The Deadly Wish-s.rj x c.js

24

Athena's heart broke at the very question of her youngest daughter. Pain is evident on Hades' eyes as she gaze on her mother. Her tear-stricken cheeks spoke so much of the burden, pain, and loneliness she felt in all of her life.

Youi bit her lip to clamp down the pity she felt for her Hades. The pink-haired woman deserves no pity nor pain, all she have should be glory and blessing.

Reidle saw it and tapped Youi to express her agree in feeling this way towards the woman of fire.

"Forgive me, my child." Athena spoke. Her mind slightly scampering and cussing about Persephone's absurd hate towards the infidel her husband had committed that even a child suffered.

"I am in no position to blame you, mother. I can never…" Hades replied, her voice slightly cracking once again.

"I cannot question Moirae but I am bound to be hurt. I have emotions and feelings after all. I am in pain, mother. My heart is shattered, I don't even know where my heart is." Hades added. For all the patience she got, she tried her best not to lash out like what she did when she talked to her Uncle way back then. Her fists slightly clicking fire as she expresses her broken heart.

"Why did my heart ached like this? Just why? I was blessed by having a lot of parents but never did I felt to have one. I was so alone and lonely, mother." Athena kept listening to her child's words. The youngest child of hers, despite all the devotion she gave, is still hurt.

What is love and devotion if one cannot even touch a glimpse of it? What of the time spent if one cannot even hold the clock that goes with it?

"Tell me, why do I have to live with such burden on my shoulders? Should I be grateful for the honor and pride you have in me? Or should I be dreadful for the duty and expectation you placed in me?" Hades voiced out her feelings. The very first time she let herself be vulnerable in the eyes of many.

"I…I cannot give anymore, mother. For once, the one I am is seeking for true comfort and love. The care I was deprived, the time that was stolen, and the affection I craved for." Athena eyed the one who stood behind Hades with much worry in her eyes. Just with a glance, she know how much they hold onto each other dearly.

She saw how Youi was contemplating to just pull the young goddess and coo her. She saw how Youi was fidgeting to hold the young goddess and secure her in her arms. Oh how beautiful this is yet how sad this is, the cradle of warmth that has sheltered the fire is one of a broken soul too. The pain and burden hiding behind those optimistic smiles and eyes, she can see it all.

"I have been a failure of a mother to you. Forgive me for that. However, I am in no place to turn against the prophecy too. The Moirae is in-charge of life, my child. It is in their thread that I suffer behind walls while you strive to be tougher behind the pain. All my gratitude is given to the cradle that welcomed you. I cannot give anymore too, forgive me." Athena replied as she wipe her daughter's tears. Only the warmth of the innocent can tame the flower of fire, not even the shelter of wit can compete.

"I understand, mother. Forgive me for burdening you with what I feel—"

"Nonsense! You are to feel what you feel. Don't ever hesitate to express what you have inside." Athena cut the younger's voice. She then strides towards Youi.

"Be blessed by the Gods above, child. You have cradled the flower of light and darkness, the one that signifies light and holds power against the darkness. The Gods are always by your back, the flower is always by your side." Trickery is indeed in the Gods' noble language. The deep meaning behind these metaphors and other personifications.

"It is in my utmost gratitude to be welcomed by such blessings. I will shelter the flower of fire for as long as it wants me to. The flower has it's stems, roots, and thorns in the cradle, your grace." Youi replied. A serene smile rested upon the Goddess' face, contentment filled her heart with what Youi expressed.

Hades glanced at her sister who's arms protectively wrapped around Reidle while looking at Hermes with much doom and anger in her face. Did something happen? She then looked at Hermes who is wearing his usual innocent face but behind that mask is the eyes of worry and expression of unsaid guilt. It didn't escape Hades' eyes.

For all the Gods' glory, they are not the perfect parents one can wish for. Oh how wrong those people are to wish to have the golden blood of the Gods. Nothing is pleasant, all is a burden.

"Hermes, the clock is ticking and the time is running. Before the sun descends, speak your heart." Athena commanded without looking at the ever cunning man. As soon as the goddess spoke of it, the mask fell and he stepped forward.

His arms reached for Reidle, Piper growled lowly. Her arms still protectively wrapping around her dear.

"Touch her and face your doom." Piper threatened the tall man. Hermes showed the face of pain however what he did next shocked everyone in the room.

Hermes, for all his pride and glory, kneeled on the floor. His Icarus sandals even failing to lift him to stand.

"Reidle, Oh Reidle, my child." Hades and Youi's eyes widen. Athena held her clenched jaw and Piper kept her wary eyes as she slowly let Reidle go.

"Forgive me for denying you decades ago, my child. I have feared the things, the prophecy. I was educated towards the next born God or Goddess. I am not in for any pain and disdain it will bring for my child. I had to sacrifice, forgive me for refusing you." Hermes kept his knees on the floor while seeking for his child's forgiveness. No God or Goddess have kneeled in front of a human or a demigod but Reidle is after all, just like Hades except that she doesn't mirror Pandora at all.

"I understand if you will not forgive me for being a failure to be your father." Hermes then eyed the golden-eyed woman beside his daughter.

"For once, I shall not let your heart be in pain at least not with your beloved Piper. If I have to steal every sapphire in this sinful world to put it in your eyes, I will." Just then Reidle turned, her eyes going from the chocolatey brown color to the sapphire-blue shade.

Finally, her prophecy is done. She have finished her final prophecy. The one bestowed to her ever since she was born, the one that had ended right in front of everybody else's eyes.

"You are free now, my child. Forgive me." Hermes knows, oh he surely knows. For this, at least he had the heart to end his daughter's suffering for once and for all.

None deserves to suffer after all, even the most sinful is burned to be saved from more suffering.