Chapter 505: Eurynome

Chapter 505: Eurynome

After the lengthy exchange with Caesar, and the more delicate one with Julia, Nathan found himself standing outside the towering marble gates of the Senate Castle. The morning sky above Rome bled into beautiful blue shades. He leaned against a cold pillar, waiting quietly, his mind still replaying the words spoken inside. The air around him carried a solemn weight—here, decisions of empires were made, and he, though an outsider, had stepped directly into that web.

Then, without warning, the space in front of him rippled faintly, like the surface of disturbed water. Before any mortal eye could register the divine presence, Athena appeared. Her arrival was instantaneous, swift and silent, a presence both commanding and serene. Draped in her gleaming white-and-gold chiton, her eyes—calm yet piercing—settled on Nathan. She did not waste time. Placing a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder, the world around him dissolved into blinding light.

When Nathan’s vision cleared, he found himself standing not in the quiet gardens of Demeter, as he had expected, but in the heart of Olympus itself. The divine city stretched before him, radiant and eternal, with spires that seemed to pierce the heavens and streets paved with marble so polished it shimmered like still water.

Nathan blinked, a touch of confusion breaking across his face. “We’re not… at Demeter’s garden?”

Athena tilted her head slightly, her lips curving with the faintest smile, as though she had anticipated the question.”I have matters to tend to before we go there,” she said, her tone calm, leaving no room for doubt. “Accompany me.”

Nathan gave a short nod, not pressing further.

They began to walk through the divine city, their pace unhurried. The streets bustled with activity—not mortal chaos, but the dignified rhythm of divinity. Deities in flowing robes moved about, artisans at work shaped wonders beyond human comprehension, and temples towered at every corner, each radiating its own aura. As they passed, eyes turned. Gods and lesser divinities bowed their heads respectfully toward Athena, admiration shining in their gazes.

Nathan, however, noticed something different this time. Among those watching, a few pairs of eyes lingered on him. Recognition sparked in their faces. They must have seen the gladiatorial tournament, he thought, a strange mixture of pride and unease brushing over him.

The district they entered was livelier, filled with color and sound, statues rising at every corner, fountains flowing endlessly. Nathan couldn’t help but notice how massive everything seemed. Buildings towered like giants, their scale fit for gods rather than mortals. And yet, amidst all that grandeur, a spark of curiosity gnawed at him. What exactly was Athena seeking here?

They walked for what felt like an eternity. Nathan’s lips parted several times, tempted to ask, but he stopped himself each time. Athena was strolling with a rare serenity, her eyes drifting over the cityscape with a faint, almost nostalgic smile. For once, she seemed not the goddess of wisdom and war, but simply a being savoring her home.

Finally, they halted before a fountain unlike any Nathan had ever seen. It was colossal, its waters cascading in crystalline arcs that shimmered like liquid glass under the sunlight. Figures of nymphs and gods, carved from flawless marble, encircled its base, frozen in eternal grace. The water sparkled with a faint divine glow, as though even the droplets carried Olympus’s essence.

Athena gestured toward it. “What do you think?”

Nathan’s eyes widened, admiration spilling through his voice. “It’s… magnificent. Beautiful beyond words.”

He lingered on the sight, imagining something of that grandeur near his own future palace. The thought stirred a small, selfish desire inside him—yes, he wanted something like this.

Curiosity flickered in him. “Did Hephaestus build it?”

Athena chuckled softly, the sound light and melodic. “Not everything here was forged by Hephaestus’s hand,” she replied. “Even he was once a student. He learned the art of smithing not by himself, but from Thetis and Eurynome.”

Nathan stiffened at the name, surprise flashing across his features. “Thetis?” The name struck him sharply—Khillea’s mother.

Athena’s brows rose in surprise. “You know her?”

Quickly, Nathan shook his head, masking the recognition. “I feel as though I’ve heard it mentioned somewhere.”

“She is Achilles’s mother,” Athena explained simply. “But it was Eurynome who truly guided Hephaestus. While Hephaestus worked with raw force, focusing on efficiency and strength, Eurynome’s touch was different. She cared for beauty, for harmony—every crafting of hers bore not only power but elegance.”

And then, as though summoned by her own praise, a new voice broke through the air.”Dear Athena, I did not expect such generous words from you.”

The fountain’s glow seemed to brighten, and from its shimmering mist stepped a figure of divine grace. A woman, her beauty undeniable, her aura commanding. Long waves of ocean-blue hair cascaded down her back, flowing as though touched by unseen tides. Her eyes matched the sea, light blue and endless, reflecting both serenity and depth.

Nathan looked at her. She was undoubtedly a goddess—no mortal could bear such flawless beauty, such presence. Though it was impossible to guess her true age, her features carried maturity, grace, and timelessness. If he had to compare, she seemed closer in age to Thetis than to Athena.

Athena’s lips curved in a warm smile.”Eurynome.”

Eurynome’s lips curved into a gentle smile before her gaze shifted toward Nathan. Her eyes, shimmering with the faint glow of an eternal artisan, studied him with a quiet curiosity.”So,” she mused softly, her voice like a calm ripple across still waters, “this must be the man you spoke of. The one you wished for me to craft a gift for?”

Nathan blinked, caught off guard.”A gift?” he echoed, turning toward Athena in surprise.

The goddess of wisdom gave a dignified nod, her poise as serene as ever.”Indeed,” she confirmed, her tone steady yet carrying warmth. “A token of gratitude—for your aid with Pandora. You may not value such things as others do, but I wished for your efforts to be recognized.”

At her signal, Eurynome lifted her hand with grace. From the void itself, light swirled into being, folding in on itself like molten gold being poured by unseen hands. In a heartbeat, the radiance solidified into a shield—a magnificent work of divine craft. Its surface gleamed with the brilliance of freshly polished gold, yet within its glow lay threads of rarer ores, metals no mortal forge could shape. Ancient symbols—old as the first fires of creation—were etched upon its face, each rune pulsing faintly as though alive, whispering with echoes of forgotten ages.

Nathan’s breath caught in his throat.”That… that’s for me?” he asked, utterly dumbfounded.

Even at a glance, he could tell this was no ordinary artifact. The aura surrounding it carried the same weight as his Demonic Sword, and even the legendary golden blade of Alexander the Great that he had once held. This was not just a weapon—it was a promise, a legacy, a piece of eternity entrusted to him. Of course it wasn’t as powerful as these two weapons made by years of craftsmanship and power but still it was a divine shield.

Eurynome’s smile softened into something warmer. “It is,” she said, her voice touched with pride. “Athena came to me personally, and I could not refuse. She has aided me greatly before, so in return, I worked swiftly and poured my heart into the craft.” She extended the shield toward him, her pale fingers brushing over the carvings with reverence before passing it into Nathan’s hands.

The weight of it surprised him—not because it was heavy, but because it was perfect. Balanced. Alive. He ran his palm slowly across the gleaming surface, tracing the unfamiliar symbols with his fingertips. It felt almost as though the shield itself recognized him.

“Beautiful…” he whispered, the word escaping before he could stop it.

Athena’s eyes brightened ever so slightly, her voice carrying a rare note of anticipation.”Do you like it?” she asked, though the goddess of wisdom rarely asked questions she didn’t already know the answers to.

Nathan lifted his gaze, meeting hers.

“Like it? I love it,” he admitted with unfeigned sincerity. “You didn’t have to go this far, Goddess Athena… but I truly appreciate it. More than I can say.”

Athena inclined her head, a subtle, graceful acknowledgment, though her lips curved into the faintest smile.

“You deserve it,” she replied softly. “You risk your life constantly—for others, and for causes beyond yourself. That alone warrants recognition.”

Her words carried weight. Of course, she knew Nathan was not driven by pure altruism—his heart was too complex, his motives too layered for that simple label. But Athena also recognized something deeper. He fought not only because he had to, but because he had people he wished to protect. That truth, in her eyes, was enough.

Nathan gave a short nod, humbled into silence.

Eurynome, watching the quiet exchange, let out a light laugh. “You seem almost proud of him, Athena. That is rare indeed.”

Athena’s expression softened, though her posture remained composed. “I am,” she admitted without hesitation. “Septimius is unlike the others. His strength has not consumed him. He carries it differently… with a heart that still remembers compassion, despite standing above most mortals.”

Eurynome tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as though measuring him more closely. She leaned forward, studying him with an almost predatory curiosity.”Hmm… indeed, there is something unusual about you,” she murmured. “What do we have here?”

Before Nathan could respond, a lilting, unmistakably feminine laugh echoed through the chamber. The sound was like honey dripping with mischief, rich and mocking all at once.

Nathan’s eyes widened. He knew that voice.

Turning his head, he caught sight of a figure approaching with a sway in her hips and a smile that could topple nations—Aphrodite, the goddess of love and desire.

Athena’s serene mask immediately shifted; her features hardened into neutrality, her calm soured by the arrival. The air itself seemed to grow heavier.

“Well, well,” Aphrodite purred, her voice like silk laced with venom. “Athena and Eurynome, conspiring together—and with a mortal no less. Are you bullying the poor man?” Her laughter followed the jab, light but barbed.

Athena’s knuckles whitened as she clenched her lance tighter, her voice cutting and cold.”What do you want, Aphrodite?” she demanded.

“Oh, nothing much,” Aphrodite replied, feigning innocence while her eyes gleamed with amusement. “I merely heard whispers that the goddess of wisdom has been spending an… unusual amount of time with a certain human. Naturally, I had to see it for myself.” Her lips curved into a wicked smile. “I only hope you haven’t forgotten your vow of chastity, Athena.”

The taunt hung in the air like poison.

Nathan inwardly exhaled, suppressing a weary sigh. He had expected as much. The enmity between the two goddesses was no secret. And if anyone could sour Athena’s calm composure, it was Aphrodite—who seemed to relish every chance she got.

“You are exaggerating, Aphrodite,” Eurynome said with a light laugh, clearly amused by how far the goddess of love had taken her assumptions.

“I hope so,” Aphrodite replied, her laughter ringing like silver bells, though her words carried a sharper edge. She tilted her head, her pink eyes glimmering mischievously as they slid toward Nathan. “Regardless, her chastity is in no danger. I hardly think a gladiator with such hot blood would waste his desires on someone as… boring as Athena. Don’t you agree?” She directed the question straight at Nathan, her lips curving in mock sweetness.

Nathan resisted the urge to sigh. Inwardly, however, he smiled.

What game was she playing now?

He knew enough of Aphrodite to read the truth behind her words. She wasn’t here by chance—she was here because she had noticed his closeness with Athena, and jealousy had driven her forward. But she could not attack him outright in this situation. So, as expected, she struck at Athena instead, twisting her words with a venomous grace only the goddess of desire could wield.

Still, if this continued unchecked, it would spiral into an ugly scene. Nathan had no choice but to intervene. And besides… boring? Athena? That was the furthest thing from the truth.

Before Athena could give an heated answer, Nathan spoke, his voice calm but firm.

“Goddess Athena is far from boring,” he said, his eyes meeting Aphrodite’s without wavering. “In fact, I learn something new from her every single day.”

For a moment, silence fell. Athena turned to him, surprise flickering across her usually composed features, her gray eyes widening ever so slightly.

“Oh…” Aphrodite’s playful tone faltered. Her pink gaze narrowed at him, sharp now, searching. It was as though she were asking silently: What exactly are you trying to do?

Nathan didn’t flinch. If anything, her jealousy amused him. She looked almost cute when her control slipped like this. He pressed on.

“She is,” he continued steadily, “the most interesting woman I’ve ever met.” His words carried sincerity now, unembellished and raw. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this curious about someone before—never this eager to understand. Goddess Athena’s way of thinking… about gods, about mortals—it’s unique.’

Something I failed to grasp even back during the Trojan War. He added that part inwardly.

“And I find myself wanting to learn from her, more and more.”

The place fell still after his confession. His voice seemed to linger in the air, weaving itself into the silence.

Athena turned away, her composure cracking just slightly as she looked aside. A faint warmth colored her cheeks, subtle but undeniable.

Aphrodite noticed it instantly. Her eyes grew colder, hard as cut gems, and she fixed Nathan with a look sharp enough to pierce stone. “I see,” she said quietly, though her voice dripped with disdain. “Perhaps Athena is even more depraved than I imagined. Ishtar was right, after all.”

The name struck like a spear.

“W…what!” Athena’s composure shattered as her face flushed crimson. “How dare you!” The goddess’s voice rose in indignation, her usual calm replaced by sharp outrage. “How dare you bring Ishtar into this! To compare me with her—she is infamous for her indulgence with young men! Do not—”

Aphrodite only smirked, unbothered by Athena’s fury. With a graceful shrug, she turned on her heel, her long pink hair swaying as she began to leave.

“Enjoy your time with your little lover, then,” she said carelessly, her tone like a knife coated in honey.

Athena’s glare followed her retreating back, her knuckles tightening on her lance as if she longed to strike.

Eurynome chuckled, shaking her head. “Do not lose your calm so easily, Athena. Surely you should be used to Aphrodite by now.”

“Right…” Athena muttered, though her voice betrayed a trace of embarrassment. She inhaled slowly, composing herself before turning toward Nathan once more. Her gaze softened, just slightly, and when she spoke, her tone carried something uncharacteristic—something almost shy.

“My apologies,” she said quietly, “for showing you such an unsightly side of me. And… thank you.”

The last words slipped out hesitantly, colored with a warmth Athena rarely showed.

Nathan blinked, genuinely startled. His mind reeled for a moment before a thought slipped through, half amused, half unsettled.

This feels like cheating.