Twelve

ch 16: The Weapon

Hermes nervously eyed Artemis's Temple. A sense of dread filled him. It started from the pit of his stomach and steadily emanated to the rest of his body. Apollo had left Hermes with the vague instructions to "Steal her bow and arrows while I distract her". Hermes didn't even know where in the temple the blasted thing was. Artemis was a merciless goddess; she never hesitated to punish those who wronged her. All the gods feared her; even their great father Zeus strived to constantly stay on her good side. Regardless of whether he was a god or not, Hermes knew that if he was caught, he would face a terrible fate.

Just then, Hermes saw the Sun God and his sister exit the Temple. Hermes sucked in a tortured breath and put on his cap of invisibility. He glided across the courtyard and into the threshold of the Moon goddess's Temple. When he entered he was met with nothing. The temple was eerily bare. Hermes's eyes meticulously scanned over the architecture, searching for booby traps or secret passages containing immensely powerful weapons. Weary but determined, Hermes glided to the very back of the Temple. Hidden carefully on the floor was a small door.

As carefully as he could, Hermes lifted the hidden door. On the other side of the door was a surprisingly well lit cubby. It had room for no more than two people. Silently, Hermes descended into the room. Directly to his right hung the blindingly silver bow and arrow. Praying that there were no hidden dangers, Hermes quickly lifted the weapons and ascended from the room. As quickly and carefully as he could, he secured the door and bolted out of the Temple.

-

"I do no wish to speak to you today, brother," the goddess protested roughly. "You of all people know what is coming up."

Apollo's mouth pulled into a guilty line. "Yes, dear Artemis I do. But, I was thinking-"

"Terrible way to start a sentence," she interrupted.

Apollo rolled his eyes. "As I was saying. I was thinking that you have been mourning his death too long."

Artemis's steely eyes flashed threateningly, silently cautioning her brother to watch his next words.

"What I mean is," Apollo quickly corrected himself. "It has been millennia since he died. He is at peace. What is gained from you wasting away for an entire week? Sister, not mourning him does not equal not respecting him."

Artemis examined her brother through narrowed eyes. "Is there something you suggest in its stead?"

Apollo's face lit up. "How about a trip to dear earth?"

"I am not as fond as the surface as you are. The inhabitants don't. . . entertain me as much as they do you."

"It was either earth or Atlantis," Apollo shrugged.

Artemis tensed at the thought.

"Fine. We will descend to earth the day after next. Is there anything in particular you had in mind?"

"Just exploring and relaxing. Absolutely no hunting or fighting."

"This trip sounds excessively boring. Earth isn't even that beautiful anymore. True beauty can only be found on Olympus now."

Apollo bit his lip, contemplating an answer his sister would find acceptable. "Fascination of the abomination?" he inquired hopefully.

Artemis raised her eyebrow, a sign of her appeasement. "I suppose."

Behind his sister Apollo made out a faint glimmer. A mischievous grin found its way to Apollo's face. "Fantastic."

Wowza look at that two chapters in a row?? This is like an apology for not putting anything out for like four months