Chapter 14: Earth Mother

Chapter 14: Earth Mother

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Hypnos arched his brow, his gaze drawn to Hera.

The Goddess of Marriage immediately withdrew her gaze as her mother drew her back, silently chastising her for her lackadaisical actions.

Hypnos had already returned his gaze to the crowd and frowned-he was here as his mother's representative, accepting Gaea's request, but the Earth Mother had yet to appear personally to greet him.

A wave of awkwardness spread through the crowd of immortals, who noticed the situation as well. Hades was immediately trying to gain information from Hestia through sibling telepathy.

Just as Hypnos was about to speak up, all of nature around him swayed in the splendour of life, unleashing a flurry of kaleidoscope flowers, and a woman descended from inside it. He felt the axis of the world shift towards her the moment her feet touched the ground, as if she were the centre of it all, which she indeed was, as she was none other than....

Gaea, Earth Mother.

Earth Mother was breathtakingly beautiful, not Hera-esque, but regally so, exuding absolute power. Her hair was light and emerald, and it hung gracefully over her shoulders. She was dressed in a long blue gown woven with gold beading. Her head was adorned with an auric headpiece that glistened in the sunlight. Her eyes were so green that it appeared as if all of nature had been condensed in them.

(Image here)

Her aura, though, was the most noticeable to him, for it literally felt limitless to him, like an ancient well with no end.

The First Protogenos: He began to slowly understand the true meaning behind her title. And it also seemed surreal to him that such a boundless being had been completely outmatched and defeated by a bunch of demigods in the original series.

"Hypnos." Gaea embraced him tenderly. "It's nice to finally meet you, my dear nephew."

Hypnos was inwardly taken aback by her caring actions, but he still reciprocated out of politeness. "It's also nice to meet you, Aunt Gaea."

"I can't say," Gaea said as she stepped out of his embrace, lightly patting his shoulders. "I am not surprised Nyx decided to send you."

"Well, mother thought it was about time for me to visit the world above rather than being cooped up in her realm. And your call happened to come at the right time," Hypnos smiled. "So here I am."

"Nyx is a strict mother, isn't she?" Gaea let out a sigh.

"She is a great mother." Hypnos corrected.

"I don't doubt that." Gaea said, her gaze fixed on him. "Come on. Let's go inside," she said emphatically, squinting at her descendants. "We have a lot to talk about."

And they entered Olympus, followed by immortals who kept a safe distance between them. Meanwhile, Hades was dragged away by his siblings, who bombarded him with questions as everyone strode into the marble gate of Olympus under the brilliant night.

A long silver table stood with 14 chairs, two at the head and foot, and six on each side, inside a massive hall with a dome of constellations supported by colossal pillars.

Gaea and Hypnos sat at the head and foot of the table, respectively, followed by gods-Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia-and titans-Rhea, Metis, Prometheus, Helios, Selene, and Themis-on the right and left sides of the table.

The strongest beings on the side of the gods assembled in the hall in the centre of Olympus that would go on to become the very core of western civilization-the throne room of Olympus.

As the Gods and Titans took their places on his sides, Hypnos reclined in his seat. He was flanked by Hestia and Themis, who both nodded warmly and respectfully at him. After everyone took their seats, he stood up, drawing the attention of all. "For those of you who don't know, I am Hypnos, the Primordial of Sleep and the son of Night and Darkness," he paused. "And now I am on your side. Together with me and Aunt Gaea, the victory of the war is all but assured." The hall erupted in hopeful and yet restrained cheers, only to be cut short by a sharp voice.

Ignoring the warning stares from Hades, Hera faced him with her head held high. "Not to be critical," she stated sharply. "However, immortals are unaffected by the need for sleep. So I don't see how you can assist-"

"Hera!" Rhea bore her glare at her daughter. "Mind your words. You are addressing a Primordial-"

Hypnos raised his hand for silence. He looked around at the Gods and Titans, sensing the volatile tension in the air, but he also sensed, through his powers of mind, the curious rebelliousness hidden beneath it all, as if they were secretly questioning his domain in their hearts as well.

He didn't feel absolute fury at this revelation, as most primordials would; instead, cruel amusement flooded his heart.

"I beg to differ." Hypnos said to Hera. "I am the Lord of Sleep and Dream, and the Immortals rely on me more than any other race in existence."

"You are born in dreams, and when all of them end..." The Lord of Dream drawled in the gentlest voice, sending cold shivers down everyone's spine. "You will fade back into the embrace of Chaos."

Hypnos locked his gaze on Hera, who was trying her best not to cower in the face of his strong aura but failing utterly. "Daughter of Kronos, do not question my power. I will not be merciful next time."

A deafening silence filled the hall. The Gods and Titans sat back in their seats, some clutching their armrests so tightly that they cracked.

It was the truth. They immediately understood, because when Hypnos said those words, they all felt a feeling they hadn't felt since their first battle with Kronos.

Hypnos couldn't comprehend what game this terrifying primordial was playing. "Zeus is the fated one." he still said the obvious. "And I am here to help, not to criticise your decisions. So, personal feelings aside, I will assist him in defeating your rebellious son." "That's great." Gaea smiled brightly. "I expected nothing less from you, nephew." Hypnos was nearly positive that he heard disappointment in her tone. Was she expecting him to get involved? Is she suspicious that he was behind the changes in Destiny? Is this her true

intention behind her prying? If that was indeed the case, her suspicion of him should have somewhat waned now, but he still decided to be cautious.

"Can I ask something, Aunt?" Hypnos inquired, attempting to take control of the conversation and change the subject.

Gaea was silent for a moment before nodding airily. "Ask away."

Hypnos probably shouldn't ask this of Gaea, but she was a complete mystery to him. He didn't

really understand anything about her. "What is your ultimate goal?" he inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"What do you mean?" Gaea arched her brow.

"This entire war." Hypnos waved his arms around to emphasise his point. "You should know how this is going to end, but you're still pushing it." he paused, elaborating. "Most of your beloved children will most likely be banished by the Gods, and your defiant son

may even suffer the worst fate known to immortals," he continued, his gaze fixed on her.

"They would no longer listen to your wishes at that time, and they might even rebel against you, so why are you still so determined...?"

Hypnos abruptly stopped. The entire hall began to tremble, as did the rest of the planet

beneath his feet.

"Hypnos." Gaea uttered, her evergreen eyes glowing with infinite power. "Remember who

you are talking to; you need not question any of my intentions."

Hypnos backed off calmly.

"Curb your curiosity, son of Nyx." Gaea warned sharply as the quivering of the world seized.

"Or you won't survive in this wretched world."

"Now, you may leave." The Earth Mother dismissed.

Hypnos stared at her for a fleeting second before rising from his seat and walking towards the

door.

As he opened the door, Gaea suddenly revealed, surprising him. "I am the Mother of All,

Hypnos,"

"That title is both a blessing and a curse."

Hypnos stopped in the foyer briefly and then continued on his path, closing the door and

leaving the room all to Gaea.

Gaea gazed at the closed door silently. 'He really isn't the one...' she thought in disappointment. 'He can't free me from the coming wretched cycle...' she reclined in her seat,

looking up at the ceiling, her gaze narrowing into the very facets of reality, reaching the

boundless chaos that lay beneath it all.

The Earth Mother looked at the chaos; her heart was filled with conflict, but in the end, all the

feelings gave way to one pure emotion. "I hate you, mother," she uttered, her words dripping with resentment.

The Chaos stirred, as indifferent as ever.

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