Olympiad is Falling, The Rise of Artemis

“Daylen!”

Solaris sent us somewhere. Somewhere safe it had to be, but where in the dysfunctional world was safe right now? I was cold thanks to the mist that hung loosely in the air and grabbed at my skin.

“Artemis?”

A soft mist obscured my vision. Seconds later the mist was sucked in by the ground. Daylen’s doing. I spotted him and ran into his arms and was separated the second I was in his arms.

“Oh my gosh.” I ran my hands through my hair.

“It’s okay. We’ll figure this out.”

“How! They captured your mom. We have no idea where we are.”

“We’re in the mage dimension. Paradis isn’t safe anymore. Now that my secret’s out.”

He pulled me into his arms. It was the safest place for me right now.

“I’m so sorry Daylen.”

He gripped the back of my head, “It’ll be fine.”

“What have they done to Solaris?”

“I have no idea. If I know my mother she should have escaped. She just needed to make sure we were safe first.”

“I don’t get it.” I pulled away from him. I was thinking about now Alpheus could have gotten into Paradis when he was a dark wing.

Daylen’s eyes darted to the corners of the streets. It was quiet and eerie. Moisture was thick in the air. Daylen took my hand again and started leading me away from the street.

“We should find cover.”

But where? I doubted any hotels were in service. People vacated their homes to find safer dimensions or seek refuge in Paradis rescue camps. The bridges beckoned and the buildings sneered each choice didn’t feel good.

Daylen kicked in the front door of a two story building. It looked like it had been abandoned for years, but I was sure it was less than two months.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked.

He squeezed my hand. “It’s safe. For now, anyway.”

I nodded. The furniture was covered in white sheets with the neglect they were going brown. Daylen looked up the staircase.

“Come on. I’m pretty sure no one’s home.”

I followed him up. We went into the first room we saw. Daylen pulled off the white sheet covering the bed from dust to uncover neat dull floral pillowcases and blanket. We looked at each other the corners of his mouth lifted. I shrugged, at least he was smiling.

He climbed on first. I wasn’t sure about getting onto a bed that likely had bed bugs. The covers probably smelt, but what did it matter? I snuggled into my safe space. It was literally just the two of us now. Stella was still missing, I failed to find Rocky, even Orion was gone.

“How could Alpheus have gotten into Paradis?” I asked.

Daylen stroked my hair, “He must be working with someone. Someone strong enough to open a portal for a dark wing.”

“Who?”

“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Jason. Whatever his motives. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was him.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Get some sleep. We’ll come up with something when you wake up.”

I didn’t argue. After a couple minutes of silence. I feel into bliss with Daylen’s arms wrapped around me I felt safe to fall asleep. I dreamt of darkness, of explosions chasing me out of my hiding sports to find Daylen. I was running through the halls of Solaris’ castle to make sure Daylen was okay. My heart thundered when I came face to face with Alpheus the man threatening to steal me from the man I was in love with. I fell through the cracks and was plunged into a deeper darkness.

“Artemis, Artemis,” A sweet melodious voice said my name. I was still asleep.

“Don’t you want to know what happened to your sister?”

“Rocky?” I burst out.

“Come with me and you’ll find out.”

“Who are you?”

“You know who I am Artemis. I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

“Where do I find Rocky?”

“You can join her all you have to do is come with me.”

I was being shaken. “Artemis, wake up damn it.” A male voice frantically said.

My eyes popped open. I took in a breath. Daylen pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “You were dreaming.”

“It felt so real. Someone has Rocky, Daylen. She says I have to find her and go with her.”

“That’s madness. It’s a trap. Forget about it.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Daylen!”

“No. Listen to me my love, it’s a trap to lure you out. We have to move. It could be Hera’s forces they’ve found us.”

How could I leave when hope was bubbling in my chest. When soft laughter came from the room my hope was replaced with fear. A woman with honey blonde hair and an emerald green dress appeared on the doorway. She hung the train of her dress over her shoulder and smiled at us.

“Hera.” Daylen growled.

“It’s too late to run now Daylen dear. Besides, Artemis really wants to know what happened to her sister.”

I gulped. So this was the evil queen responsible for all the devastation in the dimensions.

“What did you do to her?” I demanded.

“She helped me a lot with my plan. Safe to say I wouldn’t have done a lot without your sister’s help.” She said it with a smile, but there was so much malice behind her words.

Daylen pulled me close. I knew we could take her or so I believed.

“You know you can’t take us both.” Daylen said.

“That’s why I brought an army.” She said.

I swallowed. They were no doubt on standby waiting for her to scream or something. Daylen threw out his hand and uttered words in a language I couldn’t understand. A circle appeared on the floor that sucked Hera in. She looked at the glowing circle at her feet. I saw the shock expressed on her face before she was drawn into the circle. Daylen and I scurried off the bed. I stole a peak outside the window to the dark and murky streets. Cold and empty. Where was Hera’s army?

“Where did you send her?”

“I’ll explain later now we have to move.”