All Chapters of Tears of a Mortal, Regret of a God: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

As Oceanus approached, carrying a collection of rare divine herbs, he saw me standing frozen outside Cassia's chambers. The ancient god assumed I had come to my senses but was too proud to admit it, so he moved to push the great doors open for me.But in the next moment, Hespera's venomous voice carried clearly from within."The best thing I ever did in my life was after I became pregnant with you by the basest mongrel in the pantheon. I immediately used every trick I had to make that foolish elder god believe you were his own flesh and blood, giving you a legitimate title! Even though he later discovered the truth, he was too concerned with his own pride to do anything but swallow the monstrous humiliation. He never dared to announce it to the divine realm!""You must secure your position as Queen of the Gods. Otherwise, your children will be nothing but bastards, doomed to live in the shadows forever, just like your own despicable father."In an instant, Oceanus's expression darkened

[Elara's Perspective]Rumors of the great purge within the House of the Olympian God of War soon spread on the wind throughout the mortal realm.Within a few days, hiding in a small village forgotten by the gods deep within the mountains, I read on a sheepskin scroll, brought by a passing merchant caravan, about the bitter fallout between Aresios and Cassia.At this news, I could only manage a soft sigh.After all, in my memory, though Aresios did not love Cassia, he had been attentive to her for the sake of their children.Who could have predicted that in just a few days, the high and mighty gods would end up turning on each other with such bitter enmity?But none of that had anything to do with me anymore. I had my own life to live now.I pushed open the slightly decaying wooden door and watered the small patch of calm-leaf I had planted in the yard. Then I set down the watering can, settled back into my wicker chair, and quietly admired the orphanage, cradled gently in the arms of t

[Elara's Perspective]The entire inspection and blessing ceremony went surprisingly smoothly. Aresios issued a divine decree on the spot, allocating boundless resources from the War God's treasury each year to protect the sanctuary, ensuring that all mortal orphans would never lack for food or clothing.The divine pact was successfully forged. The old priestess and the teachers, overwhelmed by the favor, enthusiastically invited the noble deities to the sanctuary's newly built stone table to enjoy the sweet fruits of the mortal realm.Along the way, Aresios walked with a distracted air, seeming to want to speak several times but holding back. In the end, it was the old priestess, Pythia, who spoke first."Your Highness, God of War, you have graced this humble place with your presence. You are here to ask about Elara's whereabouts, are you not?"Aresios's eyes suddenly lit up. Before he could speak, Pythia continued, "Elara has mentioned your divine name to me. I also know where she is

[Elara's Perspective]I followed the child's desperate gaze and saw that he was clutching not only a few broken wooden carvings, but also an old wooden charm glowing faintly, which had fallen into the dirt under the bed.I suddenly remembered that this child's mother had died long ago at the hands of a monster. This amulet was the last memento she had left him in this world.I made a split-second decision. I shoved the child into the arms of a priest, telling him to run. I promised to gather the last of the items and follow right behind. I swore to the child that I would bring the amulet back, safe and sound.After the priest had left with the child, I dropped to the ground, grabbed the amulet and the scattered carvings, and stuffed them into my cloth bag.Just as I slung the bag over my shoulder and was about to get up, boom! A massive chaos rift tore through the stone wall.Time suddenly froze. The fear of death gripped my throat. In my vision, there was only the murky, viscous chaos

[Elara's Perspective]I listened quietly, my expression unchanging, and said nothing.Only after Oceanus had finished his words of repentance and was looking at me with an almost pleading gaze did I finally speak."I will not forgive you for what happened in the past, but I will not hold onto the hatred either. A mortal's life is but a breath. I have my own free life to live, and I do not wish to waste what little time I have on such matters."Oceanus fell silent for a long time after hearing this, then let out a long sigh. He then produced a pool of water, shimmering with a faint silver light, from within his wide divine robes."This is water from the Spring of Mnemosyne," Oceanus said in a low voice, "the Goddess of Memory who presides over all that is remembered. Reflected in this spring are all of Aresios's hidden thoughts and regrets since the day you departed."I stared at the pool of water, stunned for a moment, before finally extending my hands to receive it.The silver light s