Chapter 33 Goddess of the Earth
"I knew you would go to her."
Hermes flew around in the air like a headless fly, her face and neck as red as ripe apples, and smoke was coming out of her head as if she was about to burn the winged hat she was wearing.
Oh my god! How could she be attracted to Apollo's puppy-like appearance?! That's so strange—no! She's not attracted to that arrogant and conceited guy at all!
Even if that's the case, it's only because she really likes cute dogs!
That must be it!
Hermes shook her head, patted her burning cheeks, and forced herself to calm down.
She glanced back at the triangular cauldron and the crow cage that were flying alongside her, snorted, and finally made up her mind.
“Yes,” she muttered. “Who would like that annoying Apollo brother? He’ll definitely live a lonely and desolate life forever.”
Without the triangular cauldron, and without the crows, even Grandma Pythia and the temple will eventually disappear.
She will steal everything from him, leaving him with unspeakable suffering and regret for the rest of his life!
Isn't this exactly our goal right now?
Once Hermes understood, she instantly became happy again. She transformed the golden flute she was tightly clutching back into her God of Commerce scepter, humming a little tune as she flew toward her new destination.
I've wanted to go there for a long time, the abode of Mother Earth Gaia, the island of Crete that she has always dreamed of.
She had always longed to meet that noble and sublime Earth Goddess, who not only favored her but also bestowed upon her unparalleled power—she was practically a goddess from her dreams!
Unlike that stingy and petty guy...
With this in mind, Hermes became even more determined and personally shattered the inexplicable feelings she had suddenly developed for Apollo.
—No! That's why I don't actually like him!
She puffed out her cheeks, shook her head, and flew unsteadily toward the distant island of Crete.
Thanks to the wing shoes, the journey didn't take long.
Hermes floated above the island's landmass, her left hand resting on her forehead, squinting as she looked around for a while.
Here, she indeed felt the inexhaustible, gushing power of nature, gentle yet vigorous, all belonging to Gaia, the progenitor of all the gods.
Once she finally found the source of that natural force, Hermes beamed with a radiant smile and immediately set off to fly into the depths of the valley.
After crossing the steep and treacherous valley, there is an endless grassland.
In her dreams, which she couldn't distinguish between fantasy and reality, it also led her to this beautiful and peaceful place.
Beneath a clear, azure sky lies a grassland filled with grains and flowers, where cattle, sheep, and birds frolic leisurely. A gentle, damp breeze carries with it a refreshing fragrance.
Hermes descended slowly, her winged feet stepping onto the land that seemed forever untouched by disaster.
Several nymphs gracefully floated down from behind waist-high rice stalks to her side, greeting her with smiles.
"You've finally arrived, Your Highness Hermes."
The voices of the Earth Mother's maidens were as melodious as orioles, and their appearances and demeanors resembled those of simple and honest shepherdesses.
"Excuse my intrusion, but we have been waiting for you for a long time."
They noticed the triangular cauldron and the raven cage floating in the air behind Hermes, and their smiles deepened.
Hermes scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, and said, "Hey, to be honest, these all belong to Apollo, the god of light, but his things are also mine!"
Is she going in circles? How cute.
The nymphs laughed and said, "Of course we know, dear Your Highness."
Hermes was surrounded by them and walked forward. This feeling was not unfamiliar, because in her dreams she had also tirelessly traveled to the place of the goddess Gaia.
That towering tree, which seems to have stood here peacefully since the beginning of the world, is the embodiment of the sublime Mother Earth.
Even earlier, her father, Zeus, the king of the gods, had also worshipped the sacred tree.
"I'm sorry, beautiful ladies." Hermes displayed a sincere and kind attitude without having to force herself to face these friendly nymphs belonging to Gaia. "Too many troubles have happened. I should have been here much earlier. Please forgive me."
Some nymphs covered their mouths and chuckled, while others waved their hands and affectionately kissed her cheek.
“It’s no big deal.” They smiled sweetly. “We don’t mind, and His Highness Gaia certainly doesn’t mind either.”
Hermes, upon hearing these words, merely touched her kissed cheek, feeling as if her mind was about to turn into a complete mess again.
"Amazing," she thought. "How come these women are just like Aphrodite?"
They soon arrived at the land of the sacred tree.
Hermes stopped with the nymphs and looked at the ancient, towering tree radiating a dazzling holy light.
In this green light, first a bare, wheat-colored foot stepped out, followed by long, sturdy legs and a full, powerful upper body.
After the last glimmer of light faded, the Earth Goddess opened her eyes and appeared before Hermes and the nymphs with gentle kindness.
Gaia had long, wavy, flaxen hair that lay thick and smooth against her straight back, beautiful yet languid; she indeed had wheat-like skin, smooth, firm, and without a single flaw, which set off her clear and bright emerald green eyes, the same color as Hermes's, and even her nose and lips were perfectly sculpted.
She wore a loose, beige dress, without jewelry, brooches, or a cape; she was simply dressed as an ordinary commoner, yet her unique style made her appear elegant and special.
Then, several green snakes climbed up from behind her and coiled around her waist, chest, arms, and neck.
The snake is a symbol of matriarchal deities.
“Hello, my dear child,” Gaia said gently, her voice neither deep nor thin. “I am glad to see you.”
Hermes was extremely excited when she first met the venerable goddess of the earth, and immediately knelt down on one knee and bowed in salute.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Earth Mother!” she said joyfully, her heart filled with boundless longing and anticipation. “I am also very happy to meet you. Please forgive my rudeness; I am terribly sorry that I have only come to Crete to pay homage to Your Majesty now!”
Gaia did not blame her, but smiled warmly and said, "I have been wandering in the long and endless time, so your arrival is not too late, my dear."
With the highest respect! The Earth Goddess is truly beautiful!
It was as if she were conversing with an idol she worshipped, which made Hermes' heart surge and her body tremble.
"Thank you for your continued support and strength, which has enabled me to fulfill my wishes smoothly."
"You are the most perfect being in the world. I have so many words of praise to say to you, but even the most beautiful scenery and the most dazzling stars, moon and sun cannot compare to you. The most, most, most wonderful goddess Gaia in the world!"
Very well, Hermes is at it again with her sweet talk, but this time she's sincere, and there's no falsehood in her words.
Because she loved Gaia, it was as if she had a heart full of faith in him even before she was born.
The nymphs watched this scene with smiles on their faces. They were all creatures of nature, and they revered Hermes as much as they would the goddess Gaia.
“What a clever, sweet, and lovely child.” Gaia still smiled gently and reached out to the girl she had chosen. “Come to me, daughter of Maya, Hermes whom I protect.”
"Just like I've told you countless times."
Gaia stretched out her arms to Hermes, wanting her to embrace her, for she was also her mother.
Although Hermes is a newly born deity, her body still contains the divine power that Gaia infused into her. It represents nature, and thus also represents her, the creator goddess of the earth.
In the prophecy of Nyx's daughters, the three Moirai sisters who controlled destiny, she knew full well the importance of this child.
"Yes, my dear Prince Gaia!"
Hermes couldn't help but use an affectionate nickname for Gaia and rushed toward him.
It's strange, but when facing the Earth Goddess, she couldn't feel any distance or alienation; instead, she only wanted to get closer to her.
Overwhelmed by these emotions, Hermes threw herself into Gaia's arms and was gently embraced by his soft yet strong arms, just as she had hoped.
"I love you, Your Highness Gaia."
She spoke so tenderly in her arms that she seemed to no longer be herself.
Gaia listened patiently to Hermes' words, then held the child, who was rightfully hers, close to her chest, letting it feel the gentle, soothing heartbeat.
The Earth Goddess always seemed to be in such a slow and unhurried manner, but this was not cruelty towards her prey.
“I love you too, my child,” Gaia whispered in Hermes’ ear, her loving face unchanged for millennia. “So, do something for me, Hermes.”
She cupped her endearing face in her hands and gazed tenderly into those emerald green eyes that resembled her own.
Hermes was almost identical to Gaia.
“Go to the dark and endless underworld deep underground and bring back Persephone, the daughter of Demeter.” Gaia said, as if coaxing him, “No matter what means you use, no matter what the final outcome is.”
“Do as I instruct, Hermes.”
Gaia caught a glimpse of the triangular cauldron and raven belonging to Apollo floating in mid-air, and the smile in his eyes only grew wider.
She was well aware that Hermes had asked Apollo to build a temple in Delphi in honor of her, and therefore she was even more pleased with and fond of the child.
For the Earth Mother, who once created the world, the long and endless time is but a fleeting moment. She needs more, much more, to adapt to the changes in the world.
She will ensure its continued peace and prosperity, forever.
...
...
...
After leaving Gaia's residence, Hermes shuddered, as if waking from a deep dream.
How strange. She thought to herself. Perhaps it was because she was too excited to finally see Gaia?
However, she knew that Hades' abduction of Persephone in broad daylight had nothing to do with Gaia. Gaia even asked her to bring Persephone back from the underworld. No matter how you look at it, it seems like she was doing something righteous!
But Hecate and Athena's suspicion of Gaia is truly excessive...
Hermes puffed out her cheeks, indignant on behalf of her beloved Earth Goddess.
Then, distracted, she bumped into a wall of flesh.
"—?!!"
Hermes clutched her aching, dizzy head, regretting that she had changed her helmet into a cloth hat, and looked up at the guy who was definitely waiting there to tease her.
That's incredible! What did she see? Apollo with a sour face!
This time, the God of Light didn't drive his swan chariot; he simply stood on a cloud, looking incredibly relaxed.
His icy expression betrayed his true feelings.
"..."
Apollo stared intently at Hermes, neither speaking nor moving.
Now he couldn't even be bothered to glance at the triangular cauldron and the crow cage that she had taken with her on her escape.
That's even more amazing.
Hermes lowered her hand, feeling somewhat guilty for some reason, after all, he had caught her red-handed again.
Moreover, I always felt that he deliberately waited here for her!
Recalling the initial flutter of her heart for him, Hermes stiffened and took a deep breath.
She smiled innocently and said, "Brother Apollo, it's been a long time! What are you doing here?"
Seeing the brat's expression, Apollo raised an eyebrow and chuckled, quickly replying.
"I knew you would go to her."
His expression calmed down again.
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