: This story 'Lost from the Dream World' is copyright to AlibethBooks. No stealing of any part of the script and/or dialogue
"You are the chosen one."
The words reverberated, sounding ominously through Niera's head. Trying to gain any semblance of control that was left to her she tried desperately to push her shock away, deal with what was before her. But how?...
The pale wisps of mist that formed the shape in front of her, swirled, as if impatient. Once again the silverly voice that sounded so ethereal spoke, a tinge of frustration coming through.
"You humans are so stubborn! You can't accept anything outside of your absurd views."
At the tone Niera's temper flared briefly, her usual bad timed emotions kicking into play.
"Oh, I'm so sorry I'm not immortal, that I can't just accept the very air around me turning into some goddess..." Taking a breath she opened her mouth to continue but the goddess interrupted her, peals of laughter rippling through the air.
"Your also very amusing." She commented, a languid smile forming. Niera's temper seethed, she was confused, hungry, and desperately tired. Feeling rather drained the girl looked up, her face almost pleading.
"Chosen one?"
Athena's smile widened and Niera could have hated her for the laughing tone she adopted.
"Of course. You don't think we come down visiting just every mortal now do you?" She laughed again, as if marveling at Niera's lack of understanding.
"Events are happening, large ones in the world of men. The gods of Olympus are impatient, we want something to start happening with this war, so we brought you and..." Here Athena paused as if warming up to her subject. "Your dear cousin, I'm sure you remember her."
Niera ground her teeth, "Oh yes, I noticed that." She commented almost sarcastically. Her ever ready tongue contorting with rage. "I happened to see her just a few days ago, all tight with the Trojans, thought she was something else she did. Didn't even stoop to recognize me, not that she would though." Bitterness was flowing through ever vein in her body.
Athena stopped her laughing to regard Niera with... curiosity? "I'll never understand humans." She declared after a moment, "Your so... emotional!"
"You can't expect me to thank you for bringing her here." Niera stated unbelievingly. "Do you know how it is between us, did you even think to dig up a little back history before pulling the both of us to some forsaken time in the past!" Her tone was now accusing, her hand were held stiffly at her sides, finger clutching repeatedly, as if wanting to find the goddess's ethereal throat. "No, you bloody well didn't!" Niera was yelling now, not even caring if anyone heard her. That anyone namely being Achilles, or any others that might be searching for her.
"My dear," Soothed the goddess, her voice attempting to be calming. "I told you, in your time we're dead, we don't exist, it's hard to look ahead into the future. Very hard, not to mention tiring." A petty note crept into Athena's voice before she continued, "So we just took what was available."
Niera's eyes narrowed, a suspicious look creeping over her face. "What do you mean 'available'."
Athena looked surprised, as if wondering why Niera asked such a question. "Certain humans are more inclined towards... Well, how would you say it. A few rare humans have a certain... aurora, one that attracts attention from the other world, spirits, minor beings, nymphs, wood folk, gods. It catches our attention, like a flower would a bee. I'd have thought you'd have known that." She commented, still looking surprised. "After all you are very... special." She smiled again.
Niera still looked suspicious. "What do you mean special?" She demanded, her tone none-too-gentle.
Athena's smile widened, she was almost beaming now. Drawing her misty form up to full height she moved over to Niera, towering over the short figure. "Stay still." She said quietly, one silverly hand reaching forward towards Niera.
Impulsively the girl backed up, moving away from the goddess. In a second the swirling vertigo of mist was upon her, the hand descending until it laid itself on Niera's head.
The second it touched her skin Niera felt a deep cold penetrating her, an overwhelming chill that felt as if it would drowned her. Her mouth opening in a soundless scream she fought the dense fog that surrounded her, that clouded her brain. She couldn't see, she couldn't feel, she was dead, she was...
With a sudden breath her vision cleared and feeling began to restore itself to her limbs. Athena stood back from her, several paces away, surveying her with an obvious look of satisfaction.
Niera looked up at her, horrified. "What did you do?"