I am Artemis

Ryssa and Apollodorus

Meanwhile

Kaori

I woke in a field. It was warm and inviting. I looked around and found a wall of light. It looked alive. It was swirling, pulsing even. I reached forward and touched it. I quickly pulled back my hand. It burned my finger. I blew on my finger. I stepped back as two figures stepped out of the light. I stepped away unsure of who they were.

"Auntie Artie!" My heart stopped.

A beautiful man was next to a woman who didn't even look thirty. They both had blonde hair. The woman had blue eyes. Auntie Artie? Who would call me that? Artemis didn't have a nephew. I gasped.

"Ryssa? Apollodorus?" They both smiled at me.

I didn't even think before I rushed to them. I pulled them both into a huge hug. I didn't say a single word. I just began to cry. I didn't know how it was possible that they were here. I was just relieved to know they were together.

"I'm so sorry for what Artemis did. I fixed what I could, but I couldn't save you two. I came too late. I'm so sorry Ryssa and Apollodorus." They hugged me back.

"You did your best Kaori. You freed Uncle Acheron. That's all we could have ever asked for." I pulled away.

I looked up at Apollodorus.
"How can you forgive Artemis so easily? She is the reason you both died." Ryssa and Apollodorus looked at each other.

"We do not forgive Artemis. We came to thank you. You did the one thing I was never able to do in life for my brother. You freed him from Artemis's abuse. You saved my little brothers." I smiled at them.

"So you know about what happened to Styxx as well?" Rhyssa smiled.

"I do. I also see why he acted the way he did. For that I feel bad I never saw what was happening. Estes should've suffered in hell for what he did." I frowned.

"That's not your fault. You were only one person with little to no help. Wait. Are you telling me he didn't?" The look on Ryssa's face broke my heart.

That made me furious. I would redeem that. Even picturing that monster living in bliss made me want to drag him to hell myself.

"He's not in the underworld?" Ryssa shook her head.

Another thing I will fix then if I can from here I thought.

"I'm glad I got to meet you both. I'm sorry that because of Artemis you both died so young. It was one thing I wish I could've prevented. It broke my heart when you both died. It broke Acherons and Styxx's as well. They were never the same after you two passed," Ryssa smiled at me, "I'm glad Acheron has a friend until he meets the one he's meant to be with."

I felt my throat close up. My heart hurt from hearing that. I never expected anything when I came to this world, but a part of me knew I liked Acheron on some level. We both went through so much. I knew it wasn't the first time someone fell in love with a character from a book. However I got to actually meet him. So it would be the first time anyone got to act on those feelings if they chose too. I felt sad, but I understood. Tory was the one for him.

"Im glad I can be his friend. I guess it's a good thing I haven't mentioned I like him. It's probably best that we are just friends." I met Ryssa's gaze.

She looked surprised. Then she looked at me with pity and understanding. I took a deep breath and let my head fall in my hands.

"I knew it. I came here and took the place of the woman he hated the most. My feelings were never going to matter. Why else would the universe be cruel enough to shove me into the body of the woman he hates the most," I wiped my face and stood up, "I know not why you both are here, but I assume it has something to do with Acheron?"

She smiled at me. Apollodorus came up to me and took my face in his hands. I placed my hands upon his.

"Auntie Kaori, the only thing we ask is you be there for Uncle Appie. He won't meet the one for some time, but he needs a true friend. We as his family feel that you are the one who can be that friend for him. Will you do that for me Auntie?" I smiled up at Apollodorus.

I would do anything for these two. If this was how I could make amends for Artemis doing all the things she did. Then that's what I would do.

"I will," Ryssa stepped forward, "then will you give these to my brothers? It would give me a piece of mind. I don't wish for them to fight anymore. Can you do that?"

They were so pretty. One purple and one was red. I knew which one was for Styxx and which one was for Acheron without having to ask. I thought for a moment. How was I suppose to give these to them. I was still stone. I met Ryssa's gaze.

"How can I do that when I have turned to stone? If I return to flesh who's to say that Bet'anya won't return to stone. I can't let that happen." Ryssa smiled at me.

"She will be safe, I swear it. My brother needs her. When you took her place, you nullified the anger that originally caused her to become stone. That is why you will go back. Go back to my brothers." I was surprised.

I was also relieved. She would be safe. However I still had to make sure.

"So Bet'anya will be safe?" Rhyssa smiled.

"Yes, now go. Live your life." I smiled at Ryssa.

I paused and then walked up to Apollodorus. I met his gaze and held his hands in mines

"You've become a fine young man," I kissed his cheek, "I would've been honored to be your real Auntie."

I pulled away and smiled at him. I was sad that he never got to grow up, but I knew Apollodorus and Ryssa would be okay. They came to do what they needed too.

"Farewell." Apollodorus smiled and hugged his mother.

I was sad to go, but I knew they would be okay.

"Goodbye Auntie Kaori." I waved.

"Goodbye. I will see you both again." Then I was gone.