Tike’s arrival was unannounced to her sons. Upon seeing their mistress’s mother, the wolf pack became excited and gathered around, exposing their bellies for the goddess to stroke.
Although she found their prolific breeding a nuisance that disturbed the island’s peace, Tike felt a pang of nostalgia upon seeing them again. Smiling, she stroked their bellies and, guided by them, found Kanna.
The god of disaster immediately came forward, dispersing the眷属 (juànshǔ - dependents) surrounding his mother. Kanna was naturally delighted by his mother’s visit and eagerly showed off his temple.
Tike had no worries about her eldest son’s well-being. The gods of the celestial realm would surely show respect to the controller of the sky, not to mention that Kanna was no weakling and had the care of Astraea. If he were still subject to others under such circumstances, Tike would have had to steel herself and remold the god of disaster.
The goddess was pleased to tour her eldest son’s majestic temple. It was built grandly but felt somewhat too empty.
Tike knew her sons had no attendants and thus said, “Since you will now reside permanently in your domain, it is time you had your own followers.”
The goddess pondered for a moment and suggested, “I recall your aunts, the lake and river goddesses who dwell on the earth, have some excellent descendants. They would be happy to serve a god of great divine power.”
Kanna’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “I want followers with excellent archery skills; they can accompany me on hunts.”
As the mother and son were talking, the god of thunder, riding his chariot, returned to his brother’s temple.
Zeus was not alone. Following him were the sons of Astraeus, the god of the starry sky, and Eos, the goddess of dawn – the planetary gods.
These were five minor gods of the stars: Phaenon of Saturn, Pyrrhos of Mars, Phosphor of Jupiter and Hesperos of Venus, and Stilbon of Mercury.
The planetary gods respectfully greeted the two powerful deities in the temple.
Tike smiled and asked, “How is your mother, Eos of the dawn?”
Phaenon lowered his head, not daring to meet the goddess’s eyes, and stood behind Zeus with his hands clasped. “Your Highness Tike, our mother shows signs of breaking through to medium divine power. She is currently in the temple of Theia, the goddess of radiant light, preparing for her ascension.”
Upon hearing the news of Eos’s impending breakthrough, Tike was very happy for her and spoke words of comfort to the planetary gods, “The radiant goddess Theia and Helios, the sun god, will protect your mother. Her ascension will surely be smooth.”
The planetary gods were not uplifted by Tike’s comfort and calmly thanked the goddess for her blessing.
Tike paid them no mind and then looked at her youngest son who had brought the planetary gods back.
Zeus calmly explained the reason to his mother, “The planetary gods are now my subordinate gods. I have already sought the consent of the god of the starry sky and the goddess of dawn for this.”
Looking at her increasingly seasoned youngest son, Tike smiled with satisfaction and said softly, “I will designate a territory for you in the sky to house your subordinate gods. Zeus, you will prove to the gods that their choice was not wrong.”
The planetary gods busied themselves moving their respective stars to their master god’s territory. Zeus then asked his mother about the purpose of her visit.
“I have something to discuss with Selene, the moon goddess. I did not wish to disturb her work, so I wanted to find a place to wait until nightfall.”
The goddess could not help but praise her youngest son, “You have taken very good care of Kanna.”
The god of disaster’s protest was ignored by his mother and brother. The goddess smiled and comforted her eldest son. The three deities then rose and followed the moon’s descent into the eastern mountains.
Selene, the first to notice them, descended from her chariot to greet the distinguished visitors. The moon goddess rarely showed a smile. “Your Highness Tike, you are the first supreme god to visit the temple of radiant light.”
After an affectionate embrace between the two goddesses, Selene instructed her attendants to serve fine wine and led the gods into the temple to be seated.
“Your Highness Tike, the arrival of the gods of the sky lineage cannot be merely for a visit, can it?”
The goddess shook her head. “Originally, I just needed your help with something. Now, I must also congratulate Eos on her ascension.”
“Oh, bright-eyed goddess of destiny, nothing can escape your sight.” Surprise flashed in Selene’s dark eyes. “The gods of the radiant lineage have not revealed this news. I did not expect you to know.”
Hearing Selene’s words, it seemed she had actively concealed the news of the dawn goddess’s impending ascension. Tike couldn’t help but glance at her composed youngest son. Zeus’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled and raised his cup in a toast to his mother.
The goddess smiled mysteriously, “Selene, your opportunity has arrived.”
The moon god’s face lit up with joy, but she quickly composed herself. “My mother and Helios are accompanying Eos to my father’s side. I cannot disturb them at this time and affect Eos’s ascension.”
“There is no need to disturb the god of light at the edge of the world.” Tike, thinking of a certain troublesome sun god, immediately stopped her.
The goddess said earnestly, “I cannot be certain that you will succeed, but this is a very good opportunity! As for choosing the right time to ascend, that is entirely up to you.”
Only then did Selene relax. The opportunity to ascend to great divine power was not something everyone encountered. The moon god worried that if she missed this chance, there would be no next time.
Energized, Selene’s gaze became sharp and eager as she looked at Tike.
Tike did not keep her in suspense. “Thanatos, the god of death, complains that the number of human souls is too great, placing an unbearable burden on his work. He works day and night, yet the number of souls on earth does not decrease.”
“Selene, if you can obtain the authority to guide souls from Thanatos, the ascension of your lunar divine position may no longer be a problem that troubles you.”
The moon god frowned, thinking that the busy work of guiding souls would occupy all her time, and hesitated.
Tike remained silent, quietly waiting for Selene to make her choice: would she continue to choose comfort, or would she go all out?
Selene’s gaze was firm. “I am willing to take on the responsibility of guiding souls!”
Tike nodded with a smile. “Thanatos will split the divine position of guiding souls from the source of death and give it to you. You must be prepared; this work is not easy.”
“The power of the dark moon can bring tranquility. It will help you in guiding the souls.”
The moon god thanked Tike for her hint, and then the mother and her two sons departed. Selene rose and saw the three deities out of the temple. Prepared, she went to the underworld to find Thanatos.