For those who don't usually read Author's notes, read this one. Although its gonna be long.
Artemis could truly say that the boy that they had "stumbled" upon was unique in a variety of ways. And that was something she understood the moment she lay eyes on him.
That was for a myriad of reasons, one of them being his unique appearance. Auburn hair was not so strange even in the place called the States these days.
What was interesting was his hair. Not the style per say but the fact that it was slowly starting to gray from the bangs closest to his face. It was too sporadic and uneven to be the case of hair dye. A theory came to her, a wild one.
She knew that mortals placed under more stress than their body could handle would start to crumble apart in some way. That could cause something like their hair cells to die, turning it gray. Perhaps that was the case here.
But then the question remained, how and why? These were all things she paid attention to because she needed to truly be sure of his character. She wouldn't be put in that state again like he put her in.
Rain fell all around her. She hardly noticed.
She felt more vulnerable than ever before. Here she was, goddess of the Hunt, the moon, chastity, animals and much more, kneeled over, barely able to stand, what with the ichor pouring around her.
She cursed herself for this weakness, for—
Artemis dismissed her thoughts. They had no place in her mind. She sealed the memories away again.
That was why she had no tolerance for the foolishness of men. History wouldn't repeat itself, no.
Anyone who was a threat to her girls—her sisters— was a threat to her by proxy. They were all so very capable of defending themselves and carrying out the duties required of being her handmaidens and personal warriors. However, a lot of them were still plagued by normal human emotions like rage, hatred and spite and that showed in their fighting style.
Thelka was a good example of such a case. She had tried her best to instill reason and logic into her "young" huntress but feared that what she said only got through hollowly.
In a way, having Shirou Emiya around—even if only temporary—would hopefully help her and the other huntresses get more accustomed to being around men.
Times have changed, that was something all the gods had agreed on and they had all made individual changes to accommodate it.
The other reason why she had Shirou Emiya around, was to crack the code that is him. A portion of her interest towards him was to crack the code on who exactly he was and whether or not he was a threat to her girls or Olympus.
Which brought them to now, Artemis was seated cross-legged on the floor of her bear-skinned floor in her usual form and with a few animals around her like they usually were.
Her lieutenant, Zoë was standing up—to act quickly if the boy was to do something, although it would be unneeded. Her face was set sternly and she regarded the only male in miles, coldly.
The boy, Shirou Emiya, was sitting on his legs in a perfect Japanese position. His amber eyes looked at her not in fear, respect or anger. All there was-was simple coldness directed towards nothing in particular.
"Boy. You have proven yourself capable of defending yourself adequately that I have determined that you will be allowed to hunt with I and the girls to hunt down the particular monster we are looking for.
"…"
Shirou had nothing to say. He simply stared.
"Tch, thou should be honored, boy." Zoë glared at him. "It is not often a male gets the chance to participate in the hunt."
"I'm grateful." Shirou replied, plainly.
It was clear from his tone that he was merely humoring her.
"It is clear that you are skilled in the matters of fighting, regardless of the fighting style. Prior to today, it was your first day wielding them." Artemis stated.
"What?!" Zoë exclaimed in shock. "That is not possible. Thelka, for all her flaws in combat, would never lose to an amateur!"
Shirou himself eyes widened slightly, confirming Artemis' suspicions.
"Do not look so surprised. I am the goddess of the hunt. My domain is in all things related to hunting, which includes the dagger—the primary weapon used for hunting. The way you were moving, the spins, the parrying, it's similar, no…it's more."
Shirou opened his mouth to speak but Artemis held up a hand.
"Wait. I did not finish. I am aware of what I had said before. Your secrets are your own and are not mine to pry open. However, I need to confirm that you are not a threat to my people and Olympus."
"What do I need to do?" Shirou asked.
"Swear it. We have our own way of ensuring promises. Say you swear it on the River Styx that you are not here to harm Olympus or my hunters." Artemis said, looking at him intently.
"I swear on the River Styx that I will do no harm to anyone here unless provoked and I am not here to harm Olympus." As Shirou finished saying that, lightning boomed in the sky, causing Shirou to look up in confusion.
"That is the signature—so to speak—of your promise. Anyone who swears upon the sea of the Underworld will be binded to the promise and if broken well… I'm sure I do not need to say anything more." Artemis finished.
"Then there is no more reason to doubt me?" Shirou asked. If he was being quite honest, he was getting tired of the looks he was receiving from the other hunters. Including Zoë.
Said girl didn't relent in her glares in the slightest but had gotten remarkably less tense.
"Yes… it is done. Now let us speak about the monster we will be facing."
"The La—"
"Do not invoke her name." Zoë snapped. "Names have power. Saying it so casually will only cause disaster."
"Indeed. What do you know of it?" Artemis asked.
"The term sounds familiar. But I don't know what it is, exactly. From the way you spoke of it during your speech. It's a strong phantasmal species, isn't it?"
Zoë scrunched her face up in confusion at his words.
"Of what manner of beast do thou speak of? I know not of any phantasmal creature…"
"That is the term I was taught how to call them and from what I know, the term everyone uses."
"That is an interesting name for them." Artemis mused. "However, we simply call them monsters because that is what they are. They are around because of many bad decisions by our family and as such, it is our job to deal with them."
"You said something about them reforming?"
"Yes." Artemis confirmed with a nod. "Any monster killed will reform in Tartarus and eventually make their way back up to the surface. The time span depends on the monster. Hectate's monstrous child is an especially powerful monster that is one of the few to have only been killed once because it is a tricky creature."
"Then what is it doing, here?" Shirou asked.
"That is what we are trying to figure out." Artemis said. "After we find it."
"When will we leave?"
"Right after dinner. Which is now."
They made their way outside of the tent and Shirou's nose was immediately flooded with the smell of spices. It was a welcome change from the food he had been consuming these past few days.
The hunters—in that timespan they were talking—had managed to set up a giant fire and had a large pot above it with ingredients Shirou wasn't sure on.
The girls all sat down on large logs that went in a circle so that everyone was able to interact and see each other. From where he stood he was able to see many smiles as they all chatted merrily among each other.
Was that what comradery looked like? He couldn't say. He had never had anyone who he could truly call a "friend". He had only ever had Miyu and his father.
The smiles on the hunters grew larger when they witnessed their goddess in all of her small glory walking towards them with her hands posted behind her back and a neutral expression on her face.
Shirou stood a little bit behind her and to the left of him was Zoë who was looking ahead with a fond smile on her face.
That was the first time he saw her smile.
Artemis went over, a silver knife in her hand that glinted and stood out in the night. She approached the prize of the meal, the mutton. It was large, easily enough for everyone there and then some.
In thin, but precise cuts she sliced it into multiple pieces and settled them all onto clay plates that were brought over.
Once the meat was taken care of, she whistled calling the wolves over.
They came immediately, and sat down to declare their submission to her. She threw the large bone down.
None of them moved. They just stared at her.
"Go on." She allowed.
They immediately began devouring the bone.
"Lady Artemis' generosity knows no bounds to those who she favors." Zoë suddenly said, making him incline his head to her. "And in return, we love and are obedient to her every word and look up to her. As a sister. As kin. As a guardian. She has made her judgment on thou and declared you mean no harm. Keep it that way. For the sake of thy's head."
After saying that she walked off to the other side of the gathering.
It seems nothing will convince her to trust me. Oh well.
Artemis after separating the lamb into various pieces on a plate began distributing them. She passed them to one and they passed it further down the row until everyone had one.
He watched it stoically until something nudged him. He turned and saw a huntress he didn't recognize holding a plate against his chest. She didn't make eye contact with him.
"Thank you." He said, quietly as he accepted the plate. It smelled good. It also allowed him to focus on the speech that Artemis seemed ready to give.
"Hunters! The time is near! The Hunt will begin and we will track and locate this monstrous child of Hecate and hunt her down. Let this feast serve as a sign of my favor, my blessing and my recognition as well as to the other gods!"
Thunder boomed in the sky. Did that mean the gods were listening?
"Aye!"
They all said at once as they tore off a piece of their meat and threw it into the flames before closing their eyes and muttering something he couldn't determine.
He looked around dumbly as he found himself out of his comfort zone.
I suppose I'll just follow what they are doing.
He threw a piece of the mutton into the flames as well.
Artemis, like before, suddenly erupted in silver light, more so than anyone else, standing out as the divine entity.
It was a feeling he had only felt facing Angelica. No. That would be an insult. That was watered-down divinity. This was the true power of the gods. He now understood.
Her power…. It comes from belief! When people rely on her more, it must affirm her existence in some way. Maybe that is how the Olympians were able to maintain in this texture of the world?
He didn't exactly understand the logistics of how the whole concept worked. He never had a reason to study more into what was necessary.
He was tempted to ask her that question, but decided to hold off on that for now.
Once all of the praying had ended, they then finally began to eat. Shirou wasted no time chewing down on the mutton. He wasn't even a particular fan of it, really, but when you've been eating nothing but rabbit, anything is better and it certainly was.
He received some weird looks when people saw him eat with such gusto so he slowed down a bit. He didn't want to anger them more than he already had.
The hunters told stories, laughed and seemed to have a good time as Shirou had one ear open to their conversations which was essentially nothing but stuff related to hunting like kills, their experiences and the like.
And so, the time eventually came for them to prepare to set out to find this monster and kill it. Everyone made their way back to their respective tents.
As he was about to leave he saw someone approach him. The girl who gave him the plate it looks like who seemed to be carrying a bundle of sorts.
"Shirou, right? Lady Artemis has requested that I show you back to your tent and get you prepared for The Hunt that is in thirty."
Shirou nodded and followed her as he made his way back to his tent.
When they made it after a few minutes of quiet walking, the hunter stood outside and shoved him the bundle she was carrying the whole time.
"This is the clothing that is required of you to wear when you Hunt with us." He spotted the parka they were infamous for wearing, silver pants and hunting boots. "When you are done, report back to the campsite fully geared."
With that, she left.
He looked at the clothing and almost instinctively activated Structural Analysis on it. The clothing felt comfortable and light despite its bulky texture and was warm even having been exposed to the outside elements.
It must be enchanted.
He surmised.
He put it on. Surprisingly it was his size and was pretty gender neutral.
After making sure that his outfit was on properly and adjusting it to fit his needs, he left the tent. The other girls were starting to leave as well.
It was almost pitch black outside now, with the only light being the moon that beamed down towards them. No doubt Artemis' doing.
As he stepped out though, he smelled something. It smelled like something was burning.
At first he thought nothing of it. That was until he heard a noise. Then the sound of the crashing of tree's, then fighting and then…
"AWOOOOOO!"
The sound of a wolf howling was the first thing he heard. No. That was the sound of multiple wolves.
The noise of multiple arrows going off and the shuffling of footsteps. The other hunters that were near him were running over to the sound of the commotion, their weapons now out.
He stood there for a moment as he decided what to do before he finally began to move. His body moved before he could even think.
The smell of fire sent him down a lane of memories that was and wasn't his.
Red sky, charred corpses, small form, crawling, ignoring, man, bright light.
He shook his head.
Looking up he could see a cloud of it erupting into the air. Some trees were now on fire as well.
It wasn't hard to find the commotion. There was fire everywhere, lighting up the sky more then the moon did as tree's burned and crashed.
His first thought was to look for Artemis. She was the leader and the goddess. She wouldn't have let this happen for even a second. He didn't know her at all but he could tell that from their brief conversations.
When he looked around though, he saw not the moon goddess. But the hunters.
They were all spread out involuntarily by the fire as they all engaged in combat with weird snake-like creatures that had various features. He blinked to make sure he was seeing correctly.
The one that Zoë was currently facing was one that had a bronze leg and fought with its sharp claws and teeth.
He was going to assist her first, as she was the lieutenant after all, and the morale would fall without her but she lived up to her title well. Every strike the serpent women did was blocked.
The lady could only growl in frustration as she couldn't land a single hit.
"You stubborn huntresses need to just die already!" Her next attack was met with Zoë's knife who regarded her coldly.
"Only thou will die by my hand." She sent a kick to the monster's stomach causing her to double over. She then grabbed her by the head and slammed her to the ground and held the knife to her head.
"Now thou shall tell me where My Lady is."
"Urgh! You…! I will tear you limb from limb and feed you to your father!" The creature growled.
"The next shall answer me instead." Zoë decided and stabbed her in the head, finishing her.
Or at least she would have, had the monster not suddenly lifted its head up and let out a loud screech.
Shirou, who was several meters away, almost dropped his knife as he went to protect his ears. He wasn't sure if it was bleeding.
Zoë, who was the closest to her, doubled over as her eardrums were likely completely ruptured.
"How do you like that, huntress? For once you're the one who is being hunted." She chuckled to herself at the irony of the words. "Did you like my new abilities? We've all received one from our mistress herself."
Zoë didn't answer. She couldn't answer, what with her eardrums destroyed. She was curled over covering her ears and Shirou could see blood coat her hand as she writhed around in pain.
"Gaaaah!"
"This marks the beginning of the end for the Hunters of Artemis. And the beginning of a new age of Monsters!" She cackled as she stabbed the weakened Zoë in the head with her sharp claw.
Artemis felt it before she saw it.
She was in a meditative position, focusing on directing the moon in another form.
A feeling of bloodlust that could only be a monster alerted her to the danger. She got up and ran out of the tent.
Nothing was amiss.
Everyone was still in their tents as usual, preparing. But something didn't feel right.
Her keen instincts heard the beating of wings. There was nothing that should have been making that sound.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
Dead.
In mass, the animals around her—her personal animals—starting dying.
Any time she tried to enter into their bodies and see what was going on, they would die before she could see more than the glimpse of a jaw expanding onto the animal.
So it's a monster.
She surmised. But that brought up even more questions like who was foolish enough to not only attack her—an Olympian goddess and in her opinion, one of the strongest—but also to do so when she was at her strongest, which was at night time and when she received the collective worship from her hunters.
"Either way." She summoned her bow into her hands. "They will die."
She looked through her metaphysical third eye. The moon. When the world darkens, the moon comes out.
Anything that lay under it is within her line of sight, meaning nothing is safe from her.
When she concentrated on finding the monster, she was met only by something dark obstructing her vision.
The mist!
It dawned on her. It was the Lamia. She was hiding herself within the mist!
But it won't keep me out for long! I can break through it with some time. For now though…
She whistled. Her wolves which were on the perimeters of the camps and hadn't yet perished howled, simultaneously.
Her hunters knew what that cue was for. To group up. Her girls rushed out without a moment's notice and were next to her.
"Hunters. We are being attacked." She stated calmly.
They began a commotion.
"What?! Someone would attack a goddess at her own base?"
"I bet it was that boy. This has never happened before…"
"Where are they?"
"Silence!" Zoë said, approaching her. She was the calmest beside herself. Sometimes she wondered how Zoë did it. "Whatever the case may be, we shall deal with it in the appropriate manner."
"Everyone, load your bows!" She commanded. Immediately they had an arrow nocked and aimed forward. "Shoot on my command."
None of her hunters questioned where they wanted her to shoot at. Their faith was unshakeable.
"Shoot!"
They shot.
Their arrows flew into the darkness around them and the clear sound of squelching let them know that their target had been hit.
With a wave of her hand, the area lit up and they could see the corpses of reptile-like creatures crying out in pain.
"Empousa…" Zoë muttered in shock. "We had hunted the pack not long ago, yet here they stand now?"
They aren't the monsters that's been killing my animals…
"Isn't there more than usual?" Phoebe pointed out from behind her.
Now that Artemis thought about it, that was true. Usually there were no more than ten. It seemed like there were now fifteen of them.
"Ughhhhh!"
"Ughhhhh!"
The Empousa were groaning in pain. But they were not dissolving. Not yet.
"Show them some mercy." She said.
Arrows were simultaneously fired at them once again. One of the Lamia's arm's bulged rapidly as something squirmed around in it, trying to get free. Then the arm was torn off and a large head bigger than a car roared.
She could see crimson build in its throat indicating to Artemis what it was going to do as well as showing what it is.
It's a dragon!
"Get down!"
Flames that were the same color as the evening in the sky burst from its mouth as the dragon moved it's head and shot flames in every direction.
Her hunters were able to get down in time, but one wasn't so lucky. A girl who had only lived fifteen years. She wasn't fast enough as the flames consumed her and she was screaming.
"Kore!"
"No!" Thelka cried out.
Sadness filled her. Whenever she lost a member, it always dealt a great blow to her. They were under her protection after all, and believed in her.
Now she was gone.
Dead.
Flames approached Artemis at a rapid pace.
"Lady Artemis!"
With a wave of her hand, the flames were sent upwards and into the sky.
"Do not worry about me. I will be fine." She assured them. Her eyes narrowed at the other monster's still squirming on the ground. "Kill those Empousa. I will provide the opening."
"Yes!"
She was infuriated now.
How dare they attack her in her own domain and kill her huntress!
"Empousa! I will exterminate you and your entire race."
The Empousa whose arm was a dragon didn't respond and possibly couldn't. It's arm however, hissed as its ruby eyes focused on her.
"Spread out!" Zoë ordered. "Get into the class five monster formation!"
The hunters started running around the monsters until they surrounded them in a jewel formation. This was their strategy that they used when dealing with stronger than average monsters and would be effective for this battle.
This was also an advantageous position because it made it much harder for the dragon-head to target them as the hunters were spread out far enough that an incident like Kore was less likely.
The next time the dragon had fire pooling in it's mouth, Artemis wasn't stationary. Her bow was drawn and a silver arrow flew towards its eye in a blink. Her attack hit home and the dragon head roared in pain. It's thrashing had the unintended effect of dragging its user(?) with it as it crashed into the floor.
"Kill them, now!"
Dozens of arrows were released. Victory was theirs.
Or at least it should have been. Artemis felt another entity trespass into her domain. Her head whipped into its direction.
High in the sky was another foe.
The shape of them was humanoid. They had a dark dress on that was half-exposed around the midsection, exposing the stomach as well as the shoulders. Something that fit more with a Lady of the Night. The similarities already disgusted her. Unlike them however, this woman had features that were not human like dragon wings and in her hand was a long red whip that dangled down.
Everything that happened next, was too fast to truly describe to the average human. The arrows that were sent at the Empousa's were diverted. Not by any attack, no. The arrows redirected themselves as if it refused to hit them.
"What?!"
The huntress' were also in a similar state of shock.
"It looks like I made it in time." Lamia said, her voice registering clear to her even from her elevation."I've gone through a great deal of pain creating that dragon offspring. Unfortunately, even with my magic, I was only able to create a bastardization not fit to be called a true dragon like Landon. I would say it's more appropriate to call that failure a wyvern."
"You talk very casually, Lamia. As if you do not register my presence. Do you realize who I am and who you have just invaded?"
The Lamia who until now was looking at all of them, focused her attention on her.
Good.
"Pardon me, Goddess Artemis. I forgot my manners." She said with a sly smile. "I am aware that this is your domain. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to hunt the hunters before I am killed myself. It is a simple act of survival. I'm sure you can understand that, Goddess of the Hunt."
Artemis narrowed her eyes dangerously. "The only thing I understand is that you have invaded my territory and are prepared to die. You coming here only accelerated your painful death."
Lamia tilted her head. "Die? I have no intentions of dying and all intentions of winning."
"Oh? So you think that you can face me in combat and win?"
"Absolutely not." Lamia chuckled. "I am not that foolish. You are at a home turf advantage. And even with my abilities as one of the strongest monsters, I stand no chance. But that is the thing, goddess, Artemis. I do not need to defeat you to kill your huntresses."
Artemis readied her arrow. She had no tolerance for anyone that would threaten her hunters! This would be over and sorted in moments.
"We've finished discussions, huh? Very well. Let us begin the sla—"An arrow faster then the human eye shot out. Lamia barely dodged it.
"That was rude! But expected!" The Lamia laughed. She flew towards Artemis making her eyes widen in shock. She didn't think the monster was that foolish.
She must not realize that I am skilled in all forms of combat.
In terms of melee, she was believed she was only second to Athena and third overall if Heracles is added into the equation.
The Lamia bat wings began to wriggle as about two dozen serpents came from them.. All of them had wings.
"Hunters, fire at them all."
A rain of arrows shot them down one by one. They proved themselves to be tricky creatures as some of them were able to maneuver around the arrow rains by twisting and turning.
They were getting too close for her comfort so she decided to step in. Her bow extended and grew larger than her whole body. Multiple arrows were placed onto it and the light from the moon seemed to seep into them.
They fired like cannons, leaving a sonic boom as the entire swarm of creatures were wiped out in an instant.
Father and Apollo will eventually come when they notice the commotion. It's rare that I ever use my abilities like this.
She would wrap this up before that could happen.
"Lamia. Repeat to me your words, again. I believe you said that you would wipe out my hunters? How will you accomplish said feat? Your Empousa are dying, your serpents were wiped out and you face the greatest group of hunters."
"That's right!"
"We will kill you!"
"You saved us the trek to find you."
"My Lady has declared thou head, forfeit. Perhaps I shall claim it."
Her hunters made a big commotion as they were now being praised. Their spirits were high. That was good.
"I suppose that is true." Lamia sighed. "As long as you are intervening, I stand little chance. Your abilities are too great for me to deal with, normally. Unfortunately though…"
"I don't play fair."
Artemis heard growling and her eyes widened as the dragon she thought she had killed began lifting its head up, dragging its owner with it.
Fire bulged in his throat.
It's going to set fire to this whole forest!
She couldn't allow that to happen. Her arrow was nocked and she focused the light of the moon onto it.
It shot forward like a canon and was too fast for it to react. Her arrow found purchase right in its mouth, causing it to choke on it's own fire which caused it's throat to expand before erupting in an explosion.
At the last moment, Artemis had erected a shield of moonlight to surround her hunters so that the explosion wouldn't harm them.
The same couldn't be said for the forest.
The snow was melted as simmering flames covered the ground.
She felt a slight weakening of this fragment of herself at the damage to her domain. It was inconsequential in the end.
She looked up at the sky to see the reaction of the Lamia. Perhaps she was going to grovel? Beg for mercy?
However, when she looked up she saw nothing but the empty skies.
"What?"
Something felt off.
She looked at her hunters. Expecting to see them looking at her in admiration as they usually did and as resolute as always.
There was no one.
She whirled around in a three-sixty. Somehow the entire landscape had changed.
Instead of forests surrounding her she saw flat lands. Dirt in its purest form, brown without a tuft of grass. There was nothing around her for miles.
The sun was out and bright in the sky.
She moved.
She was stopped.
She saw bright orange that was almost gold surrounding her on all sides. It was thin, allowing her to see outside but when she touched it she recoiled. It was some type of—
"Do you like your temporary prison, goddess Artemis?"
Looking towards the voice Artemis saw the monstrous child of Hecate arise from the ground.
"Lamia. What have you done?! Where is this place?!" She couldn't get a good reading of this place at all.
When she tried using her various self's scattered around the world, she wasn't able to.
She was almost entirely without her abilities.
"Now that would be telling." At Artemis' glare she spoke. "But if you must know. We are currently somewhere in… Ireland if I remember correctly."
"Ireland?!"
"That's right." She smirked, cruelly. "We are away from you, god's source of power. The thing that sustains you and gives you strength. Of course, given your worship all around the world, this isn't anywhere near enough to stop you. That's why you're in a Celestial Bronze cage that is specifically enchanted to sever your tether to your divinity. It won't last long as I'm afraid this is all so very last minute but that's fine! I just need to get you away from your precious hunters."
"Lamia, you would truly make an enemy out of me?!" Artemis glared at her, hatefully.
"I am already your enemy, goddess. I am a monster and you are a hunter. Our relationship has and always will be predator and prey. Nothing has changed. That is why you must understand that this is simply survival. Without your pesky hunters, I will be free to dine as I see fit."
All of this was happening quite fast for Artemis. She hadn't expected such a simple hunt to go wrong so fast and to lose a hunter.
Was it because of her arrogance that she was put into this situation?
Was it because she didn't finish Lamia when she had the chance, the reason why she was here?
Was it because of her that her friend—no best friend may die?
"Wow. That is a sad look you are sporting, goddess. You almost look like your age. I'm a bit jealous of how good you look no matter what expression you have on. If only…"
"Say another word and I will tear out your spine and give it to my wolves myself."
There was silence as Lamia's expression turned to fear briefly before she gave a nervous chuckle.
"Right… I almost forgot how iron-clad you are when it comes to that. Anyways, I have a battle to return to. I was originally going to just watch and let my experiment rampage and burn everything… but you surprised me and defeated it so easily that I now need to take action or else we may lose."
"You are going to regret not killing me." Artemis stated.
Lamia scoffed.
"Even monsters have a brain, goddess. If I was to kill you now I have no doubt that I would be struck down the next moment. That is not my role to fight you. That is for Him to do."
After saying that, her form began to sink into the ground once more until she completely disappeared leaving Artemis alone in an empty plain.
Dun.
Dun.
Dun.
That's it!
I am not gon a lie, this will easily be my most controversial chapter I have ever written before and will probably be entirely mixed reviews.
Or maybe just hate. So let's discuss.
The Lamia's whole strategy here was never to beat Artemis. She could never do that, no matter what. Artemis is an Olympian after all and she was in her domain and had every advantage.
However, she used Artemis' own arrogance i.e not finishing her immediately and letting her make the move. A lot of people forget that Artemis is not perfect and she technically is no better then the other gods when it comes to her arrogance in some ways. She holds herself to the highest esteem
Lamia was merely trying to trap her and seperate her. Without Artemis, the fight goes from being impossible to being manageable by some standards. Not to mention, Lamia is obviously not the head huncho, here. Someone is pulling some strings and giving her the magic and confidence to do this. Who? We will have to see.
Now. I have to address a lot of debate that's been going on in the comments.
So before I get to the individual reviews I need to do the collective.
Basically, everyone has been saying it's a retcon that Shirou can't trace divine constructs. I think so too, but when you think about it it makes sense.
Divine constructs are god's symbols of power. Their divinity manifested and are powerful weapons that can reshape the world. It makes sense that Shirou wouldn't be able to simply trace it and everything is fine.
It also makes sense that he traced Avalon and Excalibur. Saber serves as the proxy.
People brought up how Shirou can't unlearn something but I wouldn't bet on that. Avalon is something beyond anyone's understand. Just as Avalon can no longer heal when saber is around it isn't far fetchdd that he can't use it without that prior connection.
People also brought up that Shirou traces divine weapons. Like I said in the first chapter, divine WEAPONS and divine CONSTRUCTS are not the same thing. Harpe and Varja aren't constructs they are just divine weapons.
So, Shirou can trace those, fine.
Symbols of God's divinity? That sounds a little too far fetched and nonsensical for a boy who has not a drop of divinity. And like I said, even if he could there is no way he could manifest it without him dying before or after doing so.
So, no. None of that.
But, rejoice, it may not happen in this fic, but perhaps my other fics I've been working on. Here are the lists of fanfic that have already a few chapters going for it.
No title Yet; Post UBW Shirou is sent to the Pj Universe after an accident during a mission. I won't get too much into the details but it's like A Father's Love fanfic. Ifykyk. 4 chapters done.
No title yet; Fate Universe fic. My take on the route when a few small changes happen. 3 chapters done.
Percy Jackson Universe Fic. What if the plot of Lightning Thief gets blown way out of proportion to an all out war. 2 chapters done.
Naruto and Highschool DxD. After the Pain arc, Naruto finds himself in a strange new area called Kyoto. 4 chapters done.
Danmachi and Fate Universe Fic. What if Bell while being chased by the Minotaur, summons a certain duel-wielding spearman. 2 and a half chapters done.
Spider-Man Fic. My take on the verse. 1 chapter done, at the time of this editing I have one chapter done most likely 2 by the time this chapter comes out.
Out of all of these, which one would you like to see first.
Or… would you like the surprise option. One a lot of people love. I will only say it's a fate fanfic. Nothing more until it comes out. But from what I've heard this is a fanfic everyone wants.
So, vote and I think I'll release the first chapter of whatever is decided around chapter 5 of this fic.
Now, let's get back to the reviews.
DBoblivion says "I'm not too familiar with percy Jackson lore, I've only read 2 books but is the whole Pandoras box from kaleid going to have any relevance to the story"
Tune in to find out.
Grandmasphell says "don't usually leave comments on this site (especially because I'm typing on my phone, and ffnet is not… friendly for that), but I wanted to say thanks for the hard work! I remember reading the original version of this fic and—no offense, but I should be honest with you—I didn't much like it. The pacing was not great, nor was the fact that Shirou just busted out NPs. This version, on the other hand, is wonderful! I can already tell your writing has improved a lot, both the grammar and prose. The pacing issue also seems to have been fixed. I also really appreciate the end notes that explain your thought process (such as addressing his smelling mana and the Gaia thing). I hope you keep up the great work! Kudos 3"
Thanks, I appreciate it. Yeah, this one I plan on taking my time with. I've gotten older and with that I have a greater appreciation for nuance and moments more than action.
LOSTxWo1f says "I'm kind of wondering if Shirou might have a stove or refrigerator just sitting in UBW somewhere. I don't know if it was just the story I was reading, thus fanon, but doesn't he have some traced stuff sitting in the shed he uses as a Magus' workshop? It would be funny if one just came across it randomly. I'm looking forward to when they get to see a np in action. Maybe if one of the hunters is in mortal danger and he's forced to use one to save them? I mean, if Artemis found out he had something that could do that and he didn't use it, well being turned into a jackalope would be the least of his worries I'd imagine. Alao,"
He could trace them but they wouldn't work, I think, don't quote me on that. Im pretty sure electronics is a no go. If not, well then… it is here.
Insulted Fan says "Unexpectedly pleasant. No seriously. This is probably one of those fanfictions that I need to keep an eye on."
Thanks. It's about to get crazy. Nobody will know where this is going.
Sirmaou says "black keys please."
It'll come. Probably.
GrandSaberEMIYA says "This reboot has been better written so far on all counts"
Thanks.
CrimsonGamma says "I will say, if you don't feel like fight scenes aren't your forte, then best not try to write them unless you want to get better at them. Especially when the weapons are abnormal like dual knives. I know canonically, the Hunters favor knives, but a spear would not be out of place for an "Hunter" type character and is probably easier to choreograph. It might be as "cool", but it's not as potentially clunk. Though I will admit personal bias is speaking here as I find dual knife to be stupid as a concept for normal people.
Alternatively, you could have just had them do an archery competition and it would serve the same function in the chapter with them choosing more and more difficult targets. No need for complex movements and the tension is more or less the same.
Don't feel that just because you're writing a story for 2 series that include action that action has to be included wherever possible. Personally speaking, a lot of the appeal of both series are the characters and how they interact, change, and learn.
Another critique I have of the chapter that stands out to me, it's why are they using real knives for what is a friendly exhibition match? Practice knives made of wood/metal or blunt material do exist and serve the same functional purpose without the issue of cutting stuff. Hell, 2 sticks would save the same purpose. It just makes The Hunters look needlessly machismo in a bad way. Though again, personal bias/experience speaking here as I do study weapons based martial arts and blunted training instruments more or less get us 95% of the way there."
Fight scenes aren't my forte but to not add them kinda doesn't work here. This is an action series and I feel like I wouldn't be doing the fic justice at least trying my best.
Yeah, spears would work as well, but I think they use knives because the hunters are more of the stealth type or at least thats what Riordan wanted to convey here.
Yeah, I could have done an arrow battle but that wouldn't be very long and that wouldn't really help Artemis' entire goal which is to scope out Shirou's abilities. All she would find out was he was a good shot.
You are completely right that a lot of a fic comes down to interactions. I want to blend it all in as one. Dialogue is gonna be important here.
They are using real knives because they have healers nearby and neither of them is trying to kill the other. Thelka wouldn't kill someone who Artemis is actively protecting and is obviously skilled enough to be careful. Shirou also wouldn't kill her for obvious reasons.