Kaori

I came too in a green chair. I looked around the room. I was surrounded by white walls and pillars. I glanced down at myself and gasped. I was in a white Greek dress. I saw a mirror on the wall and rushed to it. I had red hair and green eyes. I heard cursing in the other room. I rushed through the doors. I saw a bed that had been described to me with words all too often. Not to mention the man who laid there. It was Acheron. He was naked and tied to the bed.

I was horrified. I snapped my fingers. The ropes were gone. I made sure he was healed and fully dressed. I thought about what he would want the most. He would want the souls of the Dark-Hunters in my service. I snapped my fingers and all of the dark hunter's souls were in a box. Acheron sat up in the bed. I backed away. I kept my gaze down to the floor. I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want to risk his curse from that bitch affecting me as well. I heard him stomping towards me.

"I am done Artie. Give me a vial of your blood and let me go." I didn't look at him.

"You will want these as well, Acheron. You will no longer have to pay for their souls. They are yours." I handed them to him.

He took them from my hands roughly. I summoned a vile and a blade. I cut my wrist and held my wrist over the vile. I let the blood drip into the flask until it was full. I held it out to him without looking at him. He didn't take it. He hadn't moved his hand to take it from me. I was panicking on the inside.

"Just take it and go, Acheron!" I closed my eyes tight.

I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want to hurt him. Artemis had hurt him enough and I was done with it. I couldn't look and risk that stupid curse from that stupid goddess affecting me. I felt his hand grab the vile. I ripped my hand away and walked away from him.

"When you need blood just send Simi and I'll give her the flask." I kept my gaze down to the floor.

I couldn't imagine what Acheron was thinking. Except that this was some kind of trick on my part. Artemis would've never just given him the blood and those souls. I started towards the bedroom door so I could leave. Then I ran into something hard, but soft. It was Acheron. I froze.

"What game are you playing, Artie?" He snarled.

I was so scared. I felt extremely terrified. I took a deep breath. I still didn't look up at him.

"No more games, Acheron. I will still create dark hunters, but now you no longer have to bargain for their souls. I may create them, but we will be their keepers. I will make sure they have adequate supplies and then they are yours. Should they need help they can call my name. I will come." I kept my gaze locked on the floor.

"Why the change of heart, Artemis?" I turned away from him.

I raised my head and took a deep breath.

"It matters not. Send Simi when you need to feed. That way you do not have to drink from the vein. I know you despise feeding from me. I will never touch you again. You are free from me, Acheron. You will never have to see me again." I hoped this would be enough.

This would be a good thing for him. I heard a snarl and I was slammed against a wall. Acheron was behind me.

"Am I that repulsive Artie? You never minded me touching you 5,000 years ago. Is this whore no longer," I swung my head back into his face before he could finish speaking.

I spun around and gripped the collar of his top.

"I will not touch you ever again. Not unless it is of mutual desire! You deserve better than what I have done to you over the past 5,000 years!" I met his swirling silver eyes.

I felt nothing. I was relieved. I would never be tempted to follow in Artemis's footsteps. His curse had no affect on me. I glanced at his nose and saw the blood. I felt bad. I let go of his shirt and summoned a handkerchief. I held it against his nose. I couldn't meet his gaze. I wouldn't ever look at him that way. I pulled it away after a moment. The bleeding had ceased. I pulled away and put the handkerchief in his hand.

"Farewell Acheron. I will always come if you need me. Stay safe." I didn't look at him.

I turned away and made my way to the balcony. I still felt him, his gaze was focused on me. I looked down at my dress. I grinded my teeth. I willed it a blue color. I hated the white dress Artemis wore. I pulled her long hair up and then glanced at Acheron. He had his eyes narrowed at me.

"I'm sorry Acheron for all the terrible things I've done over the years. I hope one day you can truly forgive me for all the wrong I've done. I wish you all the happiness in the world Acheron," he looked surprised, "good luck Acheron."

I vanished from my temple. Then appeared in Apollymi's realm. Probably not the best idea. I heard growling. I turned and saw two Charonte demons.

"You are not welcome here Artemis! Apollymi will have your head for being here." I smiled.

"I simply wish to say something to her privately. I will not harm your mistress." I bowed to the Charonte.

"Matera!" It was Acheron.

I stood quickly.

"Please do not tell Apostoles I was here. I do still need to speak to Apollymi. Please tell her to come to my temple." I vanished from Kalosis.

I reappeared back into my temple. I walked out on my balcony.

"I'm sorry Ash. For everything Artemis did to you. I swear the Artemis you once knew is gone. You will never, ever have to pay for anything with your body again. This new Artemis won't allow it. As proof of my silent oath I put your symbol on my collarbone." A burning sensation spread through me as the tattoo appeared.

I cringed in pain.

"You better have a good reason for trespassing my temple you little slut!" Apollymi's voice sounded as regal as I thought it might.

I turned and was met with angry silver swirling eyes.

"Hello Apollymi it's a pleasure to finally meet you." I bowed to her.

"You dare put my son's symbol on your body?! Do you have a death wish?!" She came towards me and yanked my hair.

I hissed in pain.

"Yes, I do dare. I made an oath. I will never be able to harm Acheron again. If I do I will experience whatever he feels tenfold." Apollymi looked surprised.

"Why in the world would you do that? What trick is this now?!" She was furious.

"I am not Artemis!" She yanked on my hair again.

My scalp felt like it was itchy all over from the pain. I closed my eyes waiting. She didn't speak and then I opened my eyes.

"You could easily get away from me. You haven't tried, why?" I smiled.

"I don't know how. I'm still just learning as I go along. I swear I am not Artemis." She released me.

She looked over my body.

"What an odd color your dress from your usual color. Why isn't is white?" Apollymi asked.

"I hate the color white. It means purity, but Artemis isn't pure. She is mean and heartless. If I could I would kill her for what she did to Acheron. She is the reason Ryssa and Apollodorus are dead. The only two people who loved Acheron from his human life. Artemis is the reason your son died. I hate her for it. So if I do ever leave her body because she finds her way back. I made it so she will forever feel any pain she causes Apostoles. As will I. Thus preventing her from causing future pain." She glanced down at her son's mark on my collar bone.

"Does that mean that you will feel anything that he feels related to you?" I shook my head.

"Any physical and emotional pain. Honestly I've felt the effects already. His memories of Artemis aren't great. The emotional trauma is enough that he should've killed her a long time ago. Not to mention the physical stuff she did to him. If I wasn't in her body I would kill her myself." I stepped to the balcony and gripped the railing.

Apollymi was still here. I could sense her. I looked out across the grass and forests. I could picture Acheron hunting and laughing with Artemis.

"I went through what Acheron did. Not for nearly as long, but I still went through it." Appolymi appeared next to me.

"How long?" I glanced down at my hands.

"12 years off and on. My father was a horrible man. He started me off at a younger age than Acheron's human uncle did. I was still a baby. I was two." I could feel her looking at me.

"You're not Artemis. You're telling the truth. How much do you know about Apostoles's life?" I met her swirling silver gaze.

"I know all of it, Mãe." She looked surprised.

"Why did you call me Mom?" I smiled at her.

"You are a wonderful mother, and I look up to you. You sacrificed so much for your son. I cried and mourned with you over what was done to you and Apostoles. You are also a mother, Matera. I have read about everything that has ever happened to you, Apostoles, Styxx, and all the dark hunters. I know all of it." I glanced at Apollymi.

She looked fearful.

"Secrets are safe with me Apollymi. I swear it. I would rather cut my own tongue out before I spilled secrets that could harm you or your son." A strange look crossed her face.

I smiled and turned away. I could feel Apollymi's stare.

"What do you feel when you see Acheron?" I smile.

"I see a little boy who should've been protected. However, all the pain he was put through made him a better man than any other. He would not be the man he is today without all the things that happened to him. He would take more after his father than his mother." I could feel her pretty silver eyes looking at me.

I looked out at the forest and saw images of Artemis hunting with Acheron. Tears spilled down my face.

"Why do you cry?" Apollymi asked.

I took a deep breath.

"The happy memories that Artemis had before she let her fear get the better of her. She is a terrible woman. She was cruel to him in ways I would've done everything in my power to strike her down." My throat closed up with emotion.

I felt Apollymi grip my chin and turn my head to face her. Her eyes widened at the unshed tears in mine.

"You truly care about my son. Almost as much as I do." I smiled and tried to swallow the lump in my throat.

"Yes. I do." My voice cracked.

The tears began to fall and it took a lot just to smile at her.

"Where is Artemis now?" I glanced down.

"I don't know," I glanced up to see her look surprised, "I don't feel her presence. It's like she just vanished. Then again I also haven't searched very hard. I don't plan on trying to find her. Wherever she is, she can stay there and learn a lesson or two."