Chapter 5: Artemis glows bright silver
In all her small immortal life, Artemis had never seen such extravagance. The streets were buzzing with activity. Many people stared at the trio before they bowed to Athena who just nodded her head. But her eyes spoke her feelings out loud. Inside, she was pleased to receive such respect and attention.
The golden palaces went on for miles and miles. And this was just the common areas of the city.
Artemis could only wonder what the palaces of the gods would look like.
"The throne room is only a couple of minutes' walk from here. I just thought a city tour will be a good start to the event. Welcome to Olympus, the city of the gods." Athena said, proud of her home as if she'd designed all of it. Who knew! That just might be true. Artemis chose not to ask to not embarrass herself in front of the older goddess.
The three immortals walked through the streets of Olympus, the twins going wherever the Olympian goddess went. Finally, after a few agonizing minutes of following the wisdom goddess, they reached the throne room.
Artemis was proud of herself for figuring that information by herself. The piece of architecture before them screamed sophistication. It was built entirely out of gold and another gold colored metal. There was a dull white and gold combination to the entire structure. Six tall beams supported the top part of the structure where intricate images of war were depicted. Each of the six beams had a different design. Artemis suspected that each of them symbolized the power of the six eldest gods- Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus
As they stepped inside, the roof was taller than what it looked from the outside. The entry hall looked magnificent. Designs all over the place, in one word, it looked godly. The fire burned in altars placed at a fixed distance from the previous, illuminating the already bright hall. A set of tall wooden doors sat in the other end of the room. The hall was filled with nymphs, satyrs, and other celestial beings who all bowed to the wisdom goddess as she passed.
Athena pushed the set of doors forward easily. It must have been incredibly light or the goddess must have been really strong. Artemis decided to go with the first option. As soon as the doors were wide open, nine pairs of eyes fell on the trio. Athena stopped there. The twins stood on the goddess' either side.
The placement of the thrones was in the shape of the letter 'U', only inverted. Artemis decided to start from the left. The first throne from the left was… blood red. The man sitting on it wore a black chiton with red trims at the end. His mouth was shaped in a cruel smile. As Artemis observed his face, he was already looking at her hungrily. His eyes seemed to roam all over Artemis' body. The thought made her incredibly angry. Her eyes narrowed and her fingers were itching to pull out an arrow from her quiver and shoot it at him. The only thing stopping her was the fact that she didn't have her weapon with her. She didn't bother to make one after she'd given the older one to Hestia. Just his presence in the room made her want to punch something, or rather, someone. She was looking at the god of war, Ares.
To his left, was the god of Blacksmiths, forges, Hephaestus. The immortal son of Zeus and Hera had a rough story. Legend says that he was hurled down from mount Olympus because he did not fit Hera's standards of perfection. From then on, he went out of his way to humiliate the peacock goddess. Currently, he was fidgeting with a piece of metal in his hands. He noticed Artemis observing him when he raised his head to look at her, giving her a small nod in the process.
Next to the god of blacksmiths, sat a lady. Her eyes were flaming red orbs but her face was serene, the goddess of Hearth and home, the namesake of her best friend, Hestia. She radiated a homely feeling and Artemis wanted to curl up on her lap and go to a deep sleep there. Her smile was peaceful. Artemis' face muscles twitched up on their own as a smile slowly began to form on her face. The goddess radiated a feeling of her living at Delos with Leto, a feeling of home. Her warmth was felt by Artemis though the goddess was far away from where she stood.
The next goddess sat on a peacock-shaped throne. A small crown sat on her head and oozed royalty. Her eyes blazed with anger and her hands gripped the armrests of her throne in a death grip. Artemis wondered why the throne didn't break. The goddess looked at the two of them and the god beside her, seething with rage. There was no doubt. This was Hera, queen of the gods, goddess of marriage and family.
The god next to her was positioned at the center of the room. He wore a pinstriped suit and his black-grey hair was oiled and neatly combed. His eyes glowed a bright white color, the color lightning. He wore a lavish crown on his head and his eyes shone with pride and authority. His throne had a metal ring where a large cylindrical rod was placed. The rod itself glowed brightly and looked like it could vaporize anyone on its attacking end. Artemis was looking straight at the king of the gods and her father, Zeus. Suddenly, Artemis was attacked with a varied range of emotions, the most prominent of them being anger. He was the king of gods for heaven's sake. He could've helped Leto give birth, despite Hera's curse. But he didn't. He didn't even spare her a second glance after he was done with her. He probably moved on to the next woman to screw her up the same way. A disgusted expression appeared on Artemis' face as she failed to hide her feelings inside.
Artemis' observation was disturbed by Athena who moved from their side and rose to her godly height to take her throne in the right corner of the arrangement of thrones. Artemis decided she might as well start from her. Athena's spear rested in its own stand near the armrest of her throne. Her helmet vanished, revealing her face in all its glory. Well, enough description of Athena.
To the left of Athena, Artemis saw beauty personified, the goddess Aphrodite. She'd heard many stories about the goddess of beauty from her mother to recognize her on sight. But one thing shocked her. Her face was very close to that of her best friend, Hestia. The same dark onyx eyes, olive-colored skin. Artemis almost cried at the view. The goddess smiled. But this wasn't Hestia's smile. This was wider, almost a toothy grin. Artemis gave a small smile as a mark of respect.
Next to Aphrodite, sat the goddess of cereal. She didn't even pay any information to the twins. She was fidgeting with a single branch of a.. Was that a wheat plant? Artemis didn't know. She didn't want to. The goddess was murmuring something under her breath as the wheat vanished from her palm and another plant now took its place.
The next face was one she knew all too well. She was met with a wide grin and a proud look as she stared up at her Uncle Poseidon's face. Artemis's mouth morphed into an almost identical grin on its own. But she controlled it to give a small smile and a nod. Poseidon's hand was on his trident, a weapon she was too familiar with. She knew, despite the friendly exterior and calm demeanor, Poseidon was a formidable foe.
"Bow to council and kneel at your father's feet, niece." Someone spoke in her mind. Her eyebrows came together in confusion as she saw the god smiling at her.
She tried to send a message back through the link. "Uncle, is that you?" She heard a chuckling sound at the other end.
"Of course. Who did you think it was?" Artemis didn't reply but did as the god asked. She walked forward with Apollo on her heels and headed towards her father. She bowed to the assembled gods and knelt at Zeus' feet. He looked smug at the respect he received. What a power-hungry moron!
"Rise, children." A powerful voice spoke. She suspected it was her father.
His eyes were proud and buzzing with electricity.
"Let us call the fates to present your domains." He started chanting in an ancient language where each word varied the conditions in the room. The lighting dipped and the temperature dropped. In a split second, the throne room became incredibly bright and too warm.
In a bright flash of light, three old women appeared. One supplied the thread, the second wove it and the third had a scissor in her hand ready to cut it. Their eyes glowed with immense knowledge and power. When Artemis looked at the first old lady, her childhood flashed through her eyes.
The second fate's eyes showed how Artemis would be sometime in the future. She saw herself with a lot more pride on her face. Her face sported a permanent scowl except when she was with her hunters where she was her usual self. She hunted offending males all over the world who dared to misbehave with women.
The third fate's eyes had a simpler scene. Artemis stood on a cliff facing the ocean. The moon was high above in the sky and cast an ethereal glow around her. She took a deep breath of the fresh sea air. Slowly, her body started glowing. The scene became so bright that Artemis couldn't make out what was happening in the image. When the light cleared, small specs of silver floated around and slowly settled on the ground. The moon's glow had dimmed as if it were mourning its patron goddess.
Artemis was brought back out of her trance-like state when the three fates spoke in one creepy voice.
"Approach, Apollo, son of Zeus, the king of the gods, master of the sky." Apollo took a few trembling steps forward and knelt before the three fates.
"Son of Zeus and Leto, may you be able to see in the future. Your first domain is Prophecy. You shall inherit the power of the sun from Helios and are now the rightful owner of the sun chariot. You shall bestow good health and treat illnesses. You shall also curse people with rare and powerful diseases. You shall be the god of music. You shall be a presiding deity for archers all around the world. You shall guide arrows to or away from their marks. You shall henceforth be hailed as Lord Apollo, the god of Prophecy, Sun, Music, Medicine, Diseases, and Archery."
Apollo glowed a harsh golden light with each domain he received, almost to the point where it was difficult to look at him directly. Artemis felt she was looking directly at the sun. His usual attire changed into a chiton that glowed gold and in his hand, a musical instrument appeared. His usually electric blue eyes turned a different color, matching the gold of the sun.
The fates now turned to look at Artemis. "Artemis, daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods, master of the sky. Please come forward to know your domains." Artemis did as they asked, following the example of Apollo, knelt before the fates.
"Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto, you shall preside over all wildlife. Your power is directly connected to the state of forests and animals around the world. You shall be the sole power for all hunters. You shall set an example for maidens and be their patron. As your brother wields the power of the sun, you rule over the calm serenity of the moon. You shall be called Artemis the chaste, arising from your domain of maidenhood and chastity. You share the domain of archery with Lord Apollo, the god of Archery. You shall henceforth be called Artemis, the patron of maidens, the lady of the forests, Goddess of the hunters, childbirth, archery, moon, virgins, chastity."
Artemis absorbed all that the fates had to say. She too, like Apollo, had glowed harshly during the process. Only, it was a bright silver color, the color of the moon.
The fates continued. "Use the power of your domain wisely godlings. Remember, what is given can be taken away." In another bright flash, the fates disappeared from the throne room. The temperature returned to normal and the lighting to the usual bright light.
The gods were looking at the twins with hanging jaws and widely stretched eyes. Truthfully, Artemis expected only to receive one or two domains and very minor ones at that. She didn't expect to control something that had a major impact on the world. The gods' stare seemed to break away as Zeus cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Uhm- Artemis and Apollo, both of you wield major domains. It is only fitting you join us in the council"
The moment Zeus finished saying what he had to, a shrill scream pierced the throne room's atmosphere. "ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WON'T HAVE ANY OF YOUR BASTARD CHILDREN JOIN THE COUNCIL. THIS RUINS THE PERFECT FAMILY IMAGE." Artemis' least favorite goddess, Hera, yelled glaring at the twins. Zeus looked uncomfortable at the accusation but had the decency to bow his head in shame.
Unsurprisingly, Poseidon came to their rescue. "I believe they will make a great addition to the council too. The Sun and the Moon are really powerful domains. We should let this matter be decided by the means of a fair vote." He winked at Artemis who grinned back. Zeus picked up on it and continued. "All those in favor of Artemis and Apollo join the council?"
Hands rose. Zeus, Poseidon, Hephaestus, Demeter, Hestia, Athena raised their hands. Hera, Ares, and Aphrodite abstained. The motion had passed. The twins were now officially a part of the Olympian council. Hera gave them a dirty look but stayed silent. She couldn't veto the decision of the council.
"With the power vested in the Olympian council, I would like to make Artemis and Apollo members of this council. Hephaestus will oversee the making of their thrones and Athena will supervise the construction of their palaces here in the city of Olympus." Zeus bellowed. The said gods nodded their heads to the task given to them. "If that's all, this meeting is now adjourned." Hera gave another glare in Artemis' direction and flashed away in dark purple light. Ares, too, left the hall. Athena and Hephaestus were discussing in hushed voices unaware of their surroundings. Zeus was still on his throne and so was Poseidon. The king of the gods caught their eyes and beckoned them forward. The newly made gods made their way to the center of the throne room and stood before Zeus.
"My children have yet again become powerful gods and members of this council. It is indeed a happy occasion for us. Tell me, my children, what gift do you want to commemorate this occasion." Apollo stood uneasily while Artemis knew what she had to ask.
"Father, I would like to have complete independence over my matrimony. I will be married only if I wish to be so. Give me your word on the Styx that no one, you included, can force me into being married with any man." Artemis finished with an air of finality.
Zeus looked shocked. However, he couldn't refuse the wish as it would damage his reputation as the benevolent king of Olympus and the best father there is. So he nodded.
"I swear on the river Styx that no being, immortal or not, can force Artemis to be wedded against her wishes. Even if the marriage does happen, it is not valid by the Olympian council and the world of man."
Artemis nodded her thanks. Apollo stood there awkwardly knowing not what to ask. Zeus then said he could ask for his wish later to which the younger god consented. The king of the gods teleported away followed by his now-Olympian son. Artemis turned to Poseidon who was now waiting for her to approach.
"Congratulations on becoming an Olympian, niece. You will know soon enough what a headache it is to handle this bunch" He said, chuckling. "Hope we maintain our bond without letting godhood come in the way. If you ever need me, just come to the sea and call. I shall take my leave now. But before that, I believe you don't have your bow now. I had this weapon forged at my forge under water a few days ago and thought this would be a good welcome-to-the-council gift."
Poseidon extended his hand, palm facing downwards as a bright light erupted. A beautiful bow started to shape itself starting from the grip, extending both directions into gracefully curved limbs. It was silver in color, matching Artemis' color scheme. Poseidon gave the bow to Artemis who took it with a shocked face. Her hand moved backward to her quiver to draw an arrow when the sea god stopped her.
"You don't need an arrow for this bow, Artemis. Just draw the bow string and watch the magic."
Artemis did as the earthshaker asked and to her surprise, an arrow materialized into place ready to be fired. Looking at it, Artemis knew it was no normal arrow. The fletching, design and the tip all screamed expertise. Artemis was ecstatic. If there was anything that took her over the moon, it was Archery. She hugged the god before her who chuckled and hugged back.
"You think I didn't know you gave your own bow to Hestia?" Poseidon asked, smirking. In response, Artemis just blushed, unable to form words. In the end, she settled for just three words.
"Thank you, Uncle." Poseidon smiled and vanished in fine sea mist. Artemis just smiled and started walking down the road she took along with Athena to Olympus. This day turned out to be really exciting. She got her domains, a seat on the Olympian council and her favorite uncle had gifted her a beautiful bow.
