The white stone balcony beckons providing the perfect egress to the princess’ bedchamber. Behind the billowing curtains of silk lay my target, my conquest. To avoid her being dumbfounded by my divinity, upon seeing me, I change to a mortal shape, human limbs growing and morphing from eagle legs and feathers. Clothes unimportant, I stride forward to savour my indulgence for I am Zeus and mortals are my playthings.

As I sweep aside the silk curtain and view my conquest, I catch screaming and screeching steadily growing louder. The monster, known as Aetos, my punisher, squarks bitterly, while on the wing, homing in upon my presence. I lower my head in disappointment, I need to meet my agent away from Corinth before he alerts all men and Gods, one Goddess in particular. I transform effortlessly into a pure white eagle shape, the same shape I used to arrive here.

I race, my shape’s powerful wings shifting the air beneath me as I fly to a nearby mountain instead of Olympus, Aetos needs placating as its screeching will herald a false calamity across the mortal world causing unnecessary panic. I land on a peak and transform, revelling in my utter divinity, growing, accommodating Aetos. He sits comfortably on my left shoulder squawking his tirade immediately.

I find out, once his screeching settles enough for me to comprehend, who dares to insult him. Far from being angry, I am amused as my divine lips curve into a smile. My mind is entertained, developing a malicious plan as I now possess honourable reason, a casus-bell to further torment Prometheus. I did savour the thought of a chase, although Aetos confirms he hasn’t escaped and awaits my pleasure where I chained him centuries ago. I am satisfied, this turn of events consoles me enough given my thwarted plans and I don’t strike down the messenger. Aetos realises my mood and quits his screeching taking to wing with me.

Glancing back to a certain balcony, enhancing my eagle sight with divine power to spy and lament my missed lovemaking, I observe my faithful wife inspecting past the silk curtain. My squawk causes Aetos to peek at me, most likely confused and surprised by my unexpected humour. A double win, two birds in the hand and none in the bush, I look forward to my discussion with Prometheus.

---

As I land, I note Prometheus expects me. His face bows, his chin resting on his chest, the best he can manage chained as he is and his eyes lower at my arrival. I transform releasing my divinity and ordering Aetos with a glance to perch quietly on my shoulder.

I discover what blocks my minion from its duty. I analyse his creation and despite myself, admire it, basalt transformed into the living. I note its defects as well and his efforts to correct them. I don’t need to command him to stop, as he accepts his wilful intemperance ends while in my direct presence.

Character Sheet Name: None Spirit: Human Culture: Greek Mythos Body: Living Basalt Race: Human Superior Soul: Whole, Empty Hominine Essence: Level 10 Sentient Dominate: 10% Strength: 65 Grasp: 65 Toughness: 75 Constitution: 65 Vigour: 65 Endurance: 65 Dexterity: 15 Agility: 15 Quickness: 15 Wisdom: 25 Perception: 5 Mettle: 5 Intelligence: 35 Willpower: 15 Power: 15 Charisma: 15 Glamour: 50 Beauty: 100

“You will be punished, your misery increased for avoiding your due chastisement. My first act is to destroy your creation,” I bellow.

His creation curls into a ball, cowering behind her creator as I utter my thunderous divine words. She cowers further under my gaze while I assess her true nature and being. She is hairless and naked, being hairless is intriguing, and this appearance distracts me with its strangeness and the eternal interest I possess in the feminine form. Her black shining skin is malleable and moving before my eyes as she tries to shrink into a tighter ball, trying to hide.

“Punish me, King of the Gods, I beg you to complete my creation and not destroy my creation, it wants for your eternal wisdom and divine power.”

I recognise and appreciate the Titan’s flattery, none dissuaded me from the final punishment I dealt his kin. Fortunately for my bound Titan, my mind turned from destruction the moment I appreciated his unusual creation. My thoughts of torture and punishment are still alive though and I will reach beyond simple ruin and its various forms to exact my due. I withhold my response waiting for Prometheus to beg further or offer compensation. I enjoy witnessing his quick nervous glances at his creation; his obvious care should motivate him and provide further amusement for me. I wait.

“Your divine presence scares her Lord of all things, your divine gaze new to her and although an adult she is still a child. You, Lord, possess the will and the glory to raise her beyond her pitiful creator’s limitations. I submit to endure my punishment without deceit to the end of days. I submit to your will in all things and further justice due for my impertinence. I beg on behalf of my creation to allow her to live and grow. She would carry your divine forgiveness and magnificence, and all would recognise your mark upon her.”

“What of Aetos, he is greatly offended. How do you intend to apologise and compensate him?” I bellow.

“I bow to your wisdom Lord of All. I have nothing more to offer.”

“Crawl to me woman,” I command. No lesser mortal can resist my command and with satisfaction, I spy the absolute fear in her eyes as she crawls toward me not understanding how her body obeys when her mind wishes to remain with her creator.

I appreciate her shiny baldhead and my eyes greedily trace her raised spine down the length of her back finishing at the start of her rounded buttocks savouring her femininity. Her body form isn’t athletic although it has strength and endurance granted from its basalt origin. I am again amazed at Prometheus’ creation and relish claiming it as my own and enhancing it further while not forgetting I must punish him.

“On your knees and look into my eyes,” I command. Again, she does, exhibiting futile resistance and I delight in my divine power.

I examine her face, she has no eyebrows, her complexion flawless, shiny, and black. I lift an eyebrow surprised, as her face resembles, perhaps too exactly, a certain Goddess, an extremely jealous Goddess.

“You tempt jealous fate Prometheus casting her visage from another.”

“No King of Gods, I choose to honour her. Please leave her visage she is unaware.”

A dove flew into view and as it hovered to land, it transformed.

“Goddess I welcome you to the Trial of Prometheus and his creation.”

“While I acknowledge imitation is the greatest form of flattery to some, if you, Lord of Gods wish to honour my will in this, I will not suffer any other with my image to walk this land.” Her fluttering eyes and silky skin against mine sorely tempt my will.

“This is my decree. All heed and obey my will.”

Prometheus closes his eyes; I approve of his acceptance and wishing. Aetos screeches briefly and bows his head. Aphrodite smiles demurely in anticipation.

“To honour Aphrodite, your creation will be cast from this land, to spread her image elsewhere and cause all who gaze upon her image to weep at the beauty before them, inadvertently honouring the Goddess.”

“I am satisfied. Your wisdom outshines lesser beings,” Aphrodite replies, transforming into a white dove and taking flight.

“To honour Aetos, your creation will be marked with his essence, and it will be carried with her always.”

I enjoyed the confused countenance on Prometheus’ face, and I pause to savour my planned punishment for him.

I gaze into her soul, confirming its container whole and complete, acknowledging the drop of human essence. I added an avine essence as promised to Aetos.

“Your creation will need to fill its soul Prometheus. Its actions will determine its fate, either slave to another, to accept it is a monster or to claim its humanity. Your creation will be cast from this land.”

Prometheus opened his mouth, about to fill with harsh words I suspect, remaining silent instead. Then spoken acceptance.

“I am honoured by your mercy King of Gods,” Prometheus said.

“I grant you peace this day, tomorrow at dawn your punishment continues.”

My mind turns to my other discovery, not only a new land will his creation be banished to.

Character Sheet Name: None Spirit: Human Culture: Greek Mythos Body: Living Basalt Race: Human Superior Soul: Whole, Growing Hominine Essence: Level 10 Sentient Dominate: 10% Avine Essence: Level 10 Monster Dominate: 11% Strength: 65 Grasp: 65 Toughness: 65 Constitution: 65 Vigour: 65 Endurance: 65 Dexterity: 15 Agility: 25 Quickness: 15 Wisdom: 25 Perception: 15 Mettle: 15 Intelligence: 45 Willpower: 20 Power: 20 Charisma: 20 Glamour: 50 Beauty: 100