Aphrodite, her heart heavy with worry, was still contemplating what excuse she could use to deceive Selene when she suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over her. The primordial power within her womb grew rapidly, and before the astonished eyes of the Graces, a child was born.
Everything happened so suddenly. Before Aphrodite could even cry out, the winged child flew out in a radiant glow. He carried a small bow and quiver filled with golden and silver arrows. Aphrodite instinctively caught the child, feeling a dreamlike sense of unreality.
The divine connection was undeniable. The child before her was indeed her son. Motherhood flooded Aphrodite's mind, causing her to lovingly utter her son's name: "Eros."
Deep within his origin, Eros's heart skipped a beat. He turned to look at Tyche, who stood beside Nyx. Tyche returned his gaze with a defiant smile.
Eros, who also possessed the divine office of love, reciprocated his mother's powerful divine energy. The office of love pulsed, and it was only one step away from breaking through the limitations of lesser divine power to become great divine power.
The adorable little god of love was adored by the Graces, and the surging divine power of desire attracted the attention of all the gods. The gods offered blessings for the birth of the little god of love, celebrating the prosperity of the gods.
Hera, who held dominion over childbirth, was not on good terms with Aphrodite. However, a child was innocent. Motherhood led Hera to set aside her prejudice against Aphrodite, and she offered her sincere blessings.
Ares, standing behind his mother, saw Aphrodite. This time, the goddess's smile held him captive, his gaze unable to wander. The radiance of motherhood made Aphrodite look more captivating than ever before.
Ares suddenly felt an urge to drop the blade in his hand and rush to embrace Aphrodite. However, the sounds of battle echoing in his ears and the faint scent of war and blood made him hesitate, unable to make a choice. The desire for slaughter ultimately could not withstand Aphrodite's charm. This was not surprising, as even the two primordial gods of darkness could not control the influence of desire, let alone the young god of war.
The gods returned to the feast to continue their revelry. Ares, having put aside his desire for slaughter, returned to Aphrodite's side and embraced her. The god of war, lost in desire, extinguished the fires of war on the earth. Love conquered war.
The birth of the little god of love made the power of love surge. The fires of lust ignited in the hearts of humans. Human settlements grew larger, forming prosperous communities, and city-states began to emerge.
Through the propagation of desire, the goddesses of love and marriage dispelled the shadows of curses that roamed the earth. These disasters vanished under the power of civilization.
By this time, Ares had fallen asleep in Aphrodite's soft embrace. The goddess of love had indeed developed feelings for Ares. The god of war was wild and cruel, yet he was utterly obedient to Aphrodite. They spent a period of sweet and beautiful time together.
Aphrodite, having quelled the fires of war, was promoted. The power of love further promoted the growth of marriage. The two goddesses who created civilization were promoted to great divine power on the same day.
This was a rare event on Mount Olympus, and even the gods of the underworld came to Olympus to attend the celebration.
After all, Hera benefited from Aphrodite's promotion, so she couldn't keep her son away from the goddess of love. She pretended not to see their constant closeness. However, Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, was envious of his brother and the beautiful Aphrodite becoming companions, but he also offered his sincere congratulations. He pleaded with Aphrodite to bestow love upon him as well.
Although Hephaestus was not as handsome as Ares, his appearance was not ugly either. The god of craftsmanship, highly regarded by the king of the gods, was not an insignificant deity. The silent Hephaestus was a husband suited for a peaceful life.
Thinking this, Aphrodite whispered to the Graces, informing her companions of the craftsman god's request. Aglaea, the Grace of elegance, admired Hephaestus's craftsmanship and readily expressed her willingness to become the craftsman god's companion. The two deities were not strangers. The goddess Aglaea brought unparalleled elegance and charm to Hephaestus's creations, and Hephaestus could always craft works that satisfied the goddesses based on Aglaea's obscure descriptions. They admired each other and were indeed a suitable pair of lovers.
To thank Aphrodite, Hephaestus ordered his attendants to bring out exquisite ornaments as gifts for the goddess of love. The charming Thalia and the inspiring Euphrosyne gathered around Aglaea, teasing the shy craftsman god, but they did not notice the gazes fixed upon them.
The appearance of the little god of love, Eros, divided the primordial god of love's authority. Coupled with Aphrodite's successful promotion to great divine power, this was enough to keep Eros busy for some time.
In a good mood, Deino entered the temple. The goddess noticed Hypnos, the god of sleep, staring at Thalia. She smiled and approached him, saying, "The Graces are the personification of all beauty. Master of Sleep, does the desolation of the underworld make you yearn for the favor of beauty?"
The god of sleep closed his black wings, his eyes showing obvious longing and anticipation. "The underworld echoes with eternal wails and cries. Apart from the banks of the Styx and the flowers of the Lord of Wealth, there are few vibrant colors."
Having spoken, he turned to Deino and asked with great interest, "Respected Goddess of Winter, the Erinyes, who serve Tyche alongside you, have also come to Mount Olympus. Why don't you catch up with them?"
The great flood caused a surge in the number of souls entering the underworld. The Furies were overwhelmed with work. Taking advantage of a rare moment of respite, Deino did not want her attendants to feel constrained, so she deliberately avoided them.
"Rest time is so precious. The god of sleep must understand this feeling, right?"
The god of sleep, who brought relaxation and rest, shook his head with a wry smile. "We haven't stopped our busy work for a long time. The souls arriving in the underworld are about to burst the underworld. We have to expand more space while processing the souls."
The goddess, one of the culprits, guiltily changed the subject. "Sleep can also bring beauty to living beings. The scent of good dreams will surely attract the attention of the Graces. Your union will bring solace to the world."
Deino's encouragement did not give Hypnos courage. The god of sleep dejectedly shifted his gaze from the charming goddess Thalia and looked tiredly at Aphrodite and Hera, who were surrounded by the gods. "It's so good. New gods are born continuously. Surely some will be willing to come to the underworld to develop their divine offices."
"I don't think it's likely. Accepting a divine office in the underworld means losing half of one's freedom. Gods who naturally enjoy pleasure will not go to the silent underworld for it. Moreover, humans fear the arrival of death so much, how can they devoutly offer faith to the gods of the underworld?"
Deino's analysis was reasonable. Hypnos led the gods of the underworld to Mount Olympus this time, not only to congratulate the two goddesses of great divine power but also to recruit for the underworld. However, when the gods heard that they would have to spend a lot of time working in the underworld, they all refused Hypnos's invitation.
Hypnos's face fell, and his gaze towards Deino was full of resentment. Suddenly, the god of sleep's spirits lifted, and he stared eagerly at Deino, saying, "Goddess Deino, you are very suitable to reside in the underworld. Ice and cold are your domain. Souls frozen to death should be managed by you."