T-T

-After training-

Alexie was anxious throughout the entire session, sticking next to Percy like a piece of glue in hopes of delaying the inevitable for just a few more seconds.

The attraction she felt was simply attraction and nothing more.

It wasn't like she was ever going to act upon it.

Alexie knew the consequences very well.

Even if Alexie grew the guts to do pursue Percy, she wouldn't be so daring as to flirt Artemis's lover right in front of her face.

Artemis could be extremely petty if she wanted to be.

Being with the Hunt for some odd decades made her understand that fact clearly.

Although, Alexie thought that Artemis's temperament was significantly better than other gods she had come across.

It's surprising how many gods act high and mighty simply from the fact that they are stronger than mortals and average demigods.

But, they were far from being powerful.

Strength and power were two separate things.

Strength was the physical capability of a person, while power was the ability to control said strength.

And, those who were able to exert strength at will are truly powerful people.

Artemis was one of those people.

So, it wasn't an understatement to say that Alexie was borderline terrified.

Alexie was proud, not stupid.

Regardless, Artemis still didn't seem happy with her proximity to her lover.

It was just an observation she made by the way Artemis was staring at her.

The goddess's face was "neutral" but Alexie felt that Artemis true feelings were something completely different.

Alexie had never been able to read Artemis's intentions before, but now it was a little obvious in her opinion.

The slight murderous intent sent shivers down her spine.

But subconsciously, she knew that she had done nothing wrong, so she felt a strange sense of calm as if nothing didn't really mattered.

Scared?

Yes.

Nervous?

Somewhat.

Was she going to die?

Gods, she hoped not.

But for some reason, she had a feeling that she wouldn't.

Even if she was a nervous wreak, thinking about all the things that Artemis might do to her, Alexie wouldn't have any say in the matter, so why waste time thinking about it.

Ultimately, the decision lay in Artemis and once she set her mind to something then she would do it no matter what.

That also begs the question, was this considered a life-or-death situation?

Certainly, there was a chance that Alexie could die.

Because, Alexie felt like she was thinking rather logically for once. She always felt like she was more of a spontaneous person, choosing to act disregarding any possible consequences, which was a terrible habit for a group like this.

A single misstep can cause one of them to lose their life.

It was all up to Artemis and what she decided to do.

Percy, her lifeline, moved away from her, signifying the end of their training session.

Taking a glance at Artemis, Alexie wanted to see her reaction.

It seemed like Artemis wasn't interested in her anymore, which gave her a much needed sense of relief.

But, what was she looking at?

Artemis wasn't looking at her, but somewhere behind her which coincidentally or not was the general area of where Percy was standing.

"Alexie, could you leave for a second?"

Her curiocity got the better of her, so she followed Artemis's gaze.

A stifled groan came from Percy as he stumbled backwards into a tree, looking like he got the wind kicked out of him.

There was a light diagonal cut along his neck that wasn't particularly deep, but blood trickled down nonetheless.

Percy must've felt something based on their gazes and went to go touch his own neck.

Looking at the liquid staining his hand, his facial expression described his confusion.

"Huh-" Percy coughed, covering his mouth with his hand. However, a splatter of blood still spewed out through the cracks of his fingers.

"Agh!"

A undetectable force slammed him against the tree.

It looked like it was around his neck.

"Alexie," Artemis said in an urgent tone, "go. Now."

Artemis didn't know what was happening, but she was sure it had to do with whatever strange things that were happening to him.

"Should I go get a doctor?"

"No. This is none of your concern."

Percy began speaking in a foreign tongue, unlike anything they had ever heard of.

A sudden pressure pressed against their shoulders, pushing them slightly into the ground.

It felt like the individual water particles were shoving them downwards.

"What!? Are you telling me to ignore this?" Alexie uttered, struggling to get used to the unexpected pressure.

His face twisted not hiding his pained expression at all, despite his attempts to hide it. His green eyes were unfocused, gazing at the sky, like he was looking at something else.

Artemis was not as affected by the pressure than Alexie was since she was a god.

"Yes," the goddess said while channeling a tiny bit of divinity to alleviate the pressure on Alexie.

"Do you really think I can do that?" Alexie angrily asked. "Just. Look at him."

A snapping sound pierced the air followed by a muffle grunt.

His leg was twisted in ways that a normal human leg shouldn't be.

"Ug-"

Alexie vomited.

"Alexie," Artemis patiently said, " I know you mean well, but he needs me right now. Leave. Please."

The demigod looked at the both of them one last time.

"Fine," the demigod said, "I'll get someone ready to check his condition by the time you get back."

Artemis nodded, agreeing to this unspoken compromise.

"Alexie," Artemis called after her, stopping the demigod in her tracks.

Her brown eyes filled with confusion.

"Don't get any smart ideas," the goddess warned, making Alexie feel as though she could see right though her, before turning her attention to Percy, not giving her any time to respond.

A line of sweat trekked down her forehead.

Alexie had forgotten about her "transgressions".

When Alexie was out of sight, she broke into a sprint, thinking to herself, 'That was a close one.'

T-T

Turning to Percy who was in a coughing fit, his glazed eyes held an immense amount of pain as he laid at the base of a tree, clutching his chest.

There's something deeply wrong with him.

She began channeling her divinity.

Artemis sensed that there was something in his body that shouldn't be there.

She didn't know where it came from, but she had to get rid of it.

The crescent on his forehead burned an crimson red, radiating heat.

His eyes regained clarity for a second. Seeing her come closer, his body violently flinched as if she was some horrid monster, before realizing who it was was.

Artemis felt his heartbeat accelerate in that moment.

"I'm. Sorry. Mistress," he said in a cracked voice.

Artemis froze like she got struck by lightning.

Sorry?

Mistress?

What was that look he gave her?

Why was he sorry?

Her mind went back to that familiar inside him.

Pressing both her hands on his chest, Artemis poured her divinity into him.

What was that familiarity?

Where was it...

Scanning his body, something pulled her gaze toward his leg.

There.

It was there.

Artemis bit her lip as her concentration rose to new heights.

His leg.

Where.

It was only like that because of the divinity inside him.

Beads of sweat glistened in the sunlight as they soaked her skin.

Hot tears involuntarily streamed down her face.

What kind of pain was he feeling?

Why didn't he say anything?

Why didn't she ask him about it?

Artemis didn't want to burden him by bringing it up. But, it seemed like, once again, she had failed as a lover.

The taste of iron trickled in her mouth, but Artemis paid no heed to it.

This divinity inside of him.

This feeling was so familiar that there was no way she could mistake it for something else.

Why was her divinity inside of him?

Artemis cursed as something came to mind.

Artemis quickly tore open his shirt.

His chest had an unnatural blue tint to it, indicating that it was cold.

A sinking feeling enveloped her body.

Taking an vial out of her pocket, she crushed it. As soon as she crushed it, the glass shards, instead of falling, rose and turned into light.

A golden aura coated her hands.

It was an ointment that Apollo had given her in case of emergencies.

In case, there was a life threatening injury she couldn't heal from then all she had to do was cover the injury with that aura. There was no need to touch the injury because it was able to follow her will.

But, her dainty fingers traced his freezing body, spreading the golden light to every area of his body.

Her divinity was wreaking havoc on his body.

That coldness was a unique trait of her divinity.

'The majesty of the high moon.'

'In it's power and glory, the essence of the moon is supreme, sharing no equal of its capabilities.'

'No man nor god can ignore the frost.'

It was only now that the goddess noticed liquid falling from her eyes.

Why?

Why now?

These damn useless tears.

She vowed never to cry again.

A light flashed nearby, revealing a blond-haired man.

That blond-hair man was Apollo.

"Wow. You look like shit."

He had no way of expressing his surprise other than insults.

Artemis managed to give him a half-glare.

From his sister half-hearted gesture, Apollo realized that the situation was indeed severe.

"Sis stop crying, I'll heal him."

Putting a hand on both of them, they teleported into his office.

T-T

Naturally, Apollo had many questions.

Like: Who was this man to make his sister cry?

Also, it seemed like they had something far beyond the realm of friendship.

That much was apparent.

What the hell happened in the last five years?

"Artemis. Explain this." Apollo demanded with his arms crossed, looking her in the eyes.

Artemis looked worriedly at the now stable Percy on the medical bed.

His face was peaceful as he laid unconscious.

With much effort, Artemis turned to her brother.

Letting a sigh, she softly said, "He- is my lover."

It looked like Apollo had already guessed something along those lines because he didn't seem very surprised.

It looked like he was asking, 'What else?'

"I broke my oath."

Apollo frowned, but didn't say anything like he was expecting something more.

Seeing his expression, she said, irritated, "What."

"..."

"What else do you want?"

"..."

"What more do you want me to say? That I had sex with him?"

This time Apollo gave her a look like she was the weirdo in the room.

"No. I'm not interested whether or not you had intercourse. Should I congratulate you for losing your virginity at 189-"

"Stop! Then, what do you want."

"There should be something else that is causing this..." Apollo muttered to himself, "Is there something else that happened before this because for this to happen on its own is unnatural. To say the least. And I'm assuming you didn't do that."

He was referring to the divinity.

"No. Before this. His body was taken over a few times."

Apollo's frown only deepened.

"How many times?"

"Twice."

"Twice?"

"Did you check your ears?"

"You're the one that's asking for my help!"

Artemis clicked her tongue.

"Also, is it true that you had sex with him?"

Artemis looked annoyed.

"I did. Is that something important?"

"No. It's just weird hearing that from you."

"You-"

Artemis was going to get angry, but realized that there was no point, instead opting to watch Percy sleep.

"I wonder what kind of person he is to make you so- girly."

"Apollo. You're trying too hard. I'm almost embarrassed for you," Artemis sighed, "but he is a unique one."

Apollo silently listened since he had already failed his duty as an older brother to protect his sister from other men.

He might as well understand how his sister fell in love in less than a decade.

"He-" Artemis smiled beautifully, "was so sincere."

"Is that it? He was sincere?" Apollo looked dumbfounded.

Was it really that easy to court his sister?

There was no way, right?

"No, of course not! Let me finish," she angrily said.

"Oh, thank the primordials! And here I thought that anyone could-"

"Shut up!"

Apollo quickly stopped talking.

"Ahem. He wasn't even interested in me to begin with. Called me the second most beautiful woman he'd ever seen after his mother," Artemis giggled, "little fool. What kind of person even says that."

The goddess continued, "I was only curious at first. He was like a baby duckling with no idea of what the world was and I taught him all the things he didn't know. And I guess, it just happened."

The blond god looked like he was about to fall asleep when she stopped talking.

"Huh? What's going on-"

He got startled and fall backwards on his chair.

Artemis said with a neutral expression, "You deserved that."

"It's not my fault you had the borrringest love story, I've ever heard. I think watching paint dry would be more-"

The goddess stood up and cracked her knuckles with a smile that wasn't really a smile on her face.

"You're going to regret saying that!"

"Ah, wait! I didn't mean it. Wait. Sis! Please! Hear me out! I really didn't-"

Artemis threw a left hook right into his jaw.

That night.

A series of screams could be heard by the entire street.

Fortunately for Percy, he was out like a light, unable to hear a single thing.