The earth trembled with a low rumble, and terrified humans offered sacrifices and prayers to Poseidon, hoping the god of tsunamis would quell his wrath. Poseidon's actions earned him the divine office of earthquakes and the title of the god who shakes the earth. Kannas did not prevent Poseidon from claiming his own seismic domain. In this great flood, the God of Calamities reaped far more than Poseidon.
In a world left in ruins, the laws of calamity were exceptionally active. Fueled by this power, Kannas took his first step toward becoming a primordial god.
The ark, thanks to the presence of the bronze chariot, remained unharmed by the tsunami. The sea gods' blessings extended to the ark, allowing this vessel, laden with life, to navigate the waves smoothly.
The torrential rain persisted for seven days and seven nights, transforming the land into a vast ocean. In this catastrophe, not only the arrogant Black Iron humans perished, but also the monsters hidden in every corner. This great cleansing ceased as the clouds dispersed.
The children of the Oceanids descended upon the submerged lands, channeling away the accumulated water and creating more rivers and lakes as their dwelling places.
The land lay barren, devoid of any greenery. As the sun's warmth returned, the roots and seeds buried deep within the earth once again sprang to life. Under Zeus's divine power, all things began to recover, and the power of growth brought flora back to the land.
The tides receded, and the unharmed ark settled at the foot of a mountain on a plateau. The animals that returned to the earth conceived offspring under the influence of reproductive power, and soon, the silent world was once again filled with the calls of animals.
Deucalion and Pyrrha built a home on the plateau and settled down. Having survived, they began to feel lonely. The couple erected an altar, imploring the gods for protection and mercy.
Zeus answered their plea, his thunderous lightning echoing throughout the world. "Deucalion, descendant of the prophet Prometheus! Mix your blood with the soil of hope and cast it behind you. New humans will be born from you and the daughters of all gifts."
Deucalion and Pyrrha followed the divine king's instructions, mixing their blood with soil and throwing it behind them. The clods of earth thrown by Deucalion transformed into men, and those thrown by Pyrrha became women. These humans, formed from the blood of divine descendants mixed with soil, had short lifespans but were stronger and more diligent than the previous generation of Black Iron humans. The inherent goodness preserved from Pandora's lineage gave them resilience against the various evils that roamed the outside world.
The new humans faithfully believed in the gods and offered sacrifices according to their will. Deucalion became the first king, leading the new generation of humans in procreation and spreading their footprint across every corner of the earth.
Human development reached a plateau, and new, intractable disputes arose on Mount Olympus.
Aphrodite had not forgotten her goal of ascending to powerful divinity. Which of the two sons of Hera and Menoetius was the deity worthy of her true affection? Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, possessed superb skills, and his creations were always sought after by the goddesses. Aphrodite had to admit that these items, which enhanced her charm, brought her joy and happiness. Adorned with magnificent clothes and jeweled ornaments, Aphrodite shone even more brilliantly.
However, Hephaestus was engrossed in forging and had a rather dull personality, making it impossible for Aphrodite to feel affection for him.
Ares, also a son of Hera, handsome and robust, could ignite Aphrodite's desires. Ares frequently visited Hephaestus's temple to forge various weapons. In the presence of the majestic Ares, Hephaestus appeared even more insignificant.
Aphrodite subconsciously believed that Ares was the deity to whom she could entrust her heart. She quietly descended to the earth, using her alluring figure and joyful laughter to ignite the god of war Ares's desires.
To the goddess of love's surprise, the god of war surprisingly escaped the influence of lustful power. The young Ares's yearning for war suppressed his carnal desires; he only wished to wield his sword and engage in combat with opponents. For the god of war, only war was meaningful, and lust held no weight in his eyes.
There were few women among the humans and gods participating in the battles. Therefore, Aphrodite's provocations were merely a bothersome distraction to Ares. If Aphrodite had not been a noble Olympian goddess, Ares would have been less polite.
The goddess of love, Aphrodite, became interested in this unyielding deity. Her repeated attempts at seduction ended in failure, making the embodiment of love and beauty doubt her own charm and strengthening her resolve to make Ares fall in love with her.
The incessant feasting on Mount Olympus captivated Aphrodite. The Three Graces danced to the music of the Muses and Apollo. The Graces, representing grace, charm, and inspiration, were the daughters of Eurynome and Poseidon. Although Eurynome harbored no affection for Poseidon, she cared for her daughters. The lord of the waves brought his daughters to Mount Olympus, entrusting them to the care of Queen Leto.
Leto, the goddess of fortune, was a gentle deity. At Eurynome's plea, she took the Three Graces under her wing for protection, without claiming them as her subordinates.
Aglaea, Thalia, and Euphrosyne danced joyfully, capturing the attention of all the gods. They were the personification of all that is beautiful in life, the embodiment of the most colorful existence, symbolizing reward and gifts, in contrast to the Furies.
The three sisters had been inseparable since birth, bringing an atmosphere of joy wherever they went. Their innate temperament and divinity kept all that was unseemly at bay. This was exceptionally compatible with Aphrodite's divine offices of joy and beauty. The four goddesses quickly became close friends, bringing joy to the gods together.
The Muses did not wish for the Graces to monopolize all the attention. Terpsichore, the goddess of dance, rose and joined the Graces, engaging them in a friendly competition. The goddesses' dances were unique, prompting the gods to applaud their exquisite skills.
With the goddess of love leading the way, the gods joined them, dancing together in the courtyard. Ares sat impassively by the spring, continuously pouring wine into his golden goblet. The goddess of love's charm soon surpassed that of the Muses and the Graces, becoming the center of attention. However, Ares did not even spare a glance for Aphrodite, preoccupied with when humans would once again ignite wars for his enjoyment.
The goddess of love, abandoning her usual ardor towards Ares, did not focus her attention on the cold-faced god of war. The goddess who governed love knew well that for male gods, lust was not the most important thing in the world. If love were to take root in a man's heart, the best time would be when he felt satisfied and accomplished, and his guard was down. She intended to strike when the god of war Ares had his fill of battle and achieved victory, planting the seeds of desire in his heart.