Son of Fire

Hearing the boy's explanation, Artemis regarded him with curiosity. Something about him was undeniably unusual, and her instincts told her this encounter was significant. Slowly, she extended her hand and said in a firm yet calm voice, "Come here."

The boy hesitated but complied, stepping closer to the goddess. Artemis reached out and gently placed her fingertips on his forehead. Almost instantly, a faint yet undeniable wave of divinity washed over her senses. It was stronger than that of an average demigod—nearly on par with the aura of a child of the Big Three. Her hand lingered for a moment before she withdrew it, her silver eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.

"You're a demigod," she said, her voice tinged with surprise, loud enough for her hunters to hear. "And a powerful one at that."

The hunters exchanged looks of shock. They had not sensed his presence when he was hidden, yet now, his aura was undeniable. The boy's fiery eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and acceptance as he responded.

"That explains why the monsters have been chasing me for so long," he said, his voice calm yet weighted with exhaustion.

Artemis's expression softened ever so slightly, though her tone remained curious. "Since when have they been chasing you?"

The boy tilted his head as if trying to recall a memory he'd rather forget. "Since I was born, I think. I'm not sure." He paused, his gaze momentarily distant before he continued. "From what I know, from what the matron of the orphanage told me, my house was found burning under a great fire when I was a baby. My mom, Laura Ignis, was killed in the blaze. I was the only one who survived."

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he recalled the rest of his story. "Ten years ago, monsters came to the orphanage. I was the only one who could see them. I didn't understand what they were, but the moment I saw them, I started running. Not long after, I was walking through the streets of California and saw a news report on a TV in a shop window. The orphanage was gone—burned to the ground. Everyone was dead, including Mary, the matron."

The boy's voice grew quieter, tinged with regret. "That's when I decided I couldn't stay around people anymore. Wherever I went, I brought danger with me. So I came to this forest. I realized the mist kept mortals out, but for some reason, it didn't affect me. I've been living here ever since."

The hunters listened in silence, some skeptical, others moved by his story. Then the boy added, his tone lighter for the first time, "The only time I leave is to visit the public library about nine kilometers from here. The librarian there... she's kind. We've become friends."

Artemis studied him carefully, her mind racing. This boy had lived a life of survival, always running, always hunted. Yet, there was strength in him—something undeniable. She didn't know his parentage, but she could tell he was no ordinary demigod. The hunters, still wary, waited for her judgment, their bows resting but ready.

Artemis tilted her head slightly, her silver gaze sharp and unwavering. "But how did you learn to fight the monsters?" she asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and suspicion.

The boy leaned slightly against a nearby tree, arms crossed casually yet ready to spring into action if needed. His fiery eyes flickered with a faint glow, contrasting against his pale, sun-kissed skin. He spoke calmly, recounting his story.

"At first, I didn't know what to do. I was just a kid, wandering out of the forest. Then I stumbled across my first monster—a Cyclops with a warhammer the size of a tree trunk. I froze for a moment, but instinct kicked in, and I started running like my life depended on it... because it did. I weaved around trees, dodged his swings, and prayed he wouldn't catch me."

The hunters exchanged glances, a few skeptical, others silently impressed by the boy's composure as he described his ordeal. He continued, his tone steady but laced with a hint of humor.

"While running, my mind raced. I kept thinking, 'Why couldn't I have a weapon? A warhammer like his? Or at least a sword or a spear, like the great heroes I'd read about in all those myths?' And just like that, as if my thoughts answered themselves, a massive spear appeared in my hand. I didn't stop to question it. I kept running, and when I saw my chance, I turned and drove the spear right into the Cyclops's chest. He exploded into golden dust."

One of the younger hunters gasped softly, but Artemis remained impassive, though her eyes narrowed with curiosity. The boy smirked faintly and added, "I've always been a fan of mythology—Greek, Norse, Roman, Egyptian, you name it. Even Celtic myths and their strange heroes. Sure, some of them had... let's say questionable morals, but their stories were fascinating. I guess knowing a bit about monsters and heroes helped me figure out how to survive."

He paused, then extended his hand, palm up. A moment later, a small dagger materialized in his grasp, its blade glinting faintly in the dim light of the forest. "Turns out I can summon weapons. Not just any weapons either—whatever I can imagine. A spear, a sword, a hammer, even this." He twirled the dagger between his fingers before letting it vanish into thin air.

The hunters murmured among themselves, their expressions a mixture of wariness and intrigue. Artemis, still watching him closely, folded her arms and asked, "And you've been surviving like this? Summoning weapons and wandering the forest?"

The boy shrugged. "Pretty much. I hunt animals for food, read at the library whenever I can, and..." He gestured toward the makeshift camp, his gaze lingering on the scattered paintings of the forest and the sky. "...I picked up painting as a hobby. Miss Rosa, the librarian, even lets me help around the library sometimes. It's not much, but it's enough to buy painting supplies now and then."

He glanced back at Artemis and her hunters, his fiery eyes calm but resolute. "I guess you could say it's been a pretty monotone life—hunt, read, paint, repeat. But it's better than bringing danger to people."

The forest fell silent again, save for the rustling of leaves. The hunters watched him, their bows still in hand but lowered slightly, their suspicion tempered by curiosity. Artemis, however, remained deep in thought, her divine senses pricking at the edges of the boy's story. There was more to him, she was certain of it. But what exactly, she couldn't yet tell.

Artemis tilted her head slightly, her silver gaze sharp and unwavering. "But how did you learn to fight the monsters?" she asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and suspicion.

The boy leaned slightly against a nearby tree, arms crossed casually yet ready to spring into action if needed. His fiery eyes flickered with a faint glow, contrasting against his pale, sun-kissed skin. He spoke calmly, recounting his story.

"At first, I didn't know what to do. I was just a kid, wandering out of the forest. Then I stumbled across my first monster—a Cyclops with a warhammer the size of a tree trunk. I froze for a moment, but instinct kicked in, and I started running like my life depended on it... because it did. I weaved around trees, dodged his swings, and prayed he wouldn't catch me."

The hunters exchanged glances, a few skeptical, others silently impressed by the boy's composure as he described his ordeal. He continued, his tone steady but laced with a hint of humor.

"While running, my mind raced. I kept thinking, 'Why couldn't I have a weapon? A warhammer like his? Or at least a sword or a spear, like the great heroes I'd read about in all those myths?' And just like that, as if my thoughts answered themselves, a massive spear appeared in my hand. I didn't stop to question it. I kept running, and when I saw my chance, I turned and drove the spear right into the Cyclops's chest. He exploded into golden dust."

One of the younger hunters gasped softly, but Artemis remained impassive, though her eyes narrowed with curiosity. The boy smirked faintly and added, "I've always been a fan of mythology—Greek, Norse, Roman, Egyptian, you name it. Even Celtic myths and their strange heroes. Sure, some of them had... let's say questionable morals, but their stories were fascinating. I guess knowing a bit about monsters and heroes helped me figure out how to survive."

He paused, then extended his hand, palm up. A moment later, a small dagger materialized in his grasp, its blade glinting faintly in the dim light of the forest. "Turns out I can summon weapons. Not just any weapons either—whatever I can imagine. A spear, a sword, a hammer, even this." He twirled the dagger between his fingers before letting it vanish into thin air.

The hunters murmured among themselves, their expressions a mixture of wariness and intrigue. Artemis, still watching him closely, folded her arms and asked, "And you've been surviving like this? Summoning weapons and wandering the forest?"

The boy shrugged. "Pretty much. I hunt animals for food, read at the library whenever I can, and..." He gestured toward the makeshift camp, his gaze lingering on the scattered paintings of the forest and the sky. "...I picked up painting as a hobby. Miss Rosa, the librarian, even lets me help around the library sometimes. It's not much, but it's enough to buy painting supplies now and then."

He glanced back at Artemis and her hunters, his fiery eyes calm but resolute. "I guess you could say it's been a pretty monotone life—hunt, read, paint, repeat. But it's better than bringing danger to people."

The forest fell silent again, save for the rustling of leaves. The hunters watched him, their bows still in hand but lowered slightly, their suspicion tempered by curiosity. Artemis, however, remained deep in thought, her divine senses pricking at the edges of the boy's story. There was more to him, she was certain of it. But what exactly, she couldn't yet tell.

The hunters stared at Artemis in shock. Had she just complimented a boy—a demigod? The idea seemed almost absurd to them. The Goddess of the Hunt, who held little regard for males, praising one? Whispers passed among the group, their voices low and incredulous.

Alexander, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention. A shy smile tugged at his lips, and his fiery eyes softened. "Me? Strong?" he said, his voice uncertain. "I'm not that strong. I just... think quickly. Most of the monsters that come after me are big and dumb. It's not like they're unbeatable."

He paused for a moment, as though gathering his thoughts. "Though there was this one time, about three years ago, when I had a serious problem. I ran into what I thought was just another dragon, but this one had way too many heads to count. Every time I cut one off, it grew back with an extra one." He chuckled nervously. "That's when I realized it was a Hydra. Took me forever to figure out how to deal with it. Ended up setting the thing on fire just to get it off my back."

The hunters exchanged glances, some clearly impressed despite themselves. But Zoe Nightshade, Artemis's lieutenant, scowled as soon as Alexander mentioned the name Heracles.

"If I had the strength of Heracles," Alexander continued, oblivious to Zoe's reaction, "I could've just ripped it in half and been done with it. But I'm no Heracles." He glanced around and noticed Zoe's displeasure, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he shrugged. "Not that I'd want to be Heracles. That guy was... well, let's just say he wasn't exactly a role model."

Zoe's scowl deepened. She folded her arms and opened her mouth to speak, but Alexander beat her to it.

"I mean, look at the stories about him," Alexander said, his tone turning more animated. "Most of his labors? He didn't accomplish them on his own. He manipulated people, leaned on his fame, and acted like he was the greatest thing since fire. Sure, demigods back then were arrogant—probably still are—but Heracles? He took it to another level. From what I've read, he was a self-righteous bastard who got by on brute force and trickery."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zoe's face, and for a brief moment, a small, satisfied smile broke through her usually stern demeanor. Artemis, too, allowed a rare smile to touch her lips, though hers was subtler, almost hidden beneath her usual air of detachment.

"Interesting," Artemis said finally, her voice calm but laced with curiosity. "A demigod who admires cleverness over strength. That is not something we hear often."

Zoe, though still wary, nodded slightly in agreement. For the first time since their encounter, she seemed to regard Alexander with something other than disdain.

Alexander noticed their reactions but decided not to comment. He simply shrugged again, his black hair catching the faint light of the fire. "I just call it like I see it. Anyway, you still haven't told me what you're doing here in this forest."

Artemis tilted her head, her silver eyes glinting as she addressed Alexander. "You know this forest better than anyone, it seems. Perhaps you can help us. From what my scouts have told me, a Lydian Drakon has been spotted in this forest. Do you know where it is?"

Alexander leaned casually against a nearby tree, his fiery eyes calm but alert. "The drakon? Yeah, I know where it is. It's by the creek on the eastern edge of the forest. It showed up yesterday."

The hunters exchanged uneasy glances. The mention of the Lydian Drakon was enough to make even the most seasoned among them tense. The creature was notorious for its immense size, its near-impenetrable golden scales, and venom potent enough to kill demigods and gods alike if they weren't careful.

Artemis nodded at his words. "Good. You will lead us there."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Lead you there? Sure, but let's make something clear—I don't give my respect to just anyone, god or human. Respect isn't a free pass. It's earned."

A ripple of shock passed through the hunters. Phoebe, her disdain for Alexander already evident, stepped forward, glaring at him. "How dare you speak to Lady Artemis like that? You're just a self-taught boy playing at being a hero."

Alexander's smirk deepened. "And you're just a girl swinging weapons around and pretending you're better than everyone else. Tell me, how's that working out for you?"

Phoebe's face flushed with anger, and she gripped her bow tightly, but Artemis raised a hand, silencing her. "Enough, Phoebe," the goddess said calmly, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Alexander, your confidence borders on arrogance, but your knowledge of this forest will be useful. Lead us to the drakon."

Alexander pushed off the tree and nodded. "Fine. Follow me."

As he began leading them through the forest, he continued speaking, his tone conversational. "You know, I would've dealt with the drakon myself, but there's a problem. Only a child of Ares can kill it. Otherwise, it'll just keep regenerating."

Artemis's eyes narrowed slightly. " Fortunately,we have one among us." She turned to Phoebe. "This task will be yours."

Phoebe straightened, her pride evident as she replied, "Of course, Lady Artemis."

Alexander glanced back at her, his fiery eyes glinting with mischief. "Good luck, Phoebe. You'll need it."

She sneered. "Oh, I don't need luck, especially not from someone like you. I'll show you what a real hunter can do."

Alexander chuckled softly. "Great. Just don't get yourself killed. That'd be embarrassing."

As they walked deeper into the woods, Artemis studied Alexander with growing curiosity. Despite his irreverence, there was something about him that intrigued her—something more than his fiery aura and unusual resilience. She finally spoke again. "If you know this forest so well, why haven't you taken care of the Cyclopes near the drakon?"

Alexander shrugged, his tone casual. "I was waiting for them to move away from the drakon. Easier to take them out one at a time. But since you're here, I figure we can handle them together. Think of it as teamwork."

The hunters bristled at his words. Zoe Nightshade, who had remained silent until now, spoke coldly. "Do not presume that we need your help, boy. We are the Hunters of Artemis. We do not rely on the assistance of men."

Alexander stopped and turned to face her, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Look, I don't care about your little code or whatever. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this because if that drakon and those Cyclopes get out of this forest, they'll wreak havoc on people who can't defend themselves. So, if you don't want my help, fine. But don't get in my way."

Artemis raised a hand again, signaling for silence. "Enough. We will proceed together. Alexander, lead the way."

Alexander gestured toward the clearing where the Lydian Drakon lay, its massive form coiled like a golden fortress. The beast's scales shimmered, each plate appearing as impenetrable as the strongest armor. Nearby, a group of Cyclopes stomped about, their deep, guttural voices carrying through the forest.

Artemis assessed the situation quickly. "Phoebe, the drakon is yours to slay. I will assist you, along with Zoe and three others. The rest of you will handle the Cyclopes. Leave none standing."

The hunters nodded, splitting into two groups. The younger ones moved toward the Cyclopes, their bows drawn, while the others flanked Artemis and Phoebe. Alexander lingered a moment before following the group assigned to the Cyclopes.

"Let's see how this plays out," he muttered, his fiery eyes scanning the battlefield.

As Phoebe approached the Lydian Drakon, its immense head rose, its golden eyes narrowing. A low, guttural hiss escaped its maw, and venom dripped from its fangs, sizzling against the ground. The drakon's tail lashed behind it, snapping tree trunks like twigs.

Phoebe gripped her weapon tightly, her expression determined. Artemis stood beside her, a calm yet commanding presence. "Focus, Phoebe," Artemis said. "Strike true and swift. We will create an opening for you."

Zoe and the other hunters nocked arrows tipped with celestial bronze. They fanned out, moving with the precision of a well-trained unit. Artemis raised her bow, her silver arrows gleaming in the light.

"Fire!" the goddess commanded.

A volley of arrows streaked through the air, striking the drakon's scales. Though they failed to pierce its armor, the beast recoiled, momentarily distracted. Taking advantage of the opening, Phoebe charged forward, her celestial bronze spear gleaming as she aimed for the softer underbelly of the drakon.

The drakon roared, swinging its massive tail toward her, but Artemis intercepted the strike with a well-placed arrow, causing the beast to shift its attention. "Now, Phoebe!" Artemis called out.

Phoebe leapt, driving her spear into the drakon's side. The creature roared in pain, its venomous breath filling the air. It thrashed violently, forcing the hunters to scatter and regroup.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the clearing, the Cyclopes were engaged in battle with the younger hunters. Alexander watched as they fought, their movements sharp but careful. He smirked as one of the Cyclopes turned its attention toward him.

"Looks like it's my turn," Alexander muttered, materializing a short sword in his hand.

The Cyclops charged, swinging its massive club with enough force to crack the ground. Alexander sidestepped gracefully, his movements fluid. He darted forward, slashing at the Cyclops's leg. The creature howled, stumbling slightly, but quickly recovered.

"Big, dumb, and predictable," Alexander quipped, dodging another swing. He moved with calculated precision, landing strikes at vulnerable points until the Cyclops fell with a thunderous crash.

Nearby, the younger hunters worked together, using their agility and teamwork to outmaneuver the remaining Cyclopes. Alexander nodded in approval, stepping back to observe their progress.

At the creek, the battle against the drakon reached its climax. Phoebe, with Artemis and the senior hunters providing cover, aimed for the beast's heart. The drakon's movements grew sluggish as the celestial bronze weapon pierced deeper into its body.

With one final, deafening roar, the Lydian Drakon collapsed, its massive form disintegrating into golden dust. The hunters stood in silence for a moment, their breaths heavy but victorious.

Artemis placed a hand on Phoebe's shoulder. "Well done," she said, her voice steady but tinged with pride.

Phoebe nodded, though her gaze flickered briefly toward Alexander, who leaned casually against a tree, his fiery eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Not bad," Alexander said with a smirk. "Maybe you're not as helpless as I thought."

Phoebe glared at him but said nothing.

Artemis turned to Alexander, her expression unreadable. "You fought well," she said simply.

Alexander shrugged, a faint grin playing on his lips. "I told you I'm clever. Big and dumb monsters don't stand a chance."

The hunters exchanged glances, some still wary of Alexander, while others seemed grudgingly impressed. Artemis studied him for a moment longer before nodding.

"We will rest here for the night," she announced. "Tomorrow, we will decide our next course of action."

Alexander said nothing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. For the first time in years, he wasn't alone—and though he wouldn't admit it, the company wasn't entirely unwelcome.