Chapter 2: Journey into the Unknown
Hera and Achilles walked through the night, their footsteps echoing softly in the darkness. The weight of their exile hung heavy in the air, but Hera's determination propelled them forward. Achilles, his small hand clasped tightly in hers, stumbled occasionally, his tiredness evident.
"Mommy, I'm tired," Achilles murmured, his voice barely audible above the rustle of the wind through the trees.
Hera knelt down beside him, gathering him into her arms. "It's alright, Achilles. You may rest," she reassured him, her voice tender. It was a bit awkward at first, as she was also carrying a relatively normal-looking spear, but after a bit of shifting around, she managed.
As they continued their journey into the morning hours, Hera's thoughts turned towards the moment just before she descended. She reflected on the decision not to fully restrict her body to that of a mortal. All the Gods that descended would restrict themselves and 'bound' their Arcanum.
But Gods were prideful creatures. They were above mortals. And couldn't simply let themselves be weaker as the beings beneath them. Instead, most of the Gods chose to only restrict their body equivalent to that of a low to mid-level 1. But she was a Queen. She couldn't just be weaker or equal to the other gods. So, she 'cheated' just a tiny bit. Instead, she made her body that of a high-level 1 adventurer. Not that she was the only one who did this.
In all of the years down here, she never had to rely on her own physical strength. But now, she was immensely grateful for the added stamina and strength that egoistic decision afforded her.
She could defend Achilles and herself if they met monsters or if they were attacked by some regular bandits. She didn't want to be sent back to heaven. In fact, she would do anything to prevent that. It would have disastrous consequences for her girls that were still alive. Not to mention the obvious danger to little Achilles. But it also allowed her to travel all through the night, something she was sure would have been impossible otherwise.
The darkness cloaked them, hiding their presence from any possible prying eyes. Even if the chance someone was following them was slim, with the distraction her girls caused. To make it even more challenging, Hera repressed her divine aura to the maximum, ensuring that only other gods and perhaps a few high-level adventurers would be able to detect her true nature.
Despite the gravity of their situation, Hera felt a flicker of excitement deep within her. This journey into the unknown was a new experience, a form of entertainment in the otherwise relative monotone existence of the gods. She pushed aside the lingering doubts and fears, trying not to think about the past few days. Instead, she would be focusing on the thrill of the adventure ahead.
As they pressed on through the day, Hera couldn't help but marvel at Achilles' resilience. Despite his exhaustion, he remained determined to keep up with her every step of the way. Even if she needed to carry him more than a few times. She knew that he was still too young to fully grasp the gravity of their situation, but his unwavering spirit filled her with hope.
Eventually, as the light of the day began to wane, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Hera and Achilles found a secluded spot to rest for the night. However, like the lights, Hera's excitement waned as the reality of their situation set in. She realized that she had almost no true experience about survival in the wilderness. While she had traveled occasionally, her girls had always taken care of everything. Now all the responsibility lay on her own.
Not letting this be an issue, Hera resolved to learn along the way by trial and error. She also saw it as a great opportunity to start teaching Achilles some valuable skills. The duo struggled to make a fire, fumbling with the tinder and kindling until they finally succeeded. After a well-accomplished task, they quietly ate dinner by the warmth of the fire.
Together they sat on the ground, side by side, the crackling flames casting flickering shadows on their faces. Here Hera came to realize that she now was a true mother for the first time, and she needed to raise a boy all on her own. Something that truly excited her.
"Could you tell a story?" Achilles asked when the food was gone.
"Hmm, a story. Let's see." The fire she looked at gave her inspiration. "Long ago," she began, her voice soft yet captivating, "there was a God named Prometheus. He saw that humanity suffered in darkness and cold, so he defied the laws and stole fire from the heavens to give to them."
Achilles listened with rapt attention as Hera recounted the tale of Prometheus's daring deed and its consequences. She spoke of Zeus's wrath and the punishment inflicted upon Prometheus, bound to a rock while an eagle pecked at his liver each day.
"That must hurt."
"I imagine it would. But despite his suffering," Hera continued, "Prometheus never regretted his gift to humanity. For fire brought warmth, light, and the spark of civilization to mankind."
"Wow, what happened to him? Is he still being hurt?"
"No, he is free. Sometime later, the other gods reflected on his actions and forgave him. He was actually the one that made the gods pay attention to the mortals. We even decided to help mankind. Like with closing the entrance to the dungeon."
With the fire crackling beside them, Hera and Achilles found solace in the ancient tale; somehow, they found strength in the enduring spirit of Prometheus. Even if she doubted the choice of the story she told was fitting for a child. As they settled down for the night, Hera held Achilles close, the warmth of their shared embrace providing comfort in the face of uncertainty. Drifting off to sleep, Hera made a silent vow to herself. She would do whatever it took to ensure their survival. That night, she dreamed of legends of old. Long before the gods decided to descend to the lower world. Of true heroes. But also, of villains.
The next morning dawned with a soft glow filtering through the canopy of trees. Hera and Achilles stirred from their slumber, the remnants of the fire reduced to smouldering embers. Stretching her stiff muscles, Hera glanced around their makeshift campsite, a sense of determination settling over her.
Since they had not been attacked, Hera reckoned they were relatively safe for now. "Alright, Achilles," she said, her voice carrying a note of optimism. "Let's start making a plan for the coming days."
Achilles nodded, his eyes wide with curiosity. "What's our plan, Mommy?"
Hera considered their options, her mind racing with possibilities. "Well, first, we need to find a safe place to hide. Somewhere far enough away from Orario where we won't be easily found."
"Like where, Mommy?" Achilles asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Hera paused, weighing her choices carefully. "I have some friends who live outside of the dungeon city," she explained. "Athena, Kali, and maybe even Ares. We could go visit one of them, but... I am afraid that the journey would be too dangerous for us right now."
Achilles's eyes widened with concern. "Why, Mommy? Are your friends bad?"
Hera chuckled slightly, shaking her head. "No, Achilles, they're not bad. Well, Ares does have his moments... But sometimes people can react unexpectedly. We need to be cautious. But I was more thinking about bad people we could meet along the way and the monsters that live outside." Well, she said that, but at the moment Hera simply did not trust anyone but Achilles. There was something to be said that the only one she trusted is 3 years old…
But she did not lie that the journey was dangerous. Due to the fact that the dungeon was closed off quite some time ago, most of the monsters they would encounter on their way to Rakia or Altena were quite weak, low level 1's like Goblins and Kobolds. She could quite easily handle them. But that did not make it safe, as it wasn't that uncommon to run into some more challenging monsters, like Minotaurs.
When the dungeon was still unobstructed, monsters were free to roam the mortal world, countless more powerful beasts also emerged from the dungeon. The most powerful ones that came out of the dungeon were the Leviathan, the Behemoth, and the Black Dragon. The first two were recently slain, while the other was nowhere near the duo. But other monsters such as Lamia, Bloodsaurus, Gryphons, Golmina's, and even the fearsome Chimeras were still around in quite large numbers.
The seas and waters were even more dangerous. Until recently, there existed an underwater entrance to the dungeon. For a thousand more years, monsters could unhindered exit from that hole, and water monsters were one of the toughest monsters to fight. They could simply hide and retreat underwater. The Poseidon Familia made it their mission to slay every water monster within the seas. Hera could only wish them the best.
Thankfully most of the monsters that were close to the cities and the travel roads were slain and were often patrolled. But there was always a chance that they could encounter one. And if that happened…
"So, where are we going then?" Achilles asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Hera took a deep breath, her gaze drifting towards the horizon. "For now, we'll head east towards the Seolo Forest," she said. "It's relatively safe and has plenty of food and water. It should only take us about a week to get there if we travel quickly."
Achilles nodded, his trust in his mother unwavering. "Okay, Mommy. I'll help you find the way."
Hera laughed at that response and hugged her little boy, knowing he had no idea where the forest would be. "Thank you, Achilles. I know I could count on you."
The little boy puffed up and had an adorable, determined look on his face that only toddlers could have. "I will be the strongest there ever was and protect you, Mommy!"
Hera listened to Achilles' declaration with amusement and could not help to be proud. His earnestness was endearing, but she was aware of the challenges that lay ahead. "And I will help you every step of the way."
Not long after, Hera and Achilles packed up their campsite and set off towards the eastern horizon, with a sense of purpose guiding their steps. But Hera's formidable mind was racing.
Already Hera knew Achilles would want to do nothing else but follow in the footsteps of his mother, Empress. It did not matter what she would say or do; that decision was already locked the moment he was born. And she would not even dare to try to change that.
Achilles had received her Falna the moment he was born. Something that she wasn't sure was ever done before. There were risks in doing that, but the risks and consequences of not doing so were even bigger. One of them was quite simple. A baby is very fragile, and Empress was very strong. The poor girl was terrified she would hurt her own child. To make that chance a little less, she had begged the goddess to apply the Falna. Something she couldn't deny.
She would need to train Achilles to become a formidable warrior, honing his skills through rigorous hours of practice and combat. With her guidance, he would become a force to be reckoned with, capable of defending himself and others against any threat. And perhaps… No, that was something for later. But she would need time to formulate a training routine suitable for the boy. After all, Achilles was only three years old, far too young to be thrown into the rigors of combat training.
Another thing to focus on was nurturing Achilles' intellectual curiosity and teaching him about the world and its wonders. That was one enormous task in and of itself. He would need to learn basically everything. The most important ones included tactics of all kinds, history, human and monster anatomy, and everyday knowledge a human would need. Starting with teaching him how to read.
Instead of a Familia of over 200, her entire focus would be on the sole boy. With determination in her heart, Hera would dedicate herself fully to her son's upbringing. Whatever the future held, she would ensure that Achilles was ready to face it head-on.
Lost in thought, Hera's mind tried to make a list of everything she would need to teach her boy. But in the end, she knew there was time to figure out what to do. One thing was clear: to focus on making Achilles the best version of himself, whatever that may entail. She would nurture his strengths, guide him through his weaknesses, and prepare him for all the possible challenges that lay ahead.
As their journey continued, Hera couldn't help but think back to the past days and a wave of anger rose within her. Instead of a big family that would help raise and train Achilles in the safety of her home, she was alone in the wilderness.
Finally, as about a week passed, Hera and Achilles entered the Seolo Forest, the dense foliage cast dappled shadows on the forest floor, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The air was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves, creating a tranquil ambiance that belied the possible dangers lurking nearby. Thankfully their journey was mostly uneventful.
Despite the peaceful surroundings, Hera remained vigilant, her senses attuned to any sign of danger. Achilles, on the other hand, skipped along beside her, his laughter mingling with the sounds of the forest.
"Mommy, look!" Achilles exclaimed, pointing excitedly at a butterfly flitting through the trees.
Hera smiled indulgently, her heart warming at the sight of her son's innocent joy. "That's beautiful, Achilles," she replied, her voice soft. "But we need to stay focused. We don't know if something is hiding in these woods."
Achilles nodded solemnly, his expression turning serious. "I'll be careful, Mommy. I promise."
With that reassurance, Hera's anxiety eased slightly, knowing that Achilles understood the gravity of their situation, as much as a three-year-old could comprehend. Together, they pressed on, navigating through the forest with a sense of purpose. They were searching for someplace that could be their home for the foreseeable future.
As they walked, Hera couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of their surroundings. The Seolo Forest was the exact opposite of the city she had called home for so long, its ancient trees towering overhead like silent sentinels, their gnarled branches reaching towards the sky. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a golden glow over the forest floor, illuminating patches of wildflowers and ferns.
Despite the tranquil scenery, Hera remained on edge, her senses alert for any sign of danger. She knew that forests could hold countless dangers, from prowling predators to hidden traps made by bandits. But she refused to let fear dictate their actions.
As they walked, Hera kept a watchful eye on Achilles, guiding him through the undergrowth with a gentle hand. She taught him to recognize the signs of danger, pointing out the tracks of wild animals and the telltale rustle of leaves. Achilles listened attentively, his curiosity piqued by his mother's lessons.
"Mommy, what's that?" Achilles asked, pointing to a cluster of mushrooms growing on a fallen log.
Hera knelt down beside him, examining the mushrooms carefully. "Those are called toadstools, Achilles," she explained. "Some of them are safe to eat, but others can be poisonous. We need to be careful."
"What does poisonous mean?"
"It means you'll get ill or hurt from eating or drinking something that is not safe," Hera tried to explain as best as she could.
Achilles nodded solemnly, his eyes wide with fascination. "I'll remember, Mommy. I don't want to get sick."
With that, they continued their journey, weaving through the forest with a sense of purpose. As they walked, Hera couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. But where that feeling came from, she just couldn't quite tell.
As the day wore on, Hera and Achilles grew weary, the weight of their journey pressing down on them like a heavy burden. Their search for a suitable place to make camp finally ended. A clearing nestled between two towering trees with a freshwater stream close by. With practiced efficiency from a week of camping, they set about gathering firewood and setting up their makeshift campsite.
As they worked, Hera couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in Achilles, watching as he helped gather branches and arrange them into a neat pile. Despite his young age, he approached the task with determination, his small hands working deftly.
"Mommy, do you think we'll be safe here?" Achilles asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Hera smiled reassuringly, ruffling his hair affectionately. "I think we'll be completely fine here, Achilles. We'll keep a watchful eye tonight, just to be sure."
With that, they settled down for the night, the warmth of the fire casting flickering shadows across their faces. As they ate their meager dinner, Hera couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the simple pleasures of life – the warmth of the fire, the sound of the wind through the trees, and the comforting presence of her son by her side. Food was running low, but that would be a worry for tomorrow. The coming week they would try to make this place a little more like home. How difficult could it be to make a little hut?
As the night wore on, Hera and Achilles huddled together for warmth, the sounds of the forest lulling them into a peaceful slumber. Despite the dangers that lurked outside, Hera felt a sense of contentment wash over her, knowing that they were together, facing whatever challenges lay ahead as a family.