‘As the tree grew, so did its seed, until it surpassed the tree itself and became a vast orb of earth. And this new world spun, suspended in the void of Chaos, with the top of that same tree protruding from its crust, while its trunk was rooted all the way to its heart. And Chaos named the earth Gaia, the first of their children. Then Chaos wrapped their breath around Gaia, protecting her skin from the wild nature of their elements. And this protector, this sky, they named Ouranos.
‘From the moment of his conception, Ouranos loved Gaia. His affection burned so brightly it formed a blazing heart in the centre of his being. And so the sun was born. And Gaia was pleased, for its light teased forth life from her crust. More trees grew, bushes and flowers too, and soft downy grass. Encouraged by her pleasure, Ouranos forged another orb of silver and covered the darkest reaches ofhimself in stars, so that even the parts of her that were not touched by his sun would always have light. And although this too delighted Gaia, it was not enough. Ouranos desired to please her more. And so he painted himself in vibrant colours and formed soft clouds that sprinkled her with water when she became too hot. Soon great rivers ran like veins across Gaia’s skin, feeding the life ripened by the sun. All manner of flora and fauna began to grow on her, until Gaia became luscious and verdant all over. And in this paradise creatures swam up from the depths of the rivers, some crawling from the water to make their homes on land. And through each new life ran the golden threads of energy that had all been contained in that first seed of creation, spreading from the origin tree rooted at Gaia’s heart. The tapestry of life that flows through all living things.
‘To Gaia, the children that lived on her skin were everything, and she poured all her motherly affection into nurturing them. Ouranos saw this and grew jealous. Instead of gentle rain he hurled down hail and thunder, instead of soft breezes he blew harsh gales that ripped whole trees from the earth, and instead of loving warmth his sun blazed so hot it scorched Gaia’s skin. Many of her children suffered. Gaia wept for them all, and her tears pooled into several of the deserts burned by Ouranos’ rage, forming great oceans of salt water. But despite the anguish she felt for her children, the Mother did not give in to Ouranos’ demands of love.
‘So, Ouranos sent dark clouds to cluster over the earth, their bellies swollen with water. He unleashed a torrent of rain that poured so hard and fast it formed a great flood, sweeping away entire forests and the creatures that had made their homes there. But Gaia whispered warnings to her children, sending as many as she could up to the mountain peaks, where they waited for the water to drain away. And when theflood receded, those that survived built new homes on the sodden ground and slowly repopulated the earth.
‘Ouranos saw that once again his attempts to beat Gaia into submission had failed. And finally, he realized that he had been driven mad by desire. He was so ashamed, he sent his moon to block the sun and hide the light of his heart that now burned with guilt.
‘From his dark kingdom, he watched all the creatures Gaia loved so dearly, especially the humans to whom she murmured her secrets. Then he looked at the rivers that threaded across her undulating skin and the forests that sent their roots deep into her being. Finally, his gaze settled upon the sacred mountain top and the single tree standing proud from its summit. The tree of life, whose roots ran deepest of all. And Ouranos knew then what he must do to win Gaia’s love.
‘He banished the moon back to the far side of the sky and unveiled his sun-heart just as it was setting in the west. He captured its golden glow, the Hesperides light, that ushers in the dawn and the eve, and poured it into the origin tree. Its branches shivered and its boughs sprouted clutches of golden apples, each one bright as a miniature sun.
‘“Look what I have made,” Ouranos cried. “A gift for your children. My eternal love shall grant eternal life. One bite of a Hesperides apple and they shall never grow old, never die, and they shall know the power of the tapestry of life.”
‘But Gaia looked on the tree with dismay. For with no death, there could be no new life. The cycle of the tapestry would be broken. Her body and her children would grow stagnant and decay. She saw what Ouranos could not, that the light of his love was poisoned by his desire to consume. To have all of her. Every single piece.
‘Secretly, Gaia whispered to humankind, the cleverest of her children, “I will choose the twelve wisest amongst youto journey to the sacred mountain of the Hesperides tree. These brave few must each consume an apple, imbibing the might of the tapestry of life and the time-stilling power concealed in the fruit’s flesh. These twelve must forsake the people they once were and guard the tree until I call on them to return their threads to the tapestry of life. Then another twelve will be chosen to shoulder the burden. Above all things let none but the chosen twelve approach the tree and pluck the golden fruit. They must save the rest of mankind from this poisoned gift.”
‘Then, hidden deep inside her, far from the watchful gaze of Ouranos, Gaia forged a stone. A rock of deepest obsidian, that granted glimpses of the future to all those who touched it. In secret, she gave this stone to her chosen protectors and bade them lay it between the roots of the Hesperides tree, saying, “I give you this eye that sees what yours cannot. This stone will show you those whom I have deemed worthy and those whose time has been served. It is your guide. Use it well, my Titans.”’
The sun had sunk low in the darkening sky by the time Metis finished her story. Danae looked through the hut doorway at the golden light draped over the rough hillside beyond. The stars were eager tonight, already gazing down on the glistening sea. She felt like a child again, tugging at her mother’s skirt, demanding to know the origin of those faraway lights. Then, her mind had been filled with wonder. Now, her thoughts floundered like lost souls in the darkness.
She had seen so much and knew so little.
She remembered the sound of Alea’s chest cracking open with far more clarity than she ever had before, shuddering as she recalled the creak of the tree growing from her sister’s heart, the crackle of its branches unfurling and thevibrations that had passed beyond sound itself when it lowered a golden apple into her palm.
After some time she said, ‘The Titans’ power … it’s the same power you and I have. And the gods.’
Metis nodded again.
‘Did Gaia make me a Titan too?’
‘Yes,’ Metis rasped, her voice hoarse after speaking for so long. ‘Zeus and the Olympians were never meant to possess the apple’s gifts. They were not chosen. Unlike me, and now you.’
‘It was the Mother who grew the tree from my sister’s chest,’ Danae said quietly.
‘Yes.’
‘Why did it have to beherheart?’ Each word was sharp, like a blade in her mouth.
‘We are all part of the tapestry of life.’
It wasn’t an answer.
‘Why me?’
Metis’ gaze flicked up to meet Danae’s. ‘I do not know.’
Danae pressed her eyes shut, still trying to make sense of what she’d just learned. ‘The obsidian stone you spoke of – that’s the omphalos stone that became the oracle at Delphi?’
‘Yes.’
Danae wondered if Metis knew that a shard of the stone still remained. Now Hades was dead that one remaining piece would surely lie forgotten in the Underworld forever. She did not wish to admit her part in the loss of such a precious relic and invite yet more of Metis’ scorn, so she asked another question.
‘Were you one of the original Titans chosen by Gaia?’
‘Not one of the first twelve, but like those who came before, I was called. I heard the Mother’s song and made thejourney to Mount Olympus to become a Titan and guard the Hesperides tree.’
