Chapter 4: Divinity Awakens

Then everything turned black.

Hestia fell.

Through an abyss devoid of light, through a space that twisted and turned without reason.

Time here was meaningless.

She didn't know how long she had been falling. Days? Years? Centuries?

All she knew was that her body continued to change, maturing as she plummeted deeper into the Titan's stomach.

By the time she realized it, she was no longer a helpless infant.

She was a woman—tall, powerful, and divine.

Her body had become fully grown, and yet, the pain in her heart remained the same.

She had spent what felt like an eternity in this void. She had accepted that there was no escape.

'Maybe I'll fall forever…'

She closed her eyes, resigning herself to her fate.

Then—

Something shifted.

The chaotic space around her suddenly slowed, the turbulent winds stilling, the erratic flow of time calming.

A warm presence wrapped around her, like a divine force cradling her descent.

Hestia's eyes snapped open.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she saw someone else.

A figure stood at the edge of a cavern, his emerald eyes glowing softly, his golden hair flowing like a river of light.

He was beautiful.

Not just in the way gods were, but beyond that—his presence radiated warmth, kindness, and strength. His very existence seemed to breathe life into the void.

She was mesmerized.

Then, in a single motion, he extended his arms, catching her by the waist and pulling her into his embrace.

A sudden shock ran through her body.

It was the first time she had ever been held. The first time someone had touched her with warmth.

They stared at each other.

Minutes passed.

Neither spoke.

Neither moved.

Then, as if realizing their closeness, the man gently released her, stepping back.

A pang of disappointment bloomed in her chest, but before she could process it, his voice broke the silence.

"Hello, Hestia. My name is Phanes—your Elder brother."

Hestia froze.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

She had a brother?

She wasn't alone?

Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.

A choked sob escaped her lips, her emotions overwhelming her. But this time, it wasn't out of sorrow.

It was happiness.

She still had a family.

Someone who hadn't abandoned her.

Someone who had been waiting for her.

Despite everything—the betrayal, the pain, the fear—she wasn't alone.

Phanes took a step forward, then another. Then, without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms once more.

His embrace was warm, protective, strong.

"It's okay, Hestia." His voice was gentle, soothing. "You're not alone. I'm here… and so is Mother. She loves us—deeply. And I… I love you too."

Hestia buried her face into his chest, letting herself go.

She clutched onto him, not wanting to let go, not wanting this moment to end.

Because for the first time since she was born…

She felt safe.

She felt loved.

And she would never let go of that feeling.

Ever.

POV End...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phanes held Hestia close, his arms wrapped protectively around her trembling form. Her body was warm, but it wasn't just the heat of her divine presence—this was something deeper, something emotional. He could feel the lingering sorrow in her frame, the remnants of fear and pain she had endured before being cast into this abyss.

Yet, amidst that sorrow, there was something else—relief, comfort, and the fragile yet growing sense of belonging.

As he continued to hold her, he suddenly felt a strange energy surging through the air. A soft, golden glow began to radiate around them, warm like the embrace of a hearth, steady like the foundation of a home.

Then, without warning, flickering flames emerged in the air.

At first, they were wild, erratic, uncontrolled, but they did not burn. Instead, they wrapped around the space with gentle warmth, as if shielding them from the chaotic energies within Kronos' body.

Phanes' emerald eyes widened slightly. "This is..."

He reached out, allowing the fire to dance around his fingertips. It did not scorch him. Instead, it welcomed him, like an old friend greeting a familiar presence.

A realization struck him.

"Hestia… she's awakening her divinities."

The moment she experienced warmth, safety, and family—her core aspects—her divine essence stirred. She had unknowingly called upon her domains: Home, Family, and Fire.

Phanes furrowed his brows. This was different from his own awakening.

"When I was born, I instinctively knew my divinities. But Hestia… she had to feel them first. Is this how the gods of this universe work?"

His thoughts turned to what the mysterious entity had told him before he arrived in this world. "My soul underwent a massive change... Does that mean I function differently from the gods of this realm?"

Phanes didn't have all the answers, but one thing was certain—Hestia was special, and her power had just begun to bloom.

As he pondered this, he felt Hestia shift slightly in his embrace. Looking down, he saw her large, fire-colored eyes staring up at him, still shimmering with the remnants of her earlier tears.

Her expression was soft, vulnerable. She didn't speak, but she didn't need to—Phanes understood her feelings. She was overwhelmed, yet grateful. She had believed she was alone, abandoned in darkness. But now, she had him.

Phanes smiled gently and stroked her long red hair. "You're safe, Hestia. You're not alone anymore."

A small, happy sigh escaped her lips as she buried her face against his chest, embracing the warmth of her newfound family.

For a long moment, they stayed like that, basking in the comforting silence. The golden flames flickered softly around them, steady and calm—just like her heart.

Then, Hestia moved slightly, as if noticing something.

Her gaze drifted downward, and suddenly, she froze.

Phanes was too lost in his thoughts to realize the shift in her attention—until he felt a soft touch against his lower abdomen.

His entire body stiffened.

"H-Hestia—?!"

Hestia tilted her head in innocent curiosity. "Elder Brother, what is this thing between your legs?" she asked, her voice full of childlike wonder. "Why don't I have one?"

Phanes' mind blanked for a second before his face turned completely red.

"W-WAIT! HESTIA—DON'T JUST—!!" He stumbled back, instinctively pulling away as his hands shot down to cover himself.

Hestia blinked, clearly confused by his reaction. "Why are you acting so strange, Brother?"

Phanes cleared his throat and ran a hand through his golden hair, trying to compose himself.

"Okay, okay… Listen, Hestia, there are differences between men and women." He spoke carefully, as if choosing his words with great caution.

Hestia nodded slowly. "Like what?"

Phanes took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts as he prepared to explain something so fundamental yet sacred. He had to choose his words carefully. Hestia was still innocent, untouched by the deeper complexities of existence, but as gods, knowledge and understanding came naturally to them.

He looked into her fire-colored eyes, which held a mixture of curiosity and innocence. "Hestia, the union between a man and a woman is what brings forth new life. It is the reason we exist—it is how Mother brought us into this world with Kronos."

Hestia's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "So… the combination of a man's divine tool and a woman's body can create life?" she asked, tilting her head in thought.

Phanes gave a small nod. "Exactly. You see, a man possesses something unique to him, and a woman has a counterpart within her. When they come together in harmony, they create something new—a child. That is how most living beings, whether mortal or divine, are born."

Hestia placed a gentle hand on her chest, absorbing his words. Her mind wandered to their mother, Rhea, the love she had shown them even in the face of Kronos' cruelty.

"So… is this the way all gods are born?" she asked, her voice soft yet filled with curiosity.

Phanes chuckled at her innocence, nodding once again. "For the most part, yes. Though gods have many different ways of creating life, this is the most natural way. It is a sacred act, one meant for those who share a deep connection."

Hestia's lips parted slightly as realization dawned on her. "So… it is not just about creating life, but about a bond?"

Phanes smiled warmly. "That's right. It is not something to be done without thought or care. It is meant for those who truly love and cherish each other, for those who want to create something beautiful together."

Hestia remained silent for a moment, processing his words. Then, slowly, a small, warm smile spread across her lips. "I see… so that's how life is created."

Phanes reached out and gently patted her head. "You'll understand more as time passes, little sister. But for now, just know that it is something special, something meant for those who wish to spend eternity together."

"Umu, I finally understood Elder brother" Hestia nodded, feeling a newfound sense of understanding settle within her. Though she was still young, she now grasped a small part of the deeper mysteries of life.

Phanes smiled warmly as he reached out and patted Hestia's head. Her fire-colored eyes sparkled with joy as she leaned into his touch, a soft, innocent smile forming on her lips.

"Hestia, now that you have awakened your divinities, I will help you train both your divine abilities and your godly physiology." Phanes said, his voice filled with determination.

Hestia nodded eagerly. "Okay, Big Brother!" she responded, her excitement evident.

Phanes observed the divinities she had awakened, each of them uniquely powerful in its own right.

Hestia's Major Divinities

Divinity of Home – This divine power was the embodiment of warmth, unity, and sanctuary. Anyone Hestia considered family would feel an overwhelming sense of comfort and belonging in her presence. Like a true home, she could uplift spirits, instill hope, and bind loved ones together. In its most powerful state, it could inspire a family to achieve the impossible through sheer belief and unity.

Divinity of Family – This divinity extended beyond mere blood relations. Hestia had the ability to forge unbreakable bonds with those she deemed family, linking them spiritually. Through this power, every family member could feel the emotions, well-being, and even the thoughts of one another to some extent. When combined with the Divinity of Home, it had the potential to alter fate itself—fueled by the undying hope and love of a united family. If fully mastered, this divinity could make Hestia one of the most formidable goddesses in existence.

Divinity of Fire – Unlike ordinary flames, Hestia's fire was a force of divine judgment and protection. To her enemies, it was a merciless blaze, capable of incinerating even gods to nothingness. However, to those she loved, it provided warmth, protection, and reassurance. It was a fire that destroyed evil but nurtured those who sought refuge within its embrace.

Since Phanes possessed the Major Divinity of Fire, he decided to help Hestia refine her control over flames first. Unlike her other two divinities, which were deeply personal and emotional, fire was something he could actively train her in.

"We'll begin with fire," Phanes said, stepping back and raising his hand. A brilliant golden flame erupted from his palm, flickering with divine energy. "You must learn to control your fire, to shape it according to your will."

Hestia's eyes gleamed as she mirrored his actions, summoning her own flames. Unlike Phanes' golden fire, hers burned in hues of deep crimson and brilliant orange, like the heart of a raging inferno.

Phanes demonstrated different ways to shape and wield fire—how to condense it, expand it, and use it in both attack and defense. Hestia absorbed his teachings like a sponge, her talent astonishing him at every step.

"Although her comprehension was still behind mine, she easily grasped the control of the divinity of fire, which was beyond my expectations. No wonder she became one of the strongest goddesses in the Greek Pantheon despite lacking formal training in the myths," Phanes thought with admiration.

Hestia, driven by her eagerness to grow stronger, quickly learned to manipulate her fire into precise shapes—forming spears of flame, creating a protective barrier, and even adjusting the temperature so that her flames could burn or warm at will.

After hours of refining her fire manipulation, Phanes decided to introduce physical combat training.

"Now, we need to work on your close combat skills," he said, rolling his shoulders.

Hestia tilted her head. "But… we don't know any techniques, Big Brother."

Phanes chuckled. "That's exactly why we need to train. We might be divine beings, but raw strength is useless without skill."

Thus, they began sparring. However, without any prior combat experience, their fight quickly turned into an all-out brawl. There were no refined techniques, no form or structure—just instinctual swings, tackles, and dodges. It was a chaotic mess, with both of them grappling and wrestling more than actually fighting.

Despite the lack of refinement, both could feel their divine bodies growing accustomed to combat. Their reflexes sharpened, their bodies adapted, and they slowly began to understand how to fight.

Phanes grinned as he caught his breath. "We have a long way to go, but I can already tell—if you train properly, you will become one of the strongest gods in all the pantheons, not just Greece."

Hestia beamed at his praise, determination burning in her fiery eyes. "Then I'll work even harder, Big Brother! I want to be strong enough to protect our family!"

Phanes nodded, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in his younger sister. 'Yes… she will be the unshakable pillar of the Greek Pantheon. And with proper training, no one will dare underestimate her.'

Their training had only just begun, but the future was already shaping into something extraordinary.

(To be Continued)