Chapter Text
Eleanor Forte trekked through the woods, the twigs cracking under her shoes while the sun shined bright in the late afternoon sky. If time permitted, she would make it back home by sundown. She looked up, shielding her face from the sun with her hand. It seemed especially bright for this time of day. Then again, it was June. It probably should have been expected at this time of year.
She eventually arrived on the other side of the woods and into a meadow. With no trees to provide shade, it was already significantly hotter. She sighed, took off her coat, and tied it around her waist. Being here brought back some memories.
Her and Airi used to hang out in this meadow when they were younger, though they didn’t go too far. Something about disturbing the old temple, or that the climb could be dangerous, or something like that. Airi just shrugged it off as a silly warning the grown ups gave them to not wander too far from home. One day, she grabbed Eleanor’s hand and insisted they check it out. Despite Eleanor’s protests, Airi went ahead anyway. After what felt like a half hour of running after her, they both saw the temple situated upon a steep hill, the narrow stairs winding up eroded and decayed with time.
“C’mon Ellie, let’s go!” Airi had insisted, dashing ahead with a childish grin on her face.
“Airi- please, my Aunt Miriam said not to! We’re already past dinner time.”
“Aw, don’t be silly! It’s not like it’s dangerous or anything.” Before Eleanor could protest, Airi began dashing up the steps. She was almost at the top when she accidentally placed her foot on a loose chunk of rock that promptly gave out beneath her, causing her to lose balance. She yelped and came crashing down the hill, lying at rest at the bottom.
“Airi!” Eleanor dashed over and shook her friend’s shoulder to see if she was ok. Airi groaned, and Ellie noticed that her ankle was bent in an unusual way.
“It hurts…” Airi whimpered, tears forming in her eyes.
“Here, put your arm around mine. I’ll help us walk back.”
They eventually made it back to Eleanor’s house. After one look at Airi’s ankle, Miriam hurried the two into her car and drove to the hospital. Several hours passed before Airi emerged with some doctors, crutches, and a cast on her foot.
The incident had been over 10 years ago, but the sight of her friend’s broken ankle still remained in her mind. Despite Airi’s curiosity never truly waning, she decided it wasn’t worth another ankle. They talked about perhaps revisiting when they were older, but never made the commitment. There were less dangerous and closer spots to hang out in. It seemed that all that mattered to Airi was Eleanor’s presence.
Now, here Eleanor was, visiting the temple alone. She had a valid excuse, her interest in antiques led her down the path of studying architecture, but still. Hopefully Airi won't be too mad at her. Sure to not make the same mistake her friend made all those years ago, she was careful up the steps. She most certainly did not want to break a bone all the way out here.
After a treacherous climb, Eleanor successfully made it to the summit. All these years of hearing about this location, and she finally made it. She approached the entrance and went inside. The windows were positioned in a way to maximize the amount of natural light that shined into it, though there were lanterns that must’ve not been lit for hundreds of years. She walked past pillars gilded with gold, or brass, or whatever shiny metal that Eleanor couldn’t really figure out, but they formed patterns like the constellations. The floor had similar patterns of shiny metal in addition to some depictions of a woman and the sun. At the opposite end of the entrance, a skylight shined on a marble statue of that same woman. The artist masterfully was able to capture the way her cape hung around her shoulder and trailed behind her. Despite being who knows how old, the statue was not missing an arm, although a bird seemed to make itself at home nestled between the statue’s hair, shoulder plate, and neck. Parts of the statue’s face and shoulders were gilded in the same way the floor and the pillars were. It was a real work of art.
Eleanor couldn’t help but admire the statue of what she assumed to be who the temple was dedicated to. She’d seen similar works in photos, but never truly processed the wonder they brought when seen in person. Perhaps it was the statue, or perhaps the artist’s depiction of the woman itself, but she couldn’t help but notice the beauty in her. The way her body was positioned radiated a sense of power that Eleanor admired, the way the light shined on her highlighting her athletic form. Eleanor smiled.
“You seem to have been staring at that for a while, mortal,” a female voice echoed through the temple, a hint of friendly amusement in her voice.
Eleanor whipped her head around to look. “What? who’s there?”
A flash of bright light knocked Eleanor back from the statue, sending her skidding across the floor. From the light, a glowing female silhouette materialized, that same cape trailing behind her. Some of the light subsided, letting Eleanor get a better glimpse of the figure in front of her. Her heart raced. There she was, looking at Eleanor with her glowing amber eyes. The rumors of a goddess were true. Eleanor panicked. She had to get out of there.
Before the goddess could speak, Eleanor dashed out of the temple. “I’M SORRY I’M SO SORRY MY BAD! BYE!” She screamed, not turning back to look. Her thoughts raced as she ran down the hill. Who knows what that lady is capable of. Eleanor kept running. If she managed to put enough distance between her and the goddess, she wouldn’t have to find out.
As she got farther and farther away from the temple, her pace slowed and her head was clearer. She thought about the events of that evening. Well, the mysterious goddess didn’t necessarily seem mad, though Eleanor’s sudden departure would have confused her, she thought. Hell, it even confused herself. Sure, there was the usual fear of a powerful entity, but also something stirring in her heart. Maybe she should go back and apologize? Eleanor decided she would talk with Airi about this later. Right now, it was getting late. She needed the rest after an eventful day.