Therefore, her temperament held not only the gentleness and maternal kindness unique to an Earth Mother goddess, but also the God-King's majesty and gravity—a gentleness containing an inviolable strength.
Compared with Hestia, she actually seemed more like the eldest sister—steady and responsible.
She was the embodied personification of tilling the land, ripening grain, and agricultural abundance, the symbol of the earth's productivity; all growth fell under her governance.
Her appearance was, of course, exceedingly beautiful, and her figure exceptionally mature, like a plump, heavy fruit—irresistibly appealing at a glance.
Her lustrous hair, faintly glowing, represented endless vitality and exuded the earth's rich allure. This mature beauty was like golden waves of wheat, intoxicating to behold.
Who does not love ripe grain?
(Reference image of Demeter's embodied divine form)
As for the dazzlingly beautiful white-armed goddess—Hera, with eyes stern and deep, feet shod in golden sandals—her looks were of unmatched splendor.
She was the laurel bough atop Mount Olympus, noble beyond compare.
Among the many beautiful heavenly deities, her features were unquestionably among the finest—surpassing even Hestia and Demeter.
Her beauty carried a queenly air. Though still slightly youthful now, it was already enough to command reverence from gods.
She was the embodiment of procreation and fertility—the symbol of life's propagation and continuation.
Her divine authority was the most fitting of all for the title of Queen of the Gods—bar none.
This was the foundation of the universe's continuity.
For any life, reproduction is forever paramount; the same is true for the world itself.
The evolution of the world is, in essence, a kind of propagation.
Once the universe entered into order, the law of birth became the most supreme of laws—the cornerstone that sustains unending life.
At present, Hera was still somewhat youthful and not yet fully awe-inspiring. Like Hestia and Demeter, she was gentle and loving—this was her nature as a great mother goddess.
Now she took the form of a maiden—her golden hair noble yet mild, her cherry lips always lightly curved in a smile, exquisitely gracious and serene.
(Reference image of Hera's embodied divine form)
As for Hades, he was a tall, powerfully built man, exceptionally handsome, but with a grim expression. Taciturn and reserved, he was the most silent among the gods.
He was born of Kronos's encroachment upon the law of darkness, conceived together with the goddess of flow, Rhea. He was the embodiment of "gloom," lord of all shadow and darkness.
(Reference image of Hades's embodied divine form)
Poor Lady Night had once again been stripped of her authority; the history of the night goddess is a history of her rights being continually taken by the sky gods.
Hades's authority was extraordinarily fearsome—the universe's primordial power, nearly invincible by nature.
However—
as for Poseidon, a descendant of the God-King, he too was valiant and handsome, of imposing stature. Yet unlike Pontus, the sea god of the inner sea, he was the outer sea—holding partial authority over both "sea" and "ocean," and he was the Earth-Shaker.
His nature was wild and irascible, mercurial and unpredictable, like the sea itself—ever-changing, containing both the power of destruction and of life.
(Reference image of Poseidon's embodied divine form)
Mother Rhea embraced the three goddesses; the warmth of kinship and the relief of surviving calamity became a wordless solace after disaster.
Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus stood quietly to the side, their gazes fixed more on the future.
When Rhea's emotions had settled, the gods formed a circle and began to discuss serious matters. The atmosphere shifted from warmth to gravity; solemnity was written on every divine face.
Poseidon struck first, with a trace of defiance and impulsiveness, and challenged Zeus: "Zeus, why did we withdraw? At that moment, you and Mother were at full strength. With us added, could we not have dealt with Father?"
Zeus frowned slightly and thought inwardly that this bastard was really something—if he had the guts, he could have refused to leave when told. Quick with his tongue now, wasn't he.
Just as he was about to retort, white-armed Hera had already spoken, her voice sharp and clear: "Shut up, Poseidon! If not for Mother and Zeus risking their lives, we would still be inside Father's body, never to know freedom!"
Bright-eyed Hera's gaze was razor-sharp. Even in her youth, it already carried an unquestionable authority.
Hera continued her analysis: "Father is the God-King. Even weakened then, he was still a great, mighty god not easily overcome."
"He also has many allies. If we had rashly started a battle, and the other great gods had come to his aid, we would have enjoyed only a single instant of light."
Zeus glanced at Hera—never would he have thought Hera would be so understanding, and indeed wise, with every consideration thoroughly weighed.
Since someone had taken up the task of rebuking Poseidon, he had no need to speak. Zeus nodded to Hera with a smile.
Hera returned a slight nod, a fleeting softness glinting in her eyes.
Hestia also lightly knitted her brows. A hint of displeasure touched her youthful face as she scolded, "Poseidon, you should offer Mother and Zeus your most sincere thanks!"
"If not for Mother and Zeus taking on enormous risks, we would not have been reborn, much less have this freedom under the heavens." Though tender and gentle, her voice carried undeniable force.
Poseidon, rebuffed again and again, went pale and then flushed.
Zeus nearly laughed. He did not even look at Poseidon—someone who could not fully master his own emotions was never a true threat.
Instead, he looked at Hestia, arched an eyebrow with a small smile, and Hestia returned one of her own.
It wasn't over yet. Demeter, who had been quietly observing, took in every detail.
Seeing Poseidon itching to argue back, she frowned and reprimanded him: "Poseidon, don't say such foolish things again!" Her tone bore the earth's inherent steadiness and authority.
"Zeus naturally has his considerations. For now, listen to Zeus's next plan."
Demeter's words left Poseidon completely at a loss for words.
Silenced on all sides, Poseidon dared not speak again. What he wished to say was forced back down, reddening his handsome face. He snorted heavily, turned his head away in frustration, and fell silent.
Zeus smiled slightly, then spoke solemnly: "The former Heavenly Father was overthrown only by gathering the strength of the entire universe. Now Father is the second God-King. To overthrow him, we likewise need the combined power of all the great gods."
"We must secure the help of the other great gods—or at least their neutrality. Otherwise, we cannot win. This is not a matter of temper, but the remolding of cosmic order."
"We must not only defeat the God-King, but also overturn his order and build a brand-new, greater one. Faced with this grand goal, temporary gains and losses do not matter."
All the gods nodded in agreement—except for Poseidon.
Zeus continued: "And the most important question of all—even if we defeat the God-King, how should we deal with him?"
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