Betrayed and Alone

Bonus Chapter 5

Hey there, it's DemigodInTraining . I know I haven't been active lately, and that is because I have been really busy with school. (I'm a Sophomore). I wouldn't have written this, since I'm a little busy, but since @WolfHowler1 did, I suppose I should as well. I'll be writing my POV now, I suppose. Let's get to it, then!
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Faith's POV:

I was so very nervous, but it turns out that I didn't really have to be. Esperanza was there for me, and that really helped. When I was introducing myself, I could feel how Esperanza wanted to comfort me, and it really helped. She really is a good friend.

"We would like to bless the new recruits."

New recruits? Which new... wait. Us?

I look up, and when I do, I see Esperanza glaring fiercely at Lord Apollo and Lady Hera.
Bless? They want to bless us? But I...don't really want anymore power...

Esperanza looked very wary. I can't blame her, these were gods! They are famous for deceit. I don't want to say it aloud, but I really do wonder f they have ulterior motives. They always do.

"Why?" She asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

Apollo began to explain to Esperanza, but I focused instead on Hera, whose gaze bore a metaphoric hole in my forehead. I shiver from her gaze, and try to meet her eyes.

Her eyes snap down to mine, and her expression softens just a fraction. Her fingers curl, beckoning me, and before I realized it, my feet had begun to move on their own, and I was standing in front of the goddess in the blink of an eye.

Her delicate hand was placed in my shoulder in a tight grip, not enough to cause major pain, but enough to be just slightly bruising to my fragile body. Her warm eyes seemed to take and lay out my soul for everyone to see.

"I will be the one to bless you."

Her voice was cold, her statement blunt. If she didn't want to bless me, why was she doing it? Her knowing gaze showed that she seemed to read my thoughts.

"I do want to do it. You need more faith in yourself, child."

I felt confused. Why did that matter? It is not like it would matter to anyone but me.

"You need to believe in yourself, or you shall forever be sad. You shall always lack self worth, and that would lead to folly in battle and in life.
Take my blessing, and believe in yourself. You will always have a family on your heart."

I was stunned. Hera's words did not sound like those of the arrogant and prideful queen. They were loving, like a mother, and filled me with a strange warmth I haven't felt in years. For the first time in a long time, a small, genuine smile stretched across my face, and I reached out, hugging the seemingly cruel goddess around her middle.

The people around me watching our interaction had reactions of surprise. I heard several gasps and felt several stares that sent shivers up my spine.

The goddess stiffened, but relaxed and gently squeezed me back, then released me with a solid pat on my shoulder.

"The powers you received from me must be discovered on your own. Do not worry, you may discover them at your own pace."

I nodded, and she put a guiding hand on my back, gently turning me around and pushing me back towards my friends.

As I went back, I felt multiple people looking at me, and when I glanced at them, I got to see their gazes. They looked at me like I was crazy, like I was some cacodemonomaniac.

I looked around for Esperanza, and she seemed to have just finished her conversation with the sun god.

I was about to call for her when the shadows surrounded her and seemed to swallow her up. If I didn't know that the shadows treated her with camaraderie, I would have panicked greatly, but seeing the scene made me sigh in displeasure as my friend disappeared once again.

Everyone was thrown into a panic, and I sat down and began to think of where she might pop up. Maybe Alaska? But no matter where she ends up, I know she will come back.

I was regretfully ushered into the cabin to go to sleep, but before I did, I grabbed a pair of her pajamas and a pair of indoor slippers, heading to the entry way to put them where she could see them for when she comes back. I was about to leave when the door opened and a drunken looking figure stumbled inside, before crashing in front of my feet.

Looking down, I was surprised to see Esperanza. Panicking and fretting would do no good now, so I gently grabbed her arms and forced her to sit down on an empty bed. I grabbed her stuff and a glass of water, put them beside her and tried to shake her awake.

With her stubborn refusal of consciousness, I sat next to her and carded my finger gently through her hair, letting her sleep against me and hoping that nothing serious had happened during her little "trip".