Chapter 11:
Void and I fought over control, Void wanted to kill while I just wanted to escape without hurting anyone.
Let me kill her, Forge!
No!
Void started to win against my control. My hands started to turn grey and started to grow into a claw shape. It was minuscule but still noticeable to the trained eye. I still needed to defeat Artemis but was almost impossible with my internal struggle. My field of view started to tinted red from Void's rage.
I was tackled to the side by someone. It was Tacitus. He handed a familiar weapon. It was Westenra. Even though I lost concentration and Void should've taken control it didn't happen. It was like Westenra was my anchor. I was able to focus all of Void's rage, fury and power into. Then I heard Void's shrill scream of anguish.
Why! Why! Your battle-axe it prohibits me. I can't… I can't…
Void was drowned out by something. My mind immediately cleared but I just realised my situation. Tacitus has blacked out and I'm versing a raging goddess.
Artemis charged at me like a rampaging bull. Her daggers were out and looked like they wanted blood and by blood I mean my blood. She couldn't shoot her bow because it broke when I was able to get behind her and break it. Anyway, I crouched low and summoned a magical barrier to help me block some of her attacks. I analysed her movements and her footwork to see if she can give away any of her strikes. Measuring every possibility, I quickly deducted, she was more suited with a bow and arrow than daggers.
The rage in her movements made everything sharp and powerful and has no accuracy where it hit. If I could only I could come close enough to swing Westenra. As my shields were breaking off her eyes gained a glint of confidence. Realising far too late what her plan was. Cursing my idiocy, I tried to stay near her so she could not summon her bow. Some of the hunters started to stir but were knocked as soon as they were up.
As I was losing my breath as a sharp object pierced my back. The tip of an arrow was barely visible underneath my ribs. Artemis' eyes gleamed with pride. The world shook around me.
Something saved me,
Void.
Void's strength surged throughout my body. He didn't take control of me but assisted me. He gave me knowledge and power. There so many things added to my arsenal of powers. Claws, whipfists, hammerfists, blades, shields etc. ( A/N Go to this website
wiki/Category:Prototype_Powers for elaboration. Just go to the powers section.)
As my senses heightened, I stood up and pulled the arrow out. Blood poured but slowly stopped. My eyes gained a light, a hope to strive for but that was soon ripped out…
As I turned around my heart stopped. Zoë stood holding her bow. My heart was ripped out. Tears formed in my eyes but I refused to let them go. "Why…?" I questioned.
"It felt right," She smiled, a smile filled with realisation.
It started to rain. Not hard but softly like a drizzle. I looked up at the sky and a thought crossed my mind. A thought to end everything. I looked at Artemis and Zoë and they both smiled to each other like long lost friends. They were so immersed in this they completely forgot me. I looked at my hands and contemplated the idea. Do it. Void's consensus echoed through my head.
Void's thoughts started to guide me on what I need to do. He said this was only done once and once finished we were merged together forever. He also said something about Tacitus doing the same thing but I focused on what I had to do. Void's conscience fused with mine, with Westenra being the object that held Void's extra power and conscience. If I ever lost it it would come back to me and Void with have a little bit of him left in my head.
As the merge was finished I felt almighty, like the world was an apple I could crush. My skin on my arms tingled. It started to grey and my hand started to go metallic. My two middle fingers together and my hands started to grow claw-like. As my fingers grew to a tip and my arms started to become corded and separate into different strands.
Artemis and Zoë started at me dumbstruck. I smiled, a smile that would forever be engraved in their minds. It expressed my rage, sorrow and glee. When the transformation was complete, Void informed me that the next time this happened the process would be match faster. The light of the full moon shone on my metallic blades giving my face an ethereal glow.
I pounced on them but was blown away with a blast of light. Tacitus stood there with his hand out, a slight glow was still present.
"Why Tacitus?" My voice was gritty and low.
"This is not the ti…" His voice cut off by Artemis taking advantage of this 'brotherly moment'.
I pounced on Artemis. My jump was amplified greatly and also my strength. I slashed but was intercepted by Zoë. Knowing the futility of fighting in the moonlight, my claws changing back to my normal hands, I grabbed Tacitus and teleported us far, far away.
I fainted. As I was in darkness I argued with Void why he didn't give me energy. He argued with me saying that it was a spell not a demigod or prime demigod power. I woke up.
I tossed and turned away from the hand that tried to wake me up. Every ounce of energy was drained.
I heard Tacitus, "Um… Forge remember that magical hellhound that we fought to defend Zoë. Well it seems like we have ten more."
With that I slowly started to sit up. Every joint hurt and I felt like crap. We were high up in a tree but down below there were the hellhounds. Wondering how Tacitus figured out what they were I concluded with him using a bow and arrow. I silently discussed with him telepathically if we had our stuff and he replied yes but one of the bags were destroyed.
Snap… The branch broke. I groaned out in pain with the extra abuse on my back. I tried to stand up but Tacitus held me steady. Void tried to channel energy to me but failed miserably with him completely exhausted.
With our current predicament Tacitus and I prayed for someone. We couldn't handle the hellhounds. As dark flash appeared in front of us and raised his hand. A black pulse emerged from his hand and obliterated the hellhounds. He turned to us and gave a smile and Tacitus and I passed out.
