Migina-Luna:Prologue

Artemis watched the young human couple: one man, one woman.  The woman was small but not fragile for she was able to perform tasks as easily as the male did; her black hair was cut short: her eyes were a deep, chocolate brown: she was well built in her chest and her hips.  The male was tending to the fire; he too had black hair and the same color skin as his mate.  
As the man worked the flames, the lady tended to more important matters.  Cradled in her arms was a babe, less a year old.  She cooed, reaching up to her mother: her curls were as dark as the night, her skin the same as her parents.  Lovingly, the mother caressed her child’s face.  The babe smiled, her eyes reflective of pure innocence.
Years had passed since Artemis had observed mortals.  Newest ages of humanity came and passed without much change.  The acts, the ideas they were capable of sickened the council.  She too was revolted by such acts: hate crimes, rape, molestation, murder, pornography, drugs, sex.  Yet she did realize that all humans were different; there were many people who stood up to these horrors in hopes of putting a stop to them.  Yes, many failed but few succeeded, giving humanity hope and a chance for redemption.
It was time for the council to try once more.
“Mother Rigel, please assist me with my plans.”
By her side was a tall, lean female wolf.  With her glistening eyes of sapphire, she headed towards the human’s grounds.  
“You do know what you’re doing, right?”
Bastet of Egypt emerged from the shadows, her gray tail swishing behind her as she joined her fellow lunar member.  They watched as the wolf slinked through the trees towards the oblivious couple with remarkable dexterity.
“Yes, I do,” Artemis glanced at her comrade.  “But I know you didn’t want to come here to chat.  The council no doubt wishes to speak to me.”
“Indeed.  I hope you have a good explanation for all this.” Bastet told her.
“I do.”

Beams of pure moonlight illuminated the grounds of the council hearing place.  The trees managed to hide them from the outside world.  Centuries had flown by and not a single human had stepped on their lands.  
The trees opened up, making some type of door way for Bastet and Artemis to enter.  Bastet took her seat in the council circle, leaving her comrade to stand trial alone.
“Artemis, I find it odd asking you such a question,” Xochiquetzal grinned.  “But we cannot behind the rules even for you.”
“Mother Xochiquetzal,” Artemis bowed.  “You must hear my idea.  Its time we trained a new moon.”
“Insanity!” Scoffed Ixchel.  “We have seen the way humanity has deteriorated over the years.  Why should we give them another chance?”
“Maybe that’s why we should listen to Sister Artemis,” Soft spoken Chang'e stood up. “For years, we have stood by, doing nothing to help those who cry out for us!  Aren’t we the ones who are to help women?  Was it not our job to aid childbirth and protect the young?”
The council was quiet for they knew what she said was true. Each goddesses had been given specific tasks by their cultural leader but most of their jobs were the same; to protect children, to watch over women, to defend the weak. Artists depicted them in stone, jade and other forms.  Their names had been placed in songs, poems and more.  But gradually, the hearts of humans turned black.  Atrocious, ghastly ideas began to appear in their minds.  Ordinary mortals rose into power, giving their people false hopes and dreams.  These many types of propaganda altered human thinking: these thoughts lead to war, one of man kind’s most hated creations.
Soon, to became too much for the lunar queens to bear.  After their last moon had passed on, they hide themselves from the mortals.
Artemis decided it was enough.
“Sister Chang’e is right!” Artemis declared.  “For too long we have neglected our duties as the lunar queens.  We cannot stand by any longer.”
“You raise a compelling argument but it will take more than words to persuade us.” Ixchel’s eyes of jade glowered.
From the silence erupted a cry; the cry of a child.  The trees moved aside, letting Mother Rigel enter.  Clenched between her teeth was a snag of a bundle in cloth.  Once she set down, the baby was shown.  Instantly, the other members gasped.
What was Artemis thinking?
“You kidnapped a child?” Ixchel growled.
“Sister Ixchel, I beg you to calm yourself,” Artemis sighed heavily.  Getting on her knee, she scooped up child with great care. The baby blinked, looking up at the goddess.  Then, she smiled.  “I know this seems irresponsible but I have my reasons.  We shall take care of the baby for three days.  Her parents have been placed in a special trance where they think their child is still with them.  Later, when she’s returned, Mother Rigel will do the job.  We will then see how the parents react.”
Mutter arose between the members, the most audible from Ixchel.  Rigel growled slightly.  
But then, the baby giggled, she cooed.  Such perfect innocence from a human who was apart of the race they forsaken years ago.  Maybe they could train a new moon who would not fail them.
Risky, yes.
And goddesses love to take risks.
“Three days as requested.  I am anxious to see how this all turns out Daughter Artemis.” Mother Xochiquetzal eyed the baby.

As if the human offspring was her own, Mother Rigel never let the child out of her sights.  Keeping up a baby was harder than it looked, Artemis realized from watching the wolf.  No matter what, the child would not stay still for a moment.  She climbed up the stone carved stairs, stumbling a few times.  Then, she would crawl away without even looking at the dangers that could befall her.  Her curiosity also knew no bounds which was why Rigel watched her so closely.
With her need to search so wide, the wolf forever tailed her; buzzing hornets captured her attention, their hive opened enough for her to stick her hand in.  Instantly, she was picked up by the teeth of her canine nanny.  The babe struggled and whined but it did no good.  Once placed in a small patch of lilies did she become amused and began to giggle.  She picked up one of the flowers, placing it front of Rigel’s nose.  Artemis swore she saw the wolf smile.
“Does the baby have a name?” Chang’e appeared next to her lunar sister.
“Her parents named her Vienna,” Artemis replied.  “I think the name suits her.  I am not sure why.”
Chang’e merely smiled.  She pushed off from the ground, taking flight.  Baby Vienna stopped to watch the woman floating towards her.  Amused, Vienna gurgled and clapped her pudgy, little hands.  Chang’e got down on her knee and scooped up Vienna.  Like most of the lunar goddesses, Chang’e had a fondness for children.  It was a part of their job to protect all aspects of children; birth, infant years, toddler and so forth.  Parents were given authority over their children but many of them neglected such duties.
“She’s very sweet,” Vienna tugged a lock of Chang’e’s hair.  “I like you too dearest.”
“You don’t think my decision was to rash, do you?”  Artemis asked suddenly.  “Earth’s morality is danger, we can’t just sit by anymore.  Then, there are even more pressing matters of supernatural problems we have ignored as well.”
Vienna again babbled in her baby talk, tugging at the hair in her hand as if to say, ‘Pay attention to me!’  If this child’s passed the test, she would be the next new moon.   But, even if she didn’t, they didn’t really seem to have a choice in the matter: someone had to rise or mankind would have no chance of survival.  All of Earth could not be condemned for the acts of others.  Goddesses were fair in all matters.
Vienna whined, her face scrunching up.  Then, she began to cry.  Rigel, who had been asleep on the grassy floor, stood up.  Chang’e placed Vienna on the wolf’s back which calmed the child down somewhat.  Rigel knew what was wrong: she was hungry.  Vienna sniffled slightly.  
The wolf mother set the child down on a small blanket where again she proceeded to cry for food.  Artemis understood the child’s needs as well; from her burlap satchel, she took out a crescent shaped bottle.  Uncorking it, she sat down and let Vienna sit in her lap.  The nipple was placed in her mouth and she began to drink, her eyes drooping slightly.
“Your new idea is rather---out of the ordinary but in all honesty, we really can’t stand by anymore.  We were given a job and we have neglected it.” Chang’e joined them.
Mother Rigel laid her head on Chang’e’s leg, whimpering softly.  Chang’e scratched behind her ears.  The bottle of special milk was soon drained, Vienna fast asleep.  Artemis stood up and headed towards the cradle created just for Vienna.  She placed the slumbering child on her soft bed: Vienna yawned, stretching her arms up then curled up into a ball.
“Sleep well small Vienna,” Artemis placed a curl behind the child’s ear.  “You may humanity’s last hope.”

The last day came sooner than excepted.  The parents of Vienna were still under Artemis’ enchantment.  They hadn’t noticed that their daughter was missing but that was going to change in a few minutes.
Rigel came to her side, the baby perched on her back.  Young Vienna started to whine when she spotted her parents.  Artemis picked her up one last time.
“We have no question of your innocence little one,” She told the child who had stopped her cries for the time being.  “But now, you’re parents must pass the test in order for hope to survive.”
Vienna jabbered, reaching for Artemis’ russet locks.  Artemis smiled then kissed Vienna and placed her back on Rigel’s back.  Vienna looked confused as the wolf moved on, leaving Artemis behind.

“Bertram, where’s Vienna?” Phyllis stood up.
Her husband turned to her, “What are you talking about?”
“Sweetie, I can’t find her!” Phyllis ran back to her tent.  “Vienna?  Honey, where are you?”
How could Vienna be lost?  She was just an infant, she couldn’t even walk!
Phyllis looked up, then gasped in fear.  Bertram followed her gaze to see a large wolf standing in front of them, growling and showing its teeth.  His wife ran to his side; he took a hold of her hand for reassurance.  Grabbing a pair of metal thongs, he held them up in a protective stance.
Fearless, the wolf headed towards the frighten couple.  They both backed away; Phyllis sniffed slightly as she thought of their missing child.  Looking up, she was ready to face her fate when---
“Bertram, look!  Vienna’s on the wolf’s back!” She cried.
This made the wolf stop growling.  Vienna lifted up her head, smiling brightly.  Bertram dropped the thongs.  Phyllis ran towards her baby, arms opened.  The wolf lowered its body, letting the mother take her child.  Crying, Phyllis hugged her back tight as if she planned to never let go.  Bertram joined them, the wolf still standing in front of them.
It had brought their baby to them.
“Thank you.” He whispered.
The wolf stared at him, then bowed her head as if she understood.  Then, she turned around and left them.  
There was nothing else for them to do.  Now, all they had to do was let Father Time do his job.