Chapter 15: Athena and Her Twin Sibling (1)
The sun blazed brightly.
It was a day so calm that it seemed the four wind gods were taking a break—no clouds dotted the sky, and not a breeze stirred.
"Ugh, perfect day for surfing," Poseidon groaned.
In his palace deep beneath the waters near Euboea, Poseidon began preparing.
Humming a tune, he pulled out a custom surfboard crafted by the Cyclopes long ago.
"Hmm… nice. With this, I'm the true master of the waves."
Imagining himself riding the surf, Poseidon was about to head out to a nearby nymph-inhabited island when something suddenly tackled him from behind.
"Argh!"
Grimacing in pain from the surprise attack, Poseidon quickly realized who it was and let out a deep sigh.
The assailant, undeterred by his reaction, grabbed and shook him, unleashing a torrent of words like rapid-fire bullets.
"Poseidon, something huge happened! Metis is pregnant! It's Zeus' first child, can you believe it? We don't even have kids yet, so I'm a bit jealous, but since it's a child of the sea, it's kind of okay. Eurynome's super excited too, and I came straight to tell you!"
Poseidon, used to such outbursts, sighed again. The figure shaking him was Amphitrite, his wife, a nymph and goddess currently ruling the primordial sea of Oceanus.
Her rapid-fire speech left him dizzy.
'What's so big about this now…'
After a moment, he grabbed the flushed and overly excited Amphitrite, calming her down.
"Amphitrite, slow down. You're talking so fast I can't understand a word."
Finally calming a bit, Amphitrite explained the news more clearly.
Metis was pregnant—the first child of Zeus, king of the gods. Olympus was preparing a grand celebration, sending invitations to all manner of gods.
Though Zeus had many affairs, he had yet to sire a child, making this a joyous occasion for the sky gods.
Amphitrite had brought invitations for Poseidon, herself, and Eurynome.
'Hmm… so it's time for Athena's birth and Metis' death.'
High gods didn't truly die, but in the myths, Metis was absorbed by Zeus, becoming his wisdom—effectively a death.
This event showcased Zeus' cruelty and coldness, as well as the nature of a king.
'Soon, Metis will be swallowed by Zeus.'
Amphitrite was likely thrilled because Metis, a sea nymph and wisdom goddess, was her friend.
But even if she didn't know Metis' fate, Poseidon saw little reason to celebrate.
"I get that you're happy for Metis, but from the sea's perspective, we should be cautious," he said coolly.
"But Poseidon, Metis is one of our sea nymphs!" Amphitrite protested.
"True, but she's Zeus' woman. It's not something we need to personally celebrate. Oh, Hades will probably hope it's a foolish kid," Poseidon quipped.
Poseidon had no intention of getting involved.
He knew Zeus would soon devour Metis, as their father had done, fulfilling Gaia's prophecy, but he had no desire to intervene.
'Gaia, who doesn't exactly like Zeus, will probably gleefully share that prophecy with him.'
"Still, it's Metis' pregnancy and Zeus' first child, the king of the sky. Shouldn't we at least celebrate?" Amphitrite pressed, eager to honor her friend.
Poseidon understood her sentiment.
Metis was a sea nymph, akin to a dual citizen in modern terms, and like most gods, she was distantly related.
Besides, unlike Hades, Poseidon wasn't on bad terms with Zeus.
"You're right, it is his first kid. Fine, will you pick out a gift?"
Poseidon conceded to Amphitrite's enthusiasm, deciding to send a gift and leaving the choice to her, as she had a knack for it.
'Though I'm not sure this is something to celebrate…'
Amphitrite, grateful that Poseidon accepted her opinion despite his reservations, kissed him on the lips and smiled.
"Thank you! You're the best. I'll handle the clothes and everything. Just show up. We're leaving soon, so get ready!"
Poseidon watched her swim off happily, then froze as a realization hit him.
"Wait, clothes? What clothes? Don't tell me… she meant I have to go in person? I said it wasn't worth going myself…"
His voice trailed off into the void as he looked at the surfboard in his hand, then quietly returned it to storage.
It was a slightly melancholic day.
***
Meanwhile, Olympus buzzed with preparations for a grand celebration, as if to announce the news to the entire world.
Metis was practically Zeus' wife in all but name, and the child in her womb was his first and potential heir.
Thus, a lavish festival was being organized.
"Is there enough ambrosia and nectar?"
"Yes, but we're short on ingredients for the other dishes."
"What? Why are you so calm about it? Go beg Lady Demeter if you have to!"
Amid the hectic preparations, in a quiet, heavily guarded inner chamber of Olympus, Zeus and Metis were having a private conversation.
"Zeus, it's hard to believe there's a child of you and me in my womb," Metis said softly.
"I feel the same, Metis. It doesn't seem real yet. But one thing's certain—this child, born of our blood, will be a powerful and wise god," Zeus replied confidently.
"Then let's ask Gaia about the child's fate. And why not invite her to the celebration?" Metis suggested.
"Lady Gaia?" Zeus asked, surprised.
"Yes. She'd know what kind of child this will be. Besides, Olympus can't stay at odds with Gaia forever."
"…"
***
Following Metis' advice, Zeus sought out Gaia.
These days, Gaia spent half the year in the sea or on an island under Poseidon's domain, making her easy to find.
"Goddess Gaia, I wish to hear the prophecy of my child's fate. And I'd be honored if you'd grace our celebration," Zeus requested.
Gaia frowned upon seeing Zeus but didn't turn him away.
Though his presence irritated her, she relished the thought of the pain and turmoil Zeus would face because of the children in Metis' womb.
With glee, hoping to deepen his suffering, she recited her prophecy.
"Your child will be exceptionally wise—an owl-eyed maiden with your strength and wisdom. But your second child with Metis will be a mighty son who will usurp your throne, uniting gods and mortals to usher in a new era. That child will overthrow their father and herald a new age."
Zeus fell silent, stunned by the prophecy.
He hadn't expected to face the same fate as his father, Kronos.
Returning to Olympus, he secluded himself, lost in deep turmoil while the festive atmosphere swirled around him.
How could he escape this prophecy?
Would he have to repeat Kronos' actions, or simply accept being overthrown?
His mind churned endlessly.
As Zeus withdrew, the gods, nymphs, and mythical creatures preparing the festival sensed an ominous shift.
Zeus, who had been enthusiastically welcoming early guests and energizing the preparations, was suddenly absent.
They all realized something was terribly wrong.
***
Metis was the first to grasp the gravity of Zeus' behavior.
He hadn't visited her once since meeting Gaia, leading her to suspect something had gone awry with the prophecy.
She discreetly sent a message to Prometheus through her attendant and soon learned the truth: if she bore twins, Zeus' reign would be threatened.
"What should I do? Knowing Zeus, my beloved, he'll act like Kronos," she murmured.
Though she understood his anguish, she would rather die than let her unborn children be harmed.
Metis went to Rhea, seeking help from a goddess who had faced a similar plight.
"Mother, I don't want to see my child swallowed by Zeus. Please help me," Metis pleaded.
"Zeus will likely make the same choice as Kronos," Rhea replied grimly.
Hearing the situation, Rhea was horrified that Metis, who should be celebrated in Olympus, had come to her in distress.
"Oh… even Zeus cannot escape fate. Wait, let me understand the situation better," Rhea said.
She sought out Prometheus and Gaia, confirming their prophecies aligned perfectly: Zeus' second child would become king of the gods.
"Metis, my dear, this prophecy is unavoidable. Two of the most powerful oracles have foretold the same fate," Rhea said solemnly.
"Then Zeus will do whatever it takes to harm my children," Metis replied, her voice heavy.
"And… since the second child is said to unite all gods and mortals, even Zeus' brothers' positions could be at risk…"
Rhea and Metis felt an even deeper gloom at the prophecy's implications.
"Mother, please, I just want to protect my children. Zeus will surely try to prevent the second child's birth. Gaia and Prometheus only mentioned a second child, not whether I carry one or two. But I feel it—there are twins in my womb."
Rhea sank into deep thought.
If Metis wasn't carrying twins, the issue might be less severe.
But a goddess' intuition about her pregnancy was near-certain, and the unborn children of gods were unknowable until birth.
After much deliberation, Rhea made her decision.
"Then go to Poseidon. He's Gaia's husband and a sea god beyond Zeus' reach. If you can convince him, he'll protect you."
Embracing Metis gently, she added,
"I've thought it through, and there's no other option. If Hades learns of this prophecy, he'll also want your children dead. Your best chance is to persuade Poseidon. It's the only way to save you and your children."
Metis hesitated at Rhea's words.
Poseidon could indeed protect her, but would he accept her?
According to the prophecy, her children posed a threat to him as well.