In the small town by the name of Vemdelen life was continuing like it always had done. Now that spring had arrived the streets were once again a bustle of activity. As the spring sun warmed the earth and brought new life to the surrounding forest all the people that lived in the town began replenishing their supplies. Food, firewood, and clothing were among the most important things that had to be restocked. The next harvest wouldn't be until the fall so going out into the forest to collect these things was the first thing most people did.

Of course life wasn't exactly the same as before as now there was an actual goddess living among them. Not everyone in Vemdelen worshiped the new goddess of course, mostly due to the all consuming stigma of hate against them that had existed for generations. Thankfully Jenna, the Goddess of Light and Knowledge, didn't actually enforce her worship. In fact people seemed to be allowed to choose to worship or not worship as they as individuals saw fit. Those that prayed to Goddess Jenna did seem to get actual benefits from doing so, at least in minimal ways.

It wasn't like the goddess was granting miracles to everyone that asked for one or granting wishes left and right. However there were small miracles granted everyday it seemed, even if it was just the slight twisting of luck in one's favor. Perhaps the family cow somehow survived a sickness that should have taken it, or an important item that was missing for months suddenly appeared again. These things could be credited to pure chance of course, but those that worshiped Goddess Jenna knew there was more to it as the glowing lights they saw around their homes bore witness to.

There was a certain street urchin who worshiped the goddess for deeply personal reasons. He was known only as "Zippy" and was a young boy of the age of ten. His hair was short and olive, his eyes a plain brown, and his skin a light pinkish. Living a life of homelessness and petty theft was the only way he knew after his parents had died in a fire years ago. It was the Goddess Jenna that represented a chance at a better life to the boy. He prayed to her in hopes she would take notice of him and save him with her great power.

At the moment Zippy was sneaking through the side streets near the main market of the town. Of course as a child with no skills he had no way of earning money, so his daily food was whatever he could pinch when no one was looking. At the moment there was a bread cart he was keeping his eye on. He kept to the shadows and crept up ever waiting to make his move.

The owner of the bread cart was currently speaking to another adult, a paying customer that was purchasing several loaves. This was the chance for a sticky finger to take their prize.

Zippy dashed forward while keeping his head down, running out of the shadowy ally and into the bright light of day. It would only be for a few moments he hoped as his little hand reached out for a loaf of bread on the cart.

It was a nice plump one that was bursting with yeasty goodness, perfect for eating throughout the entire day. His dirty hand grasped it tightly and scooped it off the cart before anyone could do anything to react.

He had been seen however as the stall owner had caught him out of the corner of their eye. The man whirled around and pointed at him shouting angrily.

"Stop you thief!"

Zippy didn't stop, in fact he ran. The shouts of the angry adult getting quieter as his little legs carried him back into the shadows of the alley. He wasn't running alone however, as one of the guards in the market had seen the disturbance and started chase.

"Get back here you little shit!" the man shouted.

The bulky armor and spear of the guard meant he was even less maneuverable than normal, making him no match for the lithe child that was his quarry. The adult was helplessly stumbling about the rubbish and debris in the alleyways, barely avoiding tripping over among some of it.

Zippy on the other hand was used to navigating such obstacles and had no problem leaping over crates and sidestepping fallen sacks. The backstreets were his home after all and he had the ultimate advantage here. In fact he found it funny when adults chased him as they stood no chance.

It only took a minute for the guard to give up, shouting angrily as the boy fled off into the bowls of the town. The child now free as a bird, so to speak.

Once he was sure that the pursuer was gone for good Zippy stopping running to catch his breath. The prize of the day was still clutched in his hand, that tasty bread smelling so wonderfully. As he leaned up against a wall he took a few bites. It was delicious.

His reprieve was to be short lived however. The sound of approaching footsteps put him on guard. Looking up the last thing any child of the streets wanted to see appeared before him from around the corner. It was other street urchins, these ones older than him. Teenagers.

Of course gangs were commonplace in towns this big, those children unable to survive on their own naturally joined up together for protection. This particular group of teenage boys were known as The Fleetfoot Macs. They were known for their propensity for violence and were armed with daggers and ropes. Trouble, danger, the last thing you want or might ever see.

There were four of them currently approaching from the north and they quickly fanned out to pen in their newest victim. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and fighting certain to end in disaster. The current prey saying a silent prayer to their savior goddess.

"Well look what he have here" the biggest boy said with a sneer. "If it isn't the little goddess worshiper."

He looked to be the oldest of the four, at least fourteen, with long black hair and cruel orange eyes.

The other three grinned evilly and played with their weapons in their hands.

"You know ever since that damn goddess showed up you little gutter rats have been getting awfully bold, coming into our territory like you own it." The boy continued. "You must think a goddess gives you rights. It's like you think she cares about you!" He turned to the others. "Whaddya think? Do you think we should test if his precious goddess will save him?"

A shorter boy with blonde hair chuckled as he twirled the knife he had.

"Sure thing Billo! And if she doesn't its one less problem for us."

The four older boys began advancing on Zippy, his options quickly running out. There was no point to talking to the gang, they wouldn't listen to a goddess worshiper. The only option he had was to run as fast as possible. He would take a slash or two if he broke through their encirclement but what choice did he have? Preparing himself for the pain he ducked his head and charged at the two smaller boys.

"Get him!" Billo commanded.

Zippy was smaller and quicker, but was no match against four opponents. While his initial charge did allow him to break through the two shorter boys he was far from home free. In fact his shorter legs were his ultimate undoing.

The taller and stronger Billo was able to catch the fleeing child before he could even make it twenty steps down the ally. With a show of force the bigger boy yanked Zippy back and tossed him back into the other waiting three.

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The two that Zippy had originally dodged through now had their knives at the ready and slashed at him as he was sent stumbling through them. The cold steel cut deep into his arms and left crimson streaks in his dirty shirt. It hurt, but not as much as what came next.

The last boy that hadn't yet made a move now walked over, kicking his victim in the stomach and sending him flying back into the stone wall.

Zippy felt his head knock against the hard and cold stone, the wet feeling on the back of his neck signaling the damage that had been done. Blood now dripped down his head and onto his shirt. This was looking very bad. He prayed and begged to his goddess to be his salvation, his words coming out as babbles through his now tear stained face.

"Looks like this is the end for you trash" Billo said as he approached.

However there was one thing that none of the children noticed, not even the cold blooded killer approaching to finish off his victim. There on the wall behind the slumped Zippy a small hole appeared in the stone, and out of it came a small hand. This hand touched the wounded boy's side and then retreated back into the hole which promptly closed up again.

With a cruel grin Billo towered over his target, his right arm holding the knife lifted into the air. He then brought the knife down with a swift strike, right into the heart of the younger boy. Much to his surprise though the knife simply bounced off with a metallic clink.

"What the?"

The shock on his face was evident, his gaze locked onto the knife in his hand as if it was some unknown object. His companions looked on in confusion as well not believing what they had just seen.

Zippy however was too delirious to notice of care what the knife had done. He was even hearing voices now. For as he slid further down the wall to the ground he heard a girl's voice whisper in his ear, a calm and firm voice that gave a single command.

"Fight."

For some strange reason the pain had disappeared, new strength coming to his limbs. It was almost as if he was being encouraged to get back up by some unseen observer. His flight or fight was triggered again and he made his choice.

While the gang members were still standing in confusion Billo made to strike a second time. His arm went up and came down for another vicious stab, though this time things went differently.

Zippy instinctively reached up and grabbed his attacker's wrist, his grip so tight he heard the sounds of bones breaking. He stared in confusion at his own strength as his attacker screamed out in pain, the knife dropping to the ground with a clatter form the now limp hand.

The blonde boy was first to recover from his shock and gave an order.

"Quick help him!"

The other three boys dove in to make their attacks, their weapons flashing in the light.

With one smooth push Zippy sent his initial attacker flying backwards like a tossed sack of potatoes. While the leader landed with a grunt on the ground he then turned his attention to the others now closing in.

The blonde one came in with knife flashing, but Zippy was able to punch him in the stomach to send him flying backwards, the impact causing the older boy to start puking and writhing on the ground.

Seeing two of their collaborators so easily dispatched caused the remaining two to stop their attack, the hesitation from their own flight or fight. Within a few seconds they decided they were better off vacating the area and quickly turned to flee.

Zippy made no moves to chase them as they raced off down the ally into parts unknown. Instead he walked forward towards their leader, the rage in his heart bubbling up and onto his face. The expression he wore was twisted and full of fury, revenge the only thing on his mind.

"You think you're so big and strong" Zippy said through clenched teeth. "I know you've killed others like me."

He made it to the fallen boy and stood over him with rage in his eyes. Billo was too stunned to move from the blow to his stomach and could only watch as his would be victim bent over and picked up the dagger on the cobblestone.

"Well today is the last time you'll ever have the chance to harm others."

With one final breath Zippy readied himself to end this evil bully's life. He had never killed before but he'd make an exception for this scumbag. As he lifted his arm into the air he gripped the dagger tightly. Then he brought it down as his attacker turned victim screamed in terror.

The knife never made contact.

Both boys looked at the knife wielding hand and saw a small hand gripping on the forearm. A girl's voice then spoke gently.

"I'm gunna have to stop you there."

Zippy looked up in confusion, following the arm to its source.

There floating in the air inside a glowing circle was the upper half of a little girl, even younger than he was. Her hair was long and golden, flowing in the wind like silk. There was a pretty hairpin of some kind on the top of her head and her clothing was simple yet colorful. Her eyes were a vibrant purple and seemed to pierce into one's very soul. She was beautiful.

"I.... Uh..." Zippy stammered.

The girl turned her attention to the two gang members laying on the ground with a look of disappointment.

"You're dismissed. You help your leader walk."

She had indicated the blonde boy with a nod of her head. He was terrified but obeyed her order without question. As quickly as he could he ran over and helped Billo stand up, the both of them stumbling off into the town's backstreets without another word.

Zippy watched them go in awe, then turned back to the little girl who still had his arm in a death grip.

"W-Who are you?"

In response she simply smiled.

"You know who I am."

"Goddess!" he shouted in excitement. "You actually came! Goddess Jenna!"

Her smile widened which was all the confirmation Zippy needed. His heart was bursting with joy as he found himself face to face with his savior. She had actually come! There was so much he wanted to ask her. What would he start with?

Jenna's smile turned into a frown as she released her grip on the boy's arm. The knife fell to the ground with a clatter.

"You were about to make a big mistake. I didn't grant you some of my power so you could kill your enemies."

This caught Zippy completely by surprise and he responded without thinking.

"But the attacked me!"

The goddess's expression softened as she let out a small sigh.

"I'm aware. You had him down and out but you moved in for the kill. See that's not a good thing. I've taken my power back now. You clearly don't know how to handle the responsibility, though that shouldn't be much of a surprise."

He looked at his hands and then back at her. She was the reason he had been so strong? But why would she take it away from him? This was the first time in his entire life he had any power to decide his own fate! How could she be so unfair?

As if she was reading his mind Jenna reached out and rubbed the top of his head.

"Just because you don't have magical powers doesn't mean you have no power Zippy. In fact I'd like you to give up your life of crime and build a life for yourself."

The headpat made him blush a little from embarrassment. Boys were supposed to do this to girls not the other way around. The words of the goddess also confused him and he looked up into her eyes again.

"But how goddess? I've no skills. I can't even read. So how am I to even find work?"

Another knowing smile appeared on the goddess's lips and her left hand rose to her chin.

"You know I'm not normally one to give out cheat codes, but I suppose I can make a slight exception here. I've already healed your wounds but I'll give you one more gift."

She reached out and put her palm on his forehead, then her eyes began glowing in an unsettling way. Then after just a second or two her eyes returned to normal and her hand was removed.

Zippy suddenly felt dizzy and he stumbled back a step. Strange new thoughts were filling his head, these weird symbols swirling around in his mind like buzzing flies. They were letters! He knew what they were, what they sounded like! It was almost too much to process.

"I've granted you the knowledge of the alphabet little one." the goddess said in a kind voice. "Not how to read entirely oh no, you'll have to put in the hard work learning that of course. But hey! You just got a nice cheat head start hmm? Can't complain right?"

After a new more moments his head stopped spinning and he stood up straight again, turning to the goddess with tears of joy welling up in his eyes.

"Thank you goddess! Thank you goddess!"

The goddess simply let out a laugh, the sound of which echoed around the stone ally like chiming crystal. She put her hands on her hips at the opening of the portal and give him a happy grin.

"You're welcome little guy. Now make goddess proud and use that new knowledge to get yourself a proper job! I'm sure lots of people will be happy to help you finish reading if you can put in some hard work for them too! Now I'll be off so you have fun ok?"

Before he could say anything else Goddess Jenna sank back down into the portal. Once her head finally disappeared into the magic circle it closed without a sound.

The ally was empty once again, the sounds of the town now strangely standing out in the silence like as would be expected. Zippy was alone with his new knowledge, the gang boys long gone into parts unknown. He would be unlikely to have trouble with them again now that the goddess had shown herself but he couldn't help but think about what they would do next.

His thoughts however quickly turned to what he would do next. The goddess was real and she had proven she cared about him beyond a doubt, his faith now galvanized. She wanted him to live a normal life, to earn instead of steal. He would do just that and make her proud!

So with his new life ahead of him Zippy, the lonely street urchin, walked out of that fated ally and into the town with new purpose. His new life had only just begun.