In this manner, the two tribes were formed.
The Naga tribe and the Medusa tribe.
As The Queen explained, she opened a curtainade out of core beast skin into an open room.
In the center of this wide open room, was a huge stature of Medusa. On her neck was a medalion with a particularly familiar symbol on it.
Eros recognized this symbol. It was the Flower of Life symbol.
The Giant Medusa stature towered over a pool of water in the center that seemed to glow slightly.
All around the walls were murals that had apparently been painted there a long time ago.
The moment Eros stepped into the room, he felt a strong connection with the place.
The celestial energy in his body instantly entered circulation with him activating it on his own.
It was as if every vital part of his being wanted to cultivate.
This was a rare and quite foreign feeling for Eros.
Even the Divine Shard in his soul vibrated steadily.
Eros was not the only one that felt this change.
The Queen and Shade also felt it too.
Eros suddenly felt as if he was breathing the freshest air he had ever taken into his body since he came into this world.
As he stepped forward, the pool in the center suddenly became shiner. It was as if it glowed in response to his arrival.
This took everyone by surprise, but none was more surprised about this than Eros.
Eros stood before the pool that shone brightly like they were stars underneath it.
Eros looked into the deep pool. He could feel it.
Something deep down there was calling to him.
"What is down there?" He asked.
"This pool is known as the Celestial pool. Deep within it is the half medalion that was gifted to our Ancestors. It is our most sacred place. Once every day, each one of us that is of age most soak in it to repair our meridians that has been damaged by the same celestial energy that we survive by," Shade responded.
The Medusa queen sighed lowly. "It is both our savior and our curse. However, ever since that night with the Golden pillar of light in the sky, things have not been the same. The pool seems to be losing its power. It's not just our pool. The Naga tribe also faces the same problem. However, we discovered that by sacrificing humans to it, it can sustain it's power. Usually, we only take human males to mate with them during the mate season, but things have now changed. We need to make sacrifices to sustain our lives."
Eros had better understanding of what was happening.
It was no wonder the rate at which people got captured within the Snake Forest had increased so much.
Before, those captured will be returned with no idea of what had happened to them. But that has not been the case for the few couple of days.
The humans just like the prisoners captured outside were for sacrificing purposes.
Eros nodded his head, "would you mind if I take a swim in this pool?"
The Queen laughed slightly, "Before our Ancestor Medusa passed on from this world, she left words of prophecy for us. The Murals in this room are painted in those words."
She pointed to one of the murals far off on the wall.
This mural was of a person with stars around his body with the medalion above his head.
"The prophecy talks about one of celestial energy that shall save us from our curse and finally let us leave this forest to enjoy the fruits of the external world. Simply put," she smiled, "Even if you did not request it, I would have pushed you in."
Eros chuckled, but he could tell that the Medusa queen was serious.
Eros squat low and then he put a hand in the water.
The moment he touched it, the celestial energy in his body reacted to the energy in the water.
"Hmmm," Eros closed his eyes as he frowned fiercely, "such deep resentment."
He stood up and suddenly removed his clothes before them.
Immediately, he jumped into the water.
The moment he did, the light in the water suddenly became red.
This alarmed the Queen and her daughter, and they moved away from the pool in fear.
"Mother!" Shade turned to the queen, "are you sure this will work?"
She looked up at her daughter and smiled, "to tell you the truth, I am not sure, but I am not just queen of this tribe but also priestess. I must have faith in the words that have been left to us by our Ancestors," she stroked Shade's chin, "you too my daughter should have fate. After all, you shall one day become Priestess and Queen."
Mother and daughter hugged each other as they both placed their fate in the foreigner.
Meanwhile, Eros had gone down to the bottom of the pool. Unlike he had thought, he did not need to hold his breath under water.
It was as if his skin did the breathing for him in this place. The celestial energy in his body was becoming one with the celestial energy in the pool.
However, he could feel as if the celestial energy in his body was being drawn out.
Something was trying to drain him.
Osmosis was occurring between his body and the pool.
Eros saw the medallion at the center and immediately swarm to it.
Then again, it had been calling to him.
The moment Eros touched the Medallion, he felt as his consciousness was pulled into it.
He was suddenly pulled into a scene of the past.
It was of a little girl and her mother.
"Medusa, always remember that goddess Athena loves you just as much as mother does. If you ever run into any problem, run into the temple. She'll always save you."
The young girl nodded.
The scene suddenly changed. Medusa was a grown woman. She ran for the temple half naked with a chariot of water chasing after her.
She stretched fir the temple with tears in her eyes, "Athena!" She called out.
However, all she saw was a face of scorn looking back at her.
Athena was even smiling.
Eros saw this and frowned.
That look on Athena's face, he recognized that look. It was the same look the gods gave to him while they stripped him of his power.
The thing was that gods were not as mortals thought they were. After all, they were also people too.
They also felt hate, jealousy, anger and other emotions too.
That look on Athena's face. It was one of Jealousy.
Seeing this look, made Eros's mind race as he thought of possiblities.
The scene changed again.
It was the celestial being in full white robes that had golden flowery patterns. She was talking to Athena.
"Why did you do such a thing? Medusa trusted and loved you. You were her goddess."
Athena gave a sarcastic smile, "why else? How can a mere mortal have beauty that tramps that of the gods. I only took her in to find a reason to punish her as I wish. The gods are supreme. And we shall remain that way in everything, including beauty."
The celestial being heard this and sighed lowly, "all beings are equal under the great Day. Whether it be gods, mortals, celestials or Even the Damned Devils and Demons. We are all subject to the judgement of the heavens."
"Hahahaha!!!" Athena laughed wildly, "what heavens!? Take a look around you, we are the HEAVENS!!! I only did what was on the minds of all the other goddess. Pull her in, and destroy her pretty face." she laughed maniacally.
As she laughed, the celestial shook her head, "gods are slowly becoming as corrupt as the so called evil they stand against," she turned and left.
However, just as she left, she turned to Eros, making eye contact with him. It was like she could see him as he could see her.
She smiled to him as she muttered, "The great Dao is never without plan. It is as 'Just', as the clear of day and 'Unforgiving' as the dark of night."
Eros frowned. If this was just a blessed artifact, this should not happen. The Celestial should not be able to see him.
The image suddenly changed once more.
It changed to Medusa. She had her clothes ripped off her body.
She was partially naked in her new half snake form. She was on the ground tearing her eyes out in the unjust she had suffered as a result of her beauty.
Her mother was long gone. Her god had cursed and abandoned her, and her beauty was no more. She was lonely as she was empty.
Even the gods that she so admired and worshipped had left her.
Eros saw this. He could not help but be moved within his heart.
This was wrong. He walked up to her and squat before her. Slowly, he stretched his hand to her head.
Surprisingly, he made contact.
He pulled her close into his embrace, patting her head, "I'm sorry...."
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