She was tired of being a deity. There were too many humans to manage. Too many rules to remember. Too much responsibility on her shoulders, weighing her down.

But a deity must stand straight. A deity must not show weakness, must not complain, must not go, "Oh, why don't you just DO THAT YOURSELF?"

A deity must act as a good example. She must fix her own problems, as well as fix the overwhelming number of human problems. She must continue the legacy of the deities before her.

Just then, she heard a messenger's footsteps echoing through the hall. Stand straight. Do not show weakness. Do not complain.

The moment the messenger crossed the threshold, she knew what was brewing. The cries and shouts of the mortals had shaken the celestial castle. How she wanted to help them, but the rules laid down by ancient tradition, untouched and mysteriously invented, forbade her comply to the request.

She remembered fondly the days before the deity had kidnapped her for their realm. She was just a simple daughter of the major, free to do as she pleased. Often she wondered whether the deity choosing her was result of her lack of attendance to the temple. Perhaps it was their way fo punishing her for her infidelity. She pushed such thoughts away and heeded the words of the messenger.

'The people cry for bread and rain. Their fields are burning up, famine has spread, children are dying. The deity must do something. As their visionary, you must speak their wisdom and will,' said the messenger.

The stern voice of dies Vulcan echoed in her mind: They must be punished for not thanking me. Till the gold statute in my honour is built, no man shall live.

Shaken, she turned to the messenger. Did she dare go against the tradition and obedience to the crown deity? 'I will speak with the people. They will see my vision and my pray they heed my warning.'

'Follow me to the archway.'

She stepped behind him. her feet scraping on the crystal floor. her mind absent to the beauty around her. If I find a man who is willing to sacrifice himself to find the urn of gold, perhaps they will be inspired to fulfil the deities' wish. Where can such a man be found? Who would desire to be so heroic and steal gold from the gods? An image of a man arose in her mind, carefree and handsome. A shepherd. She smiled.