The sky was tinged with warm tones, deep orange blending with soft pink and violet hues. The last rays of a huge sun reflected off the perfect canvas of crystal clear, calm waters of the Aegean Sea. The waves roared against the beach. Everything felt calm and eternal. Everything felt in order.
"The beauty of this place is immense, but it still cannot compare to yours."
"I think you've had enough to drink, don't you think, Kronos?" Rhea played with his hair as she drank again from the golden cup she held in her other hand, filled with néktar*.
"I hope that one day we will be free to explore the Aegean and have all the time in the world to see the wonders of the land that Mother created." Kronos gazed at the sea and thought about the wonders that awaited out there.
"Father will never let you go. He only thinks about destroying those monsters we have for brothers and relatives. Sometimes I agree with him, even though they are our own flesh and blood," she replied, placing the cup on the wooden table in front of her.
"You too, Rhea? Father is as much a monster as they are. You know how he treats Mother and the rest of our siblings." The look Kronos now gave her was not tender but severe.
"I'm just saying... what does it matter, dear? I don't want to ruin the afternoon talking about war and family... Speaking of family, look, here comes Themis."
Both turned their gaze toward the young woman running toward them. The expression on her face was one of terror. When she reached them, she was exhausted, panting heavily and breathing raggedly. She tried to speak, but exhaustion and fear prevented her.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Kronos asked worriedly, while Rhea rushed to her sister to hold and embrace her.
"No... I'm fine... but Mother... Father has returned from his campaign," she finally managed to finish the sentence and catch her breath to continue. "Father has returned with the head of one of Pontus' sons and threw it at mother's feet, and then he began to beat her. I tried to stop him, but he hit me too..." After this, Kronos began to run towards Mount Otris while Rhea comforted Themis as if she were her mother.
"Oh, Themis, why did you stand up to Father?" Rhea said, comforting Themis while checking that she was not hurt.
"It was only fair, Rhea. You know how badly Father treats Mother and how unfair he is to the rest of our siblings for being different."
"You also defend those hundred-armed monsters and one-eyed giants."
"I thought you would understand," Themis replied, giving her sister a disappointed look. "They are fighting and dying for our family in this unjust war."
"And I do understand, but I think we should stay out of Father's affairs," said Rea, picking up her cup again and taking a long drink.
*A sweet, aromatic, and luminous liquid. Sometimes compared to fermented honey (similar to mead).