Chapter Two
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History prefers legends to man.
It prefers nobility to brutality,
soaring speeches to quiet deeds.
History remembers the battle but forgets the blood.
Whatever remembers of me if it remembers anything at all,
it shall only be a fraction of the truth.
For whatever else I am; a wife, a hunter, a goddess, I will always think of myself as a person in this world who struggled against darkness.
-Phoebe Artemis
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Bright light greeted Artemis the moment she opened her eyes and she blinked. Her silver eyes a bit unaccustomed to the sudden influx of the rays made her squint and out of pure reflux, she pulled the covers of the bed over her to cover her head from the blinding view of the window.
Satisfied that her eyes is as comfortable as the rest of her now, Artemis sighed in content as she snuggled deep into the mattress and her head shifted on the soft pillow. Something soft though was in her right arm and Artemis cuddled it even more taking pleasure at how soft her cuddle pillow is. She could stay like this for days and Artemis felt lazy, unwilling to move from the bed and that is saying something since Artemis was never one for laziness and sloth.
Her eyes snapped open in alarm and she sat up all thoughts of sleeping even more forgotten on her mind. Her brain whirred as she looked around her surroundings. It looked like someone's mansion judging from the large but comfy room she is in. There are paintings of different things ranging from a ship sailing at sea to a baby panda. However what intrigued her was the large painted portrait hanging in the wall. Even as she sat on the bed, she could identify the two people with their arms around each other's shoulders as they smiled for the painter. One was a girl with honey blonde hair with a heart shaped face and a cute nose that could attract any male while the boy who looked a tad older than the girl looked like a younger version of the man who saved her last night. Black hair, sea green eyes but no scar yet. He is holding a small kite in his left hand while his right is entangled also on the shoulders of his companion. He had none of the seriousness and the scars though as he waved at the picture. Despite herself, Artemis smiled. The two in the painting are either lovers or very good friends.
Artemis squinted as she felt the sudden pain in her head. Reaching out with her hand, she massaged softly the healing scars that marred her forehead. She knew it would heal soon, gods tend not to carry the scars they have for battle. Artemis giggled imagining what would Ares look like right now if scars do tend to remain for gods. Aphrodite would never come within five miles of him then.
Speaking of the pain in her head. Artemis drew her thoughts about it last night. She sighed inside, she knew she was almost screwed last night and are a few seconds away from getting her throat ripped off if not for the fact that that person from the cafe didn't show up. She wondered who he is, she felt no aura from him and he is no god from another pantheon. That intrigued Artemis a lot.
She didn't understand much of what happened last night. She was pretty sure she nailed Boagrius good and well. Artemis was not considered a formidable force in Olympus due to rumors only. That hand crossbow was designed to pierce even the toughest armor and she was sure that she aimed straight at her prey's head. She was no slouch but having an enemy revive after being killed would certainly tick any warrior off. Not to mention that the said enemy suddenly evolved from a simple human to a thing with claws, teeth, mouth wide enough to swallow her entire neck whole and inhuman strength that can rival the gods.
Artemis winced as she straightened up sitting. Looking down at her body, she blushed seeing that she is wearing nothing on her top but soft bandages covered her chest where the thing grabbed her last night before smacking her silly to the planks. She was glad though despite miffed seeing herself wearing yellow pajamas. She can't help but wonder who put her in here. If that guy was the one who changed her, Artemis would challenge him to an honor duel for ruining her modesty debt or no debt.
She was still mulling these things over her head when she heard the door open and the girl on the picture only a tad older emerged. She's beautiful of course with a simple white dress that shone in the morning though her poise and the way she walked depicts strength and grace at the same time. She is holding a tray with food and she smiled at Artemis. The moon goddess was reminded of a whipcord while watching her. Dangerous and elegant at the same time.
"Good morning lady Artemis. I'm glad to see you're awake now," smiled the girl as she sat beside Artemis' bed putting the tray beside the silent moon goddess who was struck dumb by her greeting. She never believed anyone would knew her here. The girl must have noticed her reaction for her smile broadened showing bright pearly teeth.
"Oh don't be surprised my lady. We knew who you are the moment Percy brought you down here. Mind you, I was surprised he didn't faint seeing you are not so modest when he carried you,"
Artemis blinked at her words. She isn't sure if she is grateful or not. One part of her who hated being indebted to males wanted her to go out and strangle whoever this Percy male is, powers or no powers. But the part of her that still retained the gentle part of her and the teachings of her mother egged her to the simple fact that she must be grateful and it would be interesting to meet her saviour especially since he beat that thing senseless without effort and not to mention that he's not bad looking either. Artemis had to shake her head at the sudden mistake of thoughts that came out of nowhere.
"I see," Artemis smiled seeing that the girl in front of her expected a reply. "I'm grateful for your hospitality and for saving me miss...?"
"Cassandra," finished the girl with a small grin of her own. "And think nothing of it my lady. It was a pleasure having you in our house,"
Artemis returned the gesture with a nod as she looked at the food she had been brought. A sizzled egg with certain brown things she didn't recognize and sausages with cream on it. Rich mashed with potatoes and butter finished the main course. A banana laid at the side as an desert. Looking at her host who waved her hand at the food indicating for her to eat, Artemis took the utensils and slowly began to eat the weird food.
To say that Artemis was surprised was an understatement. It was the best breakfast she had eaten in her entire life. Even the constant ambrosia and nectar can't oppose to this food this tasty. At the Hunt, most of the food are usually bland since Artemis can't cook to save her life. The girl beside her was obviously madly trying to tone down her smirk as the moon goddess lost all reservation when eating.
"Are you the one that dressed me?" Artemis nimbly asked five minutes later as she observed the beautiful girl arrange the empty plates now.
"Of course," nodded Cassandra laying out a comfortable household dress beside the moon goddess' bed. "I'm sorry if it's not much. But I believe that it is the only one that I have that will fit to you my lady,"
Artemis just gave off a faint smile as she took the the brown dress admiring its simple nature. Unlike most of her peers, the moon goddess doesn't have much inhibitions about wearing simple attires unlike a certain love goddess she utmostly loathed.
"So what now?" she faintly asked propping herself comfortably on the bed sighing at its softness. Cassandra merely shrugged at her.
"Well, Percy wanted you to meet you if you feel like it," Artemis cocked an eye open at the girl.
"Does it have to be now?"
"Not really, he wanted you well rested and ready before you meet him,"
Artemis let out a long breath at the consideration. Being the goddess of the Hunt, she isn't exactly well suited to seating at one place too long, much less sleeping. And the prospect of lying here at the bed for an hour without nothing to do, Artemis was sure she would be fidgeting and rolling. Better get this over with before anything else comes up. Meeting a male as distasteful as it is, Artemis believed it would be more interesting than lying her doing nothing. Besides she needed information on the thing that had just beat her senseless a couple of nights ago.
"I'll meet him now," Artemis flatly stated surprising the girl beside her.
"Now?" she blinked as if she had misheard.
Artemis grinned at her showing her teeth which is a bit in the sharp side on the canines. "Yes now,"
"Okay," the girl stammered a bit. "Well you need to get dressed my lady,"
Wincing slightly as she pulled herself up from the bed, Artemis nearly fell if not for Cassandra holding her arm for support. She cursed her helplessness a bit glaring at her legs who looked like it was cursed with jelly on the knees before looking gratefully at her host.
"Thank you," said Artemis beaming a bit feeling her wobbly legs shudder at the pressure. She scowled inwardly as she just realized that she won't be able to stand on her own at all, much less put the dress on.
"Would you mind helping me change please?"
Cassandra merely smiled gently at her as she led her to the bathroom. "But we need to change your bandages again to make sure you are er...presentable,"
"Presentable?" Artemis quirked an eyebrow up staring at the blushing girl who looked like she just regretted what she said.
"It's Percy my lady. He's not exactly a normal person and he's uhh... a bit of practical when it came to formality,"
"Never heard of a male that worried about formality before," Artemis said out loud as she sat on the stool at the simple bathroom she was led into. An old but beautiful mirror with gems and rubies adorned its side and one look at it gave the moon goddess the impression that the mirror was worth more than the entire bathroom.
"As I said before my lady. He's not exactly what you would call normal,"said Cassandra as she gently pulled Artemis' bandages at the back where Artemis recalled a few splinters had damaged last night.
"Really? Why would you say that so?" Artemis asked as she felt the girl's hands rub some kind of salve at her fading scars.
"I believe you'll know it when you see it my lady," Cassandra stated putting a fresh patch of white soft covers at the scars. Artemis was not worried about her blemished skin, she is a bit vain but not that vain. For her, scars are trophies and a reminder of an accomplishment for a person. However right now her focus was on the lord of this house. Somehow for a lot of reasons known and unknown, she is interested on getting to know this Percy.''
"I see. This meeting would be interesting then. Let's see how...different your friend is," Artemis said more to herself as she grinned predatorly a plan to beat the lord of this house on formality on his own ground. It was a challenger for her to prove that women are better than men on this field.
She ultimately missed the girl behind her smack her hand on her face at the accidental challenge she had accidentally created.
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Artemis hated dresses, even simple ones for a reason. She almost tripped three times along the hallway even with Cassandra holding her steady. Artemis was sure the girl was trying to hold down her laughter judging from the number of coughs that left her lips when Artemis for the third time stepped on the hem of her dress. Sure it was just a household dress but it was still a dress.
"Good morning," a stern voice greeted them and Artemis stopped dead in her tracks as she realized that she had just entered the dining room without even noticing it as she was too buys staring at her feet to make sure that her tripping doesn't extend from three to four.
Blushing to the roots of her hair, Artemis stared at the person sitting at the chair over a small table overlooking at the window. Artemis barely recognized the messy person she met at the pub at all. Gone are the messy look on his hair and his face was well washed giving it a youthful look. By Artemis' standard he is no older than twenty-four by his looks. He is wearing a white shirt beneath a red corvat that British royalty used during ceremonies and despite herself Artemis can't help but glance at the gold studs of the corvat. White clean gloves covered his hand and hanging from his white trousers were a slender sword of silver gleaming at the morning light that trailed from the window.
However what caught the moon goddess' complete attention was his eyes. When she first met him, the green there had been bright but dull like embers of a shard of fire. However right now those green burned with an intensity that held the moon goddess was only one word that could describe him right now.
Gorgeous. Where did that thought even came from? Artemis saw now what Cassandra meant. At the norm of the world today, no person ever dressed like that at their own home much less outside where it is obviously outdated but classical in a very formal way at the same time.
"My lady?" his voice, stern but gentle drew the moon goddess from her daydream and she kicked herself mentally as she noticed him standing there with a hand extended of welcome there. She was horrified to know that she had been standing dumbly there mouth open staring at him as he held a hand out in welcome. She blushed hard when she closed her mouth and she noticed the small amount of drool that fell. Judging from the snorts behind her, she blushed harder as she realized that Cassandra was laughing her heart out. However the man in front of her remained stoic as ever.
"Hello," Artemis returned the greeting and she went red as she just realized that her reply sounded very dumb. However it seemed that the man in front of her understood as he put down his hand which Artemis didn't shake and led her to the study table pulling a chair to let her seat.
Such a gentleman, thought Artemis to herself as she sat timidly. She was a bit horrified by her actions though. A part of her was screaming to be a bitch and to put as much possible space between her and the man who sat at the table opposite her. However the majority part of her for some reason really wanted to play nice and Artemis felt something different emanating from the person who is staring silently at her.
Artemis was silent as the two of them remained silent. She squirmed on her seat at the lack of noise. Percy was leaning at his chair looking at her with those green eyes as if evaluating her very soul. She looked back a bit and she noticed Cassandra merely standing there as still as a statue beside her chair. A minute passed, another minute. Then it was five minutes, and sooner Artemis realized that it was twenty minutes already and she can't stand it anymore.
"Are you a god?" she blurted out softly but for her it felt unnaturally loud due to the silence that had just pervaded. For some reason, she saw approval on the man's eyes as a small smile graced his features.
"Very good Artemis. You have learned the art of patience, that is...remarkable," he simply stated.
"One cannot stalk a deer if she is unable to hold her ground," said Artemis proudly and she saw him nod again in agreement. However Artemis can't help it, but her bitchy attitude thanks to the long wait began to get over her polite one.
"And aren't you supposed to call me my lady?" she frankly pronounced. "I'm a goddess after all,"
"Not my goddess or anyone else's in this place," he replied with a small smirk at her than ticked her off a lot. No male ever talked to her that way and lived. She had been lenient enough to him since he saved her but what his disrespect sent her blood boiling. By instinct, Artemis pulled the small knife at the table and with speed that a goddess can only have, hurled it at the person who dared to mock her.
She heard Cassandra gasp at surprise at her sudden attack and she expected to hear a squelching sound in front of her as the knife embedded itself on the male's flesh. However her jaw dropped as Percy still looking over the window caught the knife between his pointing finger and his middle one easily.
"The name's Percy Jackson, stepson of King Arcturus Jackson of Italy," he introduced as he laid the knife gently at the table. "This is my home moon goddess and I suggest that you curb that attitude of yours as long as you stay here yes?"
"Yes," nodded Artemis vigorously without hesitation. She just realized thanks to that performance that she is ver badly outmatched to him. Even she can't catch a knife with a projectile that fast. Maybe if she had powers she could overcome him but based on skills alone. Artemis don't even want to think about it.
"Good, now that we have put that unpleasantness behind us. To answer your question moon goddess is no, I am not a god. There are gods and there are men but there are those of us who are in between. Now how are you now? You're in pretty bad shape when I first brought you here,"
"Fine," Artemis replied softly. She is trembling inside though. She is in a stranger's house that is superior to her physically and could outmatch her skills. If he wanted, he could have his way with her. Artemis never stated it to anyone but what Boagrius' did to her when she was young scarred her deeply although her chastity is still secure.
"I had to say I am amazed at how you gods heal," Percy said simply looking at her. "I had expected more than three days before you get up and start walking. To see you sitting here awake and even having the guts to attack me, that is truly saying something,"
Artemis blushed at his reprimand as she looked at her knees unwilling to look at those green eyes. She felt like melting them into them every time for reasons she cannot fathom.
"So do you have questions?" Percy asked after the statement.
"Actually there is one and it is very important to me," said Artemis looking up at him remembering her thirst for vengeance. "Is Boagrius Barts dead?"
Percy's eyes gleamed a bit before he answered simply. "No, he's not,"
"What?! Why didn't you kill him? I saw you kill him as you throw him off the roof. I was there!" Artemis half screamed, half wailed standing up as Percy raised a hand to stop her tirade.
"Sit Artemis," he commanded softly.
"You can't just...,"
"I said sit!" he repeated the command and this time Artemis flopped at the chair without question at the authority behind the command though he simply stated the words and didn't shout it.
"Now," he sighed leaning forward clasping his hands in front of him before, his green eyes boring into her like darts. "Before I tell you anything. I believe you are worried and confused about what happened a few days before. You think that it is some kind of monster you haven't seen before last time. And now you are dead set confused about what to do about it yes?"
Artemis nodded blinking a bit at the green eyes that is staring intently. She is stumped, he had narrated everything almost correctly. It is true, Artemis is no slouch when it comes to fighting. Even Ares would think twice on going toe to toe her. Even with no powers, she is a force to be reckoned with and having her ass handed to her easily by that monster hurt both her pride and self-esteem deeply. She may not have said it much, but she had been wracking her brains ever since how to deal with that monster. She had never seen anything like it before and it was very alive and kicking even after Celestial Bronze embedded on its brain. She had never seen a monster like it before.
Percy must have noticed her worried look for a small smirk appeared in his face as he spoke again. "And lucky for you Lady Artemis. Hunting them was something of a specialty of mine,"
"What?!" Artemis nearly jumped out of her chair as she leaned forward almost ripping Percy's formal coat in front of her as she pulled him so close that she could hear the fabric ripping a bit. "You can kill him?! How much? I can pay you to kill him?! How much?!" she shrieked.
"My coat...please," whined Percy trying to pull back but Artemis had enough of playing nice. She pulled even harder that she nearly choked the surprised person. "Kill him! Please, kill him!" she begged and she didn't feel Cassandra's hand easily plucking her off by grabbing her waist and pushing her back to her chair forcing her to let go of Percy as she landed on her backside.
"Calm yourself my lady!" the girl's voice echoed in her mind but Artemis finally passed her limit emotionally. Here is someone who could kill the murderer of her mother. Here is someone who could wrought the vengeance that she herself failed to do. Here is someone who could bring justice to her and the mother who was stolen from her.
"You don't understand, he must die. He took my mother away from me. Please you must kill him," the moon goddess begged losing all sense of reservation as she cried letting silver tears fall on her face in front of the two silent owners of the house. "Can't you see? I had to avenge my mom. She never reformed. She never returned, she faded in front of me. I must avenge her. What do you want? Money? Gold? Silver? I...I could be your slave if you want to but please, you must kill him,"
Silence stretched a bit before Percy finally spoke. "I'm sorry my lady but my services are not for sale,"
Artemis whimpered refusing to lift her head. She knew deep inside that alone, she isn't experienced or strong enough to take down the monster that killed her mother. However she was surprised by Percy's next words.
"But I could teach you the how to,"
Artemis stiffened as she felt calloused hands pull her up from the floor and lead her to the sofa. She never let anyone touch her, especially males but from this person, she felt something different. Something soothing that calmed her spirit down and drove off her fear about males. Something new, something gentle. Something trustworthy. And she relished the feeling of it.
"I will teach you how my lady," Artemis noticed the "my lady" part and she smiled inwardly finally at the recognition. "But before we go to the practical part, first I need to clarify some things from you,"
"What do you mean?" Artemis blinked. To her confusion, Percy turned towards the blonde girl beside her.
"Cassie, would you mind getting us a cup of tea?" he asked. The girl left leaving the two alone. Artemis then stiffened as Percy looked at her and there was plain disapproval on his face.
"Now first of all Artemis I had to admit I'm not there by coincidence at the pub when I met you. I was very curious to know why a moon goddess and an Olympian to boot would come all the way down here to the States. Now we need to discuss your actions. You plan to kill a monster who supposedly managed to make a Titan fade mind you, drunk I might add. No support, no backup plan and might I add that you only had one ammunition on that crossbow you had,"
"Hey I was afraid you know," Artemis can't help but blurt as Percy's eyebrow rose and she immediately covered her mouth at her slip.
"Why?"
"Nothing,"
"Again, why?"
"It's private okay?" Artemis admitted with a small hiss. She didn't want to think about what happened at the temple many millennia ago.
"Fine, it's not as if you had slept with the monster no?" Artemis bit her tongue from answering again. His guess was awfully close and she wondered if he was a stalker of hers.
"Now my lady. Do you have any idea that what you are dealing with is a vampire?"
"Va-vampire?"
"Yes, immortal night blood sucking fiends,"
Artemis can't help but scoff a bit. "Vampire's aren't real,"
"Of course they aren't. After all, one just beat you senseless a few nights ago after you put an arrow on its head,"
"But they're just legends," Artemis pointed out.
"And so are the Olympian gods. Trust me Lady Artemis, vampires are real enough. They're in every country and every state that doesn't cover your realm. Thank you Cassie," he smiled at the girl who handed him a cup of tea before offering one to Artemis.
"Thank you," Cassandra just gave her a soft smile before sitting at one of the chairs to listen to the conversation.
"Are they really that powerful?" asked Artemis taking a sip on her tea feeling envy at its taste. She never had tea this good before.
"Yes," Percy nodded. "The older they get, the powerful they become. That vampire you tracked down by the way is one of the older ones. That is why you are beaten senseless not to mention drunk,"
"So why didn't you kill him?" asked Artemis. Percy gave her again one of his trademark glares that sent Artemis the feeling as if he's reading her mind.
"Cause that kill belongs to you my lady. If I put an end to him. You would never find peace in your heart. But first let me ask you something," he leaned forward and Artemis blushed at how close their faces are.
"Why do you want to kill him?"
"For my mother of course!" said Artemis indignantly glaring at .
"Really?" he sneered a bit and Artemis took all her willpower not to slap the lights out of him. "And what would that benefit the next person whose mother was killed? It would be a never ending cycle of killing and revenge without end. You need another reason Artemis and we will take that up on your training,"
"You know I'm a trained goddess you know. I can fight," Artemis reminded with a small glare of her own.
"I know. But your skill was based on how to kill mortals and even gods. You are not trained to kill vampires,"
"Is that really different?" A small smile crept Percy's face as he leaned back on his chair taking a sip on the tea.
"It makes all difference. Now here's the deal my lady. Take it or leave it. I will teach you how to become a huntress of those things but you need to exactly do what you are told exactly how you are told, understood?"
"I-,"
"Understood?!"
Artemis sighed putting her tea down. "Yes, I understand,"
"Good," Percy smiled standing up. "You have the rest of the day off today. Feel free to explore the house and the forests outside. Tomorrow we train and Artemis...," he stared at her sharply.
"Do not disappoint me,"
"Okay," Artemis nodded as Percy stood up and walked back toward the exit of the room with Cassandra cleaning up the glassware he left behind at the table. It was just then that Artemis remembered something she had forgotten to ask.
"Percy?" she called out to his back making the man look back at her.
"Yes my lady,"
"I need to know? What are you? Are you human?" she asked and she can't help but notice him grimace at her question.
"As I said before my lady. There are gods and there are men, but there are those of us that are in between,"
"I see,"
"Is that all?"
"Yes...thank you for agreeing to me," Artemis mumbled. She may be a bitch at the outside but Artemis can't help but be gentle and kind to this two people she had just met.
"Don't thank me yet. You're in for the beating of your life," he replied before leaving through the door like any noble would do without a backward glance leaving Cassandra and Artemis alone at the room.
"Don't mind him so much. It's not as bad as he says," Cassandra comforted patting Artemis at the shoulder before taking the empty glasses to the kitchen.
"I hope so," muttered Artemis softly as she sat on the sofa sighing deeply to contemplate of the things she had learned. "I really hope so,"
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HIYA2X GUYS COME ONE IM CONFUSED. SOME SAY THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO BE M WHILE OTHERS SAY ITS T. IM SORRY ABOUT THE UHMMM...GRAPHIC PART ON PART 1. IT WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE I SWEAR. IT WOULD AFFECT THE ROMANCE LATER. ANYWAY PLEASE REVIEW. NEXT PART WOULD BE ARTY'S TRAINING. DON'T BE AFRAID TO REVIEW YOUR THOUGHTS AND TELL ME HOW TO IMPROVE THIS STORY. IM NOT PERFECT AND I WOULD REPLY AS BEST AS I CAN.
CORTAX: Yes, I know that Artemis and Apollo "was born" on Delos, but they are constantly on the run with their mother since Python is chasing them. That's why they are moving around the city states. And Leto of course would be in her human form. It would be waving a red flag at Hera saying "here i am zap me" if she is on her titan form. And the vampires in this story is strong.
PECULIAR MATCHMAKER: yes, sparta respects their women but not their slave girls.
RULER OF ASSASINS: Its a secret :P hihihi
TYLER: No, I dont play that game
PRINCESS OF THE SEAS: Anyone would panic if the guy you just killed wakes up after you nailed his brain hihihihi. And remember, Artemis was scared of this guy remember? :)
PS: I love burgers'