Goddess Kiss

Chapter 9.2

After the warm greetings, we gathered to discuss our departure. 

"The wedding was helpful for me to accompany you on this journey," Athena explained, her voice a low murmur. 
"Now that I'm just a mortal with a life companion, we won't attract the Erinyes.  But make no mistake, there are plenty of terrifying monsters awaiting us in the Olympus realm.  The creatures of myth and legend are real, Louise, and they're not always friendly."

With Athena by my side, I felt a surge of both excitement and trepidation. 

After all, what could possibly go wrong with a goddess, a cat, a dog, and a few Olympian gods in tow? 
Right? 
I tried to imagine the chaos that awaited us, the epic battles, the divine interventions, the... well, the sheer impossibility of it all.

"Great. Just what we need: a chaotic start to our honeymoon," I sighed, half-joking, but with a flicker of genuine worry in my eyes. 
"I'm not sure I'm ready for this, Athena.  This is a whole new level of crazy."

"Don't worry, Louise," she said, her silver eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. 
"It's going to be an adventure.  And we'll face it together."

We were about to embark on a We were about to embark on a journey to the realm of the gods, and I was still grappling with the fact that I was married to a goddess. 

It was a bit like being swept up in a whirlwind romance, except this whirlwind was filled with celestial beings, ancient magic, and a whole lot of danger.

"Rhodes," Athena said, her voice brimming with excitement. 
"It's my pride and joy, you know.  I was involved in its foundation, back when the world was young."

"You were excited?" I asked, surprised. 
"I thought you were all about wisdom and strategy, not... well, competition."

"You see, when Rhodes first emerged from the sea, the gods argued over who would claim it.  I, of course, put up a good fight, and we had a little contest.  Poseidon, offered a saltwater spring.  Can you believe it?  I couldn't even imagine how that would be useful.  I, on the other hand, offered the olive tree, symbolizing peace and prosperity.  And guess what?  The people of Rhodes chose me.  They were smart, those Rhodians."

"So you're the patron goddess of Rhodes?" I asked, my eyebrows raised. 
"That's pretty impressive."

"Well, technically, it's me and Helios," she said, her voice softening. 
"The sun god.  We agreed to share the responsibility.  But I'm the one who gets all the credit, of course.  They even hold festivals in my honor, you know.  It's quite lovely.  They have these amazing dances and feasts, and they make the most delicious olive oil.  You have to try it sometime."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, chuckling. 
"But right now, I'm more concerned about our mission.  We need to get to Mount Olympus and bring Lachesis back."

"I know, I know," she said, her voice turning serious. 
"But we can't forget to enjoy the journey.  Besides, Rhodes is our first stop.  We'll be there for a few days, and I'm going to show you all the best spots.  We'll see the ruins of the Colossus, the Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis.  It's all so beautiful."

"I'm sure it is," I said, trying to suppress a groan. 
"But I'm not really in the mood for sightseeing right now.  I'm more concerned about the Telchines."

"Ah, the Telchines," she said, her voice turning a bit darker.  "They're a bit of a problem, aren't they?  I played a role in their downfall, you know.  They were jealous of the gods, and they tried to harm Zeus.  But I was there, and I helped him.  I'm not sure what they'll do when they see me again, but I'm not going to let them stop us."

"They're powerful beings," I said, my voice laced with apprehension. 
"They're said to be skilled in magic and craftsmanship.  They even created the trident of Poseidon."

"They're not invincible," she said, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. 
"We have our own strengths.  We have the blessings of the gods, and we have each other.  We'll face them together."

"Together," I repeated, feeling a surge of hope. 
"We'll face them together."

I looked around at the faces of my team: Mortal Athena, Cat Ethy, Dog Zeus, Healer Hygieia, and Fate Lachesis.  We were a motley crew, but we were united by a common purpose. 
We were going to restore the flow of fate, and we were going to do it together. 

And maybe, just maybe, we'd even have a little fun along the way.

"So, Rhodes, then?" Athena said, her voice filled with excitement.  "Are you ready for an adventure?"

"I guess I am," I said, taking a deep breath. 

And just like that, we were off, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.