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Hecate sighed heavily, running her hand over her face. She was trying to invigorate herself at least a little and force herself to work. Her body was not obeying her commands at all, causing her to continue standing by the cauldron, staring off into the void, instead of attending to important matters.
Chronos had returned. Titaness had failed to fulfill the only role her friend had given her, which allowed that monster to break free. He had seized Tartarus and the underworld, declaring war on Olympus. The whole world was terrified by this. Mortals did not know which side to take. The gods — because they did not know what to do with Time itself. Other beings awaited further actions to choose the victor's side for themselves.
All the Goddess of the Crossroads managed to do was save Hades's little daughter and one of Nyx's children, who, fortunately, was very far from the main hall. Yes, Lord Hypnos, due to the shock, had fallen asleep and, after many weeks, still had not woken up, but Hecate had managed to save at least one more inhabitant of Tartarus.
After the escape, Titaness realized that she herself would have to take the primary role in opposing Chronos. Thanks to her hidden and well-protected Crossroads, she could take in shadows and beings that, unfortunately, had become stranded on the surface during the war. Also, thanks to her power, she could create spells to stop the Titan's army and perhaps even the Titan himself.
But an unexpected problem arose: Melinoë. The woman understood perfectly well that, unfortunately, Chronos could not be defeated anytime soon, and the girl would grow up. Most likely, Hecate herself would have to raise her in place of her real parents. She might have to return to Tartarus for a portrait of her family so that she would at least know what they looked like. Yes, Titaness had a chance to meet with that … that … But it was worth doing for Melinoë's sake.
And during one of the planning sessions, Circe brought news that the Moirai had conveyed to her.
"Melinoë will stop Chronos."
Too simple for the Fates, but apparently, due to the trap they were in, contacting the world had become much more difficult.
When Hecate heard this, her first reaction was shock. How could a little girl defeat the Titan himself when Titaness herself had failed? And then … The Goddess of the Crossroads seemed to have grown wings on her back. Could it be … Could it be that someone had finally been found who would rid them of Time completely? Would he finally disappear and never return? Could it be …
After that, the woman immediately scrapped all existing plans and began making new ones, taking the prophecy into account. If the Fates themselves were on their side, then that had to be taken into account and taken advantage of. Yes, most likely, they would have to wait for the end of the war a little longer by the standards of the gods, but they would definitely achieve victory.
But there was one small difficulty that Hecate had completely forgotten about. She had absolutely no idea how to take care of infants. All her students were either adults or not so young, and due to the war, many scrolls with possible lessons had been destroyed.
Yes, fortunately and to everyone's surprise, Nemesis, who had once settled at the Crossroads long ago, as if hiding from something or someone, knew how to take care of babies, which helped the Goddess of the Crossroads. But it so happened that after Eris flew to the Crossroads seeking refuge from the army, Retribution began to appear less and less frequently, causing Titaness to lose a very important helper.
Moreover, not only Eris had appeared at the Crossroads, but also Artemis. Of course, unlike Discord, the girl was much calmer and caused fewer problems, but her curiosity about Selene's and Hecate's affairs slightly irritated the latter. And there were also many more shadows seeking shelter. And as Nemesis had said, Melinoë had started having colic, causing the Goddess of the Crossroads to devote all her remaining time to her, trying to calm her down at least a little.
The woman quickly shook her head, trying to wake herself up a little and stop her ruminations. She blinked again and finally noticed Medea in front of her. The latter smiled at her mentor, bowing.
"Greetings, Mentor."
She said. Hecate slowly nodded to her in return.
"Hello, Medea. What brings you to me? Have the Moirai given you a prophecy as well?"
She asked, raising one eyebrow. The witch shook her head, straightening up.
"No, Mentor. I wanted to offer you help."
"I don't need your spells."
Titaness said firmly and clearly, frowning. Although she knew that her student, after her return, had stopped using overly barbaric spells, the Goddess of the Crossroads still considered many of them too dangerous or unjustifiably cruel to use.
Medea shook her head again.
"No, Mentor. I wanted to help you with Melinoë."
"You want to what?"
Hecate asked uncomprehendingly. The girl pointed to the bundle in her mentor's arms. Melinoë, unfortunately, had recently been unable to fall asleep unless she was in Titaness's arms, causing her to have to carry her everywhere.
"I've heard that you've been spending a lot of time on the infant lately, which is why you haven't been sleeping well. I understand that as a Titan you are not dependent on sleep, but I think rest would do you good. So I could look after Melinoë while you rest."
The witch explained, looking not at her interlocutor, but at the bundle in her hand. Titaness blinked slowly, thinking.
On the one hand, yes, Hecate knew that Medea did indeed have experience with raising children and most likely knew how to handle them. On the other hand … Hecate knew WHAT KIND of experience she had with children, so it was unclear whether leaving a baby alone with her was a good idea …
Titaness looked at the sleeping infant. But … Would it be so terrible if she left her with her student for a while? Medea, although in the past she had been a rather willful and dangerous individual, had now, after many years on the island, changed and become calmer. Besides, there were so many shadows around that they would most likely notice any strange behavior from the witch and report it to the Goddess of the Crossroads. And she really could use some rest. The longer she worked, the greater the chance of making a stupid mistake and possibly increasing the pain in her hand.
After thinking for a very long time, Hecate sighed and slowly and carefully handed the sleeping Melinoë to Medea.
"If she starts crying, give her a massage or ask a shadow to bring a bottle of milk to feed her. If anything happens, look for either me or Nemesis so we can help you."
"Yes, yes, alright, Mentor."
The witch nodded quickly, taking the infant with reverence. She stroked her slowly, smiling strangely, but Titaness, due to fatigue, did not notice.
"I'll be gone for an hour. Stay at the Crossroads, don't go anywhere."
Hecate said, yawning, then, turning around, walked toward her tent, leaving Melinoë and Medea alone.
Hecate walked cheerfully, stretching her shoulders. That was probably one of the best dreams she had had in a long time. Yes, the woman had slept only a couple of hours, and her whole body ached from the uncomfortable position she had managed to fall asleep in, but still. Now she could get back to work.
Titaness exited into the main area of the Crossroads. She slowly scanned it for Medea, but, not finding her, frowned. The Goddess of the Crossroads walked toward the cauldron, next to which stood Circe. Apparently, the army had reached her too, which meant she needed her mentor's cauldron to create stronger protective spells.
"Hello, Mentor."
She said, bowing. Hecate nodded to her in return, continuing to search for Medea with her eyes.
"Hello, Circe. Have you seen your niece nearby?"
"Medea?"
Circe asked, straightening up. The woman nodded again.
"Yes, Medea. I asked her to look after Melinoë while I rested, and told her to stay at the Crossroads, but she is not here."
"You asked…"
The witch tried to say something, but, realizing something, gasped in shock and covered her mouth with her hand. Titaness waved her hand, summoning one of the shadows that was there.
"Where did Medea go with Melinoë?"
She asked in a stricter voice than a minute ago. The ghost hesitated, as if thinking about whether to speak, then said quietly:
"Lady Medea left the Crossroads with Lady Melinoë. Some shadows tried to ask why she was leaving, but she only yelled at them or cursed them if they tried to stop her."
Circe's eyes widened more and more as she listened to the shadow, and she looked at her mentor in fear. The Goddess of the Crossroads was silent for a long time, showing no emotion, but a second later, the torches floating behind her back flared up, creating huge pillars of fire.
How dared she?! After Titaness had graciously taken her back, she decided to disobey her order!!! Thereby endangering the whole world and Melinoë!! Hecate would apparently have to remind some why exactly she should be feared and respected and never disobeyed!
The witch, noticing Hecate's state, quickly grabbed her hand.
"Mentor, please! She didn't know what she was doing!"
"Circe!"
Titaness shouted, pushing her hand away and turning to face her. Her eyes burned with anger.
"I took her back only after you swore that she would behave! You swore that she had changed and her fiery temper had subsided. And what do I see?! That she has gone against me and stolen a child!"
"She didn't mean any harm, I swear! Mentor!"
The woman clicked her tongue in displeasure, turned around, and walked forward, summoning her magic to find Medea's traces.
"Circe, if anything happens to Melinoë, then I swear by primordial Chaos, your fate will be worse than that of Actaeon and Marsyas."
She hissed, disappearing. Circe fell to the ground in fear, clutching her heart, hoping that her niece had not done anything terrible.
Hecate approached one of the houses standing in a place far from the city of Hades and Persephone. It was quite modest but well-maintained, and next to the building was a garden filled with various plants. Light was shining in the windows, meaning someone was there. A small wisp of smoke could be seen coming out.
The woman approached the door and, putting her hand on it, quickly pulled it away. A protective spell. Clicking her tongue in displeasure, Titaness waved her hand, easily breaking the spell. After that, she abruptly opened the door and entered.
Around were various jars, dried materials, rare items. In one corner stood a simple bed, on which Medea apparently slept. By the window, from which the smoke was coming, stood a cradle in which Melinoë lay. In the middle of the house stood a cauldron, next to which stood Medea, whispering something.
"Now, my dear, be patient. You'll feel better soon."
She muttered quietly to herself, throwing ginger into the cauldron. Surprisingly, the witch did not even notice her mentor's arrival — apparently too absorbed in her thoughts. Hecate, sighing heavily, quietly approached the cradle to check on the baby.
Melinoë was persistently trying to chew on a wooden toy that Medea had apparently given her. She quickly turned her head, examining the space around her. Noticing Titaness, she happily stomped her little feet and reached out her arms to her, asking to be held. A smile appeared on the woman's face, but she quickly removed it when she looked at her student.
"Little one, it will be ready soon."
"Medea. Explain what you did and why."
A stern voice sounded behind Medea, causing her to flinch and turn around in fright. Behind her stood Hecate, arms crossed. She looked at her student with anger for a long time until she noticed her expression. It was so strange, so … broken and lost. Titaness could not bear it and looked at the witch slightly more softly.
"Medea, why did you kidnap Melinoë?"
"I… I…"
Medea muttered, looking away.
"She… She was crying… She had colic, I thought I could help…"
"Medea, did I ask you to do that?"
The Goddess of the Crossroads raised one eyebrow. Her interlocutor shook her head, still looking past her mentor. The latter sighed, walked toward the cradle, carefully picking up Melinoë, who refused to let go of her new toy.
"Medea, you could have endangered not only yourself but also the child. Right now, chaos reigns at the Crossroads, and it's unclear whether a spy of Time has infiltrated or not. What if he had learned of the prophecy and the whereabouts of his granddaughter?"
"But she has colic!"
Medea cried out desperately, putting her hand to her chest.
"I… I know how dangerous it is for children, and I can cure her! I know many medicines, spells to cure childhood illnesses, and they don't even require sacrifices!"
"And you should have come to me and told me about this, not endangered the two of you."
Hecate answered clearly, settling the child more comfortably in her arms. She glanced briefly at her student, who seemed to be on the edge.
"Medea, I will not punish you for this, but … Please, do not come to the Crossroads for now. This is not for my sake or Melinoë's. It is for your sake. It seems that you should not be there right now."
"But Mentor!"
The witch cried out, but Titaness had already snapped her fingers, leaving her alone.