There was a time when gods and goddesses ruled the celestial body called Earth. Now, those disgusting creatures known as humans run it. However, during the time of peace, there was a powerful enchantress named Circe. She was the most gorgeous being in the heavens with her glistening snow- white hair, dazzling crystalline blue eyes and a smile that warmed the hearts of the lowest gods and goddesses. She was the envy of all, including the sun goddess, Demia. Demia with her satiny brown hair, sharp brown eyes and deep tan, was indeed beautiful. This rival in beauty was the cause of Circe's punishment. During the setting of the stars, Circe was summoned by Demia into her throne room.

"You summoned me Demia?" Circe questioned.

"Circe, your beauty rivals mine," Demia began.

"I have heard this, yes," Circe nodded.

"I refuse to have my beauty rivaled," she said. She stood and pointed her clipeus staff at the enchantress in front of her. As the sun goddess was about to banish the enchantress from the heavens, Vetus Tutela, the ancient guardian of the enchantress entered.

"Pardon my entrance oh powerful goddess of the sun, but it is my duty to protect Circe," she said moving in front of her mistress.

"Vetus Tutela, I will take the punishment of the sun goddess for I do not wish to make pain among the heavens," Circe said.< Vetus Tutela stepped aside, fear in her eyes.

"I banish you to the land of lesser being for all eternity as a pure Bengal tigress," Demia said and the power of the sun shot out from her clipeus staff and Circe vanished.

"I will devote my life to protecting my mistress, wherever she may be," Vetus Tutela vowed. Divinus aeternitas. 'Service eternal'

The sun crept its way up over the trees, signaling the world that morning had come in the year 3012. Demia, in her glistening, golden chariot rode in front. As shadows were cast onto the forest floor by leaves, two small tiger cubs could be seen running about each other. These two cubs were the offspring of Circe and Cloud, the most feared tiger in the forest. It is said that 10,000 years ago, the ancient enchantress was banished to earth to live out eternity as a pure Bengal tigress. Having her as his mate made Cloud that much more feared.

Now, the cubs, Lily and Alana, were young still, having come into the world in the opening of spring. Lily resembled her mother, with no stripes and crystalline blue eyes. Alana took after her father, with silver blue eyes. Strangely, she bears a single stripe on her tail that matches the scar on her father's face. Cloud was given the scar by a wolf that had attempted to kill his litter three cycles of the moon ago. He now bore that scar with pride for that litter had grown and left. Circe left the den and gathered her cubs near.

'Lily, Alana, stay here. I shall return with our food,' she instructed the playful cubs.

She headed out into the depths of the forest in which she had lived for the past 10,000 years.

'Eternity is becoming tiresome,' she thought as she set out to hunt. Suddenly, her sensitive nose picked the sent of something new. She inched towards the smell, pressing her body low to the ground and preparing to strike. She leapt out of the undergrowth, claws extended, teeth bared only to find the new scent to belong to Vetus Tutela, her guardian.

"Mistress," Vetus Tutela said bowing to the graceful tigress.

'Vetus Tutela, what are doing on Earth?' Circe asked.

"It is so good to see you again," she continued.

"Although this visit is not on pleasant terms. I have come to warn you of a most horrid evil," the guardian said. The sun glinted off of her silky brown hair. She was wearing a white beaded dress with bell sleeves. Her mystical blue eyes showed true fear for her mistress.

'What is this evil you speak of Vetus Tutela?' Circe asked, surveying the being at her feet.

"Demia still envies your beauty," Vetus Tutela whispered.

"She wished you dead," she said, her voice becoming barely audible, even to Circe's sensitive ears.

'If she still envies me, why does she not use her power as sun goddess to change me?' Circe suggested.

"She cannot, the magic is permanent. She would only bring discord to the heavens," the young woman said.

'How does she plan to kill me?' the fearsome tigress inquired of her servant.

"I wish I could tell you, but I fear that Demia is watching me now," Vetus Tutela said. "I will return after four settings of the sun with the answer," Vetus Tutela said and she vanished. Circe returned with her kill and was greeted by three very hungry tigers. After their meal, Cloud took Circe aside.

'You never hunt this long,' the powerful animal said.

'I had a visitor,' Circe responded.

'Who?' Cloud inquired, his silver-blue eyes filled with wonder and fear.

'My guardian,' Circe met his eyes with a look that assured him she was in no danger.

The rest of the day the two tigers rested, all the while keeping a watchful eye on their cubs. Lily and Alana were just starting to learn the skills of hunting and enjoyed practicing stalking each other. Unfortunately, Alana, being the younger of the two was not as strong as her sister and tended to lose the battles fought between them.

This day, Lily was very aggressive and leapt out of some low brush and tackled her. The look in her crystalline blue eyes was one of great power. This was no longer a game but reality to the young tigress and she let it be known. She extended her claws and made to hurt her younger sister. Circe, sensing a change in her cub's behavior, quickly slunk over to them. Seeing the fire in Lily's eyes, Circe grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and pinned her to the ground.

'Enough Lily,' the fearsome tigress said.

'Leave her be. Tomorrow I will take you hunting with me.' Cloud went over to his youngest cub and nestled her.

'She is too old for such play now Alana,' he whispered gently.

'You must accept this and become ready to hunt for real prey soon.'

Meanwhile, in the heavens Demia heard of Vetus Tutela's visit to Circe. She demanded the guardian's presence immediately.

"You called for me?" Vetus Tutela asked timidly, her eyes cast down. She couldn't bring herself to meet the eyes of the most powerful goddess in the heavens.

"You have spoken with your mistress haven't you?" Demia demanded, making every effort to cause discomfort.

"Yes," Vetus Tutela mumbled.

"What was your purpose for seeing her?" Demia continued.

"It was...was to warn her of your plans," Vetus Tutela said, raising her eyes and meeting Demia's with a defiant look.

"How dare you!" Demia screamed.

"It is my sole duty to protect the ancient enchantress and protect her I shall!" Vetus Tutela said proudly.

"Guards!" Demia yelled angrily. "Lock her away," she commanded viciously.

And so, Vetus Tutela was locked away on command of the sun goddess. As the days past, Circe looked for any sign of her guardian. On the fifth day, the day after the fourth setting of the sun, the tigress was very vigilant in her search for the young woman whom had sworn her eternal service, divinus aeternitas. She had brought Lily with her and kept the young predator close, fearing some cheetah or lion would attack.

'Mother, what are you searching for?' Lily asked as the two of them stopped just feet from where Circe had last seen Vetus Tutela.

'Food of course,' the tigress answered.

'You're looking for something else. I can sense it,' Lily continued.

Circe did not respond to her daughter. She was too busy searching for her guardian, a flash of white from her dress, her mystical blue eyes or shiny brown hair. Her voice, any sign of her at all. Circe turned to Lily.

'Stay here until I return for you,' she said.

'I thought we were hunting together?' Lily responded, puzzlement in her eyes.

'We will, but I think I heard something over amongst those trees and I don't want you getting hurt,' Circe lied.

She headed off towards the trees and silently called out to her guardian. If the young woman were close enough, she would be able to hear the enchantress and answer her. However, on this day, Vetus Tutela was as far from Circe as Demia could get her. Instead of Vetus Tutela, Circe found something unexpected. Amongst the tall brush, three hunters crouched.

"Serena keep still," Helenai murmured.

"Helenai, I tire of this waiting," the young girl responded.

"Cease your speech," muttered Raju.

The three hunters had been sent by Demia, the great and powerful sun goddess to capture the ancient enchantress.

"Raju, why have we agreed to such a treacherous task?" Helenai whispered.

"Do not speak the goddess's name in vain woman," Raju said, teeth tightly clenched.

"Now do not speak again until this duty has been fulfilled," the tall man commanded.

The woman knew more than to disobey her husband. She gave Serena a stern look, signaling for her silence as well. After all they did not wish to displease the sun goddess. She had power over all and could bend things to her will without so much as a murmur.

"Raju, I see something," Serena exclaimed excitedly.

Angrily, Raju turned on the young girl and made to hit her.

"Please Raju, she is young. She did not mean to give our presence away," Helenai pleaded. For Serena's sake, their presence had not yet been acknowledged.

Just then, the graceful tigress entered the brush, body pressed low to the ground and claws extended. She sensed the hunters before she saw them. She leapt out of the brush and pounced with great drive on Serena. The young hunter let out a scream, which rang through the forest with a great intensity. Birds were sent into fervor above the trees and the small animals scurried helplessly about.

'You have no business in this forest human' Circe said.

Her crystalline blue eyes gleamed with fury and anger.

'Leave this forest now and I shall not harm you. Stay and your life will be forfeit,' she continued.

"I do not fear you enchantress," Serena gasped. The feeling in her arms had begun to wane and her breaths came in short succession.

Raju prepared to send the fatal poisoned dart into the left flank of the tigress when he was reminded that Demia wanted this creature alive. He replaced the poisoned dart with one of a sleeping draft. He launched it and the dart's point made swift contact with Circe's left flank. Instantly the tigress collapsed on top of Serena.

"Get her off of me," Serena gasped from under the weight of the 500-pound tigress. Together, Raju and Helenai removed Circe's sleeping form from the young girl and checked that she was all right. The three hunters gathered their things and prepared to take the tigress to their camp on the outskirts of the forest.

Lily had heard the scream and her mother's words. She knew something was wrong. She knew she should not disobey her by entering the brush but she had to find out what was going on. She slowly crept into the brush. All she saw was the distant figures of the three hunters collectively dragging her mother's limp body out of the forest. She had to return to her father and warn him. She raced off back to the den. Meanwhile, in the heavens, Vetus Tutela was forced to watch the capture of her mistress from afar.

"Please, let me go to her," she begged the guards.

"Demia has given her word for you to stay here," one of the guards said, not having the courtesy to glance at the young woman. Tears welled up in her dazzling blue eyes, which had begun to dull since her freedom had been denied her.

"My mistress is not at fault. Demia knew the beauty of a pure Bengal tigress would still rival hers," Vetus Tutela murmured softly into her hands.

"Cease your tears young guardian," the other guard said.

"Demia will release you soon," he continued.

"I fear not for my life but for my mistress's life," Vetus Tutela answered. She slumped down into the corner of her cell and cried for the retching in her heart would soon reach her throat.

Lily ran with the speed of a winter wind. She nearly collided into Alana.

'Lily where is your mother?' Cloud inquired nervously. He knew that the return of only one tigress was not a good thing.

'Humans have taken her,' Lily said, frightened and angry.

'No, mama,' Alana cried out.

'Hush my child. We will find her,' Cloud reassured his young cubs.

'And then I shall give those filthy beings their punishment' he spat with rage and malice.

Demia entered the cell of Vetus Tutela with a wry smile gracing her flawless features.

"I have taken your mistress Vetus Tutela," she said quietly.

"Now that this task has been done, you are free. However, you are not to go to earth and search for her for doing so will result in immediate punishment," Demia continued cruelly.

"Thank you, Demia," Vetus Tutela whispered, her eyes cast to the ground.

She silently vowed to go to earth and find her mistress. Demia's threats did not break her resolve. The guardian rose and left her cell. She made her way to the gates of the heavens and slipped through unnoticed. She landed near the tigress's den. Three fiery eyed tigers glared at her.

"Please do not harm me," she begged, getting down on one knee and bowing to the graceful predators.

'Who are you and why do enter our forest?' Cloud questioned.

"I am Vetus Tutela, the ancient guardian of the enchantress, your mate," she explained.

'Dad, she knows Mama,' Alana said with hope.

'You will help us search for her?' Cloud requested.

"Yes, of course," the guardian said. "I would have saved her before those horrid beings took her---" she began.

'Then why did you let her captors succeed?' Cloud said angrily.

"Demia, the sun goddess locked me away so that I would not be able to reach her," Vetus Tutela murmured.

'Enough. We hunt tonight,' Cloud said with great intensity. The four set out, with Lily in the lead.

'This way,' she said as they came to the brush. The three tigers leapt gracefully through while Vetus Tutela glided over. Lily was about to head off through the forest where she had seen her mother taken when Vetus Tutela stopped her.

"Please wait, young one. I shall call out to her and see if I can find her," the guardian said. Mistress. It is I, Vetus Tutela.

'Vetus Tutela. Y-y-you did not come' a sleepy Circe answered.

I know. It was the work of Demia.

'You are free now?' the tigress questioned.

Yes and am with your family. We shall come to you in the night.

'Follow the path laid before you until the setting of the sun. You shall find me there,' she said and then sleep was too great. The tigress had succumbed to its lull.

"We are to follow this path until the setting of the sun. We will find her there," Vetus Tutela said triumphantly.

They rushed into the forest. Cloud took the lead and they moved stealthily over the roots and fallen leaves. As night fell, they came upon a small clearing in the forest. A large fire was blazing in a small circle of stone. The three hunters lay around it, in various states of sleep. Raju emitted loud snores as he rolled over, his foot precariously close to the fire, his dark red hair covering his face. Serena's long blond hair was spread like eagles wings fanned out under her head. Her light blue eyes were barely visible. Helenai rested her head on a rolled up sack of clothing. Her golden blond hair and fiery grey-green eyes were in shadows. When all three hunters had given in to sleep, Cloud, Lily, Alana and Vetus Tutela moved into the camp.

Cloud immediately saw the small barricade that held his mate. By nightfall, the sleeping draft from the dart had worn off. She paced uneasily around in circles.

Mistress. We have come for you.

'Yes, but do not make noise. It will only disturb those filthy creatures and you would all be in danger,' Circe answered. The search was over. The rescue had just begun.

Vetus Tutela moved towards the tigress slowly, not wanting to make undue noise. Once she reached the barricade, a lock made itself visible through the firelight.

"I need something to break it with," she whispered under her breath. Wanting to help, Alana noticed the key around Raju's neck.

'I'll get you out mama,' she said.

'No. Alana it is too dangerous for you,' Cloud and Circe ordered. The young tigress did not heed her parents' warning. She crouched low to the ground and slunk noiselessly over to the sleeping hunter.

She clamped her strong teeth around the chord and bit. The chord broke with ease and the key slipped from around his neck. With the key safely in her mouth she rushed back to her mother. Unfortunately a small twig had been broken in her haste. The dark red haired man sat up and his hand flew to his throat. Panick overtook him and he glanced around. He locked eyes with the tiger and grabbed a poison dart.

"She didn't say anything about the mate or cubs," he said maliciously.

The commotion woke Helenai and Serena.

"What is---" Helenai and Serena asked in unison. The two women had no time to speak for Alana and Lily had pounced.

They would not give in to these lesser beings. Cloud faced Raju alone. Vetus Tutela had managed to get the key from Alana. She moved quietly to the barricade and unlocked her captive mistress.

'You will be forever in my debt Vetus Tutela' Circe said.

"No mistress, I am forever in your service," she said. "That alone is your debt paid."

Raju prepared to send the fatal dart at the graceful tiger when Cloud struck.

'You have caused me much grief human,' Cloud snarled.

"I fear not the graceful predator nor the raging goddess," Raju spat.

'Vetus Tutela, please get him to cease,' Circe requested calmly. The young guardian convinced Cloud to move away from the man.

'Lily. Alana. Do not harm them,' Circe ordered her cubs.

Reluctantly the two cubs joined their mother's side. The three hunters stood together in a clump.

'They were merely doing the bidding of the sun goddess Demia,' Circe explained.

'I grieve your weak wills humans,' she continued, now addressing her captors. At these words, the firelight cast Vetus Tutela into view.

"You have a guardian?" Helenai inquired of the tigress.

'Of course. Though Demia recognized her as a threat and restrained her,' Circe answered the tall woman.

"You have been falsely led to believe your acts were done in good service," Vetus Tutela said.

"For that I grieve you," she added. Raju turned to the women by his side.

"If this young woman speaks with a true tongue, then our purpose would anger the gods," he said. The three humans bent down in front of Circe.

"Please enchantress, we ask of thee to give us your grace," they said in unison.

'Stand for I do not accept pleas from those who fear me,' Circe said. At this, they stood.

'I have no intent to harm you,' she continued.

Just then, the sky was alight with fire. Demia appeared and her eyes burned with rage.

"Vetus Tutela, for not heeding my warning, you shall be---" she began.

'You shall give her no such punishment Demia,' Circe said. Demia turned on the hunters.

"You have not done your job!" she screamed.

"I fear not the graceful predator nor the raging goddess," Raju said for the second time that night. Demia raised her clipeus staff and made to end his life.

'Demia. Look at yourself. The sun goddess does not unleash her wrath on humans,' Circe said.

Demia lowered her staff and fell to her knees.

"You are right enchantress," she said through tears of anger.

"I have failed in my duty as the sun goddess. I am sorry for the pain and anguish that has been caused you," she finished.

'Cease your tears Demia. You are forgiven,' Circe said.

As the night began to dissipate to dawn, Circe entered the gates of the heavens for the first time in 10,000 years. By her side were Vetus Tutela, Lily, Alana and Cloud. They entered the throne room of the sun goddess and Demia rose.

"I release you from you eternal bind," she said. Her staff withdrew the spell and Circe regained her goddess form.

"I thank you Demia," she said. The three tigers looked longingly at her.

'Mama, I do not want you to leave us,' Alana said.

"I shall do no such thing my child," Circe said. She raised her arms and a great energy left her.

Where the three tigers had stood, the god and goddess forms of her family now stood. Lily's white-blond hair whipped around her slender shoulders and her crystalline blue eyes gleamed with joy. Alana's silver- blue eyes shown with adoration and pride. Their father stood, a scar only faintly visible on his cheek and his wild silver-blue eyes looked at his mate with awe and wonder. A single black streak graced Alana's snow-white hair. Circe took each in turn and hugged them.

"You all shall live with me here," she said.

"Oh Mama. Thank you," Alana said.

"You have done a great thing this night," Cloud told her.

"Thank you my god," she said as a playful smile graced her features. Circe turned to Vetus Tutela.

"Vetus Tutela, you are my truest guardian. You risked your life for me," she said.

"I was merely fulfilling my solemn vow; divinus aeternitas," the young woman answered.

"Circe," Demia called.

"Yes Demia?" Circe turned.

"I wish to give you the power of the sun. You are more suited to fulfill its duties," the brown-haired woman said. She handed Circe her clipeus staff and smiled.

"Does your heart tell you to do this?" Circe asked.

"Yes. I have seen my place. I belong in the world of lesser being. But do not banish me oh wise and powerful enchantress. I go of my own will," Demia said.

"As you wish Demia. But you are always welcome in the heavens dear friend," Circe said embracing Demia.

"I know this. Perhaps some day I will return to the heavens. But all I must do is look to the morning skies and see you," Demia assured her. Once Demia was gone, the four remaining greater beings sat together.

"Mother, you truly are beautiful," Lily said in awe of her mother's beauty.

"You are filled with the sun's radiance young one," Circe said.

"Your drive and energy are what make you the strong goddess that you are," Vetus Tutela said to Lily.

"And what of me, Mama?" Alana questioned.

"You my child shine like the brightest star in the night sky," Circe said. Then, looking at Cloud she said,

"My love you are the powerful winds and rain that cover the Earth and produce it's bounty."

"And you dear goddess are the light to us all," Cloud said.

"We trust in you to bring the sun out each day and to shine with its intensity," Vetus Tutela said to her radiant mistress. Circe had taken on a faint glow that comes with the status of sun goddess.

"With you all by my side, I will succeed in giving the heavens and Earth alike the care and light they need. The love you have shown to me is truly magnificent and I am blessed to have you all in my grace and heart," Circe stated emotionally.

And so, the four of them lived out their days in great abundance and joy. Demia visited but had found a family of her own. She prayed all was well with Circe and that she was truly magnificent. Vetus Tutela kept an ever-vigilant eye on Circe. Now that her mistress had become of higher status, she was even more tightly bound to her. She also looked after Lily and Alana. As the two grew older, their bond with their mother's guardian became that of age-long friends. Their father gained the title of sun god. So all was well in the heavens and everything was as it should be. The true sun goddess had made her return to grace.