The Greek Gods and the Apocalypse

Chapter 12 (Edited)

It's a new day and I cannot wait to tackle what the symbols on the pendants mean. It is far too early for breakfast, so I get myself together for the day and head for Shimmers barracks. I have never seen myself as someone who liked green, but this dark green top is the color of deep green grass and I find it suits me.

When I arrive at Shimmers it is obvious that she is already up and starting her day. Her front door is wide open letting the light breeze flow through her barracks. I approach her open door and knock. Shimmer appears from the shadow in the corner and startles me.

"Hello Aurora, I was just deciding if I should head for the library or wait here for Einstein this morning. I did not expect you to be ready so early."

"I am ready to solve this puzzle once and for all."

"That is good to hear. Since you are so early, I will skip the library this morning and wait here for Einstein. He is bringing me his conclusions today. I will meet you in the library sometime this afternoon and brief you on what Einstein has determined from the literature he has been studying for us."

"Okay, I will see you this afternoon then."

"Oh Aurora, before you go take the satchel with the pendants along to the library. Maybe you will have some luck at figuring this out before I arrive. I have also made arrangements to have our meals delivered to the library today so we can knuckle down and get to the bottom of this."

I step toward Shimmer's desk where I can see the satchel has been placed. Shimmer picks it up and hands it to me along with the key to the locked archive room. With the pendants and key in hand, I leave Shimmer's barracks and walk to the library.

As I approach, I can see there is a sign on the door. It reads 'The library is closed today'. Well, I guess I have the building to myself then.

I walk past the tables, chairs, and bookshelves of books to get to the locked door and gain access to the archives. I unlock the door and enter.

After turning on the light I can see the room looks exactly as it did yesterday except for a book Shimmer must have left on the table where she was researching last night. The book's title is 'Symbols Through History'. Next to the book is a note that has some notations of symbols and their meanings. Apparently, Shimmer made some progress before going to bed last night.

The note left with the chest was clear that these symbols are the key to everything so let's figure out what they mean so we can figure out who left the chest and what our next move should be.

Shimmer has jotted down bow and arrow, spear, and blacksmithing hammer. Next to the list of symbols she has written about their symbolism throughout history.

First on her list is the bow and arrow. For bow and arrow, she has archery (a sport before the apocalypse), hunting, military weapons (warfare), victory, protection, and defense.

Then she has written in ancient Egypt archers were called Pitati and archery was used for hunting and warfare. In Egypt, the goddess of archery was named Neith.

In the time of ancient Greeks, archery was also used for hunting and warfare. Greek archers were called toxotai and the god of archery was Apollo. Another Greek god is also represented by the bow and arrow and that is Eros the god of love. Eros is said to have a magical bow with arrows that make people fall in love when shot by one. A third is also seen with a bow and arrow, the goddess Artemis. She is believed to be the Goddess of the hunt.

Then she goes on to note that in the time of the ancient Romans, the bow and arrow represented the same thing it did during the rule of the Greeks before being conquered by the Romans. The Romans used the bow and arrow for hunting and warfare, and they too had a god of love whose name was Cupid. The Romans did not change the god of archeries name as they did the god of love. They still considered Apollo to be their god of archery. In Rome, the archers were called sagittarii. A third god was depicted with a bow. She was the goddess Diana, the goddess of the hunt.