The gods dispersed, and after a long absence, Metis and Eurynome arrived together, the three foremost Oceanids converging. The wisdom of Metis, the might of Eurynome, and the courage of Tyche—their radiance captivated all the gods.
Tyche greeted her elder sisters with a smile and, with a shared understanding, led them to the divine temple on the water. It was then that Metis spoke of their purpose, "My sister, goddess of life in the sea, you will need our assistance!"
Eurynome stood upon the water, commanding the waves, her fair skin blending with the spray. "Klymene and I will persuade Crius and Iapetus to fully support your bid for the Sky Divinity!"
Tyche looked calmly at her sisters and slowly stated, "And what price must I pay?"
The two goddesses exchanged glances, and the goddess of wisdom spoke, "The Queen of the Gods has promised the sea gods the throne of the next Queen of the Gods, provided you help her accomplish one task!"
Tyche fell silent for a moment, then looked inquiringly at her sisters. "I believe I know the Queen's request, but I need to know if this is your decision or our parents' decision?"
"Princess Rhea sought our mother's help, and Mother refused her."
Metis conjured a golden hourglass, within which the power of time flowed ceaselessly.
"A Sky King threatened by prophecy is not easy to deal with. The Earth Mother and the Queen of the Gods are both displeased with his act of devouring his children; this is blasphemy against all goddesses!"
Metis's face was filled with anger. "The goddesses will suffer humiliation because of the Sky King's actions! How will the other male gods view us? Must we submit to their violence?"
Eurynome, who had been silent for a long time, also looked grim. "Princess Themis has already expressed her support and is willing to stand with us."
Tyche took the inverted hourglass, her voice heavy. "I understand."
The three goddesses exchanged knowing glances and smiled. Metis and Eurynome then turned and departed.
Trading the Climate Divinity for Ocean and Sky divinity was not a loss, but rather a small gain. The lineage of the Oceanids would no longer be constrained by Pontus. The two Titans were not inferior to the primordial sea gods, but as the source of the concept of the sea, Pontus naturally held sway over his siblings who held localized divine offices. The two Titans, hesitant to act, had always avoided Pontus's might. Now that Tyche had seized the divine offices of rivers and pools, the two Titans had no further concerns and could henceforth claim absolute sovereignty over the sea.
Gazing at the hourglass in her hand, Tyche gripped it tightly and crushed it. From the scattered sands of time emerged a mysterious goddess, the power of time disrupting the temporal order within the divine temple. Tyche stepped forward to greet her, the power of fate casting a mist over the disturbed sequence of events. "Salutations, Princess Rhea!"
The haggard Queen of the Gods forced a strained smile in response, "Princess Tyche."
The two goddesses took their seats, and Tyche spoke first, "Your Majesty, the Queen, what do you require of me?"
"Please hide my child," Rhea set aside her queenly dignity and spoke in a tone that could be called pleading.
"I would be honored to serve you, but the power I command may not be enough to elude the Sky King's gaze."
Though she sympathized with Rhea's plight, Tyche tactfully refused the request.
"I will persuade the Sky God and the Goddess of Day to help you obtain the Sky Divinity!" Rhea revealed her trump card upon arrival, and Tyche was indeed swayed.
"Aether, the Sky God, was once a strong contender for the first Sky King. Uranus defeated him with Gaia's support. The two primordial gods of darkness intervened to protect their children's divine offices, but Aether was forced to live in seclusion in the outer reaches of the world, far from the earth!"
As a goddess of immense temporal power, Rhea could conceal very little from Tyche's sight, making the secrets she revealed likely true.
In a flash of lightning, Tyche's thoughts raced. She slowly said, "Why would Aether and Hemera be willing to help you with this? Their divine natures could also accommodate the power of the sky."
Rhea also smiled. "Therefore, they too desire the power of the sky. As long as you promise to share the Sky Divinity with them, you can persuade them to help you defeat Uranus with all their might."
Tyche chuckled and shook her head, her clear voice suddenly deepening. "Your Majesty, the Queen, your plan does not consider my interests! Even if I can defeat Uranus with their help, I will then face competition from two powerful deities in the celestial domain. The Sky God and his consort will remember your aid, but they will show me no mercy!"
The atmosphere became tense. Rhea spoke with disbelief, "No god believes you will win this war! Your losses have already been compensated by Mother Gaia!"
Tyche sat on her throne, a picture of leisurely contentment. "I know. Mother Earth merely wants Uranus and me to remain in a stalemate, and for that, she will provide me with ample support."
"Shall we make a wager, Princess Rhea?" Tyche laughed brazenly, stroking a large, gleaming pearl. "If I defeat Uranus, give me your History Divinity! If I lose, I will help you hide your child and even stand against the Sky King, no matter the cost!"
"Your Majesty, the Queen, would you care to take a gamble?"