Darkness is a powerful force. And although light is the only thing that can drive it out, sometimes… it just isn't enough. We Gods can become wrapped up in our own ways - striving for power, wanting to become the greatest. But sometimes… we fly too close to the sun.

Prologue: Grounded Souls

Astrid was having a pretty fantastic day. Her long crimson braid darted out behind her as she ran, like a fire that burned as passionately as her internal one. Flexing her plush wings in the Skyworld sun, Astrid took in the busy sights of the prospering heavenly city around her. Children chased each other playfully and laughter among friends filled the marketplace. The large marble temples and gathering places around the city stood proudly, their white walls emanating a friendly glow. As one of the captains of Lady Palutena's royal guard, Astrid was expected to be fairly serious all the time. But she just couldn't ever see herself being like her other fellow officers, seeing as they all looked so sour all the time. No, as far as Astrid was concerned, it was her job as an angel to spread light, and what better way to that than to simply smile? Well it's true that her kind were created to be warriors, elite guardians of Palutena's light and all that is good, Astrid thought she was the only one to really understand what it meant. She straightened her Officer's toga and golden laurel crown as she quickened her pace to Palutena's temple, where she had been summoned for a very important meeting.

"Lady Palutena!" she yelled excitedly as she burst through the doors, "Sorry for being late, but there was an old lady who needed help carrying a large box and I-"

"Would you save the excuses Astrid? Maybe instead of wasting your energy thinking of a good excuse, you could instead focus it on arriving to your appointments on time." Astrid whipped her head around to acknowledge the captain who was currently reprimanding her. Her emerald eyes met with a pair of stormy gray ones. He had a sharp jaw and wore his signature frown. His jet black hair was swept into a low ponytail with a few loose strands left to frame his face. His uniform mirrored Astrid's, making them the same elite rank. Before she could respond, an elegant, yet commanding voice beckoned to her.

"Let her be, Soren. She was training the new recruits today. Plus, this is a very exciting day for her." Astrid faced the front of the temple to see Lady Palutena, the goddess of light, perched gracefully atop her ivory throne. Her green hair was a meadow atop her head, and her cream colored dress hugged her curves and flowed elegantly to her ankles.

"Yeah, Soren, today's the day I finally get to become a guardian!" Astrid exclaimed in excitement. "We're going to be best friends, this newbie and I. I'll teach him everything that I know, and someday, he's going to fly higher than all of the others! You'll see!" Palutena's eyes sparkled with pride. It seemed like so long ago since Astrid was appointed to her position. For she remembered when she was a little fledgling, itching to get off the ground and fly. And although her co-captains may not always agree with her… unique traits, the goddess believed that there was no other angel better suited for the job.

Soren immediately cut down Astrid's enthusiasm with a glare. "I hope I don't need to remind you how important this new assignment is. You're going to be completely responsible for this new angel's future. It's your job to guide him down the path of light and help him through his early training until his wings grow in." Astrid knew better than to respond. After all, she had known the grumpy angel ever since before their wings had grown in; she knew better than to cross him further.

After the tension in the room died down, Palutena guided the red-headed angel to the place where souls worthy of rebirth were turned into angels.

"Astrid," Lady Palutena inquired, "do you know why I began to reincarnate souls into angels?"

The captain looked up dutifully, "To protect the realm of light and spread its influence to other realms, ma'am!" Palutena nodded seriously.

"Yes. But there is another reason. Sometimes, I believe there are some souls who die too early. Some that deserve more time. And that is why I bring them back. So that they can continue to live… because they deserve it." She trailed off as she slowed her pace. Eventually, the two came to a halt. Palutena gazed out at the azure sky where the new recruits took flight for the first time before turning abruptly to face her loyal servant. "Astrid," she began, "this soul that you will take charge of is an example of this. He was a child. He deserved so much more. And I trust that you will give him the life that was taken from him." Astrid nodded solemnly. While it's true that angels didn't remember anything of their past life, Astrid always felt that twinge of jealousy at humans, some suppressed, tiny part of her being coiled in envy at the sight of them. Almost as if she had been duped out of something. But the feeling would leave as quickly and suddenly as it surfaced.

Astrid clenched her fist tightly. This time though, it would be different. She would make sure this little fledgling would never feel that… that emptiness. She would make his new life a happy one and by the Gods, she would make him strong. The strongest of them all. This little angel wasn't just going to fly. He was going to soar.