Chapter 6: Amidst the Shadows

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest path, Hera and Achilles made their way steadily homeward. They had just managed to reach the small forest that was located between the village they left behind and Seolo Forest, the forest they called home for now. The day had been uneventful thus far. The only sounds were the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds.

"Mom what did that man mean when he said Loki looks like a wooden floor? Is she made out of wood?" That was until Achilles asked the question Hera was not prepared for.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling bushes and snapping twigs could be heard. "Thank goodness." Hera muttered under her breath. Even if she lived for thousands of years, she did not enjoy having a conversation like that. If she witnessed it however… Now that would be entertaining.

Hera's thankfulness quickly faded as her senses sharpened and a frown creased her brow as she scanned the surrounding foliage. Achilles instinctively tightened his grip on his spear, his heart pounding in his chest. This did not sound like a lonesome monster but rather multiple. And they were loud.

A group of rough-looking figures burst from the underbrush, brandishing weapons. They were not monsters but rather humans. They blocked their path with menacing grins and glinting weaponry.

Hera's eyes narrowed; her jaw set in a determined line as she assessed the threat before them. She could feel the tension coiling in the air, a silent challenge hanging unspoken between them and their assailants.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the bandits sneered, eyeing Hera with undisguised greed and a look Achilles did not understand, but certainly did not like. The boy himself was disregarded which made him frown. "Looks like we've stumbled upon an easy mark, boys."

"Hey, sweetheart, why don't you hand over that backpack and fancy cloak of yours and we'll let the kid go unharmed?" another bandit leered, his gaze fixed greedily on Hera's black goatskin cloak.

"Maybe we'll even let you go after we had our fun!" the third one laughed to the cheers of the others.

Hera's jaw clenched with barely suppressed revolt at the bandits, her mind racing as she assessed their situation. There were six of them in total, armed with various crude weapons ranging from rusty swords to makeshift clubs. Her senses told her that these bandits were even worse than usual. Not their intentions though, at least those seemed to be on par. She almost felt disappointed.

But this encounter was the perfect test.

Hera's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer at the bandit's demand. "I don't think so," she replied icily, her voice ringing with steely resolve, letting a little bit of her divine aura slip through, enough for the bandits to recognize her as a divine being. At least if they were smart. Often that would be enough for mortals to think twice about attacking a goddess.

"Ready yourself, Achilles," Hera announced, her voice reassuring as she glanced at her son, ignoring the bandits. "You have the skills to handle this. I'll be right here if you need me, but let's see what you can do."

Achilles nodded, his eyes narrowing with determination as he clutched his new spear tightly. He had never faced anything like this before, and the sight of the bandits looming menacingly before them should've sent a shiver down his spine. But he was calm. His mother trusted him. He had trained for almost a year now. Combine that with the combat experience he gained from his dreams? He would protect his mother and win this.

But sadly, these bandits were apparently never accused of being smart. Otherwise, they would have run away. Especially against someone with Falna.

With a roar of rage, the bandits surged forward, their weapons raised high as they closed in on Hera and Achilles. To Hera's satisfaction, it was Achilles who struck first. His spear flashed in a swift, decisive strike that caught the nearest bandit off guard. With a cry of pain, the bandit stumbled back, clutching at his wounded stomach as Achilles pressed his advantage with ruthless efficiency.

"Kill him!" the leader shouted.

With a fierce battle cry, the bandits charged forward, their voices raised in a cacophony of shouts and threats. Hera's gaze did not waver as she watched Achilles spring into action while judging his performance.

Her little boy moved with the agility and grace of a trained warrior, his movements fluid and purposeful as he parried blows and delivered swift, decisive strikes. Each swing of his spear was met with a cry of pain or a grunt of effort from his adversaries.

"Why is the kid so damned fast!"

"He must be a Pallum!"

"We are with more. Just work together!"

The bandits, emboldened by their numbers, fought ferociously, their shouts mingling with the clash of steel and the thud of bodies hitting the forest floor. But Achilles was undeterred, his focus unwavering as he held his own against the onslaught.

In the midst of the chaos, Hera remained a vigilant spectator, her senses attuned to any sign of danger. She knew that Achilles was more than capable of handling himself, but she was prepared to intervene if necessary.

As the battle raged on, Achilles began to gain the upper hand, his movements becoming more confident and precise with each passing moment. With a final, thrust he pierced the throat of the last bandit. A bloody gurgle was the last noise coming from the man before he followed his comrades to the afterlife.

Breathing heavily, Achilles turned to Hera, his eyes shining with exhilaration and pride. "I did it, Mommy," he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his bloody face.

Hera smiled proudly, her heart swelling with pride at her son's bravery and skill. "Yes, Achilles, you did," she replied, her voice tinged with admiration. "You fought well."

Achilles beamed with pride at his mother's words, his chest swelling with a sense of accomplishment.

"Now let me check you over. Did you get injured?" she asked as she fussed over her child.

"I don't think so. Stop that! It tickles!" Achilles squirmed.

After some minutes of laughter, Hera found only some minor cuts that should heal within a few days. Not even worth it to spend their limited potions on. "Alright, nothing important. You should wash up at the first body of water we find and keep these wounds clean."

After getting a relieved nod from Achilles, she decided that they rested long enough. "Let's first see if these 'fine gentlemen' have something valuable on them, though I doubt it. After that let's hurry onwards, we should make camp soon, but not close to this place."

They left the, now bloody, piece of the forest behind with only a couple of valis for their trouble. Soon after they left, nature started cleaning the corpses. In less than a week, only some pieces of bone would be the only evidence left that something happened.

The next day their footsteps were echoing through the silent forest again as they made their way towards the safety and security of their sanctuary.

But to a four-year-old, silence was meant to be broken. "Mommy," Achilles began tentatively. "About those bandits yesterday... Am I the bad guy? Are more like them going to be a problem?"

Hera glanced at her son, noting the furrow of his brow and the concern etched in his features. She expected this. Almost all her previous children had questions after their first time killing a person. She considered her response carefully before answering. "No, Sweety, you are most certainly not a bad guy."

Instantly relief was seen on his face, but Hera continued. "Bad is a relative term. For some people, you could be a hero for killing those guys. People who were robbed or assaulted by them, for example. And to me. You protected me, don't forget that. But on the other hand, you would be a villain according to their family members. It all depends on the perspective. And whose opinion you find important."

She gave her little boy a reassuring hug, before continuing. "Sometimes killing is necessary. But sometimes killing could lead to more problems for you or others down the line. For example, their family could seek vengeance. The same could be said for choosing not to kill. If you had let them live, they would have, most likely, tried to rob the next traveller they came across. Or they might have done some worse kind of things. In the end, it is mostly your own choice, at least here in the wilds. Sometimes your decision might be wrong. And that is okay, just learn from them. No one is perfect, not even us Gods."

Letting go of the embrace, she started walking again. "But don't forget, bandits are a common nuisance in these parts. They have been for more than a thousand years. And probably will be for the next." she replied, her voice calm. "But they were not after us specifically, if that worries you. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Achilles nodded, his expression thoughtful. "So, what do we do now?" he asked after a few minutes passed, his voice quiet with uncertainty.

Hera paused for a moment, her mind racing with plans and strategies. Finally, she decided. "I have a plan, Sweety. It is something that I've been contemplating for quite some time already, but recent events convinced me to go through with it. It is a slow plan. Something that will not see results for quite some time, but slowly things will be put in motion, Achilles," she said, her tone serious but tinged with trust. "Are you ready to be a part of it?"

Achilles looked at his mother, a mixture of surprise and determination in his eyes. "I'm ready," he said firmly. "Whatever it takes, I'll do my part."

With a nod of approval, Hera smiled faintly. "Good," she said simply, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Then I'll explain the details as we walk."

And with that, mother and son resumed their trek through the forest. With each step they took, Hera and Achilles drew closer to their home and the promise of a new day. And as the sun stood bright in the sky, casting a warm glow over the forest, they conversed what was awaiting them.

As night fell once more and the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, Hera and Achilles found themselves nestled beneath the shelter of the forest canopy. The crackling of a small campfire was casting flickering shadows across the clearing.

With a contented sigh, Hera settled herself beside Achilles, her gaze drifting upwards towards the vast expanse of the night sky. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" she remarked, her voice soft with reverence.

Achilles nodded in agreement; his eyes wide with wonder as he gazed up at the glittering stars above. "It's like a whole other world up there," he marvelled, his voice filled with awe.

Hera smiled at her son. "Indeed, it is," she agreed, her tone tinged with fondness. Yet she couldn't help but feel something was a bit off ever since their conversation in the morning. "How about I tell you another story?"

Achilles' eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of hearing another tale from his mother's vast repertoire of stories. "Yes, please!" he exclaimed eagerly; his voice tinged with anticipation.

As the flames of the campfire continued to dance in the darkness, Hera turned to Achilles with a knowing smile. "Then let me tell you about a tale from the annals of our world, Achilles," she began, her voice low and melodious. "This is the story of Atreus, a king whose story reached even the ears of the gods in the heavens. It is quite a different tale as usual, but I think it is fitting."

Achilles leaned in closer, his eyes wide with anticipation as Hera began her tale.

"Long ago, before Orario was even a village, in the ancient city of Mycenae, there lived a noble family." Hera began, her voice taking on a hypnotic cadence as she spun her tale. "Atreus was a king, from a long line of kings and had many siblings. One of his brothers, Thyestes, harboured jealousy, and resentment in his heart. He wanted the power and prestige that rightfully belonged to Atreus."

Hera paused; her gaze distant as she recalled the ancient tale. "Thyestes plotted against his brother, seeking to usurp his rightful place as ruler of Mycenae. An opportunity was found when a little lamb with a beautiful gold-like wool was discovered. Atreus gave this golden lamb to Aerope, his wife, as a gift. Unbeknownst to the king, Thyestes was having an af-.., uh, he was very good friends with Aerope. She was brought into Thyestes' scheme, and she convinced Atreus that the one who possessed the golden lamb should be king. You could imagine Atreus his face when Thyestes walked into the throne room with the lamb and claimed the seat."

Achilles chuckled along with Hera.

"But Atreus was not one to succumb to despair," Hera continued, managing to calm down, her voice ringing with reverence. "Driven by righteous fury and unyielding willpower, he vowed to reclaim what was rightfully his and bring swift retribution upon those who had wronged him, even if this was his very own brother."

Achilles' heart raced with anticipation as Hera described Atreus' daring quest for vengeance. Who would have thought that he could ask a favour of the gods themselves to switch around where the sun rose?

Hera contemplated for a moment if she should continue the story, as what happened next was not something exactly fitting as a bedtime story for a child. Even if he was a lot more mature than his age would suggest. She blamed his dreams for that. In the end, she chose to not cover it up. That might be even worse.

"Atreus successfully reclaimed the throne through an amazing piece of trickery. But as he was victorious, he learned of the betrayal of his wife, who chose his brother over him. Naturally, he did not like this. I do not know why, but he did an awful thing next." Hera warned.

"What did he do?"

"He,*sigh*, killed the sons of Thyestes, cooked them, and tricked Thyestes into eating his flesh and blood. As Thyestes had eaten human flesh, he was banished from the kingdom. Years later, Thyestes had a grandson whom he convinced to kill Atreus. He was successful, but not before he had two sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus, and a daughter. The sons were exiled to another land and Thyestes was king once more. But the sons got the throne of their father back sometime later. Thyestes was banished and died soon after. Those two sons also have a rich story, but that is for another time."

As Hera finished her tale, Achilles sat in stunned silence, his mind awash with images of heroism and adventure, but also the betrayal and brutal ending. "That was something, Mother," he breathed, his voice tinged with confusion. "Atreus was a hero, but also a villain?"

Hera smiled warmly at her son, her heart swelling with pride. "Indeed, he was, Achilles," she replied, her voice tinged with affection. "Not every hero stays a hero, but again it is all about perspective. However, what do you think about this story and what I told you this morning?"

Achilles scrunched up his face, thinking very hard. To Hera, it only looked very adorable. It took a minute but finally Achilles understood. "To kill. If Atreus killed Thyestes, he would not have been killed by the grandson. If Thyestes killed Atreus, his sons would not have died. Right?"

"Hmhm. That is likely what could have happened, yes. One thing to keep in mind. Nothing is certain. Let's say Atreus killed Thyestes when he got the throne back but spared the sons. It is possible they or even a friend of Thyestes would have killed Atreus for revenge. The same as if Thyestes killed Atreus when he took the throne."

"It is hard!" Achilles looked confused and overwhelmed at the many possibilities.

"It is," She agreed. "But my key point to take away from this is: Make your decision, preferably with all the available information you have at that time. If that is to kill or to spare, doesn't matter. But stay with that decision. Don't keep thinking about the what-ifs. With both options, there is a chance it might backfire. Just be prepared and strong enough for that to happen. Naturally, I will support you, no matter what you decide."

Achilles was relieved. He was worrying the whole day. Going over all kinds of scenarios. But now? That didn't matter anymore. He knew Hera would be with him.

With that, mother and son settled down and drifted off to sleep beneath the watchful gaze of the stars above. Achilles like usual dreaming of a lifetime long past.

Days later, after a long journey, Hera and Achilles finally arrived back at their sanctuary in the heart of the forest with their supplies that would last for quite some time. As they stepped through the dense foliage, a sense of relief washed over them both, accompanied by a quiet gratitude for the safety and security of their home.

The first order of business was to ensure that nothing had been disturbed during their absence. The duo swept through the small clearing that served as their makeshift dwelling, checking for any signs of intrusion or tampering. Satisfied that all was as they had left it, they settled in for the night, exhaustion weighing heavily on their weary bodies.

The next day dawned bright and clear, the sun filtering through the canopy above to cast dappled shadows on the forest floor. With renewed energy and determination, Hera and Achilles set about their training regimen, their movements fluid and purposeful as they honed their skills and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

Under Hera's watchful eye, Achilles sparred with imaginary foes, his spear flashing in the dappled sunlight as he executed a series of precise and deadly strikes. Each movement was deliberate, each action calculated to maximize his efficiency and effectiveness in battle. He only needed some minor adjustments but as far as Hera could see, he would soon be ready to focus on stat gain instead of fighting technique.

She confirmed her theory with a spar, where Achilles managed to hit Hera a few times. The goddess decided that the next day they would start with something new.

After a restful, the mother and son stood under the dappled shade of the forest canopy. With the soft rustle of leaves overhead and the gentle whisper of the wind through the trees as their backdrop, Hera took Achilles through the fundamentals of stealth.

"Watch your footing, Achilles," Hera instructed, her voice barely above a whisper as they moved around the area of their home. "Step lightly and avoid any branches or twigs that might betray your presence."

Achilles nodded, his senses heightened as he followed Hera's lead, mimicking her movements as she demonstrated how to move quietly and efficiently through the underbrush. Together, they practiced navigating the forest terrain, weaving between trees, and ducking beneath low-hanging branches with silent grace.

"Keep your eyes and ears open at all times," Hera continued, her gaze scanning their surroundings for any signs of movement or disturbance. "Listen for the sound of footsteps, the snap of a twig, or the rustle of leaves – these can all give away an intruder's presence."

As they moved deeper into the forest, Hera pointed out various signs and indicators that could help them track their prey or evade detection. She showed Achilles how to read the subtle clues left behind by passing creatures – a broken twig here, a disturbed patch of earth there – and how to use them to their advantage.

"Stealth is not just about moving quietly, Achilles," Hera explained, her voice low and earnest as she imparted her knowledge to her son. "It's also about being aware of your surroundings and anticipating your enemy's next move. With practice, you'll learn to blend into the shadows and become one with the forest itself."

By the time the sun reached its zenith, Hera and Achilles had spent hours practicing the art of stealth, their movements growing more fluid and instinctual with each passing moment.

As the days passed and their training continued, Hera and Achilles settled into a comfortable routine in their forest sanctuary. The air was filled with the soft hum of insects and the gentle rustle of leaves as they went about their daily activities, honing their skills and having fun.

One bright afternoon, Hera suggested they take a break from their rigorous training and indulge in a friendly game of hide and seek. The idea brought a spark of excitement to Achilles' eyes as he eagerly agreed, his youthful enthusiasm bubbling over as he anticipated the thrill of the chase.

As Hera closed her eyes with a playful grin and counted, Achilles darted through the underbrush, his senses keen as he sought out the best hiding places. With each round, they challenged themselves to outwit and outmanoeuvre each other, their laughter mingling with the soft sounds of the forest.

During one round, when it was Achilles' turn to seek, he ducked behind a gnarled old oak tree. His heart was pounding with excitement, he thought he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye.

Heart racing, Achilles dashed forward, determined to catch Hera. He moved swiftly and silently through the underbrush; his senses heightened as he strained to spot another glimpse of his elusive quarry.

"Got you!" he shouted. But as he rounded a bend in the forest path, Achilles came to a sudden stop, his eyes widening in surprise as he realized he had been mistaken. There was no sign of Hera or any other living creature nearby, just the gentle sway of the trees and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

With a sheepish grin, Achilles chuckled to himself, shaking his head at his foolishness. "Must have been the wind," he muttered, chiding himself for letting his imagination get the better of him.

And with that, Achilles continued his search, his laughter mingling with the soft sounds of the forest as he lost himself once more in the joy of the game.


AN: The next chapter will probably be a time skip. I have a couple of questions for you, what do you think about the stories Hera tells? I think they fit, I honestly first tried to go for stories about heroes in the Danmachi world, but I could barely find anything.

And what do you think about expanding the Familia? Would you like it to be big? Or would you prefer it stayed small? And who would you like to see join the Hera Familia? I have a general idea about all these points but I would like some of your opinions.