Metis was fast asleep, but her mind was not at rest. She was having another dream, one that felt too real. In her dream, she saw Athena, the goddess of Wisdom, standing before her. Athena's piercing gray eyes seemed to bore into Metis's soul, and her voice was like a gentle breeze on a summer's day.
"Metis, why have you neglected the annual sacrifices?" Athena asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. "Has something carried your mind away from the duties of the temple?"
Metis felt a burst of guilt and shame. She had indeed forgotten about the sacrifices, and she knew that it was not like her to be so careless. "I...I don't know, goddess Athena," she stammered. "I've just been busy with other things."
Athena's gaze seemed to bore deeper into Metis's soul. "Is it perhaps the stranger you've been seeing?" She asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
Metis felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "No,goddess Athena," she denied. "He's just a random person I'm helping. Nothing more."
Athena's expression was questioning, but she said nothing more. Instead, she asked, "My dear Metis, do you know what the upcoming festival is about?"
Metis thought for a moment before responding. "I think it's to honor the gods and goddesses, goddess Athena. We make sacrifices and offer prayers to ensure their favor and protection."
Athena nodded. "You are correct, Metis. But this festival is different. It's a time of great change and transformation. The gods will be watching us closely, and we must be prepared to face whatever challenges they throw to us."
Metis's heart skipped a beat. She had never thought about the festival in that way before. "What kind of challenges, goddess Athena?" She asked her curiosity aroused.
Athena's expression was serious. "I'm in no position to reveal what the gods have predicted Metis. But I do know that you have a crucial role to play in all this. You must be brave and strong, and you must trust in the gods to guide you."
"I will, goddess Athena," she said. "I promise to be brave and strong, and to trust in the gods ."
Athena smiled, her eyes beaming with approval. "I know you will, Metis. You have always been a faithful and devoted servant of the temple. I have no doubt that you'll rise to the challenges that lie ahead."
With these words Athena vanished into thin air.
Metis woke up startled, she had never felt so connected to the gods before, and she knew she had a lot to discover.
*******************
Meanwhile, Sophos was on the mission of his own. He had traveled to an ancient temple in another village, one that he was sure had the key to unlocking the prophecy. As he explored the temple, he stumbled upon an old, dusty script that seemed to match the description of the ancient text he had been searching for.
Excited by this discovery, Sophos decided to made his way back to Metis, eager to share the news with her. But as he was walking, he was stopped by a messenger of Poseidon.
"Be Careful son of Poseidon," the messenger warned. "Do not grow any attachments or feelings for the priestess of Athena, for you have been chosen a bride for, a bride whom you will spend eternity with."
Sophos was taken back by the warning. He had not realized that his feelings for Metis had been so obvious. "What do you mean?" he asked, in a defensive tune.
The messenger's expression was serious. "I mean that you've been chosen by the gods to complete a task, which you'll be rewarded greatly for and a bride will be given to you. You can't let your personal feelings get in the way of that."
Sophos felt the surge of defensiveness, but he knew that the messenger was right. He did have feelings for Metis, and he needed to be careful not to let them get in the way of the task.
"I'll be careful," Sophos said, trying to reassure the messenger.
The messenger nodded, seeming to accept Sophos's promise. "See that you do," he said.
With that the messenger turned and vanished into the crowd, leaving Sophos to pounder the warning. He knew that he had to be careful, but he couldn't help the way he felt. He was drawn to Metis, and he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.
As he walked back to the temple, Sophos couldn't help but think about Metis. He wondered what she was doing, and whether she was thinking about him too. He quickened his pace, eager to get back to the temple and share his news with her.
But Sophos knew that he couldn't just show up at the temple and expect to see Metis. He had to be careful, and he had to make sure that their meeting was kept secret.
So, he decided to use the secret signal that he and Thalia agreed upon. He made his way to the old windmill on the outskirts of the village, and he gave a series of three short whistles, followed by a long low whistle.
Thalia, who was busy with her chores, heard the signal and immediately knew that Sophos was trying to contact her. She excused herself and made her way to the windmill, where she found Sophos waiting for her.
"What is it, Sophos?" Thalia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You're not supposed to be here. What's going on?"
"I've found something," Sophos whispered.
"I think it's the key to unlocking the prophecy. Can you arrange for me to see Metis?"
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I can do that?" she asked, a sly smile spreading across her face.
Sophos smiled back at her. "Because I know you're the only one who can help me," he said. "You're the only one who knows how to get Metis without being seen."
Thalia nodded, a look of understanding on her face. "Okay, I'll help you," but you have to be careful. We can't let anyone see you."
Sophos shook his head in seriousness. "I know," he said. "I'll be careful. Just make sure that Metis is alone, and that no one is watching."
Thalia nodded, and then she turned and walked swiftly into the crowd. Sophos waited for a few minutes, and then he followed her, making his way back to the temple.
When he arrived, he found Metis alone in the garden, surrounded by the Flowers and trees she loved so much. She looked up as he approached, and their eyes met in a flash of understanding.
"Sophos," she said, in a whisper. "What are you doing here? I thought you were out on a mission."
Sophos smiled, his eyes locked on hers. "I was," he said. "But I found something that I think is important. Something that could help us."
Metis's eyes widened in interest. "What is it?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.
Sophos pulled out the ancient script and handed it to her. "This," he said. "I think it's the key to understanding the prophecy. But I need your help to decipher it."
Metis took the script and began scanning the pages with a look of intense concentration. Sophos watched her, feeling admiration for her intelligence and determination.
As Metis read, her eyes scanned the pages with intense focus. To Sophos, she was not just a woman reading - she was a vision of loveliness, an embodiment of the very essence of beauty. Her eyelashes, long and luscious, cast a subtle shadow on her cheeks, adding to the allure of her face.
Metis carefully set the script down, her fingers trembling slightly. The words on the crumbly scroll spoke of a cave on the outskirts of the village, and something about the description tugged her memory. The phrases were eerily familiar, like fragments of an old hymn snug in the temple.
Her brows furrowed as realization dawned.
"Wait," she whispered to herself, "I've seen this before."
Without wasting another second, she rushed inside, to a small wooden chest near her bed. She rummaged through scrolls and ancient writings until she found what she was searching for -a scripture she had studied in the temple's archives. She spread it out on the table just as Sophos walked in.
"What is it?" he asked, leaning over her shoulder to look.
"This," she said, pointing at the faded ink. "The cave. It's the same one mentioned here. It's guarded, and ..." She paused.
"The cave," she continued, her voice steady but tense, "it's not just mentioned here—it's the same place the prophecy talks about. That scroll... it's inside."
Sophos nodded, his expression serious. "But it's guarded. We'll need to be careful."
"I know," Metis said, glancing at him. "We can't just walk in unprepared. We'll need supplies, and I want Thalia with us. She knows how to handle herself."
"Thalia?" Sophos raised an eyebrow. "Your maid?"
"She's more than that," Metis replied firmly. "She's sharp, and I trust her completely."
Sophos considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Where do we meet?"
"Just outside the village," Metis said, pointing to a spot on the map spread beside the scripture. "There's an old oak near the riverbank. It's quiet, and no one will notice us there."
"Tomorrow night, then," Sophos said. "We'll gather what we need during the day and leave under cover of darkness."
Metis hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Sophos... are you sure about this? It won't be easy, and I can't guarantee we'll make it out unscathed."
Sophos met her gaze, his eyes steady. "If it means uncovering the truth, it's worth the risk. Besides," he added with a faint smile, "you won't be doing this alone."
His words brought a flicker of warmth to her chest, but she quickly pushed it aside. There was no room for distractions—not with so much at stake.
"Alright," she said, her voice firm. "Tomorrow night. Be ready."
Sophos nodded, and with that, the plan was set.
Immediately their conversation wound down, Sophos stood to leave. Before he did, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Metis's face. The gesture was brief between them.
"Goodnight, Metis," he said softly, his voice carrying an unspoken weight.
Metis's cheeks flushed as she managed a faint smile. "Goodnight, Sophos."
Her heart raced as she watched him go, torn by the feelings she had started to develop. She cared for him deeply, but uncertainty held her back. What if he didn't feel the same? And what of the dream—Athena's warning still haunted her.
When Sophos was out of sight, Thalia appeared at her side, her playful smile betraying her curiosity. "He likes you, you know."
Metis rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "It's nothing, Thalia."
Thalia raised a knowing eyebrow. "He couldn't take his eyes off you. And honestly, I think he's trustworthy. If you're starting to feel something for him, I wouldn't judge."
Metis smiled faintly, appreciating her Maid's support but unwilling to admit the truth, even to herself. "It's not like that," she said, though her heart betrayed her.
Thalia grinned as she extinguished the candle. "Goodnight, My lady. Think about it."
Left alone in the quiet room, Metis's thoughts churned. Did she love Sophos? Did he feel the same? She tossed and turned, the questions refusing to settle. Finally, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into a restless sleep.
But peace eluded her. The dream came swiftly, dark and vivid. This time, the vision was even more frightening. Sophos stood before her, but something was wrong. His features twisted, his form shifting into a monstrous, shadowy creature. He lunged toward her, malice in his eyes.
Metis jolted awake, her heart pounding. The room was still, the faint light of dawn creeping through the window. She clutched her blanket tightly, her breath ragged.
What did it mean? Her thoughts lingered on the dream, and a chilling question echoed in her mind: Was Sophos a friend or a threat?.