Greek Dreams (Edit)

-Prologue-1

In the time of the Greek Gods, the first female was made by the Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, by the order of Zeus. She was endowed many talents; Aphrodite gave her beauty, Apollo music, Hermes persuasion, and so forth. That was where her name came from, Pandora; which meant, “all-gifted.”2

Although Pandora was not on earth yet, she would be soon; after Prometheus went to Heaven and stole fire, allowing it to flourish on earth. Zeus had to take vengeance some one, and the way he decided was by sending Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother. Even with all Prometheus’ warnings, Epimetheus fell in love with her, and took her in. 3

With sending her to earth Zeus gave her a jar, making her promise not to open it. But, Pandora, being a curious girl, one who always had to know what was in things, opened it. And from that came many things, all those evil. Things came out to destroy the body, such as multitude of plagues, those such as gout, rheumatism, and colic. Then came those to destroy men’s mind; envy, spite, and revenge.4

Pandora was shocked, scared of what she had done, so she threw the cap back on to it. That only concealed one thing; hope.5

It has been centuries now since Pandora had let the evil out of the small jar, but her bloodline lives on. All those, have been blessed by the Gods to help vanquish the evil that lurks on earth. Now the last of the bloodline lies in Aradia Ziarre.6

However, her heritage stays only half with Pandora, the other half with Hekate, the goddess of dark, a rebel who went to Taturas and became its queen; all evil came from that side. Very rarely would a good demigoddess come with the blood of Hekate, but that changed with one child, a half breed. One who would be a daughter of the moon, yet a server of the night. Her mind forever cursed, her body forever blessed. She was the one who would change the world, at least, the one who could help it on its way for freedom of evil.7

-End Prologue- 8

Soft whimpers could be heard through the air, just as the smell of rosemary could be picked up for miles. The sea breeze gave off the taste of salt, with a mixture of an uneasy feeling. Between the gray-green needles of the rosemary bushes lay the body of a small girl. Microscopic brown dots circled her body, almost like they were protecting her body from any harm that was to attack her.9

“Get away! Leave me alone!” The young girl’s voice was in a shrilling high tone. It could send chills down a human’s spine. But those who knew of Aradia personally normally weren’t as most could call, “human.” But they were more of the people who were called, “blessed,” the ones who were known by Gods, made just for the working of miracles. 10

Her body twisted in different ways, as though in a fight. Her forehead was matted with her long toffee colored hair, only staying there from the beads of sweat that would drip down at ease. She was having one of her ‘normal dreams,’ her premonitions. 11

Two eyes flew open, one icy blue, the other crimson red; reflecting her sides, one that was with Pandora, and then one that was with Hekate. Each could see differently, one seeing the evil in people, one seeing the good. Not many could be completely pure of heart, only those who were blessed, but even she wasn’t. She was far from being blessed; her body was both a server and a saver. Her fate never decided. 12

With a deep sigh, she got up. She hated the life she was given, a goddess by day, a killer by night. Dream prophet all the time; a seer in training. She hoped one day her eyes would go blind, both becoming the shady grey like her teachers, having the same look of clouds posses them.13

She wanted to see the future in more than just her dreams. Her body showed all the marks of powers, she just had to win over one side. The black line on her arm, that swirled down in a pattern, the one that was their since she was born. One of her marking she had; the marking of Hekate and Pandora entwined both becoming one. Both becoming part of her; becoming her fate, her life, her past. 14

Her face was wet, drenched from what she thought was only sweat. But looking to her side showed more than that lie. A small dog sat at her side, his colors mixing; browns yellows, grays, and blacks. He was a mutt from the city, one that no one cared for, a mongrel of sort. She loved him though, his name, Hades. Hades was the place of death, an after life area, but she loved the way it sounded. Her small mutt seemed to love it too.15

“Hades, was that you who got me all wet?” She giggled and smiled as she asked him. Her fragile hand rubbed up and down his head slowly stroking his rough fur. Her eyes converted to the ground when she saw the soft silky material of a napkin, a maroon one. “Hades, is that your new chew toy? Well at least you’ll have something to do while I’m visiting Ma’am.” 16

Barking, that was all he gave in his response. But his eyes lit up, letting her knew he was happy. She could always tell, as though she could read his mind, and that wasn’t surprising if she could. She knew she was able to read human minds, but animals, that would be a new one for her.17

With one push of her hands on the ground she stood up, moving away from the shade of a large temple near Athens. A temple that was told to look out for the city, blessed by the Gods, or maybe it wasn’t. So many myths circled the city, many of her ancestor, Pandora. Of what she did to the world, even though it was not all her fault. Aradia knew this, Pandora had been given gifts from the gods, and they gave her curiosity. The one gift that had led her astray, the one that made her open the jar. What lead Aradia here today, to the temple; to seek guidance from her teacher, her master.18

She started to walk again down a small dirt path. Through deep-green woods she traveled. The long white toga-like clothing she wore flowing behind her with each step. Looking so graceful, like that of a true Goddess. Looking at herself she never found she looked very Goddess like. She found herself looking like a mutt, like her dog, an outcast. She looked so different from anyone, with her ivory-pale skin; which glowed in Adonis’s sun. Her two different eyes which gave her the evil aspect everyone saw and seemed to hide from. Though, was she really that different?19

Finally, after what seemed like forever of walking, she came upon a city, the city of Athens. Entering the town with so little self-confident. She always felt as though everyone stared at her, as if she was some freak of nature. In her own eyes, she was a freak of nature from the Gods, and then one from all evil. She had to much evil in her to be a Goddess ever, at least a true one. And then to much good in her to ever become a completely black soul.  Her destination finally came into her seeing view. The tall tower on the opposite side of the city market area; her pace began to pick up. Until finally she arrived, Hades, her dog, at her side the whole way, until he sat down at the foot of the temple, going back to the chewing of the small linen-napkin he found, his new entertainment.20

With that Aradia began her journey up the long narrow stairway of the temple, leaving behind Hades, letting him watch at the end of the steps; as his master and companion disappeared from his site. Looking forward it looked like steps lead on and on forever, never ending. They did though, but you had to have the right motive to see the ending, or else, you really might be stuck walking forever. Ma’am Ream had told Aradia of many tales of the temple itself, some of why it was so bewitching to mortal’s eyes.21

-Flash Back-22

“Little one, come here.” Ma’am Ream, an elderly lady said, her long hair gray in color. Almost a silver glint to it though. Her eyes were a gray-foggy color as well, a cloudy look to them. Her job was being a seer, though it couldn’t always be called a job. It was more of her obligation to the city; to the Gods.23

With many giggles, the small girl with long toffee-brown hair came running to Ma’am Ream. Her eyes so different, so conflicting; one icy blue one red. The old woman knew from the day she found the small 6-year-old girl next to the sea, she would be a miracle to the world. From that day she had been.24

“Come now, Aradia, settle down. Its time for me to tell you of the stairs, the ones you will be traveling on a lot now. Since you live here with, Ma’am Ream.” The lady’s voice was a calm one, sweet and gentle. A special ring came with it. Aradia had only known her for a couple of months, but already fully trusted her, fully loved her as if the old lady was her mother.25

“A story! Yay! Come on Ma’am tell me pleaseee, pleasseee!!” Aradia said with so much enthusiasm, her face shining brightly with happiness. She always was one who could get so hyper, so happy. Then just fall down into the dumps, depressed. Ma’am Ream always guessed it was from her sides conflicting; one wanting to her to be happy, the other wanting her to be mad, or sad.26

With a small smile on the elderly ladies thin pink lips, she began to speak. “Centuries ago, this place still flourished with people, one thing though, the only people were men. And up in Olympia, the place of the Gods had many things more than this small country. And one day, one man found the route up to Olympia, up a route that led all the way up Mount Olympus, then through the clouds until you came to the gates of Olympia, the gate of the gods27

.28

Prometheus though knew of this place. And he knew of the things that were up there. One of the things was fire, a thing earth needed; they needed it for cook, to clean certain things, and to make others things work. The Gods at that time though, believed fire would make things for the people of Greece to complicated, so they never allowed earth to have it, keeping it up in the clouds with them.29

That one man though, stole fire. He went all the way up to Olympia and stole it right from Zeus. Taking it back to earth which was a huge-huge crime for anyone, God or mortal. The grand God, Zeus, was furious. He had to find a way to get revenge on the mortal that disobeyed him30

My child, Zeus did get his revenge. He had Hephaestus, make a female. Which each God and Goddess blessed with a gift, her name they gave her, Pandora; meaning “All-Gifted.” Sending her to earth, the thought would bring love and hurting to Prometheus and his brother. But instead, the plan backfired on him. 31

Pandora had the gift of curiosity, just like ever human. She couldn’t help it when she saw a jar on Epimetheus’ shelf, the one that Zeus had given her when he sent her to earth, and one he told her never to open. Her instincts told her to open it though, and she did. And from that day, my child, all evil was let out on the world, allowing sickness to come to those who lived, as well as envy, revenge and many other things. All except hope.32

Aradia, I believe you are hope. The one who can get everything back to the way it was or some one in your family can do it. Your job, your families’ job is to restore hope, restore what Pandora lost. You child, are Pandora’s ancestor, but you are also that of Hekates, that of the side of evil. You must always listen to your heart, dear. You must always go with the good, never the evil. Win your sides over, use love as your motive. Use hope as your power.” Ma’am finished, looking to the young girl who just stared at her, then giggled.33

“That was a great story, Ma’am!” Aradia said, her body bouncing up and down on the hard floor.34

With one sigh Ma’am looked away, letting the child not believe in the truth. At least not until she was old enough.35

-Flashback ends-36

Giggling to herself Aradia continued to think about the past. Of where she grew up, and how she was taught. Before long though, the stairs ended, a flat area came to her feet, a room in front of her eyes now. On the other side of the room sat the elderly lady, one that she knew from her past. The one who had taught her everything she knew. As well as saved her from death, and taken her in as her own child.37

“Hello, Ma’am Ream. It’s great to see you again!” Aradia exclaimed; a smile on her face then she began to walk over to her. She hadn’t seen Ma’am for years; she had been out on her own training. Trying to find away to become better with the powers she was endowed with.38

Within that journey she traveled around the different areas of Greece. Seeing each city-states different Seer. Then making her way to the bottom of Mouth Olympus, an area where some of the most powerful Seers would go to meet. And they did, and she was able to learn more of her powers, of her future. Then though, she had to come home. She had to come see Ma’am Ream again, and now she was here.39

Ma’am Ream turned around, her foggy-grey eyes, the cloudy ones, looking to Aradia. Event though Aradia knew she couldn’t see her, she knew that she could feel her presence. The same old small smile came to her thin-pink lips. The same long gray-slivery hair was cascading down her back and shoulders, landing at her mid-back. 40

“My dear child, it is so great to hear your sweet voice again. How have you been?” Ma’am Ream sounded the same, except. She sounded like she was trying to hide something.41

“I’ve been fine, Ma’am. But what is it your hiding? I’ve known you long enough to see under your cover.” Aradia was concerned now, her eyes fixating only on the lady in front of her, no other movement distracting her.42

“Aradia, your powers… They seem so different now. You aren’t like the care free girl I left so long ago. It just…” Her words trailed off, with a sigh. Then a smile, “You’ve grown so much, now its time to check how much you’ve improved and grown with your powers. 43

Ma’am Ream walked past Aradia, as though she could see. Moving to a shelf on the other side of the room she grabbed a plate. A plate with a jagged side, but the other side was shaped roundly, un-marked. Its clay body still as smooth as the day it was made. Which looked like maybe years ago, decades ago; it still held its beauty though. Still holding onto a beauty it would never let go, even if it broke. Turning back to Aradia the Ma’am motioned to her to come.44

Nodding Aradia went over to Ma’am and took the broken plate that was held in her hands, as though she read Ma’am Ream’s mind, knowing what to do. Aradia ran her finger over the flat smoothed out edge of the plate. Then looked to Ma’am and nodded, her eyes closing slowly. With one gasping breath her mind raced with images. Ones from the past though; ones of a young boy dropping the plate, tears were sliding down his cheeks from a small cut on his finger.45

Opening her eyes in one quick motion she dropped the plate, watching it shatter into more than just the half piece she held. Looking to Ma’am she shook her head. “Argh…I have such a headache now. The boy I saw in the vision was crying so loudly, I could hear him. And then it felt like I could feel his tears and his pain in my hand, and on my cheeks.”46

Ma’am nodded her head, smiling sweetly, then leaning over and beginning to push the piece of sharp clay aside. “Your powers have grown; you have the new one of past thoughts. You can see things that happened in the past, but only by touching things that had something happen to them. For example the plate, you could feel everything the boy was feeling, as though you were there with him, or was him. If you ever find Pandora’s jar, you’ll know what to do. It’s another one to help you on your way.”47

Aradia nodded in response, then bent down and picked the piece of clay up from where Ma’am pushed them. “Ma’am when will this all end?”48

The elderly lady looked to her, concern in her eyes. “Not anytime soon my child. Your story is just now unraveling. Your fate is now becoming more clear for me, and any one else to see. You will soon know your place in the community, the world. But first, my little Goddess of Hope, you must find your right side.”49

With that Ma’am Ream bent over and with one hand motion the clay disappeared, the plate no more but a memory in Aradia’s mind. Just like Aradia’s life would been soon. Once she finishes her story and her life, and once the evil of the world is gone again, then her life will be nothing but a myth. Just like that of the temple she stands in at that moment. Just like Pandora is. Just like all the story of how fire came to Athens is. All those were nothing but Myths, ones that will always live on.50