-20- by : Alibethbooks
Niera looked up at her, horrified. "What did you do?"
Athena's face was wreathed in an distinct look of satisfaction. "Awakened you, so to speak. Awakened a part of you that's always been there, just... How would you say it? Sleeping. Yes, that's right, sleeping."
Niera was hardly listening, something strange yet oddly familiar was tickling the back of her mind, an empty space was filled, filled with a presence that somehow she knew. It had energy, a life of it's own. Still gasping for breath she stared at the goddess. "What is it?" She stammered, her tone almost incoherent with shock. "What is that?" She demanded more firmly.
"What is it? Why my dear, that is... well, it's why your special. I'm trying to think of the word you mortals use. Ah, magic." Here Athena pulled a wry face, as if disgruntled. "Really, the entire term magic is very base and altogether laughable. Your power is born in you, many people do have it you know, but very few know it. You can't use your power until you know it of course." Athena laughed again. Delighting in Niera's vague look and increasing wonder. "Now..." She continued, as if sobering herself for business. "Put out your hand." Niera was to dazed to disobey her as she stretched out one hand, very aware of that thing in the corner of her mind. "You want light." Athena commanded, "The stone in front of you, you want it to glow, you want it to produce light."
Eyebrows pulled close in concentration Niera willed light into the small round stone in front of her, several moments passed by and sweat trickled down her face. Athena stopped her. "No, no. Not that way. Mere will doesn't work you see, use your power. Take hold of it and use it." With this new found piece of advice Niera confusedly grasped for that bit of her, feeling it's life pulsing she pushed it, nudged it hesitantly towards the rock. "Light now, light." Athena spoke coaxing. "With a final push Niera gasped as the rock suddenly glowed, dim but still a faint luminescent glow.
"There, I knew you could." Athena smiled winningly, "There are few things you can't do with your power. You'll always be discovering more of course but remember, there are limits. Stretch yourself to much and your power will backfire, many mortals have been killed that way." Athena shook her head, as if remembering past foolishness. "Now, I've done what I was sent for. Somehow I always get sent." Here the goddess's voice resumed it's pettiness. "The rest seem to think I've gifted in dealing with you humans, of course I am more subtle than say Posidien. His approach would be bursting in, waves crashing and whatnot." Athena trilled in amusement once more. "Remember your power, once awakened it can't fully sleep again. Remember it in need." As she spoke her voice grew fainter, as if she was fading, with a last swirl the mist withdrew leaving Niera in a dark glade with only the faint light of her stone to comfort her.
With a sob she threw herself to the ground, wishing desperately she was home in her bed. She laid there long, time passing by unnoticed, to engrossed in her own fear and strange feeling, her power would take some getting used to. She barely noticed a growing light to the east as her eyelids drooped, eventually closing in sleep.