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  ARTEMIS COULDN'T COUNT THE amount of times Kingo had commented on her glow since that fateful night with Druig. And he was right — she was glowing. She couldn't stop glowing when she knew Druig loved her. But today, that glow had dimmed significantly. Artemis returned to the Domo later than usual, the Deviant fight had taken longer than normal and Gilgamesh had gotten hurt. Kingo, still recovering from a rather bad injury, was lounging in the Astro-Lab with Sprite and Druig. "Welcome back!" He called to her as she trudged in, feet dragging tiredly.

"Not now, Kingo," Artemis grumbled, making her way over to Druig, who watched her worriedly. She was barely standing, her hair was a mess and a mix of dirt and blood streaked across her cheeks. She fell into the seat next to him, shuddering as she leaned against his chest.

"My darling," He breathed, maneuvering himself to hold her better. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Artemis's eyes closed as she tried to take a deep breath. "I was distracted. Gilgamesh was hurt and Thena couldn't get to him. I didn't see the Deviant, my back was turned and it...took advantage of that." She could feel his hands carefully wander over her body, checking for anything broken or bleeding.

"Have you gone to see Ajak?" Druig asked her softly, voice filled with concern.

She shook her head. "No. Gilgamesh was far more important. I'll find her later."

Sprite had gotten up from her seat. "Will you be okay?"

Artemis opened her eyes at the smallest Eternal's shaky voice. She smiled weakly. "Of course,"

Kingo called from across the room. "She has Druig to take care of her! She's in...good hands." Despite his attempt at making a joke to lift the mood, Artemis could hear the nervousness in his voice. As much as Kingo loved to tease her, that did not stop him from worrying about her. They were family, after all.

Artemis could feel Druig tense up at Kingo's comment. "Is now really the time to joke?"

"Hey, I'm just trying to lighten the mood," Kingo raised his arms defensively.

"It's okay, Druig," Artemis sighed tiredly. "I'm okay, and I don't have the energy to argue right now. Kingo was only trying to help."

Druig barely relaxed but stood down at Artemis's request. Throughout the hours that they waited for Ajak, he couldn't stop his mothering as he checked all over Artemis, making sure she wasn't dying. Artemis allowed him, too tired to tease or even keep her eyes open. She must have fallen asleep, because when they opened again, Ajak was kneeling in front of her, concern evident by the creases in her face. "Artemis," She spoke softly.

"Ajak..." Artemis groaned, trying to get up. A sharp pain shot up her side and she winced back into Druig's chest.

"Save your strength, darling," Druig cooed quietly into her ear. "She's here now."

"Is Gilgamesh okay?" Was the first question out of Artemis's mouth.

Ajak smiled kindly and nodded. "Yes. All thanks to you," Slowly, she reached up, taking Artemis's hands. "Now, let's fix you up."

Artemis immediately relaxed as Ajak's magic began to work. A golden glow encompassed her entire body as Ajak healed her. Her pain was lifted away and all Artemis was left with was exhaustion. Slowly, she was able to sit up on her own, allowing Ajak more room to work as she was no longer pressed against Druig's chest. "Glad to see you're okay," The soft voice of Thena caught her attention.

Expecting her usual hardened face or half-smirk, Artemis was surprised to see a frown etched onto her perfect features, not a hint of amusement in sight. "How is he doing?" She asked as Thena crossed the room towards her. Artemis noticed Sersi, Phastos and Ikaris walk in behind her.

"He's stable," Thena nodded, sitting down on the other side of Artemis. Throughout the hour she had been sitting there, Druig had not moved, a hand always on her arm, in her hand, on her back, or on her thighs — he could not bear to be away from her. "We finally just got him to sleep."

"Good," Artemis nodded. "He needs the rest more than any of us," She shifted awkwardly as Ajak's hand ran along her spine, feeling something snap back into place. "What was that?" She turned to face the woman.

"A disc merely shifted," Ajak said casually. "It's all better now," She checked over Artemis once more, hovering a glowing hand over the outline of her body. "And it seems like you are all done."

"Thank you, Ajak," Artemis bowed her head.

Ajak placed a hand softly on her cheek and smiled. "Go and get some rest. We leave tonight."

"What?" Artemis blurted out.

"The Deviants have been eradicated from Babylon," Ajak explained. "The people no longer need us."

"But what about the Persian threat?" Sersi stepped up. "A war is brewing."

"Yes," Ajak nodded. "War is coming to Babylon. But you both know the rules — we do not interfere unless Deviants are involved."

Sersi and Artemis locked eyes. They were thinking the same thing. "Of course, Ajak," Sersi bowed her head. "We're sorry. How about I take Artemis to bed?"

"That would be kind of you, Sersi," Ajak smiled. "You may go."

Sersi nodded and held her hand out. "Shall we?"

Artemis smiled softly and nodded. Her legs shook as she stood, but she stayed steady. Druig was quick to stand with her, not helping her, but staying near just in case. Artemis took Sersi's hand and before they left, she sent a smile over her shoulder to Druig. "Thank you," She looked at Sersi.

"Anything, Art," She smiled, her nose wrinkling. "And besides, I wanted some alone time with you. Everywhere you go, Druig seems to follow."

"I know," Artemis shook her head and chuckled. "I'm working on it."

"It's cute," Sersi countered. "He loves you."

"I love him," Artemis said with a simple shrug. And after a few moments of silent walking, they reached a resting room, but neither of them made a reach for the door. "So...we're going out there, right?"

"What?" Sersi blinked.

"Out there!" Artemis pointed to an exit. "The Persians are practically knocking on the gates. Babylon needs our help."

Sersi looked down. "You heard what Ajak said..."

Artemis sighed, not buying Sersi's attempt at backing out. "You love these people just as, if not more, than me, Sersi. We have to do something. Who cares what Ajak says."

Sersi's head stayed down, but Artemis could see the growing smile on her lips. "When are we doing this?" She asked as she looked back up.

"Tonight, before we leave Babylon," Artemis looked around. "We should bring someone. Maybe Ikaris?"

Sersi laughed. "That's not going to happen!"

"You're right," Artemis chuckled. "I don't know why I said that..."

"Maybe because you were nearly killed?" Sersi crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned back on the black stone wall.

Artemis scoffed. "That's an over-exaggeration."

"Not really," A new voice startled them both. Artemis jumped around to see Sprite, her magic slipping away to reveal herself. "Sneaking out, huh? I want in."

"Really?" Artemis tilted her head. "I'm surprised."

"I wanna get out there again!" Sprite bounced on the balls of her feet impatiently. "Please, Artemis! Sersi!" The two looked between each other and Sprite huffed. "I'll tell Ajak if you don't let me come."

"Deal," Artemis didn't hesitate. She ignored Sprite's giggle and turned to Sersi. "Are you okay with this?" They both did not want to disobey Ajak — they loved her, after all — but they couldn't just leave the Babylonians to die.

"Yes," Sersi nodded. "But we should go before I change my mind."

The three of them quickly moved through the hall, keeping their footsteps light, and by some miracle, they made it out of the Domo undetected — not even Makkari sensed them leaving. Before they had even left the Hanging Gardens, they could hear screams. "We're too late," Artemis breathed. "They're already here."

Sersi placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "We will do what we can," They shared a nod. "And Sprite, stay close."

"Will do," Sprite saluted.

The three Eternals ran up the steps of the Hanging Gardens and out into the burning streets of Babylon. A knot formed in Artemis's throat as she watched a Persian soldier raise his sword to a Babylonian woman, clutching her bleeding child in her arms. She screamed and begged the soldier to let her live.

Artemis acted swiftly in activating her powers, holding her hands out to allow her bow and an arrow to form. Quickly, she fired it, piercing the foot of the Persian soldier, causing him to cry out and drop the sword. "Sprite! Get the woman out of here!" She called.

"On it!" Sprite ran quickly, weaving through falling debris until she reached the woman and her child. She tried to lift the woman, but she kicked and screamed, not wanting Sprite's help. "She won't let me lift her! Her child is hurt!"

"Sersi!" Artemis called. "Do what you can for the child! I'll try to fight off the soldiers!"

"I'll do my best!" Sersi nodded, rushing over to Sprite and the woman.

Sprite and Sersi were more than capable on their own, so Artemis ran further into the city. More screams filled her ears and fire upon fire raged through every building she passed. It was a massacre. Artemis tried her best not to kill the Persian soldiers, but she wanted to give the Babylonians a fair fight. And as she fought alongside the men of Babylon to protect the women and children, she watched more than she cares to have seen fall and perish. Three Eternals and the entire city of Babylon could not push back the Persians.

"Artemis!" Sprite called as she rushed up behind her. "We've gotta go! This isn't working!"

Breathing heavily and sweating, Artemis turned, bow and arrow at the ready. "I can't...we can't leave them to die!"

"There's nothing more we can do!" Sersi emerged from the thick smoke billowing from the fires. "It was worth a try, Art."

"No..." Artemis shook her head, her breath becoming shaky. "We...no...Sersi I can't!"

"We have to go now, Artemis," Sersi frowned, reaching out for Artemis's arm.

She tried to struggle against Sersi's grip, but another wave of exhaustion hit her, and Artemis allowed her bow and arrows to turn into nothingness. Her head dropped as a tear ran down her cheek. "We failed them..."

Sersi sighed, nodding as she pulled Artemis along, back to the Domo, Sprite following behind them. A side entrance opened for them and Makkari was waiting on the other side, hands on her hips and a smirk on her face. "Where have you three been?" But as Artemis looked up, tears welling in her eyes and running down her cheeks, Makkari's smugness dropped as she immediately rushed to her side. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Artemis shook her head as she trudged forward. "They're all going to die...and there's nothing we can do," Sersi's hand let go of her as Artemis walked forward, away from her fellow Eternals, avoiding the Astro-Lab to an open and empty room, where Arishem's statue towered menacingly. She looked up at the red stone, her vision blurred by her tears. "Why..? Why can't we interfere? None of this makes sense..."

She ran a hand down her face and dropped her head forward, towards the window that sat behind Arishem. She took a step forward, the roaring fires, bright and dangerously orange, clearly visible. The Domo began to rise over the city of Babylon as Phastos began to pilot the starship, leaving the city forever. Artemis walked towards the window, wiping away her tears and steadying her breath as she did so. Below, she could see the spread of the Persian attack. The whole city, inside and outside the walls, burned. The people were either being taken as slaves or slaughtered where they stood. "This doesn't make sense..." Artemis repeated.

AUTHORS NOTE
hii! I'm pretty proud of this chapter, not to toot my own horn! TOOT TOOT. anywayy, this book is at 4k reads already which is crazy and a cannot thank you all enough! I hope you enjoyed some little character development for Artemis!!

Also I would love if we could try to make a ship name for Druig and Artemis! I've drawn blanks so far but maybe you guys could help!