Her Escape Plan

Ever since Erithea overheard her father's terrible plan with his ministers a few days ago— she was busy trying to escape her destiny.

The girl asked a lot of questions and talked to her court ladies. Then Erithea came to a less difficult conclusion. Being Zeus's lover never ends happily. All the Titan's women usually avoided King Zeus. If the king had touched them—bad things would come to them.

Erithea was now walking with her beautiful bare feet in the halls of her palace made of marble. She crept up a bit, trying not to wake anyone. The Northern Forest Kingdom had strict rules. Even if they were members of the royal family—they were not allowed to enter the stables of King Kairos' favorite horse. Erithea purposely hid in a room and waited sleepily until the guards and ladies-in-waiting left the area to rest.

Erithea looked left and right, making her striking reddish curls wave. Her beautiful face now looks worried. She spent nearly two hundred years of her life as a good girl who never went against her father. But this time, the girl with flawless white skin had to fight for her future.

The third daughter of King Kairos was holding something in her hand at this moment. It was some papyrus parchment that became a sort of escape ticket for her. It was certainly not an official document or something that looks important to anyone. She was just doing correspondence with another princess. She was the figure who inspired and admired perhaps more than Athena.

Before Erithea managed to reach her destination—there were several bodyguards walking down the hall chatting loudly. The girl slightly tiptoed and hid behind a large pillar while holding her breath. She hoped she wouldn't be found out. Maybe the King won't punish her. Because after all, Erithea was his proud daughter. She was nicknamed as the most beautiful titan woman. But Kairos would probably send her sooner to King Zeus' palace.

King Kairos knew the risks she was in for having that nickname. Meaning, King Zeus' daughter-in-law Aphrodite, probably wouldn't spare her. That woman was obsessed with beauty and did not hesitate to do evil things to other women who were considered her rivals.

That was why Erithea lived as a reclusive princess and hardly ever left the Northern Forest. Even though the kingdom name was Northern Forest. But her kingdom now had very few forests. Indeed, more than four thousand years ago, Kairos claimed a large area of ​​forest as his own.

Zeus at that time did not care and let him rule over a piece of earth. Kairos and his followers built a country and cut down its trees. But Zeus didn't know that the land of the Northern Forest contained an abundance of gold. The jealous Zeus often criticized him. Zeus and the rest of his royal family lived in the slightly arid mountains of Olympus. But, even though Kairos was a rich king—his power was still far below Zeus.

Zeus and Kairos spent thousands of years in tension even though there was hardly any real conflict. Even though Kairos made himself king of the Northern Forest, Zeus was still the king of the Titans—a race who appear similar to humans with immortality. That means, Zeus had a position above Kairos.

Therefore, when Zeus finally asked Erithea to be his concubine. Kairos couldn't refuse. The Titans live depending on the leadership of Zeus. The king of the Titans had something that all Titans needed.

Erithea was still waiting for the sound of their footsteps and laughter to dissipate before continuing her run. She opened the letter she was holding in his hand and read it. There were Greek letters written there. It was beautiful handwriting but full of emotion.

[Zeus is trash!]

[Don't let him touch you even if it's just the tip of your hair.]

[If you enter his harem, your life will end.]

[Worse yet, you can't die.]

[You ask what my advice is for your situation?]

[Leave the Northern Forest and meet me at Olympus.]

[I will wait for you, you can be my follower.]

[If you're sworn to be my priest, Zeus can't even touch you.]

[I attached a map for you. I hope you know how to read directions.]

Not many children openly call their own father trash. But Artemis' hatred of her family's behavior was well known. Artemis was a rebel, who prefers to live modestly and be friendly with nature. She loved hunting and archery with her followers. She was a princess who swore to keep her chastity and that had been around for nearly three thousand years.

This time, Erithea had to make a tough decision. Being a follower of Artemis meant she had to be virgin forever. It seemed that Artemis was happy with that lifestyle. But Erithea had always believed that one day the right man would appear for her. A man who appreciates, faithful and loves her

Like Eros with Psyche, or Hades with Persephone. Their love story was famous among the Titans and even humans. Erithea hoped that one day she would have the chance to meet them.

But Erithea may have had to give up her dream of finding love in order to escape Zeus.

There were several strong reasons why Erithea had to escape from Zeus' clutches.

First, he was not a good lover. Zeus was known for his unfaithfulness, pervertedness and flirtation with various women. He didn't care if the woman was a Titan, human or even a nymph. His age, which was more than six thousand years, did not prevent him from going on an adventure in love. He was good at seducing. Some women consider themselves special because they were chosen by Zeus. Although they would be left after Zeus bored with them.

Second, his wife Queen Hera, was extraordinarily jealous. Although she appears wise and respected. She had a fatal flaw. She blames Zeus' mistresses and makes their lives miserable. Although the fault was actually also the responsibility of her husband— Hera rarely argues with Zeus. She also never left him.

There was nothing good about being Zeus' lover. There could be a thing or two. Such as temporary prosperity because Zeus will give many gifts, and have the opportunity to give birth to Zeus's children. Having offspring with Zeus was said to be one of the advantages. Their children could become members of the royal family. Maybe they would be given the role of a god or goddess who takes care of humans. But Erithea didn't want that.

Erithea turned over the last letter Artemis had sent and saw a map drawn on the back. Her forehead was now slightly wrinkled. She had to go to Olympus which was very far from the Northern Forest Kingdom. She had been to the library many times and found out how to read a map. Looks like she was ready to escape now. She heard that Zeus's messenger would pick her up in two nights. She had to do it tonight.

After she felt the situation quiet—Erithea walked a little faster through the majestic pillars and the polished marble floors that were constantly gleaming. Kairos' stables were not far from the main residence. That's why it was so tightly guarded. Only tonight, the guards are fewer. Because most of them attended the wine festival organized by the prince Dionysius. No one wants to miss Prince Dion's party. Except for Artemis, because her life was only for meditation and the wilderness.

Remembering it made Erithea hesitate again. Could she live like an ascetic and roam the forest with minimal luxury facilities that she usually enjoys?

But she was already in front of the stables built of volcanic rock and the strongest wood on earth. Kairos ensured that his horses received luxuries that were perhaps equal to his biological sons and daughters. Erithea had stolen the keys, helped by her lady-in-waiting. Only one more step before she was completely free from Zeus' grip.

"How are you, Atlas?" Erithea asked softly. As one of Kairos' favorite princesses, Erithea became one of a Titan to have ridden Atlas. When Erithea decided to run away. She immediately decided that Atlas would be her traveling companion.

Kairos would probably be furious. Because Atlas was one of his favorite horses. And he was not just a horse. Kairos hardly gets him because usually only the Olympian had horses of the same species as him.

Atlas sniffed, he made a carefree step and closed his big clear eyes every now and then, to show his comfort. He was docile towards Erithea. When the beautiful girl stroked his tanned mane—his wings expanded and he shook. The strong wind slightly damaged the princess's current hairdo. But that was not the main problem tonight.

Erithea lifted her body up onto Atlas's back. She looked at her map one more time and looked up at the clear enough sky to confirm the direction.

Only by riding a pegasus could she arrive at Olympus fairly quickly. Erithea now tied the safety rope to her thighs and back then lightly patted Atlas's neck.

"Fly, Atlas," said Erithea who responded with a snort of the pegasus with his snow-white fur and golden mane. Atlas ran carrying Erithea on his back and when he arrived at the clearing, he spread his wings and flew off into the night.