Hera

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hera (赫拉)
Alias(es)	Queen of Heaven; Mother Hera
Species/Race	Olympian goddess
Gender	Female
Affiliation	The Twelve Olympians; Mount Olympus
Occupation/Role	Co-ruler of Olympus; goddess governing marriage and childbirth; patron and self-proclaimed mother of Thaumas
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Hera is one of the Twelve Olympians and Zeus's co-ruler. She governs marriage and childbirth, although Zeus's repeated infidelity leaves her unable to protect her own marriage. Before meeting Thaumas, she had also abandoned her child Hephaestus, who later trapped her with a divine chair as revenge; the resulting shame left them estranged. 5 9 25

Athena directs Hera to inspect Jason, the exiled prince of Iolcus. Hera adopts the form of a frail old woman to test him at a river, but encounters Thaumas first when Jason is absent. Thaumas recognizes her identity, carries her across the river, and comforts her over her family troubles. Impressed by his sincerity, Hera claims him as her loyal believer and grants him a Golden Bracelet that prevents unwanted eavesdropping. 7 8 9

Hera publicly supports Jason's claim against Pelias, witnesses the oath concerning Iolcus, and gives Jason the quest for the Golden Fleece. Her intervention is also intended to secure Thaumas's gratitude and devotion. 12 13

When Thaumas undergoes Hephaestus's trial, Hera reacts with alarm and anger, then is compelled by Thaumas to face the child she abandoned. She apologizes to Hephaestus, beginning their reconciliation. The two subsequently bless Thaumas together and vow to protect him. 22 27 28 29

After Thaumas's death and the severing of the Age of Gods, Hera opposes humanity during the later Trojan War because she hopes that resisting humanity may bring “Miracle” back to her. She nevertheless avoids fully exterminating human resistance forces. 116 145

Appearance

Hera is depicted as a beautiful, noble goddess with golden curls, shining eyes, and a commanding presence befitting the Queen of Heaven. 5 145

• Wears a simple white one-shoulder dress during her first appearance. 5
• Bears a magnificent golden crown forged by Hephaestus—the same child whose divine chair once trapped her. 5
• In later dreams, appears in splendid divine robes and a crown, with an expression that softens into gentleness around Thaumas. 145
• Uses the guise of a white-haired, limping old woman with a cane and striking silver-white eyes to test mortals. 8

Personality

Hera is proud, forceful, and highly conscious of her authority as Queen of Heaven. She can be emotionally volatile, particularly where Zeus, Athena, or Thaumas are concerned; her frustrations frequently fall on Hermes rather than their true cause. 22 27

Her attachment to Thaumas is intensely maternal and possessive. She calls him her child, demands to remain his sole goddess, shields him from other divine influences, and reacts jealously to Athena's interest in him. 10 27 145

Beneath her pride, Hera is burdened by guilt over abandoning Hephaestus and by grief over her unhappy family. Thaumas's intervention allows her to admit that she was not a qualified mother, apologize, and gradually become gentler toward both Hephaestus and Epluto. 28 29 83

Authorities & Abilities

Divine Authority

As the Queen of Heaven and a chief Olympian, Hera can impose overwhelming divine pressure, manifest in disguise or divine form, and wield authority through her blessings. 13 15

• Pressured Jason merely by directing her divine authority at him. 15
• Concealed Thaumas's thoughts from Athena while he traveled with her. 8
• Uses a whip to punish Hermes when angered. 22 27
• In the Lostbelt, can place Thaumas in the role of a temporary “King of Gods,” complete with divine robes and Zeus's Thunderbolt. 171 172

Wealth and Prosperity

Hera's blessing makes Thaumas “noble by birth” and grants enduring wealth and prosperity. 29

• Produces wealth-related resources through unusual circumstances when needed. 30
• Supports a high-ranking Golden Rule-like ability. 66 87
• Helped give Thaumas the means to attract and tame a Griffin. 29 30

Invincibility Penetration

Hera's divine favor can challenge the concept of invincibility itself. 66 87

• Enhances attacks against otherwise invulnerable defenses.
• Its effectiveness can still be reduced by defensive measures. 66

Protection of Privacy

Hera's original Golden Bracelet protects Thaumas from divine surveillance. 9

• Prevents eavesdropping without both Hera's and Thaumas's permission. 9
• Reacts when someone attempts to observe him. 14
• Was later reforged by Hephaestus into a vessel capable of holding a god's Authority. 25

Equipment / Items

• Golden Crown — A magnificent crown forged by Hephaestus after the divine-chair incident; Hera keeps it despite fearing the child who made it. 5
• Golden Bracelet — Given to Thaumas as protection from eavesdropping, then reforged by Hephaestus to contain divine Authorities. 9 25
• Golden Apple — A treasured token Hera later offers Thaumas; he returns it while reaffirming that he sees her as his mother rather than seeking romantic love. 172 181

Relationships

• Thaumas — Her most loyal believer and self-proclaimed child. Hera protects, spoils, and jealously claims him as her only child, while he remains devoted enough to call her “Mother Hera.” 9 27 29 145
• Hephaestus — Her abandoned child. Hephaestus's revenge trapped Hera in a divine chair, but Thaumas later mediates an apology and their relationship begins to heal. 5 25 28 29
• Athena — Rival goddess. Athena attempts to draw Thaumas away from Hera, while Hera views Athena as the greatest threat to her claim over him. 6 10 22 145
• Zeus — Husband and co-ruler. His infidelity is the central source of Hera's marital grief and jealousy. 5 9
• Jason — A hero she tests, aids against Pelias, and sends to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Her favor toward him is closely tied to Thaumas's promise to help him. 7 13 15
• Hermes — A frequent scapegoat for Hera's anger, especially when he helps transport Thaumas to Hephaestus's temple. 22 27
• Epluto — Hephaestus's maid. After reconciling with Hephaestus, Hera treats Epluto gently and helps with household work. 83

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jason's Return to Iolcus

Hera's test at the river unexpectedly becomes Thaumas's first major divine encounter. After accepting him as her believer, she backs Jason's confrontation with Pelias and formally grants the Golden Fleece quest. 8 9 13

Reconciliation with Hephaestus

Hera initially refuses to see Hephaestus out of shame. Thaumas forces her to confront the abandonment she caused, leading to an apology, reconciliation, and their joint blessing of him. 27 28 29

Trial Sea and the Divine Council

Hera continues to support Thaumas even when the gods strip the Argonauts of their assistance for a trial. She believes that her “child of miracles” can shine without divine power. 83 92

End of the Age of Gods

When Thaumas turns the gathered Authorities against Olympus, Hera tries to keep him with the Golden Apple promise and calls him her child. He acknowledges her as “Mother” but refuses to abandon humanity's future. 115

Return and Lostbelt Encounter

Hera reunites with Thaumas in a dream after his return from the Throne of Heroes, recreating their first meeting and demanding that he remain her only child. In the Lostbelt, she bids for him during Artemis's “hunt,” then offers him a one-day experience as King of Gods in an attempt to persuade him to stay permanently. 145 171 172

Notable Quotes

“Thaumas, you're back.” 145

“You will always be my child.” 145