From some of the reviews I've received so far, I am aware of how Ichigo's abilities and presence will drastically change the power scaling compared to the Riordanverse. I intend to remain true to what Ichigo is, not as just the single most powerful being in this story, but as a person who idealizes family and swears to his duty to protect.
I also wrote this with my mind solely on the relationship between Ichigo and Artemis as a master is to a student, as an older brother is to a younger sister. Who knows, maybe going down that road, they could be in a romantic one as well.
That's all I'm saying for now. There are still a lot of things to flesh out, but for now, you want another chapter. Well here you go then.
All rights go to Tite Kubo and Rick Riordan.
"You have an odd name, mister Ichigo."
Artemis's soft voice was articulated as she and Ichigo walked away. The taller one held the little one's hand as he escorted her through the forest. She had protested to this, saying that she could handle herself fine, but Ichigo said to her that he wasn't going to let a little girl go running off like that and Artemis caved in after a long argument.
Ichigo chuckled before a soft smile appeared on his face.
"I wouldn't expect you to be familiar with it. It is, after all, a name that hails from another civilization far from here to the east. And please don't call me mister, my full name is Ichigo Kurosaki."
Artemis had a thoughtful look on her face. She had never heard of anything from the far east before. Not even her mother told her of any far eastern culture or gods of some sorts.
"What's it like there?" She asked curiously.
Ichigo's smile softened even more.
"It's very beautiful there. The nature there is breathtaking and you can easily get lost exploring the forests and mountains over there."
Artemis's face brightened at the thought of nature.
"I love nature. It feels so free to go about and explore, nothing holding you back and away from civilization."
Ichigo shrugged.
"I don't know. I kinda prefer being near people."
Artemis gave him a curious look.
"Why?"
Ichigo's smile turned more melancholic, obviously emotional.
"Because it's nice being with friends and family that care about you. I know the people closest to me are. We help each other out, no matter whether a problem hurts us mentally or physically. Knowing people have your back is the best thing in the world."
Artemis took in Ichigo's brief advice. Now that she thought about it, she did kinda like people like her mother to be with her. It was always comforting whenever she was near Artemis, helping her with her problems.
Artemis looked down as she spoke.
"I guess I can understand what you're saying. I love my mother and have always been at ease to be around. She and I often talk about the rest of the Olympians."
Ichigo looked down at her as she finished.
"Then treasure her well and make sure to help when she's in trouble."
Artemis looked up at him.
"What about your mother? What is she like?"
Artemis knew she hit a soft spot when Ichigo gave her a sad smile. She swore that his eyes would start bursting in tears from the amount of emotion he displayed.
"She was the best mother I ever had." He responded, his voice soft and raw.
Now Artemis was still young and had yet to understand everything around her, but even she could sense the mood taking a bitter dive. And those words she heard, she knew what had happened: someone had killed her in front of him, probably when he was just a child, since his tone indicated that he had been helpless when it happened.
She immediately understood that the person walking by her side was someone who understood a lot about life. He had everything to tell her about when he had been growing up. To some degree, he was like a wise male family figure.
Artemis had met her father before, but he wasn't the family she saw him to be. He clearly demanded respect and was prideful of who he was. He wasn't meant to be a longstanding father figure considering his past. Of course, Zeus doted on her, but only a few times in her short life. Her aunt, Hera, hated her for being a constant reminder of her father's affairs outside of Zeus and Hera's marriage. Artemis realized that besides her mother, there wasn't anyone she could confide with her most intimate issues. Sure, she had her brother, but he acted more like an idiot most of the time and would tease her endlessly.
Finishing her thoughts, she sighed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up."
Ichigo looked down on her, a sad smile plastered on his face.
"It's okay. I've come to terms that I couldn't have been able to protect her then. That's why I grew up wanting to be stronger so I could project everybody else around me. They're precious people that I wouldn't trade away ever."
Ichigo's lips curved up a bit.
"Plus, I'm pretty sure she would be mad at me for being depressed all the time. She would definitely knock my head around a few pegs if she found out I wasn't able to accept it."
Artemis noted the deep understanding that both Ichigo and his mom had when they were alive. It was incredibly touching to see how much Ichigo had cared for his mother, even as an infant.
Deep down, she realized that if she wanted to do something like exploring the world, then she shouldn't do it alone. It was good to have companions around her, caring for her and caring for them as well. It gave a sense of purpose and belonging when she thought about it.
Shaking her head out of her thoughts, she decided to change the subject.
"What's that bow of yours?"
Ichigo held out his left hand and she watched as the bow she saw from before materialize in his grasp, its texture ever recognizable.
Artemis's eyes were all around his weapon, studying it carefully. It was unlike any bow she had ever seen. In fact, it reminded her much like her father's symbolic lightning bolt, energy given a form, although it was clear that the bow was more controlled and raw since it was practically energy itself.
"Amazing. How did you get a weapon like this? This is comparable to father's lightning bolt."
Ichigo contemplated on whether to tell her or not since he didn't want to show everything he had. He hadn't told anyone else how he was able to do this and he was being asked by one of the future Olympians. After a brief moment, he shrugged.
"I'm able to manipulate the ambient matter or reishi, as we call it, around me to create projectiles. This particular weapon is called Heilig Bogen and the arrows I fired are called Heilig Pfeil. Because I use it by converting natural matter and energy into a physical shape, it's always in a raw form."
Artemis looked at him like he was an alien who had just spoken another language. Ichigo scratched his head awkwardly, realizing that even though the girl next to him was mature as hell compared to those of her age, she still hadn't completely understood what he was saying. She was still young and had yet to understand some of the fundamental mechanics of the universe.
Artemis, however, understood what Ichigo was trying to say: he was able to manipulate ambient matter and energy into any form. While the gods could do that as well, they were only limited to their domains. This man, however, had no such drawbacks.
Artemis was baffled at such a prospect.
"What are you?"
Ichigo's legs came to halt, stopping Artemis in her tracks. They were already near the edge of the forest boundary and Artemis could see the beautiful plains in Delos, the place she called home. He sat down on a log and Artemis followed suit, curious.
Ichigo reluctantly spoke.
"Everything I tell you, must be kept a secret. No one will know of my abilities or identity and you will stay silent when the subject ever comes up unless I permit it."
Artemis looked at him, her eyes narrowed in scrutiny. Whatever Ichigo was insinuating, it was obviously a big deal and something he would rather not focus much attention on. She wasn't sure whether to keep to that promise. Ichigo was, after all, an outsider who she did not know too well and could easily deceive her.
But then she recalled what they had been talking about. Trust, family, companionship, friendship. Ichigo had helped her understand that these things were necessary and it would be an affront to turn it away now.
With a sigh, Artemis gave Ichigo her decision.
"I swear on the River Styx that I will never reveal anything about you unless I have permission from you. You have my word."
Ichigo was a bit taken aback, but nodded sagely, happy that Artemis trusted him to this extent. In the background, thunder boomed as her vow was spoken.
"Then let's get started. Does the word Quincy sound familiar to you?"
And that wraps it up for now. This was done in a more quick and precise manner than usual as I want to upload as much as I can before spring break ends.
This might fully evolve into an actual story. Who knows to be honest, but if you guys want to say that, then leave behind some reviews and let me know what you think so far.
Until then, I will see you all later.
