You walk through the empty schoolyard, your shoes splashing in the puddles forming on the asphalt. The heavy rain pelts your trench coat, droplets running down your face and neck. The yard is deserted, all the children gone home for the evening, leaving the place eerily quiet. Perfect.

You've returned to investigate the suicide of a young girl who took her life here just a week ago. Now that the students have gone home, you have a chance to search the areas you missed during the initial investigation. But as you make your way to the place where her body was found, you hear the faint sound of sobbing. Someone is crying under the tree where she hung herself.

Cautiously you make your way over and spot a young girl weeping softly under the branches of the oak. But something isn't right. Her school uniform doesn't match the one worn at this school. More shockingly, she has golden eyes and a glowing halo of light hovering over her head.

For a moment you wonder if you might be seeing the dead girl's ghost, come back to haunt the place of her demise. But no, this is someone - something - else. She seems as real and as solid as any living being. And she seems utterly shocked to find you here, staring at her. The girl turns her tear-stained face up to you, her unearthly golden eyes wide with surprise.

"You…you can see me?" she asks incredulously. She brushes self-consciously at the tears on her cheeks, though they continue flowing unabated. "But that's impossible. No one has been able to see me for… That means..."

*Her voice soft as a sigh, she continues to regard you with wide-eyed wonderment. She shakes her head slightly, not entirely able to comprehend what's happening. Suddenly, hope sparks in her golden eyes like fireworks on a summer night. "No...it can't be true..." But still, she holds out a hand towards you, fingers trembling. "You...you saved someone? You helped them when they needed it most?"

You saved someone, even if it was just once... It's enough. You are the first mortal to see me since I became a goddess. I...I can feel my powers growing stronger. Your presence has brought me hope that maybe, just maybe, I won't be forgotten anymore. And because of that, I am willing to help you in any way that I can. Please, tell me how I can aid you in bringing justice to Chloe.

Of course, detective. Chloe was a student here at the school. She had no friends, her family life was...difficult, and she was constantly bullied by other students. The staff turned a blind eye to it all, not wanting any trouble or to ruin their perfect image of the school. I did what I could to help Chloe, but...I wasn't strong enough. She confessed her feelings to someone before she died, someone who had been kind to her in the past. But he only laughed at her and made fun of her instead. That was the final straw. Who did she confess to? Did anyone else help or encourage her to do this terrible thing? I need answers if we're to bring Chloe's killers to justice.

"Oh..." Her voice drops to a horrified whisper as she studies the markings on your arm. "That explains everything... No wonder they didn't care about her pain." Her golden eyes well up with fresh tears, though this time they aren't just for herself but for Chloe and all the other hurting schoolgirls in the world. "What can I do to help you find them? What sort of information might be useful?"

Her voice is desperate now, eager to help even if it means suffering more pain herself. Her powers continue to swell as you pray to her unknowingly, and she feels almost overwhelmed with the newfound strength at her command. It's exhilarating...and terrifying. But she can't ignore the need for justice any longer; she has to use this chance while she still can.

Her eyes go wide with shock as she sees Chloe standing there, alive before you. "Chloe! You're...you're not dead?" She scrambles to her feet and rushes forward, reaching out to touch the girl's arm. "How can this be? I felt your pain when you died...but you're not supposed to be here."

She glances back at you uncertainly, her golden eyes pleading for an explanation. You could see she's in a state of utter confusion, trying to process what is happening and how it might affect her purpose as the Shield of Forgotten schoolgirls.

*Chloe nods shyly and looks down at her feet. Her hair hides her face as she whispers softly, "Hi...I'm Chloe." She glances up at you again, her eyes still cautious but hopeful. You can see the bruises on her arms where someone tried to strangle her. The marks are still fresh, hardly beginning to fade from their purple and black hues. She takes a tentative step forward, moving closer to Aegis as if seeking comfort or protection.

Aegis' eyes widen further when she sees the marks on Chloe's neck. "Oh, sweetheart! Who did this to you?" Her hands fly to the girl's shoulders protectively. "They need to be stopped." Her voice quivers with emotion as she speaks, her golden glow becoming brighter and more intense with every word.

You can feel a powerful surge of energy coming from her, her strength growing exponentially in response to your prayers and worship. It's almost overwhelming, but you sense that it would be foolish not to take advantage of this newfound power while you have the chance.

Tears well up in Chloe's eyes as she nods slowly. "It was him..." She points at one of the boys standing nearby, his expression hardening when he sees her accusing finger. "He...he killed me," she whispers, voice barely audible above the sound of raindrops pattering on the leaves overhead.

As you approach the boys, they exchange nervous glances. Their school uniforms and carefully maintained appearances are marred by sneers and hostile expressions. When one of them sees Chloe's accusatory finger pointing at him, his face twists into a snarl. "Shut up, freak!" he spits venomously.

The boy blanches at the coldness in your eyes and swallows hard. Trembling, he shuffles back a step, his fingers curling into fists as if preparing to fight or flee. The other boys grow even more restless, eyeing you warily as they stand protectively around their accused friend. The tension in the air is palpable; it's only a matter of time before things explode into violence.

You have their attention now. They cower before you, their faces pale and terrified as they stare up at you in disbelief. Even Aegis seems shocked by your display of dominance; her glow increases yet further, nearly blinding as she stands beside you in silent awe. It's almost too much power to handle...

"Now," you say calmly, your voice echoing through the now-silent schoolyard. "One of you did this to Chloe. Confess now and i might be lenient." As you speak, your words seem to carry more weight than they should, as if backed by some unseen force. The air crackles with anticipation.

The boys look at each other fearfully, their eyes wide with disbelief and shock as they realize the power you hold over them. One of them swallows hard and slowly raises a shaking hand. Aegis' glow brightens further, her eyes locked on him intently. "I did it," he whispers hoarsely, his voice barely audible above the sound of falling rain. "She was just so pathetic...I couldn't stand it anymore."

Her hands clenched into fists at her side, Aegis growls low in her throat. "No," she spits venomously, eyes flashing with anger and hurt. "No one has the right to take another's life! Not even if they deserve it!" Her glow intensifies further as her emotions spill over; golden light envelopes you both like a fiery shroud. "You are no better than a murderer," she hisses at him, "and you will pay for what you've done."

Her strength surges again, more power coursing through her veins as the mark on your arm glows brighter still in response to your unwavering faith. The other boys begin to whimper and cower as they sense the growing might of their enemy. They look to you now, hoping against hope that you will spare them from Aegis' wrath.

The boys whimper in fear as you speak, the look in your eyes promising death and destruction if they try to resist Aegis' wrath. The one who confessed trembles violently, his knees knocking together as sweat beads on his brow. All around them, the schoolyard fades away, leaving only themselves and the enraged goddess before them. There is nowhere left to run.

Aegis stands tall, her golden eyes burning with righteous fury. "Now," she says coldly, her voice echoing across the void-like schoolyard. "You will all pay for what you have done." The other boys scream as they vanish in a flurry of golden light, their terrified cries echoing through the nothingness before fading into silence.

The confessed one stares up at Aegis, his face a mask of horror and disbelief. His body trembles uncontrollably as he awaits his fate. With a savage snarl, she reaches out and grasps him by the throat, her glowing hands burning like fire as they choke the life from him. He struggles uselessly, his eyes bulging in their sockets as his world fades to black.

The last of his strength leaves him, and he falls limp in Aegis' grasp. The golden light around them fades, leaving only the schoolyard once more, wet with rain and silent save for the sound of a single tear trickling down Chloe's cheek...

It's over...Finally, they can no longer hurt anyone ever again...Chloe looks at you with tears streaming down her face. "Thank you..." Her voice is barely audible above the sound of rain pattering on the leaves overhead. "I don't know how I can repay you for all this." She takes a step closer, reaching out to touch your arm tentatively. As her fingers brush against your skin, she gasps in surprise. "You saved me...from them and...and from myself..." Her eyes go wide as she realizes what that means. "I can't just leave you now...You must be lonely and hurt too."

She takes another step forward, her body pressing against yours as she wraps her arms around your waist in a desperate hug. "Please," she whispers into your ear, voice cracking with emotion. "Don't ever leave me alone again...please..."

Chloe sighs heavily, her body trembling as she finally lets go and steps back, her eyes never leaving your face. "Thank you..." She sniffles and wipes away another tear with the sleeve of her sweater. "I promise to always be here for you, even if no one else will."

With a small smile, she reaches out and takes your hand in hers. Her touch is surprisingly warm and comforting, despite the coolness of the rain that falls around them. "Let's go home, okay? I'll make us some hot chocolate and we can talk...just you and me." It's an offer she never thought she'd be able to make; yet here it is, hanging in the air between them like a shining beacon of hope.

A smile lights up Chloe's face as you agree to go with her. For the first time in weeks, perhaps even years, she feels a spark of hope and happiness flare within her chest. Together, arm in arm, she leads you through the quiet schoolyard and out onto the street where a taxi idles at the curb. As they step inside, Chloe turns to face you one last time before giving the driver their destination. "Thank you," she whispers sincerely, her eyes meeting yours in a way that feels almost intimate. Then, with a contented sigh, she nestles into the plush seat and closes her eyes, leaning against your shoulder as the taxi speeds away into the night.

Chloe snuggles closer to you, her soft breath tickling your neck as she savors the warmth of your body. The scent of her hair mingles with the sweet aroma of vanilla from the cup of cocoa she clutches in both hands. She stares out the window, watching the city lights flicker to life against the starry sky. For the first time in ages, she feels safe and cherished. Perhaps there's hope for her yet. Maybe, just maybe, they won't forget about her after all.

Her eyes drift shut again as she allows herself to sink further into the comfort of your presence. She nestles against your side contentedly, unaware of the power that's flowing through you or the influence it has on her own life. All she knows is that for now, at least for this moment, she feels loved and protected...and grateful beyond words.