''My, my,'' Minos said, as he spread his arms. ''What's happening here?'' the King asked in mock surprise, as he glanced at the solemn crowd.
His question might've been asked innocuously, but she could hear the underlying grit beneath his tone. Minos was wrathful. His son—no, Minotaur— was dead. His reputation was ruined. The King of Crete was beyond furious.
''You two!'' Minos seethed, pointing furiously at the two conquerors of the Labyrinth. ''Come face me! I want to see if you're truly worthy of bearing the title of the slayer of the Minotaur!'' he spat out, rage flaring from his nostrils, as he stalked towards Artemis and Orion.
The crowd edged, like waves in the sea, choosing to dissipate any second or standing their ground. Artemis felt Orion's grip tighten against hers, but nevertheless, she stepped forward.
''You, huh!'' The King of Crete glowered. ''Conqueror of the Labyrinth. Slayer of the Minotaur.'' he spat the titles like it was a curse. ''Just but a little girl. Pathetic. Let's see what you've got.''
He heaved his gold-laced sword, and held it steadfast.
''Minos,'' Artemis said soothingly, and she made a point to approach him and trace a finger across the King's blade. Slow droplets of gold emerged on the blade as she ran her fingers over the razor-sharp imperial, polished by years of slices against whetstone, as the closest of the crowd gasped.
The King of Crete edged away, unease clear from his mannerisms. Artemis smiled, as she wondered how Orion would tease her about this later on.
''Do you know who I am?'' Artemis kept her voice sickly-sweet. Orion's grin was evident on his face, if anything. She smiled pitifully at the thought, and returned her attention to Minos.
She could hear Minos' low growl. ''No, and why should I care?!''
''I'd like to tell you a story,'' Artemis said, a smile on her face as she twisted shapes on Minos' skin. ''Of a goddess. Her name's Artemis. If you must know—'' she grinned a sickly-sweet smile, envisioning Minos' pale face, ''—she's the goddess of the Hunt,'' and she stared, crystal-clear eyes boring into Minos's. ''If you've ever worshipped her, then you'll know what she looks like.''
''But—'' Minos scowled. ''There's no way! You can't be Artemis'' he yelled at her, and then to the crowd. ''She's bloody blind! D'you hear me? The girl's blind!''
He let out a loud belch of laughter, but his voice was the only sound that echoed through the silent crowd.
''Oh, but that just makes it better,'' Artemis said with a smirk. ''Your maze failed, Minos. Foiled by a blind girl and her Hunter. And we lived. That's your rule, isn't it?'' She grinned now, lifting Orion's hand in hers to the sky in victory. ''The people—'' she yelled, and pointed at the rousing crowd. ''—the people won!''
It was silent for a moment; before deafening cheers erupted from the invigorated people. They yelled; laughed; rejoiced; cried; and Artemis took all this in with a smile.
''Proof!'' Minos demanded, his disbelief obvious as the crowd cheered and hollered on. He couldn't possibly believe that this blind girl was the goddess Artemis. ''I WANT PROOF!''
With a flick of her wrist, a silver flame erupted from her palm. Gasps came from the rousing crowd, as Minos stared disbelievingly at the dancing silver flame.
''Go now,'' Artemis growled, her voice low. ''You're lucky I'm in a good mood tonight.''
Without another word, Minos and his men fled. Horses whinnied and neighed, as his soldiers drove back into Crete; with a speed swifter than any surrender would've been.
The trots of their horses echoed in her mind long after they left. Grinning, she faced Orion, who, instead of letting go, squeezed her hand. The crowd uttered oohs and aahs like schoolchildren—and frankly, Artemis didn't mind.
'''Her Hunter?''' Orion quoted, a grin on his face. ''All's in a good night, isn't it?'' he said, mischievousness in his tone.
She laughed, and feeling Orion's hand in hers, she thrust them further into the sky, as the vigorous crowd cheered them on.
FIN.
A/N: So, that took quicker than expected. :D I hope you enjoyed this little add-on to the Blind Stars universe; and thank you for reading! I don't plan to expand this AU any further, but if you'd like to see some more, you're entirely welcome to leave a suggestion.
If you'd like to see more, however, there is my fic Raze, which is in-line with the Blind Stars universe. I'll be updating the next chapter of Raze this July. Peace out!