Olive was having a peaceful dream, one where her father was alive. It was simple, more of a memory. He was sparring with her in their backyard back at Nellis Air Force Base. Then something disturbing happened in her dream. Her father's face changed and shifted until it was disfigured beyond all recognition. He lumbered for her pleading with her to end his misery. And then she woke from this dream turned night mare.
She was in an unusual place. It was rather bright and airy, very unlike her shabby apartment back in Las Vegas. She lay in a magnificent canopy bed with clean white sheets. She sat up with a shock, thinking she may have been abducted. It wasn't that uncommon in her neighborhood. Her clothes were still the ones she had gone to sleep in and she heaved a sigh of relief.
"You seem startled child." A female voice said to her right. Her head jerked towards the intruder. A tall, glorious woman sat in a chair in the corner. She was dressed rather odd. A sleet gray toga adorned her thin body and atop her head was a roman helm. At her side was an owl, hooting gently. "Who..who are you?" Olive asked. Her tone was both anxious and guarded. She jumped from the bed and edged toward the door.
"I assumed you might recognize me a little. After all you devour Greek Mythology books more than any other tome." Olive was very sure who this was, but that was just mythology. It couldn't be real.
"You're Athena, goddess of battle and metal." Olive said outright. She would play this woman's game until she would be able to escape.
"Indeed, child." She said standing from her seat.
"You are to be the one who will wield my power. I have watched you over the many years. You have grown to be just as I wished. A strong, smart, confident young girl." Olive was a little bewildered by that last statement. "If you are who you say you are, them prove it." Athena smirked.
"As you wish" she said and looked to a small nightstand by the bed. There was a fancy paperweight there, made of pure steel, that was in the shape of a wolf. Athena plucked it from it's perch and gave it a mighty squeeze. she opened her palm to reveal that the paperweight had changed. It was now an owl.
" I have always preferred owls over wolves, don't you?" Olive was in a state of shock."If you are really Athena, then I must be on Mount Olympus." she said more to herself than the goddess. Athena handed the owl paperweight to Olive and she grasped it tightly. "I..I don't know what to say."
" You needn't say anything at all. Our powers are weakening and we must grant our powers to those descendants of whom we bestowed the Elements long ago. You are that descendant of my Element and I believe you are more than prepared." Olive took a deep breath. "I think I am too." She said with a small smile. Athena place her hand on Olive's chest over her heart and said,
"Then, Olive Isadora Howard, I grant you my power over metal and my knowledge of battle. I know you will use it wisely." A platinum glow grew from Olive's body and faded. Olive looked at her hands and flexed them. She felt powerful and confident and wise.
"Now then," Athena said grabbing Olive's attention once more.
"I have some gifts to bestow upon you. First is my spear It has seen many battles. Next is an owl. You may name her as you wish." Olive was in awe of the wondrous gifts she received. She had never seen a weapon finer than this spear and owls have always been her favorite bird. Said owl flew from it's perch by the window and landed on her forearm. She stroked it's feathers gently. "I believe I will name you Andromeda."
"That's a lovely name" At that point, Olive's stomach began to growl.
"I believe that they are serving breakfast now." Athena said with a sly smile. Olive blushed and nodded.
She left the room and headed towards the voices that could now be heard. Athena followed close behind her. She stepped to the table, with Andromeda now perched on her shoulder. There were many odd characters here and she couldn't really decide where to sit. Athena gestured next to a boy that had bright orange hair. Olive was unsure, and glanced back at Athena. Athena gave a nod of her head and indicated that he was a fine person to sit by. Olive took her seat without a word and pulled a plate towards her and began to eat quietly.