Kaori(Artemis)
The door busted open. Apollo waltzed in. He was followed by Leto and Zeus. That was of no surprise to me. Apollo came off as the kind of spoiled brat who would run to his parents if he threw a tantrum. I smiled at them.
"Mother, Father, brother. I have been expecting you. Come sit, so we may speak." Leto rushed forward and slapped me.
"You dare throw your brother off a balcony? How dare you Artemis! He is your brother! We do not treat other gods that way." I saw Apollo's smirk.
"Oh mother. I only did it because he deemed it okay to come in and rip out my throat as he fed. Not to mention the damage he did to my temple. Tell me mother and father, if I ever set foot in your temple and destroyed it you would be furious would you not? You would take your anger out on me or whoever caused the damage would you not?" Leto looked at me like I had grown a second head.
Alright clearly I said something wrong. That look tells me Artemis normally doesn't have a backbone when it comes to her parents. I glanced at Zeus. I saw a hint of humor in his eyes. I was so happy I had taken acting classes.
"Why you cheeky little wench! You and your filthy lies!" My brother came towards me.
I hated referring to him as brother and them as mother and father. However, respecting the people who made Artemis will go a long way. I glanced at Apollo and decided I could care less about him. I snapped my fingers and the same pack of rabid dogs from a few days ago appeared.
"If they are lies brother, then why do you recognize these rabid hounds that I keep around because you can't be respectful in my temple?" Zeus started bellowing with laughter.
I turned to him. I was surprised at his laughter. I was worried but kept my emotions in check.
"You have become very cunning my dear Artemis. It's plain as day that your dear brother did not tell us everything. He said you were acting odd, but you have simply grown a pair." Leto gasped.
I smiled.
"That I have father," I stepped to the table, "please do come sit and enjoy some wine. It will give us time to talk and give you the gifts I prepared." Leto and Zeus looked at each other.
"I don't see why not." Zeus stepped up to the table and pulled out the chair for Leto.
I smiled at the respect. They looked like a normal married couple. Zeus took his seat and I sat down.
"What about me?" Apollo called.
I looked at him and tapped my chin.
"Hmmm, I think a little game of tag is an order," I whistled at one of the dogs.
It came up to me.
"Chase," Apollo looked at me and ran.
The dogs followed. I smiled.
"Artemis! That is rude! Your brother is a guest, plus he's your brother," I shook my head, "they will not hurt him, Mother. He has a lesson to learn. Simple, do not come into another's home and order her to do anything. Let alone become so violent that you injure her beloved pet, and almost destroy an entire wall in her temple. Oh! I have a gift for you both!"
I thought about the time period it was in the mortal world. I hoped by doing this it would ease whatever suspicions I had clearly created earlier. I smiled. Two well decorated boxes appeared in my hands. I turned and set the boxes in front of Zeus and Leto.
"I know that you two care for one another. I also know sometimes you cannot show affection to each other in front of the other gods and goddesses. This gift will change that." I snapped my fingers.
Zeus was in a gorgeous black suit with a teal tie and vest. My mother in a gorgeous dress that was teal and faded into lighter shades. I snapped my fingers and their gifts were secured upon them. They gasped. My mother looked down and gasped.
"Artemis it's beautiful." Zeus looked upset.
Typical. Jealous of his own wife. At least Acheron's and Styxx's books taught me one thing. Gods are quick to show their displeasure. I needed to say something fast.
"Father look upon your wrists." As he did he smiled.
"I see what you did. I do not know why we have never thought of it before. Clearly the same and yet with a slight difference. Very smart Artemis." I smiled.
"Thank you father. I'm glad you both find the gifts pleasant." The sound of barking dogs came back around.
"Artemis! I'm done! I understand! I'm sorry! I will never cause damage to your dwelling again." I giggled at Apollo's clothes.
I snapped my fingers and his clothes were pristine. He looked as he did when he first arrived. The rabid hounds were also nothing more than docile and looked normal. I returned them to where they came from.
"There you go brother. Good as new." I smiled at him.
I turned my attention back to Leto and Zeus. They had stood up and stepped in front of me. I tilted my head as they shared a look. Oh shit. I knew that look. I had definitely screwed up somehow. Now I was about to be interrogated.
"Apollo, leave us." I let my hand rest upon Acheron's symbol.
I felt comfortable knowing I had his symbol on my body. It was always something that made me smile in my world when I saw it. I glanced at Apollo as the doors closed. He was furious. I would deal with his fury later. I looked back to Leto and Zeus. They were looking at each other and having a conversation with each other. Except not verbally. When they turned to me, I grew worried. Did they catch on that I wasn't Artemis? I wouldn't doubt it. I didn't let it show, but I was really concerned.
"Who are you and where is Artemis?" Leto asked.
I froze. They couldn't know, could they? Of course they knew. I don't speak or act like Artemis. I needed to tread carefully.
"What do you mean mother? I am Artemis." I said with confidence.
"No you're not." Zeus spoke.
Gone was the kind father who accepted the gifts from his Goddess daughter.
Shit. How do I play this? What do I say? What should I do? I can't do this! What should I do? I don't know!
I was panicking on the inside. It felt like the room was closing in on me. I smiled at them.
"Why would you believe I'm not Artemis? My behavior? My speech? How I treated Apollo? Just because I have adapted, I am no longer Artemis?" I tried really hard to play it off.
"Artemis never called us mother and father." I but my lip.
Shit. I knew lots of this world, but I should've known that in being reincarnated there is always that one thing you would get wrong. Always. I took a deep breath.
"What of it? I can't show respect and simply wish to refer to you as mother and father?" Leto looked taken aback.
"The Artemis I know never would've wished to show us respect. We've ignored her for too long." I frowned.
Was their relationship that bad? My relationship with my father was no walk in the park. So I know not all relationships are great, but these are gods. Petty gods who get into fights with mortals who tell them no. I mean Apollo had to learn it somewhere. So why wouldn't Artemis show them respect. Clearly some gods are the type to kill first ask later. I shook my head based on the stupidly.
"So based on respect I'm not Artemis?" I met Zeus's gaze.
He stepped up to me and I met his gaze. I bit my cheek so hard I tasted blood. I had screwed up. Please don't kill me. He narrowed his gaze at me.
"Artemis would never mouth back at me. So I'll ask again, where is my daughter?" I froze.
I was so screwed. Me and my big mouth. So dead. I am so fucking dead! I glanced at Leto. Then I glanced down.
What do I do? Do I run? Do I turn to Leto? Who do I turn to? Artemis really didn't have any friends in her pantheon that I remember.
Lie.
My head shot up. I glanced at Leto.
Lie human or else he will smite you.
"I'm right here father. I'm sorry I snapped back at you. My mistake father." I bowed my head.
I had an inkling I was about to be told to do something to make me seem like Artemis.
Smart human. Now beg. Artemis was a beggar when she did something wrong.
That got me in a bad mood. I understand fear, but this is pathetic. I glanced up at Zeus. Beg? I don't think so, Leto. That Artemis is gone.
"I'm sorry, father. It's just been rough dealing with my duties. I have the situation handled-" I heard a scream.
Artemis!
My blood ran cold. A Dark-Hunter was in danger now? This was the worst time! I don't regret telling them to call upon me, but now of all times.
"I'm sorry mother and father. I have an important matter to attend to," I kiss both their cheeks, "farewell mother and father."
I transported. I was relieved to be away from Artemis's parents. That relief was short lived. I saw a group of dark hunters surrounded by Daimon's. I snapped my fingers.I removed their weaknesses. I couldn't remember why the Dark-Hunters were weak near each other, but that didn't matter right now. They needed this so that instead of being weaker around each other they would become stronger. I summoned blades and began killing Daimons. I glanced at the Dark Hunters. They were fighting with new energy. I felt a burning sensation in my shoulder. I turned and killed the Daimon who had stabbed me. I pulled the weapon out and threw it into the chest of another. It turned to dust.
Damn things.
A flash of Ryssa and Apollodorus reared its head. It surprised me because I had never seen them, but I knew Artemis had. I felt so angry at Artemis. So angry that I stood up and snapped my fingers. All the Daimons turned to dust. I turned away from the Dark-Hunters. This was all Artemis's fault. Ryssa and Apollodorus never should've died. It was all her fault, however now they were my problems. The Daimons and the Dark-Hunters. I willed the blades away and dressed myself in human clothes. I walked away from them. I didn't want to see the two Dark-Hunters I had saved. I was angry and didn't want to accidentally hurt them.
"Artemis?" I stopped and turned.
I saw all the Dark-Hunters. So many emotions spread through me. I smiled at them.
"You are no longer weak near each other," I met the gazes of all of them, "I wish you all the best."
I turned and walked away. A part of me wanted to cry. Not because of what I was doing, but because of what I still had to do. For all the pain she caused all those humans and the apollites. I would fix everything that I could. If it wasn't to late to do so. Everything that Artemis had done wrong. Plus the things that happened to Betanya. I knew that in the long run I would be all alone. I stopped at the edge of the alleyway and glanced up at the sky. The moon was pretty today.
"Lass?" I turned and saw Wulf.
"I'm fine Wulf. It was pleasant to see you again. Stay safe." I turned the corner.
I had a lump was forming in my throat. I wish Artemis never did any of this stuff. Knowing these people are real makes what she did worse.
"Lass wait!" I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I stopped in my tracks. I knew it was Wulf. I didn't turn to look at him.
"If you were the Artemis Ash knew you would've made me headless already, lass. So what are ya planning?" I let my gaze fall to the ground.
I wish he wouldn't have asked, but I wasn't going to lie to him.
"I'm fixing what I can before I take the place of another goddess. I'm fixing the wrongs I've done. Ash is the way he is because of me. His only sister and nephew are gone because of me. I'm getting my affairs in order before putting a few final things right. I'll be nothing but stone soon enough. Now please, just let me go. Let me do what I need to do Wulf. I've lived my life. Now that I'm here it's time to fix the mistakes this wretched goddess made. At least some of them," His grip softened and I walked away, "don't tell Ash. He doesn't deserve to be reminded that things are the way they are because Artemis let her fears control her. I will never forgive Artemis for hurting him that way. I have plans and I need to fulfill them to help the people she hurt. So please Wulf, don't speak to Ash. Let me do what's right. What's best for everyone."
I gripped my arms and bit my lip. He never said another word.
"Goodbye Wulf. May you find the happiness you deserve." I vanished.