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This has taken me ages to upload.... severe writers block :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Greek Mythology :(

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And thankyou to cobweb185 for helping me smooth out this chapter, and giving me some amazing ideas as well :)

Previously:

Harvey heard something about "Paris and Helen..", but before he could take another step a large boom was heard, as one of the enormous golden doors were slammed open. In ran Artemis, clearly angered. She was heading directly for a rather frightened looking Aphrodite. Who visibly flinched at the expression of Artemis' face. The huntress shoved the Graces out of her way , removing her bow from her back, and placing a golden arrow in place. She raised the bow until it was level with Aphrodite's petrified face.

However, Harvey was unable to witness the rest of the scene as for the second time a force embraced him, dragging Harvey , until he was thrust violently back into reality.

....


If only, has he was pulled further into the blackness, wrenched to the gates of Hades and back, unknown images, countless sensations whirled through Harvey's mind until, finally he gazed upon another scene.

Harvey was in a forest that much was clear. Harvey was also sure that he was still in a world inhabited by immortal beings. Rays of silver moonlight shone through the canopy of trees miles high, illuminating patches of dew-covered grass. The forest was unnaturally silent, as if every single creature was holding their breath; desperately trying to evade an undetectable predator. Harvey cautiously stepped through the undergrowth, aware that every movement was greatly accentuated in the unnatural silence.

Harvey gazed upon an opening in the forest, bathed in the light of a full moon. In the centre of the clearing was a marble statue, it was another depiction of Artemis. This portrayal of the Goddess was one of fearsome nature. The Huntress stood, arm extended, holding the carcass of deer by the neck. Another deer was lying at her feet. The statue gave one message; here was a merciless killer, a being who inspired fear into the hearts of thousands of humans. The representation sent chills down Harvey's spine.

The sound of hooves crashing towards the clearing brought Harvey out of his thoughts. Momentarily forgetting that he could not be seen or heard, he scrambled behind the statue, waiting for the stampede to dissipate. However to Harvey's initial alarm, the sound only got louder, advancing closer to the clearing. Peeking around the base of the statue, Harvey saw the source of the noise. A small herd of deer were charging towards the statue, frantically trying to lose their pursuer. Now that the creatures were closer, Harvey also heard another noise, one that was utterly unexpected; laughter-The high-pitched trilling belonging to young girls.

A large gathering of nymphs emerged from the shadows, running gracefully towards their prey. These were the hunters, the loyal followers of Artemis-hand-picked by the Goddess herself. Their very movements seemed like dancing, perfectly choreographed, incredibly elegant.

Tearing himself from the nymphs, Harvey's eyes settled on one deer in particular, lagging at the back of the group- clearly struggling to keep up with the pace of the rest. Harvey realised that the deer was injured, its right foreleg twisted at an odd angle- almost as if the bone had been smashed by a brute force. This was probably not far from the truth. As the injured deer passed the statue where Harvey was frozen, aware that there was nothing he could do to stop the inevitable event from occurring. Time seemed to slow down, cruelly forcing Harvey to see every detail of the episode.

The group of nymphs, amused at the deer's struggle, divided in two revealing the glimmer of a silver bow, still enclosed in the shadows, a golden arrow already in place. The face of the deer only inches away from Harvey's, its eyes round, fearful. Evidently sensing the end of its life was mere moments away. The bow was raised. Harvey saw his face reflected in the eye of the creature. His expression one of dread, dread at what was about to happen. The bow string had been released, the arrow soaring, cutting the air. Seconds left. Gathering speed, faster and faster, no hope of escape. Harvey looked on with disgust as the arrow penetrated the creatures skull , continuing on and on , finally embedding itself into a laurel tree. The deer fell, front legs collapsing under its own weight. The mortal injury impossible to recover from . Its own momentum carrying it forwards, dragging itself along the floor until it was still. The final laboured breaths escaping its body. Its heart slowing down, reaching its last beat. Finally the creature was still, embracing the awaiting arms of death.

The joyous nymphs surrounded the deer, dancing around its lifeless body. Harvey meanwhile was focused at the edge of the clearing, where emerged Artemis. Upon entering the moonlight her aura brightened considerably, virtually absorbing the rays. Illuminating the clearing in golden light. A miniature sun gliding towards her exultant followers. Who upon seeing the huntress, created a path to the carcass, bowing their heads in admiration. Artemis paused above the deer, raising her hand towards the laurel tree where a very visible golden arrow was embedded. Where Harvey, saw to his utter amazement that the gold liquefied snaking its way through the air towards Artemis' outstretched hand, where it again solidified into its previous form. Placing the arrow in her quiver , Artemis knelt down , her hand resting on the deer's head, gently closing the eyelids. Harvey stepped towards the gathering, expecting one of the nymphs to turn around and alert the rest of the group of his presence. He did not get far when suddenly, a voice boomed over the area;

"Artemis!"

The nymphs froze, apparently recognising the owner of the disembodied voice.

"Continue on with the hunt". Artemis quickly whispered to her maidens, who immediately followed her orders, dancing off, again entering the darkness of the forest.

"Apollo", the huntress replied, a smile touching her lips.

Said God appeared, his aura weakening at the absence of the sun, a stark contrast to his sister. He was wearing a golden chest plate, over which was a loose tunic, reaching to mid knee. And like his sister, he wore golden sandals.

"I thought I told you I wanted to be left alone."

"I wanted to talk…about what just happened." Apollo asked, hesitating, unsure of whether to confront her so soon after the event.

"Brother, believe me, it was warranted. Aphrodite committed a serious wrong." Artemis replied, looking down at the deer.

"Was it about…"

"Apollo, don't."Artemis cut in, her gaze directed at Apollo, almost daring him to continue.

"So it was." Apollo nodded his head, and then continued, "Artemis, he was mortal! I refuse to let you give away your immortality, having to watch you age, wither away each year ….die. He wasn't worth it! Did you even consider the effect it would have on the others, Athena, Persephone, Demeter, Hestia…your maidens, our father!" He stopped, aware that he had began to shout at his sister, who herself was fighting whether to answer back or ignore her twin. She chose the former.

"Apollo, you will never be able to comprehend the feelings I held for him. You frolic around with any creature who shows you the smallest amount of attention. I believed my feelings to be true. I was wrong. Hephaestus informed me of his amiable wife's exploitation of my emotions, so I sought to punish Aphrodite myself."

Apollo sighed, "She made you fall in love with .." seeing the look upon Artemis' face, Apollo decided it would be wise not to mention the mortals name, and continued " …him. That would be a direct violation of your vow!"

"Obviously father is unaware; otherwise I doubt he would have stopped me from my revenge." Reading Apollo's expression she continued, "The vow has not been broken Apollo."

Apollo relaxed as she said this, relief washing over him. The matter of his sister's virginity was one he was incredibly protective over. And if a mortal, took it away from her …the mere thought was unthinkable.

"I'm sorry Artemis. I didn't understand how deeply your feelings went for him. No matter if they weren't of your own creation." Apollo cleared the distance between them, embracing his sister in a hug. After a few moments he let go, his faint aura brightening, engulfing Apollo.

"I'll tell the others you need some time alone…." His voice ringing out in the silence, his body fading until finally he was gone completely.

Artemis collapsed onto the edge of the statue, visibly overwhelmed in grief.

"Orion…."

The scene started to melt away before Harvey's eyes. Harvey welcomed the darkness, hoping to return to his office.


I aplogise for any spelling or grammar mistakes....

Hopefully chapters will be uploaded quicker...my exams are finally over with - for now :D

Reviews are always apreciated and loved :)

RedFluffyBanana :)