Having refused Zeus's reward, Morpheus arrived at Apollo's temple, where he saw Medea completely engrossed in a book.
Medea's attention was entirely captivated by the volume, oblivious to the newcomer. Apollo noticed the arriving Morpheus and Artemis, gesturing for them to remain silent before leading them outside.
"What's going on with Medea?" Artemis asked curiously. Apollo smiled. "Nothing serious. I just used a method to distract her and prevent her from worrying too much."
"Distract her? It looks like her focus is entirely concentrated right now," Morpheus quipped at Apollo, who didn't deny it. "It's just some mental interference. Don't worry; there won't be any lasting effects."
"What kind of book is that?"
"A tool infused with mental interference. In reality, there's nothing inside it. Medea simply sees content based on her own thoughts... things that aren't actually there.
"Naturally, what she perceives will be shrouded in mystery, difficult to truly comprehend.
"I told her it was a test, so what she sees will inevitably align with that idea. And since it's a test conjured from her own mind, it will be exceedingly challenging... a puzzle she believes can't be solved quickly."
With Apollo's explanation, Morpheus finally understood the situation. He teased, "So Medea came to you for help, but you decided we didn't need assistance and trapped her with this instead?"
"I thought you two might need some private time and space," Apollo said, glancing at Artemis, who still wore a blissful expression. "And it seems I was right."
For a moment, Morpheus didn't know how to refute him. Clearly, Apollo had done this to allow him and Artemis to indulge freely in the sealed space.
"So, can we snap her out of it now?"
"Just a slight influence to guide her toward the solution."
With that, Apollo snapped his fingers lightly, and the book before Medea began to change.
Medea stared at the puzzle before her. She had pondered it for what felt like ages, yet it remained unsolved. Then, in a flash of inspiration, she noticed a mark she had overlooked nearby. Gazing at it was like a bolt of lightning piercing her mind, and suddenly everything became clear!
"I've figured it out!"
Overjoyed, Medea immediately filled in the answer. As she did, the book emitted an even more dazzling light, and she felt new knowledge flooding in!
It was magical knowledge tied to the authority of light and the sun... knowledge connected to the sun god Apollo!
Once mastered, even without being a priestess of the sun god, Medea could wield a portion of his authority, as if she had earned his recognition and a pass to his powers!
Moreover, these spells included not only long-range magic but also auxiliary techniques, such as blinding opponents with intense light.
Most importantly, there were spells for healing and strengthening oneself, granting the body formidable close-combat capabilities.
Even though Medea's own physique was frail, under the enhancement of this magic, she could transform into a powerhouse... strong enough to wrestle monsters hand-to-hand, as if clad in armor!
Apollo had indeed kept his word, fulfilling his promise perfectly. Once Medea learned these spells, her combat prowess would undergo a qualitative leap!
At that moment, finally emerging from the mental interference, Medea suddenly remembered something else.
"Ah! Morpheus and Artemis... I still need to rescue them!"
"We're already here," Morpheus said with a grin, waving at the flustered Medea, who was wracked with guilt for getting so absorbed in the puzzle that she had forgotten everything.
Medea turned toward the voice and, seeing Morpheus and Artemis there, beamed with excitement. She rushed over without hesitation and threw herself into Morpheus's arms.
She was over the moon, hugging him tightly. "Morpheus, you're back!"
"Yes, I'm back. And it wasn't really dangerous... just a sealed-off space," Morpheus said with a smile, briefly explaining what had happened.
Medea paused in confusion. "So, you two were in a locked area, and then..."
Only then did she notice Artemis clinging to Morpheus's arm. Her eyes widened slightly before she nodded in understanding, glancing back and forth between them.
Meanwhile, Apollo, the temple's master, had quietly slipped away, leaving the space to the three of them.
Morpheus had anticipated Medea's reaction and had no intention of hiding anything. He took the opportunity to tell her about what had transpired between him and Artemis.
He had expected the girl to lash out in anger, but instead, she simply nodded. "I knew it. I always said Artemis likes you, and it's obvious you like the moon goddess too. Why didn't you make a move sooner? You've already claimed me, after all."
"Ahem!" Morpheus coughed, completely caught off guard by her words.
"What's so surprising? Is it something to get angry about when people who like each other end up together?" Medea asked, puzzled.
Morpheus recalled how Medea had once been wary of Artemis, making her current lack of anger even more baffling.
But Medea planted her hands on her hips and declared, "Back then, it was a competition... I was worried about losing, so being cautious was normal! If you'd accepted Artemis and then said you didn't like me, I'd have been doomed!"
He couldn't argue; Medea's logic was impeccable!
"Relax, just relax. This is ancient Greece... the mythic era of ancient Greece. Love is viewed freely here, far more so than systems of one husband with multiple partners. Any form of romance is acceptable, even divorce and remarriage."
Morpheus muttered to himself inwardly, his lingering anxiety finally easing.
But then, she pinched his waist hard. "You'll pay for this tonight!"
He wondered silently who would tire out first but didn't dare voice it.
Hearing this, Artemis chimed in eagerly from the side. "I'll join too! I want in!"
At her words, Morpheus grew even more anticipatory of the night ahead.
It seemed tonight would be the perfect time to thoroughly study and practice the sex magic of the Scarlet Woman, the great goddess Babalon!
...
In the Age of Gods of ancient Greece, there was a region called Thessaly, near the sea.
Along the coast of Thessaly, a man named Cretheus founded a kingdom called Iolcos and passed his throne to his son Aeson.
Though Aeson was upright, he was indecisive, leading to a rebellion by the powerful Thessalian lords under his rule. He had no choice but to seek help from his half-brother Pelias.
After Pelias helped suppress the rebellion, Aeson appointed him as captain of the guard. But Pelias used intrigue to overthrow Aeson's rule and killed Aeson along with his lineage.
When Aeson's queen, Alcimede, gave birth to their son Diomedes, she summoned her maids to weep around the infant as if he had died at birth, thus saving his life.
To prevent the truth from leaking, Alcimede sent Diomedes to the centaur Chiron, a learned and formidable being, to raise him.
Chiron, originally a god, had been struck by a Hydra's poisoned arrow. To escape the agony, he relinquished his immortality, becoming mortal.
Yet this did not diminish Chiron's significance, for he mentored numerous heroes who shaped history, such as Heracles and Achilles.
Diomedes spent his childhood on Mount Pelion and received a new name: Jason.
Under the tutelage of Chiron, who had trained many heroes, Jason learned a great deal, including combat skills. At twenty, Jason left his master, determined to avenge his father and reclaim the throne.
The aging Pelias had received a cryptic oracle warning him to beware a man wearing only one sandal, a prophecy that baffled him.
That day, Pelias was hosting games in honor of his father Poseidon when Jason arrived in Iolcos. At the Anauros River, the goddess Hera disguised herself as an old woman and begged Jason to carry her across.
Jason bore her over the river, even losing one sandal in the process without retrieving it.
Hera revealed her true form, praised Jason, and promised to support his bid for the throne.
Jason entered the kingdom, and the people, seeing him with only one sandal, spread the word, which reached King Pelias and reminded him of the oracle.
Jason demanded the throne and scepter, revealing himself as Aeson's son. Though terrified inwardly, Pelias showed no sign and even hosted him.
Jason's request was simple: he wanted only the throne and scepter; the land and livestock could remain Pelias's. But Pelias refused and lied, saying, "Phrixus's ghost demands I bring peace to his soul. Go to King Aeëtes in Colchis and retrieve the Golden Fleece. If you accomplish this feat, I'll hand over the throne and scepter."
Thus, to achieve this goal, the expedition of the Argo officially began.
***
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