“Daphne! Oh my God, Daphne!” cried Aris springing to his feet, but the shock was so enormous that he remained glued to the spot. This is so bizarre . . . Is this a dream? The girl who was approaching looked just like Daphne, but Daphne had just fallen in the water. This girl looked fully dry! She was smiling, approaching fast. Is this Daphne’s spirit? Is she dead? In those moments, as he stood staring, Aris thought that perhaps he’d lost his mind. But then, he saw the others rush from behind him toward the girl. They shouted out her name too. It was Daphne and she was perfectly all right. Aris watched as the others hugged and kissed her. When she came up to him, he was still in shock, standing like a pillar of salt.
“Daphne?” he said in a faint whisper. “You’re alive! Is this a dream?”
“Aris!” said Daphne putting her arms around him. “I’m here. Everything is all right, my love!”
“Oh, Daphne! I’m so sorry!” said Zoe.
“No, Zoe,” replied Daphne, pulling her close to her in a warm embrace. “It is I who should be apologizing. I’ve been unfair to you. Forgive me!”
Zoe and Aris then started to shower Daphne with questions. What had happened to her? How had she got out of the water and on top of the hill again? Did she come out of the temple? And how come she was bone dry?
Daphne had so much to say, but it was difficult to explain to Aris and Zoe. She was going to have to tell them everything. They would think she was crazy, but the others would back her up.
“Is Phevos all right?” Ksenia asked her then, before she could open her mouth.
“Have you seen him, my darling?” asked Anna.
“I haven't seen him, but I’m sure he’s all right too. It felt like only a split second in the water. And just before I found myself inside the temple, I saw a wand flash before my eyes. Poseidon is down there right now with Phevos, I’m sure of it!” she told Anna, Ksenia and Manos, who were ecstatic.
Aris raised his brows. “Poseidon? What are you talking about?”
“Maybe you should sit down for a bit, Daphne. I think we should call an ambulance . . .” said Zoe turning to the others. Her logical mind could only interpret Daphne’s words as the mumblings of someone with a serious concussion.
Daphne gave a thin smile. “Zoe . . . Aris . . . I assure you, I’m fine. But I think you’d better sit down. We have something important to tell you.”
***
Phevos placed the palms of his hands on the wet sand and helped himself up. He knew this place! It was the beach from his dream. The waves were enormous but, as in the dream, they never came to shore and, rather, hovered foaming, high above the surface.
He turned around and gazed at the hill that towered over the beach. The temple stood magnificent on the very top in all its former glory, resplendent under the strong rays of the sun. Phevos reached with his arms behind him and was relieved to find his backpack was still there. He pulled the straps off his shoulders and opened it. The two wands were still there, and they were now glowing side by side.
“Welcome to my kingdom!” Poseidon’s voice echoed like thunder. Phevos looked up to find him towering over him, dressed in fine, deep blue robes. In his big hands, he held the third wand. It was glowing, just like the other two. At the awesome sight, Phevos knelt down with reverence.
“Almighty Poseidon, Ruler of the Seas! We meet at last! I receive this honor with all the joy that my mortal heart can possibly contain!”
“So, now you know who I am!” Poseidon laughed out loud scaring away a flock of seabirds that had been circling his head like a wreath of beaks and feathers. With a single flap from their wings, they fled toward the angry sea.
“Yes, of course, my lord! It was impossible not to know after all the fine signs you’ve been sending me. Forgive me for not recognizing you when you had appeared in my dream.”
“There is no need for apologies, Phevos. After all, it was I who confused you at first with those signs; seemingly from Athena. Whether I like it or not, it is easier to find references to her in Athens as opposed to me. Besides, I expected you would think she was guiding you just because your father used to serve her.”
“Do you mean it was you who sent me the signs from Athena in the beginning?”
“Yes, Phevos!”
“Is she oblivious to it all then?”
Poseidon gave a hearty laugh. “Indeed! She knows nothing, and she doesn’t even suspect. You see, I instructed your father to instill in you respect for her as he raised you. That was on purpose, so she could put the past behind her and forget about you all. This way I could work on my plan to reunite you as a family without her standing in my way. I cannot believe what she has done to you all! She is a menace! She is the selfish, spoiled daughter of an indulgent father!”
Phevos smirked. “You don’t seem to like her much, my lord . . .”
Poseidon pulled a face of distaste. “Like her? What's to like? My brother Zeus has entertained all her whims! He never interfered when she stole the patronship of Athens from me! It was mine until she came along, misguiding the Athenians with lies. He didn’t control his daughter even when she kept favoring Odysseus, that scoundrel! Despite my efforts to kill him by leading him to treacherous lands on his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, she kept helping him over and over again, as he roamed the sea in his wretched vessel. He didn’t deserve to live! He dared blind my son, the Cyclops Polyphemus! And there was my own niece, protecting him until he reached Ithaca, despite my will to drown him at sea!”
“I can understand how all this may have angered you, Almighty Poseidon, but tell me something! How is it possible that Athena doesn’t know anything about your plan and my being here at this very moment?”
“Phevos, you underestimate me! You see, the sea is my kingdom, my element! I have absolute control over it and everything that derives from it. When I returned the necklace to your father in the gut of that dogfish, her necklace was mine by then! The sea had permeated through it, lulled it to sleep for thousands of nights on its bed. The moment it was placed on your neck, you and Daphne became invisible in Athena’s eyes. That was my will.”
“But I’m not wearing the necklace any more! I exchanged it for the wand. It’s still in the cave . . . Wait a minute! Does the wand have the same effect?”
“You have guessed right! It is the wand that now renders you invisible in her eyes just like your mother has been, while keeping hers all these years. As long as my will remains the same, Athena cannot see what is going on.”
“And what about the third wand? How is my father going to get it?”
“Patience, Phevos! I will reveal everything in good time.”
“I’m sorry, my lord! It’s just that I worry too much! I haven't seen my father in such a long time . . .”
“Time . . .” Poseidon shook his head. “You mortals! You’re bound to it and keep forgetting it is only an illusion. I tell you, do not worry! I have made a promise to your father and I will keep it. Have faith in me!” To emphasize his last command, Poseidon stamped his foot on the sand. The earth shook violently, and clouds of sand rose off the dunes as far as the eye could see.
Phevos put out his hands, palms facing up. “I know, I’m sorry. But it’s hard to be human. We’re so helpless compared to the Gods . . .”
Poseidon nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “I can appreciate that. But you mortals have the power of faith. Use it!”
“You’re right, my lord! I should be having more faith after all the amazing things that have happened because of you. By the way, was it you who caused the earthquake on top of the hill? Did you cause Daphne to fall into the sea?”
Poseidon winked. “I would think you are quite capable to answer that for yourself, my lad!”
“Is she all right? Where is she now?” Phevos looked around him but without anxiety. Poseidon wouldn’t cause her any harm.
“You are guessing correctly. She is fine and she is now back on the hill with the others. How could I let anything bad
happen to her now that you’ve reached the end of your worries? All three of your missing loved ones are about to return!”
“Thank you, Poseidon! I knew you wouldn’t forget Kimon and Eleni! Their children are missing them so much!”
“I know, Phevos! There is no child in this world that doesn’t miss their parents, and likewise, no parent who doesn’t ache, when away from their children. Sometimes the mortal heart may harden and not allow the mind to grasp the pain, but it remains deep inside even then, whether you can feel it or not. And that wretched Athena has torn apart not one but two loving families! She has caused you all so much pain, even you, despite the fact that she tried to protect you by stealing your memories. The fool! She thought that by erasing the memories of your mother from your mind, she could also uproot the yearning from your heart for her! How could the Athenians ever be so blind, choosing her instead of me to protect their city?”
Poseidon’s anger about Athena was boiling again inside him. His facial features had hardened, and his crimson beard foamed like the angry waves in the water as he spat out his words. He turned to gaze at Phevos and, suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Oh, I just remembered! Come closer to me, my lad! Don’t be afraid now!”
Phevos swallowed hard. Poseidon towered over him at the height of eight feet at least, his voice deafening. He was the most fearful sight he’d ever seen. Phevos inched forward, his eyes pinned on the mighty god’s enormous sandals. They were made of gold and pearl. Bits of dark seaweed and anemones with glistening tentacles were trapped between the shimmering straps. Phevos fixed his gaze there, too awestruck to look up and face Poseidon at such close proximity.
When he felt the huge, rough palm of Poseidon’s hand on top of his head, Phevos was startled at first, but then relaxed. Poseidon’s tender touch filled him with a sense of warmth. As soon as he closed his eyes, Phevos’s shoulders jumped. A series of lightning bolts flashed behind his closed eyelids. Scattered images flashed in his mind in between. They seemed familiar. They were images from his own life. An old woman with a chilling cackle. A dark kitchen and a frightening metallic sound. A game of monopoly with little Ksenia. Then, there were no lightning bolts any more, but only memories, flashing one after the other at a tremendous speed.
Somehow, his mind acknowledged them all, or rather retrieved them. There were thousands, millions of them, and he could identify them all! His mother tucking him in bed with a kiss. His father teaching him how to ride his first bike. His school. His classmates. His birthday parties. The ginger kitten he’d saved from the street. “I remember . . . I remember . . .” he muttered, and then, ecstatic, he looked up to face Poseidon.
“Indeed, my boy! That ‘cloud’ as you called it, is finally gone! Now you may live a normal life as the Gods intended. Man, especially when young, is supposed to have the privilege of his memories! When you have your whole life ahead of you, your memories are your compass. They show you where you have come from and where you are going. They define who you are, based on who has touched your heart and what impressions you have formed about yourself already.”
“Thank you, Poseidon! You are truly merciful!”
“It is my duty to right the wrong. That scheming niece of mine had deprived you of all this until now. Although, I must admit, for someone lost in life without a compass you have done remarkably well!”
“I’ve never felt lost, my lord, and I can never be! Not with the father that I have been blessed with!”
“That’s right, my lad! Your father has raised you well. I had to be sure that you were capable of the task so I tested you first, and you stayed the course. Well done!”
“Thank you, Poseidon! And now, for the final part! I’m ready, my lord!”
“Oh, I can believe that, lad!” Poseidon chortled. “Now you must listen to me carefully and then you can go back in time to fetch your loved ones. But before I give you my instructions . . .” Poseidon paused and then threw the wand he’d been holding into the sea. It rested for a few seconds on top of one of the gigantic waves and then sank under it. Its brilliant glow faded gradually in the wash until there was no trace of it left.
Phevos watched, startled, but didn’t speak. He’d hoped Poseidon would hand it to him but, obviously, this was not the right time. He opened his bag and put the two wands back inside. They were still glowing. He turned his gaze back to Poseidon and awaited his instructions, his expression solemn. As he’d hoped, the instructions were thorough, but he had very little time left. He had to hurry.
***
“Phevos!” shouted Anna. When he bolted out of the temple, they were all sitting outside, waiting. Phevos ran to them, and they huddled around him hugging, kissing him and patting his back. He was bone dry as Daphne had been when she’d emerged from the temple a few minutes earlier.
At once, they informed him that Aris had proposed to Daphne, and they’d just told the whole truth to Aris and Zoe. The two looked pale from the shock of the revelation. Still, Aris responded with warmth when he received congratulations from his future brother-in-law.
“So tell us, Phevos! What happened?” asked Ksenia.
“Did you see Poseidon?” said Anna.
Manos grasped Phevos’s arm. “Do you have the third wand?”
“I saw Poseidon! He hasn’t given me the wand, but I now know how to get it!”
“Tell us! How?” asked Daphne.
“I’m sorry, I can't tell you now; there is no time!” Phevos turned around to look at the sun. It was very low on the horizon, dipping into the sea at the far end of a shimmering path of gold across the water. Alarmed, he turned to Anna. “We must hurry! Mother, please come with me!” He meant to ask her to follow him into the temple, but when he turned to it, he noticed the rest of the coach group standing together a few feet away, waiting for the sunset. He’d forgotten all about them.
Phevos’s face dropped. “Oh no! How can we do this with them here?” He brought his hands to his head. He couldn’t understand how Poseidon could have missed this. Surely, the guide would call the guard at once if she saw him enter the temple.
“What is it, Phevos?” asked Daphne and Ksenia in unison.
“What do we need to do, my son?” asked Anna.
“Mother, Poseidon said that you and I must go with our wands inside the temple. He will do the rest! But I don’t see how we can get in there with these people present!” He waved an impatient hand towards the tourists.
“Don’t worry about them!” piped up Manos before anyone else could speak.
“What do you mean, don’t worry?” Phevos darted his eyes to the distant horizon again. Time is running out!
Manos gave a huge smirk. “It means I can solve your problem for you. Just watch me!” A couple of German tourists had come to sit on the rocks a few paces away from them. They were busy in conversation and one of them had taken out a guidebook. They had their cameras ready, eager to capture the magnificent sunset that would soon be underway.
“Excuse me? Can I have your attention please?” Manos shouted over to them.
“Manos, what are you doing?” asked Phevos. He turned to look at the sky again, trying to think. Actually, if these people were to join all the others, perhaps they could get away with it. Maybe they would all look at the sky and never see what's going on in the temple.
“Hello?” continued Manos, undeterred. He skipped in a comical way, stopping right in front of the tourists. “It’s nicer over there. Why don’t you go join the others? Shoo!”
“Manos, that’s rude!” Phevos was vexed now. As if being pressed for time wasn’t enough, the boy had to choose this moment to act out of character. He was annoyed with the others as well. Why wasn’t anyone else protesting? Why were they chuckling?
“Phevos, I’m only trying to show you!” replied Manos shrugging his shoulders. He bent over the tourists, who were now leafing through the pages of their guidebook, ignoring him completely.
“Hello!” he shouted to them but they never replied or looked
up.
“That’s enough! What's the matter with—” Phevos’s eyes lit up.
Manos rolled his eyes. “Finally!” With a cheeky grin, he rushed back to him.
“What? How?” mumbled Phevos.
“Do you need ask? Poseidon did this, for sure,” said Ksenia.
“What happened?”
“Zoe will tell you,” said Manos.
“Yes, I’m the one who realized it first,” said Zoe with a faint smile. “When they all returned here from the café, I beckoned to my friend Maria and her family to come over to us, but she didn’t respond. I thought they didn’t notice me so I went up to them. That’s when I heard her ask the guide if she’d seen me or anyone else among the Greeks, but we were only paces away! And I was standing right in front of them! If I hadn't stepped aside in the last minute, they’d have bumped into me!”
“Poseidon has thought of everything,” said Anna. “You know, I don’t think they even experienced the earthquake!”
“Well, it looks like we’re good to go then. Time is almost up!” said Phevos. He turned to Ksenia and gave her a hug. “Soon, you’ll see your parents again, my love. Have faith!” He flashed her a sweet smile and left a peck on her lips.
“Are you going back in time to get them?”
“Only for a while, Ksenia. For you here, it will all be over within a few minutes. Poseidon told me time is an illusion, and after hearing his instructions, now I believe it too.”
“Be careful,” whispered Ksenia as he turned away.
“Hurry back, Brother,” said Daphne when Phevos squeezed her in his arms. He patted Manos’s head and stood for a few more moments in their midst, a solemn look on his face.
Zoe and Aris returned his gaze looking as if they were lost in a dream. Phevos couldn’t blame them or make it easier for them. All he could do was offer them a sympathetic smile.
“Whatever you see, please don’t come in,” he asked them all. “Poseidon instructed that only my mother and I should enter the temple.”
The Necklace of Goddess Athena Page 30
