Medea had taken to visiting the small house near the temple whenever she had free time, and today was no exception as she made her way there.
The house that greeted her eyes had been renovated several times since her first visit. No longer the crude shack it once was, it now looked far more elegant.
A two-story structure with a small courtyard, the house was anything but simple... certainly a step above the local farmers' homes.
In the courtyard, clothes hung out to dry, and a faint wisp of smoke rose from within, carrying the savory aroma of cooking. Medea knew the house's owner was preparing lunch.
"Morpheus!" she called out cheerfully, waving at the man sitting in the courtyard, fiddling with metal skewers.
He turned to her with a smile. "Perfect timing. Lunch is almost ready."
Half a year had passed since their meeting with Hecate. In that time, Morpheus had explored the area and spruced up his living space, aiming for a bit more comfort.
Noticing Medea's eyes locked on the grilling meat, Morpheus chuckled inwardly while tending to it. "How's your magic training going?"
"No issues at all. I'm a genius, after all!" Medea declared, puffing out her chest with pride.
Despite the six months, her figure hadn't changed much, still petite and delicate.
She casually pulled a wooden stool from the house, placed it beside Morpheus, and sat down with ease, no trace of her initial shyness.
Savoring the sweet aroma in the air, Medea asked, "Morpheus, why don't you study magic with me? Aren't you chasing the truth of magic?"
Medea knew Morpheus was deeply interested in magic, so his choice to forgo training under Hecate, the goddess of magic, and instead tinker on his own baffled her.
Morpheus continued grilling, sprinkling herbs as he replied casually, "Because everyone has their own path."
"I don't quite get that. It sounds like you're saying fate is set in stone."
"Fate isn't fixed. I've just chosen my path. The magic I pursue isn't the same as yours, so I won't study under Hecate."
Morpheus shook his head, then tore off a piece of meat and popped it into his mouth, savoring the crispy, flame-seared skin. He nodded approvingly. "Perfect flavor!"
He handed Medea a leg, which she eagerly accepted, her excitement clear. She opened her mouth to bite but hesitated, wary of the heat. Morpheus smiled, taking another piece for himself.
"If I keep eating here, I'll get fat in no time!" Medea said, munching away.
Morpheus glanced her up and down, prompting her to ask, "What? Something wrong?"
"Nothing. I was just looking for where you're getting fat. Can't see it. It's like time's been frozen for you these past six months."
Medea's expression shifted. She swallowed hard, then shot him a glare.
In that brief moment, she'd noticed his gaze lingering on her hips and chest!
Though part of her was pleased he'd looked, his words stung her pride.
"I-I'm still young! I'll definitely grow more! My mother's very alluring, you know!" The defiant girl snapped.
Morpheus just smiled, saying nothing, eating his meat while pondering his next steps.
Then Medea spoke up. "Oh, Morpheus, I heard about someone who's gotten pretty famous lately."
"Who?"
"Heracles."
The name made Morpheus pause. Medea asked curiously, "You know him?"
Morpheus nodded. "Sort of. I know of him. Tell me why he's famous."
Of course he knew Heracles... famous in both Greek mythology and the Nasuverse. His emergence might signal that certain events were about to unfold.
"They say he's incredibly strong, able to kill ferocious lions and boars with ease... really impressive!
"He also led a group from Thebes to defeat the well-armed army of Erginos, storming the capital of Orchomenos, burning the palace, and razing the city. The king of Thebes was so grateful he gave Heracles his daughter, Megara, in marriage.
"Everyone's talking about it! They say the gods even sent him gifts... like Apollo giving him a bow and Athena a shield."
As Medea shared the rumors, Morpheus fell into deep thought.
Heracles has already married Megara? That means the Gigantomachy is coming soon. In the original myths, the giants born of Gaia and Uranus were imprisoned by Zeus in Tartarus, then broke free to seek revenge, sparking the war. But how does that work in this world?
There's no Gaia as a Greek god here, only the Counter Force Gaia. And the Greek gods are Machine Gods... surely the giants aren't Machine Gods too?
As Morpheus pondered the nature of the Gigantes, Medea grew fidgety.
"Also… I heard Heracles has forty-nine lovers!"
"Oh, you mean the fifty daughters of King Thespius of Thespiae? I recall one was too shy, so Heracles passed on her," Morpheus said casually, still mulling over his thoughts.
"And if this has started, other events will follow soon. The famous Greek myth... the great heroic expedition, the quest for the Golden Fleece…"
Morpheus glanced at Medea, a key figure in the Golden Fleece saga, arguably its true heroine.
But her story was steeped in betrayal and tragedy.
"Yes, forty-nine of Thespius's daughters are his lovers, and I heard they've all borne his children! Morpheus, um, have you ever thought about having kids?"
Medea's cautious glance met his intense gaze, which sent her heart racing.
Why's he looking at me so seriously?! she thought, secretly thrilled. Telling him about this was the right move!
Her cheeks flushed, but she held her ground, refusing to look away. "Of course, since you're new here, if you wanted kids, I-I could…"
Before she could finish, Morpheus stood abruptly. "Let's get ready. We're leaving in a few days!"
"Huh?! Leaving? Leaving here? Why?" Medea asked, bewildered by his sudden decision.
Her mind raced with possibilities.
Does he feel unworthy as a nobody to ask my father for my hand, so he's planning to just take me away? That's… not unacceptable. He has Teacher's approval, which should be enough!
As Medea's imagination ran wild, Morpheus was lost in his own thoughts.
If I take Medea away now, far from the Greek gods' influence, I could prevent her tragedy. But is that really the best move?
It doesn't matter much. Without Medea to manipulate, Jason and the others will find someone else to help with the Golden Fleece.
But running away feels unsatisfying. Maybe I could join the quest myself. It'd be a chance to encounter events and gather intel.
Morpheus turned to Medea. "Yes, let's leave. We'll go on a journey!"
"A journey?!" Medea was now thoroughly confused. "So suddenly? I-I need to talk to Teacher first…"
Morpheus nodded immediately. "Of course. You can tell Hecate you want to travel with me. I'm sure she'll agree."
Seeing his unwavering confidence, unlike the elopement she'd imagined, Medea felt a mix of doubt and disappointment. Still, after finishing her food, she headed to Hecate's temple.
"Great Goddess, Mistress of the Dark Moon, Sovereign of Magic, Hecate, my revered Teacher, I wish to leave with Morpheus to travel elsewhere for a time. I seek your permission."
As Hecate's priestess, she needed her approval to take such a leave.
Then, she received the goddess's oracle.
Medea blinked in surprise. Hecate had agreed so quickly, without any conditions.
Normally, Hecate was strict, denying even brief breaks from magic training. Yet today, she'd consented instantly.
Could… could Teacher know my feelings and be supporting me?!
Overjoyed, Medea hurried out of the temple to share the good news with Morpheus, eager to tell him she was ready to set off on their journey.
…
"Where are you planning to take my student?" Hecate appeared beside Morpheus, her voice carrying a hint of inquiry.
"To join the upcoming events, of course. Staying in one place has its limits. Out there, she can meet people, face challenges, and grow faster," Morpheus replied.
He raised his hand, revealing a double-handed sword shimmering with starlight. He swung it lightly, then released it, letting it dissipate.
Hecate froze, sensing the immense power within the sword. Its form and energy felt eerily familiar, as if from ages past.
"That sword…?"
"I told you I'd try crafting a magical formula from your story. I've been working on it these past six months, and this is a small result."
"The Sword of Promised Victory... the holy sword forged by the planet?!" Hecate exclaimed.
"Something like that. I extracted elements from that myth... or history... and built this formula. If fully stabilized, it could become a double-handed sword with that power, but it'd take a long time."
Morpheus shook his head ruefully. "It's still incomplete. To match the original's strength, it needs more refinement."
Hecate nearly rolled her eyes at his dissatisfaction. As the goddess of magic, she was stunned by his achievement, yet he was unimpressed.
"The power in that light sword could cause massive destruction if unleashed, and you're still not satisfied?"
"If I can't replicate the original's full power, I won't be content. But this was just a test to confirm some theories," Morpheus said, glancing at the approaching figure of Medea with a smile. "She's back."
"I should go," Hecate said, her form fading. As she departed, her voice lingered in Morpheus's ear.
"Medea is my student. Don't you dare bully her!"
"Do I look like the type to bully girls?" Morpheus shook his head with a laugh. "If anything, she's the one eyeing me like a prize. I should be the one worried about her bullying me."
His righteous tone left Hecate, in her final moment before vanishing to the underworld, stunned by his audacity.
He shamelessly admired her student's petite, charming figure, yet spoke like this!
But what could she do? It was clear Medea was smitten with him.
***
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