One with the Gods

Chapter Two: The beginning of a new life

Chapter two:

The beginning of a new life

Andromeda walked through the door of her home after a long day of fishing. She sat at the table wiping the sweat off her forehead with a rag. Her mother entered the room surprised to see her. "You are back already?" She asked. Andromeda nodded and said, "Slow day today. The fish just weren't biting." Her mother poured her a cup of water from the fresh fountain water outside. Andromeda greedily drank every last drop in one swallow.

"Andromeda I must tell you something. It is very important." Her mother said sitting in the opposite chair of her. "If it involves marriage then I don't want to hear it." Andromeda said. "No, no it is not about that. It is about your father." Her mother replied. Andromeda slowly set the cup on the table. Her mother hated to talk about father. When Andromeda would ask about her father when she was little and her mother would say, "When you are older I will tell you."

"What about?" She said. Stillness had come upon the room. "I told you your father was a soldier and died in battle, but that was not true." Her mother stopped and took a breath. "The truth is your father is well.... I'll just say it a god." Andromeda smiled at her. "You're just messing with me." She laughed. "I wish I was but I am not. You are the daughter of the god Zeus. I can prove it if you don't believe me." Her mother said pulling out a scroll from her pocket. Andromeda took the scroll from her hands and looked at the seal. It was the seal of Zeus. Andromeda had only seen this picture in scrolls sold by priests saying that if you possess it you will be blessed by the gods. Andromeda traced the thunder bolt and little eagle.

She tore open the scroll and read the contents.

Dear Andromeda,

I am the almighty Zeus your father. You are a worthy enough demigod of Zeus to live with me and the other gods as a goddess. When you read this on the next day Hermes will come and retrieve you to take you to your new home. Best wishes.

Your father,

Zeus

Andromeda rolled the scroll back up and set it on the table. "How did you meet?" She asked shaken by the truth. Her mother sighed. "I was your age. I was walking in the market when your father approached me. The first thing I noticed was his piercing blue eyes and his dazzling smile. He flattered me with compliments. One thing led to another then before I knew it he was asking my father permission for me to marry him. I was deeply in love with your father. To my luck my father allowed it and we were married three days later. I then got pregnant. In three months you were born. I was shocked, and then Zeus told me who he was. He asked me to keep you safe by not telling you who you were. He told me he had to leave because Hera would be angry with him. After that I kept my distance from his temples. He has watched over you since the day you were born. He loves you dearly Andromeda." She said.

Andromeda stood up and paced the floor. She was in shock of what was going on. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked. "I didn't tell you to protect you from two things. The first was Hera. If she found you she would have killed you or worse. Also the other I don't really know because your father wouldn't tell me. Please do not be cross with me or your father. We didn't want your powers attracting the wrong crowds." She explained. "I am not cross with either of you I am in shock. After fourteen years of day dreaming what my father was going to be like I get to meet him on Mount Olympus. Why now does he decide to take me to Olympus why not just raise me on Olympus?" Andromeda asked. "Hera or the other dangers would try to kill you or banish you from Olympus. Your father didn't want that." Her mother said.

Andromeda took a breath. She was shaky. "Last night I heard you and a strange man talking. You then came in my room and he kissed me good night. Was that him?" She asked. Her mother nodded. "Last night he came to tell me that you were ready to come and join him on Olympus. I didn't want you to go but your father said it would be safer for you on Mount Olympus now." She said. "I am not going to leave without you." Andromeda protested. Tears began to form in Andromeda's eyes. Her mother stood up and placed her hands on her daughter's face. She wiped the tears that began to fall from Andromeda's face.

"I will be alright, but now you must do the right thing. Go to Olympus and always remember you must be strong no matter what challenges are thrown at you. Be strong for me so I will have peace knowing you will be safe." Her mother said. Andromeda wrapped her arms around her mother in a hug. After a time of packing tunics and other things Andromeda lay down and went to sleep. She awoke the next morning to the sound of a horse neighing and wings flapping.

Castolla went to bed that night having mixed feelings about going to Olympus. She hated it leaving her father a drunk, but he promised he would stop for her. She was excited because she would meet her mother. She didn't know what to feel or think. She woke the next morning with her father crying. She hugged him tight. Hermes was behind them waiting patiently. "Castolla please be careful and come back and see me." Her father said through tears. Castolla wiped them away and said, "I will always come and see you father. Just please promise to stay sober." "I will for your sake. Now go or Hermes will become inpatient." He said. Her father kissed the top of her head and let her go. Castolla climbed into the golden chariot. She looked at her father who nodded at her. She brushed away her tears and held onto the rail.

Hermes led the way as they went above the clouds. When Castolla saw it she was in awe. She saw the palace and lands of Mount Olympus. It was so beautiful. It was separated into several parts. One part was all forest and the one next to it was a beautiful beach. Others were golden villages, silver villages, training sites, and plenty of others. In the middle of the many villages was a small square with carts and stands. They roughly landed on the cobble stone. Castolla climbed out and was awestruck by the beauty of Mount Olympus. "Feel free to wonder the square your mother will be with you some time soon. I have to go pick up another demigod." Hermes said. Castolla nodded and looked around.

Andromeda awoke and got dressed and went into the kitchen. Her mother stood there with her pack and tears trickling down her face. Andromeda went to her mother and hugged her tight. "Mother it is going to be alright. I will come and visit you as often as I can. Please don't cry." Andromeda said. Her mother pulled away and looked at Andromeda's face. "I can't help it. I am losing my greatest treasure. I want you to know that no matter what things happen up there I want you to know that you will always be loved by me and your father." Her mother said.

Andromeda walked out with her mother to Hermes. Hermes stood next to a bright white Pegasus. It had a golden bridle and golden hooves. She gave her mother one last hug and climbed on the horse's back. The horse took a leap into the air and took flight. The wind blew in her face and threw her hair. They climbed up above the clouds. Andromeda then saw it Mount Olympus. It is just how I pictured it. Andromeda thought. The Pegasus landed softly on the cobble in front of a grand palace. Andromeda climbed off the horse and stared at the giant Zeus statue the stood in front of the palace. "Your father would like you to meet him in the palace." Hermes called. Andromeda nodded at him and Hermes sped off. "This is it. I am about to meet my father. This is the beginning of a new life." Andromeda told herself.