ALPHA SIN

ARTEMISIA

“I know you have a lot of things to ask me, darling child, but I don’t think now is the time, as I have limited time here.”

It didn’t startle me. All the goddesses kept saying the same thing whenever they appeared about not having time on their side, and the goddess with me was no exception.

“Come.” She murmured, and I nodded.

I stood abruptly and followed her out of the room, then I was at the front of the doorway once more. She stepped into the one with the sign of the water bearer, and I let out a breath.

The room was the same as the first one, but this seemed less cosy and slightly cooler.

“Do I need to explain who I am to you? I doubt so. I see the knowing look in your eyes already.”

“You are the Goddess Trivia, otherwise known as the Goddess Hecate by the Greeks.”

“Brilliant, child. But I’d prefer if you called me goddess Trivia.” She said.

“I know who you are, but my question is, why are you here? I mean no offence, it was Artemis the first time asking me to get back a moon. And I don’t even know where I can find it because I don’t know who stole it. Now, you. Are you going to ask a favour from a mere human as well?”

Goddess Trivia shook her head. “It might be more like it. I am here to help you. I blessed you even before you were born, and you were a gift. So, as a blessed child, I need to assist you in your quest.”

Creasing my brows, I nodded. Although I didn’t understand what she meant by assisting me. At least, it didn’t sound like she was going to send her animals to me or, worse, shove her torches towards me.

And she even did better than Goddess Artemis, because she was going to help me discover whatever I wanted.

“Brace yourself, darling, you are in for a hell of a ride!”

Before I could ask what she meant by that, the goddess gripped my hand and I let out a shriek as the room swirled.

I shut my eyes tightly, and my tummy did a flip-flop as I continued to swirl. Or maybe it was the room that I was reacting to. I didn’t know which, and I dare not open my eyes as I felt like barfing around the room.

When it stopped, I staggered backwards.

My head reeled, and I groaned as vomit surged up my throat. I squatted and stayed in a position for a while with my eyes shut.

When the feeling subsided, I snapped my eyes open. They stayed on the goddess Trivia, and she was not even affected!

Rather, she kept on staring at me without a word.

“What?” I almost snapped, glaring.

“You need to be strong. You can barely take a blow. And even the simplest spell might be arduous for you.”

“I am training. I just realized my powers. So, I don’t think everything that I need to do about it came with a manual. Heck, it is the same power I am trying to bring forth before you decide to show up and ruin it!”

I let out an exasperated sigh. I was overly upset with what was going on.

How was I going to be successful in the quest when I could barely do anything?

How was I even going to save anyone, a weakling like me?

And the goddesses expected me to know everything beforehand without even informing me!

I was doing everything because of Sin. I didn’t want him to go mad.

Although he was normal the past few days and had not entirely gone, berserker. However, I know it was only a matter of time before it happened.

And maybe that would be the end of me as well as I was the one. I mean, the only one he was brutal towards.

Yet, I could barely defend myself.

“You can.” The goddess interrupted my thought. Her voice sounded far as if it was fading.

“I feel the power in you. I sensed them when I touched your hands. You only need to concentrate and tap into your innermost strength…”

Furrowing my brows, I stared at her. It was just like what Mila had said. I should tap into my innermost strength.

“So, after that, what should happen?”

I swirled around as I sensed no one behind me. “Hello?”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

My heart quickened as the room took another shape.

I didn’t know what was happening, but I sensed it couldn’t be good. And the goddess wasn’t anywhere near as well.

“Goddess Trivia?”

My voice resounded around the large room, and all I got back was an echo and the shuddering of windows.

“Beware, the evil one comes…” a faint voice said.

“Goddess Trivia!” I called out again because I knew the voice was hers.

As I got no response, I let out a deep breath. Then a shrill voice sounded, and I let out a screech whilst I covered my ears.

“Daughter of the moon, you are the only one that can face the strong one. Never be afraid. We are with you.”

As if being shoved backwards by an unknown force, I lurched and prepared to grasp the curtain when I was near it. But the force rammed into me more, and I screamed whilst I collided with the wall.

My scream was so loud I could have sworn I broke my eardrums.

“Artemisia…”

I squealed as someone tapped me. Standing abruptly, I turned and glared at the person.

“Mila! Oh, gods!” I murmured, running to her as she lay sprawled near an enormous cauldron.

“I-I am sorry, I shouldn’t have touched you!” She winced, clutching her side.

“Did I do that?” I pointed at her scorched dress, then at where I had sat.

The candles that surrounded me were still there. And I couldn’t recall holding a torch.

Mila nodded and let out a groan. “You did.”

“How?”

“How else? Magic, of course!”

She grinned. She looked rather happy instead of terrible as I had burned her.

But how did I do that? I didn’t know how. It was as if I could do something unconsciously and when I tried doing it when I am conscious, nothing happens.

“It takes time, and I am not perfect either,” Mila said. “Besides, I am happy you get to show forth your powers!”

“I can’t even bring it out when necessary,” I mumbled.

“What matters is you are a genuine witch, and I can attest to that. So, prepare for the initiation.” Mila flashed me a smile once again before skipping out of the room.

“Oh, goodness.” I huffed.

A small smile appeared on my face and I gazed at my hands. If I had cast the spell as she said, it meant I would do the same at the initiation.

It was thrilling, and I was looking forward to it as well.