As I stare out the window, I can hear Arachne moving her loom as she drags it across the room. All day she's been complaining about needing a new loom since this one cannot handle her great artistic skills. She is talented but she has gotten vain recently. So vain that the other day she said she was better than Athena! The goddess of weaving, Athena! I just pray that she didn't hear Arachne and thankfully, Arachne hasn't said anything like that again. "Do you need any help, little sis?" I ask, as I get up walking over to her and her enormous loom.  
     "No! I got it over all by myself while you were sitting there gazing out of the window, lost in a daydream." she wines. I chuckle to myself, if only she knew I was thinking about her. I am most of the time. After all, I need to protect her since she always does silly things like tempt the gods. Arachne continues, "Oh and I need a new loom. This one is too big and gaudy. I need a better one like Athena has. So. I went to the blacksmith yesterday and paid him. Can you pick it up today for me? Pretty please?" 
     "What? You already went and ordered it? Why would you do that? And Archie, the loom you're using right now is new! We just bought it last week! We can't keep on wasting money like this! Also, don't disrespect Athena, she is a goddess, and you are just a mere mortal. We need to remember our place."  
     "Don't be silly. You've seen my work, and you know that it's better than Athena's. If she can't accept that I'm just that good, then it's her problem."  I'm getting ready to shout at her again when there's three sharp knocks on the wooden door. I walk over and open the door. On the other side is an old woman is staring back at me. She's dressed in rags and has wrinkles everywhere. She asks to speak with Arachne. I wonder what little Archie has done now. I call Arachne over and let her speak to the lady. "What do you want?" Arachne snaps and just as I am about to remind her of her manners, the lady starts to speak. 
     "Don't tempt the gods and goddesses young one. You will regret it." 
     "Don't tell me what to do, you old crow. I'm better than Athena. In fact, wherever she is. I challenge her. To a weaving contest. If I lose then I will accept whatever punishment that Athena gives me." At these words, a soft golden glow entraps the old woman. As the glow dissipates it isn't an old woman standing there anymore. Instead stands the great goddess, Athena. I gasp, as I go to bow down. She ignores me but instead says, "I accept."  
With a wave of her hand, she set up a stage outside the house. It had two looms on it. They are giant and beautiful. Just like the ones Archie had wanted. They both go up onto the stage and start weaving at their respective looms. There is now a crowd gathered around the stage. Nymphs and mortals alike were in the crowd. We waited and watched as the goddess and girl both weaved. 
     Soon after they were done. They both got up and held up their tapestries for everyone to see. Athena's had honored the gods, showcasing the achievements of the gods. While Arachne's showcases all the god's failures. For example, she has showed multiple of Zeus's indiscretions. Athena started talking, voice loud and clear, "I must admit your work is brilliant and impeccable. However, your portrayal of the gods is a mockery. For this you will be punished."  
     "That's not fair! You can't decide who wins!" Arachne wines.  
     "Fine, let's let the people decide. Raise your hand for me." Athena declared. Everyone's hands shot up, fearing the wrath of the goddes. "Now raise your hands for Arachne." The name sounded like a bug from Athena's voice. No one dared to raise their hand. "Then I guess I win." Athena smirked and turned slowly to Arachne. She then snapped her fingers and in place of Arachne, was a horrible monster. Half-human and half-spider. The top half was still her, the same girl, but the bottom half was now eight hairy black legs. "You and your descendants will forever hang from these precious threads. And the best part? You are now one of the most skillful weavers ever!" She cackled.  
     There was another swirl of gold sweeping Athena away, back to Olympus. Arachne came running over to me, "Please, sister! You must help me! Please, Cora!" I shrug away, far away from her grip. "No! I warned you and you didn't listen now you must pay the price of your own actions!" I run back to the house and lock the door behind me.

     I've spent my whole life protecting her. But now? I won't. Instead, I'll live for myself.