Hey, I noticed in some of my writings for the story that I put Artemis as a demi god, well in some myths I have heard, Artemis was indeed a demigod turned god when Zeus saw how beautiful his children were. But whatever the myths and legends are all scattered.
Any who, let's get to the story.
Chapter 9: Council
Artemis was sitting down in her chair bored out of her mind. The human world had world leaders that go to a country to discuss problems that were going on in the world and even go far enough to discuss plans to solve them. But this, this was nothing like what humans do. These beings before her were her family. All they do at meetings was either brag about who has more demigod children, or bicker about who was stronger. Sometimes the gods even started wars like brats, to sum it up in a word, it sucked.
Artemis listened into the conversation, Hades was shouting that the souls in his possession were beginning to disappear without a trace. That he suspects the purgatory gates have opened and the souls are flooding in for a judgment, usually it didn't happen often only on occasions.
"Hold on! You said Purgatory?" Asked Athena.
"Yes, what do you know about it?" Asked Hades.
"Yes, I heard from the fates that when they were born, He gave them instructions about who will die and what times they will take the souls from the underworld, but now isn't one of the times that the souls are to be taken. At least that is what the Fates had told me." Athena said.
"So what does this mean?" Zeus asked, his master bolt on his arm.
"I have a theory, a demon came and attacked a demigod who now resides in camp, Dionysius, and I believe you met the boy. Well this demon had claimed that the end is drawing near due to the presence of this boy, what's even more is that the demon came from Hell, the Hell in Judeo-Christian religion. But I believe that this boy was targeted by two demons, when I had found him, he was beaten up by something else possibly a demon from Tartarus. Well anyway, this demon that fought me had mentioned Lucifer." Artemis said, her voice told the others that she was deep in a thought bubble, coming up with her own side theories to make sense of the bigger picture she was portraying.
"Impossible." Hades exclaimed, as the other gods mumbled. The one time they talked without shouting at each other like children.
"Afraid it is possible, more so I believe that whatever is happening, it's a sign of something great, a great war at the least." Artemis said. She looked at Athena to check for any sign of her sister understanding.
"And at worst?" Zeus asked.
"The apocalypse." Athena said.
Artemis stepped in to continue with a extension of her theory. "It's possible that the second coming of Jesus is approaching fast, God maybe come-" Artemis was stopped before she could finish her sentence.
Zeus stood up quickly as he slammed his master bolt down creating a giant lightning bolt to fly around the room rapidly. "I WILL NOT HABVE HIS NAME MENTIONED IN THIS COUNCIL!" Zeus shouted at the gods in the room.
All was silent in the room, only the crackling fire wood that burnt in the center made any sound. The gods weren't scared, more like the gods knew not to say anything less they be shot with quadrillion volts of lightning for a day. Which hurt.
Finally someone broke the silence. Hermes, brave and stupid. "Zeus, this is bigger than your pride, if something is happening that we all cannot ignore then I believe we must prepare and gain more information on what will happen." Hermes finished.
Hades stood and sight, "That explains a lot, what he said. Now that you put two and two together, I have the other piece of our little puzzle. The Angel of Death came to me. Or in other words. One of the four horseman of Apocalypse."
"What did he say?" Zeus asked.
"Well the horseman, angel, head keeper of death had said. 'By his decree I have been sent out of my slumber and now I shall fulfill what was written long ago. He has the time is upon us and I will ride upon the world and all shall perish. Only one last chance is here to save you beings, the one who is the son of the angel, or whom you pagans call, "Father" will save you. Nero is his name. He is to bring the end or save all and guide the world to the paradise it had and was denied. I'll see you soon Hades." Hades finished.
An uncomfortable feeling came into the mind of Artemis. She knew what the other had not known for she was the one who found Nero and spoke with him. But now the rest of the gods know of him.
"Nero? I fought him." Dionysius said, "Not to weak, but I should have killed him."
"NO!" Artemis yelled, "I… I mean no, if he is the one Death spoke of then he could save us."
"Artemis do you know of this boy?" Asked Athena.
"Yes, he fought a demon from Hell. He almost died but I had saved his life, he fought hard. It was impressive." Artemis said. "If what Death said was true then that means that Nero could be of use." Artemis finished.
"Well then, he will be your responsibility." Said Zeus. "The words of Death himself were spoken and must be true. So thus I entrust his life with you my daughter, do not make me regret this decision." Zeus was unlike himself, possibly knowing that Death had come to Hades and warned him, that must have set something off in his mind. He was frightened, truly frightened.
"Are you sure? I mean this is a male that is going to be placed with the hunters of Artemis and Artemis herself. I don't know if it is a wise idea." Athena said.
Aphrodite looked at Artemis. "Is he hot?" she whispered.
"Wha?" Artemis said. "No why would he be?"
"Cause you're a girl and girls have crushes too so shut up and tell the truth." Aphrodite said in her gossip tone.
"Enough," Athena said. "Sister? Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah I would take better care of him," Said Ares, "The only other person willing to take care of this ticking time bomb is that softy Poseidon, but he isn't here so that means I would be perfect for him. I could train him in the art of war!"
"No I am sure, he is my responsibility, I gave my word to his mother, and I will carry it through." Artemis said gently. "I will take him under my arms, he is strong and skilled at fighting, he will be trained to be the perfect warrior." She finished.
"And when he is claimed?" Asked Aphrodite, "I mean he is a free be so who knows right?" His parent abandoned him so I might as well claim him, I already claimed my daughter today so might as well go for two in one."
"No I shall!" Ares said, "I can make him win the war of Heaven and Hell."
"No I am the one who is entrusted with his life and security, I laid eyes upon him first so I will be the one to claim him." Artemis said.
"Very well." Hera said, "Artemis shall claim him." She stated, now it was final.
"Now where is Poseidon?" Asked Zeus.
"Battling a new enemy with Percy, the monster is as strong as a god." Athena said. "I suspect its an ancient god, Dagon."
Apollo spoke after a long sigh. "I never understood the angel, demon. God, gods, goddesses and other gods. Who is stronger? Gods or angels? I always wondered."
Artemis stared at her twin blankly. "Shut up."
"What? It was a simple question!" He shouted back anime like.
"Sadly, yes. We gods are a step above humans, but barley over demons and other supernatural creatures." Athena said in a matter of fact tone. "Angels are more powerful than we are. The primordial gods however are said to rival archangels. Or so the ancient texts say."
"Well in any case, the council is over." Said Zeus, and with that all of the gods left. All expect Artemis who was thinking. Gods didn't really have a consciousness or so they say. She did have a brain and thought. Artemis thought of how she always wanted a child, she wanted a peaceful eternity with her husband Orion but that never happened, after he died she asked to be a virgin goddess and have her space away, free to do whatever. But the desire to have a child never left, that is why she fought for the claim of Nero. After she finished her little thought, she left.
Hope you liked this and see you soon. Merry Christmas!
Review and tell me who Nero should be paired with please!