Part II
Deep within her chambers, Athena poured over her books. As she opened one on the history of man, a book she composed herself for the most part, an eerie wail echoed through the chamber. Thinking it merely the wind, fickle Aeolus playing games, she continued her study. Again the wail was heard and again. Annoyed, Athena followed the wail, intent on wringing the neck of the wailing Aeolus. The wail continued as she followed it to earth. As she followed the wail deep within the earth, she noted how it grew in volume and how more voices were added to the wail, causing it to grow and move almost in melody. Slowly, realization took hold and Athena knew she no longer searched for the wind. She followed the voices deeper and deeper into the earth until she came upon a large chamber. Within the chamber, the wails were housed at their loudest. They were the wails of lost souls. Athena looked on as the souls swam in Gaea's womb. They shied away from the goddess as she approached. She reached her hand out to one, and was overwhelmed by the story it told. Caught in awe and thought, she smiled. Turning away quickly, she left the cavern that was the womb of Gaea and returned to Mount Olympus.
Once returned to Olympus, Athena pondered her discovery. A cavern filled to the brim with thousands of souls, formless and homeless, longing for bodies of their own. For centuries, she had longed for a people that would worship her solely. She longed for a people that yearned for knowledge as she. It seemed to her, as she thought, that she had now found that race she so wished for. However, she could not give them form alone. She would need help and she knew where to find it. She would only have to compromise a little.
Hours later, Artemis and Aphrodite sat comfortably in Athena's chambers. They sipped nectar and nibbled the ambrosia provided, though their agitation was evident on their faces as well as in their posture.
"Really, Athena, would you get to the point already?" Aphrodite urged as she angrily looked where Athena stood thumbing through her books distractedly.
"Aye, Athena, tell us why you have summoned us here and then kept us waiting!" Artemis snapped angrily. Her annoyance was obvious as she leaned forward from her reclining position.
"What is the rush, dear sisters? Have you something better to do than spend time with each other? After all, there is no room for love in this world that Ares has made, nor is there room for a good hunt, for there are no good hunting grounds left. All have been ravished by this senseless war." Athena held her place in the book she was looking through as she looked to her sisters. Their anger at her statement muddled both their faces. Athena smirked. Now she had their attention, they would hear her out.
"Aye," Artemis stated flatly, "and there is no place for the books you so love! The men of this troubled world have no need for them except as fuel for their fires!"
"Aye, it is a sad affair." Athena said as she lowered her head. She closed her book and sadly walked to join her sisters in the center of the chamber. "Forgive me for calling you here, Sisters, but I know our plight. When I look at the world of man I am disgusted by its outcome. I know that over the years you both have felt the same as I. Mankind has all but ceased their worship of us. They have focused their attentions far more on Ares and his lust for blood!" She paused to allow her words to sink in. "Aye, I must agree, Athena. I too am ashamed of the state that man has come to. The lack of love in their hearts is troubling. The world cannot survive on hate alone!"
"Aye, and if this war continues on its path, Sisters, then what is left of the hunting grounds and animals will be destroyed! The men will starve and their race will be destroyed! But what can we do? The balance has been offset."
"There is so much hate in the hearts of man, I fear not even all of my love could spark a tiny flame in their hearts." Aphrodite stated sorrowfully.
"Aye, and the hunters of the world have lost the taste for true hunting and instead prefer the vileness of hunting each other. Perhaps we should join in their sickening sport." Artemis stated bitterly remembering how her best hunters had been murdered in battle or forced to give up their love of hunt for that of war.
"Aye, Sisters. The men have lost the love that was once given them. The men no longer desire the thrill of the hunt. The men desire that blood be shed and cities toppled. The men desire these things, Sisters. But what do women desire? Those gentle creatures that are often the toys of men. Artemis, you are the protector of women. What have you seen of them?" Athena asked as she sat on the couch adjacent to Artemis.
Artemis looked at her sister, unsure of the point she was obviously trying to get at. "The women are sadly almost no better than their men." She stated carefully. "They are naught but toys for amusement to Ares' mighty warriors. Those that have not gained the courage to stand and fight are no more than slaves to their husbands and masters. It is often that those women that choose to defend themselves and their daughters from the evil ways of men are often treated the worst, and eventually murdered. It happens so much that not even I am able to defend or avenge them all."
"And how would you like to avenge them all, Sister? Would you not like to see women no longer harmed by the ways of men? And you, Aphrodite. Would you not like to see a world filled with love? A world filled with peace?" Athena glanced at both her sisters as she addressed them. "Would you not like to see a world that hunts as they should and loves as they should?"
"Aye, I think we should all like that, save perhaps our brother, Ares, of course." Artemis stated.
"You act like you propose something, Athena. What is it? Do not play us with your odd ideas of suspense. Tell us straight out. You know how your antics bore me." Aphrodite stated as she reclined on the couch she occupied. She covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned.
"For once, I think I agree with her, Athena."
Athena eyed her sisters as if in contemplation. She had their attention enough, she was sure. There was no doubt in her mind that her sisters would help her in her task to create the perfect society, the perfect female society.
"Forgive me, Sisters. You both know how I often enjoy, well.it does not matter. As you say, I should get to the point. We should not linger on idleness. What I propose, Sisters, is that we create our own followers. I propose that we create a society in the image that we wish. A society that meets all of our ideals and dreams." Athena explained almost dreamily. "A society that loves knowledge, the hunt, and love. A perfect society that will help to right the world and set the balance straight." She eyed each of her sisters as she spoke. "A society that will spread our teachings through out the world of man.and off balance Ares and his blood lust!"
Artemis and Aphrodite stared at Athena. Her proposal was not unwanted, but it seemed to her sisters almost impossible, a hope not dared. Athena's sisters glanced at each other as they gathered their thoughts. Athena's proposal seemed to be the answer to their problem. Both goddesses pondered how this feat would be accomplished. As it was with Ares ruling the hearts and minds of men, the three goddesses combined were still too weak to perform such a feat as to create an entire new race.
"Athena, though I admire your idea and it holds dear to my heart, there is no society that we could entreat into our services, and we three are far too weakened by lack of worshippers to completely create a new breed of humans! It is next to impossible." Artemis stated.
"Nay, Sister! It is not impossible, but entirely possible! We do not have to create an entire new race! All we need is to create the vessels for which our followers might take form! I know we are yet weakened, but I think that if we enlist the aid of Hera and, perhaps, Hestia, then we might have enough power to create everything that we will need!" Athena began to pace around the room as she spoke franticly. "And we will of course need Hermes to carry the souls."
Artemis and Aphrodite exchanged queer glances as they listened to Athena rattle on. "Sister, sister, calm yourself! Begin again and tell us all! What is this you speak of? What souls?"
Athena stopped her pacing and looked to her sisters. "Oh! Forgive me! I have gotten ahead of myself! Yes, let me begin at the beginning and tell you my plan!" The three sister goddesses once again claimed seats on the couches adorning Athena's sitting room. Athena quickly explained the happenings of the day as well as the plan she had devised.
"It is a wonderful idea, Athena," Artemis said as she contemplated the idea decisively. "However, where would we put such a society? They would need a place where they would be protected yet have full access to the world around them. Somewhere with good hunting grounds."
"Some place beautiful! The landscape must accent the love in their hearts as well as the beauty that I shall bestow upon them!" Aphrodite exclaimed excitedly.
"Aye, I agree, Sisters.but where should we give our children to live?" Athena ran her fingers along the smoothness of her map. She had made it appear shortly after the discussion of the search for their daughters' home began. Her sisters joined her at the map, each one looking for the perfect place. "Were Athens not completely controlled by warmongering men, it would be a perfect place!" She drummed her finger on the spot Athens held on her map as she thought.
"Athens? Nay! Athens has no good hunting grounds!" Artemis exclaimed as she curled her lip up in disgust.
"Nor is it terribly beautiful!" Aphrodite added. "What about Cyprus?" She asked putting her finger on its location. "Cyprus is a beautiful place! It would greatly accent the beauty of our daughters to be!"
"Cyprus!? Nay! Its inhabitants have no love of knowledge!"
"Nor does it have good hunting grounds! What about Ephesis? They have wonderful hunting grounds! The trees surrounding the city make it the most beautiful place in the world! Surely that will make you happy, Aphrodite." Artemis pointed to Ephesis on Athena's map. She looked to her sisters, smiling.
Athena and Aphrodite stared at Artemis disgusted and shocked. They held their places on the map. "Ephesis? But it is a horrid place! It is filthy!"
"And vile! Ew! It is not beautiful at all! I have never blessed it!"
"What!? How dare you!" Artemis reached for her bow at the insult. Quickly, Athena lashed out, sending the bow flying across the chamber. Artemis looked to her with hatred.
Instantly the three goddesses began to bicker amongst themselves, each pointing out the faults of the other's favored city and the pros to their own. Minutes passed as the argument grew in intensity. Bitter words were tossed by one goddess to the other. Soon the argument was at its height. Artemis leaped for her bow as Athena jumped for her spear. The two goddesses lunged at each other, catching Aphrodite between them. Aphrodite cried out and ducked as the two angry goddesses flew towards her and each other. She pressed herself against the floor in an attempt to avoid the blows of her powerful sisters.
At Aphrodite's outcry, the two warring goddesses stayed their hand. They glanced down at the whimpering form of the goddess of love and then back to each other. Glancing at their respective weapons, the goddess slowly laid them to the side. Reaching down to help Aphrodite to her feet, the sister goddesses apologized for their actions as well as for nearly beheading her in their quarrel. "Our quarrel seems pointless, Sisters." Athena finally said, "Though we each love our respective towns, they are already inhabited. We could not simply throw those people out of their homes. Besides, our children should be allowed to start somewhere new, to make their own way and their own path.with our guidance, of course."
Artemis and Aphrodite nodded agreement as Aphrodite spoke, "Aye, Sisters. If we employ the aid of Hera and Hestia, as discussed, then we can create a beautiful paradise for our children."
"Aye," Artemis agreed, "a place that the lust of men has not touched and by our grace will not! We can create the home of our children and give them all the tools they need to create their works. I will grant them a beautiful forest filled with my finest creatures and my finest woods. And you, Athena, you can grant them the knowledge that they will need to build the cities that will inspire all the scholars of the world! Aphrodite, you can grant them the eye for beauty needed to turn that beautiful home into a work of art!"
Artemis' excitement was catchy and her sister goddesses were soon laughing along with her as they made their plans. The home they would create for their daughters would be beautiful. As the goddesses agreed on their course of action, they sent word by the messenger god, Hermes, requesting audience with Hera, the queen of the gods, Hestia, sister of Hera and goddess of the hearth, and Demeter, goddess of the harvest and seasons. The three goddesses were soon ushered before the wife and sisters of Zeus. The goddesses' idea was soon approved of by the senior goddesses and the six goddesses together finalized their plans.
Days later all was made ready. The goddesses agreed on the perfect spot in man's world to birth their daughters and give to them as a home. By the river Thermodon, near the southern coast of the Black Sea, the goddesses created a small island. Artemis graced the island with beautiful woods and filled its forest full of her finest creatures. Demeter blessed the island with fruitful soil so that their daughters might grow fine crops. Seeing that all was made ready on the surface, the troop of goddesses, with Hermes in tow, ventured deep within the earth. Athena led the way for her fellow goddesses and god, quickly bringing them to the Womb of Gaea. In awe, the goddesses and god looked on at the light of the spirits that filled the earthen chamber. For several minutes none spoke as they reserved the reverence of that place. The Olympians listened as the spirits sang their tales, each soul dancing within the Womb of Gaea as they sang their songs. Gaea had promised them new life and through their excitement the spirits sang. They sang a song of past lives and they sang a song of future life.
"I believe our daughters are ready." Whispered Athena, ashamed for having to break the reverent silence of the Olympians. They all nodded in agreement and looked to Hermes.
"Hermes, usher our daughters forth so that they may be born anew." Artemis quietly ordered. Hermes nodded and raised his hands. Lightening shot forth from his fingertips as the spirits within the Womb of Gaea were gathered together creating one large ball of light and gentle singing. Their voices became one as the souls of thousands of wronged women were shot out of Gaea's womb and into the rock above, taking a straight path to the surface. The goddesses watched on as the souls of their daughters were sent to their new home. "We should go now, Sisters. Our daughters will need us to aid in their rebirths and calm any that may be frightened." With that, Artemis and her fellows turned to return to the surface and the island they had created to house their daughters.
As the goddesses and Hermes turned to leave, Aphrodite raised her head in recognition. Turning back to the Womb of Gaea, Aphrodite stopped and listened. She heard what sounded like crying. Looking deep into the chamber, she saw three small souls huddled together in the far corner. They whimpered and pushed against each other for protection, staying close to the wall of the Womb of Gaea.
"Wait!" Aphrodite called out. "Three souls still remain!" The other goddesses and Hermes stopped their ascent and looked back at the three frightened souls.
"No, these three are not yet ready. Their time is not yet here. They are meant for greater things. Let us go." Athena turned and led her charges back to the surface world.
As the Olympians appeared above the island they had created, the once entrapped souls found themselves in the mud at the bottom of the sea. Slowly, and with the help of their patron goddesses and that of Gaea, bodies formed around each soul as they slowly floated to the top of the sea. Breaking the waves above, the daughters of the goddesses climbed forth from the sea that birthed them and found their legs on land. The goddesses and Hermes smiled down upon their children.
"Daughters, here me!" Athena said. The daughters of the goddesses stopped the examining of the world and new bodies that they found themselves in and looked above them to the owner of the voice that spoke. Athena explained to her new children how they came to be in their new forms. "You are our hope for the future, Daughters! You are.Amazons! Let no man be your master and always spread your love and peace! Grace man with your beauty and help lead them away from the path of war! Go forth my daughters, go forth and be true Amazons!" With that, each goddess granted the new Amazons and their nation a gift. Demeter granted them a bountiful harvest year after year; Aphrodite granted them beauty and the gift of love for all things; Hestia granted them the gift of the hearth and the power to light a flame within the hearts of men. Artemis granted her daughters the skill of the hunt and the love for her beasts; Hera gave her children the brilliant eyed peacock so that they might stand watch as sentries and give warning of invaders. Finally, Athena granted her Amazon daughters wisdom. She gave them horses and bridles with which to make taming and riding them easier.
Before the goddesses departed the new Amazons' presence, Athena made one final announcement. "My daughter Amazons, my final gift to you is that of leadership. You will be ruled over by two among you. Two queens, one to guide you in your defense and one to guide you in your domestic affairs. Together, these two Amazon queens will guide you in our ways and help you to spread our message of peace and love to the world of man." Pointing to two Amazons, she said, "Hippolyta and Antiope, you shall rule over your sister Amazons justly. Lead them in the ways of peace and love." With that, the goddesses and Hermes disappeared, leaving the excited Amazons to themselves. After a few more minutes of rejoicing, the Amazons went about preparing shelter for the night. For on the morrow, their new lives would begin. They had much work ahead of them.
Within Gaea's womb, a gentle humming could be heard. The three remaining souls calmed at the gentle sound. Light cooing could be heard from them as they settled down, drifting to sleep. Gentle arms appeared around them as the form of Gaea appeared, rocking her children gently as she sang them a lullaby.
Deep within her chambers, Athena poured over her books. As she opened one on the history of man, a book she composed herself for the most part, an eerie wail echoed through the chamber. Thinking it merely the wind, fickle Aeolus playing games, she continued her study. Again the wail was heard and again. Annoyed, Athena followed the wail, intent on wringing the neck of the wailing Aeolus. The wail continued as she followed it to earth. As she followed the wail deep within the earth, she noted how it grew in volume and how more voices were added to the wail, causing it to grow and move almost in melody. Slowly, realization took hold and Athena knew she no longer searched for the wind. She followed the voices deeper and deeper into the earth until she came upon a large chamber. Within the chamber, the wails were housed at their loudest. They were the wails of lost souls. Athena looked on as the souls swam in Gaea's womb. They shied away from the goddess as she approached. She reached her hand out to one, and was overwhelmed by the story it told. Caught in awe and thought, she smiled. Turning away quickly, she left the cavern that was the womb of Gaea and returned to Mount Olympus.
Once returned to Olympus, Athena pondered her discovery. A cavern filled to the brim with thousands of souls, formless and homeless, longing for bodies of their own. For centuries, she had longed for a people that would worship her solely. She longed for a people that yearned for knowledge as she. It seemed to her, as she thought, that she had now found that race she so wished for. However, she could not give them form alone. She would need help and she knew where to find it. She would only have to compromise a little.
Hours later, Artemis and Aphrodite sat comfortably in Athena's chambers. They sipped nectar and nibbled the ambrosia provided, though their agitation was evident on their faces as well as in their posture.
"Really, Athena, would you get to the point already?" Aphrodite urged as she angrily looked where Athena stood thumbing through her books distractedly.
"Aye, Athena, tell us why you have summoned us here and then kept us waiting!" Artemis snapped angrily. Her annoyance was obvious as she leaned forward from her reclining position.
"What is the rush, dear sisters? Have you something better to do than spend time with each other? After all, there is no room for love in this world that Ares has made, nor is there room for a good hunt, for there are no good hunting grounds left. All have been ravished by this senseless war." Athena held her place in the book she was looking through as she looked to her sisters. Their anger at her statement muddled both their faces. Athena smirked. Now she had their attention, they would hear her out.
"Aye," Artemis stated flatly, "and there is no place for the books you so love! The men of this troubled world have no need for them except as fuel for their fires!"
"Aye, it is a sad affair." Athena said as she lowered her head. She closed her book and sadly walked to join her sisters in the center of the chamber. "Forgive me for calling you here, Sisters, but I know our plight. When I look at the world of man I am disgusted by its outcome. I know that over the years you both have felt the same as I. Mankind has all but ceased their worship of us. They have focused their attentions far more on Ares and his lust for blood!" She paused to allow her words to sink in. "Aye, I must agree, Athena. I too am ashamed of the state that man has come to. The lack of love in their hearts is troubling. The world cannot survive on hate alone!"
"Aye, and if this war continues on its path, Sisters, then what is left of the hunting grounds and animals will be destroyed! The men will starve and their race will be destroyed! But what can we do? The balance has been offset."
"There is so much hate in the hearts of man, I fear not even all of my love could spark a tiny flame in their hearts." Aphrodite stated sorrowfully.
"Aye, and the hunters of the world have lost the taste for true hunting and instead prefer the vileness of hunting each other. Perhaps we should join in their sickening sport." Artemis stated bitterly remembering how her best hunters had been murdered in battle or forced to give up their love of hunt for that of war.
"Aye, Sisters. The men have lost the love that was once given them. The men no longer desire the thrill of the hunt. The men desire that blood be shed and cities toppled. The men desire these things, Sisters. But what do women desire? Those gentle creatures that are often the toys of men. Artemis, you are the protector of women. What have you seen of them?" Athena asked as she sat on the couch adjacent to Artemis.
Artemis looked at her sister, unsure of the point she was obviously trying to get at. "The women are sadly almost no better than their men." She stated carefully. "They are naught but toys for amusement to Ares' mighty warriors. Those that have not gained the courage to stand and fight are no more than slaves to their husbands and masters. It is often that those women that choose to defend themselves and their daughters from the evil ways of men are often treated the worst, and eventually murdered. It happens so much that not even I am able to defend or avenge them all."
"And how would you like to avenge them all, Sister? Would you not like to see women no longer harmed by the ways of men? And you, Aphrodite. Would you not like to see a world filled with love? A world filled with peace?" Athena glanced at both her sisters as she addressed them. "Would you not like to see a world that hunts as they should and loves as they should?"
"Aye, I think we should all like that, save perhaps our brother, Ares, of course." Artemis stated.
"You act like you propose something, Athena. What is it? Do not play us with your odd ideas of suspense. Tell us straight out. You know how your antics bore me." Aphrodite stated as she reclined on the couch she occupied. She covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned.
"For once, I think I agree with her, Athena."
Athena eyed her sisters as if in contemplation. She had their attention enough, she was sure. There was no doubt in her mind that her sisters would help her in her task to create the perfect society, the perfect female society.
"Forgive me, Sisters. You both know how I often enjoy, well.it does not matter. As you say, I should get to the point. We should not linger on idleness. What I propose, Sisters, is that we create our own followers. I propose that we create a society in the image that we wish. A society that meets all of our ideals and dreams." Athena explained almost dreamily. "A society that loves knowledge, the hunt, and love. A perfect society that will help to right the world and set the balance straight." She eyed each of her sisters as she spoke. "A society that will spread our teachings through out the world of man.and off balance Ares and his blood lust!"
Artemis and Aphrodite stared at Athena. Her proposal was not unwanted, but it seemed to her sisters almost impossible, a hope not dared. Athena's sisters glanced at each other as they gathered their thoughts. Athena's proposal seemed to be the answer to their problem. Both goddesses pondered how this feat would be accomplished. As it was with Ares ruling the hearts and minds of men, the three goddesses combined were still too weak to perform such a feat as to create an entire new race.
"Athena, though I admire your idea and it holds dear to my heart, there is no society that we could entreat into our services, and we three are far too weakened by lack of worshippers to completely create a new breed of humans! It is next to impossible." Artemis stated.
"Nay, Sister! It is not impossible, but entirely possible! We do not have to create an entire new race! All we need is to create the vessels for which our followers might take form! I know we are yet weakened, but I think that if we enlist the aid of Hera and, perhaps, Hestia, then we might have enough power to create everything that we will need!" Athena began to pace around the room as she spoke franticly. "And we will of course need Hermes to carry the souls."
Artemis and Aphrodite exchanged queer glances as they listened to Athena rattle on. "Sister, sister, calm yourself! Begin again and tell us all! What is this you speak of? What souls?"
Athena stopped her pacing and looked to her sisters. "Oh! Forgive me! I have gotten ahead of myself! Yes, let me begin at the beginning and tell you my plan!" The three sister goddesses once again claimed seats on the couches adorning Athena's sitting room. Athena quickly explained the happenings of the day as well as the plan she had devised.
"It is a wonderful idea, Athena," Artemis said as she contemplated the idea decisively. "However, where would we put such a society? They would need a place where they would be protected yet have full access to the world around them. Somewhere with good hunting grounds."
"Some place beautiful! The landscape must accent the love in their hearts as well as the beauty that I shall bestow upon them!" Aphrodite exclaimed excitedly.
"Aye, I agree, Sisters.but where should we give our children to live?" Athena ran her fingers along the smoothness of her map. She had made it appear shortly after the discussion of the search for their daughters' home began. Her sisters joined her at the map, each one looking for the perfect place. "Were Athens not completely controlled by warmongering men, it would be a perfect place!" She drummed her finger on the spot Athens held on her map as she thought.
"Athens? Nay! Athens has no good hunting grounds!" Artemis exclaimed as she curled her lip up in disgust.
"Nor is it terribly beautiful!" Aphrodite added. "What about Cyprus?" She asked putting her finger on its location. "Cyprus is a beautiful place! It would greatly accent the beauty of our daughters to be!"
"Cyprus!? Nay! Its inhabitants have no love of knowledge!"
"Nor does it have good hunting grounds! What about Ephesis? They have wonderful hunting grounds! The trees surrounding the city make it the most beautiful place in the world! Surely that will make you happy, Aphrodite." Artemis pointed to Ephesis on Athena's map. She looked to her sisters, smiling.
Athena and Aphrodite stared at Artemis disgusted and shocked. They held their places on the map. "Ephesis? But it is a horrid place! It is filthy!"
"And vile! Ew! It is not beautiful at all! I have never blessed it!"
"What!? How dare you!" Artemis reached for her bow at the insult. Quickly, Athena lashed out, sending the bow flying across the chamber. Artemis looked to her with hatred.
Instantly the three goddesses began to bicker amongst themselves, each pointing out the faults of the other's favored city and the pros to their own. Minutes passed as the argument grew in intensity. Bitter words were tossed by one goddess to the other. Soon the argument was at its height. Artemis leaped for her bow as Athena jumped for her spear. The two goddesses lunged at each other, catching Aphrodite between them. Aphrodite cried out and ducked as the two angry goddesses flew towards her and each other. She pressed herself against the floor in an attempt to avoid the blows of her powerful sisters.
At Aphrodite's outcry, the two warring goddesses stayed their hand. They glanced down at the whimpering form of the goddess of love and then back to each other. Glancing at their respective weapons, the goddess slowly laid them to the side. Reaching down to help Aphrodite to her feet, the sister goddesses apologized for their actions as well as for nearly beheading her in their quarrel. "Our quarrel seems pointless, Sisters." Athena finally said, "Though we each love our respective towns, they are already inhabited. We could not simply throw those people out of their homes. Besides, our children should be allowed to start somewhere new, to make their own way and their own path.with our guidance, of course."
Artemis and Aphrodite nodded agreement as Aphrodite spoke, "Aye, Sisters. If we employ the aid of Hera and Hestia, as discussed, then we can create a beautiful paradise for our children."
"Aye," Artemis agreed, "a place that the lust of men has not touched and by our grace will not! We can create the home of our children and give them all the tools they need to create their works. I will grant them a beautiful forest filled with my finest creatures and my finest woods. And you, Athena, you can grant them the knowledge that they will need to build the cities that will inspire all the scholars of the world! Aphrodite, you can grant them the eye for beauty needed to turn that beautiful home into a work of art!"
Artemis' excitement was catchy and her sister goddesses were soon laughing along with her as they made their plans. The home they would create for their daughters would be beautiful. As the goddesses agreed on their course of action, they sent word by the messenger god, Hermes, requesting audience with Hera, the queen of the gods, Hestia, sister of Hera and goddess of the hearth, and Demeter, goddess of the harvest and seasons. The three goddesses were soon ushered before the wife and sisters of Zeus. The goddesses' idea was soon approved of by the senior goddesses and the six goddesses together finalized their plans.
Days later all was made ready. The goddesses agreed on the perfect spot in man's world to birth their daughters and give to them as a home. By the river Thermodon, near the southern coast of the Black Sea, the goddesses created a small island. Artemis graced the island with beautiful woods and filled its forest full of her finest creatures. Demeter blessed the island with fruitful soil so that their daughters might grow fine crops. Seeing that all was made ready on the surface, the troop of goddesses, with Hermes in tow, ventured deep within the earth. Athena led the way for her fellow goddesses and god, quickly bringing them to the Womb of Gaea. In awe, the goddesses and god looked on at the light of the spirits that filled the earthen chamber. For several minutes none spoke as they reserved the reverence of that place. The Olympians listened as the spirits sang their tales, each soul dancing within the Womb of Gaea as they sang their songs. Gaea had promised them new life and through their excitement the spirits sang. They sang a song of past lives and they sang a song of future life.
"I believe our daughters are ready." Whispered Athena, ashamed for having to break the reverent silence of the Olympians. They all nodded in agreement and looked to Hermes.
"Hermes, usher our daughters forth so that they may be born anew." Artemis quietly ordered. Hermes nodded and raised his hands. Lightening shot forth from his fingertips as the spirits within the Womb of Gaea were gathered together creating one large ball of light and gentle singing. Their voices became one as the souls of thousands of wronged women were shot out of Gaea's womb and into the rock above, taking a straight path to the surface. The goddesses watched on as the souls of their daughters were sent to their new home. "We should go now, Sisters. Our daughters will need us to aid in their rebirths and calm any that may be frightened." With that, Artemis and her fellows turned to return to the surface and the island they had created to house their daughters.
As the goddesses and Hermes turned to leave, Aphrodite raised her head in recognition. Turning back to the Womb of Gaea, Aphrodite stopped and listened. She heard what sounded like crying. Looking deep into the chamber, she saw three small souls huddled together in the far corner. They whimpered and pushed against each other for protection, staying close to the wall of the Womb of Gaea.
"Wait!" Aphrodite called out. "Three souls still remain!" The other goddesses and Hermes stopped their ascent and looked back at the three frightened souls.
"No, these three are not yet ready. Their time is not yet here. They are meant for greater things. Let us go." Athena turned and led her charges back to the surface world.
As the Olympians appeared above the island they had created, the once entrapped souls found themselves in the mud at the bottom of the sea. Slowly, and with the help of their patron goddesses and that of Gaea, bodies formed around each soul as they slowly floated to the top of the sea. Breaking the waves above, the daughters of the goddesses climbed forth from the sea that birthed them and found their legs on land. The goddesses and Hermes smiled down upon their children.
"Daughters, here me!" Athena said. The daughters of the goddesses stopped the examining of the world and new bodies that they found themselves in and looked above them to the owner of the voice that spoke. Athena explained to her new children how they came to be in their new forms. "You are our hope for the future, Daughters! You are.Amazons! Let no man be your master and always spread your love and peace! Grace man with your beauty and help lead them away from the path of war! Go forth my daughters, go forth and be true Amazons!" With that, each goddess granted the new Amazons and their nation a gift. Demeter granted them a bountiful harvest year after year; Aphrodite granted them beauty and the gift of love for all things; Hestia granted them the gift of the hearth and the power to light a flame within the hearts of men. Artemis granted her daughters the skill of the hunt and the love for her beasts; Hera gave her children the brilliant eyed peacock so that they might stand watch as sentries and give warning of invaders. Finally, Athena granted her Amazon daughters wisdom. She gave them horses and bridles with which to make taming and riding them easier.
Before the goddesses departed the new Amazons' presence, Athena made one final announcement. "My daughter Amazons, my final gift to you is that of leadership. You will be ruled over by two among you. Two queens, one to guide you in your defense and one to guide you in your domestic affairs. Together, these two Amazon queens will guide you in our ways and help you to spread our message of peace and love to the world of man." Pointing to two Amazons, she said, "Hippolyta and Antiope, you shall rule over your sister Amazons justly. Lead them in the ways of peace and love." With that, the goddesses and Hermes disappeared, leaving the excited Amazons to themselves. After a few more minutes of rejoicing, the Amazons went about preparing shelter for the night. For on the morrow, their new lives would begin. They had much work ahead of them.
Within Gaea's womb, a gentle humming could be heard. The three remaining souls calmed at the gentle sound. Light cooing could be heard from them as they settled down, drifting to sleep. Gentle arms appeared around them as the form of Gaea appeared, rocking her children gently as she sang them a lullaby.