𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 ; 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜 (Requests open)

𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚 - (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭)

Warnings - 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑 - 𝐩𝐞

The sun rose slowly, casting a golden hue across the landscape. In the distance, hunters stirred to life deep within the woods, their silhouettes emerging against the lightening sky, each movement brimming with anticipation. The camp echoed with the sound of rushing waters; the lake, usually a tranquil mirror, now churned noisily under the bright sun, its surface shimmering, yet devoid of fish, as if they had retreated tenveloped's mysterious depths.

Artemis moved among her hunters, issuing swift commands, h er keen gaze assessing their fighting styles and offering flawless corrections. She practised her archery by the restless lake, its waves seeming to reflect a person's bad mood.

"Gather around, girls! It's time for our first meal of the day," she called out. "We have much monster-hunting ahead, so make sure to energize yourselves." The hunters settled on the wooden benches, their laughter and chatter filling the air with warmth.

Yet, beneath the surface of her calm dhernour, Artemis felt an unsettling tug at her gut, a painful emptiness as if a part of her had been severed. She brushed it off as the usual  sorrow of loss, a consequence of another woman's death. But this feeling was deeper, more profound—like the mournful wail of a pure soul. It felt as though a woman was asking to protect her child, lost and alone in this world, and was pleading for her to protect them, echoing in the depths of her heart.

A shiver ran down her spine as the essence of the woman's soul slipped away from her. It felt as though a vital part of her was lost, leaving an aching emptiness in its wake It was as if an immortal child of her was dying, but that was not possible... What was astonishing was that this soul belonged to a mortal...

Soon, the hunters ventured into the dense woods, bows taut and spears ready. "Thalia, you stay here with Phoebe, Angela, and Novella. Ensure the camp's boundaries are secure," Artemis instructed as Thalia prepared to join them. Thalia looked up, a determined sniff escaping her. "Do I have to? I could take down hundreds of monster butts, you know!" Artemis smiled but shook her head. "I trust you with the camp's safety. Inform the others," she said, leaving no room for argument. Thalia let out a sigh and nodded. Artemis trotted through the woods, her hunters trailing closely behind her. In the background, Thalia's footsteps echoed as she barked commands to keep the camp secure.

----

Time had lost meaning for the hunters; it felt like hours or mere minutes. Their legs ached from the relentless pursuit, having taken down more than fifty monsters. They stumbled deeper into the woods, exhaustion weighing heavily on their limbs. Artemis raised a hand to signal for a pause. "Rest, girls ," she called out, her voice cutting through the rustling leaves. "We shall continue after a few minutes."The hunters dropped to the ground, grateful for the reprieve.

They leaned against the trees, catching their breaths, but the moment of respite shattered as a terror-filled scream echoed through the forest. Instinctively, the hunters sprang into action, hearts racing. Even Artemis, usually composed, yelled out and scanned the shadows for the source of the sound.

Artemis lurked deeper than her hunters, her senses sharpened by the thrill of the chase. A b lur of black hair caught her attention, and as she approached, a rush of uncertainty gripped her. She tightly shut her eyes, feeling the pulse of the moment.

The hunters caught off guard, hesitated, their instincts at odds with her command. "Close your eyes! It's an order!" Artemis shouted, her voice ringing out with an authority that brooked no disobedience. Even the curious and stubborn younger hunters obeyed, the weight of her presence enough to silence any defiance. They knew the stakes—disobeying a goddess could mean certain doom. With their eyes shut, the forest seemed to hold its breath.