Destined

30. Artemis

"My king!" Alva drew my attention to him while I collapsed.

Artemis dropped her weapons and knelt beside me. Her focus ran over the wound while my palm touched her left cheek. "You and I can never be separated. When I found you, I thought it was impossible to escape my fate. You gave me the path."

She wept over me while her gentle hand clasped around my wrist. "Idiot, why do you go reckless at the worst times?"

Sadly, I could not answer her question. I, instead, said something else. "My light shined for you, Artemis. Tell me, what part of the prophecy did Alva hate you for?"

Artemis stared at the wound that kept weeping. "I tried to tell you, but there was no way you remember. He stole the memories of us. He tried to keep us apart because he knew that we would stand side by side again."

"Oh," a chuckle filled me. I smiled at her, and the golden flames I saw in her almond shaped eyes made it difficult not to fall for her. "In my clan, when our powers first emerge, we get a prophecy as well as an element's blessing. I received one but did not understand it until now." I kept a hand over my wound. "Because I met you, I am free. You released me from the burden that weighed on me so long ago."

"What burden?" She asked while I felt my warmth ebbed away.

"My immense power no longer exists because it belonged in Terra's core. I was bound to it when my clan died. You are one of my clan, Artemis." A shiver ran over me, and her glow could not stop the cold. "You and I are all that is left. I chose you, not some prophecy." She kissed me and I held the base of her neck. Her tears ran as they trickled down my cheek.

When her lips parted from mine, the tremor in her lips formed. "I don't want to lose you, not again."

"You won't," I guided her hand over my wound. "You can do this."

She shook her head. "I can't do healing magic, that's my brother's gift."

"No, Artemis, this isn't healing magic." I pressed her hand on my wound. "Trust me and close your eyes." She did as I asked. "Think about all the times we spent together and find the moment you and I felt the same." Her hand began to shine over my wound. "That's good, just hold onto it. Now, focus on that feeling. Let it flow through you."

Her warmth numbed the pain that had formed in my wound. Artemis was more than capable of the same magic I was. She never needed healing magic to save me because this magic goes deeper. The wound closed all thanks to her.

"Open your eyes, Artemis."

Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw my wound was gone. "But how, did I do that?"

"You are the one." Confusion filled her at the words that left me. "Our powers synced. You can handle my weapon, but no one has that talent but you." I got to my feet and lowered a hand to help her up. She clasped my hand, and I pulled Artemis to her feet. "Alva wanted that honor, but you gained my strength instead of him. He didn't understand my power. Artemis, you understand it." I placed a hand over the place where the wound had been. "You learned it without realizing it. My true talent is not among the other elements because I am their equal."

"Then, I was right, my king." Alva said while I glanced over at him. "You are an element of this world." Joy danced in his irises.

"I am one of five, there is no sixth."

Artemis elbowed me. "Which one?"

"I am surprised you need to ask when it is clear what my abilities lead to." In an instant the scythe formed in my hands. "Artemis, look deeper for the answer. It has always shown itself. I see the dead. I can erase people from the world. I can protect only souls."