—You're following us, aren't you?— Ana asked indignantly.
—Has your malak brought you your totemas yet?— Athena responded with another question.
Ana fell silent, while Rodrigo tried to vomit again.
Athena turned to look at the stars.
—I never abandoned the heroes I supported, Ana. See that constellation? It's Perseus, and I helped him throughout so he could decapitate the Gorgon. Why do you think I want to hurt you or cause you harm?— the Greek goddess said, pointing towards the sky.
—You turned into a rebellious scum and disappointed me— Ana said, massaging Rodrigo's back.
—Although you and I think completely differently, Ana, you are no longer my disciple, you are my friend, and I will never let you die— the Greek goddess said with a smile.
—Since my spies informed me of this, I took control of the situation to help you in any way I could, without even informing my partners about these activities— continued the brown-haired goddess.
Rodrigo tried to vomit again, but his stomach was already empty.
—Boy, take this— Athena threw a peach to Rodrigo, and Ana caught it.
—It's a remedy for motion sickness. Although it may seem strange, I also vomit on ships— the goddess said.
Ana hesitated for a moment, but Rodrigo was so desperate that she took the fruit and bit into it.
—Wait, Rui...— Ana said.
Rodrigo's stomach calmed down, and he finally felt better. Relieved, he stood up again.
—Are you okay, Rui?— Ana asked.
—Yes, I feel better now— Rodrigo replied, then turned to Athena and bowed in reverence.
—Thank you very much for your help— he said.
Athena smiled and waved her hand in denial, then got up from the ship's bow to jump back to her own.
—If you need my help, just call me, Ana— she said.
Ana wanted to cry but held back.
—Teacher, I... I appreciate everything you've done for me. But I want to fix my life, I want to regain Lel's trust. I don't hate humanity like you do, I still believe that humans are wonderful beings, even if they can make wrong decisions. Please understand, I don't think like you, I can't join you— Ana said, bowing before the Greek goddess as well.
Athena smiled again.
—I've met a boy; he's very silly and absent-minded, but he always puts the well-being of others above his own. Even though he feels overwhelmed, he always does his best to keep going.
When I met him, I saw myself reflected in him, and I wanted to help him in the same way you helped me. His presence in my life has made me want to fight for humanity again!— the dark-haired goddess continued, maintaining her reverential posture as her hand sought Rodrigo's hand.
Rodrigo blushed as he held the goddess's hand.
Athena fell silent for a moment.
—Ana, that's fantastic!— the Greek goddess became overjoyed. Then she approached Rodrigo to have a closer look.
—Congratulations, young lad, you're a good match. Just invite me to the wedding, will you?— she said.
Rodrigo was perplexed. This elegant and dangerous goddess was jumping for joy as if she were a little girl who had just received a new doll.
—I didn't mean that, you silly teacher!— Ana shouted in a childish and affectionate tone of voice. Rodrigo had never heard Ana behave like this before.
—And have you already done it?— Athena asked playfully.
—Is your head empty or what? Silly teacher! He's my disciple, and I'm his teacher— Ana replied with the same tone of voice.
—Oh, child, if you knew what teachers did with their disciples in Athens— Athena continued teasing Ana.
—Shut up, you perverted teacher!— Ana shouted again.
Athena laughed and placed her hand on Ana's shoulder.
—I'm glad you're overcoming your past, Ana. I'll always be here to help you, never forget that— she said.
—Thank you— Ana responded timidly.
Rodrigo finally realized that Ana was dying to talk to Athena but felt that she shouldn't. She acted tough, but she still saw Athena as a mother figure.
—I don't think she's evil or cruel like the rumors painted her— he thought.
—Although our paths may diverge, even if one day we have to fight on different sides, Ana, I will be willing to give my life for you. Maybe you think I was the only one helping you, but you helped me a lot too, and even if it wasn't your intention, you gave my life a purpose. You're wonderful and have the ability to bring smiles to the world; not like the goddess of war they forced you to be. You're not a goddess of death, you're a goddess of light— Athena said, hugging Ana and Rodrigo at the same time.
Ana started crying, but she wasn't sad, she was happy. Rodrigo noticed a teardrop in the Greek goddess's eye as well.
Athena let them go.
—Well, it's better if we don't see each other, or Tannit will surely get angry when she sees me— the Greek goddess said as she moved away from Ana and Rodrigo.
—I won't say anything about this— Ana said with a smile.
—Good, remember, if you need me, just call me. I'll always be watching over you, Ana— with that said, the Greek goddess turned around and jumped onto the adjacent ship.
Ana turned to Rodrigo with a big smile.
—Let's not tell Tania about this, okay?— the black-haired goddess said.
—I'm a tomb— Rodrigo replied.
Both of them returned to where Tania and Epona were sleeping. Fortunately, neither of them woke up during the encounter.