I hated being the child of Aphrodite.
Nope. I LOATHED being the daughter of Aphrodite.
Why did my biological mother have to be her? That pink-obsessed, fling-obsessed fashionasia!
I also hated my father, I mean WHAT FATHER THROWS THEIR CHILD OUT OF THE WINDOW?
Well, I can't really hate him because I never knew him and... I didn't die. Even though my adoptive mother said she found me bleeding onto the ground in front of her temple with a stick poking through my chubby baby arm and she healed me with her awesome healing powers because she is AWESOME.
I grew up with skills nobody would expect a daughter of Aphrodite to have. Be able to run 26 miles at full sprint in 45 minutes, be able to shoot a bulls-eye from 150m away and actually be friends with the Maiden Goddess herself.
Sometimes, when Artemis was away on missions sent by Zeus, she left me in the care of Athena and Selene.
Not exactly the best match either. (But oh well)
They would squabble over who was the most responsible and who should spend more time looking after me. In my opinion, I really didn't mind. I thought, if those two actually tried to be compatible, they might eventually become best friends. I felt sorry for Aphrodite, sometimes. That is, I don't think she knows that I'm alive, she might not even care for me in the first case. So, I re-
"Are you even listening to me? As brilliant you are at sword-fighting, you still do need to pay attention." Athena interrupted my train of thoughts.
Athena is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, weaving and handicrafts. She always wears the same outfit, I mean, she could have some better taste for war. Like why wear a sleeveless white dress that goes to your ankles? And only wear a chest plate and helmet? Like poor shins! If you really are going to do that, maybe add on a golden rope to tie the sword on? Make the dress knee length and add on Greaves to protect your shins? You could go in deadly yet beautiful. And- that was my inner Aphrodite coming out, with my Artemis way of thinking.
"Pay, attention." She was now drawing up a huge mind map of how to grip a sword.
"Yes Miss." I drawled, really, Athena needed better ways to teach. She can't always teach theory, I need to do some practical work. And I usually use knives or a bow.
"So as you know..."
Athena suddenly stopped, then she rolled her eyes and said, "Selene's waiting. And it's night time. Time flies by doesn't it?"
But I didn't hear her, I jumped up and ran over to Selene. And she took me to the woods. No one saw the look of jealousy written all over Athena's face.
"So, Selene. What are we doing? I want to be as brave as mother."
"First, how many times has Artemis told you not to call her mother? And second, she wasn't always this brave. Third, in answer to your question, I'm teaching you how to control moonlight. That's why the moon is out."
"Wow!" I jumped up and down with excitement. "But what about Artemis not always being thi-"
"Never you mind that. Now, hold your hands out in a grabbing gesture, concentrate on the moonlight and try moving it around. Like this." She demonstrated, turning the moonlight into elaborate patterns, finally shaping it into a dove. She solidified it and gave the model to me. "Here, a moonstone dove, to remind you of your mother and the goddess who raised you, remember to keep it safe, treasure it. You never know maybe it could save your life one day." She had a small smile on her face. And she kissed my cheek. "Now, come along, Artemis is waiting."
Walking along, I tried to form shapes of moonlight in my palms.
Key word: TRIED.
Well... I guess I just needed more practice.
I was really fond of Artemis, well she did look after me as a child and made me the girl I am. I really thank her for that.
"MUMMY!" I squealed rushing over to her and hugging her. I pulled back when I noticed her wince. " Oh, sorry. I didn't know! Are you ok? Where does it hurt? Are you going to be fine?"
"Woah. Give Arty a break. But what is wrong?"
Artemis didn't reply instead she removed her arm from her side and collapsed onto the floor her fingers spasming slightly.
"MUMMY!" I screamed. I swore all of Olympus could hear me. "Selene! Wh-what's wrong with Mummy?" I could feel tears prickling in my eyes. "WHAT'S WRONG?"
"Chimera, Chimera bite from the tail. Poisonous. Need Pollo. Qui- Zeus is calling a meeting." she staggered to her feet. "I-I need to go. Selene stay with Sapphi-"
"NO. I'M COMING TOO!" I protested. Mother rolled her eyes, and we flashed away. Selene was standing there, and a lone tear rolled down her cheek.