Spring gradually faded away, and the sun hung high in the sky; in a blink, another three months had passed.
However, this year's human tribes were markedly different from those of previous years. Disease spread, and the climate had become increasingly unpredictable. Although it was the height of summer, nights were often abnormally cold.
People could only huddle by the hearth, drawing some warmth from the flames. Under such circumstances, more people fell ill in their beds.
At the same time, some rumors also began to spread among the crowds. On certain cold nights, some claimed to have seen the faces of departed friends on the deserted streets.
They had died at the mouths of wild beasts or from the torment of sickness, but now, they wandered the towns at night as if alive.
But unlike when they were alive, these supposed dead appeared ethereal, their expressions blank, and before familiar people could approach, they would often vanish in an instant.
At first, people thought these were hallucinations, but later, many saw the same sights. People started to recall what the creator had once said: he created the bodies of mortals, but their souls came from a place called the 'Spirit Realm.' Once they died, their souls would return there.
Now, these ghostly figures undoubtedly fit the description of 'souls.' Even the world after death was undergoing such strange changes, bringing yet more gloom to the afflicted human tribes.
But all suffering was that of mortals; the gods did not empathize. Even in lofty Olympus, the Heavenly Empress had recently held a banquet in honor of Aphrodite, the most beautiful of goddesses.
Of course, as for being 'the most beautiful,' the Heavenly Empress herself had never admitted this.
The Divine King, along with Eurynome's daughters, the Graces, were valued by the Goddess of Beauty because of their complementary godhood. Aphrodite requested the Divine King, deciding to make them her Sub-Gods.
Aglaea and Euphrosyne agreed readily. Deities with such modest godhood did not resist becoming Sub-Gods to more powerful ones. Moreover, Aphrodite's way of doing things was to their liking. Only the youngest sister, Thalia, expressed refusal.
She hoped to stay at the side of the Heavenly Empress, managing some daily trifles for Hera. Though somewhat surprised, considering the offspring that was soon to be born, the Heavenly Empress agreed to Thalia's request.
Thus, the gods celebrated. They sent gifts, hoping to garner a smile from the goddess. Even Poseidon, Lord of the Sea, who had also come, did not hesitate to lavish attentions on the Goddess of Beauty, ignoring the disapproving looks of Amphitrite, the Sea Empress, and boastfully revealed his intentions.
He had commanded his eldest son with the Sea Empress, the demigod Triton, to wield his Trident. On Poseidon's command, Triton would raise waves to bring death to humans.
The struggle of mortal things, their final prayers or hatred towards the gods before dying—this was the gift he brought to the Goddess of Beauty. Aphrodite was not very interested, but many other deities were quite intrigued. Thus, she did not stint in repaying the Sea Emperor with a charming smile.
Witnessing this smile, Poseidon was moved, even the Divine King was momentarily distracted, and many male gods felt envy. They nearly overlooked the difference in power and status between them, and only Hera seethed secretly.
Although the banquet was for Aphrodite, it was only because of Hera's duties. As a goddess, she had no fondness for Aphrodite's behavior.
'She should be restrained.'
With an unchanged expression, Hera glanced at the Divine King, who pretended as if nothing were amiss.
'Marriage is the best solution... I am considering this for the sake of all gods. If she continues , it will only lead to discord among the deities of Olympus.'
That was the thought, but looking around, it seemed there was no god present worthy of marrying a powerful goddess born from the blood of Uranus.
So Hera had no choice but to suppress her emotions temporarily, showing a decorous smile.
The gifts having been presented, the banquet continued. However, soon after, one of the deities stood up. The gods around glanced at him, then knowingly turned their attention away.
That was the God of the Sun, who drove the golden chariot; dawn was approaching the mortal world. Other gods cared little for the passage of time, but he could not stay, as he had his own duties to fulfill.
Just then, the Divine King at the high table suddenly called out to him.
"Your Majesty, may I inquire as to your command?"
Pausing, Helios bowed slightly and asked softly.
"A small matter, my friend."
"The time is about right. Poseidon's 'feast' is about to unfold, and we should also consider the aftermath."
With a smile, Zeus, under the gaze of the gods, produced a golden decree.
"When your chariot passes Aurora, hand this to them. It will tell mortals why they have lost the blessings of the gods and why disaster has come upon them. It is not due to themselves, but because of the presumption of Prometheus and the madness of the Afterthinker."
Taking the decree, Helios turned and left.
Blaming the sin on the two deities seemed like an attempt to absolve them, but the gods did not care much.
Whether those priests were guilty or not, they were about to die anyway, so there was no need to keep sin upon the deceased. In contrast, the two creator gods were still alive.