Call of the Nightingale

Chapter 14: Love in a Hopless Place

  It was hours before the break of twilight. Artemis walked around the perimeter as the children slept. Knowing that this hunt would be a dangerous one, and she didn't want any surprises.

  She looked over everyone's sleeping forms along with Iris.

Iris: They look so sweet all together like this.

Artemis: I guess.

  Artemis continues her walk as Iris joins her.

Iris: Was it really wise to bring the newcomers along?

Artemis: You mean the Son of Nyx and Serena? They volunteered to come. This was optional, which is why, in our absence, Apollo will watch over the rest back at the Grove.

Iris: I know, but still. Hunting Scylla? Do you really think they can do it?

Artemis: Either we hunt and kill the monsters before Zeus' spawn gets them, or we have a tougher fight on our hands. The world is changing, so this won't be easy in this day and age.

  Iris nods as she looks over the sleeping demigods. As the two scanned the area, Artemis heard a noise from the Temple of Isis they were near.

Iris: What's going on?

Artemis: Stay with the Demigods, I'll go have a look. It's not like it's anything major, but I'm not taking my chances.

  Artemis makes her way over to the temple. Lightly snapping her fingers as her bow manifests from moonlight into her grasp. She slowly approaches with stealth, making her way quietly up the steps, drawing back an arrow as she quickly looks inside the temple, taking aim and seeing, much to her surprise, you.

  She sees you sitting in a meditative state with the grimoire in front of you, light stains of red on the ground beside you.

  She stared as she saw your bandaged hand unraveled, blood dripping from the skin where new markings seemed to have been carved into your flesh.

  Another drop of blood falls a bit stops in the air moments before hitting the ground. She stops her weapon and leans against the pillar, observing you.

  Watching the one she currently seemed to hate the most.

  You raise your hand as all the blood that fell rises to meet the palm of your hand. You form a weapon from the blood by imagining it in your mind. From weapons you ha e seen in your mind, much to Artemis' surprise, she sees that you formed her bow.

  You draw an arrow back, forming it out of your own blood as you stand to your feet. Taking aim, deciding to shoot at a stone on one of the broken pillars.

  You fire as the arrow splatters all over the stone.

Y/N: Dammit! Still not strong enough.

  Looking around, Artemis did notice a bit more red in the area. Blood splatters all over. She looked at the book between your legs to see that it was indeed a grimoire, one made by Hecate.

Artemis: 'Magic, huh? He intends to use blood magic to hunt the beast?'

  You draw back another arrow, taking aim at the stone once again, trying to at least knock it off. Seeing you try with her own weapon filled her with mixed emotions. She was annoyed that you'd dare even try, yet a bit pleased that you tried at all.

  Her heart was more filled with irritation towards you, seeing you just made her all the more angry. But then she remembered the talk that she had with Athena.

*The other day*

Artemis: Excuse me?

Athena: I said that you being in charge in any way, shape, or form was a mistake. Artemis, you may not know it, but the task works better for us if the demigods were more united, men and women alike. But you've made it to where so many of them despise each other and made some of the men despise you. The only reason they bother is because of Iris' interjection for unity.