The Blood Of Moon

The Moon's Pride and Joy

The second her son would be born, Artemis would be having a few words with him. Not only was she constantly hungry with cravings, but she also feels sick every morning and is in constant pain.

Four months had passed since Orion's death. Four months since Zeus and Poseidon had become one of her highest priorities on her hit list.

In other words, make sure that she disrupted every child of theirs lives. She would even get on Zeus' nerves when he was trying to meet with mortals. And she told Hera every time he attempted to, and what she did.

Let's just say that she and Hera were getting along somewhat better than before. Which was both good and bad. Good for them, bad for the rest of the world.

A small baby bump was now noticeable on Artemis' lower abdomen, and she would try and avoid high-profile hunts which could risk her child.

Artemis would smile every time she looked at her son. No matter the mood she was in, she would instantly calm and joy would fill her.

Zeus knew nothing of the child. Hera had found out, and promised to help her avoid meetings, especially now when the gods would notice her being pregnant. Hestia had also found out, even volunteering to fill in for Artemis during some meetings (and how did she find out? Well, she's Hestia - she always finds everything out, no matter how well hidden it is). Apollo obviously knew, and delivered all of Artemis' messages to her from Hermes. Or he would ask the Goddess of the Hearth (Hestia) to do it for him.

Why? Apollo just gave Hermes a simple, yet lame, excuse: "Because we're bros, Hermes". It was surprising how the God of Trickery fell for it. But he did.

Even Apollo was surprised that he had tricked his half-brother; and this is Apollo we're talking about - he cannot lie for anything. Not even to save his own skin.

Soon, night began to fall and after eating a dry supper of mutton, Artemis shooed her Hunters off to bed.

She sat alone by the bonfire, staring into the flames. She would always avoid looking up. No matter where she went, the constellation of Orion was above her, which filled her with anger. The only thing that slightly eased it was Scorpio right behind him, his pincers right up Orion's rear-end.

"I see that something troubles you, Artemis." A small voice spoke up from next to the Goddess of the Hunt.

She jumped out of her skin and leapt away, holding her baby protectively. Then, she saw a nine year old with a pair of warm, fiery orange eyes looking at her. Hestia.

"Aunt Hestia, my apologies." Artemis said quickly, sitting back down on the log.

"I must apologise, Artemis. I scared you quite a bit." The goddess smiled, and Artemis nodded bleakly.

"So, what is wrong?" Hestia asked once more, and Artemis looked at the fire.

"I just get this strange feeling... Like something awful shall happen to my little boy and I will be powerless to prevent it. I cannot shake it... It scares me, Aunt." Artemis said meekly, her silver eyes glancing at her growing child as she placed a hand on her abdomen.

"I understand, Artemis." Hestia smiled warmly at her niece. "All mothers feel it, the sense to protect their child, and that something bad may happen to them."

Artemis nodded. "But I've even seen some images when I rest. I cannot shake the feeling, Hestia."

The eldest child of Kronos looked thoughtful for a few moments. "I'll tell you what, Artemis," She began. "On the day of your son's birth, he shall become my champion. I have a hunch that he shall achieve greatness, greater than any hero or heroine to ever walk this Earth."