God of My Dreams (Greek Heroes #1) ✅ Completed

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Accounts Settled

Accounts Settled  

Morpheus folded his midnight wings over his body, vanishing in a wisp of smoke just as Artemis reached Gwen-Stacey. He reappeared behind the huntress, grabbing her arm at the apex of her strike. With steely resolve, he slid his sword between two of the goddess' ribs, feeling the tip of his blade reach her heart. His weapon, forged from the abyss of the Eternal Night, slipped into the goddess' immortal body like a hot knife through butter and pierced her vital organ in one smooth movement.  

The look of shock on Artemis' face would have been comical were Morpheus' face not so full of grim determination. She let out a long exhale as she felt pain explode in her chest. The sensation was quickly followed by the cooling of her blood by the seductive power of certain death. It flowed to every extremity with lightning speed, causing an icy shiver to run from the top of her head down to her very toes.

The dream god lowered his head until his lips were nearly touching the sensitive outer rim of her ear as he whispered, "Your predictability is almost painful, huntress." His voice, though hushed, vibrated with the promise of a quick death. Morpheus raised his head and shoved his sword further into the goddess' body, ensuring her heart was skewered through the top of his blade.

"Do not turn around, Gwen-Stacey," he warned as he saw her about to do just that. He closed his eyes and sent out a private missive.

Hermes, hearing his silent call, appeared before them in the next moment. The messenger god grabbed Gwen-Stacey around the waist, flitting her away to join the others, further away from the gruesome scene.

Morpheus did not want her to witness what would come next nor keep her in the line of fire any further. He'd hoped Artemis would have been honorable enough not to use his beloved against him. Morpheus had no intention of using Gwen-Stacey as bait. However, such was not the case and the shadows had heard Artemis' dark thoughts only a heartbeat before she'd made her move.

It was all the time he'd needed.

With Gwen-Stacey's safety ensured, the dream god turned his attention back to the dying goddess. He lowered Artemis to the ground, freeing his blade at the same time. The huntress crumpled loosely at his feet, staring up at him with surprise still etched on her face. She tried to speak but no words came out. Morpheus preferred it that way. 

He raised his blade determined to finish what he started. Once he'd beheaded Artemis, he would burn her body, cauterizing her neck first before setting everything aflame. Once her body had burned down, he would sprinkle her ashes in the River Styx, ensuring her eternal rest.

"I hereby send you once more into the Eternal Night, Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Leto, goddess of the hunt. May you find peace on your journey into the next realm."

As Morpheus was ready to deliver the killing blow, a large blast echoed around them. Light, as bright and shining as the ever-lasting sun blinded everyone on the plains.

"Stop!" Apollo's strong voice cried out. The sun god appeared in a flash of golden brilliance. Looking normal for once in a simple white button down shirt and jeans he rushed over to the pair. "Morpheus, for the love of Zeus, please stop."

The dream god didn't even blink at the sight of Artemis' brother. "Stop right there, Apollo," he warned, lifting the sword a fraction of an inch higher. "Do not come any closer."

Apollo raised his hands in a gesture of non-violence and did as he asked. "Please, Morpheus, I'm begging you, don't kill my sister." For once there was no teasing or taunting in his tone. He spoke like a man desperate to be heard.