LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
LET YOUR SOUL GUIDE YOU INTO AN INTRIGUED TALES OF HEROES TO BECOME
LET YOUR SOUL GUIDE YOU INTO AN INTRIGUED TALES OF HEROES TO BECOME
One thing for sure, myths reinforce the cultural identity of the people who tell them. Myths were just as important to the ancient Greeks, who named their greatest city, Athens, after its patron goddess, Athena; to the Incas, who believed their rulers to be descended from the sun god himself; and to the Norse, whose warriors tried to emulate their great god Odin.
The vitality and importance of myths is seen not only in their countless retellings, but in the way their gods, heroes, and creatures have inspired artists. From China to ancient Rome, artists have painted and carved images of the gods, and activity that is sometimes itself an act of worship, sometimes more simply a celebration of the deities and their deeds. Myths arise from an intimate relationship between people and the natural and spirit worlds- something so many of us have lost. They operate on the borders between reality and fantasy, celebrate oddity and uncertainty, and describe terrifying cosmic forces. But they also deal with great excitement and inspiration.
What if I told you that the Myths we've heard from youth are true?
That twelve Olympians truly exist and have been in control of the spirit world for millenniums?
What if I told you that you are one of the chosen Children of Olympus that will fulfill the prophecies of the ancient Oracles?
The lives of mythical heroes often begin in difficulty. A number of them are abandoned by their parents as infants, for such reasons as the shame of birth out of wedlock or – as in the famous case of the Greek tragic hero Oedipus – a futile attempt to avoid the fulfillment of a prophecy.
Therefore, it doesn't come to my surprise that you will deny what I am telling.
So run, run as fast as you want. But destiny will await you at the end. And then will you say, you were right, you poor child of mine.
CHAPTER ONE:
THE WEAKNESSES OF MANKIND
THE WEAKNESSES OF MANKIND
The first attempt of creating a human race took place when the Titans, led by Chronus, ruled the cosmos. The result was the Golden Race, a group of people who lived an ideal existence without work or ageing, and for whom life was one long feast.
Even when the people of the Golden Race finally died, their death was like a peaceful sleep. Nevertheless, it left the Earth unpopulated.
Intent on filling up the void, the Olympians created the Silver Race, who lived for a long time but grew very slowly to maturity. Their children were brought up carefully by their mothers, and spent one hundred years as babies before reaching adulthood. However, they turned out to be dull and unintelligent people, fighting continuously among themselves, and once they became adults they tended to die quickly. These qualities together with their refusal to worship or even respect the gods, exasperated Zeus, so he banished them to the Underworld.
Zeus then crafted a new race out of clay. The people of this race wore bronze armor and used tools made of metals, so they were called the Bronze Race. Like the Silver Race, they were aggressive and destroyed themselves in ruthless battles. Finally, the current race of humans appeared. Some say that the great Titan craftsman, Prometheus, was its creator. Whether or not he actually created humanity, Prometheus certainly became its protector. He taught humans many important skills, including navigation and medicine, and showed them how to make sacrifices, by keeping some of the meat for themselves and offering the rest to the gods.
Once, the people killed a bull but could not agree on which part to offer the gods. Prometheus cleverly wrapped the meat in the bull's skin, and the bones in its fat. Zeus chose the bones covered in fat, and became so angry at the deception that he refused to give fire to the humans.
Taking the side of humanity, Prometheus stole fire from heaven and carried it to the Earth so that the people could cook their food and heat their homes. Zeus punished Prometheus for the theft by having him chained to a rock, where an eagle came to peck at his liver every day, and for eternity.
But Zeus also wanted to punish the humans after Prometheus stole fire for them, so he created a beautiful mortal woman called Pandora. She married Prometheus's brother, Epimetheus, who took her to Eath. The gods gave her gifts, which she kept in a jar. When she opened the jar, it contained plagues and disasters, which condemned humanity to a life marred by misery. The only positive thing in the jar was hope, the sole consolation for the human race.
Fortunately, the gods have long since granted human a moment of peace and prosperity. Zeus pitied the humans and so did most of the Olympians. Zeus closed the Jar of Pandora, hope would finally overshadow misery, but to avoid anymore deception from the humans, they did an oath where they would never again meddle in human affairs.
They gave humans a chance to decide of their end.
Destiny seemed to be in their favor since then, but slowly with time, it seems like the balance is tilting in their disadvantage.
Even when the people of the Golden Race finally died, their death was like a peaceful sleep. Nevertheless, it left the Earth unpopulated.
Intent on filling up the void, the Olympians created the Silver Race, who lived for a long time but grew very slowly to maturity. Their children were brought up carefully by their mothers, and spent one hundred years as babies before reaching adulthood. However, they turned out to be dull and unintelligent people, fighting continuously among themselves, and once they became adults they tended to die quickly. These qualities together with their refusal to worship or even respect the gods, exasperated Zeus, so he banished them to the Underworld.
Zeus then crafted a new race out of clay. The people of this race wore bronze armor and used tools made of metals, so they were called the Bronze Race. Like the Silver Race, they were aggressive and destroyed themselves in ruthless battles. Finally, the current race of humans appeared. Some say that the great Titan craftsman, Prometheus, was its creator. Whether or not he actually created humanity, Prometheus certainly became its protector. He taught humans many important skills, including navigation and medicine, and showed them how to make sacrifices, by keeping some of the meat for themselves and offering the rest to the gods.
Once, the people killed a bull but could not agree on which part to offer the gods. Prometheus cleverly wrapped the meat in the bull's skin, and the bones in its fat. Zeus chose the bones covered in fat, and became so angry at the deception that he refused to give fire to the humans.
Taking the side of humanity, Prometheus stole fire from heaven and carried it to the Earth so that the people could cook their food and heat their homes. Zeus punished Prometheus for the theft by having him chained to a rock, where an eagle came to peck at his liver every day, and for eternity.
But Zeus also wanted to punish the humans after Prometheus stole fire for them, so he created a beautiful mortal woman called Pandora. She married Prometheus's brother, Epimetheus, who took her to Eath. The gods gave her gifts, which she kept in a jar. When she opened the jar, it contained plagues and disasters, which condemned humanity to a life marred by misery. The only positive thing in the jar was hope, the sole consolation for the human race.
Fortunately, the gods have long since granted human a moment of peace and prosperity. Zeus pitied the humans and so did most of the Olympians. Zeus closed the Jar of Pandora, hope would finally overshadow misery, but to avoid anymore deception from the humans, they did an oath where they would never again meddle in human affairs.
They gave humans a chance to decide of their end.
Destiny seemed to be in their favor since then, but slowly with time, it seems like the balance is tilting in their disadvantage.
~ * ~
OLYMPUS
All of the Olympians were gathered in the great mess hall. Olympus, the greatest of all sceneries, made of marble and titanium. Even the greatest artist on earth couldn't possibly depict it's beauty. The moon and stars shone over it, showing its perfection in multiple angles. And then the sun rose. It's pink and yellow layers couldn't be admired, unfortunately. Not today of all days. None of the Great Gods could admire its beauty.
Tragedies over tragedies. None of the Olympians had expected, nor knew how to deal with the issues at hand without Zeus present.
Hermes, messenger of Olympus, flew at the speed of light and finally landed in the center of the council panting.
" ZEUS! '' he shouted with rage as his neck redden and tears glittered under the sun.
'' I WILL NOT STAND ONE MORE DAY WITHOUT JUSTICE! '' He shouted even louder attracting the attention of the gods close by,
'' My son, MY LAST SON!'' he shouted once more as Artemis approached him and reached out feeling his pain, but he rejected her pity.
'' Dead. All because of you!'' he said with despise as he walked even closer to the Lord of Thunder without care.
Hermes was known for his fond feelings for his loved child on Earth. Of all gods, he was the one that actually made love to his mistresses down on Earth. And it was very well known that he felt a lot for humans.
'' You know the rules, Hermes. '' Zeus said standing on his golden thrown and his thunderbolt in hand.
'' The oath does not TELL ME to suffer. The oath was said to protect them and us! Not to curse them with our creations and to let them in world that only wants to kill them!'' he shouted once more with a single tear before Artemis looked around them.
Aphrodite, as well always, flamboyant and radiant in her toga. Her blue eyes examining the situation. Hephaestus, with his stern look, stared at Zeus. Artemis didn't exactly know what to do and simply tried to reason with Hermes,
'' Hermes, please. Let's discuss this in the appropriate time.'' but Hermes didn't seem to budge his eyes from Zeus.
Both shared an intense stare and the King of Olympians stood up with all his might.
An increasing amount of attacks have been done towards demi gods and humans alike. It was becoming more and more frequent, and was indeed something that plagued his mind once in a blue moon.
But now that Hermes, in tears and complete desperation, he could not ignore this issue. The messenger wasn't the only one to have lost a child. Aphrodite, in fact, was the first to snap at him with her husband following her despite her not wanting any comfort from the hideous god of blacksmith.
In fact, even he lost the only daughter left on that earth. He wasn't as affected as the others, but it was still a pain for him.
'' Agreed, Hermes. I've long ignored this issue. '' he admitted for once as he looked to his side where the sun rose. Apollo's chariot flew accross it before landing in Olympus further down.
There was more and more Gods joining to see what all of the ruckus. It was almost like a small gathering and Zeus felt like it wouldn't be needed to actually gather in the mess hall.
'' Our children have suffered enough, but we cannot fight their fight '' he said with authority as he looked at the group in front of him, protesting against his claim and being booed at. '' But!'' he trailed off, '' They that does not mean we cannot guide them in the right path. Nor does this oath prevent us from training them'' he said as he took a deep breath.
'' Perhaps, we've been long neglecting them of their identity. '' he stated in a much lower tone.
'' Shall we train them, then?'' Artemis asked her father and Athena stepped forward as she stabbed the ground with her sword. The wise godess looked at her father completely aggreing with him. '' I volunteer myself to train them and guide them. '' she said with authority and confidence.
Artemis smiled as she looked at her father, '' I volunteer myself to the cause. Perhaps, my skills will be useful to them. Besides, i make a pretty good team with Athena. '' the huntress said with a wink to Athena both with clever smiles as they looked at their father.
Hera walked from the side, prettier then all of them - beside her rival, Aphrodite- '' And how do you plan on making this work, dear husband?'' she asked her husband as she sat on the edge of the chair as the while delicately touching her husbands cheek.
Zeus looked at his loving wife curiously, she was not one to usually care of the bastards down on earth.
'' I will trust Athena and Artemis.'' he said looking at them, '' And you, Hermes.'' he said making up his mind.
'' Guide them through this journey, as it is not safe for mortals. Show them how to fight pridefully and with honor. Select the best amongst them to deliver them of their misery. ''
He said as he threw his thunderbolt from the clouds to the earth announcing the beginning of the end.
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