Being a god had many advantages. I no longer aged and could do pretty much whatever I wanted. Shadow travelling no longer tired me out. I got to visit places that I probably wouldn't have had a chance to see if I were still a normal demigod. Often I would travel to the Underworld whenever Hades needed me. I mostly kept to myself during those years in which I traveled. That way, I wouldn't be able to fall for anyone, which made Aphrodite extremely upset. I knew that I had to keep my oath to Artemis. I didn't want to find out the consequences of breaking an oath as the god of truth himself.
As an immortal, time was no longer a big concern for me. Days would pass by without me noticing. People I had once considered my friends grew older, some died, and so, I felt more alone that I used to be. I did make friends with some minor gods, but they still feared me because I was a son of Hades. The saying that old habits die hard was true for the gods as well (Zeus included, which still continues to piss Hera off).
It was hard getting used to the whole godhood thing. Even after fifty years, I still wasn't used to the voices in my head, the promises that people made and broke. It pained me when those promises were broken. Often times, it felt like a pinch or a skin irritation, but I fit was a major one, it would make me feel sick. In those cases, I would lie down in my room and rest for a couple days.
One day I decided to travel to the Hunter's Camp so that I could check my on my daughter. This was something I would do once every few years. I was sad that I had missed out on a lot of her life including her first word, her first steps, and even her vows of becoming a Hunter of Artemis at age eleven. It comforted me though, knowing that Aletheia was in good hands. I did know that she was having a good time in the hunt, which was all that mattered to me, her happiness. She had a loving family with many sisters to take care of her.
I shadow travelled to the spot where the Hunters were dining for the night after a long hunt. I would usually stay in the shadows and wait until the fire started. Aletheia always sensed me though. When the fire started, my daughter aliped away from the circle of girls clad in silver outfits. She always found me surrounded and cloaked in the shadows.
"Lurking again?" Aletheia asked as she stood by my side.
"I do not lurk," I protested. "I'm merely watching."
"Yeah, watching from a distance in the shadows with your hood drawn up. That's borderline stalking," she said. "Seriously, dad, Lady Artemis knows you're here. You don't have to hide."
"I'm not hiding," I insisted. "It's just what I do."
She sighed and tugged on my hand. "Come on, dad. E'll to somewhere private to talk. I barely get to see you."
"I'm sorry," I said, and followed her into the deeper parts of the woods, far away from the company of the other Hunters.
She shrugged. "I understand. I know you have your godly duties to perform. I just wish you could visit more."
"I can't promise you that I will, but I promise to try my best," I replied.
"That's all that I ask," Aletheia said.
Aletheia stopped and turned to face me. Standing up on her tiptoes, she pushed back my hood. She had light blue eyes that stared down into the depths of my soul. She had no physical attributes of me since I wasn't her biological father. I still haven't told her of her real parents. Maybe I would later, but for now, I want her to be protected.
"You look tired," my daughter observed. "It's the voices, isn't it? They're bothering you again, aren't they?"
"I would be lying if I said no," I answered as I sat down, leaning against a tree. I patted the ground beside me and Aletheia join me.
"Well, maybe you can take a day off," she said with a smiled.
I knew what she was thinking. If I took a day off, we would be able to spend that day together.
"It doesn't work that way, sweetie," I said and kissed the top of her head. "Gods and goddesses can't just take a day off. That could lead to mass panic and the world would be in chaos. Don't worry about me though; it just takes some time to get used to. I've talked to other gods and they all say the same. The first century is hard to get used to. I'm still trying to get used to the voices."
"But what about the pain?" she asked. "Last time you visited, you almost fainted."
I did remember that time. I had doubled over in pain, clutching my middle. A very serious oath had been broken by one of the gods. Back then, I wished that Lady Styx had given me more instruction on how to do this job properly before she faded.
I had to choose my words carefully. "It's okay," I said. "I don't feel like fainting when a serious oath is broken. I just have to rest for a couple of days before all is good. I think it's because your old man is getting better at his job."
She laughed and fell into my arms. "You're not old, dad. You're just youthful."
"Thanks for the compliment, sweetheart." I wrapped my arms around her. We sat in silence, enjoying the night. I always felt more revitalized at night. The shadows replenished my energy that was usually sapped from me when I tried to block the pain from all those broken oaths.
"Now," I said, "how about you show me your archery skills. I want to see how well you're doing."
Alethiea nodded and jumped up. She ran back to where the Hunters were camped to gather her quiver and bow. For a little while, she impressed me with her archery skills. Later, she insisted that I give it a try. She said that she has always wanted to see me fire a few arrows. I willed my arrows to be a little off target, making her laugh and tell me that she knew I did it purposefully. I grinned and nodded before firing three arrows straight at the bulls-eye. The moment was interrupted as one of the Hunters approached, reminding me that I should probably get going.
"Aletheia," the Hunter's melodic voice called out. "Where are you?"
"Over here," she called back.
The Hunter pushed through the thick bush and came to where we stood. I stepped a further back into the shadows just in case I had to make a quick escape. I might've overstayed my welcome.
"The girls are settling down for the night," the Hunter said. "You probably should as well. We have a long day ahead of us."
"Okay," Aletheia said as she gathered her quiver and bow. She stopped to give me a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. "Bye, dad. See you next time."
"Take care of yourself, sweetie," I said and kissed her forehead. "I love you/"
"Love you too." She ran off, back to the Hunter's camp, leaving me and the other Hunter alone.
"Here for your rare visit, I see," the hunter said.
"Yes," I answered. "Thanks for looking after my daughter, Thalia."
Thalia smiled and stepped closer to me. Butterflies started to flutter around in my stomach. Fifty years after meeting her, she still had the same effect on me. I pushed those feelings aside and took a step away from the shadows.
"No problem," she said. "She's a really sweet girl. She always lights up when I talk about you and the adventures we had together. You should visit more often. She misses you."
I could tell that Thalia was leaving some information out. Aletheia wasn't the only one who was missing me, she was too.
"She's not the only one," I said quietly.
She looked up, her mouth in a very tight line. She looked down at her black painted nails and spoke very quietly. "You're my only male friend that hasn't died or is going to die. Being immortal is great, but watching my old friends die isn't. The world is changing around me and sometimes it feels like I'm missing out on great opportunities."
"You're not thinking of dropping out of the Hunt are you? I asked.
She shook her head. "I don't know what to do yet. Lady Artemis has always been grateful towards me. She's offered me so much. I can't just blow her off like that."
"You know," I said, cutting in. "You do have lots of time to figure everything out. You don't have to make a choice right now.
"That's true," she said and looked back to the dim, orange glow of the Hunter's camp. ""I should get back now. Take care of yourself, Alex."
"You too," I whispered.
Thalia turned her back on me and walked briskly off towards the Hunters. I stared after her wistfully, wishing that past events had gone a different way. Embracing the shadows once again, I whisked myself away to a different destination, far away from the Hunters.
A big thank you again to booknerd95. Without your help, this chapter would not be here so soon. You're the best!