Althena sat in her temple watching over her beautiful world.
She had spread the beautiful gift of magic to her entire world upon coming here thousands of years ago. The world had prospered. Now magic was abundant, shrines were dedicated to the Goddess, and dragonmasters protected the world. Althena was very proud.
Or, at least, she would be. But now she was
very distressed. People were losing their faith, turning away from
her, even banning together to overcome her.
The lot of them called themselves the Vile Tribe.
They saw Althena as no more than a con artist. Saying she took credit
for everything while doing nothing for the world. Spreading lies
and blasphemies. Althena was not angry, only afraid that her world
might turn against here. She had to do something before they upset
the balance of her world ... but what?
It was hopeless, what could she do? How could she know what a human being desired, and needed, if she were not human herself?
But that was it! She couldn't know unless she
were human! It wouldn't hurt her to leave her tower for only one
day.
Just one day, though, she decided, she'd walk on her planet, Lunar.
She would figure out a way to calm the people from sinning.
Althena, the enchanting goddess, would, naturally,
have to hide her ethereal beauty. Perhaps if she disguised herself
as a young, teen aged girl.
Yes, she would be a beautiful fifteen year old girl.
Her name would be Luna, after her precious planet. With a little
magic, she made herself appear as a beautiful fifteen year old girl, keeping
her blue hair, but giving herself shining blue eyes. In her new form,
Luna, she slowly lowered herself to the ground, careful as not to let anyone
see her.
She let herself down on the floating city known as
Vane, which circled around her even higher temple, guarding it from anyone
who would care to enter or destroy it. Of course, no one could reach
Vane except through the transmission springs. No plane could even
fly there, and since it was just below her own home, it was the magic central
of the world, holding the legendary Magic Guild, which was run by the Ausa
dynasty.
She slowly approached the entrance to the guild.
She realized that, although she was still the Goddess, she had taken on
a human form and would now need to eat, sleep and perform all the necessary
bodily functions. Perhaps she could ask assistance of Kalemia Ausa,
the leader of the Guild.
Knowing well her way around, she approached the door
to the main hall.
"Excuse me," A guard approached her, "you can't
go in there."
Just as she was about to get angry and reveal her identity, she stopped
herself.
"I'm truly sorry," She replied,"I lost my way, and
I'm looking for someone who can help me," She explained.
"Well, you can't find that here. Don't you
know this is the magic Guild? You can't just enter Kalemia's hall
without her permission first." He stated.
Thinking quickly, Althena answered, "I know what
this place is. I thought the Guild would be the best place to look
for help. I had no idea I was about to enter the main hall."
"Leave this place quickly, and you will not be reported!"
He wagered.
"You speak that way to one of your own race, in
front of the Goddess herself?" She hissed, angrily.
"The Goddess herself would not let you in this place.
You are not worthy of it. Leave now!" He commanded.
"The Goddess loves all of her world, and everyone
in it equally. She would let me in her temple itself were I in need
of assistance."
"That's blasphemy! Leave this place now, or
I'll be forced to get Kalemia!"
"Now, Lance, that's not nice, is it?" Althena turned
to find Lemia Ausa, the daughter of Kalemia, "Please, what is your name?"
"Luna," Althena replied, "I've lost my way."
"Vane isn't that huge, is it? How could you
wind up lost?" She asked, kindly.
"It's dark out. I was not too far from here,
watching the river as it rolled by, and I suppose I fell asleep.
Now I can't remember the way to the transmission spring." She explained.
"Well, I can show you that tomorrow. Right
now, you can come to the kitchen. We'll get you something to eat,
and you can sleep in an empty dorm room." Lemia decided.
"Thank you so much!" She exclaimed.
"It's no big deal. You were right that Althena
herself would give assistance if someone needed it. Now follow me."
As Lemia said that, a smile spread across Althena's face. If only
Lemia knew she were giving assistance to the Goddess herself.
In the kitchen, Lemia had the cook prepare them a warm soup and hot
tea. They sat down at a table to indulge in their meal.
"So, what brought you to Vane?" Lemia asked.
"I'd never seen it before. I decided to see
the place that guards the temple of Althena." she replied.
"Wow. I've never seen the world outside
of Vane. I hope to, someday. My mother just wants me to train
to become the leader of the Guild, but I wish to see the world as well.
I sort of wish I could save the world..." Lemia trailed off,
with her eyes sparkling.
"That's a large wish. I'm sure, with the Goddess
watching over us, that you'll never have to." Althena smiled.
"Well, sure, but maybe she'd like some assistance
sometime." Althena was sure Lemia wasn't talking to her anymore, but rather
delving inside her own soul.
Althena smiled, "Well, with your hospitality, I'm
sure she'd call upon you anyday."
"Are you training to be a priestess at the Shrine
near here?" Lemia asked.
"No, I'm not. Why do you ask?" Althena replied.
"You seem wise, and also my age, am I right?"
"If you're fifteen, you're right about the age,
I'm not sure if I'm wise, though." She replied, modestly.
"Oh. Where do you live, then?" Lemia asked,
just a little less than politely.
"Well," She thought carefully, "I became an orphan
after my home burned down. That was long ago, and since then, I've
travelled the world. Seeking to gain the knowledge of Althena through
witnessing all that is her creation."
"Wow. That's a great journey. I wish
you good luck. But if you're seeking Althena, why wouldn't you be
training to be a priestess so near her temple?" Lemia asked.
"I believe I don't need to do that. I believe,
in witnessing the entire beautiful world of Lunar that She created, I'll
become more enlightened than working at a thousand Shrines. Although,
I do love to visit Her shrines." Althena explained.
Lemia nodded, "So, what do you think of Vane?" She asked.
"It's a wonderful place." Althena replied, "I love
the way it floats in the sky,"
"It is wonderful," Lemia agreed, "It's also wonderful
to be part of the Ausa dynasty. I'd love to rule the Guild some day.
I just wish my mother would let me travel outside the city..."
"I'm sure you'll get to see it someday," Althena
assured her, "If not soon, then when you're the leader of the Guild.
No one would stop you then, would they?"
"That's true. I wouldn't be allowed out anytime
soon with all this business with the Vile Tribe. They're all trying
to get into Vane and turn people against Althena. I wonder what Althena
would do to stop them. You think she would, right Luna?" Lemia asked.
"I'm sure of it. What do you think she would
do?" Althena replied.
"I have no idea. I know she'd punish those
who blasphemied in Her name, but I don't think she'd kill them, would she?"
Lemia asked.
"Althena made her world to be pure and magical.
I'm sure they would not be killed. Banished maybe, but not killed."
Althena replied.
"True. It's getting later, though. I'll
have someone show you to your room, alright?"
"Yes, thank you for everything. I'll see you
in the morning." Althena said, then Lemia motioned for a kitchen drudge
to show her to an empty dorm room.
That night, Althena slept. She had never slept
before, because as a Goddess, she had no need to. In the morning,
she decided she'd have to seek Lemia to find the way to the transmission
spring. She, naturally, knew the way, but she'd have to not worry
them, after her story of losing her way.
Lemia was in the kitchen when Althena entered.
"Luna! You're awake! Would you like
to go now, or have some breakfast first?" Lemia asked.
"Oh, that's alright. I'll find something elsewhere.
I should resume my journey." Althena replied.
"Okay, then. I really enjoyed your company.
Where are you going, if you don't mind me asking." Lemia asked.
"I'm not sure. I thought I'd head to the shrine
below here, and then maybe into Meribia." She replied.
"Well, I'll take you to the spring." Lemia stated.
When they got there, Lemia turned to Althena, "I've
really, honestly enjoyed your company. Take care, friend, and I hope
we'll meet again someday."
Althena smiled at her, "I'm sure we will, friend."
Then she stepped into the spring and was gone.
She was transported to the entrance of Vane.
"Hello there," The guard in front of it greeted her,
clearly abashed by her beauty, "Good morning to you."
"Good morning to you to," She replied politely.
"I hear Kalemia might order that everyone has to
get permission from the head priestess at the shrine before they enter
Vane, because of all the trouble with the Vile Tribe." He told her.
"I hope it won't come to that, but if it does, I'm
sure Kalemia will be thinking of the well being of her city." Althena replied.
He nodded, "I hope I'm not out of place to say this, but you are a
remarkably beautiful girl. Possibly measurable to the Goddess herself."
Althena smiled, "I doubt that, but I really should
be going. Nice talking to you, my new friend." She replied.
Then she left, her next stop being the Shrine near Vane. said to
be one of the most remarkable shrines in all of Lunar. Althena could
see everything from her temple, but it would give her a new perspective
to see everything up close. So started her journey into the
world.