Chapter 279 - 279: Artemis And Van
"Are all of these necessary?"
3 hours before Dionysus's random party, Athena's sighs were the only thing that filled the tavern. The first person that Dionysus met in the New Wall city was none other than President Nisha herself. And in some form or the other, the two gained a connection as Nisha had become a sort of alcoholic ever since the responsibility of being the President was nonchalantly thrown to him by Van.
"It's fine, I already gained permission from the city's leader," Dionysus waved his hands without care as several vines grew inside the tavern, "You are in luck, Mr. Pub Owner," Dionysus then looked at the old fat man with a mustache, who seemed to be nervously looking everywhere.
"I gift upon you unlimited wine for a week, treasure it, and grow this pathetic and dilapidated bar of yours."
"...Thanks?" Although the pub owner didn't really know what to take of Dionysus's words, he still let out a chuckle. If it was true that the fountain that just emerged in the center of his tavern produced unlimited wine, then he would surely profit from it.
"Artemis, tell him that this is a ridiculous idea."
"I think it is fine."
Alas, Athena's voice quickly got overruled as even Artemis just gestured that it should be alright. But of course, Artemis did not really stay that long to find out, since as soon as the crowd started to gather inside, she quickly left the tavern because of all the clamor and noise.
But before she could leave, however, she was cornered by Dionysus and was forced to chug… a number of glasses. As Olympians, for some reason, perhaps by design, they weren't built to withstand the effects of alcohol, even those made by mortals.
Perhaps it was also a reflection of their recklessness as gods. They were too carefree, causing the destruction of their world as they gave birth to thousands of offspring, absorbing all the essence of their universe with each celestial birth.
And so, Artemis, after downing almost how many glasses of wine, walked out of the tavern somewhat tipsy. With her conversing with every animal she sees, the people around her started talking about her. There were also unfortunate souls that tried to approach and hit on her... but suffice to say, they were thrown to the garbage, alive, of course.
But still, she could not help but feel slightly conscious of the stares being given to her by the citizens of the New Wall. So she chose a stable that was isolated from the rest of the establishments.
"There aren't a lot of you left, are there?"
As soon as the gryphons in the stable heard Artemis's words, they quickly approached her, their heads tilting as their confusion slightly dawned over their little brains. Was this human talking to them? They all thought.
But as soon as they felt some kind of warmth emanating from Artemis, their confusion turned into comfort as they all leaned over their heads towards her, allowing her to pet all of them.
"You children are like me, then," Artemis let out a sigh as a small tear trailed from her eye, "There aren't many of us left. And by the end of everything, there would be even less. I don't know if following King Van's plan is the right thing to do, but out of all of us, he is the only one that has the power to choose who lives or dies."
"King Van? Lives or dies?" The gryphons looked at each other. Although Artemis was able to converse with them, their intelligence was still limited to their certain capability.
"Some of my kin caused the destruction of my… home, you see. It was all of your homes as well," Artemis let out a long and deep sigh, "And now we will be choosing who amongst the Olympians will get to live based on how much they contributed to the demise… why am I even telling all of these to you guys? I think I am even starting to see things."
Artemis could not help but groan in frustration as she saw the tilting heads of the gryphons. But afterward, another long and deep sigh came out of her, "Perhaps you guys are the lucky ones. You actually get to start a new life here without anyone judging you… you do not even know that you have lost your home. What am I talking about… ugh, stupid Dionysus. All that alcohol should not be consumed by man nor god, I think I am starting to hallucinate."
Artemis wanted to puke, as black spots were already starting to cloud her vision. Did Dionysus perhaps put a little bit of Hypnos's pee in the wine again? The last time he used it, it knocked her out for quite a while, causing her to dream of a time long past. Now she really wanted to puke.
"Artemis."
But before she puked, a familiar voice called for her from behind. She turned around, only to see Van slowly approaching her. Perhaps it might be the alcohol, but Van seemed taller for some reason.
"..." Maybe this was a hallucination? Artemis thought as she slightly nodded her head, "King Van, what are you doing here?"
Right, Van should be in the party right now discussing how to retrieve Hermes's body from wherever the Circle was hiding it.
And so, with that thought, Artemis decided to play along with this… illusion. Throughout their talk, Van seemed to hold a sort of warm tone towards her, something that Van didn't really do. This further solidifies her theory that Van really wasn't in front of her and only an illusion. Yup, yup, must be.
"Don't bully her!" Artemis then quickly slapped the illusion's hand as it started to bully the gryphon.
"...Sorry."
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to her!"
"...Sorry about that."
Artemis could not help but nod her head a couple of times as she saw Van doing what she told him to. If an illusion of Athena was also here, she would probably scold her for being rude to their king. Right, he is their king now, isn't he?
What does that even--
Before she could finish her thoughts, one of the gryphons in front of them flapped its wings, causing the already tipsy Artemis to stumble right towards Van's arms.
"Are you alright, Artemis?"
"I… am okay, King Van."
Artemis could not help but slightly tilt her head as Van's face was right in front of her, perhaps only an inch away. She wanted to pause her breaths, as it currently stank of alcohol, but as soon as she remembered that it was only an illusion, she just let it go.
"..." She then looked at Van's small lips, which almost touched hers. Come to think of it, Athena had already kissed Van, right? What's all that talk of chastity and purity when she had kissed… No, it was Van that kissed her.
That… was kind of unfair, wasn't it? If someone amongst the Olympians had the right to kiss Van, it was her, since she was the first to meet him. Even though she had lived for a very long time, not once has her lips ever tasted another's, as she too, prided on her chastity.
She, Athena, and one other goddess have chosen the path of eternal maidenhood. But considering that Athena had already lost her first kiss and that they were technically not gods anymore…
...it should be alright? Right? And if she was going to lose it, then who else would be worthy of it if not the man in front of her? The man that will liberate and save them, the man who had already saved her.
And so, without thinking about it any longer, she leaned her head closer as the warmth of their lips merged… and as soon she felt that warmth, she knew that the man in front of him was in fact not an illusion.
With that thought, Artemis blinked a couple of times as she retracted her head, looking Van straight in the eyes as the both of them trembled.
"..." But does it really matter? She had played the role for thousands of years, and had sacrificed her feelings in the name of the role…
...and now it was time to stop.
"Arte--"
Before Van could even finish his word, Artemis once again placed her lips upon Van.
"!!!"
Her eyes then widened as she felt Van's warm tongue wriggle inside of her. Was this really what it felt like? She… restrained herself for thousands of years from this kind of feeling? A feeling of being one with the person that hopefully will be with you forever.
"Van…" Artemis could not help but gasp as she pushed Van away, "I…"
"I'm sorry," Van also stepped back as soon as he heard the confusion from Artemis's voice, "I shouldn't have done that."
Van could not help but cover his face and drop to the ground while sighing in frustration, he then slowly pulled back his hair as he blinked a couple of times, showing the regret from his actions. He then stood up as he looked awkwardly at Artemis.
"I… should go," Van said as his eyes averted from meeting Artemis's eyes. However, before he could even take a step, Artemis suddenly grabbed his hand.
"No," Artemis said as she shook her head, her eyes looking towards the ground, "It… it's fine. I want to."
"...You want to?" Van could not help but take in a gulp.
"With you…
...I want to experience it with you."