The Golden Feathers

Athen, that was the name she went by for now. Ather'ea had told her it was an acceptable name for one who intended to be a goddess and little Athen wanted nothing more. The idea captivated her; to be loved, valued and needed; to feel that adoration each time was to pray. She knew Ather'ea had history as one, after all she had immediately seemed to fall into the lead goddess role despite her age. Athen thought about questioning her but knew it likely would just get her snapped at.

"Its not like she'd help me anyway." She grumbled. The other gods would though, well not DIRECTLY. She may be young but she could tell they were only using her for making things they wanted. Which was honestly stupid to her.

"I should be probably be playing with coloring stones and wooden soldiers; not forging weapons that are too big for my hands to grasp." She admitted to herself. But.. she needed them to learn the way of the gods. It sucked but that was her existence, and she would make it all worth it when she had a temple of her own and her name was woven into history. Just the thought made her shake with excitement!

"I will be legendary!" She screamed to the sky. Everyone will know my name, everyone will love me! She raced up the white marble steps towards the throne where Ather'ea sat with her hounds on each side. She looked so powerful.. so confident. Athen wanted that for herself, deep breath. She walks forward.

"Sister, I want to know how to earn the mortals favor." She announced staring forward, she heard Nymph shift in her soft cradle but at the moment she was too excited to worry about waking her sickly baby sister. Ather'ea looks down at her flicking her long tail that never grazed the ground.

"Why would you ask me this? Mortals will only give you dissapointment."

"I want to be a Goddess like you sister. I can do it really, I can help provide for our family. Just tell me how." She stood firm not backing down. Ather'ea closed her eyes for a long moment before responding.

"A goddess must stand tall before others, unwavering in the face of adversity. She must never show her emotions to those she commands and demand respect by her presence alone. A goddess is worshipped for what she provides to the mortal world." Athen listened intently.

"What can I provide? I am not really skilled at much." She admitted. Ather'ea paused for a moment to see if she was serious before responding irritably.

"Your talent at metalwork will only get you scraps at best. However, you have a fierce spirit when it comes to protecting our family. You are a good fighter despite your age, and your calling card would be Battle."

"Battle... I would have to become a War Goddess?"

"Yes, if you are serious about this."

"I am!" Athen shouted in a huff. So be it.. "I'll be the greatest warrior the universe will ever know. I will put EVERYTHING into this, I will get used to pain and take it willingly to end my foes." Her sister let a smile slip

"I look forward to it sister." Athen felt her chest swell with pride. She raised her tail happily and headed down the large hall. I need to practice.. I need to grow stronger.

MONTHS LATER

Athen lashes her tail in frustration, she failed AGAIN. The mortals, the other gods, even the beasts! They all called her a monster, not a goddess. She looks down at her bloody hands and lets out a scream. "WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!?!"

She cried as she sat in the blood. It wasn't FAIR! She felt a cold presence and immediatly sat up wiping her eyes. Someone was touching her shoulder.

"What's wrong young one?" The voice was cold but oddly soft. Melodic like a siren. Athen looked up to see a Goddess staring back at her with shadows and stars surrounding her body. She had to think for a moment. "Nyx." The night goddess

"I am just frustrated, I try so hard to be what they want. I want nothing more than to be a goddess in thier eyes. But they only see me as a bloodthirsty monster." Nyx slowly sat down beside the smaller girl as Athen spilled out all of her attempts. It was almost an hour long rant.

"Athen, your mind is broken. A fatal flaw for a goddess who wants the love of the mortal world. You will never understand thier plite or worries, and will always terrify them by your actions." Athen's hands trembled and she felt tears well up behind her eyes.

"N-no, I can't accept that. This is all I want! All I worked for!" Nyx was taken back by the pure pain and fury that scream held and took a moment to respond. She turns to young Athen.

"You would do anything for this, wouldn't you?" Athen nodded. "Except hurt my family, I can't do that." Nyx felt a warmth when the girl had responded in a way no others had.

"Give me your hands." Athen obediantly put her little hands out. Nyx grabbed them and started to mutter a spell. Athen felt cold, and then a sharp pain in her chest as her soul was ripped. She grit her teeth to hold in the scream as the goddess grabbed hold of the shred of Athen's immortal soul.

Nyx molded the soul in her hands into two oddly shaped pieces of gold. Golden feathers, two mini wings. Athen watched curiously as Nyx raised the pieces to the girls head. Suddenly she felt an sharp sting in both of her ears as something bit down at the base and she felt the feathers move when she did.

"Listen closely young one, these will represent your morality; and with that they will help you see the correct path. However, they are made of your soul; this means if you lose those feathers you will lose yourself to the darkness. Your soul will become as cold and long as the harshest winter night"

Athen nodded slowly holding her stinging ear. "I won't let that happen... Thank you." She let a tear slip. "I won't forget this."