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Melinoë spent a long time analyzing one of her mentor's spells during her forced rest. She wanted to understand whether it could be used without Selene's or her mentor's help and whether it was possible to somehow alter its structure. Unfortunately, the research progressed very slowly, which was unsurprising. The incantation was very ancient and apparently created during Titaness's youth, as it used strange words.
Sighing heavily, she put aside the paper, covered front and back with writing, next to other such covered scrolls. With each analysis of the spell, the young witch became more and more confused. At this rate, the girl definitely wouldn't be able to learn anything new.
Then suddenly her eye caught one of the phrases in the spell that was poorly written on one of the sheets. Taking it in her hands, Hades's daughter was suddenly struck with an idea. She took a new sheet of paper and quickly began rewriting it, adding new details. When she finished, she put down her brush and stretched out her hands, looking at it with a satisfied smile.
This was incredible! Melinoë seemed to have understood the basis of her mentor's spell and managed to add something new! Finally, she had been able to figure it out without the Goddess of the Crossroads' help. Perhaps she should tell her about this joyful news.
The girl was about to get up from the ground when she froze.
What if… What if she didn't tell her, but showed her? Tried it out on her mentor's spell.
The young witch pressed the paper to her chest, lost in thought. This action was, of course, too childish, but… This was, in a sense, a breakthrough. A spell that could work even on Titans! None of the Silver Sisters could do that. Even Selene, despite her active attempts, couldn't, for example, slow Chronos down for even a second with her spells, but this… Changing the form of one of the ancient Titans. If Titaness found out about this, she would undoubtedly be delighted with such a discovery. And…
Here Hades's daughter blushed in shame. To be honest, she wanted her mentor to feel the same thing that Melinoë felt when she was repeatedly transformed into various animals by Hecate's spell. Maybe then she would stop telling her student about being slow in another form.
Nodding confidently, the young witch rolled up the paper, hid it in her bag, and left her tent, preparing to put her idea into reality.
"Melinoë, don't get distracted!"
Shouted Hecate, splitting into three projections. Melinoë hissed quietly and, making a dash, hid behind one of the oak trees on the battlefield. Her mentor assumed a battle stance and began throwing magical spheres in her direction. The girl exhaled, understanding that, fortunately, the tree would withstand this attack.
Quickly, nervously, and carefully, Hades's daughter took the sheet of paper from her bag. She nervously re-read the incantation, gathering her strength and waiting for the best moment. It was either now or never!
Titaness finally stopped her mass attack, standing still. The young witch, taking a deep breath, quickly jumped out from behind the tree, folding her hands in a seal.
"By the name of the fates, transform into that which is destined by reality!"
She shouted, and her hands began to glow. The woman raised one eyebrow upon hearing the unknown incantation and seeing the strange seal.
"What are you…"
She began to say, trying to create a protective dome, when suddenly she lit up with a bright light. A loud bang sounded, and a huge cloud of smoke appeared on the battlefield, obscuring the view. Melinoë coughed, waving her hands, trying to clear it from her face.
After a few minutes, the smoke finally dispersed, allowing her to see the battlefield. In the place where Hecate had stood, there was nothing. The girl's eyes widened, and she fearfully lowered her staff to the ground. She began to tremble, not knowing what to do.
Had she miscalculated? Had she erased her mentor from reality? What if she had killed her?
The young witch quickly shook her head, trying to think of something. She was about to call for help from the Silver Sisters or even Chronos to turn back this moment when she suddenly heard a quiet squeak, and in the spot where Titaness had been, the grass began to move.
Hades's daughter blinked in surprise and cautiously approached the moving patch of grass. Crouching down, she used her hands to push aside the excess blades of grass, and then her eyes widened even more.
On the ground, running around in circles, was a hamster. It was much larger than hamsters should be and had a black coloration. It squeaked quietly, continuing to run. Noticing Melinoë, who was curiously examining the animal, the hamster stopped and seemed to glare at her angrily with its black beady eyes.
"M-mentor?"
The girl guessed, leaning in slightly. The rodent squeaked again, jumping in place as if trying to say something. Of course, the young witch understood nothing, looking with curiosity at her mentor's new form. It was surprising that she had become a hamster. Hades's daughter had chosen more… fierce animals so that Titaness wouldn't be too offended by the transformation. Maybe she had written the name incorrectly? Or drawn it too crookedly?
"It… It suits you, Mentor."
Melinoë tried to soften the situation a little, smiling awkwardly. The hamster, which had been actively squeaking, froze and looked intently at the girl. Suddenly, it started raising its little paws and then lowering them, as if hinting at something. The young witch looked at it uncomprehendingly.
"What? Did something happen?"
She asked. The animal began to move and squeak more actively. Hades's daughter was silent for a while, trying to understand anything, then she drawled:
"Ahh, maybe you want to be held?"
She guessed, extending her hand to her mentor. When her hand approached the hamster, it… unexpectedly bit her, causing the girl to yelp and pull her hand back, pressing it to herself.
"That's not very pleasant."
She muttered, rubbing her hand. The rodent started jumping aggressively again, squeaking. Continuing to rub the sore spot, Melinoë thought for a while, then, lifting her chin, said in a slightly stern voice:
"Mentor, have you forgotten how to behave during transformation? You yourself told me so often that one should keep a straight face and behave with dignity, even despite one's animal form."
She said firmly. The hamster was silent for a while, then began squeaking even more actively and running from side to side, jumping. Then it started glowing again, and thick, dark smoke began to emanate from it. The young witch quickly stood up and took a few steps back. The smoke grew thicker and thicker until the girl heard an angry cry:
"Melinoë!!!"
"Return to the shadows."
Hades's daughter quickly said, folding her hands in a seal and disappearing back to the Crossroads.
Eris lazily descended in the center of the Crossroads. Of course, as usual, everything was quiet; shadows wandered around, pretending to work. Moros was reading various historical scrolls with interest. Nemesis was away on patrol. Odysseus was trying to figure out how to improve the Crossroads without straining their resources too much. And Hecate…
Here Discord raised one eyebrow, looking uncomprehendingly in her direction. Titaness, as always, stood near her crossroads, examining a crookedly written sheet of paper with interest, and next to her… stood a small, fluffy sheep that seemed to be looking at the ground guiltily. The winged one, after thinking a bit, slowly approached her.
"Uh, hello."
She said, waving her hand. Titaness slowly lifted her gaze from the paper and, raising one eyebrow, looked at the girl.
"Hello, Eris."
She replied, nodding. Eris hesitated for a while, then pointed at the sheep, which continued to stare at the ground.
"This… What is this?"
She asked, tilting her head to the side. Hecate looked at the sheep; it also looked at Titaness, then the woman slowly answered:
"Pay no attention. Just an hour of discipline for someone who overstepped the permissible boundaries."
She said, and the sheep seemed to sigh, lowering its head again. Discord was silent for a while, examining the Goddess of the Crossroads, then shrugged and walked toward her corner. This was definitely none of her business, so she wouldn't get involved.