"Bang!"
As the towering figure of the Hecatoncheires finally vanished from her perception, Themis collapsed into a chair, her face drained of all color.
At the same moment, with a ripple of starlight, two previously concealed figures emerged from the corner of the room.
Tina, brimming with joy, carried a newborn infant in her arms as she approached gracefully. Close beside her, Samael leaned against the cradle of her arm, extending a single finger for the infant to grasp. He rocked it gently, teasing until the little girl's bright violet eyes widened and she let out a soft giggle.
Themis, aching with concern for her niece, immediately stepped forward to support her. Wiping the fine beads of sweat from Metis's forehead, she gazed at her with a reproachful glint.
"You always have to push yourself! Do you realize how dangerous it would've been if your divine power had gone out of control just now?"
"Auntie, I know my limits. See? I'm fine…"
With her delivery behind her, Metis's mood had lightened considerably. She reined in her sharpness, instead shaking Themis's arm playfully in a rare show of softness.
After the Goddess of Justice reached out to steady the turbulent ether within her, her expression softened slightly. At last, the Queen of the Gods lifted her trembling hands, her eyes brimming with excitement as she turned toward Samael and Tina.
"My child! Quickly, let me see my child!"
The ancient serpent nodded, carefully placing the swaddled newborn girl into her arms.
Metis held her daughter close, gazing repeatedly at her features with a satisfied smile.
"Hmm. Eyes like mine, hair like his. I wonder what kind of temperament you'll have."
"Athena. I'll call you Athena."
The Goddess of Wisdom gently tapped her daughter's nose with a finger before passing the swaddled infant back into Samael's arms. A teasing smile touched her lips.
"Alright, off you go. Raise her as if she were a toy."
Themis shot her a sharp look, but her hand was tender as it brushed across the child's delicate face.
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
Metis smiled silently, straightened her posture, and rose.
"Your Majesty, these little tricks might fool the Hecatoncheires, but they won't deceive Zeus."
"For safety's sake, I'll give you some help."
Samael murmured, patting Tina's shoulder.
The Goddess of Beginning immediately understood. She pricked Athena's tiny palm with her finger, gathering the drop of crimson-gold blood that welled up and letting it hover in her hand.
As black-red energy seeped into it, the droplet swelled to the size of a fist, gradually shaping into a clear humanoid outline.
The authority of the Sea of Life could freely modify collected Spirit Origins—allowing self-modification, ecological transformation, fusion, or proliferation.
For Tina, creating an embryo with the same aura yet lacking a soul was hardly a challenge.
Metis nodded in understanding and swallowed the floating droplet of golden-red liquid.
A wave of warmth spread through her, and once again her belly filled with the sensation of life within.
The Goddess of Wisdom stared in astonishment, glancing deeply at Samael and Tina.
If she hadn't witnessed her child's birth with her own eyes, she might have thought the agony within the starry sea was nothing but a false dream.
Just then, thunder roared across the sky. A silver-white dragon of lightning stretched for hundreds of miles above.
Themis's brow furrowed, her face growing tense.
Zeus. The Hecatoncheires must have reported the suspicious events to the God King after being expelled from the marsh.
"It seems I must go…"
Metis glanced at the signal from Olympus, a bitter smile crossing her lips as she began to walk forward.
But as she stepped into the courtyard, she noticed a lush olive tree and plucked a verdant branch.
Standing still, she focused with intense concentration. Her fingers danced like butterflies, weaving the branch into the shape of a crown.
Once the last rough edge was smoothed, Metis nodded with satisfaction and turned to gently place the olive wreath upon her daughter's head.
She bowed slightly, pressing a tender kiss to her child's forehead. When she lifted her gaze again, tears spilled freely down her face as she whispered,
"Athena, my child… Mother loves you dearly. Live well."
"And know this—Mother is happy. Don't worry for me."
After a moment of tender silence, Metis wiped her tears and returned her daughter to Samael. But just as she let go, she seized the ancient serpent's arm, her gaze solemn and piercing.
"Whatever you plan to do, promise me this—protect my daughter."
"In the future, she may be this world's final hope."
Samael met her gaze squarely, nodding with conviction.
"I will. I promise."
Relief softened Metis's expression. She cast one last, lingering look at her daughter, now fast asleep in Samael's arms, before turning resolutely toward the marsh's edge.
Moments later, the violent aura of the Hecatoncheires and the thunderous weight of Zeus's power both faded away.
Only after confirming several times did Themis glance at Samael and gently tilt the Golden Scales, easing the concealment of their surroundings.
"For safety, I want to take Athena and go into seclusion elsewhere for a time."
"Her birth now… it's too sensitive."
Samael thought for a moment before murmuring softly.
The Goddess of Justice considered briefly, then nodded. Glancing at the sleeping infant with a trace of reluctance, she asked,
"Where do you plan to go?"
"The Arima Caverns. Their depths are endless, leading straight to the Underworld. Beyond Olympus's reach…"
Samael's gaze drifted to the horizon as he answered quietly.
Outside, the hellhound Cerberus stirred from its nap. At the sound of that familiar name, its ears perked and its eyes lit up.
The dog's expressive face turned toward Samael, tongue lolling out as it barked eagerly.
Did this mean… he could finally go home and beat up Hydra?
In an instant, the hound bounded ahead, tail wagging wildly as it led the way, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Travel safely. Take good care of the child. I'll be waiting for your return."
Themis stepped close, whispering softly before rising on tiptoe to place a gentle kiss on Samael's forehead.
"Then study your statutes well. Next class, we'll continue the examination, Your Honor…"
The ancient serpent leaned close to her ear, chuckling with quiet amusement. His gaze slid downward, the corners of his lips curving.
Heat rushed to her ear. Themis's face flushed crimson, her teeth bit down on her lower lip, and her eyes—hidden beneath the black veil—shot him a hateful glare.
"Aaaa!"
Just as Samael was savoring her flustered expression, a high-pitched cry echoed through the woods. The ancient serpent stiffened, a pang of guilt seizing him. Without a word, he tightened his hold on Athena and hurried after the bumbling hound leading the way.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the marshlands, in the Arima Caverns.
At the center of the incubation chamber, a massive purplish-red egg pulsed violently, trembling as though stirred by some unseen stimulus.
"Crack…"
With a sharp sound, a thin fracture split open at the top, spreading rapidly across the shell.