Out Of The Darkness

Chapter 18

700 reviews? :O wow! Guys I didn't expect it to do so well! So thanks to each and every one of you who have taken the time to review this story. I'm also sorry I wasn't able to update. I've been stuck on how to continue it but thanks to two readers I've been able to continue this tonight.

Artemis Goes To Far

Acheron remained talking to his mother for the rest of the night. It was so weird at the beginning able to talk to her like this. By the end he was sitting cross legged speaking to her, his eyes never once wavering from her figure. If Harry had seen, he'd have smiled and bitterly remembered the Mirror of Erised. He's sat exactly like that for what felt like a year, gazing at the reflection of his parents. How he missed them, missed not knowing the simplest of things. He wasn't jealous of Acheron, in fact he felt very sorry for him. Having a mother he couldn't see, couldn't hold must be much harder than what he felt. His parents were gone, that was it simple. Ash had a mother who'd drive vengeance on those who'd hurt him in a heartbeat. A mother who'd destroyed her entire pantheon for her son. How many mothers would do that? Not many she loved him with all she was. Ash's situation reminded Harry of Neville's parents. There physically but not mentally.

"He loves you Apostolos," said Apollymi a beaming smile stealing across her face. She might be the goddess of destruction but she was a mother first and foremost. Her son's happiness meant more to her than even being freed.

Acheron looked down for the first time, "I know, but Artemis won't leave this alone. Us alone."

"Harry can hold his own against her, he's no longer just a wizard Apostolos haven't you noticed?" asked Apollymi she'd sensed it as soon as she'd realized he was down there. When she'd spoken to him briefly.

"I had noticed but things got hectic before I could focus properly," said Acheron.

Apollymi just grinned slyly at her son; she'd leave him to figure it out on his own. "Sleep Apostolos, I think things are about to get very interesting." she said.

"Goodnight Matera," said Acheron touching the mirror again, he moved it to the corner of the room and placed a cover over it. He'd move it to his home when he was ready to go back.

Acheron went straight to his bedroom, his heart blooming with love at the sight of Harry. He'd done so much for him without wanting anything in return. It was a very new concept to him; someone always wanted something in return. Well not Simi. His mother wanted him to free her, and Artemis had beaten him and demanded everything from him because he had made the mistake of loving her. He'd been lonely, desperate for affection…for someone to love him. Now eleven thousand years later, that someone had come along. Someone who respected his wishes, who knew every damn little thing about him and still loved him. He'd always thought people would be ashamed of his past. Yet here lay a man who was true and pure, and baffled Ash to no end. All his life he'd wanted someone like him, who wasn't afraid to be seen with him. Who openly loved him, not living in the shadows then screwed before being thrown out in disgust. He loved him but he wondered if it was enough. Harry could hold his own, but Artemis would try something sooner or later.

He had no idea how soon.

Acheron winced when he stared at Harry's jugular vein, he was starving. It killed him that he was going to have to go begging Artemis for food. If he didn't feed soon he'd start killing people and it wasn't what he wanted. He wondered how Harry would deal with the demon in him. Even he couldn't be calm and collected confronted with that. No he never wanted Harry to see that side of him. Artemis had created that monster. It was only fair that she should be the one that fed it.

Acheron looked down and his eyes widened, he was turning into his harbringer form. Not wanting Harry to see him like this, he flashed out and took himself to Artemis' temple. She was in her bathing chambers; he was no longer Acheron Parthenopaeus but Apostolos. All he cared about was feeding. Destroying. Killing.

"I knew you'd return to me sooner or later…what's wrong Acheron? Don't want your pet to see you like this?" she asked smirking at Acheron viciously his skin was blue. Normally she wouldn't make him wait so long for food. She didn't care though, Acheron had betrayed her and he would suffer the consequences of that.

Artemis threw him away when he came closer, "You haven't earned your food. I'm angry at you and you're not going to eat until you please me." she told him, running from her bathing room. Blasting him away once more when he tried to launch himself at her again. She entered her safe room, and Acheron stupidly followed.

The moment Acheron entered the room, Artemis teleported out of it. Acheron couldn't use his magic in that room. It negated them. He was trapped inside unable to get out.

"You can't escape Acheron, your powers are useless in that room and until I let you out, you're mine." said Artemis; she knew if she let him out, as he bodily banged himself against it he'd kill her.

It had been three days since Harry had seen Ash, he was worried about him. He'd gone to the only place he could possibly find Ash, but they hadn't seen him since that night either. He never for one moment suspected him to have gone to Artemis. In fact Harry was beginning to think the worst. That he'd left and wanted nothing to do with him. Why else would someone leave in the dead of the night? It hurt him a great deal, with a weary heart after the first day he'd gone home. It's not as if he could stay at Ash's home.

On the third day he began to think something had happened, he could no longer ignore his instincts. He Apparate to Acheron's home, and removed the sheet on the mirror.

"Apollymi?" asked Harry hoping she'd answer.

"Harry?" asked Apollymi coming into view.

"Do you know where Apostolos is?" asked Harry, calling him by his proper name in front of his mother. It's what she'd named him and called him, it's the least he could do.

Apollymi spaced out for a few seconds, as if she was mentally searching for her son. "He's up on Olympus." she said her voice had a strange tone to it.

"You mean he's with Artemis?" asked Harry feeling sick; he had known they were lovers once. He'd been under the impression Acheron could barely stand her. What if it wasn't true? She had given him a daughter…maybe he had been lead on.

"It's not what you think Harry, my son is very fond of you," said Apollymi sadly, reading Harry like an open book. The sick and depressed look was a dead give away really.

"That doesn't help me," sighed Harry in irritation "Is he at least okay? I've not heard from him in three days."

"He's as well as to be expected," said Apollymi cryptically.

"Thank you Apollymi," sighed Harry replacing the sheet feeling even more useless. If he listened to Apollymi, Acheron hadn't left him but he was still in Olympus and with bloody Artemis. He wasn't jealous; he just hated her with everything he had. He couldn't understand why he was there, why he went within an inch or her place. There was obviously something Acheron wasn't telling him.

Four days had gone by; Artemis was wondering what to do with Acheron. She knew if she went in that room, he'd kill her, he was too far gone now. Then there was the fact she was actually genuinely scared of him. Giving him a goblet of blood would only whet his appetite for more. She thought about feeding one of her maidens to him, but that would just be cruel, they'd all served her well.

Artemis' green eyes gleamed as a thought struck her, a gleam of evilness that would have made Voldemort proud. She'd only sworn that Harry wouldn't be harmed by her or one of her minions. It would be the prefect revenge against both of them. It would bring Acheron to heal, prefect way for him to realize he belonged to her and no other. The boy would die and her revenge sated. She doubted Acheron would take another lover; he wouldn't risk anything happening to them, not like she had planned for this one.

This was going to be fun, she teleported from Olympus and straight into Harry's room. The boy was sleeping, curling her lip she touched him and teleported them outside the safe room.

"What the fuck," said Harry wakening up, before he could comprehend what was happening. Artemis opened the door to the safe room and blasted Harry inside before closing them again. Watching what was happening through the seemingly invisible doors with satisfaction.

Harry sent a wave of magic at the door, but it was ineffective against whatever magic she was using. Turning around he spotted someone else, it was Ash his magic could tell him that much. His hair was matted, is breathing shallow. His skin was marble blue and two black horns jutted out of his head. His hands were long black claws; he could also see two long fangs peaking under his lips. His eyes though were blood red; they held no semblance of sanity. Acheron had no idea who he was, that much was obvious. He was acting like a vampire who'd not fed for ages. He'd suspect that's what Ash was, if it wasn't for the form he supported right now.

He knew this wasn't going to be good at all; he braced himself the second Acheron flew at him. He was completely winded when Acheron flung him down on the marble floor. He had no doubt his back would be terribly bruised by the time he was done. He winced in pain as Ash sank his fangs deeply into his jugular. He dared not use magic, not even sure if he could, if he tried to fling Ash off him he'd probably end up tearing his neck in the process. Oh how he wanted a piece of Artemis. Instead Harry broke the necklace around his neck, hoping it would be enough to get them out of here once Ash finished feeding.

Acheron sighed as he finally slaked some of the hunger that had been tearing at him for days. The blood was so warm and satisfying. So hungry he was that he didn't notice something different from his normal blood, Artemis gave him. He returned to his normal form he began feeling once more as his Harbringer form finally disappeared. He was damn sick of Artemis using food against him. She knew what those words done to him. God he was so sick and damn tired of her, he wished to have nothing to do with her. Unfortunately he did need her to feed. He hated her even more for it.

He belatedly and horrifyingly realized he didn't hold Artemis in his arms; no this was a male form. Opening his eyes and pulled his teeth away to realize sickeningly it was Harry. How could he have been so far gone as to hurt him? Now that he could think rationally he realized the difference in blood. Harry's tasted so much better, and he also realized it made him feel fuller. Humans couldn't survive his feedings, Artemis had done this. He couldn't even feel angry at her; he was too choked up with fear and agony as he realized the full extent of what he'd done.

"Oh gods," Acheron managed to choke out as fear completely consumed him. "Stay with me. I'll get you help." the fact he'd caused Harry this pain was more than he could endure.

"Harry?" whispered Acheron fearfully, but it was no use Harry had stopped breathing.

"Why?" he snarled at Artemis who was still watching with satisfaction written all over her green eyes. She'd taken everything from him yet again. His hatred of her raise past anything he'd ever felt before.

"You know why," she snarled her eyes filled with fury, no sign of remorse or pity for what she'd just done to Ash. Then she darkened the room leaving him in there. Knowing how much he hated small dark enclosed places.

"Ah Shit," said Harry looking around alarmed; well this wasn't the same place he'd seen the last time he 'died'. How had his soul managed to leave his body? He was the Master of Death; he wasn't supposed to be able to die. He was bloody immortal for goodness sakes. Had the god powers somehow done something to change that?

"Harry," said Apollymi.

"What are you doing here? How the hell did I manage to get here, my soul cannot pass on or at least it's not supposed to. If this is where I've ended up I'm seriously going to kill the three fates - seriously butcher them…where is here anyway?" asked Harry angrily.

"I took your soul and brought it to Kalosis. Don't worry I cannot keep it not unless you allow me too. Which I wouldn't recommend, your soul is precious to me." said Apollymi.

"How's that?" asked Harry confused. Why would his soul be precious to her? "Artemis is a real bitch…I want a piece of her." he growled angrily remembering the satisfied look on her face. His plans for the heifer goddess had shot up. The few spells were nothing compared to his plans now. She'd rue the day she messed with him.

"She's still punishing my son and there's nothing I can do to stop it. You Harry however…can." said Apollymi.

"Don't worry I will." growled Harry his green eyes eerily similar to how Artemis' had been when she watched him die. Poor Acheron thought he was dead…maybe he should have confided in what he was. He wasn't easy to kill, never had been Voldemort had learned that lesson quickly.

"I'll send your soul back. Once I do the only way to return to the living is to drink blood of Apostolos before your soul flees your body again." said Apollymi.

"Because of you," said Harry "My soul would have remained just fine thank you very much." damn it why had she done that?

"I am the goddess of destruction; his father was the god of creation. Inside of Apostolos our powers are joined. He can create or destroy life, for most part he creates it. It's how Artemis creates Dark-Hunters. Without feeding from him, she'd never have that ability. And like Artemis, if you feed from my son you will share his powers with him. You will have the ability to cure yourself and return to your life. More than that, you'll have more power at your disposal to protect yourself and Apostolos. No one will ever harm you again."

"You couldn't have told me this when I spoke to you this morning? You had to kidnap my soul?" asked Harry indignantly.

"Please, Harry. Do what I can't. Save my son from that monster. Apostolos will never willingly take the blood of another and bind that person to him. Not after the violent way Artemis tricked him into bondage. But if you return and you feed from him and he feeds from you, he will be free of that bitch forever." pleaded Apollymi.

"So that's why." said Harry realizing with an unpleasant feeling he'd been tricked. "You tricked me the same way your son was tricked. If you'd left me alone I wouldn't have to do this."

Apollymi looked pained "I am sorry, but everything do I do for my son. It wasn't my intention. I thought you would pass on, I had no idea your soul was safe. You have my mother's powers. Please understand, I just want my son free and I want him happy for once. You did that, in the past few days there's been less weariness in his eyes than I've seen in eleven thousand years. I'm so sick of seeing him in pain and unable to soothe him."

The anger Harry felt melted away, "I would have regardless of your actions Apollymi. My weakness is that I fall in love too easily, whether that person deserves it or not." said Harry his haunted eyes told Apollymi he meant what he said.

"Thank you," said Apollymi, completely stunned when Harry came forward to hug her. The words he whispered to her almost caused tears to run down her eyes. "Apostolos couldn't have asked for a better mother. I only wish I had the power to help you both. My own mother died for me and I miss her every day. I can only imagine how Apostolos feels. But know I'll do everything in my power to see it happen. Even if I have to kill Apollo and Artemis. That is how much I love your son."

"Please, Harry, please don't be dead…I cant live knowing what I've done…I cant live without you…" moaned Acheron rocking Harry's cold form back and forth completely destroyed over what he'd done. His face was wet with tears that continued to fall. His heart felt as though it had been torn asunder. Artemis might as well have destroyed the world. He was tempted very much so just to go down to his mothers hell realm and let her have at them. Destroy the world; he no longer wanted a part of it. Not without Harry in it. He'd lost everyone he'd ever cared about because of Artemis in one way or another. She'd drugged him intending on killing him the night his sister and nephew were killed. She'd let him be castrated instead of letting them know he was with her. She's stood back and let Apollo kill him, relived at his actions. She'd kept his daughter from him for so long she didn't need a father anymore. She'd then proceeded to create Dark-Hunters with his gifts! And then used him again and again! Well enough was enough. If he couldn't have Harry then the world would suffer just as he has/had.

"Ash," murmured Harry his voice somehow heard despite how low it was.

"Harry?" gaped Acheron in completely stunned.

"No it's the ghost from Christmas past, and I'm here to haunt you…of course its me." grumbled Harry, but as he was talking his incisors lengthened and the hunger began. He really was going to have to drink blood to stay here. He'd rather not risk his soul actually leaving again…thank you very much. "I need to drink." he admitted quietly wondering if Ash even wanted to be bonded to him. He'd only known Harry a week…he was eleven thousand years old.

"Are you sure?" asked Ash breathlessly, would Harry really be willing to do this for him? To stay with him? To be bonded to him forever.

"Would I be asking?" asked Harry, wiping away the tears tenderly, Ash had been treated so horribly by those around him for so long. He couldn't even imagine living so long and being so…loving towards people who treated him like he was a leper. Well no more, Ash would always have one person …no not just him he had his Dark-Hunters to trust and turn to too.

Ash nodded his head and brushed his hair aside, giving him room to bite. Then he braced himself for the horrific feeling of being bitten and the breath on his neck…things he hated above all else…yet he'd do it for Harry. He owed it to himself to be selfish this one time. The fact Harry wanted it made it all the sweeter in his opinion.

Curiously enough, Harry never went near his neck, he opened his eyes and watched his green eyes curiously. What was Harry doing? And why wasn't the thirst driving him to distraction yet? He knew what it was like; Artemis had done it to him. He sucked in a sharp burst of air when Harry bit into his thigh. The weirdest thing of all, Harry wasn't hurting him…all he felt was a blinding wave of pleasure and desire rolling through him. Artemis had never been gentle with him. Not even when he had thought she loved him.

He was shocked when he saw Harry's eyes, they were vibrant green and if you looked closely as he was, they were swirling like his did. You wouldn't have noticed it, a normal human certainly wouldn't. He had expected Harry's eyes to turn the same colours as his. This was the man he loved in every way, and the one man he would never live without. He'd rather die than live without him. Two peas in a pod, both of them so alike it was a wonder they got on at all. It's usually said if two people were too alike, they'd fight like cats and dogs. Not those two, Harry and Acheron had the tendency to give their hearts too easy. But after thirty years for Harry and eleven thousand for Acheron - they'd finally gotten it right.

The power Harry felt was awesome, he hadn't expected to receive so much from Apollymi. Yet he had, he truly was going to be able to look after himself and Ash. Do what Ash couldn't do - take the lives of those who hurt him. There will be no mercy for any of them. Nobody hurt what Harry loved and survived, Voldemort was a testament to that. Combined with Hecate's powers, the Master of Death power he ultimately from Hades and his normal magic and Voldemort's he was a powerful son of a bitch and he was about to prove it.

"Wow, I can see everything…really see is this how you see everything?" said Harry looking around. He'd never been able to see the world clearly, with all the magic he'd had he'd been unable to fix his eyesight. He'd taken to wearing contacts, instead of glasses. Now…now he needed nothing, seeing everything in clearly it was awe-inspiring…he could see the minute changes in every object.

"Yes." said Acheron smiling well Artemis' plans hadn't worked. Harry had survived after all. Normally he'd worry about that but no more, if she touched him she would live to regret it. Nobody was going to hurt Harry again. Least of all him, the fact Harry didn't care what he had done or what he had been…made his heart leap even more. To think just four days ago he'd been wondering what Harry would think of his harbringer form.

"Let's get out of here," said Harry standing up, he was confident he had the power to get out of there now. His normal powers, Voldemort's powers, Master of Death powers, Hecate, Apollymi added with Acherons - lets just say things were about to get…explosive.

"We are locked in, my powers don't work in here." growled Acheron.

"We shall see," said Harry curling his lips "You might want to be ready to teleport yourself from here."

Acheron withheld his laughter, poor Harry…he didn't realize they were locked in. If his powers didn't work…Harry's certainly wouldn't at least he didn't think so. That was until he felt his mother's powers stirring around them. Or rather his grandmothers who'd given his mother her powers when she died. Combined with his normal magic as well as his magic…he was magnificent in his glory surrounded by it.

Just then a huge boom surrounded them; he immediately dived for Harry as the entire room began crumbling down around them. As he got them out of the room he realized it wasn't just that single room…Artemis' temple was crumbling down around them with such magnificent magic. Like dominos.

And its begun! lmaooo yey Artemis has finally bitten off far more than she could have ever hoped to chew! now the question is will the other gods come and see whats going on? will apollo try and help his sister? and in the end both gods killed because of Zeus' fear? after all he is the most powerfulof them and he'd automastically fear they'd try and overpower him...anyone and anything like that has to go! haha or will they live and harry drain them both of their power and abiltiy to feed? always starving yet unable to quence it? after all artemis did the same to the Dark-Hunters...tit for tat ialways say or just starving her and living off animal blood harry randomly sends up? hehe R&R PLEASEEE!