Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

V iolet

The air was tense as I sat on the couch in Fiona and Grams's transformed living room. My gaze was fixed on the goddess that was more often a pain in our side than anything else. It wasn't every day that Artemis paid us a visit. And I had never seen her looking as disheveled as she did. Her usually impeccable demeanor was marred by ratty hair, wide eyes, and a sense of urgency that was evident in the way she spoke and acted.

Artemis's appearance had startled us all. Fiona, Aislinn, and I exchanged wary glances. I knew my best friends well enough to know they were just as unsure as I was about what to do now.

Fiona, never one to mince words, cut straight to the chase. "Artemis, why is Metis coming after you now? Seems like she's been harboring this grudge for ages."

Artemis hesitated, her expression clouded with uncertainty. Her ethereal presence commanded the attention of everyone in the room. The air crackled with anticipation as we waited for her to explain. I looked at the eclectic group that made up my family. No one there was related to me by blood but they meant more to me than the world. And they were ready to unravel the mysteries of this divine conflict with me. I couldn't do it without them.

"Metis is patient and cunning. She waits for the perfect moment to strike." Artemis's eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and determination.

Aislinn leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "But what changed? Why now?"

Artemis paced the room, her steps echoing against the stone walls. "As I said, Metis and I have always been at odds over our beliefs. She values subtlety and manipulation, while I stand for strength and honor. Our clash was inevitable." She said this as if we were putting her out by asking again.

Grams crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at the goddess. "You've said that. It's not going to make us forget. We want to know why she waited so long. If she disagrees with you so vehemently, why not act sooner?" I held my breath waiting to see if Artemis would lash out.

To my relief, Artemis paused her pacing and her gaze went distant as she pondered the question. "Metis is a strategist. She bides her time, waiting for the opportune moment when my guard is down and my focus elsewhere."

Bas leaned forward bracing his elbows on his knees. "Why choose a shield? What's its significance in all this? And does it pose a danger to others?"

Artemis's expression darkened. "The shield symbolizes power and protection. Metis aims to undermine my authority and diminish my influence. She crafted it to target me. It should not do anything to anyone else."

Thanos looked over at Bas and expounded on Artemis's answer. "The direct risk to Fiona, Violet, and Aislinn is minimal. The relic might try to take some of their power, but it won't be able to do much. They're unique and not of Artemis's blood. Metis herself is another thing altogether. It is clear that Metis's motives are deeply rooted in her desire to challenge Artemis's position among the divine."

His comment loosed Artemis's lips, and she elaborated on the complexities of her feud with Metis. The room buzzed with speculation and analysis as she spoke. Surrounded by my family, who questioned and probed, I marveled at Artemis's resilience in the face of this conflict. She was in grave danger and she'd chosen us to defend her.

As Artemis shared more about her predicament, the weight of our new quest settled upon me. Metis was an elusive goddess responsible for crafting a deadly shield. She was no ordinary deity.

As if she'd read my thoughts, Artemis said, "Metis is cunning and resourceful. Once a trusted advisor to Zeus himself, she possesses unparalleled intelligence." Artemis's frustration was clear in her voice.

Fiona cut to the chase. "I have a hard time believing Metis would risk so much by creating a relic that would make you mortal. What's the real reason she made a shield to drain your power, Artemis? What's her issue with you?"

Artemis's response revealed a deeper conflict rooted in jealousy and ambition. "Metis views me as a threat. A rival to her grand designs. She knows I'm better than she is."

Aislinn probed further. "Sounds like a classic case of jealousy. Did you steal her favorite concubine or something?"

Artemis's glare silenced Aislinn. "Metis seeks to weaken me, diminish my divine essence. She aims to prove her superiority among the gods. Does anything else really matter?"

Bas growled and glared at Artemis. Fiona put a hand on his back, trying to calm him down. "Our questions are falling on deaf ears. She's not going to tell us more. And in the end, it doesn't really matter. The way I see it, we have no choice. If Metis succeeds, she will pose a danger to us and we can't allow her that."

I changed the topic to our next steps. "Where do we even begin?" Needing to hunt down an elusive shield was vague as hell. What did that even mean? Would we hunt down Metis? Or use Artemis's power as a lure? The possibilities seemed endless.

"Metis was once closely associated with Zeus," Artemis revealed in a voice tinged with concern. "You should start by seeking out any remaining Titans who might know of her whereabouts. Many of them live on Earth, and they will be your best bet."

Aislinn was clearly frightened by the idea. "Do you think any Titans would be willing to help us? They're not known for their friendliness toward your generation and we are doing this for you."

Artemis tilted her head from side to side. "It won't be easy, but we have no choice. Metis's power must be contained before it grows out of control."

"How will the others on Olympus respond to them interfering in what they might deem as their matters?" Thanos asked.

"They shouldn't be a problem. Metis believes that the gods have grown complacent," Artemis explained. "She sees herself as a catalyst for change, seeking to assert her dominance over Olympus. No one there wants that and will welcome any help."

Fiona's skepticism was apparent. "You're assuming too much there. Won't they want to find her themselves?"

Artemis's expression darkened. "Metis's intelligence and cunning are unparalleled. We cannot underestimate her. And the others dismiss the remaining Titans because they've ruled over them for thousands of years."

"What about searching for the shield itself? We might be able to locate an energy signature and scry for its location," I suggested.

Artemis pursed her lips as she stared me down. "That is a long shot, but I know how stubborn you lot get when you set your mind to something. We might as well tackle that first so you can get down to the real work."

I rolled my eyes as Artemis gestured to Aislinn, Fiona, and me. We stood and joined her without another word because arguing with her was rarely worth it. She'd conceded to what seemed like the best place to begin. When she gathered us close, I saw that her eyes were gleaming as she channeled her divine power.

It wasn't something I had ever witnessed this close. Suddenly, the air crackled with energy, swirling around us in a whirlwind of brutal forces. I felt a tingling sensation, like static electricity brushing against my skin. I swear the magic was testing our presence. The living room in Pymm's Pondside vanished and it felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions.

For a moment, it felt like something was resisting our intrusion. My heart raced with worry. Would we be rejected and cast aside by whatever ancient realm she'd taken us to? I wished I could see Fiona and Aislinn. I bet money they were as frightened. Thinking of them, I tried to find my courage. We had ventured into the unknown countless times, but this... this was different.

With a final surge of power, the resistance faded, and we were swept through in a rush of ethereal energy. The magic subsided along with the tugging. My feet were back on solid ground. Scanning our surroundings, my senses were overwhelmed by the grandeur. Before us lay a breathtaking vista. We were on a majestic plateau overlooking a valley of celestial beauty. The air was crisp and pure. And when I concentrated my magical feelers, I noted it carried whispers of ancient power that seemed to echo through the stones beneath our feet.

"Welcome to Mount Olympus." Artemis's voice reverberated around us and broke the spell of awe that had enveloped us.

I blinked, still trying to comprehend the reality of our situation. We were standing on the threshold of a realm reserved for gods and goddesses. Our presence was either a testament to our audacity or a sign of Artemis's desperation. I was going with the latter, which put me on edge. I conjured my bow and knocked an arrow so I would be ready to shoot the shield away from her. I suddenly felt very exposed. Metis could find Artemis here easily.

Artemis inclined her head to us and vanished a second later. Fiona's face furrowed in frustration. "How are we supposed to get home without her?" There went my relief at not having the goddess with us anymore.

Aislinn fiddled with an arrow nervously and grimaced. "Shouldn't we worry more about whether we'll be skewered if we're caught?" she asked.

"You both make good points," I replied as I scanned the horizon for any signs of movement or danger. This was Mount Olympus... an otherworldly realm with rules we didn't know. The prospect of encountering divine beings wasn't exactly on my bucket list.

As we stood there, uncertainty hanging in the air, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer magnitude of our predicament. The Backside of Forty coven had ventured into the heart of Olympus, armed with sarcasm and skepticism. I hadn't meant to take us here when I mentioned following the trail of the shield. I was not ready to face whatever this place could throw our way. We were in over our heads.

Fiona pointed to a patch of trees. "We should look around. But be careful using your powers. We don't want to draw any attention."

Aislinn and I nodded in agreement before we headed out. Our footsteps echoed against the ancient stones. The landscape was surreal. We passed through ornate gardens adorned with colorful blooms and statues of gods and goddesses towering over pathways. All the while we could hear the distant murmur of conversations carried on the breeze.

Fiona leaned closer to me, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you think they have ice cream here? I'm suddenly hungry."

Aislinn shot her a disapproving look. "Ice cream, seriously?"

Artemis popped up beside us with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "No ice cream, I'm afraid. Now, stay close. We're approaching the Hall of Revelations," she said before disappearing again.

My hand was on my racing heart as I glared at the spot she'd been. "You could have told us you were still here," I hissed.

There was no response as a wind nudged us to the right. Knowing it was Artemis, we followed. A few seconds later, we enter a grand hall adorned with shimmering tapestries depicting tales of myth and legend. The air hummed with the divine power, and I couldn't shake the feeling that every corner held mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

Fiona's skepticism was palpable. We entered the hall, and Artemis whispered to us, "Metis is no ordinary Titan. She is a powerful ally to many here. They've ignored it as her ambitions grew unchecked. And they won't see it now as she seeks to reclaim her lost glory." Just freaking great.

As we wandered through the grand hall on Mount Olympus, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were intruding on something far beyond our mortal pay grade. This was the worst idea we'd ever had. My feet itched to get the hell out of there. My friends were just as bothered by our situation as I was. Fiona strode ahead, her expression one of curiosity and skepticism. Aislinn trailed behind, scanning our surroundings for danger.

"Remind me why we're playing detective in the gods' backyard again?" I muttered under my breath, earning a knowing smirk from Fiona. I know we had no choice, but this was ridiculous.

"Because Artemis needs our unparalleled wit and charm," Fiona quipped, her eyes traveling over everything. "Where did you first encounter this damn shield, Artemis?" she hissed.

Aislinn's gaze was fixed on a particularly majestic statue of Zeus as she said, "Maybe we should just leave. I can't see how we will be able to pick up the trail with all of this power humming around us."

I opened my mouth to agree and shut it when Artemis led out a back door and into a garden. We were in the heart of Olympus, where the air thrummed with ancient power. We passed by archways adorned with symbols that seemed to shift and shimmer. Despite not being locked inside a room, it was like being in a puzzle box with no clear solution.

Suddenly, Artemis halted in the middle of a clearing surrounded by archways. She narrowed her eyes before locking on one to her right. The marble was etched with elaborate inscriptions. "Here," she said, her voice echoing with authority. "This is where it first came after me."

Fiona raised an eyebrow. "The energy here is no less confusing. Where's the clue we need? Something like, ‘The shield is this way'?"

Artemis shot her a look that could melt marble. "You might not be able to pick up the magic of the relic, but this inscription here is new." She pointed to something that looked Greek to me.

"What does it say or do?" I asked.

Artemis ran a finger over the surface. "The inscription here points to a divine location. Somewhere that might hold answers. Before you ask, no. It doesn't give a precise location."

Aislinn perked up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Looks like we are in for a divine scavenger hunt? We just need to find our starting point. Are there clues we can research?"

We followed Artemis through the archway. A faint glow emanating from a hidden alcove caught my eye. Fiona noticed it, too. "What do we have here?" Fiona voiced, her eyes alight with curiosity.

Artemis stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the space. "This talks about a place of worship."

The alcove was nestled within the ancient stone arches of Mount Olympus and illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from within. With careful eyes, I took everything in. A series of symbols and glyphs were intricately carved into the marble. Their lines were etched deeply into the weathered stone.

The inscription had clearly been crafted by celestial hands. Each character possessed a mesmerizing quality that hinted at their divine origins. The symbols glimmered faintly with a silvery sheen. They caught the light in such a way that they seemed to dance and shift with unseen energy. It was beautiful but told me nothing about what it said.

Some of the glyphs resembled intricate patterns of stars, arranged in a complex sequence that defied mortal understanding. Others resembled ancient hieroglyphs, their meanings obscured by the passage of time and the veil of myth. A sense of wonder and reverence washed over me as I studied the inscription. These markings had been made by powerful gods. It boggled the mind.

Aislinn nudged me. "Does she expect us to decode these symbols? Because I forgot my trusty Olympus reference guide."

A mix of frustration and laughter bubbled within me. Here we were, faced with an enigmatic challenge in the heart of Olympus and no way to understand any of it. I stood there watching Artemis and waiting for her to give us more than a place of worship. That was vague and referred to thousands of possible places. Fiona asked her again what it said and she told the goddess to be as clear as possible for our mortal minds.

Artemis's lips curved into a wry smile. "The translation of these sigils points to a place where fire meets water, where the sun's first light casts its glow..." Her words trailed off as she spun around.

Following the goddess's gaze, I tried to decipher the riddle. "So, we're looking for a temple that's probably not next to a fish market?"

Fiona rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure. Let's find the one temple in the world that's half volcano, half river."

Artemis grabbed my hand and Violet's. "You mortals always think in such literal terms. Trust your instincts, and the path will reveal itself." Something shiny twinkled in the distance. My heart started racing. What was that? "We must get out of here, now. Before your presence is noted. I don't need Zeus coming after me, too." Artemis's voice was harried and Fiona grabbed hold of my other hand.

The last thing I saw before we vanished was a weathered, silver shield with some kind of creature on the front. I didn't get a good look at the thing and didn't have time to tell Artemis to wait so we could try and catch the thing. She wouldn't listen anyway. From the sounds of it, she barely managed to get it off of her the first time.

Returning home from the realm of Mount Olympus felt like being whisked through a portal into comfort and normalcy. She might have been terrified of the shield reaching her, but she still transported us with an effortless grace that belied the immense power behind it. The movement this time was surprisingly smooth, leaving us standing once again in the familiar surroundings of Pymm's Pondside.

Back in the cozy living room, Fiona wasted no time in formulating a plan. "Before we start looking into the temple that is both a volcano and a river, we should contact Nylah. She's a Relic Keeper and has powers to deal with artifacts. Her expertise might hold the key to unlocking the shield's location. And if she can't do that, she might be able to protect Artemis from it somehow."

Aislinn was already dialing Nylah's number. She held the phone aloft, putting the call on speaker so we could all participate in the conversation. Artemis wandered from our group and headed up the stairs. When Nylah answered, Fiona launched into a detailed explanation of our latest predicament, describing the shield and the cryptic inscription we had uncovered during our journey.

Nylah listened intently. "While I would like to see Artemis get a taste of her own medicine, I don't want you guys to suffer. I'm not sure I can be of any help. I can certainly try to search for it using my powers, but I've recently discovered divine artifacts are notoriously tricky. The protections woven into them by the gods are formidable."

Fiona's determination remained unwavering. "Can you tap into your Relic Keeper abilities remotely? We don't want you to have to travel all the way here unless necessary. We know how much you value your life."

Nylah chuckled softly, her voice tinged with humor. "Yes, I can. Based on your description, I'll give it my best shot."

"We won't hold our breath," Artemis called out as she descended the stairs. "Metis has guarded the artifact with spells even I can't get through. If I could, I wouldn't have come here asking for help."

"Hello, Artemis. Thanks for your confidence. I'll do my best, Fiona. I'll call if I find anything."

We thanked her and hung up the phone. Aislinn held up a book. "Should we start trying to figure out where that symbol was sending us?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," I agreed.

We recited the enigmatic clues etched into the alcove of the marble archway so Grams, Bas, Thanos, and Argies could offer their opinions. Bas furrowed his brow, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Fire meeting water... It could signify a volcanic area near the sea. Perhaps somewhere like Santorini?"

Thanos nodded in agreement, his gaze trained on Artemis, who was perched on a chair she'd created earlier. "Yes, Santorini fits the description. It's known for its volcanic activity and stunning coastal scenery."

Argies set the beer he'd been drinking on the coffee table as he got involved in the discussion. "We need to be more specific. Santorini has ancient ruins and temples. Maybe there's a connection to Hephaestus, the god of fire."

Grams grabbed a book off one of the bookshelves and started flipping through the pages as she said, "The Temple of Hephaestus could indeed be our destination. It's said to be a place where fire and water converge in mythological symbolism."

Artemis observed our deliberations with a hint of amusement. "This is why I chose you to become my hunters. You and yours have a knack for unraveling divine puzzles. Hearing your analysis, I believe Santorini's Temple of Hephaestus is the place you seek."

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement mingled with apprehension. "Santorini is beautiful. Volcanic landscapes embraced by the Aegean Sea. It's the perfect place to keep a powerful shield."

Bas turned to Artemis. "We'll make arrangements to travel there. Is there anything else we should know? Any traps or trials we will encounter?"

Artemis's gaze turned serious. "I cannot give you specifics because I don't have them. None of us reveal our protections. You need to exercise caution. And be aware that Metis's influence may have tainted the temple. Be prepared for the unexpected."

We concluded our discussion with a sense of purpose. "We will leave for Santorini as soon as we can catch a flight," Fiona said, but she was distracted by already looking up a way to get there.

We readied ourselves for the journey to Santorini and the Temple of Hephaestus. I noted how myth and magic were pressing upon us. What would Metis do to us as we ventured to a volcanic island?