CHAPTER 2

Mythic Guardians

As they stepped through the shimmering door, it vanished, leaving them in a warm, inviting space that felt like a cross between a cozy library and a sacred temple. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, their leather-bound tomes adorned with intricate gold filigree. Plush armchairs arranged around a massive stone fireplace invited relaxation. At the room's center stood an enormous, ornate table, its surface etched with ancient runes that seemed to shimmer in the soft light.

Miss Esther turned to face them, her smile warm and welcoming. "Welcome, young ones, to the Sanctum of the gods. Please, make yourselves at home." Emily's brow furrowed. "Did you say gods?" Miss Esther nodded, her smile unwavering. "Indeed, I did. Please, sit. I'll find us something to eat." She gestured to the armchairs, and the five teens sat, forming a circle.

Miss Esther returned with three steaming boxes of pizza and a black box, her smile still radiant. "I suppose it's time I introduced myself properly. I am Hestia, goddess of hearth and home." She set the boxes on the table, her eyes sparkling. "I'll answer any questions you have, but I ask one thing in return: keep an open mind to what you're about to hear." You're a goddess?" Jason asked in awe.

Hestia's smile broadened as she shed her mundane persona. "Yes, Jason Steele, I am a goddess. And I have been watching the five of you specifically." Sofia's curiosity got the better of her. "Why us?"

Hestia's eyes sparkled. "Thank you for asking, Sofia Vergara. Please, keep an open mind. Help yourselves to the pizza." She nodded toward the boxes, and the teens exchanged hesitant glances. Matt, ever the observer, picked up a slice and took a bite.

"This doesn't excuse the fact that you gave me detention, Hestia," Matt said, his tone laced with amusement.

Hestia chuckled. "You don't seem very surprised, Burke."

Matt shrugged. "At this point, nothing surprises me much."

As the others tentatively reached for the pizza, Hestia began her tale. "Eons ago, a battle raged in Olympus. Mordred Pendragon, the infamous bastard son of King Arthur, survived the war of Camlann and sought to claim a place among the gods. He aimed to ascend to godhood, but the gods resisted. The creatures that attacked you were Darkspawn, Mordred's fearsome foot soldiers. His aim was to bring about Ragnarok."

Chris's eyes widened. "He wanted to destroy the world in fire?"

Hestia's expression turned solemn. "Yes, Christopher Dallas. Mordred sought to bring about Ragnarok, the end of worlds. He believed humanity needed to be punished, put in its place."

"How did the gods stop him?" Emily asked, her expression unreadable.

Hestia smiled patiently. "If you'll let me continue, Emily Faye, I was getting to that part. Zeus knew that with the Black Trident of Asperia, Mordred had made himself nearly invincible. The only option was to banish and seal him in Titania, the world of the undead."

"But Asperia is just a myth," Jason said, his brow furrowed. "A city lost to time."

Hestia nodded. "Exactly, Jason Steele. Mordred himself ensured its downfall. Now, we believe he's returned to finish what he started: ascend to godhood and bring about Ragnarok, starting with your city."

Hestia's gaze swept the room, meeting each of their eyes. "I ask for your help in stopping him. If you need time to consider, I'll give it to you. But please, don't delay. I fear Mordred may already be preparing to unleash one of his warriors upon the city."

Emily spoke up, "You're asking us to fight a war that began long ago in the realm of the gods. That's madness, Hestia. What guarantee do you have that we'll come out unscathed?"

Hestia's face turned solemn. "I give you no assurance of that, Emily. It's too cruel a hope to offer. But I can assure you that if you take up this mantle, you'll be fighting not only for your futures or the gods' futures but for the futures of your unborn generations."

Chris asked, "Why can't the gods fight this battle themselves?"

Hestia replied, "The gods can't fight because being in this realm violates Celestial laws. They can only provide guidance, not direct interference. This is a battle for men and gods alike."

Jason nodded. "I don't need time to think. If I understand correctly, whether we act or not, Mordred is a huge threat. Count me in."

"That's a wise choice, Jason Steele," Hestia said, and Jason nodded in agreement. Sofia stood up, having remained silent until now. "I don't like gods or the suffering they bring to men's lives, but this sounds bigger than one man. Let's save the world." Chris stood up beside her, his eyes locked on Sofia. "Someone's got to watch Sofia's back." Sofia harrumphed but said nothing.

Hestia turned to Matt and Emily, her gaze expectant. Emily spoke up from her seat, "Well, I still think it's madness, but it's a burden we have to carry. Why not?" Matt chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We're fighting a non-god with god-like abilities we don't understand. I don't think we have a chance, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, someone's got to watch these lot's backs if they're so eager to rush into death."

Hestia smiled, her chest swelling with pride as she picked up the black box given to her by Zeus and opened it.

Hestia approached Jason, her eyes shining with a deep intensity. "As courageous as Zeus, may the power of the skies unleash a storm upon Mordred and his dark forces." She presented him with the Red Morpher, its lightning bolt design gleaming with a bold crimson color and golden accents. The Morpher's dynamic shape seemed to pulse with energy, its curved lines and pointed tip evoking the raw power of the gods. As Jason accepted the Morpher, it glowed brightly, signaling their instant fusion.

Hestia moved to Emily, her expression solemn. "Emily Faye, steadfast as Poseidon, may the tides of courage guide you and the oceans' strength empower you for the journey ahead." The Blue Morpher, shaped like a trident with an azure hue and silver accents, seemed to shimmer in Emily's hands as she received it. "May I be worthy of the trust the gods have placed in me," Emily whispered, her voice filled with reverence.

Next, Hestia approached Matt, his face now calm and focused. "Conqueror like Ares, embrace the ferocity of war and let your spirit blaze like a thousand battles." The Black Morpher, with its rugged sword hilt design and sharp, angular shape, seemed to suit Matt perfectly. He grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement, as he accepted the Morpher and it glowed in his hands. "This is an honor I will treasure, Hestia," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Hestia then turned to Chris, her words gentle but firm. "Swiftness like Hermes, silent as the messenger, may your heart be filled with wisdom and speed." Chris received the Yellow Morpher, its winged sandal design shining with a bright, sunny color, without a word, but his eyes sparkled with understanding.

Finally, Hestia approached Sofia, her expression softening. "Clarity like Artemis, under the gentle light of the moon, may your aim be true and your spirit wild and free." The Pink Morpher, shaped like a crescent moon with a soft pastel color, seemed to glow with an otherworldly light as Sofia accepted it. She nodded, her eyes shining with determination.

Hestia stepped back, regarding the new Rangers with a solemn expression. They stood united, a line of five, with Jason at the center, Emily and Chris to his left, and Matt and Sofia to his right. The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if the very fate of the world hung in the balance.

Hestia's smile was warm and reassuring. "Now, you stand strong against the forces of darkness. You will emerge victorious." She glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on each of the Rangers. "There's enough room in the Sanctum if you wish to rest here. Later, I'll show you how the Door of Janus works and the other secrets this place holds." She yawned, her exhaustion evident.

Jason suddenly cursed, his mind snapping back to his ordinary life. "Damn, I forgot my game!" Hestia's smirk was playful. "I might have sent a little help your team's way earlier. I think you won." With that, she walked off, leaving the teens to admire their Morphers in awe.

Meanwhile, in the decrepit castle of Titania, General Khaos approached Emperor Mordred's throne with trepidation. He knew the emperor's temper and the price of failure. Mordred stared out the window, his gaze lost in the darkness. "My liege, the Darkspawn failed to retrieve the goddess," Khaos reported, his voice trembling.

Mordred's response was deceptively soft. "An expected failure. What news do our spies bring?" Khaos spoke quickly, hoping to mitigate the emperor's fury. "They couldn't locate the Sanctum, but they sensed an energy signature – one that could only come from the gods imbuing their power in the Morphing Energems."

The emperor's voice was laced with malice. "So, the gods entrusted humans with their powers. Let's test their mettle in battle. Release Moloch. He's been hungering for a challenge. Let's see if these Rangers will rise to meet it." Khaos knew he was dismissed and backed away, relieved to escape the throne room.