Chapter Ten
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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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New Orleans
Silver eyes looked over the busy port of the main city in the South comparing how different it is from Springfield where she spent most of her days hunting vampires. For a country that is supposed to be the vampiric kind's safe haven. It sure doesn't really look like it at all. Massive ships with pinwheels that drove it slowly skimming on the water are all over the harbor with hundreds of passengers that come and go. Large houses that were obviously used for manufacturing sent off white smoke in the sky as the large industrial city got closer to them. Already the chatter of thousands of mortals that dwell in the city bothered Artemis' ears as their little boat come closer to the large cosmopolitan.
Her musings were broken as she felt someone hand her an apple that she took graciously and with a smile before taking a bite into it. She remained silent as the person beside her began speaking.
"You and me Artemis, together we can achieve anything,"
Artemis can't help but sigh as she remembered the past five days. She had included Abraham and Speed of course on this impromptu rescue mission. Normally she would have not bothered telling them at all but her hand was forced. For some reason after that night when Abraham came wet and ragged, Percy had mysteriously disappeared an hour later and Artemis had no idea where her love interest went. He was there one moment and the next he had vanished almost into thin air leaving her alone at the house. Abraham had demanded answers about what is going on and the moon goddess had no choice but to tell him her secret about her other life. She told him of the existence of vampires how they dwell among the people and how they fed on them. She told him about how a vampire murdered her mother and how she was in a self-proclaimed mission hunting them down. She didn't tell him however the little fact that she was a powerless goddess at the moment away from home. The vampire menace was more than enough for him to slump at a chair.
Artemis expected the lawyer-in-study to call her crazy and not believe. What she didn't expect was the man asking her how she killed those things and many more stuff that made Artemis spill the beans on the vampire's history that Percy had ever told her about. To say that she was confused why the man was not freaking out was an understatement. There she noticed something great about Abraham's character. Instead of panicking at the shocking revelations, the man was working ways of how to get over those problems. He had offered to help instead of shrieking and running around. Two hours of talking later and Artemis finally got him to sit down. She was not surprised that he slept immediately. Even Artemis reacted more negatively than him when Percy told her about the vampires.
She got a shock however the next day when they started to leave and Artemis took the initiative to lock the house since Percy was still not there. She had searched for him futilely the moment she awoke and she was surprised not finding the handsome hunter anywhere. Already resentment for him build up on her chest. He had abandoned her and he had abandoned Cassandra. Pain rose at her chest since she can't help but feel betrayed since she liked him in the first place. All she got when she checked his study was a paper addressed for her saying the address of the mansion that Adam had told her to go into and with a simple "good luck and stay safe"
She had promptly burned the paper then and there.
There next problem came in terms of money and transportation and though Artemis won't admit it. She had no money at all to spend for a trip from Springfield to New Orleans. She could of course take the long way around by horse and foot but she can't for three reasons.
One was the simple fact that the walking option would cause her two weeks travel that would make her miss the Winter Solstice which could cause Zeus to look for her and drag her back to Olympus kicking and screaming. Two, Abraham also could not keep up with her and would rather hinder their travel making them waste even more precious time that she doesn't have the moment to afford. Last and most important was the fact that she greatly worried for Cassandra and Zoe. She had fought vampires and she understood what Percy meant about them wanting beautiful women. Artemis had been groped and touched more than once during those fights and she can't help but be fearful for the horror her best friend and Lieutenant would endure at their hands. After all Zoe was beautiful in her own right and Cassandra was simply a knockout. If the vampires managed to be attracted to her who was not as beautiful as them, Artemis tried to tone the panic in her chest trying hard not to imagine what is about to be done to them.
Thus the last option was to travel by boat which is two days tops. The ride is rather expensive and even with Artemis and Abraham combining money, they just don't have enough for the travel. That's the reason why they had no choice but to invite Speed on this little escapade.
To say that the short man was shocked was to put it mildly. He had looked at them as if they had gone bonkers but when Artemis handed him a vampire tooth she managed to notch from one of the corpses. He shrieked, panicked and fainted. Still, Artemis was glad that he didn't turn them down and he is willing to help them pay for their travel after extracting a promise from them that they'll include him on the rescue mission.
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"New Orleans huh? It sure doesn't look like any cities of the North," commented Abraham as he stepped on the wooden planks after her. Artemis only nodded in affirmation as she stepped on dry ground again on the harbor keeping her sea legs under control after two days on the boat.
"Well it certainly was the typical harbor city you could find in the Union," said Speed as he stepped outside the boat after Abraham and Artemis more graceful than the two of them as he didn't look even flustered by the long travel. "Large city, lots of boats, bad air and an incredibly noisy crowd,"
"You have been here before Mr. Speed?" Artemis asked as she followed the line of people that disembarked their boat with them leading to the main road.
"A couple of times," replied the shop owner. "Had a friend here once, a trading partner you might call her. She died with a dog bite on the neck, at least that's what they say. Now I know better,"
Artemis remained silent throughout their trek as Speed took the front and led them so that the two would not get lost. Once they passed an auction where fresh black slaves from Africa are being sold and it took all of Artemis' self restraint not to jump and start cutting heads. It was almost the same when she met Boagrius' Barts with her mother. People are thronging on the action as every slave are sold. Abraham behind her was almost shaking in anger as they watched a small crying girl no more than twelve being sold to a fat man with large beard.
"Does anyone felt no pity at all?" hissed Abraham silently as Artemis' noticed him watch what to be the girl's parents cry as their child was hauled away by his buyer.
"Don't get involved Abe," warned Speed as he noticed them hanging back. "To you this might be wrong but for this people. This is their way of life. If you interfere, you would be the wrong one here,"
"I agree with him," said Artemis making Abram glare at her. "Trust me. I know how you feel but this is not the right time, nor the right place. We need to focus on finding our friends and bring them home,"
Abraham only grunted but Artemis could tell he was not happy at all. "Didn't anybody try to abolish slavery at all?" he asked as they neared the place where they could hire a horse and cart.
"Many tried to Abe. No one just succeeded," replied Speed.
Another grunt was Abraham's only reply.
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"Your friends sure do have nice choice of places Artemis," commented Abraham making Artemis scoff at him.
"They're not my friends!"
"I was joking Artemis,"
Artemis just sighed as she took again stock of her surroundings. It had been four hours ever since they left the docks and now they are at the side border of New Orleans riding the cart that Speed managed to procure for them. Around her was what is supposed to be settlements for slaves. Speed explained that slave masters allowed their slaves to build houses such as this so that their masters would not bother having to provide them with a roof. However there is a little problem that bothered Artemis as they even continued on the main path. There surely is the settlements. However they are empty.
"I guess we don't need to ask where the slaves went then yes?" asked Speed as he also looked unnerved at the empty hollow place around them.
"Nope. I don't even want to think about it," replied Artemis feeling sick as she counted the houses. This place could house three hundred slaves at least judging by the number of houses. To think that every single one of the slaves was gone. Artemis doesn't want to think how many vampires are supposed to be here right now.
The moon goddess' thinking was broken as Speed suddenly spoke. "Light, up ahead," he gestured with a nod of his head at front.
"Well that's pretty obvious," commented Abraham dryly. "It's pretty the only building that had life all around these woods,"
"Is that our destination?" asked Speed looking at Artemis who is sporting a troubled look.
"Yes, Percy's address says it is," replied the moon goddess softly as she squinted at the lighted mansion. She was confused though. It was easy, too easy ever since they got here. She expected fighting already but there are none at all. She wondered if she misinterpreted Adam's letter. After all it says that she was invited to a ball. For one moment Artemis was horrified imagining herself barging in and scaring a lot of confused people with her sword. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. Right now she would be dealing with a vampire and one of the oldest if Percy's stories are right. This is a trap and it would not be an easy fight.
"Forget the cart. We're walking towards it," ordered Artemis making the two gawk at her.
"Did you say that we leave the cart?" asked Abraham who sweatdropped. Artemis looked at him in confusion.
"Is there a problem?"
"Not really. I just wished the cart and horse was there if we ever need a quick way out,"
"Alright," sighed Artemis in defeat though she gave points for Abraham on his wise suggestion. "Abraham, you're with me. Speed stay on the cart and wait for our signal for a quick getaway,"
"But I want to see some vampires," whined Speed like a five year old as Abraham and Artemis disembarked with Abraham muttering: "Why does it always have to be me?"
Looking back at the pouting figure left behind. Artemis can't help the predatory grin that left her lips making the two males' shiver at her response.
"Trust me, you don't want to see one,"
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"Woah, woah Artemis. There's something terribly wrong here," muttered Abraham as they peeked on the window of the mansion after a good ten minutes of sneaking through the shades of trees.
Artemis remained silent but she had to agree with him. Her silver eyes glowed inwardly as she registered the people inside. Pairs of different people are dancing slowly while a soft music beat in the air. Normally it would be a fairly regular scene for any casual observer. However for any observant person, and Artemis was more than observant. One could see that there is something very different going on. First sign of doubt came from the simple fact that white males in aristocratic clothes are dancing with dark skinned people inside. It was plenty obvious also that they are slaves judging from the fact that some of them have dirt and clashed horribly with their clothing design. The moon goddess' eye narrowed as she saw a woman being held by a white man courteously as he dragged her to the dance floor as she protested that she can't dance.
However two people caught Artemis' attention the moment she laid her eyes on the crowd. One was obviously Will, Abraham's friend dancing awkwardly with a blonde white female whom she noticed was the same person she saw before who visited Boagrius Barts during her first failed attempt. She also didn't miss Zoe in blood red attire who looked like she wanted to cry as she twirled on the dance floor. The moon goddess' had to keep her urge to go barging in as she noticed the man's hand that is supposed to be holding Zoe's waist are instead hanging on the end of her butt, groping her shamelessly as they danced.
"That's two...now where is Cassandra?" thought Artemis as she kept an eye for any sign of her best friend.
"What do we do?" muttered Abraham beside her and Artemis' eyebrow rose as she heard a clicking sound making her turn to the man who is holding a pistol in ready, placing the small ball of bullet inside.
"You stay here," Artemis said softly making Abraham growl at her.
"To hell with that! I'm going with you,"
"Stay here!" repeated Artemis this time more forcefully locking her silver eyes to the brown ones of the man who deflated before sighing in agreement.
"Good," muttered the moon goddess as she unsheathed her sword from her jacket and immediately crept towards the bushes to where the main door is.
There was the sound of tinkling that made Artemis stop as she turned back a bit to peek through a nearby window and saw a semi-shaved man who looked obviously pale bumping his fork with the glass he is holding on his hand. Artemis was not sure but something in the back of her head tells her that the person that she is seeing now is Adam.
"My friends, dinner is served," he proclaimed loudly as the music and dancing stopped altogether.
Artemis doesn't need to have a look as she heard sudden growls and shrieks inside followed by terrified screaming of the slaves as their partners bit them. A thud from the window followed and the moon goddess shook her head as she noticed her companion fainted form thanking whatever deity that she didn't bring him with her. Reaching the front door, Artemis took a deep breath as she kicked it wide open.
Two to three people immediately dashed out in a panic and the moon goddess focused on the five people that is left. There's the woman that is dancing with Will who is holding the black man on his knees while "Adam" was sitting on a chair looking smugly as if he is expecting her. She can't help the hiss that left her lips though as she saw Zoe on the floor keeping a vampire at bay who is trying to bite her with her arms on its neck. It is still snarling and growling and the moon goddess knew that it won't take long before Zoe's strength failed her.
She took another step and immediately the lights dimmed from bright lights to a dim lighting the moment her boots sounded on the wooden floor. She kept quiet as out of nowhere two vampires disguised as paintings in white suits jumped ten feet from above,their true forms showing as claws and fangs extended as they crouched snarling at her.
"So ugly!" commented Artemis loudly making the two jump at her faster than anything she had ever seen. She smirked though as she anticipated their charge. Grabbing the hat on her head, she threw it at the first vampire who as she expected paused as the hat landed on its hand. He never saw the silver sword traveling through its neck that followed. Another snarl came from the second vampire as it did not pause its charge. Artemis merely swung the sword sideways and the accelerating bloodsucker stumbled as it failed to break its speed before its head was separated from its body.
The moon goddess barely finished with the last one before another appeared from the shadows of the pillar in a red jumpsuit fangs bared. Artemis made another side cut but this one was wiser than most as it caught Artemis in the wrist and kicked the sword away making it clatter on the ground. The moon goddess stopped a bit knowing that without her sword she is vulnerable but she immediately yanked her arm forward, catching the vampire by surprise as it was unbalanced by her move. A full roundhouse at its head sent it flying to the wall dazed but still alive.
Artemis didn't waste time skidding towards her sword. At the edge of her vision she saw three more vampires pop down from the ceiling and the one she kicked regaining its semblance of coherency.
"Damn, where are these suckers coming from," Artemis muttered beneath her breath as she ran. She barely manged to touch it with her fingers before a vampire materialized in front of her crouched and snarling, the black veins in its face bulging from strain as its mouth widened three times bigger than normal. A direct punch to the temple by the moon goddess knocked it out of action.
Gripping the familiar handle of her sword, an upward cleave caught a vampire on its chin. Black blood splattered everywhere and still whirling the sword Artemis swung immediately to the back to Jumper who vanished into thin air. Ears alert in a second, Artemis merely ducked its attack from where it materialized behind before a sideward slash arrived on its throat. He didn't get up after that.
A candlestick flew in midair and Artemis smirked at the vampire's idiocy outclassing the poor bloodsucker in a fencing fight in seconds as it materialized. A solid stroke at its kneecap sent him reeling to the ground and a full downward stroke smashed him and the candlestick he had used to block in two.
Artemis barely finished raising her sword back in position from the killing stroke before three thuds sounded indicating the arrival of three more vampires. She merely remained quiet as the three surrounded her snarling and growling like a pack of wolves about to rip their prey to pieces. Against ordinary men, the technique would be very effective making the person afraid and unsure. But against Artemis, it didn't count for crap.
Twirling the sword in her hand, the moon goddess conveniently remembered one of the most important lessons that Percy had imbedded on her when dealing with vampire packs that always choose to surround their prey."Keep Moving". Artemis raised her sword in a position that obviously was a powerful downward stroke. The vampire she is aiming at of course noticed this and made a quick jump to the side. What he didn't expect was for the sword stroke to be a slash to the side not aimed at him but for his unsuspecting comrade who went down with a bloody face.
Artemis smirked as the vampire she aimed first lost its composure as she danced with her sword. If Percy was here now she could kiss him for teaching her this no matter how pissed she is at him for leaving. Dodging the enraged vampire's claw, Artemis struck at its exposed back making it stumble once and twice before going down. The last vampire somehow was wiser than the rest and facing Artemis' attack head on, he managed to block the sword with one hand with a steel enforced wrist. However he didn't expect the massive kick in the nut that sent him reeling to the floor and he never saw the sword that decapitated him next.
Finished with the last nuisance, Artemis focused on the last three left. "Adam" the white girl and the butler who merely stood there like a good bodyguard behind Adam. Gripping the hilt tighter on her hand, Artemis stomped towards the remaining three sword ready. She was surprised though as it was the girl who approached her confidently swaying a large red piece of linen like a matador. Artemis as a rule do not like killing women. She is the goddess of maidens after all. But still, a vampire's a vampire. The moon goddess did not hesitate. Swinging her sword she advanced, her boots sounding on the floor. The girl smirked at her approach and immediately threw the linen in a wave that temporarily blinded the moon goddess. Of course by instinct, she immediately attacked a vicious downward stroke that cut the linen. However the vampire female was gone and the next second, Artemis felt a powerful foot hit her chin sending her flying in the air and landing flat on her back the next second. Immediately a chair was set over her prone body immobilizing her and she found herself staring at the smirking face of the female vampire who looked like she wanted nothing more than to eat the moon goddess. Artemis made a reach to her sword which is a few feet from her hand but the heeled shoes of the vampire suddenly gripped her wrists.
"Bravo Phoebe Artemis. Bravo! You're even better than I expected," a cheerful voice called out and Artemis glared at Adam who is approaching while clapping his hands. She also noticed that the lights have come on again. "It's such a shame to sacrifice most of my best men but I need to know if you are up to the task,"
"What do you want with me?" Artemis asked glaring at the vampire.
"To see you liberate, to see you rise up and destroy your oppressor," said Adam approaching behind Artemis' head. The moon goddess shivered involuntarily as he took a long sniff on her hair.
"That's interesting advice coming from a slave owner," growled Artemis sarcastically.
Adam merely sighed before looking standing up and looking down at the trapped moon goddess. "Men have enslaved each other ever since they invented gods to forgive them on doing it. I've seen Jews build Egypt's glory. Saw Christians thrown into lion's by my own eyes. And I've seen Africans sell their own kind to Europeans. May I share my revelations for the last five thousand years. We are all slaves to something. I to eternity. You to your convictions. Others with the color of their skin. All I've ever wanted was to see my kind granted their rightful place," he then sighed again as if extremely irritated. "But there are those who are made against us like your friend, Percy Jackson who enjoy living in the dark and posed a very nuisance threat. For some reasons I cannot share. I cannot yet personally destroy him. Nor he I. But you," Artemis nearly screamed as he groped her chest sending electric shocks on her spine. "You moon goddess could eliminate those last pockets of resistance beginning with that teacher of yours himself," His grip tightened on her right breast and Artemis despite herself can't help the whimper that left her lips. "All I ask is that you break your chains. Kill your master. Be free,"
"And if I refuse?" Artemis asked in a soft voice not trusting herself to speak as those claws molested her.
"Then you can go your merry way," he replied stiffly making Artemis gasp as he stood up letting go of her chest. "After I make you watch me drain your friend dry,"
Artemis silver eyes widened seeing a body carried beside Will and Zoe who is tied up. She instantly recognized her as Cassandra. She is a mess, her hair was disheveled and her clothes are ripped showing pale skin beneath. Artemis did not need to see the blood on her skirt to know what they did to her.
"What did you do to her?!" roared Artemis in anger and in horror as he then took a bowl and placed it in front of Zoe who stiffened as she was forced to her knees.
"I will make you one of us Artemis, then I will spoon feed you your friend and I will let you watch as me and my other men broke that beautiful assistant of yours. Now a simple yes or now will suffice,"
Artemis growled as she forced her body to move despite the tramp making her immobile. Her fingers stretched towards her fallen sword and she trembled at the effort as the vampire lady nearly broke her hand with her heels stopping her dead.
"Kill Percy...,"
"Damn it!" cursed Artemis as she was stuck as a stone beneath a wall. Her body unable to even move.
"Save your friend...," he is flashing a knife now in his hand
"Move damn it!"
"Feel free to take your time to decide in five...,"
"No! Please don't do it," begged the moon goddess as the man raised the knife.
"Four,"
"Stop!"
"Three," he is now leveling the knife to Zoe who is crying.
"Two,"
"Don't! I'm begging you,"
"One," the first cut begin to show and blood is showing.
"Stop!"Artemis wailed loudly just in time as a large carriage suddenly exploded from the entrance knocking the girl trapping Artemis and sending her airborne to Adam who ducked just in time.
"Get in!" yelled Abraham who is driving as the carriage did a complete circle within the hall. Artemis helped Zoe and Will up while Speed picked up Cassandra's broken form.
"Hiyah!" yelled Abraham urging the carriage forward. The vampire who is Adam's bodyguard jumped up jaws gaping but one thrust from the sword and he was dead in the air. However the attack had done damage. Abraham who is unused to the monsters panicked on the reins and the moon goddess was nearly thrown down by a sudden lurch as the carriage sideswiped a pillar destroying it and one of the carriage's wheels.
"The wheel's gone!" shouted Speed who cradled the body of Cassandra to stop it from rolling off.
"I can see that," replied Abraham as the carriage still ran despite one wheel missing to the darkness.
"At least we destroyed his mansion," pointed out Zoe who is now recovered and sat beside Artemis.
"I agree," the moon goddess looked to the building who had promptly collapsed. Something tells her that that is not the last time she will see of Adam.
Twenty minutes later, Artemis noticed that they are not taking the same road that will lead them back against New Orleans. Instead from what she observed Abraham is doing. They are taking a zigzag road that will lead to nowhere in the forest.
"Excuse me, where are we going?" Artemis asked sitting beside her friend. "The main road is that way,"
"I know,' replied Abraham. "But this way is our insurance. A friend of yours is making sure that we promptly get off this country safe and sound,"
"A friend of mine?" Artemis rose an eyebrow in question.
"Yes, he's a good guy though a bit silent," shrugged Abraham as he stopped the carriage. "We walk from here,"
Artemis jumped down eyeing Will who volunteered to carry the white linen that is now Cassandra covered in whole. She did not trust him to carry her best friend after all. Zoe merely glared at every male before falling in beside Artemis silently. Abraham and Speed followed.
"Where now?" Artemis asked at the two.
"I don't know, he merely told us to get here," replied Speed.
Artemis remained silent though she eyed the fog surrounding them in the forest. Based on her estimate it is nearly dawn but not bright enough yet for the sun to come up. She can't help feeling the dread that grew on her spine as they sat there waiting. Her nerves are reaching breaking point. It is almost an hour without anyone showing up. She had unhitched the horse so that it can return to whoever its master is and she also helped patch Cassandra up. She was thankful that most of her wounds are only superficial and nothing but a good sleep and bandages will heal. What she was worried though was the state of her womb. She wanted to kill those bastards even more. Judging from her basic check-up, the beautiful girl will never be able to bear any children anymore. The damage was internal and she nearly vomited as she checked it. She don't want to imagine what they did to her to have that kind of injury inward. She was broken out of her reverie when Zoe stood up as if alerted.
"Someone's here my lady," she whispered making everyone stand back to back as a dozen figures in blue cloaks appeared around them.
"Who are you?!" Artemis demanded leveling her sword at the nearest to her. She could hear Abraham and Speed loading their pistols as the man approached her sword before laughing as he took off his hood. Black hair and emerald eyes showing.
"What Artemis? Haven't you remembered the last thing I taught you?" he smirked. Artemis can't help herself as she dropped her sword and for the first time in her immortal life tackled a male in a hug that surprised even the said man. Speed and Abraham merely let off their held breaths while Zoe glared daggers at Percy. Will helped one of the cloaked strangers checking on Cassandra's body.
"Percy!" squealed Artemis in delight and relief as she pressed herself to him. Artemis was glad, so glad. Here was the person that she knew could help them fully. Here was the person who could stand against he vampire menace and win. Here was the person she liked and he didn't abandon them as she first thought. Here was the person who is her teacher and can make everything go alright. She felt him stiffen before chuckling and patting her head returning her gesture warmly.
"Always have a contingency plan Artemis," he smirked kissing her brow.
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ANOTHER CHAPTER IS DONE. SORRY FOR THE LONG UPDATE READERS. BEEN BUSY AT WORK. HEYYY I HAD A LIFE YOU KNOW. IVE ALSO BEEN READING OTHER FANFICS. BASICALLY NARUTO X YUGITO FANFICS. HIHIHI ANYWAY PLEASE REVIEW. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE ARTEMIS BASED ON OMLYPUS. YAHH I DIDNT FORGET THE CIVIL WAR MENTIONED ON LIGHTNING THIEF BETWEEN POSEIDON AND ZEUS' SONS AGAINST THE SONS OF HADES.
PS: FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS IN YOUR REVIEWS. I WILL ANSWER NEXT CHAPTER IF I CAN.