She received the gift of God [Greek mythology]

The two-wheeled carriage at the front of the celebration line stopped at the bottom of the long steps.

The palace located on the heights of Epimea City was more magnificent than in the dream, and Pandora could barely see the whole picture when she looked up.

"This will be your new home."

She followed the sound and looked sideways.The tall man smiled nervously at her, showing a shyness befitting his physique.

He is Epimetheus, the younger brother of the Titans and Prometheus, who now replaces his elder brother as the middleman between the gods and mortals.He gladly accepted the "gift" from Zeus and agreed to marry Pandora as his wife.

Epimetheus got out of the chariot first and extended his hand to Pando.

She held the treasure box in one hand and handed over the other hand.Epimetheus was not sure how hard to hold her hand, obviously cautious.After landing, she raised her eyes and smiled at him. He stared at her in a daze, falling into silence just like when they first met.

Epimetheus quickly came back to his senses, hurriedly looked forward, and pulled Pandora up the stairs.

Behind them, boys and girls lined up, holding bouquets of flowers, holding high boxes full of treasures and beautiful embroidered fabrics; young men and women lined up beside them, holding bright torches, chanting the name of the god of weddings, Hymaneus , singing the ballad of blessing together, and following the newlyweds up the majestic steps of the Palace of Epimea:

"Bride breathing roses and love, come tenderly to the couch, as the groom wishes!

"May Hesperus, the star that appears at dusk, guide you, so that you will walk willingly, and worship Hera on the silver seat, guardian of the bond of marriage!

"Come here, Hymenaeus! O Hymen, Hymenaeus, master of noble love sought by anxious lovers!  …"[1]

Epimetheus slowed down as much as possible, but he was always one step ahead of Pandora.Seen from behind, his thick, curly dark brown hair glowed warmly like amber in the light of the bright torch, unreasonably reminding Pandora of a large, gentle-tempered animal.It's hard to imagine him being siblings with the resourceful Prometheus.

When she was still in Elysium, Pandora asked Hermes about the pair of Titan brothers.

He narrated to her many stories of Prometheus, from him bestowing wisdom on mankind, to how he deceived Zeus, and of course his disrespectful act of stealing fire and giving it to mankind--these facts had actually been learned from Elixir. Obtained from the Argon Oak.But she wouldn't mind hearing Hermes come to life again.Besides, she didn't tell anyone that she accidentally touched the inside of the tree hole.

At that time, after talking about the severe punishment suffered by Prometheus, Hermes stared at Pandora for a moment and saw that she was not too emotionally ups and downs. While playing with the ends of her hair, Hermes asked her if she was not a Titan who benefited all mortals. Protoss outraged?

Pandora was silent about this question in confusion, but then understood.At least on the physical level, she is more similar to human beings, and Hermes takes it for granted that she will be more sympathetic to mortals, and is not fair to Prometheus who bestowed them with aura and fire.

But she is not a human being, nor has she ever gotten along well with living human beings.

The denizens of Elythion were kind to her, but they had given up body and memory, and knew nothing but contentment.And she had seen their hideous and dishonorable appearances before they were alive.The stark contrast between these heroes and demigods confuses and fascinates her.Hatred, unwillingness and mourning, these are feelings that she understands but has never experienced.

Pandora has no malice towards human beings, and is even full of curiosity, but because her awe of Olympus is her instinct, and what she admires is the immortal god, Prometheus is not a hero in her heart, so of course she will not feel resentment.And according to Hermes, her birth is a proof of the tolerance of the Olympian gods-they threw an olive branch and took the initiative to bridge the relationship with Epimetheus.

After talking about Prometheus, Hermes only said a few words to Epimetheus.Pandora asked, and his attitude became weird.She smiled and leaned on his shoulder, but he didn't want to say that's fine.Hermes also seemed to be embarrassed by his excess jealousy, and quickly explained as if nothing had happened: There is really nothing to say about Epimetheus.

"He is not Prometheus." This is Hermes' conclusion.

Pandora felt that Epimetheus was not even a god.

She and Epimetheus are at the head of two adjoining tables at the feast celebrated before the procession departs.The bride followed the convention and just sat there quietly and gracefully.Pandora took the opportunity to observe Epimetheus quietly through the veil.

The gods who live on fairy food and secret wine naturally do not need mortal food. Epimetheus watched the guests feasting, chatting and laughing, and occasionally took a sip of wine, as if that would make him very happy.Not only that, but unlike the gods who lived in Olympus for a long time, Epimetheus did not emphasize his status as a god in front of humans. Melted into the crowd who respected him as king.

Near the end of the banquet, Epimetheus and Pandora met their eyes.He smiled a little embarrassedly, looked at the box she carefully placed on her lap as if looking for a topic, and asked in a low voice, "What is that?"

Pandora remembered Hermes' advice.It would be better if Epimetheus opened the box, if possible.After all, what is in full bloom there is a gift for mortals.

So she bent her lips and offered the treasure box with both hands: "This is a gift from Zeus and other Olympian gods to mankind."

The extremely carved and engraved box looks heavy, but in fact it looks like nothing, and it is very easy to hold in the hand.

Epimetheus did not take it: "In this case, I will open it with you after we arrive at our destination."

Pandora nodded.She also wondered what was in the box, but she always knew.And compared to the moment when she opened the box, what she cared about was the promise that Hermes would fulfill after that.

He will take her away.

When approaching the top of the steps, Pandora couldn't help but her heart beat faster and she lowered her head.

Obviously a certain nonsense dream cannot come true.not now.

Epimetheus stopped and turned around, seeming to understand her lowering her head as shyness, and smiled.Then, under the witness of the flickering fire and the crowd, he reached out and pushed back the bridal veil, carefully removing it from the jewel-encrusted and flower-encrusted tiara.

The cheers and cheers were deafening.

The bride and groom turn side by side and face the crowd.Going down the long and white steps, passing through the heavy corridors and gateposts, and with the light of fire burning behind her on both sides of the street, Pandora saw the whole picture of Epimea clearly for the first time.She couldn't help holding her breath:

This is a loud and happy city.The tall and neat white walls stand silently, connected end to end, tightly wrapping the scattered red-roofed buildings and the streets.Epimea is not vast, and its scale is not even comparable to the temple complex at the southern end of Elysion, but every street and every square with wells and colonnades is full of vitality.Pandora has never seen such a bustling night.Elythion was silent at night.

The coastline that Epimea relies on is also very lively: a line of beautiful sailing boats are lined up at both ends, temporarily retracting their white sails, and mooring in the depths of the peaceful harbor, rising and falling with the tide, as if echoing music dance.

Outside the city wall on the land side, the distant mountain foothills cast thin gray shadows in the moonlight, like a veil, covering the peaceful farmland and villages outside the city.

"This is the city named after me, the most prosperous and peaceful place on the dark earth, the shining pearl among the many city-states on the earth," Epimetheus said slowly, unable to hide his pride, "It is also me A country determined to watch, my home under the sky."

He met Pandora's eyes, looking into the depths of her pupils.There are also thin dark golden rings in his eyes, which are the proof of immortality.

"Pandora, the bride Zeus gave me, I hope you have the same wish as I do, and love this land and the people that thrive on it."

When these words were spoken, the impression of Epimetheus was suddenly reversed.He is a god who has nothing to do with death, and a king who rules and protects mortals in place of his elder brother.

Pandora's heart was shaken.Intense confusion hit my heart.What is Epimetheus hinting at her?Was the admonition in his words her illusion?

Only one thing is certain: there was another hidden side to Epimetheus.

So how much of his easy-going exterior is real, and how much is a calculated disguise?The unknown made her uneasy.The thought of spending more time with him, even getting closer, sent a chill down my back.She had to stay away from him, the sooner the better.But she couldn't show the slightest fright.How should she answer?

Fortunately, Epimetheus did not expect her to answer, but just smiled, as if he was bewildered by his rhetoric just now, he turned around quickly, and led her into the gate of Epimea Palace.

The guests were unaware of the brief change in atmosphere just now.They danced in line under the decoration of branches wrapped with ribbons, and threw gold coins, candied dates and figs to the newlyweds, and the wedding blessings were sung one after another and sent all the way outside the palace.

The attendants took off the crown from Pandora's head and helped her change into lighter robes.Then, they also backed out, and through the curtain, Pandora heard them close the thick door.

Outside the door, the girls were still singing.

In the bedroom, there was a moment of silence.

Pandora breathed evenly, lifted the curtain and walked out.She left the treasure box behind her, and put it together with the tiara and other rare treasures she took off from her body.She instinctively felt that it would be a bad idea to invite Epimetheus to open the box now.

Her "husband" was sitting at the end of the couch, and raised his eyes when he heard footsteps.

Pandora does not prohibit steps.

He smiled.

She moved over with lowered eyebrows and sat down at the other end of the couch.

Hermes had taught her how to deal with such a situation, but it was because of Epimetheus's meaningful declaration just now that she became abnormally embarrassed.She grabbed the folds of her robe vigorously, folded her neck slightly, hid her expression, and entered into a defensive posture that looked docile and shy without any effort.

Epimetheus waited a moment, then moved a little toward her.

Pandora trembled slightly.

"I'm also nervous when you're like this." He smiled wryly, "But it would be a lie to say that I'm not nervous at all." He pursed his lips, and tentatively touched the side of her exposed cheek with the back of his hand.Seeing that she didn't resist, he made a friendly joke, which was also self-deprecating: "You are too beautiful, no one can completely relax in front of you. Ah... This is a compliment, and I don't mean to blame you."

Very slowly, Pandora turned around, staring at him from under her slender and thick eyelashes.

This little gesture of hesitation is always effective, for everyone.

Epimetheus showed a listening look.

"Would you... like to hear the lyre? Maybe you and I would relax a bit that way."

"You know how to play?" The other party immediately realized that the question was unnecessary. After all, Pandora has gathered many talents bestowed by gods, and it is only natural to be proficient in rhythm.He smiled and changed his words: "Good idea."

So Epimetheus ordered for musical instruments.

After the bedroom door closed again, Pandora picked up the lyre and plucked the strings familiarly to confirm its tightness.She looked up and smiled, with a lovely pale crimson on her cheeks, just as the moonlit courtyard covered by flowers would not look cold, her clear cold gray eyes seemed to have a hint of affection.

"This piece is dedicated to you, venerable Epimetheus."

The crisp and melodious notes moved with her fingertips, trembling and pouring down.

After starting to play, Pandora's expression gradually calmed down.

Epimetheus listened intently, and leaned forward slightly towards Pandora.Gradually, from time to time, he closed his eyes and surrendered his other senses in order to fully immerse himself in the beautiful singing of the lyre.

After that, he opened his eyes less and less often.

The light music played by Pandora summons a heavy sleepiness.A friendly and talkative passer-by once played the same magic tune, sending the hundred-eyed giant Argos into a luscious dream.

Finally, Epimetheus's head drooped to his chest, he let out a long breath while half asleep, and lay down on the couch.

Pandora's fingers did not stop, and continued to play the hypnotic piano sound.

The heroic Titans looked even more harmless after they fell asleep.She looked down at his defenseless sleeping face, the guilt stung her heart and disappeared immediately.I am sorry for Epimetheus, but for her teacher who taught her joy and love, and for herself, she must lie to him.

The groom fell into a deep sleep.At some point, the voices from outside the bedroom also disappeared from time to time.

The bride got up from the couch, slowed down the speed of picking the strings, kept playing the music, and took a step back.Nothing happened.Her back steps became bigger and faster, all the way back to the side of the curtain.

The sound of the piano stopped.

She held her breath and stared at the figure on the couch.

no change.

Pandora dodged decisively, went behind the curtain to retrieve the treasure box, then walked barefoot through the spacious bedroom to the terrace.She was still worried, even a hundred times more worried than before.She picked up the lyre and played it for a while, making sure that the magical tune was transmitted intermittently to the interior of the dormitory.Then she listened again with bated breath.

It was so quiet that the splash of water from a fountain somewhere could be heard clearly.Not only the master of the bedroom, but the whole palace seemed to be in a dream.

Pandora put down the lyre and stroked the mysterious lines on the box cover.

The box has no keyhole.Her thumb easily pushed into the depression in the front seam of the treasure box.

She could complete the task by just lifting her finger, but for no reason, she suddenly hesitated.What gift did the gods place in this box?Prometheus disobeyed the king of the gods for human beings. As a god, he was punished, but human beings received generous gifts from Olympus?

Smiling faces flashed in the back of my mind. They were the human women who took care of her briefly, as well as the citizens and guests who watched the ceremony. They all looked so happy.

The knowledge from the Oak of Elythion added annotations to what Pandora had seen and heard in the mortal world.Thanks to wisdom and kindling, today's human beings don't need to work hard to get by, but have endless energy to compete with each other.The conflicts between other city-states continued continuously, only because of the warlike instinct in the blood of this generation, not for survival, but only for expansion and glory.Epimea is a rare place of peace with gods sitting as kings.

What if the contents of the box would bring Epimea into strife?She doesn't like to see those who treat her kindly end up in a tragic end.If she thinks about it any further, she will lose the courage to explore the contents of the box.Pandora closed her eyes as if fleeing.No, she convinced herself, the box also contained a gift from Hermes, how could it be something like that?It's because she learned to doubt that she can't help being paranoid.

Regardless of other gods, she absolutely believes in Hermes.It is her mission to bring the treasure box and open it.

And...if anything, he would take her out of danger in time.Like he saved her from Apollo.

There was a light click, followed by a deep inhalation, and the lid of the box was lifted.

The treasure box from Olympus is opened.

The author has something to say: [1] It is based on the first speech of the rhetorician Himerius in the 4th century, and the poem No. 1 of the Roman poet Catullus in the 61st century, with some changes based on the English translation.The ancient Greek poet Sappho has some remnants of wedding celebrations. In the Byzantine period, there were also many wedding hymns following the Greek and Roman polytheistic tradition. Not selected.