I am Artemis

Truth

Acheron

"What games are you playing, Artemis?" She smiled at me.

"No games, Acheron. Simply trying to be better." She stepped slowly to the balcony.

She gripped the railing until her knuckles turned white. The hound sat next to her and whined. She looked down at the hound and rubbed its head.

"I'm alright Inu. A little sore but I'll be okay. I promise, Inu," she was smiling down at Inu, "come ask your questions Acheron. I will answer what I can."

I moved to the other side of Inu. He took a protective stance next to her, but didn't growl at me. I looked at Artemis. She didn't look at me. I wanted to know why.

"What changed Artie," she cringed, "when did you care so much about the dark hunters or me?"

She sighed.

"I always have Acheron. I was a stupid naive goddess. I let my fear control me. In doing so I hurt you. I let fear and what you were, what you were forced to become affect how I treated you. For that I am so sorry. I will spend the rest of my life paying for that. I swear it. You were but a child. You should've been loved and protected. No one should've touched you like that," her voice cracked, "it's why I wear your symbol. I hide it from the other gods and goddesses, but otherwise I wear it in plain sight. I have hurt you, and I deserve to feel your wrath or your hatred for that. Along with the pain I caused. Or if I cause you pain in the future, I will experience it tenfold."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She put her symbol on her body and took an oath to never lay a hand on me. If she did, she would feel it ten times as much. I couldn't believe it. This had to be some trick. I turned her to me and gripped her shoulders.

"Stop playing with me Artemis! I've known you for too long! I'm done with your BULLSHIT!" Her pupils shrunk.

Her face went white. The symbol turned a deep red and she fell to the floor. She was whimpering in pain. I was so angry and I wanted her to feel all the pain I had ever felt. All the times she betrayed me. All the times she stood by and watched me gelded on the ground. I wanted her to feel all of it.

"Apostoles!" My mother rushed forward to Artemis.

Artemis looked up at my mother.

"It's fine, Matera. I deserve this." Artemis smiled at my mother before her body gave out.

The black hound shifted and turned into a Charonte demon. He knelt down and picked up Artemis.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is your Charonte demon protecting her?" Mother looked up at me.

"She didn't tell you?" I was confused.

"Why would I ever believe anything that came out of her mouth? She hurt me, Matera. She's a monster. I would never believe anything that she told me." My mother glanced down at Artemis.

"You foolish girl. Why? Why wouldn't you tell him?" She seemed troubled.

"If I may, Akri," my mother nodded, "she hasn't said anything because she doesn't wish to be around him. She wishes to minimize the pain or discomfort he feels every time he is in the room with Artemis."

The Charonte demon caught my attention.

"Who is this she?" My mother and her Charonte demon met each other's gaze.

Akri.

It was Simi.

What is it?

She was silent for a moment.