The Goddess's Hero

Old Post

Skye's POV

Maybe I should've stayed with the Draconi for the night. I thought as I snuggled next to a tree. At least then I may have been warm. I do have the knowledge to create a fire but I decided it might be best not to. Oh man, I had been drained summoning the stupid leviathan. It was hard for me to get to sleep but eventually I fell into a deep slumber.

When I woke up the sun was already high in the sky. I hurriedly got my things and went on my way. The scenery was nice except that the forest had been nearly demolished and there were many branches and trees to climb over. One thought kept replaying in my head: Did I do the right thing?

It took another day and a half before I reached my destination. Old Post was hidden from the world. It was built for humans but it fell to the hordes of demons too many years ago to count. Many humans don't even remember of its existence. Apparently to the gods it was a safe place to return to. Though how they knew it was beyond me.

Gods? It was still difficult for me to understand. All my life I've been taught that these gods and goddesses weren't even alive in the first place. And then all of a sudden there they are right in front of my face. Maybe this is all a big dream or maybe I'm dead living some kind of limbo life.

I mean if gods really existed, wouldn't they love their people? Wouldn't they do anything to help them? If they are real and not just made up in my mind what were they doing? The world that they created is about to be destroyed.

What have I done in my life that demands the attention of gods? Out of everybody in the world they chose me. I did my best to be good and just and fair. I fought for my people my friends and my family. I took my duty seriously and I love this world with all my might. I always thought the world would end and I would be there when it happened. Never in my life did I believe that somewhere out there gods were watching me and refusing to lend a hand.

How could they have let the world come to this point? I can only come up with one solution: not one of them cares about their creations. They aren't here to lend a helping hand. They aren't here to save us. They can destroy the world faster then I can think. But they're taking their sweet time letting it broil in unrest.

I know they want me to become a demigod but I don't know why. And honestly why should I listen to anything they have to say? Why do I have to go through these trials? Did I really get a choice? Is my fate to be the one who destroys the world? I looked around me at the carnage of the forest. This really is to be my fate.

I sat in the middle of two pillars covered in vines. Ancient runes carved their way around the bases. It looked a lot like the runes in  Jacqueline's temple. But they were different. I could read some of them thanks to the old wise Nik. All I could really read was the word power.

"I see you made it in one piece." A lilting voice said. I rolled my eyes immediately.

"Josephine." I spoke clearly and turned around. She was standing before me with her hair tied up and armor adorning her flesh.

" I know you're just as happy to see me as I am you." Josephine also rolled her eyes and came forward. "But you have completed my trial and for that you deserve a reward."

"Didn't I make myself clear the last time? I don't want anything from you." I stared at her steely eyed.

" Well good because I don't want to give you anything. In fact, if it wasn't for Jacqueline, I would've killed you a long time ago."

Hearing her name again ran her image through my mind. My heart rate sped up and my blood began to boil. That's when I heard the voice in my head again.

Careful, you don't want your intentions known so quickly. Calm down.

I listened to the voice and willed myself to calm down. Unbeknownst to me, Josephine noticed. She shrugged and continued on.

" You've cleaned up quite a mess and in its wake you've left quite another mess." Josephine turned around and motioned for me to follow her. I grudgingly obeyed. "Unfortunately for us and for Comwen, Jacqui has been banished to her own domain."

" Whoa banished?" It must've come out much more caring than I meant it to because Josephine looked at me like I was crazy.

" Is that not what I just said? Honestly you must be as deaf as you are careless."

" Do you want to run that by me again?" I growled and reached for my dagger. Josephine glared at me, "You really think you're going to harm me?"

" Josephine, Great Goddess of Love and Power," I mocked, "I will kill you with this dagger if I have to. Wait, scratch that. I will kill you with this dagger when I want to." The voice that sometimes enters my head whispered to me again. 

Don't. She could be useful in the future. 

I shook my head to rid myself of its meddling. Again, Josephine stared at me curiously but didn't say anything. We stopped in front of a large altar devoid of greenery. There were no vines, no moss, no dirt. It stood out like a tree in the middle of a barren plain. Josephine stood to the side and faced me. 

"What's this?" I asked. 

"This was one of my altars." Josephine commented with a hint of sadness leaking through. "Humans and forest nymphs would come here to place their prayers and their gifts." 

"You just miss their gifts, I bet." I unfairly commented. 

"Don't speak of me like that!" Josephine reprimanded me. 

"Then don't act like that." I countered. 

"You're one to talk, boy!" She spat. "You are only here for the gifts we will bestow to you."

"Don't lump me together with you. I didn't ask for this!" 

Calm down! An unknown force grappled with my raging soul. I gripped my head as I fought for control. 

You don't control me. I yelled to no one.

Then calm down by yourself! The voice demanded. Josephine is watching you!

I took several deep breaths until I detached myself from my emotions. I found myself holding onto the altar for dear life. I closed my eyes for a moment and then reopened them. 

"It doesn't matter." I continued. "Did you say Jacqueline was banished to her own domain?" 

Josephine nodded. 

"And what does that have to do with anything?" 

"That means that we can't fix the forest. She's the one who gives life back to this world. Without her, there stops being life. But it also means that there stops being death." 

That doesn't sound so bad. "And what's wrong with that?"

"I don't want to find out." Josephine confessed. I stared at her in shock. She's afraid. 

"Okay." I responded slowly. "What's this have to do with me?" 

Josephine's smile made my skin crawl. "Your next trial awaits you there, of course!" 

"Awaits me where?" I stared at her as she brought a sword from thin air. 

"In the Underworld!" She laughed as she stabbed my chest.

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A/N

Hey guys! It's been a while since I've written one of these.

So, big shout out to Junuyaluna for helping me edit 

my story! Thanks so much! I really appreciate any 

and all comments and suggestions that you want 

to throw my way! I hope ya'll enjoy my story!

See you guys next chapter! 

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