How Artemis Came to Be (Short Story)

Artemis's Story

Artemis is the goddess of hunting, the moon, and virginity. She ended up different than all of the other goddesses. Artemis spent most of her life in Athens. Although the people of this very city-state disapproved of the prospect of a woman's fighting camp, they were unable to argue against this when Zues had last visited Athens and granted them with his opinion.

During Artemis's time as a young teenager in Greenland, which was the name of the camp, she had learned so much about fighting, balance, being stealthy, and also about the lives of suffering mortals. This is one of the reasons Artemis chose to become the goddess of virginity.

One remarkable day in Greenland, Artemis was throwing spears deep in the woods all by herself, at least she thought she was. The ground was filled with lush green grass and rich soil, hence the name Greenland. Nearby stood a cherry blossom tree which was reflected by the glistening mirror of a pond. It was only the start of Spring, and the whole world seemed to bloom.

Artemis was lost in her own world until she heard a sharp wailing cry from deep within the woods. Quickly grabbing her bow and quiver from a hidden tree hole, Artemis set out into the direction where she heard the sound, brainwashed by curiosity. She trudged her way through the obstacles of trees and dirt, trying to discover where the sound had come from. Maybe it had been an animal or a creature she could possibly hunt. Greenland was very short in food these times.

Suddenly, Artemis saw a slight movement in the woods. Startled, she took a step back. Breathing in and out and memorizing what her instructor had taught her, Artemis set out toward the movement. What she saw surprised her. The sound was not that of an animal. It was a tiny mortal being held by its mother. Trying to be kind, Artemis decided that she would help this woman. She was obviously in need of help judging by her looks.

" I don't mean to intrude or anything, but you seem to be in need of assistance or help, may I help you?" Artemis politely asked.

The baby was fidgeting which kept the mother busy. At first Artemis thought that the strange mortal woman wasn't going to respond, until the woman looked up at her and opened her mouth.

"I appreciate your concern but no thank you" the mortal replied ever so quietly. Artemis took one look at the fidgeting baby and back at the mortal, who seemed to be in a lot of stress, and made a final decision.

"Listen, it is my duty to help others who are in need of it. I'm not like the other gods who ignore the troubles unsettling you mortals. Whether you like it or not, you're coming with me into the camp, and we have to question you anyway for crossing the boundaries into our land. Might as well fix you up while we're at, eh?" Artemis replied sensibly.

Giving out her hand, Artemis felt like she won at something. The mortal woman reluctantly took Artemis's hand, to her surprise. The mortal didn't say a word as she got up along with her infant, but Artemis did earn a look of shock and awe from her. The mortal allowed herself to be lead into the camp. Inside, the mortal woman was treated quickly. The women in Greenland were very strict on caring for each other. As Instructor Wells said, "Treat others a certain way, and you will be treated the same guaranteed".

Artemis eavesdropped and found out the story of the mortal, whose name was Lisa. Apparently, Lisa was married to the cruelest man of all in Athens, Hester Northeast. Her parents and family were royalty, and they were also somewhat very selfish, according to Lisa. Growing up, Lisa was a happy free-spirited child, until her family were in a bit of trouble with the Northeast family. In order to create negotiations, they had their oldest daughter, Lisa, marry a son of the Northeasts.

Hester had a shaggy beard and he was bald with scary blue eyes that resembled the deep dark waters. He was a cold-hearted, remorseless man that treated Lisa very horribly. Being in his home was a torture, mentally, verbally, and physically. He took her virginity and soon Lisa was pregnant with a girl. When Hester found out that it was not a boy, he threatened to kill the baby, including Lisa.

No one had listened to Lisa when she had asked her neighbors continuously to help escape from her husband. Realizing that the only person who could save her and her daughter was herself, she set out with her infant, to a place far, far away from the cruelness of Athens.

Listening to Lisa's story saddened Artemis. She could tell that Lisa might've been a joyful young adult until she was forced to face the worst. The sad part was that Lisa's story is not unusual to happen, and that situations like this were very true and common in the mortal world.

This is the one of the reasons why some individuals in the mortal world stay virgins. Artemis makes sure to protect those in most danger of the reality of this world.

Soooooo, did you like it?