Chapter 38: Homage

Chapter 38: Homage



Hera was uncertain who destroyed who in their passion, but it eventually ended-their limbs entwined, hearts pounding, breath panting-after what seemed like an eternity; time has truly an interesting interpretation of perfection.

Aside from her besotted feelings, the Goddess of the Stars was immediately swept by the realisation that she had become so engrossed in their passion that she had lost track of time; she wouldn't be surprised if weeks had passed on earth, and indeed they had.

It has been three weeks since we began, Hypnos had said, seeing her worries. But only one night on Earth. You see, I've been working on time as well, just to prepare for this night. I know we certainly lose ourselves to each other.

Hypnos, as always, was considerate and thoughtful-almost to the point where it has begun to bug her. She somewhat felt like she wasn't doing enough in their relationship.

The niggling thoughts passed through her mind as Hera was getting herself ready for the victory banquet today. She was standing in front of a large mirror, trying on various dresses from a cupboard nearby.

Did she mention how convenient her beloved's castle was? There were a lot of interesting and new things all around the huge palace, which made life a lot easier. But it was how self- sufficient they were that sealed the deal for her. She found herself appreciating all of them.

Hera waved her hand, willing the white-and-gold dress to fly into her hand. Given the significance of the banquet, she wanted to present herself in the best possible light.

A new era was going to begin, Hypnos had said before temporarily leaving the room all to herself. He'd gone to deal with the Titanomachy's aftermath, and as much as she understood his duty, she couldn't help but be dismayed by his departure.

Hera began to wear the gown, and when she touched the knots of her gown, Hypnos appeared behind her, kissing her on the neck. "You look lovely," he said, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

"Is this dress good?" Hera asked, lying on his chest.VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)com for new novels

"Yes." Hypnos nodded briskly.

"Really?" Hera pressed, squinting at the white-and-gold gown-she, too, loved it, but there were plenty of other options. "There are many more dresses in the closet. I could-"

"White suits you best," Hypnos merely stated.

"Then help me with the knots," Hera hummed, pointing to her back.

Hypnos did as he was told, bending down and tying her knots.

"So everything went well..?" Hera inquired.

"Yes," Hypnos said serenely. "It did."

"Then why do I have the feeling you're hiding something?" Hera inquired quietly.

"Not hiding," Hypnos corrected, fastening her final knot. "I just don't want to ruin the mood for today."

"Is it really that bad?" Hera spun around to face him.

Instead of answering her question, Hypnos drew her to his closet. "Come on, help me pick one."

Hera chose not to press; his silence was an answer in and of itself. And they walked over to his closet, where they began to select a suitable dress for Hypnos.

After much thought, Hypnos and Hera settled on a black chiton glistening with nebulas, as if stars were born from within it.

"Now for the finishing touch," Hera circled around her beloved, raising her hand, and a burst of starlight manifested an argent crown, which she placed on his head.

Hera dragged him to the mirror and asked, "How is it?"

"Love it," Hypnos kissed her, "but we are still missing something."

"What?" Hera squinted thoughtfully at their reflection.

Hypnos snapped his fingers, and a starlight crown manifested on her head. "Now we are perfect, don't you say, my love?" He kissed her lips.

"Perfect," Hera said silently, savouring the taste of the word in her heart.

And so they were ready for the epochal banquet; together they teleported to the Gate of Horn, where Hecate and Mnesmosyne waited for them in silence. When they saw Hypnos appear in the distance, they immediately bowed their heads in dismay.

"What happened to them?" Hera whispered into his ears.

"They failed their mission," Hypnos stated.

"It was the thrones, right?" Hera asked lowly as they began to stride towards

Hypnos hummed.

"You addressed them?" Hera went on.

"In the morning," Hypnos affirmed. "And it's not their fault, but they're still blaming themselves. You know, it was their first task and all, so they were pretty disappointed with themselves."

Hera stared at them pensively.

"What's with the sudden interest in them?" Hypnos followed her gaze.

"I am just trying," Hera said. "to better integrate into Dreaming. After all, it is now my

home."

directly.

Anyway, returning to the banquet, Helios, Themis, and Demeter noticed Hera's arrival and quickly dispersed away from him, though Themis hesitated as if she wanted to say something

but decided against it in the end, and Demeter, who exchanged a few heated words about their brothers with her before having the table all to themselves. Finally, Hera sat next to him, her countenance marred with exasperation.

"A sweet for your thoughts," Hypnos raised a sweet to her tensed lips while concealing their

voices from everyone, which Hera noticed, and she opened her mouth to take a bit of sweat from his hand, and then she huffed and puffed. "How dare they?!" she ranted. "How dare they

leave me and my sisters out of their meeting? I can't believe them! It's as if they didn't think we deserved anything for our efforts during the war." To calm herself down, she took a big breath. "To be honest, I should have known better. They always look down on us, believing

they are superior to us simply because we are women. I thought Hades was better than this, but I guess not now.."

Hypnos took her hand in his, his calmness soothing her raging emotions. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"

"I, I.." Hera was at a loss for words; she had been so enraged since hearing the news that she hadn't given much thought to how to respond to her wreathed brothers.

Hypnos decided to change his question slightly, but the intention remained the same. "Do

you want to claim their realms for yourself?"

Hera snapped her eyes at him; her beloved was as languid as ever, but she clearly knew he

wasn't one to joke around in matters like this. "No, Hypnos," she shook her head after a brief

moment of reflection. "Let them have their realms," she scoffed.

"It's unlike you," Hypnos observed.

"Indeed," Hera said, nodding. "As much as I want to confront my brothers about this, it

would just break my family apart," she said as she swung her hands around the hall. "I don't want to undo everything we've accomplished together after all of these trials and tribulations. You know, I'd like some peace. And it's not like their earthly domain can compete with mine. So let them have it..." she paused "just this once..."

Hypnos nodded and squeezed her hands reassuringly.

Hera took a sweet from the table and placed it on his pale lips. "A sweet for your thoughts,"

Hypnos took a bite. "I believe you should make it very clear to them. Tell them they can't push

you around anymore so that something like this doesn't happen again." "Oh," Hera said firmly, "I am going to make it clear to them after all of this." she added,

"Anyway, what are our plans for the rest of the day?"

"Plans, ah?" Hypnos said, "After the banquet, we are going to meet my family, together, and

for the night, you know.." He drawled, his unspoken intent visible in the air.

Hera ignored his flying intentions and concentrated on his first words, "Your family..." she

said quietly, taking a glass of nectar and sipping it.

"Hera," Hypnos soothed his beloved, who was engulfed in nervous energy. "Everything will be fine,"

"Will it be?" Hera cast a sidelong glance at him.

"It will be," Hypnos assured.

Hera nodded. She chose the nectar, gulping it down, rather than voicing her worries to him.

And

Hypnos simply sighed, grabbing a glass of nectar for himself and drinking it quietly. The tumultuous air between them was broken in an instant by Zeus, the King of Gods, who

rose from his table, not far from them, and looked around. After ensuring that everyone had arrived, he began with a thunderous voice.

"My family, friends, and subjects, we have triumphed against all odds, we have cast down the Tyrant Kronos," The King of Gods declared, "he and his brethren are eternally banished to the dark pits of Tartarus. I am honoured to announce the end of the Golden Age; this is now our

era!" He raised his glass to all, "For our era!"

"For our era!"

The Immortals responded with zeal, cheers, and shouts, filling the hall until Zeus silently raised his hand. "This is our victory, but it would not be possible without someone, someone who has been with us throughout the final stage of our journey. Even when times were tough,

The never gave up on us, guiding and assisting us. We won't be here without him, and I think everyone can agree with me on that."

"For everything he had done for us, I, Zeus, King of Gods, decree that a share of sky, sea, underworld, and even the heavens themselves shall be immolated in his honour," The God of Lightning declared, turning towards the Lord of Dream, along with everyone else, coming

together in homage.

"Lord Hypnos!"

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