Soul Thief

Who are you? Oberon asked.

She was white-haired and white-skinned, this Goddess who held tightly the child in her arms.

She had met Oberon's gaze before Athena shot her with an arrow. But the arrow did nothing but shatter and turn to dust.

The Goddess winced, looked at Athena and said, "You caused this."

"Who are you?" demanded Athena.

Oberon reached for this Goddess, recoiled when her light burned his palm.

And suddenly, this Goddess struck a crack in the ground, sank deep into the Earth and vanished.

This Goddess had the powers of both Athena and Oberon.

And Athena watched Oberon vanish to find Edol.

Edol was not at his domain. Edol was not even among the stars.

Oberon did not mind that a new Goddess appeared, but he did mind that she carried a child with her, into parts of the universe no human was to see.

Edol, demanded Oberon.

He raised his scythe and split the marble floor of Edol's Domain in two. If anything, Edol would be upset Oberon did such a thing and rush to berate him.

But Edol was gone.

Irene appeared by Oberon's side.

"Oberon, what is happening?"

There is a Goddess running about with a human child, Irene, Oberon said.

"Athena?"

No, no. A new Goddess. She was created by Athena and I. And I cannot find Edol.

"Edol went to another galaxy for awhile," Irene said.

The darkness within Oberon's cloak flickered and crept along the floor.

At a time like this? Oberon hissed.

Irene touched his shoulder and immediately the darkness dissipated.

"I will go search for Edol. You find this Goddess," Irene said.

Oberon would regret agreeing to such a mission.