The sun hadn't risen yet, but the children were already out of their beds, diligently attending to their chores. Demether was busy cooking, the comforting aroma of breakfast filling the air, while her brothers and sisters went about their tasks. Some were cleaning the bathroom, scrubbing and rinsing with meticulous care, while others tended to their small farm, checking the crops and feeding the animals. The rhythm of their work was a familiar dance, one they performed each morning with practiced ease.
As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, signaling the start of a new day, the children would usually begin their practice. However, today felt different. There was an emptiness in the air, a noticeable absence of three beloved figures. Artemis, Apollo, and Hyakinthos were missing.
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Just yesterday, they had been adopted by three nobles. The remaining children were happy for their siblings, but their joy was tinged with a sense of loss. They recalled their grandmother's stern warning to the new parents: "All right, dear, listen closely. Since we are so near each other, these children will be staying in the noble quarters to acclimate to the new culture. If they feel unwelcome or unhappy in the noble district after a week, I shall take them back."
"Don't worry, Priestess Leto," reassured a woman, her beauty accentuated by the fine violet clothes she wore. "I will make sure to give these two the love they deserve. Artemis here seems to have a talent with the bow; she will be a great hunter. Apollo has a bright mind and would become a great healer, but he needs education."
The old lady nodded in approval. "I agree."
"I will take good care of Hyakinthos," said another woman, younger and equally well-dressed. Her voice carried a note of genuine enthusiasm. "I've never been a mom, but I've always wanted a child. He is a perfect fit for me since I have a garden that needs a hand. You like flowers, don't you, Haya?"
"Y-yes," Hyakinthos replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't lying, but he wasn't entirely comfortable either. Just like Apollo and Artemis, he felt a sense of awkwardness around these women. They could sense their kindness, and it was genuine, but there was a disconnect. To the three children, these women were simply strangers who had barged into their lives, into the orphanage, to adopt them. The unfamiliarity was jarring, and despite their politeness, they couldn't shake the feeling of being uprooted.
That night, the orphanage felt an unusual emptiness. It was the first night without Artemis, Apollo, and Hyakinthos. The usual hustle and bustle seemed quieter, the absence of their laughter and chatter palpable. The children and the caregivers moved through the familiar routines with a subdued energy, each of them acutely aware of the missing members of their family.
It wasn't just the loss of three children that marked that night. Their mother, Merina, had found a husband. Pacificus, a man the children had come to admire and respect, had captured her heart. This wasn't really a loss, though, but more of a transformation, a newfound happiness for the orphanage. They knew that Merina would still visit them from time to time, just like their other mother figure, Asteria. The love and care she had shown them would not be forgotten or diminished by her new role as a wife.
Even the youngest children understood that it was only a matter of time before Merina and Pacificus would marry. The signs were clear to everyone—the way they looked at each other, the tender moments they shared, the palpable bond between them. This new chapter in Merina's life was inevitable and welcomed, though it did bring a bittersweet change.
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Apollo and Artemis woke up early, their internal clocks still synchronized with the rhythms of the orphanage. The sky was still cloaked in darkness, the first light of dawn yet to pierce the horizon. With no chores to attend to, the siblings decided to make use of the mansion's sprawling garden. The air was cool and crisp as they stepped outside, a stark contrast to the warm, stuffy confines of their new rooms.
The garden was a verdant paradise, meticulously maintained and bursting with life. Yet, as they began their routine of drawing their bows and offering prayers to the largest tree, they couldn't shake a strange, unsettling feeling. Despite the lush greenery and vibrant flowers, something about the garden felt oddly sterile, as if it lacked the wild, untamed spirit of the forest they were accustomed to. The carefully pruned hedges and perfectly arranged flowerbeds seemed too orderly, too controlled.
Deciding to ignore the unsettling feeling, Apollo and Artemis set off on a jog, their feet padding softly on the dewy grass. The morning air was filled with the faint, sweet scent of blooming flowers. As they rounded a corner, they bumped into Hyakinthos, who looked equally restless. He decided to join them, adding a third pair of feet to the rhythmic sound of their jog.
Dressed in their pajamas, the trio made an unusual sight as they jogged through the garden. The flowing fabric of their nightclothes fluttered with each stride, catching the soft glow of the early morning light. They passed by priestesses and acolytes, who watched them with a mixture of bewilderment, scandal, and amusement. The sight of three children, still in their sleepwear, engaging in vigorous exercise was unexpected and amusing.
As the first rays of the sun finally peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the garden, Apollo and Artemis were back at the tree, practicing their archery with renewed focus. The quiet thrum of their bowstrings and the soft thud of arrows hitting the target punctuated the stillness of the morning.
A woman dressed in a luxurious purple blouse, adorned with intricate silver and gold embroidery, approached the children. The early morning air was still cold, and she had wrapped herself in a thick, elegant cloth that covered her entire body. Her presence exuded warmth and grace as she smiled at them.
"You are early today, children," Caecilia called out, her voice gentle and affectionate.
"We actually started a bit late, Cae—Mom," replied Artemis, her voice carrying a hint of awkwardness as she adjusted to her new mother's presence.
"Do you love the bow, Artemis?" Caecilia asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"I do. It helps me protect myself. I want to become strong," Artemis responded, her determination evident.
There was a flicker of sadness in Caecilia's eyes as she watched the two children draw their empty bows. "Why?" she asked softly, "Do you want to go to war, Artemis?"
"What? No. I don't want to. I wanted to hunt so I could eat meat, so I could feed my family. I also wanted to be strong so I could protect myself... I don't want to be hungry and helpless again."
Caecilia chuckled softly at her daughter's answer. "You don't have to hunt here, Artemis. You don't need to fight here either."
"Why?" Artemis asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"Because we have someone else to do it."
"Then what should I do? I chose the blessing of the hunter so I could hunt and feed myself and the others."
"You don't need to, Artemis. We have hunters of our own that can hunt for us."
Artemis paused, deep in thought. Apollo looked at his sister, his brows raised in curiosity.
"Then I'll hunt for the others, I guess," she finally answered. "There are hungry people out there. I will hunt for them."
Apollo rolled his eyes at his sister's response. Caecilia simply chuckled. "Hunting is dangerous, Artemis."
"I know... That is why I am training. So I could hunt in the Ever Resting Forest."
Caecilia's face paled at Artemis's words.
"Yeah, she's been planning that for years, actually," Apollo chimed in. "The beasts in the Ever Resting Forest are huge," he remembered the cockatrice meat he had eaten, "and delicious."
Caecilia blinked in surprise but then smiled. "Anyway, children... you should come inside."
"Why?" the three of them asked in unison.
"Because... you should not go outside wearing only underwear."
The three of them looked down at their clothes. They were dressed in simple, long, sleeveless tunics that were soft, light, and pleasant to the skin. They glanced at each other in confusion.
"This is underwear?" Hyakinthos asked, bewildered.
"Looks much fancier than the clothes Merina makes," Apollo whispered.
"I prefer those clothes," Artemis added. "It feels as if this one might rip if I stretch too hard."
"Come, children, you should come inside. Your tutors will be waiting," Caecilia urged.
"Tutors?" Apollo asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Of course," Caecilia smiled warmly. "You shall have the best education in this land. That includes you, Hyakinthos."
The three children went inside the mansion, where they were greeted by a group of attentive servants. The servants quickly set about dressing them in luxurious clothing. The children felt a wave of embarrassment wash over them, unaccustomed to such opulence and attention. The rich fabrics and intricate designs of their new attire were a stark contrast to the simple garments they were used to.
Not long after, a woman dressed in a luxurious purple blouse adorned with silver and gold embroidery appeared before them.
"Haya," she called softly.
"Augu-Mother," Hyakinthos replied, his voice tinged with respect and a bit of nervousness.
"When you are going out, tell me," Augusta said, her tone filled with concern. "It's still cold. The sun hasn't even risen yet. You worried me."
"I'm sorry, A-mom," Hyakinthos replied, looking down at the floor.
"Oh, Haya," she sighed, her eyes scanning his luxurious yet unfamiliar attire. To Hyakinthos and his siblings, the clothes felt overwhelming, but to Augusta, she sees it differently.
"Come, Haya," she said gently, lifting him into her arms, much to the surprise of his siblings. "We should dress you in an attire that suits you."
"I think this is already too much, Au-mom," Hyakinthos protested softly.
"Nonsense," Augusta replied with a warm smile. "My son is the most beautiful child in this world, and I want everyone to know it." With that, she carried Hyakinthos away, leaving Apollo and Artemis standing in the grand hallway.
"Did she just carry Haya like a kid?" Apollo asked, bewilderment clear in his voice as he turned to Artemis.
"I—I think so," Artemis replied, equally surprised.
"She's strong... I guess it's true," Apollo mused, his eyes wide with astonishment.
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"What is?" Artemis inquired, curiosity piqued.
"She is actually a warrior," Apollo answered, the realization dawning on him as he watched Augusta carry Hyakinthos with ease and grace.
The sun had fully risen, casting a warm glow over the mansion and its expansive grounds. The siblings had separated to begin their day, each immersed in their new routines.
Hyakinthos, dressed in a long purple tunic adorned with a stola, admired his reflection in a nearby mirror. The tunic’s rich fabric and the intricate design of the stola made him feel regal. His mother, Augusta, watched him with a proud smile.
"It suits you, Haya," she said, her eyes gleaming with pride.
"Thanks, Mom," Hyakinthos replied with a genuine smile, feeling a sense of belonging in his new attire.
"Now, my dear, go. Your tutor is waiting. Mother has business to attend to."
"Yes, Mother," Hyakinthos replied, giving her a respectful nod before heading to the large garden within the mansion's grounds. Despite the beauty of the garden, he felt a bit out of place. The garden was meticulously maintained by well-dressed farmers, but their attire seemed almost like rags compared to his luxurious clothes. The crops, which included bell peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes, appeared smaller and perhaps less delicious than those from Pacificus's farm.
As he made his way to his instructor, he noticed a young girl planting herbs. She looked up as he approached.
"Are you Hyakinthos?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
"Yes," he replied.
"Alright, young one, let's get started," she said, her tone indicating a mix of patience and expectation.
Meanwhile, Apollo was inside the mansion, surrounded by an impressive stack of scrolls. Through a nearby window, he could see his sister Artemis running laps in the garden, shooting arrows with her classmates. He kept an eye on her while examining the scrolls before him.
A woman entered the room, looking rather haggard with dark bags under her eyes, suggesting many sleepless nights.
"Are you Apollo?" she asked, her voice slightly weary.
"Yes," Apollo replied, looking up from his scrolls.
"Are you always glowing?" she asked, peering at him with curiosity.
Apollo glanced down at his skin, which looked perfectly normal to him. "Pardon?" he asked, puzzled.
"Just ignore it. Let's get started. Did you read all of that?" she asked, gesturing to the stack of scrolls on his table.
Apollo nodded. "Yes, they were interesting. I didn't know cockatrice blood had many uses."
A smile appeared on the woman's face, a flicker of enthusiasm lighting up her tired eyes. "Alright, young one, my name is Hypatia. I'll be your teacher."
Artemis was running laps around the training ground, determined to keep pace with her classmates, all of whom were boys. Despite knowing she was the slowest due to her own perceived flaws, she pushed herself relentlessly. She was the smallest among them, but she refused to let that deter her. Each time she loosed an arrow at the target, her frustration grew as her accuracy remained less than stellar. But she used that frustration to fuel her drive, pushing herself harder with every lap.
Her instructor watched with keen interest. As the training session progressed, he noticed something remarkable. One by one, her classmates began to fall, exhausted. Their aim grew increasingly erratic, and even the older, more experienced boys began to falter. Yet there was Artemis, still running, still pushing, her aim consistent despite her obvious fatigue. A smile crept onto the instructor's face as he observed the young girl. She was tired and sweating, but she never stopped trying.
"Enough, Artemis," the instructor called out, his voice firm yet gentle.
"I still haven't broken my record," Artemis replied, surprising the old man with her determination. He could see the frustration in her eyes, but he also saw something else: grit and tenacity.
"Suit yourself," he answered, allowing her to continue.
Eventually, her pace began to slow. Instead of collapsing like the others, she walked until she finally kneeled down to pray. There was no tree in sight, so she prayed in the open. "I have become weaker," she lamented. "I can't even break my past record."
The instructor raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her dedication and self-criticism.
Their next training session was swordsmanship. The old instructor allowed Artemis to finish her prayer while her classmates sparred with one another, wielding wooden swords that could still deliver a painful blow. The sounds of clashing wood filled the air as they trained.
Finally, it was Artemis's turn to spar. Her opponent was a huge boy, older and much stronger. Artemis knew she couldn't match him in strength, but she had a strategy in mind. She tries to recalled her Pacificus's advice: "When you encounter a stronger enemy."... what was that again? Oh yeah.
As the match began, Artemis darted away from her opponent. Her classmates laughed, and the instructor raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Her opponent, cackling, gave chase. But Artemis was nimble, evading every swing and slash without even drawing her own sword. She simply ran, using her agility to outmaneuver him. Her opponent grew increasingly frustrated and exhausted, his breath ragged, his arms and legs weakening.
Then, with a swift and precise move, Artemis struck, bumping him on the head with the wooden pommel of her sword. She won the spar, but instead of feeling victorious, she felt a deep sense of frustration. She was tired and still dissatisfied with her own performance. "Why am I slow?" she complained inwardly. "I hate this flaw!"
Her instructor watched her, a mix of admiration and curiosity in his eyes. Artemis had won, but she was far from content, her mind already turning over ways to improve.
The spars continued, and Artemis won each one until finally, it was the last round.
Her enemy seemed familiar, as if she had seen him once.
"Go get her, Zephyrus!" her classmates cheered.
"Show that peasant where she belongs!"
"She's already tired! Destroy her!"
Apollo was temporarily distracted by the commotion. So was Hyakinthos, who was nearby, just a wall away.
"What was that?" he asked.
"It's the boys," his mentor replied. "Want to see them?" she asked with a grin.
"Why not?" Hyakinthos answered. "Arty is there."
"Arty?"
"She's my sister."
"There's a girl in the gymnasium? This I've got to see."
"Is it that big of a deal?"
"Of course. You are a girl too, so you would know. People always expect us to be more womanly and bear children. It is quite rare to see a girl in the gymnasium because they usually get crushed by the bigger boys."
"That can't be right. Au— I mean mom is a warrior. She is definitely strong... also, I'm not a—"
"Let's go, Haya. It's getting exciting." She grabbed Hyakinthos by the hand as they went to the gymnasium, which was literally a wall away.
Meanwhile, Apollo was inside the mansion, temporarily distracted by the commotion outside.
"What is going on out there?" Apollo asked, looking out the window as he heard the noise.
"This is a terrible spot to study," his teacher complained. "Let's move, Apollo."
"I would rather not," he calmly answered. "My sister is there."
His teacher looked out the window, seeing a duel between the champion and a smaller girl. "Well, that's not fair," she complained. "Damn barbarians! There is more to this world than fighting and violence... Don't be like these barbarians, Apollo. You deserve better."
"Thank you, teacher... but... I can't abandon my sister."
"Ahh... siblings... you don't look alike th—Ohhh... oh my foul mouth."
Apollo glanced at his instructor. "Teacher, you are dressed like Mother Asteria. Do you know her?"
She smirked. "I'm more surprised you didn't know me... I came from the same orphanage, you know."
"What? How come I didn't see you then?"
"I was married to my job, young one."
"Huh? How could that happen?"
"Ahh, I'm so jealous of the youth. Don't mind the words of an old hag like me, kid. Just enjoy your childhood and learn some more while you are still at it."
"You don't look that old, Mother Hypatia."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"I mean, Mother Merina is the same age as you, and she is already staying with her lover. I think they will get married soon. I just don't know wh—"
"Wait, wait, wait. Merina?"
"Yes."
"Short black curly hair, blue eyes?"
"Yes, but she—"
"The tailor tomboy?"
"That's what you guys call her."
"GODS ABOVE! I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO IS STILL SINGLE AMONG US!" she suddenly shouted. "Since when?"
"Three years ago."
"It's been three years?... Oh my... Oh... this can't go on."
"Ahh, Mother Hypatia."
"Something needs to change."
"Hypatia."
"This can't go on. I need to change."
"...."
Meanwhile, Artemis stared at her opponent. There was a calm demeanor about him that she found infuriating. His eyes looked down on her with a disdain that made her grip on her sword tighten in frustration. She remembered Pacificus and his teachings: to train under him was to learn control—control of the body and the mind, including one's emotions. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and began thinking of a way to beat yet another opponent who was stronger than she was.
She adopted a high stance, mimicking the one she had seen Pacificus use countless times during his practice swings. Her movements were precise, a testament to the hours she had spent observing and emulating her mentor's techniques.
Her opponent, Zephyrus, didn't bother to take a stance. He merely looked at her with contempt, his posture relaxed and dismissive.
"Begin," said the instructor.
Zephyrus moved instantly, a blur of motion as he dashed towards her with remarkable speed. It was a skill Artemis had seen him use in previous spars, a technique that left his opponents reeling from the sheer swiftness of his attack.
Artemis, however, was not surprised. She had anticipated this move, her hunter's perception allowing her to track his movements with precision. She knew she couldn't outrun Zephyrus, so she didn't even try. Instead, with a swift and unexpected motion, she threw her wooden sword directly at his face.
The move was unexpected, reckless, and seemingly foolish. The crowd gasped, and even the instructor's eyes widened in shock. But Artemis had calculated her action perfectly. The wooden sword spun through the air, a blur of brown against the morning light, and struck Zephyrus squarely on the nose.
The impact was solid, and Zephyrus stumbled, his dash faltering as he instinctively raised his hands to his face. The element of surprise had worked in Artemis's favor. She quickly closed the distance between them, her smaller frame moving with agility and purpose. She tackled him to the ground, using her momentum to knock him off balance.
The gymnasium fell silent, the boys watching in stunned disbelief as the small girl bested their champion. Artemis stood up, panting, her chest heaving from the exertion, but her eyes were bright with determination. She had won, and she had done it on her own terms.
A small chuckle escaped from the old man. "Artemis, you won, but do not drop your weapon even in a spar."
"But I threw it," she replied, still catching her breath.
"Do not throw your weapons. Do you understand?"
"..."
"..."
She sighed, feeling defeated. "Yes, sir."
"Louder!"
"YES SIR!"
"Good."
Then a woman in plate armor ran into the gymnasium. She handed the old man a scroll, and as he read it, his face darkened into a scowl. "Practice more laps," he ordered the children. "Dismissed."
With hurried steps, the old man exited the gymnasium, leaving the children to their laps.
"Well, that was anticlimactic," said a young girl. "Let's go back to the garden, Haya."
"Yes," Hyakinthos answered, turning to leave.
As they began to walk away, a loud shout froze Hyakinthos in his tracks. "YOU CHEATED!"
He turned to see the source of the commotion. Artemis stood, clearly exhausted, but still defiant. "No, I didn't," she answered.
"YOU THREW A WEAPON AT ME!" Zephyrus shouted, his face red with anger.
"It wasn't against the rules," Artemis replied calmly.
Apollo looked out the window, hearing the commotion. Hypatia did the same, curiosity piqued.
"APOLOGIZE!" Zephyrus demanded.
"For what?"
"FOR CHEATING!"
Artemis sighed deeply. "All right... I'm sorry," she said reluctantly, before kneeling down to resume her prayers.
But peace was short-lived. Zephyrus, seething with rage, lunged at her. Artemis barely had time to react before he struck her face, knocking her to the ground. As he grabbed her silver hair and began to pull, she tried to fight back, but there were too many boys piling on her.
Just as Zephyrus was punching down Artemis he saw a girl running towards him. It was a beautiful girl. Violet eyes, black braided hair and brown skin. The girl is beautiful so much so he felt as if time slowed down. The girl approach him one of her arm was behind her. Was it a dance? he thought to himself and then that was the last thing he saw or remembered.
For that was not a girl but an angry Hyakinthos, that was not a dance but a battle stance. Young Zephyrus probably didn't remember the punch that sent him flying and planting his face to the ground.
It happened so fast that the boys suddenly stop.
A second later, another boy holding Artemis’s hair found himself airborne, courtesy of an angry Apollo. The boy landed face-first into the ground, his grip on Artemis's hair released.
"How did you get the—" Hypatia began to ask, but stopped herself. "Oh no."
A full-blown brawl erupted. Three children against Artemis's classmates. Despite being outnumbered, the three siblings held their own. Apollo’s innate strength, enhanced by the sunlight streaming into the gymnasium, gave him an edge. Hyakinthos, with strength magnified tenfold, fought with a fury that was unmatched. Artemis, driven by a desire for revenge, fought with a relentless determination.
The gymnasium echoed with the sounds of scuffling feet and grunts of effort. One by one, the classmates fell, until only Artemis, Apollo, and Hyakinthos stood victorious amidst a scattering of defeated boys. Artemis’s chest heaved with exhaustion, but her eyes blazed with triumph.
The fight had been brutal and swift, a testament to the bond and resilience of the three siblings. As they stood together, breathing heavily.
"You okay, sis?" Apollo asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine," Artemis answered back, but the sight of her black eye and the myriad of bruises marring her face told a different story. Her eyes began to well up with tears as the pain finally set in.
"Wait a minute," Hyakinthos said, a sudden realization dawning on him. "Wasn't that... what was his name again?"
"Zephyrus?" Apollo replied, a note of alarm creeping into his voice. "The champion?"
"Yes, that's the one. He is the champion, right? So that means—Oh no." Hyakinthos's face paled as the implications sank in.
"What?" Artemis asked, her voice tinged with worry. "What is it?"
"We need to run, Arty," Apollo said urgently. "We are in big trouble."
"Wha-what? What should we do then?!"
"Big Brother Pacificus knows what to do," Hyakinthos answered confidently. "He is strong."
"Let's run. We can't stay here anymore. We have to build a house in there if we want to live," Apollo said, a sense of urgency and determination in his voice.
"We are building a house?" Artemis repeated, a smile breaking through the bruises on her face despite the pain.
Minutes later, they arrived at Pacificus's hut, their hearts pounding from the sprint.
"Mother Rina," says Artemis, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of urgency, "can we make a house here?"