Chapter 2: Life on Delos
That wasn't the only weapon they'd made. Over the next few weeks, they'd made a lot of swords, bows, and many different kinds of arrows - arrows that'd go straight without any spin, arrows that's spin and get embedded in the body of the target due to its spin, arrows that flew side-wards when fired straight, perfect for killing hidden prey.
The girls hunted almost every day. Artemis imparted her knowledge of hunting, stalking, and killing prey while Hestia followed her instructions to the dot. They had each other's back and had saved each other multiple times. Once when a group of hell hounds had Artemis pinned to a tree, Hestia had thrown her sword to save her. Another when Artemis had shot an incoming arrow, towards her friend, with such incredible precision that both the arrows collided head-on and fell to the ground, harmless. With quick succession, she'd shot another arrow to kill the empousa with the bow.
One such event was special to both the girls. It was a fine evening after a tiring day of hunting monsters non-stop when Hestia proposed the idea of taking a swim in the lake. Leto had always warned Artemis not to go into any large body of water as her father, whom Artemis didn't know about yet, had a rivalry with the god of the seas. So, she sat at the lake, admiring the beautiful sunset reflecting off the lake, splattering the sky with a brilliant orange glow. She let out a long sigh, desperately wanting to cool off in the lake, but couldn't. She watched Hestia with envy as she splashed herself with water from the sea. Artemis' eyes slowly trailed down the body of her friend. Hestia had grown into a beautiful young woman. Onyx black eyes that always sparkled when they landed on her best friend. Her arms showed off her muscles, not too much though, just enough to prove her regular exercise of running through the forest, wielding her sword. Her feminine curves had only been accentuated over the years. She stood tall, only an inch or two shorter than Artemis herself. Artemis felt drawn towards her. She'd been having these feelings for a few weeks now. Whenever Hestia smiled at her, her cheeks would go bright gold. When they locked eyes, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. When their hands touched, Artemis felt sparks go off.
A yelp brought her back to reality. Hestia screamed and clawed at something pulling her down to the ocean floor. For the first time in her young immortal life, Artemis felt fear. She let arrows sail in quick succession, but to no avail. The water cushioned the arrow, relieving it of all the energy behind the shot, only for it to float like a lifeless piece of wood on the surface.
Hestia was now shouting, calling for help. Artemis could only think of one way to save her best friend. Thinning back on it, Artemis felt it was the best decision of her entire immortal life. She threw down her bow and the quiver of arrows and jumped into the sea herself. She held her breath as she pushed herself in, trying to mimic fishes to swim freely. She reached Hestia in practically no time and unsheathed a knife from the belt on her thigh. She lodged it into the eye of the beast as it left its hold upon her old friend's leg. It thrashed around violently, but soon gave up and disappeared into thin golden dust.
Artemis looked into her friend's eyes as she gave a warm smile and a nod of gratitude. Artemis quickly realized where they were and quickly shot to the surface and onto the beach. Hestia followed her friend and both sat on the sandy shores of their little island.
"SPAWN OF ZE-" A booming voice was heard. The water in front of them rose and solidified into the shape of a man. He had jet black hair and strikingly bright green eyes. He had a perfect beach tan and was wearing a chiton with gold colored accents. His hand held on to a trident that buzzed with power and his expression was one of anger. This could be only one man.
"Lord Poseidon" Both Artemis and Hestia went into a deep bow near the feet of the sea god.
"What were you doing in the sea, young godling?" Poseidon's voice was controlled, rage inevitably visible.
"I'm sorry Lord Poseidon, I didn't mean to intrude into your domain. My mother always warned me against it. My friend was attacked by a monster in the sea and none of my arrows seemed to go through the surface. I had no choice but to jump in and save her." Artemis said, still bowing, her eyes peering into the beach floor.
She could feel the sea god's piercing glare on her.
"Rise young godling." She followed his order. His eyes softened as he smiled at both the girls.
"And who might you be, girl? I smell the sea on you." He inquired the younger girl beside Artemis.
Hestia bowed and replied. "I am Hestia, my lord, I am the daughter of Atlas and Pleione." At this, Poseidon's eyes narrowed and darkened. Hestia continued nevertheless. "My mother left me here as the situation outside wasn't so good. She said they'd come and fetch me after the war. Have you seen them, my Lord?" Poseidon's expression was unreadable. His eyes fell upon the young girl again as his expression softened. She hadn't done anything opposing the gods after all.
"The war is not yet over, little one. Though I do not think your father's side will win. It should last a couple years at most." Hestia nodded, saddened.
Poseidon then turned to Artemis and scanned her face, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"Looks like my brother did it again. Though you are the only ones of his to show me some respect, I forgive you, niece."
Artemis smiled and gave a quick bow of her head and muttered her thanks. Her curiosity only rose.
"Lord Poseidon, what do you mean by 'your brother did it again'? What did he do? Is he my father?"
The older god looked at her surprised for a moment before his expression turned to disbelief and started laughing out loudly.
"It is not my place to tell that to you, my dear niece. You must ask your mother, Leto, for that part. You just surprise me a lot. I don't see any similarities in you and your half-sister. I'd say you are polar opposites. If it wasn't the blood of my brother that ran through your veins, I wouldn't have considered you to be a child of my brother at all. Let's go fishing goddess, tomorrow just before sunrise? You, your companion and I."
Artemis had her lower jaw almost hit the floor. "But you said I can't enter your domain, Uncle." She pointed out.
"I give you my permission, niece. You can enter my domain whenever you wish. Now what do you say about my offer? Would you allow your old uncle to teach you some sailor's tricks?" He asked with a wink.
Artemis smiled widely and nodded so fast that if she weren't a goddess, her neck would've snapped.
"So, before sunrise it is, niece. Do not disappoint me by being late. Farewell, godling. Tell Leto she's raised a fine little daughter" Artemis blushed bright golden as the god of the sea vanished into fine sea mist, as the girls looked at each other, surprised at how the events turned out.
The duo ran back to their little cottage quickly, fearing Leto's anger. Thankfully, they reached just in time for dinner. The dinner was as usual. Apollo's senseless banter, Artemis and Hestia laughing at his actions and Leto giving out a small smile. Artemis decided to blurt out all details of the surprising event of the day.
"Hestia and I met Lord Poseidon today." Leto's spoon froze mid-air. Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Her limbs trembled. The female godling was surprised to find the sudden change in behavior of the generally calm titaness.
"Did you go into the sea, young lady?" Leto's voice was very low. Artemis was afraid of her mother for the first time in her young immortal life. The loving, smiling face of Leto vanished, replaced by barely controlled rage.
"Yes mother. Hestia went swimming when a sea monster caught her. All her weapons were on the shore. I jumped in to save her when the sea god sensed my presence." Artemis lost the courage to look at her mother's face. Pushing down her fear, she tried to steal one look at her. She found Leto looking at her, expecting more details about the little meet she had with one of the strongest Olympians. Artemis didn't disappoint.
"Initially, he was angry. When I explained, the anger subsided and he even went on to smile at us. He also gave me permission to go into his domain whenever I wish to. He told me to pass on a message for you. He said that he was proud of your upbringing of me and that he'd teach us the tricks of a sailor. He asked us to meet him at the beach before dawn." Artemis said in one breath.
To say Leto was surprised was an understatement. Her daughter, a young goddess, impressed an elder god, the rival of her father nonetheless. Sure, Poseidon had always been one of the more friendly gods, but he was also known for his temper. The world wasn't new to the news of Poseidon's rage destroying several thousand ships at sea. Sailors who don't pay a proper tribute to the sea god don't return from their voyages. Thousands of women were widowed due to the rage of the said god.
But that is just one side of him. To those who manage to impress him, he is one of the softest gods. The seas were calm long enough for the sailors to travel forth. He has helped many men reach the shore after their vessel had been wrecked.
Leto was impossibly proud of her daughter. To impress the sea god was no mean feat. And for a daughter of Zeus (who didn't know of it yet), to be trained in the seas was totally unheard of.
Artemis' mind went to the conversation she had with the sea god when a question popped into her mind.
"Lord Poseidon said that I was a daughter of one of his brothers. Who is my father, mom?" Leto froze. She hadn't told her children the story of their birth. Now, she knew she couldn't avoid the question for long. She had to open this conversation up some time, so why not then. She took a deep breath.
"Sit down, my children. This is going to be a long story." She started with a sigh. "A few years ago, before the war with the titans began, there was a young ambitious god. The god had five other older siblings who were eaten at birth by their paranoid father, the titan king, Kronos. His mother had him hidden away, so that he could live his life in the world outside, unlike his siblings. He was raised in secrecy and when he came of age, he served at the court of Lord Kronos, his father's court as his cup bearer. He had only one goal in mind- to free his siblings and overthrow his father for the throne."
"At that time, even as an immortal, I was a young titan. We saw each other a lot at the palace, the residence of the titans. He was very handsome, even by godly standards. Soon, all his plans succeed and his siblings are brought back. They killed the titan king and the god crowned himself king. In the next few years, titans were hunted all around the world and chained in Tartarus for their crimes against the 'gods'. During that time, this young god married his elder sister and had three children with her. However, his lust didn't seem to end there. During his quest of hunting titans, he travelled all over the world, bedding all women he found attractive. On one fateful day, he laid his gaze upon me. Afraid his wife would find out about us, the god left without a second glance at me. Some days later, I was blessed with two sweet children. But the god's wife found out about this and cursed me so that I couldn't give birth on any fixed land. I scoured the earth, looking for a place to give birth to you when I found this land. It used to float around the world back in those days. When I gave birth to you, the island anchored itself to the earth and has been our home since. But he will come back for you two. You two are his blood so he will want your support and unquestioning loyalty." She took a deep breath. "The young god, you father, is the King of the gods, ruler of the sky, Lord Zeus himself." The three young immortals stared at her, transfixed.
Artemis moved forward and embraced her mother with her full strength. Apollo joined her while Hestia stood silently in the corner. Leto looked at her niece and beckoned her forward.
"You are my daughter too, young one. You will always have a place in this family." Hestia smiled and nodded. The four of them stayed in the embrace for a long time before they parted.
Still in shock, the young immortals went back to their rooms to rest their tired bodies. Artemis' eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
