As Althena looked over the landscape of Lunar from the Goddess Tower, she felt a presence approach behind her.
"My lady," Quark said, bowing solemnly, "may I speak with you?"
Althena nodded. "Of course. You've never needed my permission before."
"Forgive me, my lady. It probably isn't my place to say this...but I must know. Why didn't you tell them the truth?"
Althena sighed sadly. "The truth? You mean the truth that I am the one truly responsible for the destruction of the Blue Star? That I was able to banish Zophar and his Crimson Death spell, but that I reduced the Blue Star to a wasteland when I did? That I was afraid to face Amalek because I was afraid of destroying Lunar as well?"
"You did what you had to, my lady."
"Did I? Or was I just so desperate to be rid of Zophar and his spell that I didn't care what else happened?"
Crystal tears flowed from Althena's lovely eyes, as the bitter memories of war, death, and suffering flowed through her mind. "When Zophar cast the Crimson Death, I didn't know what to expect, or what the consequences would be. I just knew that the spell had to be removed immediately, and Zophar with it. It required all the power at my disposal, and what did I do? I destroyed the world I was trying to protect. I couldn't do that to my people a second time."
"You did not know. You cannot blame yourself. But you should have told The Four Heroes. How can they serve you and win your trust if you cannot tell them with the truth?"
"They wouldn't understand. Most of humanity judges actions, not motivations."
"That's being rather cynical, don't you think?"
"Perhaps. But you and I both know that for many humans, it is true. If they were to find out that their beloved goddess of love and beauty was responsible for the destruction of the Blue Star, they would lose hope and faith. And without that, they would waste away, or become like those of The Vile Tribe. No," she sighed, "there are some things mortals aren't meant to know."
Quark turned to go, but then paused. "But you still could have aided Dyne and his allies against Amalek, even without that risk. With their power and yours combined, Amalek would not have stood a chance. Why didn't you?"
Althena's face suddenly became very grave. "Because I needed to see if humanity was ready."
Quark's eyes narrowed as he realized what Althena was saying. He had known this day would come sooner or later, but he always figured that it would be later.
"For too long, humanity has depended solely on their Goddess, and not on themselves. As long as they continue to do so, they will never be able to achieve their true potential. Now, perhaps they are ready to survive on their own. Eventually, they will be able to return to The Blue Star once it is restored. But I had to make sure they were ready, first. I needed to know strong the Power of Humanity had become."
Althena smiled. "And I have. Dyne and his allies have shown me. Dyne refused to give up, no matter what. His friends, even without the power of the Dragonmaster, were able to help Dyne defeat Amalek. They have proven that the Power of Humanity is strong enough to make their own destinies as they see fit."
"You mean...?"
"Yes. It is time."
TO BE CONCLUDED
IN
"COMRADES IN ARMS, VOLUME THREE:
TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON"
