Mythology: Spiritual Ruler

It's spring again.

The sky was rosy, and the moist breeze blew across the earth. The morning after the rain was always so intoxicating, but Pandora, who had just woken up, was not in a good mood at all.

Yesterday, she sent away the goddess who deliberately came to her to show off again. This time, the other party brought a string of pearl bracelets, which were said to be jewels bred by some shellfish that survived the last era at the bottom of the deep sea.

Talia carefully described the origin of these shellfish: they were born in the golden age, absorbing the essence of water in the ocean and the starlight in the sky, and it took hundreds of years to give birth to a pearl.

Although the other party did not say a word of ridicule, the implication could not be clearer. Pandora didn't understand why there were such boring gods in this world.

But it was hard to say, because the daily life of the gods was indeed quite boring now, and maybe Talia was just looking for fun.

But what Pandora couldn't accept was that this fun might very well be herself.

"So, what's in it?"

Sitting at the table, Pandora tapped the pottery jar covered with mysterious patterns.

Now, she was alone in the place where she lived. Epimetheus had gone to some unknown place, and her daughter Pyrrha was taken away by her cousin to play. Maybe she would come back in a few days. Only Pandora stayed here alone.

The only thing that could keep her company, besides flowers and plants, was this pot of unknown use.

"Hmph, your things are all borrowed, but Hades' gift is mine alone!"

She snorted coldly, as if to comfort herself. But although she said so, Pandora had no idea how this pot worked.

It could absorb disasters and pain, but Pandora could not perceive these conceptual existences. He tried to ask Epimetheus, but the other party also said he knew nothing. Therefore, in her eyes, this was just an ordinary pottery jar, nothing special.

As for the extra gift sent by the main god of the underworld named Lyanna, Pandora was even more confused.

‘Nothing is impossible’, she wanted to become a god, wanted that boring Talia to fear her, these were all impossible things, so could this pottery jar help her do it?

“Maybe. Really?”

Pursing her lips, Pandora unconsciously stroked the long hair hanging from her shoulders.

If there was no precedent in this world, she might not have such an idea, but there was one.

Hecate, the goddess of the magic net, some people said that she was a god-made life born during the second generation of the God King, just like Pandora; some people said that she was actually the descendant of a Titan god, but the god of material destruction who was rumored to be her father had not appeared in the world for a long time.

No one knew where he was, so it was naturally difficult to verify. At least now, Pandora was willing to believe that it was a life similar to herself.

“Huh - I can’t open it.”

The hand stretched out halfway, and then quickly retracted it. Pandora forced herself not to look at it.

This ordinary pottery jar seemed to have magic, and it always aroused her mind recently. Especially when she was alone at home, it was especially so.

Feeling a little irritated, Pandora put the jar on the table and went out to relax alone.

······

It was night.

The air after the rain carried the fragrance of petals. Lying on the bed in the bedroom, Pandora's eyes were a little dull.

She casually diffused her thoughts and imagined all kinds of futures. Perhaps it was born that she had a strong desire to explore everything, which made her unable to tolerate that there was such a thing she didn't know right beside her and in front of her.

"This is obviously a gift for me."

Biting her lips, the sky outside had darkened. It was another night with stars but no moon. On such a day, some kind of silent throbbing surged in Pandora's heart.

All was quiet, as if she was the only one here. Everything was far away from her, only the woman lying on the bed and the pottery jar that seemed to be looking at her.

The mixed lines on it looked like an eye.

At a certain moment, Pandora even felt that the eye blinked, but then she reacted and realized that it was just an illusion.

This is just an ordinary jar, no different from the others. If there is only one special thing about it, it may be that it contains some unusual things.

"But I can't see them at all!"

Her breathing became rapid, which was particularly obvious in the quiet environment. In the past, she had wanted to open this jar more than once, but she stopped every time.

She remembered the instructions of Hades, but as Talia said, the master of the underworld did not actually say what the consequences would be if it was opened. Even if there were, with the blessing of the gods, it would not harm Pandora.

"The power of the gods was restricted on earth. They were even deceived by mortals for decades, but it was not until mortals betrayed their creators in a despicable way that the gods realized this. Epimetheus told me about this."

"If."

Whispering softly, Pandora sat up from the bed.

It is said that the goddess of the magic net was also born on such a starry and moonless night. She came to the world with heavenly fire, walked on the earth for thousands of years, and finally ascended to the throne of God. Perhaps fate is also foreshadowing that this is the most suitable opportunity?

"Just this once."

Yes, only once, under the dim starlight, Pandora swore secretly.

······

"Only one chance."

Without the moonlight, the earth seemed extremely dark, and the stars were not very bright today, with only a faint glow appearing from time to time.

However, this has not been a one- or two-day thing. In recent years, the stars that were originally the brightest in the zodiac star field have become much dimmer than usual.

According to the sun god Helios, the heroes and star gods who used to wander in the star space seemed to be busy with other things. When he drove the sun car across the sky, he rarely saw their figures. Therefore, most mortals kept their doors closed at night recently, and the gods did not go out much.

But today there were two exceptions. Behind the clouds floating in the air, Epimetheus looked at the sky above the garden. Although there was nothing there in his vision, he was sure that there was an invisible airflow there.

The wind god, most likely the west wind god, Epimetheus had heard of his name. He was reused because he presented the artifact to Zeus, which was completely different from the treatment of the sun god who also surrendered to the enemy.

"It seems that the god who often came here before is him. Yes, there is no better candidate than the god of wind."

The young man had an innocent smile on his face. He and the invisible airflow looked through the open window at the struggle and luck of his wife in the house in the distance, but the difference was that the latter did not know his existence.

Epimetheus actually knew that someone might come to monitor them at the beginning, so although he was not a talkative person, he deliberately said the warning before Prometheus left.

Then a certain guy really revealed a little bit of his feet, and he figured out his position little by little in the next ten years.

It has to be said that the absoluteness of theocracy is indeed difficult to crack. Even until now, Epimetheus could not detect any difference between the airflow and the natural one. But many times, "no abnormality" does not mean it is reasonable.

Over the years, he left the garden again and again with excuses, not only because he did not want to see the goddess of beauty, but more because he was summarizing the laws of climate change nearby.

According to this law, there should be no airflow there now.

"There is only one chance, and this is the best chance."

His eyes became sharp. At this moment, Epimetheus was no longer the naive brother in front of the foresighted, or the fool who was late to realize in the eyes of the gods. He stretched out his hand forward, and an invisible force enveloped the front.

He is indeed a god who is late to realize, but perhaps he has too little sense of existence, so few people realize that just as the god of wisdom can give wisdom to others, the latecomers can also make others late to realize.

Epimetheus released his power, and the authority acting on consciousness enveloped the place where the airflow was for a while.

Almost the next moment, the backlash of the law came, and his face instantly turned pale and lost blood, but he smiled happily.

His judgment was not wrong. The feedback from the authority told him that there was indeed a life there that was affected by him.

"Hu——"

"You are right, 'You can obviously change something, but you don't want to change it at all.' This is a very appropriate description of me."

Waving his hand to wipe away the blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, Epimetheus couldn't help but think of the unexpected encounter in the human tribe before.

One is the goddess of the moon. He had seen this powerful god again on Mount Olympus not long ago, but the other one has no impression at all. His existence leaves no memory in the hearts of those who wake up. This terrible ability is probably what the goddess of the moon said before, the master of the spirit world who really gave this gift.

Another powerful ancient god, but he is no different from those gods. Sitting on the innate powerful power, and then demanding the weak with the attitude of demanding the strong, it is really an arrogant attitude.

Facing the future that is destined to be unchangeable, is it wrong to choose to ignore it? Epimetheus doesn't think so, he just made the right choice.

There is no need for meaningless struggle. If there is no chance, he will just go with the flow. But like now, when he sees the possibility of change is right in front of him, he will not hesitate to take action.

His brother also deceived the gods, and chose the stupidest and most meaningless way. Gambling his life for something insignificant, and then naturally failing miserably, this is what he deserves; also being enemies of the gods, his brother has been loyal to a previous god king who is now unknown whether he is alive or dead, but can only accept the punishment of supporting the sky forever, isn't this also a reward for his stupidity?

He is different. He also wants to deceive the god king today, but that is only for himself, not for any other existence. No one except him and that stupid woman will know what happened.

Buzz--

A buzzing sounded, and Epimetheus knew that the pottery jar had probably been opened.

Just as if receiving some instructions, at this moment, the power of the gods of the underworld was touched. Even though they were far underground, they still noticed that the "anchor" they gave had left where it was supposed to be.

So in the newly built temple in the Field of Truth, Hades signaled to the left and right, and the gods who had already gathered here took the order.

The authority of the true God began to be displayed, with the "anchor point" on the ground as the center. It showed itself wantonly in front of Pandora and the two secret onlookers in the form of black mist, insects and flies, and all kinds of filthy forms, and then suddenly spread out.

They passed through mountains and rivers, crossed fields and city walls, and spread to every corner of the world in an instant. This was an act allowed by the God King. From now on, perhaps the gods of the underworld would no longer be able to obtain the heartfelt worship of humans, but their existence itself would become an insignificant but inescapable part of human civilization.

From now on, disputes, hatred, disasters, lust, and deception will prevail in the world. This is not a distortion of thinking, but a subtle influence.

Compared with these unintuitive disasters, plagues and disasters will be staged immediately.

"Just treat it as a punishment. You betrayed your creator. Prometheus can forgive you, but it doesn't mean I will."

Watching all this happen, Epimetheus no longer hesitated. This was the opportunity he was waiting for. He fell to the ground, quietly crossed the garden, and opened the wooden door of the room. In front of him, Pandora was facing away from him, looking at the scene in front of him in disbelief.

Black gas continuously poured out of the jar, announcing their existence to the world. Pandora never expected that this was the so-called "gift".

All the disasters were released because of her. She was trying hard to put the lid back on the jar, but it was all in vain.

Finally, Pandora, who had exhausted her strength, fell to the ground. She watched all kinds of disasters fly out of the jar little by little, until finally, she saw a little light.

It was the reflection of a certain star. When other things left, it seemed to have noticed the change in the environment and was ready to leave the pottery jar and merge into the fate of all mankind.

However, at this moment, a hand picked up the lid of the jar, and the pottery jar that Pandora couldn't close with all her strength was closed.

"You--!"

Turning around suddenly, looking at her husband who appeared behind her at some point, Pandora was speechless for a while. She first wanted to justify her behavior, but then she realized that it was wrong.

Why was Epimetheus here, how long had he been here, why did he sit back and watch all this, and why did he close the last gift back?

"Hush--don't be surprised."

Putting his index finger in front of his mouth, the latecomer signaled his wife to keep her voice down.

"I am also a god. Although I am not a powerful god, I have such power, so it's not strange."

"But, but why didn't you close it in advance just now? I just wanted to see what was there, I didn't want to let those things out."

When Pandora saw the black fog, she already knew what it was. The pottery jar can indeed absorb disasters and misfortunes, because it itself is the treasure that imprisons them.

And now, he released them with his own hands.

"I know, these are just some disasters. They don't exist because of your behavior. Although future generations may record it like this, in fact, you just gave some people an excuse to really let them come to the world, which will make their behavior look more reasonable."

Epimetheus said casually after looking at the brand new pottery jar.

"What about the last one?" Gradually recovering from her shock, Pandora looked at her husband who looked nonchalant, and angrily asked, "Why did you leave it in there?"

"Who said that? It obviously left, too."

"Besides--"

Stretching out his hand, Epimetheus was about to pick up the jar, but in the end, he gave up.

"--Pandora, you don't really think of yourself as a member of the human race, do you?"

At this moment, he remembered the words of the goddess of the underworld. This was a gift from the master of the spiritual world to humans. If a god tried to snatch it, he would definitely pay the price for it.

Fortunately, Epimetheus did not intend to 'snatch' it. This was given to Pandora by the goddess of the underworld, so let her continue to hold it.

"Come here, pick it up, we should leave."

Epimetheus ordered, smiling and looking at Pandora.

"You haven't answered yet--"

"I'll let you, pick it up."

Facing her husband's gradually cold eyes, Pandora finally realized that he was not only a famous fool among the gods, but also a true god. She hesitated for a moment, after all, she still had the protection given by the goddess, but in the end, she still held the pottery jar in her arms.

"Very good, Pandora, we are a family. Don't be like my brother and younger brother, always considering outsiders more important than us."

"Whether it is human beings or gods, they are not trustworthy. Their fate is a clear example."

Nodding with satisfaction, the latecomer looked at the outside world again. The monitor had left, and they could also "flee for fear of crime."

Anyway, the gods would not pursue it. As long as the unknown god told Zeus everything and told him that all the gifts in the pottery jar had been released, the gods would just pretend that they did not exist, instead of tracking down their whereabouts all over the world.

"Now, the key to breaking fate is in my hands."

"Hehe, I thought there would be some waves, but I didn't expect everything to go so smoothly. It seems that fate is on my side, and it hopes that I can change it."

With Pandora, Epimetheus opened the door.

His daughter Pyrrha hasn't come back yet, but the latecomer doesn't care about her very much. If he didn't need someone to carry the pottery jar, he wouldn't even want to bring Pandora.

Just leave like this, and when he figures out the true use of the thing hidden in this pottery jar, everything will be fine.

Today is perfect.

······

The sky was still dark. Such a quiet night seemed to hide all the secrets, deep and peaceful.

On the other side, when Epimetheus was about to leave, the god of the west wind, who also watched the "whole process", had already turned into an invisible airflow and flew through the sky.

He did not wait for long, but left as soon as he saw that the contents of the pottery jar were all released. Until the day was about to dawn, Zephyrus finally returned to Olympus.

He walked straight to the palace of the king of gods. He thought Zeus was still resting, but he didn't expect that the other party had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Majesty, I come to report to you."

After a respectful salute, looking at the king of gods on the high throne, Zephyrus said:

"As you foresaw, Pandora really opened the gift of Hades without authorization and put the disaster into the world. You are really far-sighted."

"I know, what else?"

Zeus knew about the disaster when the pottery jar was opened. After all, he was the king of gods and would not be unaware of such a thing.

But what he really cared about was obviously not his brother's masterpiece.

"The gift from the goddess of the underworld was also released."

After hesitating for a while, Zeferos finally said affirmatively. Although he felt a little confused, the god of the west wind vaguely remembered that he saw a ray of light.

It should have been released, there would be no mistake. In this regard, Zeferos believed in his judgment. As for why he was distracted for a while, it was normal.

Maybe he was a little tired after focusing for too long. After all, even gods would feel tired.