𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚁𝚞𝚗....

𝚅𝙸

When I regained consciousness, I realized I was lying down on my back, there was also a weight on my stomach.

I opened my eyes and propped myself up on my elbows and I saw that it was Zada resting her head on my stomach that I had felt. I smiled and scratched her behind the ear and she wagged her tail happily.

"Amaya! Your awake! Thank the gods." I heard a voice say. I looked to my right and saw that it was Willow who had spoke. She was sitting next to me on the ground, Ash and Luna sitting on her shoulders. "What happened?" I groaned, shifting Zada's head off my stomach and onto my lap before sitting all the way up.

"You passed out. After the fight with the cyclopses you drained so much of your energy that you blacked out. You shadow traveled two people! Twice! You really scared me, please don't do that again." She frowned.

"I promise. And Im sorry for scaring you, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to help. The hunter was badly injured and I could feel her life fading so I panicked and insisted on taking her here myself so that she could get help faster." I hung me head.

"Don't worry, it was a noble thing that thy did. Thee helped save a life by risking thy own. Thee has the makings of a true hunter. Even if thee are not ready to join us now, thy has proven that thyself are worthy." A new voice spoke.

I jumped slightly, whipping my head towards the sound. I sighed in relief when I saw that it was only Zoë. "Gods, Zoë, you scared me." I smiled. "Our lady, Artemis is truly impressed by thy actions, she shall be here soon to speak with thee." The hunter said before leaving the tent.

I noticed that I was in my own tent, which I was grateful for, I shifted to be more comfortable on the pillows. As I sat down, the tent flap opened up again and in walked a young girl, the goddess Artemis. "My lady, you wish to speak with me?" I bowed my head.

"Yes I do young one. May I sit?" She asked. Willow and I nodded and she sat down across from us, crossing her legs, "You showed much courage in battle today and I wish to reward you both. I give you both my blessing," Willow and I suddenly were both bathed in silver light. When it faded, I felt, different, stronger maybe? I'm not sure how to explain it.

"You both now have the abilities of one of my hunters, the one thing you don't have is the eternal youth as you are not fully part of the hunt. You have our strength, agility, speed, precision with archery, and ability to communicate with wild animals, mainly wolves. One of our hunting wolves my even choose one of you to be it's master. As long as you are still maidens, you shall continue to have my blessing." The goddess explained.

"Thank you, my lady. I am truly honored. I swear to continue to stay a maiden for as long as I live. I likely will join the hunt one day aswell." I thanked her. Willow repeated my words to the goddess. "Rest now, we leave at dawn." Artemis said, she stood and exited the tent.

"Wow, that was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced in my life." Willow breathed out. I nodded in agreement. The two of us settled down to sleep, our animals snuggled up among the pillows and blankets and fell asleep aswell.

——

The hunters made a stop just after we crossed into Illinois last night. We had hunted down a few Dracaenae the day before so we had stopped to rest. It's now the beginning of March, Willow and I have been with the hunters for a month now, it's been a really good experience for us, we don't have to steal to get by anymore, we have a place to sleep, and we aren't alone anymore.

Oakley still travels with us because he insists on it, but he mainly does other things while Willow and I are out hunting with the others. It's like Willow and I are part of the hunt, it feels good to have a family again.