Prologue
1200 BCE Ancient Greece, The Island Of Delos
~Artemis~
The air was clear and the sea calm on that perfect, albeit breezy, day. Delos had undergone a significant transformation since my mother's arrival. It used to be a desolate and windswept place, but now it was adorned with lush palm trees and vibrant gold flowers, celebrating the birth of my twin brother Apollo. This island had become our permanent home, and I was content to spend the rest of my life here with my mother.
However, something felt off about her today. We sat together under a palm tree, basking in the warm embrace of the sun. My mother hummed a tune under her breath, lost in contemplation as she gazed out at the sea, her thoughts seemingly deep and distant. And my curiosity was piqued—what could possibly cause my mother to feel so out of sorts today? "Mom, is everything okay?" I asked tentatively.
My question didn't faze my mother in the least. She continued staring out at the waves. "I've been thinking," my mother said slowly, "That maybe it's time I introduce you and your brother to your father."
Her words caught me off guard, and I furrowed my brow. Meeting our father was something I had expected, but I wasn't exactly thrilled about it. Mom always told us that our dad, Zeus, was the ruler of the gods and the cosmos. However, his reputation for numerous affairs and conquests made me skeptical of him. It was through one of these affairs that my mother became pregnant with us.
"Right now? You mean at this very moment?" I asked, unable to hide my disbelief.
She turned towards me, wearing a gentle smile. "Yes, my dear. We must go and see your father." Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I knew I had to keep my composure. I couldn't show any hesitation on such an important occasion.
"I can see from your face that you're still uncertain," my mother observed, noting my hesitancy. Figures... I could never hide anything from her. She was an expert at reading people.
I responded with a lackluster tone, "Can you really blame me, Mom? Dad has never been there for us. I'm sure the only reason he wants to see us now is because his jealous wife has finally calmed down." I rolled my eyes at the thought.
But before I could say any more, my mother interrupted me. "My dearest moonlight," my mother began, her voice tinged with both sorrow and determination, "as difficult as it may be, you and your brother must take your rightful places as Olympian gods. It is time for you to stand beside your father as the ruler of this world." She paused, her gaze filled with a mix of love and longing. "It is hard for me too, to let you both go. But it is the right thing to do. Your destinies are not here with me, but in Olympus."
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the unease settle in the pit of my stomach. Meeting my father, again, was not something I looked forward to. I would much rather stay with my mother forever, shielding her from the turmoil he had caused. But I wanted to make her proud. She was already grappling with her own doubts about Zeus's intentions towards us. I had to alleviate her fears.
"Fine, whatever you say, Mom. We'll go and meet Dad," I replied reluctantly, a hesitant grin spreading across my lips. "And since I'm going to visit him, I might as well demand a whole bunch of wishes. I want to become the great goddess you want me to be."
My mother laughed, a melodic sound that lifted my spirits. She leaned in and planted a quick peck on my cheek, her warmth enveloping me. "Knowing your father, I highly doubt he'll refuse you. Especially when he sees just how adorable you are," she teased. I stuck my tongue out playfully, knowing she couldn't see it.
With a graceful movement, she rose from her seat, smoothing out her dress. Her hand extended towards me, and I gratefully took it, allowing her to pull me to my feet.
Before long, we found ourselves twirling around so fast, laughter bubbling from our lips. We spun like two carefree girls, caught up in the joy of the moment. When the dizziness finally subsided, she pulled me into her arms, and I leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek.
"Remember, my dear, no matter what happens, I will always love you and your brother," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Those words held a promise, a steadfast commitment that nothing could break. "And Artemis, if you ever find someone special beside me—"
"Eww, Mom! You know I'm not into serious relationships!" I interrupted, cringing at the thought.
"I know, sweetheart, but life has a funny way of surprising us. You never know when you might meet that someone special," she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Yeah, right..."
She nudged me playfully, winking as if she knew something I didn't. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Promise me one thing, Artemis. If you do happen to meet that special someone, promise me you won't give up on them. Sometimes, they might just turn out to be more important than you ever thought," she said, her smile filled with love and wisdom. "Promise me, Artemis," she repeated, her voice firm.
I didn't quite understand why my mother was making me promise the impossible, but regardless of the uncertainty, I nodded and made that promise. "I promise, Mom."
With that, she released my hand and pulled away, her smile still intact. "Now, let's head inside for some lunch before we meet your father. Your brother is probably waiting for us."
I followed closely behind her, cherishing that moment with her. Little did I know that it would become one of the last childhood memories I had of her. I had no way of knowing then that one day, the true meaning of that promise would become clear to me soon...
