"I was appalled, even afraid, when I saw her there lying on the shore. My whole body was shaken with fear, thinking she might be a dead body, a victim of the war and the downfall of Olympus. The poor girl's body was fragile, weakened by the strong currents that still thrashed from the winds and unpredictable storms. I immediately went to her to see if she was still alive. Well, a miracle truly that time was for I could feel her pulse despite how beaten she was.
I immediately carried her, covered her chilled body with her Tyrian cloth, and gently cradled her until we arrived home. She was very pale, drained of her colour, as if her blood had bidden farewell. Your mama and I feared for her, but then, another blessing from fate, Glaucia opened her eyes, and our anxiety was lifted, though there was still her memory loss and her inability to speak. Yet, we felt truly blessed, knowing she is alive." Papa Aegeus recounted his first encounter with his foundling and how he had spared her from a death sentence. While recollecting to Vivinna and Neilos, riding on their mule-driven cart, there was still sorrow in his voice, still fearing for Glaucia's demise, even though she was now already far from harm's way.
Offering all ears, Glaucia lowered her head, trying to recall every scene, though the only thing that she remembered was the water, darkness, and the suffocation she felt while her whole body became numb.
Pity was all that Neilos and Vivinna felt for the foundling. They, too, remembered the wrath of the gods that came out of nowhere. They remembered the strong earthquake that destroyed their village in an instant. They remembered the volcanoes erupting, vomiting heat and magma that gradually turned everything to the brink of extinction. The couple also remembered the soldiers fighting one another—brother against brother—as if some kind of mass daemon possession was happening.
And there was the infamous phenomenon—the death of the gods.
The sky was crimson at that time. A vision of Hades coming through to the mortal land. The clouds were black, and thunder roared like a thousand dragons that surely caused deafness to some. They saw the ordeal through shadows appearing in the sky. With every lightning that strikes across the sky, live scenes from high Olympus were unravelled before the whole land like a theatre play—a horrible and daunting play. There were screams on Olympus, screeching along the devastation that was also happening on the mortal plains. Blood and gore smeared the soil, creating an artwork that surely haunted every living soul who set their eyes among its entirety. Together with the others who immediately escaped, Neilos, Vivinna, and their children hid inside a forgotten cave and remained there until they believed all was finished.
The experience was a nightmare, leaving a devastating mark on them. Each psyche was now pierced with the horror that only, and probably, could only be healed through either deep faith or death.
After Papa Aegeus's recollection, Mama Elpida also told them more about the ordeal Glaucia dealt with. "The fate was not particularly kind to our dear Glaucia—the moment she opened her eyes, there were struggles immediately. Aside from her mouth being forbidden to speak, she struggled on her walk. She was like a baby learning to balance on her two feet. There was desperation on those silver orbs, begging us to help her, but we sadly could not do anything, for we cannot perform any miracles. Though the holy mount is already empty, we still prayed to the spirit of the old gods to aid the poor child. Well, at least now she is beginning to recover from her trials. Your papa and I were just elated to know that she is gradually in control of her psyche while she is with child."
"Do not fret, Glaucia." Vivinna took Glaucia's hand and softly assured her, "We are here to help you. I will offer my assistance, especially now that you are having a baby. I have three children, and I just gave birth to my third one. Oh, speaking of them, I cannot wait for you to meet my little ones! Their names are Phoebus, Helene, and Eukleides." A dash of colour appeared on Vivinna's cheeks as she mentioned her children to her new sister. The happiness caused Glaucia to smile—now eager to meet the children, although a slight anxiety was stirring in her stomach. "Phoebus is our eldest." Vivinna went on, "He is six years old and very wise for his age. He asked so many questions when his curiosity got the better of him. He is also very helpful in caring for his siblings. I also noticed that sculpting was one of his favourite hobbies, like his father. After him, there is our little girl, Helene. Helene is very loquacious. She is also inquisitive, but she is quite bold and seems to love adventure. I deeply believe she could be a merchant when she grows up, travelling from land to land, since she has this natural charm. And lastly, my newborn Eukleides. He is still a baby and still cares about milk and sleep." She laughed while Glaucia giggled.
"The joy of parenthood is an interesting journey, Glaucia," Neilos spoke while directing their cart. "It may not always be a soft breeze, but those times of brewing storm can help you gain wisdom."
"A truth, indeed." Papa Aegeus added.
"Do not let those struggles break you when your baby is here, my dear. Your family is ready to help." Mama Elpida reassured, brushing the loose tangles on her forehead.
"Thank you, Mama." She answered and beamed everyone a sunny grin, showing her gratitude.
***
Neilos and Vivinna's home sat at the heart of the kingdom's metropolis. From the harbour to their place, the family travelled almost an hour and a half with the sun above them and new scenery that continued to welcome them.
The capital was very busy. The place was bustling with merchants shouting about what they were selling, people roaming around to spend the afternoon leisurely, and carts on the road carrying either produce for a shop or people going somewhere. The experience was genuinely an immersion for the newcomers, captivated by the stark contrasts—a night-and-day difference in the new land compared to their previous one.
Upon arriving at the house, a little boy and girl ran towards the halted cart and screamed jovially to greet their mother and father. "Mama! Papa!" The two little ones waved their hands as they raced towards the cart.
"Nice to see you again, dearies!" Vivinna greeted her children and smiled at the old woman who waited for them at the door.
"Look at my sweet peas! Look who we have here! Grandpa and Grandma are now here!" Neilos greeted them as well and pointed at Papa Aegeus and Mama Elpida.
"Grandpa! Grandma!" The children yelled as their father carried them one by one towards the cart, stretching their arms towards their grandparents.
"Good to see you, my dearies!" Papa Aegeus warmly greeted, taking the boy first and then the little girl inside.
"Oh, my darlings!" Mama Elpida followed with kisses planted on each of the children's cheeks as they sat on her and Papa Aegeus's laps.
"I cannot believe you are here, Grandma, Grandpa!" Phoebus expressed with such warmth in his eyes.
"Mama and Papa always check the harbour with every ship that docks. That is old Maia there. She is our neighbour and makes sweet treats for us. She takes care of us, together with her grandchildren, whenever Mama and Papa go to the harbour or for work." When they looked at Vivinna talking to old Maia, Papa Aegeus, Mama Elpida, and the children happily waved at the lovely lady while Glaucia bashfully smiled.
While giving salutations to the other neighbours who welcomed them, Little Helene noticed Glaucia. Her gaze was fixed on her, completely locked on her beauty that seemed unreal to her. She looked back at her grandma and whispered into her ear, asking who the beautiful lady was beside them.
Mama Elpida smiled and told her that her name was Glaucia and she was a new member of the family. She told the curious little girl that she was their theia—their aunt. "But she is a very special girl, Helene." She added, brushing Glaucia's hair, gesturing to her that Little Helene noticed her presence.
Glaucia smiled at the little girl, which brought a blush to her little cheeks. "She is beautiful." She whispered back to her grandmother.
"She is." Mama Elpida agreed.
Shyly returning her gaze to Glaucia, Little Helene took her hand and introduced herself in a soft tone, almost like a gentle breeze. "My name is Helene." The little girl's attention was then stolen by the puppy and kitten, observing her as they sat quietly in the basket. "A puppy and a kitten!" She excitedly squealed.
"My name is Glaucia. Nice to meet you, Helene!" Glaucia greeted her back and guided her hand to pet Paeona, the puppy, and Hoplitus, the kitten. With Little Helene's glee, Glaucia's smile became merrier, highlighting her silver eyes that glistened amidst the bright day. Even Phoebus saw this and was enchanted by the beauty of the new person.
"Who is she, grandpa?" Phoebus asked Papa Aegeus.
"That is Glaucia, dear boy. She is part of the family. She is your aunt."
"My aunt?" The young boy was in disbelief as he turned his gaze back to Glaucia's face. "Are you sure?" His face became quizzical as he tried to see some similarities between his family and Glaucia.
"Yes!" Papa Aegeus confidently responded, even laughing at his inquisitiveness. When his grandson darted his attention back to him, he then proceeded to explain a little information about their fair 'aunt'. He told him that she was the daughter of a distant cousin who had escaped from danger and arrived at their doorstep, which explained her current presence with them. The grim truth of how the silver-eyed beauty came to them was something he still could not consent for his grandchildren to know. Their young minds had already endured adequate tragedy, and Glaucia's sad appearance must remain between the adults. Yet, one thing the old fisherman was honest enough to share with the young Phoebus was about Glaucia's memory loss and her current pregnancy. Phoebus went silent after learning that information and asked no more questions.
With ears like a fox, Little Helene heard what Papa Aegeus and Phoebus were talking about and gasped as she asked Glaucia while simultaneously petting the kitten and puppy, "Are you having a baby, Theia?"
Glaucia's eyes widened, and she nodded with pleasure.
"Did you hear that, Grandma, Grandpa? We are having another baby!" She excitedly told her grandparents. "Mama just gave birth to our baby brother, and now we are going to have another! I am now excited, Theia!" Helene giggled, embracing Glaucia, who was also thrilled.
As dusk came looming over them, singing in plum and orange, inside the humble abode was morphing into a reunion they would never forget. A reunion that was a miracle that they never once dreamed of, after all those failed attempts of not seeing the old couple from those past dockings of the ships. Neilos and Vivinna further explained that whenever they had heard about the ships bringing newcomers from their dread land, they immediately went ahead to the harbour and hoped that one of the faces would be Papa Aegeus and Mama Elpida. Neilos's side of the family had already settled on the new land since they boarded on the second voyage that came right after the first one.
"Our worries were high, probably reaching heaven. We sent so many letters, but we've learned that the ship that carried our messages sank because a kraken attacked it! We were skeptic at first, but the rumours were spreading like wildfire. The few folks who witnessed the event said that the boat was only spared from its full demise when the god Anax came down and smited the beast with a lance made of gold. It was a good tale to tell the children, but I think it did happen, because other witnesses were saying the same thing." Vivinna recounted while she served nourishments for their new company. "Have you received any letters, Papa?"
"No," Papa Aegeus said, drinking his cup of kykeon, "Not a single scroll was thrown on our doors. We were worried too, wondering what might be happening to you! Now we know why."
"So that confirms it." Neilos quietly concluded. "Those witnesses were said to be eight, and their accounts were becoming a gospel about the god Anax. Though we were one of the first voyagers to have come here, the deity was still a mystery to us."
"Is it true he is of Zeus's blood?" Mama Elpida candidly asked despite knowing that uttering any of the old gods' names was forbidden.
"Yes, as was told to us by those who worked on the ship. It is hard to trust those people since they were hiding behind masks, and we could not see the sincerity in their eyes. Yet, the same story was written on the large slabs that were in the centre of the agora and at the gates of the Acropolis." The son-in-law told them.
"What does he look like?" Mama Elpida inquired once more.
"Well, Mama, the god Anax was quite a character." While pouring more kykeos on Mama Elpida and Papa Aegeus' cups, Neilos chortled.
"Indeed—" Vivinna followed. "We find him melodramatic. An actor who had this kingdom revolve around his finger. For now, he is benign. Not a single travesty has happened since we settled here. Well, except for that boat destroyed by the kraken. But, with the citizens here, no devastation happened—and we hope it will remain so. His temples and altars depicted him with a Lycan head and wings that are of a vulture."
Upon hearing such a description, Glaucia's ears perked up with her head wandering back to the image of the stranger that haunted her for many moons now. There he was, blurred face only to transform back into those monstrous red eyes that were ready to devour her. She swallowed her food hard and maintained a stiff gaze as his image taunted her. After seconds of a deep recall, Glaucia asked Vivinna with this one word, "Monster?"
"Oh, no, my dear." Vivinna blurted along with a nervous little laugh. "Well, he had the imagery like that of the gods of the Nile. But when we visited his main temple, he was somewhat like the old gods, but his face was covered with a mask of a lycan or a large Tyrian fabric. Not a single soul here has seen his true face. He sat on his gold throne with a proud demeanour, with two vultures perched on each side, equally stern in protecting their master. Speaking of our dear god, we must make a pilgrimage to the temple! Oh, you will love the Acropolis! We must make some offering to him since he guided your voyage away from chaos."
"Oh, yes! I forgot about that, my dear." Neilos apologetically told her wife, who was giggling at him. "We shall travel there two days after tomorrow. I want Mama, Papa, and Glaucia to settle here first."
"Oh, thank you, Neilos. Hopefully, we can soon find a little place of our own. You know how your papa here itched to be at the sea and resumed his fishing." Mama Elpida said, chuckling.
"Don't worry, mama. We will soon find a place for you. As for now, we insist that you all stay here and be at ease. And Papa, Vivinna and I will try to acquire a boat for you so you can go fishing." Neilos's smile reached from ear to ear, warming everyone inside his humble abode.
"Thank you, my son. Blessings be upon" Papa Aegeus uttered his warm gratitude to his son-in-law and daughter.