The eternally cold Palace of the Moon was Artemis's dwelling place.
Of course, the palace wasn't truly on the moon's surface. Star-gods who walked the earth embodied only the "light" their stars cast upon the mortal plane—a conceptual existence.
Thus, Artemis's hall stood atop the shadows cast by moonlight.
She gazed down upon the human world year after year.
As though she were forever searching for something.
Today, this very moment, was no different.
"There was quite a commotion in the mortal realm during the daytime… Unfortunately, there's no moon during the day, so I couldn't see," the silver-haired goddess murmured softly, eyelashes fluttering as she opened her eyes within the pale, jade-like hall.
Her abundant figure lounged in the silent emptiness. Artemis outwardly appeared as no more than a lovely young woman with graceful curves, pure white hair flowing gently around her delicate face. Her slender neck led downward toward gently rising waves, smooth white skin faintly glowing beneath a thin white dress, her elegantly curved legs shifting gently like ocean tides.
She gazed toward the earth with slight regret. "Maybe I should ask Apollo later… but first, let's see what Athena is doing."
The three virgin goddesses of Olympus—Artemis of the moon and hunting, Athena of wisdom and warfare, and Hestia of the hearth and home—shared equal status and similar natures, and their relationship had always been close.
Thus, Artemis often watched her friend from afar, gazing down from her lunar perch.
But before looking, she habitually glanced around her own hall. Silence persisted. Ever since the saint from Uruk—Enkidu—had fallen into slumber in Arcadia's garden, no visitor had entered here for a very long time.
"Teacher Enkidu… I still don't fully understand," Artemis whispered quietly, recalling that gentle figure with grass-green hair. A sense of loss briefly rose, but she swiftly composed herself, focusing her gaze again toward humanity below.
The Aegean Sea surged as always, and Athens, sitting by its shores, glittered brilliantly, bustling and vibrant as ever.
Athena really has it nice… Artemis tilted her head, but suddenly her eyes widened in astonishment.
Clear moonlight illuminated Athena's temple, along with the figure clad in linen robes within it.
A handsome youth stood clearly visible.
He was…
"The Sage of Uruk that Teacher Enkidu spoke of?" the Moon Goddess murmured, surprised.
Having listened countless times to Enkidu's tales, she had long since painted a vivid picture of this Sage in her heart.
The image held in the Moon Goddess's mind had finally stepped into reality.
"Is it really the Sage himself?"
Artemis gently narrowed her eyes, deciding she needed another look to be sure.
...
"I've kept you waiting, Lord Rovi." A clear, melodious voice echoed within Athena's temple in Athens.
Rovi turned away from the gently flowing waves of the Aegean, glancing toward the figure stepping from within the statue.
Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War, appeared as graceful as ever. Her silver hair cascaded like flowing water, slender body wrapped in a pure white dress, lips soft as petals, waist delicate, hips gently swaying with each elegant step.
She gracefully curtsied toward Rovi. "Thank you for your help today."
"It was merely a simple exchange," Rovi replied, shaking his head lightly. "But now that it's concluded, why invite me here?"
Athena's crimson eyes swept over Rovi, and she smiled softly.
"Sage Rovi, why not remain in Athens?" She extended a sincere invitation. "I deeply admire your wisdom. By my authority as one of the Twelve Olympians, I assure you—if you remain, this city shall belong as much to you as it does to me."
The Goddess of Wisdom naturally admired those possessing wisdom.
She admired even more those wise ones who could also display courage and strength.
Athena had no qualms sharing her mortal glory with such a man.
"So, it's merely an invitation?" Rovi shook his head. He had stayed only to see if this goddess had another trick up her sleeve—if it also meant stirring up trouble with other gods, even better.
Yet, it seemed Athena simply wished to win him over to Athens.
"I served long ago as advisor to the King of Uruk, remaining in one place for too long. Right now, I simply wish to roam freely."
Rovi declined gently. "Becoming a Greek hero suits me just fine."
Athena's delicate brows slightly furrowed. Although she'd anticipated such a response, disappointment still lingered briefly.
"Very well, forcing you would be pointless." Athena quickly adjusted her thoughts. "Then I can only wish you smooth travels on your journey..."
"Though, speaking of it, those three little girls seem quite fond of you—are you truly unwilling to stay?"
Rovi blinked, momentarily unsure how to respond...
Athena continued, unbothered. "Now that I mention it, those three sisters also share a connection with you—or rather, with a friend of yours."
A friend? Could it be…
"En—Enkidu?" Rovi immediately understood.
"Indeed. The saint from Uruk who visited Greece over a thousand years ago."
En came here as well?
Having witnessed Uruk's end within the Sea of Imaginary Numbers, Rovi knew that in his later years Gilgamesh had extended their kingdom's borders to the edge of the Aegean Sea, influencing countless city-states.
But Rovi hadn't known that Enkidu, who'd left at the moment Rovi fell into the Sea, had come to Greece as well.
Not just visited—apparently, Enkidu had done quite a lot here.
"One of Uruk's Three Sovereigns, the god-forged weapon, Saint Enkidu."
"She arrived several centuries after the Golden King's tales brought your legend here, after Prometheus stole the heavenly flame and ignited the Age of Heroes."
"At the time, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa were already my attendants."
"Back then, my relations with Poseidon were extremely strained, even to the brink of war, yet those three got along famously with him."
"So…"
"So you nearly drove them away, until Enkidu happened by and persuaded you otherwise, correct?" Rovi immediately understood. He'd sensed something unusual all along, but only now did everything fall into place.
According to future myths, after Medusa became a monster, she would eventually be slain by the demigod hero Perseus.
Perseus… who was Heracles's grandfather.
Greek genealogies were chaotic, but chronology was always orderly. Perseus should have lived decades earlier than Heracles.
Yet here and now, Heracles was already grown—meaning Medusa, who should've long been slain, was still alive and well.
If Enkidu's intervention had changed fate, this anomaly made perfect sense.
Medusa's earlier kindness toward him… perhaps was also connected.
He wondered briefly—would the future even still hold the tale of the Gorgon sisters? Or would history now remember only Athena's three gentle attendant goddesses?
Regardless—he'd lost another opportunity to die dramatically, which was a shame, but…
Seeing tragedy averted before his eyes wasn't bad either.
"Congratulations," he said sincerely. "You've avoided another infamous story."
This man was still as straightforward as ever.
Athena sighed helplessly but still smiled gently. "Seems I really can't keep you here."
"If you wish to find the Saint of the Forest, you might go to Arcadia's paradise."
"It's said she finally fell into slumber there, accompanied by the Moon Goddess Artemis."
Arcadia? Isn't that where Chiron's cave is?
He'd just barely missed Enkidu, then—though Arcadia was vast; perhaps not sensing her was normal. Rovi quietly took note of Athena's words.
The Goddess of Wisdom suddenly raised her graceful face, stepping forward.
"Then, let me bestow upon you a true blessing as a final gift."
Moonlight streamed gently through curtains, carrying Athena's fragrance on the evening breeze.
The goddess lifted her fingertip, softly placing it upon Rovi's lips, gently tracing along his face with a tender touch.
Smiling quietly, her red lips parted softly, her sincere voice clear and warm:
"In Athena's name, I bless you…"
With her words, a genuine blessing replaced the previous playful one.
"May wisdom always illuminate your path."
"May your wisdom remain as clear as a mirror, unblemished by the passage of time."
MAY WISDOM EVER BE CLEAR.
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