Olympiad is Falling, The Rise of Artemis

The bar Stella worked at reminded me of the bar I worked at. At least I wouldn’t be heading back there when this was over. I couldn’t wait for then. To have Rocky back and never again see the darkness of the mage dimension skies. Every time I stared up at the sky that held the sun captive heaviness settled on my chest and I struggled to breath.

Stella dried glasses, made cocktails and slid beers across the counter. I nursed the same glass of water until Alfie showed up.

‘I thought I was late,’ He adjusted his glasses.

He smiled at me. I smiled at the ground. As much as I was falling for him before Rocky was kidnapped there was someone else developing in the picture. I hated that he was in the picture.

‘No, Stella’s connection is a no show.’ I eyed her out of the corner of my eye.

‘He’s coming, he’s just busy.’ She crossed her arms.

‘Another elf?’ Alfie asked.

‘I hope not,’ I said.

‘He’s an angel okay. One with connections.’

I rolled my eyes. Daylen’s an angel and in the queen’s court. He must be influential enough. What would he think about us talking to another angel? I traced the pendant he gave me. It was solid gold, I felt bad even bathing with it. When I traced it at night it was only Daylen who played in my mind.

‘Beautiful necklace,’ Alfie offered me a weak smile.

My hand fell from the necklace. ‘It’s- it’s a gift from a friend I got it a while ago.’

He nodded then struggled to pull his phone from his pocket. He scanned the screen for a second.

‘Shit, guys I have to go. Trouble at home. Hera’s forces have been spotted near our territory.’

Stella’s brows burrowed. ‘Hera’s found the blancus witches? This can’t get any worse.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. ‘It’s okay, she hasn’t found us yet. Still we have to take precautions.’

When he was gone Stella wiggled her brows at me. I rolled my eyes.

‘I think he’s a nice guy,’ she said.

‘I know,’ I sighed.

A black jacket landed on the seat next to me. Marcus jumped on the stool and flashed Stella a sexy grin.

‘Marcus?’

His head snapped in my direction. ‘What are you doing here?’

Stella rattled her head, ‘You two know each other? Artemis, what the hell have you been up to?’

‘No, no he’s Daylen’s best friend.’

Her mouth formed a big circle. ‘Daylen’s the uptight one?’

Marcus blushed, ‘I didn’t say that exactly.’

‘Did you check out what I asked?’ Stella lifted her brow.

‘You know what to do to get it,’ he smirked.

‘Gross!’ I frowned.

‘Ugh, now isn’t the time for games Marcus tell me what you know.’

‘I guess you don’t want it that badly.’

Stella growled. I slid out of my stool. Daylen was better off compared to this. Well, there was that ego and temper. I wasn’t looking where I was going and ran smack dab into a muscle wall.

‘Sorry,’ I attempted to walk around him, but a meaty hand circled my arm.

‘Artemis,’ he said.

I looked up to his pale face, blue eyes and inhaled the scent of earth and trees. It took me to a place I’d never been to, but knew I needed to be.

‘Who are you?’

‘Relax buddy. You have to control yourself with the beautiful ones.’ Marcus grabbed the man’s shoulder and received a hand in the gut. He flew across the counter and smacked the wall.

Stella screamed she pulled out her wand. The spell flew at the stranger’s head, I ducked and the mountain man slapped the spell onto a table. It exploded and people bolted from their seats.

‘I came to take you home.’ He said.

My eyes rounded. ‘Home?’

‘Yes-‘ A ball of golden light blasted into his chest, burning his army green shirt.

I stumbled into a table. Marcus dusted himself off. He straightened his shirt, his fingers sparked. I looked at the mountain man.

His shoulders slumped. ‘I really don’t want to deal with this right now.’ He arched his back and puffed out his chest.

Marcus pulled out a glowing silver rope. ‘You’re under arrest for attacking a member of her Majesty’s royal guards.’

‘You’re standing in my way! I don’t care who you are!’

I scanned the empty bar for Stella. All the tough guys in here earlier vanished and so had my best friend. There wasn’t a mage in sight and I could be the victim of a deflected shot.

‘You’ll regret it,’ Marcus swung the rope like a cow boy. As it rounded it came to life, seeking the mountain man like a python.

The rope wrapped around the mountain man’s meaty arm. Marcus glided across the floor. The veins on the mountain man’s arms bulged as he battled the blaze of the weapon.

‘Surrender,’ Marcus grunted.

‘Stella, where the hell have you gone to?’ I bit my lip.

The mountain man grab the rope, pulled Marcus inches closer before flinging him across the room into the booths. He kicked the lifeless weapon aside. His eyes landed on me, my hand went on my necklace. This was that time I needed Daylen whether I liked it or not. I could not take him.

‘Artemis, I’m here to take you home. Back to Olympiad.’ He said.

‘Olympiad?’ My hand gripped the necklace. I don’t know if I was doing it right, but my mind was screaming for Daylen.

‘There’s a lot you don’t understand and I’ll explain it to you. My mission is to bring you home safely. I promised your mother.’ Mountain man stumbled forward. He turned and grunted, the back of his shirt burned with a blast of power.

‘Marcus wait!’ I jumped out of my hiding place.

‘Stay out of this Artemis,’ Marcus growled.

Sparks grew in his palms. Lighting burst into the ground, digging up the bar floors.

‘I’m the one he wants! He won’t hurt me.’ I cried.

‘He attacked me and I won’t let him get away with it.’ Marcus growled.

Mountain man stood tall, shoulders back. He didn’t do anything to protect himself, not even a hint of a murmur of a spell. Marcus aimed the lightning at him, sending him crashing across the counter.

‘No!’ I covered my face.

I rushed to bend over the counter. Mountain man lay unconscious covered in glass and liquor. He knew my mother, he knew who I was, what I was. He couldn’t be lying. He didn’t steer. I swallowed and turned to Marcus. He grinned then bent to pick his rope.

‘I told you he wanted me!’

‘What are you his accomplice?’

‘What-‘

‘Don’t think because Daylen likes you I won’t lock you up.’

I blinked a couple times. Mountain man groaned. I rushed round the counter to cover him.

‘That’s enough,’ I said.

Mountain man flipped on his back. I looked down at him then at Marcus. His face was wrinkled with anger.

‘Step aside, I’m warning you.’

I stood, ‘No Marcus, I’m warning you.’

The rope in his hands glowed to life. I shook my head, his mistake. I raised my hands as he swung his rope. Mountain man jumped over the counter, my wrists slammed together. Marcus and I went flying in different directions. A surge of power burst the bottles, tore threw the ground, turning the counter into toothpicks.

I landed on my chest, glass digging into my skin and sticks clinging to my hair.

‘Fuck Artemis,’ Mountain man groaned.

I panted and raised my head. The ceiling was missing. A gap split the room in half giving me clear view of the grey sky.

‘Oh no,’ I dragged myself off the floor, and wood sliding off my clothes.

Mountain man rolled on his back. He groaned, turning to me.

‘Let’s go,’ He staggered to his feet.

He held out his hand. I looked up at him then at the gaping whole in the room. I’d done it this time. The General wouldn’t stop until he had my head this time.

‘Who are you?’

‘Orion, I’m taking you home!’

‘You’re not going anywhere. You’ve done it now.’ Marcus spat, his mouth red with blood.

I took Orion’s hand, he lifted me like a leaf off the ground and shoved me behind his back. Marcus pulled a blade with a golden handle and twelve inches’ steel. The metal lit up. Where the hell did they get glowing weapons?! Marcus wasn’t going to stop until we were down and Orion was a hard one to step on.

I swallowed. My hand went back to my necklace.