She becomes your guide like with the Heroes of old.

"I have guided many Men on their journeys over the years," she states as the both of you begin a leisurely stroll through the verdant fields. "Heracles, Perseus, Odysseus, and countless others in quests great and small. If it is wisdom you seek, then heed my words and I shall guide you along your first steps as a God."

She then makes a small, sweeping gesture with her hand.

"This Earth is in our care. Many Deities will typically take upon themselves a certain aspect of responsibility. For example, Poseidon is Lord of the Sea and all of its bounties, Hades commands the Underworld and prepares the souls of the dead for reincarnation or punishment, and Demeter tends to the harvest and fertility of the lands of our peoples. Tell me Michael, which domain have you been entrusted with?"

"My God is simply known as the Creator, so I would suppose I'd eventually take his mantle as a Creator of all things. If I were to pick a starting point however... I suppose I would choose fertility and procreation," you say with a suggestive smirk.

Athena glances at you in surprise but then shakes her head with an amused smile.

"But of course. Men tend to be simple yet honest in their desires. Power, fortune, sex, glory, all of these are often the primary motivators for many Men, both notable and plain. Do try to be more discretionary in your endeavors. My Father's promiscuity tends to cause problems for all involved, and I doubt he'd suffer a rival leaving his progeny to run amok in our lands."

You laugh openly at her veiled warning.

"Yes, I can't imagine Zeus would tolerate a literal clone of himself, powerful as he is. You noticed my presence quite quickly. Does he know I'm here as well?"

"That remains to be seen. The only reason you caught my attention is your sudden proximity to my patrons. I suppose you could go about unnoticed as long as you keep your head down and out of trouble, though you'll have to eventually gain an audience with him if you seek wisdom and guidance from us all. At any rate, once you've chosen a field of responsibility, you must spread your message to potential patrons. How you treat them is ultimately up to you, but the wisest and most powerful of Deities recognize a balance of servitude. Just as your patrons are servants of you, you too are a servant of sorts to them. They will come to you with offerings and sacrifice, seeking blessings, guidance, retribution and the like. As their Deity, it's expected of you to eventually fulfill these prayers lest you lose your following and fade into obscurity."

"Or risk being usurped by another," you add.

"Concerned for your station?" she asks with a teasing tone. "You've barely even gotten started."

"Anything can happen in the future, really," you say with a shrug. "By the time I was born, your Pantheon had fallen into obscurity and the Creator was worshiped by most despite taking many different depictions. While you are all remembered, your powers had all declined and your domains were given to the One True God."

Athena frowns at your revelation of the future. You can even feel an air of sadness about her.

"I have sometimes wondered what would happen to us as the millennia come to pass. I must admit this future you speak of brings me sorrow though it's a small comfort that we're not completely forgotten. I don't suppose you'd be able to share what becomes of us?"

"I'm afraid not," you answer with a shake of your head. "My best guess is that Monotheism suppresses what would eventually be called Pagan worship in favor of the Creator, and as your worship declined, so did your power and presence. But... considering He has granted me His powers, it's possible such a thing won't come to pass depending on how much I become directly involved in the affairs of mortals."

"A warning then," Athena states. "Above all things, both of mortals and Divines, you must respect the Balance of the World. We as Gods are all individually powerful in our own rights, but without adherence to the Balance, we can easily tip the world into chaos. Such destruction would not only consume Humanity but us as well by extension. All Pantheons understand this, not just our own in our own lands, and I'd wager your Creator understands this as well if He keeps his direct involvement with mortals to a minimum. Even my Father, for all his reckless ways, respects the importance of the Balance and will mercilessly strike down any who seek to dismantle the foundation of the Earth."

"Then I will heed your words," you say with a nod.

"Your insight and humility will serve you well. I believe you will perform great deeds in the years to come, Michael. Know in your travels you will meet many people and creatures, some friendly and others hostile. Each one will have a lesson to impart upon you. Some shall worship you, some shall fear you, but all will recognize your power when the time is right."

"And what about you? What are your thoughts of me and my power?" you ask.

"My opinion of you is rather muted. I've determined you are no immediate threat, and I appreciate all who seek greater wisdom and knowledge. The extent of your powers are unknown to me, as I'm sure they are unknown to you. Compared to us, you're but a newborn babe who doesn't even yet know how to walk," she teases with a small smirk.

"I suppose courting you would be out of the question then?" you venture with a flirtatious smile.

For a moment, Athena is taken aback by how forward you are but she schools herself just as quickly.

"Awfully bold of you to proposition an Olympian," she chides.

"That doesn't sound like a direct no to me."

She stops to face you with a coy gaze.

"No Man has yet to become worthy of me, not even amongst the Divine, and I won't simply tell you how to court me. Your advances are better spent on those who are more wanton. However... if you choose to pursue me, I will at least provide you with a hint of how to start. As we speak, a great host from the East marches upon Greece. Emissaries shall arrive at each polis in the coming months demanding tribute and fealty. Many will capitulate, but several will remain firm and defiant."

You immediately put the pieces together, now having a clear understanding of which time period you were in.

"Athens and Sparta chief among them," you supply. "Is this the first or second invasion?"

Athena smiles at your insight.

"The second. I take it you are familiar then with the events of the past decade?"

"Yes, and I understand Xerxes I will stop at nothing until all of Greece is under his control."

"Then you know what must be done. My Father has forbidden us Gods from directly interfering with this war, but you as an outsider... may have more leeway. My people are proud and resourceful, but they won't be able to repel the Persians by themselves a second time. Should you take action in their defense, I would be most grateful to you. Go to Athens. Earn their trust. Guide them, and prepare them for the inevitable tide. Do the same with Sparta though as patrons of Ares, you will have to get your hands dirty, but I think you already expected such from King Leonidas and his city of warriors. Once successful however, Sparta too will gladly follow you to war."

"And this won't upset Ares?"

"He's the God of War. Strength and conquest are the key to earning his favor. If anything, he would happily encourage and even guide you. Consider it another lesson for your fledgling Divinity."

"So unite Greece in a defense against Persia, starting with Athens and Sparta. Simple enough," you say confidently. "I don't suppose you could leave me with a small blessing before I depart? Say... a gesture of things to come?"

"Well... if you insist," she says with a sigh.

Despite her words, you could detect no true annoyance in her voice. If anything, she seemed to enjoy the attention if only passively. Your thoughts of course are halted as she steps forward and leans down towards you, placing a warm hand upon your cheek. She then presses her lips to your jawline in a soft kiss, followed by a second and third until she reaches your ear.

"I expect great things of you, Michael Hazelton. My purity is not something to be given lightly. Good luck."

Her whispered words are smooth as silk and you find your eyes fluttering at her voice. You wondered if you were just playing with fire by attempting to woo one of the original 12 Olympians, but Athena would certainly be worth the herculean effort. Such a warm and tender caress, those feather-like kisses, and a scent as sweet as honey sent fire through your veins. By the time you had opened your eyes she was gone, her passing marked by a gentle gust of wind. The Goddess of Wisdom has set you on your path with a clear goal in mind. The question now however was where to begin? Athens or Sparta?