Dean looked at Artemis with a confused look on his face.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice hurt.
"Dean... if you come with me tonight, you're going to die... you... you're..." Her words failed her as tears started to fall. She expected screaming, yelling, hatred, but all she felt was an embrace.
"Oh, baby girl. I have been running from so many destinies, a new one added on top isn't going to faze me," Dean whispered as he hugged her tightly. "So whatever is going on, you can tell me."
Artemis wrapped her arms around Dean and felt him kiss the top of her head, his embrace calming her tears. After a few moments, she ended the embrace and felt Dean caress her cheek.
Sighing, Artemis gathered herself as Dean went to lean on the hood beside her again. The sun was setting and casting beautiful colors of orange and yellows. A gentle breeze swirled passed them as the sound of the city churned on. Taking Dean's hand, she began.
"They always call it a Greek Tragedy. Well, my story is no different. During the early years of my existence, I fell in love with a human, named Orion.. We hunted together, were best friends. My brother Apollo, however, was not too keen on me sharing my love with anyone else. He tricked me into killing Orion.." Her voice cracked and drifted into silence. Dean squeezed her hand supportively; she continued.
"It's been his favorite game for eons. Pieces of Orion's soul have always found their way to me, in every lifetime," Artemis said, moving to stand closely in front of Dean and placed a hand over the center of his chest. "And in every lifetime, I have lost him. If you and I go after that manticore, there's a heavy chance you won't make it.." She looked into Dean's eyes and caressed his cheek, leaning up to kiss him softly.
"Well, then we'll make sure that doesn't happen," Dean whispered and kissed her again as he gently placed his hands on the small of her back and pulled her closer.
The city slipped into darkness as Dean pulled into the same alley as before. The Parthenon's sign glowed in it's ethereal orange light, welcoming weary travelers and hunters alike. Artemis exited the vehicle first and was quickly approached by someone with a long canvas bag.
"Oh, Hephaestus! You made it!" she said excitedly as she gave the man a hug.
"Of course, my lady. May your aims be true." The man gently handed Artemis the canvas bag and disappeared back into the bar as Dean got out and walked back to the trunk with her.
"Part of the game plan?" Artemis removed two expertly crafted spears from the canvas bag.
"Yes, these will do nicely. Hephaestus is the best weapons maker in all of Greece. These will definitely do the job," she said and shouldered the pack.
After arming themselves, Artemis and Dean slipped into the building from before. Their flashlights danced slowly over the interior as they searched for the beast; both had their pistols ready.
"What makes you so sure it's here?" Dean asked, slowly making his way further into the building.
"Well, each time I've tracked it down, it's always made its way back here. It's like it lives here," she replied as they came upon the stairwell. Shining her light up the center, she sighed. Taking the steps two at a time, Artemis quietly exited to the second floor.
A board creaked behind her and she paused, closing her eyes as she slowly turned and gave Dean a menacing look.
"My bad, okay?" Dean motioned forward with his flashlight, urging her to continue. Artemis shook her head and continued down the hallway, her sense on high alert.
Clearing the second floor, they made their way slowly back to the stairs. As Artemis took the first step, something shifted heavily above them. Looking back at Dean, Artemis removed the canvas pack from her shoulders and handed Dean one of the spears.
Holstering his sidearm, he took the spear and tested the center balance.
"Hot damn, these are nice," Dean whispered and Artemis smiled as she carried her own spear, abandoning the pack on the stairs.
"I told you, best weapons maker in all of Greece." Artemis exited to the third floor. It was a mostly open plan with exposed supports pillars. Stacks of construction materials littered the floor, creating blind spots and strategic planning issues.
A low growl made them both freeze in their tracks and zero their flashlights in on a dark corner. Dean's breath caught in his throat as the beast made its way to the open area of the floor, it's human like face sending shivers down his spine. The floor creaked and groaned under its weight, causing Dean and Artemis to keep their distance.
"Come on, you bastard," Dean growled, him and the beast circling one another, waiting for the first move.
