Dear friends, sorry for not updating for so long, I hope you are still interested to know what's going to happen next.

Your comments are greatly appreciated and treasured.

Chapter 4

"Oh, no, this is not happening," Artemis jumped from her seat and made an attempt to go to her nephew side to prevent him from resurrecting Hippolytus when she realized that she was unable to do so.

"Please, father, I beg you, let me go," Artemis made an unsuccessful attempt to plead with Zeus, "I will stop Asklepios and you won't need to punish him."

"Asklepios was warned by Apollo once, I am not going to give him a second chance," coldly said Zeus. "I gave my word to Hades and I intend to keep it. Are you putting the interests of your mortal nephew above those of your immortal uncle?"

"No, please, no harm will be done if Asklepios leaves Hippolytus dead," Artemis felt her cold indifference disappearing in a wake of the tumult that Asklepios death would bring. She never pleaded with her father for any mortal life before but she was desperate to succeed now. "Please, father," she approached Zeus' throne and knelt on one knee. "Please don't let it happen, I implore you. You know how dear Asklepio' life is for my brother, Apollo will be inconsolable with his death. He is your favourite son and he is your strongest supporter; please, father, let me intervene, or send Hermes. Please."

Artemis realized that her voice was shaking and she was terrified at the realization that she was on the verge of crying.

"I am very sorry, my daughter, but I can't do anything," Zeus responded trying to give his voice some degree of compassion. He wasn't happy with the situation either but he couldn't afford to openly show preference to any of the gods. He knew the moment he did it, he would be flooded with requests from other gods to save their siblings and beloved from their deaths or forgive their mistakes and forsake due punishments. Apollo was given the chance to warn his son and if he failed, too bad, next time he would be more persuasive.

But it wasn't in Artemis nature to give up so easily. She continued imploring her father but Zeus was firm in his decision. Other gods didn't intervene with exception of Poseidon who felt obliged to say something since Asklepios was trying to save his grandson's life.

"It is a messed up situation," he said gravely when a moment of silence allowed him to step in. "It is obvious that I want Asklepios to succeed and save Hippolytus but it means that my brother has to kill his own grandson. However, Apollo is not here, and I think it's not fair to take advantage of his absence. Asklepios was made to break his oath by circumstances not on purpose and we have to take it into account. If you want to punish him, just take away his ability to heal but don't kill him."

"I can't do that," Zeus shook his head, "an oath is an oath, and if Apollo would have been here, he wouldn't be able to help his son. May be it's for the better that he is not present to watch his son die," and with those words Zeus took a thunderbolt and hurled it at Asklepios who just moments earlier succeeded in reviving Hippolytus.

In that moment everyone and everything became so still that one could hear a feather drop. Most of the gods expected Artemis to explode with angry accusations against Zeus or may be even, and that would be unheard of, to burst into tears but the goddess just became very quiet. She didn't look at her father just silently rose from her knee and turned her back on Zeus. She walked slowly away further and further from the throne until none of the gods could see her anymore.

Uneasy silence fell on Olympus. Poseidon opened his mouth to say something but Zeus, without tearing his gaze from the disappearing figure of his daughter sternly said, "Let her be. She needs time to accept an inevitable. I wish she worried less for her brother. Speaking of which, Hermes, go find Apollo and let him know what happened, I don't want him to take it the wrong way."

With those words Zeus stood from his throne and left. He wasn't happy with the situation and he tried to convince himself that nothing could have been done. Gods have their own laws and have to follow them. Oath is an oath but he wished that he didn't concede to Hades request that easily.

"Wait, where are you going?" Hermes run after Artemis.

"Go away," without turning her head said the goddess, "I want to be left alone."

"Alone is fine but how about you show some resilience and join me in finding your brother?"

"Finding my brother? What for?" angrily asked Artemis, "he can't do anything now and I can't offer him any solace. He should have been here for his son, not dallying somewhere with yet another nymph or playing on his stupid lyre."

"Are you upset with him, or with our father, or with life in general?"

"I don't know, Hermes, don't get all philosophical on me, it's not your nature." Without any clear idea in her mind as to what to do now, Artemis continued on her way.

"Just wait and listen," Hermes navigated around his sister and faced her barring her movement. "I don't know what Apollo is going to do but I am sure it will be something really crazy. I think we should find him and stop him. I want you to help me find him. Our brother can be really elusive when he doesn't want to be found."

"Oh, isn't it your speciality, to find any god, human or creature whenever you need it? I don't see why my help is required," Artemis stubbornly tried to refuse Hermes' suggestion. "I am not sure I can face my brother now. I failed in my attempt to save Asklepios. Apollo won't be happy."

"Of course he won't be, but it has nothing to do with you! Are you coming?"

"All right," reluctantly conceded Artemis. "Even your company would do for now. Where do you suggest we go first?"

Hermes ignored the jibe and said, "Hyperborea, winter is almost upon us, besides, it's a place where Apollo likes to hide from the world when something doesn't go as he wishes. His and Asklepios relationship is really deteriorated recently, he mentioned to me that he needed some time off. Little did he know. Strange of him, though, not to foresee what was going to happen."

"You know very well that Apollo never looks into his own future, he says he wants to live it in real life not in some vision."

"Well, this one time he should have made an exception," said Hermes. Both he and Artemis arrived at Hyperborea in no time and went in search of Apollo.

"There is a grotto that you brother favours, let's start there," suggested Hermes. He took charge and directed their way to the place. It was a very nice spot indeed and Artemis wanted to comment that she might like to come here more often when she saw Hermes stop and touch something with the tip of his sandal in the ground.

"I think we are too late," grimly said the god.

"What's that? Asked Artemis and looked at the shapeless form in the grass.

"That stupid bird!" disdainfully answered Hermes. "I think Hera's peacocks have more brain. I bet he brought the news of Asklepios' death to Apollo.

"Oh," said Artemis, "I see. Aren't you afraid one day to end up like this?"

"Occupational hazard," dryly laughed Hermes, "this is why I brought you with me. Just in case Apollo gets some wrong ideas why I want to find him; but he will never hurt you, will he? Besides, it's sort of logical of what happened to that Raven."

"Yes, it is," said Artemis, remembering. The creature was really stupid, or may be plainly unlucky. Once, a wonderful white bird with a penchant for true prophecies was one of Apollo's favourites who trusted the bird and left it to watch over Coronis, Apollo's love, who carried his child. Nobody knows for sure what happened. Some say that the bird was simply fulfilling its mission and followed Coronis everywhere to make sure she was safe and as a result discovered that she was making out with Ischys. But there were others who said that Coronis was always faithful to Apollo, Ischys was just a guest at her father house and the Raven made the whole story up because he wanted Apollo's attention all to himself. One way or another, when the white Raven brought the news to Apollo, the god was so enraged that when he looked at the bird the hatred in his eyes was so immense that Raven's feathers turned black on the spot.

"What do we do now?" asked Artemis. She became even more upset than she was before. She didn't like remembering that episode in her brother life. He couldn't forgive himself that he killed Coronis because of the unproved rumour; the fact that he had presence of mind to save Asklepios' life never was enough to atone for the death of his beloved. There was also a gossip that Apollo never found it in himself to kill the unfaithful princess and Artemis had to step in and punish Coronis. But the author of that rumour didn't know Apollo well enough, he was never the one to wallow in misery at his own misfortune, he was always one to spring into action and act and woe to those who happened to be in his path. In the current turn of events the now black Raven was the first victim. Artemis was more than sure that he wasn't the last.

"We go to Athens," suggested Hermes. "Your brother would like to bury the body of his son himself."

"Athens it is," agreed Artemis and joined Hermes in his flight.

They found Theseus alone in a small dark room sitting on a plain wooden chair and pointlessly staring at the floor.

"We are sorry for your loss," started Hermes.

"Which one?" bitterly asked the King of Athens without lifting his head and acknowledging his visitors.

"Ah," uncertainly started Hermes, "whichever you are mourning now. Where is everybody? Why are you left alone?"

"I wanted to be left alone. I guess it's my miserable life I am grieving for. You know, Phaedra hang herself. Just like her sister did long time ago. She left me a letter, she said she never wanted to cause Hippolytus death, she said she loved me but that her love was cursed, whatever it means. With all the sacrifices that I burned on Aphrodite's altar, the goddess must have some reason to really hate me."

"But you still have your son," reminded him Hermes, "Asklepios saved him and paid for it with his life. Where is he and where is my nephew's body?"

"Apollo was here," quietly said Theseus. "He took his son's body with him; he also deprived me of my son."

"He killed him?" frowned Hermes.

"No," Theseus shook his head. "He said Athens was a wrong place for him. He said he would take him to his mother's land. But may be he wanted to take him not from Athens but from me, he was just too kind not to say it in my face."

"I don't think that kindness currently has any place in my brother's heart," observed Artemis. "Where did he take Asklepios' body?"

"I am sorry that I never paid you proper respect, goddess," said Theseus, "but I tried not to forget any gods in my prayers."

Artemis waived her hand dismissing Theseus explanation, "Where did my brother go?"

"I don't know, he didn't say, I am truly sorry I can't be of the greater help." Theseus sighed and fell silent again.

"All right, let's go," Artemis tugged at her brother's tunic, "I really can't take any more misery right now."

"Where to?" Uncertainly asked Hermes when they left king's palace. "Where would your brother take Asklepios body?"

"I don't know, may be Epidaurus?" suggested Artemis. She had little hope of finding her brother there, but after all it was where Asklepios lived with his family when he wasn't travelling around.

They went to the polis but Apollo wasn't there, even more, nobody in the palace knew about Asklepios death yet and Artemis and Hermes wisely decided that they didn't want to be the bearers of the bad news. They tried Delos and Delphi, then a couple of other places where they thought Apollo could have taken Asklepios' body.

"I run out of ideas," admitted Hermes, "you?"

Artemis searched in her mind for other places frequented by Apollo and then said, "Let's try Kos."

"Kos? what's so special about the island?"

"It's where our mother was born. She likes the place a lot and lives there for long periods of time. You know she hates Olympus and even refused to have her palace there. But Kos is another matter. She likes to hide there from gods and people. She has her own place in the mountains and she invites us to come and stay with her from time to time. It's very secluded. Apollo might have brought his son's body there."

"Well, it's worth a try. Let's go," agreed Hermes and both departed for the island.

They were greeted by radiant Leto who came forward to meet them. She kindly smiled and nodded to Hermes and gave her daughter a loving hug and a kiss.

"I am so glad to see you here," happily announced Leto. "Artemis finds this place too small to run wild with the animals, and you, Hermes, is always so busy, I didn't see you in ages. I don't invite anybody here but you should know that you are always welcomed in this place."

"Thank you, Leto, you are very kind to me," trying to sound light hearted responded Hermes. He didn't savour the task of breaking the grim news to Leto and wisely decided to leave this unpleasant duty to Artemis.

Artemis sighed and bit her lip. She decided to start from afar. "We are looking for Apollo," Artemis said, "but I understand he is not here. It is really urgent that we find him, mother. We looked everywhere. I hoped that he may be decided to pay you a visit but I see that I am mistaken."

"Oh, you missed him, dear, he left not a long time ago," rather cheerfully said Leto.

"He was here?" Artemis didn't need to fake her surprise.

"Yes, yes, he was. He brought Asklepios and asked me to take care of him. He said he had to attend to some unfinished business somewhere else."

"He left his son's body here for you to guard it?" Hermes wanted to make sure that he understood Leto correctly.

"His son's body?" asked Leto with such unhidden challenge in her voice that Hermes was taken aback. "We are talking about Apollo here. Did you really imagine for a single moment that he was going to accept his father decision in the matter?"

"He brought Asklepious back to life?" asked Artemis in disbelieve. "But Zeus forbade any resurrections!"

"So what?" snapped Leto at her daughter. "He forbade it to Asklepious, I don't remember him ever forbidding it to Apollo."

Artemis fell silent. She didn't expect this turn of events and her mother tone and changed attitude immediately reminded her how Leto always took Apollo's side when the siblings quarrelled.

"I always knew my brother was a genius," joked Hermes. He was acutely aware about the sudden tension that emerged between mother and daughter and tried to dispel it. "I hope he got a further inspiration and completely took away Asklepios' ability to even heal let alone to revive humans to avoid the necessity to resurrect his son times and again in the future?"

"That is what you would do, isn't it?" arrogantly asked Leto.

"Yes," slowly confirmed Hermes, "what did my brother do?" asked the messenger god with a certain degree of apprehension.

"Well," Leto got her light and easy disposition back and sweetly but with triumph smiled at Hermes, "he made him immortal!"

"He did what?" in unison exclaimed both gods.

"You heard me," calmly responded Leto.

"That is not possible!" burst out Artemis, "My brother can't do that! What will my father say? What he will do to him now?"

"You think it's impossible, do you?" Leto asked in turn both her daughter and Hermes. "It's not even forbidden because it's impossible, right?"

Artemis and Hermes silently nodded. "And yet Apollo did it," continued Leto, "but you still think that he should be mindful of Zeus' orders?"

"Mother, please don't," pleaded Artemis. "You don't know what you are talking about. It is treason. You can't encourage Apollo to revolt against the order of things if it goes against his wishes and his heart desires. Don't you care about your son's life? Zeus will plunge him into the depth of Tartarus and nobody will be able to save him."

Leto stubbornly pressed her lips and coldly said, "You always were envious about your brother's talents and abilities."

"Damn you, mother, he is my twin and I love him!" vehemently exclaimed Artemis, "I never was envious of him and he knows that. I just don't want him dead!"

"Your brother can take care of himself," insisted Leto.

Artemis silently cursed. Not so long time ago she was saying the same words to herself but now she wasn't so sure.

"Listen," said Hermes, "it's not a right time to quarrel, let's go and talk to Asklepios, he may know where his father went. What's done is done, and we still have to find Apollo, I am a bit nervous about that unfinished business he left to attend."

"Don't worry, he didn't plan to dethrone Zeus," said Asklepios stepping out of the tree's shadow."

"Joy to you, nephew, so nice to see you well, alive and immortal," smiled Hermes. "And welcome to the Olympian family."

"I would rather go back to my own," responded Asklepious, "but my father is not in the habit of minding other people's or even gods' wishes.

"You want to be dead?" asked Hermes.

"No, I want to go back to being mortal and help people."

"Apparently, in this family only Apollo gets what he wants," commented Artemis, "I wonder how Zeus is going to take the news. I pleaded and begged for your life but it looks like it wasn't necessary at all."

"You didn't do it for me but for your brother, I mean nothing to you. Not that I am much offended. If Zeus wants to kill me again, he has my blessing."

"Apollo knows how much gratitude he is going to get from you, right?" coldly asked Hermes.

"Yes, he does. I don't know what he was expecting. He loves me, fine. I am aware of that but sorry, I can't love him back."

"Because he killed your mother?"

"I don't know. May be the Raven was right and I am not Apollo's son, may be Ischys fathered me? Where is that bird anyway? I should probably take advantage of being immortal and force it to tell the truth."

"The bird is dead. It brought the news of your death to Apollo and your father killed it in anger."

"How appropriate, but my father failed to mention it."

"Did he mention where he went?" Asked Artemis.

"No, why would he do that? Why would he say anything to me? Aren't you aware how he treats me? Do this, don't do that. Even now, that I am immortal, I don't expect he is going to change his attitude. How he can expect anybody to love him when he is a complete control freak obsessed with always doing things right according to his own idea of perfection? I just want to get away from him and have my own life. Don't you?"

"Life is not easy for your father," interceded Leto.

"Oh, com'on, grandma, if life is not easy for him, what others can say about their lives?" scoffed Asklepios.

"Others don't need to be constantly on their watch on doing the right thing," patiently explained Leto, "others don't need to worry whether they are loved for who they are or for what they represent; when others have more power, they go and grab it and don't stand being ridiculed for weaknesses they don't have. Others are loved by their children, not despised by them."

"All right, all right, I know my brother is really interesting topic of conversation but can't we go back to the business of finding him?" asked Hermes.

"I am not sure how it really works among the immortals, but aren't you supposed to know where everybody is, uncle?" asked Asklepios.

"Yes, I am supposed to, but I not always can," explained Hermes, "some gods, and your father is notoriously known for that, tend to make their whereabouts secret, and it's pain in the ass to find them. In that case I just go from one their favourite place to another until I catch up with an elusive deity. It's frustrating and can take a lot of time. When I complain I am told I am immortal and has a lot of time on my hands."

"I see, it mush be really frustrating at times, but what we are going to do now?" Asklepious looked expectantly at his relatives.

"So, you are suddenly worried about your father?" maliciously asked Artemis.

Asklepios shrugged his shoulders, "There is nothing else I can do. I am told that I am immortal but I don't feel any different. I don't know where to go, to whom to talk, how to occupy myself. I don't even know how to move from place to place as you do. I don't know how to get in touch with people and how to behave with them now. My family doesn't even know yet that I was dead and now I am a god. And my father who on a whim or out of revenge decided to make his favourite son immortal instead of being here for me, simply disappeared because he found something more important to do. Am I worried for him? No. But I want to have a chance to find him and knock him out unconscious."

"Good luck with that," smiled Hermes.

"I'll take my chances," gloomily said Asklepios. "But if you don't want my company, I'll go and explore the island. I always wanted to visit it but never got a chance."

"No, you stay here," firmly said Artemis. "It will be dark soon and…."

"Thank you, aunt, you missed the time when I was a small boy but even then I wasn't much afraid of darkness."

"It's not what I meant," Artemis said with irritation, "We have to rest and resume our search in the morning."

"I thought gods didn't need rest," teased Asklepious.

"And I thought physicians knew better," parried Artemis.

To be continued…(honest)