"You should feel it—whenever you get close to Medusa and the others, the blood in you starts to respond and resonate."
Seeing the doubt in the girl's eyes, the ancient serpent, mindful of his reputation, had no choice but to offer a hint.
"Hmm… now that you mention it, I do feel something like that."
"So I really do have some connection with the Gorgon sisters. No wonder there's always been this inexplicable pull between us."
Athena propped her chin on her hand, mulling it over. She murmured softly and gave a slight nod.
"That's because the Mother of Serpents was very close to your mother. While you and the Gorgon sisters were being conceived, they used their own blood to anoint each other's unborn children as a blessing."
"So, in a sense, you and Medusa share similar blood."
"And since you were born first, you're naturally their elder sister."
Samael gave a brief account of Athena's origins, laying bare the blood ties between her and the Gorgon sisters.
"So they carry Tina's blood as well. That explains it..."
Athena nodded slightly, lost in thought.
"Uh… something like that."
Seeing her reaction, Samael answered vaguely, avoiding any further explanation that would bring up her true mother, the goddess-queen Metis. Athena was still too young for that melodramatic family mess—knowing too much darkness might twist her character, and that wasn't worth the risk.
"So, now that you understand the connection of blood, it's time to take responsibility."
Once Athena had digested this reality, the ancient serpent placed both hands solemnly on the young Goddess of Wisdom's shoulders and spoke earnestly.
"Wh-why say this all of a sudden?"
Suddenly elevated and taken so seriously, the young Goddess of Wisdom felt a bit dizzy. She quickly came back to herself, a glimmer of realization in her eyes.
"Samael, you're leaving?"
The ancient serpent nodded, his gaze deep.
"In three days I need to head out on some business. While I'm gone, their safety is in your hands."
"Me?"
"That's right, Athena. You're the smartest among them. I trust your wisdom and your ability to handle a crisis."
As Samael's hand patted her shoulder, the Goddess of Wisdom—now entrusted with a heavy task—felt an unfamiliar weight settle on her. Her small, earlier pride was scattered in the face of real responsibility, replaced by a momentary doubt in herself.
"Don't worry, you can do it!"
"You handle the small matters; the Mother of Serpents and Tina will see to the execution. For major issues, ask the nearby Nymphs for help—go to the Waterside Treehouse and seek aid from Themis."
"As their elder sister, you need to smooth out the children's disputes, protect your younger sisters, and make sure Tina and Echidna are safe. Got it?"
Samael's tone was firm, his eyes solemn, like a parent entrusting family duties to a grown child.
"Mm! I promise!"
In that solemn air, Athena gave a vigorous nod, a sacred light seeming to bloom across her tense little face.
"Good girl. My little Athena has grown up—truly reliable."
The ancient serpent smiled with relief and gently patted Athena's head.
For this clever, insightful young Goddess of Wisdom with a hint of aloof pride, the best way to draw her closer to Typhon's offspring—and win her over—was to give her the weight of responsibility. Once she formed the mindset of protecting her younger siblings and the two "mothers," the friction between Athena and the Gorgons would naturally fade, and the future wouldn't be headed toward a fight to the death. With the Goddess of Wisdom helping, the Typhon offspring—and the Mother of Serpents—might well meet a better fate.
In short, easing Ana's burden while adding to Athena's was Samael's tailored approach to their different personalities.
Tsk. Training little girls—looks like I'm pretty good at it.
Glancing at Athena beside him, still immersed in her newfound sense of mission, tiny fists clenched and eyes bright with resolve, the ancient serpent couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
They talked it over, made some arrangements, and fine-tuned matters for before and after his departure. The two figures—one tall, one small—then played a few more rounds.
Later, when Athena yawned, a touch sleepy, Samael called a truce of his own accord. He waved the little girl off, then took Tina by the hand to wash up.
Regular sleep doesn't mean much to divine beings, but as one of the few human habits the ancient serpent kept, he still loved waking up naturally every day. By following his lead, Tina and Athena had also grown fond of enjoying a nightly rest.
Night fell. After tidying up, because there weren't enough beds (and yes, I bought that reason), Samael and Tina shared a large bed. Fully clothed, they lay down and embraced, necks nestled together.
The two figures leaned into each other like a couple who'd been busy all day, finally able to savor the quiet and warmth of the night...
"Smack!"
But the brief peace was immediately shattered by the crisp crack of a slap.
"Tina, if you want to sleep together, stop fidgeting!"
"Aa?"
"Playing cute won't work!"
At last, under Samael's strict watch, the restless Goddess of Beginning—who had nearly rolled from the head of the bed to the foot—finally found a comfortable position and drifted off sweetly.
Hiss...
Feeling the heat and ache in his lower abdomen, Samael drew a sharp breath and edged away a little. He glanced helplessly at Tina, a glimmer of drool at the corner of her mouth, her face pure and innocent like a baby's, and started thinking.
Why not give Themis a pop quiz on her statute research before I leave?
Mm. Let's do that. Lifelong learning—there's always more to learn!
In the darkness, the emerald-green Earth Touches on either side of the sleeping Goddess of Beginning seemed to glow.
Sleepiness welled up. As Samael rehearsed his study posture in his head, a crooked smile tugged at his lips and his consciousness slipped away.
In his dream, he seemed to arrive at the Waterside Treehouse. After a lively conversation with Themis, he couldn't help but move to the bed, ready to continue their in-depth "discussion."
What's more, the usually reserved goddess of justice was uncharacteristically wild tonight. Her legs wound around his waist, and her Sakura-red lips slowly descended.
Her breath, orchid-sweet with a hint of musk, brushed over his skin and pores, sending a ticklish shiver that made him lift a hand to scratch.
Wait—scratch?
Sensing something off, the ancient serpent snapped his eyes open and found himself staring into a pair of violet eyes.
A tiny figure—barely sixty or seventy centimeters tall—was straddling his waist, leaning forward. She bit lightly at her Sakura lips a couple of times as they slowly dipped, about to touch his forehead.
"Athena? Why aren't you asleep? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
Samael came to his senses, his expression darkening. He picked up the little intruder who had snuck into his room and carried her out.
Why can't this kid learn good habits? So young and already trying a night raid.
At least wait until you're—cough, cough.
No, not even then! It's a matter of principle! Am I, Samael, that kind of person?!