The Thirteenth Trial(?) - A Tale of Schemes
I am Gaia, the mother of the earth and the goddess who is Achaia—the world itself. Throughout my eternal life, I had cherished and loved my eldest daughter, Adamantia, above all. It was hard to believe that she, of all people, harbored such a grand scheme.
Yet her eyes told the truth. This child wasn't lying. Even if love's fever drove her to recklessness, every word rang with pure, unadulterated sincerity from Adamantia's heart. I had no doubt.
But this innocent daughter of mine had overlooked a crucial detail.
"Very well. Suppose you and I both marry Heracles. And let's say Echidna—with her Hundred Beasts Womb ability—joins us too."
"Yes!!!!"
"Don't get too excited. If we're going that far, there must be a reason Echidna has to be included, right?"
"Of course!"
"Then what if one of us—you know, me or Echidna—or both of us simply decides we don't like Heracles and refuses?"
"What?"
For the first time, my beloved daughter's face twisted. No, it wavered. A flicker of panic clouded those clear, radiant blue eyes. Clearly, she hadn't even considered the possibility that Echidna or I might say no.
Sigh. So careless.
"Exactly what I said. What if Echidna or I just plain don't like Heracles and turn him down?"
"Uh... that can't happen."
"It can, my dear. Love is a deeply personal emotion. Sure, Heracles might be Achaia's finest man, devoted to those he loves just like he is to you, and plenty of women would adore him for it. But love is personal. You should have realized Echidna could refuse. You've felt Eros's arrow yourself now—you know how it works."
"Uh, r-really? B-but if Echidna or you fall for him too, that'll be a problem."
"Why?"
"Because Heracles can't become a god without us."
"..."
That caught me off guard. Heracles was Zeus's ultimate weapon, forged with meticulous care. What did she mean he couldn't ascend to godhood without my help? He was the only demigod hero primed for the war against the Gigantes. There were countless other heroes, but only Heracles was destined to drive them back. Zeus knew that full well.
Her answer made it all click.
"I have no intention of marrying any man but Heracles, Mother."
"I can see that."
"Zeus killed Iasion, Demeter's husband, remember? I heard about it too."
"...You heard about that, did you? Yes, Zeus slew Iasion. But he ascended soon after as a minor god... Wait. You."
"Zeus's lightning can kill lesser gods. A god who can die isn't a true god."
"..."
Not all gods enjoy perfect immortality. Nymphs—minor, native deities—don't age, but if they anger the major gods, they can fall under curses or lightning and perish. Just as Adamantia said, Demeter's lover Iasion had met that fate. Even as Zeus's own son, like Heracles.
"They call him the mightiest hero, but Heracles is just Zeus's tool. No way he'd grant a tool true divinity."
"That's true enough. Zeus would want a son who can be killed off whenever his whims change."
"But the Gigantes can't be beaten without Heracles. To avoid his own doom, Zeus will pretend to cherish him."
"But he won't grant true immortality. Right???"
"Exactly. I don't see Heracles becoming a major god. And I can't stand that."
It was a plausible theory. Zeus ruled as king of the gods, wielding transcendent might from the heavens, but he shared power with many deities. The children of Cronus were no pushovers, so Olympus turned on a web of intricate alliances despite appearances of his tyranny. Adding a young, vigorous major god to the mix? That would burden Zeus greatly.
He'd likely settle for making Heracles a native deity who merely didn't age, then pawn off the rest through marriage. Probably to someone like Hebe, Hera's famously beautiful daughter.
And there was another issue.
"If he becomes my husband, Heracles's power will surpass Iasion's for sure. He'll wield iron, and I'll support him. Zeus fears my strength, so he'll try to control me through Heracles. I might end up walking a path of lifelong sorrow."
No denying that either. Adamantia outshone even Demeter, daughter of Cronus. She commanded fire, iron, volcanoes—the entire island of Sicily was her domain. My daughter, yes, but her power was exceptionally potent. If not for those rumors calling her ugly, Zeus would have acted against her long ago. The thought sent chills down my spine.
"So that's it. You need me to make Heracles a god."
"Yes. I trust you won't settle for making him a mere native deity. And that you'll join us."
"Do you truly believe he'll walk the same path as us?"
"I do. Heracles is trustworthy. He's the man I love."
"Oh, dear..."
Such is the wretched life of a woman struck by love's arrow. The golden shaft's curse blinds utterly. Her mind tangled love for Heracles with the fact they'd both been pierced by golden arrows. My words would fall on deaf ears; love's ambush wasn't easily undone. I'd seen Heracles struck by the golden arrow myself, so no way he'd willingly refuse what Adamantia proposed. That fierce flame of passion would keep him orbiting her until it burned out—either cooling as men do, or until Eros played another prank.
And our conversation wasn't over.
"So why drag me into this? Protecting Heracles from Zeus by finding him stronger brides? Fine, I get that. But why pull your mother in?"
"I want you to be happy too."
"What???"
"I told you, Heracles isn't like Uranus. Over the past year and a half as my servant, he never needed an arrow, Mother."
"..."
Her words tugged at something deep in my chest. Born the mother of the earth, I'd birthed countless children. I'd married Uranus among them, but that union was a nightmare. He'd stuff children I bore back into my Tartarus womb if they displeased him, all while forcing more upon me in endless torment. No consideration for me whatsoever—just using me and our offspring to cling to power.
Even Zeus, whom I'd backed from the shadows, devoured Metis and used Hera to hold his throne. He'd even made me bear his child. My children were all precious, lovable... but the relations that birthed them were born of fear and dread.
"A boy who serves a woman for over a year and a half without an arrow. Even I was surprised."
"So what? Do I look like a woman who enjoys being waited on by men?"
"No. But Heracles is strong even while doing it. Don't you think he could be someone we—Echidna or you—could rely on?"
"...You'd thought that far ahead?"
I was utterly exasperated. My marriage had been a disaster, but to think my daughter had schemed this far!
"If you truly hate it, I won't force you. But if Heracles completes his labors, please make him a god."
"Understood. I'll consider it. But don't forget this: what kind of god he becomes depends on his potential too."
"Okay."
Truth be told, it was an empty threat. Heracles was Zeus's son—no one else—and through his mother's line, a descendant of Perseus, making him Zeus's blood through and through. A peculiar demigod with perhaps sixty percent Olympian lineage. A man who'd slain hordes of those ferocious monsters. Unless Zeus had reason to check him like he did his own kin, stopping at minor or native god was unlikely. If anything, he'd gain such overwhelming authority he'd cause trouble.
Still...
"Well, my original plan worked out perfectly."
"Yeah, it did. I'm marrying Heracles."
"...You knew?"
"Did you think I was a total fool, Mother? ...That's why I came up with this."
"?!"
Good heavens. My own scheme had led my daughter to sell me out(?) I broke out in a genuine cold sweat. Now there was no escape—I could only wait for my son-in-law(?) to return. What was I to do?