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Artemis, goddess of the hunt, protector of the wild, and fierce defender of the innocent, stood in the center of her moonlit sanctuary deep within the forest. Her heart was a storm, her thoughts tangled in a vortex of rage and betrayal. The stone walls around her trembled with the intensity of her fury as she paced, her usually calm and composed demeanor shattered by the events that had unfolded.
It had been two years since Jason had broken his vow to Medea, the woman who had once been close to her, and Artemis could not ignore the anguish she felt for her. But what enraged her even more was the proposal Aperia had made—the possibility of a child born from the union of Jason and Medea. That child, a mix of two bloodlines, would not only be stronger than any of the Olympian demigods but could change the fate of the gods themselves. Artemis had always loathed the very notion of gods meddling with mortal affairs in such a way, and this was an insult to everything she stood for.
She could hardly stand to be near the idea of Jason walking free, unpunished for his betrayal, his broken vows. The very thought that he would walk this earth freely, while her heartache was left to linger, was a wound that would not heal. She clenched her fists, her silver eyes glowing with a violent light, the rage threatening to overtake her.
But as she turned to her bow, ready to end it, a voice broke through the chaos of her thoughts.
"Artemis," Apollo's calm voice cut through the storm in her heart. "You are not thinking clearly."
Artemis spun, her silver hair flying around her face like a cascade of moonlight. Her brother, Apollo, stood at the entrance to the sanctuary, his expression calm but with an edge of concern.
"Do not try to calm me, Apollo," Artemis hissed, her voice cold. "Jason has no place on this earth anymore. His actions—"
"I know," Apollo interrupted softly, stepping closer. "But you cannot let your emotions drive you to madness. Even if you seek justice, there are consequences to killing him. You are a goddess, Artemis, not a vengeful force of destruction."
Her eyes burned with fury, but something in his words stayed her. Just for a moment.
"Then what do you suggest?" Artemis demanded. "That I let him roam free? That he gets away with the damage he's done to Medea? To me? To the balance of the world?"
Before Apollo could answer, another voice rang out—this time, from above them, booming with authority.
"Enough, Artemis," Zeus's voice thundered, even though he had not yet entered the room. "You will not take the life of Jason."
Artemis looked up, her fury flaring anew. "And why not?" she snapped.
"You know why," Zeus said, appearing in the doorway. His towering figure filled the space. "He is still a mortal, Artemis. He does not deserve death at your hands, not yet."
Artemis's fists clenched once more. Her fingers trembled with the tension of holding back a storm.
"Then what do you propose?" Artemis asked, her voice trembling with anger. "That I simply let him be, as if nothing happened?"
Zeus stepped forward, his gaze softening slightly, though his voice remained firm. "There is a different path, one that does not involve your wrath. If you are so determined to see justice done, there are other ways. You may not like it, but you must be patient."
"Patient?" Artemis nearly spat the word. "I have been patient for far too long, Zeus. And I have watched as Medea has suffered, as my own heart has been torn apart by the betrayal. You ask me to wait longer? For what? For a chance at justice that may never come?"
The tension in the room was palpable, but then something happened—something so unexpected that it caused Artemis to freeze in her tracks.
A tiny voice broke the silence, and Artemis's gaze snapped to the source.
"Grandma?" The small figure standing at the entrance was barely two years old, a little girl with golden locks and silver eyes that shone with a kind of innocent wisdom that was far beyond her age.
It was her granddaughter.
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Artemis's heart skipped a beat. She had been so consumed by her anger, her sorrow, that she had almost forgotten the one thing that could calm her in an instant.
Her granddaughter.
Aperia, the primordial goddess, had given Artemis the gift of a child from her own bloodline. But unlike the other gods, Artemis could only bear female grandchildren, a rule that was part of her connection with Aperia's ancient power. This little girl—who looked so innocent and pure—was the light that had always been a balm to Artemis's most intense emotions.
The child looked up at Artemis, her eyes wide with curiosity and innocence, a small hand reaching up toward the goddess.
"Grandma, why are you sad?" she asked in the sweetest voice, her tiny face full of concern.
Artemis's anger melted away as she crouched down, her arms opening to embrace the child. Her rage, which had consumed her moments ago, dissolved like mist in the morning sun. She pulled the little girl into her arms, holding her tightly. A single tear slipped down Artemis's cheek, though she did not speak.
Apollo watched the scene with a gentle smile, knowing that his sister's heart could be soothed by this little one. Zeus, too, softened in the presence of the child, though his expression was still serious. The tension that had filled the room moments before seemed to dissipate entirely.
"Her name is Selene," Artemis whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "She is the one thing that can still calm me."
Apollo stepped forward, his face warm and understanding. "You are not alone, Artemis. And your granddaughter will help you find balance, just as you once helped the world find balance."
Artemis looked at him, her silver eyes clearer now, though still filled with the remnants of pain. "I know. But my heart is torn."
Zeus spoke, his tone more measured. "Then let the child guide you, Artemis. Perhaps it is time to think of the future, not just the past."
The little girl in Artemis's arms giggled and tugged at her grandmother's hair, and Artemis could not help but smile
Two years passed since that night when Artemis had nearly lost herself to her rage. During that time, Selene had grown, as all children do, and Artemis found herself filled with a renewed sense of purpose. The little girl had become her light in the darkest times, her beacon of hope in a world that often seemed consumed by anger and betrayal.
But there was something more to Selene than just her innocence. Though only two years old, she had a strength within her that was undeniable. She would often accompany Artemis on hunts, her tiny bow strapped to her back, though it was more a symbol than a functional weapon. Selene was a child, but the blood of both Artemis and Aperia ran in her veins. And the power of that bloodline could not be denied.
One day, as Artemis watched her granddaughter practicing with a bow, the truth became clear. Selene was destined for something great, something beyond even Artemis's expectations.
"I can't do it, Grandma," Selene said, frustration in her voice, her tiny hands fumbling with the bowstring.
Artemis smiled softly and walked over to her. "You will, my dear. It takes time and patience, but I know you will be the greatest hunter of all."
Selene looked up at her with wide eyes. "Do you really think I can be like you? A Huntress?"
Artemis nodded, her heart swelling with pride. "I do. And one day, you will join the Hunt."
Selene's eyes lit up. "I want to! I want to be just like you."
Artemis smiled warmly, her heart full. She could see it now—the child would join the Hunt, her place among the immortals and the gods secured. She would be the one to carry the legacy of both Artemis and Aperia forward. A child of unmatched power, destined for greatness.
And as the child stood there, her little bow raised with determination, Artemis knew that she had found her peace.
Her granddaughter would carry on the legacy of the Hunt—strong, independent, and ready to face whatever challenges the world had in store.