Leto

**Leto** is the Titanide Goddess of the Peace. She is the mother of Artemis and Apollo. She resided in the Mortal Realm after being banished from Olympus by Hera after the two had a falling out, but after being pardoned by Zeus, she has returned to Olympus.

## Appearance

Leto is a Titaness with golden skin similar in hue to Hera. Her hair is a light blonde. Her eyes are a glowing yellow, with the sclera and pupils being black. In her first appearance, Leto wears a long-sleeved white dress with black elbow-length gloves, and a black, triangular hat with a veil that covers her mouth. In all of her appearances, Leto constantly appears to cover her mouth.

## Biography

Leto originally lived in Olympus. She had a close friendship with the Queen of the Gods, Hera, but after having a falling out that “shook the whole kingdom,” Hera cast Leto into social exile and banished her from Olympus, forcing her to live in the Mortal Realm where she raised her twin children Artemis and Apollo.

It is later revealed that the reason for her banishment was due to Hera finding out that her husband Zeus was sleeping with Leto. However, both Hera and Zeus were unaware that Leto's twins were actually the children of Zeus.

## Personality

Although described as "Olympus' No. 1 social pariah," Leto is prim and proper, radiating self-confidence. Although appearing empathetic and kind on the surface, she also seems to have a hidden agenda, which she goes about with cunning. When speaking to her daughter, Leto uses soothing words, masking a clearly judgmental and overly critical aspect of her personality. She even goes so far as to use gaslighting techniques to sway Artemis to her own point of view. She may be manipulating Apollo for her own agenda to punish both Hera and Zeus for her banishment. As it appears she's taught her own daughter to see herself below her brother in regards to equality and power.

## Relationships

### **Romantic**

#### Zeus

Zeus was Leto's lover for a brief period of time, and the father of her twins Apollo and Artemis. Leto was once close friends with Zeus' wife and the Queen of the Gods, Hera, until Hera discovered that the two were having an affair. Furious about the betrayal, Hera banished Leto to the Mortal Realm. Both Zeus and Hera were unaware of the twin's true parentage, as Leto never revealed who fathered her children. The two later were chosen by Zeus to become Olympians and live on Olympus. Although he was unaware that Apollo and Artemis were his children, others, including Leto, soon realized that Apollo had became his favorite Olympian.

During the last day of Persephone and Demeter's trial, Apollo reveals himself and Artemis to be Zeus' children, shocking Zeus and angering Hera in the process.

### **Children**

#### Artemis

Artemis is Leto's daughter. Artemis appears to love her mother, shown when Queen Niobe of Thebes claimed that her family was superior to Leto's, and in response both Artemis and Apollo killed 13 of the Queen's 14 children for insulting their mother and family. Likewise, although it appears Leto cares for her daughter, she is also rather critical of her, admonishing her for having a "public meltdown."

When Leto first appears, she gaslights Artemis when she asks if she is going to believe Persephone over her own family, which causes Artemis to leave, distraught. During the last day of Persephone and Demeter's trial, Apollo reveals himself and Artemis to be Zeus' children, shocking Artemis, as she was unaware of her parentage. She begins to distrust both her mother and brother after this, feeling betrayed by the reveal.

#### Apollo

Apollo is Leto's son. The two are shown to have a close relationship, much closer than Leto and Artemis. As Apollo grew up, Leto wanted her son to have everything, doing anything to help him achieve it. When Queen Niobe of Thebes claimed that her family was superior to Leto's, both Artemis and Apollo killed 13 of the Queen's 14 children for insulting their mother and family.

When Leto first appears, she approves of Apollo's decision to marry Persephone, appearing to encourage him to pursue her. She calls Persephone "my future daughter-in-law," and asks Apollo what he is doing to smooth things over with her. However, Apollo's obsession with Persephone comes to light when Leto confirms to her son that Persephone is not in a relationship with him but is in love with Hades and reveals that the goddess of spring really hates him. Despite this, Leto still wishes to help Apollo and does so by showing him that she caught Demeter as a bird and trapped her in a cage. By doing so, Apollo could bargain with Zeus and get his blessings to marry her.

During the last day of Persephone and Demeter's trial, Apollo reveals himself and Artemis to be Zeus' children, shocking Zeus and Artemis. It is unknown when Apollo discovered this but unlike his sister, he is shown to have known the truth of their parents' affair for some time.

### **Grandchildren**

#### Asclepius

Asclepius is Leto's grandson, but it is unknown what their relationship is like.

### **Enemies**

#### Hera

Leto and Hera were once very close friends, until Hera discovered that Zeus was having an affair with Leto. Furious about the betrayal, Hera banished Leto and unknowingly to Zeus and Hera, Leto soon gave birth to twins, Apollo and Artemis. Their falling out was known to have "shook the whole kingdom" and left many wondering what cause their friendship to fall apart. While Leto never revealed who fathered her children and despite Hera's initial anger over the affair, it would seem Hera never let it cloud her judgement as Hera and Zeus chose the twins to become Olympians and live on Olympus many years later.

During the last day of Persephone and Demeter's trial, Apollo reveals himself and Artemis to be Zeus' children, shocking Zeus and angering Hera in the process.

#### Demeter

Little is known about their relationship, but it would seem they have known each other for many years and do not get along. When Leto was in the Underworld, she found Demeter, disguised as a bird, and trapped her in a cage. Leto kept Demeter for some time before revealing her to Apollo, wanting him to use Demeter as a bargaining chip so he can gain Persephone's hand in marriage. Demeter is unable to realize what their plot was as she could not understand their conversation when she was in her bird form. When Apollo delivers her to Zeus, the trial begins. Demeter believes Leto capture her for the sole purpose of reversing her banishment and calls the plot pathetic.

#### Niobe

There is very little information regarding their relationship, but Leto, Artemis, and Apollo were deeply offended when the Queen of Thebes claimed her family were superior to Leto's family. Artemis and Apollo took it upon themselves to commit an act of wrath after this insult to their mother which resulted in the deaths of Niobe's children, Artemis sparing just one.

## Powers and Abilities

* Leto appears to have the ability to generate sunlight from her body. Hades admonishes her for being in the Underworld, reminding her that there are "no sun Gods" allowed in his realm. Her powers relating to the sun appear to have been passed down to her son, Apollo.
* Leto appears to have the power of flight or levitation.
* Leto can teleport between realms, which she does in a flash of bright, blinding light.

## Gallery

Close-up of Leto's eyes.Leto and Hera.Leto and Hera in the past.Leto reassuring her sonLeto and Apollo gossiping.Leto and Zeus during their affair.Leto during Persephone's nightmare.