As Gaia opened the letter and began to read its contents, her expression changed. The message was written in a somewhat playful yet light-hearted tone:
"To Gaia,
Athena here. Word has reached Olympus that you've found yourself a man, and it's causing quite a stir among the gods and goddesses. I must admit, I'm eager to find out who he is myself. The entire divine realm is eagerly awaiting the revelation, and I'm certainly no exception.
So, don't keep me in suspense any longer. Please hurry up and introduce your new companion. I'm looking forward to meeting him.
With curiosity and anticipation,
Athena."
'That's weird I expected her to be upset with me for introducing her to Hephaestus, the crafts god. Well, technically, Athena enraged Poseidon, and then he turned to me, his one and only partner in crime... so I did him a favour.' As Gaia considered Athena's message and the gods and goddesses' implied interest in Kyn, she immediately thought of her older brother, Poseidon. She was curious as to what he would do next now that he was aware that she was seeing someone new and a mortal at that.
Poseidon had been the so-called 'older' and overprotective brother in her 'family', but he had also been known to play pranks and tricks, most notably the one on Athena that led to her unplanned romance with Hephaestus. Gaia could not help but wonder aloud how Poseidon would react and what surprises he might have in store for both her and the companion that she had made.
Gaia could not help but think back on all the times Poseidon's daughters had disastrous love affairs with humans. Her thoughts unfolded like a movie as she recalled these moments. Poseidon's daughter Lamia fell in love with a human being in the first recollection. In an act of heavenly rage, Poseidon destroyed the boyfriend's village after learning of their love.
Gaia's mind switched to Aithousa, another of Poseidon's daughters, as the memories progressed. Aithousa's relationship with a mortal man had ended badly because of adultery. Like Lamia's lover, her partner had met a violent end. Two more of Poseidon's daughters, Euadne and Despoena, likewise met tragic ends because of mere mortals. Poseidon's punishments for their mortal partners' infidelity were always terrible.
The trend was unmistakable. When it came to his daughters' relationships with humans, Poseidon, god of the sea and storms, had a history of taking drastic actions, releasing his heavenly might to punish anyone who had offended his loving children.
"Oh! So that's why she sent for me first and stayed back at the tower,' she remembered her tower self smirking, thinking of her brother. 'I swear if he dares bring up that big bro card, I'm going to kill him.' She pouts before getting into one of the cars.
As the group prepared to leave the private hangar in Athens, a meticulously organised motorcade awaited them. It was a grand procession, one that would lead observers to believe that a high-ranking international diplomat was being transported through the city. The motorcade's scale and attention to detail were truly impressive.
The two Gaias, Flora and Jasmine, were bundled up together in the lead car, which set the pace for the procession. They sat comfortably, their presence exuding an air of regality and significance.
Following closely behind, Kyn, Bertha, and Chris occupied the next car in the motorcade. They marvelled at the display of security and the grandeur of the procession. It was clear that no effort had been spared in ensuring their safety and making a statement about the importance of their visit.
The motorcade consisted of various elements, from motorcycles to hidden escort cars and the heavily armoured Toyota Land Cruisers that flanked the main vehicles. The procession moved through the city with purpose and precision, drawing the attention of onlookers and passersby who couldn't help but wonder about the distinguished guests in transit.
As the motorcade continued on its way, the group contemplated the significance of their journey and the mysterious events that had unfolded since their arrival in Athens. The imposing motorcade was a reflection of the intrigue and complexity that surrounded their mission in the historic city.
Cornered in the same car, Chris wanted the earth to open up and swallow him alive. After all, he was broke and had taken advantage of thy Wispness.
The two cars entered the grand temple, and Gaia's vehicle proceeded to the main lobby. There, they were greeted by a tall and striking Greek woman with beautiful blonde hair styled in elegant curls. She wore a flowing white gown that seemed to evoke the ancient traditions and grandeur of the temple. The ambiance was filled with a sense of reverence and the echoes of ancient history.
The woman, surrounded by an aura of ancient mystique and significance, acknowledged Gaia's arrival with a serene and welcoming demeanour. It was evident that she held a position of importance within the temple, and her presence commanded respect.
Meanwhile, Kyn, Bertha, and Chris were led on a guest tour of the historical site by one of the men from the security detail. As they explored the temple's ancient and storied grounds, they marvelled at the rich history and the tangible sense of divine presence that permeated the surroundings.
Back in the main lobby, Bruce, the guardian and protector of Athena's temple, performed a deep and respectful bow before the woman in white. With a tone of reverence, he introduced Gaia, acknowledging her with the respect due to her being the goddess. The encounter between these two divine figures marked a moment of profound significance within the sacred temple, and the air was filled with a sense of awe.
"Hmm, I see no man. Where did you hide him?" the beautiful Athena asked, running up to the window to try and get a glimpse of the trio.
"As much as I don't know what got into you, asking for my audience after being all quiet for over 5000 years... What's the catch?" Jasmine asked, looking at the goddess who was busy trying to peer over the edge.
"Hmmm... thought you wanted us to let bygones be bygones," Athena asked.
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