Chapter 27
Artemis had spent almost three weeks training to reach her full potential as a Hawk Rider. Being a quick study and having a teacher as good as Alfonse, allowed her how to use her skills at a quicker pace than most before her. Using a sword was as easy as breathing and she proved to be an even match for the older Hawk Rider. However, when it came to using her magical connection with Strider, which Alfonse called the Hawk Sight, it proved to be a little bit more challenging.
The Hawk Sight was the ability to use a hawks natural senses as an advantage to help fight an opponent. Being able to see a greater distance meant she could know where an enemy was hiding, especially in the dark. But it seemed no matter how much Artemis had tried to use this connection, the heightened senses proved to be too much and she would be left gasping for breath as if all of the air was taken away from her.
Waking up in her nice warm bed, she prepared for another long day of training. Then, as she opened her door, she almost jumped out of her skin when Dash's face popped up on the other side of it. Artemis wasn't used to getting visitors this early in the morning, but Dash had a look which only meant he had an important question to ask her. However, Alfonse was waiting for her and even though she didn't want to be rude, she had to get past him.
Turns out, Dash was just as stubborn as she was. "Where have you been? I thought you wanted to find out if there are any Hawk Riders!"
"I'm sorry I've been busy, just like I am today." Artemis lied, walking past him.
Not buying it, the fast flyer was immediately in front of her "Artemis, I'm not letting you go until you tell me what's going on."
Sighing, she muttered "He's going to kill me." and the animal fairy proceeded in telling him everything.
Knowing Alfonse wouldn't like it if she just told Dash the number one rule, she decided to bring him along to the Hallow to plead her case to her teacher.
"No, no, no, a hundred times no! Artemis I cannot believe you broke our number one rule!" Alfonse scolded Artemis, as both she and Dash followed him down the steps of the fortress.
"Mr... ah Alfonse was it? If you could just hear us out-" Dash began, but was immediately cut off.
"Silence! We Hawk Rider's have lived with our rules, which has maintained order and now Artemis you have broken the most important one." The water fairy states. "Now you expect me to accept that your action was a good idea!"
Becoming frustrated with her teacher's response, "It's not like he wasn't going to figure it out eventually. He knew what I was before I met you."
"Which makes the situation even worse!"
"Alfonse if he's kept my secret this far, I know we can trust him to keep it for far longer."
"Do you?" Turning to face her, he questions as if Dash wasn't there.
Feeling Dash staring at her for her answer, she looked into the water fairy's eyes and answered "Yes.".
Alfonse looked like he wanted to punch something, but restrained himself by walking away from the two and yelling "Fine let's break all the rules shall we!"
The two watched as he walked down one of the hallways in the main room and stood there for moment in complete silence.
"I'm sorry for causing all of this, I shouldn't have pushed you into telling me." Dash spoke, snapping the animal fairy out of her silent thought.
"Don't be, it's not like I could keep my life a secret from you and everyone else for too long." She replied, turning to him.
"You really trust me huh?"
"I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't mean it. Come on, there's something I'd like to show you."
Curious, Dash followed Artemis down one of the tunnels leading out of the fortress. Walking for a few minutes, they soon reached the end which revealed a small cliff with a small waterfall going down it. In the early morning sun, it was a rather pretty place.
"Wow." Dash muttered, not seeing the small smile Artemis had at his reaction.
"I like to come here after a long period of training with Alfonse." Artemis states, sitting at the edge of the cliff where water wasn't running over it.
Joining her, "I can see why."
They sat there for a while in silence, admiring the scenery. For some reason, the knowledge of what Rosetta had been trying to do popped up inside her head, causing Artemis to think about what life would be like if she and Dash did end up together. She imagined herself as just a regular fairy with a normal life, going on picnics with the fast flyer sitting next to her. But reality came flooding back into her mind, making her realize such a relationship could not work as one) she didn't know what being in love with someone was like and two) being a Hawk Rider meant she would have to face Morpheus and his followers one day which she may or may not die from. So, she was happy to be just friends with Dash.
"We're not going to get much of this are we?" Dash questioned, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Looking at him, Artemis could see a slight frown on his face as he looked out at the distance, and she answered "No."
He nodded, not happy with the response. Seeing this, Artemis scooted closer and lay her head on his shoulder, which he in turn lay his on hers.
"I'm glad I met you." He said, and for some reason, his words made Artemis want to cry.
Author's Note: Hey ya'll, I got another chapter for you! I do rather love writing these interactions between Artemis and Dash as it's been fun watching their relationship develop from practically not acknowledging each other to this friendship that I hope you have enjoyed. Alas I have to bear the sad news that we are only ten chapters away from a completed story. But I do see that on my poll so far, the story with the most votes is so far the sequel so if it's still the same by the end of the year, be on the lookout for it. Now I want to thank Laurel Vincent again with your reviews, I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you have liked this one just as much. Okay well I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow and we shall see if I can squeeze in another chapter or two, but if not then we'll just have to wait until I have time again. Until then, goodbye!