Chapter 138: Horn Of Plenty
Oceanus wept and said: “Great Zeus, Your chest as vast as the Universe makes the Gods marvel and submit in admiration; Your mercy and tolerance make all Gods admire and revere You; Your respect and love for Mother Goddess Rhea is known by every God in the Universe.”
“Please, merciful and tolerant One, for the sake of these pitiful Mother Goddesses, pitiful wives, pitiful children, and this pitiful old Father God, I beg You to forgive the children’s sins and give Them a chance to regain new life.”
“My daughters Clymene and Pleione will earnestly discipline the children, ensuring They never commit wrongdoing again, making Them as loyal to You as Prometheus, forever abiding by Your sacred justice order.”
Zeus remained silent, and no one could fathom His thoughts in His profound gaze.
Clymene and Pleione threw themselves down before the hall, and in an instant, Zeus knew that Daughters of the Ocean were truly made of water.
The two Oceanid Goddesses immediately burst into tears like pear blossoms in rain, sobbing uncontrollably, their pitiable appearance enough to move even the hardest-hearted God.
Clymene, this extremely strong, extremely beautiful, and very wise Oceanid Goddess, now wept and pleaded: “Great God King Your Majesty, I know my request is exceedingly presumptuous. It is I who begged my loving Father God to seek Your forgiveness, which is a difficult matter for Father God and for You.”
“However, merciful Zeus, please forgive a mother’s grief-stricken mood. No mother can bear to watch her children endure punishment They cannot withstand! This pain is enough to utterly crush us.”
“God King Your Majesty, tolerant and merciful Your Majesty, I beg You to forgive the child’s sins. They are merely insignificant young children; the sins stem from their father, not Their own intent.”
“I will certainly teach Them with all my effort, guiding Them back onto the correct path You have set, making Them loyal to You and forever obedient to Your sacred supreme commands.”
“The children’s Father God made the most erroneous decision, and the children cannot be entirely innocent, for They once bathed in Father God’s radiance and shared in the glory together.”
“But these pitiful children are small and vulnerable, able only to go with the flow. They have no power of choice.”
“These children have never dared to show You any disrespect, never behaved in any way disrespectful to You, and will firmly abide by the sacred justice order You have established.”
“I request Your tolerance, allowing Them to serve at Your side, at Your command, to bathe in Your radiance from this day forth, until They can wash away the sins brought by their father and regain new life.”
The virtuous and gentle Pleione also wailed and sobbed, barely able to speak, bitterly pleading: “Great God King Your Majesty, I know my husband committed the most foolish wrongdoing, an unforgivable sin, but my children are still young. They are all obedient and compliant good children.”
“God King Your Majesty, I dare not beg You to grant the children honor. I only wish to request that great and merciful You forgive the wrongs their Father God brought upon them, allowing them to live upon the Earth and feel Your warm, bright sacred order, rather than forever living in shadow.”
“I beg You to allow the children to serve at Your side, to cleanse their sins with Your merciful dew, to feel the supreme radiant glory You bestow, and let Their lives regain light.”
Accompanied by the wailing and sobbing of the two Oceanid Goddesses, the children inside the Divine Palace also bowed their heads and began to cry one by one. In an instant, the vast Divine Palace was filled with the sorrowful cries of women.
Zeus felt a slight surprise in His heart, a glint of approval flashing in His eyes.
He had thought the Ocean God was pleading for Atlas and his brothers, but unexpectedly, He was pleading only for these children.
He nodded inwardly, very satisfied with the Ocean God’s attitude. The Ocean God’s wisdom and sense of proportion brought Him considerable relief.
But His face showed no smile, His expression solemn and majestic. Without betraying emotion, He slowly said: “The Iapetus Family has committed unforgivable sin.”
This single sentence chilled the hearts of the Ocean Gods.
Zeus continued: “Iapetus is the most stubborn God, the most resolute in walking the path of wrongdoing. His two children are likewise the most resolute practitioners of the wrong order.”
His sharp gaze turned to Clymene, His tone carrying a hint of gentleness: “Clymene, your gentle and graceful name is one I often hear. You are a Goddess who understands matters clearly.”
“You love your husband and care for your children, and now you even risk incurring my wrath to plead with me. You are a respectable mother.”
These words ignited a flicker of hope in Clymene’s heart.
“However, you have failed to discipline Atlas and Menoetius properly.”
This “however” sank her heart to the depths once more.
Zeus gently shook His head, saying with evident disgust: “I have never seen Gods more stubborn, more foolish, more arrogant and volatile than those two brothers.”
“Even a gentle Daughter of the Ocean could never change Their nature.”
Clymene and Pleione were utterly disheartened, despair beginning to show in their eyes.
“However…”
“You are right—the children had no choice. Though They once enjoyed the family’s glory, that glory did not exist because of Them, nor did it fade because of Them.”
Zeus looked at Oceanus, who was still kneeling silently in tears, and said softly: “Ocean God, please rise.”
“I forgive these children, wiping clean all past matters. From now on, They are no longer Gods of the Iapetus Family, but Gods of your Ocean. Your descendants shall enjoy My protection.”
“I permit these children to bear no responsibility for their father’s sins, allowing Them to live openly under My order, feeling the light and justice of the new Universe.”
This sudden turn of generous bounty filled all the Gods with ecstasy.
Under Zeus’s words that toyed with their heartstrings, Oceanus was already satisfied, gratitude and joy surging in His heart.
Clymene and Pleione were even more ecstatic, opening their mouths to give thanks, but before they could speak.
Zeus continued: “However, Clymene and Pleione, you must discipline the children well, ensuring They never think of past matters again and never violate the sacred order I have established, or I shall bring judgment once more.”
Clymene and Pleione knelt before the hall, hands clasped before them, their tear-streaked faces breaking into smiles as words of gratitude poured out: “Great God King Your Majesty, merciful God King Your Majesty, tolerant God King Your Majesty, thank You for Your magnanimous kindness. Your bounty shall be our eternal glory!”
“Your kindness we shall forever engrave in our hearts, forever thanking You for Your forgiveness. Please rest assured, we will certainly discipline Them well and never betray Your expectation!”
Zeus neither confirmed nor denied, His profound gaze turning to Oceanus: “Respected Ocean God, Your beautiful and gentle Daughters of the Ocean cannot manage stern matters. Many things will still require Your care.”
Oceanus smiled and nodded repeatedly, gratefully saying: “God King Your Majesty, rest assured. I will personally watch over these children. They are all obedient children who will absolutely abide by Your sacred justice order and forever resolutely pledge allegiance to You! Your will is the direction for all Ocean Gods!”
Zeus finally smiled once more, nodding as He looked warmly at the two still-kneeling Goddesses: “Rise, all of you. We are family; no need to kneel at every turn.”
“Valuing emotion is not wrong. Family is the most sacred bond, kin the most precious existence. Gods who do not value family or emotion can have no loyalty and are unworthy of trust.”
“You are all Gods who value family and affection. I like that. Rise, all of you.”
“Yes, God King Your Majesty. Thank You for Your benevolence and generosity.” After thanking once more, the two Oceanid Goddesses rose and stood respectfully to the side. Oceanus also rose now.
Zeus looked at Oceanus and smiled: “Today is quite fortuitous. Had the Ocean God not come to me, I would have sought the Ocean God, saving me the trouble.”
“Oh?” The atmosphere inside the Divine Palace had already eased into relaxation. Oceanus hurriedly smiled: “I wonder what matter God King Your Majesty needs from me? The Ocean Gods will certainly exert every effort. To share Your burdens is our honor.”
Zeus waved His hand: “It is no major affair, though important to me—a private matter.”
With that, Zeus drew Amalthea, curled into a ball, from His bosom.
Now Amalthea was utterly docile, her courage truly small. In the presence of foreign Gods, she was always timid and shrinking. Her shy innocence and timidity made all the Gods present find her lovely.
Zeus smiled faintly: “In my youth, I was nourished and accompanied in growth by Maia. She is my beloved playmate.”
“I once accidentally broke her beautiful horn, the part she cherished most. At the time, I unintentionally used too much strength, and I could not repair it.”
“I wish to request that the Ocean God take her back to the Ocean, to remake her origin together with the Nurturing Goddess, to regest her divine body anew, and ideally to gestate for her a fine law.”
Zeus shook His head, sighing helplessly yet with evident doting: “She is too foolish and needs greater power to protect herself. She also needs the gentle and wise Tethys to teach her, so she can become smarter and no longer so silly.”
Amalthea felt deeply moved in her heart, but at Zeus’s final words, she felt both shy and annoyed. Though she dared no great motion, she quietly nudged Zeus’s palm.
Oceanus saw this small gesture and immediately understood: this Goat Nymph held an extraordinary place in Zeus’s heart and must be treated with utmost care.
His expression turned solemn as He gravely said: “God King Your Majesty, rest assured. Leave everything to me and Tethys. We will personally care for her with all our hearts and nurture her.”
Zeus nodded in thanks, smiling: “Respected Ocean God, thank You for Your generous aid. Please convey my thanks to dear Tethys on my behalf.”
“Right, this silly Nymph is very fond of her horns. When gestating her divine body, please add a pair for her as well.”
Oceanus could not help but smile, saying: “To aid You is the Ocean’s honor. Rest assured, all that should be there will be, and everything will be done according to Your will.”
Zeus smiled and nodded, producing the horn He had accidentally broken in youthful play with Amalthea.
He felt considerable nostalgia for His childhood days. Back then, the terrifying threat of the Old God King loomed overhead. Without a system, He knew not if a single mishap might reduce Him to ashes entirely.
He could only hide carefully, striving with all His might to grow. Tiny Crete was His entire world, and in those long days of loneliness, only those few Nymphs accompanied Him.
There were also those Curetes, whom Zeus had elevated to true Gods. They now guarded the Olympus Zeus Divine Palace, though there was little need for guarding.
Zeus quickly returned from reminiscence, His profound gaze regaining its majesty.
He looked at the horn in His palm and proclaimed majestically: “By the name of I, Zeus, God of all Gods, King of the Gods, Ruler of the Universe, I declare: From this day forth, this horn shall be named ‘Horn of Plenty’.”
“All food, drink, flowers, and green plants possessed by the world shall from this horn be inexhaustible, imperishable, and eternal! This object is the symbol of wealth and plenty!”
No sooner had the words fallen than this horn, blessed by the God King, shone with wondrous light, rainbow hues encircling it and illuminating the entire Divine Palace.
The horn became hollow within, faintly revealing crops, fruits, beverages, wine, flowers, and grasses.
This small horn, blessed by Zeus with immortality, indestructibility, size at will, plenty, endless energy source, and matter conversion, had become an exceedingly precious divine artifact of the world.
Zeus placed Amalthea on the ground, where she returned to normal size, still bewildered. Zeus reached out and grasped, perfectly severing her divinity and divine power essence into a brilliant, radiant light sphere overflowing with streamers.
On the ground remained only a gleaming golden sheepskin, merely the shell. With a casual wave, Zeus stored the sheepskin away safely.
Zeus carefully handed the light sphere and Horn of Plenty to Oceanus, solemnly enjoining: “I entrust this to you, Oceanus.”
Oceanus received it gravely, immediately placing it deep within His own divinity to nurture, layering it with His divine power for protection. He awaited return to gestate it with Tethys—meticulous and cautious beyond measure, lest any mishap occur.
He could clearly see how greatly Zeus valued this little Nymph and how much He trusted the Ocean. To make this Nymph a Daughter of the Ocean was a mark of regard for the Ocean.
In this matter, the Ocean must not err in any way! It must be done to perfection!
Seeing Zeus so doting and attentive to a mere little Goat Nymph, countless young Gods behind Oceanus envied her to death.
When this Nymph appeared in the world once more, she could truly do as she pleased!
Who among all the Gods of the entire Universe would dare offend her!
What a lucky Nymph.
Seeing Oceanus so earnest, Zeus was very satisfied with Oceanus’s performance today.
In this world, nothing escapes the bonds of human emotion. The deeper the emotion, the more solid and reliable the relationship.
A path without emotion cannot be walked far, and is too difficult.
Oceanus did not proactively demand, which pleased Zeus greatly.
What I give is yours; what I do not wish to give, you cannot seize.
Since the Ocean God knew humility and loyalty, Zeus instead wished to bestow.
After all, they were one family of Gods.
To do as one pleases is to gain no precious emotion.
He was the loving and compassionate Great Father God of all spirits, not Uranus nor Cronus.
Power and emotion—He wanted both!
Because He was Zeus; He needed no choice.
As long as the Gods and all spirits were loyal and humble, He would not be stingy with bounty.
Zeus never doubted Metis’s feelings for Him. Since Oceanus knew propriety, He had no wish for Metis to be caught in the middle, heartbroken and pained—that was wholly unnecessary.
Besides, not only one or two Daughters of the Ocean were His wives.
He looked at Atlas’s children and spoke majestically: “You have an unforgivable Father God. That is your misfortune.”
“But you have a Mother Goddess who loves you. That is your greatest fortune.”
“You have an ancestor like the Ocean God. That too is your fortune.”
Zeus looked at the seven beautiful Pleiades starry Goddesses and said majestically: “Pleiades, in My name as God King, I bestow upon you honor. North of My divine throne, you shall be the brightest cluster in the starry sky. I permit you to bear no blame for your Father God’s wrongs, allowing you like the Gods to enjoy the beautiful world. You shall remain in Olympus to attend Me.”
He then looked at the melancholy and pure Five Hyades and said: “You usurped My authority to summon wind and rain, which merits death.”
Pleione’s pretty face instantly paled, nearly collapsing to the ground.
“However, I forgive you. From now on, you remain Rain Nymphs, attending Me at My side as My subordinate Gods, bringing vitality of nurturing to the Earth.”
Finally, Zeus looked at Pleione’s youngest son and daughter, pausing briefly before saying: “Hyas shall remain in Olympus as My attendant. He is still young; with His sisters’ care, He can grow healthily.”
“As for Calypso, it is too cruel for a mother to have no child at her side. She shall stay with Pleione for now. In the Ocean’s waters, let her comb the seawater.”
Pleione was overjoyed beyond measure, a flush surging onto her pale pretty face. The immense surprise left her nearly speechless.
Oceanus felt deeply favored beyond expectation. He knew Zeus was always a God of propriety, but never imagined it would be this proper!
The honor bestowed was no ordinary amount!
Truly unparalleled generosity and tolerance!
These were things He had never even dared to imagine.
Pleione stood stunned by the sudden surprise, leaving even Oceanus at a loss for words.
“God King Your Majesty, this…”
Zeus smiled and waved His hand: “Oceanus, respected Ocean God, no need for more words.”
“You are the Universe’s most gentle and kind, magnanimous and compassionate God. That the Universe has a Great God like You is the Universe’s fortune. That I have Your support at My side is My fortune.”
“You have nurtured so many good and gentle Gods, bringing prosperity and growth to the Universe. Your children are beloved by the Gods. I too thank You for nurturing and teaching so many wonderful Gods and Nymphs. All respect is what You deserve.”
“Gods loyal to Me—I shall not betray Their loyalty and humility.”
Oceanus was deeply moved, kneeling on one knee to Zeus once more, instantly bringing another wave of kneelers inside the hall.
The Ocean God was immensely grateful, tears welling as He choked: “God King Your Majesty, thank You for Your generosity and deep affection. The Ocean shall forever be Your most loyal vassal! Your will is our direction!”
