I knew morning had finally come when Mars started stirring in his sleep, groggily mumbling nonsense and flailing his arms occasionally, weening himself into consciousness slowly. I envied him all throughout the night as he slept while I myself dared not catch a wink of sleep. I feared what came to me in the night, visions I didn't want to see and couldn't trust. I memorized every inch of the room as the hours passed, counting the bumps on the ceiling, the cracks in the floor and finding comfort in the rise and fall of Mars' chest, though laying next to him was foreign and felt wrong in its own.

For years I had slept alone, and then in the past months it was only Hades that I would coldly lie next to at night and wake up to in the morning. Throughout the night I found myself wish Mars were Hades. Wishing I were home.

Mars inhaled sharply, rolling over with squinted eyes to face me, his hair fluffed and disheveled from moving around so much in his sleep, just as Ares used to. Mars studied me through his slanted eyes as if trying to remember who I was. "Good morning." He mumbled, rubbing his hands over his face before sitting up. "Am I still dreaming or did I really wake up next to you?" A large, cheeky smile filled his tired face followed by a familiar boyish laugh.

"Oh, shut up, will you." I laughed, throwing the blankets off me and stretching to the side. I hadn't left the bed all night as to not upset Mars if he had caught me up or disturb his sleep. As petty as it may sound, the bed was truly uncomfortable. For being in the middle of a war, it was heavenly. But this bed would never enter my home under normal circumstances. Looking at Mars, he felt it too. He rubbed the back of his neck in a massaging motion, wincing a bit before cracking his neck back and forth and standing up slowly. "Are you alright?" I asked, stretching up towards the ceiling for my back.

"Oh, just fi-" Mars stopped as he looked over at me, his eyes widening. "How far has it spread?" He asked urgently, practically jumping over the bed and pulling me to him by my hips as he pulled me shirt up to expose my stomach. All across my pale skin were the marks of dying veins, drained of their life and pushing me closer to the edge of the unknown.

"Mars!" I pulled away quickly, backing into the wall pulling my shirt back down.

"Athena-"'

"I'm fine." I told him, tired of talking about this... this disease with no solution in sight yet. Mars stared at me, completely unamused. "I'm fine." I repeated, for him or for myself I wasn't sure. 

Before he could argue a small, soft knock at the door captured our attention. We shot each other alarmed looks, knowing that depending on who was on the other side of the door, us being in the same room together could be a major issue. "Go to the bathroom and shut the door. Hurry." Mars whispered to me in a hurried, low voice. I followed his orders, scrambling across the room into the cold, small bathroom and shutting the door at once. The second I closed my door, I heard Mars open his, pressing my ear up against the door. 

"Well, good morning." I heard Mars say in a gentle, happy voice.

"Good morning, yourself." The unmistakable sultry, light aerie voice that could turn a mans heart to fire floated to my ears. Aphrodite. My guard dropped at once. It wasn't anyone of importance.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Mars continued his chirpy charade. Or perhaps... perhaps it wasn't a charade at all. Maybe he was genuinely charmed by her. He wouldn't be the first. My heart sank to my stomach as I imagined Aphrodite having that effect on all men. The effect she had had on my man ages ago. Here I was, listening through a crack in the door as I had years ago when I first suspected Ares and Aphrodite but was too blind to see it; when I thought to good of both of them to find it plausible that they would hurt me so. So much time spent denying rumors to everyone and anyone before heading to a house that began feeling less and less like home, waiting outside locked doors for hours, getting cold chills every time the phone shrilly rang knowing there was another woman.

I inhaled sharply, pushing those memories away as Aphrodite's melodic voice drew me back into the present. "I brought this for you." My ears perked up at the way she said 'you'. Whatever it was it was personalized.

"My, my, Aphrodite, you have certainly out done yourself. I can't thank you enough." Mars' exaggerated kindness sent my left eyebrow up. He was certainly laying it on thick.

"A girl has got to be useful somehow." She giggled like a ditz. "Do you really like it, Mars?" She pushed on eager for more compliments on whatever it was she had given him.

"I've never seen armor more beautiful. Truly." Mars told her loosely, receiving another giggle. I rolled my eyes out of habit, becoming more and more impatient. So what she'd brought him a present. Why wasn't Mars just sending her on his way.

"I've a set for Athena, too." Armor for me?  "She's no where to be found, it seems. Have you seen her?" Mars cleared his throat softly. I twisted the handle of the door and pulled it open slowly as two pairs of eyes shot over at me.

"I'm here." I straightened out, raising my chin slightly. Aphrodite gave me a small nod, looking over at Mars quickly before ushering over towards me with a wide wooden box laid across her arms.

She stopped just in front of me, a small shy smile playing on her face. "I've been looking all over for you. I asked everyone if they'd seen you but-... well, I suppose you were here." She shrugged, looking up at me with wide, childlike eyes. So much hatred still lingered inside of me towards her. Even now, years later I wanted nothing more than to wring her swanlike neck for nothing more than the embarrassment she cast on me. I could do it, too. I could add to the blood on my hands.

"What have you brought, then?" I asked coldly, glancing down at the ill crafted box.  Aphrodite solemnly looked off to the side, as she always did when I behaved so coldly to her. We were best friends once upon a time after all. I glanced up at Mars, who eyed us both with an amused look as if he were comparing the two of us or placing bets mentally on who would win in a fight.

"Oh, yes of course." Aphrodite started fidgeting with the lid of the box. "I knew some of you were going to be training troops today and well, you are Gods after all. I want you to look the part. Oh, blast this crate!" She yelled in rage, unable to open the lid, lifting it up as if to throw it on the ground. I seized onto her forearm, blocking her from slamming it down as Mars snickered off to the side.

"Stop." I sighed calmly as she held the box again normally. I twisted the latch on the front, giving her an unimpressed, quick glance before lifting the lid off to reveal the black and gold, shimmering material.

"I'll leave you both to it then. See you upstairs, your highness." Mars cooed, giving me a smirk and a wink before leaving with his own armor slung over his shoulder. I stared after him a few seconds after the door closed, cursing him in my head for leaving me with Aphrodite.

"Go on, then." Aphrodite prodded me, gesturing for me to take the armor out of its box. I gripped the velvet material at its sides and lifted it out, feeling instantly how heavy and thick it was. My eyes widened at its beauty immediately. As much as it would've overjoyed me to hate it, it was jaw droppingly gorgeous.  "Do you like it? I made it especially for you. It's just for training, I'll have another one made for the actual battle. Something more sturdy."

"It's stunning." I told her gently, warmth flowing through my voice as I spoke to her in a way I hadn't in years. When I met her eyes they were glistening, like she'd waited for my words for her whole life.

"I'll help you get into it, if you'd like." She practically yelled, excited. "Its quite complex, I'm afraid. I may have gotten carried away on the corset, but I wanted it to be perfect. For you." She added meekly. I shook my head quickly, gripping the armor to my chest.

"No, I-I'm sure I'll be alright." I told her quickly, walking over the unmade bed and lying the clothing down gently. I ran my finger tips over the cold gold that worked its way into patterns on the corset.

"You're afraid I'll see it." Aphrodite breathed out in a low, sad voice. "It's true then." I looked up at her slowly through narrowed eyes. Aphrodite took three steps back, wisely.

"What's true?" I growled, daring her to go on.

"The Romans... They got you, didn't they?" She asked, bringing her hand up to her collarbone tenderly. Hephaestus. It had to be him. Gods forbid I rely on anyone but myself.

"Get out." I ordered in a low whisper, never taking my eyes off the cowardly goddess before me.

"Oh, please." She begged, rushing towards me. "Athena, I won't tell a soul. I've known for days and haven't said a word to anyone. Hephaestus didn't tell me, not purposely. It's just that he talks in his sleep when he's stressed. I couldn't help but to hear." Her eyes began to water, sending a puzzled look across my face. "Athena, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to anger you. Don't be mad at Hephaestus, he's trying desperately to help you and I... I made sure to make your armor specifically so that no one would see the... you know the..." Aphrodite drew a blank, staring at me wide eyed. Sighing, I cursed myself. It wasn't her fault, I supposed. I nodded slowly.

"Shall we?" I said grimly. Aphrodite sprinted into action, preparing the garments while I undressed in front of the floor to ceiling mirror in the corner of the room. I took in the sight of my body sadly. My wrists were still wrapped, the bandages clean enough, but the wounds aching, still not healed. The intricate black lines snaked around my back, thigh, and rib cage, reaching up and pulsing across the shoulder of my left arm. 

"Here we are. Oh!" Aphrodite came into view behind me in the mirror, her mouth open, looking at my reflection. "Does it hurt?" She asked quietly. I nodded slowly, sighing. She masked her feelings quickly, putting on a fake smile. "I'll be careful, then. Lets start with the pants..."

Nearly 15 minutes later I was dressed in the striking armor, the likes of which I had never seen in all of my existence. Rich, black spandex form hugging pants topped with an off the shoulders hard gold embroidered corset. Across my chest and stomach were gold spirals and specks, but on the sides of ribs down to my hip bone and wrapped around my back were golden owl wings. A velvet black cape draped elegantly all the way to the floor from the cuffs around my shoulders. the armor was finished with two holsters around my thighs with two medium lengthed swords and a pair of over the knee black boots with a small stubby heel. Aphrodite braided my hair up into a halo, placing a golden wreath crown on my head when she was finally satisfied.

"There. Now turn around, let me see you." She cooed. I did as she asked, spinning slowly to face her. Aphrodite drew a sharp breath, bringing her hand up over her mouth. "You look... There are no words..." Tears brimmed her eyes again, but she quickly began fanning her eyes to stop it. "Forgive me, it's just..." Tears overflowed from her eyes as I stared at her once again puzzled. "It's just... you're so beautiful, Athena. I can't believe they've done this to you." She turned from me, using the sleeve of her white dress to wipe her eyes. As confused as I was towards her sudden deep emotional connection to me, it weighed on me that she knew now what I'd worked so hard to keep from my fellow gods.

"Aphrodite." I spoke her name softly and she turned to face me, holding herself together again. I took a few steps towards her, placing a hand on her shoulder gently. She looked up at me with big, wet eyes. "It is... It is very important to me that you keep what you've seen and know a secret. Can you do that for me?" Aphrodite nodded, smiling a small sweet smile.

"Oh, yes. I'm good at keeping secrets." She whispered. Of course I knew what a good secret keeper she was. But would she keep MY secret. Nodding, I gave her one last kind look.

"Thank you, Aphrodite. It's truly stunning." I told her sincerely, running my hand over the bodice again.

"It's the least I could do. You and Mars and my husband, you're all so strong and brave. I'm no good at fighting or... anything really, besides this." She gave me a look up and down before smiling at me, holding my gaze. "I so wish I could be more like you."

She looked at me for a moment before I shifted, glancing back at the mirror one last time before clearing my throat. "I should get going. Mars will be waiting for me." Aphrodite nodded quickly, picking up her crate off of the bed, glancing over the ruffled sheets. 

"Of course." She breathed out. "I'll just gather my things. You head out, best not to keep them waiting." I nodded my head at her, turning and leaving out into the florescent hallway with my cape trailing behind me.

The halls echoed with the sound on my heels as I walked quickly upstairs. I briefly debated checking on Hades, but I figured it would be best not to see him. We'd have the same fight all over again, him trying to get me to leave and me making excuses to stay, only this time I feared I'd give in. It wouldn't take much to tempt me into going home.

I stood outside a set of heavy metal doors, pausing before pushing them open. Though the doors muted much of the sound, the chorussed chants of pre-training excitement pulsated into the halls. Adrenaline coursed through my body. I had missed this. And this was the last war I would probably see.

Pushing the large door open, my mouth near fell open. Thousands of men and women, some burly, some thin, some with swords, others with arrows and hammers all stood before me, kneeling as soon as I walked into the room. All of them were wide eyed, most of them lacking potential. Mars gestured for me to join him, Artemis, and Apollo, all dressed in the same material as I, on the raised stage in the center of the group as a  path cleared for me amongst the people. I walked as regally as I could, as these people were expecting me to, but all the while I could feel the sticky liquid dripping down my hands and I knew that blood was to be theirs. Mars held out a hand to me as I neared the stage and I accepted. As he helped me up the stairs, he pulled me near him. 

"Will you say something, or shall I?" Mars whispered near my ear. I shook my head, feeling nauseous and lightheaded.

"No, no I think you should." Whispered back, turning from him sheepishly and walking over to stand with Apollo. I took deep breaths to calms myself, Ignoring the feeling of thousands of eyes on me to the best of my abilities. Not to mention Mars', who had warned me more than once.

"You alright there, your majesty?" Apollo asked in a bland tone as Mars addressed the crowd. I glanced at his emotionless face, starring straight ahead before I did the same.

"You don't have to call me that, you know." I muttered, looking across the stage at Artemis, who wore a simple gold chainmail blouse, black legging and boots. She paid Mars no attention, and instead was chiseling at an arrow head, perfecting the tip. There was a tension though neither of us faced the other, and a guilt that crept around at the bottom of my chest.

"Give her time." Apollo nudged my shoulder with his in a way that no one would have noticed or seen, but it brought my attention back to Mars. "She won't be angry forever. She's still your friend." He assured me. Though deep down I knew he was right, I remembered the anger in her eyes yesterday and suddenly wasn't so sure. Hades flashed across my mind, as he often did. Suddenly I remembered who I was talking to.

"If you both are here then-"

"He's in good hands, don't worry. Aphrodite said she'd stay with him while we helped the new recruits." My heart dropped to my stomach. Aphrodite alone with my fiancé. The situation was all too familiar. "Don't fret, she doesn't have to administer any medication or anything. He'll be fine. I'd focus up if I were you. Mars is not in a joking mood." The room erupted into ginormous 'Hoorah's' before I had the chance to think about Aphrodite and Hades any longer. I had to push it aside for now.

Mars marched over to Apollo and I just as Artemis drifted over to us. I looked at her sunken in face, from no sleep probably, receiving no look back, just a cold stare forward at Mars. "Alright, Artemis you know where you're going." Mars pointed at her and off she went, sprinting over to a large sectioned off area with archery targets and recruits gathering around. "Apollo, you're on axe throwing."

"Yes, sir." Apollo gave me a glance before turning and running off to his area.

"What about me?" I asked, looking up at Mars who squinted down at me.

"You should have spoken, it wasn't the same from me." He said in a low voice, coming closer to me.

"I think they got the message just fine." I noted, backing away a step.

"You're good aren't you? You look good." Mars closed the gap between us again, peering down at me with scrunched brows. I debated telling him I wasn't, that I wasn't sure I should be here, that I didn't know if I could trust myself.  I glanced over at Artemis's area, where she had started calling out orders to the troops. "Athena." Mars snapped, demanding my attention.

I shook my head quickly. "I'm fine." I saw as convincingly as I could.

"Good." Mars nodded shortly. "You're with me today. Hand to hand combat. Let's go."

"I'd rather observe today, I think." I told Mars just as he turned away. He looked back at me with one eyebrow raised.  I motioned to the steel deck that encircled the entire gymnasium. "I'll help where its needed." I told him sternly and left before he could object. Up a set of spiral stairs, I found a place to nestle on the observation deck. Below, they began immediately, first with a small introductory lecture to whichever skill set, and then into demonstrations and practice exercises. It was from above that I could tell how rough of shape we were in. Most of these men had  never fought a day in their lives. They had never felt the brutality of the Gods, but they were to learn.

Minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days. Two days of training flew by with only minor hitches and no delays. At night the men returned to their grounds and in the morning they returned to their lessons. I paced the floor and the balcony endlessly, but avoided contact with men and gods alike. At the end of each day, Apollo, Artemis, Mars and I conferred in a study to plan out the next day and strategize about the imminent battle drawing near, but it was all a shot in the dark. We had no idea what we were walking in to. After the conferences, Apollo and Artemis would retire to their rooms, and Mars and I would retire to ours where he would lock the door from the inside. Mars would lie awake with me for an hour or so, telling me stories about his previous battles both won and lost before falling asleep and leaving me to stare at the ceiling and think of my fiancé and the life I was leaving behind as this disease that had spread across nearly my whole body consumed me.

I'd managed to avoid Hades for the past two days. Artemis kept her word and managed to weaken him with toxins enough to keep him bed ridden, and Apollo assured me Aphrodite was doing a fine job of watching over him but still my heart ached for him each night in a way I'd never felt before, whether it be guilt or longing or both.

On the third late afternoon of training I watched from the balcony as always. By now the men were on their own in each category. Two men at a time sloppily fought hand to hand with Mars presiding over, Apollo giggled as soldiers threw chrome hammers and knives at dummies and missed, and Artemis glared disapprovingly as her archers missed the round bullseye for form mistakes.

"Your highness." A familiar voice said from behind me as I leaned against the railing. I looked back to see Poseidon walking diligently across the deck to me, clad in matching armor to the rest of us.

"Poseidon." I acknowledge him as he approached the railing, peering over the troops. "Your armor suits you."

"Aphrodite dropped it off this morning... How are they doing?" He asked hopefully, his attention on the two women fighting with swords near Mars. Just then, one of their lost their footing unprovoked; a careless mistake that would cost them their life in a real battle. 

"They are learning, but at a pace that does not compliment our time frame." I buried my face in my hands, bring my hands to the back of my neck.

"Speaking of time frame, Hephaestus and I are nearly finished with our machine. He's finishing up the final touches right now. Not a day too soon, I imagine." He sighed.

I nodded my head solemnly. "It's spread even further. Last night I had another attack... I thought I was drowning in blood but Mars was there to help..." I drifted off into the memory of it, remembering the feeling of my lungs filled with the hot, thick liquid, the feeling of wanting so badly to breathe but getting nothing. I snapped back into the present, remembering where I was. "As soon as you're done come to the study, bring it to the study please. But say nothing in front of Artemis and Apollo." Poseidon nodded, turning on his heel and on his way.

Minutes later, an eruption of yelling drew my attention to a pair of men who were fist fighting in Mars area. I scanned the crowd for Mars but he was no where to be seen. My heart raced as I scanned for him again. Where was he? One of the men turned to the rack of weapons and grabbed a long barreled sword, pointing it at his opponent, who had also turned to a rack and gotten a sword and was being cheered on by the crowd to fight. How dare these men, brothers to each other, aim to end the others life? In a time of war, when they're meant to be training nonetheless. The two men ran towards each other. In a rush of adrenaline and anger, I leaped over the railing, landing on the ground in a crouched position, the boom of my impact shaking the training arena and silencing the commotion at once, the sound of two swords clanging to the ground rang out. I rose to my full height, and began walking through the parted crowd, glaring at the two men in the center. Each of them trembled before me as I neared them, a vibration of rage radiating off of me.

I slowed my steps as I reached the center of the circle, choosing the larger of the men, the one who initially grabbed his weapon, to focus my gaze on. "Raise your sword to me, soldier." I said in a low voice, noticing the hard swallow he took. 

"I-I could never, your majesty." He bowed his head, not considering the thought for a moment. "Never."

"Raise up your sword." I dared him again. He paused, seemingly frozen in time before a small shake of his head followed by his meek voice again.

"I would never, my queen." He said weakly, his voice trembling.

"BUT YOU WOULD RAISE IT TO YOUR BROTHER!" I boomed, the sound echoing off the walls. The two men began apologizing over and over again, but I wouldn't hear it. "HEAR ME, AND HEAR ME WELL!" I turned and marched up the stairs to the raised platform as to be better seen and heard. "YOU ARE ALL EACH OTHER HAS. YOU ARE ONE ARMY, ONE TEAM. IN BATTLE, YOU WILL RELY SOLELY ON YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU. IF YOUR BROTHER'S ARROW MISSES IT'S TARGET, YOU DIE. IF YOUR BROTHER'S AXE MISSES AN ENEMY, YOU DIE. IF YOUR BROTHER'S SWORD CLASHES WRONG, YOU DIE. IF YOUR BROTHER'S KILL EACH OTHER BEFORE THE BATTLE EVEN BEGINS, THAT'S ONE LESS BROTHER TO WATCH YOUR BACK! AM I CLEAR?"

"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!" A roaring crowd chanted back to me. 

I starred at the large crowd before me, all of them looking at me and silently asking for something more. Something to drive them forward harder, faster. "I KNOW ALL OF THIS IS HARD. WE'VE ASKED SO MUCH OF YOU. YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR HOMES AND YOUR FAMILIES. YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR LIVES BEHIND. HERE AND NOW, YOUR EFFORTS ARE FOR THEM!" The crowd roared in agreeance. "YOU ARE HERE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES! FOR YOUR HOMELAND AND OLYMPUS! YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE, AND FOR THE FUTURE PEACE THAT ONLY THIS WAR CAN BRING! YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR GODS AND THEREFORE YOUR HONOR! AND IF NOT FOR HONOR... WHAT SHALL WE DIE FOR?!" The crowd roared again, chanting "FOR THE GODS! FOR THE QUEEN!" over and over again more excited and louder than ever and brandishing their swords and bows. I spotted Mars far off in the back, leaning against the wall looking ever as cool. He winked at me as Apollo and Artemis walked on the stage, ushering everyone to their stations. As I walked off the stage, suddenly Mars was by my side. 

"Great job. That's the speech I was looking for earlier." He took my hand as to lead me down the stairs. I turned to him abruptly.

"You let those two men nearly kill each other just so I would talk." I shot daggers at him with my eyes.

"Inspire." He corrected in an amused tone, walking past me back towards his area. 

"Athena." Artemis called to me in a flat tone, walking towards me with a stern face. "I've got to go check on Hades. Would you watch over the archers for me?" My heart sank, but outwardly I nodded.

"Of course." I assured her and off she went. I paced over to the archery area, finding a good spot off to the side to observe. Soldiers made their way to the front line, took 3 shots and then cycled back to the end of the line. Some of them shot better than others or had better form, but next to none of them hit the center bullseye, always one or two rings off. It would get the job done, sure, but it was just another reminder that these were not soldiers. 

"You gonna hit the target this time, honey?" I turned my head and watched the bulky, short man approaching a lean female with a bow in her hand about to take a shot at the marks. The woman turned her head towards the man, satisfaction spread across his face. "Last time you sent it flying straight into the ground, right?"

"Shut it, Jivint. You haven't his the center yet either." She snapped at him, fiddling with her arrow.

"I came a hell of a lot closer than you. If you make this shot you can have my rations for a week." The man dared here, getting just a few inches from her face. The girl turned sharply back to her target, taking a few seconds to draw her bow before releasing an arrow that reared too far to the side to even hit the target. A memory I'd almost forgotten flashed before my eyes; target practice in the lush green forest, a picnic and campfire. An arrow that missed its target and a lost bet. Ares joking and lighthearted, me a little too serious and desperate to prove myself. Her shoulders sank as the man laughed wildly, giving her a smack on the back before turning to head towards a group of men his stature and size.

I made my way over to the cursing girl with two arrows left. "Hello." I said calmly, yet still the girl turned to face me abruptly. 

"Your majesty!" She bowed and I nodded for her to rise. The girl before must be no more than 20 years, and it was obvious from her freckled, tanned skin that she came from the country, a farmer perhaps.

"What is your name?"

"Exa." She told me nervously, refusing to maintain eye contact with me. "Your majesty, forgive me. I'm not a good archer I'm afraid. Perhaps I should try another skill."

"Nonsense." I told her, reaching for her bow which she eagerly handed over. I felt the weight of it in my hands and picked at the ribbon. It was a fine enough weapon. "The bow is a powerful weapon once you know how to wield it. You just need a bit of help, that's all." I handed it back to her, giving her a friendly smile which she gladly returned. "Show me your stance." Exa adjusted herself into her taught form, but it was off for a girl of her size. "Move your feet closer together. Good, yes like that. Now open yourself up, turn your shoulders further so you can draw further back." I instructed. Exa's facial expression told me she was nervous, whether it be of making a fool of herself or because I was there I don't know. But I remembered something Ares once told me when I was first learning the bow, and I realized I saw myself in Exa. "The bow is powerful, Exa, but so are you. When you shoot this arrow, see it pierce the center of that target. See it split the fabric, and split it hard." I stood back, giving her space to take her shot.

Exa released the arrow, sending it flying just barely into the center circle, right on the line of the second ring, but still a bullseye. Every second, every inch of the memory of Ares hit me like a tidal wave. A clenching sensation squeezed at my heart as I looked at the arrow stuck in the center. Exa turned to thank me, but I was already gone. I made my way through the crowd, towards the exit of the room where I felt a pulling sensation calling me when I came across Artemis with her arms folded.

"You did good work with her." She said coldly, glaring at me even now. I reminded myself where she returned from, and I already knew her feelings on what I was doing to Hades.

"Thank you." I said quickly, rushing past her. A hand lightly gripped my arm and pulled me back.

"Aren't you sticking around?" Artemis' face scrunched up in confusion, searching my face as I struggled to remain neutral.

"I have something I need to do." I told her, turning to leave again but her remaining hold on me held me back.

"Does Mars know you're leaving?" Artemis asked, concern ridden. She hadn't spoken to me as kindly as this in days. But I felt only a certain disregard to her.

"Tell him if you must. I will ask no more favors from you." I told her bluntly, turning and ripping my arm away from her as I exited the loud, bustling arena.