Chapter Text
Ashana was falling apart. Selen’s reign terrorized EVERYONE in the kingdom. They knew that their queen was egregious and corrupted after all. Most of Athena’s friends have visited her home for the fear the day may come when she would be taken away. Tilly, Malbertha provided enough warm clothes, Laquisha brought home sheets and quilts, Ivy, Kiki, Lucillia, and Betsey managed food and drink. Odile stayed outside to keep watch.
Rothbart and Fionée were asleep that night, and the girls had to make sure that Athena wouldn’t be taken from them so soon. But even so, each day felt like it was their last. They gathered around the center of the room. It was quiet. No one said a word. But that was how worried their were for their one and only friend.
“Athena,” said Kiki, “Just how exactly do they know about this…?”
Athena shook her head.
“I know not, my friend. Ever since I went upon that altar, the Almighties themselves have been by my side ever since.”
“And you never said anything about it?” asked Tilly.
“No way,” said Athena, “I would have expected something so serious. But nothing like this.”
“And you’re not afraid that you would be accused of treason?” asked Ivy.
“Treason or heresy…” said Athena, “I’ve neither committed any of those. I’m only at the age of fifteen. What am I to know about that? Then again, the queen herself would have left me alone, whether I set foot near the altar or not. Therefore, there should not be such a problem.”
“Legends state that one so pure at heart would only be the chosen to rule the remaining kingdoms of the Heavens,” said Laquisha, “Will that be you?”
“Nay! I am too young to rule such an ordeal,” chided Athena, “I wouldn’t dare rule with an iron fist like everyone in this blasted kingdom expects from an heir. I am my own being…even if it means driving yourself away from unbearable norms. Also, there will be no such thing as accusations. If they ask, I’ll simply bypass it. It’s not that difficult…is it?”
“Of course not,” said Malbertha.
The moon rose. That was when the guards and soldiers began their evening search for the girl accused of stealing the Crown from Selen. The girls hid Athena in a broom closet, where they won’t even think of looking for her. But thankfully, the soldier’s hadn’t searched their house. Until…at the hour of four, at dawn, a loud knock came at her door. It was the minister of trial: Morpheus.
“THE QUEEN REQUESTS AN AUDIENCE FROM THE HERETIC!” he called out.
But no one answered. This was one way for Athena to be taken. And so, they stayed where they were until Morpheus left. After a while, there was silence. But as Laquisha stepped out, the door broke down. Morpheus and Dardan had broken in. Luckily, Athena managed an escape route and took shelter at a nearby inn. She, Tilly, Ivy, and Kiki hid beneath the tables of the inn’s tavern. She then took held each by the hand and whispered to them.
“I may die, but I will die young…” said Athena, “I seek knowledge, the Heavens shall take care of me…you needn't worry for my blessed spirit shall bless you day by day and protect you. Eat well, and eat right…for they will extend your wishes and your good.”
She prayed for them willingly. Once she had given them the blessing, guards barged in the inn…and forced Athena out, dragging her away from her only friends.
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Athena was dragged away by the guards. In front of her were the seven mighty knights Selen had entrusted. Heli, Jaan, Jino, Solon, Si-on, Jakah, and Noah faced forward with their heads high and their expressions serious. The girl had wondered…was it really her given power the problem…or was it her entire existence Selen’s problem? Either way, both were just wrong to apprehend her like that.
Maybe…this is the end…, she thought. There’s no way out of this…isn’t there?
Sadly not…and therefore, she was brought up to the throne room, where they forced her to kneel upon Selen, who looked at her with disdain and anger. Dardan was right next to her, ready to catch Athena if she ever escaped. Her family was the only witness. But now, they were their prime suspects; some had claimed that they were the ones also accused of witchcraft. Selen sounded her large staff…and looked straight into Athena’s eyes.
“How do you plead?” she asked, menacingly.
“Not guilty…” said Athena with defiance.
It didn’t shock anyone, since Selen had suspected her quite a bit. But there was no question denying whether Odette blessed her or not. There had to be solid evidence about this.
“It is no concern of mine that you are blessed by the Regina, Herself,” Selen smirked, “But the question I’m meaning to ask you is…where you were bestowed these…mysterious powers.”
“I know not, m’lady,” said Athena, softly.
Selen flared at the girl.
“You unfilial creature,” she screamed, “You are avoiding MY questions! How dare someone like you ought to think about outsmarting the one whom is so respected!”
“I am not outsmarting you,” replied Athena, “I am simply telling you the truth.”
“Then explain this…” Selen hissed, advancing towards the girl, “Meredith…and Judith.”
Athena had given it thought for a moment. Meredith and Judith…they were sisters…one of them she had saved while the other accepted her saddening fate. The girl remembered very vividly about that unexpected encounter.
“I remember…” she said, boldly.
“Then tell us…what you remember…” Selen said, still smirking.
Athena had the power to vividly remember things…and say it aloud. But she couldn’t do anything up until this very moment. And so…everything that had happened that day…was already in her growing mind. She closed her eyes.
“I was at the market,” she began, “It was a lovely day…the sun was high…the air was warm. Then, I see…a crowd…filled with mobs of angry people…”
“What kind of crowd,” asked Selen.
“A…an execution crowd…yes…an execution crowd. There, I see…a woman, tied up to a wooden pole, wailing and asking the King for forgiveness. ‘MY KING! PRITHEE, MY KING!’ That’s what she said, m’lady.”
“How do you know this woman…?”
“I don’t, Majesty…yet, I could see the innocence in her eyes. I remember…the Regina. Yes! The Regina!”
That time, the crowd gasped. No one had expected to hear the word from Odette. But Athena was entrusted by her…what was there to explain? Selen’s anger grew; this was becoming too much… but she couldn’t charge the young girl just yet…not until she has found more evidence.
“What did the Regina say to you…?”
“Nothing…I felt Her presence.”
“Then…did you hear anything…?”
“Yes…I did…the wondrous voice…of the King.”
“Vargr…the Wolf God?! Impossible!”
“It is possible…he had said to me…that this was my decision…and only I could make it.”
“And what made your place to get involved in such a drastic situation? It’s against the law to interfere with public humiliation.”
“The King said it was my decision…I didn’t have to interfere. But then, I see the woman’s true name…Judith. Ah, yes, Judith. The name everyone now knows. The Regina and the King have blessed her many after she was freed from her poorly fate. Sometimes, I wonder…if Meredith is watching over her now.”
“How did you know that it was Judith? Which one was Meredith…?”
“Judith’s hair is much longer than Meredith’s…and Meredith has green eyes, not chestnut like Judith…”
But the crowd went mad again. Knowing someone’s facial features so well was oftentimes seen as witchcraft. And so, Selen had had enough.
“ENOUGH!!! I have had it with you, wench! Take her away!”
But Jino flared up at her.
“I speak no treason,” he snapped, “But the girl has been blessed by the Heavens. Prithee, my queen…have mercy.”
Selen’s anger only grew. She immediately glided up to him and slapped his right cheek silly. The slap was so hard his teeth were vibrating. Jino’s eyes brimmed with tears. How could a queen treat her own knight so terribly? Even the spectators were shocked; some began to whisper about overthrowing her.
“You had better do as I say…” Selen threatened, “Or it’s off with your head.”
With tears streaming down his cheeks, Jino slowly advanced toward Athena, gently grasped her arm…then walked away with her, on their way to the dungeon. Athena heard the cries of her family and friends…but there was nothing she could do…this could be her end.
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Through a wooden door, there was the dungeon. It was a small, cramped up cell with only a small bed, and a bucket in the corner. The window was far too small, for only her head could peak through, yet the walls were cold and damp. Athena, though, showed no fear. Jino then gently brushed her inside the cell, then said:
“Repent your sins…let the punishment fit the crime…”
His face was so soft and saddened when he said that. Athena knew that he cared about her…and he did not want anything to happen to her. But he slammed the door in front of her face and locked it tight. Athena could hear him walking away, and was left alone in this cold, darkened place to rot and shrivel up like a delicate flower. Jino’s footsteps grew quieter and quieter…until Athena could no longer hear. Eventually, Athena burst into tears.
During her time in solitude, she could hear her own sobs bouncing off the walls, as though she is unable to see the light of day again.
“Help…” she cried.
But there was no one to help her…no one to hear her cries. She was alone in the dungeon…like a naughty animal. She curled up on the small bed, hoping to at least sleep well. As she closed her eyes, she tried to envision her life outside the cell.
She dreamt about a world filled with light and warmth…a world in the image of the Heavens. But she opened her eyes again…and there was the cold, dark dungeon once more. To her, this was an inescapable nightmare. She closed her eyes again…this time, the moon’s light began to peak through the small window. Athena sat up slightly.
She saw the moon, but could not reach it.
The guardian of the moon might be watching over me…but where is my Savior…the one who has blessed me so…?
Athena felt lonely. Her loneliness only grew when she saw the clouds, and the angelic host nestling in them, like little snowflakes. She laid back down and sighed. But that was when Odette appeared.
“I had not forsaken you, you know…” she said, softly.
But Athena flared up.
“You have not forsaken me…” she cried, “But you have forgotten me. Oh, how could you, my Regina?”
“I did not mean to forget you,” said Odette, “I have not. Not one bit.”
“Why have you let me suffer? Why haven’t you saved me from this dark place?”
“We celestials have plans for our living loved ones. Yours will be carried out soon.”
“By then, I’ll be dead!”
“No…no you won’t…you’ll live…and you will ascend to the Heavens as the rightful heir you are. I have chosen you…to be Queen of the Serpents.”
“Serpents? What words are these?”
“The Nirvana is the home of our battle angels, protectors from the evils of the Underworld.”
“Tell me…why haven’t you mentioned this…?”
“Because…I had to know if you could really be trusted…the King created everything…even you.”
By then, Odette had disappeared into the sky…and the sky whitened blindingly…and up there, was a beautiful star…it was the size of a giant diamond. But Athena’s spirit was still at its lowest point, because of where she was at. She curled up on the little bed again…and folded her hands in prayer…
“Prithee, my Angel…save me from this darkness…carry me away to the place You call eternity. Then bring forth my purity and deliver me from the hands of cruelty…”
By then, a figure entered the dungeon…it was Jino.
Athena was already fast asleep; her body heat warmed that small, confined bed. Jino had no heart to have her rid of the world so quickly. But as he gently brushed a few locks of her hair…he saw her natural beauty. Athena was beautiful, even as she slept. Jino did not want to wake her up. So, he gently picked her up and carried her in his arms…and Solon then fashioned her wrists with cold iron cuffs, to keep her movement of the arms restricted. Slowly, they carried her out of the dungeon.
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Shouts and screams could be heard, but Athena was still half asleep. She slowly opened her eyes…and they immediately brimmed with tears. She held tightly to Jino, whimpering softly. However, Jino set her down…and they had her walk the rest of the way to the execution site. The girl was deafened by the insults being thrown at her…but she was no heretic or a liar…she could only speak the truth…who were they to defy a young girl’s beliefs? Around that time, the Heavens had better protect her. Athena wished more from the celestial world. But are they really meant to be connected?
Suddenly, the people threw old fruits and vegetables, and many other valuable items at the girl. She squeaked in fear and Jino had to cover her from all that.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “I pray that you are well in your next life…”
Athena could hear at first, but she really admired Jino’s soft voice. But then again, she would have spent more time with him as well. Her legs suddenly gave out…and a crack of thunder appeared. There was a huge gust of wind…are the Heavens becoming angry with her.
“Prithee, my King…I have beared no ill will…please save me…” she wailed.
Another bolt cracked and Athena screamed in fear, clutching on to Jino. Jino immediately picked her up and carried her the rest of the way, but Athena was thrashing and screaming more, begging him to let her go. Jino wanted to, but refused. Doing so would mean shame upon his title as the knight to Queen Selen…her threat repeated in his mind no more than one hundred and twenty times.
I won’t let her go, my queen, he thought. But…she will punish us all once she ascends to the Heavens.
Indeed she would.
Athena still screamed and still begged for mercy.
“PRITHEE,” she wailed, “PRITHEE SET ME FREE! I HAVE BEEN WRONGED!! PRITHEE, MY MERCY!!”
But no one was listening…therefore, Athena was doomed to her tragedy. Up ahead, there was the execution site. She was unable to turn back now. She looked behind her; the rest of the guards were right behind her and Jino…Dardan was leading them. If she had tried to escape, then she wouldn’t make it with her young life clinging on.
Jino lead her up the small steps, as though she were a little girl, lost and alone. There, she saw her family and friends, screaming for her mercy, wailing for her to be spared…but she was knelt down and tied up.
“ATHENA!!” she heard her family, “SHE HAS BEEN SO WRONGED, OUR DEAREST ATHENA…!”
But up front…she saw someone familiar…next to Selen, was a man about her father’s age…but he looked like Dardan. Suddenly, a flashback: Athena and her family had traveled to Glasto, as her father was making that important trade…Morpheus. Yes, Morpheus. Dardan was his nephew…and it makes sense why he smirked so maliciously after the family had left.
Maybe he knew about the altar…and its power.
Athena bowed her head…and as the large blade was going to slice her head off…she felt the strong power…of an angel. She immediately floated up. Athena was weakened from so much sorrow. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t passing away…she was letting new power entering her young, growing body. After floating higher and higher into the air…her beautiful black wings spread out…from side to side. The spectators had realized that she was a celestial chosen to protect her people.
“Listen well, all of you,” she announced, “On this day is the day I bring freedom unto you all. Therefore, I, your rightful heir, shall ascend from this Earth…and look after you up in my humble realm, known as Nirvana, home of my kind…the Serpents.”
But an angered Selen tried to slash Athena with a flag pole…but Athena dodged the bullet. She smirked as she floated around the falling queen. She then giggled mischievously.
“How does it feel to lose, Majesty?” she cackled, “There is one thing everyone is questioning… how did your dear mother leave us so soon? But now I know the answer…you…and Dardan…are responsible…you wanted the crown so badly…you basically got rid of the poor woman. And so, she left you the crown for you to have your way with it.”
“N-no! I would never.”
“No, you wouldn’t…but Dardan would. You love him so, don’t you.”
“Yes…”
“Then…I bet he wanted to make that dream come true already…so he poisoned your mother. But you went along with it…you’re both at fault for this…and there is no escape from your serious consequences.”
“You can’t punish me…I’m the queen. And as such, the law states that a king or queen cannot be punished cruelly or unusually.”
“The Crown Princess should have changed that rule…she watches over you from the Heavens. She would have you imprisoned in the Underworld…”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
“Yes, I would. The night of this event, the knights shall be wiped out from the living world…then you shall be trapped in the circles of the Underworld…where you shall never see the light of day again…that’ll make sure you never commit any sinful deeds again…a queen must show love to her people…you were the opposite. You made lives unbearable. You raised taxes on housing and necessities…and all of their money was bestowed to you…ridiculous.”
Selen’s eyes flared with fury. Athena was much too young to speak like that to a young queen. What was she trying to do? Expose her? If so, Selen would have her gone anyway. But she now knew that her reign had come to a crashing end…she was officially defeated. She heard the jeering and angry voices of the peasants…and even her own guards were disappointed in her. And so, they dragged her away, as she screamed in anger, demanding her freedom.
“This is not over, girl! You don’t know who you’re dealing with!” she screamed.
And so, Athena floated over to her family, and held her mother’s hand.
“Don’t worry,” she said, “I’ll watch over you…I’ll watch over the world. And I’ll be able to protect you…always.”
The skies cleared and her skin glowed…as the sunlight peeked through the grey clouds…she was lifted up…and she disappeared, out of sight…Athena was in a better place now…and death had not come upon her. This was the day…the day of her freedom.