The Goddess of Prophecy, Thetis
Time flows as ceaselessly in the underworld as it does in the mortal realm, and even the patience of Zeus, the king of gods, has its limits.
“Hades, Goddess Thetis wishes to speak with you.”
“Thetis herself?”
Thetis, whose prophecy stated that her son would one day surpass his father, was the same goddess who had visited me in the underworld during Poseidon’s uprising in Olympus ages ago.
I wondered what could bring her back now, especially since the issues involving Charybdis and Poseidon’s children had just been resolved. I had been resting my head in comfort on Lady Styx’s lap when the summons came.
Reluctantly, I rose from my resting place and headed toward the throne. For a goddess who belonged to the sea or Olympus to visit the underworld in person—it couldn’t be another rebellion, could it? Perhaps she had a request?
“Please help me! Zeus keeps trying to force me into marriage!”
“Ah.”
“After some time of peace, he’s started again...”
I looked at the goddess with sea-colored hair, tearful and pleading, and rubbed my temple in exasperation.
I’d asked Zeus to be lenient with her before, but it seems he’s nearing the end of his patience and is determined to eliminate what he considers a threat.
“What exactly is he pressuring you to do?”
“He says that I’ll never be allowed to marry a god, and that I should wed a mere mortal. How could a goddess like me marry a mortal?” Her voice quivered as she wiped at her eyes.
“Haa...”
Thetis’s tears fell as she poured out her grievances to me.
From Zeus’s perspective, he couldn’t risk her marrying a god. Would a child greater than a god possibly become the Fourth Supreme Deity? The only way he could be at ease would be if she bore a mortal’s child.
I could understand her plight, but...
“Thetis.”
“Yes...?”
“If you were to marry a god, do you not think Zeus might harm your child?”
If I were to help her marry a god, Zeus would never stand idly by. Even if Poseidon and I intervened, Zeus would never concede. It would only lead to war between gods.
A clash would inevitably follow, leading to mutual destruction. With the threat of the Giants looming, an internal conflict would only spell disaster.
Power and control are Zeus’s Achilles’ heel, and as much as I am his brother and ruler of the underworld, I have no desire to cross that line.
“But... what am I supposed to do now? I came all the way to the underworld because no one else would help me...”
Yet forcing her into marriage with a mortal felt unjust. Thetis clearly loathed the idea—this wasn’t marriage; it was almost like selling her off in a political scheme.
Though few options came to mind, I decided to try what I could.
“Thetis, I will speak with Zeus on your behalf.”
“...!”
“But understand that if you marry a god, Olympus may split in two. What if your suitor were of divine blood but not fully a god?”
If she were to marry one of the Three Supreme Gods, her child could surpass Zeus himself. If she married a god, the Three could become Four. A demigod marriage could lead to a child with divine status, while a mortal union would offend her dignity as a goddess.
“I’d like to help you, but the prophecy remains a formidable obstacle.”
The goddess gazed at me with disappointment, her eyes filled with desperation.
“Even so, what if it were a mortal worthy of your favor?”
“Do you think there’s any human that could catch my interest?”
“Then... what if we held a contest open to mortals? You could attend and observe directly. If there is someone who captures your heart, he would be chosen.”
Few humans would refuse the chance to wed a goddess. Only those with indomitable spirits, like the great heroes Cadmus or Heracles, could withstand the allure of such an immortal beauty.
A tournament could be announced across Greece, with participants chosen for bravery, courage, and wisdom. Only those who meet the goddess’s approval would be granted the opportunity to court her.
I explained this plan in broad terms to Thetis.
“If no one pleases you, the prize could instead be a treasure. But only those who meet your standards would be granted the chance.”
“Then, what if I continue to reject them?”
“But Zeus will not give up until you bear a child. The prophecy is clear: ‘The son of Thetis will surpass his father.’”
The prophecy didn’t say “if she bears a son.” It stated unequivocally that her son would surpass his father.
From Zeus’s perspective, his only relief would come when Thetis’s child was born and proved not to surpass him.
“Whatever I try, I can’t find a way to reject marriage entirely.”
“Is there anything else you wish for? You might be able to bargain for more from Zeus.”
“...I’ll consider it later.”
“Very well. I will relay your wishes to Zeus.”
This was likely the best option. Zeus would have little reason to refuse this plan. If it could resolve the conflict, it was worth trying. Perhaps a trip to Olympus was in order.
And so, Thetis and I made our way to Olympus.
Zeus’s expression froze momentarily upon seeing me with Thetis, but then quickly softened.
“I know Hades would never pursue Thetis himself... Is this about her marriage arrangement?”
“Thetis has agreed to wed a mortal.”
“...Is that so? You’ve finally made up your mind, Thetis?”
Thetis nodded reluctantly, while Zeus looked at her with disbelief.
“Still, she can’t marry just any mortal. Even with the prophecy, we should seek a king or a hero of some distinction.”
“Hm.”
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“What about hosting a tournament for mortals without divine parents? Only the victor, if he pleases the goddess, would be given the honor of marriage.”
“We could nurture heroes in the process... not a bad idea.”
After deliberating, Zeus summoned other gods, and thus began discussions for a tournament that would offer a chance at marriage with Thetis.
Every two years, a competition open to all of Greece would be held, announced through divine oracles.
“Have you heard about the hunting tournament for a chance to marry Goddess Thetis?”
“It’s hard to believe... even if someone wins, she still has to approve of him, right?”
“Treasure and honor are the prizes, but Thetis will be watching the competition herself...”
“I thought she was unmarried... so she’s searching for a husband among mortals!”
“With divine parentage, you’re ineligible, so unfortunately, you can’t participate.”
And thus began fierce competition among mortal men, vying for the attention of the beautiful sea goddess, Thetis. Winning her favor would be no small feat, but treasure, honor, and the goddess’s favor enticed heroes from all over to enter.
While Greece bustled with the hunting tournament under the auspices of Thetis, Heracles continued his tasks in silence.
The fifth labor was cleaning the stables of King Augeas.
Faced with a stable that had accumulated waste from hundreds of livestock over decades, Heracles redirected an entire river’s flow to sweep away the filth.
Although the river god protested...
“Who dares to alter the flow of my river?”
“...I am Heracles, serving under Lady Hera’s command. My apologies...”
“Oh, the foretold hero, eh? Hmph... I’ll let it go this once.”
Thanks to his growing reputation, Heracles was able to complete the task without further trouble.
The sixth labor involved hunting the Stymphalian birds.
These man-eating birds, with bronze beaks and claws, had been set upon the land by Ares himself.
Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw!
“You’re too loud... Be QUIET!”
With his mighty shout, Heracles shattered the eardrums of the birds, leaving those still in the air bleeding from the ears and falling to the ground. The ones that tried to escape were picked off by his arrows.
He completed his seventh labor, capturing the Cretan Bull, father of the Minotaur, and successfully captured the flesh-eating mares of King Diomedes in his eighth labor.
Then came his next task...
“The ninth labor is to retrieve the cattle of Geryon.”
“The monster king with three heads and three bodies?”
Geryon resided on an island at the far western edge of the world. Heracles sailed swiftly, undisturbed, to the island.
Thud! Thud!
“Aaaagh!”
As he approached, screams greeted him. Readying his club, Heracles moved toward the sound, where he recognized a familiar figure.
“...Lord Triton?”
“Oh, Heracles, isn’t it?”
“What brings you here?”
“Nothing much. I was inspired by your method of disciplining Polyphemus. Thought I might give it a try myself.”
Triton rested his club on his shoulder, disciplining a giant with blows that left the poor creature bruised and cowering. Trembling and filled with fear, the towering giant bowed before Triton.
“This one is my half-brother, Antaeus. He’s been challenging travelers to wrestling matches and then killing them once they lose.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Our father ordered me to keep my siblings in line, so this is necessary.”
Crack! Thud!
“Agh... Ugh...”
“Haha! Antaeus, isn’t your mother the goddess Gaia? Show a little more tenacity.”
“I... I won’t bother travelers anymore...”
Triton laughed heartily, while the towering giant, a child of Gaia and Poseidon, groaned in pain. Heracles watched them, intrigued by Triton’s methods.
“Lord Triton.”
“Yes?”
“Since Antaeus is a child of Gaia and Poseidon... why isn’t he a god? And, as for me, though I aim to become one, I still don’t understand. I’ve accomplished many great labors, yet divinity feels distant. Could you offer any guidance?”
Could Triton shed light on Heracles’ path to divinity?