There are many lights in the world.
From the faint light of fireflies to the intense glow caused by the explosion of a supernova.
If we were to include it, we could also add the invisible emotional light called hope.
However,
if you ask me who among the gods of Olympus is responsible for illuminating the world, I would say only the sun and the moon.
The sunlight that warms the hearts of humans.
The moonlight that becomes a ray of hope amidst the dangerous darkness.
Do you know what these two lights have in common?
Two big ones I can mention are continuity and fairness.
Does the sunlight or moonlight ever take a few days off because they feel too lazy to rise?
Or does anyone hide their light because they don’t like someone?
Never.
These two lights, always by people’s side, might be the ultimate truth of preciousness.
Then, let me ask.
Who among the gods of Olympus is responsible for such lights?
Of course!
The Sun God, Apollo.
The Goddess of the Moon, Artemis.
Even those unfamiliar with Olympus mythology likely know the names and roles of these two deities well.
But not many people probably know that these two are the second-generation gods who received their divine roles.
Then who were the first-generation sun and moon gods?
They were Helios and Selene.
However, due to various reasons in the past, they stepped down from the forefront, passing on their immense divine roles to the second generation, the current Twelve Olympians, Apollo and Artemis.
Is that why?
Though we can’t exactly call it a usurpation,
there was significant resistance and caution from Apollo and Artemis regarding the prophecy that someone else would illuminate the world.
The oracle given by Apollo was essentially a warning about the emergence of a third-generation god responsible for the sun and moon.
“So what? What should we do now? Would calling a meeting of the Twelve Olympians be a good idea?”
“No! That would be courting disaster.”
“What do you mean? Dad is the king of the gods; it’s only natural to seek his help.”
Zeus, for the stability of the world and his own power, has mostly filled the Twelve Olympian seats with his close relatives.
Thus, it’s only reasonable for Artemis to believe he wouldn’t sit idly by in the face of danger to his two children.
“Exactly. But he probably doesn’t want to lose the support of the middle and lower gods, does he?”
Apollo’s statement is correct.
Though Styx isn’t among the highest gods, Zeus respects and maintains its honor more than anyone.
The higher one’s position, the more they value face and justification—I’ve seen that quite often.
“So… as long as there’s a rationale in the oracle’s prophecy, it’ll be hard to get direct help from Dad? Tch! Besides, other members of the Twelve Olympians might also plot to fill our seats with their own children.”
“Yes, smart sister.”
“Then it looks like we’ll have to handle it ourselves… Hey, Apollo.”
“Why.”
“Could Helios and Selene be trying to reclaim their positions? There’s ample room to interpret the prophecy as the first generation making a comeback as the third generation.”
“My thought? No. The prophecy clearly spoke of ‘another light.’ It’s better to consider it the birth of a new light rather than the revival of an old one.”
“Hmm… yes.”
Even Artemis, who usually scolds her older brother, seems to fully trust Apollo’s interpretation of the oracle.
After all, there’s probably no better expert on oracles and prophecies than Apollo, built over thousands of years.
Artemis, in her frustration, kicked the floor unnecessarily and spoke again.
“So what then? Who’s the rebel?”
“Hmm…”
“It’s not like searching for a needle in a desert… the stability of Olympus has been maintained for over a thousand years. Who suddenly would try to overthrow the divine order?”
“Agree. The middle and lower gods have long been content with their current existence.”
“Yes. From what I see, it’s not among the gods. It must surely come from a human.”
At the oppressive feeling of being watched by invisible eyes, my legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed.
That gaze was similar to the chill of someone determined to detect and eliminate any regime-overthrowing rebels.
“Then, let’s look into the world for a change, sister.”
“Alright. If I find any irregularities during my investigation, I’ll let you know.”
“Carrot, right.”
“Ugh, really old-fashioned!!”
Calmly regaining their composure and looking at each other, the two gods nodded.
It seemed almost exaggerated to ensure no one doubted their sibling relationship; both crossed their arms and leaned on their legs with the same stance, their eyes closed.
Every now and then, they furrowed their brows as if chewing on something, deep in thought.
Their goal was clear.
Apollo, the Sun God, who could overlook all events and people in the daytime,
and Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon, who could see everything that occurred at night.
Together, they could review every moment of the past occurrences in the world with ease.
By the time they opened their eyes, it was late afternoon, just as the sun was about to set.
“So, Apollo, did you find any suspicious humans?”
“No… it’s the epitome of peace. There were no rebels anywhere.”
“Me neither…”
“Then, we’ll have to mobilize servants from now on and search the world thoroughly—”
“Ah~!”
At the moment Apollo proposed the classic strategy of heightening vigilance,
Artemis, next to me, suddenly gasped and widened her eyes as if struck by a hammer on the head.
As Apollo tilted his head in confusion, Artemis began to grin slyly, as if she’d found the answer.
“Smiling suddenly? I love you, but that grin is very creepy.”
“Idiot! If the third light bringing us down isn’t either a god or a human, then what is it? The answer’s obvious, isn’t it!!”
“Hmm… sorry, I just don’t get it, my lovely sister.”
Artemis stretched out her right arm and held up three fingers.
“Three fingers? What… Ah!!!”
Realizing his sister’s conclusion, Apollo clapped his hands and began grinning foolishly just like her.
But as for me, I was still baffled.
What exactly were they thinking about?
Artemis, hurry up and explain!
“There’s no one else but the Moirai!”
Her answer made me widen my eyes in surprise.
Yes, that’s the correct answer.
Who are the Moirai?
They are none other than the three goddesses of fate.
Not only do they manage the threads that govern human life,
but these three sisters decide birth, death, and destiny by spinning, measuring, and cutting those threads.
The eldest, Clotho, spins the thread of birth,
the second, Lachesis, measures the length of life,
and the youngest, Atropos, cuts the thread, determining death.
The threads intricately woven by these three sisters consider every possible outcome and result, weaving an extraordinary destiny.
“Right! The Moirai!! Truly my smart sister!!”
“Hmph! You called me stupid before!!”
“Fact that I don’t remember.”
“Anyway. There’s no one else. They must be the goddesses creating humans with a plight destined to drive us out!”
“But, sister, is that alright? Even daddy can’t interfere with the Moirai.”
The decisions of the three Moirai goddesses possess an eternal and absolute nature.
Even Zeus, king of the gods, cannot alter the life and death they determine.
Thus, even the gods cannot defy the fate decided by the Moirai.
In today’s context,
they would resemble the Constitutional Court.
The only goddesses who exist independently, unaffected by anyone’s influence.
Artemis mentioned that we should target the Moirai, who hold such absolute authority, to solve the oracle’s prophecy.
“Annoying! Are you just going to sit here and let it be taken away?”
“That’s a no, but…”
“Then, stop talking nonsense and let’s go! They must certainly be plotting something.”
Artemis pulling Apollo by his collar.
And off the two gods went to meet the three sisters of fate, makers of human destiny, storming their way.
We boarded Apollo’s Sun Chariot and barely pushed through the storm around the storm-isle, entering.
Looking around while disembarking from the chariot, all that existed on this small island was a few white cottages surrounded by a tall fence of thick ropes.
“I sense it! Since no one can break through the storm, it’s the perfect place for a conspiracy.”
“Right…”
Apollo and Artemis took hold of the Sunbow and Moonbow left on the chariot.
To immediately puncture any hint of betrayal.
As we proceeded cautiously,
seeing no apparent entrance, we simply climbed over the cumbersome rope fence.
“Ow! Seriously! How thick are these ropes?”
“…?”
We were all equally surprised.
It wasn’t only the circumference—its diameter easily reached one meter.
“Apollo! Artemis!”
At the sound of our movement, Lachesis, the second of the Moirai, rushed out of the cottage,
startled when she saw the twins, and hurriedly approached.
“What brings you here? This is a forbidden zone. Leave immediately!!”
“Ah… beautiful Lachesis, please don’t be so cold.”
“Apollo! How dare you steal your own prophecy! Forbidden, indeed!!”
Lachesis immediately deduced the purpose of their visit and became angry.
Approaching Apollo, she attempted to push him out,
but naturally, the supreme power of a top-tier Olympus god was beyond what a regular god could resist.
“Lachesis, don’t misunderstand ma. I just said the prophecy to my sister, not stolen it by myself.”
“Vile Apollo! Petty Apollo! Do you think such tricks will work?!”
Annoyed with the sound of it, Artemis rudely interrupted between them,
and took out an arrow, aiming it at Lachesis’s neck.
“Hey, Lachesis, where are the other sisters?”
“I, I don’t know! They’re not here!”
“Is that so? Then it’s fortunate.”
“…what?”
“I need to inspect the workshop where the threads of fate are managed.”
“What? You wicked ones! Kyaaa!”
“Sorry, lady.”
Lachesis attempted to punch Artemis to stop her,
but Apollo, already quick enough, grabbed her arm from behind and restrained her.
Artemis immediately headed toward the management room where all the threads of life of the world’s people were gathered.
Breaking down the door, she began inspecting the countless threads in the baskets.
But all she found were the ultra-fine threads that could barely fit through a needle’s eye,
and she eventually returned empty-handed from the management room to Apollo.
“Result?”
“It’s strange. I checked all the threads’ aura of fate, but… I didn’t find anything particularly unusual.”
The brother and sister, who believed without doubt that they would find the thread underlying the prophecy from the management room, were perplexed and at a loss.
At that moment, Lachesis, taking advantage of Apollo’s loosened grip, broke free and erupted in rage.
“Demons trying to destroy the world’s order!!! Today, I will report this to Zeus in Olympus, and I will certainly take away your divinity!!”
“Hah! Now you reveal your true colors, Lachesis. Did you plot to oust us from the Twelve Thrones? Whose orders are you following?”
“Mu, what nonsense is this―cough cough!”
Artemis grabbed Lachesis by the collar and dragged her forward,
twisting her wrist and tightening her air supply.
“Speak if you want to live. Where is the new light eating away at my light!!”
“Kuu… I can’t t-tell you… Even if I die, I c-can’t say anything…!!!”
“Damn you!!”
Artemis screamed and raised her right hand to slap Lachesis,
her determination not to be taken over absolute, enough to clear the clouds in the sky.
Just as she was about to slap Lachesis,
Artemis froze, looking deeply into her eyes.
She wasn’t locking eyes with her,
but looking anxiously at something behind her.
Feeling a bone-chilling, cold aura, Artemis whipped her head around quickly.
But there was nothing there.
Just the huge and long rope fence surrounding the cottage.
“…Apollo?”
“Why.”
“Is that rope really just a fence?”
“Sure. Not just any rope, but thick like a rescue rope.”
“Apollo… but isn’t that ‘rope’ really just ‘thread’?”
“Hmm… sound… Ah! Right!!!!”
Artemis and Apollo simultaneously nocked their arrows.
At the ‘fate’ that was disguising itself as a fence.
