Artemis stared back at her cousin, Aura, shaken some at the sight of the goddess before her. Like most immortals, their past stacked with decisions blinded by their pride. Her past discretions would have caused any to stay away from Artemis. She was a vengeful god…
Aura, a once virgin huntress like Artemis, was also proud of her maidenhood. She claimed, due to Artemis’ being “too womanly” and beautiful, bedded with Noctis and Orion, thus falsifying her chastity. Due to anger, Artemis’ avenged her dignity from those false lies Aura dispelled. The goddess of the hunt teamed with Nemesis to lure Dionysus into Aura’s bedchamber where they made love, ultimately causing Aura to no longer be the virgin huntress like she proudly displayed. Aura became mad and a dangerous killer from what she claimed to be rape by the god of wine and ecstasy. In truth, Aura welcomed Dionysus in the same evening she confessed to Noctis about her feelings towards him. Wanting Noctis for herself, the daughter of Lelantos and Periboia started the rumor about Artemis’ which flowed through the fields of Olympus. Angered and hurt by Noctis’ refusal to accept her confession, Aura left her bedchamber unlocked to allow Dionysus in. The entire time together she thought of Noctis in her arms. When Aura bore two sons as a result of her night with Dionysus, she killed one, with Artemis saving the other. Iakhos became a loyal follower to Demeter and a leader of the Eleusinian Mysteries, and never saw his mother again.
Aura attempted to assassinate Athena because she wanted to prove to others how skillful she was in strategy and combat. The attack of his favorite daughter, angered Zeus, and ordered Apollo, Artemis, and Noctis to track down Aura, alive. But Hera seemed to get in the way. After some time, thoughts on Aura’s whereabouts dissipated, and with the search for Apollo underway, Zeus dismissed the order so Artemis and Noctis could focus on the Chase.
“Why are you here, Aura?”
“Don’t worry. I forgive you. I won’t go looking for Noctis just yet. I have, distractions, you see.”
Artemis scoffed, she stood in front of a killer. One who tried to murder her beloved sister. Artemis summoned her bow and arrow and shot it through the goddess’ shoulder, pinning her against the tree. Her hand wrapped around her neck and she squeezed it, lifting her taller frame so she would be hanging from her grip. “I should destroy you right now,” Artemis growled back, and received a soft giggle from Aura as she patted her hand to allow her to speak. Lowering her back on the ground and slightly loosening her grip, Artemis kept a hand on the arrow that dug onto Aura’s shoulder. “Speak.”
“I am not into men as much as before…” Artemis stared back at her, not caring about her sexual preference. “You owe me. Release me Artemis.”
It was true. Though Aura welcomed Dionysus, Artemis did seek revenge and had the intention of pushing the god towards Aura and end her virginity. “What do you want, Aura?”