Chapter One

Xekiníste Xaná

A twirl, hands entwined. The soft splashing of water at our feet as we spun, our eyes never leaving one another's. The warmth heating my body as the corner of my lips lifted without my knowledge. This feeling in my chest, this feeling is something I never felt before. These butterflies in my navel, his beautiful crimson eyes, coarse hands of a warrior bearing such a gentle touch. I wish we could've spent eternity together.

"Do you know? That the gods who descend to this realm are promised 10,000 years of romance."

"10,000 years of romance?"

"The eternal love that ties your reincarnated lives and our immortal lives. Orion. I'm glad that I met you."

Tears fell from my eyes. I could hear Hestia crying. I remembered his face as he saw me fade away. I thought he had lost hope. Then came the tolling of the bell. The fluttering of raw excellia. I could hear the thoughts of Orion. I was so happy to hear that tolling of the bell. Because I knew. I knew that he wouldn't be murdering a goddess. He would be saving me. My Orion. Bell Cranel. When his knife pierced my chest and I was freed, I was the happiest I have ever been.

"Thank you, Orion…" and I felt the last remnants of my arcanum leave me, allowing me to see him one last time.

"Goddess Artemis?"

"Did you know? Even gods reincarnate after death. Now, smile… for us to meet again." My Orion clenched his hands, his eyes downcast, before looking up with a hopeful smile.

"When will that be?" I smile, eyes cast down at the reflective lake of my last meeting with him.

"Who knows… Maybe a hundred years, or a thousand years from now on. It could even take 10,000 years." Bell smiled sadly.

"I won't be alive." I cupped his cheek.

"But I know you will be reborn in this world… I know, I'll see you again…" I skip back, "So… Next time we meet- Let's have 10,000 years of romance, Bell!" tears stream down my face, my heart aching for that moment we will be reunited. Bell's breath hitches, but he smiles, also tearing up. The last I saw him was his eyes filling with tears. Then my arcanum exploded, and I returned to the divine realm.

At least, that's what I thought would happen.

"Can even someone without a quirk be a hero!" I clenched my eyes shut, wishing beyond hope, putting everything on the line. My meeting with All Might… This miracle…

"Without a Quirk…?"

"I- I always wanted to be a hero… but I'm always made fun of… But I think saving people is super cool. I- I want to be the greatest hero, like you…!" My heart is beating rapidly. Anxiously.

"...I'm sorry." It stops. "I cannot simply say, 'You can become a hero even without power."

"I-I see…" shattered pieces, tattered remains, a dream crumbling. That's all I registered.

"You could help people another way, like being a police officer, that is also a fine occupation. It's not bad to dream. But you also have to consider what's realistic, young man." All Might leaps off. I collapse to my knees, my hands clenching my chest desperately, clinging to hope that this painful feeling in my heart wasn't real. That my hero, All Might himself, didn't even believe in me.

I don't know how long I was on that roof. It could've been hours, or minutes. I don't know. I eventually climbed down, my eyes flickering to the edge before shaking my head, dismissing any such thoughts. Those thoughts were dangerous, and shouldn't be acknowledged. Even- even if my pipe dream is just that, I have to consider my Mom. I can't do that to her.

I stumbled through the city, dazed, time was a haze. I don't know when, but I came upon the beach. It was littered with trash, and I couldn't help the snort of self-deprecating humor. At least I am where I belong. I maneuvered my way through the massive heaps, making my way to where land meets sea, and I stared off into the distance, admiring the moonlit water. It was in a crescent tonight, and I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of it.

Time was a distant relative at that point, always there but uncaring. I sighed and stood, shaking the sand from my legs. When did I even sit down…? I shook my head, eyes downcast, before clenching my fists and looking up at the moon.

"W-who cares what A-All Might thinks! I will be a hero!" I yelled to the sky. Silence. Like even the universe didn't believe me. I wasn't so sure I believed me either. My arms fell to my side, relaxing. I sighed, before turning to leave. I stopped. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a glowing that was slowly fading. I gulped, and approached it, turning around the corner of a particularly large pile of trash, and let out a gasp.

Laying in the sand was the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. She looked ethereal, like a divine being I had no right to lay my eyes upon. She was clad in a silken white gown that clung to her body, sand defiling the purity of her image, clinging to the dress like parasites. Her long blue hair was layered around her head, creating an image of peaceful rest. I gulped, and approached, nudging her shoulder slightly.

"E-excuse me, are you okay?" Even her skin seemed ethereal, glowing dimly in the moonlight. There wasn't any response, so I nudged her again. She let out an innocent moan, the kind of someone who doesn't wish to wake up yet, before her eyes fluttered open, and met my own, squinted in confusion. I was captivated for a moment, her eyes being a beautiful green, reminding me of the time my Mom brought me to go hiking Mount Fuji, the same green as the forests I had hiked with her.

"O-orion?" she whispered, before shaking her head and lightly pushing my hand off her shoulder. She leaned forward, looking around confusedly.

"Ma'am?" I questioned. Her eyes locked with mine. Tears began to fill her eyes, and fall. I panicked.

"Crap, did I mess up, please don't cry, I'm sorry!" my words came out in a garbled mess, as the girl hicouphed, her hand going over her mouth as she sobbed. "Please- please don't cry, miss…" I said awkwardly. The woman seemed to try and compose herself, swallowing down her tears.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm, I'm okay… What's your name, child." she asked, and I felt confusion at the strange way she addressed me. She didn't look much older than I.

"I-Izuku Midoriya…"

"I am the Goddess Artemis… it's a pleasure to meet you Izuku…"

"G-Goddess?!" I fell back in shock. "No way, are you kidding? There's no way… Gods and Goddesses don't exist… Do they? Mumble mumble…" I proceeded to get lost in my thoughts, only for them to be cut out by a giggle.

"It's true, Midoriya. I am indeed a goddess… though not a very good one…" she started to tear up again. I went to reach out and comfort her, only to pull my hand back. I barely know this girl, she may be delusional.

"How- how do I know you're telling the truth?" I asked hesitantly. I may be delusional for even considering this, but I have had a weird and rough day.

"Oh? I have arcanum, of course!"

"What's arcanum?"

"Divine energy of the gods?"

"What?"

"Here, let me just show you." Artemis closed her eyes, and for a moment she seemed serene, like she fell asleep into wonderful dreams. Suddenly, she began to glow, a beautiful assortment of colors all merging and flowing together in an ethereal light show. Suddenly, a bow appeared in her hands. It was silver in color, and was the most finely crafted bow Izuku had ever seen, not that he had seen many. Got to her feet and drew the bow, an arrow appearing on the string and she let it loose.

The arrow flew towards the water, causing a riptide to form around the arrow as it moved so fast it forced the water out of the way, and I was gobstopped. That- that was incredible.

"Wow…" I breathed. Artemis smiled, still glowing, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Somewhere, deep in my very soul, I knew she was telling the truth. This… this was a divine being. I stood there dumbly, having no idea how to process this.

Ring ring. Ring ring. The ringing of my phone snapped me out of my awe induced state, and I fumbled for a second before pulling my phone out of my pocket. 30 missed calls. 86 unread messages. Mom was calling.

"Crap, she is gonna be so worried! Sorry, I gotta take this." Artemis tilted her head, and I turn away and answered my phone.

"Izuku Midoriya! Where are you, it's almost midnight! Do you know how worried I was when you didn't respond? Please come home, Izuku! You scared the living daylights out of me!" Izuku could here his mother crying up a storm on the other side of the phone and he panicked.

"I'm sorry, Mom! I have had an interesting day and needed some time to think, I'll be home soon! I'm safe, and I- I met All Might today too! A-And someone else, she's very nice…" I tilted my phone away from my ear for a split second, looking over to Artemis.

"Do- do you have a place to stay, Goddess Artemis?" the title for her slipped from my mouth naturally. Artemis looked shocked, before slowly shaking her head, her eyes downcast. I gulped.

"M-Mom? The lady I met doesn't have a place to stay… can- can she stay with us?" Artemis looked shocked.

"I-Izuku... '' she sighed on the other end of the phone, "Okay… I know you wouldn't invite someone if they didn't need it. You're too kind for your own good, you know…"

I smiled.

"I want to be a hero, remember?"