Chapter Four: Traitor
Artemis's POV
Her opponent screamed.
Artemis faked a right hook, slicing through his unprotected chest, drawing blood. She gained new ground with every footstep as he fell back.
His breaths grew labored as his sword came lightning fast at her. She was only expecting this, blocking every swing just as quickly. He was losing, she knew that. And she made it known to him, as well.
Artemis returned with a couple strikes of her own, ending with a final roundhouse kick that knocked her opponent off his feet. She knelt down, laying her sword against his throat, ready for any kind of surprise attack he might throw at her.
It didn't come.
"Yield?" Artemis asked quietly through get teeth. The opponent below her tensed, like he was planning something. He was either going to sweep her off her feet or-
"Enough," a voice rang from the sidelines, growing louder as it made its way to the center of the training arena. In other words, where Artemis and her opponent stood.
"Victory to Artemis," her blond haired, blue eyed swords master stated. His hand rested on the hilt of his wicked sword hanging from the scabbard of his war belt.
Artemis removed her sword from her opponent's neck, offering him a hand. He humbly accepted it with a "thanks", making his way back to the sidelines, to the other initiates.
"Class dismissed," the swords master announced, then added quietly: "Except for Artemis."
The initiates swarmed around the exit portal, disappearing as soon as they came in contact with the swirling ebony energy. The tense silence increased as the arena emptied until only Artemis and her teacher were present.
"Sir?" Artemis said, resting a hand on her sword.
"Artemis, for how many days have you been taking sword fighting?" her teacher asked.
"Three days, sir," she replied automatically. She didn't realize it, but those days had gone fast. Unbelievably fast, really, even though the days themselves were longer than the standard twenty-four hours of Earth.
Her teacher only nodded. "Correct. On the first day, you didn't even know how to properly wield a sword." Artemis remembered that all too well. Later that day she had come home sore from the training. But that was the past. She didn't dwell into past.
"You're almost at professional level, Artemis," her teacher mused, looking down at her. "I suppose it's because of your parents' genes, but," he shrugged, "you're invited to join the Ten."
Artemis was shocked, to say the least. She knew she was good, but certainly not that good; forget professional level altogether.
"But what happened to a member of the Ten, sir?" she asked. The group was called the Ten for a reason. There were ten people that comprised it, hence the name. If she was being invited...
Her master took a deep breath. She could tell this was becoming a hard topic to talk about. It took a supposedly long time for her teacher to answer. Or maybe it was just her aggravating patience. "Only Lord Chaos knows," his voice was grave. "But their absence reminds us of who we truly are."
"What would that be?"
Her teacher smiled faintly."That's for you to find out one day. Trust me." He let the words sink in before continuing. "Do you accept?"
Artemis slowly shook her head. "I'm honored, sir, I truly am. Don't mistake this as sarcasm. I'm only twelve years old. I want to grow up, live my life. And maybe then, I might accept. If the position is available, that is. But I apologize."
"I understand," her teacher said. "Though know that Lord Chaos has offered. I am merely bearer of such news." He smiled, a nostalgic expression taking form upon his face. "Your father said something like your words a long time ago. He was offered the gift of immortality then. Of course he refused, because of Annabeth, that is."
Her teacher said it like it was nothing, and maybe it was. She knew her father hated speaking about his past, before joining Lord Chaos and starting a new life. "Annabeth, sir?" she asked, mystified by this Annabeth. Her father had never mentioned an Annabeth.
"Yes. Your father's love for four years."
"I see," she said. Why hadn't her father ever mentioned Annabeth before? She would ask him later.
"Don't forget traitor," a familiar voice rang from behind. Footsteps followed closer to them. They both turned to face a man donned with black assassin's clothes. He had two deadly sharp knives hanging from his belt. His green eyes were highlighted in the dim lighting. This man was her father.
"Dad?" Artemis asked in disbelief. Forget asking later.
"Yes, she was," her father growled, approaching them. "A complete traitor. Don't ever trust the offspring of the Wisdom goddess. All they will lead you to is deceit and loss."
He took a deep, calming breath before speaking. "You're coming on a mission with me. Your mother, you, and me. To... Earth." It seemed like it pained him to say the word 'Earth'.
Artemis had never been away from Chaos's realm. Finally, she could see the Olympians her father so much despised. "When?"
"Tomorrow. Break of dawn."
"I can't come?" her teacher asked, directing the attention toward him.
Artemis's father sighed, a small smile making its way onto his face. "Yes, Luke. You can come. Do me a favor first?"
Luke raised an eyebrow at the question.
"Bring twenty-four soldiers. Experienced, mind you."
"Right away, Commander." Luke said, making his way to the exit portal.
"You know about that too?" her father asked.
Luke only laughed. "News spreads like wildfire here, Aion." And he disappeared with the slightest touch of the portal.
Artemis's thoughts remained unmoving. How could she and her mother go on a mission with her dad? Wasn't it dangerous? Wasn't it unlawful? Prohibited?
"Lord Chaos made a few exceptions."
"You promised you wouldn't read my mind, dad." Artemis pouted.
"And you didn't learn to shield your thoughts yet."
Her father laughed at the expression on her face. "Let's go," he put a hand on her shoulder, steering her toward the portal. "Or your mom'll kill me for sure," he murmured.
And like Luke they disappeared from the arena immediately.