Acheron

I had balled up the letter she gave me. She chose to sacrifice herself to fix Artemis's mistakes. She freed me and I couldn't feel more unhappy. I should be happy. Singing from the rooftop with joy, however sitting here in front of the statue that was Kaori I wasn't happy. I was sad, and angry at myself for not realizing the change in this girl. I felt tears sliding down my face. Something I hadn't done in a long time. I let my head fall and they just kept coming. They wouldn't stop.

"Why?!" I bent over screaming.

No one was here to hear my pain. Then a pair of arms were around me.

"I'm okay, Acheron. I'm okay." I looked up to see Arte-no Kaori was smiling at me.

"How? I don't understand?" She tucked my hair behind my ears.

"I saw someone. Well a couple of people. At first I wasn't sure, but it was them. I met your sister Rhyssa and Apollodorus." It felt like all the air was sucked out of my lungs.

"What?" It was barely a whisper, but I knew she had heard what I asked.

"It was your sister and our nephew. They are the reason I was able to return. They asked me to do some things for them since they couldn't. Including giving you and Styxx something." She held her hands out and two matching upper arm cuffs appeared in her hands.

One was red with white pearls and the other was purple. I met A-Kaori's gaze.

"This is impossible. There is no way you saw them. They've been dead for years." She smiled sadly.

"I know, I was as surprised to see them, however Ryssa and our nephew know everything Artemis did. She also knew everything that happened to her precious brothers. She loves you both and wishes for you both to let bygones be bygones. Change things for the better. Truthfully I agree with Ryssa. Apollodorus didn't talk much, but he asked me to do what I've been doing, being your friend," I saw a flash of sadness before it was gone, "I plan to keep that promise to our nephew. Yes he is Artemis's nephew, but I cared about him just as much when I read about him in your legend. I was furious with Artemis for what she did. I wanted to reach through the pages and kill her myself for ever hurting him. I can't do that now can I? I have no idea where she is, but I don't care. As far as I'm concerned she's already dead, and I can care less. She has been a thorn in your side. I'm alright though, I'm not going anywhere Acheron."

The red arm band floated over to me.

We love you Uncle Appie.

I gasped and looked up at Kaori. She smiles at me.

"That was his voice. Do they hate me? Do they," she cut me off by pressing a finger to my lips, "they don't hate you Acheron. They don't blame you for their deaths. They both love you so much. They could never, ever blame you. Just as I couldn't blame my siblings for my family falling apart. Just as you had no part in their deaths, my siblings had no part in my family being separated. I could never blame them just as Rhyssa and Apollodorus could never blame you."

She looked really sad for a moment. Then she met my gaze.

"I must go see Styxx now, alright," She smiled down at me, "I will return."

With that she was gone. I stared at the arm cuff from Rhyssa. It was feminine, but one of the last things I would ever have of my sister.

"Thank you." I placed it on my arm.

I felt peaceful and then it seemed like someone was with me.

I'm so proud of you Acheron. Live well.

I turned and saw Ryssa and Apollodorus, but all grown up.

I love you Uncle Appie.

They vanished and the heaviness in my chest disappeared. I felt lighter than I had in the past 5 thousand years. I closed my eyes and went back out to my temple.

Kaori

I appeared in front of Styxx's abode in the desert and was bombarded with noises of sex. I willed myself a pair of earplugs. They worked somewhat. After awhile the noises stopped. I stood and knocked on the door. The door swung open and Styxx looked surprised to see me.

"May I come in?" His face turned dark.

"No, whatever you have to say you can say it out here." I understood why.

He had just gotten Betanya back. He wasn't about to lose her again.

"I'm not here for Betanya. I'm here on behalf of Ryssa." Surprise then anger.

He shut the door behind him and gripped onto the cloak around my neck.

"My sister is dead. That is your fault! Do not come here claiming you can see the dead!" He threw me down to the ground.

"I saw her because I took Betanya's place," I didn't look up to find out if he had heard me or not so I continued, "when I turned to stone in her place, I was upon death's door. However I was able to see Rhyssa and Apollodorus. I know it sounds crazy, but they asked me to give you something. Rhyssa also wished for me to ask you to let bygones be bygones between you and Acheron. I know you hate him, I understand that."

I was pinned down to the ground.

"You understand nothing! You're a goddess! Rhyssa never cared about me! She didn't care what I was going through! She may have been my sister, but she cared for that bastard more than she did her own blood!" Styxx was furious and sad.

"She didn't know," he froze, "she didn't know what Estes was doing to you. She thought you were just being spoiled. Deep down she missed you, missed the little boy who would play with her. As you grew, you were taught not to listen to a woman. That they thought with their heart and not their head. She moved heaven and earth with the little power she had to try to protect Acheron, and she almost succeeded. If she had known what Estes was doing she would've fought with everything she had at her disposal to save you as well. That is the burden of being the eldest. We have to do these things. Be the ones to protect our siblings because if we don't no one will. Even if that means we lose them in the process."

I could feel the stinging of my eyes and nose as I fought back tears. I met Styxx's gaze. His brows furrowed.

"Artemis only has one brother." I smiled up at him.

"I'm not Artemis. I'm just stuck in her body and with her powers," he looked surprised, "if I were Artemis I would've tried to kill you already. Correct?"

He met my gaze. I never flinched away. His brows furrowed.

"Then who are you?" I closed my eyes.

"I'm someone from another world. A world where you and your brother are legends." He looked horrified.

"How much do you know about my life?" I saw the panicked look in his eyes.

"I know much of it, but I swear upon the river Styx I will never use it against you." His eyes widened.

I knew that look. He couldn't believe I had sworn an oath to him. It was the same look Acheron had when I gave him all the dark hunter's souls.

"You can't tell anyone either." I frowned.

"I would never. I myself went through what you did." He looked surprised.

"For how long?" I bit my cheek.

"10 years, I was 2 when it began," Horror spread across his face, "the only reason it ceased is because I told an outside person what was happening. I had brothers and sisters to protect. One who was still in the womb."

He looked troubled.

"You had help in your world?" I shook my head.

"I had to ask for help. I had to step up and be an adult at the age of 12. I lost everything in turn for doing the right thing. It hurt, it still does," I brought up my hand and the purple armband appeared, "from Ryssa and Apollodorus. They wish you a happy life."

He looked so shocked. He got off of me and the armband floated to him. He looked scared to touch it.

"Styxx," he looked at me, "she wouldn't have given you anything if she truly hated you."

He looked so troubled. I stood up and grabbed the armband. I took his right hand in my left one.

"From one older sister to a younger brother, I would give anything to see my siblings happy after a life full of torture. I would give anything to let my brothers and sisters know that I love them. This is Ryssa and Apollodorus's chance to do just that. To say what they need to and to tell you they love you. I promise they don't hate you." Styxx looked so vulnerable.

I let go of his hand and placed the band on his arm. He gasped and looked next to me. I knew he was seeing his sister and nephew. I pulled away and the door opened. It was Betanya. She looked surprised.

"I shall take my leave. Be happy Bethany." I smiled and was back in my temple.

I laid on the bed. I thought about the letters I had written to Inu, Apollymi, Ash, Styxx, and Bethany. I didn't know what to do now.