None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are

Goethe

Soundtrack- Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam

Hermes

There are these rare, delicate moment when Hermes feels free.

He's spent most of his life chained. So ironic. The wings on his shoes can carry him anywhere. Yet, he is tethered to the whims of the other gods. He doesn't feel like a god. He's a servant.

His purpose is not for himself. His purpose is for others.

Sometimes Hermes sees the open sky in front of him, the glimpse of the sun setting behind the clouds. The red sky bleeds over them, the rays of the sun reach toward him, beckoning Hermes onward. He flies high enough to graze the top of the sky. He stretches his arms and squeezes his eyes shut, forgetting his servitude. For a moment the tether goes slack.

He feels liberated, alive with feeling.

Then he grows tired and he can feel the weight in his body drag him back down to Earth. The dream is over. The reality is the same always.

He hears a god calling him. He goes to answer.

This time it is Aphrodite. She is lolling under a temple, the light embracing her dark hair, making some strands sparkle in its light. Aphrodite drinks her wine daintily, the way she does among men. Her eyes glint and glitter when she sees Hermes.

She is in a good mood today.

"Ah, my faithful messenger," she coos.

Hermes bows slightly. "Yes, goddess?"

She licks her bottom lip and bites it, the color rushing to it. "Send a message to Ares. Tell him that I am here... waiting."

Hermes never questions. "Yes."

"Good, fly swiftly now Hermes. Will you make me wait on a day as beautiful as this?" she softens her voice and chuckles.

"No, goddess, never."

She nods and smiles as he leaves. The wings on Hermes' shoes beat frantically as he flies to Olympus. Another day. It's all just another day.