Aethra - Jasira's Story

Chapter Three: Jasira

In the sacred quiet of the Temple of Mists, the afternoon light filtered through the ethereal mist that enveloped the ancient structure, casting a soft glow upon the polished stones. In the heart of the temple, a small figure floundered about on the cool marble floor, wrestling with an oversized garment. Jasira, her hair still glistening with droplets of water, rolled around in a chaotic dance, struggling to pull on a shirt that seemed determined to thwart her efforts.

Just as she wriggled her way into a particularly stubborn sleeve, a voice, smooth as the whisper of the wind, pierced the air. "Do you need help?" The words hung in the air, lilting and inviting, sending a ripple of surprise through Jasira. Startled, she jumped like a frightened kitten, her wide eyes peeking out from beneath the fabric that she had nearly enveloped herself in.

As she squirmed and peeked out, her breath caught in her throat. There, in all her radiant glory, stood Aethra—the very goddess she had admired from the statue at the end of the shimmering pool she had just emerged from. Aethra's presence shimmered with divine light, and her long hair flowed like a waterfall, adorned with glimmering droplets that sparkled like stars. The sight was both mesmerizing and bewildering, leaving Jasira momentarily speechless.

Caught in this strange dance of awe and embarrassment, Jasira's mind raced. She wasn't quite sure how to react. Should she shout? Hide? Or perhaps attempt to explain her very public struggle with the shirt she had been gifted out of thin air? Instead, she simply blinked, her small face a mix of confusion and wonder.

Meanwhile, hidden within the misty shadows of the temple, the goddesses Nyx, Thalia, Selene, Pasithea, Eidiya, and Philyra observed the unfolding scene with varying degrees of amusement and enthusiasm.

"Come on, Jasira! You can do it!" Nyx urged, her voice a melodic encouragement. "Show her your fighting spirit!"

"Fighting spirit? She's not a warrior!" Thalia shot back, her eyes narrowed in competitive fervor. "If anything, she needs to channel her inner goddess right now! I bet she'll faint in sheer awe!"

Pasithea smirked, her hands on her hips. "You mean she'll be so enchanted by Aethra's beauty that she'll forget how to breathe! I'm the winner here!"

The two goddesses launched into a heated debate, their voices rising above the serene atmosphere of the temple. "You're not winning just because she might admire Aethra!" Thalia retorted. "She's probably going to throw herself at her feet!"

"Who cares?" Pasithea countered, waving her hand dismissively. "It's all about how she reacts first!"

Selene rolled her eyes, her laughter bubbling over. "You two are missing the point! If she giggles, I win. If she swoons, I win. If she does anything other than stare blankly, you both lose!"

Eidiya, observing the spectacle with a smirk, chimed in. "At this rate, I'm betting she'll just be overwhelmed and forget all her manners. Someone remind her she's not about to eat a cloud of fluff!"

Each goddess had their own prediction about how Jasira would react. Nyx believed Jasira would scream in surprise and flee into the woods, convinced she was losing her mind at the sight of Aethra. Thalia envisioned a more dramatic reaction, betting that Jasira would faint from shock, collapsing gracefully before the goddess. In contrast, Selene felt Jasira would greet Aethra with a mix of confusion and awe, bombarding her with questions about her divine heritage. Pasithea predicted that Jasira would initially feel overwhelmed but would quickly regain her composure, seeking comfort from Aethra and perhaps wanting to chat over tea. Eidiya imagined Jasira questioning reality and Aethra's intentions before ultimately becoming fascinated by the magic surrounding her. Finally, Philyra foresaw a charming response, with Jasira expressing delight and admiration for Aethra, feeling an instant connection to the goddess who created her and her world.