One with the Gods

Chapter Three: Becoming a God

Chapter three:

Becoming a God

Andromeda climbed the steps into a place that looked like a temple. She walked down the grand hall and came to a circular room. On the wall on the far end was a throne. In a half circle on each other side was five more chairs. It was clearly the great hall of Olympus. In the center of the circle of thrones was a fire. It burned bright and heated the room. As she neared the fire a flash of lightening and a boom of thunder sounded. Andromeda looked up and saw a man sitting in the colossal throne on the far end of the wall. He had short curly white hair and white stubble of a beard on his face.

"Andromeda, Welcome to Olympus." The man's voice boomed. Andromeda recognized the voice. It was the one she heard last night, the voice of Zeus. Andromeda kneeled on the marble floor and bowed her head. "Please daughter, do not kneel. You are a god now. I would also like to look at how old my daughter has gotten." He said climbing down from the throne. Andromeda stood up and looked at the face of her father. He had piercing blue eyes and a dazzling smile. He walked towards her eyeing how tall she was. "My, my you have grown into a lovely young woman. Come with me. You must have a drink of the nectar of the gods." Zeus said wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

He led her to a garden. In the middle was a fountain spurting a red sparkling liquid. "Andromeda, take a gold goblet and dip it into the fountain of the gods. When you drink it you will become immortal." Zeus exclaimed. She took a goblet from the rim of the marble fountain. She dipped it into the sparkling nectar. She put it up to her lips and drank it all. It tasted of sweet fruit and herbs. She set the golden goblet down and noticed her skin began to glow in a golden aura.

Zeus smiled at her. "Come Andromeda, we must get you ready for tonight's festivities." Zeus said leading her away. They came to stables full of Pegasus. Two stood in the middle of the two rows of stables. One was pure white with long flowing mane and a golden bridle. The other was buckskin with black wings and a golden bridle as well. "The buckskin is yours. I picked him especially for you. He is wild and a free spirit." Zeus said. I have been here for a couple of minutes and he is already showering me with gifts, Andromeda thought. She climbed on the Pegasus' back and held the reins. Andromeda had never ridden a horse let along a Pegasus. It just came to her as an instinct. With one kick Zeus flew off. Andromeda followed her father. The ride was smooth through the skies of Olympus.

She looked below and saw a paradise of islands and different lands. She noticed that every land was separated by silver walls. She looked ahead and saw a beautiful place. It rested on huge clouds and a water fall fell from the entrance of the kingdom. The softly landed on the cobble stone pavement. She slid off and joined her father's side. A servant took the horses as her and her father walked away. He led her to a dock where a two story house stood. It was very open and made of wood and glass. Andromeda stared at in amazement. Zeus looked at her and smiled brightly. "Your mother told me you loved the sea, so I had the liberty of your chambers put by an ocean with a beautiful view of my kingdom." He said.

"I must say something. Since I got here you have showered me with gifts. You do not have to do that to win my love for you as a father. I love the gifts but will there be time for us to just talk." Andromeda said as they walked in. Zeus chuckled. "You are just like your mother. Nothing gets past you without suspicion. Do not worry I just want to get you settled in then we may talk." He answered. They entered the threshold and Andromeda was amazed. Three maids scurried up to her and bowed on their knees. "Your maid's Dephila, Achaia, and Egina will serve you." Father said. The three stood up and scurried away back to their other duties. "They will prepare you for tonight. It is a festival in honor of all the demigods." Zeus exclaimed reading Andromeda's puzzled look about the event.

"Andromeda I know I wasn't there for you, but I want you to know I have watched over you. I love you very much and I just want you to be happy here. So if I shower gifts on you it is because I want you to be happy. I know it's not going work all the time but I will try my best. I must go now. I will see you tonight." Zeus said. He kissed the top of her head and left. Andromeda searched her new home. Ahead of her was a stair case leading to the next level. To the left was a lounge with a burning fire place and many couches. To the right was an area that led to a dock. Hanging on the walls were swords, spears, shields, and lots other weapons. Behind the stair case was the maid's quarters and a kitchen.

She went upstairs and found many rooms. She entered one that was the master bedroom. The bed was silk and was designed with the colors silver, gold, and blue. The design depicted the ocean and the sky above. She went out onto a balcony and there was a fantastic view of the ocean. Andromeda turned to the sound of the door opening in her room. It was Egina. "Your highness we must dress you for tonight's festival." She said as Delphia and Achaia entered.

"Castolla there you are I was looking for you everywhere. Come on." A woman called. Castolla looked in the direction of the woman. The woman was wearing a green tunic with golden embroidery. A bow and quiver of arrows was slung on her back. It was the goddess Artemis. Artemis walked over to her daughter and squeezed her in a powerful hug. "I have waited so long to hold you again. Come with me to your new home." Artemis said taking her arm. Artemis's hair was dark brown and braided. Streaks of gold were strung in her braid. Artemis dragged her daughter to a silver gate holding an amazing sight. Castolla looked over the beautiful forest. She could hear sounds of birds chirping. She could smell the sweet smell of flowers and fruit trees in the breeze.

Artemis led her down a path and to a little house made of silver. It was decorated with a bear on both sides. It was a mother bear protecting its cubs. "Wait, the second I got here you have whisked me here and there. Can't we just talk for a minute?" Castolla urged. "I am sorry I was just excited to get you settled in. So what do you want to talk about?" Artemis asked. "Well if you are a virgin goddess how did you get pregnant?" Castolla asked as they entered the little house. "Actually I planted my seed in your mortal mother who has died. I told her that I was your true mother and that you would be my daughter not hers." Artemis answered. "Enough talk for now at least. Your sisters are going to help you get ready for tonight's festival." Artemis said opening the door again. Three girls one brown headed the other red and the last blonde like Castolla.

"These are some of your sisters. This is Cora, Petrina, and Doria. They came here when their mothers died giving birth. I hope you all get along I must go I have some arrangements to make for tonight." Artemis said leaving the four girls by themselves. "Sorry about mother. She sometimes gets so caught up in having a new child she rushes through things too fast." Said the brown haired girl Cora. "Now let's get you ready. You are going to love this event. I know I loved it when I had my first party." The girls came over and began to braid her blonde hair.