"Then let's do as you say, Pitha, trust in your father, his parting words to you must be of use."
Deucalion said with a forced smile.
"Okay."
Pitha, who had long since lost her own opinion, nodded immediately and, together with Deucalion, knelt down and began to pray silently.
"Themis, goddess revered by all spirits, whose light shines upon all, your thoughts remain ever pure, your judgments never false."
"Please hear me out,"
"Life has left the earth, only we remain in the mortal realm. I have lost my way forward, please guide me."
Her voice was not loud, but being near the Oracle, a place marked by the gods, her plea carried. After what felt like an eternity, just when Pitha thought the goddess was not inclined to heed her, a voice whispered in her heart.
"I understand... Wait here, offspring of Iapetus, the guidance you seek will soon come."
Relieved, Pitha couldn't help but smile, while next to her, Deucalion's eyes flickered with the look of a survivor of a catastrophe.
The wisdom inherited from his father proved especially effective in adversity. During their prayers, Deucalion had an inkling of what was to come.
They had survived the disaster as if by a joke, while mightier beasts than them were consumed by sea monsters to the last, yet he and Pitha were not harmed. This was not an act of kindness from the gods, but because they were still of use.
But being of use now did not imply being of use forever. The existence of the Goddess of Justice may allow them to evade disaster when they become 'useless.'
After all, they were not deities, and just as beings as insignificant as them could be wiped out with a mere gesture from the gods for convenience, they could also be spared because of another god's whim.
As for their own opinions, none would care, just as no one had cared for the lives lost under the floods.
Humans, at least, had garnered attention, while the rest of life, the gods didn't even bother to glance at them.
...
Detecting a wavering of hearts, Zeus spoke gravely from his throne:
"Now, with all settling, it's time to begin a new era."
"Zephyrus."
"Sire, your command, please."
The Wind God stood from his place, ever obedient to the word.
"As the waters recede from the mortal realm, seek out the children of Prometheus and Epimetheus. Through their hands, let new humans come forth. But remember—"
Gazing at the God of West Wind, the Divine King said quietly:
"The new humans need no guidance. Let them discover the world for the first time on their own. The post-deluge earth won't be so dangerous for a while, and they won't suffer heavy casualties; but it will be tough enough for them to learn the hardships of survival."
"Then, Sire, what of Deucalion and Pitha?"
Zephyrus asked again, respectful in his tone.
"They... Humans don't need them. Humans only need the gods."
Hesitating briefly, Zeus ultimately gave a noncommittal answer. Yet, seeing the West Wind God's knowing nod, he believed the other understood what to do.
With a nod in response, Zephyrus disappeared like the wind, and the great hall fell silent once again. This time, however, Zeus could see their spirits being much more attentive.
To them, their own immediate interests seemed to weigh more than any humiliation faced by the Divine King before the Gods of the Ocean. Yet before that, there was still one more matter to attend to.
"Poseidon, my noble brother,"
With a smile finally gracing his face, Zeus felt some of the gloom lift from his heart:
"Do you remember the wager you once proposed?"