One with the Gods

Chapter Thirteen: Artemis's rage

Chapter thirteen:

Artemis’s rage

Andromeda and Aeros ran through the forest guided by Dian. Titan ran behind them at their heels. They reached the gates of the domain. “Alright Artemis is in the Royal Court where you had the festival of the gods. She plans to have Zeus bring back her love in exchange for you two.” Dian whispered. “We need to get moving.” Aeros said.

They ran across the cobblestone swords in hand. They reached the steps of the palace. They stopped at the entrance. “Come here you.” Aeros said grabbing Andromeda’s forearm. He pulled her to him and kissed her. He pulled away and Andromeda stood in front of him stunned. “In case things don’t go as we plan I want you to know that I love you.” Aeros said. Andromeda smiled and kissed him. “I don’t mean to break up this scene, but Artemis is about to let her rage go.” Dian interrupted. Andromeda pulled away and ran inside. Andromeda felt her heart skip a beat with love. She shook it away to focus on Artemis. They entered the court and all eyes turned to them. “Andromeda, Aeros how did you escape!” Artemis said in rage.

 “Andromeda, Aeros you are alive!” Zeus said. “Father Artemis planned to use us as a bargaining chip.” Andromeda said. Suddenly Artemis lunged forward and grabbed Dian. She held a knife to her throat. Andromeda saw Poseidon lunge forward but was stopped by Ares. Aeros and Andromeda readied their swords. “You make one move to me and I will kill her.” Artemis shouted. Andromeda was about to say it was hopeless to kill her, but then as she compared the glow of her skin to Dian’s she realized that Dian wasn’t immortal. She must have gotten rid of her immortality before the adventure Andromeda thought.

 “Artemis you go too far. Release her at once!” Zeus ordered. “Not until you bring back my love Aktis!” Artemis shouted. Andromeda had heard that name somewhere.  What a minute Aktis was the name of the man who burned down the royal barges of Argos because he could not have the princess Aella She thought. “Wait! Artemis if we prove he was not the man you thought he was will you let her go?” Andromeda bargained. “Yes, if you fail then I will kill this young girl and Zeus must bring him back to me.” Artemis growled. Andromeda went to her father. “Father is there a way to show her?” She asked. “Yes you stay here I must get the orb.” Zeus said. She saw her father and the other gods leave. She faced the court. Artemis still held Dian with the knife against her throat. Tears of fear ran down Dian’s face.

Suddenly Artemis stiffened. She let go of Dian who ran to Poseidon who stayed behind with Ares. Poseidon embraced her in a fatherly hug. Artemis turned to reveal Castolla. Tears fell from her face as she shouted the words, “Mother this had gone on long enough! I love you dearly, but this has to end.” Artemis’s face went dark. Suddenly Artemis used the dagger and snapped the blade out of Castolla’s hands. She then slapped Castolla sending her flying and into a pillar. Castolla lay motionless on the cold marble floor. Just as it happened Zeus appeared with a sphere cover by a cloth. Andromeda ran to Castolla, but Artemis stopped her by placing her blade against her throat. “Andromeda you will be payment for my suffering!” Saying that Artemis lifted her sword to smite Andromeda.

 Andromeda fell to the floor and kicked Artemis’s left leg. Artemis fell on her back dropping the sword. Andromeda jumped up and ran to Castolla. Blood dripped from the corner of Castolla’s mouth. She felt cold. “Castolla, can you hear me. Speak for gods’ sake.” Andromeda urged. “Foolish girl you can’t defeat the goddess of hunt!” Artemis yelled. Artemis raised her sword to strike, but was knocked off her feet. Aeros had attacked her. Then Ares and Zeus held Artemis. They dragged to her to her feet. Zeus tossed her the orb. She threw the cloth off and onto the floor. “Show us the man Aktis before his death.” Andromeda said. The orb began to glow brilliant silver and floated high in the sky. Then a picture showed a young man with brown hair and a brown tunic on.

It showed many scenes of him. Some with women, some stealing. But the final scene showed him burning the Argos royal barges. Andromeda looked at Artemis. Tears of pain fell from her face as she saw the man she loved turn into a monster. She fell to her knees. Zeus walked over to Andromeda on the other side of the room. Artemis buried her face in her hands. Andromeda looked over and saw Castolla awake. She ran to her mother’s side. Castolla wrapped an arm around her mother for comfort. Suddenly Artemis looked up. Rage in her eyes she grabbed her sword and raced after Zeus. Life went in slow motion as they turned.

As Artemis rose her sword to strike Andromeda jumped in front of the blade. The blade cut into Andromeda’s side with great pain. Andromeda fell to the floor. Artemis held the sword in her hand and stepped back. “Andromeda!” Zeus shouted. Zeus fell to his knees beside her. Artemis’s went from rage to sadness at the realization at what she had done. Artemis transformed into a doe and galloped off back to her domain. Castolla ran to Andromeda’s side. Andromeda felt her side burning as if it were on fire. Zeus held her hand in his. “Get a healer!” He ordered. A servant rushed off to find a healer at Zeus’s request. Aeros sat on the other side of her and stared at her face. “What happened?” Aeros asked. “When the orb absorbed power it took her immortality as tribute.” Zeus said in a panic.

 “Father” Andromeda murmured. “Andromeda, stay with me, don’t close your eyes.” Zeus said. “Andromeda you won. Aeros lost because you killed the fury.” Castolla said. “How do you know this?” Zeus asked. All eyes fell on Castolla. “Because…. Because my mother sent me to follow them so I could capture her.” Castolla answered. She hung her head low. Zeus placed a hand on Castolla’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault. You were just following orders.” He said. 

Suddenly a thin man rushed into the room. He wore a black cloak with what appeared to be constellations floating across the black canvas. He kneeled beside Andromeda and looked at her wound. A grave came across his face. “She needs to be moved to her chambers where I can help her more.” He said. Aeros scooped Andromeda into his arms and the group rushed out of the court. Andromeda’s vision began to blur as they sped through the night. The last thing she saw was Aeros face. Then darkness.