Hunter's Arrow (Naomi X Artemis story)

Chapter 4 - Introductions

Artemis
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"Artemis? Like the Goddess?"
The girl was shocked at this news, obviously. It never occurred to Artemis that she could have been a mere Mortal, without a drop of Godly blood. How could she have been so stupid to simply assume? Some of her best Hunters are Mortals themselves!
But still, the Goddess nodded. "That's right."
"Wow..." the girl smiled. "My name is Naomi."
"Naomi..." Artemis returned the same smile, before sitting at a table. "Come sit. I must ask you something."
Naomi sat at the opposite end of the table. It seemed to Artemis that she was eyeing the food. Artemis felt bad that she hadn't made even a little snack.
"Something wrong, Naomi?"
"Oh... it's nothing," Naomi replied. "Just hunger acting up."
"I see... I have some fruit if you'd like some?"
Naomi nodded, taking an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table. She bowed her head in respect, or to say thanks? Artemis wasn't sure which it was. Maybe it was both? The girl lifted her head back up, and took a bite out of the apple. She seemed very happy to be eating.
"Anyway... what did you want to ask?" Naomi finally spoke.
"Something... kept stirring me, earlier tonight," the Goddess replied. "A scream. What was it?"
"Oh..." Naomi stopped eating. "That... that was me..."
"What happened?"
"I'd rather not talk about it. Not now, anyway."
"Well... May I at least know about... the cuts and wounds on you?"

+++

Silence soon filled the room.
Naomi had just finished telling the Goddess about her life, and how she has been abused for the past few years. Artemis felt a wave of emotions flowing through her veins. Sadness, on Naomi's behalf. Anger, at the man who caused such pain to her. But most of all, a longing to keep her safe from that man's harm again. There had to be something she could do, to protect the young maiden.
And suddenly, the idea hit her.
Why not invite Naomi to become a Hunter? She could become a new person among the other girls. She could strengthen herself, become braver, far away from the clutches of her so-called Master.
"Hey, umm..." Naomi speaks. Clearly, she was unaware of what to call Artemis.
"Just call me by my name, for now."
"Okay... Artemis. Are you okay?"
"Oh. Yes," the Lady responded. "I was just thinking about something."
"About what?"
By the gods, that girl had a lot of questions. It wasn't her fault, though. She was new to this, so it was understandable.
"About... your situation. I have a solution to it, if you're willing to try it."
"Anything to get away from Aaron," was Naomi's response.
"Then it's settled. Come with me tomorrow."
"What about tonight?"
"Oh, you won't be returning to that horrible Master of yours tonight. In fact, never again."
Naomi smiled. "That's all I ever wanted."

+++

It didn't take long for Naomi to fall asleep when she climbed into bed.
But Artemis was still awake. The moon shone high, over the tall mountains that touched the sky at its tips.
She simply looked over at Naomi, smiling.
There was something about that girl. She couldn't explain it, but it made her feel... strange.
Like, whenever Naomi was upset, so was she.
She slowly walked over to where Naomi was asleep. Gently, Artemis brushed the fringe away, and planted a small kiss on Naomi's forehead.