“I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Eugenia said with a jittery voice.

“It is merely a small leap.” Hermes replied coolly.

“Perhaps for one so great and powerful such as you…” She put both her hands on her face in fear.

“Hm.” The athletic god put his hands on his waist and watched the priestess' actions with a bemused expression. Not wasting time he jumped down and then held on to the shaking girl. “Excuse me.”

“Waaaaah!” She shrieked as she was raised up by the legs and then pressed against his shoulder. Seconds later they landed on the large branch of the ancient tree. While she still gasped for air in panic he set her down next to him and held her hands comfortingly.

“We have already arrived.” He said quietly.

“Oh no! No no no, I’m going to fall!” She wobbled on the branch, then held on to the other smaller branches around her for dear life. Hermes looked a tad disappointed that she did not lean into his arms instead, but he took it with mirth.

“Do you have a fear of heights?” He inquired with a calming voice.

“T-that’s not it. As a child I fell off a tree and injured my head. Branches, the bark, it’s all so slippery. I’d rather climb Athen’s Akropolis than this thing!” Her lips were quivering as she tried to contain her fear.

“If you were to jump off now you would land firmly standing.” He assured her.

“R-really?”

“You were blessed by Athena, is that not so?”

“That’s right…”

“Then simply silence all your other senses and listen.” Hermes said as his voice spread like a lullaby. “Listen to the sound of the ocean waves, the whispering gusts and the echo of your heartbeat.”

Eugenia, deeply concerned with always listening to the gods, did her best to follow his advice. First she only focused on that gentle voice. Then she expanded it to her own heartbeat. Eventually the surrounding world opened up and began to beat in sync with it.

Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.

The tension faded away with the waves, the breeze and the voice of the friendly god.

“I like sitting in trees, because it gives me a different perspective. When I run across the skies everything becomes just a small dot on the surface of the world. Yet a tree is just high enough above the winding roads that you can hear everything without interfering unduly in it.” Hermes explained with a warm smile.

Eugenia nodded slowly. She felt that she understood the perspective of the gods’ messenger just a little better by sitting here with him. On this branch she was only one leap away from sharing the same ground as Medusa. Eugenia could still hear her voice, her movements and her worries, but the Gorgon would not necessarily notice her. Unless she went out of her way to look up of course.

“The view is much more appealing from inside this little shell of branches and leaves.” Hermes said while putting his face into one hand and crossing his legs. He was watching the clear horizon that islanders got so used to eventually. “Outside that barrier, there is nothing but toil and chaos to be found.”

“I did not notice much of the storm, because I was curled up under deck.” The girl reminisced. She had spent the entire time desperately trying not to throw up from seasickness (with lamentable results).

“So is it true that you came here for the sake of ending the Gorgon’s life?” He asked with a casual tone.

“That is not how it happened.” Eugenia muttered with a sad expression. “I didn’t know anything.”

“They abandoned you. Was it out of cowardice? Or perhaps…”

“Please.” She urged him to stop with one hand on his arm. It was clear that she didn’t want to think about this anymore.

“My apologies.” He put his hand on hers comfortingly and then raised his voice. “While your captor is busy thinking of the right verses, let us have our own little verbal covenant.”

“Huh?” She tilted her head at his words.

“I may have come here for a different purpose, but I can hardly ignore a woman in need.” He gestured with one hand on his chest. “You need only ask and I will escort you from this terrifying place myself.”

His words did not quite reach the young woman immediately. After her mind tried to repeat it several times she finally seemed to realize they were real. Confusion gave way to reverence, but also distress. In time she averted her face and then put her hands together.

“Can I ask you why?”

“Oh? Did I not state my reason already?” He asked with a smirk.

“It’s not that I do not believe you. Rather, I feel that I am not worth such a selfless gesture.” She picked her words carefully, trying not to incite his wrath.

“Ahaha, I can tell you already saw through me!” He chuckled.

“What?” She was sweating from anxiousness, but he didn’t seem to take her seriously.

“Indeed, there is another reason.” He put his index finger up and winked. “If I were to save one of Athena’s favorites, surely she would be in my debt. You can never have too many favors from that one.” His explanation was so jovial that she almost fell off the tree.

“Y-you can’t use me like that!” She protested. “I won’t become a bargaining tool for the great and wise Athena’s favor!”

“Dread. I spoke too much.” Hermes said theatrically and put a hand over his forehead.

“As her priestess I cannot be a burden to her.” Eugenia was serious about her indignation, which only amused the gods’ messenger all the more.

“You truly are too much! This strong will and devout nature, I am growing more envious by the moment.” His laughter was like a mild rain on a scorching day and cooled down even the upset girl. “I shall not attempt such folly then. I can see that you are set in your decision.”

“Yes! I will not rely on the power of the gods to get saved. You have so many burdens already, because of our human selfishness.” She spoke from the heart. “Wise Athena gave me hearing that allowed me to be independent in the darkness. I can never; no I do not want to ever demand more of her!”

Hermes listened to her serious declaration. A girl so young and naïve, but also incredibly considerate had not been seen often in this world. Humans time and again claimed to revere the gods, to serve them and to follow them, but rarely was there ever one that wanted to support them. Who would ever think that the infinitely powerful beings above them needed to be worried after?

The ‘burden’ she spoke of was nothing more than a human idea. The Olympians had their own matters to struggle with, that much had always been true, yet there was not much a human could do about that. All humans were ever able to do was to ask that their burden be reduced. Instead this human would claim independence for the sake of lessening the gods’ burden.

“What do you think makes a hero, Eugenia?” Hermes asked curiously.

For a moment she blushed, because she realized how impolite she had been, but also partially because a god had spoken her name. She cleared her throat to distract from her embarrassment and then considered the question quickly.

“They need to have done great deeds, right?” She replied like a child in temple school.

“Hmhm, yes, that is a given, I suppose.” Despite the correctness of her statement, he still seemed to have wanted a different answer. “Anything more?”

“Er… a great weapon or gift maybe?” She fumbled around, clearly stressed over his nonplussed reaction.

“Many of those have been involved with heroic tales, true.” He nodded. Still a miss.

“I am sorry, I can’t think of anything that would apply to all heroes.” Eugenia lowered her head.

“Most people would probably have added bravery or cunning to your list.” He joked.

“Then those are-?”

“I believe not.” He interrupted her. “What a hero truly needs is a goal.”

“A goal?” Eugenia was perplexed by that answer. Of course a hero needed a goal, but wasn’t that the case for pretty much anyone?

“Absolutely.” Hermes confirmed it. “Some heroes are kind, some are brutal and most of them are brave. There are many ways to obtain a legend and to be heralded as heroic.” He put his cap on one finger and spun it in the air. “But what all of them have in common is that something drives them. The Argonauts lived for adventure. Odysseus wished to return home and Achilleus fought for his people.” His eyes had seen so many legends firsthand already.

“But, even a butcher works to feed his family. A scholar searches for wisdom. A priestess wants to be a medium between mortals and gods.” Eugenia pointed out timidly.

“You realized it right away. Purpose and goals, those are things most humans possess.”

“Then everyone is a hero?”

“Most will never be praised in song and prose, but I believe that every human is the hero of their own tale.” It was then that Hermes finally got to his point. “What is the goal of the gods, though?”

“Wha-? That’s…!” The girl tried to reply immediately, but she felt that she shouldn’t be hasty again. Thinking about it a bit more could not harm. No matter how she mulled it over, the answer seemed obvious though. “To rule the world and keep it prosperous.”

“That is one interpretation. We all have our duties to guide this world, the underworld and even the heavens themselves. Those have been decided by our king, Zeus. Then would you say duties are goals? I might be inclined to agree.”

“Phew.” Eugenia released her repressed breath. She finally had gotten something right.

“Can gods be heroes then?”

“Of course! You saved so many people, great Hermes!” It wasn’t even up to debate to her.

“I did give a hand in some matters, certainly.” He shrugged humbly. “Do you comprehend what I am attempting to convey?”

Eugenia shook her head honestly.

“The ‘goals’ given to us gods, they have mostly become dependent on one factor: Humans.”

“Humans?”

“We govern the world, but for whom? Ourselves? Pride and dominion are not satisfactory in and of themselves. We enjoy the world, but it is not as if we have a need for it. If we stayed in Olympus, what difference would it make if this world became a wasteland?”

Eugenia gasped at such a horrific possibility.

“We gods… stagnate. We were born without purpose and we only make purpose for ourselves to bide time. In the end, we decide what our goals are, but they only matter because someone is there to take note of them. Some engage in affairs, others play with mortals and yet others expand the realm of the possible.” Although his words were tinged in a profound mellowness, he still sounded like a curious young lad somehow.

“I don’t follow.” The young girl of merely 16 summers could not understand the depth of a god’s thoughts.

“I may be rambling. That is another thing people often associate with me.” He chuckled again. “What I am trying to convey is perhaps very simple. Humans are necessary for us gods, just as we are for humans. We do not need your strength or support, what we need are your ‘goals’. If you attain true independence that will surely be a sad day for us.”

“I did not… that was not my intention…” Her face was downcast.

Hermes suddenly rose up on the branch and stood tall, making it shake violently and giving Eugenia nearly a heart attack.

“Do not feel sorry for me, because playing ‘hero’ is just another pastime. Everything I do for others is also for my sake. I am certain that most of my siblings feel similarly.” He declared while spreading his arms. “Eugenia, if you ever feel that your ‘independence’ is a burden too great, ask me for help. I will promise to lend you my ear.”

Then this was the covenant he had spoken of at the beginning. The young woman finally understood why he was called the god of eloquence. He knew how to find the goal at every long winded path of words. The destination was always in reach of the messenger.

“I thank you.” She bowed as well as she could on the shaking branch. And then… she jumped down fearlessly. She really did land standing! Even if her legs shook pitifully in pain from the strong impact. “I will do that! But if I can take a leap on my own I will do that too.” She smiled brightly.

They had come to an understanding, the mortal and the god.

“You seem to be getting along sickeningly well.” Medusa watched the shining pair with squinted eyes. She really felt painfully blinded by their shine.

“Not as well as you two, I assure you.” Hermes replied with a tap on his cap and an amused expression.

“I thought the girl was the blind one.” The Gorgon replied with a sharp tongue.

“Have you written a reply, Lady Medusa?” Eugenia asked bursting with curiosity.

“Do you see a letter?” She asked snappishly.

“Hmph.” The girl didn’t give her the satisfaction of reacting to that jab. Instead she went over to her bedstead and got something from below the animal skins. It was a piece of parchment. “You should have just asked if you didn’t have any.”

“I do not need any!” She retorted annoyed.

“Have your words failed you?” Hermes wondered while leaning back against a pillar.

“I did think about it seriously, for your information.” She crossed her arms. “There is no need for many words. At least I will not write down a meaningless flood of fancy nonsense.” Stheno had managed to fill an entire parchment with nothing more than empty phrases she picked up somewhere. The core message could have been summed up in two sentences. “Tell them I am doing well.”

“That’s it?!” Eugenia protested, but Hermes nodded. He was just the messenger, nothing more, nothing less. “No, you can’t be so brief! They surely want to know what you have been doing in those decades.” But the girl insisted and held on to Hermes arm so he couldn’t run off.

“There is not much to tell.” The Gorgon replied curtly.

“Then at least tell them what you truly feel!” Her words penetrated deep inside the Gorgon’s mind. How impertinent, to assume she knew what someone like her truly felt.

“Well?” Hermes raised a brow, waiting for her decision.

“I am doing well.” She repeated. “And I…” Could she really say something this shameful? Although she had long since given up on such feelings, it still did surprisingly hold true. “I hope you are doing well too… I miss you.” She wrung it out of her prideful mouth. To think that she could still feel shame over such banalities. Maybe there was a bad influence involved.

Eugenia nodded in satisfaction, completely oblivious of Medusa’s glare.

“Oh my! Is that a hare I spy?” Suddenly Hermes exclaimed and pointed towards the distant hills. And sure enough there was a hare, no, several hares! Their ears perked up at the shout and they rushed off to find a burrow.

“Whaaat? Where did they come from? I have never sensed any in this place!” The girl got so excited that she rushed off immediately. If she could make sure that there was a population, no matter how small, that would guarantee a source of meat other than straggling birds.

“So easy.” Medusa watched her run with dulled eyes. “Do not put any more things on my island, messenger boy.” She hissed accusingly.

“They must have slipped from my cap some time while I was waiting for your message. An entire day has passed after all.” Hermes said with feigned surprise.

“Enough of your twisted half-truths. Just deliver my words already.” She shooed him off.

“Right away. There is only one tiny matter left to attend to.” He put a hand to his mouth. “Could you tell me the details of the last expedition that came here?”

“You did not manage to pry it out of your new favorite toy yet?” Medusa asked toxically and rested on her long curled up snake half.

“How hurtful. I am a sensitive soul, which is why I cannot put a lady on the spot in such a crude way.”

“Figures. I am just a monster, so that would not apply to me.” She chuckled darkly.

“Consider it a small payment for my services.”

“Whatever. I have no reason to hide it.” She quickly summarized what had happened on the day Eugenia arrived on Sarpedon. Hermes’ expression did not shift once, he was incredibly good at hiding his thoughts.

“Very intriguing.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.”

“That means none of it.”

“Your pessimism is just as developed as Eugenia said.” He sighed playfully.

“You even use her name. She must have enchanted you quite a bit.” Medusa decidedly put on a mocking face.

“Being enchanted is also a taxing profession. Have some pity for this sorry messenger.”

“You could ask my sisters to comfort you.”

Medusa was heartless indeed.

“We shall see about that.” He turned around, exposing his naked body to the sun. The tendons on his legs were already straining for the sprint across the ocean.

“One last thing.” This time it was Medusa who stopped him in his tracks.

“Yes?”

“If you really touch my sisters I will break your rod.” The snake-haired woman was suddenly exceptionally close to the messenger’s face. He could see each individual pair of slit-like snake eyes seizing him up on her head.

“Unfortunately I do not bring Caduceus along for such trips.” He said mischievously. His famous staff was known all across the world, but it was not always on him, contrary to popular belief.

“I am talking about your other rod.” She looked down with great implication.

Hermes face was covered in shade and he gulped.

“Understood.” Now he was the embodiment of professionalism. It could be said that the god of athletes had never rushed off so swiftly in all of known history.

As he left behind a trail of sand clouds and parting waters, Eugenia came running back with a dirt covered face. She was out of breath, but clearly happy about her discovery.

“I have found a burrow with six hares! You were right, great and swift Hermes!” She rubbed dirt from her ears and moved her head around. “Where is he?”

“He left to do his job.”

“Huh?” The priestess looked on with a blank expression.

She couldn’t even say goodbye. So much for listening to her!

As the companions returned to being a duo, the messenger of the gods left for the north. On his way he would discover something that confirmed his contemplations. The stage of this event was Athens.