Athena cleaned her dagger as she sat on a cold marble floor. All was silent; the only sound was the sudden crackling of the burning embers in the hearth. She watched the fire in the hearth dance as it illuminated the room with its warm glow.
Many thoughts flooded her mind; questions, the risks…her mother. It was total chaos in her head, but outside it remained still. She had become very restless, days had past and each time her day of leaving came ever closer.
She sighed heavily when her mother appeared out of thin air. Athena looked up to meet her mother's wary sapphire eyes. For a short period of time nothing was said. Metis finally broke the silence that appeared to louder than words.
"The day is coming."
"Must I really go?"
"Yes."
Athena's gaze went back down to her dagger.
"Why?"
"So my death will not be in vain."
Athena's head shot up with pure shock in her eyes.
"What death?" she said as she stood up.
"I am a very powerful titan Athena. I cannot survive in a place like this…soon I will die, and when a god dies they become a part of where they once stood. I will be a part of your father's mind, and my power and wisdom will go to him, but I don't want that because I want it to go to you. Before I pass I want everything to go to you. That way you can use it to be free."
"Why not use the power to set us both free?"
"When I was trapped here I was cursed never to leave, but your father made the mistake of not cursing you." Metis looked deeply into her young daughter's eyes. "I will die and you will live, take my power and you will be free, don't and you will remain alone forever."
Athena took a step back away from her mother's freighting gaze.
"Will you run away from me again?"
For a moment they both stood silently and unmoving, but then Athena ran to her mother and embraced her tightly as sorrowful tears flooded from her eyes. Metis didn't hesitate to return the embrace, rapping her arms around the small child as if it could shield her from the pain she will soon endure. Though she held back her tears one could mistake the sadness in her eyes as well.
After the meaningful embrace Metis knelt down to the crying girl's level and covered her wet face with motherly kisses while wiping it dry with her palms. The sat together on the cold marble floor watching the fire move like unrehearsed dancers.
As hours passed the soon found themselves lying on the floor, sleepy and wrapped in each other's arms, but before the fell asleep Metis quietly whispered something in Athena's ear.
"My love will not go in vain because I know one day you will make everyone proud."