Myth: The Spiritual Dominator

"If you think so, then so be it. It's fate's guidance... After all, I can't resist you, right?"

Pandora spoke coldly, without any further response, and gently closed her eyes.

Compared to Epimetheus, she was in no mood to watch this so-called debate, because as the years passed, there were more and more beliefs lingering around her that she could not absorb.

Even though there was no direct contact, the countless pleading, cursing, hatred and fear tormented her all the time as the number of contacts accumulated.

Whenever the world encounters natural disasters and diseases, she is mentioned by humans as the embodiment of disaster. Even if the number of beliefs she receives for a single disaster is not as high as that of the gods in charge of the corresponding authority, when added together, she is more than that.

In this situation, even though the blessings of the gods had never been taken back, Pandora still felt pain and exhaustion from the bottom of her heart.

For a moment, she felt a little regretful.

She didn't regret opening the magic jar, because she had figured it out, maybe the meaning of her birth was to open it. What she regretted was that thousands of years ago, during the first snowfall that enveloped the world, she pretended to accidentally reveal her name during her journey.

The woman who brought disaster thought that the existence of Pandora would attract the attention of the gods, who would then find her and Epimetheus. She wanted to pray to the gods to forgive her sins and end her aimless wandering on earth, but the result disappointed her.

No god paid any attention to her, as if she had done nothing. Instead, the God of Later Awareness seemed to have gained inspiration and established a so-called church for her.

Of course, this church that has been labeled a cult is equally useless.

"Once the tools are used, they can be destroyed. If you don't know where they went, then it's okay to just consider them missing."

"Perhaps the gods did not take back their blessings on me. Not only is this troublesome, but more importantly, they have forgotten me."

"In Olympus, few people would remember the existence of Pandora."

Not sure if it was a dream or reality, Pandora hadn't slept for a long time. With her eyes closed, the debate and occasional applause in the conference hall seemed to be getting farther and farther away.

It was unknown how long it had been, perhaps a long time, or perhaps just a short while. At some point, Pandora seemed to hear Epimetheus's low cry, and then the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Even the interference brought by the various beliefs seemed to be blocked. She had not felt this kind of peace for a long time.

"Are you Pandora?"

A female voice sounded from in front of her, and Pandora opened her eyes.

A woman who looked to be in her forties was standing there, wearing a brown robe embroidered with various patterns. Her long hair was gathered up on her head, with a crystal clear wooden hairpin passing through the middle. Pandora didn't recognize this woman, but she knew she was definitely not an ordinary person.

Because Epimetheus was standing quietly by at this moment, just like when they first met.

"I'm."

Pandora nodded and acknowledged her identity. After all, she had the blessing of the gods, which was a clear sign.

"That's good. I've been looking for you for a long time."

It was not an illusion or an accident. Just as Iapetus saw, Gaia really came to Athens, but not for this conference, nor for the god of speech.

After looking Pandora up and down again, Gaia smiled with satisfaction.

"Tools will indeed be destroyed after use, but even as tools, no one would want them to disappear without a trace."

"...What do you want from me?"

After a moment's silence, Pandora spoke as if resigned to her fate.

"I do not know."

Shaking her head slightly, Gaia stretched out her hand and a sphere with twinkling "starlight" and light spots of different sizes inside appeared in her hand.

With just one glance, Pandora seemed to see the collapse of all things, the end of matter, and some desperate and distorted cry.

She felt that this special state was somewhat familiar... Why was it a bit like what Epimetheus had said, those divine fragments of the ancient sun god scattered on the earth?

At this moment, Pandora had many guesses in her mind. Could this be the fate of the magic jar? But this did not match her own prayers.

She had seen many beasts that had integrated divine fragments, but not only were they constantly contaminated by the spiritual power in the fragments, but none of them could become gods by doing so.

Even after the Typhon disaster ended, when the three "artificial suns" with power rose into the sky one after another, Pandora discussed this matter with Epimetheus. The other party told her with certainty that even if someone could withstand the mental impact brought by the three suns and hold the corresponding power, they would not be considered true gods.

After all, the authority of the true God cannot be taken away by beings outside the world, but if that fragment of divinity is taken away by others, the power that originally belonged to you will also be lost.

So Pandora was very sure that what she had prayed to become was a true God who was immortal and had power that could not be taken away from her. Could it be that this was the fate in the magic jar that could not be achieved, so she had to settle for the next best thing?

Or maybe this actually hints at something, such as if one wants to become a true god, and this fragment of divinity can play a key role in that...

For a moment, Pandora's mind was in turmoil, but Gaia obviously couldn't tell what she was thinking.

It was normal for ordinary people to be stunned by shock when seeing this scene, after all, they had little knowledge to begin with.

"I don't know if you understand this kind of thing, or what kind of power can create such a result, but it doesn't matter. I can tell you - it is Perses, the god of material destruction, a true god who is arrogant and rude to his parents and elders, and has no mercy on his own children!"

"But all this is in the past. Now, he is what you see."

Gaia narrated calmly and Pandora listened quietly. At this moment, Epimetheus didn't know what to say.

The first time he let Pandora follow her 'fate', she ran into the long-lost Earth Mother... He could think of what Pandora could think of, and this encounter did seem to have an effect on fulfilling her 'wish', but it was definitely not the effect he wanted.

"Huh - at least I have learned two lessons."

"Making a wish into the magic jar does work, but it probably only works on the wish itself. I'm afraid it doesn't take people around me, like me, into account at all."

'Besides, water always flows along the path with the least resistance, and destiny, after confirming its destination, may only flow along the most direct path. As for whether this is the original intention of the wisher, no one knows.'

Epimetheus knew the name of Perses, the god of material destruction, but he could not judge how Pandora's wish could be fulfilled through him.

He once fantasized about the power after the sun was shattered, so he studied those divine fragments. He had a general understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this thing... His intuition told Epimetheus that he was not sure whether Pandora could become a true god, but even if she did, it would probably be completely different from what she imagined.

······

The Sea of ​​Pontonoris, in the palace of the original sea god.

Be it the arrival of Gaia or the existence of Iapetus, these 'accidental' participants in the conference were not noticed by the gods who were watching the phantom.

Only Zeus, the caster of the spell, seemed to have sensed some traces of the God of Speech, but he said nothing and just pretended he didn't exist.

However, Zeus's lack of reaction did not mean that the gods who were watching the game would react the same way. As Andrea's increasingly sharp words were revealed to the gods through the phantom, some gods could no longer hold back.

"Your Majesty, I didn't know before that there was such a blasphemous existence in the world, and she could stand at the grand event held in Athens to spread her ideas to more mortals."

Looking somewhat excited, Ares took a step forward and looked at Zeus on the golden throne.

"I think such a person has no right to continue living in this world. She should be punished forever like Tantalus. Please allow me to go to the human world and personally give her the punishment she deserves!"

Even without saying it out loud, the gods could hear that the reason Ares was so eager to try was simply because it was Athens.

While he was speaking, he even kept looking in the direction of Athena, but unfortunately, the other party didn't even look at him.

"Ares, this is a debate. The position in the debate does not represent the speaker's own position. If you really do this, it will only damage the reputation of the gods."

Hestia spoke softly, but was addressing Zeus.

Ares's opinion was not important, what was important was what the King of Gods thought. According to past experience, Zeus might not give his opinion directly, but he would definitely hint at something.

The goddess of fire didn't know whether her advice was meaningful, but she still said it. However, unexpectedly, this time, Zeus didn't seem angry at all.

"That's right, Ares. It's just a debate among the people. Since I have promised not to punish them for their words, I will definitely keep my promise."

Zeus spoke lightly, and seemed to be in a strangely good mood.

"Not only that, if she wins in the end, then according to my previous promise, she will come here and be the judge of the golden apple."

"If she can achieve the final victory in such an unfavorable situation and stand on the unreasonable side, then her wisdom is undoubtedly the best among mortals. Zephyrus, it's getting late. Why don't you set off early?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

It was also unclear what Zeus was up to, but the God of West Wind never thought about things that he couldn't figure out.

He did not even consider whether he, as the Lord God, should go and greet a mortal. Zeferos simply stood up, bowed, and disappeared in a gust of air.

“It’s really rare.”

Glancing at Ares below the stage, Hera also didn't quite understand what Zeus was doing.

According to past experience, he would keep silent, and then some god would 'spontaneously' go and cause trouble for that mortal, and then the king of gods would come out to mediate, such as what happened to the queen whose seven sons and daughters were killed by Apollo.

But this time, he was actually so decent...

"So that's how it is, Zeus. I'll be watching you."

After thinking for a while, Hera suddenly realized.

She looked at Andrea's appearance in the phantom and seemed to understand something. No wonder Zeus was not angry, it turned out to be this reason.

"...You think too much, Hera. I am just maintaining order in this debate."

Zeus was a little speechless and shook his head. Beside him, Hera just sneered.

"Better so."

"Of course it is."

Ending the topic, Zeus didn't want to argue with Hera anymore.

He looked at the phantom he had summoned, his eyes searching the audience.

He still felt the power of Iapetus, even if it was only with the help of his believers.

The God King didn't know that this was because someone was letting him win. He just kept looking for the other party while secretly sighing that his plan had worked before it even started.

The first ancient god who had opinions about the gods and was disobedient appeared in Athens. Sure enough, his idea was correct.

Solve them once and for all and divide the world into two camps. And the final winner will of course be him.