Pandora's Curiosity

After navigating their way through the maze-like expanse of Olympia, Julius and Tobias finally spotted the largest house in the city-state. Julius had no doubts as to whom this abode belongs to – the immortals Pandora and Epimetheus.

The two of them tip-toed towards the entrance, but upon reaching that door, they heard a loud clank of something breakable hitting that surface, so they stepped back from it. From outside, the adamant and angry voice of Epimetheus entered their eardrums.

"THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS?! PLAYING ME LIKE THAT?! AFTER ALL MY BROTHER AND I DID FOR HIM DURING THE WAR?! WE ALLIED WITH HIM WHEN ALL OTHER TITANS WERE AGAINST HIM!!! THAT GODDAMN UNGRATEFUL PIECE OF TURD!!!" Another clank was heard, apparently Epimetheus was wreaking havoc and breaking something from inside.

"Calm down, dear. He can hear –"

"SO WHAT IF HE CAN HEAR ME?! FUCK THE GODS!! FUCK OLYMPUS!!" The Titan roared at Pandora, who was only trying to calm him down.

Epimetheus was actually referring to the fact that only Prometheus and him allied with Zeus among all Titans during the Titanomachy (Titan Wars), when the God's faction was trying to overthrow Cronus from his throne. Their other brother, Atlas, was the leader of the Titan rebellion. Originally, Epimetheus wanted to fight alongside his fellow Titans, but his brother, the Forethinker and the Wise Titan, Prometheus, advised him against it.

And alas, Prometheus was right. The Gods of Olympus won the war, and all allies of Cronus were terribly punished by them. Their brother, Atlas, was given the daunting responsibility of bearing the Heaven's weight on his shoulders. He was condemned to hold up the sky for all eternity. The two of them, however, escaped these brutal punishments and were even rewarded by the Ruler of the Skies for their support in his cause.

Prometheus was rewarded by the creation of men. But things between Zeus and him got sour after this point. Prometheus disapproved of Zeus' tyrannical rule over mankind.

The rift between the Thunderer and the Forethinker started when the former charged the latter to divide the Meat of the Great Ox into two meals – one for the Gods, and the other for mankind. Because Prometheus loved humans, he tricked Zeus by producing one portion of bones wrapped in fat, and the other one consisting of the finest meat covered with the Ox's insides. Strangely, Zeus chose the fat-covered bones, thus setting the precedent which allowed humans, from that day forward, to keep the meat to themselves and sacrifice only the bones to the Gods.

Angered by the trick, Zeus hid from the humans the gift of fire. Prometheus got triggered at this and stole the sacred fire from him, giving it to mankind. Zeus, more enraged by this act of Prometheus, reacted with equal intensity. He ordered his son, Hephaestus, to mold a creature that became the fiend of every man – a lovely thing to look upon – a very beautiful woman. Zeus named her Pandora.

All men then fell for Pandora. Even Zeus marvelled at her wonder, that he made her immortal. This made Hera incredibly jealous and schemed to make Pandora's life a living hell. She sent Pandora to the land, and gifted her to Epimetheus as a reward for his support in the War.

Prometheus warned his brother not to accept the gift, but Epimetheus was too blinded by Pandora's beauty that he had no desire in him to refuse her as his wife. Hera also gave her a Jar as a gift – saying it's from the Gods of Olympus. She also told her that she's forbidden to ever open its lid, which only made her extremely curious as to what's inside it.

Later on, Zeus punished Prometheus and chained him to the Rocks of Caucasus. He also sent his sacred bird – the eagle, to prey on the Titan who saved humanity. Every day, the eagle tears a part of Prometheus' liver, which grows back again during the night, so the unbearable torment can go on indefinitely.

Epimetheus almost cannot bear to see his brother suffer and take the punishment he doesn't deserve. That's why he tried to bargain with Zeus each time he gets a chance, like the Dactyl race. He was tricked by the God, thus, driving him to this madness. "DAAAAMN YOU, ZEUS!!!" He again let out an ear-shattering scream, cursing the Lord of the Heavens.

Tobias furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing the entire thing that was going on inside. "Any idea on what happened?" He whispered to Julius.

"Yep. Zeus nerfed him at Olympus. Dude is mad and he's taking it out on their breakables." Julius replied.

"Seems like we're here at the wrong time. So what's the plan? Take the jar? Or talk to her about it?" The boy shook his head. Julius actually explained to him the context and significance of what they were about to do while they were searching for the house.

"No better time than now. I think we can talk to her about not ever opening it. If we take the jar, where the heck will we keep it?" He too was having doubts about this, but he can't think of any other thing.

Their attention was caught by a loud slamming of the door. When they turned, they saw Epimetheus going out from the house, yelling, "I NEED A DAMN DRINK!!"

Inside, Pandora wept at the recent outburst of her husband. 'How long must I suffer this?' She thought.

She wondered when she can gain her freedom once more – like back when she was in Olympus. She wanted to know more about the mortal world, wanted to go to more places, wanted to explore more there is to life. She loathed being confined in this prison, keeping up with a Titan husband, who never made her feel happy the entire time they were together.

Then her mind wandered to the Jar she keeps upstairs. Ever since she got it from Hera, she's always been curious of what's inside it. If it's something that can take her out from this lifeless state, she would gladly take it, and open it, despite her prohibitions. She has to find out what's in it, no matter the cost.

As she finally made up her mind, she went upstairs. Upon finding the Jar, she cradled it, felt its alabaster texture, and traced its outline with her bare hands. She was about to lift its lid when suddenly, the door to her room opened, and she saw the figures of Julius and another unfamiliar boy step in.

"DON'T DO IT, PANDORA!" Julius shouted. "DON'T OPEN THE LID! YOU'LL DAMN US ALL!!" He was breathing heavily when he said it, like he ran a marathon (oh he actually did that) prior to coming in her shelter.

"Julius….why…h-how could you –" Pandora said in between sobs.

"That jar contain plagues that will haunt humanity for the rest of eternity. If you open that, Pandora, you will release all the bad things that will torment this world. So please, don't do it." The other boy calmly said.

What Tobias said gave Pandora second thoughts. "W-what are you…saying?"

"Please, Pandora. Believe me. That Jar is a trap. Nothing good.... comes out from it...." Julius said as he moved closer to the woman and held her hand, prompting her to move it away from the alabaster jar. He decided to leave the fact that one good thing will come out from the jar if she opens it.

Pandora noted the genuine care in Julius' voice. She can't see a trick coming out from his words and actions. He was sincere in trying to stop her from doing just what she initially intended to do.

Finally, after a few nervous beats, she lifted her hand away from the Jar. Her curiosity has vanished. Julius let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her move away the Jar, and place it in the corner of the room.

Then, much to their astonishment, Epimetheus opened the door. "HAHA! SO THAT'S THE FUSS ABOUT THAT JAR, EH?!" Apparently, the Titan heard everything. He smelled of mead, and he looks loose in the head.

Epimetheus, upon finding out the truth behind the Jar, came up with a foolish realization. 'These mortals don't deserve all the happiness of the world. All at the expense of my brother's suffering.'

Fueled by rage, he lunged towards the Jar, which is currently guarded by Julius, Pandora and Tobias. 'Measly mortals, don't you know the strength of a Titan?' He easily swatted them away, giving him a clear access to the Jar. He lifted the cursed thing, and threw it to the floor.

"NOOOOOO!!!" Julius, Tobias and Pandora said in unison.

The jar broke into many pieces. And from it, screams of the damned can be heard, as they finally got out from their prison. All dark spirits of plague, despair and sorrow came out from the jar. They were innumerable. Everyone except Epimetheus looked at them in utter horror.

"HAHAHAHAHA GO FORTH AND DOOM MANKIND!" The Titan squealed in delight.

"No – no shit!" Julius said, trying to unsee what is before him.

The final spirit soon got out, and it was the only one spirit from the Jar which shone a warmer light. The Spirit of Hope.

Julius thought that what happened in the myth was already bad. But what happened now as he rewrote this story turned out to be something worse. In the myth, Pandora was able to close the lid right after Hope came out. But this time, everything was released – everything – including the unknown other terrors that the Jar had in store.

He felt something warm from his bag. He looked at it and something seems to be shining. 'It's the book!' He thought. 'The story was already written, it can't be changed now!'

Sensing further danger if they don't run away, Tobias pulled up Julius from the floor and spat at his face, "We better get out of here, or else Epimetheus will thrash us! Quickly!"

Julius got back on his feet and turned towards the door. 'Shit…shit…this is so lame, I can't do anything!' He hated himself for not being strong enough right now to face the Titan. He was very frustrated at this outcome. Before reaching the door, he turned to Pandora.

"Pandora, I promise you, someday I'll see you again, and on that day, I will set you free! Hold on to that, even if it takes me thousands of years!" He might be imagining it, but Julius saw a tear come out from Pandora's left eye after he said it. She smiled a sad, hopeful smile at him and mouthed. 'I'll be waiting for that day.'

'Hold on to that, Pandora. I'm gonna get stronger.' Julius' resolve was cemented now in his heart.

"HAHA! YOU THINK YOU CAN GO?! NO YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM ME!" Epimetheus went after them, but he was shaky on his feet and the two were able to evade his advances.

The book continued to glow from Julius' bag as him and Tobias scampered in their way outside. When they finally reached the city-state's center, they immediately saw the figures of Sayo and Rexis there, waiting for their arrival.

They look weirder somehow.

"Hey guys, it's the book – I think it's gonna point us to our next direction now!" Julius said as the pair met them halfway.

When they opened the book, they were greeted by total nonsense. "ARGH! Dad and his damned codes!" Julius yelled. "The hell is this now?!"