Page 32 of Hermes
I crossed my arms over my chest but had to prevent myself from rolling my eyes and allowing any of the other gods and goddesses to see how irritated this made me. It instantly reminded me of the mission my father gave me many years ago, in which I journeyed to the Caucasus Mountains to speak to Prometheus, who was chained to the side of a cliff. I was tasked to try and get Prometheus to talk, to share any and all information he knew on this supposed rebellion that was led by the titans and rising to reclaim Mount Olympus and Zeus’s throne.
However, nothing came of it. And in the years that have since followed, there were no threats or indications of the titans trying to rise to power once again. I now wondered how much of this information my father was sharing about the revenge of the titans was factual and how much of it was just his anxiety and insecurities consuming him. I was starting to believe the latter was the primary reason, which left me even more annoyed and bruised. It meant that we were all here and servicing my father’s ego. We were here to placate his spurious worry that the titans were posing a threat to his power, which in reality, was completely and utterly unwarranted.
“I have tasked Hephaestus with crafting the most beautiful and captivating woman the world has ever seen,” Zeus stated.
This managed to garner a few grunts and grumbles from Aphrodite, who was always bothered whenever someone else’s beauty would prove to be intimidating to her.
“She will be irresistible to any god, man, or titan. But I need each and every one of your assistance. As Hephaestus creates this woman, I need you all to bestow some of your powers onto her, some of your techniques, to make her all the more beguiling and fierce. We will use her as our weapon. She will infiltrate the titans and learn more about their rebellion. She will be our means of destroying them once and for all.”
This plan of my father’s was a moronic one. It reeked of desperation and unnecessary work for all of us. But I realized this was an opportunity for me. A woman, who was not a goddess, would be made here on Mount Olympus. She would need to remain here to be trained and blessed by all of the other Olympian gods and goddesses. Her mind would be malleable. She would surely need guidance and I would make sure I was the main one to mentor her. This woman could be my sword. She could be the one I had been waiting for, to be able to open the obsidian jar in the King of the Gods’ weapon room. She could release all the malice and chaos onto the mortals of the world.
“And what will this formidable creature be called?” Athena spoke up, asking our father.
“Pandora,” Zeus replied. “Her name will be Pandora.”
I remained by Hephaestus’s side, to keep him company as he began carving out and sculpting the woman Zeus had instructed him to create. He used the finest soil from the surface, the purest of water given to him by Poseidon. The most natural of clay was used to mold her. Aphrodite’s beautiful looks and body served as the main inspiration behind her carefully crafted features.
Once Hephaestus had finally finished creating her, the Anemoi, who were the four wind Gods arrived and breathed life into her.
Pandora opened her eyes, revealing striking emerald irises. Hephaestus had outdone himself. Pandora was a sight to behold, the most alluring woman I had ever seen in my entire existence.
“Hephaestus? Hermes?” She raised her brow at us seeming, slightly confused. Naturally, she would be born with an already established mind, one with the highest of intellect.
“Yes,” I replied to her. “Welcome home, Pandora. Shall we proceed with your training?”
She nodded, with a spellbinding smirk on her face. “Mhmm. Let us get started.”
I had convinced my father that I wanted to take on the role of being Pandora’s main mentor. It would be me who had the responsibility of escorting her to the other gods and goddesses who showered her with gifts and taught her arts of their own trades and specialties. I would watch over her every step of the way as she met each and every god and goddess who could offer her something useful.
Once we left each of their palaces, Pandora and I would converse, reviewing her experiences with each of the gods and goddesses she met. Aphrodite had already given Pandora the gift of grace and allure. Athena provided her with more wisdom and ways of being strategic with her thoughts and decisions. Apollo taught her how to play the lyre and how to sing. Ares and Artemis taught her skills in the art of defense and how to use swords and bows and arrows. Hera trained her on how to be naturally curious and to read people and their true intentions. Lastly, I was tasked with making her clever and crafty. However, unbeknownst to anyone else, I worked extra carefully to make sure she possessed a cunningness to her. Pandora would be deceitful, secretive, and learn to have ulterior motives when addressing others to get whatever it was she desired.
“You know,” she addressed me as we strolled beside one another. “I can’t help but feel like something is missing.”
“Missing? Like what?” I replied.
“I feel as though I have gained so much knowledge, so many skills, but I have yet to test them out. Yes, I practiced with the gods and goddesses but I have yet to put these to the test in the real world.”
I sensed that perhaps Hera invoked a little too much curiosity onto Pandora when she was in her presence. However, I would be remiss to not take advantage of this. Pandora’s inquisitiveness would actually work in my favor.
“Well, I actually have an idea of how you can put these newfound skills to good use. It’s a task that requires advanced skills,” I shared.
Her face lit up as I announced this. “Really?”
“Yes. But it will require great wit and cleverness. Are you sure you are ready to deceive the other gods?”
“Deceive them? But would I not be betraying them by doing so?” she asked, seeking clarification.
“No. Of course not! They will be satisfied by you being able to deceive them. For if you are able to get away with it, then that means you are prepared to do it to anyone, even the titans. And that is what they want. Is that not what you want too, Pandora?”
She glanced down at the ground as we continued our walk together, seeming a little unsure of herself. “I guess you are right. What does the task you have in mind entail?”
And just like that, I had Pandora in the palm of my hand, wrapped around every single one of my fingertips, ready to do whatever it was I proposed. Poor Pandora was a clever creature, but just not as clever as I was. And the task that I had in store for her, it was one that would shake the entire world.
Chapter 20
PandoraandIapproachedZeus’s palace side by side. “Remember, do exactly as we discussed,” I told her.
She nodded. “Yes. I will not fail,” Pandora stated, determined as ever.
