The home was built with bricks and wooden beams, and it was centered around a courtyard. The courtyard had a short row of columns and an altar, which never failed to make Nyx smile. She only had one temple left, but her friend always paid tribute to her, despite Nyx’s many protests that it was unnecessary. A seashell mosaic was on the floor in the center, making a strophalos. The strophalos of Hecate.
The dark clouds gathered in a vortex above the courtyard, spinning down to the ground until Nyx stepped out of the inky mass in her female form. As soon as her feet touched the mosaic, Hecate walked outside.
“I didn’t know to expect you today.” Hecate’s tone was warm, and she moved over to greet her friend. Hecate was Nyx’s closest ally in the Underworld, both having an undying dedication to the human women of the world.
Hecate had long, dark hair with a scarlet tint that matched her deep red peplos. She wore a small diadem that was engraved with a crescent moon, which she never parted with. Her voice had an echo effect that always sounded like three people were talking at once: the maiden, the mother, and the crone. She tempered the effects of her voice around humans; however, she did tend to amplify it around human men when she was seeking vengeance.
“I needed to see you.” Nyx’s tone was laced with a concern that made Hecate’s brows rise. She loved Nyx, but Nyx had neverneededto see anyone. A thousand years ago, Hecate had to keep Erebus from plunging the world into a second ice age when Nyx decided to take an extended nap in the cosmos. She couldn’t be reached and forgot to let her husband know her plans. The memories of it still gave Hecate a headache.
“Of course.” Hecate nodded eagerly, extending her arm and ushering Nyx inside.
She may have laughed at her friend for wanting a human residence, but she had never been more grateful to see the warm hearth and settle into the coziness of Hecate’s kitchen. The goddess of witchcraft was always brewing something that smelled delicious, and herbs hung from the rafters. Two large, black dogs were sleeping in front of the fire, and a few cats ducked out of the open window when the women walked in.
Nyx sat at the table and Hecate moved over to her cauldron, feigning busyness to put Nyx at ease. Hecate knew Nyx wouldn’t be able to open up if she was staring at her. The silence stretched on for a few moments as Hecate moved around, grabbing a pestle and mortar, absentmindedly crushing some seeds. Nyx was unmoved, staring into the flames as dark clouds danced around her like a cloak. Hecate tried to keep her face stoic—Nyx was losing control if she was slipping between her human and primordial forms.
“Have you heard anything from Zeus recently?” Nyx finally broke the silence. If the question surprised Hecate, she managed to keep it off her face.
“I’ve heard this talk of overthrowing Kronos, yes.” Hecate shrugged as though she was discussing the weather.
Nyx said nothing in response as she turned her attention back to the fire.
“Is that what this is about? Why do you care what Zeus is doing?” Hecate’s voice took on a gentle, probing tone. One of her dogs picked its head up, looking at Nyx with an almost human-like stare.
“I don’t. It’s not about Zeus.”
“Okay.” Hecate’s response was gentle, but her silence was resolute. She would listen to Nyx for hours but wouldn’t push her to share. A few minutes went by before Nyx began again.
“It’s about Erebus.”
Ah.Understanding flooded Hecate’s face. If there was anything that was going to rile Nyx, it would be Erebus.
“What about him?”
“He wants to join Zeus.” Nyx’s voice cracked for a moment, unleashing the hurt that had been building in her. Thatdidsurprise Hecate, and she stifled a gasp. She had also always known Erebus to scoff at the realms of the gods and titans. He was ancient and powerful—only Nyx surpassed him—and not easily stirred to emotional displays like the immortals.
“What are his reasons?” Hecate excelled at keeping her tone calm as she kept her questions short.
“He thinks helping Zeus overthrow the titans is the best way to regain the adoration of the humans. They’ve been making a mess recently.”
Nyx wasn’t making eye contact with Hecate; waves of dark clouds continued to rise and fall around her. Hecate forced herself to take a deep breath before responding.
“The…adoration of thehumans?” Hecate’s voice finally betrayed some of her confusion. Nyx nodded.
“He has noticed how they don’t worship him and me the way they used to. My temples are gone. The humans are afraid of Thanatos. He wants us to moveinto the lightas he keeps saying.” She waved her hand around her face exasperatedly.
“Into what?” Hecate’s composure finally snapped as she slammed her mortar down. At her sudden outburst, flickers of red power erupted over her skin. Both of her dogs jumped up, barking.
“I know.” Nyx nodded with taut lips. “Thedarkness.He wants to be worshipped again and wants to do it with the gods.”
Hecate paused and studied her friend, trying to comprehend what a blow this must be for Nyx to hear. Darkness was a part of the night. Any critiques that Erebus had about himself or the way the world saw him inevitably made it sound like he was criticizing Nyx.
“When did he bring this up?”
“The first time?” Nyx shrugged. “About a year ago. Zeus has been all over Greece over the past few months, garnering support.”
“A year?”
“Yes. He approached me about it the other day, but we’ve…been a bit at odds since the very first time he brought it up.” Hecate’s heart broke. She had no idea that her friend had been feuding with Erebus for so long. A year was trivial to an immortal and nothing to a primordial, but the idea was still upsetting.
