Phoebus stared up at the captain of the guard, shining in his armor with a medal draped around his neck. He was all muscle and mustache, everything Phoebus wanted to be, a hero, a figure for people to look up to. However, he was just a scrawny kid with shaggy hair, bony legs and eyes too big for his face.
It's hopeless Phoebus thought to himself. I'll never be like that.
"Don't be so sure about that, Phoebus." A voice said from behind.
Phoebus turned to see a woman standing, sort of, behind him. She seemed more like she was floating, like she was underwater. Her jet black hair moved around her and she glided towards him slowly.
"Who…who are you?" Phoebus asked tentatively.
"Eris, Goddess of chaos," She said. "And I can help you with your dilemma."
"Dilemma," Phoebus repeated. "What dilemma?"
"How you want to be like the captain over there. Strong and heroic, fierce and brave," She smiled at him, but it was no normal smile. It was mischievous and wicked.
"How did you know…?" Phoebus turned to behind him to see that everyone else had frozen in time. The captain still smiled smugly down at the women at his feet and the other members of the guard looked on jealously. "Who are you?" Phoebus said, turning back to Eris.
"I already told you," She said. "Eris. Now, do you want my help or not?"
"I…uh," Phoebus stumbled over his words, trying to figure out what to say. "H-how will you help-p me?"
"Well," Eris said slowly. "First, I'll get rid of that stammer you have." Phoebus blushed. He never liked his stammer, but who would? "Second, you'll be taller and stronger. All the girls will be looking at you soon enough." Phoebus grew embarrassed that Eris could read his thoughts. He wondered if she knew about... "And perhaps you'll even win the attention of Belle?" Eris smiled again at Phoebus…and then disappeared. A split second later, she was behind him, hands touching his shoulders. He stepped away and looked at her, scared but interested in what she was saying.
"W-what's in it for you?"
Eris rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone ask me this? Can't I just do something for someone because I feel like it?"
"Oh," Phoebus said. "I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean to—."
"Yes, yes," Eris said, cutting off his stuttering. "Fine, fine," She waved him off and then disappeared again, only to reappear right before him. "Do we have a deal? I help you become captain of the guard or higher in let's say the next…25 years and then all you have to do for me is grant me one favor."
Phoebus thought for a moment, but only a brief one before saying one word that would change his life forever.
"Deal."