The Forgotten One

Chapter Two: Grief

Artemis stared into the fire of her campsite, completely numb. She'd returned in the wee hours of the morning, when the moon was high in the sky and all of her Hunters were in bed, save one. Zoe Nightshade; her lieutenant. When she'd arrived, Zoe had frantically asked what was wrong, why she'd been gone so long, and why she was crying.

Artemis sent her to bed without answering any of them.

She needed to be alone. She needed to grieve without the intervention of her family. Apollo was gone, probably punishing the mortals for their crimes. She didn't blame him. Heck, she was tempted to do so as well. But she couldn't. She was the responsible one. She needed to stay strong for the others.

Her mother was practically comatose. The last she'd seen of her, Leto was silent and still in Zeus's arms. She made no sounds other than a small whimpering noise. Zeus had told her to go and that he'd handle it. Artemis didn't need to be told twice.

Now, as she stared into the flames, she went over every memory she had of her brother. How she'd helped deliver him, and how he'd slid right into her arms, crying so loudly that she was certain all of Greece could hear it. He'd fit so perfectly in her embrace that she almost didn't want to give him up. She remembered the day clearly…

The silence that normally resided over the island of Delos was broken by a cry of pure agony. Leto, Titaness of motherhood, was lying in a small pool of clear water. Her legs were propped up and spread and a white cloth covered her body. Her face was pale and sweaty, and she had tears in her eyes.

Artemis was perched just outside the pool, waiting to help. Apollo, the newest addition to the family, was hiding behind a rock, eyes and ears covered.

Leto let out another shriek and Artemis said, "It's time, Mother. When I say three, you push. Ready? One…two…three…push!"

Leto gasped and began to do so. After several agonizing minutes, Artemis reached her hand under her mother's towel and picked up the small thing that was her new sibling. She washed him and wrapped him in a small blanket. It was a boy. She had another brother. Hopefully this one would be less annoying than Apollo.

The little thing was crying and flailing his arms so much he almost whacked Artemis on the nose. Artemis began to rock the babe back and forth and after a few moments it settled down. Now that it had stopped screaming, Artemis was able to take in its features. The baby had pale skin, like her, though he had a few tufts of black hair, instead of her auburn locks. His eyes were also different. Instead of silver or blue, this one had purple eyes that shone like amethysts.

She never wanted to let him go.

"He's beautiful, Mother," Artemis said.

Leto held out her arms. "Let me hold him."

Reluctantly, Artemis passed her new brother over to their mother, who held him to her breast and cooed.

Apollo stuck his head out from behind his rock. "Is it over?"

Leto smiled and nodded. "Come meet your new baby brother."

Apollo slowly inched his way out and got closer to get a better look. The baby eyes this new creature with caution. "He's ugly," Apollo said.

"Apollo!" Artemis said as she pushed him.

"What'd I say, what'd I say?" Apollo asked from his new spot on his back.

Leto laughed softly. "Not to me. To me he's one of the most beautiful things in the world, tied with you two, of course."

Artemis and Apollo blushed. "What will you call him?" Apollo asked.

Leto thought for a moment before she smiled at the babe in her arms. "Aita."

By now Artemis was dealing with a whole new batch of tears that worked their way down her cheeks. She had no idea what she'd tell the Hunters when they woke. Even though the Hunters were an all-female group, sometimes they made exceptions. The most well-known example was the giant Orion, who'd recent passing had rocked Artemis to her core. He'd loved her, and maybe…just maybe, she'd felt a spark as well, but she couldn't. Her vow would never allow it.

Aita had also been an exception, though he never took the oath or spent long durations with them. The most he'd stay was a week, then he'd be back off to Olympus and his wife.

His wife…

Artemis remembered the day he'd come to her, telling her of the wonderous news. As he explained the wedding plans, Artemis could only listen on with horror. Her brother was getting married to some D-list goddess that Artemis didn't have the time to remember. Her baby brother was in love with another woman. As much as she loathed to admit, Artemis was furious. Aita was her brother, and she had no desire to share him with another woman besides their mother.

When the fateful day came, Artemis was prepared to hate who she saw. She's spent the entire time imagining the bride as some snarky she-devil who was only with her brother for his status. Then she saw it. She saw how much more at ease Aita seemed to be, how much he enjoyed twirling his bride around the dance floor. How much she was smiling; how much she would give him a quick peck on the lips before giggling like a school girl.

Artemis's dread soon turned to melancholy. Her new sister-in-law wasn't some nagging harpy or a loose tart like Aphrodite; she was someone who loved her brother just as much as he loved her. When she realized that, Artemis thought that maybe…just maybe, her brother would be alright.

She was proven right time and time again.

While many gods and goddesses would forsake their vows of matrimony for a quick fling here and there, Aita never did. He remained loyal to his spouse; even though he was given multiple opportunities. She recalled a time when she saw Hebe attempt to seduce her brother…

Artemis was walking through the Olympian gardens, enjoying the wonderful flowers and the songs of the birds. She turned a corner and saw her brother pressed up against a statue of Eros. Before him, the goddess Hebe not so subtly pressing against him.

"Oh, come on," Hebe purred. She batted her eyelashes. Aita gulped. "Nobody has to know. Please? Just one kiss."

Aita cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Hebe, but I'm married."

Hebe waved a hand. "Oh, that witch is never here. She's always down in the Underworld." She scoffed. "She'll never find out."

"Listen Hebe, I'm only going to say it one more time. I'm. Not. Interested."

"Come on," She drawled. "It'll be fun."

"Excuse me," Artemis cut in, stepping around the corner. "But he said he wasn't interested, sister."

Hebe whirled around to face her fellow goddess. "This doesn't concern you, Artemis."

"On the contrary, this does concern me. My brother here is too kind to be say what needs to be said, so allow me: he doesn't want you. Why don't you go hook up with Eros or something."

Hebe looked behind her, but when Aita didn't say anything, she stomped her foot and walked off. When she was gone, Aita let out a sigh and turned to his sister. "Thanks."

Artemis inclined her head. "She should know better than to attempt such foolishness."

Aita shrugged. "She's young and single. She doesn't know any better."*

"She should. Perhaps I should inform Hera. Hopefully she'll give her daughter the thrashing she deserves."

Aita laughed. "I don't think she deserves that. I pray she doesn't try that again. You probably won't be around to rescue me a second time. I'm just glad Hecate wasn't here. Can you imagine if she'd been the one to find us like that? Oh man, I'd be a dead man."

"Hmm." Artemis said.

Aita's smile disappeared. "Something wrong?"

"Are you happy?" Artemis asked suddenly. "With Hecate, I mean. Does she love you? Does she treat you well?"

Aita looked confused. "Of course she does. Why?"

"I simply wanted to make sure."

Aita smiled. "I love you too."

He stepped forward and hugged her. She stiffened for a second before she relaxed and wrapped her arms around him. Artemis could freely admit that she wasn't the most, ah, warm person on Olympus, and she often had trouble admitting her true feelings, so all she did was stand there silently while Aita hugged her

Now, she'd never get the chance to hug her baby brother again. She'd never see him smile or hear him laugh or feel his arms around her again. She'd lost him, and she'd never told him how much she loved him.

She was broken out of her thoughts by the sound of her Hunters emerging from the tents. She noticed that the sun chariot was beginning to emerge, though she couldn't sense her brother on board. No doubt one of the other sun gods from the various other pantheons were handling the sun.

"My lady?" Phoebe asked. "Is everything all right?"

The other Hunters were looking at her in concern. Artemis let out a sad sigh. "Sit down, girls. Somethings happened…"

-o-

Apollo fired a plague arrow at a nearby city. He could hear the people scream from pain and sorrow when the arrow landed. Good. Served them right. It was their fault Aita was gone. As he watched the city be engulfed with sickness, he recalled the memory of the events that had transpired not an hour ago…

Apollo made his way down into the Underworld. Normally he wasn't allowed down there, but he'd convinced his father to order Lord Hades to allow him a brief visit. As he passed by Cerberus, the dog growled at him before it was gone. As he walked by the Fields of Asphodel, he watched the souls mill about aimlessly. He could relate.

Soon, he came upon the obsidian palace of Hades. Two skeletal warriors pushed the doors open for him and he walked through, heading for the throne room. When he stepped into the large room he was met by the sight of his uncle, Hades.

"Nephew," The god said from his black throne. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"

"No need to get snarky, Uncle," Apollo said. "I'll be only a few moments. I'm looking for Lady Hecate."

Hades arched an eyebrow. "Very well. She's in her laboratory. First right up the steps, third door on the left."

Apollo nodded. "Thank you, Uncle."

He followed Hades' directions and knocked softly. A smooth voice said, "Enter." Apollo took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The room was dark, with only torches lighting the area. Dark mist covered the floor, obscuring Apollo's view of his feet. Along the walls were bookcases full of dusty old books, various alchemical ingredients and jars full of strangely colored mist. The woman in the center of the room, holding a ceramic jar wore a black sleeveless dress that pooled around her feet. Her dark hair was swept into a ponytail over her shoulder and her black eyes pierced Apollo's very skin. Her black lipstick curled into a smile on her face.

"Well," Said Hecate, goddess of magic. "It's been quite a while since I've seen you, Apollo. Tell me, how have you been?"

Apollo took a deep breath and walked forward. "Not so good recently."

The goddess cocked her head to the side. "Oh? And why is that?"

"It…it's about Aita."

A small smile appeared on the goddess's lips. "I see. Has by silly husband roped you into writing me another poem?"

Apollo gulped. "No, it…it's something else."

Hecate arched an eyebrow. "Well? Get on with it. Why are you here?"

"Aita…he's gone, Hecate."

"What? You came all the way down here just to tell me he left Olympus? He leaves Olympus all the time, for Zeus' sake. How about next time you interrupt me, it's for a good-"

"He's dead, Hecate."

The goddess froze. She dropped the jar onto the floor and it shattered into a million shards. Tears welled up in Hecate's eyes. "No."

Apollo nodded. "He faded an hour ago. I saw it myself. He's gone."

Hecate turned around and gripped the side of her chair tightly, tight enough to turn her fingers white. Tears began to slide down her tears as she fought back the sobs that were sure to come.

"He wanted me to tell you…he loved you. More than anything in this world."

"Get. Out." Hecate whispered.

Apollo took a step forward. "But-"

"I SAID GET OUT!" Hecate shouted as she threw a vase at the sun god's head. "GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! NOW!" She continued to throw vases at Apollo until the sun god ran out the door and away from Hades' home, even though he could still hear the sound of the goddess' sobs.

Apollo fired another arrow. More people died.

He remembered the days he'd spent with his brother. How they used to sing and dance for all of Greece to see. They'd hunt with their sister in the forest until they'd caught enough game to feed a small town. Even though Artemis always complained about them being with her Hunters, they all knew that she secretly loved it. Apollo would always flirt with the Hunters, by Aita was able to restrain him somewhat.

Apollo always liked spending time with his brother, rare as those times were. What with Apollo driving the sun chariot and Aita often spending time among the mortals, they didn't spend much time together.

Apollo remembered one time however, one time when they both met by chance, and had perhaps one of the greatest days Apollo had seen…

Apollo strolled through the streets of Delphi. He had just returned from appointing a new oracle, and was looking to spend a few hours wandering the city. He'd been walking for an hour or two when he saw him.

Aita was dressed in a leather jerkin and breeches, a flute in his lap. He was sitting on a street corner, with a small burlap sack at his feet. Apollo walked over, a smile on his face. "'Sup, bro?"

Aita looked up before smiling as well. "Hello, Apollo. I didn't think I'd see you today. What are you doing here?"

"New oracle," Apollo explained.

Aita inclined his head. "Ah. That explains it, though I'm kinda surprised you'd show up. You don't appoint every oracle in person."

Apollo smiled. "Not every oracle's as gorgeous as that one." He paused. "What are you doing here?"

"Why, enjoying this beautiful day, of course! I thought I'd come down, play some music, and have a me-day. Why don't you join me?"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! Music sounds much better in a duet than it does in a single."

Apollo shrugged and summoned his lyre. He sat down next to his brother and began to strum the cords. Soon Aita joined in and the two were playing away. Every few minutes a stranger would drop a coin or two at their feet and walk on. After a few hours, there were so many coins they formed a foot-high pile.

Aita scooped up the coins and piled them into his bag. Apollo stood up. "What'cha gonna do with that? We don't need money."

Aita pursed his lips and looked down the street. A homeless man was trying to play with a makeshift lyre, but the instrument was so worn out that it could barely play. Aita smiled and walked toward him. When he got to where the man sat, he dropped the purse at his feet.

"For you." Aita said.

The man opened the satchel and looked on in wonder at all the coins. "Why?" He asked.

"I have no need for money," Aita explained. "Use it to buy yourself some new clothes and a new lyre."

The man nodded vigorously and Aita walked off. Apollo stared at his brother's retreating figure and thought, maybe…just maybe, his brother would be a better god than most of Olympus.

No longer. His brother was gone, and he wasn't coming back. Apollo fought back the tears that were falling, but it was hopeless. He couldn't give into despair, so he vented in other ways.

Apollo fired another arrow.

-o-

Leto was numb. She didn't feel anything. She laid on her bed, wrapped in the white blankets as her tears stained the sheets. It didn't feel like he was gone, but she knew he was. It felt like someone ripped a hole where her heart was and nothing she could do was ever going to heal it.

Her baby was gone.

He was her littlest one, he was her sweet little boy and he'd been ripped away from her. She knew Apollo was taking his anger out on the mortals, but she didn't stop him. A small part of her agreed with him, and was overjoyed he was delivering the justice those pigs deserved.

When they'd been on Delos, Aita had been the one to help her around the house while Artemis hunted and Apollo admired his reflection in the water. When the other two fought, Aita would be the one to diffuse the situation when things got too intense. She remembered the day he'd solved a rather large argument, in the most adorable way possible…

Leto threw the door to the small cabin open. The shouting of her two oldest children could be heard from across the island. She was certain she would find her children prepared to rip each other's throats out, but instead she found an empty living room.

"Hello?" She called as she entered the room. "Artemis? Apollo? Aita?"

"Mommy!" She heard Aita call out as he ran into the room. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gleefully said, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," She told the four-year-old as she bent down to hug him. "Where are your brother and sister?"

Aita's eyes lit up like the sky. "Show! Show! Come on!"

He began to drag her to the triplet's shared bedroom. Inside, Apollo and Artemis were wrapped in one of the bed sheets. They were both struggling greatly, but they couldn't get free.

"Mommy!" Apollo cried. "Get this off of us!"

"No!" Aita said. "You have to stay in!"

"What's going on here?" Leto asked as she put her hands on her hips.

"That little weasel trapped us in here and won't let us go!" Artemis cried.

"You have to say sorry!" Aita protested.

"Aita, what's this?" Leto asked.

"It's the Get Along Shirt! They can't leave 'till they apologize!"

"You little runt! You'd better pray I don't get my hands on you!" Artemis said.

"Can't. Can't leave 'till you apologize."

Leto covered her mouth to prevent the laughter from coming out. "Mother!" Artemis said.

Leto put on a serious face. "I'm sorry, Artemis, but I'm afraid I'm with Aita on this one."

"What?" All three said.

Leto nodded. "I'll have Aita let you out when you say you're sorry to each other."

"Yay!"

Artemis and Apollo looked at each other, scowls on their faces. Finally they sighed and muttered, "Sorry."

"Kiss 'n make up!" Aita cried.

"You've gotta be-"

"Kiss 'n make up!"

Both prisoners winced before they looked at each other and gave a quick peck before they flinched away and started gagging. Aita, satisfied, leaned over and pulled on a small knot in the center. The sheet fell away.

"I've very proud of you two," Leto said. "Hopefully now you'll learn to work together."

"Oh yes, Mother," Artemis said. "We'll start working together right now."

"To punish the little jerk who made us kiss!" Apollo finished.

Leto watched with amusement as Artemis and Apollo chased their brother all over the island, screaming about how they were going to get him.

Leto smiled briefly before it returned back into a blank stare. They wouldn't have any more family moments like that. There'd be no more happy memories between her three children. Leto knew she'd get over the loss in a few centuries, but until then, she wouldn't smile, laugh or be happy.

Her joy was gone, and nothing could fix that.

-o-

Present Day…

"Is it done?" A woman with long golden hair and a golden sundress asked. Standing before her were the Fates themselves, all gathered around a stone dais. They had their arms raised reverently over their heads.

"Soon," Said Clotho, Fate of Birth.

"Difficult magic to perform," Continued Lachesis, Fate of Life.

"No guarantee it will work," Finished Atropos, Fate of Death.

The woman's face softened. "I know. I'm sorry. Just, please hurry."

The women nodded and continued. Soon a white mist began to form on the dais. The Fates began to mutter under their breaths. The mist took the form of a teenage boy with black hair and pale skin. When they finished, they lowered their arms and produced two broken pieces of golden string.

"Faded god," Clotho said.

"We restore your string, so that you may serve Olympus again," Lachesis continued.

"For by your hand, the gods preserve or fail," Atropos finished.

The two pieces of string fused back together, and when they merged, the god's purple eyes opened. He sat up and looked around. When he noticed the woman, he asked, "Who are you?"

She put a hand on her chest. "I am Hemera, primordial of the day, daughter of Nyx, sister of the Fates." The Fates nodded.

Aita stood up and knelt. "Lady Hemera, this is an honor."

Hemera waved her hand. "No need for such formalities, Aita. Hemera is fine."

He stood and flexed his fingers. "If you don't mind me asking, Hemera, but…how am I here. I thought I faded."

The primordial nodded. "You did. 3,500 years ago, you faded from the world."

"Then how have I returned?"

Hemera glanced at her sisters. "The Doors of Death have been forced open and Thanatos has been imprisoned. We were able to pull you back because the border between life and death has become blurred. We believe you are your best hope."

"For what?"

"There is a war coming. Gaea, the Earth Mother, has raised her children the Giants to destroy the gods. The Giants are a race mothered by Gaea and fathered by Tartarus, designed specifically to combat one certain Olympian. Since you faded before the first war, you have no Giant counterpart, making you the ideal candidate to undergo these trials."

"Trials?"

"Yes. There are numerous forces at work. They are all converging to destroy Olympus and the western world."

Aita paused. "While I'm honored, really, but…why me? And why save the mortals? You are a primordial, and you will not be affected if the Olympians fall."

Hemera smiled. "Believe it or not, not all primordials are uncaring deities. If Olympus falls, monsters will rule. There will be nothing but chaos. Gaea has imprisoned Death, raised the dead, and plans to cause war. She has violated the fundamental laws of the universe. She must be stopped."

"And if I refuse? What if I return to Olympus and wait out Doomsday with my family?"

Hemera shrugged. "Then you shall be returned to Olympus, where you will surely die when the Giants return to full strength and raze Olympus. But I offer you a choice: you can either return and die, or you can work from the shadows, striking out at Gaea's main forces and save the lives of hundreds, and once the war is over you will be escorted to Olympus, where you can spend the rest of eternity in solace. What is your choice?"

Aita thought for a moment. "I'm in."

Hemera smiled. "Then let's get started."

* This story takes place roughly 400 years before the birth of Heracles and the first Giant war, so that's why Hebe was said to be single and Aita doesn't have a Giant counterpart.

A/N: Ok everyone, there's chapter two. Now I know I said it would be a monthly thing, but the idea for this just came to me. Don't get used to it, however. I still intend to work on both my stories at the same time, so expect an update every few weeks.

If you have any questions, please PM me or leave it in a review and I'll try and answer it. Also, please, please, please leave a review so I know what you think. If you like it then favorite and follow. Also, just so you all know, Aita is pronounced: I-ee-tah

Bye!