[Greek Mythology] The Goddess's Gaze

A Mary Sue, with everyone wanting to crown her with flowers. The Goddess of War should make all the gods crumble before her.

Goddess of War, Goddess of Wisdom, Virgin Goddess, the mightiest of the Valkyries: Athena lived a glorious life, surrounded by triumph. And yet, she was reborn.

That meant she still had unfinished business.

Who was influencing her fate? Was it the underachieving gods of the Underworld, their ambitions roiling beneath the surface? Was it the younger generation, like Hermes, who coveted her? Or was it the dark designs of the gods themselves?

Or was it the prophecy that her brother, who had never been born, would seize their father’s throne?

First playthrough (Phoenix): What do I need, an answer or a crown?

Second playthrough (Eloise): Underworld route, if. The unspoken thoughts of the Silent One, unnoticed by anyone. She says, “You hate and envy my father, so you want my support to get revenge.”

Third playthrough (Mephistopheles): Hermes route, if. He is used to lying and good at it, because he knows he will never deserve what he wants. She says, “I’ll help you, but you have to look at me.”

Fourth playthrough (Sisyphus): Apollo route, if. He is frivolous, arrogant, and beautiful. He could never understand why she pushed the boulder up the hill again and again with such ascetic discipline. She says, “You were never carefree. You just got used to giving up. So, are you going to keep going?”

Fifth playthrough (Ulysses): The ending route.

When Athena opened her eyes again, the first person to welcome her back to this world was still that man. The prophet wore his usual dutiful smile, but the armored goddess walked straight up to him and whispered in his ear:

“Wasn’t I always the child of prophecy, Prometheus?” The goddess placed her hand around his neck, tender and threatening. “Why lie? Why betray me? Did you think I wouldn’t set this world ablaze just to show you?”

There are only two respectable ways to die: on the battlefield, or beneath the gaze of a star.

So whether they are sword-bearers or stargazers, they always set out from the same place and return to it. Their lives are tightly entwined, like a contradictory spiral. Unless it breaks, there is no way to escape.

After turning away from each other, come back to me.

Theme: Love requires honesty.