Artemis Unveiled:The Descent

Untitled Part 10: Demigod

"Do you know where we are now?" a man inquired.

"I don't know, this place... it's too terrifying..." another voice replied.

"Do you still want to move forward?" he asked again.

"Yes, I want to go see, to find out what's happening," the other voice said firmly.

"I hope you remember what you see today, never forget it..." the man said.

"What's with the red here?"

Aria strolled along an endless forest path, she could hear two voices. Thick fog enveloped, everything around was blurry. She didn't know why she was here, who was talking, or why she kept moving forward.

"Look over there..." the man said.

"Oh my god..." another voice exclaimed.

Aria looked over, through the thick fog, she saw a huge towering tree. She squinted her eyes, carefully observing, noticing the unusual color of the tree.

"The tree is... covered in blood...?" another voice exclaimed.

Aria walked along the path, crossing through the mist, arriving at the tree. She found the tree covered in intertwining red liquid.

"What happened to them?" another voice asked.

"Nourished by blood," the man answered. "Do you want to know the reason? It's behind the tree..."

Aria went around the thick tree trunk, like circling a tower. But she felt uncomfortable all over, following the voices around the trunk. Then, she almost screamed. Thick vines wrapped around a six or seven-year-old girl. The vines pierced through her clothes, penetrating her skin, only revealing a pale face and a wisp of short hair. The girl's blood had been drained, her skin pale, her eyes tightly closed, as if in a deep sleep.

"It's a child... someone, please save her..." Aria turned around in horror, wanting to remind whoever was behind her, no matter who was talking.

"Aria, I can't save her..." the man slowly walked to her side. Aria looked up at him, but couldn't see his face clearly. Just then, another voice spoke. "Is this child still alive?"

"Yes, but she can't wake up," the man replied.

Aria tried hard to see clearly, but whether it was the girl on the tree or the man in front of her, she couldn't see clearly. The sunlight fell on the man, leaving only a blurry silhouette. She rubbed her eyes, feeling more and more anxious.

In the distant sky, a voice suddenly sounded.

"Aria...

It's time for you to wake up...

Aria..."

"Aria, Aria." The voice sounded in her ears. Aria felt herself lying somewhere, hearing her own heartbeat pounding. There was a shallow breathing sound, but it wasn't hers. Aria slowly opened her eyes, seeing a blurry figure standing beside her. The light was dazzling, and she had to close her eyes again. Aria tried to move her body, but the pain surged like a tide, causing her to flinch and groan.

"Aria, can you hear me?" the person beside her asked.

Aria slowly opened her eyes, tears hanging at the corners as her vision gradually cleared. She saw a tall man standing before her, his hair unexpectedly silver. Surprised, she blinked rapidly to ensure she wasn't mistaken. Confirming the sight, she observed the shining silver locks, smoothly tied behind him. He bore a few wrinkles around his eyes, yet his skin was smooth and radiant like polished marble. Clear gray eyes gazed at Aria lying on the bed. He wore a soft, splendid light silver robe adorned with faint feather patterns.