Chapter 3

After the glorious birth came a great celebration. The gods and the allied Titans rejoiced in a splendid feast with the announcement of a new Olympian. The feast was held in the high heaven, and Zeus was the proud host. All the immortals attended with great eagerness to see an extraordinary maiden-child.

These, wonder-struck beings, were gods and goddesses, but they shuddered at the sight of Athena, whose fierce majestic looks intimidated and mesmerized them.

In his grandiose palace, Zeus breathed deeply with delight, seeing the gods gathered like they were in a great contest for a great prize. Among the other chief gods, Hera was also present. Zeus and Hera had just been married. If the new queen had any acrimonious feelings toward her husband's child, she hid it well behind a dignified smile. Athena was still a strange creation, and her intense appearance alone was enough to make Hera stay out of her way.

Oceanus, now known as the old man of the sea, gifted his granddaughter a temple where sea-born men would bring offerings to her altar. Her great uncle, Helios, the giver of light, presented holy rites to honor the maiden of the sounding spear. His sacred bulls had been killed to serve the gods, which pleased the heart of Zeus.

The divine maiden was still wrought in her armor. What material it was made of no one could guess it. Her scaled sleeves, crested breastplates, greaves, and helmet shimmered in iridescent light - as many as the colors of the rainbow and changed its light now to one hue and now another. Even the smith god, Hephaestus, deeply admired the masterpiece and now seemed at a loss to know what gift he should give her. He always wanted to gain Athena's favor from the moment she sprang out of Zeus's head, but his lure was now unneeded as her armor was born with her like a second skin.

But Hephaestus fashioned most of the gods' council seats, and he was glad when Zeus ordered a throne to be made for Athena. It took no thought at all to make her one of the chief gods.

The smith god had made Zeus' throne out of marble that had small pieces of gold built into it. The throne was so large that it had seven steps leading up to the seat. On the right arm of the throne was a ruby-eyed eagle, his symbolic animal.

Hera's throne was ivory. It had only three steps, but they were all made of crystals. On the back, there were several golden cuckoos and willow leaves. Above the throne hung a moon.

Hephaestus made one that he thought was worthy of a beautiful maiden. But Athena made no notice when she saw it. She merely sat on it in silence. The seat was splendid and comfortable, but it did not reflect the true power of its mistress. It lacked the touch of the goddess herself. Athena found no sentiment claiming it. The goddess needed no extravagant decorations or luxury. She would rather build one herself, and which she later did when she had grown competent with her craft.

Poseidon was the last to arrive on Olympus. He came into the throne hall with a smile shining through his dark beard. Hearing that another throne had been added to the council, Poseidon knew that Zeus had a special fondness for this particular child. And indeed, the sea lord could not foresee for what would strick him in the throne room. There, he saw a stunning regal maiden sitting beside Zeus, and she was more beautiful than all his most valuable jewels in the sea.

Poseidon felt a deep desire growing in him.

"O Zeus, my brother, I heard your roars of pain even within my underwater palace. I thought the Titans had broken out of Tartarus. Then I was surprised to hear that you have birthed yourself a daughter!" Poseidon said and glanced at Athena, drinking in her outlandish charms, "and a beautiful one, too."

"She has so many potentials," Zeus said with a knowing smile. "She shall be a great help to my government work."

"Government work? What would a handsome maiden like her do in the council?" Poseidon said in a raised brow. "Shouldn't she be learning to tend the hearth or sow grains like her lovely aunts? Or better yet attend to her dear husband? Speaking of husband, have you thought of anyone worthy of her hand?"

Athena remained silence. Her helmet and long spear rested beside her. She had no reason to use them, but there was no doubt that Poseidon had invoked in her a fighting instinct.

"Brother, haven't you seen what she is made of?" Zeus spoke. "Athena is like a newly forged sword. She is born ready for battles and not for womanly things."

"She looks like she's cut for it, all right," Poseidon said, stroking his bearded chin as if he was viewing a merchandise. "But she can fight and still be a good wife, don't you think? She's already a grown woman."

Before Zeus could speak, Athena rose from her throne, tall and dazzling in her battle armor.

"I will take no husband," she spoke, her voice was strong and crystal clear. All eyes directed at her. Athena's face, when she turned to Poseidon, was sharp and bright like the edge of a star, leaving even Zeus tongue-tied.

And for a long moment, the silence rang in the hall. The gods thought Athena had a child-brain, but the goddess was simply observing and learning. Her words were like Zeus's decree, and no one dared to defy it.

Poseidon was shocked and slightly humiliated. His face became red. He felt like a child who got scolded for speaking nonsense. Without another word, the sea god retreated to his throne and requested for his wine from the cupbearer.

Zeus secretly enjoyed it. Athena had put his obnoxious brother in his place with just a few words. She who was just born from him not long ago. The pride stirred strongly in the god's heart as he looked at the maiden. But Zeus was also concerned that her head-strong character might cause conflicts with the other gods later.

The feast continued all night until everyone was lying drunk on their couches. At last, Zeus took Athena to his side and spoke to her privately.

"My dear child, you know not the power you hold," he began, "but you must learn to check your wise mouth for it can bring you troubles."

"I merely declared my rights over my own godhead, Father," she said, "only the small-minded ones would find it offensive."

Zeus was once again struck by her words. It was then that he knew this child must be reined in, or she would soon run wild with her immense power, and none of the deathless gods could be her match, not even Zeus himself.