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Our story begins with the creation of Pallas Port Island, an artificial island southeast from Greece created by the wisdom goddess Athena as a safe haven for her worshippers. As a gratitude of thanks towards their goddess, the worshippers carved a wooden statue in her image. Her hair and armor were painted gold as the bright sun, her eyes and dress were painted blue as the crystal clear ocean. Finally, a red bow tied around the neck as the finishing touch. Pleased by the craftsmanship of her worshippers’ gift, Athena bestowed upon the statue with the name Palladion.
For decades, the people of Pallas Port Island lived their lives merrily under the protection of Palladion. While the statue never moved from its position, it echoed the mighty power of Athena. Those who wish to bring harm to the people of Pallas would no doubt find themselves stricken with a curse. Chariots would break apart, horses would loosen themselves free of their masters and run wild, ships would sink, and soldiers would suddenly fall ill very quickly. It became clear to outsiders that Pallas Port Island is not dared to be touched by enemy hands unless they wish to incur the wrath of Athena.
To celebrate their protection under Palladion’s rigid guard, the people of Pallas would host a week of festivities once a year to honor their goddess. Throughout the festive week, Athena’s worshippers would adorn Palladion with numerous gifts and offerings to their goddess, ensuring their peace remains undisturbed from destruction under Palladian’s watchful eye.
One day, Pallas Port Island received a visit from a pair of Apollo’s students, a young woman with bright auburn hair and a young man with dark blue hair. They are the dancer Eurydice and the musician Orpheus, both of whom are twins and have been inseparable since the tragic deaths of their parents. The siblings have been traveling the land of Greece, sharing their love of dance and music with the people they’ve met.
As students of Apollo, Eurydice and Orpheus were gifted with talent in their respective fields. In every dance, Eurydice moves with grace and flawlessness that leaves people who watch her mesmerized in awe. For every song he plays, Orprhus brings out the emotions from the very souls of the people who listen to his melodies. Despite being twins, Eurydice and Orpheus have been noted to be quite the opposite of each other. While Eurydice is cheerful and outgoing, Orpheus is mellow and softspoken. It was at Eurydice’s behest that the twins visited Pallas Port Island for the festival.
“Isn’t it wonderful, brother?! I’ve heard tales about Pallas Port Island, but I could never imagine it would be this beautiful!” Eurydice squealed with delight as her eyes sparkled in amazement. As she continues to gaze at the island city, Eurydice realizes she didn’t hear a response from her dear brother. The dance turns around and finds Orpheus staring off in the distance. Confused, Eurydice follows her brother’s line of sight until it becomes clear what the musician is staring at: a statue of a beautiful woman in white and gold armor.
“My, my, brother. I’ve never seen you look at a woman with much passion in your eyes as you do right now. This whole time I believed you had different preferences.” Eurydice teases while Orpheus rolls his eyes at her sister.
“If only your humor were as good as your dancing, dear sister.” Orpheus quips as he strums a tune from his lyre.
“Master Apollo thinks I’m quite humorous, thank you very much. Besides, my word is true! Throughout our travels, we’ve met many women suitable to be your bride yet not a single one was able to capture your eye. Except for this statue apparently.” Eurydice pouts as the twins walk towards to get a closer look of the statue.
“My reasons for not pursuing those women were just.” Orpheus tells his sister, but Eurydice responds back with a skeptic look.
“I object, brother. There were a few notable women you could’ve wed. Like that archer for instance. She’s had such a strong will and would’ve kept you in check as a wife.” Eurydice points out, but Orpheus shakes his head.
“She was one of Lady Artemis’ huntresses. They swear an oath that binds them to a life of chastity.” Orpheus refutes.
“Okay, but about the shy girl with the teal hair? Even though her cooking wasn’t that good, she was still a very kind sweetheart.” Eurydice reasons.
“She was also a priestess. Therefore, ineligible for marriage.” Orpheus counters, but Eurydice wouldn’t give up.
“Alright, but there was also that wealthy woman with the red hair. If you had wedded her, you'd been living a life of luxury!” Eurydice speculates but once again, Orpheus already had a counterargument prepared.
“She was a princess betrothed to another man. I have no intention of incurring Hera’s wrath.” Orpheus rebuts, causing Eurydice to raise her hands in defeat.
“I’ll concede for now, brother. However, I sure hope you’re able to find a bride at the end of the week.” Eurydice informs the musician as they stop right in front of the statue. Orpheus brushes his hair aside to get a full view of the statue and utters a small gasp. As his eyes lay upon the statue, the musician suddenly finds himself smitten by its presence. Never before has seen anything this beautiful.
“Beautiful.” Orpheus mutters in awe which further astonishes his sister.
“So this is the fabled statue Palladion. Oh my. Don’t tell me you've actually been struck by Eros’ arrow, dear brother! As stunning as she may be, Palladion is only a statue. She’s not a real woman.” Eurydice chastises, and Orpheus immediately flusters as a result.
“I-I was merely admiring the beauty of Palladion’s craftsmanship. Anyway, don’t we have a festival to partake in?” Orpheus deflects and sprints into the city. Eurydice shakes her head while chuckling softly. The dancer then glances at Palladion and smiles.
“If only you were real, then my brother would surely wed you.” Eurydice whispers to the statue and quickly follows after her brother. Unbeknownst to either twin, their entire conversation was overheard by a hooded woman in pink robes.
Throughout the day, Orpheus and Eurydice celebrated with the people of Pallas Port Island. Orpheus would sing songs and play joyful melodies from his lyre while Eurydice would dance in sync with his music. The twins’ combined talents attracted a large audience, enchanted by their performance. Amongst the audience were several women enamored with Orpheus and his music, but the musician paid no mind to them during his performance. The only person on his mind was the statue Palladion.
By nighttime, Eurydice went back to the inn they were staying at to sleep while Orpheus stayed out for a little longer. With most of the people in Pallas Port Island turning in for the night, the musician decided to take a walk back towards Palladion. Ever since he laid his eyes on the statue, Orpheus couldn’t stop thinking about Palladion. The musician felt his soul connect with the statue. It was a new feeling Orpheus never felt before, and he conveyed it through his music. Aside from Eurydice, no one in the audience of his performance today could tell the meaning behind his music.
As Orpheus stands in front of Palladion, he gazes at the marvelous statue basking in the moonlight. Such beauty. If Orpheus had the chance, he would take Palladion as his bride but alas, Eurydice is correct. Palladion isn’t a real woman. However, even if he can’t marry Palladion, the musician can at least serenade her with his songs of love. Taking out his lyre, Orpheus kneels down in front of the wooden statue and begins playing a song straight from the heart.
(Play Confessions (Arrange Version))
Once Orpheus concludes his song, he looks up at the unwavering Palladion. The musician wonders if Palladion was alive, would she love his music? Would she love him? Yet Orpheus knew that it was pointless to ask such questions. Even if they did get answered, what point would it make? Palladion is still a wooden statue. Nothing will change that. With eyes filled with sorrow, Orpheus gently touches Palladion’s hand.
“If only you were real, then I would marry you in a heartbeat.” Orpheus prays before letting go.
“My, what an enchanting melody.” A woman’s voice spoke from behind, catching the musician off guard. When Orpheus turns around, he sees a hooded woman in pink robes.
“My apologies, madam. Did I disturb your slumber?” Orpheus questions as he’s not sure what to make of the mysterious woman. Instead of answering, the woman points a finger at Palladion.
“Student of Apollo, do you truly love that statue?” The mystery woman asks, surprising and embarrassing the musician at once. Somehow this strange woman knows about his newfound feelings for Palladion. For some reason, Orpheus feels compelled to answer the mysterious woman. After taking another glance at Palladion, the musician turns back to face the mysterious woman with a determined look on his face.
“With all my heart and soul.” Orpheus declares, causing the woman to chuckle with glee.
“Your answer pleases me. How long do you and your sister plan on staying in Pallas Port Island?” The mystery woman inquires, shocking Orpheus at first but then the musician figures the woman must’ve watched his sister and him perform.
“My dear sister and I will only be here for the festival. Afterwards, we’ll continue our travels.” Orpheus informs the mysterious woman.
“In that case, up until your departure from this island, continue serenading the statue. By the time of your departure, you’ll be able to take her as your beloved bride.” The mystery woman instructs. Orpheus tilts his head in confusion from the woman’s cryptic words.
“Just who are you?” Orpheus asks, curious about the woman’s identity. With no hesitation, the mystery woman immediately takes off her robe as she reveals herself to the musician. Orpheus’ eyes widen as standing before him is the goddess of love beauty herself, Aphrodite. Upon this realization, the musician falls to one knee and bows his head as a show of respect to the goddess.
“I am Aphrodite of Olympus. Your love for this statue has reached me, and your wonderful music is proof of that love. I am here to grant your wish, Student of Apollo. Follow my instructions carefully, and you and the statue will live a life of eternal love in mind and soul.” Aphrodite decrees before vanishing out of Orpheus’ sight.
What Orpheus doesn’t know is that while Aphrodite’s words to him are true, there’s another reason as to why the love goddess will grant his wish. As the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite can make anyone fall in love, mortal and god alike. However, there are three goddesses Aphrodite has no power over: Hestia, Artemis, and Athena. No matter what persuasion or deception she attempts, Aphrodite can never get any of the three virgin goddesses to fall in love with a man. Something that frustrates the goddess of love and beauty immensely.
Out of the three virgin goddesses, the biggest offender in Aphrodite’s eyes is Athena. While Hestia had sworn a sacred oath to keep her virginity and Artemis was granted eternal maidenhood by her father Zeus, Athena is actively choosing not to pursue romance. No sacred oath. No eternal maidenhood. There’s nothing that binds Athena to remain a virgin, but the goddess of war and wisdom still selects to avoid romantic love. This results in a heated rivalry between Aphrodite and Athena, though the latter often treats Aphrodite’s schemes to get her to fall in love as mere annoyances.
While in a deep conversation with Apollo at Mt. Olympus’, Aphrodite learns about the sun god’s two students Eurydice and Orpheus. Apollo boasts the achievements and talents of his students, which catches Aphrodite’s interest. Intrigued by the fact that Orpheus currently has no wife, Aphrodite descended to the mortal realm intending to seduce the musician. Once the goddess of love and beauty had found the twins, it was then she learned that Orpheus had become smitten with the statue Palladion. The same Palladion that Athena took pride in and made it known to the other Olympians.
With this new piece of knowledge, an idea sprung up in Aphrodite’s mind. The statue was carved by Athena’s worshipers to be in the war goddess’ exact image, so what better way to get back at Athena than to bring her lookalike to life and have her fall in love with a man as his newfound bride. As long as Apollo’s student follows her instructions, Aphrodite’s plan will come into fruition.
Every day for the rest of the week, Orpheus would follow Aphrodite’s instructions word for word. During the day, the musician would perform alongside Eurydice in front of a large audience. Later at night, Orpheus would serenade Palladion with a new song inspired by his love for her. On the final day of the festival, Orpheus gets ready for one last serenade to Palladion before his departure from Pallas Port Island. This time, however, Eurydice accompanied him to witness the scene.
“So this is where you’ve been spending your nights, brother?” Eurydice questions Orpheus with her hands on her hip.
(Play Warm Heart)
“All will be revealed, sister.” Orpheus responds as he kneels in front of Palladion and begins playing another majestic tune for the statue. As her brother plays his lyre, Eurydice glances back at the statue and notices something different about it. Palladion appears to have more human features. As in, the statue is suddenly more lifelike than it was before at the beginning of the week. Eurydice looks back at her brother playing his lyre before facing Palladion once more. Her eyes did not deceive her and suddenly, a miracle happened.
Standing before Eurydice and Orpheus was no longer a wooden statue. In the statue’s place is a living flesh and blood young woman with golden blonde hair and blue eyes like the crystal clear ocean wearing the same gold armor and blue dress Palladion wore. As Orpheus finishes his song, he can only stare at the beautiful young woman in awe. While the musician did not doubt Aphrodite’s words, he still couldn’t believe his eyes. As Orpheus and Palladion stare into each other’s eyes, a spark is felt between their souls.
“Palladion?” Orpheus wonders, taking a step forward to the former statue. The young woman smiles at the musician and takes his hand.
“That is the name bestowed upon me by the goddess Athena. I’m happy to finally meet you, Orpheus.” Palladion confirms as she wraps her arms around Orpheus in a full embrace. Initially taken aback at first, the musician reciprocates the hug while Eurydice is still shocked by the whole display.
“Orpheus, would you mind explaining what’s going on? How did Palladion become a real woman?” Eurydice questions her brother as the musician holds up his lyre for display.
“On our first night here, the goddess Aphrodite descended from Mt. Olympus and told me that she’ll grant my wish. All I needed to do was play my song to Palladion.” Orpheus relays to his sister as Palladion lets go of the musician to face Eurydice and gives a bow to the dancer.
“Greetings, Eurydice. I am your brother’s new bride Palladion. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Palladion greets Eurydice, who smiles back at the young woman in delight.
“You accept being my bride?” Orpheus curiously asks, to which Palladion answers with a passionate kiss.
“I do. I’ve fallen in love with you the moment I heard your beautiful music.” Palladion states, holding Oprheus’ head as she presses her forehead against his. Eurydice covers her mouth in shock but is no doubt happy for her brother.
After declaring her love for Orpheus, the now human Palladion left Pallas Port Island with her new groom and sister-in-law. Orpheus and Palladon would marry in the musician’s hometown and would go on numerous travels together, including joining the hero Jason as his Argonauts in the quest for the golden fleece. Eventually, Orpheus and Palladion would bear two children together. The first would be their daughter Calliope, named after Orpheus’ late mother. The second would be their son Alexander, who’s almost a spitting image of his father Orpheus.
However, years after Palladion had left Pallas Port Island, the artificial island fell under siege by enemy kingdoms. Without Palladion’s protection, it didn’t take long for the people of Pallas to surrender in defeat. Angered by the fall of her island, Athena immediately took action to punish Palladion for abandoning Pallas Port Island and commanded a nest of poisonous vipers to bite Palladion’s children while she and Orpheus were away. Calliope and Alexander were playing with their aunt Eurydice and a group of nymphs when the children almost fell into the nest. However, both children were swiftly saved by Eurydice in a nick of time but unfortunately, the dancer wasn’t so lucky and was bitten in the heel by a viper.
Orpheus mourned the death of his sister for days on end, playing endless songs of sorrow that caused mortals and gods alike to weep. Before meeting Palladion, Eurydice was the only person Orpheus had cared for after the tragic loss of their parents. The musician had never imagined he would lose his sister so suddenly as well. Palladion blamed herself for Eurydice’s death, knowing it was a punishment from Athena for leaving Pallas Port Island. Wanting to make things right with her husband, Palladion suggested to Orpheus that he travels to the Underworld to bring Eurydice back to life, which the mournful musician agreed.
While Palladion stayed with their children, Orpheus descended to the underworld to retrieve his sister. During an audience with Hades and Persephone, Orpheus managed to touch their hearts with his music and was allowed to take Eurydice back to the world of the living on the condition that he doesn’t look back during his ascent. Despite almost reaching the opening to the living world, doubt had clouded Orpheus’ mind, and the musician peeked a glance behind him to confirm if Hades kept his word. Eurydice was indeed behind Orpheus but because the musician failed to follow Hades’ instructions, the dancer transformed back into an apparition and was forbidden from leaving the Underworld.
Orpheus desperately tried to reach for his sister, but Eurydice told him not to worry. Even though she’s no longer alive, Eurydice doesn’t regret her death. She died saving her niece and nephew, ensuring they get to continue living. The dancer further explained that upon her death, she discovered the answer to life. It was the bonds Eurydice had forged with Orpheus, Palladion, their children, and the friends and companions they’ve made during their travels that made her life worth living. Before descending back to the Underworld, Eurydice requests Orpheus for him and Palladion to continue living so that they could find their own answers to life. The full tale of Orpheus’ descent to the Underworld shall be told at a later time.
Once Orpheus returned from his journey in the Underworld, Palladion was saddened when she didn’t see Eurydice with him. However, Orpheus told his wife that it’s okay. The musician regaled Palladion with the events of his journey, including Eurydice’s answer to life and the request she’s given to them. Upon hearing Eurydice’s last words, Palladion wept and promised to fulfill Eurydice’s last request. With their newfound resolve, both Orpheus and Palladion vowed to live their lives to the fullest and make the best out of them. Not just for Eurydice but also for their children as well.
The End.