Prometheus shot his foolish brother another glare and then said, "From now on, if we want to create life again or bestow gifts, we'll have to 'file an application and follow procedure,' and it will depend on whether the great gods are willing to cooperate."
"Stop thinking you can continue handing out endowments to all beings on a whim like before!"
Whenever Prometheus dealt with his dim-witted brother, he found it hard to maintain his calm and rational composure.
He would always, despite himself, get worked up and find it hard to control his temper.
Epimetheus, however, had long grown used to his brother's manner and didn't get very upset. He felt things out carefully, and only then, in his afterthought way, exclaimed in surprise, "It does seem to be true!"
"His Majesty really has withdrawn the authorization granted to us. Now if we want to create life and bestow gifts, we have to draft an application and run the full process."
"Uh… I suppose eight or nine out of ten of those other great gods won't be as easy to talk to as before."
Prometheus couldn't be bothered any longer. He turned his gaze back to the humans.
Looking at these blank-slate beings, full of bewilderment and curiosity about the world—as well as fear and longing—he fell into thought again.
"Freely growing wisdom" was good, of course, but the start is always the hardest.
From one to two, perhaps not so hard.
But from zero to one—this first step was truly hard to take.
Even he, the clever god of foresight and foreknowledge, felt at a loss now.
He had no idea whatsoever where to begin.
Because everything seemed crucial everywhere!
These newborn humans didn't even know how to do the most basic things—eat and drink.
What can be eaten and what cannot, what can be done and what cannot—they knew nothing at all.
Prometheus, a great god born knowing, truly didn't know how humble mortals ought to live; he had never had mortal needs.
Just then, in the distant sky, nine-colored wondrous light suddenly shone.
With strains of enchanting, sprightly song—so lovely as to intoxicate all beings—the goddesses who had come to help them finally arrived.
Voices as melodious as flowing springwater and as lively as sunshine in spring sounded around the two brothers:
"Oh—sons of the Eternal Cycler, clever and wise Prometheus, and brave and prudent Epimetheus—have you run into something difficult?"
"Perhaps we sisters can offer you a little help."
The ones who came were the goddesses who represent all civilization and knowledge in the cosmos—the nine Muses, crowned with gold and robed in gowns of different hues, ever beautiful and joyous!
They had come at the behest of their mother, the great all-knowing goddess—of civilization and memory, Mnemosyne—to guide and teach these newborn humans as they grew.
The moment Prometheus saw the nine Muses, he rejoiced!
Who else in all the universe could be more suited to serve as humanity's first teachers than the nine Muses?
They were the earliest beloved daughters begotten by the great goddess of civilization and memory and His Majesty the God-King!
Each of them held mastery over some indispensable body of knowledge within civilization!
And they, likewise, held mastery over all truths and mysteries that exist in this universe!
With their aid, humankind would not only make it safely through the most difficult, most ignorant early age of darkness,
they would also have the broad, correct, and luminous road to limitless development laid down for the future!
Beaming, Prometheus strode forward and cried, "Ah—most beautiful, brightest, and most erudite Muses! Beloved daughters of mighty Zeus! Your coming is the sweet rain most urgently needed by me—by these newborn humans—right now!"
"I am indeed facing difficulties that make me feel powerless."
"But! In your hands, great goddesses, none of these problems amount to anything!"
"I thank you deeply for your generous aid—my boundless thanks!"
"Radiant goddesses, your arrival will make His Majesty the God-King's grand vision become reality all the sooner!"
Epimetheus was no less delighted than his brother.
Of course, this wasn't because he cared much for humans.
As for caring for humans—what a bother—his foolish brother would suffice; there was no need for him to worry.
Sometimes letting things take their course is far better than greedy striving.
His joy was purely because the nine Muses were so very beautiful—and so moving!
They were so lovely, bright, optimistic, open-hearted, wise, and learned!
And their lineage was supremely noble and eminent!
Daughters of the Ocean were beloved by all gods, to be sure.
But the God-King's daughters—those are loved by all gods even more!
Bear in mind, Epimetheus was still single!
Before, because of his family's circumstances, his own standing was poor; he truly did not dare seek his beloved, and he did not want to settle.
Now, having a sense that he had performed unparalleled service for His Majesty the great God-King, he felt it was time to bravely pursue his happiness!
He straightened his attire carefully, tidied himself up again, and, grinning wide, hurried forward.
"Oh! Beautiful Muses! Beloved daughters of the great God-King Zeus! You, so exalted and noble, have actually descended in person to this mortal earth."
"Please, look—this is the brand-new race my brother and I created together! They are the first mortals in the cosmos to truly possess 'wisdom'!"
Gazing at the nine Muses before him—each boundlessly charming, each with her own excellence—Epimetheus was dazzled.
For a moment, he had no idea which one to look at.
He wished he could fit himself with a few more eyes.
He bragged proudly to the goddesses, striving to claim credit.
He had no idea how great a burden of blame his brother still carried.
Or rather, even if he had known, he would not have cared.
They were not one god!
What Prometheus had risked—what was that to Epimetheus?
No god had forced him to do what he did.
The Muses, however, couldn't be bothered with this fool.
Even with their eyes closed, they could see through his little thoughts.
Though the nine sisters had different tastes and tempers,
they had one thing absolutely in common.
They only liked those who were profoundly wise, richly learned, confident and brave, and who sought truth and justice.
And Epimetheus was nowhere near their ideal type.
Also—if you're not very clever, that's one thing.
But could you at least try to focus!
Those roving eyes spinning around all nine sisters—
What is this?
Do you hope to pursue all nine of us at once?
Who do you think you are?
Our great father?
Even our great father never pursued nine goddesses at the same time!
For someone like Epimetheus, they felt that even if their heads were struck by their father's supreme, great lightning, they could never take a liking to him.
Still, under the careful tutelage of their mother Mnemosyne, the Muses had excellent manners.
Even if they found Epimetheus rather ridiculous, they showed no discourtesy.
After all, who would bicker with a fool?
Among the nine Muses, the eldest sister, with the most heroic and steadfast bearing—Calliope, who represents "eloquence" and "epic" and rules all the arts of speech—
faced the two Titans, whose expressions were very different, and said with a voice full of frank warmth, smiling, "Under the united will of our great father and radiant mother, we have come to aid you."
Her voice was like a trumpet brightened by dawn—clear, uplifted, yet warmly soothing.
Divine light played on her golden crown and brow, like the long river of epic reflecting the star-glow of ages.
She said gently, "Honored Prometheus and Epimetheus, this new race you have created is indeed the very foundation upon which the cosmos's future prosperity rests!"
"You have already accomplished the most brilliant, most immortal great work! Through the endless ages to come, your names will share forever in this supreme glory!"
"We can clearly see that in this new race, in the depths of their souls, there lies an unimaginable, near-infinite potential."
"You who are perspicacious should know that 'spirit' is the basis of 'existence'; and 'wisdom' is the most tangible proof of why 'I' exist!"
"These newborn beings, though they are still fragile mortals, possess the most precious traits and endowments."
"They have the limitless potential to embrace the entire universe!"
"Perhaps, on some day in the future, among them will be those who complete a thorough leap of life and become immortal, divine beings."
"Even to become true, immortal deities—great existences who can stand shoulder to shoulder with us!"
Calliope's smile grew brighter and heartier. "Thus, to teach together with you these beings of boundless potential—this too is among the greatest deeds of our lives as sisters. We couldn't wish for more!"
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