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Zoe Nightshade & the Hunters of Artemis

Chapter 1

The son of Zeus' Betrayal

"The stars are beautiful tonight, Hercules, are they not?" I gazed delightfully.

I admired summer's breezes, they never failed to dance harmoniously in the silence of twilight; ripe grass softly swayed to the salt of the sea, stars twinkled in response.

I had no reason not to believe it wasn't, but the Fates could never allow it.

"Hurry!" I harshly whispered with fear. "He will find us!" I pushed past stalks of long grass and past the shadows of the trees, gripping Hercules' hand. His Nemean lion skin wrapped around his shoulders in tension. It was far too beautiful in the night to run.

"I am not afraid," Hercules tried telling me.

I shook my head tensely while running. "You should be!"

We raced up the side of the hill. I pulled Hercules behind a thorn bush and collapsed,

breathing heavily.

"There is no need to run," Hercules told me confidently.

"Not this one," I said. "Ladon is too strong. You must go around, up the mountains to my father. It is the only way."

Hercules looked surprised at me, like he could not allow a girl to see someone she cared for hurt.

"I do not trust your father, " Hercules said.

"You should not," I agreed. "You will have to trick him. But you cannot take the prize directly. You will die!"

Hercules chuckled. "Then why don't you help me, pretty one?"

My robes shined in the moonlight.

"I... I am afraid. Ladon will stop me. My sisters, if they found out... would disown me."

"Then there is nothing for it," Hercules said, getting up.

No. I could not let him do it.

"Wait!" I said. I trembled as I plucked a long white brooch from my braided hair. This would be the most agonizing decision in my life.

"If you must fight, take this. My mother, Pleione, gave it to me. She was the daughter of the ocean, and the ocean's power is within it." I swallowed nervously as I said the last part.

"My immortal power." I said. I breathed into it and it glowed faintly, gleaming in the starlight like polished abalone.

"Take it,"I said, "Use it as a weapon against Ladon."

Hercules laughed. "A hairpin? How will this slay Ladon, pretty one?'

"It may not, but it is all I can offer."

Hercules softened his look and graciously took it, growing longer and heavier, a bronze sword appeared.

"Well balanced," Hercules said. "Though I do usually prefer to use my bare hands. What shall I name this blade?"

"Anaklusmos," I said sadly. "The current that takes one by surprise and before you know it, you will be swept off to sea."

He tried thanking me but it was too late.

"Too late! He is here!" I said with panic.

I was disowned the next day. My eldest sister kicked me out of the gardens, hissing ancient curses at me. My father called me pathetic, and Ladon was no longer friendly to me anymore. I had nothing left, except for Hercules.

Hercules ended up finishing his labors, and he boasted especially on how he stole a golden apple of immortality from the Garden of Hesperides, under the nose of the deadly one hundred headed dragon, Ladon, who guarded it well.

Many gods and townspeople congratulated him, giving him gifts so splendor to make the gods jealous.

Me? I betrayed my only family. I left behind a wondrous and beautiful garden. I gave up immortality. How does he repay me? Nothing. He left me right after and never acknowledged the help I gave him. Hercules lied. I could have had a perfect life, with Hercules as a suitor and the world's greatest hero at my fingertips. But what did that wretched man do? Nothing. I cannot trust men anymore, for being liars and filthy pigs. They deserve to die. He abandoned me, leaving me to suffer while he lives high like a god. Never again will I trust him. Never again will men be the same in my eyes.

My name is Zoë Nightshade, huntress and lieutenant of Lady Artemis, and this is how the son of Zeus betrayed me. But fear no longer, I will never live under the shadow of this man anymore.

This is where my story begins.