Acheron
I was sitting in my temple when I felt a disturbance. It came from where I kept the statues of the god's. I transported myself down to the basement where I kept the statues of the gods that Matera had turned to stone. I glanced at them and froze. One was kneeling; none of the statues were ever kneeling. I walked over and knelt down in front of it. It was Artemis. I could see the wet tear stains still on her face.
"No. What did you do?" I felt guilty.
Wait guilty? Why the hell did I feel guilty? I should be relieved that I never have to deal with her again. That Artemis would never be able to touch me again! However, knowing that it wasn't Artemis in stone before me hurt. This woman had given me everything I had ever wanted. All I felt was guilt. A warm light radiated from the stone statue and an orb appeared before me. A letter floated down into my hands. My name was scrawled across the top.
"No." I grabbed it and opened it.
Dear Acheron(Ash),
By the time you read this it means you have found me turned to stone. I do not want you to feel guilty or think it is your fault. It's not. None of it is. The day I woke up as Artemis, I knew what I had to do. I knew what I was going to do and nothing or no one could have stopped me. Its why I kept to myself. Stayed isolated. I also never introduced myself, I am Kaori. I never told you my name the day you found out I was a different person. I didn't want to because for my plan to work I needed to be just Artemis. I was 15 years of age when I came across the legend of Acheron and Styxx in my world. You and your brother had your own legends written from your perspectives. I knew everything, and I knew what I could and couldn't fix.
There are many things you do not know about your brother or he, you, but it is imperative that you know Estes did not only do those things to you.
I froze. Not only to me? He did that to Styxx? It was as though someone had wrenched everything I knew about my brother and thrown it in the river Styx. I glanced down and carried on.
I know it is a shock to find that out after all these years, but his actions make sense now. You don't remember because of Estes. The drugs he used made you forget. He sold you and your brother at the same time for a period of time. You should also know the day you were gelded for Nefertiti's lies, that was not Styxx. Simply an imposter pretending to be Styxx. I know that it's hard to hear, but I know so much. I know what really happened during that year that someone was pretending to be him. You had Rhyssa. Styxx had no one. Until he met Bet'anya. The goddess I freed. I understand you might be angry, as will Matera, but Bet'anya is different from the rest of her pantheon. She is the rare one who was planning on becoming mortal to spend the rest of her life with Styxx. That is no longer necessary because you and your brothers life are connected.
I didn't do this for me. I didn't free Bet'anya just because I could. I did it because her being turned to stone can be traced back to Artemis's selfishness and cruelty. I did what I did and told you these things because sometimes you only have part of the story. There are two sides to everything. I felt a connection with you and your brother through reading your legends. I understand your pain and the things you went through. You are who you are today because of the evil things those people and gods did to you. You and I are people who no longer are under the thumb of our captors. We found our freedom, even if the road to it was hard. We are understanding where others are not. So be free, Acheron. Live your life and love. Live in the moment. Live the life you should've when you were human. Be happy Acheron. Lastly, never ever feel guilty for this. I did this, it was my decision. My decision to right the wrongs of Artemis. Just as it was when I had to save my brothers and sisters from my fathers rape. I was Ryssa. I knew the struggle she went through to protect you. Except I succeeded. I was the eldest of six. I may have saved them from ever having to go through what I did, but it didn't come without pain and sadness. So be happy okay? Live life for yourself. You will never have to feed from me again. It is my final gift to you.
A warm green light surrounded me. Artemis's statue was glowing as well.
Farewell Acheron,
Your friend, Kaori.
Pain erupted in my chest. The green glow vanished and I felt tears fall down my face.
"No! No, no, no, no! She didn't deserve this! No!" It felt like someone was crushing me from the inside out.
Inu
When I came too I was in Akri's temple. I quickly sat up only to find to glowing orbs in front of me.
"No! Dammit! No!" I grabbed them.
I tore mine open.
Dear Inu,
I'm sad I never got to learn your real name. I'm also sorry I never told you mine. I know why you ended up in Artemis's temple. Your Akri sent you to keep an eye on me. By the time you read this I can't promise we will ever see each other again so I'm going to say what I need to in this letter. I was great full to have you around.
You were there when I needed you most, even though you stayed as a dog most of the time. The important thing is you were there when things got tough. You became someone I cared dearly about. I didn't care that Apollymi sent you to keep an eye on me. I knew she would. That didn't ever bother me in the least. I hope you can forgive me for putting you to sleep. I do not want to say goodbye, but that is what this is.
Thank you for being with me.
With love,
Kaori.
I gripped the letter tight in my hands. I couldn't understand why I was so angry and hurt. I just wanted to shake her and knock some sense into her! Why! I ripped the letter into pieces.
"Chatos?" I looked up.
Apollymi, my Akri was standing there. I felt hurt. My chest felt tight. Her letter glowed and floated to her.
"She's gone, Akri! Gone!" I punched a column.
"Who's gone Chatos?" I glanced at her.
"Artemis. She's gone." Akri looked alarmed.
She quickly opened the letter.
Apollymi
"Who's gone Chatos?" He looked at me.
I saw so much pain and sadness in his eyes. He was also angry.
"Artemis. She's gone." He sounded heartbroken.
I wasted no time opening the letter in my hand.
Dear Matera,
If you're reading this, then I'm gone. I will tell you what happened, but as my final wish I need two things. One, please don't hate me for what I'm about to do. I plan on freeing Bet'anya.
I stopped. I felt betrayed. She knew my sons history and she still let her go!? No! I won't allow it.
Please.......I know you're angry, but.......continue please.
The anger dissipated. She sounded so weak. I looked back down at the letter.
You're angry. I have no doubt about that. That won't stop me from saying this. Bet'anya didn't deserve what was done to her. I know you were hurting, you wanted someone to pay for your baby boy. However, one thing I learned as a human is two wrongs don't make a right. Bet'anya never hunted for Apostoles. Never seriously tried to find him. It didn't matter of the threat that faced her. She was not going to be a part of a man hunt for an innocent child.
Matera, I was raped. As was my mother and her mother before her. I come from a line of survivors, but I also had to learn not listen to others. I had to make decisions for myself about people. Read people, be cautious. I wanted to break the cycle. You continued the cycle of what you had to do to yourself. You did it to another. I pray you won't do it again. Bet'anya is different from so many of the other gods in not only her own pantheon, but the other ones as well.
She based the decision to not go after Apostoles based on her beliefs. She knew that it was not right. Just as she fell in love with a human. The other gods probably wouldn't have agreed, but she doesn't treat humans as objects. She knows that there are some humans who could be better than some of the gods and goddesses out there.
So please as my last and final wish. Let her go. I have already taken her place. I have been turned to stone. So please even if I do make it back, or even if I don't. Just leave them be. I was happy to have met you Matera. My time has run short. I know someday that you will see your other son and the lover you once lost.
Farewell Matera,
Kaori.
Tears were in my eyes, but they didn't fall. A part of me felt like I was losing another child.
"Akri?" I glanced at Chatos.
I tried to sense her. I felt nothing. She was gone.
"I promise on the river Styx that I will let Bet'anya and Styxx of Didymos live without any interference from me." I felt a warmth surround me.
Thank you Matera.
"You foolish girl!" She was gone.
Chatos came to me.
"It's okay to cry, Akri. I'm sad too." I looked up at him.
I felt a tremble throughout my temple. I heard a heartbroken cry. It was Apostoles. It was times like this where I could go to him.
"Go make sure my son is alright." Chatos was gone.
Styxx
I was fuming over that stupid goddess. Artemis was no better than her stupid brother! I hate her! I hate all of them! I just want Bet'anya back! I turned and kicked a chest. A soft green light appeared and a letter was floating in the air. I frowned. I stepped forward and grabbed the paper. I saw my name and opened it.
Dear Styxx,
By the time you read this I will have become stone. I needed to say a few things to you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the things that were ever done to you in your life. I'm sorry that I angered you earlier as well. You see, the Artemis that drugged your brother the night your sister died is gone.
I stopped. I couldn't read this. I began to set it down.
Please.
That one word made me pause. It wasn't saying please. It was the tone of her voice. I could hear the desperation as clear as day. I glanced down at the letter. I took a deep breath and continued reading.
I am a new Artemis. I am human. Once I knew where I was I began fixing mistakes the old Artemis made. Not all of them I could fix. My name is Kaori. I was a young child when my father began paying special attention to me as Estes did to you and Acheron. I had planned to let my father continue so I could see my brothers and sisters grow up. However there came a day when I knew I was getting to old,
He had begun doing things to my two year old sister. I went for help. I fought tooth and nail to protect them and I won. Almost like Ryssa did. Ryssa was a day away from saving Acheron. I know you don't like Acheron, but I have told him some of the things that have happened to you both. I mentioned in my letter why he has no recollection. He'll probably come around sooner or later to speak about it. I don't have much time so onto something more important.
I am writing to you because I have taken Bet'anya's place. I have also given her the knowledge of your son. I will say this. You have met him. I will let your wife tell you the rest.
I heard a thud. A pile of supplies appeared. I turned back to the letter.
I have prepared a care package for you. Everything you and Bethany will need to start a new life. I wish you the best Styxx. Be happy. Apollymi will not come after you or Bet'anya. I swear upon the river Styx that Apollymi will not come after Bet'anya or Styxx of Didymos. You two will be safe. I wish you luck.
Kaori
I took a seat. A complete stranger had put me and my brother first. She had done everything she could to fix Artemis's mistakes. I would see Bet'anya. I would have my Bethany back.
"Thank you." I heard a knock at the door.
I rushed forward and yanked open the door. It was Bethany. I pulled her inside and into my arms.
"My Bethany. You're back!" I pressed my face against her throat.
Thank you, Kaori.
Bet'anya
After I jumped through the portal I was in the desert in front of a house. I went to knock on the door, but a green orb appeared in front of me. Inside was a letter. I grabbed it. I saw my name. I opened it.
Dear Bet'anya,
I really don't have many things to say to you, partially because I plan on telling you everything you need to know. However I wish to formally introduce myself. I am Kaori. I know it doesn't really matter because I am stone, but I wanted you to know my real name. Have a happy life Bethany. You and Styxx deserve that. I wish I could've gotten to know you better, but I am happy that I simply got to meet you.
Farewell,
Kaori.
It was short, but I saw the tear stains throughout the page. I waisted no time in knocking on the door. I hadn't seen Styxx in years. I wasn't prepared for the door suddenly opening. I was pulled into an embrace.
"My Bethany. You're back!" He pressed his face against my throat.
The anguish in those four words made my throat close up. I held him to me tightly. I closed my eyes as he started mumbling something.
Thank you. He was thanking her for keeping her word.
I smiled.
Thank you Kaori, for being a goddess he could trust.
I would forever be grateful.