Conditions

Unlike the time when Aphrodite and Thanatos had visited, the fields were calmer and creatures could be seen flying past regions. Some elves and fairies were peeking from the side as if it were curious what Zeus was doing here. Their pointy ears twitched to eavesdrop as they exchanged words in high-pitched squeals.

Mythological creatures that were female cautiously snuck glances at the mighty deity whom every one of them feared. Some hid while others noticed the indestructible shield the Oracle had constructed to keep them imperceptible to Zeus.

While creatures roamed around cautiously at a safe distance, the Oracle stepped out of his wooden house. The noble aura he emitted was intimidating, lowering Zeus' guard as he stepped another foot forward.

Unknown to him, the Oracle had already created an invisible dimension between him and the rest of the enchanted forest. Once he had walked into the forest, everything his vision showed him was illusions from his own mind. A particular reason led the Oracle to form such careful decisions - Zeus was known for his sexually activeness and ignorance to beauties he felt attracted to.

With his lack of respect for female forms of all kinds, Zeus did not deserve to witness the slightest nature of the forest. Hence, he was limited to the soft green grasses and scorching sun that frowned upon his arrival. Of course, his indecent mind wouldn't allow a single second break from vivid fantasies of dancing beauties with desirable smooth skin and snake slim waists. In his mind, the beauties he fancied were waving and sending signals to him.

His saliva glittered like mini diamonds, adding slimed texture to his weirdly curved lips. Mopping up the crystal-like drool at the corners of his mouth, Zeus greeted the Oracle. He suppressed his inner desires as a bigger issue was waiting for him to resolve. Before his left foot landed another step on the grass, the dark green shadow below his feet swayed.

Multiple waves of breezes swept across Zeus' face, forcing him to step backward.

"You can speak from where you are standing. I've set a boundary between us already. If you step forward, you'll only end up destroying yourself. I believe you're here for Aphrodite, correct?" The Oracle snapped his thumb against his middle finger, summoning a cloth to wipe his eagle claw shaped cane. As areas of the cane were left spotless by his wet cloth, the eagle claw blossomed like a flower and allowed its palms to be cleansed.

"Yes. Aphrodite is kept locked up in the underworld by her son, Eros. Since he was unfilial, I am hoping for you, a trustworthy honor to present justice for us. Please persuade Eros to leave Aphrodite alone and release her or else a war between the underworld and deities will begin." His hoarse voice inserted a threat at the end of his sentence. His purpose was clear. He must save his daughter.

"When you placed the unfilial title onto Eros' status, have you considered what Aphrodite has done wrong? I will list out her doings, and you will listen to them before I announce my decision to your request. As the goddess of love and beauty, her heart is crept up with jealousy and ugliness. Her insecurities led to plentiful lives being soiled in the underworld."

The claws on his cane straightened out as the Oracle continued removing mysterious stains from its fingers. "That is only one of the heaviest crimes she committed in the past. Not only did she not learn from her lessons, she has deliberately caused ongoing cries of desolations from poor souls in Tartarus."

"Sounds of wails and petrified screams of injustice knocked on my doors on a daily basis, yet I could not do anything to help the victims. The laws of deities were dead against her because of her bribes and the amount of power she exploited using her outer appearance. These many cases stacked up but none of the summons court judges have ensured impartiality during the judging process."

As his hand finished wiping the third claw, the Oracle's sharp gaze met Zeus' worried ones. "Nevertheless, I've warned Aphrodite to not go too far with the power in her hands. She had already ruined Eros' marriage and murdered his wife. She even ridiculously chased after him to take Psyche's soul. The moment she declared to strip Eros' status as a god and remove all his powers, I've already seen the outcome of such outrageous demands. I've warned, but she ignored and used the deity book of laws to prevent my interruption."

"Now, you've come to ask me for fairness and assistance. Perhaps our title of goddess is defined differently, but is it that far of a contrast that her methods could be so blind in your eyes? Her jealousy has chained her heart to darkness, and her behavior will not get any better. She will continue framing and destroying lives. So, how could we make this fair? Zeus, do not forget your own status. Answer carefully."

The Oracle stared at the multi-colored stained cloth with an arched eyebrow. The claws spread in a shrugging motion as the cane walked off on its own. Shaking his head, he sighed at the sight of his active cane wandering off elsewhere again.

How would Zeus not understand the elder's implicit condition? After all, his words were directly striking Aphrodite's weaknesses and undutiful choices. His fingers curled up to fists and finally spread out. "If you are willing to save Aphrodite, I will promise not to interfere with any punishments you wish to place on her. I will also prevent her from causing trouble in the future. As long as her status of goddess remains, you can penalize her using any method. I won't say a word."

Zeus failed to hear it, but the Oracle's ears were still perfectly functional against his own spell. Cheerful giggles from the entire forest could be heard as every living thing in the forest heard Zeus' words. Crackles of knuckles and swooshes from pointed weapons presented the excitement every being felt when they heard Aphrodite's time had finally come.

Chuckling at the liveliness in the forest, the Oracle folded his arms to his back. The edges of his clothing fluttered as he spoke. "In addition to what you've proposed to me, you also can not reverse any spells I cast upon her. If I find out that anyone attempts to undo my punishment on her, I will not hesitate to send her to Adrestia - the goddess of Vengeance."

Cold droplets of transparent beads slid down Zeus' body. Instantly, his palms were soaked in liquids of his own perspiration. If the oracle sends Aphrodite to Adrestia, then she would be doomed. The goddess of Vengeance — not to mention she was Eros' protective sister — would gather everyone Aphrodite had done wrong to and let their rage combine to cast the worst irreversible curses on her.

"I understand." He muttered.

"Let's proceed to the underworld." The Oracle spoke strictly as another snap sounded from his fingers. Tree branches poked out in thin air, crocheting a twisted teleportation portal. Mixtures of blue sparkling hues rotated rapidly, dizzying Zeus' focus. Strong winds sucked Zeus into the endless swirls while the Oracle followed calmly from behind.

A click escaped the Oracle's fingers and the portal minimized distortedly as his figure disappeared from plain sight.