Chapter Text
‘That’s it,’ concluded Prometheus after telling Pronoia about his conversation with Zeus.
‘So we have to move, we have no choice.’
‘You will move. I’ll visit the humans one last time to give them fire.’
Pronoia flinched. Then she leaned to him, embraced him and begged:
‘Please do not do it! If you do, Zeus will ruin you!’
‘Come what may. I know that you don’t like at all what I am saying, but I am already decided. While Hermes was dragging me to Olympus, I realized what I really wanted to do. They are my friends, and will be the tribe of our Deucalion. They have advanced a lot since I first met them. But without fire, and without me to stand against the grey-haired fools, the knowledge and skills will be lost very quickly. The humans will retreat to the caves and will shiver of cold and fear until their brains shrink, exactly as Zeus wants. I just cannot let this happen while I sit in the halls of Olympus, engorge myself with nectar, and make small talk! This just cannot be!’
‘Prometheus, what you intend will benefit Zeus. He seeks to destroy you, and needs an excuse. If you violate his strict ban, you’ll give him exactly what he wants.’
‘You may be right but I cannot think of anything better to do.’
‘You said, “the tribe of our Deucalion”… Think of him! He will need you!’ Pain filled her voice. ‘Husband, this courage of yours dooms you. If you have no pity for yourself, pity your wrethed wife at least, and our unborn child! Should you meet your fate, there will be no more joy for me only sorrow, so if I lose you I were better to have never been born!’
Prometheus placed her on the bed, sat down next to her and stroked her hair. He tried to shape his thoughts in words:
‘Our child will need fire more than he will need me. Because he will be mortal, and cannot dwell on Olympus or any other place of immortals. He will have to live among humans.’
‘If you give them the fire… do you know what Zeus will do with you later?’
‘Generally, yes. It won’t be pleasant of course. He will prefer to make an example of me instead of throwing me into Tartarus. I have accepted my fate. You are more important. I’ll bring you to my mother, as if we are visiting her one last time before moving to Olympus. I wish you to be with her when I go to the humans.’