Mount Olympus: the abode of the gods.
The divine radiance of the heavens enveloped this majestic peak, preserving it in a state of eternal, flawless perfection. Here, the trees grew lush and towering, their leaves maintaining a permanent, vibrant verdancy. Warm, golden sunlight filtered through the canopy, shattering into brilliant dappled patterns upon the forest floor.
Lily of the valley, narcissus, and hyacinth held their unwithering blossoms high with pride. As a gentle breeze drifted by, a soul-soothing fragrance permeated the woodland air.
"Hahaha! Come and catch me!"
Laughter, clear as silver bells, echoed through the trees. These were the Nymphs—beings with transparent wings fluttering behind them—laughing and playing with carefree abandon. As servants to the gods, they were permitted to dwell upon this hallowed mountain, forever bathed in divine light. To them, such protection was undoubtedly the ultimate honor.
"Amphlan, you must be careful. These are offerings for the Goddess Hebe. It is your first day on duty; do not stumble and drop them!"
Amidst the frolicking crowd, two Nymphs made their way through the forest. Both possessed lovely visages, but the younger of the two held a tray crafted of pure gold. Upon it rested clusters of grapes, glowing with a deep purple-black luster like polished gemstones.
As she carried the grapes intended for the Goddess, Amphlan could not help but steal glances at her surroundings. This was her first time atop Mount Olympus, and everything felt wondrously surreal. Hearing the slightly stern reprimand, Amphlan quickly focused her mind and stuck out her tongue playfully.
"I understand, Sister Meli. It's just... the scenery here is so beautiful. It's nothing like the world below."
Meli looked at Amphlan's youthful face and shook her head, choosing not to say more. Every Nymph newly chosen for Olympus went through this phase—marveling at the resplendent glory and yearning for this eternal immortality.
"Walk faster. We must not keep the Goddess waiting."
"I know, Sister Meli."
The two Nymphs beat their translucent wings, and a gentle draft carried them above the forest toward a temple nestled within the high peaks, shimmering with a soft, ethereal light.
This was the Temple of Hebe, the Goddess of Youth.
The sanctuary had been personally arranged by Hera, the Queen of Heaven. As the only one among King Zeus's many consorts to wield half of his sovereign authority, the "White-armed Goddess" held immense power on Mount Olympus.
Hebe, however, was the weakest of her children, having inherited only the third-tier office of "Youth." Filled with maternal instinct, Hera felt a particular tenderness for her daughter. To ensure Hebe would not be looked down upon by the other Olympian deities, Hera had spared no effort. Using her authority as Queen, she commanded the gods to seek out every imaginable treasure: white jade from the highest peaks, refined gold, pearls from the deepest trenches, rare gemstones from the earth's marrow, and divine flora of singular spiritual essence. All of it was poured into the decoration of Hebe's temple.
From a distance, the temple's sheer opulence was almost staggering—a display of wealth so profound it bordered on the irrational.
On all of Mount Olympus, few palaces could rival its splendor. Many a deity looked upon this magnificent edifice with envious eyes, gnashing their teeth in private. A minor third-tier goddess? How does she deserve this? Yet, curbed by the Queen's majesty, none dared to act. To provoke Hera was to risk her seizing Zeus's lightning bolts and hurling them at one's own head. Gods were immortal, but they were not immune to falling.
"Wow... this is..."
Amphlan looked up at the temple, her mind reeling from the dazzling luxury. She struggled to find words grand enough to describe such beauty.
"Stop staring. Get inside, the Goddess is waiting!"
Having served in the Temple of Youth for a long time, Meli had developed a degree of immunity to the grandeur. She expertly lowered her gaze to avoid being blinded by the massive deep-sea pearl embedded in the entrance, grabbed the dazed Amphlan, and led her straight inside.
The two Nymphs brought the gem-like grapes into the hall, only to find the throne empty. Meli surmised the Goddess had retreated to the rear gardens again and led Amphlan toward the back of the temple.
There, in the garden behind the sanctuary, Amphlan beheld a sight she would not forget if she lived a thousand years.
In contrast to the overwhelming opulence of the main hall, the rear garden possessed an air of elegant, sacred serenity. Exotic flowers bloomed in wild profusion, shimmering with faint sparks of divinity. They swayed gracefully in the wind, each seemingly competing to outshine its neighbor in a display of peerless beauty.
Yet, no matter how vibrant the blossoms, they could not claim even a fraction of the radiance belonging to the Goddess standing before them.
She was a maiden deity crowned with flowers. Of the exquisite features inherited from her great father and mother, the most striking were her hair—shining gold like the lightning in Zeus's hand—and her purple eyes, which mirrored the "ox-eyed" gaze of her mother.
The office of "Youth" meant her form was not mature and voluptuous like other goddesses, but rather slender and lithe, brimming with the unique vitality of a young girl. Paired with skin as white and delicate as milk, she possessed a vibrant, spirited beauty—an innocent charm exclusive to youth.
Yet within that rare innocence, her violet eyes held a hint of unspeakable allure and nobility as they darted about. These two contradictory auras merged perfectly within her, creating an enchanting presence. She might not have been the "fairest" goddess on Olympus, but she was certainly the most unique—the kind of beauty that, once seen, could never be forgotten.
"Good day, Hebe of the Youth. The Queen of Heaven has commanded us to deliver these grapes, a tribute from Mount Diros."
Meli presented the fresh fruit, her beautiful face showing absolute reverence. She gave the distracted Amphlan a sharp, secret tug, feeling a flash of annoyance. This Amphlan! She truly is too young and unreliable, dazing off even before Lady Hebe!
"It has been a while, Meli."
The maiden-like goddess smiled, two cute dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth. Her violet eyes, so like Hera's, softened with a gentle warmth. She looked curiously at the Nymph beside Meli—the one holding the golden tray and stealing glances at her.
"Lady Hebe, this is Amphlan," Meli introduced quickly, pulling the girl forward. "She is a Naiad who recently arrived on Olympus to serve."
"Noble Lady Hebe, may the glory of the gods be with you."
Amphlan finally snapped out of it. She submissively stepped forward with the tray, her eyes wide as she looked at the young goddess. Her mind was screaming: Lady Hebe is so captivating! That hair brighter than the sun, those noble purple eyes, that enviable skin...
"Amphlan? What a lovely name."
Hebe plucked a grape from the tray and peeled back its skin, revealing flesh as translucent as crystal. She closed her eyes in delight as the sweet flavor exploded on her palate, feeling a faint ripple of divine energy circulate through her body.
She turned to the young Nymph, whose eyes were still filled with innocent vitality, and felt a surge of affection. As the mistress of Youth, she felt a natural kinship with those who were pure and spirited.
"It would be impolite not to offer a gift for our first meeting."
The violet-eyed goddess winked playfully. With a flash of divine light, a magnificent golden cup appeared in her hand. This was the Chalice of Youth, Hebe's birthright artifact. The waters that flowed from it could grant eternal youth and banish all exhaustion.
It was because of this artifact that her father, Zeus, King of the Gods, had appointed Hebe as the Cupbearer to the Deities. To the immortal gods, the water itself was unnecessary for youth; what they craved was the wine brewed from the Spring of Youth—a nectar that could make their hearts bloom with joy and vigor. Thus, by the arrangement of her "dear father," the noble daughter of the King and Queen served as a mere pourer of wine at their banquets.
While the waters had little effect on gods, to aging mortals or Nymphs, they were a treasure beyond compare.
A strange, milk-white liquid flowed from the golden cup. Hebe filled a chalice and handed it to the young Nymph.
"May youth and vitality be with you always."
Amphlan's eyes erupted with surprise and gratitude. She piously accepted the blessing and drank. In an instant, an intoxicating surge of vigor burst from within her. At that moment, the Nymph was granted eternal youth.
"Thank you, My Lady! May the Holy Light and glory be with you!" Amphlan's eyes were full of adoration and respect.
Beside her, Meli was also happy for her friend. As a maid of the Queen, she had long ago received the waters from Hebe; seeing her companion receive the same honor brought her great joy.
Hebe smiled and tucked the chalice away, unconcerned. As the Goddess of Youth, such a gift was but a simple gesture.
"Lady Hebe, we shall take our leave. The Great White-armed Goddess awaits our report."
Meli and Amphlan bowed respectfully. Not wishing to disturb the Goddess further, Meli pulled Amphlan—who clearly wanted to say more—away from the Temple of Youth.
"Lady Hebe is truly the most beautiful goddess I have ever seen!"
Amphlan fluttered her wings, dancing through the forest, her mouth never ceasing its praise for the generous goddess who had granted her eternal youth.
"How many goddesses have you actually seen to make such a claim?" Meli shook her head. Her little sister had stayed in the earthly waters too long; she was far too naive. She pulled Amphlan down from the air.
"Amphlan, you were far too reckless today. You should be grateful that you visited the most gentle and merciful goddess on all of Olympus. Not only did she ignore your lapse in etiquette, but she also graced you with the glory of youth."
Meli's usually soft eyes were now filled with an unprecedented gravity.
"But you must understand: not all gods are so kind. Even the God of Light, whom all men praise, has a shadow within him. If his wrath is provoked... do you remember the City of Rosa?"
At the mention of Rosa, Amphlan's face turned deathly pale as a terrifying memory surfaced.
She remembered. Rosa had been a city-state protected by Apollo, the God of Light and Medicine. But because someone in the temple had spoken irreverently of him, the enraged god had waved his hand and descended a plague. Within days, that once-glorious city became a graveyard of corpses. Not a single soul survived.
"I... I understand, Sister Meli. I will be more cautious from now on."
Amphlan felt a mixture of terror and relief—terror at the cold ruthlessness of the gods, and relief that her own recklessness had been met by a goddess of such boundless grace.
"As long as you understand..." Seeing that Amphlan was truly shaken, Meli said no more and hurried her toward the Queen's palace to report.