Athena's proclamation echoed into the morning air with a finality and permanence that weighed heavily on each of us, Theseus and Asterion understandably most of all. Shoulders slumped and downcast, I wondered if this could have been the harsher punishment.
We all stood there motionless, helpless to the growing awkwardness as Athena let her words sink in like a chill to a damp body. Even Lilith and Lucifer were quiet against the cacophony of silence. While I was happy that my friends would not be leaving with me, my heart struggled with the guilt of it all.
"Well. No use crying over something we can't change." Theseus finally huffed aloud, forcing a weak smile. "This is the best outcome we could have hoped for.... So, thank you my lady, for such a generous judgement. We will certainly be on our way... No looking back...." As he finished the final syllables caught in his throat, but he ignored it and continued on with a deep bow to his goddess.
