The Goddess

Long ago in the land of Anrak, ruled by the formidable Goddess of War, lived a mortal female who never once believed in her goddess. Astra was the name given to the mortal human by her master. Even though she was sold as a slave, her master sees her more than that. Her master sees her as a gem that completes his life. Every day, Astra went to the temple where the mortals prayed to the goddess for their peace and salvation but instead of praying for peace, Astra prayed that the goddess would be killed in the war against the other Gods and Goddesses. Since Astra was born, nothing good ever happened to her. She was born without a father, her mother sold her to the slaver camp, she was tortured, abused until she was sold to her current master who's kind enough to teach her a little about civilization. Astra always blamed the Gods and Goddesses for her misfortune and sometimes she even question whether the Goddess only let her live so she could be their plaything. Little did Astra know that Teris, the Goddess of War actually listened to everyone's prayers in her temple and she even takes notes of them in her little book. Teris always find the mortals fascinating and how easily they manage to die. Teris finds Astra's prayers amusing in her ears every single time. She actually bemused that at least one mortal wasn't afraid of her. "Is it that mortal again?" Teris was interrupted when one of her sisters decided to take a peek at her notes. "Astra was it? That's a nice name. It means stars," Remera, Goddess of Miracles was smiling at her sister. "It fascinates me how a simple mortal like her manage to capture Teris, the formidable Goddess of War sight. Is there something you wish to tell me, sister?" Remera was curious. "There's nothing to tell, Remera. Why are you here again? Is it wise to leave your land unguarded? Even if you're the goddess of miracles, it should be a problem if our brothers decided to attack your land again," Teris warned her sister. "I have the teleportation bracelet. If something happens, I will be able to aid my land so don't worry love," Teris sigh before she continues to listen to her people's prayers. Being a goddess and a ruler of a mortal land was never in Teris's agenda at all. All she thought about when she was growing up, she'll be a tool for her father to use but instead she was granted a piece of land to rule over. "Remera, any news about our brothers?" Remera shake her head no. "It's almost father's banquet. I don't think they will have the heart to do something inappropriate," Teris sigh. She always hated the banquet her parent's host. This is the time where she was forced to meet all of her siblings, the ruler of the great 10 kingdoms. "For that man to have 10 heirs to his throne as the ruler of the living and the dead, he sure does have useless sons," Teris was mocking her own father for creating such God. "Be careful now Teris. We don't want him to show his wrath on your land. You know how capable of him to create chaos," Remera warned her sister. "Whatever it is, I will protect my people, the people who believed in me. Especially for that one mortal who seems to hate my guts," Remera was waiting for Teris to smile but it never came. Since Teris was the Goddess of War, she was raised harshly by their parents to be someone they can rely on. The mortals depend on her blessing every time they wish to go to war. Smiling wasn't in the lesson their parents provided. "You ought to learn how to smile you know," Remera chuckled until she heard a female mortal voice. "Oh Teris, Goddess of War, please.... please help me," that's exactly what both goddesses heard before they summon a mirror that could see all truth. Teris and Remera were surprised to see Astra with a group of men in a room alone. Teris abruptly stood up from her throne, looking at her sister who just smiling at her. "There is no harm in helping a mortal who never believed in you. She's begging now, go, help her," Teris sigh, not knowing why such divine being like her getting so worked up over trivial matter. Astra was captured by a group of men while she was walking home from the temple. She finally sees the light after insulting the goddess for so long and now the goddess itself blessed this kind of misfortune for her. "What do we have here, beautiful girls who's believed in the goddess of war! How charming, just my taste," they laughed, admiring Astra's developed body. Before they could touch the poor girl's body, something exploded in front of them, breaking the earth apart. They were so surprised that their eyes never leave the majestic being that suddenly appeared in front of them. "The great... goddess of war, Teris," the men trembles in fear. *** "You seem surprised to see me," Teris said, looking down at Astra who looks up to the divine being standing in front of her. Teris turned her attention the men. "My father created men and women alike. We liked to call your kind as mortals and I must say, your kind is the weakest living organism in this world that was created by him. Personally, I think a creature that bleeds red liquid once it was pierced are inferior creatures who think they can outdo the gods and goddesses," Teris pulled out her legendary sword from its scabbard. "My sword slay mortals and divine beings alike. It doesn't pick a side. Do you wish to see my wrath, mortals?" Teris watched as the male mortals run away from meeting their doom. Teris sigh before keeping her sword back. "You actually came. How? Why?" Astra finally found her voice. "It's the goddess job to help her subject. Without the mortals to believe in me, I don't think I am who I am now," Astra stood up, kneeling in front of the goddess who just saved her. "I'm sorry, for praying that you will end up dead somewhere. It's just that my life has been in shambles since the day I was born. Slavery is a huge let down in this land. Some of us were forced to sell our body just to get by," Teris look at Astra from head to toe. "That includes me," Astra said under her breath. "You have to blame my brother for that. He encourages this kind of behavior in his teaching. He's the God of love for some reason. I tried to forbid his teaching in my land but everyone experience love one way or another. I'm a goddess who desire war," Astra keeps her head bow. "Mortals, once they have the help of a god or goddesses, they tend to depend on miracles a lot. I've seen how my sister's land became so infested with laziness that her land literally being swallowed by the earth itself," Teris scoffed before disappearing in thin air, leaving Astra in a confused state. She wonders if she was just dreaming about meeting the ruler of Anrak. Did she just meet with the land's infamous owner? Her eyes wander around the area until it falls on a small bag or pouch. She kneels, took the pouch and look inside. She was surprised to see gold and only gold inside the pouch. Remera keep on watching the mirror since she wonders how would Astra spend the money. Teris joining her when she arrived back at her castle. "How much gold did you leave her?" Remera asked. "Enough to make her the richest Anrakian in the land," Teris placed her sword beside her throne and watched together with Remera as Astra made her way towards the shopping district. They both thought that the mortal would buy better clothes, jewelry or something that will benefit herself but instead they witnessed as the mortal bought crates and more crates of food, shoes, and clothes in different sizes with the gold. Teris was impressed. Even with a small fortune she has, she wishes to share it all with the ones who truly needs it. "She possesses the heart of gold," Remera said while watching the mirror. Teris almost smiled looking at the mortal's good deed until a nuisance came in the throne room. Teris removed the mirrors from view as she watched one of her brothers walking up to her. "Goddess of War, the great Teris, I humbly bow my head to see such formidable Goddess in front of my presence," Teris rolled her eyes. "What is it Kodall? And here I thought you and the rest of our brothers decided to exile yourself from ever entering Anrak," Kodall look up to her sister with a smile. "Oh, don't get us wrong, we're jealous for you have the biggest land to rule over. Just because your the goddess of war, our father seems to be favoring you a lot," Teris clicked her tongue in annoyance. "But, we agreed to let it go," Kodall sigh before he smiled. "For someone who can smile, you sure put on the greatest facade I've ever seen, Kodall. What is it that you desire that made you to come all the way here?" Teris asked, glaring at her brother. "We want war, the wager would be our throne. We wish to conquer Anrak, the stronghold of father's ruling reign," Remera touched Teris's arm, telling her to stop stepping into his trap. "Did Ether, the God of torture put you up to this? Is that why you Gods joined forces to defeat Teris?" Kodall shrugged his shoulder, smiling at the goddesses. "This is childish. You all know how strong I am. Just remember that there used to be 12 of us, Kodall. I don't want to make our mother cry again," Teris stood up from her throne and excuse herself. *** "Astra, where did you get all the golds to buy this stuff? You didn't steal, did you?" Astra was taken aback when the nun accuses her of foul doing. "No, I simply prayed to the goddess and she gave me this," the nun was skeptical but she's telling the truth. Astra shrugged her shoulder when the nun shaking her head after listening to her answers. "We're lucky to have Goddess Teris looking out for us. I was only a child when this land was engulfed in midst of war, but Goddess Teris managed to defeat those who oppose her. It was such a Great War, many life was lost due to that as well. But the goddess constructs a memorial tower in a day for those who perished in the war," the nun prayed to the goddess for the peace they have right now. "But, seems like the other people who entered this land brought chaos and impure intention to this sacred land of Anrak. Especially those who live under the ruled of Ether, God of Torture," the nun was referring to a group of men cruising down the pavement that leads straight to the brothel. "I'm sure the goddess has plans for those who stained her land. Sooner or later, they will be judged according to their own demise," the nun nod, astounded that Astra actually talks about the goddess with good intention. "Soon there be a banquet among the gods and goddesses with their creator. Are you going to participate in preparing the meals for the gods and goddesses?" The nun was hoping that Astra will finally say yes. "Does that mean we can go to the Sky palace? Where the Gods and Goddesses were born at?" The nun nod. "I hope you can join us this year. You have a talent for cooking Astra. Who knows, it's you're good enough, the Gods or Goddesses would like to take you as their chamberlain. You'll be called as mistress by the people. You'll be looking up upon," Astra thinks for a moment. This way she could meet her savior again, right? "Maybe I will," the nun was glad, happy even. "But, we need to change your clothes to a more decent looking. We're going to serve food for the divine beings after all," Astra was confused but the nun pulled her into the building, searching for something decent for Astra. "The only decent clothes I owned is this, which is not that bad considering I used to be a maid for a lord. We could ask your master for something luxurious but then you will say no for sure," the nun placed the clothing on Astra's body. "Go on, try them," the nun smiled. Astra sigh and did as told. It's a little tight around the chest area but she's tried squeezing everything in. She threw away the frilly headband and walk out to show the nun. The nun was impressed but she's a little bit jealous when she noticed how tight her clothes looks on her. The nun looks away, remembering that she's now married to the temple and she should never let herself indulge in the worldly things. *** "Announcing the arrival of Remera, Goddess of Miracles, ruler of Ofros," Remera walks down the pathway towards her parent's throne. This is the only time where all the offspring of the God of the Beginning and the goddess of the Afterlife ever joined together. "Cirtix, Goddess of Destruction, ruler of Acrya," "Manelia, Goddess of Fertility, ruler of Afrea," "Ostix, Goddess of Night & Day, ruler of Esmal," "Ether, God of Torture, Ruler of Espor," "Hiher, God of Judgement, ruler of Platon," "Mathar, God of Fire, ruler of Ahea," "Kodall, God of Love, ruler of Draylin," "Riarus, God of Oracles, ruler of Othea," "Teris, Goddess of War, ruler of Anrak the Three Kingdoms," The guests' whispering to each other as the Goddess of war walks down the path. Before she bows to her parents, Teris noticed at the corner of her eyes a mortal whom she saved a few days back. "For a mortal who hates us Gods and goddesses, she has the nerve to be here as our server," Remera muttered when Teris went to her side. "Yes, I noticed," Teris was this close to smiling for the very first time until her father, Luxenar, God of Beginning said a few words before the banquet begins. "Teris, slayer of Gods, ruler of Anrak the Three Kingdom, it's nice to see you here instead of the war room," Oaris, Goddess of the Afterlife and also her mother greeted her youngest daughter with open arms. "Mistress, mother," Teris bow her head. "Lift your head child, I am your mother after all and family hug each other," Teris took a step forward and embrace her mother. It's been so long since she felt the love of a mother. It feels nice. "Join us for the banquet, I have something to discuss with my goddesses," Oaris lead Teris towards the table where her sisters are already seated. *** "My Goddess," Astra bows her head before pouring a glass of wine into Teris's cup. Teris watched with bemused but she didn't show it on her expression, she used her eyes and that's how her mother, Oaris noticed that her daughter who refuse to smile any anything, smiled at a mortal. Oaris leaned back to her advisor and seek information about the mortal who just served Teris. Once the advisor leaves her side, Oaris smile and make a toast for another prosperous year. Teris however, looking around if she gets to see the mortal again. "Teris dear, something on your mind?" Manelia, Goddess of Fertility asked her sister. "That particular mortal caught your attention, my dear sister? If so, you may choose her as your Chamberlain in your palace," Remera smirk as she turns to see Teris's reaction. It was all despair when Teris didn't show any sight of emotion. "Booo! Cirtix! This because she spent a lot of time with you," Remera puffed her cheeks, blaming the goddess of Destruction for Teris's expression face. Cirtix looks up from her food and glared at Remera. She hates it when someone disturbing her meal. "Girls! Please, if you start to fight on my table, I will personally bring you back to the underworld and let your grandfather deal with you," Oaris said without looking up from her plate. When she finally looks up, the goddesses were minding their own business. They know which time to stop before it's getting too out of hand. Teris watched as Astra walking past with eyes glued to the mortal. Oaris looks back, noticed the mortal human behind her carrying dirty dishes. "I think it's time for us to know why you had gathered us all here, mother," Ostix, Goddess of Night & Day finally spoken up. Oaris nod and turned to her husband who will start explaining to their son as well. "Our trusted oracle had told us about something unsettling in the near future. Death, bloodbath, it's something we have to face in this matter. I hope none of you planning something to destroy the peace your father and I had work so hard on. Teris, after you killed your own brothers and took their land, merged them with yours, I hope that's the last time you had to kill your own blooded siblings," Oaris didn't just tell her off, it's a warning. "I can't say for sure. Just a few days ago that Kodall came to my palace, my territory and told me that he wants to take over my land. It's not my fault he died with my hands if he decided to cross the line," Oaris was speechless. "Teris, is this true? Why would he do that?" Her mother asked. "Jealousy tends to make you do anything even if you're a God. If you'll excuse me, this matter doesn't concern me. If they wish to fight, I'll fight. If they wish to die, I shall execute them with my sword," Teris stood up and leave the table. The others, including her own mother couldn't stop the goddess of war from leaving. They all saw how her eyes glow from anger.