If there was any time in the day that Sal likes and favors, it would be definitely night time.
The sound of the wave crashing onto the shore without a bunch of screaming kids is truly peaceful. Also, the forest seemed to be quiet and yet at the same time alive.
" I see we meet again..." Artemis greeted Sal. He was sitting on the tree that faces towards the river.
" Oh hi, off-duty finally?" He asked. Artemis just nodded.
" I see you didn't take my suggestion to eat some sleeping pills." She said.
" Eh too much work," Sal replied back. Artemis then jumped up to the same branch as him.
" Do you have anything to say. You know you can always trust the gods!" She said. Sal just snorted.
" Well I do have something but should I tell you? You gods aren't the best at keeping secrets and all." Sal asked. Artemis just scowled at him before sighing admitting the fact they are terrible at keeping other's secrets.
" I swear on Chaos, I won't tell anyone," Artemis swore. Sal looked at her in shock.
" Heh fine. I'll tell you. You know this already but there was more too it. You know how I'm aging right? Well, I could feel myself growing weaker and weaker as days go by. " Sal said.
" My body is not what it use to be anymore. The injuries I had before just going to add up. I'm afraid this will become a burden to you Lady Artemis. I'm here to help not to drag you behind. I'm thinking about leaving the Hunt and going off on my own again. What do you think of Lady Artemis?" Sal said looking at Artemis. Over time he grew fond of the Hunt.
Sal is concerned that because of his age, he will only drag the Hunt down if there is a monster invasion again. Even though he is technically only 517 but Tartarus had changed that. He didn't know how long he has until he drops dead from old age.
Time is cruel. Sometimes it gives people too little time. Sometimes it gives them too much time. And now Salomao wishes to have just a little more time. Maybe a little more to fight the war and then say goodbye.
But time never takes pity on people too. Nor will it ever take pity on Salomao. He had his time. And now once his time is up, Sal will have to go meet with Uncle Hades.
At least this time he doesn't need to tell Charon that he drowned in a big bathtub. He actually will have an excuse to cross the river.
" I could turn you immortal? Maybe not full but I can turn you Half immortal." Artemis suggested slightly concerned.
Sal coughed slightly using his elbow to cover his cough. However, all Artemis saw was blood dripping down from Sal's elbow. He was growing old and Artemis wasn't dying anytime soon.
There was a pang in her heart but she hid it. Sal smiled at her weakly.
" Told you so. I'm growing weaker and weaker. Coughing usually cough out blood instead of bacteria. Oh and no thank you. I don't want to become an immortal." He refused. Artemis tilted her head in questioning.
" I don't want to live forever. I actually want to go to Elysium you know. I want to grow old and die. But... I can't. At least not now, there is a war and I need to fight it. For family." He explained.
" Why don't you want to live forever?" She asked.
" It's too hard for me. I don't know if I can stand outliving someone I know that doesn't have immortality. I can't stand living forever. It will drive me crazy Lady Artemis. I know it will." Sal replied to her.
" I can't be like you Lady Artemis. You lived an immortal life since you were born. But I wasn't. Sometimes I think living is scarier than dying. And I think I have too many scary things in my life and now I need something cute." Sal said. Artemis cracked a smile.
" You just called the underworld cute." She said. Sal just shrugged. He looked out at the river.
" It is so much better though. I'm not suicidal but sometimes the world just seemed to gray to me. Maybe the underworld could fill some color in. I get to meet my mother you know." Sal said.
" You could be the most hyperactive kid ever or the most depressing person," Artemis said. Sal nodded.
" I have that talent," Sal said. Artemis chuckled slightly.
" Fine. I won't try to convince you to have immortality. But promise me something." Artemis said.
" Anything," Sal said.
" Promise me that you'll live till the day you fated to die. Promise me that you will not die before that. For the sake of Olympus and..." Artemis said before going red-faced.
" Huh? I didn't hear you." Sal said. Artemis shook her head.
" It's alright. It didn't matter anyway." Artemis said slightly embarrassed.
" For me." Artemis had mumbled.
" Okay then." He said. The two then fall into silence. It wasn't an awkward one though. It was rather comforting. Both enjoy each other's presence and continue to watch the river full of life and critters that only come out at night time.
" So-." Artemis began before there were some noises in the bushes. The two looked at each other and then jumped down from the branch. They approach the bush cautiously.
Suddenly, arrows shoot pass them and hit a tree. Artemis grabbed out her hunting knives while Sal grabbed out his dagger.
" Next time we're so not talking at night time! Every time we do, there is always an attack." Artemis said to Sal.
" Agree." He simply said before lunging for the bush. The person in the bush swiftly dodged the attack.
" It's you," Sal muttered recognizing the familiar face. Chastin just smirked slightly.
" We meet again." She said before attacking the two viscously. The three continue to dodge and attack each other. It looks like three people having a dance off.
Sal took a step back letting Artemis go in for an attack. He then quickly summoned his bow and started shooting at his target.
But somehow every time he pulls his bow back, he would hesitate a little.
But the little hesitation was a mistake since Chastin suddenly grinned and as fast as she gave Artemis a 90-degree kick in the gut. She then uses her sword to stab through Artemis's stomach.
Golden ichor spilled out and Artemis found her vision started to get blurry.
Sal's eyes widen and his eye went red. He summoned his scythe and started attacking Chastin.
" You shall pay for this!" Sal roared. The ground surrounds them started to shake. The water from the river seems to flow even faster.
This time Salomao was truly angered. The Earthshaker's son has awakened from his longtime of hiding and this time he will punish this enemy of his.
The more Sal attacks, the more it seems like he's gaining power. Rain started to pour and Chastin and Sal continue to fight.
Artemis stood there holding her stomach. Her mouth had tiny bits of golden ichor also. Her vision was blurry but still, she needs to continue to fight.
She held her hunting knives tighter than before. She fought back the pain. She needed to help Sal until her hunters arrive. It is a good 5 minutes traveling so Artemis have to hold it in until that.
" Milady stay back please!" Sal said. Artemis ignored his pleads and continue to fight. She was the goddess of hunting. The man-hating goddess. One of the best combat goddess. She will not be defeated by this mere enemy.
The ground started to shake even more than ever. Cracks could be seen. The hunters have arrived at the scene in shock. Tiny pieces of rock surrounded Salomao.
There was a flash of green in his eye before going back to yellow. The hunters were about to go in.
" Stay back!" Both Thalia and Artemis yelled.
Thunderstrike where Sal, Chastin, and Artemis are. The ground exploded into pieces. Tiny rocks flew everywhere. Sal glanced at Chastin.
" You better run when you can! I will kill you if you stay. Even if it meant that I will die!" He told her.
Salomao was already weak. His strength is about to depleted to nothing. But he continued on. For his boss Artemis.
Phoebe was about to run in but Thalia stopped her.
" Why! We have to help!" Phoebe shouted.
" You think you're able to help them in this situation! Do you know how dangerous Sal can be right now? Even though he ain't Poseidon's." Thalia stopped for a moment. Her eyes then widen before looking at Sal. Is he...?
" Don't tell me that is..." Thalia said before looking at Sal. Even though he had a mask on. But still, Thalia can see the fierceness in his eye. It was exactly the same as Percy's. But Sal said he wasn't Percy though.
" This is so confusing!" Thalia muttered. Sal glanced at Thalia. She was wise to not interfere. Cause what he is going to do is the stupidest thing ever to do.
" Lady Artemis I'm begging you. Go!" He begged.
Artemis ignored his warning. She knew she should follow it but she can't just watch Sal go in after knowing he's slowly dying.
Sal gritted his teeth. He swears to Styx that Artemis can be super duper stubborn when she wanted to.
He hesitated before finally taking a breath and close his eye. Thunder started to flash frequently as rain continues to pour. Chastin took the chance and stab Sal. Blood poured
Thalia looked up at the sky and her eyes widen.
" Sal no! Lady Artemis watch out!" She yelled but it was slightly too late.
Sal summoned the largest thunder he ever created and strike down. He then opened his eye and using his power to mist travel, he quickly went to Artemis's side and pushed her away.
He knew Artemis wouldn't get away from the impact but at least it is better than a full-on impact.
The lightning strikes down electrocuting whatever next to it including Sal, Chastin, and Artemis. The hunters were far away enough to only be in shock at the scene but not actually shocked.
There was fire from the lightning strike some trees. A large crater was also created.
Sal laid there with blood oozing out of his wound gotten from Chastin. Artemis also laid there unconscious with a wound too.
However, Chastin wasn't there at all. Did she escape before the lightning strike? Who knows.
" Salomao! Lady Artemis!" Phoebe yelled before running towards them. The ground was still smoking and everywhere just seems like a place in the underworld.
Thalia ran towards the river and dropped a drachma in. The gray clouds are gone only leaving the bunch of moonlight.
She called Apollo hoping the moonlight is enough to call him in. Nothing happened.
Thalia sighed. How can she contact him when it is night time.
" Arty! Arty! Where is little sis!" Apollo's aid flashing in suddenly. He ran towards the crater.
" How did you know?" Tracy asked. Apollo just looked at her weirdly.
" You guys literally made the biggest commotion since thousands of years ago when Hermès became a legal drinker and held a party that lasted days and nights," Apollo said seriously before going forward to Artemis.
" Looks like the whole Olympus knows about this," Celeste said.
" Of course. Sal literally made a big thunder and strike it below Olympus. How can it not be a big commotion." Phoebe said grimly. Apollo stood up again.
" They need treatment now! They're in grave danger. Blood loss, lots of broken bones, heart failures, and yes gods can also suffer from that. But Sal though he is even worse. Shattered bones, heart failures, and leukemia." He said seriously. There was a silence.
Leukemia?
Immortals can't get diseases though. Thalia's eyes widen in shock. So many secrets.
" How much secrets are you hiding Sal?" Thalia muttered.
End.
" When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."
- Unknown
