Soul Thief

Athena said, "Who is she?"

A being of light and dark. A being with long white hair unlike anything Athena had ever seen. What was there left which needed its own Goddess?

Athena beckoned Despond, who appeared with a baby bird upon his shoulder.

"What is that?" Athena asked him.

"A bird. Irene gave him to me. His name is Faulkner."

Despond seemed charmed by this little bird, spoke its name lovingly.

Irene had never gifted anything to me, Athena thought.

"There is a new Goddess," Athena said.

"What?"

"Indeed. She is unpenetrable by my arrows. Despond, no one is unpenetrable to my arrows!"

Athena's hair was curled and wild, flew up in different directions as she spoke. Her eyes lit up gold with anger.

Despond was startled.

"What is her name?" he asked.

"I don't know. She vanished into the Earth. I need you to go and find her."

"I'm too busy for such a frivolous matter," Despond said, pet the bird in his hands. "I'm sure we will meet this Goddess in time."

But Athena refused to wait, disappeared and went to look for Irene.

Irene was not there but her domain was ever lovely and lively. Athena touched Irene's flowers and animals and spread invasive creatures as she walked.

Bugs ate the flowers and predatory birds ate those bugs. Irene's Domain would be overwhelmed in time.

Athena was furious for reasons beyond even herself, at this Goddess and at Irene.

Athena shouted, "You little Goddess, come speak to me! Tell me who you are!"

"My name is Mira. You must be Athena," called a soft, familiar voice.