The Lore - Part 3
Now, before I continue, I must explain that the credibility of this part of the story is… rather questionable, I’m afraid. You see, this portion of history has been passed down verbally from nymph to nymph.
Nymphs make for poor historians – in their minds, the only important details are the ones that relate to them, specifically. A nymph will remember every detail of a celebration in her honor, but absolutely none of any of her friends’. However, after speaking with a great many nymphs, I believe I have a fairly good idea of what transpired.
A Bevy of Beauties
There sat Zeus, potential future ruler of all, surrounded by no fewer than fifty nymphs – some peeling grapes, others taking turns feeding him the grapes, some fanning him, but most pushing and shoving for the space closest to him. With so many giggling creatures draped over him, Hecate couldn’t make out a single speck of Zeus’ white tunic – or at least, she hoped there was a tunic underneath.
Zeus, meanwhile, was fully aware of her presence. He waited, curious to see if Hecate would join in, but as the scowl on her face depended, he quickly decided it would be best to dismiss the scantily-clad crowd. With a clap of his hands, the beautiful creatures darted away, back into the trees and waters from whence they came.
Zeus remained comfortably stretched out against a smooth boulder, waiting for the visibly irritated goddess to speak.
“I have come to give you my answer, my lord. I humbly accept the invitation to join your court. As for the condition of my powers, I am not entirely convinced that I possess the Lucent Heart. I have devised a series of tests to determine whether or not my powers are increasing at an unnatural pace.”
At this, the young god rose to his feet, bowed, and with an impish grin replied, “I am honored, my lady. And if these tests will put your mind at ease, you have my blessing.”
Unfortunately, it’s uncertain what happened next. At the sound of what the nymphs refer to as his “overwhelmingly seductive” voice, the vast majority of them fell into a swoon and only awoke after the two gods had moved on from the area.
Unusual Research
Hecate wasted no time in beginning her training. She started with simple tasks – changing the color of frogs and fish, and purifying rivers and springs.
Soon, she progressed to more difficult work, often asking the elder gods and goddesses to allow her take part in their vocations. She spent much time helping Demeter raise entire fields filled with crops or Hades in gathering the souls of the dead.
In only a few short weeks, she could create entirely new species of plants out of thin air, and teach the dead to regain their ability to speak. It is my belief that the magic she developed during this time is just the sort that plagues our land now, though in those days, Hecate used her powers for good and just purposes.
Word of her helpful acts spread throughout Mount Olympus. Gods and goddesses from all over Mount Olympus began asking Hecate to assist them with their tasks, and Hecate was only too happy to oblige. She hungrily accepted any opportunity that arose, eager to push the limits of her powers further.
Zeus continued to praise her efforts, though he still did not believe any of this was necessary. He did, however, enjoy the benefits that stemmed from her unusual form of research.
His mother, the Supreme Goddess, Gaia, was well pleased with his choice of court – especially the kind and helpful Hecate. In fact, some say Gaia had planned to grant full authority over Mount Olympus to Poseidon, but after witnessing the acts of Hecate, she changed her mind.
At first, Hecate felt a little unworthy of the multitudes of praise she received. After all, she was primarily using her powers in order to strengthen them, not to help her fellow gods. But as time went on, and the subject of praise shifted from her kind acts to the incredible power she possessed, Hecate began to feel not only worthy of such praise, she came to expect it.
She became increasingly proud of the attention her magic was garnering. By this time, she was the goddess who could make mountains rise higher or lower at her command, or create passageways where they shouldn’t be possible. She could teach animals to speak and sing, and move beams of sunlight with the mere flick of a finger.
As you might imagine, nearly all of Mount Olympus began to proclaim Hecate as the bearer of the Lucent Heart. Only Hecate herself remained to be convinced. She easily considered herself the most powerful goddess on Mount Olympus, but she needed one more test to be sure that she was the Lucent Heart’s chosen one.
And she knew just how to go about it.
The Final Test
The most powerful, most volatile substance god or man has ever known is the very fabric of the universe itself. At the time, no one god had the power to transform the stars by themselves – perhaps not even ten gods together would be enough! But if Hecate was truly the Lucent Heart’s bearer, she would be able to wield the power of the stars easily.
A few days before Gaia was to announce her successor, Hecate interrupted another of the nymphs’ afternoons with Zeus, eager to tell him of her plan. The jealous creatures leered at the goddess as they reluctantly made themselves scarce again.
When they had dispersed, Hecate calmly explained how she’d found a relatively small star that she planned to split in half. It would take an incredible amount of power, and would only be possible if she held the Lucent Heart.
Zeus, who hadn’t taken much interest in her previous tests, now sat straight up, eyes fixed upon her with deadly seriousness.
“I forbid it.”
I am told that although he did not shout, the sternness of his voice shook birds from their nests and caused the earth to shudder.
Hecate’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. Had he really forbidden her? “…My lord?”
“I expressly forbid it.” His tone remained even.
Hecate’s eyes flashed with anger. She could feel a sudden rush of hatred coursing through
But Zeus mistook her reaction as one of fear from his harsh words. He tried to explain, this time in softer tones. “No one should tamper with the heavens. We simply do not know enough about them. I think you’ve tested your abilities enough, don’t you?”
The searing energy continued to rise. Her eardrums pounded, her vision blurred. Hecate wondered, was the Lucent Heart awakening within her? She had to calm down. She had to keep it under control.
She shut her eyes tight and bowed. “As you wish, my lord.”
Zeus, satisfied with her reply, reclined once again against the smooth stones and Hecate, fighting to keep her anger in check, hurriedly dismissed herself.
At this, the nymphs erupted from their hiding places and settled themselves back into their original positions – all except one.
The one we now know as “Nymph.”
Nymph did not approve of the look Hecate had given her beloved Zeus, nor did she like the suspicious way the goddess had taken her leave. She decided to follow Hecate, lest she attempt anything that might harm the handsome young god.
Little did Nymph realize it would be this very action that would separate her from the rest of her kind forever.
Nymphs make for poor historians – in their minds, the only important details are the ones that relate to them, specifically. A nymph will remember every detail of a celebration in her honor, but absolutely none of any of her friends’. However, after speaking with a great many nymphs, I believe I have a fairly good idea of what transpired.
A Bevy of Beauties
There sat Zeus, potential future ruler of all, surrounded by no fewer than fifty nymphs – some peeling grapes, others taking turns feeding him the grapes, some fanning him, but most pushing and shoving for the space closest to him. With so many giggling creatures draped over him, Hecate couldn’t make out a single speck of Zeus’ white tunic – or at least, she hoped there was a tunic underneath.
Zeus, meanwhile, was fully aware of her presence. He waited, curious to see if Hecate would join in, but as the scowl on her face depended, he quickly decided it would be best to dismiss the scantily-clad crowd. With a clap of his hands, the beautiful creatures darted away, back into the trees and waters from whence they came.
Zeus remained comfortably stretched out against a smooth boulder, waiting for the visibly irritated goddess to speak.
“I have come to give you my answer, my lord. I humbly accept the invitation to join your court. As for the condition of my powers, I am not entirely convinced that I possess the Lucent Heart. I have devised a series of tests to determine whether or not my powers are increasing at an unnatural pace.”
At this, the young god rose to his feet, bowed, and with an impish grin replied, “I am honored, my lady. And if these tests will put your mind at ease, you have my blessing.”
Unfortunately, it’s uncertain what happened next. At the sound of what the nymphs refer to as his “overwhelmingly seductive” voice, the vast majority of them fell into a swoon and only awoke after the two gods had moved on from the area.
Unusual Research
Hecate wasted no time in beginning her training. She started with simple tasks – changing the color of frogs and fish, and purifying rivers and springs.
Soon, she progressed to more difficult work, often asking the elder gods and goddesses to allow her take part in their vocations. She spent much time helping Demeter raise entire fields filled with crops or Hades in gathering the souls of the dead.
In only a few short weeks, she could create entirely new species of plants out of thin air, and teach the dead to regain their ability to speak. It is my belief that the magic she developed during this time is just the sort that plagues our land now, though in those days, Hecate used her powers for good and just purposes.
Word of her helpful acts spread throughout Mount Olympus. Gods and goddesses from all over Mount Olympus began asking Hecate to assist them with their tasks, and Hecate was only too happy to oblige. She hungrily accepted any opportunity that arose, eager to push the limits of her powers further.
Zeus continued to praise her efforts, though he still did not believe any of this was necessary. He did, however, enjoy the benefits that stemmed from her unusual form of research.
His mother, the Supreme Goddess, Gaia, was well pleased with his choice of court – especially the kind and helpful Hecate. In fact, some say Gaia had planned to grant full authority over Mount Olympus to Poseidon, but after witnessing the acts of Hecate, she changed her mind.
At first, Hecate felt a little unworthy of the multitudes of praise she received. After all, she was primarily using her powers in order to strengthen them, not to help her fellow gods. But as time went on, and the subject of praise shifted from her kind acts to the incredible power she possessed, Hecate began to feel not only worthy of such praise, she came to expect it.
She became increasingly proud of the attention her magic was garnering. By this time, she was the goddess who could make mountains rise higher or lower at her command, or create passageways where they shouldn’t be possible. She could teach animals to speak and sing, and move beams of sunlight with the mere flick of a finger.
As you might imagine, nearly all of Mount Olympus began to proclaim Hecate as the bearer of the Lucent Heart. Only Hecate herself remained to be convinced. She easily considered herself the most powerful goddess on Mount Olympus, but she needed one more test to be sure that she was the Lucent Heart’s chosen one.
And she knew just how to go about it.
The Final Test
The most powerful, most volatile substance god or man has ever known is the very fabric of the universe itself. At the time, no one god had the power to transform the stars by themselves – perhaps not even ten gods together would be enough! But if Hecate was truly the Lucent Heart’s bearer, she would be able to wield the power of the stars easily.
A few days before Gaia was to announce her successor, Hecate interrupted another of the nymphs’ afternoons with Zeus, eager to tell him of her plan. The jealous creatures leered at the goddess as they reluctantly made themselves scarce again.
When they had dispersed, Hecate calmly explained how she’d found a relatively small star that she planned to split in half. It would take an incredible amount of power, and would only be possible if she held the Lucent Heart.
Zeus, who hadn’t taken much interest in her previous tests, now sat straight up, eyes fixed upon her with deadly seriousness.
“I forbid it.”
I am told that although he did not shout, the sternness of his voice shook birds from their nests and caused the earth to shudder.
Hecate’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. Had he really forbidden her? “…My lord?”
“I expressly forbid it.” His tone remained even.
Hecate’s eyes flashed with anger. She could feel a sudden rush of hatred coursing through
But Zeus mistook her reaction as one of fear from his harsh words. He tried to explain, this time in softer tones. “No one should tamper with the heavens. We simply do not know enough about them. I think you’ve tested your abilities enough, don’t you?”
The searing energy continued to rise. Her eardrums pounded, her vision blurred. Hecate wondered, was the Lucent Heart awakening within her? She had to calm down. She had to keep it under control.
She shut her eyes tight and bowed. “As you wish, my lord.”
Zeus, satisfied with her reply, reclined once again against the smooth stones and Hecate, fighting to keep her anger in check, hurriedly dismissed herself.
At this, the nymphs erupted from their hiding places and settled themselves back into their original positions – all except one.
The one we now know as “Nymph.”
Nymph did not approve of the look Hecate had given her beloved Zeus, nor did she like the suspicious way the goddess had taken her leave. She decided to follow Hecate, lest she attempt anything that might harm the handsome young god.
Little did Nymph realize it would be this very action that would separate her from the rest of her kind forever.