The Demi-Goddess of the Alpha

09

Artemis

I gasped as I made my way out to the Gate of the Underworld. Nervousness was the first thing that dominated my whole body while running fast.

I have a wound on the thigh caused by Persephone's almost hit on me while I was trying to escape from the Underworld. At those times, I could not use my powers because the Underworld forbids the usage of magic to keep it from being invaded by other Gods.

To do so, I did a technique to get in... I offered coats to Persephone. But, I know by the time Zeus found out about it, I would receive a triple punishment for betraying the King of the Underworld, Hades.

I held in my right hand the Water of Reviving that I stole right under the Ocean of Death while I conspired with Orpheus to put the three-headed dog Cerberus to sleep using the magic of Charon to do so.

I did all of this to help Orpheus revive Eurydice, and I admit I regret ever doing so. I am known as brave because I am the Goddess of Wild Animals, but I still have a soft heart to gods that I pity because I have experienced how to lose a loved one.

"Chase her! Chase that traitor!" Persephone shouted angrily as the various souls in the Underworld slowly came out and started chasing after me.

I ran even faster, but I always fell because of my wound that keeps on making me wince every time I take a step.

"s**t!" I cursed when a soul released by Persephone held my leg. At this time, Hades is not yet in the Underworld, which is in my favour because I would not be able to escape alive if he were in his kingdom.

I immediately hid the Water of Reviving inside the coat and began to pull a golden arrow behind me. I touched, and a streak of light appeared right in front of the dark shadow, and it vanished into thin air. I began to panic when I suddenly heard Hades' voice from afar.

"Persephone, what happened here?" he asked as I accelerated my pace. I immediately closed my eyes in pain when suddenly, someone pulled me from behind.

"Be quiet, or I will push you. It's me, Hermes," he whispered from behind while covering my mouth with a handkerchief. In what he was doing, it was as if he was k********g me. I didn't know he is a Guide here in the Underworld, and I wish I could have asked him for help right away.

"What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're going to Hades?" he asked me, suspicious with why I am here. I am always original, I will never have an affair with other God, and besides, Hades is known for being loyal to Persephone.

"Just be quiet to the other Gods. I stole the Water of Reviving and Persephone was now hunting me," I said, and he was shocked with what I said as if he didn't believe it when I suddenly took it out of my coat. "See?" I added while his eyes were filled with amazement with the thing in front of him.

He was about to touch it when I pushed him away. "Don't touch it, you know... When you touch it, it will make a loud sound," I teased him as I hid it back in my coat.

"Why did you steal it? Zeus and Hades will punish you!" he said while emphasising in his voice that he was giving me a warning. I know I will be punished for what I did, but... I know that I made the right choice helping Orpheus and Eurydice to be happy again.

"I just want to help Orpheus," I said as I bent down. I could not hide the embarrassment I felt, mostly because je is another Guide in the Underworld. Hades will surely punish him too.

"Can you just help me one last time? I promise I will forever be grateful," I said while looking at my wound that won't stop bleeding.

"No ... It will be bad for you. Just return it while Hades hasn't found out," he said while holding out his palm but I immediately rejected him and started to sit down.

"Hermes, I just want to help for the last time. Rather than wasting all our efforts to get it, I know that Zeus will not punish me too much because I am his child," I said while trying to smile at him. He immediately sighed and held out his hand to me.

"Fine, but before that, I will heal your wounds," he said to my surprise. Since when did he learn to heal? "I know that you're curious, but it's not some power. I only got it in the Sphere of Mortals when I once brought a message about Zeus' mortal affair," he said, and we can't help but laugh.

There is really nothing we can do about our father because even Hera scolds us because of him.

"Okay, done. Now you can run as fast as you can but, tell me what is the favour you want me to do?" he asked while looking at the messages inside his bag. I stared at him because he really managed to search for letters while I was in danger.

"Bring this to Orpheus and tell him, f**k you!" I told him, and he swallowed. Maybe he would not accept it because he's scared fear but good thing he slowly took the coat and started flying like Peter Pan.

He even saluted as he left. I was sure Hades would not be able to catch up with him. I slowly came out of the Gate when someone grabbed my shoulder.

"My lovely nephew," Hades said as his appearance was engulfed in flames that almost scorched me when he touched me. It looks like I will receive the punishment I am preparing for.

Artemis

I have been in Del for a few hours because I stole the water of reviving but, fortunately, Hermes got that thing from me so they can get nothing from me.

"Artemis, it's now your turn," said a guard while carrying the gold key and I waited for it to speed up so I could escape but, he suddenly laughed out loud.

"It's wrong, the key to the Goddess' cage is different," he said and patted me on the forehead. What is this older man? "Keys!" I shouted as the key went into my hand, and I opened it. He was too slow; I was about to run but, suddenly, the wound I fell on was numb.

"Oh, what are you doing now? So, no one can get out of here imprisoned because we hurt them. Once you step out of your cell, your wound will hurt so we still use a wheelchair," he said while pulling the equipment he was saying. I immediately smirked and walked to myself. I'm Artemis, and I have pride.

"No thanks, Mortals," I said and strolled as I felt my wound open more. I need Aceso! She will probably help me cure my wounds.

When we arrived, he immediately pushed me into a chair while Hades and Zeus stood in front of me, "Artemis, what did you do?" he asked while the other Gods are staring at me.

"I didn't do anything; besides, I'm in the Underworld to give Hermes a letter," I said but only anger formed on Hades' face as he slowly made a cloud with his hand and started to say a word. It looks like he intends to take my memory earlier, but I can't agree.

"Setepeno!" I shouted to everyone's surprise because it was strictly forbidden to use it. After all, you could completely forget your memory, but before I closed my eyes, I smiled at Zeus.

"I don't regret anything," I said and this time my lid closed completely. I cursed myself for losing my memory, and I wouldn't allow Hades to know where his water of reviving was finally. Never!

***

I woke up to the light hitting my eyes, who am I? What is my name?

I was wearing a long cloth that wrapped around my body; it was white but, where did it come from?

"You're awake," said a voice next to me while lying on a chair, and it was relaxed confidently.

"Who are you?" I asked but, he just looked into my eyes as it was shrouded in mystery that I didn't know why.

I looked around, and it was just a plain white, while we were the only two people here, who is this man?

I was about to get up when my leg suddenly ached, and I saw a trace of the wound there, but, he immediately touched my waist. "What are you doing? Can you just be careful for yourself?"

"You're awake," said a woman as she walked closer to where the two of us were, which I immediately arranged.

She was wearing a red dress as she approached me and suddenly slapped me. "Why did you do that?" I heavenly said but, she just stared at me and turned away. This one is...

"I'm just looking to see if you're okay, by the way, new students know the limitations. I am Athena's child, Annabeth, the only one who's in rank number one," she said while smiling softly at me and pulling my hair to whisper that thing. I am confused.

"Well, Annabeth. I don't even know you, and besides, rank doesn't matter to me," I replied and pulled her hair back to say that thing.

"Can you just stop it, Annabeth? What does a beginner like her know about your rank, or don't tell me you're scared of her?" asked the man, who was now standing between us. I like his attitude.

"Tsk! Mister rank number two, don't tell me what to do and who is she to be scared of?" she said as she confidently walked out. I feel like I heard the name, "Athena" before. But, the strange thing is, my blood boils when I hear that. Who is she? Where the hell I am?

I was about to walk out also to see where I was when this man stopped me. "I'm Cimmerian, son of Poseidon. I found you in the forest when I was on my mission, what are you doing in back there? " he asked but, instead of me answering his question my head suddenly hurt and I gradually felt my body falling.

***

"What should we do, King Zeus?" Aphrodite asked while holding Ares' hand in her right hand and on her left, her forehead as if startled by what happened.

"I need the water of reviving, Zeus! If you can't give it back to me, a war will declare in the Underworld and Olympus," Hades said as he glaring looked as if he could bring the whole part of the Court Room in Del to the Underworld at any time.

"Relax, Hades. Artemis is one of the Olympus Goddess, and you can't punish her," Zeus said calmly but, Hades just twisted the sand in his hand while evilly looking at Artemis who was sleeping soundly.

"Well, you can. The curse of Seredeus that I have in my hand can make her turn into a demigoddess for forbidding the rule of the Gods, don't tell me you didn't know about it?" Hades asked as he said it sarcastically and stared at Zeus badly.

"That curse is forbidden in the Olympian's Gods and Goddesses!" he argued but, all of a sudden the whole sky darkened at the same time the blackness of the flowers around and the curse of Seredeus dripped into Zeus' hand.

"If you want to have your vault of lightning back, pour it in the wound of Artemis," he said while showing a vault containing Zeus' lightning from which his power comes.

He did nothing but drop it, that all the Goddesses and Gods watching was surprised. Hades smiled at what he did. "Now, give it back to me!" Zeus said but, at that moment the dust suddenly swallowed Hades and disappeared.

The vault of lightning was stolen by Hades, and now, the curse of Seredeus was affecting in Artemis body. What will happen now?

***

The night was dark and menacing. A full moon shone high in the sky, illuminating the otherwise pitch-black night.

Howls were heard in the far distance as a young Flion Drottghes, in full werewolf form, ran through the woods, making the leaves rustle as he swiftly passed through the bushes.

He panted heavily as he ran, his paws barely touching the ground for one second-- he lept, jumped, and sprinted through the woods to observe the human village that stood right beside it.

Visiting the village was a fond hobby of his. Humans intrigued him. They were just as-- if not more complex than werewolves.

Flion stopped right behind two bushes and crouched down so that no one could see him.

He gazed at a small hut that stood right before the forest. Sometimes, he even talked to the villagers while in human form.

The wolf watched as the townsfolk went about their business. There was some sort of commotion-- Flion heard various noises and chatter. He couldn’t make out all the words, but they were something along the lines of “baby” and “vampires”.

A couple went out of the village borders, past the house that stood closest to the edge of the forest. Flion’s ears perked up as he slowly backed away and hid behind a few trees. What were these humans thinking, going into the forest?

The woman seemed distraught while the man bore a scowl on his face.

He carried a small basket on his left hand, while his wife carried a pitchfork.

“Oh, oh, my baby…” She cried as she stared at the basket.

“It’s what’s best for us.” Her husband replied stoically.

“If we let her live, the vampires would obliterate the whole human race. You know that.”

“How can we be so sure?” The woman grabbed the basket and tried to snatch it from her husband.

“How can we be so sure she is the sacrifice that they need?” Her husband pulled the basket away as his wife sobbed in despair.

“She’s already dead. There’s nothing you can do about it.” And with that, he threw the basket onto the grass and walked away. His wife soon followed, crying and pleading.

After they were finally out of the woods, Flion walked towards the basket that reeked of blood and peered inside.

There was a baby, bloody and lifeless. The wolf stepped back, shocked at the sight.

They had killed an innocent mortal baby.

Feelings of sympathy washed over Flion as he stared at the small corpse.

She was a baby.

She had a whole life ahead of her, and her parents just took it away, all because of the prophecy.

A mortal baby had to be killed in order to fend off the vampires forever. But Flion could care less about the prophecy, especially since a dead body was right before his eyes.

He knew what he had to do.

The wolf raised his head up to the sky and howled, harnessing all the power he had inside him-- the Fire of Life.

It was a power unique to the Drottghes dynasty.

His father had it before him, and so did his other ancestors. Among all the powers that one could possess, the Fire of Life was the most coveted, especially by the vampires.

This power was the only power that could bring anyone back from the dead. Not just humans, but even dead werewolves and vampires that have been staked at the heart.

The Fire of Life was to be used with caution, as it could only be used once in ten years. Prior to seeing the baby, Flion had never used it. Not once in his lifetime. Granted, he was barely a teenager at the time, but that still spoke a lot about how rare he used this power.

Fire shrouded the basket and encapsulated it in warmth and heat until finally, a baby’s cry was heard. When the fire subsided, Flion grabbed the basket by his mouth and ran through the woods towards where the other werewolves were staying.

He felt drawn to the baby. He felt connected to her-- as if he had some sort of responsibility towards her.

As soon as he reached his habitat, he placed the basket on the ground. The other wolves surrounded him, curious about the wail coming from the basket.

“A human? Flion, what were you thinking?” His adviser, Atlas Lobstrosfoxed, asked.

Compared to Flion, Atlas was more reserved.

He never desired to even do so much as bending the rules. He was a rigid follower of the status quo, and he always discouraged Flion from going out of the woods. Flion, on the other hand, was a free spirit who loved to roam the woods and the outside world more often than he should.

Flion had been orphaned when he was just a baby, making him the Alpha at only six months old. Atlas served as his regent, educating him in the ways of leadership.

“She was killed by her parents because of the prophecy, so I used the Fire of Life to resurrect her,” Flion explained. Atlas huffed and narrowed his eyes.

The other wolves seemed taken aback by this statement.

“You used the Fire of Life? Are you insane?” Atlas asked. Flion simply nodded.

“I couldn’t just leave her there.”

“That’s exactly what you should have done!” Atlas snarled. Flion sighed, not wanting to argue with his adviser anymore.

“You will return that baby immediately,” Atlas commanded.

“No,” Flion said.

“You may be my adviser, but I am the Alpha, and I say we keep her.”

“What is this nonsense?” Atlas looked perplexed.

“Now, now, there’s no need to argue.” One of the wolves, Victoria, assured. Her voice was calm and soothing. She was the tribe’s peacemaker, and she often knew how to resolve conflict in ways that others couldn’t even fathom.

“It’s clear that it’s not safe for the baby to return to the human world. Flion, you did the right thing.” She gave Flion a reassuring smile.

“Oh, please, you know very well that he should have left her for dead.” Atlas scoffed.

“I’m a Battlerce, remember? I have mortal blood in me, and yet I fit in with all of you just fine.” Victoria said matter-of-factly.

“But this baby is human. Purely human.

We can’t keep her.” Atlas growled.

“Relax.” Victoria sighed and peered into the basket.

“You won’t be the one raising her. I will.”

Atlas huffed and trotted off, clearly tired of arguing.

Victoria turned towards the baby, who was crying hysterically.

“You’re free now, Caroline.” She smiled. Caroline. That’s what she’d be called.

Raising a mortal was no easy task. They had to feed her, clothe her, and somehow teach her the ways of the wolves even though she was clearly not one of them.

Victoria was like a mother to Caroline.

Over the years, she brought Caroline to villages so she could also be immersed in human culture. Flion often tagged along.

There were several instances where Victoria got into arguments with the pack.

“She has to learn how to fend for herself. She can’t just sit here doing nothing while we hunt.”

“She’s human. She’s not like one of us. She may live with us, but she is not a werewolf, and she will never be a werewolf.” Victoria chose to treat Caroline like a princess, and this vexed the other werewolves.

The fact that Flion grew more and more fond of the young mortal each day vexed them even more.

They wanted her to be just like them-- rogue and wild. And they most definitely did not want Flion near her.

He was the Alpha-- he couldn’t be fraternizing with a mortal. Like Victoria, Flion was also involved in arguments regarding Caroline, most of which he often responded with “I’m the Alpha. I get the final say.”, then everyone would just let him go about his business.

Humans always fascinated him and having Caroline, an actual mortal being, in his midst paved the way for more curiosities. Although she couldn’t answer most of his questions since she didn’t exactly live in the mortal world, she provided him with enough insight for him to know what is a mortal was like-- at least, what being a mortal among werewolves was like.

Although Caroline was as human as they make them, there was one lupine trait Caroline inherited-- courage. She loved running and climbing on trees, and she especially loved exploring the woods. She was no damsel in distress. She was fierce and cunning, but still, she did not find favor with all of the wolves.

They considered her a threat just because she was mortal.

They tried to talk Flion and Victoria out of walking with her to villages many times in fear that she would have them hunted down.

They argued that though Caroline was raised by wolves, she still had human nature in her blood, and therefore, she could turn on them.

Flion disagreed.

He didn’t believe that nature towered over nurture. He knew that Victoria had raised her well and that she would be loyal to their tribe.

As Caroline grew older, her pulchritude became even more prominent. Her platinum blonde hair had reached her waist, and her taut, angular face was complemented by her alluring hazel eyes.

Humans in the villages she visited were attracted to her, and so was Flion. The two had grown close over time-- they had practically grown up together.

They would often talk about human nature and how starkly different and yet immensely similar it was to the ways of the wolves. Humans, like werewolves, were also separated into families and groups, although the said groups were more complicated than the werewolves’. Human classifications included age range, race, social status, and even interests.

Werewolves were grouped far simpler.

Their surname dictated their role in the pack-- The Drottghes family were the designated leaders of the pack, the Battlerce were half-bloods, the Argentha were the knights, and the Lobstrofox was second in power to the Drottghes.

Caroline and Flion formed a strong bond, and what had become of their relationship was inevitable-- they fell in love, even though Atlas had explicitly warned Flion not to do just that.

Love was not a foreign concept to werewolves, but it was certainly something else. Falling in love with one’s best friend was how most werewolves came together.

“Love at first sight” wasn’t the case for these creatures.

It was a full moon.

Caroline and Flion had just finished visiting the local village.

They both headed back to the woods and sat next to a willow tree, still in their human forms. Apart from the distant howls heard in the background, the night was silent.

“Do you think that I should just live in the mortal world?” Caroline asked. Flion turned to her and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

“Of course not. You’ve lived with us your whole lives.” He was slightly taken aback by what she had just said. It was the first time she ever uttered those words.

Caroline let out a nervous laugh.

“I mean, it’s not like I’m wanted here. You know how the others talk about me.” She focused her eyes on the willow tree in front of them, avoiding eye contact with Flion.

“I don’t have a scintilla of werewolf blood in me, and besides…” She turned back to Flion and finally plucked up the courage to look him in the eye.

“Nothing is keeping me here.”

They both fell silent for a second before Caroline spoke again.

“Maybe it’s best if I leave.” She gave Flion a small smile and looked down. She slowly got up from where she was sitting, but Flion held her hand before she could leave.

“Wait… You’re leaving now?” He asked, standing up so he was at her level.

“Well, yes. I could stay with Victoria’s relatives, I know where to go. I’ve actually been planning this for…” Caroline abruptly stopped speaking as Flion drew closer to her.

“You said that nothing is keeping you here… Are you sure of that?”

Caroline hesitated.

Their eyes gazed directly at each other. The moment was not how mortals often described it as-- no sparks were flying.

Their eyes didn’t twinkle or shine. The moon stayed the same, and so did the stars.

The world wasn’t the least bit different from how it was two seconds ago. Even as Flion lifted Caroline’s chin up and pressed his lips against hers, everything stayed the same.

Nothing extraordinary or magical happened, except the bond that formed between them at that moment.

They both pulled away from the kiss, and it was at that moment when Flion knew it was love. Not because of how her skin lit up because of the moon and the stars. Not because of the way she looked like that night. Not even because of what she had said.

He knew it was love because of everything that led up to that moment-- the years spent talking about human nature, the moments enjoyed in mortal villages, and the times spent frolicking around in the woods.

It was everything about her-- her smile, her bravery, her beauty.

From the first day he lay eyes on her, he wanted to protect her, and now he knew that he wanted her to be his, officially.