Chapter 14 The Source

It was Gaia, the mother of the gods, who was watching over Hermes.

For a moment, Hermes felt that Apollo was definitely taking revenge. How could he really be so at ease letting her be burned in the triangular cauldron?

That fire doesn't look ordinary either. After all, it's the sacred fire of the Temple of Light. What if someone goes in and never comes out?

Hermes stood frozen in place: "You're not kidding, are you, Brother Apollo?" Meeting those blue eyes that revealed no emotion, she added, "What good would it do me to go inside that cauldron?"

I have a feeling that Apollo just wanted to mess with her!

But that doesn't make sense, he already promised to help her...

Sensing Hermes' unease, the two green snakes flashed and transformed into human form, leaping onto the hard, smooth marble floor. Each stood on one side of her, glaring warily and fiercely at the expressionless God of Light standing before them.

"I knew you were up to no good!" Toke shouted fiercely. "You seemed so righteous and reliable... I never imagined you were this kind of person!"

"He's a god, you idiot Toke!" Apistoni glared at her companion with exasperation, then turned to Apollo. "Anyway, with us here, don't even think about messing with Hermes!"

They were visibly trembling, yet they still resolutely stood up.

Watching the two boys protect her from behind, Hermes was deeply moved. Their fearless demeanor reminded her of herself back then.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Seeing this, Pythia glanced at the silent Apollo, then at the three young children.

“You have misunderstood Your Highness Apollo, children. This bronze cauldron was crafted by the priestesses of Themis, the goddess of justice, and the sacred fire within was planted by Helios, the sun god, and Hestia, the goddess of fire. It can recognize the bodies and souls of all living things,” the priestess explained gently. She was the eldest and most learned of the nymphs. “How could sacred fire harm a righteous and kind goddess, Your Highness Hermes?”

Upon hearing this, Apistoni and Toki hesitated.

Hermes, however, paused.

Pitia hadn't heard her mother mention those things, but the sacred fire inside the triangular cauldron could identify the bodies and souls of all living things… that was such a powerful ability, she really wanted it.

Wait! That's not the most important thing!

Hermes gripped her scepter, stepped past her two companions, and approached Apollo, arriving beside him amidst their gasps of surprise.

"Are you doubting me, Brother Apollo?" She looked at his indifferent face.

She was the child of Maia and Zeus, possessing the blood of the king of the gods—that much was beyond question. So what exactly did Apollo want to know about her?

Body and soul... could it be related to her divine power?

Hermes suddenly remembered that the source of her divine power seemed to be mostly the natural consciousness of Arcadia. Sometimes she would feel the Earth Mother Gaia calling to her, but this idea was not certain.

Because the other party is a primordial god, a creator god.

As Hermes was deep in thought, she heard Apollo's words.

“I will not harm you, Hermes.” The face of the God of Light appeared somewhat strange, yet exceptionally sublime, in the hazy light. “Just as you thought, my triangular cauldron can discern the source of your power.”

He actually knew what she was thinking!

He is the god of prophecy, not the god of mind reading!

Perhaps she made it too obvious...?

Hermes paused for a moment, then regained her composure.

She took a deep breath and then finally set off towards the bronze triangular cauldron.

"Your Highness!"

The feeling of being the center of attention for everyone present is not unpleasant.

Hermes reached out and braced herself on the edge of the cauldron, then used her winged sandals to fly up and enter the cauldron, which was filled with a scorching heat.

The instant her skin was licked by the azure holy fire, she did not feel the heat and pain, but rather a softness as if she were about to melt into it.

She thought to herself that Apollo had not deceived her.

Surrounded by a faint fragrance, it felt as if invisible hands were gently caressing her eyes, prompting her to close them and darken the world around her.

—Hermes.

Then, gradually, the ripples spread out and transformed into a lush, green paradise.

She arrived in a new world with pure blue skies and white clouds, scattered birds and cattle and sheep, and boundless grasslands.

—Hermes.

Someone is gently calling her name, guiding her forward in unfamiliar territory, pushing aside the waist-high green grass, getting closer and closer to that motherly call.

Hermes stopped in her tracks, stunned, and saw a towering ancient tree.

Its trunk is larger than any of the others, and its tangled branches are covered with even more lush and verdant leaves.

A gentle breeze stirred the grass and leaves, scattering the ancient, melodious sound.

—Hermes, come to me.

The dreamlike new world came to an abrupt end.

Hermes suddenly opened her eyes, gazing in astonishment and disbelief at the brief, wondrous journey she had just experienced.

What was that? Her mind was filled with these questions. Where was that place? Who was calling her?

A hand with distinct knuckles reached out to her.

Looking up, she saw a composed and serene young man standing next to the triangular cauldron where she was.

“Just as I thought.” Apollo’s slightly lowered blue eyes looked directly at her. “She left a seed and a mark inside you.”

Nature, life, earth.

It was Gaia, the mother of the gods, who was watching over Hermes.

[Author's Note]

According to Baidu: Hermes may be an ancient, almost primitive god, originally a manifestation of the powerful forces of nature, and later became the god of animal husbandry and the protector of shepherds.

I've been frantically stockpiling drafts lately, sob sob...