"Are you calling me disappointing Perseus?" Artemis cocked an eyebrow. Of all the remarks mortals had made about her in her centuries of interacting with the mortal world… that would be a first. She put aside the small jolt of anger… and indignation at Perseus's unspoken meaning.
...
However, she ended up hiding a small breath of relief as Perseus laughed lightly, as he sat back, his forearms resting against the sand.
"No, My Lady. Disappointing is not the word I would use to describe you."
"What would you describe me as?" Artemis followed up, before scowling, determined to set one thing straight, "And no more of this 'My Lady.' Just Artemis will do."
That seemed to surprise the young man, and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"You are still a Goddess, you said so yourself. I don't think I would ever walk up to Athena, and greet her without a 'Lady'."
"I've known you long enough Perseus." Artemis smiled lightly, "I think I can trust you with the simple matter of my name. But you are stalling. What would you describe me as?"
"You really latched on to that, didn't you?" Perseus muttered dryly.
"I have to say, I'm curious."
She very much so was. What were the young man's thoughts about her?
"Well…before I tell you… don't kill me down the line at some point, when you are restored to being… well, an Olympian." Perseus began, looking sheepishly at her.
That didn't bode well for him at all.
"I'm listening." Artemis remarked. She drew a hunting knife for good measure, admiring its sharpness.
"Right then…" Perseus seemed to get caught up in staring at her drawn blade, before he regathered his thoughts, "After a while, I have gotten the feeling that you are a very bold, and surefooted Goddess. It was a privilege to fight besides you, as you killed the Chimera…. But."
"But?" Artemis prompted.
"But I feel you are… distant. If that makes sense."
Distant. Artemis internally flinched. She had known that Perseus was astute, and far too perceptive. An instinctive challenge rose to her lips, but it receded as she remembered her own, clear thoughts, when she had expelled Aphrodite from her mind.
'I walk my own path.'
She had no obligations to fulfill any notions of what Gods and Goddesses were supposed to be. Why not open herself up?
"I understand. It's… a habit. To remain closed off from the world. Not only physically, but mentally as well." Artemis admitted, after a brief period where Perseus seemed to be looking for a response.
"Isn't that detrimental though?" Perseus pressed forward, his hands flinging up in a helpless gesture. "As a Goddess, aren't you supposed to be a guide toward mortals. A shepherd even?"
"Perseus." Artemis sighed, and looked at him. He was young, idealistic, and forward. But he had a spark of determination in his eyes that Artemis was drawn to. Something she recognized all too keenly.
"I wish the world was different." Artemis began softly, as she rest her blade on the hot sand. "When I was a godling, I had all the hopes and dreams of the world in my mind. On Delos, with my brother, we dashed about, speaking to any who would listen, any who needed help. I was just a girl, discovering who she was when I met my father, Zeus. And then, there I was, on the Olympic Council. I asked for what I'd wanted since I'd been born: The Hunt! It was, and will forever be, my greatest love in the world. But it came at a price. My first Hunters were my friends, the best of friends. And I had the naivety to believe that their immortality was eternal…."
Artemis took a deep breath, and watched the glistening sea in front of them. "Perseus, I once was the Goddess you thought I would be. But as a Goddess, I had to watch my friends die, my worshippers, advocates… my sacrifices."
"Artemis…" Perseus whispered softly. Artemis knew him as a witty young man, where he was seldom solemn, or quiet. Hearing his soft voice felt like a light wind, that prickled through her hair.
She shook her head in annoyance, "No, let me finish. I understand your questions Perseus. You thought I would be selfless, like many past mortals…like… you. The truth is, all the Gods are selfish. That is what we cannot overcome. Mortals can live good lives, and be blessed… But what of the Gods?" Artemis picked on her blade, and angled the blade to see her amber hued reflection. "No Perseus, the Gods have no reason to change their ways… our ways."
The wind around them whistled softly, driving away the beating sun's heat, and puffy white clouds rode the currents overhead. It was all Artemis could do to avoid Perseus's eyes.
'Had she really said that? Had she revealed what she had been grappling with since her very first moments of being alive? To a mortal?'
"I…" Perseus began, but Artemis snapped her head forwards toward a sudden sound from the beach. Perseus had heard it too. It was a low, rumbling quake, that vibrated the sand which they sat on. Then they heard the screech, and both Artemis and Perseus scrambled to their feet, weapons already at the ready.
The horrid sound pierced the air, driving the peaceful wisps of wind away in an echoing pitched sound that blared across the Macedonian camp. Artemis immediately looked back to the skies, as did other soldiers down below them, fearing another Simurgh attack, but the cloudy skies were clear.
"Artemis! The mole!" Perseus, exclaimed, and he wasted no time in springing forwards off the sand dune, sliding down the steep sand with ease.
Artemis quickly scanned the end of the mole, before she snarled, and joined him. It was a Hydra, a giant one. Its flaying heads reared upwards and screamed challenges to the Macedonian workers on the mole, who were all wisely running for their lives. However, Artemis spotted the mangled remains of at least one worker, torn in half at the claw foot of the beast's massive body.
Alarm bells clanged loudly, and the Macedonian camp mobilized, as Perseus and herself darted through the gathering soldiers. Some were clueless, but many more rushed forwards as well, driving towards the shore like a steadily increasing trickle of a stream.
But Artemis outstripped them all, dodging and weaving through the masses, finding it like navigating the twisting canopies of deciduous trees with the Hunt.
She finally skidded onto the beach, ahead of the rushing crowd, finding collapsing workers at the wide causeway of the mole, along with a hastily formed line of skirmishers… Pellian Skirmishers!
"PELLIANS! WITH ME!" Artemis shouted, her voice carrying over the worried neighs of horses and the shouts of men.
Her voice was instantly recognized by the Pellians, and they turned toward her, just in time as she bolted forward, taking her first steps onto the mole.
She had a clear sight down the constructed land bridge, and saw the beast at the other end. It no longer paid the Macedonians, or herself, any more attention. Its focus was now turned to the mole. The Hydra tore at the rubble and packed earth tearing it apart. Half of its enormous, Trireme sized body was still on the shallow waters of the strait. The other half stomped and slammed itself against the mole. All the while, the hydra had a dozen heads, weaving and biting down at any unsecured material that was dislodged from the mole's seafloor.
Artemis judged her options, as she heard the Pellians arrange themselves behind her, blocking the entrance way of the mole. She could hear… cheering? Distant yells and jeers.
Artemis peered behind the Hydra, and saw tiny shadowed forms atop Tyre's golden walls. The Tyrians had godly friends then. Only an immortal could have called upon a hydra to attack the mole.
And she had no qualms in challenging this attempt.
"Cleoxene!"
Perseus's voice emerging from the yells and whispers behind her. She looked back, and saw Perseus shouldering his way forwards, an assortment of spearmen following him. On the sand dunes behind him, Artemis even saw Alexander, clad in his distinctive plumed helmet, and golden armor, surrounded by his senior generals and companions.
She met the king's gaze, before turning back to Perseus.
"Ever killed a hydra before?" Perseus asked, drawing his sword. Gone was their deep conversation, with understanding eyes and unreadable expressions… Perseus was here to fight.
...
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