Sit, child, for I have a story to tell.
Long before the world was inhabited by humans. Life did not start out so easily, for there were things that were as tall as mountains. The titans had come to being and soon their children were born. One would think peace was simple, but before there could be peace, there was war.
Zeus sat upon his throne. The old god had his fist curled, his cheek resting upon it. The gods that surrounded him looked to the world below, seeing no sign of movement of Apollo. They were disturbed and angered for one of their own. A beloved god gone astray because of the mortals who no longer worshipped them. All other old gods found this opportunity to rest their weary bodies and be reclaimed back to the earth. They would live out all of time, guiding and protecting the mortals- even if they are forgotten.
Zeus had calmed his temper and many of his brethren and children are different from many centuries ago. Where the world was still young and war still plagued their lands. When Zeus took his first steps back onto the earth, he had resided in a country that was different from one he had known. The mortals were peculiar in their features and their gods were strange creatures. There was also evil that lurked within its darkest shadows. Monsters unlike any he had ever seen had come from their hiding places to see the powerful god.
It was there that he had met a daemon. A creature that took form as a mortal, but his features were striking. Daemons were known to be ugly creatures, but Zeus could not be fooled by appearances alone. Their language was strange that both supernatural beings had trouble understanding one another. Like the ugly creatures who had senses Zeus, he attacked and formed into a beautiful large hound.
"Hiding himself from all the gods. Apollo was always one to keep himself from pursuing eyes." Athena stated, causing Zeus to turn his attention towards the goddess. The owl upon her shoulder opened its wings and flew off into the distance.
" Artemis has yet to regain her true power. With the bow of the stag forged by the foreign swordsmith, she will not lose sight of her true purpose. I can only pray to Odin that she does not hesitate when she sees Apollo once more." Baldr sighed heavily as he took a long sip of wine offered to him. The Nordic god sat in one of the chairs by the long table. Food and wine served; laid out like a feast. Anubis was seated next to Athena as he ignored the god. His people were always one for food and drink; merriment that usually led to confrontation when drunk.
" Artemis is a respected huntress. She has been trained well, but her affection for her brother has blinded her. Apollo will continue this display of rebellious nature until he is stopped. How much longer must we wait until the great huntress brings forth her twin brother? When the world goes into ruin or when we are slain by the god killer?" Aries stated as he angrily gazed at Baldr. Always one to pick a fight, Ares had to restrain himself from or risk offending the Nordic gods of the mountains within the North.
Athena crossed her arms over her chest. Her long hair swayed from the breeze. The shine upon her armor glistened, while Anubis's ear twitched in irritation. As much as the gods wanted to ascend upon the earth, they could not. Interfering would lead to war and many mortals would be casualties. Zeus stood from his throne, angered for the progress being slow. Apollo was bidding time before the awakening of an ancient being. Too make matters even difficult, Lilith was by his side.
" So, it be true about the god killer. Such a weapon exists and being wielded by Apollo." Baldr was interested in the weapon that many have claimed to be nothing but myth. To slay a god was no easy task, for they were stronger and could not bleed like mortals.
"Zeus!" All eyes moved towards a blurred figure. Rushing past them like a gust of wind and stopping, kneeling before Zeus. Hermes, who was never out of breath, had sweat dripping from his brow. The look upon his face was disturbed by what he had just heard.
"Apollo, he has done something one should never do." The god stood up from his place, placing his staff to the ground. All the other gods were watching the scene unfold before them. Something must have scared Hermes for he never sweats from the gifted winged candles on his feet.
"Apollo has rising the dead. The stars are not in alignment. Orion is living once more and the fates are being hunted. Zeus, this is becoming too out of hand for one goddess." Hermes could only see the anger within Zeus. The old god was growing tired of hearing more and more of Apollo's rebellion against them. The air had become heavy and thick. The lesser gods had succumbed to Zeus power, but the more powerful gods could withstand it. They have seen his anger many times before. Anubis and Baldr could feel the heavy weight upon them.
"We cannot descend onto the land! If the ancient one is to awaken, we will need our strength to send it back into the mountain. Artemis has our guidance and the hound's sons to aide her in her hunt. How have you forgotten that she if the most favored huntress?" Zeus's might voice boomed throughout Olympus. The anger he had held deep inside had caused lightning to strike down near the feet of the other gods. Athena could see how impatient her brethren had become. Now that Orion had been risen from the dead, one can only guess who Apollo will chose next.
Ares bowed his head in shame, but the god of war was itching for a fight. Baldr and Anubis knew that there was a coming storm. The land of the mortals was soon to be plagued by war amongst the other gods in search for Apollo. Each old god was stirring in their long sleep. One could only guess who the next god would come to the mountains of Olympus.
Running through the forest, she knew deep within, that she could not look back. The strong static within the earth had coarse through her nerves- sending warning signals to her brain to outrun this danger. The strong howling of the wind pushed her further into the forest. Since the strange occurrences upon the Earth, she and many like her, were beginning to fear for their immortality being stripped away from them. She had heard from upon rumor of the threads of life that there was something that could kill an immortal.
Many were hiding from the eyes of the mortals. Apollo had come to the mortal realm to wreak havoc upon the land. They say he is looking for something; an ancient being that many fear. The realm of gods is weary of his next move. They are scared. They fear that is Apollo awakens the ancient beast, there would be no stopping the monster that devours everything within its path.
Artemis had failed to kill her brother. She had been sent by Zeus, but now, the gods are trying to track Apollo to end his madness. But there is another evil that walks: Lilith.
The old gods were vanishing from the minds of humanity to give rise to something that would bring meaning to them. Though, some of the old gods still remain. Humanity was still underneath the old god's protection. Some still turn to them, but it seems that humanity still has much to learn.
I could see what will become. Life and death are one in the same. We could try to outrun our destiny, but the strings don't sever until I cut them. Her mind was racing wildly, like the beating of her heart. She could not take a moment pause when she felt her legs giving in to tiredness. She had been on the run for what felt like days. There was no stopping or hiding, because the wolf would always find her. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. His hands would quickly draw an arrow; releasing it into the air.
The wolf was chasing his prey.
She was trying to find safety within the forest. Scared of what was after her, she did not want to be captured. The sound of a flying arrow had found its target within a tree, so close to her head, that the tree cracked from the pressure. The terrifying sound that it made caused her to shiver.
"Running from me, Atropos, will only irritate me further." She was breathing hard when she turned around. Her eyes wide from fright as she looked to the tall man with an arrow at the notch of his bow. He was a beautiful man with dark hair, cut close to the scalp with a fade at the sides of his head. His strong defined nose and jaw were sculpted by the gods themselves. His neck, leading down to the rest of his body was strong as he wore black armor that showed his defined muscles of his arms and strong legs.
This was the hunter.
"Prey should be cooperative. Hunters should not be losing this much energy, but I have no choice but to capture you." His voice was deep, with this authoritative tone. It sounded so alluring, like a siren's song. Such a voice would make one fall so deeply into his trap and get caught. This was the voice the huntress adored. The voice of a rather capable man that could walk beside a goddess, such as the huntress.
Atropos could not cower before him, even though she was scared beyond any senses. Her heart was beating fast; like a hare caught by the wolf.
"The fool Apollo could not find you or your sisters, and yet, I have found you so easily." His fierce and hollow eyes showed no mercy to his prey. Atropos was almost mesmerized by this man's rugged beauty, but she could not fall into this trap. Since waking up from her deep sleep within the mountains of Crete, Atropos was one of the three sisters of fate; or Moirai. She was the sister of what was to come. She chose how a mortal would die and the gods themselves could not escape their fate or destiny.
"Apollo has lost sight of a true hunt. What madness is going through his thoughts?" Orion spoke in a low whisper to himself. Eyeing the woman before him.
"You should not be of the living, Orion. This is not what the thread of life has said, for even gods must meet their end." Atropos spoke, trying to find reason for the beautiful man's appearance in the world of the living when his place should be in the stars. She was shaking underneath Orion's hard glare as he tightened his hold of the arrow. His reserve to hold back was just as a strong as his own perseverance to find answers himself.
"Life and death have always existed, Atropos, but whether I am alive will not save you for what is to come or have you already a clue to what it is." This wasn't a question, but more a statement from the hunter.
"I already know what is to come, for I cut the thread. The life of both mortal and god have been given to another to look after. My sisters and I should be resting peacefully, but Apollo only wants to ruin the peace of the gods who have looked after the mortals since their creation. Orion, I know he has you soul; your essence." The hunter shot his arrow out of anger. The shadow of the sun made him dangerous to the eyes of other immortals. She could see that he was missing his soul. Orion's tale was mournful that the great huntress herself still holds true strong feelings for him. Atropos and her sisters had seen the hunters fate the moment he was born and they could not stop his death.
The arrow had disappeared deep within the forest. Hitting stone and cracking it in half. Orion took a deep breath, lowering his bow. Atropos was certain she could breathe, but she was wrong. The hunter lunged forwards towards the small woman, but before she could close her eyes, the sound of a roar echoed loudly through the forest. The animals and birds scattered wildly in different directions out of fright.
Orion jumped back as a large serpent-like animal placed itself between him and Atropos. Its body was covered in pure white fur that glistened from the sun. Four legs clawed the ground beneath it that should off its sharp talons that reminded Orion of an eagle. The long neck of the creature let out a low grumble that connected to a wolf-like head, but it was slimmer with horns on tops. Rows of sharp teeth showed underneath its lips.
"Capturing me is no easy feat. I do not fear what is to come, for I already know. Apollo has done many grave and dangerous things. The gods will punish him, but you, great hunter, shall not follow me." Atropos could feel her heart racing against her chest. She was speaking what was already true, but the hunter had his focused gaze upon the beast that protected her. She did not expect for the other gods to protect her, but the thread has been spun and attached itself to Orion. His destiny was not yet completed.
"Further in the land, a great sword protects a hound. Take it away and he shall become a beast. The huntress does not know you are with the living, but I am sure she has felt the disturbance in the air." Atropos had to say what was needed for the hunter. Death shall come back to retrieve his damned soul, but the alignment of the stars will throw off the balance of life and death. Apollo has already made a great offense to his brethren, but the god himself believes what he is doing justifies all the wrong.
"Atropos, you cannot get away so easily. This beast cannot stop me from returning to the stars. Apollo has gone mad and I will lower myself to do his bidding. Much shame has befallen me, but I must obey the worthless god." There was a hint of sadness within his voice. His featured have softened a bit, but once he spoke of Apollo's name, nothing but disgust filled his tongue with poison.
Orion eyed the creature before he took an arrow and began to attack. The hunter was afraid of no creature. Coming between Atropos and he was a grave mistake. The creature opened its mouth and out came a rush of water that stopped the arrows. Orion moved out of the way of the water before being caught. The creature saw this as an opportunity to grab hold of Atropos and flew off quickly into the blue sky, leaving Orion alone within the forest where the forest spirits watched on. They, scared of the hunter and the dragon.
…
Artemis opened her eyes quickly. The feeling of static jolted her awake when she felt something familiar in the air. The cool air blew against her hot skin, sending a slight shiver through her body. This feeling was not right. Since yesterday, the huntress has had this bad feeling. Something foreboding was within the air. The change in the way she breathed to how she slept, but she wasn't sure what it was that was causing her to feel like this.
"I know you feel it too." She said as she looked to the hound that was standing on the tree trunk with her. His golden eyes staring out into the rolling fields and rice patties. The wind blowing his long silver hair; showcasing the hounds beautiful features. Artemis could not help but stare at this marvel in front of her.
Odd, the strange green imp was not by his side.
"Since my arrival, other gods of different lands have shown themselves. My brother will awaken an ancient monster that many have feared. I was chosen for this mission because he is my brother. Born of the same mother. You may think me weak for not stopping him before, but how could one hurt their own sibling?" How could she ask a mundane question? Sesshomaru would kill his brother in a heartbeat.
"Weak for not killing your own brother. Weak for an injury that could have been avoided. Are gods not immune to being wounded or are you less than what you say." He spoke. Always the one to be blunt and harsh, but it was within his nature to say such things. It was rare enough as it was to hear him speak more than a few words.
"Apollo has obtained a weapon forged by darkness. A weapon that can slay a powerful god. It is unheard of to have something so powerful within their hands." She clenched the bow within her hands tightly. Feeling the smoothness of its structure within her grasp. This bow may not be enough, but it would make due for now. The sacrifice of the stag will not go in vain.
The power within the hound was far beyond any creature Artemis has yet to encounter. Spending much more time here in this land of Japan, she has observed her most favored hound to be strong, cunning, and a loner. A being of so few words, compared to his brother.
"It is foolish to bring the pathetic lot and that half-breed on your journey. They would only make trouble- a burden that, this, Sesshomaru, will not tolerate." He spoke in a low smooth voice. Those golden eyes not once looking to Artemis. He never looks straight into her eyes unless he needed too. The huntress never took much offense in his behavior. A will so strong as his was one that she has come to admire in a hound who knew what to search for.
"A burden that I have placed upon myself and seeing how the pack interacts with one another, it seems that they will not separate without reason." She stated as she looked to the fields and watching the farmers labor under the sun.
"Then you are as foolish as they." This comment caused a tug of a smile on her lips.
And here you stand, not leaving on your own. His hound mocked with a grin. Those red eyes judging his human form with a sense of humility. Strange that the hound inside of him never falters in his emotions. Artemis took a glance to the hound and saw an internal battle that was quickly resolved.
"I know you are restless. The child, Rin, means much more to you then you would like to show. Lilith will bring no harm to her, but she will be a foe that will not die easily. I can assure you that when we meet again, I will let you taste her blood. For now, the journey of the three sisters will begin." Artemis looked once more to the hound. His golden eyes stared at her for a few moments. He was contemplating on her words and inside of him, the animal within was happy.
"If you get in my way of that demon woman, I shall strike you down with her. I do not warn others of my intent. This is a generous statement that you should not think of as a weakness. I have no weakness, nor do my enemies have the timing to find such a thing." He spoke so truthfully as if it he wasn't hurting deep inside. The cold mask that he always wore would not falter, even in the presence of the great huntress.
She smiles at you, just as the child did when she first saw you. The huntress is not scared of you. He thought to himself, which earned him a slight snicker from the beast inside. Two complicated forms of the same soul were at odds with how they saw Artemis. One saw the huntress as an equal. The other saw her as his protector.
Artemis jumped down from the tree branch, landing on her feet with ease. Her hound quickly appeared before her. Standing eye to eye with the huntress. Both of them staring at each other in a silent comfort. They both not knowing where the roads will lead. Danger was ever present with the unknown.
From another prospective, Kagome smiled widely at what she was seeing. The rest of the group had never seen such a display in Inuyasha's older brother. He was always this cold and aloof being that ignored any and all aspects of women; demon or not. Even Jaken was a bit dumbfounded, but he knew that his lord was not truly capable of feeling anything. Rin, she was still a child and, in his eyes, the child was the reason he even felt anything close as to having a heart.
Inuyasha folded his arms over his chest. an ear twitching in annoyance of the fact that he and his annoying bastard of a brother will be on the same journey.
How annoying. Both hounds thought.