...

"Oh my..." she gasped, seeing the fear that gripped one of the little souls. 
"Ah, I apologize... It was not my intention to frighten you. Though I suppose I must appear terrifying in your eyes..."

The towering Goddess got up from her seat and moved a few steps towards the gathering of them. She looked at the questioning wisp, who didn't dare look her in the eyes, in a remorseful way. She seemed deeply distraught at their own discomfort. Slowly, Nera crouched so all of the wisps would be at a more even eye level, the pale metal-plated pieces upon dress clattering faintly against one another. She was still rather giant, nonetheless, but no longer would she be looking down upon them. From this close, they would be able to see the swirling essence in her eyes, the faint carvings in her great horns, even the strange coldness that radiated from her ivory skin.

"I truly am sorry..."

The Goddess reaches out a hand, hoping the timid soul would show forgiveness to her. It would help settle her troubled heart.

"But please, do understand. I was merely presenting a glimpse of the [i]danger[/i] in your trials ahead. I would not be able to forgive myself, if any of you were to befall harm that I could've aided to avert. It is best you go knowing of the threat, than not. Even if I must show a horribly regrettable side of myself... As I mentioned earlier, on your journey you will come to face things similar to me. I assure you that, though no less addled than they are, I have no intention of harming you. Maybe a past me, but not the current me. On the contrary, my dearest ones, I wish I didn't have to send you out there. That way, we could just stay together forever." she says with a wistful gaze, "Alas, your fates are much greater than that..."

Nera had spoken those words with a soft cooing, as if trying to calm a scared child. Indeed, her great size alone, and her demeanor would elicit feelings of great disparity like that of an adult to a child. But the way she spoke, was of long-lost mother or caretaker, warming and pleasant, but also when necessary, firm and maternal. Despite her youthful and sometimes childish acting, she held an oldness that, despite her best efforts, was unable to hide now that the wisps were this close. Within the enchanting eyes, while full of love and care, swirled a great sense of urgency and weariness. Much of it had been hidden earlier, aided by distance and behind a knowing and practiced smile. But now it was all laid bare to see. Much like the semi-cleaned atrium surrounding them, it was impossible to keep things maintained forever. It was obvious her elegant dress was one of the things she also kept in utmost care, but the waning of time can easily be observed. The hems of the white fabric has been tattered over constant use, threadbare even at the very worst spots. Bits of the metal plating can also be noted to have weathered away, some of the markings and paint becoming faded due to constant exposure. It was impossible to tell just how long she waited there for the each of them to show, and despite the difficulty, she had continued done so. 

She speaks of many things, but the weight of their fate has never been taken with any lightness. 
The Goddesses eyes enlarge in shock when the second question came upon her ears, the long points perking up. It must not be often someone uses such a tone on her. She nearly laughs aloud.

"My, my, how bold you are! Though I suppose it can't be helped. My pittances have gone on long enough... Your questions will not be delayed any further." Nera says, her soft tone becoming sullen, her eyes drooping downwards in contemplation. It seemed to be a difficult subject matter, as she remained this way for a while, but eventually she pushes through her hesitation. 

"...As I said before, I am a Goddess. To you, that might mean nothing. But in this world, me and my kin were rulers over the greater aspects of the fundamental existence and function of all life. We lived alongside the lesser races of this world, to whom we would watch and care over. It was not perfect, such is the way of things, but we knew how to forgive and let go. Through it all, there was peace. However one day, that all ended. This world started to shiver and die, overcome by a great sickness. The reason, I do not know. Perhaps it was a failing on our parts? Despite what you might think, it was no the blight itself that over took us. But our trifling ego, our pride, from which we had been engorged. Those guarded feelings fooled us into the arrogance that made us weak enough to succumb to the darkness."

Her tone then shifts, her eyes landing on the wisp who regarded her so boldly, "It is quite sardonic, I feel, how Fate decrees our destinies. Back in that age, one of light, I was seen as a minor and unimportant God. A nurturer and reaper of Dreams, a living 'Dreamcatcher', you might even say. But now, I am the only one left... and in a time where barely any dreams exist, no less. Here, in my realm, I have been kept safe from the darkness below. For a long time, I was alone and hopeless, and so very bitter. I was soon left an eternity to consider my own purpose. It was then, that I realized this is where I am most needed. In a place of no hope, dreams will rekindle the flames. Fate, itself, has granted me an opportunity, twisted as it may be. How I felt regarding the past, it was irrelevant compared to the pain I felt from the current emptiness. And so I poured my prayers and essence into the ever-flowing, cosmic divine, waiting these long ages for you, my chosen, to finally arrive.

Nera then looks at each of them, "I find it somewhat humorous, don't you? How two things viewed with such insignificance and disregard, are now the ones who bear the greatest destiny..."

She smiles, fully and with hope, tilting her head. "Anyway. Does that answer please you, little ones?"

...