Prelude.
With a tremulous voice barely above a whisper, the woman uttered, “M-my Lord...” Her fingers curled weakly into the fabric of his clothing as she clung to him, her strength diminishing with every passing moment.
Her breaths were shallow, nearly imperceptible, and her body was a canvas of wounds and scars - the aftermath of an onslaught from the celestial goddess that had just attacked.
“No! No! No...! Stay with me, amor!” He pleaded frantically, his voice echoing amidst the desolate landscape.
He held her fragile form tightly against his sturdy frame, his heart shattering into a million pieces at the sight of his mortal beloved inching closer to death's cold embrace. As if mirroring his despair, the once clear sky morphed into a bleak grey, with ominous thunderclouds appearing overhead, their deafening roars heralding the impending heartbreak.
Drawing in a laboured breath, she mustered the strength to utter her final plea, her words punctuated by her raspy breathing, “T-take care of our son... Promise me you'll protect him...” Her voice trailed off into a whisper, “Ensure his survival...”
“Please, don't do this! Don't close your eyes, my love!” His voice quivered with desperation, his plea falling on deaf ears. His world crumbled around him as he heard her whisper for the last time,
“Take care of him...”
Those were her final words before her eyes fluttered shut, her soul departing from her lifeless body, leaving him alone in his grief.
The heavens wept for their loss, as rain began to pour heavily, adding to the somber atmosphere. Thunderstorms raged, and the earth trembled beneath his feet, while the sea roared in the distance - a symphony of nature’s mourning for the tragic loss. Consumed by despair, pain, agony, and a seething rage, he stood up, his heart heavy with grief, and with a snap of his fingers, her body transformed into a statue - a lasting testament to their love. He then embarked on his journey to the emerald forest, home to the sacred dryads.
As he approached the town, the locals caught sight of the impending storm and the deity who was its harbinger.
“MASTER! MASTER!” They cried in unison, their voices filled with fear and awe.
“All hail, the God Jupiter has arrived!” The town crier announced, his voice echoing throughout the forest village as they hurriedly sought the Queen of the Dryads, their leader and guide.
Elenara, the Queen of the Dryads, was unsurprised by Jupiter's arrival. She had warned him before about his dalliances with mortal women, but he had chosen to ignore her words. Now, he was paying the price for his repeated betrayals of the goddess Juno.
She bowed reverently as Jupiter descended from the heavens, his divine radiance dimmed by his profound sorrow. Despite being surrounded by the beauty of the Emerald forest, he looked lost, his vitality diminished, his eyes vacant.
“Bestow upon us a child, Elenara.” Jupiter's voice, usually commanding and authoritative, was now filled with despair. His proclamation sent shockwaves through the inhabitants of the forest. “Whether the child is a son or a daughter, it matters not. They will determine the fate of my throne.”
Elenara was unfazed by his request. She continued to tend to the flowers in her hands, her eyes devoid of fear as she countered, “I warned you, Jupiter, of the consequences of your actions. Yet, you chose not to heed my advice.”
“I am aware,” Jupiter admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “That is why I beseech you to bear my child. Upon my death, your offspring will decide the successor to my throne from amongst my three sons. I cannot continue with this existence. The burden of godhood weighs heavily upon me.”
Elenara paused, her gaze meeting his. “Are you certain of your decision, Jupiter? By taking this step, you are not only relinquishing your honor but also granting us, the dryads, significant influence over the land.”
Jupiter nodded solemnly and raised his hand towards the stormy skies, summoning a thunderclap that reverberated across the land. “So be it, Elenara. So be it.”
“I, Jupiter, The Almighty God of Sky and Thunder and King of all the Gods in Romania, surrender my privilege of choosing my successor. This right shall be vested in the hands of a dryad's offspring—whose death would trigger the world's demise, for only they can decide who will ascend the throne.”
The moment Jupiter uttered these words, the thunder intensified, and the wind howled in response. His decision was irrevocable, inscribed in the annals of fate. No curse could undo it, no incantation could reverse it, not even the collective power of all the Gods and deities.
The destiny of the cosmos now rested on an unborn child’s hand.
