Life always throws us curveballs when we least expect it.

My mistress blessing, and claiming, Tasha Heart was one of those unexpected things for me. it doesnt feel like it was only ten minutes ago that I was kneeling to my mistress as she healed Tasha, or that I was given a direct order to prevent this soul from being claimed tonight.

Demeter seems to be almost crying at seeing her temple in shambles, but one look at Allfather, and Thor comforting her, I know there is more going on here than most people could fathom in three lifetimes. After tasha cast the Frozen Phoenix Defender spell, the attacking mages scurried back to their floating island; the one that the sisters of Selene had speent the better part of the last two weeks infiltrating.

the massive bird, covered in feathers of ice, and bringing frost onto everything here, screamed loudly in the skies above the temple, and if possible, the air became more chilled. I knew this thing was beyond mad, and with Tasha unconcious at the moment, no one could control it.

I watched as it turned, faced the island, and shot off faster than what the tehnomage's enchanted armors could propell them. in a matter of seconds, the flying ice sculpture had begun to allow its wings to pass through the huge structures on the top of the metropolis island that, only this morning, was the pride and joy of their society. in a matter of seconds, it was a pile of rubble, listing, and slowly falling out of the air toward the outskirts of the city, all its mooring chains shattered, and swinging violently in the wind.

The bird flew back to those of us at the temple, and it landed on the girl's cloak, then seemed to mold into her. Demeter walked over to the girl, and rolled her over. and did something I had only seen one other time. The godess kissed the girl's forehead, a sign that the godess is always watching someone, a sign of faith from one of the immortals, to one of us lowly mortals.

Demeter's compassion brought tears to my eyes, and knowing that Tasha is this godess's champion, tells me she was already watching. she picked up Tasha's hand, and looked at the symbol of the valkarie commanders was emblazoned on her hand.

"it wouldnt be good for you, child, if the world knew your next life was claimed by Freya." Demeter kissed the back of her hand, and the symbol disapeared, but I could sti'll feel my mistress's presence on the girl, the mark was still there.

Tasha began to stir, and Demeter, ran away from her, and seemed to fade into the trees on the temple grounds.