Honor and the Goddess (Closed)

[Asa]

Felana
True first born of Zeus with one thing that none of the other illegitimate offspring had... Hera's approval. She viewed the young woman as an idea of what daughters born of she and Zeus could be. The strength of heart and determined will. Felana dwell in the lands that bordered the lands of her mother in Egypt and her father's chosen people in Greece. Reclusive she was well protected by the nomads that roamed the area as well.

Rumors myths and legends abound surrounding the land she calls home and especially the ruins she lives in. Animals that even Artemis herself has never encountered before protect these lands and all she tells them to protect. She commands the elements wiping out anyone who harms those in her lands and the legends go on and on.

Her mother was a Priestess in the ancient desert lands who had caught many eyes both that of mortal and the Gods. Zeus had honored a favor owed to who no one knows and had protected as best he could an ancient temple from a band of monstrous warriors who were a mix of many races including his own Greek people. Honor-less swine bent on destruction of everything in their path, suddenly a new commander claimed their ranks, Zeus in disguise as he saw to it that in their attack they ended up wiping themselves out as well as those few he could not protect.

Felana sat staring out over the setting sun. The early tribes scattered about the landscape and the sound of cattle grazing and calling out filled the air. The occasional snort of the massive feline by her feet broke the silence around her as she absently stretched her hand down scratching her companion behind the ear.

Father had another of his cryptic visits old friend... some muttering about change and honor and more rambling about the children.

She lovingly referred to her siblings Aries Aphrodite and the others as the children because their petty squabbles reminded her of a small herd of children each trying to get their way and command over the others.

One of the children will no doubt be around in time to ask for help or try to win me over or see if I will help calm Hera or whatever.
​

 

[Pix]

Kaesper looked on over the land. The sun was setting, and he would have to make camp somewhere to rest during nightfall. Lately, he noticed that it seemed much more dangerous to camp at night. Every night he seemed to be getting closer to the fabled destination the old oracle had told him about, and every night stranger and stranger beasts stalked the lands at night. Kaesper knew they were out looking for food, he just did not know if he was their preferred delicacy.

As Kaesper walked around looking for shelter, he had started to question whether he should have followed the old oracle's advice. When she told him the only way he could get favor from Zeus was through his children. A lot of help that was, as Kaesper knew his children were as fickle as Zeus himself. Then the crone told Kaesper about a fabled land to the south where an unknown daughter of Zeus lived in the flesh.

That piqued Kaesper's interest. He needed to find favor with the gods in order to prevent the destruction of his home in the Amari Vallye of Crete. Dark forces were gathering in the mountains yet, nobody knew what specifically, but the crone had predicted doom if Kaesper could not find favor with the gods.

Kaesper was the fiercest warrior in his local militia. His prowess was known far and wide. He defeated a Spartan in single combat when they arrived to kill him, believing him to eventually be a threat to mainland Greece. They were wrong, Kaesper liked the island life in the valley. His mother and father still lived there. His siblings and their families too. Kaesper himself hand not married, he was too dedicated to his post as his people's protector.

He did wish he would have avoided the advice of the crone telling him he had to go alone. He was made nervous by the increasing strangeness of the land.

Kaesper saw almost a cave, but more like an alcove carved in the face of raised rock face above him. He climbed up and settled his back against rock and started to drift off to sleep.​

 

[Asa]

As the moon rose she made her way into the ruins only to see one of the "children" sitting there waiting for her. She shook her head and walked over to the fire pit and sat down beginning to sharpen the sword that was at her hip. Her clothing and adornment a combination of of her "Greek" and Egyptian lineage. Taking her time acknowledging their presence she finally looked up.

Greetings Aphrodite...What do you want?

The blonde beauty looked to her "sister" and smirked knowing well the song and dance they all have learned to do around her.

Felana... wonderful as always to visit you. You do realize that you don't have to stay here... you are one of us you can live on Olympus... have these nomads worship you like they should and not have to sit in this... place.

Sister you are not here to talk to me about my dwelling arrangements so spill it and lets not waste each others time. I dwell here because I enjoy it and we will leave it at that so what really brings you here? Mortals not doing what one of you have told them to? Doing more than you ordered... Or some lover find a mortal they love better since they can grow old together... Hmmm?

Aphordite sighed with a grumble.

Fine yes Mortals are being their own uncivilized petty selves but you will figure that out soon enough Ta Ta sister.

With that she was gone and Felana just laughed and shook her head. Before sleep overtook her another sibling made their way to her humble home. Glancing over from the comfort of her bed she laughed seeing Aries step from the flames.

So its Hera just tossing you all out of Olympus one at a time or is there some reason I have become so popular this night little brother?

Aries smirked looking her over before he spoke.

You are lucky that there are no mortals that attempt to manipulate the world because they think they are worthy of your favor dear sister. Unfortunately...

She sat up stopping him there...

Let me guess our little brother Hercules is cleaning up one of Hera's attempts at killing him or some other temper tantrum of yours hers or Zeus and that leaves me to...

She paused looking out into the night as the fire danced higher for a moment and the winds blew wild around her for a moment flooded with the sounds of the animals of her mothers lands. The Feline who guarded her perked up as well ignoring Aries as it looked to the doorway.

Lone traveler... warrior... They do not sense him to mean any harm... Where is our brother right now Aries... just in case this is him coming to visit as a third times charm messenger.

Herc is far from here sister as you suspected... playing the hero to clean up some mess or another who knows. Don't worry its no one of my followers either though I do hope you like a good adventure sister.

With that Aries stepped back into the flames and was gone with a hearty laugh.

 

[Pix]

Kaesper woke in the middle of the night to find his small fire had been reduced to smolders. However, he looked over the strange landscape and noticed it was eerily illuminated. Strange bugs lit up the dark sky as they danced, the moon gave off a more powerful glow than what one would normally see at night. A strange odor, almost a heavy perfume mixed with a tropical scent filled Kaeper's nostrils. With the overall strangeness coupled with intrigue, Kaesper felt as if he was being compelled to go somewhere. He did not know where, he just started walking in a direction. He felt as if he was heading in the right direction, maybe it was divine intervention, but Kaesper felt he was finally getting somewhere.

As Kaesper walked through the forest, everything was stranger and more foreign than before. Large cats roamed, but did not seem to care about Kaesper's presence. The young warrior kept travelling but started to get lost. He did not know what to do.

In the thickest middle of the forest, Kaesper was overwhelmed by the heavy scent in the air. He got down on his knees and talked loudly to nobody.

"Goddess," he pleaded with the night, "I don't know who you are or if you are even here. But I believe in you. I have to believe in you, because without you my people in the valley on Crete will all die. There are dark forces gathering in the mountains, the very same mountains Zeus was born in. Please, my goddess, I need you."

He knelt on the forest floor. He knew it was a holy place given the otherworldly nature of the place. He waited hoping his prayers would be heard.

 

[Asa]

The various wild cats circled watching him with low non threatening growls and snorts. Almost as if studying him she listened to his words and then seemed to look to the southwest and back to him still circling. Even the young moved with careful step and watch.

She closed her eyes hearing words gracing the air as the fire danced more. The growls telling her the human seemed to offer prayers to someone. She pondered making her way to watch him study this human who enters her lands... this warrior as the animals call him. She thought on it and what her siblings have said and decided to wait till the dawn... there was little good for anyone for her to appear in the night. The nomads took any night activity on her part as a bad sign and tended to act in what they thought were ways to protect her.

As dawn broke she stood on a long dead fallen tree watching him dark eyes studying this warrior before her. So far from home to have traveled here but she could sense the words of her siblings in his pleading that night. A faint smile sought to curl her lips to calm any intimidating air about her as the cats all rest near her feet.

 

[Pix]

Kaesper awoke. The sun shining down through the canopy of trees and a hot, steamy ray beat down on the face of the foreign, travelling warrior. He lay exhausted in the middle of the forest floor. He didn't want to open his eyes. His head was splitting. It felt like someone had taken a hot iron and drilled it into his skull. It was almost as if he had drank too much wine the night before, and Dionysus was now taking his revenge on the man from the Amari Valley.

He turned on his stomach, trying to bury himself into the earth so he could sleep forever. And then he felt it. The presence of something or someone, or maybe multiple things around him...watching him. He knew he was barely in any condition to fight if needed. He had battled the strangeness of the land the night before, and judging by his mood that morning, he had nearly just avoided death.

Kaesper knew he could not keep avoiding it. He planted his palms on the forest floor and hoisted himself from the ground. He looked up and saw several of the strange cats circling him, and then he saw her. She was perched on a dead tree with a strange smile, not menacing, but not of his world...the mortal world. She was stunningly beautiful, with ruggedness of humanity.

"My goddess," Kaesper dropped to his knee and averted his eyes, "I am Kaesper of Kommos of the Amari Valley on the isle of Crete. I have come to beg for your favor to stop the impending doom in the mountains surrounding my valley...I am not worthy your majesty."

 

[Asa]

Stand Kespar... I am Felana how did you to travel here or to find me?

Seeing he was a warrior she was still not sure if this was not a trick of her siblings and was still a tad on her guard. She nodded to the felines who backed off from their circling for now and moved closer to her laying down. A couple of the young cubs stalked over towards him still wary and tried in their tiny way to offer a warning growl that echoed more of the sounds of squeaking as they watched him.

What exactly is this darkness or just some mythical creature that opts to cloak itself in shadows at the orders of of Ecidna or one of the others?

 

[Pix]

Kaesper stood and obeyed the orders the Goddess had given him. She asked him why he was there. He had thought he had just told her, but thinking back on his words his report on the terror around the valley was pretty vague. However, it was not his fault. He did not know exactly what the darkness gathering in the mountains was, just that the oracle had spelled out the doom of the entire valley to the elders, which was then relayed to the warrior, the guardian of the valley.

"Your majesty," Kaesper looked at the beautiful goddess and looked down at his feet, "I do not know precisely what is going to happen to my valley. But, the elders spoke with the oracle who said doom was coming to the valley, and without your help, my people will all die. I think you need to come with me, in order to save the valley. It is such an ungrateful thing for a lowly mortal like me to request, but...I need to do anything it takes to save my valley, my people."

He continued to look at the earth, waiting for the goddess to make her decision.

 

[Asa]

Oracles seeking again to draw me from my home... Very well... Let us go and talk to this Oracle. Between your Oracle my siblings and father I feel sure I will get no rest nor peace till I have traveled to see what is going on.

She looked to the felines and most of them fell back away and began to wander off still watching him. the two young cubs still intent on trying to intimidate were not so easily swayed as they squeaked out their growls at him.

Looks like you have challengers warrior

She smirked motioning to one of the older ones to try to round them up.

 

[Pix]

Kaesper looked at the goddess with utmost reverence. As he heard her speak, he reflected on the the awe inspiring fact that he was listening to a divine being. He started to get nervous as he noticed the creatures cautiously circling him. Then the goddess gave him the answer he was seeking, she would help him...or at least talk to the oracle herself.

"A thousand thank yous, your majesty," Kaesper bowed in respect, "and if a goddesses beasts deem me unworthy then perhaps I am."

He looked at the felines and then relaxed, accepting fate if he were to be torn apart.

"And you better lead on my goddess," he smiled at Felana, "I stumbled to this place unknowingly and doubt I could be so lucky twice."

 

[Asa]

Hardly that they find you unworthy just the young trying to prove themselves ferocious little more than that.

She hopped down from the fell log and began walking. One of the felines seemed to take its place at her side walking along looking back at him from time to time to make sure the human remained on the path they took.

I can lead only so far it is rare I leave this region.

 

[Pix]

Kaesper was nervous. He had just been given the divine order to lead the goddess out of the forest. However, Kaesper himself had no idea how he got to the domain of his goddess, it was some sort of fatalist, chaotic force that brought him to the feet of Felana. Kaesper unknowingly took the lead and started to walk in a direction, the direction he thought he had came from originally.

After walking for what seemed like an hour, Kaesper was at a loss.

"Sorry, your divine glory," he said reverently, "I am afraid that I had no knowledge of the route to enter your sacred sanctum. I came to you by some sheer will of nature, and I don't think I can lead us out. Once we arrive at landmark known to me, I can lead the way back to Crete."

Kaesper held his head down, looking sheepish and embarrassed by not serving the goddess appropriately.

 

[Asa]

She nodded.

It is fine I can get us to the edge of these lands back towards where you possibly found your way in here too.

She found his concern for letting her down failing her endearing and sweet.

You worry far too much warrior. I do not deal with mortals that often so I am not as concerned about humans failing me.

 

[Pix]

"Sorry, my lady," Kaesper hesitated, realizing how apologetic and pathetic he must have sounded for a warrior of great prowess such as himself. "It's just to be in the presence of a goddess, of a being such as yourself, is overwhelming and intimidating."

As they walked through the forest, Kaesper found himself relaxing a bit as he thought of returning home to deal with whatever doom was making its way down to his village. Battle was what truly calmed the warrior. He was never more in his element than when his bloodlust was up. He approached battle like a science but made it look like art. Kaesper was never more at his best when his adrenaline and blood were pumping at his maximum levels.

"You say you do not deal with mortals. I take it as my duty to represent my race and show you humans are worthy of your power."

 

[Asa]

What I mean is I get more visits from my family and the others than I do mortals. I am not as familiar with how your kind perceive us. It is a little strange but... perhaps endearing and I know that few know of me so I am sure it is also no historical knowledge on how to approach me either. A disadvantage for both of us to say the least.

With a whistle she sent the massive feline on ahead of them to make sure there was no trouble.

 

[Pix]

Kaesper and Felana were nearing the edge of Felana's secret forest domain. He could smell the salt in the air from the sea breeze. The impending journey across the southern sea to Crete was starting to shake the butterflies in Kaesper's stomach. A sea voyage with a goddess on the way to face a mysterious evil was a bit overwhelming.

Once the edge of the forest was reached, Kaesper spotted the port city where they would have to find a ship to book passage back to Crete.

"I look forward to learning of your lineage, my lady," Kaesper said as he stopped and pointed toward the port city.

"Now, then. We will need to book passage on a ship back to my homeland. I will have to negotiate with a captain, and it will be out in the public eye. If you would prefer to remain in hiding miles down the coastline, we could pick you up once I have booked the ship. I would hate to have your divine presence be the object of curiosity for the heathens in the city."

Kaesper waited patiently for the beautiful holy figure to make the decision to accompany him in the city or wait for the ship to receiver down the shore line.

 

[Asa]

I am sure it will be fine. After all my brother Hercules wanders around all the time among the mortals I might as well try it too. They just need to make sure they do not mess with our four legged companion.

She smiled as they walked along

Though if you wish to deal with the ships captain that is fine.

 

[Pix]

"Your holiness, it honors me to have you walk alongside me," Kaesper told Felana as they walked down the road towards the harbor. People inside the town moved out of the way as they saw the strange feline walk alongside the beautiful woman. They seemed to pay no mind to warrior from Crete.

The harbor was bustling with merchants and traders, hauling goods to and from different vessels. Kaesper asked around and only one ship was heading to Crete immediately. Kaesper hustled to the captain of the ship.

"Ahoy, Captain," Kaesper said in a friendly manner, "I hear you are to set sail for Crete within the hour. Is it possible for this woman, her four legged companion, and me to join your voyage."

The Captain has a leathery, wind beaten face from all of his time sailing. He smelled of rose water and perfume. Kaesper had no doubt that the captain had spent his time on shore in one of the various brothels populating the port town.

"How much money do you have?" the captain asked.

"Not any, but I am able bodied and could be your deck hand, and we'll take passage to Crete as payment."

The captain studied Kaesper, "So, that would cover your passage. But what about her?"

The captain undressed Felana with his eyes. Kaesper noticed and couldn't believe the blasphemy being committed. "What about you, girl? You can have passage if you work too. And all you'd have to do is warm my bed and take my cock at night."

The captain laughed as he said it, and Kaesper wondered how Felana would react.

 

[Asa]

Lay a hand on me during this voyage that you WILL take us on to Crete and I will personally see to Poseidon drowning you with his bare hands... is that clear?

The cat bristled realizing her anger and roared its anger at the situation as well only to have its attention drawn first by Felana's hand moving to her sword and then by a voice it knew.

Felana... Imagine my shock sister to see you so far from your homeland... bout time...

Hercules voice boomed out as he walked over and hugged Felana in such a way he could level his eyes at the Captain as he continued talking to her.

So where are you headed too sister I might just tag along.

She hugged her little brother and stifled a growl wanting to have had the chance to knock the petty little humans head off his shoulders herself.

We are going to Crete brother just discussing travel arrangements with the ships captain. So we will be departing when did you say Captain?

Releasing the hug a cold deadly stare from her own eyes as they now leveled on the ships captain as well though there was a very politely lethal smile gracing her lips as she spoke.

 

[Pix]

As the two gods, the mythical feline creature, and the humble warrior boarded the ship, Kaesper stood at the bough of the ship looking off into the sea. He was elated that the legendary Hercules had boarded with his sister and the warrior from Crete. As Felana and her brother approached, Kaesper looked politely at the super strong half-God.

"Hercules, my lord," Kaesper said with his typical reverence, "your reputation precedes you. And if you do make it with us to my village we would be eternally grateful for your help."

 

[Asa]

He laughed.

Something dragged my sister out of those old wild land ruins woods and desert... I had to see what could do that.

Flinching as he laughed getting punched in the shoulder by his sister.

He was told that I was the only one that could deal with the darkness closing in on his village brother... their seer did not even seem to think of you for that job so I had to see what was so foreign and horrible that they didn't think the Great Hercules rescuer of all beings would be a match for it.

She got along with him they seemed to understand each other and had that very sibling dynamic.

 

[Pix]

"I suppose I had forgotten the prophecy," Kaesper relented, "but I am positive that Hercules would be anything but a hindrance to our cause."

Kaesper looked at the two gods, and the awe he had when he first saw Felana seemed to be waning and giving way towards some sense of camaraderie, at least a warm feeling. He also looked at the brother/sister dynamic happening in front of him, and was a bit envious as dark history in the back of his mind started to surface.

"I envy your warm relationship with one another," Kaesper said solemnly, "something I had when I was a boy."

 

[Asa]

We have an understanding...

Felana shrugged as Herc nodded

We endure the games of our siblings the tantrums of Hera and Fathers random attempts at being a good father. Beyond that its easy to have a civil relationship with a sibling who never crosses your path due to her preferred home.

Herc nodded to what she said.

I have also witnessed her wrath against our siblings and her protective nature over the felines she dwells with. Word to the wise even though it can very clearly protect itself she is like a mother protecting a child with those cats especially this one. Isn't that right you over grown housecat...

The feline snorted at Herc and walked over sitting down by her not thrilled about being on a ship.

 

[Pix]

"Yes," Kaesper acknowledged their understanding, "I recall you mentioning something about bad visits from family, my lady. I understand such contempt can arise between siblings of higher nobility, or even royalty. I couldn't imagine life as a god and the family dynamics that arise with that."

Kaesper saw the goddess looking at him and felt compelled to share family history. "My father was the village blacksmith, so I forged strong arms on my body and out of metal as a child. My mother died giving birth to my sister. As I grew into my body and strength, the village master trainer pegged me to be a vanguard warrior. My father was overwhelmed with my blossoming sister and the increase in business due to war on the continent.

"The pressure caught up and my sister went missing. We never saw her again, my father wandered off after the war ended to look for her. We all knew it was too late, and unfortunately no one has seen him since. That was three years ago, and since I have dedicated myself to my village. That is why I am so grateful for the help you are bestowing onto me and the village."

Kaesper smiled a weak smile, with his gray eyes distant from the conversation. The ship started to rock and bobbed farther from the port town out to sea.

 

[Asa]

Volumes shared between a glance from siblings. She stared to the skies and focused for a few moments. Herc started to go lend a hand with the ship till her feline companion began snarling at a crew member that walked close to her. Herc remained nearby to see what might have set the big cat off.