Greece: I am Zeus!

Chapter 281 The Shattering of Human Illusions

“Even if they were not easily killed in the past, if the suffering they endured could not be reversed, then all living beings would still remain cautious and careful.”

“It is you, Prometheus. It is you who always interferes too much and always easily relieves them of the suffering they endure because of their own faults.”

"Some of these mistakes were unintentional, some stemmed from ignorance, but a considerable number were simply due to carelessness or even indifference."

"Like this drowning incident, how many times has it happened right under your nose in this small tribe alone?"

"What makes them fail to learn from their mistakes and repeatedly underestimate the danger of death? Why do they disregard past lessons?"

Upon hearing this, Prometheus's face turned even paler, and almost all the color in his eyes disappeared.

Thanatos's words, like a cold, heavy hammer, shattered Prometheus's last shred of hope and self-deception.

Thanatos continued speaking:

"Ignorance and fragility are not obstacles to survival; arrogance and recklessness are."

"I believe that from today onwards, in this tribe, and in all tribes after the news spreads, too many accidents and tragedies that should not have happened will be greatly reduced as a result."

“When doing wrong things brings painful consequences, even death as the ultimate end, living beings will have fear and will not do them easily.”

"It is precisely because of the pain of death and the eternal loss that 'living' is all the more precious, and all those who are still alive should be cherished even more."

"Only when living beings know how to die will they understand how to avoid death."

"Only when one truly bears the painful and irreversible consequences will one start to reflect."

“My sister, Ceres, has also begun to fulfill her duties. She will show the world in her own way what reverence is and what the preciousness of life is.”

Thanatos concluded, “Prometheus, you are a god, capable of many things, whether you help or harm mortals.”

"However, all these actions must be carried out within the sacred and just order established by my great Father God."

“I will firmly uphold the sacred duty that the Father has given me, because I am the most impartial God. I represent the most solemn law in the universe, just like destiny itself, which cannot be profaned.”

Having said that, Thanatos vanished without a trace, leaving only a final piece of advice and a final touch of tenderness in the void:

“Prometheus, every living being should have its own path to walk. Do not let living beings place all their hopes on praying to the gods.”

"In the end, they should be left to rely on themselves."

"What the gods should give is necessary guidance and key enlightenment, not endless, all-encompassing direct help. This, perhaps, is true compassion and love."

“I promise you one thing: I will let this child depart peacefully and without pain; I will let his soul find a peaceful haven in the underworld.”

“Go tell his mother that in the underworld, this child will also receive the tenderness he deserves.”

This last bit of warmth brought Prometheus some comfort, but it was far from enough to erase the immense loss and sorrow in his heart.

He stood there, motionless, for a long time.

The humans crawling beside them were unaware of the sacred debate about laws and emotions that had just taken place in another dimension.

All they saw was the face of the once omnipotent and great god growing increasingly dark.

Just like the sky growing darker and colder as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Unbeknownst to them, the deity they worshipped and relied upon was also deeply mired in self-doubt and endless regret.

If... if He had taught humanity earlier, and more severely, how to revere life and how to live prudently, then perhaps none of this would have happened.

However, in this world, there are no "ifs" or "maybes".

The birth of a new life is always accompanied by a loud cry.

That's life announcing its arrival to the world in its own way.

However, death never comes without warning.

He is equal yet cruel, ruthless yet resolute.

It is precisely in this abrupt and resolute way that it serves as a warning to all those still alive: to be in awe, to learn to be in awe, to learn to be cautious, to learn to be careful. Only in this way can one live longer and live better.

Prometheus slowly turned his head, looked around at the humans who were crawling on the ground and trembling, and let out a long, heavy sigh.

With an unprecedented solemnity, gravity, and resolute tone, He proclaimed:
"The master of death has arrived! From this day forward, death will be inevitable and irreversible!"

"Stop fantasizing that you can bring back death, for Death is just and impartial! He will treat all living beings equally under the sacred order of Heaven!" "You must truly learn to revere death, learn to face death, and even more importantly, learn how to avoid death."

Those who have left are gone. Those who are still alive should cherish the present and the future, and cherish everything around them that is still alive.

"Let us keep those who have passed away in our hearts forever. Let them remain eternally in our most beautiful memories."

"Praise be to the great mother goddess of the Muses! Praise be to Mnemosyne, the all-knowing goddess of memory!"

"Pray to the merciful her, that she may forever preserve all of this in the boundless sea of ​​memory."

"May all the beautiful memories of the departed live on forever for the living."

"Live on with this memory! Live for him, live on in his place! Let this trace of life continue forever in your hearts, in your blood!"

After Prometheus finished speaking, all of humanity still stared at Him in bewilderment and helplessness.

Their eyes were filled with indescribable fear and sorrow, and many of them had already unknowingly shed tears.

They finally realized that one day, those closest to them, those they couldn't live without, would inevitably leave them completely, just like this child.

When the first second-generation human was born, humanity experienced its first feeling called "joy" amidst a powerful emotional impact.

At that time, they understood, they learned, what the most precious feelings were.

Now, as the first human being passes away, they must learn what the heaviest emotion, "sorrow," truly is.

The most precious first joy in human emotions is the arrival of a new life.

Therefore, the deepest and first pain in human emotions is the loss of life.

The harsh reality is forcing all of humanity to learn one thing immediately—that is, how to say goodbye.

A crueler reality is that they finally realized that although they were God's favorites, in the face of the ultimate fate of "death," they were no different from other mortals.

In fact, everything is exactly the same.

The pain of this "shattering of illusions" even surpasses that of death itself.

Prometheus looked at his mother, who was still stunned, and felt the same sorrow and the deepest guilt in his heart.

If He had been able to better teach humanity and help them become independent more quickly, perhaps what happened today wouldn't have happened.

If He could have arrived sooner, perhaps He could have extended the child's life before death.

But now, all He can face is a heartbroken and grief-stricken mother.

Prometheus slowly walked to the mother, bent down, and gently blew a breath of divine power, containing "invigoration" and "comfort," onto her body.

This refreshing energy repaired her consciousness, which was on the verge of collapse due to grief, and nourished her body, which was already heartbroken.

He put her into the deepest slumber.

In her deep sleep, the god of sleep will envelop her with His silent tenderness, allowing her to temporarily escape the unbearable pain she is experiencing.

Prometheus knew that his era of "indulgence" had to end.

He looked at the crowd again and said in the most solemn tone, "Death is irreversible, and separation is inevitable. Those who are alive must remember the dead, carry their hopes, and live on to the fullest!"

"One day, perhaps you will meet again in the underworld. At that time, you will tell him about your endless longing and all the wonderful things in your lives."

"Therefore, living a better life is the greatest comfort to the departed!"

Prometheus ultimately placed a sliver of hope and vision into human cognition, because these were His children.

"Now! In my name, Prometheus, I ordain the sacred rites for you at the coming of 'life' and 'death'!"

He proclaimed, “When new life comes, celebrate its arrival with songs of joy, dances, delicious food, and fragrant fruits!”

"When a precious life departs, we should, with the utmost solemnity and dignity, send his body into the embrace of the Mother Goddess of All Things, and send his soul on the road to the underworld!"

A man with a resolute and determined face, whose eyes were originally bright but were now filled with sorrow, stepped forward among almost all the confused and fearful people.

He bowed forward, suppressing his inner pain, and asked in a hoarse but respectful voice, "Great God! Respected God! Please give us ignorant people revelation!"

"How can we, as mortal beings, bring our departed companions back to the embrace of the great Mother Goddess?"

(End of this chapter)