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Chapter Forty-Four
I leaned against one of the large oak trees that rested in the Forbidden forest. A soft whiny told me that the thestral herd was close by. I ignored it for now as I waited for what felt like hours. My fingers brushed against the rugged bark once more before I heard the soft foot steps that were heading towards me. I spoke as I looked at the trees around me, "You know it's not polite to make the person you asked to meet wait."
"My apologies," Was her soft reply, "I had to escape my brother,"
I sighed lightly and turned towards the one that had asked to meet with me. Familiar auburn hair glowed in the sun light while wolf-like eyes watched me. The scent of long night in the forest, campfires, animal musk, and so much more wafted off of her. I closed my eyes lightly and asked, "What is it that you want Artemis?"
"I wanted to give you my side of the story," She answered causing me to sigh softly, "Plea-"
"Fine, but know this," I opened my eyes as I cut her off and looked at her warningly, "If this is a plot by Zeus-"
"It's not," She cut me off and I saw the truth shining in her eyes.
"Alright," I ran a hand through my hair, "Tell me your side of the story,"
"Thank you," She smiled softly, "When we had heard that Voldemort was coming after us, your father and I hide ourselves away..." She trailed off as I gave her a raised eyebrow, "Sorry you probably know all this,"
"Correct, but take your time to think about what you say," I waved her off.
"While your father was entertaining you or out with Sirius and the other," She rolled her eyes lightly as if remembering something stupid happening, "I was looking through the books in the Potter family library and our own family library. I ended up finding a ritual that would protect you and set it up just the night before the attack happen," Me surviving that killing curse made sense now, "The ritual was ready to go off at any time. I only needed to draw the last rune needed on your forehead and it would be ready. When your father told me to take you and run, I tried to get out of there, but the bastard managed to put up anti-transportation wards. Knowing that I needed to get you safe, I placed the rune on your head and tried to give the ritual time to finish," The smile on her face lessened, "He struck me with the killing curse and suddenly I remembered I was a goddess. Your father came into the room in soul form and well..."
"You were completely shocked and disgusted?" I asked causing her to nod with a small laugh.
"Of course since the only man I truly loved was..." She trailed off with sadness in her eyes and I nodded softly showing that I understood, "When Voldemort sent the curse at you, your father and I gathered out powers to protect you. The ritual's effects became over powered and exploded causing damage to the house," I suddenly knew where this was going, "The recoil in the blast also damaged your father and I's souls to the point it would take the next 13 and a half years to recover,"
"So that's why you never tried to claim me," I closed my eyes as I felt all the negative emotions towards my parents flow into my anger at Voldemort, "I understand now," I opened my eyes to look at my mother and smiled, "I forgive you and Loki. It was never truly your fault. The only one to blame is Voldemort and Dumbledore. Dumbledore is gone, so now only Voldemort is left,"
She smiled brightly, "I'm relieved that you've forgiven me."
"But let's make one thing clear okay?" I asked causing her to nod, "Touch Law because you hate that he's with me and I will be angry,"
"Just what does he mean to you?" She asked causing me to sigh and hold up my arm to show off my marks.
"Do you remember what's so special about these marks?" I asked causing her eyes to narrow in thought before widening in realization, "Yup he's my soul mate and husband by magic decree though I'm having the wedding whether he likes it or not,"
She was quiet for a few moments before sighing, "I guess this means you don't need either of us in your life."
"I guess not, but it won't stop you from being in my life," I scratched the back of my head, "You guys are family regardless of everything I've been through and well..." I trailed off before deciding to just get on with it, "I want to be selfish and have my family. If you want to make it up to me, be there for me and act like my family,"
"Is that all you want?" She asked causing me to frown for a moment.
"For now, yes though I do want you guys at the wedding when it happens this summer and help on getting rid of Voldemort's cronies though he's mine to destroy," I shrugged lightly before looking at the castle, "Shall we return?"
"Of course," With that said, we began to walk.
A few days later
My eyebrow twitched as I looked at the blonde before me. I turned to the green eyed man next to me and deadpanned, "Are you sure he's a prince? He looks like a muscle bound idiot that has a giant hammer to compensate for something he lacks."
The black haired male next to me let out a laugh as the blonde pouted. I rolled my eyes and turned to the man next to me as he said, "Yes he's a prince."
"I like her," The one called Lady Sif said.
"I may like women, but I'd rather be faithful to my lover," I said causing multiple laughs while lady Sif blushed.
"Oh she's your daughter alright Loki," Laughed a large man.
I rolled my eyes before yawning lightly and beginning to walk away. Thor, the blonde, asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving before I fall asleep," I answer with a snort, "You all are sooooo boring,"
With that said, I left them and headed to my dorm. I nodded to Hermione upon entering before climbing up the stairs to my room. Once there, I plop down next to Law on the bed and steal one of the apples sitting on the plate next to him. He chuckled lightly and asked, "Everything alright?"
"For once," I said with a slight smile, "Yeah. I've made peace with my parents. All I need to do is make peace with Zeus and then all we have to worry about is Voldemort,"
He smiled down at me as he said, "Well that and the wedding."
"And the marines when they appear," I said causing him to chuckle, "So what're you doing?"
"Looking over the medical seal book you gave me," He answered causing me to hum and look at it, "Shall we study it together?"
"Of course," I agree immediately and we settle down together.
A month later
"Zeus," I greet the god coldly as I stood across from him on the clouds, "What do you want?"
"I want to tell you that we won't be fighting the Spirits when they return," He answered causing me to frown in disbelief, "You do not believe me,"
"Why the hell would I believe you when you've been so set on turning me into your personal attack mutt," I reply causing him to frown.
"I understand your concern, but please understand that I've changed," He sighed deeply and sat down, "I know that I've done so many things to you for my own personal gain, but I see now that I've done something wrong,"
I tried to find a lie somewhere, but to my surprise, I could not. He was telling the truth. The realization caused me to fall to my knees in surprise and ask, "Who the hell are you and what have you done to the asshole I knew before?"
He twitched causing me to tense only to relax slightly as he sighed, "You're right. I've been an asshole and I'm sorry."
"How do I know you speak the truth?" I asked with narrowed eyes.
"I swear on the Styx and on my soul that everything I've said is true," He said causing thunder to boom and my eyes to widen.
"Well damn," I allowed myself to sit down fully and asked, "Mind explaining what caused this whole change?"
"Remember when you showed me your marks and said those things last we talked," He answered causing me to nod lightly, "I thought about what you said long and hard. I've come to the realization that I was wrong to do what I've been doing. All of us have when it comes to our kids," He looked up at the sky above us, "When the gods and the goddesses first came to power, we did so as a family and because we were a family," He turned to look at me, "You made me realize that because of the power we had, our view on family slipped away and we became weaker as a result. It's the reason we've had the wars we've had and I'm cursing myself for allowing it to happen,"
He fell silent and I stared at him before looking at the sky as I said, "I'm glad you see it that way," I closed my eyes and flopped back on the cloud, "But you need to realize something. Power will corrupt even the gentlest of souls. Only those truly strong enough can ignore those temptations, but in order to be strong enough, one must realize the reason they need to be strong. It's diffrent for everyone, but for me it's my Nakama and my want for a better future for those that come after me. War will always be around, but so long as I have the power I do, I will do my best to protect my Nakama and any family I have afterwards," I sat up and opened my eyes to look at him, "You know something I've realized over the years and often wondered?"
"What?" He asked as he looked at me.
*"We do have a lot in common. The same air, the same Earth, the same sky. Maybe if we started looking at what's the same instead of always looking at what's different...well, who knows?" I smiled serenely at the changed man, "Maybe now that you've seen the light, the world will be a better place," I paused before shaking my head, "Nah then we'd have to get rid of pirates and alcohol which would make it a boring place,"
I burst out laughing as I finished speaking causing him to stare at me in shock. He then shook his head as my laughter slowed to a stop. He looked at the sky around us and said, "You're an odd person."
"A lot of people say that," I reply with a slight grin as I stared at the sky and laid back against the cloud, "It's just how I am. I'm odd, but I'm proud since that's what's gotten me my Nakama," I sighed softly, "I know that I maybe odd, but what person isn't?"
"True," He muttered from beside me.
I closed my eyes and hummed softly before opening my mouth and singing:
"The stars are coming,
The lights singing,
The fear dimming,
The water swimming through the sky,
And you...
I can see the stars through your eyes,
I can see the pain fading as I held you in my arms,
The world brightening as I looked down,
I could see the change as it spread through
You were happy,
You were smiling,
You were innocent,
You were Freeee!
We were happy,
Just you and me,
We couldn't stop singing,
As we laid together,
Our freedom ringing,
Our shouts singing,
Our cheers careening,
Our eyes wide open!
I couldn't stop myself,
As I held you in my arms that night,
Our hearts beating so closely,
Your eyes closed, yet open.
I could see it now,
As I stared at the sky,
Our past fading,
Our future flowing!
We were so happy,
We were smiling,
We were innocent,
We were FREEEEE!"
I let the sound fade away as I finished and slowly sat up to look at the shocked man next to me. I grinned a lopsided grin and waved, "Bye!"
With that, I allowed myself to fall through the cloud and disappear into the sky below me. Ah it felt so nice to be free of so much anger. I wonder if I could trick Hermione into playing a game of cat and mouse. If not, I would only have to pull a prank on her to get her to chase me!
End of chapter!
*Who said this? I know who did, but do you?
If you do, your childhood rocked!
The story's almost over!