yet—wasn't she supposed to be the eldest of the Twelve Olympians? What was this youthful act about?
Rovi glanced at her sidelong, a curious thought drifting unbidden through his mind.
Hestia puffed out her cheeks in irritation.
I get the feeling this man just thought something extremely rude…
However, Rovi's gaze quickly shifted away, drawn elsewhere by a sharp, piercing whistle through the air—a swift arrow shot straight toward him, embedding itself firmly in the void just inches from his face.
That arrow—
"Atalanta?"
He was met by a fierce, feline stare, glittering emerald eyes glaring at him with a fierce yet strangely charming hostility.
Atalanta ascended Mount Olympus, baring her teeth. "Lady Artemis was right—you did come back."
"I told you before: you're my prey, and I never let prey escape!"
The beast-like eyes of Arcadia's princess darted toward Athena, who remained nestled comfortably against Rovi. Her glare intensified, brimming with naked aggression.
Atalanta had come.
Since Rovi descended into Tartarus, she had remained faithfully in Arcadia's Paradise, awaiting his return.
Their parting kiss had forever branded her memory.
That momentary impulse had left an indelible mark on her heart.
She had waited a long time.
Time flowed differently in the Netherworld; Rovi's brief half-month absence there had translated to an eternity in the mortal world.
Atalanta had even begun to fear that she would remain in Arcadia's Paradise forever, only reuniting with him in death.
But then, Artemis herself descended from her lunar palace mere moments ago.
The goddess told her that Rovi had appeared on Olympus and immediately guided her onto the path leading here.
Artemis had seemed forlorn, lamenting that Athena, that sly goddess of war and wisdom, had already claimed Rovi.
She had been saddened. Enkidu, too, would surely share that grief upon hearing the news.
Atalanta understood well her goddess's feelings for Rovi.
Thus, she arrived here brimming with resentment toward Athena—a double-edged hostility.
It was both outrage at having her chosen prey snatched away and anger for the distress inflicted upon the goddess she revered so deeply.
---
T/N: 4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, last week it was 7dtd this week it was tomodachi life........ teehee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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