Chapter 121: Motherhood War
The Lady of Night’s posture was too low, so low that it baffled the gods.
In the past, before Cronus, she had not shown such respect and deference.
Even if Zeus gave ever so much, it could not possibly make her so deferential.
This did not match the Lady of Night’s character, nor her noble status as the Root of the Universe!
Moreover, what did that last sentence mean?!
Explain it! What does it mean that the children of Night are the children of Zeus?!
Explain it! What are you trying to do?!
You, Nyx, only have two children, and now they belong to Hyperion, only nominally yours!
Where do you get any more children from?!
The gods did not yet know that in the long passage of Time, amid boundless Loneliness and the erosion of negative Emotions, the Laws of Night had alone Gestated several more children, but she dared not let the Children enter the World.
Um. Her resentment toward the Celestial Pantheon was all too obvious.
The Laws of these Children were mostly negative Emotions; anyone who saw them would see right through the Lady of Night’s Thoughts.
In the past, the Lady of Night had not dared to release them, fearing it would alert the gods of the Celestial Pantheon and provoke even stronger targeting.
Wise Metis, her fair face lightly furrowed her brows; those eyes full of Wisdom first looked toward Nyx, then subtly glanced at Zeus, who wore a majestic and composed expression, feeling that something was off somewhere in her heart.
The Goddess of Memory of Civilization, her thin lips curled into a faint smile of Disdain; the Goddess of Night only knew these petty tricks unfit for the stage!
She just wanted to bear children with Zeus, to rely on her child for prestige! To seize Authority through her child!
Despicable!
The Night God is the Night God, incapable of doing anything open and aboveboard!
Hateful Zeus! Truly bewitched by Night! How could he give so much!
No! I want some too!
Hearing Nyx’s last words, Hyperion lightly gave his Wife a glance, and the Mother of Radiance Theia immediately understood.
She rose gracefully, her elegant radiant beauty revealing a gentle and convincing Smile, her soft Voice resounding inside the Hall, carrying earnestness and moving Sorrow:
“Just Zeus, Aether and Hemera were once the children of the Lady of Night, but the Master of Spirituality—Heavenly Father Uranus—made Them our dear children with Hyperion.”
Theia’s Voice carried a mother’s plea: “We have been together for countless Times, the Children have been happily together, relying on each other; this family bond cannot be severed.”
“Merciful Zeus, please, for the sake of a pitiful mother’s Mood, do not take away my dear Children; that is a Pain no mother can bear.”
She slightly turned her head, her Gaze toward Rhea, pleading: “My dear Sister, holy merciful Goddess Queen, this Pain of losing a child—I believe the loving Mother Goddess Rhea, as a great mother, can fully understand it.”
Theia paused, her radiant Gaze first toward Nyx, then turning to Zeus, continuing: “I know the Lady of Night is also a mother who deeply loves her Children; she too misses her Children, longing to embrace Them, to feel the Warmth of connected Laws.”
“To that end, I am willing to share my Children with the Lady of Night, even though I am so unwilling and in Pain; but I too understand the Lady of Night’s Mood, her Deep love for her Children, which I feel as well.”
Theia finally pleaded earnestly: “Just Zeus, let my Children—Aether and Hemera—also call the Lady of Night Mother Goddess; I believe the loving Ruler of Night will love her own Children as I do, giving Them equal love and Protection.”
Zeus knew full well in his heart that Hyperion would never give up Aether and Hemera; Their children Helios and Selene were Gestated based on Aether and Hemera—They could not accept returning the Children.
Allowing Nyx to keep the name was already good enough.
Zeus himself would not agree either; how could one just take power and immediately undermine one’s loyal Ally?
At least not right away.
Weakening an Ally right upon taking office made no sense emotionally or rationally.
Moreover, as long as Loyalty continued, there would be no need to stir things up in the Future.
In the world of the Gods, Strength ultimately spoke; there was no need for that business of weakening subordinates.
Moreover, Daylight and Light were both Primal Laws of the Universe and the foundational Laws that naturally restrained Night; Daylight’s Laws could not return to Night’s control—that would be far too imbalanced.
Theia’s words now were the most fitting solution.
Her saying this was merely to secure, before the Gods, a legitimate Promise for herself regarding the Belonging of Aether and Hemera.
It was harmless enough.
Zeus turned his Gaze to Theia, his Tone gentle yet firm: “My dear Goddess Theia, respected Mother of Radiance, how could I not understand the heart-piercing Pain of a mother losing her Child? For a child losing his mother is likewise the greatest Pain in the world.”
Zeus’s Gaze seemingly inadvertently swept over Mother Goddess Gaia, meeting her Eyes for an instant.
He looked to Theia and continued: “The past is the past, but now, how could I force a mother to abandon her beloved Child? There is no Justice in that, nor does it align with the core ideals of the New Order I establish!”
Mother Goddess Gaia silently approved, feeling more reassured about Zeus’s Promise.
‘Zeus’s Divine Quality is reliable!’
“The Decision once made by Heavenly Lord Uranus, I will not change; that is the established rule of the old Laws.”
“Perhaps a child, for various reasons, gains another mother who loves him; then he need not choose only one, for choosing one would be a great Harm and heartless Betrayal to the other mother.”
Zeus’s Words were filled with Benevolence, gently yet firmly saying: “He should equally revere all his mothers, and all his mothers should equally love him with Loving-kindness.”
His Voice instantly became immensely majestic, issuing a Declaration to the Entire Universe: “From this day forth, by the name of Ruler of the Universe, King of Gods, I solemnly proclaim: All Living Beings of the Universe who have mothers Loving-kindness toward their Children and Children revering their mothers—that is the greatest Respect to me; the opposite is the greatest insult to me!”
“I shall punish all unfilial and unkind evils with Thunder, showing no Connivance!”
Zeus finished speaking, looked toward Aether and Hemera, and instructed: “Aether, Hemera, from this day forth, Goddess Theia and the Lady of Night are both your revered Mother Goddesses; you shall equally revere and love Them, regarding Them with equal Affection.”
Hearing this, Aether and Hemera immediately rose from their Seats, swiftly coming to the center of the Divine Palace, kneeling on one knee before Zeus without hesitation.
They said with immense gratitude: “Merciful Master, Just God King, Your Benevolence earns the respect of all Living Beings; we shall forever be grateful for Your Benevolence, Your Compassion shelters All Spirits.”
“Thanks to Your Loving-kindness, we shall forever equally deferentially and reverently love our two mothers; Their love is our Life and Origin.”
“To have two such Loving-kindness mothers is our highest Glory; we swear to repay Them with reverence!”
Goddess Theia’s bright and captivating Smile instantly bloomed, her elegant figure bowing to Zeus in salute: “Supreme Master, thanks to Your Benevolence; Your Judgment is so Just and full of Wisdom, Your Bounty shines Radiance eternally.”
However, the Lady of Night’s heart at this moment was filled with inexpressible Unwillingness and Loss.
She had previously helped the Titans overthrow Uranus, only to gain nominal motherhood of Aether and Hemera, unable to truly bring Them back to her side.
Now having overthrown Cronus, the result was still the same—the Children had only nominal Belonging!
But Zeus had not consulted her opinion, directly announcing the Decision, leaving her helpless.
She had originally planned to find an Opportunity in the Future to gradually wear down Zeus and take back the Children.
But now Zeus had announced the Decision so solemnly before the Gods, to the Entire Universe; wanting the Children back afterward would be exceedingly difficult, or rather nearly impossible.
The Lady of Night’s heart was exceedingly low; her psychological drop was too great now.
She had supported him so much! Handed the entire Divine Palace to Zeus!
She had just given so much! Now only two trifles, and even that was taken back!
She fumed inwardly, resolving that Zeus would not get any closeness from her in the short term!
Unless he Compensated her!
But even so, she still gave a proper response, though her Voice was slightly low: “Wise Zeus, Your Wisdom convinces the gods; Your Will, I shall obey.”
Zeus seemed oblivious to Nyx’s low Mood, his deep Gaze subtly passing over the Lady of Night as he looked toward his most intimate Comrades.
Several Goddesses, seeing the insincere, low-spirited Goddess of Night, had their lips curled upward.
He knew these Goddesses’ Thoughts all too well; he could not indulge Them too much—lavishing Bounty endlessly would make Them arrogant.
Dealing with Goddesses required appropriate firmness, some back-and-forth to keep Them in check; Thunder and Dew both indispensable. Only thus could the Goddesses truly become obedient and willingly compliant.
Zeus’s majestic Words resounded again: “Gods, please vote.”
Since Zeus had already made his Decision, and the Husband and Wife Hyperion had no objections, most gods would not slap Zeus’s face.
Hyperion and Theia were the first to express agreement, most of the other Gods following suit; though no gods opposed, several abstained.
Um.
Mainly Goddesses.
Zeus knew this full well; He nodded lightly, signaling that this proposal was passed, then directly moved to the next item.
A Smile appeared on His majestic Face, His Gaze turning to the most Closeness brothers and sisters inside the Hall, kindly saying:
“My dearest brothers and sisters, my siblings and Comrades, it is precisely your strong Support that allowed us to achieve final Victory in the War against the Old God King, winning final Glory and ushering in this new Era.”
