The Path of the Protector

Rise of a Goddess

Emily had spent the majority of the day meditating, Selene thrashong around under the surface. She was beyond reach as memories flooded her of her first life, and Emily could feel the power inside of her body building.

She gave the golden box to the High Priestess Helen, who had arrived after making the journey herself. Many Lycans would arrive today, and Emily could even feel the Feral Lycans gathering to the north, at the exact place of the cave. She felt odd that she could sense them so well as the sun dipped below the Horizon.

Just as darkness began to shroud the area, the Priests lit the incense fires around the foundations of the house. The full moon also began its ascent into the sky, and it appeared unusually close as it loomed over the temple.

Selene suddenly became still as she opened her eyes, and saw where they were. The first figure to appear was Musaeus, father of Selene. He looked straight at Emily, and was a little surprised at the sight of her.

"Greetings daughter, and granddaughter." he said with a smile. "This should be a very interesting result."

"Greetings, you will have to forgive me, as I do not know your-" Emily began before Selene cut her off.

'Musaeus.' she said.

"Musaeus, it is an honor to have one of the Gods among us." Emily said as he felt it all.

"Are you prepared to bear witness to the tragedy that has created your powers and purpose for all this time?" he asked her.

"I am." she said walking to the center of the stain.

"Sit and close your eyes, bear witness to the tragedy that struck all those years ago." he said as he cast the spell on the incense smoke and it took shape.

Selene stood on the hill approaching the village, and knew they had no time for the villagers to escape. The hellspawn her mothers minions had created were approaching at full speed, and would arrive within a minute. She sounded her horn, and very quickly 50 Lycan Warriors stood beside her. They were all outfitted with their finest weapons, but she feared it would not be enough. Even if every man, woman and child fought they could not survive this slaughter.

They held their ground the entire night, losing only a few of their own number as the Vampyres were bloodthirsty animals with no form of control. As soon as the sun rose into the sky they turned to ash, and the Lycans of the village celebrated for a few moments when they saw the next line of Sehkmet's creatures.

The Vampires were armed for battle, and the warriors knew they were far more formidable than their creations. They reformed their lines, however there were so many of them now they knew there was no hope to recover from the injuries they had sustained. If they had stuck to using the Vampyres, they would have stood a small chance of victory.

The Vampires attacked in full force, their numbers enough to wrap around their entire defensive line. Before noon only Selene and a few warriors remained of her unit, and they were battling outside the doors to the pack house where most of the villagers who could not fight were taking shelter. She felt the last of their warriors die, as she and her mate stood strong against the throng of Vampires. Just as they prepared for the final attack, a horn sounded as a crack of thunder filled the air.

Sehkmet herself stood before her daughter, the Vampires bowing to their queen. "Come daughter, we do not need to have all this unpleasantness. Return with me and I will let your mongrels survive this day."

"I will go no where with you mother, and if you force my powers upon me, I assure you I will use them to kill you for what you have already done." Selene replied before she heard the first scream from inside.

Hyperion was forced to submit, as she knew the loss of a bound mate would likely kill this form. Selene was in time to see the vampire drop her sons lifeless body to the floor, and felt the lust for his blood override her entire body. She attacked in a blinding flash, as seconds later his headless corpse fell across her sons. She fought them for hours as she protected her triplet daughters who were upnthe stairs from where her son had fallen. After 12 hours of constant battle, Selene was knocked unconscious.

She had no idea how long it was since she had lost the battle, but the first thing she saw was her triplet daughters bound and gagged in front of her. She could feel the stinging of the silver binding her wrists behind her, sapping her strength as she saw her Mate behind them. Her mother finally stood between them, and smiled as she looked down at her daughter. "Selene, I will make this simple for you. Willing take your powers and join me, or watch as I destroy everything holding you here before locking you away for all time." Sehkmet told her dramatically.

"I will never take my powers back mother, I would rather die mortal than ever help you with anything." Selene told her defiantly before she watched as her mother did exactly what she said.

Her vile minions did not even feed on them, merely tore them to shreds before ripping their bodies apart and throwing the pieces in a pile. She and Hyperion both felt the life of their children be ripped from their hearts, yet even as they watched them horribly end the last ones fate she refused.

"Last chance, take your powers and join me." Sehkmet said as Hyperion was knelt on top of the pile.

"OK Mother, I will willingly take my powers." Selene said deadly calm as she looked at her mate with regret.

She nearly fell for the trick, before she turned and looked at her daughter. "You will join me willingly?" Sehkmet asked with a smile.

"Oh no mother, I will be killimg you." Selene said with her own smile on her face. "I swear if it is the last thing I do, I will ensure that you are destroyed for what you have done."

Sehkmet looked at her daughter and laughed as she put the box back in the chest it had been kept in. "Than you will lose everything for nothing daughter. I will ensure you endure this agony for all time." she purred as she stepped behind Hyperion and slit his throat with her dagger.

As soon as he fell sideways Sehkmet and her filth fled the village, taking the chest with them. Selene was forced to watch as the life of her Mate faded from him, and swore that she would find a way to make her Mother pay. Just as his life force faded from his eyes, a beam of light from the full moon fell on the pile of bodies, and she watched as the Moon Goddess gathered the souls of her son and grandchildren.

"Hello Selene, what has happened?" Artemis asked with grief and sorrow in her voice. Her son had sworn away his Godly powers, and all of the gods had accepted this result. They both had, wanting to have their one life together.

"My Mother would not accept my decision amd decided to force me to live in misery for the rest of my days. I swear Mother of my Heart, I will make her pay one way or another." Selene vowed as she dried her eyes.

"She holds your powers, but as a Celestial Beimg there might be a way. My Guardian has fallen, and I find myself in need if a new one. It would not be the same, but it would give you the strength you need to pursue your mother. However once that is finished, you cannot go back. You would be my Guardian until you fall and your soul can return to the well." Artemis warned her.

"I swear to be your Protector and Guardian until I fall." Selene swore before she was encased in light and fused with the powers of the Moon Goddess.

"Come, let us take them to the Garden, afterward you must train if you are to learn your new powers. They are different than the ones you had before." Artemis said as she offered her hand to Selene.

Emily opened her eyes, and the Priests had closed the circle of incense around her as she had the vision. The events playing out for all in attendance to see.

"Emily, daughter of Andromeda, Heir to William, Heir to Kygor, Heir of Hyperion, you have been called by Goddess of the Moon Artemis to protect her mortal children upon this realm. Will you accept the spirit of her Guardian Protector Selene, to infuse you with the power needed to stand against her foes?" Musaeus asked loudly for them to hear.

"I do!" she said emphatically as she had seen those events happen before, amd she wanted her own revenge against the Goddess now.

'This could be bad.' Selene said as her father slammed his staff into the ground and cracked the magical seal on her powers.

"Than allow her Power to fill your being, and let these souls fuse!" he commanded as a beam of moonlight hit her body.

Artemis descended upon it, and took form next to Emily. She was mostly made of the smoke, as she did not have the strength to take physical form yet.

'Daughter of my heart, for the final time I call upon you to take this mortal form. Our mortal children are in need of your protection and guidance once more, as your mother has once again decided to raise an army against them.' Artemis said. Before she opened the crack and allowed the powers of the Guardian to fill her.

Emily was forced to shift as the power coursed through her body, and knew that she was now far stronger than any wolf had a right to be. She stood there in her armor, the Celestial Powers very apparent as she was in wolf form.

The high priest presented the box to Artemis, and she smiled as she took it before turning back to Selene. 'It is time Daughter of my Heart, that these were returned to you. Consider it my final command that you take them, and end the threat that is your Mother.' Artemis ordered handing Selene the box.

She knew exactly what it was, and exactly what it would mean. Artemis would be destroyed as Selene absorbed her powers.

'My strength is not recovering, and it is time you took your rightful place. Only you have the power to do what needs must be done.' Artemis said before she grabbed Selene's hands in hers. Artemis forced her to open the box, and felt the powers of the moon flood Selene as it used to do for her.

She rose into the air for several moments as the rest of her Celestial Powers flooded her body, merging with the powers that she already held as the Guardian.

She touched down softly, and her eyes shown bright purple when she looked at Artemis. "There is one final thing I need-" She began to explain to Artemis who stopped her.

"I know, add the herbs for the cleansing ceremony Priests." Artemis said aloud. They threw the bundles on, ensuring the smoke filled the area. Josephine stepped forward, wearing white to represent the innocence of those who had been born into the Rogue life.

'We gather here today to correct the scales of justice. Never was it the intent that the Rogue scent be passed generation to generation, and with this cleansing ceremony we wash away the stain from those undeserving of it. Allow the smoke of these herbs, gathered from a place of power, to wash over your body and wash away the stains you should have never had to bear.' Artemis projected to them all, infusing the smoke with the power that would wash it away from all Rogues who had not deserved the sentence they received.

Many of the Feral Wolves who had been cursed were cleansed with of it as well, the curse of insanity lifted from those that had. They would still be rogue, however Artemis had sacrificed the last of her power to give them the gift to be redeemed. If they could earn it.

Josephine opened her eyes, and was amazed that she could no longer smell it on the edge of her senses. The Pack they had made was able to link as well, something they had never experienced before.

Emily now stood there, and held her hand out to her. "As promised, you and all like you who have found the forgiveness of the Goddess of the Moon, shall have a place in the Royal Pack. Lycans of the forest, never again shall this path be taken. The stains that have held my powers for so long have been cleansed with this ceremony, and my full powers returned to me. I am Emily, Daughter of Andormeda, Heir to the throne of William, Heir to the Throne of Kygor, descendant of Hyperion and Selene. My wolf is Selene, Guardian and Protector of the Moon, and Moon Goddess as well. Any who wish to challenge my claim, may step forward and do so. If not, bow before your Queen!" she ordered without using her Alpha Command.

Josephine was the first to kneel before her, and was quickly followed by everyone in attendance. They all bowed before her, and she knew that most of the Lycans of the entire forest were here.

"Rise, and prepare for war. Any able bodied warrior is called to assemble at the southern border within 10 days. I march for the Capitol, where I will claim my other throne." she ordered as they all stood. She had used her Alpha Command that time, and they all snapped too.

"I understand there is room for 8 on the chopper you have ordered?" Josephine asked Brian.

"It does indeed." he responded with a smile.

"I have 4 others that would like to join your protection detail milady." Josephine said and she smiled.

"How long?" Emily asked him.

"Another 2 hours, the Alphas Council will begin 3 hours after we land." he said knowing how to access a few accounts that had been left under his control.

"Excellent, send a message to the Human President. Inform him the Queen of the Lycan Kingdom would like to request a meeting to establish diplomatic ties." she ordered him. She would let him figure out the complexities of that situation.

"That will take a few days ma'am." he replied as most of the village elders approached.

"We understand what you are saying madam, are you instructing us to abandon the path?" one of them asked.

"I will not do that, but I will say that you should no longer struggle to survive there. They will always be holy sites, but even those who are still rogue will no longer be feral. Only those who receive the curse of Artmeis will be driven mad now. Our world is about to dramatically change, and we will be hard pressed to survive. We need weaponry and armor as quickly as possible, and we will always honor the Goddess of the Moon." Emily replied to them.

"Very well ma'am, we will ensure a steady supply from those best able to produce them. We will relocate those villages that desire it, and allow those that wish to remain. We will have to host the celebrations later." Elder Helen said before bowing her head and the elders followed her away.