Prometheus could be sealed and punished, but he could never die. He was a symbol for Zeus, an essential signpost whose importance was beyond question.
"Hmm" Zeus narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. A terrifying light flickered within, a thunderous energy that seemed capable of consuming and annihilating everything.
"Father God!"
Figures entered the temple one by one, kneeling respectfully on one knee. Each exuded powerful auras, embodying terrifying divine strength. They were Zeus's children, clad in luxurious divine attire, all main gods cultivated under his watch.
Among them were: Apollo, the god of light, prophecy, and the sun. Artemis, the hunting and moon goddess. Hermes, the messenger god. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty .Hephaestus, the god of fire and forge. Ares, the god of war.
These six were among Zeus's most outstanding offspring, and he regarded them with satisfaction. Other notable figures included the nine Muses, Enyo, the goddess of war, Erythia, the goddess of fertility, and Hebe, the goddess of youth.
With no gods willing to follow him, Zeus turned to his children to elevate Olympus.
Zeus surveyed his children, calm and composed, before addressing them. "I summoned you for a reason."
"Father God! We are eager to know!" Apollo spoke up, while Ares frowned slightly. Apollo, as the eldest son, was favored, while Ares, though powerful, remained in his shadow, lacking the same breadth of talent.
"Indeed," Zeus acknowledged, pleased with Apollo's enthusiasm. "Hera may have guessed my intentions, but it would be surprising if Apollo hadn't. He knows to feign ignorance to avoid my wrath."
Zeus continued, his tone steely, "I intend to destroy the world. Humanity has become corrupt, revealing their greed. They are no longer worthy to walk alongside gods; they must be eradicated and replaced."
"Yes!" all the gods responded, bowing their heads in respect, none daring to object.
"I will create a gift for mankind—a gift that will lead to their extinction. But first, they will be given a chance to reveal their true nature."
With a wave of his hand, Zeus conjured a treasure box, sealing within it the essence of destruction and death. "This will remain sealed unless someone dares to open it. What choice will humanity make?"
"Let us begin," he commanded.
"Yes!" the gods replied in unison, ready to carry out their father's will.
Hephaestus summoned precious materials, shaping them into a beautiful phantom of a woman. With a flick of his fingers, he infused her with divine power. "I grant you passionate hope."
Ares stepped forward, flicking his fingers to bless her as well. "I grant you a perfect heart."
Apollo joined in, pouring divine power into the creation. "I give you perfect knowledge, elegance, and the charm of the sun."
Artemis added her blessing. "I give you skin as radiant as the moon."
Aphrodite stepped up, her voice sultry, "I give you a beautiful face, a perfect figure, and an allure that drives men wild."
As the blessings poured in, the goddesses joined, proclaiming their gifts: "We grant you the beauty favored by fate!" "I give you eternal youth and grace!" "You will possess the guardian's strength over time!" "We grant you the perfection of art!" "I give you the bounty of spring!"
As the gods completed their ritual, the woman's soul began to take form, crafted to be a seemingly flawless yet inherently destructive being.
Finally, the gods retreated, leaving Zeus to observe the creation. "I have instilled in you a boundless curiosity—a thirst for knowledge that can never be quenched."
With a final invocation, the gods blessed her with radiant divine power, completing the formation of this perfect woman. She opened her dark, beautiful eyes and looked around, calm and composed. Bowing respectfully to the gathered deities, she took hold of the treasure box crafted by Zeus.
Zeus nodded, satisfied. "Hermes, take her to Prometheus."
"Yes!" Hermes replied, preparing to depart.
But Zeus interjected, "Her name is Anesidora—Pandora, the bringer of gifts."
"Yes!" Pandora acknowledged, bowing her head as Hermes led her away.
Pandora's name would forever be associated with the box she carried—a gift that would change the fate of humanity, for better or worse.